Party

Hopefully this is a new start to the mental side of my game this year. Bad starts can usually get to me but I tried to hold it together this time. Very windy and not the warmest. Shot a 76 for my first round of the year. Took a quadruple bogey on the Par 3 second hole. Tried to clear my head and move on. Almost got one back on the next hole but missed a short 4 foot birdie put and again tried to let it go. Finished with an eagle on 9 and back-to-back birdies on 15,16 (all puts within 10 feet). Hit some very good approach shots. Very happy with the score and even more happy with my mental approach. One round is one thing but hopefully my mental approach can continue throughout the year.

I play league every Thursday and get together with friends whenever possible. However, I play by myself more often than not. Many times the schedules with friends just don't work when you get older. I really enjoy getting out early in the morning when there are few on the golf course and there is still a little dew on the grass. It is one of the most peaceful things for me. Plus it keeps the wife happy as I am back home early in the morning and we still have the whole day. If I am not getting out early in the morning then I usually ask the course if there is anyone I can join up with. During the day on the weekends play is so slow I would probably lose it as a single.

My first Eagle was in Junior High I believe. Hit a pitching wedge from about 100 yards out. Bounced and rolled right in the hole, very exciting and still remember it to this day. Haven't had any Eagles like that since. They have either been on in two one putt Par 5 eagles or Par 5 chip in eagles.

Played once in the morning and once in the afternoon at my home course (Par 71). Both were played with around 20 mph winds. Shot a 73 in the morning - Was -1 with 3 left to play and went double, par, bogey. Pulled one into a greenside bunker that was filled with water for the double and made an awful chip on the last hole for a two putt bogey. Shot a 76 in the afternoon - Just couldn't score in the afternoon. Had a few birdies but also missed 5 or 6 birdie putts within 10 feet. Made some stupid bogeys trying to get to tight pins with the wind. Came within about a foot of my first hole in one. I would think that being 30 and playing for 25 years that I would have one by now. Overall I am very happy considering the windy conditions and how I was striking the ball.

Which one do you hit better and do you feel more confident standing over? Those should really be the overriding factors in making the decision. I have a 913d3 and absolutely love it. Longest and most consistent driver I have ever hit. If they are very similar in performance for you I would save the money and spend it in other areas to improve your game.

Shot a 71 on a par 72 last year (Rating 68.7/Slope 117). It was very up and down as I had to card 8 birdies to shoot under par. It was my first round under par for 18 holes in my lifetime. I worked on my swing over the winter and am hoping to break par a few more times this year. The start to the season has been good so far.

To increase swing weight you would either need to add weight to the head or lighten the weight at the butt end. The higher the swing weight, the heavier the club head feels. If you were to add weight to the butt end it would decrease how heavy the club head feels taking the club back decreasing the swing weight.

Well I am seriously questions if I should lengthen the clubs now and am thinking swing weight is nothing more than a number. I went out and shot a 74 today, 4 over with a 4 putt (don't ask) and two 3 putts. That puts my last two rounds at 37 and 74. I tried hitting someone's R1 today which definitely felt heavier do to the light swing weight I am used to and I sprayed it right.

Went to another store yesterday and they didn't agree with the adjustments to my new driver and 3 wood. They said that they never should of went -2" on both. They suggested adding an 1" and going with a 10 gram lighter grip. I could then add the 11 g weight instead of the 9 g and I should be right around a D1 instead of a C3/4. They also suggested adding 1/2" to my irons and hybrid as they were -1" and going with a a 10 g lighter grip. They measured out at C7 so this would get them close to D1. I told the guy, watch I will go out and have a good night at league. Well I went out and shot a 37 in league last night with a 3 club wind so who knows at this point. I still do have a tough time finding the club in my backswing so I think I am going to have the alterations done.

45" so I am now at a 43". I had the swing weight measured last night and both the driver and 3 wood are at a C3/4. No wonder they feel a little light and sometimes it is tough to feel where the clubhead is at in the backswing. I am thinking about going with a Winn Lite grip on both and then possibly adding the 11g or 14g weight. While it wouldn't get me back to the original swing weight it would get me close. I have noticed that I have been hitting a push/fade more which sounds like it could be the result of such a light swing weight. I really have to work to get the clubhead to turn over. With my hybrid and irons being -1" I would probably just go with the Winn Lite grips in those to try and bring the swing weight back to the original. When I was fitted for my irons I hit my 6 iron 92/3/7/?/3, 92/3/6/?/3, 92/3/7/?/3 in the shaft optimizer. Couldn't remember the third value but I hit pretty much the same numbers in all three swings. I am thinking the C3/4 is just too light for me. It's my first night of league tonight so if I struggle I have a new excuse, it's obviously the swing weight.

I purchased a new 913 D3 driver (RIP Phenom 70 S) and 913F 3 wood (Diamana 82 S) this year. I am only 5'5" on a good day. At Golf Galaxy they suggested that I cut off 2" after the fitting. I do hit them OK but am wondering now if I did a disservice to myself by cutting of 2". I guess I could look at upping the weight in the clubhead to 11g or 14g; however, that won't compensate for all the swing weight that was lost. The more I think about it the clubhead does feel a little light and I am stopping in there tonight to see what the swing weight is now. I do feel much more comfortable standing over the ball with the shorter shaft and I can carry the driver about 240-250 so maybe I should just be happy with it. Maybe I am just worried about swing weight because I read the internet? Seems like some think it is a bigger deal than others? Unfortunately I have always focused on swing mechanics rather than learning more about equipment specs.

I used a glove for many years and switched to no glove for a couple of years. Last year I went back to wearing a glove. I feel that it gives me more stability and power. I had the tendency to be too handsy on the backwing and follow through. Even if it is just mental, for me it has improved my ball striking.

Tough to find a course open in MN right now but things are looking optimistic with weather in the 50s today. Still a decent amount of snow around the Twin Cities area. There is an outdoor heated driving range about 30 minutes from home so that helps with the golf obsession but can't wait to play a few rounds. Enough of the indoor golf simulators.

First post, time to start contributing around here I guess. Picked up a few new toys this year (Driver, Fairway Wood, Putter). 913 D3 - RIP Phenom 70 S 913F 15° - Diamana ahina 82 S 3-PW - Mizuno MP-58 S 52°, 56°, 60° - Cleveland CG15 Tour Zip Groove Black Pearl Wedge Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 - 33" Because I am vertically challenged at 5'6" on a good day... Driver and Fairway Wood: -2" Irons: -1"