case31

Tangent: About 3 years ago, I was in my local golf store getting ready to check out, and there was a guy with his son (about 15 or 16) asking the person behind the counter to exchange a "defective club". It was a brand new Nike driver with a huge dent on the bottom of the club. From what I saw, the club face and shaft were fine. Not in any huge hurry, I stood back and smirked while the father tried to plead his case to the store manager. It couldn't have been more obvious that the kid yanked a drive OB, then used the club to vent his frustration on a rock/tee marker/ball washer/playing partner. To his credit, the manager was diplomatic and said, "I suggest you take this up with Nike." I doubt that "Youth Rage" is covered under Nike's manufacturers warranty.

I've tried the G10 numerous times and the ball kept ballooning on me even though I felt like I was hitting it on the screws. The one I used was a 10.5 degree, which no doubt had something to do with it. I'm sticking with my G5 for awhile.

You may not borrow my clubs.

Shot an 84 at Heartland Crossing here in Indianapolis. Absolutely frustrating...wild off the tee, poorly executed shots, penalty strokes galore. If I didn't have the putter working, would have shot 90+. ARRRRRRGGGGGGGG

My dad and I have had putting contests like this for almost as long as I can remember. We added two rules: 1) If a putt is short, you have to take the ball back a club length. 2) If a putt is more than a club length past the hole, you had to move it away an additional club length. This taught me to gauge the distance so that every putt had some chance of going in (100% of short putts don't) while staying in 2-putt range.

I like Heartland Crossing in Camby, about 10 minutes southwest of Indianapolis. The course offers a good challenge, but will reward you for good shots. I've played it about 10 times, and it's always been in great shape. Favorite holes: #4 - 320 yard right dogleg par 4. You have 3 options off the tee: a long iron to the dogleg with a full wedge in, a fairway wood carry over two large bunkers leaving a chip to the green, or for the big hitters you can go for the green which is protected by three traps. #9 - 425 yard par 4. A long drive in the fairway is crucial as this green is heavily protected by sand. The green is very large with plenty of undulation. #13 - 500 yard par 5. Off the tee, there's trouble on the left with trees, and trouble on the right with heather. Your second shot is uphill, almost blind. Going for the green in two is nearly impossible with the bunkers that surround the green. #15 - 385 yard par 4. This hole curves right around a lake. A long, straight drive will give you a wedge shot to the green, which is slightly uphill and heavily protected. I give it a 5.

I suffer from this on occasion with the driver when I'm trying to hit it to the moon. As we've all heard, golf is 90% mental, so I'll give you that part first. The most important part of your swing is rhythm, so focus on a slow, consistent backswing. Most of the time golfers break parallel because they take the club back way too fast. Take note of that when you make some practice swings. The other 10%: Make sure your wrists don't break at the top. I've been told to focus on the position of your hands at the top of your backswing. At the top, you should be able to open your right hand (if you hit righty) and hold a tray like a waiter would. On the practice tee, work on taking the club back with good tempo, stop at the top and see where your hands are.