CarlJr

I'm trying to get back into playing a little and really dislike my bag. I'd like a new cart bag, but don't really want to spend ~$200 for a C-130 or the like. Is there a less expensive alternative someone could recommend?

Does that just hook up to a tv monitor, or a laptop? That would be really cool to have at home. It looks like you can pick up a used on on ebay for ~$2K.

There is a PGA Superstore in the area, and somewhere here I have a flier for their prices. But it's a pretty decent drive for me, and the Golfsmith is really convenient. That's the only recent I mentioned Golfsmith.

This is a picture from another thread, but this similar to the set-up at Golfsmith;

I was at Golfsmith last night getting a new bag and was talking to the guy in the back working with the launch monitors. My clubs are a little dated so I'm in the market for something new anyhow. It sounded pretty interesting and I've never hit on one before. I think he said it's $20. I'm also going to start attending a weekly clinic at a course nearby and probably take some private lessons. So I'm wondering if doing the launch monitor would even help at this point? I hate my driver and 3 wood, I slice both like crazy. Although I have a feeling the slice has nothing to do with the club. Anyway, I was just wondering if there's some sort of consensus on getting fitted and using a launch monitor as you're getting started and changing your swing? Although it might be interesting to see some actual numbers on how my swing was in the beginning and how it changes.

They're having a 20% sale on golf bags. I got my coupon via e-mail, but there's also a code you can use on the website or the location I went to had coupons printed out. There are some restrictions, I don't think it's good on Ping maybe, or something like that. There was something else on the coupon, 15% off on drivers or something like that. I can post the coupon code if anyone needs it.

I stopped off at Golfsmith this evening and looked around a little. I found a Sun Mountain Superlight 3.5 that was marked down from $139 to $99 and I used the 20% off coupon on top of that, so it was ~$80. I'm really pleased.

I was more curious how you liked it? Can the 'hug' part be removed to basically just make it a regular superlight bag?

Has anyone tried the Superlight with the foam arm that 'hugs' around your waist?

I broke off one of the legs on my stand bag and I'd like to find a replacement. I ride, but I'd like to have an inexpensive stand bag just in case and to use at the range. Golfsmith is having a 20% off sale, so I thought this might be a good time. They've got a Callaway Mini Looper for $70 and then 20% off of that. There were a couple of others under $100. Nike Xtreme Sport Carry II, Tour Trek Sahara. Or something else I might check out in that price range?

I love mechanical watches. These are the two I've been wearing lately;

Meaning the launch monitor will tell you the optimal shaft weight for you, high/low/med kickpoint, etc? Or you input the spin rate, sidespin, launch angle, etc into some sort of computer program and it suggests various clubs and shafts?

I've never used a launch monitor, so I don't understand exactly what they do... But what information did you get from the launch monitor that led you to know all of that?

I think I will sign up for the player improvement program this month and see how much I use it. Hitting range balls and doing the weekly clinics should be helpful. One assistant pro does the Friday clinic and another does the Saturday. I think I'll try going to both this week and see if I click with either to do some private lessons.

I played occasionally until about 4-5 years ago and have only played twice since then. Once in a scramble a few years ago and a casual round last Friday. I'd really like to start playing regularly and try and improve. I'll try and hit on a few things that I think might be relevant; -I work for myself and my schedule is flexible enough that I can get away almost any weekday for a bucket of balls or a lesson. -I'm a big guy and my swing speed is fairly high. I'm not consistent by any means, but my good shots are almost always longer than the good shots of my playing partners. At the scramble I won the long drive prize. -I think my clubs fit me ok, but I'd like to upgrade most of them and get something that I *know* fits and might be more forgiving. There's a PGA Superstore relatively nearby that has some kind of launch monitor set-up and they do fitting. -I'm just *really* inconsistent. With my irons, if I fit it well, it's a nice, long draw. I also top the ball and hit it thin A LOT. If I hit my 4 iron, I'm as likely to top it 20 yards as I am to hit a 210 yard draw. I also sometimes hit my shorter irons with what feel like good shots but are pulled to the left. I never slice my irons. My 3 wood is also spotty. If I hit it good it's fairly straight, but I also top it too. My driver is almost always a slice. -The only specific swing mistake I *know* I make is a "chicken wing" finish. I've had that since I first picked up a club and don't know how to get rid of it. And here are a few options I have available; -There's a course nearby that offers a "player improvement program" where you can hit unlimited range balls and participate in a couple of weekly clinics for ~$40/Mo. I like the idea of this, especially the clinics. -Obviously I could take private lessons. I'm sure someone at the local course offers lessons. And the PGA store offers video lessons (and apparently you get to take home a video CD) and the prices are fairly reasonable. -I could get fit for clubs that are more forgiving than what I have. This sounds like fun, but would there be any point before I work on some of my swing flaws? So...where would you start?

Other than using the swing speed to determine your shaft stiffness, how if the other information useful?

Sounds good, I think I'll try a pair of the Reelfits...

Just curious how you like them? I was about to buy a pair of Footjoys and was considering the Contour, but the Dryjoys or Reelfits are in about the same $ ballpark, so just trying to decide between the three.

Funny. Yeah, they did have a Hummer golf cart out front. For the guy who wishes he could drive his Hummer out on the course maybe?

Ok, I stopped at the PGA Superstore in Plano this afternoon. Wow! The place was awesome. For six lessons using the bays with the simulators, it's $200. That includes video CDs of your lessons and a separate fitting session that's usually $80. To just use the bay with the video camera, but without instruction, is $100 for six sessions. They also have monthly and yearly packages. It actually seemed pretty reasonable, but too far away for me to use. Although I might consider taking a lesson or two just to see how I'm looking on video. And the club fitting might be nice at some point.

Wow, I've never heard of that before. I've been out of the loop for a few years. I'll have to check out the PGA store. I'm more on the Ft Worth side of the metroplex and we have a Edwin Watts and Golfsmith, but it sounds like it would be worth the drive to check it out. So I guess there's an optimal set of conditions that you're looking for on the monitor? And you just try out different combinations until you find a sweet spot?

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what's a launch monitor?

It's an interesting idea, although I'm sure it would end with a hole in the sheetrock somehow.

It might be nice to have a set-up like that in the garage and be able to video your swing and watch it back.

Is there something in your ball flight that would make you think your shafts aren't the correct flex for your swing? Or is it just a matter of swing speed?