DrivingRangeJunkie

I don't know the answer to it, but I do know this after hitting a bunch of straight ones with my burner: TAKE IT SLOW. I used to try to smash, demolish, destroy the ball. But I actually just swung at the threshold today, just below the out of control limit, and I now know my groove, and it works.

speaking of headcovers, I found a Cobra L4V headcover at the range one day. If anybody needs one Ill be glad to ship it over. Its the really nice one with the magnets to keep it closed on the driver head and nice yellow leather. It swallows up my Taylormade Burner if you want a sense of scale.

I had the same sort of thing happen to me, except I never found my pitching wedge after I realized it was gone after playing a few more holes. There was a bit of confusion between my friend and I about where we thought it might be, because I had let him borrow it on a few holes. I asked the group behind me whether they had seen or picked one up, and they said they did not. I still think they lied.

This may be one of the better threads Ive posted. Thanks for all the tips, I appreciate them. I was able to exchange phone numbers with a friend of mine I semi taught and tutored at the range. Ironically he plays alot more on the course than I do. So playing with a buddy: Somewhat done, he plays on the weekdays, but when I get a holiday, u can find me on the links. I think looking and observing is also a good tip. Thanks alot! If anybody wants to see a vid of my swing you can go here (even though I have made some changes including shortening my backswing and standing a bit closer to the ball): http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20034

I guessed it. Its probably not right.

I really really REALLY would like to play well one day on a course. I've only played maybe 3 or 4 times on a course, and all those times were borderline terrible. As my name states, I'm always at the driving range, and every once in a while I tell myself that I'll play a round the next day, and usually I end up at the driving range again. I think I can't get myself to go to a course because I don't want to look like a big idiot the moment I get there. The hardest part for me is just getting into the pro shop and paying for my round. But this one part is (for me) the scariest because I don't want to walk in WITH my golf bag, which I know you arent supposed to do, and then after paying wander around trying to figure out where the golf carts are. I know it sounds ridiculous but I haven't played on many courses to get the whole routine down. Any tips for the newbie?

Thanks for all the tips guys! I'm still not quite the straight hitter yet, but I'm not done trying.

For some reason my Taylormade Burner driver feels quite heavy compared to some other drivers I've held, and I'm concerned that this weight affects my ability to swing, because swinging a heavy object is alot harder than swinging a lighter one, and a lighter driver increase my clubhead speed. I have to swing pretty fast with the burner to get the ball off the ground. Should I replace the shaft of my burner with a lighter less stiff shaft? Right now the shaft is the stock SuperFast (ironically) 50 gram shaft.

Sometimes its best to just forget everything, take a deep breath, and swing. Trying to get your initial results is hard because you keep trying to correct something and you end up doing more bad than good. Try to just swing without thinking and see what happens. The other day I played a game with a driving range buddy where we try to get as close to our targets as possible. I swung without thinking after aiming up and lining up, and it felt crisp and good.

I've seen it a couple times already, thanks for the link though! So according to the video, I should be starting the backswing with a rotation of my chest and shoulders instead of my hands? I can't seem to do it very fast, its kind of hard to get used to. I'll try to work on it.

I actually prefer wearing cargo shorts, they aren't as constricting as pants and they're nice and comfortable. I haven't heard of any courses around here banning cargo shorts, and I hope they don't.

I've played maybe 3 times on a course. Once for the high school golf team, once with my friend and once by myself, and I can't seem to get myself to do very well, I think its just nerves. My bag consists of: Taylormade Burner 9.5 degree stiff shaft Cleveland Sport 19 degree fairway wood stiff shaft Powerbilt TPS Irons 4-9 graphite shafts Acuity Gap wedge 52 degree Callaway X-12 PW and SW Old Ping Anser 2i Putter Ball: Precept Laddie, Callaway IX tour (still haven't used yet, saving them for when I get better) Bag: Izzo Green Nike golf bag I plan on playing a round tomorrow, I'll let you guys know what I shoot.

Yes for the most part, if the yardages at the range are accurate: PW: ~110 yards 9 iron: ~130 yards 8 iron: ~140 yards 7 iron: ~150 yards 6 iron: ~160 yards 5 iron: ~170 yards 4 iron: ~180 yards I think these are about right.

Yes, I agree my waggle isn't exactly something I would use on the course, but I needed to hit a nice long straight one for the camera, and I usually take my time in my set up to do it. But I will try to shorten in so I can get used to a shorter waggle and build a good set up routine. Thanks!

AH HA. Ok that clears it all up for me, the key is stand farther away from the ball with longer irons and closer with shorter ones. Most of the time I stand the same distance with each iron away from the ball. Thanks for the link, it really helped alot.

I still haven't gotten my question answered yet: Do I use the same swing for every iron in the bag, or should each swing for each iron vary depending on their length? For instance, should I swing the 8 iron on a steeper plane than I would for a 4 iron?

Yeah I know hitting off mats doesn't prepare me, and I try to hit off grass all the time, except the grass over at the range isn't very nice, the ground is somewhat level, but the grass is just so heavy, its like hitting out of gnarly dry rough, and it makes it alot harder for me.

Thanks Rocketsauce, I live in South Florida, Broward County to be exact. I usually blow my money at the range, and I should really start to play courses now instead, so thats usually why I'm always low on money. I'll take a look on ebay, thanks!

I understand what you're saying Hackerpratt, and my knee sometimes gets alittle out of control sometimes, I've been trying to keep my right knee flexed during the swing, thanks!

Well. This was quite a comment. Let me respond to some of these: 1. I do have friends, but they don't share the same enthusiasm as I do in golf, and I didn't want to bother anybody else at the range to help me with the vid. 2. I was wearing basketball shorts, they feel comfy and I like to be comfortable when practicing. Perhaps they are quite low. 3. There are always tees on the ground, and I was just looking for my tee I used on the shot before I started filming. 4. I was aiming down my imaginary fairway, which is between two sets of palm trees down the range. This shot I hit went fairly down the middle. 5. Finally! A complement on my swing. Thank you. I'll try to slow down my takeaway, Subpar. I am also on the lookout for some golf shoes, as soon as I get some money and I find a pair for a reasonable price, I'll get right on them.

Wow I didn't even notice that for the 8 iron vid, I usually check if my feet are aligned like I did for the driver (even though it was a quick little check) It would explain why both shots went a little right. And one more thing: Do I have to adjust my swing for different irons? For instance, should the 7,8,9 irons have a steeper swing than opposed to say a 4 iron, which would be flatter? Or is it ok to have one swing for all your irons? Thanks!

Ok here it is, finally got my swing on video! Let me know what you guys think! http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20034

this is what I think: Its never too late to get on the tour. There are some pros that started golf in their teens and still made it to the tour. Yes, it requires a huge amount of time and dedication to get to that type of skill level, but I think all it takes to get to the PGA tour would be to play high school golf, play exceptionally well to be recruited and play college golf. (Of course if you are past this age, then yes it may be too late, but even then you could still get on the tour. Thankfully for me I still have this entire year and the summer to sharpen and hone my game before the 2009-2010 season) From there, the road map has been laid out, and you go where it takes you. Some end up on the PGA tour, some don't.

Watch golf channel, try your best to swing like your favorite pro.

Ironically I just did it like an hour ago. But I'll clean them after practice and after a round.