lightrider

RJB has just come out with a very nice Stainless Hogan line. You can also fine "classic" bettinardis for around $100-$150.. The retail products are comparable to Scotty as they are both in the higher end of the putter market. The value of Scotty Tour putters are significantly higher than comparable RJBs.

Hans, The Bettinardi story is a pretty good one. Here is a short and brief rundown of Bettinardi Golf. Robert Bettinardis family's business is making parts for the DOD contracts. RJB started a milling operation for alot of Golf OEMs and became regarded as one of the best machinist millers in the Golf business. He then decided to start his own line of making putters. He hit it big in Japan and originally licensed his putters to Crewsgolf. Shikegi Maruyama's Dad's golf business. They have since parted ways and It is run as a standalone brand in Japan now. In the US, RJB has signed with Hogan as their putter supplier but he still does produce some Tour only and collector pieces without the Hogan name. The Bettinardi trademark is the "honeycomb" face created by a jewelers tool. Some people like it, some people don't.

The website is FT-3.com. It looks like its going to be a good driver. I haven't hit it myself but, its supposed to hit the stores in July. There have been people who have been buying the Tour version and have very good things to say about it.

Are you seeing a golf coach? Also, if you can, it would probably be worth it to get to someplace where you can hit the clubs into a sim.

Pro V1x. Need the distance.

Yep, Bounce can either help you or hurt you. It also depends on your swing and how you hit your shots. I prefer low bounce wedges cause I tend to sweep the ball and I play alot of hard sand and grass.

Modelgolf.com has the supposed ideal golf swing. I don't think it really matters how you get there only thing that seems to matter is the impact zone.

I like either long wooden tees, easier to put into the ground or those biodegradable tees. The plastic tees make a weird sound on contact too.

I have heard most people use the 32s. Have you taken a look at the Bridgestones? J-33 combo?

I keep hearing July 1st for the FT-3

Mizunos are very easy to bend. As for combos, I really like the Mac or Bridgestone combo sets. The Titleist one probably won't be out to till next year.

Which Project X's did you have? 5.5? Also, the shaft lenghts were different? Longer shafts should give you a slight distance increase but, this is if you are striking it pure at both lengths. Project Xs aren't for everyone. A shaft that plays completely opposite for me is the Tour Concept. They play like graphite with better control but, I can't get use to the feel.

1) Project X will play shorter than other shafts, minimal but maybe 1/2 club shorter. The ball flight is more penetrating and tighter in dispersion. 2) Project X will also play stiffer than most other shafts as well. A Project X 5.0 will play like a 5.5 in other manu's specs. 3) Lofts. Very likely the lofts are different and can account for a 5-10 yard different is yardage.

Check Walmart and Costco too. The absolute best place is ebay but, I'm not sure how comfortable you would be with online purchases. The most important thing is to get the right flex shaft and a golf grip you like as that is what is going to make it easier for you.

Man, you must play on some hard dirt. What about PGA players that use graphite, like KJ Choi, does he change shaft every couple of rounds??? I don't hear Tiger or Hank Kuehne breaking driver shafts that often either.

I honestly never heard of someone swinging so fast that it broke a shaft. 99% of the time its because of improper installation or poor striking. I also haven't seen a tremendous speed bump from steel to graphite shafts in swing speed difference. I have swung a 110 gram shaft and went down to 80 and my swing speed didn't vary that much. Also graphite shafts are made for all players now. They aren't my personal favorite shaft for irons but, there are a few that are made that will play just the same as steel. The only difference would be feel.

There is a course up there called the Dragon. Its probably one of the hardest courses in America. Very good scenery as well.

You should really try to get to a store and try a few out. A combination of MOI and centershafted putters can make putting easier if you have the right stroke for it.

Disregarding the merits of spining a shaft, which is probably a minimal effect anyways, the shaft can be pulled by any skilled clubmaker and oriented in any position you wish. The one caveat is if its a bore through head. On bore through heads the shafts tips are trimmed at an angle and reorienting it would require tip trimming which would alter the flex of the shaft. Very few heads have this issue and the shop can tell you pretty quick if its a bore through head or not.

Most likely a couple different things. 1) Could be slapped together so no logo is taken into account Just build it and get it out. 2) Could be installed per shaft manufacturer's spec concerning shaft's spine alignment.

My last post on this subject. Wie really needs to improve her short game, namely putting. She has the length to compete. Here is an article summarizing why she is a Sponsor's favorite: http://money.cnn.com/2004/06/25/comm...biz/sportsbiz/ [Mod: Please stop posting content in full. A link is good enough. Full re-posting of copyrighted material is agains the law and you can and will be banned if you keep doing it.]

1) Ok so I just want to clarify, Even if Wie qualified from an open field, you would still not allow her in? 2) Yes, its a publicity stunt. That's what Sponsor's Exemptions are for. As stated in the following threads, its the Sponsor's perogative. Whether she accepts is not is her decision. The whole Big Break series is based on this premise. I am not saying the show is good or bad but, it sure gets enough viewers for 3 series. If you go through Sports history, there are many examples of one time publicity stunts. Similar but not exact is George Plimpton playing in an exhibition NFL football game. He took someone's spot to make the cut in order to play that game. Who was to say if some rookie could have had a break out game and made the squad. 3) Augusta National is an anachronism. Its their club, they can and have the means to do as they wish. A course rich in history yes, a club I would model or hold to a standard, no. This are just my personal ops and I don't expect to change your mind and don't expect your opinions to change mine. I think Wei should dominate the LPGA and make her way up. I don't fault her either for using the system cause it will use her just as much.

[Mod: post removed. We do not support copyright theft at The Sand Trap. Please link to articles that support your point, quote a few pieces, but don't re-post them in their entirety.]

That's one view of it. If Wie qualified without a sponsor's exemption, then she should still not be allowed to play? Why not? Its not unprecedented in sports. Its been done in Baseball, basketball, and football. I am not referring specifically towards women. I am referring to having special people participate in professional sports to draw attention to an event. Right..Qualify..Money plus lineage. All 99.9% non-minority "upper class" there.

If you can use paypal credit card, that is pretty good protection. But, check the http://valueguide.pga.com/ to get an idea what the going prices on ebay are. Chances are if you see something really high or really low, you should be cautious.