moe63

Mate, there's nothing wrong with asking questions, especially on something called a forum for 'instruction and playing tips'. You just need to be judicious about the advice you take. I've only ever broken 80 once so clearly I'm no PRO however, If what your asking is, should you chip and run or throw it back to the flag? I'll tell you what my Dad said to me when he was teaching me 40years ago, 'both shots should be in your kit bag, but only hit the ball in the air when you have to'. If the approach is flat and pin is back the take a PW or even a 7 iron and run the ball back. If the approach is elevated, then use SW or LW and throw it up. Don't even think about the spin, hit it clean and the ball will check and roll out. Nothing fancy needed, just a simple chipping action. As a PE teacher for some 28 years, I have found that I should never under estimate the power of an inquisitive mind. Keep asking questions and the ones that want answer will.

Gidday everyone, Here's a thought that has probably been discussed before. I played at a mates club last week and they had, as a local rule that a divot on the fairway, if repaired, is treated as GUR and affords a free lift and place. The idea was to encourage good habits with regards repairing divots. My question is, is the principle sound and should you be able to take relief from a divot mark? I know the rule, but it does 'twist my undies' to drill one straight down the middle only to find the ball sitting in someones old divot. REPAIRED OR NOT!

As I said at the star,t this was an experiment and one worth investigating. Knowing what your clubs can offer on the course in a variety of situations is always a benefit is really interesting. How many people walk to a par 4 and reach immediately for driver? Closer is not always better, as we see on Tour, the pro's will club back if the risk is not worth the reward (hitting 9iron instead of 3/4 wedge may be easier to get close, especially to an elevated green). Sometimes winning a match is not always about being the flashiest golfer, and knowing how to get the job done with your skill set is what will serve you best. My move to a course ranked in top 20 in Australia has seen me go from a 10hcp to 19 and now after 14 months back to 13 after last weekend. I can hit the long ball what I have had trouble with is scoring, hence the post, there is no where to hide, nowhere to hit back from the next fairway and no water so you just have to keep it straight. I love it! a true test of character. Your ceiling is your ceiling, if that means a 5 iron of the tee when the driver won't work then so be it but Tiger can win a British Open with a 3 wood then maybe it's something we all should think about. Not every hole though I love my Bigdog..

Well thankyou all for your input, it sounds like I need to go and hit the Callaway's. Meanwhile the Little BurnerTi keeps doin the job, much to the disgust of the pro who sold me the i20.It's much like its owner, a bit worn on the outside but surprisingly reliable and effective. I wonder if there are many people out there that have an old favourite in with there new set?

Gidday everyone, I have a set of g20's and my drivers are Ping anser's which I love but, my i20 hybrid and I have a love-hate relationship. I love the piercing ball flight but can't hit it consistently. This has resulted in an old favorite (TM Burner Ti 5wood) finding its way into my bag in recent weeks. I love the security of the deep face and the higher ball flight on approach but it is a 20 year old club and i was thinking of trading in the i20 for something similar. However, many of the new fairway woods have a wider head and shallower face making them perfect of the tee but not as easy off the deck. So, what do you think? which is the best fairway wood from the fairway?

Yes i suppose it could be. I found that I had to alter my target line then put a full swing on it. The target zone, being closer seemed much bigger so I could swing with confidence. You should always pick a target on that second shot, I'm always looking at my wedge distance or the 100m marker. But the philosophy will work just as well with a 5 wood or a hybrid from the tee, in fact thats the most likely way I will incorporate it into my comp rounds. Tell your mate not to worry about being slightly short for 3, thats what handicaps are for. But, I'll bet his ball striking will improve if he's always playing of fairway lies.

Yeah I know, not a new concept just didn't realise how effective it could be as a strategy. As I said I have no intention of playing a 5iron of every tee but I now know where it will put me and I have the option. The other thing is that I noticed that into the wind, because I hit the ball quite high with driver the difference between a iron or a hybrid and the driver doesn't warrant the risk. The #1 and #3 indexed holes on my course are 400m par 4's to elevated greens and commonly play into the prevailing wind and it is there where I'm suggesting some course management might be of benefit. I wasn't talking about getting out of trouble that's a given, but to consciously decide to not try and hit my long irons into the wind to elevated greens but to play for position and have 2 putts for boggy. Maybe being considered less manly is less embarrassing then constantly dragging my partners through bush looking golf balls or reloading all the time.

Normally I can hit about 8-10 the trouble is my course has very few joined fairways and is heavily bushed so there's no hitting it back over on to the right fairway, just reload and hit your 3rd. I hit a very high ball with my driver and average around 240m but I think it is into the wind that i will club back and hit an iron or hybrid. keep it in the middle.

Thanks Mate I will check that book out for sure.Had a tin cup moment on the weekend, must learn to stop think and put the fairway wood back. That was one of the best things about today. When you put yourself in a good position short of the green you give yourself the best chance to chip close and make your putt.

Gidday everyone, This is my first post for a while so bare with me. I have been sitting around the14 handicap range for the past couple of years and have been frustrated by ruining great rounds with big numbers on 1 or 2 holes, EG: podium finishes in consecutive monthly medal's recently with 9 and 10 on the card respectively. My course is a group 1 course in Newcastle Australia and is quite penal on way-wood drives and big numbers happen easily if you loose your head. So, this brings me to my point. I went out for a practice round this afternoon to do an experiment that I think everyone should try. To play a 5iron off the tee on every par 4&5! I hit my 5iron around 170m and was amazed when I walked off after 9 holes shooting 2 over off the stick with very little drama. I didn't try and hit the longer par 4's in 2, just laying up in front and got up and down on most and even birdied one of the par 5's with a dead stick PW and parred the other one. I didn't even look like getting in trouble. 38 is my lowest 9 holes ever. So what am I saying, well I guess I've had a holy crap moment and having my wife say 'Really that's nice dear', I needed to share with someone that gives a hoot! Now I'm not saying I'm selling my driver and buying a pencil bag and only carry 5 clubs. But maybe the big dog is not the club of choice on every hole and long irons into elevated greens maybe are shots best left to the low markers even on the par 4's. Now I just have to deal with my ego on Saturday and the crap I will cop from my buddies for hitting rescue on a par 5 and laying up on those long par 4's. Anyway thanks for listening, love to hear your thoughts. Cheers

Gidday everyone, This is my first post for a while so bare with me. I have been sitting around the14 handicap range for the past couple of years and have been frustrated by ruining great rounds with big numbers on 1 or 2 holes, EG: podium finishes in consecutive monthly medal's recently with 9 and 10 on the card respectively. My course is a group 1 course in Newcastle Australia and is quite penal on way-wood drives and big numbers happen easily if you loose your head. So, this brings me to my point. I went out for a practice round this afternoon to do an experiment that I think everyone should try. To play a 5iron off the tee on every par 4&5! I hit my 5iron around 170m and was amazed when I walked off after 9 holes shooting 2 over off the stick with very little drama. I didn't try and hit the longer par 4's in 2, just laying up in front and got up and down on most and even birdied one of the par 5's with a dead stick PW and parred the other one. I didn't even look like getting in trouble. 38 is my lowest 9 holes ever. So what am I saying, well I guess I've had a holy crap moment and having my wife say 'Really that's nice dear', I needed to share with someone that gives a hoot! Now I'm not saying I'm selling my driver and buying a pencil bag and only carry 5 clubs. But maybe the big dog is not the club of choice on every hole and long irons into elevated greens maybe are shots best left to the low markers even on the par 4's. Now I just have to deal with my ego on Saturday and the crap I will cop from my buddies for hitting rescue on a par 5 and laying up on those long par 4's. Anyway thanks for listening, love to hear your thoughts. Cheers

Yep went to my pro for a lesson and had it on a launch monitor. We are putting some lead in the head for a better feel, but as is, the fly distance was about 20 m down compared to a standard G25 that he gave me but the run was much better in the cut down burner. Net result, same same! Overall length. Ill take the improved accuracy everyday and bring on summer. That ping was very nice though, but I know what would be getting down if I came home with a new $450 driver. Isn't it funny how the little blondes can sometimes be the scariest.

I bought a superfast about 8 months ago and have had a love hate relationship with it. Finally the inconsistency made me investigate shortening the shaft. The pro force V2 stiff flex measured 47.25inch. I am 5"9' so I cut 2.5in of the butt end and have found the difference incredible. I have noticed minimal loss of length but I hit 10 fairways on Sat 42pts. feels like I'm swinging my 3 wood. Best thing I have ever done.