Spyder

I can only speak based on my own experience, but I have seen and know several golfers who average 250+ yards on their drives and are between a 15-20'ish handicap. I am not sure why "250" was selected as some feat that realistically can't be achieved by an 18 cap. One individual in particular consistently drives the ball around the 270 mark and currently "claims" to hold a 19 handicap, though I think he's probably actually not even that low. A claim of averaging 280, 290, or 300 would be a little more far fetched. But come on, 250? I know many golfers in their 20's (age) who are driving the ball well beyond 250. I was personally around a 20 handicap about 4.5 years ago and I was hitting my 4 iron 220. I have no idea what I averaged with my driver, but I am damn certain it was more than 30 yards longer than my 4 iron. I was inconsistent as hell, but the yardage was there and since I am an example of what we're debating, I can say that it is very possible for someone to have a lot of length and lack consistency or other departments of their game which account for higher scoring. To get back on topic, handicap doesn't determine a player's strength in terms of their yardage. Most higher handicappers that I get to play with typically have awful short games and lose strokes due to horrible course management. There's no rhyme or reason to pair players by handicap on the course's end because they're about business. Pairing by handicap would not positively impact the pace of play, or at least not enough to justify the additional hassle and backlash it has the potential to cause. Again, there are 15-25 handicap players who play relatively quickly. I think the misconception is that high handicap players are automatically short from the tee and play slow.

I never had anything tailored in my life, but I also do not buy anything new until I find something that fits properly. When I find it, I'll buy 4 or 5 of the item (shirts, pants, whatever) and stock up in duplicates of colors. I've got plenty of other things to worry about and my goal isn't to be on the cover of GQ in golf attire. If I'm paying $85 for pants, they better fit off the rack or I'll put them back.. it's kind of simple. I think anyone can find clothes that fit them pretty well if they search hard enough. Unless you're like 4'11" and wear a 40x28 or something. If that's the case, neon orange is the last color they should put out in that size.

I agree with this. I'm always laid back and having fun on the course, but I do have my limits. Anything flirting with 5 hours can get me a little antsy and frustrated. I would never come close to 6 hours though as I'd simply leave. At that point it's just not realistic, not fun and not worth it anymore.

It's not bizarre at all. What if aliens are playing a form of golf on an exoplanet right now where tight pins are tucked behind liquid methane? Now that's bizarre.

I voted no. It just can't work and won't make sense to try and force something like this that only benefits maybe 0.25% of golfers. In the grand scheme of things, you need to think of the market you are targeting. Of the 8-10% of golfers who actually hold and track legitimate handicaps, how many of that small market would actually enjoy this and want to partake? Say 50% which would be huge and you're now at 4-5% of golfers who would benefit. I think the issue that the OP experienced is something to chalk up in the "S happens" category and move on. You're as likely to pair up with a 25 handicapper in the future who you have a blast with. I have played with several golfers in single digits this year which I found to be highly annoying and nearly unbearable to tolerate. One of which I needed to move on away from at the turn because it was painful to watch his pre-shot routine where he stood still like a statue addressing the ball for nearly 20 seconds before hitting. Inconvenient things happen in life. Sometimes there is no feasible or revolutionary resolution that can be implemented to fix the problem. In this case, the human factor prevails and there's no real way to implement some elitist system to benefit you (OP). Go out, have fun and hit'em straight. Stuff happens that is out of your control sometimes and you can't let that specific stuff bother you. I salute your idea and your attempt to resolve the issue with your thinking, but I just do not see it as being within in the realm of possibility.

I third the notion and I'm sure both guys will write up some great reviews. This should be an added requirement for any members of the site partaking in the contest moving forward as well. Though we probably shouldn't make it a "requirement" for obvious reasons as there can't be any takesy-backsies. I mean everyone reading this should just make a mental note and be aware that a review would be a simple way to say "thank you" by contributing to the site and community that allowed them the opportunity to win something. Congratulations, guys!

I definitely would not let them play through without saying anything to them. They will then think that they can do it again to another group since it worked in the past. I'm going to wait on the green and wave them over to show them their ball and where I am standing and explain the obvious to them, which is that it had the chance of really hurting someone. In that case, you shouldn't necessarily go overboard and start cussing and waving your arms around right off the bat though. It's a crappy situation but there's no point in going to jail by escalating it. Throw them a condescending "C'mon guys, really?" and point out the obvious to them and move along. Definitely don't reward them by waving them through. Moving their ball isn't really necessary either. If they're human, they'll feel more shame/embarrassment and guilt by hovering over their putt.

Hold a basketball, or golf ball, or any ball for that matter, level with your nose in front of your face and drop it. If it bounces higher than the starting point, call Stephen Hawking and NASA. Unless something isn't right with the hole in this case, it'll never happen otherwise. EDIT: After reading the additional posts after you said this, I see that the hole was in fact messed up. I also thought you were saying that the ball fell in and bounced back out like it had helium in it or something.

Yeah we saw him at Blossom Music Center out here last year. It was a great show. He was with Thomas Rhett and Jake Owen as part of the Night Train Tour. The only part that I did not like at all was paying $10 for a 24 oz Bud Light, or Bud Light Lime-a-Rita. $12 for a 24 oz. Yuengling.

Soon to be Double for Zachy. EDIT: DAMN! Incredible save for Par there. What double?!?

lol Yeah. He's no Bo Jackson!

My wife really wanted to see Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line and Miranda Lambert tomorrow night at Progressive Field here in Cleveland. We waited a little too long for tickets though and they're selling for like $200 on the secondary market for mediocre seating. I'll definitely pass, but I know I have to make this up somehow lol.

I was B-FIt for Bridgestone Tour B330 golf balls. Adam Scott -12 John Senden -12 Marc Warren -12

Ah, well I found Holes 13, 14 and 15 on theopen.com's Video and Media page. Not a fan of our site's design/layout, but this will do for now I guess. Was hoping for a general stream with premier groups or something.

Are you guys watching a stream of actual golf anywhere? theopen.com's "@TheOpen Live" stream sucks right now. They're only showing interviews and 30 seconds of range updates occasionally. I'm also not able to use ESPN's stream because my provider isn't even listed unfortunately.

Haha. There's a "Cool Breeze" around here as well. He's just a cool dude and always smooth and easy going about everything. We joke that this guy could probably strut through a fire with his swagger and the flames would part to let him through. He's never in a hurry, never pissed off, always smiling and always upbeat and positive. You can be a scratch golfer if you had the time, constructive guidance through proper instruction and dedication to do it. I've never really been lower than a legit 6 in my life and I'm flirting with 10 again since having 2 kids. No big deal though, I'll love the game equally whether I'm a 5 or 15 (at least I'll convince myself of that to keep myself sane for the time being). Definitely not trying to sell you on anything here, but if you ever were actually interest in receiving lessons from some of the instructors who moderate and operate/own this website, check out Evolvr . You could also PM @mvmac or @iacas for more information as well. You can still receive a Wikipedia's worth of knowledge here without the instruction though, just by engaging in and creating discussions. Glad to have you here, Breezy! Enjoy yourself. EDIT : You can also post a swing video here for some feedback and advice from some of our more knowledgeable members. Check out our M ember's Swing thread and read this as well: So You Joined TST and Posted a Member Swing Thread…

Spot on in my opinion. Believe it or not, my favorite was Arcadia Bluffs in Michigan (near Sleeping Bear Dunes). The terrain is so sandy, because well... that's really all Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan is comprised of. We had torrential downpours, on and off, for 12 hours before we hit the course and I could not find standing water anywhere because of the drainage. The bunkers were just obscene and a mishit left you feeling like you were in a desert aiming at a mirage of a green. The fescue there was also on steroids and had no problem wrapping itself around my club, forcing me to hit the call service on the cart to get a few more beers. The first 9 that I played there, the front, was a breeze. I shot a 39 and was high as a kite afterwords. The back, not so pretty, as I shot a 48 and could not hold a single green. The wind was so insane for a period of 15-20 minutes that I had to play a 7 iron on an approach shot from inside of 140 yards. I recall 2 or 3 drives just being whacked to the ground as if the wind just Mutumbo'd my ball. It was a hell of an awakening and shocking experience compared to what I am used to in NE Ohio (Typically boring, straight-forward holes with trees lining the fairways and a few bunkers around the green. Throw in the occasional meandering stream and manufactured pond from time to time and you have NE Ohio golf at its finest). Purists will still laugh and claim nothing outside of Scotland/British Isles/Ireland qualifies. I would argue Pebble Beach, Arcadia Bluffs, Bandon Dunes, Whistling Straits and Shinnecock Hills are pretty damn close to the real thing . Not to mention there's probably another 5-6 that I can't come up with off of the top of my head at the moment which belong in this list, or ahead of those I listed.

Ohhh, now you've gone and done it. You went there ! I agree with you, but I do think that most people would disagree with us. Others who would disagree are those who have had the opportunity to travel to Scotland or European's who have traveled to the US with experience on both. As well as Europeans who simply have no desire to see our courses and laugh at the notion that we have setups that are "similar".

I probably contradicted myself a bit. Most people would agree that in order to play a true links course, you have to leave the United States. I've only played Straits, Dunes and Arcadia Bluffs. They're "linksy" but a lot of people would argue they're not true links courses, or that there are no true links courses in the US. Just wanted to put up that disclaimer.

Thanks! They're Scratch 8620 wedges. 53°, 56°, 60° SS Grind (Sweeper/Slider).

One thing that I have learned over time is that every time I doubt and rule Phil out, he does something incredible and he's in the conversation of contention. I will never bet against him and I do think he has a lot left in his tank. It wouldn't surprise me at all for him to be in the top 5 this weekend. In fact, I kind of expect it.

Welcome to TST, Paul! I envy your proximity to the course and I hope you know what a lucky son of a gun you are! I would also like to point out that you are in fact a good golfer, not just by opinion, but statistically as well. I think your jaw would drop if you realized just how many people actually break 100 while playing by the official rules, let alone breaking 90. Looking forward to seeing you take part in conversations and we're glad to have you aboard! (PS: How did you get the name Cool Breeze? Just curious.)

I would personally recommend keeping the clubs. If you decide to upgrade to new clubs eventually, you'll at least want to have something to use in the interim while you locate and get fitted for the set that works for you. It would also be nice to have the option to get away from life for a while and go play that long Sunday round, or hit the range when you feel like it. I think you limit yourself more by saying the hell with it and selling the clubs. Plus, you'll never, ever , get anywhere near what you paid. Say you make $100-150 by selling them. Is this situation-altering money that you can really use to pay a bill, or get caught up on something? If so, that may be a factor to look at it. However, if you're just going to have a $100 bill in your wallet from doing so and you spend it on odds and ends (DVDs, books, CDs, food, whatever..) it may be worth keeping them so that you have the option to play this game when you choose. I'd rather keep a small piece of "clutter" and have options available, rather than vacate all flexibility and give up the game for good.

I voted links because I typically do not do too well with blind shots. I also find them to be much less forgiving on mishits. A slightly thinned shot with no spin or height on it will roll for days on me and I usually find myself playing in a horrible situation on the wrong side of the green far too often. It's a blast playing a true links course, but it can definitely be more of a nightmare than parkland courses can IMO.