KRP18

This rack is a great idea. Only problem might be the rubbing action on the edge of the bag where it rests on the plastic frame. The weight of the bag with clubs in it would probably damage it over time, especially if it's got leather trim around the top as many do. But, some towel or other cushioning over the frame should take care of that.

Hey Clay -- Couldn't agree more with those advising you to SLOW DOWN. Take 1/4 turns, then 1/2 turns until you are making excellent contact consistently. That way you will learn your own "sweet spot" and as you increase your arc, you'll know where to come through for impact. Be sure YOU are comfortable. It's your grip and your stance Make the game your own. Practice chips, sand shots and putting. Those are the shots that shave strokes off your game. I rarely hit the ball the longest in most groups I play with, but score better most of the time nevertheless. Those penalty strokes from the woods and water really add up!! Don't despair. When I first started I would have been happy with a 140! Patience, focus -- and what you obviously have -- love for the game --- will bring improvements. Most of all, have fun!

Hi Jason ... we have an SUV, so we're always cognizant of showing the sets of clubs in the back on vacation trips or when making long stops to and fro before heading home. We keep a large comforter type blanket laid in the back cab (even though we have a plastic bed liner) -- the bags get set onto it and the edge folds over to cover the tops of 2 sets of clubs. We've got one big enough to cover top to bottom too, so the edges work well to stuff between the irons to keep them from clanking for long road trips. I'd worry about plastic because if you kept the bag in the trunk after a rain outing or even in high humity, it could compromise the bag itself where it can't breath. Your towels and gloves would probably get compromised a bit too, keeping everything wrapped up in plastic. The fabric of the comforter/blanket is loose enough to let everything breathe and heavy enough to protect the bag and other equipment. And when you are putting in the equipment & umbrella, etc. after a raining outing, the comforter/blanket helps absorb some of the moisture to protect the vehicle too.

Had a really hard time when metal spikes were first outlawed. The transition for me was a pretty long one because we play some very hilly and rocky terrain in Wisconsin and around the Midwest ... and marshy, often wetland fairways when we head to Myrtle Beach & Pawleys Island for winter/early spring golf. One style spike just didn't fit the bill, and initially what were offered out there were really generic. One style and one size hardly fits all -- whether it's our golf clubs or shoes & spikes. Finally found the Champs line are far and above the rest of the line out there. They have a wide array of styles. (Especially love the Zarma -- multi-layered technology so they're firm but cushiony). They grip well on all terrain (not as well as metal, but close) --- and I agree with the other posters that spikes are needed to stabilize your stance at the tee through the backswing and impact. Check the Champs website to see the large variety of styles to see what suits you. I'd suggest checking your wear pattern on your street shoes to see if you have any aggressive out or in wear. Maybe you need to mix up the different styles to cantor at the heel or toe area -- or as some of us have, one leg may be a wee bit shorter than the other. You might want to consider one style on one shoe and another on the other fool. Unlike the spikes which penetrated the turf completely, all the soft spikes still keep us a bit elevated based on the design of the "wings" of the spikes themselves. So, one of the advantages to the soft spikes is to be able to customize our stances at the tee and for those precision short shots especially.

Hi Erik ... sorry here too, but have to agree wholeheartedly with MyrtleBeachGolf. Not one of the courses are more than $45. In fact, MBG was generous with the fee outlay. These are the courses the "Play & Stay" groups put in the mix to keep the costs "affordable" for the non-discerning golfers. They all pretty much -- well -- suck. The worst of the worst IMO though are Azalea Sands (you may as well tee up on your local highway) --- it's boring and just bad "real estate" -- and Island Green has a couple holes to put on the brochure, and the other 16 are pitiful! The rates are always low, so it's jammed, jammed, jammed with youngsters and oldsters. Nothing at all against either group of people, of course -- but when they're all together over 14 or so holes you can imagine the pace of play and those who aren't exactly following the PGA rule book. If you're just going out to hit the ball around and are really on a budget, there are still many, many better courses in the Grand Stand area that would be a better and more enjoyable play.

Wow, it's been awhile since we've played in Door County. Great photo. Last trip we took there was a prepaid fall venture for the pumpkin patch and golf. There was snow on the putting greens! We were already paid, so we braved the weather. Ah, such is the life as a golfer who lives in Wisconsin -- until 'ya can get outta "dodge" for early spring golf in Myrtle Beach & Pawleys Island that is. We do have some incredible courses in the Badger state though to be sure. Just too bad they're limited to playing so few months in the year! Whistling Straits kicked my butt. Wow that is one tough course. It was windy. Very windy the day we played, but it was more than that. It's just one big challenge. Rank Blackwolf and Sentry World up there for their beauty and challenge, but still sensible enough for the non-pros to be able to par and even birdie a few!

The typical indoor putting greens are so boring, we got totally fed up with them. If you're handy -- make one that offers some variations like any green would. We took a 4x8 sheet of CDX plywood, overlayed it with mastic and thinset (as if you were going to prep a floor for tile). But instead of smoothing it out, purposely create undulations. You need to do this with the thinset really thinned out so it doesn't make lumps on the plywood. Mix it to the consistency of a pourable cake batter and be sure out all the lumps (use a drill w/attachment). Make some areas "mounded" a little higher than others and leave some areas just bare wood. If it dries too fast, don't worry, you can mix up more and "pour" it over the edges of your undulations to mimic a true slope to even it out with the bare areas. Then cover the whole 4x8 sheet with fabric. Don't like "astroturf" because it's too slow and tramples down. The best fabric we found was to attach a high grade velour terry similar to a beach towl material. That will give you a pretty good "stint" meter. You can find suitable fabrics at hobby shops or craft stores that would be wide enough. Look at drapery fabrics or bedding blankets or such for fabrics wide enough. Then just turn it over and staple down tightly. Best to use something similar to thin wood strips like screen mold on the backside to hold the staples. It will be taughter and smoother. Ours has lasted several years. In fact, we store it in the garage standing up which naturely "warps it" slightly, so each time we use it there is actually some variation in it -- just like a real golf course.

Tough to get too excited this year with the Pack getting so close -- but hope the Ravens take it. 24 - 21.

Next time you're in the MB area, Bullitt -- you might want to consider the "south" end of the strand. We spent years vacationing on the north end until we happened onto the courses from Hwy 501 south. They're the BEST. Check out some awesome "affordables" like: Willbrook, Pawleys Plantation, River Club, Founders Club, Heritage Blackmoor, Tradition .. and some exceptional ones for a bit higher greens fees, but you don't want to miss -- Caledonia & True Blue. You might also want to consider the golf discount card now open to non-residents that would be well worth the investment as up to 4 golfers can take advantage per round for one membership. Best, KRP