fredsco

I'm a right-handed player and use an interlocking grip. Recently I noticed that the pinky on my right (top) hand between the hand the first joint is swollen. Anyone else experience this? It doesn't bother me (yet). I don't like the overlap grip as much but I don't want to cause a problem long term.

Just noticed this thread and even though it's years old but thought I might add something. I also live in Bergen county but I think I'd be inclined to go to GolfTec versus driving all that way out to Crystal Springs. There's one in Englewood and Paramus. On another note, have you tried reading Stan Utley's book on putting? It's a great book with a very simple and repeatable technique. The key to consistent putting is distance control and practice. His method is very natural and feel based. I'd give it a shot and it only costs like $10 or so.

As a follow up to this thread, I just wanted to comment with two seasons removed from trying these wedges. The Eidolon wedges really are working out tremendously for me. They have a great feel and I have been continuously improving in my wedge play. I actually just reduced the loft on them to 51 and 55 to better fir my distance profile. I think the others are great also but I am very happy with the choice!

I'd agree with previous poster - your back swing goes way to far back. Have a look at a swing by Rory McIlroy from the front. I think his swing is perfect to emulate. As for the slice, a slice is caused by an outside-in swing. If you looked at your swing from above you would see it moving right to left, meaning the club is farther away from your body before it hits the ball and to continues to get closer as the swing progresses. Try working the club inside-out and you'll see the slice go away.

My most difficult is Crystal Springs in Northwest NJ. It is a decent course but way too many mounds and moguls for my preference. There is a par-3 there where you are way up on a gorge (pic below) and have to hit to a green that's almost like a fan blade. Nice scenery but less appealing from a gold perspective.

I'm assuming your location is in Somerset county. Beaver Brook Country Club in the Annandale area ( http://www.beaverbrookcc.com/ ) is a decent course and I've also heard good things about Royce Brook but I haven't played there myself. I used to live in Monmouth County and the three primary county courses (Hominy Hill, Charleston Springs North and South) are all great though harder to secure tee times for non-residents. Additionally you could also go to Mercer Oaks near Princeton. Rutgers in my opinion is a fairly unremarkable course, completely wide open, but it's often maintained nicely. Rutgers also has a short game area which is a nice plus but the one at Charleston Springs is way better.

Dear Scott, As you begin to take up golf, I have a few tips for you. Just some things that might have been helpful and that I've learned along the way. 1) The mental aspect is as important to the game as anything you will ever do with a club itself. You will struggle with this and need to focus on a clear head. 2) Remember this: the only shot that counts is the one you are to hit next. Forget that bad one. Allowing it to cloud your thoughts will not make the next one better. Same with the good ones. See rule #1. 3) Learn proper swing form from someone who actually knows the swing. Don't allow yourself to practice the wrong things. 4) Stop trying to kill the ball. You do not need to over swing. An efficient, fluid swing will help you hit better, more consistent, shots. 5) If you want to score better, you need to practice and become a strong short game player. A well placed pitch/chip saves you more strokes than any big drive or long iron could. Most importantly, you need to be able to putt. Even on a great day, you will putt more than any other shot. Do it well. When you do, it will give a confidence boost that will help all of other shots. 6) Be patient with yourself and learn from your mistakes. 7) After a round, remember your good shots and forget the bad ones. I still haven't figured this one out but maybe if you start thinking about it but perhaps a head start will help. Most importantly, relax and enjoy the game. Letting your passion to play well to get in the way of having fun does not make any sense at all.

Well, I ordered the Eidolon wedges: 52 and 56. I took advantage of the customizations they offer getting a larger grip size and the firm stiffness for the shaft. They arrived today and they look really good. I can't wait to try them out!

I just bought a new set of Mizuno MP-58s at golfsmith via golftec. They did the physical measurements, Shaft optimzation, lie check plus launch monitor time. If you have one locally, it is probably at least worth checking out. I'm very happy with the result. Now, if only Spring would arrive for us Northeasterners...

I see two things: 1) if you stop the video at the 15 or 16 second mark, you have a reverse pivot in your swing. At the top of your back swing, your spine should angle backwards, away from the target or at minimum be vertical. Your spine angles toward the target. 2) You are "swaying" - sliding your hips away from the target a bit too much. There certainly will be some lateral movement but you might find it easier with less. One drill to work on that is to put a vertical plane against your back foot (a chair, tall box) and work on just touching it during your backswing. A tall box is better because if you hit it too much, you will likely knock it down. Just my 2 cents but I think having a correct position at the top of your backswing will help you take care of things from there forward.

Having just purchased a new set of irons, I need a gap and a sand wedge. I am going to use the PW from the new set and I have a CG10 60 degree LW already. I've read several reviews on Eidolon wedge series, CG series and the ever popular Spin Milled Vokey. I was hoping to see what the opinions of the masses are. Since I think wedges are very subjective, I'm curious why you chose the wedges you have and their pros and cons rather than trying to persuade one another. My initial thought was to go with the 52.08 and 56.14 Vokey SM in the Black Nickel finish. I just read some real glowing reviews of the Eidolon wedges and they seem worth a shot. What do you think?

I am in a similar position. Yesterday, I just ordered the Mizuno MP-58s and the shop used the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer. I have similar metrics for swing speed (88 mph 6I, moderate tempo and 175 or so distance). For the 88 mph swing speed, the optimizer suggested the 5.5; holding all metrics the same and increasing my swing spped to 90 mph it suggested the 6.0. The sales guy and the pro (I take lessons at the same place) all suggested the 6.0, that I'd grow into it. The club maker thought it better to err on the conservative side and go with the 5.5. I felt the 5.5 was easier, more comfortable to hit. However, the set is my first clubs that aren't game improvement clubs so I am buying them to grow into anyway. I opted to trust the pro and odered the 6.0. In the long run, it will probably be better. The difference between 5.5 and 6.0 is unlikley to be a night and day difference. I hope!

I've hit the ball into the tree a few times without it coming out... always fun. Hit an OB tree/rock or similar a few times only to have it bounce perfectly into the fairway! My favorite shot I ever hit was at course years ago at course shortly after I first started playing. The 18th hole was an uphill approach where you could not see the green except for the very top of the flag. I hit what I thought was a nice shot but once we walked up to the green, the ball was nowhere to be found. We looked all over and I figured I was going to have to drop and take a penalty until my buddy went to pull the pin and my ball was at the bottom! woo hoo!!! A great way to finish the day...

I play a variety of courses in my area since the people I play with are not all in the immediate central NJ vicinity. Here is the one I like best: http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/Golf/charleston.asp