dragonflyin

I've never played Willinger's or Troy Burnes. I have heard good things about these two and will add them to the wish list. Keller I've definitely played many times through the years, it's a great old course and always neat to see all of the pictures in the club house from the Minnesota Open and the PGA. North Oaks... haha, I actually used to caddy there many years ago! So I know the course like the back of my hand... even as a private course, I think many public courses in the state are better. Still a fun track though!

Since I live in Minnesota, the end of the season is fast approaching. My goal for the last few weeks is to golf a nice course each weekend. Most of the summer has been furiously spent on municipal courses, which are relatively well-kept and very affordable. I figure it's the time of the season to really treat myself, as I've been happy with my progress this year. Last few weekends I've golfed Bunker Hills, Prestwick, and Edinburgh. I'll try to make it to Deer Run, Stonebrooke, and Dakota Ridge. With fall discount rates, these higher end courses are a bargain now. Any other golfers from Minnesota? If so, what "nicer" courses around the metro area would you recommend? Also, let me know if you would like to join me in this season-ending "dessert". Do any of the golfers living in colder climates have any last-minute goals or aspirations before the snow hits?

We do most of what we do on the golf course because we see the pros doing it on TV. Hal Sutton's "Be the right club today", and Tiger's frequent "BITE!" makes us think that we're all Psychokinetic...

Some people like her curves, other people thinks she looks to masculine to be attractive. What do you think? I'm really caught in the middle, definitely not into the muscular look, but the curves are nice...

'03 Acura TL, Pearl White... oh it glimmers so nice in the sun... :)

I also love my 60 degree wedge for those flop shots, but I've been fighting the urge to use it on all greenside shots. Gotta keep the PW and SW for those bump and runs!

My best shot over the weekend was at this club that I've never played at before (Prestwick Golf Club in Minnesota). I was playing as a single that day, and caught up to an old couple golfing. A 500 yard par 5 with water protecting the front of the green. I hit a drive about 270 down the fairway, with a good look at the green. I would normally lay up to this 230 yard shot, but figured I'll go up the right side of the fairway and hope for the ball to draw back left onto the green. If it doesn't draw, I'll still be dry. Unfortunately, I didn't anticipate the wind up ahead on the green very well and only realized this after I hit a flush 5 wood. It had a slight draw tail at the very end heading for the pin. A real beauty. Except… it was 5 yards short due to the wind… :( Needless to say, it was a downer that I hit such a pretty shot only to be penalized by water. Anyways, I dropped the ball about 100 yards out, where the other side of the water was, and hit my Vokey 56 to one foot (best shot). Tapped in for par, and the old couple was VERY impressed. Her exact words were, "if I had more money, I would give you sponsorship". Definitely made up for the stiff wind… :)

There are good points made here already. But I just like to add that I had the exact same problems when I got my hybrid. I realized that a lot of the hybrids have a draw bias, which was hard to get used to for me. What helped was that addressed the ball more like an iron, and swung like a fairway wood. Stand closer to the ball, but keep that pronounced smooth take-away slowly. Now it's one of my favorite clubs to hit. Good luck and don't give up just yet!

One great tip I received earlier this season was to have the hands slightly ahead of the ball when putting. During short putts, I especially make a note to do this. For me, this promotes a really dominant right-hand only (right-handed) stroke (left hand is on the club more to hold it). Also, I make a point to loosen the grip. This has worked wonders for me, and it has even helped longer lag putts. I used to miss a lot of short ones because I over-analyzed, and put too much pressure on myself to make 5-10 footers. In terms of reading the putts, I find myself really looking hard for breaks in short putts. Which leads me to doubt the line. I'd be surprised how many short putts are dead center, but I would hit it inside right or left. Again… over-analyzed.

I strive to hit a straight ball and that's usually the result. As mentioned in other posts, I don't like working it unless the shot really calls for it. However, if I wanted to squeeze more distance off my irons, I'd hit more down on it with a more pronounced lag, and that's consistently a draw. Usually I'm a sweeper of the ball, thus straighter shots.

Definitely par 5s, there is more margin of error per shot prior to the green. Back in the day it was definitely par 3s because I couldn't hit long irons and fairway woods off the deck.

I'm happy for you that your significant other plays golf... I'm trying to get my gf to play, but the learning curve is so steep with golf!

I completely agree with you when it regards to accomplished players of both sexes, obviously a fully developed swing is going to rely less and less on strength and body build.

So yesterday I got set-up with a threesome of ladies for 9-holes. Needless to say, I was initially dubious about the situation when the starter told me so (mostly because I wanted to play quick and fit in 18). But the short two hours experience really got me thinking about the tendencies of the sexes, as well as the inherent biases of the game towards men. Disclaimer: As stated above, the spark that flamed up the below stream of consciousness is filled with generalization and assumption (intentionally). It's not meant to be offensive, but I rather would like feedback to see how others feel towards these issues. 1. With some experience teamed up with ladies during summer league, and years of experience golfing with men, it seems to be that we approach the game very differently. I'd have to say that women seems to manage the ups and downs on the course much better. The ladies yesterday took their 20 yard shots with stride, and were generally enjoying the game, no matter how poorly they played. Men in a similar situation would really get down even across different skill levels. Our mood seems to be dictated quite a bit by our performance, and in turn, vice versa. 2. Watching people hit balls on ranges for years made me realize that golf is physically catered towards men. The swing is really carried out by the hip/waist section, combined with the arms and shoulders. I don't think it's controversial to say that on average, men tend to be stronger in the hands and wrists than women. So even though women are probably more stable/strong in the waist region, the average player has a disadvantage to men in terms of taking advantage of this stored power and using their hands and wrists as catalysts to deliver power to the ball. That's not to say it's impossible or overly difficult, just a disadvantage. 3. Many golf courses are designed with the back tees in mind. Sand traps, water holes, rough, trees, and fairway layout are all carefully planned. Designers think through each shot of each hole. Often I notice awkwardness of position by decent female players throughout the course. Even if they hit a good shot, they're unfairly penalized by a bunker or turn in the fairway that were clearly designed to impede progress of someone playing from the regular (white/black) tees. I think this really only affects the best/most consistent of players, but still something worth noting. I hope this brings up some engaging conversations, so let me know what you think!

I'm actually the opposite, I tend to play better with bad players because there is so little pressure to play well. If it was with scratch golfers, I feel the need to contend, and try too hard.

LPGA ought to feel ashamed to place foreign players in such a predicament. I have no issues in fostering English proficiency in its players. After all, LPGA is a U.S. dominant tour, and the ability to converse properly with playing partners and the media is important for business. However, challenge the playing status via suspension because of a language barrier is stepping over the boundary of the LPGA and stepping all over the civil rights of players. It should have taken a softer approach without making the mandate of possible suspension. If LPGA were just to come out and state that sports at the end of the day were really only about business, then perhaps they should start first at excluding all ugly players on tour. I think that brings down viewership and sponsorship a LOT more than Korean players that can't speak English. Also, execution of this mandate is done so poorly. How can the LPGA state that it is not directed at any one nation group when they first brought up this new rule at a South Korean player's meeting? Of the foreign players, especially ones that dominant the tour, 40+ are Korean. I understand the underlying intent, but it is just so poor from every angle.

Be sure to wash and dry your club upside down, so the water doesn't go down into that little hole at the bottom of your club...

I did read the warranty statement, but I would like to hear from people who approached TM for a replacement. Was it successful? I just want to know if they follow their warranty in every case, or are they more lenient in real life...

So have you traded in your Scotty? What would you like in return? Also, would you sell it as well?

Stupid me allowed a friend (beginner) hit my superquad, and hit it so ugly that he put a tiny dent in the top toe area. Only noticed it today, but it still hit great. Probably only cosmetic, but since I keep my clubs in mint condition, aesthetic appeal plays big. I'm going to the store to try to get warranty. Anyone else dealt with similar issues?

Oh man! That's the putter of my dreams! I've been casually looking for one... what kind of shape was it in for only $100? Keep us posted on how it treats you.

I'm thinking of getting one on ebay, but they're all quite pricey. Too bad that this is valued for collectors and not just gamers... But it's soooo pretty!!!

I'm thinking about getting one used after I try one out. Just want to get an idea on how it feels, and whether or not you like it. It'd be my first SC putter, and I've had my eye on this putter for 10 years. It's only now that I can afford a good putter... :p

I actually have a pretty weak grip with my right hand. The "V" is pointing straight up at my face. Ball position is definitely one of the factors. I've been tinkering with it lately as well. Too many variables right now, in terms of how upright I stand and how far apart are my feet (used to be too far apart). Everything is open to change for me right now. A little exciting and frustrating at the same time...

Thanks for everyone's input! Let me elaborate a little further on the technical aspect of my swing. Hopefully that will shed some more light. I have developed a consistent flight pattern of being boring. However, I am encountering a slight draw as I'm trying to add more distance to my mid to long irons. I am adding distance by trying to deliberately hit more down at the ball, and this has created a much more piercing trajectory, thus longer carry. What I feel is happening is that because of the more descending blow, I am hooding the club face at impact with my already inside-out swing plane. So it either starts out online then draws, or could be a slight pull. I am toying with it because it adds around 5-10 yards to my 3-6 irons. This swing is more of a "driving range" swing as I have not used it out on the course. I'm just trying to understand draws better (thus posing the question) before actually using it. So, here are my follow up questions. Somehow this "hitting down at the ball" strategy works best with mid-long irons, but not as well with short irons or woods (obviously). Is it just me or do you also have different (default) swings for different types of clubs in your bag? Also, how do you develop a proper release of the club?