jb57

LOL, LOL...

Don't under estimate the PING G25's. Shot shaping? Yep, you can. A little help if you don't have perfect swing control? Yep, they do. They feel and look great to me, but may not be your cup of tea, if you are looking for a more classic type iron. But try them first, then say no if they don't meet your needs. Just don't overlook them.

LOL I like that response...

I have the Nike Performance carry stand bag and it's been great. I play the Nike PD Soft, and Nike Vapor Black balls sometimes as well. I like them both. Of course I'm not a scratch or low handicapper either, but these products seem good for me. I regularly play the Top Flight Gamer ball, but when I get a good deal on the Nike's I pick them up too.

The Wilsons sound like a good choice. I hear good stuff about them. Mizuno JPX 825's are pretty sweet. I myself purchased PING G25's about 2 months ago. Love 'em! But if you're trying to buy a full set, irons, driver, woods, putter etc. that may be out of your ball park. Check online for good deals. I picked up PING hybrids, G15 and G20's for about 1/3 the cost of new. They were store demos, but in nearly perfect condition. No worse than if I had played a half dozen rounds or so with them. You might find some great deals online for some clubs that are a year or two removed from being the lastest models. Nothing wrong with them at all... They were the best of the best back when they were new, so who cares! You'll get more for your money that way. I used www.3balls.com and found some great deals on my PING hybrids, driver, fairway wood. You can buy some great stuff and save a lot of money doing that. These guys are legit, sell authentic factory clubs, no counterfits, and they are really customer oriented. I was really happy with everything I purchased through them. But do yourself a favor before purchasing anything. Go for a fitting. Don't spend your hard earned cash on clubs unless they are fit for your swing, and size. It made a huge difference for my game. Even if you don't purchase clubs from them after the fitting, at least you know exactly what you should be looking for. Have fun shopping, do your research, swing a variety of club brands if you can. Ranges often have demos you can try out, if they also sell clubs. Take your time, it's a big purchase, and you want to be happy with your decision. I bought my PING G25 irons brand new from a local dealer. I went to two fittings... One at a range, and I felt like the guy rushed through, and just got me on my way. I didn't buy from him. I then went to another place, a retail golf shop. The fitter was cool, took his time, talked with me about my game, my experience level. He didn't treat me like a noobie. He really helped me. He has a customer for life. I buy most of my stuff there now. Then I happened to catch PING reps and their trailer at the driving range. I hit a few balls and the PING rep built a couple clubs for me. Different shafts, head lie angles etc. and it confirmed what I already knew from the retail fitting. It made me very confident to go ahead and make the purchase, because what PING said was good for me, was exactly what the retail shop came up with. So, find a good place to be fit, even get a second or third opinion, then spend that cash! You won't regret it. Go for a set that is a year or two old if you can find some that fit you. They will be excellent, and you will stretch your dollars much farther, for better gear overall. Good luck and have fun!

I like playing alone sometimes. I get to talk myself through the game management, work out what I need to do to correct a bad shot, how to handle a bad lie, etc. All without anyone looking at me like I'm a babbling nut case! LOL No really, you can get into the game that way, at least I do. Then when I'm playing with someone, I can call on the experiences I worked through when playing by myself. Ok, I'm still a nut case! LOL Go for it. You'll enjoy it!

LOL I resemble this definition to the tee, and all over the place for that matter! "My kid lost two sleeves on one tee" Seriously... he needs to buy his own dang balls! That might cure his slice...

Be sure to let everyone here know when you plan to attend. They can all follow you around, and when you get your jolly's off by yelling something stupid, they can all politely kick your A .

And there is your answer, in all it's non-politically correct glory! Moron? Is that the best we can do? Let's get more specific... It is an A%$ H ! and has no business at an event... There, that's better!

I like Mark's videos a lot. He has helped me out for sure. Usually something he says, just clicks, and I give it a try. Works for me. I also like Shawn Clement. His fade and draw videos #1 #2 #3 really explained the concept quite well for me. I've tried other tips for working the ball, but not with the success I had using Shawn's instruction. In fact, the very first time I tried to draw the ball (on purpose) doing what he said to do, I was shocked! It was perfect. The next 20 or so, weren't so perfect... but it worked for me better than any attempt I've made before. The YouTube instructor I started off with, who helped undo all the bad stuff I was doing before, was Paul Wilson. He teaches a basic, simple, easy to understand method of swinging the golf club. Watching him, fixed all kinds of messed up stuff. I have been self taught, meaning using free YouTube instruction, and I have kept my swing very simple, based on Paul's instruction. I'm not a big hitter, but I don't need to be. The ball stays in play, pretty accurate, and I'm enjoying golf more than ever. I don't analyze my swing over and over, get into my head so bad I can't swing at all etc. I just keep it basic and simple. When things so go bad, I usually can fix the problem with a short think through of the basics. I go back to the fundamentals I learned watching Paul's videos, and bang, I'm back on plane, swinging with a natural, relaxed motion. I don't aspire to be a pro, but to simply enjoy the game and improve over time. I took up golf for excercise and pleasure, and I'm having a great time with the game. I'm enjoying it much more than I ever have. I've learned to laugh at my bad days, realizing I'm an amateur, nothing more. It takes the stress and frustration out of the equation. Golf, I enjoy it, and plan on keeping my day job!

Hit my clubs? I can hit the ball ok, but I can throw my clubs really good!

I do the same. I really need to improve my game, so playing alone allows me to focus on exactly that. I play a par 3 to work on the short game. There is usually no one around on a late evening, so I can drop balls at certain distances to pitch to the green, into the cat box to work out my sand game, etc. I like it, but it is fun to play with someone, usually my son. We have a great time, but the practice I get on the course, I find is better than a range.

I'm gonna be real here. Dang, some guys hit the dimples off 'dem balls! My best estimate, based on flagged distances, no range finder: Driver: 230-240 2 Hybrid: 215-225 3 Hybrid: 195-210 4 Hybrid: 175-200 5 iron: 163-170 6 iron: 153-160 7 iron: 143-150 8 iron: 130-140 9 iron: 120-127 45* PW: 105-110 50* GW: 85-100 55* SW: 70-80 60* LW: 55-65 This is smooth controlled swing for accuracy, not distance. If I turn my hips through faster, I get more yardage. But more isn't always better in my case... I'm 56 yrs old with a slower swing speed, regular flex shafts. I use Nike Power Distance Soft for a ball. That should tell you something right there. If I tried to hit as far as some of the guys, oh heck, FORE! FORE! FORE! LOOK OUT! DUCK! SORRY DUDE!

Advise less hip turn as well. Shorten the back swing. Stay controlled. A balanced, controlled strike on the ball will carry farther than a big out of balance swing. Straighter too. Keep the lower body quiet, turn the shoulders, keep your feet planted and weight balanced. Turning the hips too much reduces your coil, no matter how great your shoulder turn my be. Power is in the coiling of your upper body. It creates a tension, like a spring being wound up. If you twist the top of a spring, it creates tension. If you do that, then twist the bottom of the spring the same direction as well, you lose the tension (power). Make sense? Shoulder turn 90* if you can, hips only 45* or less. I'm working on that too. Keeping my feet firm, not picking up the heels etc. Just working on a good coil of the shoulders, then turning the belt buckle to the target. So, back to target, then belt buckle to target. Shoulders rotate on plane, not vertical up n down. Just think of coiling up a spring... spring is your spine angle, twist the top of the spring to coil and create tension, then release. Let your arms fall into plane, don't try to swing... the rotation of your lower body (hips and belly) toward the target will uncoil your torso, and propel your arms through impact.

I really liked the look and feel of the PING Tour wedges too. But, since I'm not too good, and didn't want to think about it too much (bounce, grind), I chose the ATV's. The terrain around the central valley ranges from hard firm sand (if you can call it sand) to nasty rough, and very dry tight approaches. I get around a bit, so I do encounter "real sand" at a few courses! The ATV's made sense for me (all terrain) and so far so good. But those Tours you have are "purty"... Would have been my choice too, if not for the wide variety of terrain around here.

LOL yes, I picked up G15 17* G20 20* and G20 23* hybrids along with a G15 driver. Pretty sold on PING quality. I was very intrigued by the TM ATV wedges, so I went 56* 60* with those. But very pleased with PING. I like the iron type hybrids over the wood type. That's why the G15, G20's plus saved lots of $$$ and got great clubs.

Just played my first round with new G25 irons 5-U. Love them! Straight, nice feel, nice sound on impact. I'm very happy with them.