Bucki1968

I actually enjoyed the practice rounds at the Masters more than the tournament itself. My buddy and I have gone to the practice rounds the past couple years on Wednesday and also watched some of the par 3 tournament. The players interact more with crowd and are more relaxed. It's cool to see a group of pros drop balls and take turns from 265 to see who can knock it on the green on 15. I assume there is usually a little money on it.

I have to agree with other posters about the cost and the time it takes to play. When I want to go play, I have to schedule it around all the other things that I need to do because it takes anywhere from 3-5 hours to play. As far as cost, that also plays a huge role. All the green fees in this area are about to go sky high (Tampa) because of the arrival of the snow birds. I don't play as much from January thru April because of the cost more than anything else. The courses also get very busy and it takes five hours to play (which I think is ridiculous). My wife and I play on weekends as much as we can at the local muni courses because we can walk and price is reasonable (with membership cards) otherwise I wouldn't swing a club until May.

Played 18 holes yesterday morning by myself (no one else wanted to brave the cold). I like to go out occasionally by myself and work on things. The course was empty so it was easy to hit a couple balls. I like to play the "worst ball scramble" where I hit two shots and play the poorer of the two.

I guess my point is this....I could not have hit a better shot. If I didn't hit it as far as I did, I would literally have had no shot except to hit a sand wedge to the right turn in the dog leg. Then I would have a 220-230 yard shot into the green. The only thing that would have made the shot good would have been to hit it another 20 yards longer. The hole measures about 500 yards so I understand you have to do something to prevent (or discourage) getting home in two. I guess I will move up a tee next time. The ball was not rolling much so maybe when it gets dryer I'll get that extra yardage. I think they should just trim that tree back a little. Plenty of bunkers up by the green to protect the hole. I just don't like holes that don't reward a good shot. I guess it's a layout issue. But like the previous poster said....it ain't fair...it's golf.

I have only made one, but it was a 290 yard par four. I did not see it go in so maybe someone ran over the green and dropped it in the hole!

I think if we need to change any rule, it should be the stroke and distance rule on the out of bounds shot. I think it slows play down too much.

Played golf yesterday (Sunday) at a golf course that occasionally play. I was playing a dogleg right par 5. Hit a great drive long and through a shoot of trees on both sides of the fairway. Got to my ball (hit it about 280), was in the middle of the fairway but had a huge live oak tree growing out into the fairway that blocked me from going for the green in two. As a matter of fact, the lay up shot was tough because you had to hit it to the right side of the fairway which was working it's way back to the left. I didn't think much of it until a couple holes later when I hit another good drive in the fairway and again was blocked out by a tree from going at the green. I hit a big cut that just missed the tree and ended up on the front of the green. My question is: Is it fair to hit a good shot in the fairway and be penalized for it? I think if you put the ball where you are supposed to, you should get rewarded instead of penalized. I guess I need to hit it 300 yards instead of 280? Both the drives were pretty tight also.

I remember playing in Michigan when the temp was in the 30's. Some courses were even open. Don't have to play in that cold anymore (Florida) but it will be in the 50's today and that's damn cold for this area. I will still play.

I just want to become more consistent. I"m sick of playing great for a month and then sucking for a month. I need to hit the driver better this year. Of course if I hit the driver better, then my short game will suck....it's always something.

I love the old pics. I think the game was more "glamorous" back in the 50's thru the 70's. It's just an ATM machine now.

I have actually gone from playing Blades back to more of a "game improvement" club. The fact is they are easier to hit. I don't think you can hurt your game by hitting the ball straighter. I think if you tend to hit a draw, then you play the draw. Sometimes a hole (or a golf course for that matter) just won't set up for you. It's nice to be able to work it but if your not making a living doing it then I can't see anything wrong with hitting it straighter.

Go see Matt Mitchell at The Downs driving range. He is the best in the area.

I would like to break 70. I have shot many 71's and 70's but have yet to get under it. It 's funny , I usually shoot a better score on a harder golf course for some reason. Maybe I try harder?

The Transistions in Tampa (Innesbrook) is a good one. So is senior event at TPC in Tampa. But, by far, the best I have been too is the Masters. Food and drink is cheap, great views at a number of places, easy to walk. You can just walk around and look at the course and it's cool!

My wife and I play the local "muni's" here in Tampa because they allow you to walk. We had an interesting incident on Sunday with a group of Asian gentlemen playing a 7-some when we caught up to them. One of the gentlemen came over and tried to explain that his buddy just showed up and they were going to break up. So they break up and back up the course even more. We walked in after the 16th hole and told the starter what they were doing and he acted like he was gonna do something about it but at that point what was the difference. I just won't go back and spend $ at that particular golf course.

Kate B is super hot. I wonder if she plays golf.

I remember when I started playing (shot 100's) I wanted to shoot in the 90's. Once I got in the 90's I wanted to shoot in the 80"s etc. Now Im a 1.8 (almost scratch) and I want to be zero. That is the great part about golf. Im 43 and still trying to set/accomplish goals.

I wish the golf channel would go back to showing some of the classic matches (Shell's Wonderful World) etc. Show some final rounds of majors. I don't need to see any more of the "Big Break". I would rather watch Bobby Jones play than listen to the guys on Morning Drive.

I am a big Bridgestone B330 guy. I like the way they spin and hold the green. But I do lose distance when I compare them to the Pro V. I get a better deal on the Bridgestones (that is why I play them). I do like the Gamer 2 though. Price is right.

When I start to play bad, this is my "go to drill". I got this from reading Sam Sneads book (don't remember the name) but he said when he had tempo problems, he would hit one or even two clubs more into greens. For example, I have had a couple of crappy rounds recently. I went over to the course the other day (afternoon) when the play slows down and hit a couple balls with a club more (150 yards, usually an 8 iron, I would hit a 7 or a 6). It helps slow my swing down as well as lightens my grip pressure and also helps me to make sure I'm keeping my head from moving all over the place. Give it a try and see if it helps.

Played hookie from work yesterday and played golf. Shot 73 (par 71). I finally started hitting it better yesterday after a couple of garbage rounds the past couple of weeks. It's amazing how one little thing can ruin your whole swing. The funny thing is, the wife told me what I was doing wrong and I didn't believe her.

I live in Florida now but have always said the best state to play golf in is Michigan. I used to work in the golf business on the west side of the state and there are a ton of good courses you can play for not a lot of money. Bedford Valley, Stonehendge courses, Milham part is a great muni. There are a ton in that area (Kalamazoo/Battle Creek).