play4him

I guess from years of playing competitive golf I actually enjoy playing with higher handicapped players on the average. The main reason is because low handicappers take it too serious, which I did for a lot of years. I've found that most high handicappers are a lot looser and can laugh at their mistakes.

Another thought is experience. What I mean is the more you're in a pressure situation, the better you'll become at handling it. I know I got better at it through high school and into college golf.

That's usually a smooth 60 degree for me, but it depends on lie, wind, and where the pin is on the green.

I can remember seeing Billy Casper shank one off a Par 3 hole back in the day. Not a pretty sight.

I finally found a pair to try on, but my normal size were too tight. I had to order 1/2 size bigger.

I want to thank everyone for their imput, it convinced me to go ahead and get a pair of the powerbands.

Our favorite golfer to follow, to this day, is Payne Stewart. What a great short game, and enthusiasm he displayed.[/QUOTE] Speaking of Payne Stewart, he is one of my most treasured drawings that I got autographed. He also hit one of the most amazing shots I ever saw. On No.8 at Augusta National, he had hit his drive way right during a Tuesday practice round. He walked up to the ball with his driver still in hand. He turned around looking for his caddy, who was way back toward the tee box with another caddy. I guess he got tired of waiting, so he proceeded to hit one of the most amazing shots I've ever seen. In those days, they didn't grow the rough like it is now, so the rough was lower than alot of normal golf course fairways. He looks at his predicament which includes nothing but trees between him and the green. The fairway is at least twenty yards to the left, and he has a big headed driver he's going to try to hit back toward the fairway and "slice" around the trees. As I said, the lie is in the rough but when he sits the driver behind the ball, the ball is well below the top of his driver. I'm thinking there's no way he's going to hit this very high, and on top of that cut it around the trees. He gets up there and takes his ultra smooth swing that he's remembered for, and hit a nice high "slice" around the trees and up the fairway. Off of that lie and the angle that he had to hit it, I was amazed how he pulled it off. But that was Payne.

I basically started my freshman year in high school. I started out shooting around 110, and got it down to 98 by the end of the golf year. But the summer after my freshman year, I would play sometimes two to three balls while I played. I would work on different shots that would come up during a round. I wasn't worried about my score, I wanted to learn how to play the shots. Well after a summer of that, when I came back for my sophmore year, I was shooting between 77-82 consistently. I credit that to some natural ability, but also from playing all those different shots that I wouldn't have, if I was so concerned with keeping my score with one ball. I remember I would play two or three balls and pretend that each ball represented a different golfer. Then I would try to play different types of shots such as low cuts or high draws, etc. The point is if I was so concerned about my score I wouldn't have tried those shots. By practicing them on the course during that time, I was ready to hit them my sophmore year. Just my thoughts from my own experience.

When I started my children, I had them start from the green back to the tee. Once they had putting down, we went to chipping, pitching and so forth. I told them when they went out to play to not worry about scoring at first. I told them to work on different shots. So, if they hit a bad shot, to put down another and work on improving, as long as they weren't holding up the group behind them. So, to me it's not very important to a beginner. They should work on improving different shots, and a lot of times you can only practice certain shots out on the course.

I have a number of stories that cover quite a few years, so I can't talk about all of them. Here are some of the most memorable: 1) At the 77' U.S. Open, I'm walking along when out of nowhere Arnold Palmer walks almost right into me. He looks at me and gives me that Arnie smile while he signs an autograph for me. 2) At the first Masters that Tiger played in as an amatuer, he didn't have quite the crowd that he commands now. Anyway, on Hole #6, the players have to walk down a narrow chute toward the green. As he was walking by he stuck out his hand and shook mine. You don't see him do that anymore, and I can understand why. 3) Back in the 90's, I started doing pencil drawings of some of the top players. My thought was to draw them and attempt to get them signed by the player that I had sketched. I was thinking it would be a nice memory for my kids after I'm gone someday. I have over 20 drawings and probably 15 of them signed. During the U.S. Open at Southern Hills, I probably got 12 of them signed there. My very first one was Jack Nicklaus. He was coming off the practice tee, and I was the very first person to his right. I had his drawing out ready to be signed and he grabbed it along with my whole album that had all my drawings. The only problem was that he kept walking, and I couldn't walk along with him because of all the people. I was yelling " Over here" as he turned to look for me. He couldn't see me so he handed the album to a Marshall, who held it up and finally saw me waving at him. I can still remember the feeling of panic of am I going to get my drawings back or not. But then there was the awesome feeling of having my first drawing of Jack signed. During that practice round as I mentioned, I probably got 12 different guys to sign their drawings. Out of all those players only two actually noticed that I had taken the time to draw them. The two players were Phil Mickleson & Paul Azinger. Phil actually spent at least 5 minutes talking to me about the drawings. He thought it was a cool idea for my children. I've got a lot more stories but I'll stop there.

I carry four and use each one of them.

You might think about spending twice the amount of time on your short game. If you had that many three putts, it sounds like you need to work on your lagging. Also, if you work on your chipping & pitching, you'll have shorter putts. I know when I first started shooting in the 70's, it wasn't like I started hitting 12-14 greens in regulation. I worked hard on my short game and started getting up & down from around the green to save a lot of pars. Keep your head up and know that you can do it. It sounds like you've been there before, so you know it's attainable.

I've been thinking about getting a pair of these and wanted some imput. I've read where some people say the run small and wondered if this is true or not. Also, how comfortable are they, and how satisfied are you with them. Thanks for your replies in advance.

Another sleeper is Sand Creek Station in Newton.

The wind definitely affects scores. You can learn to play in it, but the scores won't be as low as they would be on a calm day.

Yes, I remember playing as a youngster and catching up with a group of elders. They would have that disgusted look on their faces as they would grudgingly let me hit through. But then if I smoked one down the middle, it was amazing how they would change their tune. It was almost like they wanted to be your buddy then.

Jay-Bird, Did you win it at Alvamar Hills ? Also, how about checking there to see if they have one that fits you and you can make a trade or maybe check some of the courses in the Kansas City area.

Living in Kansas you get use to playing in the wind. You either learn how to play the knock down shot or live in frustration.

I enjoyed your story because I can relate. I remember what it was like back when I was a junior golfer, so now I take the time to help others. I love the look they get when something clicks with them. They have a new found passion for the game. I hope you'll continue to improve and when the time comes share what you've learned with others.

I just bought a set of the 3DX RC Hybrid Irons for my son. They came with two hybrids and six irons. The irons have the Uniflex steel shafts, while the hybrids have a graphite shaft. He has fallen in love with them, and is hitting them very nicely. I'm a Titleist guy all the way, but I've hit a couple of his irons, as well as one of his hybrids. Each club I hit felt very solid and the ball jumped off the clubface. I really like how they set up, as well. If I didn't already love my Titleist hybrid, I would probably try one of the Nickent hybrids. After checking their site and reading a little, I'm kind of curious about their 4DX Tour Driver.

I appreciate your review and look forward to your thoughts on the rest. I don't play as often as I use to, so I don't stay up on the latest. I still play ProV1X.

You guys need to play Cottonwood Hills, which is also by Hutchinson. I am sure it will be on your list after you play it.

I like his swing, as well as Luke Donald's swing. It seems like when I watch him (Adam), he misses a lot of putts that you need to make on that level of play. I'm sure it gets disheartening when you hit it that well, but don't get the results because of a balky putter.

I can remember one nine where I had six birdies and three bogies. That was pretty crazy.

I carry 4 wedges that cover from 100-150 yards. I guess I actually use the sand wedge the most because besides the usual sand play, I also chip with it.