ChrisPietersen

So I’ve been away from the course for quite a while now, playing maybe 5 rounds over the past 2 years. Before this layoff, I was playing to an 11.9 and my bag setup was fitting of my game. I was always an average driver at best, but being a very high spin player I was playing a Titleist TS4 with a 72g X-stiff shaft. In my recent outings, this setup is proving to be a bit too much for me. I’m a bit all over the face and have a big 2 way miss. I’m thinking of changing to something a bit more forgiving, but don’t want to increase my already high spin numbers too much. I am considering something like a Titleist TSR2 or Ping G410 Plus lofted down a bit. Also thinking of going down to a stiff shaft, but keeping it at a heavier weight or more stout profile. Thinking this might help me get back to my consistent pull-fade from the past. Any thought on whether this would work? As a cheaper option, I could go a bit older and get a Ping G LST head and put it in an extra 60g X-stiff shaft I have lying around, cutting it down an inch to help get back some consistency first. Then I could look at getting a proper fitting done again after I have gotten my swing a bit more grooved in. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Hi guys! So I currebtly have 3 drivers and have to get rid of 1, but don't know which one to keep as my backup. My main driver is currently a Titleist TS4 9.5° with Proforce V2 X-stiff shaft (original 2006 version), and the 2 on the on the chopping block are: - Taylormade M2 (2016) 9.5° with Fujikura Pro 60 Stiff shaft - Titleist 917D3 9.5° with UST Mamiya Helium Black 5F5 shaft Which should I keep as my backup?

Would you say it would be more worth it to stick with my current clubs until I can afford a new set then? I must say, I really like the look of the CBX irons. I honestly don't know much about different shafts except the difference between regular and stiff.🙈 And you are probably right, I need to get something more forgiving, and most of the used options are probably a bit to good for me (except maybe the Nike set). I don't really have much time for lessons at the moment with the new job and all, but I may look into it when I get settled in throughout the new year. I could stick with my current clubs a bit longer though, at least until I build up a bit more consistency in my iron striking. Then I could consider getting fit too (if I save up the funds for a new set).

Hi guys! It's been a while since I last posted on here, but since I finished my studies this year I want to get back to playing a bit more often if possible. I only played 10 rounds in 2018 and my handicap (unofficially) is around 20 at the moment. My current set of clubs are as follow: Driver: Titleist 910 D2 (set at 10.25 deg) - Aldila RIP Alpha 60g Stiff 3 Wood: King Cobra F/Speed (15.5 deg) - Cobra Aldila NV-F Speed Tuned 55g Stiff 3 Hybrid: Cobra AMP Cell (set at 19 deg) - Cobra 58g Stiff Irons: Mizuno MX-15 T-Zoid (4i-PW) - True Temper Release Regular Wedges: Titleist Vokey Spin Milled (52 deg, 8 bounce); Titleist Vokey 200 Series (52 deg, 8 bounce) Putter: Odyssey White Ice #1 I'm fine with my driver, even though I'm still inconsistent. My 3 wood and 3 hybrid are some of my more reliable clubs, both off the tee and the fairway. My wedges are getting a bit old, but they still do the job. My putter gave me some worry a few months ago, but I've sorted that out. My main concern is my irons, as I've dropped a complete club length in my distances over the past year, and my confidence with anything more than an 8 iron has dropped very low. Could it be time to look at an upgrade? As I've just finished my studies, and starting at a bare-bones salary, I'm on quite a tight budget. I have identified a few new and used iron sets that I might be able to afford within the next few months. Here is what I've come up with: USED Irons (Available online, but close enough that I could possibly organize a session to test them out): Callaway X Hot Pro (3i-SW) - Project X 5.5 [~$270] TaylorMade PSi (4i-PW) - True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 Stiff [~$340] TaylorMade R7 TP (4i-PW) - True Temper Dynamic Gold R300 [~$270] Mizuno MP-5 (3i-PW) - KBS Tour Stiff [~$260] *Requires new grips, and probably out of my league Ping i10 (3i-SW) - ?Unsure about shaft? [~$200] *Blue dot Nike VR Full Cavity (4i-SW *incl. AW) - True Temper Dynamic Gold High Launch ?Unsure about stiffness? [~$105] NEW Irons (From The Pro Shop - South Africa): Wilson C300 (4i-PW) - Stock Shaft (KBS Tour 90?) Regular OR Stiff [~$485] Cleveland CG 16 (4i-PW) - Stock Shaft (Traction 85?) Regular OR Stiff [~$420] Cleveland Launcher CBX (4i-PW) - Stock Shaft (True Temper Dynamic Gold DST 98?) Regular OR Stiff [~$760] *Edit: I could also go to The Pro Shop and see what used clubs they have available, but they are generally still quite pricey. If I go with a set of new irons, I'd probably have to wait a few months before I can afford it. Of the used irons I can probably afford up to $300 at the moment, anything more and I'd have to wait a while too. What do you guys think I should do: Should I go used? Or should I wait and buy new? Or should I just stick with what I have for now? Thanks in advance!

I had quite a few shots that stood out for me in 2016, but being the nut I am, I've always loved putting the most, so I just had to choose one of my more recent putts. 9th Hole - 410yd Par 4 (Stroke 1) at my home course. I hit a decent drive to about to about 170yds from the flag, hit an easy cut 3h hybrid around the dogleg, over the water hazard in front of the green, to just over the two tiered green. Basically left myself a 60-65ft putt off the fringe down 2 steep tiers andbreaking about 10ft to the left, to a flag less than 20ft from the water hazard. I drained the putt, making a birdie for the first time ever on this hole! (But I have to say, that every time I come to this hole with a bit of spare time, I practice some putts similar to the one I made. So I knew what I had to do!)

I broke 90 for the first time in January! Now I have to get back into that form.

So it has been quite a while since I posted here. The past year I made quite nice progress. Got my handicap down to an unofficial 24.2, but have not been playing to that standard the past few rounds. My score average for my last 27 rounds (according to Hole19) is 101.7, so I'm getting close to being inside 100 consistently. I'm getting a lot of sub 50 scores on 9 hole rounds, but I rarely get the time to play 18 anymore. On the up side, I have a new lifetime low score! Well, not new, I made it back on January 3rd. Everything went just right, and the luck was with me that day as I scored an amazing 89! Since then I haven'y gone below 96 on 18, but I scored a 42 on 9, breaking my 9 hole best. My putting has improved immensely in the last few months, in my last 5 rounds I averaged 1.8 putts per hole, with a low round of 30 putts in my last round a few weeks ago. As I have a few weeks of holiday before going back to uni, I'll hopefully get in a few more rounds in the next 3 weeks. Going to try and hit the course tomorrow, but it will be cold and windy, so lets see what happens. Still a proud Breaking Bad Club Member... We should ask them to make us a medal for that!

Since my last update I have dropped my hcp further down to 27.6 now! So that is a 4.2 drop since September and a 12.0 drop since the start of 2015! So I'm very pleased with my game at the moment.

This is very true. I believe for guys at our level it is important to learn how to use damage control to avoid blow up holes. We don't necessarily have to play it safe, but rather play it smart. Realising what your strengths and weaknesses are on the day and taking calculated risks with that in mind could be the key to get the best possible score out of yourself that day. For example, in my last round it was quite clear to me on the first few holes that my iron play was saving me some strokes, but my short game was kicking me (causing my triples on the 5th and 8th). Come the second 9 I knew what I had to do to lower my score. I didn't hesitate to try a bit of a risky shot with my irons, as I knew I could pull it off, but still always taking the shot which had the safest alternative outcome if I had a miss hit. I'm probably not one to give advice, as I'm still new to golf myself, but I'm just dishing out what my common sense has to offer!

Played my first round in 2 months this week. Hole 14: Par 5 - 490yds I was lying about 120yds out after 2 shots. Had a slight breeze from behind. Flag to the front of an unprotected green. I decided on a full PW shot. Made solid contact, had the ball land on the very front of the green and roll out to within 5ft of the hole. Missed the birdie putt though... But that was quite a shot after 2 months off!

I've found that Srixon AD333s and Soft Feels both play quite nicely for their price! I'm dying to try some Callaway Super Softs out. Found one on the course last time out, I may just tee it up this weekend!

I've had another nice drop in my unofficial handicap. Down from 39.6 (originally) to a 32.2 now. And the best of it all... Summer has yet to start here. Can't wait for my Desember/January holiday to crank it up a notch! Bogey golf, here I come!

I also finally made the break two days ago! Played my first round in 2 months and scored a 98 (51/47)! Was a great day, 10 bogies and 1 Par, with nothing worse than triple! Did miss a 5 foot birdie putt though, but I'm still very chuffed. Was also my first round with my new-to-me MX15s, and they played like a charm! Hoping to play under 47 on 9 holes on Saturday before leaving for university again. Then it'll be a long wait till Mid-November before I get another round in!

Short arms session today. Overhead Tricep Extensions: 2 x 10 x 38.5lbs, 2 x 10 x 44lbs, 10 x 49.5lbs Tricep Dips: 5 x 10 Tricep Kickbacks: 3 x 10 x 33lbs DB Curls: 3 x 10 x 33lbs Explosive Pushups: 3 x 10