formula428

Purchased a coupon-type book at my local GQ...$20 coupon gets me 18 holes for free, just need to pay the cart. I get this for 9 different courses, each can be played once. It's a great deal, since playing one course already gets my money back, then 8 are free + cart. However, a couple on the list are private courses. Before I call and potentially sound like an idiot, do you think I can play the private courses since I have the coupon? Or would it only be valid for the private courses for those who are members. Kind of disappointing, but still a good deal.

I did in the evening...it was great. With the heat and the holiday, course was empty.

Played yesterday, 95 degrees plus humidity. I love the heat, so I didn't mind. Plus, no one was playing, course was open!

1. Ultimately shoot bogey golf consistently. Right now, I'm shooting anywhere from low 59 to mid 40s for 9, though I'm improving as my last several 9s were low 50s down to mid 40s. 2. Drive straighter, though this is also improving considerably. 3. Have more confidence in my up and down game. Currently I often get nervous and don't trust my swing, so I only chip it 1/2 the distance (requiring 2 to get on the green)...or I get nervous and pick my head up while chipping.

Well, after the overwhelming percent of those who say (or do) play by themselves, I went out this evening. Shot pretty good and the course was relatively empty. I actually like it because if I was waiting for a group ahead of me, and no one was behind me, I'd practice a few chip shots that I had missed when I was scoring. In fact, it gave me a chance to play out of the bunker a few times (that I had previously shot badly on), since I don't have much experience with being in bunkers. All in all, shot a 51 on 9 holes including a birdie on a Par 5. Missed the eagle chip by a foot :/ I'll definitely be going solo more often, just so I can get some extra playing in.

As indicated in a couple of my other threads, I just got into the sport/game seriously only a few weeks ago. It seems like back then, everyone wanted to go golfing. After I get all my new clubs/bag/balls/etc everyone cannot make time for it. However, I still want to get better. I hit the range at least once per week. However, I want to actually go to a course. I mean, isn't that the point? So, since I have no one who currently wants to golf, how "lame" is it to just go and play 9 or 18 by yourself? Does anyone routinely do that?

A friend of mine and myself played the champ tees yesterday by accident. I'm still getting used to the whole golf thing, and I thought they were the men's tees. Honestly though, I don't think it made a bit of difference for me.

I hit a squirrel off the tee (topped the ball) and I hit a goose near a lake. Same day, same course.

Just getting into golf, I'm only logging my putts and score per hole via Swing-By-Swing Android App...occasionally keeping track of distance per club (just to see if I'm shooting consistently).

What is this "straight" thing you speak of? Never heard of that word in the same sentence with "wood" or "driver"...

FYI -- I bought the Callaway dimpled foam golf balls. They definitely indicate a hook/slice (not sure how exaggerated or accurately), and I hit my neighbors house when I took a swing in my front yard. Has to be at least 40 yards. I'll move onto the plastic ones...

I'm a really big fan of the irons, but specifically, I guess I really like my 6 iron -- 160-165 yards. Near the green, I'll take my LW 60º any day. I also really like my 4 iron. This one seems to go the straightest for me...and definitely gives me that "rewarding" feeling after playing it correctly.

That would work great. I will most likely hit toward the street, so I don't care if they bounce over the street (it's not that busy). I've even heard of some practice balls that exaggerate hooks/slices, which is just as fine since I ultimately want to hit it straight anyway. A friend mentioned the nerf ones...any experience with those?

Since the post is lengthy, here's the actual question: I've read some mixed opinions on practice golf balls -- plastic, nerf, the tube one, etc. For practicing my driving (and 3W/5W), what practice ball yields the best results (most accurate ball flight) given my circumstances? Keep in mind, I'm doing this in a suburban yard...so anything more than 40 yards is out of the question. The entire post: As indicated in my Intro thread, I have been playing for several years, but really never got "serious" about golf. I used my fathers clubs...Triumph Master Plus perimeter weighted stainless steel (circa 80s?) with a T-Line putter. However, the driver and 5w were very small, steel rigid shafts, and I was missing the 3W. I did like the irons, though, and hit them quite well. Last year, a friend's grandfather gave me a 10.5° driver w/Senior flex shaft. It was definitely an improvement, but I'm a big proponent in owning respectable equipment in order to be decent. With that being said, I just purchased some Taylormade clubs after reading some reviews, considering prices, and taking a few swings at the local store. I definitely love these new clubs. I've always hit my irons straight, even the lower irons, and that's still happening quite well (TM Burner Plus 4i-AW, Burner 1.0 LW). I also picked up the hybrids (Raylor), and they are a dream in the rough, as is my new heavy putter (Scotty Cameron Futura Phantom II) which cut an average of 1+ strokes/hole off my game. However, my driver and 3/5 wood (Burner 2.0) shots still need help. Yep, I have the all-too-common slice. It does help to slow my swing down (I had a previous history of swinging WAY too hard), but then I tend to hook the ball. I have watched videos about squaring the clubface, know the proper stance, etc...but I know you have to actually take swings to get better. Bottom line, I want to hit the ball straight (who doesn't?!) Since everything set me back around $1000, I really don't have the cash to practice at the range multiple times each week, which brings me to my question: I've read some mixed opinions on practice golf balls -- plastic, nerf, the tube one, etc. For practicing my driving (and 3W/5W), what practice ball yields the best results (most accurate ball flight) given my circumstances? Keep in mind, I'm doing this in a suburban yard...so anything more than 40 yards is out of the question. Thanks!

Hello all, I have played golf for several years (I'm 27), but I just bought some clubs and I really want to get into golf (and ultimately get better). Just thought I'd say hello.