mn723

I'd guess that since I started playing 20 years ago (at age 10) I've probably logged in 1200+ rounds. Of those, 150-200 were in competition at the high school and college levels. I'm guessing that I got below the 5 handicap level around age 16, or after maybe 150 rounds. During those early years, and especially while playing college golf, I made far more trips to the practice range/green than I did to the course itself.

Some guys on our team worked part time jobs on campus, I'm guessing 10-15 hours per week during the golf season if I remember right. Full time (40hrs) would be a stretch, especially if you have class & studying to take care of.

I played for a competitive DIII program a few years back. My scores ranged from the low 70's to the low 80's, with most being in the 75-80 range during competition. I moved back and forth between the 1st and 2nd teams throughout my 4 years on the squad. Our top guys averaged around par and we also had guys on the team who rarely played in tourneys that averaged around 80. We kept 12+ guys on the team. I enjoyed the daily practice rounds more than the competition, great way to break up the days between class & studying (partying). Give it a shot, you have nothing to lose.

I spit just about anywhere on a golf course, however I won't "hauk a loogie" on a green, tee box etc. If I ever spit a little guy onto a green, I'll use my putter to tap it down/into the grass. Though, I have no problem with the Euro Tour fining Tiger for spitting on a green, he's on TV and should be held to a higher standard.

Sabbatini, Westwood, Crane, Woods, Langer, Cink, Love III, Olazabal, Pettersson, Villegas, Dimarco. I used to root against Monty, but other than in a Ryder Cup, I hope he does well in tourneys.

I'd like to see pics of each club from an "at address" angle. I do enjoy The Hot List overall, gives me something to drool over during the long winter months.

I don't love the show, but do like it. Something new & different, they'll find what works eventually. Recapping the weekend tourney and guests have been good. I could see watching 30min or so in the morning, 2 hours of it would probably get old.

Euro - GMAC, Jiminez, Seve USA - Mickleson, Kim, Couples, Palmer

I concur with this. My grades would have been much better in college had I golfed more and did other activities less. College is about doing things away from class & library as much as it is about hitting the books. Bring the clubs, you'll need a break from time to time away from studying.

Maybe offer 1 free practice shot for those who pay to play???

I play my best when I only have one swing thought "slow & easy." Pick up Bob Rotella's books..... great for the mental game. Golf is too hard to not take a simplistic approach to it.

You weren't the first nor last to do something like that. Handling nerves (of that kind) gets better with age & experience. I topped my 1st tee shot into the pond in front of the tee box during my 1st match as captain of my high school team. I also shot 87 in my 1st college tournament round after qualifying for the varsity team with a couple 73's.

I do it probably 5 - 8 times a year and play around 100 rounds a year. I usually have to get my putter rolling to break par (no 3 putts), hit 12+ greens and have a day where I get some breaks. Some days that cup just looks like a basketball hoop. Best round ever was -4 (67) and best round this year so far was -2 (70).

As with most official competitions, you keep your opponents official scorecard. However, you should also keep your own score at the bottom of your opponents card for verification after the round. Where I grew up, each team had 6 players and the 4 best scores of those counted each day.

I played D-3 golf on a pretty good top 10 nationally ranked team. However, D-3 golf has a lot of variation in the skill level from team to team. In our conference of 8 schools or so there were only 3-4 teams that had a realistic chance of winning tournaments or the conference. To make the squad for a contending team you had to shoot at least in the 74-80 range consistantly and closer to par to stay on the varsity starting 5 that traveled week to week. If you played for a conference bottom dweller you could shoot in the mid 80's and probably make the starting 5. The individual medalists at tournaments were usually between -5 to E par for 2 day tournaments, but you also had guys on the weaker teams shooting +30 total for 2 days. The winning teams (count best 4 of 5 scores each day) were usually E to +10 for a 2 day tourney. D3 golf was great, some pressure at conference & nat'l tourneys or more well known invitationals, but mostly relaxed as we all knew that it was for fun. Lots of free golf, some long road trips, fast food and questionable hotels, but overall a good college experience.

I'm not sure, but this statement sounds incorrect.

I replied "No" but I'm kind of in the middle on this. At my home course I buy Hole-In-One insurance each year that charges me a couple bucks whenever another member gets an ace, but then the club provides those with insurance a drink when an ace is made. If I ever make an ace then I don't buy anything, I get some pro-shop credit (a couple hundred bucks I think) and everyone gets free drinks from the club. Lat season there was 5 or so aces at our club. If I was playing elsewhere with friends I'd buy those in my group a drink, but not people I didn't know, unless I was a couple cocktails deep then who knows what would happen. Never had an ace though..... this could be the year!

3wood, 20 degree hybrid, gap wedge, sand wedge

In my opinion, the range should be used to gauge and focus on your ball flight and not your distance. Range balls can be so variable in the design and condition that distance isn't really accurate to what you'll have when actually playing with new balls.

I work on putting in my living room...... if all golf consisted of was straight 5 footer on carpet I'd win The Masters every year!!! I also stretch out my arms, legs, shoulders and back a lot in preparation for the season.... sounds lame and something for the elderly, but it keeps me mentally prepared. I swear just thinking about the game during the offseason is a good way to get ready. I can't stand hitting balls off of mats, primarily because I make big divots and those mats don't give much.

As fas as I know there is no time limit on high-school eligibility assuming you haven't yet graduated. It's not uncommon to see middle school kids playing at the varsity level in sports such as golf, swimming, tennis etc. 3rd grade is a little extreme, but if he had the ability go for it.

I have the scorecard from my first round under-par in a shoe-box full of memorable things from growing up. I still remember playing the 18th hole that day and actually making birdie on it to shoot -3, putter was on fire. Didn't save anything from my first eagle, but remember it well... approx 500 yard dogleg right, driver-5wood to approx 10 feet and made the putt. Both of these happened 15 years ago or so. Haven't made an ace, but will keep that ball.

Driver - $300 Fwy Wood - $260 Irons - $900 Wedges - $100 each Putter - $300 Total - $2,060

Insert vs. non-insert is a personal opinion. You see players of all levels gaming both. The Odyssey Black Series i has a firmer insert compared to their XG line. As far as mishits and forgiveness of a putter, that has much more to do with the style and MOI of the model than the presence on an insert. A large mallet will tend to be more stable on mishits, but may offer less feel or feedback. Both Odyssey and Cameron offer many options from traditional looking blades to high MOI mallets. You can't go wrong with either company. Good luck finding what fits.

Driver (B+) Can hit it pretty far, but misses aren't consistant left or right Irons (A-) Relatively accurate and hit a consistant draw. Am able to manipulate ball flight when necessary. Avoid risky shots and often bail out to fat or middle part of greens. Sometimes have hard time holding greens. Could use a little more height on shots. Short Game (B) Don't generate enough spin on shots under 100 yards, but have generally been a good chipper. Sand game is ok, can usually at least get on the surface. Putting (C) If I could only putt consistantly, going to simplify my putting this season and stick to one putter & stance. Overall (B+) Fairly consistant in my scoring, rarely go way low or blow up. Good player in windy conditions.