goblue107501

145 yards on a par 4. I was playing a 2 person scramble tournament with my dad and holed out for an eagle. It flew directly in the hole. The sun was behind the green, as were a couple of carts. I hit it and didn't see it down, but heard it hit metal. We got up to the green and apologized to the guys in the carts about hitting them, but we couldn't see the ball to know it was going that far. They told us that I didn't hit them and to check the hole as they thought it went in. Sure enough, that's where it was The worst part about it is that after the first day not even coming close to anything that would be a skin, we decided not to pay the $10 to get in the skins the second day. There were only 2 skins that day and our 3rd would have got us around $125, which would have paid for the whole weekend. Last time I never got in a skins game.

I've always liked Tiger as a player and will continue to do so. The argument is irrelevant at this point because Tiger's career is not over. He still has a good 10-15 years left to play if he wants and his body hold up. He could win 20 more times with 5-7 majors in that time. Who knows where he will end up? You can't accurately compare careers until they are done. I don't have a dog in this fight or an argument to make. I will say this. You can't make an argument about better/worse equipment without bringing up course changes. As equipment has changed, so have the courses. A 7000 yard course used to be a monster that no one wanted to play. Now it is considered short and would never hold even a low level tournament (outside of a few exceptions maybe). So to say the guys today have an advantage with technology and equipment, they also have to play longer courses with harder greens, and narrower fairways. Is is an even 1:1 swap between course changes and equipment changes? Maybe, maybe not, but it's probably not too far off in many instances.

The only thing you really want to do is to seal it up as tight as you can. Partly for moisture, but my main reason (I keep my clubs in the garage over winter) is so nothing gets in there. The last thing I want in the summer is to reach in a pocket or pull out a club and have a family of spiders come out to play. I always make sure all the pockets are zipped up and I even put the rain cover over the top of it.

Instead of putting in all the time and work, why don't you just find a tournament that has some open qualifying? That way you can just get in a tournament via a qualifier, win the tournament, then you will get your tour status. That would be much easier than doing a q-school.

I don't have my bag nearby, but I think the vertical ones do. I have an old Bushnell (in the style of the Bushnell V2) and I believe it has the screw on the bottom. Although I don't know who would go through the trouble of taking a separate support piece with them. IMO that would just get in the way.

The stroke itself isn't anything special. There are only so many ways to swing a putter a foot back and down through the ball. Where pros differ is the consistency. They have a very repeatable stroke so they always hit the ball where they aim, and for the most part, have very good distance control as well. It's not an accident when they hit the 50 foot double breaker over a ridge to 2 feet. Practice, practice, practice.

My opinion is always laser >>>> GPS. Mostly the reasons iacas mentioned. I don't know for sure, but I don't think there is an 'anti-shake' laser. Pretty sure you have to hold it steady yourself. There are things you can do to help. The elbow tripod works if you are standing. If you are sitting in a cart you can rest your arms on your legs or the steering wheel, that works pretty good also. It's just something you have to figure out how to do. Once you get the hang of it, it gets easier.

Always short game. Eliminate one 3 putt (if that is a problem) and/or get up-and-down one or two more times, or one putt one or two more times, there are your 3 shots. Easy as pie to say, harder to do. The rest of the game comes into play as well, but it all boils down to the short game. If you drive the ball better, then your iron shots might be easier (maybe you hit a wedge from the fairway instead of an 8 from the rough), which would lead to shorter putts, which could lead to more made putts. Each part feeds off the other, but it all comes down to what you do with the short game. You can hit great drives and irons, but if it takes you more than 2 shots with a wedge and putter after that, your are costing yourself strokes. You won't get up-and-down every time, but if you can do it once or twice more per round, you will shave strokes. A close second would be eliminating penalties. If you hit one ball in the water/OB, there is a couple shots right there.

It is amazing to me how many people are concerned (borderline obsessed) with what other people do on the course and how they play the game. Especially when those folks have never met and will never play together. People, let it go. Let the individual decide how they want to play and stop trying to force you own 'golf values' on others just because they don't play the same way. So many are worried about what someone's handicap is or what they shot? What does it matter to you? You live 5 states away and you will NEVER see that person on the course, or even more unlikely, play against them. The only time it should ever come up how an individual decides to play a round of golf is when they are on the first tee and stakes are made for the game. People are so concerned about making sure Joe Golfer has the proper score listed and the right handicap scores posted. I have news for you. The great majority of golfers don't care about their 'official' score or their 'official' handicap. If I've know 100 golfers in my life, I can count on two hands those that care about an official handicap. Most people playing don't need one and won't ever get one. The other 90+ people just like playing the game and hanging out with their friends. Just let them play the game in peace. I used to play in a game with some schoolteachers. Mostly guys in their 40s and 50s who like to play and enjoy each others company. We played by some of the goofiest rules out there. We would play skins and greenies and team bets for the total scores. Everything was played as a lateral hazard, and not even strict about it, just toss one down and get yourself a good lie. The ball was played up. Up to the point where you could get up to a clublength. Gimmies inside the leather. Some of the guys would play shambles in their group, and some would play their own ball. We kept score and settled up at the end. Usually just for quarters, but enough to keep you interested. I would drive over an hour each to play in that game because it was so much fun. Nobody bragged about their score because we all knew it didn't matter. We had to keep score to settle up, but no one cared about having a handicap. The majortiy of the scores were in the 70s and 80s. A few guys were better than others, but the rules we played made it a little more equal. Moral of the story is that without the goofy rules and scoring, half of those guys wouldn't play golf because they wouldn't be able to do well enough on their own and it wouldn't be any fun for them. Golf is supposed to be fun. It's a game, it's a hobby, it's something to do with your friends. It doesn't have to be taken seriously. I can guarantee you that there are more golfers that don't care about rules and official scoring than do.

I think for the most part the majority of golfers know what the basic rules are and will abide by them. I think there are very few people who actually know the rule book enough to say they follow every one of them to the letter. Probably 90% or more of the golfers out there simply don't care about all of them, and that is fine too. Golf is supposed to be fun. Go out and hit the little white ball around and try and get it in the hole. Do it however you want. If you are playing for stakes of some sort then everyone needs to be on the same page, but if not, who cares what someone does or what they say their score is? I certainly don't. I have been paired up with many random strangers and have a good chuckle everytime I see them doing something wrong, but that is all it is. I don't know them, I don't care what they score or how they got there. To the OP, I understand why you did your bet that way. It is frustrating when you have people wanting to gamble, but don't have the game to do it. I had a few friends that were not a good as I was who wanted to bet, but I don't do strokes - at all. So I would play from the tips and play by the strictest of rules. They got to play from a shorter tee box and could play the ball up, and take a few other small liberties we agreed on. It evened out the match quite a bit and we had fun with it. From the friend perspective however, the better way to handle it may have been to poke fun at them when you see a rule break rather than call them out on it, at least to start. Instead of calling a penalty on the first tee box, just wait until the guy is ready to hit then say "wait a sec, you know it is a penalty to hit in front of the tee markers, right?" Help educate them a little with humor rather than just calling them out. They are still your friends, you don't want to be the a-hole of the group. If a guy hits OB, just toss a ball at his feet and tell him to try again from that spot. After a few times, they'll get the idea, and they won't hate you for it. They might learn something too. Plus, once you get in their head about all the rules they are breaking, that will net you way more strokes then calling penalties ever would.

I hope this was sarcastic. I would give anything to be able to wear a sweater and pants in the winter and have a 4.5 hour round. Around here (SW Missouri) it is only okay. We have some great courses, but they are not plentiful. They are pretty cheap however, but usually take 5+ hours to play. I'd say that within 30-40 minutes of where I live, there are 3-4 public courses I would pay to play (many others, but they are crap). A couple of those are in the Branson area and are more expensive. There are a couple of private courses that I can get on about anytime, but typically they are higher priced than my local favorite, so it usually isn't worth the effort. We have one good golf store that recently added a launch monitor which we had never had in the area. It is pretty new, so I haven't bought much there other than some grip tape, but pricing seems to be competitive. Surprisingly, some of the best place to shop and buy clubs are at the 3 city owned munis. They all have an outdoor range and demos available. Plus they have it so that each course has ties to different OEMs so you can try just about anything you want. They are not afraid to make you deal to get the sale either. The weather is hit and miss. Hot and humid in the summer, bitter cold in the winter. You do get those 'nice' winter days where you can go out and play. But as soon as you do it gets cold again so it really isn't even worth it. Overall, you get about 6-7 good months and 5-6 bad months. Depending on your tolerance, that can go up or down. Overall, I'd say my area is a B- or C+.

I think they are all over the place. The problem with trying to quantify it, is that an average player probably doesn't putt consistently enough to tell. I've seen plenty of guys who seem to play about the right amount of break, but then hit it 10 feet past, or 10 feet short, so we'll never really know how close they could have been. Personally, I think I'm pretty good, but I usually err on the high side if I don't think I have a good change to make it. My thinking has been that if It doesn't go in, as it slows down, it will only get closer to the hole instead of running away form it.

It's just something you have to practice to get good at. I think you are on the right track with the abbreviated swings (just make sure you always accelerate through the ball, you can't give up on the swing). One thing I do in addition to that is varying amounts to choke down on the grip. That can give you a whole other shot dimention. I can choke down and use an abbreviated swing with my GW and hit it the same distance as my SW. This can be good so you can use a variety of shot types. If I hit the SW, it will be high and land soft. If I hit the GW, I can hit it lower and get a big bounce and stop if needed. There is a bunch of variety you can use if you just practice them and get the distances dialed in. My scores improved drastically once I stopped being afraid of shots 100 yards and in. Now, I don't mind one bit being 57 yards from the hole. I know exactly how to hit that shot and can hit it three different ways if I need options.

I change when they need it. I've played long enough and changed grips enough times to know when it is time for a change. I used to just do it over the winter every year regardless, but I don't play as much any more so I just wait until they don't feel right. An easy gauge for you, go to a store with new clubs and find one with a style similar to what you have and take a couple of quick swing motions. If the new grips feel a ton better than what you have, it's time to change.

The other problem you would have would be activating the tape. What you are saying might work in theory, but how would you slide the grip on? Grip tape is unique becuase the glue is deactivated for a time, then goes back to being sticky. I don't think regular tape would go back to being sticky if it was deactivated to slide the grip on. Just go to a golf shop and have them do it for a couple of bucks or see if you can get one piece of tape from them.

It would appear that I am more tolerant than most. There are very few things that bother me on the course. Not getting to play a whole lot (8-10 times a year), I have learned to lot let much get to me. It just ruins the round, and if I start ruining rounds, I'll never have one that is enjoyable. Here is my short list: Playing slow within the group. I have learned to tolerate slow play on the course, I don't mind if you are, in general, a slow player (taking extra practice swings, lining up putts, getting a yardage, etc.), but when it is your turn to hit, you better be ready to do what you need to do. Do not sit in the cart while I am waiting to hit my shot. Go figure out your yardage, what club you want to hit, how you want to play it, etc. Especially if we are waiting for a group to clear. Figure it out, then when it is clear and it is your turn, you can start your pre-shot process. Don't wait until three other people have hit to figure out what you want to do. Carrying a conversation. I don't mind if people are talking and having a good time, but when the time comes to hit, hit the damn ball. Don't make me wait another three minutes for you to finish your story. Hit the ball, then finish your story. Taking work to the course. If I am playing during what should be work hours, I will make sure any work I have to do is done and I won't be bothered by it. I'll take my Blackberry with me and if something comes up I'll reply to a text or e-mail when I have a minute to wait, or driving between shots, never when it is my turn to hit. Don't take a call from an associate and get into a lengthy conversation about this and that and hold up the group. Either go to work or play golf, don't do both. And if it is something that simply can't wait, just put your ball in your pocket until you are done so you don't hold up the rest of us. Most of these are along the same lines -- making me wait when I shouldn't have to. I don't mind a group or two in front being slow, I can not stand it when I am the slow group from people just not paying attention. One of these days I going to go Elin on somebody with a 9-iron.

Forged clubs are going to get dings and marks on them. No way to avoid it. You can protect them all you want, but it will still happen. You won't know it when it happens, or see how the dings get on there, but they will get there. Best to just let it go and realize they won't look new forever. That is part of the charm. As long as the face and grooves are in good condition, it won't affect play at all. Iron covers are fine if you want to deal with the hassle of them. Rust won't be an issue unless the finish comes off somehow. Which, if you take care of them, won't happen anyway. Cleaning them as you go through the round is fine. Wiping with a wet towel get the job done most of the time. For the stubborn dirt a small brush works. Then every once in a while take them in and give them a good cleaning. Warm water in a bucket with a little dishsoap works fine. You can use your frogger brush to get the grooves. I have an old toothbrush that I use for cleaning them and it works fine. I've heard the Magic Erasers work good, but I don't see the need to spend extra money to clean clubs.

Here's the difference. You are thinking of golf as competition only. Where all facets of athletic ability need to come into play; stamina, skill, mental toughness, etc. My guess would be that about 99% of all golfers don't care about the competition of it. They play because it is a hobby and it is fun and they can hang out with thier friends for the day. Sure, there are competitive rounds between friends or the weekend tournament, but for the most part, people just want to have fun. While golf can be fun while walking, in certain conditions it isn't. I don't care what the PGA Tour does. I'm not ever going to play in it so it doesn't matter to me one bit. I know plenty of people who could never walk a course because they are not 'golf fit' as you put it. Are they supposed to just give up the game and never play because they can't walk 18 holes? Golf as you know it would end it those people were not playing. For the record, I am not against walking and I am not pro cart. People can do whatever they want. I will use a cart because it is makes the day and round more enjoyable to me. I don't like sweating my ass off and struggling to swing the club after walking up the hill to the 17th tee box. No thanks, that's not fun. I pay my money, I want to play golf and have fun, not be miserable. Could care less about the competition of it.

Pretty much my thoughts. They can do what they want, it doesn't matter to me. If I don't want to see it, I'll hit the 'unfollow' button. My only problem with all this is when people in the public eye use thier celebrity and staus to influence other people. You can tell me all day you are for this cause or that, but don't tell me I need to agree with you becuase you can act or sing or throw a ball.

Come to the states sometime in July and August and play in the 95 degree heat with humidity. And not just one time and then leave. Play several rounds walking and see if your opinion changes. Not about carts, but about golf in general. It's not very fun to play in those conditions anyway, certainly not much fun to walk it.

Point #1: Yes. It's can be more enjoyable to walk when everyone else in the group is walking. Point #2: Not going to matter. Every course that uses carts are going to have some bad spots here and there, mostly due to golf carts. However, the majority of those spots are usually irrelevant to the play of the hole. And if they do come into play, they are in an area where you shouldn't have hit the ball in the first place. Rarely do you see a messed up fairway or the area around the green torn up from carts. Removing those bad areas will hardly be noticable if they are not there. You notice those areas when you see them, if they are not there, it wouldn't get a second thought. Point #3: Not at all. If fact, many times carts can be a good gague to where the group in front is located so you don't hit into them. Harder to keep track of 4 people scattered across the hole. Never have I thought that the course is ugly or unappealing because there are a few small cars driving around. The people would still be there. Point #4: Good in theory, but I don't know how practical it is. Players will still have to look for balls in the rough, rake traps, chase after bad shots, etc. It sounds good to have 4 people walking down the hole, hit their shots, and move on, while the group behind is doing the same thing, only a shot behind. In a perfect world, it makes a lot of sense. But as soon as it gets off track, it makes it even slower since you can't catch up as quickly. If my tee shot goes in the right rough, and the other players are down the left side, how much help will I get finding my ball? None. Even if the others play when I am searching then they start moving forward. When I do find it and hit, now I am behind and have peple waiting. Instead of a couple of seconds for me to get out of the way, not it is a minute or two to get clear. I prefer to ride when I play, but I used to walk all the time. I would give such a course a try and see what it is like on a 'walking only' course, but I don't think the reasons listed would be the reason why I would go. Other than maybe the first one. I would go to see what it was like and to play the course if it was a nice course. If the course is crap, I wouldn't go regardless.

Been a long time since I have seen a leather grip. IMO, way too expensive and most likely won't be any better with sweaty hands. Plus, I'll bet it gets worn down quickly in the pressure points. Keep us posted though, interested to hear your thoughts. On a sidenote about gloves, if your hands sweat, get two or three gloves at a time and they will last much longer. Take it off between shots and rotate gloves every hole. Hang the other to dry when not in use. Sweat is the enemy of gloves. If they stay dry, they will last much longer. I can keep three gloves fresh for the entire summer by doing this.

step 1: practice putting...a lot. I don't mean for 10 minutes before the round. Take 3 balls and head to the course with only your putter and stay on the practice green for an hour or two. Spend the majority of the time with shorter putts (6 feet and in). There should never be a doubt that you can't make a 4 footer for par. It should be automatic. Will you miss them? Yes, everyone does, but you should never be scared of them. You can even practice if it is in the house on the carpet. Don't worry about the speed at home, just try and maintain a consistent stroke. Putting is 100 times easier when you know you will hit the ball where you aim it. Over time, with the practice, you will develop the feel to be able to adjust to the speed of the greens. All I need is about 6-8 putts on the practice green to get the speed down. step 2 (and the #1 way to eliminate 3 putts): hit the ball closer to the hole on the first one.

I voted 'other'. I took several lessons a few years ago from a great pro who helped me a ton. Completly redid my swing and I am much better for it. I would love to go back a few times just as a check-up to see if I am still doing things how I should. I am pretty sure I am at least real close, but you never know. My problem currently is the time and money factor. The guys doesn't charge much so it really isn't a cost factor for the lesson. $50/hour 7-8 years ago. Thay may have gone up a little, but still very good for who he is. The lessons last about an hour which would be fine, especially since he is about 10 minutes from my house. Back when I took lessons I was single and had plenty of disposable income. Now I am married with children so that is gone. If I have $50 that I would want to spend for golf, I would rather just play a round. As it is, I am lucky to have the extra money to play maybe once a month. If I used the $50 for a lesson, I wouldn't get to play. So it really isn't that they cost too much or I don't have the time, I just don't want to spend my golf money in that way right now. If I have the $50 to spend for golf, I would rather spend 4-5 hours on the course with friends than 1 hour with an instructor.