RockingCPA

Functionality is, by far, the most important feature, to me. Looks would be #2, and I don't care that much about the brand matching my clubs. I used a Ping Hoofer Lite for years with no Ping clubs in the bags. Right now, I have a Titleist Midsize Staff Bag and a Titleist 14-way stand bag. I have to admit that I like the looks of Titleist bags and that all my gear matches, but would have bought another brand if the functionality wasn't there. :-)

I took my first lesson yesterday from a guy named Steve Holmes in Moorpark, CA that teaches Stack and Tilt. He is also a part-time pro player that had status on the Nationwide tour in 2010, and played in the Justin Timberlake tournament, and was lead in driving accuracy one day with a distance average of about 285. He uses video in teaching, which was another big reason I went to him, and we found that I was actually doing quite a few things very well, but... BACKGROUND I started playing 13 years ago, but took about 3 years off and just started again about 3 months ago. My biggest problem has been hitting fat iron shots. I've been driving the ball pretty well and hitting just under 60% of the fairways (which is much better than before I quit), and averaging about 235 off the tee. My longest drive in the last 3-4 rounds being 268 and in the fairway. I've been shooting consistently in the mid-upper 80s and those fat iron and wedge shots have cost me at least 4-6 strokes per round, where I'm making double or worse. My goal is to be a single-digit hdcp by mid 2011. The lowest it's ever been was 10.91. I think going from a 14 to a 9 is much harder than going from 20 to a 14, because you MUST be consistent and avoid those bad swings that cause a big number on any hole at any time. THE LESSON So, I decided S&T; might be the answer to improve my ball striking. What we found on video is that I was not getting my weight enough to my left (forward) leg and I was releasing a little early, so the shaft was even with the ball. With those 2 problems I could easily hit 2" to 4" behind the ball. I had already started trying to keep my weight on my left foot and not moving my head off the ball, and just those 2 things had helped, but still wasn't great. The other changes he wanted to make weren't as dramatic. The main points I struggled with was sliding the hips left vs spinning and maintaining the angle in the right wrist past impact, with the hips being the more difficult for me. What I found easy was that you straighten your right leg while loading your weight into a bent left leg in the backswing and then spring up in the downswing, which is like cracking a whip. My hands became more passive, which is what I believe tightened up the dispersion pattern while gaining club head speed. Steve was great and worked with me for over 2 hours to make sure I took the changes with me. I saw an immediate improvement in my dispersion pattern. I gained a some distance with my irons, and I didn't loose any distance with the driver (which, again, I was hitting pretty well, probably because I didn't have to contend with the ground). Toward the end, as I was getting more comfortable with the swing, I started hitting the driver farther, as well, AND straight. Probably the biggest thing I gained was more consistency in the ball striking, which, again, was what I was looking for. I'm committed to this change, as the concept makes perfect sense to me. By setting your weight left and then moving more left, it eliminates what I perceive is probably the most complicated move, shift to the right turn-shift back to the left and turn. Simpler is better for most of us...definitely for me. Thank you Steve Holmes and thank you Stack and Tilt. Bob Edit 12/25/10: I bought the Stack and Tilt eBook last night for Kindle on my iPad. It is quite enlightening how many of the principals of S&T; come from classic swings. So far, I'm impressed with the book.

I just submitted quite a few pics of my Titleist Midsize Staff Bag, which is pending approval by the moderators. Since I'm new to this forum, I guess they have to look at the post to make sure I'm not posting porn. LOL The pics will show the bag by itself AND on my Sun Mountain Micro Cart. I was afraid it would look ridiculously big, like a circus elephant on a tricycle, but it actually is a perfect size. Also, the mounting brackets on the Micro Cart seem to have been designed to work with a bag like this. There is a padded area on the bottom side just below the top collar that fits perfectly on the top bracket. Unlike my stand bags (both a Titleist 14-way and my old Ping Hoffer Lite I gave my oldest son), the staff bag is held in place firmly by the mounting bracket and doesn't seem to shift around. Both of the stand bags sat on the Micro Cart on the plastic hinge for the legs and the bags want to twist in the bracket. I carry a small bungie cord that I used to help secure the stand bags. That will not be necessary with the staff bag. I have pics of the 14-way stand bag on the cart, too, but I didn't want to post too many pics at once. Stay tuned for the pics if they approve the post. Bob

Here are some pics of my new Titleist Midsize Staff Bag: Here is a side image. Other side From above showing club organization. In the bag: 909 D2 driver, 909 F2 15.5* & 18.5*, 909 H 21* & 24* all with Voodoo stiff shafts, AP2 710 6-PW NS Pro 970 stiff shafts, AP2 GW S300, Vokey 54.11 & 58.08, Cameron Studio Select Newport 2 34". The driver, FW & hybrid headcovers take up a lot of space. Neoprene Coverupz are a good option that take up less space and don't scream "steal me"! AND on a 2010 Sun Mountain Micro Cart... It fits really well. In fact, there is a padded area with a suede-like material right where the bag sits on the mounting yoke of the push cart. Unlike a stand bag the clamps hold the staff bag in placer perfectly without any twisting or shifting on the cart. The bag also fits perfectly between the wheels with no adjustment necessary of the distance between the two front wheels. Here is another angle. As you can see, it doesn't look too big on the cart. IMO, this is a great option. Bob

So, I now own both the Titleist 14-way carry bag and a midsize staff bag. I like both bags and they both have their strengths. Here is how I would rate the features. Looks: Midsize staff bag, but both bags are very classy looking Storage: Midsize staff bag - more room and I prefer the organization Weight: 14-way stand bag Comfort while carrying: 14-way stand bag - It's a couple of pounds lighter, the double straps are more comfortable and it's better balanced. On a cart: Either one On a push cart: Midsize staff bag fits better because it doesn't sit on the legs. There is padding around the collar that fits perfectly in the Micro Cart mounting bracket. Ease of club insertion/removal: Midsize staff bag. The openings on the 14-way stand bag are a bit tight. Midsized grips would probably be really difficult. Organization: 14-way stand bag keeps clubs separated better It might be because I just got it, but if I had to choose only one of these 2 bags, I think I'd have to go with the Midsize Staff Bag. I will be keeping the \14-way stand bag On a cart: Either one On a push car: Midsize staff bag fits better because it doesn't sit on the legs. Ease of club insertion/removal: Midsize staff bag. The openings on the 14-way stand bag, just in case I decide I want to walk an carry my clubs. Bob

I was afraid the Title midsize staff bag might be a bit pretentious, but after getting it, I love it. It's very classy, organized well and a perfect size. Happy in Doucheville. LOL

Agreed. I got my Titleist midsize staff bag today, and it fits great on my Sun Mountain Micro Cart.

According to your sig, it appears you now own this bag. I bought one a couple of weeks ago. So far, I really like it. Lots of well organized pockets, pretty light and the straps are comfortable. I have only had the chance to use it on a cart, so I have no feedback for carrying or on a push cart. The only potential problem I see is that the openings for each club are kind of tight for regular sized grips, so I would think getting midsized grips in and out might be a pain. Overall, I'd rate the 14-way stand bag a 9 out of 10. I had a Hoofer Lite and I like the organization and I like the Titleist better. Since I've decided to walk with a push cart or ride, I decided to order the Titleist mid size staff bag, so I'll have a couple of options for lugging my clubs and stuff around.

Geez, I hope not. I just ordered a Titleist mid size staff bag. I plan on using it on a Sun Mountain Micro Cart or when I ride. I already have a Titleist 14-way stand bag, but I've found I play better throughout the round if I don't carry my clubs. If the staff bag doesn't work out, it will become a cool decoration in my office to hold extra clubs. :-) I love the looks, storage and large opening of the top. I think a full-sized staff bag would be a little overkill. I think the mid-sized bag might be perfect.

I'm not quite old enough to have seen Jack in his prime, but I don't remember seeing highlights of him hitting some of the spectacular shots Tiger has made. Can't remember the name of the tournament, but Tigers' 220+ yard 6-iron out of a fairway bunker over water to inside 6 feet has to be one of the best shots I've ever seen. Just amazing!! I'd have to side with Tiger.

Last week I pitched to kick-in range on 16 AND 17 to end with 4 pars in a row. Not bad for a 15 HDCP. :-) Happy to be here at the Sand Trap

Entertainment Industry CPA & a musician on the side.