mgresh

I appreciate the feedback...fortunately for me, the driver is usually the better part of my game. The reason I keep the ping in the bag is because it seems I have found the perfect one for my swing. A regular flex does not necessarily indicate a "wimpy" shaft as I can certainly attest to. I can say that I was shocked to find how well I hit it. I certainly don't subscribe to "buying a game" as that has been proven to be a sure-fire way to spend a lot of money to never improve. I am thinking this is much more mental and probably will have to accept the level at which I am playing as long as I am limited to the amount of time I have to devote at present. Thanks again, Matt

Hey folks, I decided to make this post because I’m looking for a little bit of experience, and maybe insight, from others as to situations similar to mine. I’m pretty new here so I don’t expect anyone to know me but I’m in a sort of a “golf funk” right now. My index is 3.2 which to me is somewhat misleading given my take on the general population’s view of what a 3.2 should consist of (you know, always shooting par and whatnot . While I have been playing golf since 7 years of age (27 years), I have gone through periods of drought where I may have only played 6 to 8 times a year, mainly through college and when my kids were really small. I have now gotten to a point where I have been able to join a country club and play once or twice a week and maybe hit balls or practice putting once a week. I have moments where I play really well and can shoot around par but I also throw in the occasional 85 or so. I feel as though I shouldn’t shoot above 80 on most courses, primarily because I consider myself a thinker on the course, know quite a bit about the swing and game, and am capable of most shots required but most of my playing partners have this “image” built up in their minds that I’m this scratch golfer and act like they’re attending my funeral when I shoot one of these “balloon” rounds. This just adds to the image in my mind that something is very wrong and basically gets me thinking that I’m not where I should be. Logic says that if I can only play once a week and practice once a week then I probably should have lower expectations. If that is the case then I guess I have to accept it but the competitive side of me won’t allow this so I ask anyone, willing to contribute, for thoughts, ideas and maybe a few words of encouragement. Thanks, Matt

I draw a small skull and crossbones in the large white area above the "titleist". No reason really but the dimples make good eye sockets

I'd say it's all about level of comfort. I like to play different tee boxes to change up the course and shots that I have to hit because I play my home course about 90% of the time but it's personal preference and sometimes dictated by your playing partners. For example, I play with some guys who are a bit higher handicaps and a bit older than I and they generally like to play from the whites. I'm fine with that...we're out to have a good time and it can be no fun for a guy to be struggling with long irons and woods all day because of the tees selected.

Hi Folks, Wondering if anyone has any good tips on how to repair dings and gouges on the soles of forged irons. Here in Arkansas we have our fair share of rocks, even on the best courses, and I was hoping someone might have some helpful insight. My regular group doesn't usually play off the rocks (basically we can move it a grip length or so to avoid club damage) but often there are times when one can't see them beneath the surface or must play off of them due to tournament conditions. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks, Matt

That is very unfortunate Ray and I can empathize with your situation as I have witnessed similar over my years playing golf. That said, I have usually seen common threads in the folks who have experienced this like "so and so's brother in law is a golf pro and he'll give you a good deal", etc. Not sure how many of you have actually looked over what it takes to become a "class A" PGA professional but it is no small accomplishment and if you search out the quality pros in your area you are likely to not be led astray. It is important, however, that you come to your lesson prepared and you are able to convey to your teacher what it is you are trying to accomplish in some level of detail. Otherwise, you leave them with a blank slate, so to speak, an of course they are going to try to create a swing that will last and adheres to as many of the modern fundamentals as possible. I have been through a few instructors, some better than others, and I find that those who are most aware of my physical composition and limitations are generally the best for me. Good luck and don't let too many "bad lesson" horror stories steer you from instruction.

My favorite club fluctuates (and all the gurus say we're not supposed to have one) but right now I would have to say mine is my 54* SW. It's a taylormade rac black and one of the reasons I like it so much is that it is one of the first sand wedges that I've owned that I know will go the same distance every time when hit solidly and pretty close when not his\t solidly. I know that if I take a half-swing it will go 85 yards and a full one will travel 115. That's nice to know on the tee box of par 4s and for par 5 layups.

One other thing I forgot to post about proxy is that it is waived if three or more putts.

Another great game you guys might try is what we called roll-em when I was a kid. Best with 4 players in teams of two. Assign and point value and be careful because it adds up! There are points for the following: double-eagle eagle birdie proxy (closest to hole if GIR) low-ball low-total sandie barkie (optional but means par or better made after hitting a tree) Decide your order on the first tee as any other team bet. After first team (or person if not playing teams) hits, the other has the option to "roll" which doubles the point value for the hole. The first team has the option to "re-roll" after the second team hits which quadruples the point value so you can see where this can get way out of hand I'd recommend bringing an extra scorecard as things can end up looking like an algebra equation but hands-down the most fun game I have ever played on the golf course. There is also something know as a "package" and this is where the two team agree to roll and re-roll a hole or series of holes up front. Have fun!

Hi Sam, I think a good first step is to go to http://www.pga.com/improve/find-an-instructor/index.cfm and find memebers of the pga in your area. Also, just asking around you can generally find out who others have seen and been successful with. I think anyone can benefit from 1 lesson or 20 from a good teaching professional. Hope that helps. Matt

"pin high" is a linear term used in reference to the position of your ball relative to the hole i.e. not too long of the hole location and not to far short. So, at a point on the green near the hole from front to back. Hope that helps.

After thoroughly enjoying this thread I will just say that I played golf with Phil in high school and he can hit any shot he wants with any club he wants so don't think for a second that he is somehow incapable of hitting a draw or fade with any club on command the majority of the time. Imagine competing every week against the best 144 people in the world at what you do for a living. One sometimes has to use every tool at one's disposal to succeed. Every player out there is subject to the same rules.

I read the article and from it gathered that the movement is still in the shoulders (no forearm rotation) but because of the angle from the shoulders, down the putter shaft, to the ball the face opens and closes relative to the target. The only way to truly keep the putter square to the target line throughout the stroke would be if the swing plane were perfectly perpendicular to the ground or if some funny manipulation of the wrists and forearms took place. From experience, I agree it is easy to get caught up in what Utley's technique insinuates and over-emphasize the action but in a short stroke you really will not see much difference in the Ultey method as opposed to, say, the Pelz method. My 2 cents would be to ensure sound fundamentals and keep your head as still as possible. Too much more thinking than that and I lose my focus.