geebee

The R & A and the USGA make the rules of golf. My understanding is that the traditionalists in the R&A; are not pro the long or the belly putter, and it would not be unreasonable to assume the same applies in the USGA. They virtually always speak as one on these matters and it occurs to me that perhaps they privately do not agree on this. When they are at odds , nothing happens. I have wondered why these two august bodies take so long to examine and pronounce on equipment which is significantly different to the norm, particularly remembering the Ping grooves issue which caused so much cost and bother. The longer it goes on ,the harder it is to change the rule.

I play in Britain and I would guess the time is nearer 4 hours for a fourball. Most club play here [other than club competitions] is matchplay where you can be given a short putt or pick up if your partner has the hole or you are both out of it. There are times of the week where longer rounds prevail and many clubs, .like everywhere , are very busy on Sunday mornings where heavy traffic puts the times up. Although we generally do not use carts here anywhere near as much as in the US, most people walk and yet it doesn't seem to take that long. Competitions , strokeplay or stableford which is very popular are often in three balls because it gets them around quicker. I only play vacation golf in the US and enjoy it but I cannot get my American partners to play matchplay, they card every round. I find it easier to add up my scores in the clubhouse after a few beers, it works wonders for my confidence!

If you did it deliberately no insurance will pay out and you could finish up in court if you hurt someone. And golf balls hurt! Not a smart thing to do. On slow play , you only have to go to a pro tournament to see where a lot of it comes from. There probably are a few things in golf more annoying than watching a guy in the fourball ahead taking 6 practice swings on every shot, but not many.

They shoot them [in the season] on one course I play but a couple of shots and they've gone . They don't seem to have much of a memory either since they are back next day ! ; also shooting can't be done whilst people are playing, unreasonably they resent a backside full of pellets on the downswing. I shall pass on the dog idea though , sounds cheap and effective. Thanks.

"Man, you're way off base. Is english your second language or something?" Why , were there words you haven't got to yet? But I've probably been a tad hard on the guy on reflection so good luck to you Jimbo. Don't give up , with that swing there is no limit to who you can hit.

"It's guys like this that would make a new person like me want to just drop the forum and possibly golf all together. It's quite discouraging. . I figured the entire golf community would be a bit more understanding." If you are going to throw your toys out of the pram over something like this you definitely are in the wrong game. Golf will tear you to pieces if you let it. You started a thread and got some negative comments and now the whole golf community is against you and your future in the game is at risk. It seems to me this is little like walking into your new club with a near max handicap and telling everyone at the bar how you can hit 300yarders and what you think about that? I've been in a few golf bars and then some and the faces would be interesting. But, as I say, I believe you. Really.

First post on this thread "I've recently posted in a few threads mentioning I hit some 300+ yard drives. Even a 326 yarder measured with my gps. I've only been playing for 10 weeks and have a 27 handicap." "In a few threads". ! There does seem a need to get the information out there. I repeat, I believe him, but the principal discussions here have been whether or not he can hit 300 yards. So he made the statement to provoke a talk about his honesty? Fascinating.

I don't disbelieve that someone can hit a ball 300 or more. I am just puzzled as to why anyone would want to say so. It's like saying 'I have a new Porsche or a solid gold Rolex' or both. It's information that's hard to process, I believe you, why wouldn't I, but what response do you want? Gosh how lucky or skilful or strong you are , wish I could do that or own those ? Since most people do not generally hit that distance I can only think big deal , so what , shall I send money?

I shot a shaky 85 today on my course which is 6300 yds par 69 having 6 par threes. I didn't win the money since the three lying criminals I played with announced handicaps so clearly improbable that in a decent well run society they would face custodial sentences. But I soldiered on , with a clear conscience and a putter that had manifestly been altered, probably by dark forces. One of these gentlemen had a handicap of 17 and I walked off the course congratulating him on his game and asking in a casual way what his lowest handicap had been, 'six' he replied .ignoring my choking sounds ' but I have had a bad back, are you alright?' Sometimes silence is all thats left.

It's brave man who bets against Mr Woods. He doesn't look confident and that may be his coach or his personal life or whatever but if he comes around and those things bothering him change, he'll be back. He has the whole game in there and he's thrashing around trying to find it . The odds on him making another major are lengthening and I am getting tempted....

I hit a sheep once back then on a nine hole farm in Ireland. A real screaming hook off the tee that found him right where the sun don't shine. Which taught me two things about sheep, they can really run and they can howl. Never found the ball either.

Thanks for that , I thought I had wandered into the Masters locker room for a second.. I'm not meaning to be doubtful, just amazed as a newbie to this forum , at the distances people get from clubs . I travel to the States a lot and club golf is high standard in my opinion although I seemed to have missed the very big hitters. Other than very hot and dry conditions where the roll is significant , my experience, not just here, is that Satnav distance measurement has disappointed a lot of us who have found that our drives weren't quite the casual figures we may have quoted after a beer or three.