dbuck

I like to be comfortable where ever I go. Most days I wear golf pants, a shirt and tie, and a sport coat to work. If I have a meeting or presentation, I will wear a nice suit and French cuffs. If I go to a restaurant that requires a jacket--I think I have been to one or two in my life, I am ok with that. Like wise with golf. Summer no problem because it's golf shorts and a polo anyway. Late fall early spring though is different. In my little town, there is a 9 hole muni and an 18 hole university course both open to the general public. There is a fairly nice private club as well. In cool weather I am very comfortable at the muni or the university with decent jeans and a decent sweater. I do not stick out there as there will be about 50% of the other golfers dressed the same. I have played a few times at the private club and there I wear golf pants and golf shirts/sweaters.

I voted yes because I am fine if they come back, but I probably wouldn't use them. I used them back in the day-mostly orange and some yellow, but this time I will probably stick to white.

Ha, sorry Fatphil, didn't mean to wander off topic so far. I was just trying to put it in perspective. Everyone has different values and situations, and the worth of a particular item to them is not necessarily based on income alone. Your point about the total cost of the trip is well taken. I could save a bit because I don't do booze, hookers, or strippers, but I would probably give it back on food! I probably won't ever play Pebble because by the time I can afford the airfare, rental car, hotel, and food(and hookers, strippers, and booze, should my values change or my wife leave me) I will be too old to remember which end of the club to hold. Oddly, Golf Digest interviewed a bunch of folks who played in about 2000, (when it cost $300) and as I recall it was about an even split on the worth. So back on topic, would I play $495 to play Pebble regularly-no. If I had the opportunity to do it once, would I pay $495? Absolutely. And 65withatriple is my hero too!

I don't think its how much you make, but rather how much you owe. There are plenty of people who make less than 250k a year or for that matter less than 100k a year and have 100k in the bank. They live on less than they make. If a person has all his responsibilities taken care of and wants to splurge on a one time deal that won't hurt him, why not. It costs more to live some places than others, etc. etc. Unless you do make 250k, then most would agree that $495 is too much for a routine round of golf. For most people however, a round at Pebble is not routine, and $495 for a once in a lifetime experience is probably reasonable.

I too have a fat head so it is really difficult to find lids that fit. I have a fitted Titleist cap that is the only one I ever found that was comfortable. We almost had a fight when my wife washed it, but it streched out ok. I look goofy in most any headwear due to the aforementioned big head, but I wear what I like anyway. In the fall and spring I wear a driving cap or the Titleist cap. I like hats as well and usually wear one when the sun gets serious for better protection. I have the plantation style and my wife also gave me a straw Stetson that is a kind of a fedora/aussie cowboy style.

Long Game: Rhythm and timing and keeping head still. Short Game: Putting: Consistent grip pressure. I have tightened slightly and its giving me a better feel for distance. (Not white knuckled now, just slightly firmer.) Chipping: Working on different shots with the same club. Hitting with face open and square. Controlling distance with swing length. Focusing on smooth acceleration regardless of swing length and tempo

Greg's post reminds me of the old Sam Snead joke. (With which I agree a little bit.) I know everyone's heard it but it always gives me a chuckle, so forgive my posting it now. ( and forgive my inaccuracies.) Lady in crowd: So, how do I make my 5 iron stop Sam Snead: How far do you hit your 5 iron? Lady: About 140. Sam Snead: Then why the he** do you want it to stop?!

I heard on one of the TV commentaries(GC) that Phil has pulled a couple of old Pings out of the garage and had one bent to 64* and is experimenting with them. The commentary also mentioned that he was feeling out some other players before actually putting them into tournament play. By the way, the same segment also mentioned he is experimenting with a 6 degree driver.

They look great on the website. If I had the coin, I think I would probably get a set from the tour dept. $2,500 isn't it? Pricey, but they hired that guy that was with McGregor for years to do the custom grind sets. So basically for $2,500 you get a set of irons made the same way they would make them for a tour player. You can get whatever loft spreads, lie, finish, grind, etc. you want or need. Guess I am drinking the Kool-aid, but if they catch on, I can't imagine that level of personal service being available forever.

Okay, I have been off the planet and not kept up as well as I should with the modern balll technology. What ball, Titleist or other, would be the closest in feel and spin to the old Pro Trajectory 90's?

I think on the PGA tour there have been 3 "official" 59's--Al Geiberger back in the 70's at Colonial in Memphis, Chip Beck in 93, and David Duvall at the 99 Hope. Also, Annika shot a 59 at an official LPGA tournament. ( I am no history genius; this was on TV on Golf Channel a couple nigths ago.) These I believe are the lowest as far as official PGA/LPGA events.

I picked up a couple of Joe Powell persimmon clubs at a pawn shop a couple of months ago. I have played a bit with them, and really enjoy them. They are in the bag as my primary clubs. I have no problem with metal woods, though. I own a few, but none of the latest ones. I have a decent set of older cavity backs as well (Titleist DCI), but right now I am really enjoying the old school stuff.

As Shanks and others said, there are many variables and the what the number on the club means varies from set to set. On the one variable of temperature, Frank Thomas article on another site said effects on ball and body from temperature alone is about 2-2.5 yards for every 10 degrees. So at 68* that would be half a club+ from your peak season Big D temps.

Certainly there are situations where there is controversy between the "spirit" vs the "letter of the law" in interpretation, but to me this is not one of those. The rule/coc exception specifically says as such you can use these clubs. So anyone can use them, including Daly, and not be in violation. Many have questioned the efficacy of the 20+ year old clubs anyway compared to brand new ones. Question: Could the old clubs be restored within the rules as long as they were just restored to the original new condition?

A couple of weeks ago, but the last time I played-- I was 4-5 feet past pin high and 3-4 feet to the right of the green, maybe 20 from the hole-very quick downhill. I picked a spot short and about 12 feet above the hole. The ball hit the spot, had a slight pause, and rolled the 12 feet into the hole for a birdie 3. I had been really sloppy around the greens all day, but this one will bring me back.

You should use whatever clubs with which you are comfortable and enable you to move the ball around the course, regardless of what the marketers say. I play irons 1-PW, even though I am not "qualified" to do so. I am a little "underpowered" I think on my irons--a good smooth summertime 7 is about 155, but the rest of the irons are in 10-12 yard increments off that, so it works for me. I don't own a true hybrid, but I have an old Taylor Raylor 16*, kind of the forerunner of the hybrids. For me my 1 irons are more consistent in distance, direction, and trajectory. I may have to try one of the newer hybrids for a fairer comparison, but I am rambling. Try some hybrids and if they are better great; if not, stick with what works for you and enjoy!

Day in day out I have used my Wilson Geo Lowe original 600 for 30 years. I have a couple of Pings-some iterations of the Anser and Pal, and a Bridgestone mallet. I like the Pings and will sometimes get them out and use them. The both have lines and are helpful if I am having alignment problems or playing on unfamiliar greens. One course I play sometimes has very slow greens and I have tried the mallet as a remedy with some success. The old Wilson is not an expensive putter. It is basically a facsimile of the putter Nicklaus used for years. It was made around 1980 and has George Lowe's sig stamped on it. Their advertising at the time said " designed under the personal supervision of George Lowe.." but they probably just paid him a few bucks for the use of his name. It does have great feel though, and when I am putting well (for me) it is all I want.

The only jewelry I wear is a cheap watch and my wedding ring. My wedding ring hasn't been off in years. In a different life, I often unloaded trucks by hand, and would take it off for safety, but since I drive a desk now, it stays on as does the watch if I am wearing one. I don't use a glove so no issues there. I am weird when it comes to the pockets , though. In the right front pocket are 3 tees, ball mark repair tool, and ball marker. The ball I am playing goes there when not in play like between the green and next tee. Everything else goes in the bag. I hate cell phones on the golf course, but if I expect to be needed, I will keep it on the cart.

Sounds like a plan. I was going to suggest a club about 40-41 inches long with a loft of 16-20 degrees, be it a FW wood or hybrid. Your plan of working with it on the course then seeing what else you need is the smart way to go.

I would pay $500 to play Pebble ONCE, if I could do it without wrecking the budget. If I am ever in the area and know in time to arrange it, I will do it. I agree with others that no routine round of golf is worth $500-most of us simply can't afford it. That is more than I spent on green fees last year. But for a once in a lifetime experience, absolutely. I would BORROW $1,500 to play Augusta -once- in good weather LOL.

Like others, I use a towel that is wet on one end and wipe the club after each shot. I am in the minority, but I like iron covers. It is no problem for me-i just put the cover in my hip pocket as I remove the iron from the bag and stick it back on as I replace it. After the aforementioned wipe with the towel. The hosels still bang together a bit; the newer type of covers that cover the hosel alleviate that somewhat. A couple of times a year I use Mother's Mag and aluminum chrome polish--and automotive wheel polish. I know, I am anal about how stuff looks. My 1979 Wilson Staff Tour Blades still look pretty good.

2 sets: 1979 Wilson Staff Tour Blades 1-SW(the 1 is actually FG-17) 1992 Titleist DCI Gold pyramid 1-PW in the bag right now: Driver Joe Powell DSP1 3W Joe Powell DSP1 Irons Wilson Staff Tour Blades 1-PW SW Wilson Staff JP custom grind PW Putter Wilson Geo Lowe original 600 Ball Titleist DT Carry 2 sets I'd like to add: Scratch Golf or KZG forged blades 1-AW Callaway X-22 3-AW

Oh, I agree. With me it's never been the 25 bucks but the availability of the service. Plus for the last 10 years, I haven't played enough golf anyway to keep a handicap current, much less play to it. In my former life, I played mostly at a small private club where everyone knew everyone. We played "2 low" Wed, Thur, Sat, and Sun afternoons, no handicaps used. The club did not provide handicapping and I doubt if a single member had a USGA handicap. If you played someone else one to one, it was a level match. Currently, I play only occasionally with friends or business associates, and while it is friendly competitive, we are about the same ability so no handicap is needed. This year though, I have been getting interested in getting back into the game. I want to learn more about the rules and get a legitimate handicap and possibly compete in some events that require one. You know, "real golf".

Okay, so I'll confess--I don't have an "official" USGA handicap, but recently logged on to one of those internet sites and put in my scores. I have always considered myself a "bogey" golfer, but the scores I put in had a couple in the 80's and one 78. It calculated 8.7, so I put down 9 when I signed up on this site. Maybe there are others like me whose handicap isn't "official". I really haven't kept up with a handicap before(redneck golf doesn't require it, and I really haven't played enough to maintain it), but getting back into the game a little more lately, I am developing interest in some tournaments where you need a handicap. So I will probably fork over the $ to a USGA affiliated service and try to get "legit". The public course where I play has the service for about $30/year.

The PW that is part of the set: 48 degrees and as others have said, more of a 10 iron. The only other wedge I carry regularly is an old Wilson Staff JP custom grind pitching wedge. It has enough bounce to use from most sand and not too much for the fairway. I have no idea about the loft. I bought the original new over 20 years ago and stupidly forgot it on a green somewhere. I found the current replacement in a used bin somewhere for $15.