Tim S

Looking for specifically for a Ping Eye 2 L Wedge Green Dot (2-2.5 degrees upright and 1/2-3/4" long). ZZ Lite shaft. It would be perfect if it were an early Ping Eye 2 with Pat Pending stamped (no patent numbers) and the Karsten Manufacturing line upside down. This is the earliest Ping (1982-4) with V grooves.

About growing the game. As private citizens, we grow the game by playing the game and setting good examples. Heads of the PGA, LPGA, USGA, etc., as well as touring pros, have different motives to grow the game. IMO you can forget the debate on TV about the responsibilities of golf's professional organizations and players to grow the game. If it makes more money, they will do it. For us, it would be wonderful to someday play golf with your grandchild and see the thrill of the game light up his or her eyes.

Not all Eye2s have nonconforming square grooves. In fact, the ones in the picture are Eye2 Plus (+) irons, which are a different version than the Eye2 clubs and they are conforming as part of the agreement between Ping and the USGA. Just today, I bought a set of the earliest Eye2 irons from 1984, and they have V grooves, not square grooves or U grooves. All of these clubs still hold their own against today's clubs. My set has a PW with a loft of 50.5 degrees. The new Callaway Apex irons have a PW of 45 degrees. Hitting the new clubs longer? Well, it's no surprise. I'm putting my Eye2s in the bag for a big try. My regular set are Hogan Apex Edge irons from 2001--forged irons with a ton of feel and forgiveness.

Word!

My big problem as a senior is that I just don't get out and play enough, and when I do, I don't have those youthful muscles to make scrambling fun. So, to get myself motivated I bought myself some forged irons (Hogan Apex Edge). They are fairly forgiving, but require more accurate strikes than my huge GI Pings. The feedback from these irons is very rewarding, the distances are the same, and I feel like more of a player, so I'm motivated to practice, exercise, learn better shotmaking, and feel a bit younger. I still have my modern driver, 3-wood, and two hybrids. I can get the driver out there 250 on a level fairway, and since I'm practicing more, my drives are more accurate. Overall, so far this approach is working for me.

My Titleist Cameron Mil-Spec has a stamp on the neck that reads 232HN. Does this mean it has been refinished? See pic

The interest in these tournaments or groups is that the equipment levels the field, plus it is fun. The soft ball is a serious issue. We play with the early Taylormade metal woods, remember? When the driver was the size of a Little League baseball? But seriously, those older metal woods deliver. Especially, for me, the 5-wood. I can still shape that club around anything...with modern balls. Hickory has never interested me. I have some hickory putters and have sold some clubs, but they are certainly just a shelf item for me and not too interesting at that. I LOVE the age of innovation.

Sure, you play the oldies for fun. It's all about equalizing the field--four or eight buddies all playing clubs from the '60s and wood woods. The problem is the ball. Old balls have lost their bounce and are dried out, for the most part. A lot of the vintage groups play low compression balls meant for women. Then, the problem is the cover. Nothing's as soft as balata anymore, as far as I know. Still, there are plenty of people out there collecting clubs and playing them. Just the look of them is inspiring, IMO. (And at 66, they are "inspiring" me to get out my OS clubs and hybrids!)

Mizuno anything is something someone wants, guaranteed. Especially forged.

We've all heard about the so-called hickory golf teams who wield hickory sticks and who-knows-what-kind of balls for an afternoon of knickers and frustration. But what I'm hearing (on forums, on Sirius/XM shows, on TV) is that people (aka 20-somethings and 60-somethings) are crazy to play 1960s-1970s clubs in their mini tourneys. I would make an exception for Ping Eye 2s (actually the Ping Eyes are great) and a few key forged clubs, but it does sound like a party. Maybe something the PGA tour should embrace for a PGA/LPGA competition retro event. I recently took my set of Mizuno T-Zoid MX-20 forged irons to the range and did great. Really a whole new experience. Then I took my Titleist Accu-Flo irons (weird looking) and did even better. Amazing how old tech can work. So there is potential -- if everyone is playing these clubs -- for a lot of fun in a tourney. Any of you have experience with this fad?

Close, but I don't think so. However, it's close enough to keep close at hand. I'll reach out to them. Thanks.

Age is a good topic. Wait until some of you have some of it. I'm 66 and I am more active than some guys in their 50s. I also play with guys in their 70s and 80s. These are guys who were once good players, by the rules, had their Halcyon Days and now just want to have fun. They know their limitations and they've re-written the rules to suit their age and capabilities. For instance, they always roll the ball for a better lie. All they want is the joy of hitting the ball cleanly, not digging it out of a divot. They don't want work, they want play. If they all do it, that levels the field. No, it's not strictly golf...it's adaptive golf, which makes it more for those who can't handle the real deal. Okay, so these are guys you'd never find in a real competition. But in a tourney, everyone knows that the rules will be adhered to, whether you know them or not. If you break the rules, you or another player needs to call it. It's tough love. It's the game. Anything in between, for small change or pride, the rules have to be set before you tee off on 1. If they break even these improvisational rules, they are out of the competition. With these old guys, they will tell me--"We take a mulligan on one, we improve our lies for each shot, and we never give putts." Then they describe the betting, and I'm in. I can live with all that--because I enjoy playing with them, their way.

Good idea, Papa. I'm on it.

Man I was hoping you nailed it with Beech Tree, but the logo is wrong, so is the yardage and direction of the hole. Dang.

Yeah, I agree. It is hand carved. Could be from a closed course. Just don't have a clue yet.

Grapes, maybe. Maybe pinecone. Pineapple. Blueberries...

See photo. I bought this tee sign at an estate sale and have NO idea what course it came from. I've been in touch with every golf association in the U.S., the USGA, and others. The person it formerly belonged to was a PGA professional out of Maryland...which probably doesn't matter at all. Anyone recognize the logo or hole?

Good comments. I don't think race should be the only feature you track in a player, if you're into that sort of confrontation. Look at social upbringing, availability of golf in school, whether parents played golf, income, talent, etc. Beyond all that, I just have to chuckle at people who try their very best to dent Tiger's armor or insinuate misconduct. The days of embracing heroes and forgiving them for being human are over. It seems the opposite it true, that when we have a hero we insist in making him flawed and human as a means to make him equal. Too cynical? :)

Jack had tougher competition -- relative to his skill. The competition is just as tough now, but Tiger is that much better. I *think* Jack came in 2nd more than any golfer in history.

In my humble opinion, if Natalie didn't put herself out there with the trashy calendar and self-indulgent TV show, she wouldn't even be a blip on the radar. Of course she's #2 on TGC survey, since she has a show on TGC. Sorry. Show-off women always attract more virtual interest than girly girls who don't flaunt their sexuality, like Paula. Paula is far more attractive. The sexiest on the LPGA? Suzann Petterson. Actually, in truth (I'm 58 and been married twice) what I'm attracted to most in a female golfer is her swing. I love the smooth swings with the pure impact. All us guys should take lessons from women, so we can slow down and have more fun.

Whether they are nice off the course doesn't matter in the least. On the course, players try all sorts of subtle little tricks to distract others--putting, hitting, etc. I'm not saying that this is intentional, but Bubba was already upset and he was looking for something to blame, IMO. But the big issue is this: we heard it. Coverage today, video and audio, brings us closer to the game than ever before, and we're seeing and hearing things that would have otherwise gone unnoticed years ago. We've always known about strategies like how a slow player can irritate a fast player, and the slower player can use this to advantage. Some of the things we're seeing puts a little tarnish on the wholesome image we've all had of our squeaky-clean golfers. They are polite, serious, smiling assassins. Yesterday's confrontation gave you just a taste of Reality Golf.

Phil uses studied emotional techniques that are forced, like the perpetual puppet-grin (which, by the way, works to keep spirits light. Try it. You'll look kind of scary, but you'll feel better). The press plays him up too much, especially his personality, but still he's a better gofler than all but a few out there. I think he's just socially awkward and stiff, so it seems put-on or fake. I don't find him likable or even warm, and certainly not the grassroots hero they try to make him out to be. In his case, "fake" is in the eye of the beholder. We expect too much from simple types like him. He's just not cut out to be an all-round celebrity, like Tiger and Jack and Lee and others. Also, many of the players out there "try" to entertain or exaggerate whatever they are doing, like talking to themselves. If you're good at this, it communcates emotions to the audience that you, as a player, probably aren't feeling. Tiger does this often and well.

Last night I purchased a Taylor Made lob wedge from them. I'll let you know if I have problems. I usually try to deal with www.3ballsgolf.com , with whom I've purchased an entire set, balls, etc., and their customer support is excellent. (I have no stake in the company, except good service). I've also had good luck with www.golfetail.com :) Tim

What in your opinion is the good, bad, and ugly of golf broadcasting, and how can it elevate the game while elevating its own value for viewers?