sofingaw

Yeah, I liked the Chromes in general for the 9 holes I have played so far with them. I got the white. I know lots of people like yellow. I want to give them a shot. (Easier to see!) I'm also interested still to know what if any independent testing proves regarding compression vs. swing speed = distance. i.e. What does the science say? I know there are two camps on this one as far as what people believe: 1) It matters a good deal, and you have to match your swing speed to the compression of your ball in order to maximize distance, and reduce spin off the tee. (More important for us slow/crooked hitters, maybe? ) 2) It doesn't matter all that much, and the tour balls are what you want to be playing for the spin and short game control advantages. It seems like those who agree with #1 have lower swing speed, and are more interested in staying straight and long off the tee, while those who agree with #2 seem to have higher swing speed, and/or primarily value the short game control of balls that stop/spin better on the greens. Fair? Thanks for all the thoughts on this!

Your view sounds fair to me! Thanks for the input! I am a very high handicapper, (as in, not a member anywhere, and I have kept score exactly twice, and had a 151 and, more recently, a 128) and I totally agree with the idea of consistency with equipment, so I am looking for the right ball for me. Once I find it, I intend to stay with it. I've yet to drop the coin on new tour balls, but I have bought new NXT Tour S's, and Callaway Hex Chromes. I seem to like how the softer balls feel, but I haven't played the tour balls yet. For my round with the 128, I kept the same NXT S throughout the round, so I don't lose TOO many anymore. In short, although cost is a consideration for me, it's not prohibitive. I will buy the best balls for my game, once I decide on them. I also do agree that I definitely lose more shots on and around the greens (who doesn't, eh?!), so that part makes sense to me. However, I also hit most drives into the fairway with the softer balls, and, I think I get more distance than with a lot of the harder balls I find on the course. I'm not sure I could necessarily do that as well with the higher spin tour balls. Anyone else have any thoughts?

Also, before anyone asks, I play a mixture of balls, to include Titleist NXT Tour S's and Callaway Hex Chromes. I have no brand loyalty or aversion when it comes to balls. Would love to try some Srixons and Bridgestones as well. But I definitely don't want to be excluding harder balls from my bag just because of my medium swing speed. I do like the feel of softer balls. But i'm not so much looking for recommendations, as opening up debate in general on the topic. Not trying to beat up Ttileist, but the claim caught me off guard since I have been led to believe the opposite. Wanted to open up the debate. Cheers!

Anyone seen these commercials where Titleist is claiming that there is little or no benefit to higher compression/softer golf balls for medium and slower swing speeds? Any truth or science behind this? (They show high speed camera pics that seem to show compression similarities, but I don't think the data for those tests is available.) I ask because the common belief that I hear on this forum, and in real life in general is that a softer, more easily compressed golf ball will go farther for those with slower swing speeds. Also, this commonly believed theory seems to pass my own 'common sense' test. Having said that, i'm not a scientist.. or a good golfer, for that matter! What do we think?

Don't worry so much. I often forget. Or at least used to. I recommend, before you address the ball, say 'Hitting__' to yourself. Or even out loud, if you want, and your playing partners don't hear/don't mind. Mine don't. To keep this from messing you up mentally/emotionally, don't think about how the number you are hitting relates to par. Make it as automatic and natural, and mindless as any other part of your physical pre-shot routine. Of course the thoughts about par and birdies will creep in when you have opportunities for them, but there is literally no way to be totally oblivious to a chance for par or birdie, anyway. If you note/say what shot you are hitting out loud before each shot, you really can't forget. If you are struggling to remember your score, this will work.

You know what course I like, is Miami Springs. It's got a lot of history and it's very beautiful. Greens are pretty busted for such a nice old course, though. But the price is right! About 30-40 bucks.

If you don't know what you need, then do you really need anything? I mean, I see how it makes sense to have 14 clubs, since that is the max allowed. It lets you have that much better a chance of having the club you need for each situation on the course. But your biggest gap is the Driver-5W gap, and if you don't want that, then I really can't see what you would want. Anything else would probably duplicate another club, at least distance wise.

Break 100 By Christmas. Tinkered around for years, but I started playing seriously in early July. It's late August now. Lowest score so far 128. 3rd round of the year. But, had a 57 on 9 the other day, which doubled, is 114. Moving, moving.

67 on 9 Holes. Including a 17, that's right I said a seventeen on one hole. Had a 57 on this same 9 two days ago. (7 on the offending hole, that day) Posted in depth about it here: http://thesandtrap.com/t/10925/blow-up-holes/18#post_762020 I'd actually call it a 'volcanic explosion devastation hole', vice a 'blow up hole'.. but there is a happy ending to this story. I had a great time,and was glad to be on the course and golfing. Amirite?

US Navy Sailor, currently stationed in Miami, FL. Can't complain! (I try!)

Old topic (as old as the game, I suppose, eh?!), but I'm a new member and wanted to share a story. For some quick background, I first played about 10 years ago or so, as a freshman in high school. Had basic swing instruction from golf coach in HS. I played once or twice a year on average for the past 10 years, with buddies for fun. Last month, while watching the U.S. Open on TV, I decided that I live in Miami, FL, and I ought to use these golf clubs I have, darn it! I got a new set of irons, a pro lesson, and have been going to the range or playing 2-3x a week. Been improving. First round last month, pre-lesson and new sticks, 151. Yeah. Seriously. Hit the range, lesson, new sticks>>> most recent 18 holes 128. MUCH better. Played 9 the day before yesterday after work and shot a 57! Hey now, I can dig that! Played the same 9 this evening after work. 67 on the same 9! How did I pick up 10 strokes so quickly, you may ask? One... BLOW UP HOLE! This course has 3 holes in a row along a moderately busy road (#'s 2-4). this was hole #4, a par 5, currently shortened by about 100 yards due to ongoing green maintenance. I'm in the tee box, and I'm feelin' good! I Nailed the tee shot 2 days ago, and haven't hit one in the road yet today, or two days ago... I should be able to get a bogey or at most a double! (Extra high handicapper, mind you!) Tee shot.. Slice into the road . (1) Consider my nerves shot, as a car was narrowly missed. Should have taken a break to calm down. 2nd tee shot (Hitting 3).. JUST past the ladies tees. 3rd swing (Hitting 4)... 5 Wood.. SWING AND A MISS! - Stroke. 4th swing (Hitting 5)... 5 Wood into the rough on the right about 30 yards ahead, behind some trees. 5th swing (Hitting 6)... 4 Iron *Hero Recovery Punch Shot Attempt* Low Snap Hook. Hosel? Maybe. Splash! water on the left. - Stroke. 6th swing (Hitting 8)... ALMOST the same water. Hit a rock that was guarding it. Dropped one, as it was unplayable. 7th swing (Hitting 10)... 8 Iron from 130-140 into a branch for about 10 yards. 6th swing (Hitting 11)... Flubbed another (clear path, this time) 8 Iron for another 10 yards. 7th swing (Hitting 12)... 50 yard pitch (halfway there, haha!) 8th swing (Hitting 13)... Chunked one about 10 feet. 9th swing (Hitting 14)... Pitched onto the green from 50-ish yards. (Barely) 10th swing (Hitting 15)... 15 foot putt to about 3-4 feet (Ugh). 11th swing (Hitting 16)... Missed the 4 footer (SUPER UGH). 2 inches left to go. 12th swing (Hitting 17)... Holed the 2 incher!!!! YEAH!!! Got a 9 on the next hole (long par 4), due to another sliced (lost..) tee shot and several truly awful long iron shots. But... I identified the turning point in my round, and the recovery from the blow up hole. On this 9 stroke hole, once I finally got onto the fairway, I hit a GORGEOUS 5 wood from about 210 yards to about 15 feet and easily and calmly 2 putted from there. Finished my 9 holes with 4 consecutive 5's. Didn't hit a truly bad shot the rest of the round. It took me a few shots, but I kept telling myself that I know I can hit it better than I did on that last hole. Once I said it, then did it , I was fine. After the road warrior tee shot, I could have and should have taken 5-15 minutes to relax and gather myself, I think. (Was playing solo, and nobody else was out there in front of or behind me. Truly, i'm not THAT guy!) All in all, I enjoyed my 9 holes, and am proud to have recovered as well as I did. If nothing else, I learned. Hopefully, from my story, someone else learned, as well. If not, at least hopefully somebody doesn't feel so bad now about their blow up 8's and 9's Hit em' straight! (And stay calm if you don't) Ben