packerfan1

Ours is none holes (most leagues I have ever seen or been involved with are none hole leagues), we tee off between 4-5:15, are done by 6:30 or 7 at the latest.

Had great luck with the 52 and 56 gunmetals, have carried them for about 3 seasons or so now. I don't carry a 60, so mine is pristine. The wedges look good, and spin as well as any I have owned.

If you are in reasonably good shape, the 2# difference is minimal for 18, probably more noticable for 36. I think people relate carrying a golf bag for 4+ miles to hiking with a 50# pack all day, and the two really are very far apart. The less weight the better for your shoulders / swing, but a # or 2 just makes little difference to me. Maybe you should change out steel iron shafts to graphite to save a pound or two?

Yes, if it is in season in NC, then you post it. The computer program will usually take care of knowing whether it is in season or not and adjust accordingly.

I usually lay up to 110, pull my PW, and blade it into the pond. A +5.2 handicap? No wonder you can hit driver off the deck.

Driver 230-240 4 wood 205 7 wood 190 4hybrid (22) 175 5 iron (26) 155 7 iron 135 9 iron 120 PW 105 GW 85 SW 70 That is my normal bag of clubs that I carry

I carry an old (maybe 7 or 8 years old) Adams Tight Lies 16* wood, which is considered to be a 4 wood by many people. It is the oldest club in my bag and has suited me fine for years.

I guess that in the past, golf should have just kissed off Bing Crosby and his clambakes, Bob Hope and his Classic, and celebrities through the years such as Jack Lemmon, Bill Murray, Jackie Gleason, George Lopez and others who have been actors or celebrities and also ambassadors for the game. Golf and celebrity are and have always been inextricably linked. The key is that celebrities are sometimes ambassadors for the game. It doesn't mean that I necessarily endorse or even like their music, movie or whatever, but that through their fame they can help to grow the game and attract maybe even a few people who would never have thought of playing the game until they saw a certain celeb play. They mostly raise money for charity when they play on these televised golf tournaments, and even though some of them are not very good at golf, well, they seem to have fun and raise money all the same. If Timberlake has already saved his childhood golf course, given back to the game and otherwise brought even one more golfer on board via his fame and name, well, then that might merit his inclusion in the magazine once as a featured interview. Like I said above, it sure beats another article about how to add 40 yards to my drive or how to sink more putts; when was the last time one of those articles actually worked?

I'd rather see an article about a celeb who is a good golfer and gives back to the game, versus yet another article on how to add 20 or 40 yards to my drive. Frankly, these lists of the 'best 100 entertainers who golf' and the like really irritate me, too. But the interview was at least a bit interesting and appropriate. How about more articles like the one in the same issue on bunkers...articles on golf architecture? or maybe feature municipal golf a bit more, maybe a reasonably priced muni course of the month? GD is headed the right direction with a few newer features.

In something like a conference tournament, I would definitely go with the club "that you chip well with"...no matter what club. Take what you have confidence in, what you know will work for you, and your score will show it. Good luck!

Chipping on the green was done more in the days when the stymie was legal, not so much now, as it usually results in torn up greens.

Ya, back in the 80's I could finish 18 in around an hour, never a problem with slow play, everyone moved quickly and efficiently, and best of all that was a time before practice swings! Trust me, it hasn't really changed. Maybe a bit slower because carts seem to be in even more use than before, but otherwise about the same.

Most of my clubs are bought off EBay. I also picked up a gently used set of irons deep discount at my locally-owned golf store. Bought them mid-January, whne the store is very slow...they were willing to move them much cheaper than marked. Try your local pro shop around now (Sept. - Nov.) in the northern climates, they often try to move their equipment by deeply discounting it before they close for the season.

I think that quite a few studies have shown that off the deck, most golfers actually hit their 5 wood as well as or better than their 3 wood, due to the higher loft and slightly shorter shaft. I usually use my 5 wood off the deck, and the other club I have (16* 3/4 wood) is rarely used. I might suggest that, especially with your distances, use that 5W off the deck, and buy a lower lofted 3 wood with a bit shorter shaft but a larger head, and use it for controlled tee shots on those tight holes. Your 5 wood off the deck yardage would seem to be sufficient for just about any hole you will normally encounter.

My tips from a real life of $50-$75 a month on golf. I rarely go to the range, on course play is the best practice, and if you play in the evenings it often isn't too busy, so you can hit an extra ball or two or try several approach shots to a hole, since you often won't be holding anyone up. Play a cheaper muni course. It won't hurt you or your game. Walk. Carts are way overrated for golf. Play twilight rates. Don't play weekends (especially during the day), that is the most expensive time of the week to play. Find a par-3 executive course if you have one in your area. Mine charges $8 for the first round and $4 for every round thereafter, 1900 yard par 29. My kids can play for $4 and $1 thereafter. I can walk onto my local muni 5 minutes away for $12 twilight, all you can play, after 6PM. I can almost fit in 18 this time of year. Other couses around here are $8 or $10 for twilight. Stay away from buying equipment, fight the temptation. Balls and greens fees should encompass your expenditures. Walk by the rough areas of a course, you will find many usable balls, if you aren't picky about brand name. Even ProV1's on occasion. Tough times call for belt tightening and a bit less choosiness. before you know it times will be better and you can upscale your couse again. But you might find some of your spendthrift habits stick with you...