g-funk13

Ha ha ha ha!!! World Politics! How about this: After topping a drive, "I popped that like a Chinese cop on a Tibetan Monk!"

I don't like Phil at all, but I voted for him. he's done just as much and is younger. Regarding Vijay's #1 world ranking: Daddy went to the woodshed to retool his swing. The kids had fun until Daddy came back.

That is a good nutshell description of the first decade of my golf. I worked really hard at ballstriking. But I couldn't get my handicap below 15. Once I understood that parts of my game that needed help, my handicap started dropping. I stopped dreaming of new drivers and started dreaming of wedges and putters.

Dude, way to go! that's pretty huge.

Heh heh. Oh it sooooo easy to be a great putter!

Not to mention one euro is like 18 dollars right now Seriously, a Euro purse would only need to be E 742,875.00 to equal Romero's $1.1mil first prize last week. We need a new president NOW. Back to topic: How EXACTLY does order of merit figure into the Masters invitations anyway? who knows this?

Me too. Weather really made Augusta tough, however I think that they should leave it as is until someone wins with -18 like Tiger did in 97. I am serious--make that a guidepost. Then bring in the high-lipped fairway bunkers.

Yeah, "sister in law" usage could make holidays a little awkward!

Thanks for the pictures. I played the slideshow and put some Jack Johnson on my itunes. Can't wait to get back to Hawaii!!!

Oh no you did not. LOLOLOL

There are many factors that mitigate a "long drive". For example, if you are measuring total hole length - distance to the flag, or center of the green and saying that's the length of your drive, well: Where was the tee placed? They measure the LONGEST possible placement for the scorecard. Where is the flag placed? The above may be true for this as well. Downwind? Downhill? Is there ANY corner at all to cut? Even a slight bend in a fairway comes up in the total yardage ie. hole distance is NOT measured as the bird flies. This is one area where the gps types have an advantage. I am a bushnell rangefinder guy, and I have a hard time finding something EXACTLY tee-box high to shoot for an accurate distance once I get to my ball. But EVEN THEN, are you using your GPS on EVERY DRIVE? Uphill drives? Drives into the wind? I GUARANTEE YOU the PGA does that for Woods and JB Holmes. The other day I played Wildcat/Highlands in Houston. On the front , the wind was behind MANY tee shots. I would have averaged at least 290 on those. But on the way in, with the same 30mph wind in my face, I was LUCKY to get 225 with driver. There are so many guys that have two good drives a round, and that magically becomes the average drive. The same is true for the driving range dudes who are swinging out of their shoes and not counting the 8-12mph wind at their back. Come back to the range when that same wind is in your face. Besides, a driving range is A BIT wider than a fairway.

In terms of improvement, I think tracking a handicap can be very misleading. Software like Scorecard can be so much more helpful. Golf Digest Challenge was helpful to me as well. By the way, good for you shooting in the 70's after 3 years! It sounds like your hdcp would be between 2 and 5.

Colin was born June 23, 1963. Since he doesn't seem to be a fitness nut, he is on the DOWN slope of the curve in major win probability. This Masters must hurt, because every year his body will cooperate less and less while he tries to play his way in to the Masters. Now he knows that his fame won't get him in if his game doesn't. AND NOW the four stages of Monty's Career: #1.Who's Colin Montgomerie? #2. Get me Colin Montgomerie! #3. Get me a YOUNG Colin Montgomerie? #4. Who's Colin Montgomerie? I guess he COULD go down as one of the greats to never win a major. . .

Jack Nicklaus supposedly said something to the effect of not teeing it is ridiculous, as it is the cleanest lie. I can't find the quote, though. However, if you want to use the par 3 course to work on your wedge approach game, that is different. Hitting off the grass could be useful in that scenario.

Fresh off the high public course green fees vs. quality discussion, I have to ask if anyone else loves playing early in the morning? I find that early morning golf is the single most salient determining factor for my golf enjoyment. I love it because: #1 Less people (or NO people in front of you) #2 Greens are usually a bit more uniform #3 Wind tends to be lower I guess I like playing alone, which also happens often early in the morning.

HA HA HA HA HA!! Yeah, in that category I have gone from about 235 UP TO 311 , and now. . . slowly. . . backing . . . away . . . from . . . the pizza. . . about 275 lbs NOW and ONLY 6' TALL!!! Sheesh. And HERE'S THE THING: it is DAMN hard to find good golf pants in 44" waist. Oh Brother. You know its bad when you're an Opera Singer for a living and the Maestro starts telling you to lose weight! Back to the topic: I don't know how far I drive it. Ever since I did the Golf Digest Challenge and found out my short game hdcp was 2X my long game hdcp, I just do whatever it takes to get it in the short stuff.

Dear Sandtrappers: There are currently at least 5 threads dedicated to who is hotter/better looking than whom. While your subjective comparisons may seem as a compliment from where you blog, many, MANY women take offense at being compared to other women regarding looks-especially when they are competing against the same in sport. Quid pro quo I am surprised at your reluctance to say such-and-so is ugly, or their attitude is ugly. Interesting how blog scruples work. Tom Kite, if you are out there, I meant no offense. Additionally, your short game rocks. Charles Barkley, your swing is ugly. No takebacks.

The idea of Tiger wanting to remove pressure IS the most ridiculous. Tiger knows that pressure makes him sharper-- Heck I think he has to work HARDER when there isn't pressure.

that's hilarious!

Thanks for that, Amen. I played at Wildcat 3 times, and the Lakes Course Greens are in shambles. However, the Highlands greens are nice, and I played there twice. The back nine is BRUTAL when the wind is out of the South. One thing that must be said for the Wildcat course is, with a 36 hole layout you can always get on early or late. I am looking for another course to play 2-3 rounds at when there are work breaks. I have heard that Tour 18 is nice, and I am going to reference your list as well as others.

We have had plenty of "who's hotter" talk around here. . . well who's ugliest?? Face, body, swing, attitude? I am starting things off: I would say the ugliest mug out there is Tom Kite whew! Body wise, it's that lady on the LPGA that is as wide as she is tall- what's her name? Davis? Ugliest swing? No contest: Charles Barkley Attitude: Sometimes Johnny Miller! What do you say sandtrappers?

Nice Quote, Avid. Recently, I have been trying to get more aggressive in my mind chatter: "Solid Shot", "make this putt", etc. I also tell myself "this is exactly the right shot" over and over once I have chosen a club, target, and swing. It helps to be thinking something specific and positive leading up to execution.

Nail? Meet Head.

Golf is a challenge that can't be manipulated or negotiated. When I first started playing, I gave myself lots of mulligans, foot wedges, and improved lies. Now I savor playing "straight up", because I really want to know if I am getting better. I enjoy working on my game, sneaking away to the driving range, playing early in the morning while my family is still asleep. Golf is my love affair, and the bitch can hurt me like no other. But she can sure feel nice

My best round ever was 75 last summer at Twin Warriors. I have shot 34 twice on 9 holes. Cannot wait to shoot par CANNOT WAIT!