Hellisan

Thanks guys. I really wanted to stay away from lessons, because once I go in and get "fixed" there'll be the temptation to go in and do that every time. And spend thousands of dollars on lessons, which I'd really rather be putting into other things. But I might just do it anyway.

I've been playing for a couple years, very sporadically, and still think of myself as a very new player. (Perhaps that's part of the problem, and my refusal to take lessons). One thing I have always struggled with is simply lining up the club in my grip and behind the ball. If I stand comfortably with the club in my hands, I think I have it too open. Should the line of the club and the shaft line up exactly straight with my left arm? Generally speaking, I think golf clubs are designed so that they can be hit any number of ways, but I still think there is probably a "wrong" and "right" way to do it if you're hitting a normal, full shot. Also, when I'm standing comfortably, it looks like the heel of the club is where the weight is centered. Could that have to do with chunking the ball? Should I lift my wrists up slightly to make sure the club is standing flat, or is it just a matter or preference, or what? if anybody has some easy checks I could do at address, I'd be eternally grateful.

Thanks. They say it's the golf capital of the U.S. these days, bound to be a few of us...

Thanks for the welcome man! That is pretty surprising that you guys would recognize me, yes I do post on some Madden/NCAA forums. I was a long-time forum moderator/administrator at MaddenMania. We recently "joined forces" (were acquired by) Operation Sports - www.operationsports.com - and I write a few articles for them now just for fun, but I'm not quite as involved in the day to day anymore. Really looking forward to NCAA Football and online dynasties. Sadly, I won't be going to the US Open. Busy this week and then have plans all weekend (mostly involving golf :) ) But I will watch it all on my Tivo. Thanks again man. Thanks for the welcome bro. Yeah, we have a pretty rowdy forum over there at times, give each other a lot of junk, etc. This is a lot different and I can appreciate the great look/feel of the forums and the way people interact here. edit: Hey, another San Diegan! Nice!

Howdy Joe, nice to see another So-Cal newb on the board.

Well, I found this place whilst searching for tips on breaking 100, so that tells you about where I am as a golfer. I've broken 100 twice (95, 98). . I'm based in San Diego County, CA. My "home course" if you will is San Vicente Country Club in Ramona, CA. It's a pretty tough course but enjoyable once you know it. I've been playing since late 2005, and have probably put in about 25-30 rounds since then. My 98 came there, the 95 came at Encinitas Ranch (much more forgiving) in my only time playing there. I feel as though I've made some progress based simply on the tips that I've read here. Pretty much the only reason I signed up was to thank the various members who have taken their time to post such great tips in the breaking 100, breaking 90 threads. That's awesome stuff. Thanks everybody. On an unrelated note, I also feel as if I've finally gotten the feel of casting late, after my hip turn brings my arms down. I'm a self-taught golfer and I really don't think I can afford lessons, so I just try and make a real short, simple back swing and keep to the basics I've read in books. Hope to continue making progress and one day be a sub 10 handicap. Bryan, San Diego

I don't like them either. I'm new to the game though. I might end up changing my mind, but for now I just use my irons. I don't even like hitting my fairway woods, my 4 iron goes anywhere from 185 to 200 yards (hitting it clean) and I really haven't seen a need to hit it further than that. I might look into a 3 iron or eventually try a 2 iron, but for some reason, hybrids have always seemed a little cheesy to me. I know all of our equipment is better than what they used 20+ years ago, but I think the hybrids are a little too far.

I played an Executive Course in Solana Beach, definitely the easiest course I've played yet, and shot a 71 (56 is the par). It's an awful score, but compared to Reidy Creek, which is my typical par 3/ short game hangout, it was a great score... hahaha. Man there are so many questions I want to ask but I can't create a thread, I'll have to keep looking for threads that are on topic to stuff I wanna ask....

First of all, let me say I'm new to the forum. Since I can't create posts to "introduce" myself, I'll have to do it here. I've been golfing since around Christmas of 2005, when my dad bought me a set of $100 clubs (Cougar Golf FTW!!). I have improved my scores from 110+ to 100+ in that timeframe. I certainly haven't had any "breakthrough" moments, but I recently did start to realize - at least partially - how much concentration it takes to hit the ball well, consistently. I primarily created this account to thank the guys who give advice on topics like breaking 100 - which I've done only twice - I really learned from some of those, and I'm hoping to come to some of those breakthrough moments in the upcoming year. Bryan San Diego, CA edit: I agree to an extent about the tips. Especially if you're not any good! Stop telling me how to play if you can't break 90!!! But I think there are some instances in which you should speak up. I'll give an example. My Dad is a high 70s, low 80's shooter who for awhile was above 85 for like 20 rounds in a row. I first noticed that he was missing birdie putts in the 7 and under foot range all the time - I never saw him make one of those in several rounds. Also, he was inconsistent with the putter all around. Not the most patient guy to begin with, one day I decided to mention to him that after he made contact with the putt he was immediately stepping into a chase mode, and not standing over the putt afterward. He made the change and hasn't shot ABOVE 85 since. That's the kind of tip that even a horrible golfer like myself can help somebody with. I'd never mention any aspect of the swing to anybody, though.