sundevil31673

Just wanted to post a clarification....I realize professionals don't carry their bags...didn't read what I was writing...nonetheless, still admire the fact that these guys and girls can walk 4-5 miles day after day and in many cases extremely oppressive heat.....

I'd like to hear people's opinions regarding whether scoring well in a round of golf is in someway diminished if you rode in a cart for the entire round. From my perspective, "true" golf is only played when one walks a course as this certainly requires a degree of physical stamina that riding in a cart simply does not demand. Having walked many rounds in my life and especially as I get older (41 years old), I have a deep appreciation and admiration for what golf professionals are able to do every week. To be able to have the legs, concentration, and body control to repeatedly hit a ball solidly and doing so while walking an 18 hole 7000+ yard course and while carrying a 15+ golf bag is definitely a challenge that non-golfers cannot appreciate. Personally, the last several holes of an 18 hole walking round always are the most challenging as my legs tend to feel like mush. And this comes from a former soldier who has seen his fair share of long ruck marches and hikes. I guess I just feel as that when I score well after having used a cart, I just don't have that same level of satisfaction as I do when I score well after having walked the course. Perhaps I should just consider them two different types of golf similar to half-court and full-court basketball. Anyway, I would love to learn whether you consider walking vs. riding as two different types of golf or if someone who scores well while riding is viewed no differently than someone who scores well after having walked.

I can definitely feel your pain. Recently, I had been hitting solid drives (250-265 yards) at the first hole of my home course (Par 4 - 320 yards) leaving me with a 3/4 - full SW into the green. Invariably, at least 30% of the time I would hit the wedge approach shot thin (leading edge) and over the green. After looking at my swing, the club pro recommended that I de-loft the club a bit more by using a bit more forward press and lo and behold, much better results and with a nice divot as well. In fact, the additional forward press has really worked well for my gap wedge and mid-to-low irons as well. Much better ball striking now Another poster also recommended that you slow down your swing which I completely agree with as I found that the slower my takeaway, the better I typically strike the ball. What I have also done when possible is take at least 5 good balls (if no other people are playing behind you of course) and hit them all into that first hole's green at SW distance so that I become very comfortable with that 2nd shot. I repeat until I've made all 5 balls. I find that this, rather than just hitting balls at a target on the range, simulates the pressure of playing an actual hole for a score. Anyway, good luck and keep at it.

I started my son at 8 years old which, amazingly, almost feels too late given how competitive junior golf is here in Arizona. There are some really talented kids playing on the various junior tours here. My son has progressed well and has been working quite hard on his game. I definitely think he could have started a few years earlier, preferably around 6, however, with a limited attention span. Bottom line, it's never too early to get them started.