Tat14

... is improving when... I think this answer depends on how far one is along in his or her golf journey. A while back, my first epiphany was getting off the tee well. My handicap would never have gotten under 20 without that ability somewhat ingrained from practice and play. This also helps with playing matches, in front of a crowd, or while playing through. Recently, shaping shots for more accurate approaches is my new sign or evidence. When I can manage this, my scores drop as GIRs increase.

And another thing, right to left is a foolish way to drive the "lobster" as I call it. In between careers (2013) I worked at my local course. I would pick the range on occasion and it was always long legs, far to near. That way you could keep the extra mass of the front/rear of the rig between you and the firing line. Turns would happen in between volleys. No cage doors, never hit once.

You could have tapped his shin with a short iron - forgets all about that hand. Seriously though, if the incident stopped at just words and hurt feelings then good on you. Food for thought: if the pro lost out on time ($$$) you may never see that particular range rat operator again.

They should put this on a sign at the... oh wait. OT - Quite a significant thread title change. At first I thought it was starting all over.

I'll echo this. I've been using the push draw set-up this season and it's been loads of fun. Check out the 2nd link above: target line, club open a bit relative to target line, path open a bit more relative to target line (more than the face is). Ball starts right and draws back. Play the ball back one ball-width and a little forward shaft lean helps. Give it a try.

Agreed, but look at his avatar. Those are tiny legs!

I'd consider shaft weight as well.

Watching as much of the event that I could, I found it obvious that the unique conditions made putting a bit more difficult than a normal PGA weekend. Understatement perhaps. Would he have at most two-putted on a typical course? I think so. Just an opinion. Doesn't really matter though. As soon as he missed the eagle putt and left it that long, I think his head imploded. Every bumpy putt from the whole event came to the frontal lobe and boom - Speith. I'm hoping he keeps his personal poop together after such a thing.

I have a 50.12 54.08 and 60.04 - most folks here would argue that I don't carry enough bounce, but I think that directly relates to a particular pitching style promoted here. If you like a lot of bounce, there is plenty to read in other threads. I can open the 60, and when square the tiny bounce helps with downhill flops. An open 54 is more than enough for greenside sand shots. 12 has been plenty for the gap wedge. I play very dry, firm conditions all season. A picker like yourself, I find my wedges work fine in those rare fluffy lies or on away courses. I recommend a little variety in your decision - or else you wind up with three important clubs that only vary in a few degrees of loft. Then there are the sole/grind discussions...

They'll probably upcharge carts now.

Yep. I just use hot water, a wee bit of soap, and a cloth. Here's their link: http://www.lamkingrips.com/blog/How-to-Clean-Your-Golf-Grips/3/6

Could it be as simple as dirt/sweat from your hands? Wipe those things off and see.

It doesn't matter how well or poor they do, nobody will remember next year. Now, if they happened to make a 12 on the last hole... - R. McAvoy.

I don't think playing shorter, easier courses will help your index as quickly as one may think. The rating and slope is factored into an index. I do think you'll typically play better on a shorter, easier course for obvious reasons: driver-wedge-putter vice driver-six iron-putter.

When I first bought LSW and began commenting here, my main objective was (and still is) to take the hook out of my game and hit more GIR. I used to think about how my better playing pals would just cruise an approach shot into the green. Some would say "what club do I want to hit 140yds" instead of reaching for a default 140yd club - if that makes sense. I was always trying to muscle the shortest club practical. This flighted approach coupled with the push draw set up has been doing wonders for my iron game. My index has dropped a stroke and I'm right at the verge of finally breaking 80.

Given the 25-30 buck range I would recommend the Titleist DT Solo or the Callaway Chrome Soft. The DT's are typically $20.99 a dozen brand new, and the compression runs between 74-80 depending on what year of ball you get if you find old stock or go into the secondary market of used, mint balls. The Chrome Soft is actually 35 bucks or so, but is the Solo's twin with a urethane cover. Both feel great off the tee and spin less than premium balls. Both feel nice around the green and off the putter. The Chrome will check better on lower pitch and chips. I've played the DT for a number of years, and the Chrome exclusively so far in 2015. I recommend them for either the low or mid cost options.

This thread was certainly virtuous. Perhaps no more...

Cue the Law & Order - Dun-dun

Correcting my comment above, USGA Handicapping Section 4 says that par plus handicap strokes should have been the score. The six or the equitable eight was "too high" for lack of a better phrase. Like you said, GHIN ignored the 100. But I learned a little today though, so TY.

I only apply the par + handicap strokes for holes that I didn't play at all due to weather or darkness driving me off the course. This actually made me assume two bogies last Sunday when I could've possibly broken 40 for the first time. Poop. In your case above, I think ESC applies to her adjusted score for posting. Tourney score was moot at the point of DQ.

Slight OT - Recently bought the Approach S3 for $179. Simple, gives yards to front/middle/back and you can adjust pin placements and save five spots per hole for later use (bunker, dogleg). I really like it due to the simplicity of it. How far - peek at watch - address ball - go.

Review how much forward shaft lean you put in your swing, assuming that you do. My friend overdoes his in hopes of creating spin. Big divots and fat shots (this isn't exactly what you describe, but the resulting divots are similar). He recently opened a sod business...

The push draw with my irons. I tend to hit my woods straight, so I'm leaving that alone. It's the mid-clubs that I want to start right and slightly draw rather than hook left of the green. The "start it right" part is the goal. I correlate this to keys 4 and 5, which are my aforementioned objectives for this season. I found myself at the range yesterday morning due to some unexpected free time; just hitting a few 8I shots... It dawned on me that I wasn't making the most of my practice by just swinging away, so I began to recall some advice from LSW plus some other notes I've pulled from the site. Summarily, with a square set-up, slightly open face and a path right of target, I was hitting these consistent push draws. 12 out of 15, not caring about distance so much although the ball was covering close to the 150 marker. I find it easy to either skip practice or do it without much focus - more of a basic swing check. Yesterday was not quite the epiphany, but it reinforced TST lessons/advice as well as being a lot of fun.

Yes, one of those discussions is just a few comments above this one. Knowing my divots and doing just the static online fit, PKR seemed a good choice. Turns out that only applies to the LW range of lofts. Anyway... they sent me a PNR because they're good. The PKR and PNR grinds are both 12* of bounce.

I've never been big on keepsake items. Maybe some really unique or sentimental things, but then those can be passed on in some fashion. Regardless, there is no way I could recall each and every course. I can offer locations. USA - CA, OR, NV, MS, IL, HI Mexico Japan Hong Kong Singapore Thailand Tahiti Diego Garcia Dubai Qatar India I think that's all...