GregoryShell

I used a 1967 set of First Flight Golden Eagles and matching woods until 2011. Granted, I had never broke 95 and wasn't all that serious, but once I bought a new set of MacGregor M75i hybrid/irons set and new Taylor Made metals I did see a real improvement. I am sure it was mostly my attitude and dedication that made the biggest changes in my play, but those clubs are much improved over the vintage almost 50 year old set I was using.

Oh, and I think sex before a round of golf is a really good way to limber up.

Oh, no issue here. I was just offering some options. I can't really let anything upset me before or during a round or even practicing. If I have negative issues running around upstairs I am just about worthless on the golf course. So much of it, at least for me, is mental. I need to be balanced spiritually, mentally and physically. The whole nine yards. I remember once my wife and I were arguing about something and she said why don't you just go to the golf course. I said yeah right. I had to explain to her why it wouldn't work and I that I never go when I am upset. She apologized loved on me for about an hour and sent me to the club. I had a great round.

Those kind of people need to be set straight real quick. If it takes applying the same respect to him or even warning him that those actions that threaten your well are not in his best interest, it needs to be done. If you do feel threatened and it's obvious he doesn't care then just make sure you get rid of all the evidence and any witnesses or just let him play ahead or go home. Once someone screws up your rhythm or upsets you enough that you fear for your safety, I say shoot him. Not with a bullet, but maybe an insult or two, and a well placed upper cut. I mean if you have a club whizzing by your head and you told him but he still does it, I would take that as attempted assault and deal with it as deemed appropriate by law.

All you need is a little colloidal silver. I thought everyone knew that, even Palin.

A while back I was wondering about divots when practicing at the club I use, particularly regarding the area around the pitching green. You should of course always replace you divots when possible, but I wondered how or if you should leave a pattern or randomly pick spots when pitching. Pitching short distances doesn't normally create a big divot and often you can't even pick it up to replace it because the dirt and grass scatter and don't end up as a single piece that can be picked up. So when a grounds keeper came by I asked him whether I should just pitch from random locations scattered around my established area or in a series of for instance, 3 foot parallel lines about a foot a part. He said straight lines are better than random spots or large areas because it is much easier to sand or spot seed a few long lines then dozens of little divots scattered about the place. And that the grass will fill a long narrow line faster than a big divot area if only sand is used because the roots and runners will fill a long narrow spot faster than a big naked 1 foot square patch. That made sense and is how I do it. But the other day I was "confronted" by another club member and told that was not the way to do it. I should place the ball in different positions to form an ever widening spot so that a large squarish or circular divot area is created. And that once the area is a square foot or so I should start on another spot. I still use the line method but that has me wondering what is best as far as repair and recovery time. Of course if sod is used squarish patches sound like the best method. But this place only uses seed apparently. Does anyone have an opinion in this?

Playing ability will always have an effect on the pace you can maintain comfortably when you aren't talking about lollygaggers and time wastisiers. My example was regarding for instance a group of beginners who rarely break a 100, often hit off fairway in opposite directions from their cart mates, then have to pitch, followed by a chip, followed by 2 or 3 putts. They will always get left behind with an ever increasing gap each hole by the group of 4 ahead of them whose highest handicap is a 10 as long as reasonable etiquette is followed or unless there is a slower group in front of them. Expecting the first group to keep up with the much more advanced group at all times and rushing them when they don't is not fair and should not be done. As long as the beginners don't waste time they should not have a problem finishing at a reasonable pace. But if the group behind them is always right at their heels telling them need to hurry when they are already using proper golf etiquette, that is wrong and should aggressively discouraged. I can remember picking up a couple balls over the years that came to rest close to me on the fairway or anywhere else after being hit by the group behind me. I wouldn't do it the first time or maybe even the second time but if you are hitting shots that regularly come that close because you can't wait a couple more minutes to let me or anyone else hit their shot and get out of the way, you are going to lose that ball. If you can't let a group play through for whatever reason and they are still behaving like that it does not set a good example for beginners and is a discouragement that can keep them from becoming intermediate and then advanced level players. I know that kind of harassment has caused some beginners to lose interest, I have seen it. You should not harass student drivers for being a little slower then you and you certainly shouldn't harass beginner golfers. The advanced golfers can finish quicker and should be expected to if they are not having to wait on another group in front of them. Lollygaggers can really be frustrating and I wish they didn't exist, but you shouldn't let them mess up your round because it will take you 30 minutes longer to finish. A group of 4 beginners that averages 6 per hole will need more time to finish than the same size group with an average handicap of 10 when they are all using proper golf etiquette. There is a considerable difference between how long it will take at 460 strokes versus 370 or so, all thing considered. That is a fact.

I am a lot more relaxed about it at the Dr because I usually pull the clubs out in groups of three or so and knowing I will wash them when I get home and reorg then. But on the course it has to be, starting in the top left and moving clockwise, 3 and 5 metal, 3 and 5 hybrid, putter alone in the center, 62 and 60, 56 and 50, pw and 9, then bottom left has 8, 7 and 6.

It's absolutely, 100%, always, nobody can come up with a valid argument against it, ok to go to the golf course and play alone, all things considered. You can hook up with folks there normally or just play as a single. A single will often catch the next group unless they are way ahead and will sometimes be offered a chance to join that group or play through. You can hook up or play alone, either way is just fine. If a single or group catches up and is playing much faster, it is good etiquette to let them play through if they would like. Anyone who would tell you to stay home if you can't find someone to play with should be cataloged as a non-legitimate golfer.

I would just make sure the current league executives know what is going on and let them take care of it. And they will if they really want it taken care of. Explain why you would rather not have to execute the executive order yourself and let them go with it. If it's obvious to those involved and since you aren't the only one affected you can plead the case to each of them individually and if they really want things to be on the level they should not have a problem doing it. This is almost enough for an entire golf novel.

I don't put butter in my coffee, but I do like honey on my Stilton. I may try the butter. I like pepper on lots of things, but strawberries just doesn't sound right.

I think if you use good golf etiquette and remember not to lollygag you should be doing all right. Those darned lollygaggers can sure be frustrating. A practice swing or even two, especially if you are already practicing ready golf shouldn't have much affect at all. I will always hit the putt until it drops in the cup and I pretty much always take a practice swing or two and I don't believe anyone would consider me a lollygagger or that I play at a slow pace. Some people just don't care about their pace and are obvious about. That is also very frustrating. Are they lollygaggers or arses by choice? You can try to gently explain golf etiquette to some when you get a chance and why it is important but it just offends the heck out of some people. That can teach you real quick who is worth playing with. You shouldn't rush your shot, but making sure you aren't wasting time between shots is what I believe to be the most important factors in keeping up the right pace. You shouldn't have to rush anything. Regarding the vote, keeping up with the group ahead of you can be tough if the number of golfers in the group ahead is fewer and or if the level of play for the group is much higher than your group. If those are scratch golfers for instance and your group is not near that level, you are going to have a hard time keeping up with them and shouldn't try if it means rushing anything.

I think the best thing you can do to make practice a lot cheaper is to get a training or learning membership at a driving range or course with a DR. I pay 45 bucks a month and that includes unlimited balls, 18 dollar fee to play after 3 every day and free group lessons each weekend. Different places have different packages, but that will save you a lot of money. One large bucket a week would cost me 48 dollars a month so it really works out well.

One of these things first - Nick Drake