TourSpoon

Get the popcorn out. I can't wait to see how he responds.

Its pretty interesting as an adjustment factor and has hit a few times. I know that my averages over a few years of stat keeping is between 30.5 and 31.5. You are definitely on to something.

I put in 4 more scores today. All within 1 or 2 of predictions. Erik @iacas can you explain the significance of the 31 putts column?

My home course and many others in Florida are getting onto the "Combo" tee train. I am happy to see that as an option because its allows you to move up in a more dignified manner. We have guys that are no longer blue tee material but aren't "all in" on the whites (same for white/gold or gold/green) so the blue/white combo gives them the best of both worlds and sets up a challenge commensurate with their skill and distance levels. We have 5 sets of tees and 8 variations to accommodate all golfers. The tees are expressly referred to by their colors and not by gender names. No one cares what tees you play and last week I played in a group where 2 of us where blue, 1 on white, and 1 on green/yellow combo. The only thing we do care about is a 4 hour or less round. A few weeks ago when season broke, we had a black tee tournament playing at just over 7,000 yards. It was really cool to see the course from back there but 4 @200 yard par 3s got real old. I was happy just to keep it in the 80s. Last week I discovered that we do have a black/blue combo (not on our scorecard but on the GHIN hole by hole scoring app). For now, I am happy playing the Blue Tees at 6400 yards, but realistically could play black/blue at 6680 if I wanted to stretch it out. Scorecard - The Legacy Golf & Tennis Club Scorecard Championship Course Click for printable Championship Scorecard Scorecard Yellow Course Click for printable Yellow Course Scorecard

Good timing on turning pro and a 400k pay day to boot! Historic performance to win her first tournament.

I only need 4, 11, 16 and 18 to complete the Home Course Birdie Slam 2023. Started Friday with birdies on 1 and 2. Saturday was a rain fest and exercise in patience. Sunday saw birdies at 2 and 12 (both par 5s). I was on the green on 4 (left the putt 3" short), 11 from 40 feet and a routine 2 putt, and then on 16 with a wicked breaker that had a chance. So a question to the group, do you think about the holes you have to knock off when you are playing? Its hard to block it out, but I do a pretty decent job.

Ben Hogan metal #1 with the Ben Hogan script across the crown. I still have it somewhere.

Yes. The simplest answer is also the correct answer. You are the customer. Now, if they start teaching you how to golf at Crossfit, nope - that will never happen! 🤣

I would ask the dad to start reading your putts. "So Jim, what do you think this one is going to do?" Or leave it alone.

If you have the ability to put them on and take them off with air then what are you waiting for? Do a couple of clubs (maybe the even numbers) and see how it goes.

In the TB area? Sounds unlikely with all the growth. In general, I can see some leveling because the Covid golf novelty has worn off. Golf is hard and some people don't like the struggle. I hope it slows slightly but not to the point we see shutdowns of courses.

I still think its cheaper than fishing. I tell my friends that don't play golf this all the time. And when I say fishing I really mean boating! I finally came to the conclusion that things cost money and like you said, you have to budget for them. Golf is certainly something that ebbs and flows (supply and demand). I remember the Florida golf boom in the early 90s where the private courses were popping up everywhere and play was limited to public venues or getting a rare member invite. Then a few years later those private clubs turned semi-private or public and were begging for people to play just to stay alive. Now, Covid comes around and makes golf popular again and the cycle continues. I don't really see equipment, practice, or even lessons as the barriers, but the actual playing of golf to be where money is spent. I remember taking 10 years off when I had small kids because it wasn't feasible (and I wasn't willing to play once a month). In the last few years I found a group that was part of a card program at a public club where we worked a deal to pay a premium for standing times (Thursday afternoon and Saturday mornings). We don't mind paying because we know the alternative of having to take what you can get and we do spend money on food and beverage. Recently, I moved a little farther north and joined a private club. That has cost me a few bucks but I have zero regrets (plus compared to Palm Beach County it was a deal). As far as accessibility during the season, I don't see it in Florida (with the exception of an Evans Caddy program starting up in WPB). Even the "municipal" courses are cashing in with rates from 60-130 bucks. In the offseason, we do have opportunities for kids summer camps, afternoon 9 hole leagues, and the popular summer cards that offer play at some decent courses at reasonable prices. But for the average Joe that wants a Saturday morning tee time, not so much. Golf has never really been a game for the masses and I am not sure that it ever will be (and I am not talking about Top Golf being real golf either). Now Pickleball? I got into it for $45 and play at a local park. Maybe that balances out my sports budget! I am going with that for now! 🤣

I say Brooks will be on the team. I think Scheffler's comments kind of summed it up with we want to win. Keep the politics out of it. I would consider DJ for a captain's pick. These guys all get along so it's not the issue that I think the press wants it to be. With that said, I would not pick Reed especially after complaining about playing with Tiger.

I read this post as it intrigued me. I then went to update my blog but abandoned it because I wasn't quite into it, but it's been a while. The blogs serve a purpose for both the authors and the reader. I don't read every one, but I do pick and choose topics that interest me. Now you and Mr No Putts seem to have quite the banter that would probably be a lot of fun on the course. Maybe that could be its own post.

This morning I shot 75 with 10 greens, 29 putts, and 2 penalty strokes. The formula nailed it. @iacas what is the significance of 31 putts in the spreadsheet?

Birdies at 7, 12, and one I needed at 15. At 7 hit 7 iron 162 to 5 feet. On 12, driver 5 iron to 15 feet and 2 putts. The new hole is 15 and is 350 and pinches at 240 so it was a week 5 wood into the right bunker and a 7 iron to 30 feet. I hit it uphill firm just outside right 6 inches and in the last 4 feet it broke and caught the low side.

The data is pretty interesting so far.... I think I get the 31 putts (over and under is the variance) as being an optimal predictor of score given the number of greens hit. Please elaborate on the significance of 31. Thanks!

The more I think about this the more I realize that this is really hole dependent because there are some places where being short sided is just fine. Even at my home course, which is known for its elevated greens and severe complexes, there are a few pin locations that if missed to the "short side" would give you an opportunity to putt onto the green and its a pretty easy up and down. Then we have the pins where if you miss a few feet in the wrong direction you hit the bank and your ball is now 6 feet below the hill 30 feet away and you have to hit a shot to bounce it into the steep side of the green to even get close. Bottom line is that when you want to play your best golf, course management becomes important especially in stroke play. I think this is why playing match play (especially with a partner) or an after hours skins games every now and then can be so much fun because people tend to play a little more aggressive. Golf has always been a sport of risk and reward and trying to figure out what works for you.

I think it matters unless the course you are playing is basically a flat chipping zone without bunkers, water, or false fronts. My home course is all about not getting short sided. There is nothing like being in the left bunker 6 feet below a green in a bunker with the green sloping away from you with the flag a few paces on with water on the other side of a narrow green. That is our 17th hole and to go for anything but the middle just puts tremendous risk in play. Even going for the middle is tough, because the only good miss is short. Our first hole is without water but is a super short par 4 with an elevated green that slopes off in every direction. You will have a flip wedge in and you have to play middle because missing on any side is brutal. I guess my point is that short siding yourself puts pressure on your game that is self inflicted if you were going for a pin that you statistically had no business going for. There are places to aim for which account for places to miss, because most of the courses I play are like that. To get around efficiently, you have to know your game, your misses, and the golf course.

Update: I just saw my guy in West Palm for a tune up. My backswing is better, with just a hair of cross the line. A shorter move would cure that, but its very manageable. The bigger issue is more about consistent path as I ranged from -4 to +2 with my longer clubs. I mean I was all over the place so I have some drills and work to do to sort that out and get more consistent. Got some help in short game as well as I started picking the club outside the line and returning it inside with contact getting too close to the heel. Handicap just revised to 4.8 but I am getting to know the new course so much better. Its a tight Fazio track with elevated greens that have plenty of false drop offs.

I just saw your round where you hit 11 greens! Looks like a wild ride! I put up 7 scores.

Exactly...And once the first few groups get behind they logjam the course and no one really moves. Once the pace gets to 5:15-5:30 its just a waiting game and its almost impossible to be out of position. Yes! Because what they are doing isn't effective. The current process reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where he goes on about the rental cars. "You see, you know how to take the reservation, you just don't know how to hold the reservation. And that's really the most important part of the reservation: the holding. Anybody can just take them." If the majority of players wanted to get more aggressive they could probably fix it. Tiger had suggested at one point to ding players a stroke without warning. Any other ideas?

Home course #9 is a 385 yard par 4 with bunkers right and left. Hit driver on the back side of right bunker and it got hung up in the rough. I had 140 downhill, ball below feet with a tree blocking me slightly. PW with a cut that floated and hit soft 4 feet from pin. Downhill left edge for the 3. I only have 4, 11, 15, 16, and 18 left!

I don’t think anyone made the goal time at the Players and no resultant penalties were assessed (according to the SI article). My original question was when was the last time a penalty was given on the PGA Tour. It’s pretty rare. The next time I see Glen “All” Day I’ll ask him what he thinks!

So I did the SuperSpeed Sticks and followed the protocols for a few months and gained 7 mph from 99 to 106 and retained a solid 4 mph at a 103 average (150ish ball speed) that has not left me. I read a lot on this forum about what was essential for gains and just started doing right side drills only with my lightest stick and then swinging the driver with my legs together to keep my arm speed up for maintenance (back and forth as fast and loose as I can for 10 reps and 3 sets). Again, 4 mph has not left me with very little effort to maintain and I can go a little harder if needed. My brother asked me the same question you posed and I sent him this video. Before you get into a system, take a listen to this guy. If you can do this for a month, then check out the other systems. My SuperSpeed Stick experience is that it works if you work it but I think I would prefer a one stick system.