tsbrewers

It sounds like you are my long lost twin. My story is virtually identical to yours. I was a low single digit in HS, then for about 15 years played about 3 rounds a year. I would go out and expect to shoot par, which of course never happened, and I would get upset and not play again for months. A couple years ago I finally just told myself to enjoy being out there. Don't worry about shooting par, just relax and enjoy it. almost immediately my game improved some, playing to the mid to high 80's. I still felt that my swing was WAY out of whack, so I decided to start taping myself and try that. when I watched myself I thought it looked ok, but after I posted it to a site online where people could critique it, I actually got some pretty good advise that seemed to be working. By the end of the year I was shooting low to mid 80's and a couple rounds back in the 70's. I have a ton more I need to work on this year, but I feel like I am moving in the right direction, and am looking forward to playing this year for the first time in many. Brew

I have never taken a lesson in my life either. learned how to play from golf digest starting 30 years ago. But in recent years I just didn't play much and felt like my swing was in shambles. But as others have said, the video camera has helped me a lot. I posted a few of my swings on swingacadamy.com last year and have had some very good advise. I pretty much started over from scratch last year and was playing better than I have since HS. Brew

I took mine a little further last year. :) I used a buffer wheel on a drill, with chrome polish, and buffed the heads. Then I used a small sandblaster and sandblasted the faces. I was pretty amazed at how good they looked, being probably 10+ years old.

114 Brew

I spent 23 years in the Marshall area so pretty much every course in SW MN. Moved from there to Mankato, played most courses in that area, now am in Belle Plaine so trying to play my way through the cities' courses. Haven't done many yet, Valley View, Highland, Keller, Chaska town course, Dakotah Ridge, Kilkarny SP? in Wisconsin, etc. Brew

I bought one of the first L8's that came off the assembly line back in the mid 80's and am now on my 2nd one that I still use today (L8+). I have the original one I bought, and it is in great shape except for some of the colors have bled from rain etc. My wife used it up until last year when she got a new Titleist one for Christmas from her parents. Brew

Thanks, Brew

Thanks, I will have to check it out. Brew

I was just wondering what everyone's opinions are on the mental part of the game. I know it is important, but what I am asking is does anyone have any recommendations on mental programs they have used with good success? anyone buy any audio programs, or ever been hypnotized? ever been to a sports psychologist? Reason why I ask is I have always felt that is the biggest thing holding me back. There has been many, many times over the years I will be a couple under par and hit 3 balls OB on 18, or have 4 birdies in a row, then have 3 quads in a row, etc. Almost like I am scared of doing well. I once recall a story about Tiger's dad starting him with higher pars. So a par 3 would be a par 6 for a young Tiger, and so on. I think this just made "par" a number and nothing more for him. Obviously he would start beating it regularly and got used to it. For the average golfer (me) "par" is the holy grail per say. So when I am right there or just under, I start flipping out wondering how I am going to screw it up. So any tips? Brew

Just thought I would introduce myself. I am in my mid 30's and have been golfing probably 30 years of that. I was really passionate about it up through HS and was close to a scratch player back then. I have never had a lesson of any sort really, pretty much learned how to play from reading golf digest. I started to play less and less after that and started to become frustrated about my scores and more or less quit for a few years. I just didn't enjoy it anymore, I would play maybe 2-3 times a year and still expect to shoot par, which of course didn't happen. I think I am "past" that now and am starting to just enjoy being on a course no matter how I play. I haven't carried a handicap since HS, and will shoot anywhere from the mid 70's to the mid 80's. Depending on how much I am playing. I am not a club collector, I have had probably 10 drivers, 2 total sets of irons and maybe 3 putters total in the last 30 years. I tend to find something I like and keep playing them. I am not a huge follower of the "buy a better game" mentality obviously. Of course winning the lottery could change all that. Brew EDIT: Here are a couple videos I just uploaded to the swingacademy.com Driver from the side Driver down the line If anyone has any tips, by all means....

I would like to play more. I feel fairly lucky right now if I can get out once a month. Would like to get in to a league so I am almost forced to play. Brew

I tend to get migranes with the bright sun, so I almost always have a pair on. Generally it is just a cheap $10 pair of some type. Brew

I wouldn't play if I had to walk. I am a carpenter and am on my feet for 10 hours a day with a tool belt strapped to me. I go golfing to relax and enjoy it, I don't enjoy walking. :) Brew

I am trying to get my wife to play more, but it's not going well. She enjoys playing, but gets mad when she plays bad. I generally don't try to help anyone I play with but if I see something very obvious I mention it once and leave it at that. She gets mad at me though for saying anything, so it is a lose-lose. I would send her to a pro, but she wouldn't go anyway. Brew

Valley View golf course, Belle Plaine, MN Really not a terrible course for being in a very small town. Brew

Of course I think tiger is the best of this generation, but I would have loved to see them head to head both in their primes. Brew

I am a Trim Carpenter Brew