Diobacco

I try to play greenside bunker shots with the clubface very open. They come out nice with Lob wedge and disaster with the Sand wedge... my guess is that this is due to the bounce and I probably play in courses with not so nice sand. Is this normal or I am missing some points abuot how the shot should be done?

I was improving fast and really enjoying golf. A few months ago I started playing consistently in mid 90s and feeling very close to break 90. My weak point was the Driver. Suddenly, about a month ago I began controlling the driver better and hitting it quite well... but... since then I cannot hit a iron at all. It seems to get worse every time I play :( Most shots are terrible slice. Is this a known bug?

I am hitting driver straight (with a few slice/fade here and there). Should I aim at developing draw with driver? What about the Irons?

I will be in SF next week. Can you suggest a good public course for a Saturday round?

What hole are you at now?

Based on the fact that I will probably drop quite a few hp points in a year and gain sensibility to better feel differences from one club to another... I decided to put a price cap on the Driver and Wood. Also, I have a few limitations from specs available in the shop I selected. My Choices are: Driver Callaway Big Bertha 460 11* 3 Wood Big Bertha Putter Scotty Cameron Studio Style I still have a few things to decide... Any suggestion is more than welcome (also if you have any points against the selections above...) 1) Shaft Flex... At the moment I am not looking at swinging very very fast. What other things should I consider? 2) Putter lenght... I like very mutch the short one (33) any disadvantage compared to the longer ones?

Thanks all for valuable help so far... Thanks for encouraging me in spending money on golf gears as well!

My first 6 months of golf I played almost exclusively on Par 3 courses. When I started on regular courses a few weeks ago I just focused on gaining confidence with one club up at the time. Now I am in very good control with the 24* and 21* from both tee and fairway. I tryied 3W only a few times at the range... I was thinking of setting 3W as next club to gain confidence with. Replacing 3W (and 5I) with hybrids it sounds to me like not going on the correct route... it is the same as a "chipper" I saw in a shop... it might be very effective but I see it as cheating like thing... (not sure I expressed my point clearly). Should I change my mind and go for Hybrid 18* or try 3W first and if I cannot gain confidence change approach? I am more concerned with Tee shots, as I think I will stick with 21* and mostly 24* from fairway for a while.

At the moment I am using Hybrids (21* and 24*) from fairways... I am also using them from tee most times. I was thinking at a 3W to tee off whenever I do not feel confident to tee off with driver.

I decided to buy: Driver, 3 Wood and Putter For the putter I like the SC Studio Style Newport... not sure which number I should get. For Driver and 3Wood I was heading towards Titleist just because I like the brand. However, I heard they are tough. What would you reccommend for high handicap? I guess I would need something as neutral as possible? I will not be a long hitter for a while as I am very focused on control at the moment. Any advaise is very welcome!

You should aim at breaking 220

So if you are playing a par4 and get on the fringe with 2nd (and then putt) would you consider the hole as GIR?

Ok... I will look for the book. However, I am not sure it is what I look for. I am a beginner, and getting better with swing, ball fly etc. Something I find very difficult is to have a tempo. I read some people think about some songs, etc. Do you have any drill to get started focusing on tempo?

Anyone has good tips on how to establish and maintain swing tempo?

Thanks for your review... I could not wait and I ordered it (9') a couple of days ago I am glad you were not disappointed! Manufacturer says it is suitable for outdoor standing... Does it seem to be build to last if kept outside all the time? I am a beginner and yesterday I got very depressed counting my 50 putts on a new course I played. Hope this will help!

I am glad I read this thread. So encouraging... I never played solo in my first season, but know it will happen and that is the only way I can play as much as I want to. I was fearing playing solo was somehow bad. If you enjoy it, I will as well!

I run a videogames Localization and Testing business.

I play better when people I am playing with are playing well in relation to their level. Better or worst than me, I suffer if they lose focus because are playing below their standard.

I voted GIR The way I see it is that Approaches are the most spectacular part of the game and also the one requiring the most skill/gift. Regardless of the score, I wish to become a good Iron/wedges player.

slightly OT... Do you wear your golf shoes at driving range? I usually do not, does it affect swing?

What makes you more eager to play on Sunday after Saturday golf... A very good round or a very bad round?

This is very healty in a couple. In my case Kids really turned around our "freedom" approach. Some of my friends with no kids have problems though... my wife agrees with me this is not understandable.

I had a 21* hybrid with my set and bought a nice 24*. The putter with my set seems fine but hard to judge for me... I think is worth 70$ or so, maybe you can tell from the price if it can be any good. Driver; the one with the set is 450cc but I guess on the low end price range. Replacing it should give me more distance or reduce slices etc.? I can wait for distance... cant for slices. Totally agree about balls... problem is that when I get into Golf shops I cant resist buyng nice balls I guess it is part of the game...

gfunk's Huxley mat seems great. I would have never thought I could find myself evaluating to spend that much for a putting mat. Are the accessories worth or it is just a matter of better materials and realistic experience. My understanding from other posts is that whatever mat will lead to improvement... are those high end ones so much closer to practicing on a real putting green? Waiting for gfunk feedback... anyone has tried them eg in some indoor golf?

No surprise I get this advice from you I like pitching with sw so I was definitely evaluating adding a more lofted wedge. I think I will follow this asap...