snoodlelvr

Now that the iPhone will have GPS and have 3rd party apps (and some of them look great), I wonder how long it is before there's a golf GPS app- no reason it can't function like any of the other GPS devices. Companies like igolf sell software for handhelds such as Palm and Blackberry to be used on the course; given that most of the iPhone apps will be around $10, this could be one of the better and more convenient ways for on course GPS (which means I may eventually sell my igolf).

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/22/bu...ss&oref;=slogin American is going to start charging for checked baggage, and there is no way that clubs will ever be an allowable carry-on. Hopefully the other airlines won't do this too, but I don't like where this is heading.

http://gizmodo.com/391515/electronic...-or-teen-angst I think the only thing that would really make this complete is if they could throw in KITT from Knight Rider. Regardless, I don't think tour caddies have to worry about losing their jobs anytime soon.

I'm curious on opinions regarding choking up on driver against having a shaft cut down by a bit. I'm relatively short (5'6"), and it goes without saying that I have much more control when I choke up about 1-2" (the shaft on my burner is a bit long at 45.75"). As I'm still in the process of refining my ability to hit the driver, I'm hesitant to cut it down as I don't want to sacrifice potential distance for when I'm grooving it a bit better. I know the best thing will be to go for a professional fitting, but I'm curious to hear thoughts on this short of that. Thanks, Andy

I just picked up the 2007 Burner Draw for $200 this weekend after hitting it at the range... I haven't had a chance to play a round with it yet which is doing bad things to my psyche (don't want to work... just want to tee off...). I know tgw has dropped their prices on this.

My wife and got rid of our carpet recently (gotta love the hardwood floor... ugh) and have thus lost my putting practice area. I'm looking for a practice mat about 7-9 feet long- any putting mats in particular that people like, or should I just get a strip of carpet? The other catch for me is that we don't have much storage space in the apartment, so its gotta be something I can either fold up or store under a bed.

I'm a big fan of Douglaston for the city golf courses. It's pretty short- about 5400 yds with seven par 3s and one par 5 each on the front and back 9. The course is in pretty good condition, and has some fun holes. Lots of hills which lead to many blind shots. Hole #10 has a great view of the city skyline. Hole #11 is a 250yd par 4, but one of the toughest holes on the course, unless you can drive the green (which means driving it over many a tall tree.) As with all the city courses, it can get pretty crowded, and pace of play can vary. That being said, due to all the par 3s, it can move pretty quickly for a crowded course. I played this past Saturday morning in a foursome and got a round in 4.5 hours. I've never gotten there during the week, so I don't know if it eases up though I suspect it does. Besides driving you can get there by taking the LIRR to Little Neck, and then a cab ride is less than 10 minutes.

Thanks Wisco... that's what I'm curious about. Assuming that I have good fundamentals (which I'm working on), I'm curious what the affect of the draw bias is. Interesting that the bias comes from a closed face- since I often have to remind myself to take the stronger grip with a driver, I'm hopeful that a draw bias will complement my swing. I wonder how much of a bias comes from the weighted drivers, like Taylormade. My guess is not much, but only one way to find out.

I'm looking to get a new driver this year. While I'm not so naive to think that a driver that favors a draw will cure my slice (or push... ugly push), I am hopeful that it would help me stay closer to the center of the fairway. Can people with drivers weighted for a draw give me their feedback on them, and if they feel the weighting helps? I'm planning on hitting a bunch at the Chelsea Piers golf fest next week. Based on reviews I've read, I'm going to look at the Ping G10 Draw and the Cobra L4V M. I'm also intrigued by the TaylorMade R7 draw that a lot of places have for $149, but since it's a discontinued model I don't have much hope of getting to try one out. Thanks, Andy

Am I the only one who thinks that Marty Funkhouser (aka Super Dave) and Gerry might be one and the same person? -Andy

I haven't tried it, but I did go to a couple of golf stores in NYC to use their putting green and see if I could get used to a mallet putter. Nope. I'll have to stick with the blade, though to make me feel better (geekier), I've convinced myself that it looks like the ships from Tron, but upside down.

I prefer blade over mallet putters, but I may have to make an exception for this: Star Trek Putter

I'm hoping someone who has used these aids could give me an opinion. I'm looking to increase my swing speed over time, as well as find a good heavy warm-up club. The Momentus aids seem good; I'm just curious if there is an advantage to one over another . Thanks for the help, Andy

I have the launchpad, and a low ceiling- I found out the hard way that the longest club I can use with it is my hybrid . I can't help you with the driver, but in regards to the question about it being used for games, if you have the USB version for the PC, you can download software that allows you to use the launchpad a driving range. The software will give you distance, trajectory, and swing speed. Unfortunately, I recently broke the tethered tee that comes with the launchpad. It sucks, because they don't sell a replacement of just the tee. I'd have to buy the whole maintenance kit (new felt, new tee, new tethered ball, new net) at around $60. Any suggestions there? -Andy

I'm envious of this thread... being in NYC, I can't even afford the membership to my local driving range . http://chelseapiers.com/gcMember.htm

I have an igolf as well. I've noticed the fluctuations too, but my findings are generally the opposite. After the adjustment, it's usually correct. I've done this when at yardage markers on the course to verify my position.

Every couple of months I go with my wife to see her parents outside of Boston, where I've taken great and inexpensive lessons with a PGA apprentice. Got there this past weekend to find out that between Wednesday (when I booked a lesson) and Saturday he got fired. I really enjoyed working with this guy, but it seems like a good sign to try and find an instructor in the NYC area. Does anyone have any recommendations? I had a lesson at CP that I didn't love- anyone have experience at Randall's Island or somewhere else? Many thanks. -Andy

Thanks guys. Looks like she'll be getting one of those "Wish You Were Here" postcards. Do you think cooler weather (50s) favors the conditions on any course over another? I'm thinking that the courses with a lot of water might not be as fun...

I'm thinking of planning a trip down to Myrtle Beach either at the end of February or in early March. I'd love to bring my wife, but she doesn't play. But she loves the beach . Thus, I'm curious what the weather is like during that time for both golf and for beach (if it's no good for the beach she gets postcards .) Thanks! Andy

Thanks for the Vannie insights. Of course, I tried to go there last Friday for a mellow round, but there was an outing. I did end up playing Mosholu- not my favorite city course, but definitely a good place to work on my game.

I'm of the camp that spitting is pretty nasty. Yes, people take leaks on the course but at least they go into the woods. Not that I care too much about it, but if I lose yardage b/c my ball is stuck in someone's mountainous expulsion of a loogie, I'm going to be PO'd.

Can someone explain to me the performance difference between regular and stiff flex? As a beginner, I know that it's easier for me to swing a regular flex as the shaft will be more "accomodating" to my swing. I also know that stiff flex has less room for error on the swing, but a good hit will produce greater yardage. Two questions: How great is the yardage difference between regular and stiff (for a driver, for example)? How much more difficult is it to hit stiff flex clubs? Any recommended progression from moving from regular to stiff? Thanks, Andy

Thanks for the tip- I just ordered one. I've been tempted lately to upgrade my RAM driver that came with my starter set, but have been wary to do so b/c I have trouble with the driver. I've been hitting it a little better lately, and have been wanting to get a more "sound" club w/o too much of an investment. I'm looking forward to using it!

The igolf GPS has a very easy to use feature on determining how far you hit your shots. That's probably been the best feature for me as a new golfer in that I'm accurately seeing what I'm capable of with each club. As far as mapping driving range pins, I don't see why you couldn't. You'd have to program it like a golf course, and be able to walk out to the pins to map it. You could either map each pin as a seperate hole, but it would be easier to use if you mapped the whole thing as one hole and then each pin as a custom point.

I'm going out to Vegas with some friends in mid November, and we're looking to take in a round (or six). For the most part we're 30+ handicappers, and are looking for a course that's in the $100 range and that won't make us want to go home crying (the casinos will take care of that.) Any suggestions? Thanks, Andy