LottaBalata

I DO NOT, play for dough. . .golf is expensive enough already. I'm not going to gamble on it. I don't ever drink alcohol on course either. Another thing a LOT of guys do while golfing. Doesn't really make sense to me.

The Srixon "soft-feel" has been a favorite of mine for a few years. For the exact reasons you're asking about. Also, I've hardly purchased NEW golf balls for years. Don't know if you Ebay, but you can find some great golf balls at great prices. Been doing it for a LONG time with no probs

I simply don't see any necessity in wearing pants. Not in regards to the rules of golf. I don't want to be looking at dudes wearing shorty shorts from the 70's though. Caddies have been able to wear shorts for nearly 15yrs now. If they're in Florida, Texas, Arizona, SoCal, Hawaii, or even Ohio next month. . .and its 90* outside with 110% humidity, jeez, let the guys wear shorts if they want. It just ISN'T a big deal

It sounds simple, and maybe not the answer you're looking for, but I agree. I went thru about 6 to 8 years of trying to find the right equipment. It doesn't matter if you hit a persimmon wood, or you get every new TMade "R" driver yearly, if you don't have a swing that you can use with all your clubs, then you need some lessons. Plain and simple

If you like GPride grips, try the Patriot. The red, white and blue grip. I personally have switched to tacki-mac IT2 grips. They're soft, sweaty wrists and arms don't effect them hardly at all. And, they seem to be decently durable. Plus, they are half the price of any "name brand" grip. I tried Winn grips in the past, I've never liked them. Not sticky enough, wear quickly

X2 This is about the smartest and most honest reply I could come up with. Heck, I'm a 10 capper or so, and I RARELY buy new balls, especially a $50 box of ProV1's or something similar.

I used to dip as well. . .tried like heck not to ever spit on the greens. . .stuff was ruining my stomach, had to quit. I've actually picked up some of that mint-fake tobacco stuff, for the really hard days. I will NOT play alongside someone who smokes. I have asthma, and I'm out to get some FRESH air. I won't be a jerk, but I will politely remove myself from the group.

It's all about tension. The less tension, the better the swing. Be it, with the putter or any other club. I added weight to my putter over the winter. . .well, the putter currently in my bag, lol! And it has helped me loosen my grip. Glad I did it

I think headcovers are definitely important. Unless you happen to keep your clubs in a locker at your home course or club, and you don't have to throw them in the back of your trunk, truck, hatch, whatever. I've had these for a few years. I think they're great. Not exactly hard shell, but their not just cloth either. Also, you can throw them on the ground and usually can pop your club right in it. [URL=[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u197/ReverendRun/HPIM0848.jpg[/IMG][/URL] SUMI-G dot com is the website. And, I saw a few listings on Ebay recently as well

Personally. . .the one's you DEMO, and like the best, those are the one's I'D buy. . .I'm just saying. Demo EVERYthing out there young dude. I have TMade, Nike, Cleveland clubs bagged. The only Titleist clubs I've ever like are the Scotty putters. The clubs don't feel right, neither do Mizunos. Maybe a PING driver, Callaway irons, and cleveland wedges are the way to go.

My home course in central Indiana has been packed, pretty much every day that I have been out. I've played the last 4 wks in a row?? Its the only course I've played as of yet. No idea what's going on elsewhere, nearby

Currently, I'm dealing with a heel spur and plantar fasciitis. So, nothing but riding. However, last year I picked up a not-so-fancy remote bag caddy. This way, I don't have to carry and wear out my back (surgery in '11). I'll get back to walking eventually

I certainly wouldn't say I try and emulate Freddie Couples' swing. BUT, he has helped me with my tempo for sure. He and Ernie both. . .I like the smooth buttery swings. I have back trouble, had surgery in 2011. . .So, I understand the importance of Freddie's flexibility--or lack there of--depending on his health. They both help to remind me, "Don't overswing."

I just purchased an ankle sleeve. Hasn't arrived yet. I'll be happy to post some feedback when i get the darn thing! Kinda pricey too $31 for that one piece

Agreed and agreed! I've been purchasing used golf balls for over 4 or 5 years. Absolutely NOTHING wrong with used. No offense, but especially with your skill level (to the OP). . . Do some research on low spin golf balls. As far as lessons, even with a PGA pro, make sure they work with what you have, so to speak. I've dealt with, and have friends who have dealt with pros that want you to swing like someone else. Hopefully they use video too, big help

I sliced the ball for 20 years. . .Not an easy fade, I plainly sliced the living crap out of the ball. Especially with the driver. So. . .Now, that I've gotten past the slice and taught myself how to draw the ball, and fade the ball, I use it when I deem necessary. I try to play a mild draw when I tee off, to try and capture a few more yards. . . One of my save shots when I'm hugging the trees on the right, is a nice little flat-low fade. I guess I'd call it a 1/2 stinger?? Anyway. . .the point is, now that I can move the ball both directions, I can certainly see where it comes into play, it doesn't ALWAYS have to be a save shot either. If the pin is tucked left, I'll point it out right and try and draw it back in. Etc Doesn't always work! Let's be honest, I'm still learning. . .that's why I love this game

Exactly. The towel drill--under you armpits. Will give you a connected feel, will help with your flying elbows.

Well, your swing doesn't look bad at all. You're a tall athletic dude, once you get some lessons under your wing, you'll be on your way. The vid angle. . . its a little skewed. I think it would be easier to see if you had the camera more at chest level. Nonetheless. . .you're tempo isn't bad. You need to hold your follow thru on every shot. Don't just whack ball after ball after ball. Get into a pre-shot routine. Try and teach yourself to do the same thing every time. . .I know this was for video purposes, but it will pay off if you slow down between shots and create a routine. Other than that, its simply hard to see what else is going on?

That certainly may be true in your case. But generally speaking, for high HCappers, the high lofted wedges are very difficult to hit consistently. I would certainly want to work up to a 60. . .I just wouldn't start there if I were a 25HC.

Seeing video of yourself swinging. . .that was one of the biggest things that helped me. Feel is one thing, but seeing yourself pull the club back too far to the inside, or maybe seeing yourself coming over the top. . .it gives a whole different perspective. Point is, see if you can find a pro that uses video as well. Or, at the very least, have someone help you video your swing.

Why in the world would a 25 handicap want to add to his troubles by bagging a 60* wedge? Also, don't you think it would be easier to hit that hybrid than a 4iron? Also to the OP, as said prior, don't feel like you need to have 14 clubs in the bag. I didn't have 14 in the bag all last season, a couple times, I dropped to 12. Just didn't need the extras. It may help to check ALL THE LOFTS on your clubs to see exactly where your gaps are. Sounds like your 4iron and hybrid have the same loft? 13* 3 woods are not easy to hit, at least it was not for me. You may consider a higher lofted driver? Maybe a 12* driver??

Well, seeing that no one is giving any feedback. . .I'll start off by saying, the lessons first, would be the direction I'd go . But, make sure you find a pro that you can work with and understand. Not everyone swings the same. Don't let him/her try and turn you into someone else. Make them work with YOUR SWING. Obviously, there will be changes needed. I'm just saying, don't let him show you video of Tiger or Freddie and say, "Okay! That's what I want you to do." The other problem is, if you're using standard clubs, they are probably about an inch short for you, and I would assume you'll need your lie angle upright by a 1/2 to 1* or more. Whenever you do buy new clubs, GET FITTED properly. GLuck

I started with the R7 rescue hybrids, Then early last year I bought an Adams Boxer and a TMade Burner to see which I liked better. The Burner, for me, are WAY EASY to hit. They remind me of the old Adams metal woods, smaller face, very easy to get thru the rough. As far as where to buy, I've been buying clubs on Ebay for nearly a decade. I've never had problems with it. Just make sure the seller has a high percentage of feedback. Nowadays, there are so many hybrids available, you just need to go out and demo some to find what you like. Good luck

I'm 40, diagnosed with Arthritis and Bursitis a couple months back. I've been in phys.therapy twice this year. . .Every exercise is for strengthening part of the core. Flexibility and Core strength. Google Core exercises, TONS of stuff out there!!! Just be careful not to start out doing some olympic athlete's routine.

I think this is a great thread. Plenty of schools of thought on the subject! Personally, I used to "TRY" and swing for the fences, but I never had a great swing. I always struggled with slicing the ball. So, now, that my technique is MUCH MUCH better, the ball travels 40 to 80 yards farther with my driver, than it did before. At the same time, I'm dealing with a back injury. So, I'm getting healthier, WORKING THE HECK OUT OF MY CORE!!! Its all important, strength, technique, straight up swing speed. . . JMO, technique and hitting the ball straight, will pay more dividends to the typical joe shmoe golfer. I can certainly see why Tour players would/might say distance is more important. But when you have guys like David Toms and Scott Verplank in the hunt on a course that measures nearly 8,000 yards. . .Well, that's my point!