RayG

As mentioned, feet can be a good tell... BUT- also look around the landscape, not just the green surface. The green can appear to be downhill, but that can be an optical illusion. Similar to those "Magic Roads" type of situation. Without taking too much time, you can do what Johnny Miller used to describe how putts will react. Taking in the general landscape, imagine where the water would flow if you poured water on the green. If there are hills to the right, or if there is a valley somewhere water will flow to the lowest point. There are, of course, exceptions- especially at some of the newer 'designer' types of course where they plop artificial mounding or swales around. The overall hole should give a good clue as well- an uphill hole, the green would normally slope from back to front, downhill would be front to back. But if you're playing Augusta, forget everything and just take the three putt and run.

50 years and no HIO for me, But I have seen a couple of real doozies over the years. On one of my first trips to FL after my parents moved down, I got to play in my Dad's little group thing. One of the Gentlemen was 90+ and still played twice a week. On one of the Par 3's it was no more than 130 yards, slightly uphill, with two bunkers flanking a little run up area no more than 2 yards wide. Fairway is a little baked being early Summer. "Matt" takes out his driver (as usual) and top-thinned it... straight as an arrow and trundles up through the gap and in the hole. Needless to say, he wasn't impressed. He said it was probably the worst he's hit any of his TWENTY SOMETHING aces... I hate this game sometimes....

Maybe once or twice since drivers became VW's on a stick. Early Persimmon/Laminates were no bother when conditions were right. Even the early days of "Oversized" Metal woods, it wasn't that bad- heads weren't THAT much bigger than the wooden ones. Once they ramped up to 460cc 20 years ago and they really pushed the technology in weight distribution, movable weights, etc... They were meant to be hit off a tee to get the most out of them. Even with larger 'sweet spots', off the deck usually meant a spinnier shot off the bottom half that was harder to control and catch just right. And for most people, controlling a 45/46" inch shaft is a LOT tougher than the 42/43" of a modern FW that would probably go further anyway.

Could be psychological as well. Hitting indoors is NEVER the same as actually playing. Also- Was the rubber tee EXACTLY the right height that you normally play? If its a bit shorter, your head says to hit down on it more than normal and you end up with a weak fade and lose distance. If it is too high than you could be trying to hit up at an extreme AOA and/or off the top of the face and losing distance that way.

If, as it says, he is a 16 "Vanity Cap", then it's closer to 20 actual cap. Then you are in with a shot. However, if he really puts in the work and gets to be, maybe a 10, then he definitely pulls it off before time is up. There's always that "One day" when the gods align for him and against you. Also- YOUR numbers may creep up as you age out of those 270 yard drives as a 30 something. All the while, he is improving and possibly gaining distance.

Those 3,4,5 hundred dollar shafts are 'usually' precision made with the highest of tolerances regarding materials, weight, trueness, kick points, etc... and are usually meant for the elite players who can tell the difference. A fitting tech who works on commission might try and upsell out of a stock shaft by showing those extra 2 yards you get with the $400 shaft instead of the stock one. For 99% (or more) of golfers, one of the 3 or 4 stock shaft choices will work just fine.

It's all in the marketing. They all want to show their 'Maximum' Distance or Forgiveness. Yes- recently they are going with the "Forgiveness" route since Technology is nearly at the limit for getting the most distance. But Distance sells in today's Bomb and Gouge mentality. And the numbers they have pushed over the years are "generally" with the highest swing speeds and lowest spin models. AND with heads with lofts not readily available unless they are custom ordered. Some guys are going with lofts usually reserved for the Long Drive circuit. 7*,6* or even lower that will lower spin rates even further. Joe Weekender sees that the "Big Brand LS Model" is the longest driver, they will assume they will be crushing it past their buddies and they'll pick their pockets for $5 on Sunday. Get out there with the -AoA, over the top outside in slash at the ball swing and it MAY go further, but it ain't going straighter. Reviewers of those LS models, for the most part, do point out that they are probably the LEAST forgiving versions of the clubs, but when you 'nut it', they are monsters. For the casual player who doesn't really follow the 'Tech' involved, you can have a Manufacturer show up and offer a Free driver and just ask if they want more yards or more fairways, almost certainly they'll want yards. Even if it means it isn't the right version for them. When, if they got a proper fitting, the higher lofted, draw biased, regular flex version would get them those extra yards AND more fairways.

I get a bit annoyed at the YT'ers or Manufacturers all saying "Low Spin" this, "Low Spin" that. A couple of problems with that thinking. Sure if you are swinging at 110-120 and find the middle, yes, you can get away with that low spin number. But- Spin adds stability to keep it straight (Ideally, anyway- talent not withstanding) Spin adds distance- the backspin aids in the ball climbing. Yes, too much is not great, either. So if you are swing at 85-100, a little extra spin is necessary to grab a few more yards. A 115mph swing can get away with a 1500 backspin # and a high launch angle, while that 85 mph'er needs closer to 2300+ to get the most out of the ball, which, is ANOTHER factor.

Start a YouTube channel, get a million or so subscribers and apparently they welcome you with open arms if these guys are to be believed. Well, not some of the *Big name* courses- Pine Valley as an example, since even Augusta has allowed a YouTube channel access to their course.

I play a lot more solo rounds because my usual golf buddies can't get the time off or have family obligations. I can take more Fridays off and I get out where I can find a slot. With them, we might get out twice a month if we're lucky. And as someone else mentioned, I'm not the type to chat up strangers I meet up with and exchange numbers to meet up and play again sometime. I am more likely to run into the same guys anyway every so often and then they aren't strangers when we meet up randomly again. A couple of years ago, I would show up (walk on) around the same time at a local and meet the same guy about 4 or 5 times over the course of a couple of months. He might be with different friends each, but a couple of those were repeats as well.

Okay, maybe a *bit* of an overstatement... But we've all seen 'that guy'. Absolutely kills it off the tee. And it usually ends up dead. Either off the planet or under water. Reminds of a guy I played with 2 years ago. Unbelievable clubhead speed and distance... IF he could ever find it again. Went through (I know, I counted) 10 balls on the first nine just off the tee alone. That's not counting approaches over water that were short, etc... So call it a dozen on the front. As we made the turn, he went to his car and got 2 dozen more ProV1's from his trunk. (used them on front as well) I got the courage to ask: "Why are you using those balls with the way you lose them?" "Well, I got fitted into them and these were the best for my game..." "oh, okay... cool..." Went through 15 more on the back. To be fair, the back 9 is a bit tougher.

This came up last weekend. I got paired with a 2 that was in a cart. I was walking with my pusher. Nice enough guys- had a couple of mutual 'semi-acquaintances' through a few degrees of separation and the like. I was a bit off target on a few holes, and they did their best to help locate my ball when I went astray so I didn't waste time walking to where it might be and then poking around. And I did my best to look for one of theirs since they were likely to be on opposite sides of fairway. They knew the course like I did so they should know the various internal OB's. On a particular hole I hit my tee shot and as it was drifting right, I said: "That's gonna be OB short of the corner... Oh well, three from there..." (course is packed and I use a modified version of the new OB rule in casual play). Next guy gets up and hits almost the same shot, and as it's on its way, I said: "That's gonna be OB by me..." He replied: "uh-huh..., I guess so". He is about 3-4 yards ahead and a couple further OB. I get to my ball which is 3 yards over the line, pick it and drop within a club of the line and as I drop I said again: "so it's 3 from here...". I then play a 5 Iron across the corner and wait for his shot. I look over and he's taking his stance and then just goes ahead and takes the shot from OB. I shrug to myself and walk on. I wasn't going the be the guy with adenoid issues saying: "Well, you know, you were OB there and really should have taken the drop or re-teed, so this round can't count to your hdcp... blah, blah...". He was having enough problems out there. I swear, if he could hit it anywhere close to the middle of the club and straight, 320 plus was a breeze. Well, he may have done it a few times, but he was SO far right he was further from the hole than the actual length of the hole itself.

Look for ANY waterproof activewear that DOESN'T have a particular sport associated with it. That $250 FootJoy (or whatever) "Rain Gear" equivalent can probably be found for less than that including pants. As an Example, Frogg Toggs has gear that can do the same job for a LOT less than that Galvin Green listed. There are a few others that when you lose the association with 'Golf', price drops alarmingly.

Ah-hah! I see you're double dipping in 'enemy territory'! 🤐 I see nothing... And you've already seen my responses,,,, Exactly- If someone asks to only be a two, they would get a blank stare and a "No", then be introduced to the 2some they will be joining. Especially on a busy weekend.

Well, yeah... but that messes with the Media's coverage of the story!!! Not to mention Armchair architects and course critics who miss the point of: "If it's marked OB, don't hit it there... Internal, External, nocturnal, whatever. Don't hit it over the white stakes..." Unless, of course you can fly it OVER the OB area with a driver off the tee. And if you can, then I think maybe it IS time to roll back the ball... Oh, as for Spieth hitting off the 'range'- he took an unplayable and took advice from referees and rules officials and took a drop 'NEAR' the driving range. Explained here on YT-

Well- in this case, that area on 18 is OB for the Members all the time as part of the course. I don't see any complaints about the internal OB on the 3rd hole (1st hole for members) that borders the same area. Why should the OB be 'waived' just because the Pro's are in town? It isn't like they aren't using that area- it's part of the Hospitality Village.

When it is appropriate for the conditions and/or design elements, sure- I have no issues. As many have said- "Don't hit it there". We have a course with 2 sharp doglegs. Both have Internal OB for the direction of play of those two holes. On the adjacent holes, OB doesn't apply. It's for safety reasons more than anything. But- 90% of people ignore it and play them. One hole has a green tucked into the corner of the dogleg and is a 250+ carry over the green to clear it and the junk on the far side to get to the fairway. And yet, people will just play where it lands when the slice it- sometimes while people are on the green or even FROM the green. See below-

All the chatter about 'cart etiquette', pace with carts, etc... do this, do that, etc... On a normal day at a Public/Muni, it makes NO difference in the time it takes to play 18 holes. The pace is already set once you arrive. You can only be as fast as the slowest group ahead. If you have a walker in the group, it makes no difference. Surprisingly enough, when I play as a walker with my buddies in carts, we finish at the same time. As long as each group keeps up, who cares what people do in other groups? Other than the usual- 'don't go here, don't drive on greens, tees, etc..'

Yup- happened at least twice last year. One of the times, I got paired up with a 3 at a local 'upscale' course. They wanted to play from the Blues.. even though they were more likely Whites or even Green. That's fine by me- I'm not out there to kill myself. I know my limits. At least 3 different holes on the front, I happened to be behind them in the carts as we stopped at their tee box. They went off- not surprisingly, in 3 directions, and at least one didn't even come close to reaching the actual fairway cut. they go down the path... past my box and just go out into the fairway looking for their ball. And paying no attention to the fact I was trying to signal them. They didn't even realize I wasn't there- I had to wait until I could hit and then follow up.. Of course, all three time "Oh, jeez- we're sorry about that, we got to talking, blah, blah..." So- on the back 9, I positioned my cart that I would ALWAYS be in front on the paths to the tee boxes. So even IF there was space to go by my cart at my tee box, they would at least remember that there is somebody with them.

I get paired up with Randos as a single almost all the time. 90-95% of the time, I am the walker. So it isn't like there is a bond or conversations I have to have. Chats are usually around the green or on the tee box. And maybe if one of their shots is near mine. I get to play more than my buddies, so when we play together, we ride- unless it's at the local 9 holer. I walk- they seem to have an aversion to wearing out their shoes... And they tend to be a bit wilder, so they will usually be near each other well on the right side, so riding is a better bet for them. As an outsider to most of the groups, I don't usually have any problems with the groups I pair up with. BUT- every so often, They'll be a three that have no interest in interacting or will forget that I am there. They get so wrapped up in their own little world, I will be teeing off last (since they zip to the next tee and jump on), and while I'm putting my tee in, they're taking off after their drives.

A few years ago, I played with some visitors to the area and they were using rental clubs, etc.. They wanted to play from the 'Gold' tees. Sure, no problem. I saw places I'd never been close to since I'm either Whites or Blues normally. Although a 9 Iron from 135 on a Par 5 was a bit satisfying. Especially when I could cut off a LOT since it is a 90* dogleg.

Many of the 'newer' type of courses have more or less taken the "Ladies Tee" out of the mix. 5 or 6 sets of tees and none of them "Red". Might go Black, Blue, White, Green, Gold, and Silver or similar. The only reference to "Ladies" is on the scorecard in reference to the differing Slopes and Hdcps for each course and hole. the whole thing of moving up a tee is probably for the best for most. But Players may want to hit driver- even if they may not be straight, they want to be 'closer'. But too FAR forward and driver stays in the bag and you end up having to lay up and hitting the same club in anyway. And ego's sell Drivers, so folks will move back to soothe their egos anyway. 'Shorter' isn't always easier, either. You still need to hit fairways and greens AND Putt- which can be 40-50% of your score.

Possibly mold... But it could have been something that was spilled on it last year that did not react well to the conditions of storage. If it was new bag or stored in the original box with the cover on them, with no ventilation it's is possible that some VOC's reacted with whatever was on the bag. Kind of like that haze that forms on the inside of windshields no matter how much you clean it. It's the outgassing of VOC's from the materials in the cars interior. If it IS mold, as mentioned, a good mold/mildew spray will clean it up- but I would store it in a better environment. Basements can be notoriously damp, and without airflow that's a recipe for some really icky stuff to grow. Lucky it wasn't black mold.

Some of us play on a courses where there are about 8 different types of 'sand'... ranging from near concrete to baby powder. Each with a varying percentage of rocks and stones. I might go over the 14 club limit if I have to bring 6 different wedge types!!! But yeah, I agree with the concept of more bounce if the fluff, and less in the harder stuff...

2 years ago, I paid $150 to play the Currituck Club on the OBX as part of a big family get together. Not impressed- They charge that much to keep the 'riff-raff' out, apparently. Early 80's played St. Andrews. Basically just walked up on a mid week day while we were touring around visiting my Grandparents ancestral land. I had played a few other local types over in Ayrshire and headed over. Don't think it cost me more than $50(?) at the time. I can't really remember, but it wasn't any kind of sticker shock, so it must not have been too bad. In 1988 I played Innisbrook and paid around (I think) $90. I thought my Mom was going to have a stroke. "HOW MUCH??!!" In 2022 dollars that's about $225, so pretty stiff at the time. However- I HAVE played PB- twice. in 1986 and 1989 Paid approximately $125 each time. Called day before as a single. Before it was REALLY hard to get on. Again, my Mom rolled her eyes and nearly fainted. In 2022 dollars, that is about $340 so again, that was pretty steep then. But it didn't SEEM like it was that much back then. Before 'required' caddies, or whatever they soak you for these days. AND- Since I paid the $5 '17 Mile Drive' toll to get in, they would reimburse me the $5... nice.. "Oh, would you like the Course Yardage Book?" 'Sure' "that will be $5, please..." I can play Trump Ferry Point as a resident for $150 midweek... Do I? No... but I have played it twice because I got a gift card. It would have to be a really special occasion to spend the 300,400,500 bucks places are getting nowadays just for the "Experience". Even when we plan our buddy trips, we find good value courses and even then, we go for the times when the rates drop a bit (usually around 11am/12pm). Maybe a Lottery win or two would get me to go for a bit more 'exotic' courses that are deemed 'special' places to play. But I've played courses that are tended by sheep, and have had better experiences than some of the more 'must plays' out there.