zmzman

I totally understand what you are saying about Augusta being a sacred spot for golfers and I think that is what the problem is. It seems that when anyone suggests changing the course it is met with complete apprehension. After Tigers 97 win they knew they had to lengthen the course, then they added rough for the first time, now it's the greens that are the great equalizer. I feel that the Augusta mystique is as much apart of the Masters as the course is. Don't get me wrong, that's what we love about it...but when you hear players say that TPC Sawgrass is consistently the toughest course on the schedule (not including the other 3 majors because those courses change year to year) not to mention that the Players is clearly the best field of any tourney, it just makes me question whether or not Augusta is resting on it's laurels so to speak. Let me ask this...Of any of the Majors (including the Players which I consider a Major) which of the courses do you think you could play the best on? My game is just OK and I think I might have the best chance at Augusta because of the lack of DEEP rough, wind isn't "usually" a problem, it's the greens that cause migranes. The other majors have deep rough. LONG holes and fast greens. Add the wind and cold plus other elements to the British...I think I would take Augusta....

Let's put it this way Tiger (and I know this is an extreme example) has a +13.5 at his home course of Isleworth. I know a few +1 through +3 and they are the best I have played with/seen and they can't Monday qualify. But at the same time they need to have jobs and time to do other things besides golf. Money, Time and some ability is what is most important I would think. Or you could get some backers if you know people with money. I know a couple of guys that decied to back Kevin Streelman that is kind of paying off. It's like investing for those guys because they have the $$ anyway and thought it might be a positive return. No idea on the specifics, I'd never ask but I thought it interesting.

I agree that the bunkers are a good way to toughen things up. They're no longer in play because of technology changing the way the course was originally intended to be played. That and maybe move the tees back on a couple of the par 3's (Not the 4th though, that's a monster) I did really enjoy last year though because of the cold and wind resulting in a +1 finish. I personally find the best players playing the toughest courses fun to watch because it IS a Major. It SHOULD be the toughest test for a player, he should have to play to the best of his ability to break par...that way we can find out who really is the best there is. Majors are so important to these guys, it's life changing for them...make em sweat I say If I wanted to watch guys shooting 63 everyday I'd watch the champions tour. (They should have to play harder courses/tees....just sayin')

This ringer guy IS the man Thanks for the link, he seems like a really good teacher and he obviously knows his sh*t. That being said I would have to say that it is very difficult to say exactly what you are doing without seeing your swing. I do know that a very common situation when players are hitting different clubs the same difference really comes down to leaving the clubface open at impact therefore increasing the loft on those respective clubs. You didn't mention your typical ball flight but when this happens it is usually a high fade that is sometimes called the popcorn fade. High soft 10-15 yd fades that don't really go anywhere. Is this happening because you are opening your hips instead of driving of them like ringer mentions? Or is this a general swing plane problem? Is it a overly weak grip or a number of other things? I'm afraid that your teacher is the best to know all of these things. That's why you pay him right? Make him work for it

One thing I would suggest is to not "lick your chops" so to peak at any par 3. If you look at this years 2008 PGA stats you will notice that there a total of 14 players that have an under par average on par 3's...compare that with the 199 players under par on par 5's....these are the holes you should be licking your chops at. The average golfer can usually get a great short iron look at the par 5's and should always be looking to make a 3 on the par 3's...If you are struggling to make par than maybe a hybrid is the way to go but I will always say that 3 is a great score on a par 3 no matter what the distance.

Great topic, It's always fun to know what others are doing to make practicing their putting more enjoyable and effective. I completely agree with shindig in saying that putting is as much mental as anything and confidence is the most important thing. For me, when I'm at home I just make sure I have a straight putt on the carpet and use a poker chip as my "hole" then I move to a quarter, then a nickel then a dime, to make sure my stroke is grooved to a point where I can feel that the ball is coming off the head in the right spot. At the practice green, I use the Dave Stockton practice game. I place 4 or 5 balls on one side of the hole, starting at 2 ft, then 5,8,12,15 etc in a straight line...I start by hitting the closest one first and moving back. If I miss one I have to set them up again and try all over again. Once I make them all I move to another side of the hole and repeat the process. I know there is a theory that repetition on the practice green is not really applicable to the actual on course situation but I know for a fact that I gain confidence in hitting these "must makes" because I have practiced them over and over, especially the short ones.

All I know is that she is much cuter than T Dub. Lorena, Morgan, and Paula is a foursome I'd like!

A lot of god advice so far…my 2 cents (1)I feel your set up is a little too bent at the knees and that you’re set up a bit too far from the ball, good spine angle just a little less bend will prevent any “casting” and allow you to make a strong solid descending blow at the ball. I’d like to see you be a little more up right. (think Adam Scott) (2)Your take away is a slightly to the outside, I’d like to see you bring the club in a little but I really like your head position throughout the back swing. (3)I think this is where the swing gets a little out of whack so to speak…Your transition is much too quick, you started your back swing out to in and you’re reinforcing that with a quick “reverse lay” out to in swing that is a bit too quick. Outside in on the back swing is ok if you bring it back down on the inside (think Sergio, Furyk) (4) Here lies the classic problem, your head and hands know what need to happen but they’re just not fast enough to keep up with your body…. This is apparent with your follow through as your leaning back as you finish your swing. You have a very good swing, your ability to keep you head position throughout the swing and the fact that you’re not over swinging is a very good sign. You just need to work on path and balance. Picture the back of a golf ball that you want to hit. Split it into four quadrants…. At the top of your swing, picture hitting a golf ball off of home plate at Fenway. You want to hit it to right field so you need to hit the ball in the bottom left section of the quadrant right? Make that descending blow at the lower left portion of the ball with a stroke towards right field and hit into the bullpen…you won’t, slice, fade or push…guaranteed! *Guarantees will not be honored

I currently have 4 wedges in my bag and a good practice drill for me is the 90/90 drill or the 3 o'clock 9'oclock drill...just practice your wedges with taking that club back picturing facing a clock to 3 O'clock (or 90 degree wrists) through to 9 O'clock (same 90 degree on follow through) while following through to target, you'll get a good feel as to how your clubs react and the distances you get

fringe, rough, deep rough, slope lie and approach are all of the things you need to consider. Can you give us a description of what you were facing, maybe you were just sitting there and saying “ WTF?”

I agree with klaymon, La Costa Golfer and rydaddy. Spin is totally overrated...It is a lot easier to judge a ball that you know is going to stop where you think it is than figuring out how much a ball is going to spin....The object is to get the ball close/into the hole regardless of "how"

Honestly I don't think an honest breakdown of your swing can be accomplished here on this board...I say that because there is always a question on wether or not you are actually attacking the ball at "too much" an "inside out" and not something else. I say this because many of my students say they do what you are saying but what they actaully do is start out with a very good/good address to the ball....swing on plane (inside out) and actually lift their whole body and everything gets out of whack...like I said it's hard to say without seeing your swing but the new swing is getting more athletic...maybe you need more stanima?

Because golf is a competitive sport you will always find those types around....I play as a single all the time and never care what the ability of my playing partner is...as long as he's/she's not an a**hole.....You're not an a**hole are you ? I have been playing and working at my game for a long while and I love it when a 15 handicap wants to play me for $$ without ever meeting me, you know what really pisses them off? when you play better than them! I'm not a a great player by any stretch but if you work at your game and can you go out at play well....everyone loves you...JUST HAVE FUN!!!

Well one thing I would like to say is that if you’re hitting “consistent fades” I would keep those because consistent and golf are 2 words that rarely share the same sentence… “Divots are very out to in which explains the fade but when I consciously try to straighten out the divot I push the ball right.” If you used to hit draws and have recently changed to cuts you’re most likely pushing the ball right because your consciously trying to compensate for your new swing and leaving the club face open at impact. It really sounds like the classic “hips clearing too early syndrome” The key to making a making a solid inside to out swing is if you attack the ball at the lower/inside quadrant of the golf ball. Try to keep your shoulder turn and wrist retention equal to your right knee instead of your right hip

I think this is perfect opportunity to develop your "feel" game. Seeing as I don't know you at all and maybe you have established a certain repertoire and maybe you just feel really comfortable hitting certain clubs at certain distances, I think this is a great time to start "feeling your distances"...try going to the range and hitting an 8 iron 100 yards and see how it feels, maybe hood a 9 iron and see if you can hit it 150 (if you can't already) I know in this age of skycaddies and exact yardages it gets a bit technical but when a technical player plays by feel and vice versa...it's always a good thing, no?