TourSpoon

That is a really good question and I asked myself the same thing before posting just to make sure I was in the ball park. I saw this SI article that referenced this year's Players and basically recalled the last penalty was given to a guy at the 2021 PGA. It referenced one slow play penalty at the Master's in 2013. Point is there aren't many examples of penalties actually being given out to know if it would be effective or not. si.com "Player after player came off the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course peeved that they were either warned about slow play or put on the clock after a warning because they were out of position. But not one penalty stroke was added to the score of one player." "Doc Redman, who was put on the clock during Friday’s second round, asked the rules officials about how many of the groups in the first round met the time-par set for the course. The answer? None. " Then I saw this article from the 2017 Zurich which leads me to believe that its more rare than a double eagle. PGA Tour hits Campbell-Carballo team at Zurich Classic with first slow-play penalty in 22 years It’s taken 22 years — about 21 years too long for many golf fans — but the PGA Tour has finally issued a stroke penalty for slow play. Rookie Brian Campbell, who played on the University of Illinoi…

I would like them to actually enforce the rules they have. When is the last time a player got penalized for slow play?

My wife sent me to the grocery store the other day to pick up a few items after work. That shocked the hell out of me. Golf in the area is in demand (South Florida) and prices are inline with what others are reporting.

And this course has held 44 consecutive US Open qualifiers and is mentioned on the USGA site for that fact. They could have timed the punching a little better! https://www.usopen.com/2023/articles/qualifying-sites-set-for-123rd-u-s--open.html

Good for him realizing his error and self reporting. Its too bad that the course was not fully healed from the aeration.

I hope the bugs have helmets - Lee Trevino referencing a low shot

He certainly finds his share of controversy and it seems as if all of it could have easily been avoided. I try not to judge individual incidents but when they start lining up as a pattern, its a problem. I think the examples of him demeaning rules officials and cameramen just make him come off like a jerk. The whole thing about Jordan and JT being paired and Reed complaining about being taken out of the equation seems in poor form especially when he gets paired with Tiger. Seriously, you are complaining about that? Anyway, not a fan.

Sometimes some adversity can propel you to great things. Like yesterday when I was standing over a juicy birdie putt and I left it 4 feet short, I regathered myself, concentrated, and sank it for par. Yeah, like that times 1000! Seriously, I am glad to see these guys not let an avoidable mistake ruin their season. https://www.golfchannel.com/news/week-after-shuttle-mishap-alejandro-tosti-and-wilson-furr-bounce-back-big-ways And according to the article, 6 players were penalized for the rogue cart ride. I am sure that everyone payed attention to the local rules this past weekend!

Two more rounds in the book with a single birdie on 1 last weekend (short par 4 - 5 wood/LW). Yesterday afternoon, I had some decent looks on the front, but didn't get one until 12 where I piped a drive leaving 205 to the pin. Eager to get it close, I semi top a 4 iron about 170 yards (the worms put on their helmets) and it left a 30 yard pitch where I got it to 4 feet and rammed it in. Those were both repeats, but I did knock down a new birdie on 14, a shortish par 4 at 360, where I hit driver/LW to 12 feet. Reading a slight break going against the afternoon grain, I played it straight and made the putt just toppling the ball over the edge.

Exactly. With less than 400 miles on it, the engine, drivetrain (and other parts) are like new. Parted out or as part of a rebuild they only made 1000. I read somewhere it was 996 because they lost 4 in delivery when a freighter sank so Porsche cranked out 4 more. Too bad it met its early demise. A Master’s theme bad ass car deserves a better fate. At @700 HP it’s part of the “widowmaker” GT2 RS line that requires an experienced driver because of its ability to get away from you. Porsche took out the all wheel drive, stripped out anything that could be reduced in weight and replaced it with titanium, carbon fiber, etc and basically put a rocket on a roller skate. The history of the car is pretty fascinating, but it’s not a daily driver or for the faint of heart.

Supposedly that car auctioned out at 132k. "I am sure those dents will buff right out" (one of the comments from the tweet)!

This is a better version of the story. It definitely pays to read!

I am sure that guy feels guilty as hell! Better question, Did the players recall the specific circumstances in which shuttling was allowed? We don't know what the players read or didn't read or even comprehend. I will change "blame" to amend my statement to say that the volunteer with the cart that was marked "Player's Shuttle" (and verbally confirmed as an official shuttle) was a "contributing factor" to the rules violation. No cart in the area, no ability to make the mistake. It is still the player's responsibility to know that he can take the shuttle here and here but not there.

I with you on this. I have seen it before at events where there is a large expanse to traverse to speed up play. I am sure the guys knew it was ok in specified areas but probably didn't think twice when the guy who took them to the range, and then to the tenth tee, was the same guy taking them from 18 to 1. I bet it doesn't happen again as the KF will clearly mark areas and make sure their volunteers aren't randomly picking up golfers outside of designated areas. I am also sure the players will not ever make the mistake again either. Now the responsibility lies with the players to know the rules. I do have to give a little blame on the guy who was parked there as well. If he was not there sitting in a cart marked "player shuttle," it wouldn't have happened. It is unfortunate, but I can also see how it could happen.

I had a 9 hole match after work with my brother and put up 2 birdies. The first one was a repeat of the hardest hole with a monster drive through the chute which left a 9 iron to a front pin. From 144, I hit it to 2 feet for a kick-in. To number 8, I blocked one that ended up in the primary rough of the adjoining fairway. Took 7 iron from 168 and took it over the trees to about 20 feet with a flattish putt (kind of on the spine of a break). Hit it at the pin, broke a little right, broke a little left and then poured in at 6:30. It was nice to get 8 out of the way!

That has to be of psychosomatic origins. I have hit some of my biggest drives of the year with the Pro Plus and almost think they are 1/4 club longer on the approach irons. But hey, the pro has very limited resale opportunities in his shop but ball shaming is a new one!

So just for kicks, I grabbed a dozen of the Pro model. A tad bit softer and slightly higher trajectory (all this is anecdotal). I want to believe the Pro Plus was a little better off the driver, but again, that is just my perception. Once I run through these balls, I am going Pro Plus exclusively. Durability, like Pro Plus, is excellent!

New course again with 2 rounds this weekend. First round, broke 80 with no birdies, but was on #2 in 2 with a three putt from 60 feet (pretty tough 2 putt). Sunday, hit the 180 yard #5 with a 6 iron and made a 20 footer for a 2 and another hole off the list.

I joined in 2007 because I was researching golf topics including instruction and equipment trends. I stayed because the people here are reasonable and the moderators keep it moving along. I think the best thing I have learned is to shatter some golf illusions through the topics (and follow up instruction/practice) and to know that my golf swing is ever evolving. The only thing I would do to increase value would be to start doing more member product reviews like we used to do in the past. Way back when, I was actually product tested Lamkin REL grips, Ian Poulter sportswear, and training aids.

I've been watching the Short Game Chef as he popped up on my feed a few weeks ago. He's got some good stuff for sure. The low spinner video "Pause Drill" has made a difference in how I practiced this week.

The one thing I know once I leave a lesson is that in my excitement, I will have forgot everything by the time I get home. My current coach sends me a review of the key concepts that we worked on along with some videos of before and after. This makes such a huge difference as I can practice and refer back to his notes and video. Even if the notes are just a list, its a mental reminder of what I need to work on (ie: homework).

This is true, unless there is a living room bay window involved! 🤣

Two more rounds at the backyard course... Yesterday on 3 - Driver, wedge, 8 footer Today on 1 - 4 iron, 54 from 108 to 3 feet, draino, Number 7 par 3 hit a 7 iron 170 to kick-in range, On 12 playing 495 - Driver -7 iron- made the 15 footer for EAGLE!!! So number 3 and 1 were repeats, 7 was a first timer, and 12 improved by one. Too bad I had enough doubles to shoot 80.

Revising #1 to average 155 and max at 160. I have been working on speed lately and I am now averaging 150s. The drill that has helped is feet together swings with dominant grip on - back and forth continuously with the speed sticks. Just a few sets with the green and blue have really helped lately. Update: I moved in Feb and am now set up in a golf community. I will be getting to work as the move and everything that comes with it has subsided. Its a dream come true to be able to take my cart 5 minutes down the path to get to the practice area. This summer, I plan to play a lot of golf. Anyway, an update: 1. SS is consistently in the 103 range and ball speed at 150+. I haven't got to 155 consistently, but I am getting closer, I hope to get the SS to 105 and ball speed to correspond. 2. Handicap is still at a solid 4.5, even with the new course being extremely tricky with raised green complexes. High 3s is in sight, but is going to take some work in category 3 and 4. 3. I am averaging 8 greens per round, so I need to get to 9 before I get to 10. I am thinking 50% (9) would be a more realistic target. 4. Scrambling is just at 33% (sand saves are 48%) so I have work to do. Scrambling is anytime I miss a green and still make par (or not) regardless if I had a shot for the green in regulation. I would venture to say that my up/down percentage is much better, but that's not how that stat works.

I would say to use some duct tape, but I have recently discovered Gorilla Tape. 🤣 Get a new driver before you kill someone.