Dan Garcia

At the risk of sounding like a complete masochist, yes I do. LOL! I'm currently halfway through Gears of War 3 on Insane.

This is the exact point of view that I was told by that scratch golfer I mentioned in my OP. But my question is "why?" I'm sure many other golfers agree with your point of view; however, what's your reasoning for this?

Doc - I played Foxford 2 times last monday. Last month at the Chicago Golf Show in the Rosemont Convention Center, all attendees got a free round of golf at certain courses. This was the one they gave me for attending, so my buddy and I played it through 2 times for only the cart fee. The first time through I scored a 127, then the second time through I scored a 114 (which was when I made that pitch you read about on the other post). Yes, this was a very difficult course, but only had 3 forced carries which I had a little bit of difficulty on, holes # 15,16 and 17. During the day, I lost 2 balls in water hazards and 3 balls in the woods if I sliced off the tee. I wonder how I would have done on a closer set of tees...? I'll have to drive out there again and try one of these days. Even though it's almost an hour away from home. :) Thanks for your input!

*thumbs up* I agree with this, I'll definitely try to see how it affects my play from closer tees.

Although a score of 130 will generally be considered slow play, I usually play during slow times (weekday mornings) so there aren't too many other golfers on the course. On a side note, I read this on another post: "A rule of thumb is that you multiply your 5 iron distance by 36 and that gives you an idea of the course length for 18 holes you should seek." I'll have to try playing from around 6100 yards and see how it affects my play. But in all honesty, making par on a par 5 from the back tees feels pretty damn good.

This monday at Foxford Hills Golf club on the 4th hole I overshot my wedge over the green. I then used a pw to chip and roll for about 25 feet with a 4 ft break left to right. I saw that ball roll, hit the flagstick and sink into the hole. What a great feeling. :)

What do you think about the actual play though? Usually on an average par 4, I'll hit: driver -> 4h -> wedge and then 2-3 putt. Would you consider a game more enjoyable it was Driver -> 7i (GIR) and putt?

This may have been my buddy whom I usually play with. I told him "Relax dude, don't you know why it's called golf? -- because the word "%@$&!" was already taken."

Good morning everyone, As some of you may have seen on some of my previous posts, I picked up the game about 7 months ago. Ever since that day, I have always played the back tees (except for the one time I played the ladies tees when I tried to get my girlfriend to pick up golf). Now I'm still learning and have yet to break 100. Most courses I have played have been around 6300-7000+ yards from the back tees. In these I usually score between 105-130 if its a challenging course and I'm not hitting consistently. A few days ago, a scratch golfer told me that I shouldn't even be at the back tees until I break 90. My reasoning for playing the back tees is for the added challenge, more bang for your buck, as well as the fact that the back tees usually have the best scenery . Keep in mind that I always keep up with the pace of play, so I'm not deviating from etiquette on the course. What's your opinion? More importantly, what is your reasoning for playing from your choice of tees? Thanks in advance for your $.02! Dan

I played Aldeen this past weekend 2 times through. Got a great deal for $35 off golfnow which included the cart and a bucket of range balls. Like Acooper said, it's an extremely nice course. Loved having water on 12 of the holes. I played from the back tees and scored a 123. I was sort of proud of that given that I'm barely about 7 months into the game. I usually play Eaglewood out in Itasca. Its one of the few courses in my area that has some nice elevations.

I've only played for about 6 months and have yet to break 100. My personal best is a 109 at Eaglewood Resort in Itasca IL off the back tees. Anyways, I bought a bag of 50 refurbished pro-v1-x at the store a month ago and have been using them since. Little did I know they wouldn't really affect my game since I'm still barely learning the swing. However, I really like them during my short game but find that they definitely pick up my spin much more when I tee off. I usually slice the ball, and if not I put a nice fade on it (unintentionally of course). I'm still working on my driving swing, therefore the pro-v1-x's have been costing me more strokes off the tee. I plan on meeting with a golf coach when money allows to work on the slice, but definitely have grown to like the prov1's.

I just picked up the sport last October as well. I can't get enough of it! (My wallet can though) If I may ask, how did you figure out your handicap? I've been collecting my scorecards and have about 10. Thanks for your help!

Why is the game called "golf"? The word "f***" was already taken. Pardon the french.

Haven't tried that one yet Beachcomber, but I'll definitely make it a priority once we get out of this 30* weather! So far I've only played about 6 courses the past 6 months (not including 3 disney courses I did a few weeks ago - palm, magnolia and osprey ridge). My favorite chicago course so far is Eaglewood in Itasca. I'd say that's my favorite because that was my first full 18 hole golf course.

So once it came in the mail I automatically opened it and went to the backyard. Note that my backyard here in chicago is a bunch of dead grass on frozen dirt. Anyways, I set up a bucket at the end of the yard and attempted a few chip shots from about 20 yards away. After a few shots and getting used to the weight and bounce of the club let me tell you I LOVE it. It does exactly what I wanted it to do which is pop the ball up and have it roll for about a foot. The reason why I love this motion is because it seems every time I have to chip in a shot and I try to use any wedges like the P or S, I tend to top the ball or hit it past the hole and roll it off the other side of the green. I understand from previous posts this may just be a lack of practice given that I'm still learning the basic fundamentals of golf; however, for the meantime this club seems to be serving the purpose I was looking for. Yes, there were times I would top it and it would shoot 30 yards straight past my yard, but as long as I got under it and made decent contact, the ball flew in the direction I wanted it to. I appreciate all your opinions and am happy to answer questions or post a video of me using it if anyone would like. Thanks!

Thanks for your replies gentlemen, My buddy really wanted to try the 68* wedge, so we ordered it off amazon. It's arriving today and I'll let you guys know what I think a little later.

Thanks for your opinion Shorty (cool avatar btw). Which club do you personally usually use for these kinds of shots?

Thanks Stretch! I'll practice some short game pitching skills with a regular wedge before considering a high lofted wedge. By the way, I agree with you about hitting the ball straight up, that's why I wanted to know if anyone has used a higher than 60* wedge before and what kind of up/down motion they got with it. Once again, thanks for your help!

Hello fellow Sand Trappers, What's your opinion on the Pinemeadow 68* Wedge? (You can find it on amazon if you do a quick search for it). As a beginner, I've hit a 56* wedge semi-successfully for 60 yard pitches, but I always seem to top my chip shots that are about 20 feet from the hole (this usually happens when I hit it right outside the green or the ball rolls past the green back onto the second or 3rd cuts). I'd like to have a club that I can use to chip those short shots onto the green and close to the hole, and I'm not sure if this wedge would help. What's your opinion and what club do you prefer for those kinds of shots? Thanks in advance for your help. Regards, Dan

Rotem, I don't believe I'm experienced enough to suggest a golf club set; however, I have a similar problem in regards to the height issue. I have posted a similar thread here: http://thesandtrap.com/t/55976/recommendation-for-a-first-club-set-for-a-height-challenged-player and the general opinion seems to be that it is best to get fitted for clubs. I believe I'm going to get a set of beginner clubs once I have been properly fitted, even though both of our budget is low ($500). Regardless, I'll save up some more money in order to be able to have a set of properly fitted clubs as this is a long term investment (3 years or more). Regards, Dan

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. I've heard of pros fitting you based on your measurements and pros fitting you based on your swing. In your opinion, should I focus on one or the other at this point? Also, what's your opinion on half sets?

Hello fellow Sand Trappers, I'd love to get your opinion on buying my first set of clubs. I've picked up the game about 6 months ago and love it, I've been playing almost weekly. The issue is that most of the time I've been renting clubs since I don't have my own. I think it's time to go ahead get my own set since I plan on playing as often as I can this year. The issue lies in the fact that I am only 5'2". I feel like most of the clubs I rent are very long and don't sit flush with the ground, therefore I have to grip the club much lower on the grip handle, which can also feel uncomfortable sometimes. I've tried some of the children's clubs, but those are too short. Do you recommend any specific shorter clubs? Is it better to just get fitted for my size? Or, I've also heard that I can get a set of clubs and take it in somewhere to have the grips removed, the top of the club sawed off, and then regripped. Has anyone else heard of this? As a college student, I'm on a small budget. I'd be willing to spend roughly $4-500 on a great set that I can use often for the next 3 years or so. Please let me know if you have any questions, thanks in advance for your help! Regards, Dan

Hello fellow Sand Trappers, My name is Dan, I have recently picked up the game of golf about 6 months ago and have fallen in love. I'm 25 and a full time student and worker at a Hilton hotel out by O'Hare airport. I look forward to reading the forums for tips and opinions, but mostly getting out on the courses and trying to break 108. (I was just at the Palm Disney Course in Orlando and hit a 125). Before continuing, I do have a quick question. Where should I post a question in regards to buying my first set of clubs: Golf Talk or The Pro Shop? I'd like to know specific details as I'm only 5'2" and most clubs I've rented feel very long for me. Thanks in advance for your help! Happy golfing. Regards, Dan

Welcome Conrad, This is my first post as well. I hope you have a great season! I'm out by the O'Hare area. Regards, Dan