Putridgasbag

You want to understand putting? Read Pelz's Putting Bible. Everything you wanted and didn't want to know about putting. Made me a better putter and I don't get as upset about the missed ones, though I can't help but think about donuts every time I see the hole.

Ours has a couple of holes with tees that aren't listed on the card. Our short par 3 that topped out at 127 yards has a non listed tee that plays an insane 161. Luckily that one isn't used that often as the green is made for wedge shots not mid irons. The 18th has a tee that turns a reasonably tough 363 yard par 4 into a really tough 400 yarder. The course also has a lot of dog legs and elevation changes and can be quite tricky for distances, some holes play longer and others shorter than the yardage. GPS sure has made it easier.

I hate advertising on my covers or anything for that matter. Currently I have a bear and a skunk covering the driver and the 3 wood respectfully. I have had the nickname Bear (or versions of) since I was 12 or so and I always have at least one bear on the clubs. The skunk was from the kids. I think it is a statement of some sort :)

I don't disagree and believe that it is the fault of the system for allowing casual rounds to count. Lots of free programs to track casual rounds, the so called official one should be used for tournaments. Better chance that rounds would be scrutinized and attested and a player called out for fudging the score.

Except for the part where he states under the rules of golf and handicap. So really rushing isn't against the rules and is a subjective thing thus as long as you pick the ball out of the hole and record the number you meet both criteria. Again you can rush any shot and just because it is a 3 footer doesn't make it anything more than a bad choice on the golfers part.

Do not know if I am nuts but I do organize my bag and pockets the same for every round, though I do it mainly because I don't like searching for stuff during a round. Clubs go in the bag in the same place they came out, I like being able to glance at the bag and see that all clubs are accounted for. Left one behind many years years ago and didn't like it and would like to not have a repeat of that and the bonus is it makes pulling a club quick when the decision is made. Balls and current glove share a pocket with a bag with tees, ball markers and ball mark repair tools. I always have spare markers and repair tools. Wallet, keys and other daily life pocket crap has it's own pocket. Phone (ringer off) has it's own pocket as I use it for yardages. Rain gear, cold weather gear, all have a place when needed. Right pocket has one ball, tees, ball mark repair tool, two ball markers with one being a casino chip style and the other a small metal one that attaches to the repair tool. One ball only carrying two gives the ball in play the wrong message. Start the round with a handful of tees and keep broken ones for the par 3s and short 4's where driver is not required. Repair tool is currently is one I found a couple of years ago with a bear on it. Seemed to be made for me as my nickname since grade school is...well....Bear. The big marker gets used for long putts that aren't near anybody's line. I hate having trouble seeing my marker when I am taking a look at a long putt and conversely I hate when someone uses a small dark marker as I have a hell of a time seeing them. Small marker is one of the little magnetic type and has the Canucks logo on front and blank on the back, perfect when close to hole and near peoples line. Always mark the ball in the same way and if required to move the marker I flip it over so the logo doesn't show. Left pocket gets the glove when putting and chipping, do not like it in back pocket for some reason. Back right is scorecard and pencil. Most of what I do has evolved over the years and is usually to make the game go smoother and quicker for me.

Well two are cheating and two are not and if you have to ask which you shouldn't be asking the question.

While I agree with you on most parts I do have a quibble with the highlighted part. I believe that most people change the way they play in a casual round as opposed to a tournament round. I know I do and I don't see it as a problem except for the handicap. Tournament rounds will see me mark most if not all of my putts, usually make a more conservative choice on the tee and generally play a tighter game than in a casual round. Casual rounds will see me more talkative and social, way more willing to try a low percentage shot and more likely a lot less worried about what I shot. Casual rounds are for the most part played with a buddy or three and the stress factor for most shots is really low. Tournament rounds are a different kettle of fish to me. I enjoy both but I prepare and approach both in a totally different way, I would not think of playing a tournament round without a full warm up. Played a lot of casual rounds where the only warm up is on the first tee and the first putt is on the first green.

Had that happen a few times. People who get caught up so much with the pace of play when it is slow and they let it get to them. I prefer a steady, fairly brisk pace but you can't always get what you want. When I go to a course I know there is a possibility that it could take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours depending on a lot of factors. Played with guys who really, really let it get under their skin and their negative attitude and energy can be hard to counter. If you have a can't miss appointment scheduled maybe the choice to golf was the wrong one. I suppose though the guy(s) who bother me the most on the course are the exact opposite. I hate being in the group which can be pointed at as the slow one and not really being able to do anything about it. If you see we are falling behind the group in front and falling behind the pace of play guidelines you might want to think about picking up the pace. Playing ready golf, getting to your ball and not worrying too much about the honours, at least until we get back into position. Doesn't usually happen the getting back in position and you fall a little farther back with each passing hole while the slow golfers play... well.... slow.

Sandbagging- What is Permitted?.... and that there folks is why the handicap system is a joke. Jumping back on the dead horse and beating it some more, my belief is that handicaps kept by the governing body of game should be tournament rounds only. Playing only casual rounds? Lots of free places to keep track of your handicap, you really don't need an "official" number. It is to the point that our weekly Saturday mens morning tournament has its own handicap and I know this to be a very common at other clubs. Did this at my club a little while ago. Went to the trophy case and looked at the low net trophies and noted multiple winners. Found the guy who had his name the most on the trophies and looked up his rounds for the last few years. Amazing how many of his best rounds were in tournaments or club competitions. If you ask him he just really concentrates when their is something on the line. Handicap committee? Not much of one I am afraid and again this isn't that uncommon at a lot of clubs. We have a good handicap committee doing the Saturday and its associated competitions but everyday committee... nope.

Just got them this year. Driver 8.5* Titleist 910 D3, 3 wood Titleist 13.5 910F, Wedges Vokey TVDs 54*, 58* and irons 2-PW Titleist 681s. Just finished fitting the irons and wedges to me and I couldn't be happier. Two separate deals for a total of $500. Cheaper than when I used to put component clubs together :)

One of the things that has helped me try and eliminate the blow up hole is getting a number, for me it is 115, a smooth PW. When I get in trouble I first look at getting to the green or just short. If the odds are not good my next look is getting to this distance. I am better from 100 to 130 (W, PW, 9) than I am with the partial shots inside of 100. From the 115 range I save more pars and limit the damage to bogey way more often than I would trying to force something into the green.

It really depends on what your definition of an average weekend warrior is. I know guys who play very little and shoot low, and guys who play daily and couldn't break a 100 even if they quit after 15. Who is the mythical average weekender?

I use two sets. The set I have had for awhile and play when money is on the line are Titleist DCI 981 copies that I play better with than any other set of clubs I have owned. This spring I picked up a set of Titleist 681s which I had reshafted to match the other set. Being a skinny little blade I take them out and use them to really hone my ball striking. Miss hit with those puppies and you really know it! Play a couple of rounds with the 681s and then when I go back to the other set it almost feels like cheating... :)

Well considering at most courses you start near the clubhouse and have a halfway shack/ clubhouse after 9, you really are only talking about having to cover 2 hours between visits to a stationary cart. So if you need more than 1 visit to the cart each nine then you have problems and at most courses I have been to the chances are you will see the cart a couple of times a 9. I can only imagine the problems of running a cart randomly around a course or getting stuck behind a group in which they call for it 5 or 6 times in 9 holes.