ClairefromClare

Fun time, isn't it? Couldn't do this weekend, but I've done the Sybase at Upper Montclair a couple of times. Go for the standard bearer job. Best one on the course. You get to follow a two- or threesome for the entire 18 holes, from pre shot routine to course management. Even if you aren't with big name players, it's a real education. And the standard bearer, unlike the walking scorer, doesn't have to think (though I usually help out on that as well). And we'll probably be away next year for Libery National. Likely the only way to get on that course, huh?

Some years back, I remember reading that Vijay changes his irons (wedges?) every several months because the grooves are worn out. Like that would EVER happen to me.

My eight year old puts my initials on my balls for me. Can't miss 'em.

Last year, I played the Forest Course at http://www.fiddlerselbowcc.com/ with some friends. One gal had a lousy approach shot and, almost as a joke, slung her club in frustration. She tossed it further than she planned; it landed in a thick patch of fescue and brambles, more than head high. She had to play the rest of the round without her pitching wedge. We went back for it at the end, and it took forever to find it again. Taught her.

Keep your own scorecard, and on those rows for the other three players, keep track of fairways hit, greens in regulation, and putts. That was a HUGE eye opener. After a round, count up the number of putts per hole in excess of two. That's how many strokes you'll shave off if you focus hard on your putting. A whole lot easier and faster than mastering that 300 yard burner off the tee.

I have the Sun Mountain 3.5 and love it. You almost can't feel it, and there's room for everything. The best part is that it's hot pink, so when I use a caddy, he (always a he) gets to walk around with it. On the pushcart thing, The real key is to get a basket. http://www.comoze.com/accessories.html It holds my head covers, a jacket, anything else I need. I swear I feel like I've got a Buick or something, but all my playing partners are jealous.

Ah--but is the subsequent shot a putt per GIR? Whoops--didn't read all the way down before trying to be cute.

Oh let's make this fun and adjust GIR for handicap. If you're tracking that way, then add the strokes you're given for the hole to par before subtracting two. Okay, a few of you may have to subtract strokes, but not I. How else could you possibly claim an albatross? Or a condor?

No disagreement here, but it's nice to have the tour swing by the neighborhood. We get the LPGA every year, but the boys haven't been here since the PGA in 2005 (and Baltusrol gets it again in 2016--whoo hoo).

They're for HER, not you.

Sorry, Harry, I can't resist. That would be your conscience, not your conscious.

Kellie Stenzel has a couple that may be of use: The Woman's Guide to Consistent Golf and The Woman's Guide to Lower Scores . They're arranged more by drills to deal with specific issues, but there's some good stuff in there.

Slightly to the side of the topic: I've read all Feinstein's golf books, and although the man is entertaining, he desperately needs an editor to rein him in. Too much repetition and obvious pasting together of stuff he's written elsewhere.

My eight-year old puts my initials on with a magenta sharpie. Hard to miss that. For Christmas, my husband bought me a bunch with my name and "water is a magnet" on them. I've already lost them all.

Two reasons for the yes. First, I also play duplicate bridge. Tournaments typically have afternoon and evening sessions, with a dinner break in between. In the good old (civilized) days, people wore black tie for the evening session. Very competitive, but very polite. No dress code these days, and just horrible behavior. It's the old fake it 'till you make it thing--looking good forces you to behave better. Second is the challenge. Pushing the envelope is much more fun than not having rules. There are some clothing lines out there that can make 19" outseams and polo colors look downright edgy--think http://www.jamiesadock.com/ , with asymmetrical collars and skin tight bermuda shorts. Gotta love following all the rules and still raising eyebrows at the club.

I feel your pain! Try being a left handed woman. I started with a set of Wilson pro staffs, because those were the only left handed ladies' clubs in the store. Am about to graduate to a Callaway, but it's too soon to tell you yea or nay.

I've followed both Yani Tseng and Ai Miyazato for rounds. Yani is an amazing ball striker. Ai is teeny and adorable--the driver looks bigger than she is. She has a funny little hitch at the top of her backswing that the camera doesn't seem to pick up. It was nice to see her place so highly.

I have an excuse to get out that direction once a year or so. I've been there once, just to look around. And it really is that gorgeous. Gotta find time to play a round.

Laura's having a much better year this year than last. And she's not the only one. Childbirth really seemed to mess up her game last year. Ditto Leta Lindley (which may be one reason why Annika is stepping away--I can't imagine her settling for a bad year).

Sherpat, I feel for ya. Query--did you ever check out Rolling Green GC to see if that jerk was telling the truth? They must have a web site. I've never been up to Crystal Springs; hope to soon. ECT--maybe it's a female thing, but no matter what I say, some people won't stop offering unsolicited advice. Short of being downright rude, I have yet to find an effective solution.

I'm with you. Judy and Dottie are a great team, because Judy is so calm and thoughtful. On another forum, someone mentioned seeing a replay of an event Dottie was in a dozen years ago. She was miked throughout, and it was fun listening to her. The line I need to use for that pitch/chip onto the green is, "bite like a police dog!" So much more colorful than the usual "sit, sit, sit."

Well, Tiger has a niece--Cheyenne, I think her name is--going to Wake Forest this fall. She's done really well in the juniors. We may all end up following NCAA golf for awhile.

No cargo shorts. All shirts tucked in at all times. All cap bills must face forward. Pretty darn standard around here. It's the 19 inch outside rule that's the killer. Oh--and skorts can be no more than 2 inches above the knee. They just don't say which part of the knee. It was only a few years ago that Baltusrol (2006 PGA) relented and let members wear any shorts at all, but only in July and August. Apparently Phil Mickelson caused a stir when he wore shorts for an practice round in 2005.

Not necessarily the image I think the LPGA should pursue first, but seven players recently signed as a group with the Wilhelmina modeling agency. I'm close enough to the Sybase Classic to volunteer every year, and the Match Play championship used to practically down the block (when Sybase moved up from Atlantic City, the Match Play went to New York State). I love seeing the tourneys in person. It's much more approachable than the PGA. But it totally burns me up that the seniors gets more press play than the women do. I like Tom Watson as well as anyone, but c'mon.