Golfer71

Today I shot 86, smashing my previous personal best of 90.. Very happy and attribute my score to course management, didn't pick up a single penalty (usually I take 3-4) and have happily shaved a full stroke from my handicap! (20.4 to 19.1)

I occasionally lose a good quality ball on the practice green which presumably gets picked up in error by another player. My tip to avoid losing clubs if you are around the green area is to always leave them on the green when not using them, ideally in a place which you have to walk past to move on the next hole. I find this makes it unlikely that you'll forget them but in any event, the next group behind, should clearly see the club as they approach the green.

I purchased a set of Ping Rapture irons some time ago with the NS Pro 950 shafts installed. My requirements were maximum game improvement / easy hitting qualities. I'm aware that the shaft is light, which I like and have been told that although a steel shaft it has a feel that is quite like graphite. My ballflight looks good to my eye and my carry distances seem consistent for each club. I'm very satisfied with this set but would welcome feedback on how this shaft compares with other comparable shafts, comments on the pros and cons of this shaft. Cheers in advance!

Back in the summer I played at a private members club where the greens were way faster than I was accustomed to, my caddie said these greens were reading 9 on the stimpmeter. To my great embarrassment I needed 40-42 putts that day. The green speeds on my regular, public course are not published and must be quite a bit slower. I don't mind slower greens at all but if I visit a course with fast greens (9 is fast for me) i'll really struggle to make putts. On balance I prefer to play on greens slower than 9 - I putt better! and if it helps reduce the maintenance cost and preserve the environment so much the better!

In 2008 I reduced my handicap from 26 to 20.. 2009: H/c reduce from 20 to 12 Avg score 88 Avg putts 34 Add 10% to my drives (currently 200-230 yards) Strike long irons consistently Take chipping / putting lesson Eliminate slice Lose 5 kgs

I'm thinking about updating my iron set with some new wedges and am hoping someone could help explain the background to the aftermarket wedge market. My ping raptures include a sand 54, approach 50 and pitching wedge 46 degrees of loft. What's the benefit in replacing them with aftermarket wedges, say the ping w-tour or i wedges? I understand that i'll be able to specify precisely the loft and bounce angles but are there other benefits - more spin, better feel to gained? I generally get along fine with my current wedges except the sand wedge, this works fine in sand but is tricky to use on full shots from the fairway or tight lies (easy to catch thin / fat). I wonder if this has something to do with the bouce being high - 13 degrees. I play a varied assortment of courses, but as a generalisation the turf is slightly hard at my most frequently played course. I guess i'd probably pick standard boune angles unless the bounce on my sand wedge is related to my problems using it effectively from the fair way. Any thoughts welcome.

Just back and played Wailea Emerald and Kapalua Bay courses which were great. I also spent a couple of days in Kawai and played Poi Pu and Princeville courses, these were probably the highlights for me. Hawai is a great spot for golf!

Off the tee, i'm much more accurate with my driver, with 3 wood I seem to swing too fast and can hit terrible shots that go sideways, this rarely happens with driver. I'd rarely hit a 3 wood off the fairway, just find it a very difficult shot.

In response to Right to Lefty: I've read a few of your posts and I tend to support the general theme of what you say. I've always had above average body strength but never driven the ball far, averaging 200-210 yards carry. When i'm driving well the swings are quite effortless and I might get 220 yards carry. I'm doing yoga twice a week, some resistance and stability training and slowly seeing improvement in my overall body condition. The training has coincided with improvement in my game (i've dropped about 4 strokes over 6 months and play just twice a month). I think the improved fitness makes it easier to follow a proper/better swing plane - I also take lessons. I'm in my mid 30's and have to say the improvements in flexibility don't come easily so if others are trying do the same do persevere with it!

I've played a number of courses in southern Spain (Costa del Sol) and only one of the courses I played required proof of handicap. So long as you follow etiquette and keep up pace of play you should have no problems at the majority of Spanish golf courses. Possible exceptions would be the famous courses, Valderama etc. i'd suggest just calling a couple of courses in advance of your trip to check whether it is okay. Spanish golf is generally laid back and great fun!

My number one cause of a big number is the "Brain Explosion", It usually starts with a topped or shanked ball, this results in embarassment and an urge to get the ball where it should be quickly.. this excess haste more often than not leads to another shank, topped or fat shot. I've been aware of and suffered from this affliction for a number of years and still it rears up from time to time. Of course the cure is to calm down and get the bad shot out of mind before taking the next but it's easier said than done! Bad chipping comes a close second.

I'll be spending 2 weeks in Hawaii this coming November and would like to golf 3-4 times, family permitting, during my stay. At this stage i'm flexible on which island to stay and would be willing to pay USD100-200 a round to play great courses. We will likely end up spending time in a couple of places perhaps Oahu and Maui. If you'd share your "top" or "most play" courses it would be much appreciated! I'm most interested in courses that have spectacular or memorable scenary