Tomboys

Well, for starters; feel isn't real, so what you think you're doing may not be what you're actually doing. My suggestion is to post a video to determine what you're actually doing and go from there. Also, while you may know what to do and how to do it--and are able to do it properly, it takes time to be able to do it consistently.

IMO, you should get fitted for a shaft that fits your current SS and not what you think it's going to be in the future. Generally, a SS of 85 puts you into a men's regular shaft flex. However, that's not to say that any regular flex shaft will work well for you because there's other factors to consider such as the bend profile and weight because they can greatly influence individual performance. As such, you'll probably have to do some testing to determine which shaft gives you the proper launch angle and spin numbers based on your particular swing.

Unfortunately, THE BEST WAY can vary from player to player, so I'm not sure if there's a "universal truth" or sure-fire method. IME, when I'm getting too quick with my transition, I've found that by taking a couple of practice swings where I consciously pause at the top of my backswing tends to put me back on track.

I'm sure your parents are proud too. Great job.

Watch the movie "Million Dollar Baby" and maybe it'll shed some light on why some people would shun their "families". Also, while I won't get into particulars, suffice to say, if Tiger's experience is similar to mine, then I don't blame him one iota.

The cost of reshafting your wedges should be @ $30 per club (using Dynamic Gold steel shafts) if you're able to salvage the existing grips. If not, then add a few bucks for a new grip. Those Nike wedges run about @ $100 each new, so you'd still be coming out ahead overall. Usually, a 60* is a lob wedge, so it's going to hit it shorter than your 56* SW. A gap wedge is usually @ 52*. Your current PW is 45*, so IMO, I think you need a club to fill the 11* "gap" between your PW and SW more than you need a 60* lob wedge.

I'm not 100% sure of exactly when, but I saw an interview with Bubba where they asked him why the shaft in his driver was pink. Apparently, the only significance of the pink color is that he likes it.

Not only should you ask for the green fees, you should consider asking them to cover their food/beverage purchases made at the course as well. Simply say something to the effect of, "Hey, you guys wanna play at my CC this weekend? The green fees would be $___.__ per player. Also, you can't pay for your round in the pro shop as well as any food/beverage ordered at the course because all expenses are billed to the member. So, you have to bring cash and pay me. In turn, I will pay the bill once I get it." This is what my bud did the first time we played his CC. We've never had a problem.

Uh-oh, that's judgemental feedback. The proper NJF way to phrase that would be, "On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is minimal and 5 is maximum, how would you rate the level of your fakeness?" Whadda ya know? Small world. I grew up in Oakland and played there a few times.

I did the same thing when I was new. I shot a 34 (par 31) executive course, so I ventured out to a championship 18-hole soon afterwards. It was a blast and I shot a 69...on the front. Once I calmed down, I shot a 58 on the back. Of course, it probably didn't help that I played Poppy Hills from the blue tees (6500 yards, 73.0 CR / 141 slope). The only advice I can give you is to just enjoy the round regardless of the outcome. Also, bring plenty of ammo (golf balls) you don't mind losing just in case. My bud that played with me that day (who was just as new as I was) brought two dozen golf balls. He ran out by the 13th hole.

My bud tried the new Titleist Velocity and was thoroughly impressed with its overall length/playability. He's played the ProV1s (both models, I think) and the various Bridgestone/Callaway ones as well over the years. Also, he's a single-digit 'capper with a very good short game. So, it could be another "candidate" to consider.

Actually, walking is cardio. Based on some rough guidelines, your bud probably burns about 2200 or so calories per day, so if he plays 9 holes of walking golf or if he goes on a daily walk for about an hour, he can increase his daily burn to about 2500. Now, if he can get his daily intake to around 1800 to 2000, then he'll achieve that 500 calorie daily deficit that he needs to have to lose the 1 lb per week. Please note that heavier people actually burn more calories in a day than their thinner counterparts. I know, it sounds counter-intuitive (sort of like the golf swing, but I digress). The reason is that it takes more energy to move a larger mass. Given the condition of your bud, walking is probably the best thing for him. It's low impact, low cost, convenient, and IME, very effective. Also, he doesn't have to block out a bunch of time to do it. He can do it in 15 minute blocks, 4 times a day. The typical goal is to take 10,000 steps a day (you see the commercials on TV) which is close to walking an 18 hole golf course. Also, based on my pedometer, when I walk an hour, it's just over 5,000 steps (about 3 miles).

You both deserve a lot of credit for being supportive of one another. That being said, you already know this; your bud got fat because he's consuming more calories than he's burning. So, while it's great that he's committed to exercising more to burn more calories, he needs to also cut down on his daily caloric intake. Otherwise, all his efforts may not result in the substantial weight loss needed. 3500 calories = 1 lb. So, if your bud walks just an hour more a day, that should increase his daily burn by @ 250 calories a day. If he combines it with reducing his daily caloric intake of say another 250 calories, that translates into a daily reduction of 500 calories. Multiplied by 1 week, that nets out to 1 lb/ wk weight loss. How much is 250 calories? Well, just to give you an idea, a large single egg w/yolk scrambled equals about 100 calories and a large banana is about 120 calories. So, it's not that much over the course of a day. Also, if he doesn't have a scale at home, have him get one. He should weigh himself a few times a week. Studies have shown that when people become accountable (and trust me, the scale will make you accountable), their success rates become higher. Good luck. I applaud both your efforts.

From what I've read, it's a media issue raised by Burke. She's the impetus.

In 2002, when Burke tried to leverage the committee by "threatening" their corporate sponsors, Johnson decided to broadcast The 2003 Masters without corporate sponsorships (IBM, Coca-Cola and Citibank). The committee absorbed the entire cost of televising the event. So, I don't think ANGC will be forced to do anything they don't want to anytime soon.

Agreed. At the end of the day, pressure comes from within. If you don't feel it, then it's pretty hard to "manufacture" it. However, you can do certain things to prevent yourself from becoming overwhelmed when you do feel pressure. As other's have suggested, focusing on the process and not the outcome as well as experience. If that doesn't work, just blame your caddie for the bad shots.

It really depends on how much soft sand you have. I'm pretty sure it's legal to use your feet to "test" how much depth there is on the softer sand. When I encounter this situation, if there's a reasonable amount of sand, then I play a normal sand shot. However, I make a few changes to my "stock" sand shot. I don't open the clubface as much--to take out some of the bounce, and I swing a little bit less. If I find there's very little soft sand, then I play a pitch shot.

I holed out from a bunker just a few months ago...for an 8. My bud said it best, "Oh lookie, you got whipped cream with your dog sh*t."

Very astute. I've had 250 (carry yard) drives that traveled 300. And, I've had 250 (carry yard) drives that traveled 251.

+1. Unfortunately, I've had the dubious honor of being paired with a player like OP encountered in a team competition. You know it's bad when I had to ask, "Where's the nearest ATM?"

Congrats!! Don't sell yourself short, you earned that 89 milestone through a lot of dedication and hard work, so kudos to you for a job well done. I remember the first time I broke 90. I had been playing steadily for about a year. This is back in the day when Titleist Balatas were the "in" balls to play. LOL. There was an 18-hole course about 10 minutes from my house that I would play almost every Sunday and I was just starting to break 100 there. One day, I went to play and per usual, I couldn't hit my driver that net more than 200 yards (hooks, slices and everything in between). Sure, the ball probably traveled 220 to 230 yards, but when 20 - 30 yards of that is going sideways, it doesn't help you get any closer to the hole. But, I was "el fuego" with my approach shots and I just kept nailing GIRs--back then, I didn't know what that was, I just knew that I had two putts to make par. My putter was very steady too, so I was pretty satisfied at my round. My bud, who took up the game the same time I did, was hitting the ball all over the place. So, I didn't have time to add up the front 9 score because we were pressing to keep pace. It wasn't until I left the 18th green and added up my score that I realized what I did. 84. My bud couldn't believe my score. And, not saying that there was any jealousy there, but he made me recount every shot on every hole to make sure my score was right. Sure enough, it was correct. I would've talked trash to him, but I think I was too shocked to say anything. I just had this stupid grin that wouldn't go away.

His ball flight theory is wrong. Nonetheless, I'm glad they found (and removed) his tumor.

I spit out my coffee when Butch talked about how his mother got mad at his dad one day and yelled, "Claude, you only won one Master's and it was a long time ago!" That was hilarious.

It's as golf related and original as, "Dry your eyes." All I hear from you is the very poor musings of a very poor instructor.

Checkmate.