jr05

I wouldn't call them the poor man's ProV... I have used them in the past several times after finding them out on the course (a bad golfer at the course must have been using them as I found a bunch), and they are decent. But I thought they didn't have too much feel and were a little harder than I like. However, I have never played a brand new one before, so take that with a grain of salt.

I have been having some pretty terrible iron play this season (only got to play about 5 times....ugh) and spent the last week at the range figuring out what was wrong. Well I think I got it figrued out and I went and played 9 holes. Turns out I did figure it out. I hit almost every GIR and if it wasn't for my putting (left 4 easy birdie puts short by 2-3") I would have broken par. As it was, I shot 4 over on 9 and came in at 39 for the round. Anyway, just had to share since I was pleased with finally hitting my irons well. Guess I need to work on my putting now lol. -JR

I am looking to purchase a Diablo driver online (cheaper than local) and do not really know what shaft stiffness to get. I hit my 7 iron just short of 150 yards and I use a regular steel shaft on my irons if that helps. Thanks for any input, JR

Well I will be there Saturday and not Monday, but hopefully it will be a good showing. I always feel the last day is the most interesting, but it should still be a good time. I think Phil will have a good round (hopefully), but there are a lot of players in this that are more than capable of pulling off a victory.

510 yard par 5 dogleg right with a fairway-width pond 20 yards short of the green. Had a decent first shot about 230 with my 3hybrid (driver issues lately). Attempted to lay-up short of the water on the second shot and chunked it. I was then about 160-165 yards out, hit a solid 5I and stuck it within 2 feet of the hole for a tap in birdie.

Well I have been having a little off time from my drive over the last year and have been using a 2i off the T instead. For some reason my iron play is much much better than my driver. I just cannot hit that thing. When I do, it doesn't really add much distance over my 2i...so I stick with what is more consistant. That said, I am going to a lesson tomorrow to go over my driver swing since I think the driver is a necissary club to master.

I got a set of i5s last year. I got a chance to swing the G5s and like them too. I just got the i5s at a much better price at the time so I went with those. I am sure you will like the G5s!

26 and carry. I will take a cart on a weekend 18 sometimes if my friends want to. If it is up to me though...I carry.

I second the suggestion to get some good used or discontinued clubs at your local pro shop. I picked up a set of ping i5 irons at the beginning of last season (my first year) for about $275 new. Ping stopped making the i5 that year, so they were clearing them out. If you look around you should be able to find some good deals. Also try play it again sports or a similar place. You can find some deals every now and then there as well. Maybe craigslist too... Good luck, JR

Hmmm maybe I don't even need lessons. I have always just put the club down behind the ball and pushed as fast as I could forward. I will have to try to bring the club back next time I am at the range...might save me a ton of money on lessons. -JR

I have been looking into Atkinson CC for some lessons. I have been to their range a few times and did like the facility. Looks like it might be a worthwhile place to at least try 1 or 2 lessons and see how things go. -JR

Well, golf season is almost upon us up here in New England and I am looking for a new golf instructor. I managed to get my handicap down to around 16 last year with some lessons, but am looking to give a new instructor a try and see what I think. I am located in Salem, NH so does anybody have any recommendations for a good instructor in the area? Thanks, JR

I started off last year after going to the driving range and having a good time. I had a couple friends that played as well, and thought it would be a good hobby. I played maybe 5 times total last year, not very well, but it was enough to let me know I love golf. The beginning of this year I bought a set of new clubs (was using some $20 craigs list blades), a bag, and some shoes. I have played at least once a week all year, and try to play twice a week if possible. I have brought my handicap down from well over 30 to 16.2 (was in the 15s at one point). I am very happy with my progress and hope it continues. I have to say, my cousin tried to get me into golf in highschool and I thought I hated golf. Played once and didn't like it so never got into it. Now when I think back on it, I really wish I had played in highschool, it is such a great sport and one I wish I had practiced while I was younger so I could be better now -JR

I was very tempted to do option 4 but my playing partner ended up plugging the ball into a divot it was sitting right next to.

I have to vent about the group behind me on my last round. So I was playing one of my local courses with a friend last night... We were at the tee box waiting for the group in front of us to finish up and a group comes up behind us to wait as well. The group in front of us gets onto the green (long par4) so we tee off. We then proceed to head down to our balls (in clear view from the tee box). We stand at our ball and wait as the people on the green are still finishing up. About 30 seconds after we get to our balls, I hear the sound of a driver hitting a ball. I look back and notice a guy on the tee we just hit from and a ball in the air about 20 yards away. The ball lands about 10 feet from me and bounces a few yards down the fairway. No yelling fore, no yelling anything, no apology, nothing. We waited for them on the next tee to ask what the heck they were doing, but they wouldn't come down to the tee. Only when we were up at the green did they come over (same on the remainder of the holes as we had to wait for the people in front of us). Ugh, just needed to vent because I couldn't believe somebody would do that and not even say anything (before or after). -jR

Shot an 84 at my local course. I can shoot a 41-42 every now and then on 9 holes, but shooting an 84 on a full 18 I am very happy with. (my handicap after this round went from 16.8 to 15.5...yay!) -JR

So my previous round was another disapointment... however, I played another round today, and although it was not great, I was very happy with it. The beginning was rough, but 1/2 - 3/4 of the way through the round I started concentrating on my basics for posture and hip rotation and such. I ended up finishing the last 4 holes at par for a total of 46 after 9 holes (not my best...but no complaints after my last couple rounds). We continued to play 2 more holes since we had enough time and I got par on both of those as well. It appears it was a posture thing, and I hopefully have it figured out now. Just thought I would update. Thanks for those that replied. -JR

Not sure if this is fact or not, but I have a possible helpful hint... When/if you are muscling up to try and hit a longer ball, do not increase the distance you go back on your backswing. Just increase the speed in which you swing the club from there. Whenever I muscle up and don't mentally tell myself to keep my backswing standard, I end up hitting bad shots. When I keep my backswing normal and just muscle up from there, I have much better results. Hope this is true for most people, and hope it helps. -JR

I play 1-2 times per week (we will say two) = 2*4 = 8 *16 = 128 and once to the driving range per week = 1*4 = 4 *5.50 = 22 Total = $150 per month or less if I get busy and can't get out twice a week.

I voted both walk and ride. If I am playing 9 I will walk every time If I am playing 18, it depends on who I am with and what time constraints we have. Usually I end up riding 18 on better/longer courses and walking my local course. -JR

I hope that is all it is! The second to last round was after work with no food before hand. And this last round was mid morning, and I missed breakfast...so no food. I usually eat very well before and/or during golfing so this may be exactly what it is! Lets hope. I am playing tomorrow morning so I will make sure to eat well and see how things go. -JR

I have been steadily improving since the beginning of the year and have been shooting consistently in the low to mid 80s for the past couple months. However, toward the end of my second to last round, and all of my last round, I have completely lost my swing. I have been hitting 95% of my shots on the toe of the club and hitting to the right, or at the best, only 50 yards or so straight. I know if is tough to diagnose without seeing a swing, but what are some things I could try to solve this? It is really aggravating as I was doing so well and now I have no clue what is going wrong. PS I don't think i am standing too far away from the ball, same as I used to when I was hitting well. Thanks, JR

Based on the tastiness of the salad dressing, I am going to give it a shot. Headed there tomorrow morning. -JR

Well yesterday.... Shot an OK 9 hole round of 42. Had a terrible 7th hole (triple bogey after hitting it in the drink on what should have been a relatively easy par 4). Had a few bad shots but manged par/birdie/bogey on all the rest. Hit a nice wedge on a 125 yard par 3 within a foot of the cup...tap in for birdie. That made me feel better about the round overall. -JR

Looking to play a course Friday and noticed Hidden Valley in an online course map. Just wondering if anybody has played there and if it is worth trying out. It would be the full 18 hole course....not the par3 they apparently have as well. Thanks, JR