fgsurfcast

My buddy and I were playing a round yesterday and we needed help with a ruling. We play competitively and follow all rules. Here's the question... When I first started playing golf, I was terrible at reading greens. I always seemed to feel the greens better in my feet than I did by looking at them with my eyes, so I started walking off my putts, from my ball to the cup (on what I thought the path of my ball would travel) to get a feel for how my putt would break. My buddy brought it to my attention that it may not be legal to do that. I had never really given it much thought because I know how people hate when somebody steps in their putting line because it may change the direction of the putt. I do know, however, that it is illegal to feel the ground with your hands in your putting path to get an idea of how the putt will break. I want to abide by the rules, as we play for money (small amounts), and don't want to be cheating him out of money or me out of my score. So, is it illegal to walk off your putt directly in the putting path? Thanks guys.

I recently moved to Long Island, NY. After all I've heard about Bethpage (Black course), I decided to give it a try yesterday. There's not much else to say besides "play it". The course was in immaculate condition (I played with a friend of mine who grew up in the area and has played it upwards of 50 times. He said it was in the best condition he's ever seen it in). One piece of advice before you do go and play it... If you're not a single digit handicap, don't play from the tips. The course is manageable from the white tees, but the extra 20-80 yards on the par 4's makes a world of a difference. For beginners, the course is annoyingly long in all the right (or wrong, depending on how you're looking at it) places. From the tips, the par 3's and 5's are manageable. There are a lot of very long par 4's, especially on the back 9. I didn't hit one drive under 260 and hit my longest just over 300. Even with decent distance off the tee, it felt like I was pulling my 3 or 4 iron out of my bag for every approach shot. Oh, and almost every tee shot required a carrying distance of 200 yards from the tips, some requiring 250 just to reach the fairway. That wasn't the worst part... The rough. This is the part of the golf course that separates the men from the boys (apparently I'm still a boy). It's indescribable, which is why I'm telling you to just "play it". Where fairways are tight, a five yard miss is a game changer. I've never played in the thick, legitimate rough that pga professionals have to deal with and if you gave me 10 shots from 150 yards, I would hit the green 1 time. The ball settled right to the bottom of the rough and when standing it, it climbed above your ankles. Simply put, I had never played golf from this type of situation and didn't know how to deal with it. It was clearly the hardest course I've played and can't wait to play it again. I ended up shooting a 92 (40 on the front, 52 on the back). I shot well on the front, but the length and mental toughness catches up to you on the back and the wheels fell off the wagon. As a NY resident, they charge $65 and it's double for a non-NY resident. All I can say is, "play it".

Jax, can you walk or do you have to ride the carts when playing 18 at your CC?

Thanks for the input guys! The job market in FL does not really pertain to me since I work from a home office. I think, after reading the responses, I will have to do more research, but it looks like having a golf pass / membership would be most beneficial for me. I plan on playing 6 days a week and hitting golf balls at the range just about every day. The only thing that is deterring me from a membership is that it seems most courses are cart only. I love walking and think it's an integral part of the game. I would hope that I don't have to forfeit walking (with my push cart) to have a membership.

Hey Guys, I have recently been thinking about making a move down south to Florida. I currently live in Connecticut, but I'm ready for a change and something new in my life. I just started playing consistently this year and have been bitten by the golf bug badly. I can play golf in Florida year round and having no state income tax is attractive. So here are my questions... Where is Florida is golf good? Are there golf "hot spots"? I would like to become a member somewhere because I plan on playing 6 days a week. Are there any memberships that are available for a group of golf courses? Last, but not least, I am not looking for a whole country club package, strictly golf only, and just an individual membership. Are there golf memberships that are $5,000 and lower per year? Thanks for the help and hope it can aid me in making a decision!

Uggh, the dreaded 3 putt. I'd be 10 strokes better if they just made every par 4 a 5, allowing 3 putts... Drive for show, putt for dough!

Thanks for the help guys! Looks like I'll just be a mediocre putter for the rest of my life!

Was wondering if it is against the rules to play (on the PGA Tour) with headphones in and listening to music. Normally I wouldn't consider doing this but the difference between my putting on the practice green and during play are 180 deg. polar opposites. When I practice putting I listen to my ipod and it definitely helps me relax. I just go out there and drain putts; not the same result on the course. I've also practice putting w/o music and the results (as expected) are not as good. Anyone on the ruling?

I just had my first lesson 3 days ago and had the Trackman on me the whole time. My swing speed was 113-116 with carry right around 270 yards. Hope that helps.

71.7 / 129 I chose most rounds. I live in CT and play all public / municipal courses. I've played about 35 rounds of golf this year and I finished one round in 3 hours and 30 minutes. I finished some in 4 hours and 15/30 minutes, and most were around 5 hours. I even played 3 or 4 rounds that were inching toward 6 hours. At that point, the golf loses its charm and it just becomes a waiting game. Is a 4 hour round asking too much?

What do I have to do to enter local golf tournaments? Do I need to be a certain handicap? Do I need to belong to a club? I live in CT and love playing competitive golf. I play with my friends, but I want to try the tournament route and feel that pressure of playing for a trophy.

Wow, seems like you're right; with a little more effort your son could be real good. I guess I've always really liked golf, but money was always an issue. It's not like other sports where you can gather some friends and play baseball / football / basketball / tennis competitively and not spend a dime. Now that I have a job and can AFFORD it, it has become much more enjoyable for me!

I define a "scratch" golfer as someone who shoots even par. If I play at a par 72 course, I shoot a 72. Par 70 course, shoot a 70. Is that right or do I not even know what a "scratch" golfer is?!

Hi Everyone, Background... I'm recently new to golf, as least taking in the sense of taking it serious. I've played a handful of times when I was younger (9 holes, about 5 times a summer from 8th grade to 12th grade) and had played once in the last 7 years. I never practiced, but just enjoyed going out on the course. Current Situation... I am now 28 and played my first 18 holes in May with some buddies from work. I remembered how much fun it was and decided I wanted to "get into it" and take it seriously. I played baseball all of my life and in college (Div. 1 AA) and am blessed with great eye hand coordination. That day in May, I shot a 108. I began playing 2, sometimes 3, times a week and practicing once or twice a week. My score began dropping. I've been able to work from home for the last 3 weeks and have been practicing everyday right after work for about 2 hours. I shot an 80 last week and have shot in the mid 80's the few rounds prior to that. I am taking my first golf lesson tomorrow to make sure that I am not doing some wrong with my swing that will keep me from shooting low scores. Goals... My goal after that first day of playing golf again, was to break 90 by the end of the season. After I accomplished that, I set a goal of trying to break 80 by the end of season. Last week when I shot an 80, I missed a 3 foot putt on the 18th hole that would have given me a 79 (pressure!). I have a severe case of the golfing bug and my girlfriend would attest to my current addiction. Question... I have now set my goal to be a scratch golfer by the end of next season (I live in CT and just hope to hit the range a lot in the winter). Am I out of touch with setting this goal? I truly believe I can do it. Please off suggestions / advice. Thanks!