jigray3

Some folks are particular about their possessions., I count myself among them. Because my expectations can disagree with someone else's, I take care to lay out EXACTLY what I expect. That closes the gap between what I want and what I get. If I fail to do that, and quality or service is lacking, I blame myself more than I blame the other guy. If I spell it out, and they fail to live up to my expectations, they were warned, and have no leg to stand on since they accepted the work under those terms. Sometimes stating my expectations will result in a discussion about what is reasonable, and I discover that my expectations are a little high for legitimate reasons, but better to discover now than later. We live in a world where excellence has become the exception. I accept that and head it off at the pass whenever possible.

When I'm on a putting green without a small practice hole, I essentially make one by planting two tees in the ground in front of a hole creating a gate that is maybe 1/2- 3/4" larger than the ball. Doesn't quite give you the visual of a tiny hole, but works as a substitute.

This is a mental drill as much as a physical drill. After you spend 20 minutes or so putting to the small hole, the regular size hole will look like a manhole when it counts. You'll approach your putts during your round with a lot of confidence and are more likely to put a good roll on the ball vs say something like what Tom Watson did on the 72nd hole at Turnberry. I love to use the small hole, but only on putts under 10 feet.

For some folks there is a disconnect between what they feel and what they see, others simply don't trust it. Try putting with your eyes closed at long distances on the putting green. Try 3 at 20 feet, then 3 at 25, then 3 at 30 and really try to feel the difference in your stroke. This is a good drill to develop feel, and it is important to focus on a good tempo. Think "tick-tock". Another thing good lag putters do is they factor in the variables to determine how hard to hit it. Feel putters do it all internally, while mechanical putters actually do the math. They tell themselves that since it is a down hill putt going with the grain on a wet green, they want to hit a 25 footer as if the hole was 10 feet away and putt the ball to a spot and let it feed. If you have been a feel putter, try being more mechanical and see if you get better results. If you've been mechanical, work on your feel and see what happens. Me? I'm the very definition of a streaky putter. I went out the other day and has 26 putts, but I can go the other way as well.

Having been through the Ping process 4 times over 10 years, the process has changed as technology has changed. Only recently have they integrated the launch monitor, and at $80K a pop, I'm sure they only have a few in the field making the rounds. I have no doubt that Ping has the ability to measure clubs loft and lie electronically, but not sure if they do that in the field. When they fit you, they have you hitting their clubs, clubs they already know the specs for. They may have you hit your existing clubs to observe flight characteristics and measure launch angle and spin rates (performance characteristics), but that's to establish a basis for comparison I think. After all, it matters less what a club actually measures statically than how it performs dynamically. I believe it is quite possible, for instance, to have clubs from different manufacturers with identical static specs that perform very differently. I really enjoyed having access to that launch monitor. I was able to see the actual moment of impact on a laptop much like watching the high-def slow-mo Swingvision stuff you see on TV. No Peter Kostis available for commentary, though, which was probably a good thing in my case.

How about fiction? The Green - Troon McAllister Missing Links - Rick Reilly Shanks for Nothing - Rick Reilly Dead Solid Perfect - Dan Jenkins Fairway to Hell: Around the World in 18 Holes - Franz Lidz And Historical Non-fiction The Greatest Game Ever Played: A True Story - Mark Frost Grand Slam: Bobby Jones, America, and the Story of Golf - Mark Frost Tommy's Honor - Kevin Cook Ben Hogan: An American Life - James Dodson A Good Walk Spoiled - John Feinstein

People like me on the extreme edge of the scales can really benefit from fitting. Problem is there's no easy way to know if you are someone like me. Even fitting pros are surprised at my results, but the results have been consistent each of the 4 times I've been through it. Not typical, but consistent. There is also no question it makes a tremendous difference. The way PING does it, I don't know why everyone wouldn't go to a demo day. Nothing to lose and everything to gain. Not only that it's the only way I'll ever see my launch angle and spin rates on an $80,000.00 doppler radar launch monitor. The PING fitters have always been professional and no pressure to buy, so why not?

I am going to Bermuda for vacation in a couple of weeks and I am considering golf while I am there. Looking at the Mid Ocean Club, Port Royal, and Tucker's Point and a couple others. I'm really on the fence because it's so expensive, but if you tell me it's worth $200.00 plus I'm all ears. As a private club Mid Ocean can be tough to get on, but if anyone has any tips on this one or any other, I'd appreciate your help.

I voted Tiger, but I'd love to see him play with the technology from Jack's prime. That would put a real premium on hitting the fairway and level the playing field somewhat.

I belong to Willow Oaks Country Club in Richmond, VA, the perennial home of the State Open of Virginia. The original William Gordon design underwent a complete redesign and renovation by Lester George reopening just 5 months ago. Over 7000 yards of mounded fairways, deep strategic bunkering, brutal water hazards and absolutely diabolic greens. Member handicaps have skyrocketed. I was a 9.4 HI just 6 months ago. What more could a sports psychologist want? http://www.willowoakscc.org/

I own a pair of stores that sell redwood and commercial playground equipment.