Neil

I think, but check the website listed above, that all the Rife Range tends toward being face balanced. I also have an Antigua model, it is more or less face balanced (very slight toe hang) which I feel helps me to keep my stroke consistent (although not straight back and through). I've had the putter a couple of months and really like it.

I'm not an Admin but I can't see why they would stop you posting the link? I'd definetly be intereseted in reading your review.

I think all MD equipment is well worth the money. In reality they are a pretty small company and have quite a small marketing/PR department - their claims are pretty genuine. 'Today's Golfer' magazine always rates their stuff well and although I don't use any I've tried a few products (Driver and Irons) and they compare with much higher cost equipment. The sharpness of grooves undoubtably makes a huge impact on generating spin, but unless you strike the ball in the right way it won't happen. Like you, I play in the North of England and at this time of year I really don't think you get a whole lot of spin on most courses - the type of greens makes a big difference. From reading other peoples posts on this site I get the impression the ball spins more in the States............. I play regularly with golfers of a variety of standards and I very rairly see somone impart a huge amount of backspin on a shot regardless of the type of wedge they are using.

Do a lot of people own snow guns? I live in the UK and I don't think I've ever heard of anyone owning one! What would I do if I had one? Probably block my neighbours car into his drive...

I bought a Sonartec GS Tour 13 degree fairway wood and never got on with it. When I struck it well I agree with all the above comments but I found it a little whippy and hit too many low hooks. I'm pretty sure a change of shaft would have worked wonders but I couldn't afford it and have gone back to my Callaway Steelhead - which remains a wonderful club!

I agree with everything you say with the execption of point 5. I don't have quite as many years as yourself,however in my life I've found dumb blondes can be pretty effective!

I play to my strenghths in competition and practise my weaknesses when playing for fun.

Get the clubs you feel most confident and comfortable with and which you hit best. My guess is that these will be the GI variety. For the aspiring amatuars, no matter the handicap, it is more or less always better to err on the side of forgiveness over workability. Certainly for me I'd rather hit the ball consistantly straight than be able to hit a low cut into the wind every once in a while. It's a tough game and forgiveness is important!

Without wanting to hijack the thread Picnic at Hanging Rock is my favourite Aussie movie. Followed by Walkabout (although that is partially British - Nic Roeg.)

St Andrews - Old Course Massive, undulting double greens, always in beautiful condition.

Where Eagles Dare - in my opinion the greatest movie ever made.

Rife putters are face balanced and offer a decent selction of styles. I've just started using a Rife Antigua Island Series putter. It is Anser style but obviously face balanced. It is taking some getting used too as I've not played a face balanced putter before. That said, I do like the feel and the ball seems to roll very smoothly when struck well - whether this has anything to do with the grooved face I don't know but I would certainly recommend putting a Rife in your hands for a test run.

Get the ping's re-grooved. They remain amongst the best irons ever made.

1. Stan Utley's new book 2. Lessons

I seem to break them all the time! Woods, irons doesn't seem to matter! They also bend badly and are tricky to get into hard ground.

I've got a 13* Sonartec GS-Tour. It is a beautiful thing to look at and when hit crisply the shots are long. That said, in the main I don't hit it great and I probably don't really need the extra yards it offers I'll be returning to a 15* next season. (anyone in the UK interested in my Sonartec before it goes on ebay?)

At the top end of professional golf tiny things can have a big effect. At my level (our level?) errors come due to lack of practise, poor swing mechanics, stubbed chips, inability to read greens, poor touch etc not the paint on my golf ball. Play it.

2. He's due at The Masters and I think he could burn the field like he did in '97. Turnberry is a great venue for The British Open and I fancy him to win that too. Hell - the more I think about it he likes Bethpage and where is the PGA this year? - it could be 4...

If you like hitting your long irons then I'd recommend the Mizuno MP Fli Hi 19 degree. It's a hybrid but has the look of an iron, the feel is fantastic as it is grain flow forged in the Mizuno style. The 19 degree model is meant to replace a 2 iron so would fit the gap you suggest. Plus - you can pick them up cheap at the moment!

I've just purchased a Mizuno MP Fli-Hi 21 degree to replace my 3i. The course I play most often is pretty short and I'm a relatively long hitter therefore don't hit a lot of long irons into greens and thus don't have a significant 'gap' to fill. I felt the need for the hybrid as I hit a lot of 3 irons from the tee and the Fli-Hi gives me a bit more margin for error. In general I agree with Pelz when he says that the average golfer should concentrate on filling gaps from 100 yards and in rather than 150 yards and out (ie carry more wedges).

I agree - if you can average out bogey golf you are a decent player.

Best shot was a slam dunked 8 iron approach to a par 4 for eagle. The ball hit the bottom of the flagstick so hard that the stick cracked! Awesome feeling - however it was a bounce match so essentially meaningless. Best in tournament shot was a 3 wood approach to a par 5 that finished about 3 inches behind the hole leaving a tap in eagle. (That's about 15 years ago now...) Last year I hit a really really solid 5 iron to about 4 feet on the 15th hole in the final of our club matchplay. I missed the birdie putt but the shot itself felt so pure it stands out as my finest ball strike last season.

Totally agree. The European tour is far higher quality than many in the US believe (this event in particular). McIlroy played excellent golf to win against a world class field - his genral play this season has been extremely good and now he has a win under his belt I expect him to go on and claim a few more wins. It could be a great year, Kim, Villegas and McIlroy speareheading a challenge from the new young guns against older establishment names. Everyone know o'Meara is a big friend of Tiger hence every time o'Meara plays with a young player commentators ask him to make comparisons against Woods. It would be impolite of o'Meara not to offer praise to younger players and being the gentleman he is o'Meara is always polite and flatterring. I think McIlroy is a really really exciting payer but he won't win Majors like Tiger - Tiger is on another planet.

Slight tangent (slight). Eric - when is your 909 fairway and hybrid review going to be ready? I see you have one of each in the bag...

I agree his body language is often terrible - if he is struggling in a tournament everyone knows about it and his attitude can be very poor. However, I think he has the temperament and character to lead the team. He has certainly been able to lead by example while playing in the Ryder Cup over the years and displayed a never say die attitude which could be important. (Remember him coming back from dormie 5 in the singles at Kiawah Island?) I just feel it is too early for him, he should focus on playing his way into the team as Kenny Perry did last year.