3Putt

I don't think it should be based on handicap. If you're dominating the local amateur scene then try satellite pro events. If you're successful then keep climbing the ladder.

Badds had voiced concern with MacGregor back in 2007, apparently some endorsement payments due him were not made. Interesting that Badds would leave MacGregor after fellow Aussie Greg Norman has become the figure-head of MacGregor. As for Adams products, I love the hybirds I use but I've never tried their irons or driver. It's definitely a marketing move on their part to attract younger golfers to their brand. Prior to signing Rory and Badds, Adams most high profile players were on the Champions Tour.

The typical equipment contract covers 10 clubs with the player having the option to use his choice for putter, wedgies and driver. Just because the bag reads Callaway or Nike or Titleist doesn't mean the player uses 14 clubs and the ball from the same manufacturer. The Golf Channel has an interesting page on their website called 'what's in the bag' containing the equipment used by tournament winners. Here's Woody Austin's bag from his Shark Shootout win: Driver Cleveland Launcher Comp 8.5° 3 Wood Cleveland Launcher Steel Hybrid Adams IDEA PRO 18° Irons (3-9) Cleveland CG1 Wedge (PW) Cleveland 588 47° Wedge (SW) Cleveland 588 DSG 56° Wedge (LW) Cleveland 588 60° Putter Scotty Cameron by Titleist prototype Ball Titleist Pro V1 X Also, the top equipment companies offer 'tee up money' to players to use their driver or fairway metals. Our club pro quailified for the national club pro tournament, he's been a Titleist guy for years and our pro shop has all Titleist and Cobra (owned by the same parent company) equipment. When he arrived at the tournament Taylor Made was offering $2,000 to any club pro that used their driver for the tournament. Our pro found the Titleist rep and asked if they were paying a 'bonus' to use a Titleist driver. They weren't so he grabbed a Taylor Made driver and used it, and the $2,000 covered his travel expenses for the week. I've read and heard that the big equipment companies offer tour players not already under contract $10,000 per tournament in 'tee up money'. Why? So when the Darrell Survey rep on the first tee records the contents of the bag the manufacturer can claim "#1 Driver or #1 Hybrid or #1 Fairway metal or #1 Iron on the PGA Tour".

A Nike golf ball, really far and somewhat straight.

OCN is always running specials to 'stay and play' or play both courses. Check out their website: http://www.ocngolf.com/layout9.asp?id=322&page;=23478

The only Memphis course I've played is Memphis Country Club, a Donald Ross gem. I remember the caddies dressed in Augusta-type white jumpsuits and the smallish greens being very, very fast.

I'd skip Diamond Back for another round at OCN on Crooked Cat. The opening holes are ridiculously tight. Falcon's Fire is 15 minutes from Disney and a solid track. Southern Dunes is well worth the drive, approximately 30 minutes southwest from Disney. Celebration is always in good shape and more of a resort style course, not as penal for wayward shots as the others on your list. Northwest of Disney area, maybe 30 minutes away, is Palisades GC in Clermont FL that is always in great shape and unique for Florida with multiple elevation changes.

I've played Tiburon GC, it hosts the Greg Norman two man tournament which is played this week, it's a great facility with two courses. It will be pricey in January as will the other quality courses in the area.

http://www.pgatour.com/qschool/leaderboard/

I tried the optic orange fad (I said "fad") ball years ago when in high school. I remember seeing Stuart Cink use a black Nike ball in a PGA tour event last year or the year before and wondered if a new fad would start. Obviously it didn't, the only other colored golf balls I've seen are the pinks used by Paula Creamer, she's hot. Would I now use a ball that is not white? No.

I use the PW from my iron set, I think the loft is 48. Also use a 54 and a 58, those lofts work best for my game.

A lot of amatuer players routinely try to get in, and play, PGA tour events for the experience and to see how their game stacks up. Professinal golf might be in their plans in a couple years or so, but for the moment they're probably committed to their college team.

When I lived in a colder climate state, 50 degrees with little wind was the cutoff. If it was below 50 or if a consistent two club or more winds were in play, forget it, I found an indoor activity. Too cold means too many layers of clothing and it's not fun at all.

This summer during a Florida State Am qualifier: The Bad: Instead of hitting a full 7-iron (which was my first choice) on a par 3 I decided to smooth a 6-iron. I Promptly dumped it in the front bunker, shank-you'd the first sand shot, left the second sand shot in the bunker, knocked the 3rd sand shot on the green, two putts for a solid 6. The Good: The very next hole, a longish par 4 into the wind, I striped a 4-iron to 3 feet and made the putt for birdie. The Memory: I posted a 75 and missed qualifying by two shots and missed a playoff by 1.

Full swing: I learned the 'toe up, toe up' drill years ago and still use it when I get out of sync/sequence. Take the club back until the shaft is parallel to the ground, the toe of the club should be pointing straight up. Next, swing the club forward stopping when the shaft is again parallel with the ground and the toe should be pointing up. I use this drill when warming up, sometimes hitting balls, and on the course. It's a great way to reinforce the positions you need for the "slot'. Putting: Drop a few balls about 10 feet from a hole. When you strike each putt, don't lift your head but say out loud how the putt felt, either short, long or good. Don't look up until you think the ball has reached the hole. A great drill I learned 25+ years ago for developing feel. Chipping: Look at the triangle formed by your arms and shoulders. Don't break your triangle and hit down on the ball.

Here's how I count it....if I hit it with a putter, it's a putt. My preference is to chip, it's often difficult to judge speed going through 3 or more feet of fringe. The PGA Tour keeps a stat for it's players called 'putts per G.I.R.' or some such. I count all putts and if it's under 30 I've usually had a good round.

Making a snowman (trip, quad or quintuple bogey) isn't exclusive to the golf course. Flash made a snowman somewhere here, then followed it up with his initial post which is equal to a string of birdies. If I have to explain it, I don't seem as smart, or you don't...or something like that.

During tournament play I'll play a new ball each 9 holes unless it has some cartpath rash. For casual rounds I usually start with a new ball with the intent it will last all 18. However, there are times when a ball must be sacrificed because it refuses to go in the hole. A golfer can only take so many power lips, peek-ins and cellophane bridge putts. After finishing a hole, preferably next to water, send the ball to it's liquid grave with multiple colorful goodbyes and grab a new one. When the eggs in the bag see what happens when they don't obey/perform they WILL try harder, write that down.

I use a black sharpie and make 6 dots in the middle of the dimples around each number on the ProV1x.

Sooner or later everybody makes a snowman

Bwahahahhaha! Outstanding.

Rule #1 with kids and any sport...keep it fun. Mine are 10 and 7 and they love gonig to the golf course. We usually play 9 holes and the only rule I have for them is they have to hit at least one shot per hole. The 7 year old will tire sometimes and only want to putt, the 10 year old usually wants to play every hole. I have them both 'tee off' at the 150 marker and finish the hole there. If the kids develop real golf skills and can play the game, you'll know by their comprehension of the game and the quality of their shots, then it would be time to seek some coaching. Make sure you include the child in that decision. My kids look forward to participating in the summer junior clinics at my club each year, mainly because of the pizza party on the last day of the clinic. Every now and then they hit good shots, every now and then they whiff a couple times. Keep it fun, show them the basics for each type of shot then let them play the game. One of my best memories is dragging my mother's clubs in a pull cart around our yard palying the golf course I "made". It was my game, my course, my rules and I loved every minute of those 'rounds'. And no, that didn't happen last month....just don't ask the neighbors ;-}

I only practice when I'm getting ready for a tournament. When I do practice I'll focus on whatever hurt my last few rounds but I always put in extra time on putts from 10 feet and in. On average I'll play once a week and my pre-round warmup includes more short game work than long game. I'll hit about 20 balls on the range to get loose and the feel for my full swing then spend about 20-30 minutes on the short game.

I'm a member here http://www.brooksvillecc.com and I play a lot of golf here http://www.southernhillsplantation.com with friends that are members. I also play a lot here http://www.worldwoods.com , here http://www.lakejovitagolfcc.com and here http://www.ocngolf.com

Using my home course as a guide I'd go with Driver, 4 iron, 8 iron, SW and putter. Two of the par three's I could hit with the 4 iron, the other two with the 8. I can set up good 3rd shots on the par 5s with Driver/4 iron and the lone uphill par 5 I could go Driver-Driver. BigDog, SW and putter are the scoring clubs so you have to bring them.