NJpatbee

It has rarely happened but I have moved the ball off a rock so as to not damage my club or wrists. I used to live in hilly, rocky NW Jersey but it is not longer an issue near the Jersey Shore. If I am playing in a $$ match or for handicap I take an unplayable lie penalty.

I have 17 posted rounds this season which is the most I have had in 10 years and I believe that my handicap is fairly accurate. If the weather cooperates I hope to have at least 20 and have my handicap current.

I use a 2h thru 6h and at age 67 I believe that the hybrids have kept me in the game. 25 years ago I could hit a good 2 iron but once I turned 60 I found that I could no longer generate enough club head speed for long and mid irons (a chronic bad back did not help). The hybrids are a tremendous help for me and I find them easy to hit.

I have taken a number of lessons in the past but with the body of a 67 year old with a bad back and bum hip I have learned to swing in a manner that stops me from breaking something. I do believe a good teacher can help you greatly if you have the agility and basic skills required.

At my level “pure” is relative and I chose 1-3. I typically hit at least one drive exactly where I wanted to with a carry and roll up to 225. I also play a lot of hybrids and will hit a shot or two as straight and far as I am able. Pure? To a 67 year old 16 handicap they feel pure to me.

My worse etiquette violation unfortunately took place in front of my grandson. We were playing a resort with 5 golf courses and there are times when non-golfers who are staying there decide to play a round of golf. A foursome jumped in front of us while we were playing and it was clear from watching them that they were not golfers and they were taking forever. To make matters worse, they would leave their golf carts about 75 yards from the green and then take their time walking back to the carts after 5-8 putts each. Finally on one par 5 they parked their carts about 150 yards from the green and strolled up towards the green. At this point I was fuming and waiting to hit my second shot on the par 5 and I pulled out a hybrid and nuked the ball into one of their carts (I never thought I would actually hit one of the carts). The players on the green just waved and seemed to think that I just hit a wayward shot. My grandson thought it was "cool" and a great shot and I had to explain to him that I was way out of line and it wasn't cool, but stupid and inconsiderate on my part. Very embarrassing and something I will never forget. Fortunately my grandson did understand that I was totally wrong.

A lot of good advice and I would add having a pro look at your swing - it may be something simple. If all else fails a little time off may help. I had a period of 2 months where it was like I never hit a golf ball before and I was too frustrated and embarrassed to play a round. I gave golf up for about a year and did a lot of fly fishing. When the golf bug bit me again I came back with a ton of renewed energy and optimism and started playing to my ability again with some improvement. It happens to most of us and there is not one prescription that fits all. Good luck!

The LPGA has to stand on its own and provide a product that the American audiences (where the $$ is) will follow. I find it interesting to watch a few LPGA events and the players are talented and I can also identify more with their distances and course management than the PGA Tour. The LPGA does need more American superstars which should bump up the viewership and perhaps bring higher purses. But the reality is that the best golfers in the world are on the PGA Tour and they generate the most interest and revenue.

Group 1. Group 2 I would be too intimidated to enjoy myself.

Rory has played at a high level (with the exception of the Open) this season and appears to have more of a killer instinct than Jordan. I would like to see Spieth get on track for another Major but he just seems hesitant and unsure of himself to me.

I usually play the hole out and if it is a match I take whatever score I had. For handicap purposes I adjust using ESC and if I am not playing a match I still play out (unless the course is crowded) but card the ESC.

I have never quit a round due to bad play. However, about 15 years ago I had a 2 month stretch that was horrible and even lessons did not help. I was not enjoying myself so I picked up the fly rod and did not play golf for almost a year. When I got the golf bug again, my swing (such as it is for a 16 hcp) came back very quickly and l have been at it ever since. And I did get in some great fly fishing for trout.

Thanks, I did not know that they were playing in Australia during December.

I do not get worked up over the FedEx Cup/Tour Championship but hopefully we will get some good golf to watch. For the players it can be a big payday but to me it is anticlimactic after the four Majors. As for Tiger, I expect him to play fairly well in the warmer weather and be in the money but with the handicapping it makes it difficult for golfers that do not play many tournaments. I watched the first President's Cup but haven't watched since. I suspect that Tiger will be tired after the playoffs and will not play.

I struggle with an uphill lie, especially in the rough.