sopel10

Shot an 86 at Pinemeadow golf course in Mundeline, IL. All ponds still frozen and snow still on the ground. This seems like my score lately when I'm hitting it so so.

^^^This. I realized long time ago, that to reach my goal of being close to scratch/low single digit, I would have to take lessons. I agree that if you want to be in 90's most of the time, and break it once a season, you can probably do it on your own.

I agree that we are all different. But there is a reason why most of players on higher level have instructors. Even with todays technology where you could tape your swing over and over and try to figure out things on your own, these players get an instructor.

High 90's and low 100's 2-3 years ago. About 150 rounds later, many lessons, and countless hours practicing, I am in 80's most of the time, and shot in 70's twice last month. It's all possible, but only with lessons and deliberate practice. (at least for me) Good luck. :)

Used to have this problem. Now I use Golfshot on my iphone and I can see how each hole looks like. That pretty much took care of the problem. No more, oh I wish I knew to take less/more club etc. You see where fairways turn, how the green is positioned. Everything else is just executing the shot that you've practiced over and over.

I don't think this problem will ever get fixed. I had a pleasure playing with 3 co-workers last summer, played with one of them (single handicap) before, but the other two were quite new to the game and first time playing with them. Long story short, after the 3h front 9 I finally said something. The single handicap guy thought I was stepping out of line but I just could not take it anymore. Overall, I don't think it really helped much but we played the back 9 a little bit quicker. I don't think enforcing anything will do much. Whenever you try to enforce something like that, everyone gets all defensive. The new players make comments like "I've paid $80 so I can do whatever I want" etc. Others think that its not them. This is all about education. My ideas would be to have daily clinics on slow play. Or have a pro talk to every 4 some or something like that. The starter is okay but when someone with more authority talks about it, it might help. The pro could give examples and actually have conversations about it with the players, as opposed to just saying: the pace of play is this, or make sure you keep up. Teach the players each and every time. Maybe not the members, but everyone else.

I think many of us here as addicted or more. Most of us are just not as successful as you, though. ;) To give you an example. Two weeks ago, I got on the plane to Houston on Saturday night because it was the only place close enough and warm enough to IL where I could play. Got up at 5 am on Sunday, played 2 rounds (almost, didn't finish the second 18). Next I proceeded to miss my flight, stayed a night at a motel. Got up at 5am again, made the first flight out, got to work at 10am. You do need to be careful with your family, though. Not the main reason, but me playing golf contributed to me getting divorced. Good luck in all of the tournaments!

worth: $300 or so paid: 2,000 or so

I again checked golfshot, since he was supposed to play the last 2 days. Still no scores. Interesting. ;)

Ha Ha, that's pretty funny. Because it's true! Congrats.

Does he post all his rounds? Found him on goflshot, just wondering.

Irons were very solid. Used them for 2 or 3 years actually. Same with hybrids and actually woods too. Did not like their drivers for some reason, was not crazy about the "feel" (sound). Good value, try to get something on sale. I bought the Q irons on sale for $77 few years ago, hybrids for $40-50 or so.

I used pinemeadow few years ago. Liked their irons and hybrids. Not crazy about their drivers. You can sometimes get an iron set, brand new, on sale for $80.

Very bad day, on a very tight and long course.

I thought about skipping, but I've never been to Houston before, so I didn't really know the course that well. Also, I flew in just to play two rounds and fly back. I was greedy ;-)

Again, I believe my situation was somewhat unusual, since I was pressed for time. The earlier I left the better. When I play as single, I usually do wait to join some other group, it's just more fun. Place was empty though, only reason why I was hoping to play through. Maybe I'm just different than some of you here. I would let a single play through in this situation 100% of the time. Even without knowing if the other foursome would let him play through.

Yes I just checked. The most I've ever hit was 12, 5 on the front and 7 on the back. Then again, my best score every was with 7 GIR. ;)

12 in the last 20. Mostly because of a crazy deal on 1 course where I played 5 times. Usually, I do stick to about 5-6 courses though.

Did the OP really mean 14 GIR? That's amazing, not sure if I've ever hit that many greens.

I usually don't have a problem with waiting. Not my mental toughness or anything. My dad always gets mad, and I'm the patient one between us two. ;) If not for the flight ahead, I wouldn't really make a big deal out of it. Against, mostly surprised of how it happened is all. :)

I was experiencing the complete opposite!! I played pretty well in the morning, when I could go at my own pace, and then the waiting got to me on my second 18. :/ I didn't mention this before, but I was trying to make it back to the airport to get back to Chicago at a reasonable time. I was there for 1 day just to get 2 quick rounds in and go back. In a normal situation, I don't ever schedule anything after my round, knowing that sometimes you are done after 3 hours, and sometimes after 6. ;) I ended up finishing after the front 9.

Yes I know it's all relative, but notice I never said I wasn't a hack. ;) I complained that a player with a lot more skill, relative to me, (I know, to you he was still a hack) would not let me play through. Sounds like I was completely mistaken. I hope I keep my arrogance to minimum throughout my journey, though.

Umm I didn't explain. My fault. Those were the only other people on the front 9.

Went to Houston for the weekend, just because I couldn't take this Chicago weather anymore. Ended up playing Tour 18. Played first 18 in 2.5h and went out around 9:30 to play another 18. On the second hole I run into a 4 some who also had another 4 some in front of them. They were moving ok, but you know, I was a single. I ended up catching up to those guys on every single tee box. Just sat right behind them, and they never let me play me through. Now to the point of the story, 3 older gentleman playing up front and a guy playing from tips. This guy played well, probably high single digits or so. Anyways, I could tell a couple times the older gentleman wanted to make the move and let me play through, but it was the single handicap guy who would basically make the decision and push them along, while giving me this weird stare. I always felt it was up to the better players to show good golf etiquette, let's just say I was very disappointed by what I saw. Any similar experiences?

That's pretty amazing. You should be very happy with your 88. First time I broke 90 was with an 82. Let's just say it sucks to break it by so much, and then be disappointed for the next year, still trying to break 90, but never get close to that crazy number. Keep at it and you will break that 88 in no time. :)