muskegman

Monty has had a great career. His swing is relaxed, flexible, fluid, and repeatable. I enjoyed it when he was featured in Playing Lessons with the Pros. His approach to golf is good. No jeers, but I never have been thrilled with his reverse "C" in the follow through. Never-the-less he's made a better living at golf than I have.

In no particular order (for The Trap Five): Sam Snead - Effortless power. I like how fluid his swing was. Adam Scott - Technically very good but not as smooth. Ernie Els - Butter. One of the best ever. Ben Hogan - As many have said he has the best self-taught swing in history. So many classic positions and angles. Kenny Perry - I'm just kidding. While being one of my favorite players he has one of the weirdest swings I've ever seen. Agree or disagree? Any additions?

So far I've been playing Titleist irons. The 690.CB's feel like butter and look great at address. I greatly benefited from moving to stiff shafts throughout the bag a while back. Beyond that, I use these irons because I like them.

Much of anyone's iron choice comes down to preference. But keeping your handicap in mind is important as you choose. Variables: Forged or cast? A feel thing. If you like the feel of forgings that'll inform your choice. Deep or shallow divots? Dictates the amount of sole you may want and how much bounce. Descending or sweeping blow? Do you make good use of long-irons from the fairway? If not, hybrids probably would revive your long-iron game. What do you like to look at visually? Thick or thin topline? Big or small head? Do you miss right? If so, a little more offset may help you. What is your swing speed? This will determine shaft flex. Once you answer those fundamental questions then you can begin looking for appropriate irons. Then it comes down to personal preference. Just about every major manufacturer has an iron that fits any criteria and need you may have. I do, like you, wish that people would answer the questions you're asking with something more than I like "Iron X." There is an iron for every need and preference. Once you answer the need and preference question it gets pretty easy. What does your game demand and what do you like to look at in your bag and at address?

Click "User CP" on the menu (far left). Select "Edit Signature." Select "More" under smilies and you'll find a collection of manufacturer logos. That's about it.

I favor Titleist over Callaway generally for their thinnish topline and buttery feel. I recognize that's just an opinion. If I were to pick, I'd go with the Titleists because they are slightly more understated. JMO. Whatever makes you more confident and smile more. Happy hunting.

I play an Adam's Idea Pro 20-degree and absolutely love it. Here's a review .

I'm using the ProForce V2 stiff and love it. After being a Grafalloy Blue guy for a while I've been pleased with the V2. It is stable and provides a lot more feel than the Blue ever did. As always best bet for choosing a shaft is getting fitted.

I disagree. He's honoring Tiger who is already at legend status on the PGA Tour. Everyone out there knows that Tiger is something special. But I do think he came across as proud of his accomplishments. He's already cemented his place in the game by surpassing some of the legends he's mentioned.

I wasn't thrilled with the non-traditional look they had but I'll have to putt with one now. This is the first feedback I've heard.

OK, my respect for Mickelson just went up about ten notches. That's some strait shooting. Everyone's take is that Phil is putting on a show. You know... he's one of the "top ten hated athletes" and all. Well, I respect him for shooting strait with us in this article and we need to hear more of what he's saying there. Good for him. I really enjoyed that article.

This week's Trap Five will go live on Friday. I'll be writing about the "Most Likely First Time Major Winners in 2007." What players would you choose and why? Here's five possibilities: Henrik Stenson is at the top of my list for good reason. Stenson is a great player and has proved that he can perform under pressure during the last couple of years. He's got a beautiful swing and is my top pick. Trevor Immelman is an outstanding player with a good track record. He's got good length and has been under pressure enough to know what he has to do to perform in the clutch. Luke Donald is major championship hungry and has been for a while. I think he can play smart enough to get it done without overwhelming length. Adam Scott needs a major in his twenties. I'm not as sure of Scott than some others. He doesn't come across as having as much hunger. Carl Pettersson's play has impressed me for a while now. I could see him snagging an unlikely major this year. Him and his 6' putter play well together. Plus it's a good weapon in a fight. Padraig Harrington is a good player, he impresses me, but I don't think he'll grab a major anytime soon. The glaring lack of first time major winners has to be from the Americans. There aren't any really impressive up-and-comers on this side of the pond. I don't see Chad Campbell, Lucas Glover, or Joe Durant getting-er-done in 2007. Agree? Disagree? Anyone you'd add?

Where do your misses go? High right? Low left? It appears that you may have a little reverse pivot going. You seem to finish in a bit of a reverse-c position. It's a "fire and fall back" move that robs power from the swing and makes it harder to hit the fairway. How do I know? I wrote the book on the reverse pivot. It's my signature move. Seriously, my swing is much improved since getting a proper weight transfer. Try to get most of your weight on your left foot in your finish. Finish standing more upright with your belt-buckle toward target. Having said all that it would be good for you to explain where you miss most of the time.

Hey Ken. You live in a beautiful spot. I've never had the pleasure of playing the Banff Springs course but I had a lovely dinner with my wife at the castle. Welcome.

Sorry, can't help but speak. While I'm not a regular Callaway player (I do own and play Fusion irons from time to time), they do have some of the most playable equipment on the market. It doesn't really surprise me that they have a good GD Hot List showing. Callaway has marketed toward the average player, like Ping has done, and I believe it's paid off for them. I don't think they've paid them off.

Oh-my-word. Sorry Hippo, but I'm not buying it.

It's a shame that JD hasn't taken better care of himself. He seems like a nice guy and his working man persona will always be something people can identify with. Unfortunately his place as a role-model hasn't been cemented since he hasn't overcome his demons. Having said all of that, I'm still a fan. I wish him well for 2007.

There can be no doubt that Tiger has improved, helped, and in many ways bolstered golf's image. Foremost is how serious Tiger takes fitness. He has transformed the game into an athletes sport, redefined PGA Tour success, re-written the record books, and almost single-handedly increased pro earning potential. Golf is taken more seriously by the media these days. Currently ESPN likes to mention his PGA Tour win streak. When we think of sports superstars Tiger will get mentioned with the best in any sport.

I have the Graf Blue in my Titleist 905T and have generally enjoyed it. It produces a good ball flight. I've found the club to be a little boardy though and have enjoyed the feel of UST's V2 more. The guys are right though, the best way to know for sure is to get properly fitted. Otherwise its just a crap shoot. Good luck.

I can hear Elmer Fudd now: "Unbe-wie-vable."

Welcome! I imagine with the population and busyness of London it would be hard to get out and golf. But if you're passionate about the game, as so many of us are, you just do it. Looking forward to seeing you around.

Retief Goosen thinks Yes! putters are pretty good. I think he won his U.S. Opens with a Tracy and has it in the bag again. I see a bunch of them on LPGA Tour events as well. I've been using a Yes! Olivia for a long time and it rolls the ball great, has adjustable weighting, and is easy to line up. Not sure the cost for the Yes! putter line but they are worth the investment. There are a ton of great putters out there and each of them has good qualities. Putters are so personal. TaylorMade makes AGSI Insert putters which are very popular and for good reason. The price is pretty good too. Odyssey Golf makes a ton of options and they are very reasonably priced compared to some others. I'm not terribly excited about insert putters for some reason but they do the trick for a lot of people, pros included. Bottom line: you want something that rolls the rock for you. That's why getting out and trying a bunch is always the best way to decide. Happy hunting.

Welcome aboard. That is a beautiful golf course.

I thought I was responding to myself, based on the bag you carry. It's an updated version of me. It is quite possible you are a better golfer than I so if this doesn't apply, take it with a grain of salt (then a Tequila and a lime). Playing a 3-wood depends on how much hay you're trying to hack out of. Don't attempt a long second out of too much grass. An 8-iron to the fairway is better than a 3-wood to the deep woods. Plus, wet rough is more difficult to handle than the dry variety. That might be throwing you off. If the ball is sitting down in damp rough pick a 7-iron over a 3-wood. It you have a relatively good lie, put the ball back in your stance a little (one ball) and swing normally. It'll create a little more downward strike and you might find the ball pops out a little easier. Careful the weeds don't grab the hosel so that you end up with a pull hook. Peace.

I didn't see that hole, but I did see her make bogey on a reachable par-5. She chunked her bunker shot, duffed her chip, and two-putted for a cool bogey. Ouch. Didn't sound like her best day but did sound like a typical day for me.