dkinser86

At the top of the swing, what is considered neutral, closed and opened, as far as the clubface is concerned. And does this sound right. I feel like I have a shut face at the top of the swing, and I try to open on the downswing, creating a higher than usual ballflight. Does this sound right. If it does, what are some possible fixes?

I am actually going through the same thing at this moment. Last summer, Iw as hitting the ball as good as I ever had. I had an old set of Callaway X12's and could hit a 9 Iron 155 and was really consistent. I was shooting in the mid to high 70s consistently. But, I wanted to become better, more of a shotmaker. Draws, fades, high, low, I want to do it all. So, I bought a set of Mizuno MP 30's. In changing irons, though I began hitting my 9 iron about 135 now. Honestly, I wouldn't mind it so much, but I still can't work the ball. I had a high ballflight to begin with, but ballflight is higher than ever. It doesn't really balloon either; its just high! I don't really know what to work on either, which is the most annoying part. Let me know how your lesson goes with Golf Galaxy. I was thinking about doing the same thing. GOOD LUCK!

My suggestion for this is to make OB a 2 stroke penalty and play it like a lateral hazard, without the option of playing from the hazard. This would maintain the risk/reward mentioned above, but also maintain pace of play a bit better. Also, I would like to see more players play within the spirit of the rules. The reason for such rules as playing from a divot, fixing a spike mark and things of that nature, is to prevent players from taking advantage of the rules. Myself, I don't like the fact that I can hit a perfect drive, in the middle of the fairway, but it lands in a divot b/c some a$$hole was too lazy to replace his divot. Why should I be penalized for it? I believe if I were playing in the spirit of the rules I should be allowed to take the relief. But, alas, people do not concern themselves with the spirit of the rules. So we have rules such as that. As for the PGA Tour, I would like to see a rule that limits the number of clubs a player can carry to 10. I really believe that would improve the quality of players on the tour. It would benefit more shotmakers, than bombers. Of course, if you hit it that far, it limits the number of clubs you need anyways. Maybe I will repost with some other ideas wen i'm a bit more awake...

Probably the worst conditions I played in was probably my best round. Southern Indiana, mid-April. My high school plays in a 9 hole tournament. Its about 15 degrees, 20-30 mph winds, a hard drizzle for most of the round. I started double-double, then proceeded to shot -1 for remaining 7 holes to set the tournament record. Of course, the tournament was just 4 years old at the time, and the record as since been broken. But I'm still really proud of that trophy in my room.

I am 21 and played baseball throughout my childhood. I started playing golf when i was 13 or so. Being used to baseball, I adopted a baseball grip for golf as well. I got used to it. My coach and a friend's dad who as won on some local tours tried to get me to convert to an interlock grip, but it felt uncomfortable. I never did convert all the way. And right now, I still use a baseball grip, and I feel my long game is almost as good as anyone's. Moral of the story, don't be scared to tinker until you find something that works. Also to the point of the thread. I still play both golf and softball competitively. I feel as long as I keep the different mechanics straight in my head, I do fine. In saying this, I do feel if I devoted my time to just one sport, i would do much better, but i would also get burned out a bit easier.

I'm a young player trying to improve my game. I've never been much of a practicer, more of the Carlos Franco type that shows up and figures it out on the course. Currently, I'm struggling with the putter (what young player isn't) I was wondering what practice drills or anything of that nature everyone else uses successfully. Also, kind of related any types of drills or routines used in practicing other parts of the game. Thanks!

Played a local course the other day. Didn't play particularly well. Shot 89, but putted beautifully. It was my first with my new driver, and didn't hit it very well. But made lots of putts. The real joy of the day is the fact that it was the first time my girlfriend had played with me. It was awesome. I got to work with her on a few fundamentals, but mainly just let her do her thing. She shot something in the 160's maybe, (i can't remember exactly). But on the last hole...probably a 330 yard par 4 straight uphill with a big pond in front of the green, she hit or drive up the right, yanked her second shot probably 60 yards left of the green to avoid the water (her course management is great!) topped the chip shot just barely on the green. Then she holed a 50 foot putt for par. I think after that she's taken up golf hook, line and sinker!!!

I prefer to walk. I can find my rhythm much easier when I walk. I do ride occasionally. Mainly b/c I know the owner of my local course, and he lets me ride for free. Most of the time, I only ride when I am having a practice round, or if I got a few friends more interested in fun rather than golf.

I'm more of a player that likes to feel the right mechanics. So my preshot goes something like thi - Address the situation (of course, while I'm walking up to the ball) - Check the yardage of where I want the ball to land. - See the shot shape i want - Then i try to feel the right mechancis for the shot that i want - Pick an alignment aide - One waggle, deep breath, forward press and swing When putting -Read putt from behind the ball -align a line that i mark on my ball to the spot where i want to go (this way, i don't have to worry about the line, i just worry about speed) -two or three practice swings for feel -swing!

I've never done it during a round. But a buddy and I were playing horse (a chipping game) after practice one day. Basically you call the shot that and where it is going. I called a flop shot that would dunk the hole, and actually pulled it off. I was amazed that I pulled it off. We had some money riding on it, of course which made it better. The craziest thing is that he hit the exact same shot, and put it right on top of my ball. It was absolute craziness. Guess i was never going to win the little match.

I would say that I would beat him at bass fishing, bowling, and maybe darts. Not too sure about darts though, with his hand-eye coordination.

Your welcome! And second the thanks for such knowledgeable replies. That is the reason why I joined this forum. Thanks a bunch. Now to my next question. Is there anything special you can do with forged clubs. I got a deal on my used of Mizunos, which are forged. Anything special I need to do?

Hey guys - I just had a question about how to spin the ball back. It seems that no matter how much I try, I just can't do it. Right now I play Vokey Spin Milled Wedges, and Mizuno MP30's with Noodles. I can stop a full shot on a dime with any club (including long irons). I was wondering if there is some magical technique I need to use. Is it my equipment? I am a consistent ball striker that can hit a 9 Iron 145 yds. I feel like my swing may be to shallow. Any advice will be welcomed.

I was wondering if there is any particular way to clean clubs correctly. Right now, I have a set of Mizuno MP30's and I'm not sure exactly how to clean them good without damaging or having them rust. Any specific do's and don't's? Thanks!

My bag is in my signature. It would say that I am a consistent ball striker, but you all haven't seen me play the last couple weeks. Also, it might help to add that i just got the entire set since last fall. And the driver just a week ago. Upgraded the iron from Callaway X12's in search for feel and workability.

Pars get nothing. Birdies get a circle Eagles and anything else farther under par gets two circle. Bogeys get a square, doubles and anything else get two square. Of course, this system can be adapted for anyone.

Well...i am back home in town called Marengo. Its about an hour east of Evansville. But while I'm in Evansville, I like to play Cambridge, Henderson Players Club and Quail Crossing. Those are some really nice courses with good twilight rates.

I used to not wear sunglasses when I played. I just felt that I could see better without them. Then i read this article about how the right pair of sunglasses can help, specifically a good pair of sunglasses with amber lenses. I decided to try it with cheap pair at Wal-Mart. I got to the first green with these and the line on the putt just stood out. I started putting the best i have ever putted. Over the winter, they got scratched pretty badly, so i had to trash them, but Wal-Mart quit making them with the amber lenses. So i had to go without. I tried to find them, but I'm a poor college student and couldn't afford $100 for sunglasses. Then i went to a golf course and happened to look over and found a whole stack of them for $20. I bought three! I really suggest at least a trial for golfers who have trouble seeing the break on putts.

Shot 72 at my local course. Completely different nine's though. Had 9 pars on the front. The started the back birdie, birdie, eagle. Then went double, triple. Then, I come to 18 a hard dogleg left par 5. I never shot under par, so i knew i needed that eagle. Hit a perfect hook around the dogleg to give myself a chance. Had about 250 to the flag, 215 to the front edge. I absolutely smoke the 3wood to get there. Had about 25 feet for the eagle, gave it a nice run, but had to settle for a tap in birdie for 72. Ashame i had to have the double and triple, but i didn't have a bogey all day!

Hey ya'll. Found this site just searching for random discussions on numerous issues. I really think I will enjoy being on the website. Well, a little about me. I'm from Southern Indiana, and go to school at the University of Evansville, majoring in Economics and Mathematics. For the summer, I work as a Customer Service Manager at my local Wal-Mart. I have a girlfriend, who is the love of my life. I try to play golf as often as I can. I average around 82. With a low 18 hole around at 70 at my local track. About midway through last summer I made a commitment to becoming a better golfer. I felt like my clubs were holding me back a bit, so in came a new set of Mizuno MP30's. At the end of last summer, i really started to play well, averaging around 75 over my last 8 rounds. This spring, I was back up around the mid 80's then I shot 71 at Quail Crossing (and it was my first time playing the course). But, I just couldn't get anything after that. Really, I'm not making very many putts. Anyways, with my commitment to play better this summer, I'm really going to try to visit many different types of course around the area. So, if any of you guys are around So. Indiana, let me know and we can go for a round.

Even though I wasn't able to live in Jack's prime, I reallly believe he will is the best golfer ever. People say Tiger is a better athlete, but get this, Jack Nicklaus was offered a scholarship to play football at Ohio St. Only after talking to then coach Woody Paige (yes the same Woody Page you can see on ESPN), did Jack begin concentrating solely on football. With Tiger's discipline, I believe he could have been very good at almost anything he set his mind to. But to be recruited by a college as OSU? I don't know. Then you have to compare the technologies that each play with. I mean, just look at Jack's shot at th '67 Open at Baltusrol. A 1 iron, 238, uphill into the wind on the 72nd hole to win? With that technology? An old blade with the sweetspot about the size of a spec of sand. Could Tiger have in that shot with that equipment? I would bring that to question. Just one more point. Tiger has yet to come from behind to win. He is probably the greatest frontrunner in history. But can he go to the back nine on sunday down 2 shots and pull out a win?

I play at Old English Golf Course ( www.oldenglishgolf.com ) Its a new course, not even 10 years old. I actually help build the course, being in charge of a group of 5 guys to install 25 bunkers over a summer.

I'm a student at the University of Evansville. I major in Economics and Mathematics. I hope to work in market research eventually.