Stargaze

Speaking of ball mark repairs. This is my first year of golf where I'm taking lessons and actually studying the game. I'm hitting the green now from 100 yards out and closer so I actually have ball marks to repair ;) I find it fun repairing ball marks.

I follow the rules when it comes to attire, repairing divots etc etc. I want to treat the golf course and the facilities with the utmost respect. Neither myself nor my friends are scratch golfers. So if my buddy hits his ball onto the cart path or in mud, for God's sake take it out and place it where you can get a decent shot....I'm not a stickler at all for that stuff.

Same situation for me. I usually play with my best friend who's only ever had one lesson. So if there's nobody behind us I'll help him out with his swing or advise him on what club to use. I don't do it all the time though, just when I think he needs help. If I'm playing with someone I don't know well then I wouldn't offer advise unless I'm asked.

Have any of you guys been tempted to buy the Taylor Made r11s driver or is that too "gimmicky"?

Well....just in the last couple days I bought a Callaway Diablo Octane driver, Diablo edge irons, a new Callaway bag and some balls. My son is starting to learn how to play so I figured I should give him my Nike clubs and get new clubs for myself. Yeah that's it.

I like Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy.

1. Get par twice in one day. 2. Get consistent with my 3 wood off the deck. 3. Focus on getting to the green in regulation 4. Work on short game!

I agree 100%. I was crushing the ball with my driver, 3 wood and hybrid all day yesterday but when I got close enough for the sandwedge and putter....I tanked bad. I need to spend more time chipping and putting. If I spend more time on the close game, I'm going to shave off quite a few strokes.

I am a beginner myself. I took 4 lessons so far and I plan on going to a golf clinic later this month. The lessons have REALLY paid off, along with going to the driving range about 3 or 4 times a week at least. I played a round yesterday and played the best game of my life. Learn the fundamentals and practice practice practice.

I don't really keep score yet because up until now there's just been too many triple bogeys and lost balls etc. After 4 lessons with a PGA and a couple dozen visits to the driving range this year I'm getting to where I don't lose the ball much at all and a legitimate bogey is very common for me. When I get to where I'm making par "here and there" then I'll start keeping track.

I was miserable at golf when I first started playing [not that long ago]. I absolutely loved it. Being out with my best friend drinking a few brewskies. Hitting this little white ball and then chasing after it. Cracking jokes and talking about life. Nice breeze cools off your body when you drive from shot to shot [no I don't walk]. Then after the 9th hole you go into the club and get yourself one of those crazy hot sausages on a bun. Reload on beer if you need to and go back out. It's the best way to kill 4 hours [and not break any laws].

Did you get lessons at all?

I'm game! http://www.mbgolf.com/golf-packages/

How far did you hit it?

Sounds good to me. Greystone would only be an hour drive maybe a little more, well worth it. Are you guys ok watching me shank every other ball? lol. Hopefully I'll be able to get a couple lessons in before this would happen ;)

Seems like we have a few Mid Atlantic guys around here. It'd be great to get an outing going around Gettysburg or somewhere in Maryland.

I live in Hershey PA and my understanding is that Hershey [Hershey Country Club] has one of the better courses in PA. I don't play there because I'm not near good enough. I think it's also around 90 bucks to play during prime tee times. http://www.hersheycountryclub.com/golf/index.php

I had to laugh thinking about this topic because my best friend spends like 15 or 20 seconds trying to get his swing such that it's just grazing the grass. Then he goes to hit the ball and usually messes up bad lol.

I smoke weed once in a great while when someone I know well has it. I don't go looking for it. That being said I think I did take a toke off a pipe last year on a golf course [nobody around us]. I think the idea that alcohol is legal and pot isn't is a bit absurd.

If I were playing with you I'd be playing the white tees. I've only been playing since the start of this year and I struggle getting a 200 yard drive right now. I guess I don't have a big ego I don't know.

I think having this goal is reasonable IF....you are naturally gifted with golf skills. I think it takes a special person [naturally suited for golf] to get that good that they can make it as a pro in golf. If you've been playing golf for several years and you're still just another decent golfer, then I wouldn't worry about trying to go pro.

I just got a sandwedge a week ago or so. I use it almost exclusively when I'm 30 yards or so from the cup. I'm not skilled enough yet to get it to just plop on the green and not roll but I'll get there.

I didn't keep score when I played Saturday but I'm getting to the point where I get a lot of bogeys [that's good for me lol]. I had some double and triple bogeys as well. I'm guessing I did around 100. I'm finding that I'm getting much better when I'm under 100 yards from the cup [having a sandwedge is helping a bit]. My weakness right now is driving and my woods. I used my hybrid 3i several times today. Always found it a hard club to really get a good shot with. Anyway after getting a good drive, it flew over the elevated fairway to the other side and just into the rough. I gave it a nice solid swing with the 3i and connected! I got green in reg on the par 5....felt great.

I am a novice golfer and I have some basic equipment questions. 1. I purchased a set of Nike clubs about a year ago. At what point do I get fitted? I figured there was no point in getting fitted until you have a good solid swing. 2. Are you faithful to a particular manufacturer or do you "mix and match" your clubs? 3. How many years do you use a club before you retire it in favor of a new one? 4. I don't buy the expensive balls yet because I'm still losing a half dozen after 18 holes. For those who have and advanced golf skill, do you buy the expensive balls or are you ok with your basic Slazenger?

Not enough unfortunately.