RussUK

Deff no penalty for Tiger, yes he threw his gum into the bushes but DJ got caught on the BBC cameras spitting after a tee shot and no penatly so both as bad as each other really. It was brought up by the commentary team stating he shouldn't be doing it. Gum takes a while to break down and it's common for birds to ingest the gum and it can kill them so not great in that respect. Were litter bins provided on each tee? If not then something for the organisers to look at in future If they were, then players need to be educated in how to use them! Either way, didn't take anything away from a great Masters and a well desereved victory for Tiger. Best Masters in a while IMO.

Let me put it to you this way. If you were told you could play at Augusta every year, even though you had no chance of winning i'm sure you would. How many people get the chance of at least to rounds (not inc. practice rounds) of golf at that place? The Masters has a certain magic to it that entices past winners back year after year for as long as they are able to. Just because they are exempt they can choose not to play. Larry must just love the place. Good on him.

All you need to do is google "Golf Tantrums" and you'll see what sometimes happens when golf is taken too seriously . You can still play in comps and still have fun but if you prefer to play with your buddies then prioritise golfing them. I'm sure you'll make more memories playing golf with your mates then in comps.

Took my 5yr old son for his first taste of a real golf course on Saturday. We played a local 9 hole course, i played tee to green and he chipped, putted (drained a 20 footer then told me to "follow that Dad!") and loved getting the ball out of the bunkers (SW from greenside bunker to 10ft!!). Never thought i'd see someone so happy to be in a bunker!! He loved it, I played really well and we cant wait to get out again. Next time he wants his driver as the 3 tee shots he hit with his little 7 iron were fun to watch. All in all the best afternoon of golf i've ever had.

It's certainly a step in the right direction. It's about time imo.

1 inch from the cup.....I'm deadly at that range Seriously speaking, i'm not bad within about 50 yds with a little gap wedge pitch.....crap from anywhere else

I have The Golf Club 2 and i have to say its very good. Love the fact there are so many courses you can play from the servers. Some are very very well done and others are so crap they are hilarious to play.

Nothing wrong or weird. I've seen plenty of guys wipe the floor using cheap, cobbled together sets against those who are like walking adverts for the pro shop with £1000 sets. One questionn though. The Zero iron, is that used for those worm burner shots and for getting under very very low obstacles?

Completely agree. We are lucky in my local area that there are a number of really good courses that you can play 18 for less than £20 and even less for a summer twilight round. It's such a difficult balancing act for many courses in this day and age in that they have to be priced low enough to attract business but but not too low as to affect the profitability. Sadly it gets to the point for some that the owners can make more by selling the land to developers than running it as a golf course.

I know there are a few over here in the UK but with land being at a premium they are actually closing some course's in order to build houses (my home course is slated for closure in 2022). For the PGA/USGA/R&A/Golf England etc. to sponsor them it has to be profitable so I couldn't see free course's being an option. Public courses are a little different but a true public course isn't just for golfers, its a public space available for walkers and the like. We have one in Gotts Park Leeds. It was a council course that was closing and the members bought it. They charge £12 per 18 holes and its not "bad" but it isn't great. Sharing with walkers however isn't a problem as they do seem to realise its a golf course first. For many many many years St Andrews was a public course but the private companies step in and turn it into a business. Sometimes this is the only way to keep courses running. I would like to see more munies and affordable privately owned courses but i'm lucky in that 20mins drive I have just that.

Like others have said, it depends on the lie, the distance and whats between you and the green. If i need to get it up a little i'll use i kind of stabby 8/9 iron if im not too far off the green. If i need to get over a bunker i'll pull either my 56 or 60, ball a touch forward, quater/half swing, start rubbing those rosaries and fingers and toes crossed it lands on the green Just off the green i've been experimenting with a hybrid and it actually feels pretty good and easier than choking down on a 7 for me at least.

Generally play whatever takes my fancy. PLaying the Bridgestone E6 this year so looking forward to that. I'm sure when the kids are older and i can get more rounds in per year sticking to one type of ball, if not brand, may help but at the moment i'm note so sure so voted no for Q# 2.

I'm normally happy to give anyone the benefit of doubt. If they say they are able to do something then fair enough. But the thing is, anyone can come on a forum and say they can hit it 300, 350, 380 whatever. Maybe put up a video of your swing (possibly on with trackman) that way if you are legit everyone will be more willing to accept it?. Now i'm no expert on the golf swing but I dont think the sentence i've bolded is 100% correct. Look at the video below. When TA3 hits his own driver its what, 275?. He doesn't get "higher and longer" with his hands. It's still a very short backswing, not much longer than his other swings if at all. Not being awkard, just interested in others points of view on the higher/longer hands = more distance. P.s. Are you Jack Hamm in disguise?

I spent quite a lot of time with the A Swing. The book is really good and well written and done properly the swing works. For me however I found i got too wristy due to the early wrist action and was prone to topping the ball. When I got it down the contact was spot on. I have since been working on a simpler swing but have found the prayer grip and shorter backswing invaluable to by new, less wristy swing (think Tommy Armour III but not a fast ). Other "manuals" i have are S&T which despite not being for me I still find very interesting to read from time to time as there still a lot of things that are valid for other swing types. Tom Watson's "The Timeless Swing" is a very good book. Not really a "packaged" golf manual but still full of tips and drills plus a good read in general.

I have to agree with his suspension. Regardless of whether its legal in certain states/countries its still a breach if the doping rules. Slightly , Its still illeagal here in the UK but the police dont do anything about it as it's not worth their hassle. It's a shame as you cant seem to go far without smelling weed, not nice when you're in the park with your kids and there are groups of teenagers openly smoking it.

@RustUK, the way i see it is this. a) Great shot to get that close b) Very unlucky and gutting that it didn't drop fully c) Look on the bright side, you played an outstanding shot AND saved yourself a hefty bar bill, win win

Never had a problem. I play as a single a lot. I think the courses i play see any booking (whether single or multiple) as revenue. Does seem a little discriminatory towards singles and a bit short sighted of the club turning away a paying punter but if its their policy then take your business somewhere more deserving. The club in the OP should have made it clearer that single bookings were not permitted, at least that way @ZANDER1994 wouldn't have wasted both time and fuel.

Agree 100%. I can pop into my local Sports Direct (other retailers are available ) and get 2 pairs of golf trousers and 2 polo's for around £20. Are they crap? no, sure they are made by Slazenger rather than Nike or Addidas but they have the same materials that the bigger brands have. I can even get golf stuff from Aldi (supermarket) during spring & summer. Yes they are cheap and unbranded but at the price they cost it doesn't matter if they only last one season.

This is what matters at the end of the day. Sure, a lot (or most) are money spinning products but if they work for a person who may otherwise quit the game then thats great. I'm sure a lot of the effect they have is psychological but thats sometimes all thats required. To me, IMO, they are overrated as they just dont appeal to me and seem to be, quite frankly, a waste of hard earned money.

Hey, at least you can have fun with your playing partners when they ask you what club you hit. "I hit a 99 on that hole"

Last thing a man needs are floppy balls

Nothing wrong with a white belt. I have one for my spring/summer attire. It can be reversed as the other side is textured grey.

I think when you are comfortable enough with the basics then there should be nothing stopping you from getting out on a course. Like has been said maybe try a par 3 or a even short 9 hole course. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and jump in and crack on. I spent too much time on the range before i made the jump mainly because it was a complete unknown to be on a course and i kept thinking "what if i'm rubbish, what if i hold others up" etc. Simple fact is every golfer has been there and got the T-shirt. It's natural to get anxious or nervous about getting on a course for the first time but you'll find most golfers are pretty accepting of new golfers. Let people play through if you feel you are holding them up, tell them you are just starting out. You'll be amazed at how many "veteran" golfers will help you out. Those that are off with you for being new (unfortunately you do get them) are best just ignored. Enjoy the ride.....its damn addictive.

Gotts Park in Leeds, West Yorkshire is a public space, not just a golf course. I played there the other summer and there were dog walkers and the like. I hit a tee shot into some trees and ended up hitting my second next to a young couple snogging (making out) on a picnic rug. They didn't even stop to compliment me on how good a recovery shot it was. Some people eh?!!

I always by the striped foam balls. They go a litttle further than the airflow/wiffle balls, more durable, safe for indoor use and also, imo, give more feedback than wiffles. Callaway do Jelly golf balls but they are similar to the 30% distance balls. Almost Golf balls are another option that are decent if you can get hold of them. Depends where you want to practice. Outdoors with enough room then the Birdie/Almost/30% distance balls are ok. Indoors or with limited space then best bet would be foam or wiffle.