firstcut

Wow.. Those are very different clubs. Have the Sumo2 5900 and put the prolaunch red in it and am seeing pretty good results. Pretty straight and decent distance with the head/shaft combo. If you like the Sumo, I'd also add a 4th to the list.. The Callaway FT-i. I have the FT-i and like it as well. It goes further than the Sumo by 10-20 Yds, but has a higher dispersion rate for *me*. Of the 2, the Sumo fits *me* better, but the FT-i is a very popular club. Enjoy the game!

Can't forget about the Graffalloy line either. They make some good low price shafts. Playing with the prolaunch red right now and really like it. Had the blue in another driver and liked that shaft as well. Under $100 installed.

Callaway are the ones that asked for the extension. Although it is interesting that this article specifies "professionals". I'm sure they will simply license some kind of rights to Titleist. It's pretty much like printing money for them if they can come to terms..

Did you play last years B330s? Can you feel any significant difference?

I just stuck a Regular prolaunch red in my Sumo and am really liking it. It keeps the ball pretty low, but you're still fighting a 13+ head. The Red is stiffer than a "normal" regular so that may help with your swing speed as well. That said, I think you were interested in one of my rescues? I've also got a Wilson 10 degree driver. Maybe we could figure out a trade? I like screwing around with different drivers...

Thanks Stacey. I've been watching that one too. I wish I had the magazine article!

Not true says my many ball testing. Not a big fan of your beer analogy either. I like certain beer better too.. Guinness is good on nice cold days next to the fire.. A good Pilsner on a hot day is hard to beat... Heck, by your logic, I guess you married the first girl that came along, since they all have the same parts anyway.. But I like your floating ball and GPS ideas....

Very cool. Thanks! Anyone have anything else?

Congrats! 80 is SMOKIN'! Fun to do it with a bird and Eagle to boot. It must be a good weekend for golf. I also hit my best, a 90 on a 135 slope track. The difference was that I was keeping score and REFUSED to look at the card until the end.

I think that will help, but I would key in on one point. DO NOT club down to shoot short. I would either use the correct club for the distance OR even club up one. Then shoot for about 10 yards short of the green with a nice easy swing. If you make good contact you'll end up on the green and if you make poor contact you'll leave your shot short anyway. IMHO, most guys miss par3's because they are trying to overhit the correct club. Your strategy would probably help eliminate that. AND you'll get good at chipping.

Although my main "game ball" is the Nike Power Soft, I try to buy "new" brand balls at least once a month to play with. It gives me a cheap way to experiment without spending a lot of cash. It's really opened my eyes to how different balls behave, even for us high handicappers. Am I the only one that keeps these guys in business with my stupidity? In the past year I've played with: Nike Power Soft Nike Power Distance Nike Karma Nike Juice Nike Mojo Nike One Black Bridgestone E6+ Bridgestone RX Bridgestone S (2007) Titleist ProV1 Titleist NXT Titleist DT Roll Top Flite Gamer Top Flite Freak Wilson 50/50 Pinnacle Distance Callaway Warbird RAM POS Loco Distance

I say this. Get the best gear for *you* at the cheapest possible price. For example, I got back into the game with a set of used Ping Eye 2's. The problem is, in golf, you don't really know what's going to fit you until you've played a while and gained some experience. And even then, your game is going to change and your equipment will change with it. And, unless you get custom made clubs, you have the added benefit of *knowing* that you are not buying what the label says you are buying. So, chances are good you're going to keep experimenting anyway. I can tell you every club I've owned and *each* one has told me something about my game that's helped get me to where I am today. It's been an expensive ride and I don't think it's going to get cheaper anytime soon.

Love Sandtrap, just looking for more people in my area to connect with. I end up doing a lot of walk ons and am looking for a place to find locals to golf with, get info about CA courses, etc... I'm a member of the NCGA, but their website could use Eriks help. Thanks!

Black: 73.4 / 139 6748Yds Blue: 71.8 / 134 6409Yds White: 69.9 / 129 6024Yds Yellow: 67.8 / 124 5560 Red: 68.4 / 114 4788

They are very cool. I know they are focused on females, but I wish she could figure out a way to make some a little more manly. I'm all about "kind and gentle", but I just can't be the "Mr. Bling" of my foursome.

Nike Powersoft. GREAT BALL! Low spin. Soft. Consistent. Budget.

I find that I actually play better from the blues than the whites. I'm not really sure why since the blues are longer. I think it may be a mental thing with trying to get even *more* off the white tees to capitalize on the shorter distance. With the Blues I know I'm not going anywhere and relax more.

I think Foutputt has it right. The average course is not your daddys track and the average golfer of today is not the same guy that played 20+ years ago. Almost every course I play is a 4.5 hour course these days. I don't know where this 113 average slope number comes from, but it's not on any course I've played in the past few years... Sometimes you're ahead and sometimes your behind. That's public golf. As a side note I'd say that maybe they were only a half hole +/- behind the guys in front and there were times you just never saw it. Playing this weekend we had a four in front of us and sometimes we were right on them and sometimes they were half a hole ahead. The twosome behind us couldn't see that and was pushing us like we could do something about it. I wouldn't have let them through for $100.

I don't think you need to worry about being too good for any game improvement clubs until you are *at least* a 10HCP. There are Pro's that play Hybrids. A 22 HCP still has a loong way to go. Are you planning on getting rid of your Sumo for a TP driver as well? I find that my Hybrid irons are easier to hit *and* can be worked a little bit. I hit my best score ever with them today . I golf with a buddy who is about an 8HCP. He plays blades, but after finally hitting my clubs on a few holes recently, he is tryng to talk me into buying the A4OS so he can buy my A3OS from me. Enjoy the game!

Nice.. $80 is smokin'! Played with these shoes today for the first time. The knob is no gimick. I really like the ability to easily slip em on or off and tighten or loosen on the fly. They are kind of dorky looking tho.. Still, two thumbs up for closeout Reel fits.

I'd have to disagree. Pre 2004 I don't think there was one manufacturer of "hybrid Iron" sets. Now there are several players. IMHO hybrid sets have changed the game for high handicappers and newbies.

Conventional wisdom is that a rookie should go with a 10,5 and regular shaft. The 10.5 is usually more closed than a lower lofted driver and the regular shaft is usually higher launching. Both of which are *supposed* to help accuracy and consistency. The problem with that "wisdom" is that there is no set rule for how closed or open a driver is and there is no standard for regular vs stiff flex and not everyone can benefit from a high launch shaft. IMHO, the real answer is... The launch angle, ball flight and accuracy you can hit a particular head with a particular shaft determines your loft *and* shaft. That can only be determined by real world testing a bunch of drivers or testing a bunch of drivers on a launch monitor. Don't be afraid to test everything, from a 9 degree stiff to a 13 degree senior. Try to have someone with you that understands how the launch monitor works. You should find something that works for you. Good luck!

Not the most interesting topic, but money saving. Picked up some Footjoy Reelfits from TGW for $100 2 day shipped! Looking forward to seeing how comfy and fitting these guys are.. If anyone has been looking at them, now is the time to buy. And did I mention they were only $100?

Yes. It gives me additional reason to look forward to Saturdays. It gives me an additional connection to my children. It gives me an additional connection to my Father. It gives me something to be excited about when I get a new *whatever*. It gives me new friends. It gives (and keeps) business contacts. It gives me exercise. It gives me time outdoors. It gives me physical competition. It gives me relaxation. It gives me wins and losses. It gives me patience mental strength. It takes my money. It takes my time. I think I get much much more from golf than I give. There are few things in life that such can be said for.

I've seen a lot of "get fitted" advice on here, but I've been told by more than one pro that getting fittted when you are not good doesn't do anything for you. I'm not disagreeing with anyone on here, just passing on my own experience. I do agree that lessons with the right person can be great. I've had a lot of trouble find a good teacher tho.. So, on to clubs.. When I got back into golf I bought a set of used Ping Eye 2's and transitioned to the Adams A2OS. I liked the Adams so much I now have the A3OSs. I can easily reccomend the Adams gear and would look at the A3OS or A4OS. Good luck!