georgep

I tried some of the Duo Optix late in the year (in Ohio = very soft conditions). I liked the soft feel in the cold and they had very good distance. I think the matte color (I had the neon green) does make them easier to pick up because you don't get glare off the ball that blends with the glare off the wet leaves and grass. However, I did feel like they picked up more mud and it tended to adhere more firmly to them than on gloss balls. I had a couple of really severe "mud flights" that I don't often see (again, it was very soft the day I played these). That was just one outing, though. I plan to give them another shot in dryer conditions, but wondered if anyone had a similar experience.

Have to admit, I've known about Edel wedges for some time but have never taken the plunge. Well, cowabunga! They got their first couple rounds last weekend and the early returns are positive. The members of my foursome were all commenting on the amount of spin I could generate on short shots. These get through all but the toughest of greenside rough with no problem, and full shots are pretty consistent with what I'm used to. I can't wait to get some more practice in with them and start really taking advantage of the clubs' features.

It was great seeing all the folks who made it out this weekend! Lots of fun even with the rain delays on Saturday. Next year we'll try to do one in Central Ohio in May or June Our group at Northstar: Mark, Jeremy, me, and Matt.

Saturday, August 19 (1pm, Dennison Golf Club) @iacas @georgep @saevel25 @klineka @vasaribm add your name Sunday, August 20 (9:30am, Northstar Golf Club) @iacas @georgep @saevel25 @vasaribm @Jeremie Boop @Slice of Life Mark (GP recruits) Jeff Darius Jameel Kurt add name I found some locals to join us. The weather is looking good for both rounds!

We might pick up a couple more, but it looks like it will likely be two groups each day. (Some of my golf trip buds are going to play Sunday). if you know someone who would like to join us, chime in asap.

It's not particularly tight (with the exception of a couple of the newer holes), but the greens will test you if they are running.

I've played both black and blue tees at Denison. Aside from making #2 a beast and making you take one more club on the par 3s, there's not a huge difference in moving back. It actually can make #15 easier by making it a more straight forward lay up. I'd say it's up for discussion. We want this to be a fun event, after all. Northstar goes to 7400, btw. I don't recommend playing from back there.

I have been planning to play a handicapped Stableford format, as in past outings, at least for the Saturday round. Should we get some more players, I'd suggest making it two-man combined (Stableford) score. That said, I am open for suggestions if you have an idea for a good format for one or both rounds (though we probably won't play a scramble since most guys usually want to play their own ball). Let us know what you think.

@klineka thanks! Had planned to post basically the same locations. Easton or Polaris if you want to be close to restaurants/movies/etc., 71/36 for better rate and proximity to Sunday course.

Course information is now listed in the OP. We'll have a mix of the old and new for this get together. Dating to 1924, Dennison (formerly Granville GC) has some brutal greens when they're rolling fast. There's a definite Donald Ross feel to most of the course. It's one of my favorites in the area. Northstar is relatively new (just 10 years old) and was designed by John Cook. It can stretch to 7,500 yards and has some holes that can really beat you up. If you're not hitting it straight off the tee, you may want to bring an extra sleeve or two. Hope you can join us! Add your name to the list and whether you can make one day or both. @georgep @iacas @saevel25 @vasaribm

Do you live in Central Ohio or are you within driving distance of same? Mark down August 19-20 for some TST golf in the Columbus area. We'll be playing a (mostly) Donald Ross course on Saturday and a semi-private course designed by John Cook. Saturday, August 19 Dennison Golf Club Granville, Ohio First tee time: 1:00 pm Greens Fees: $54 Sunday, August 20 Northstar Golf Club Sunbury, Ohio First tee time: 9:30 am Greens Fees: $59 Please plan on arriving at least 45 minutes before your tee time. Both clubs require proper golf attire. Post if you are interested in joining us.

Got it on the second attempt. Thought the slope would let me pop it up and not have to move. But I need more slope or talent, one of the two.

I just picked up the 60 ES to replace my PM Grind lob wedge, and I really like it so far. I've been using around the greens for anything that doesn't require a long run out. It's done a good job in that regard, and I've also been able to pull off a couple nice flop shots. I've only played it out to about 50 yards so far, but I rarely hit a full shot with a lob wedge. If my initial impression lasts, this could be the beginning of beautiful friendship.

I'm in. That makes eight of us on day 1. I'd better play a lot better or I won't crack the top ten.

Yeah, I was thinking about that anyway. Lots of possibilities. I'll put something up in outings once I work out some details.

Currently, driver (10.5 degrees), 3 wood (14.5), hybrid (20), 4-P, GW (50), SW (55), LW (60) and putter. With a full swing, my gaps are roughly 260, 230, 210, 198, 186, 174, 162, 150, 138, 126, 110, 95, 75. Three-quarter and half swings help fill in the gaps at the lower end.

Hope the weather cooperates for you all! Wish I could have made it this year. The course looks great!

I have no doubt you'll have much better results in no time, @Vinsk. I struggled a little at first with mine, but settled into them pretty quickly. I even won a small net tourney after playing with the i200s for six weeks when the weather permitted. As others have noted, the distance control is outstanding, which was a big reason for me making a change in the first place. I find the short irons a little shorter than my previous set, but the long irons are about the same. That's great because it lets me cover a wider range of yardage with stock swings. Plus, they are simply a great looking set of sticks.

Good stuff. Love the title. I still think fondly of an afternoon on a driving range in '04 or '05 when I was slotting the club so well I may have thought those words exactly. Every shot was a gentle draw... same height, same ball flight. All I was doing was taking it back and turning through. It was glorious. Suffice it to say, it did not last. The golf gods giveth and the golf gods taketh away. And sometimes, they're just plain mean.

Sorry, I'm going to miss it. Have fun!

I've messed around the last few months with a partial set of the Cobra King F7 One length irons. I'm afraid that after a lifetime of playing normal length clubs, jumping to single length does not seem like an easy transition to me. Maybe if I were to stick with them for a longer period I could get adjusted to them, but since they only sent a partial set that's not going to happen. I can't exactly play all the time with three clubs. Still, I think single length can work for some. For instance, if a newbie started using them early on (and had sufficient swing speed to get a reasonable separation between long irons), there could be some real benefits to playing single length. I'll be sticking with variable length, though.

@MrFreeze Were you hitting them indoors by any chance? I find the sound of impact changes drastically from inside to out, or even in outdoor hitting bays that reflect the sound. I've hit a few clubs inside that I didn't like the sound of outside, but usually it's the other way around. Also, I can't speak to the 2017 M2, but the 2016 model did not strike me as louder than normal. They were, however, insanely long, but also a little too hot (inconsistent distances) from time to time. Speaking of the i200s, I'll have a review of them coming up in a few weeks. They are great looking, and I've been getting good results with the launch monitor. I just need to get some green grass rounds in with them.

Great stuff! How many strokes would many of us save if we just hit to the middle of the green when playing over/near trouble?Just trying to get too cute with a short chip and leaving it in the rough can easily turn a two-putt bogey (~at worst) into a two-putt double. Having realistic expectations would save me from the more-than-occasional mind cramp of trying to get it close when assuring that the next shot is a reasonable putt should be job1.

I think he'll win again, health permitting, and provided that he also reclaims his (ahem) eye of the tiger mental strength. Since 2013, he's looked vulnerable between the ears as well as in body. The fields are arguably tougher these days and the youngsters don't fear him, but few of them have seen him at his best, physically or mentally. I think once (if) the health questions are gone the mental toughness will return, and that's worth a few strokes a round right there.