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The one thing I've learned in the short time that I've been playing is that golf is designed to make even the best players look stupid. In the end I think golf's a game and people who make it into a life and death situation instead of pleasure just won't succeed. I think it all comes down to how they each deal with pressure. If they do acutally play more than three holes Don's nerves have to catch up with him, while nothing really phases Kip . . . until he's staring down a 3 foot putt, LOL.

I couldn't stop laughing this week when Bart said, "Don hits some great shots . . . especially for someone with nerves like him" I just hope they let them play more than three holes. For Bart and Kip's match to be decided by three holes was ridiculous, they should have played nine and let the best player win.

I was absolutely shocked, I think that was the worst Bart had played during any challenge. Kind of makes you wonder if all the times he sat out didn't lead to a little rust or lack of experience with pressure. That said, I'd say that Kip's approach on the last hole was the best shot I'd seen in the entire show, I don't think any of the contestants had stuck a shot that close in any of the challenges. Just shows you how fickle golf can be.

It was pretty amazing watching the last three holes last night on GC. I don't think I've ever seen so many putts hang on lips as I did during this tournament. You can really see the pressure on the players faces and in their swings, even some of the fourth and fifth timers. ESPN.com did a really neat job following three players through Q school.

Looks like there's some interest, why not keep it open for people to sign up until Wednesday. If you would like to participate, please e-mail me your preffered mailing address: t_madefan@yahoo.com and I'll start pairing people up! Just remember to use Secret Santa on the return address and try and leave some clues relevant to posts on the message board to try and let the recipient know who you are!

Before I bought my 690's I demoed the 670, 680, and 690. All three feel pretty distinct, especially the 680 which is weighted higher than the 690. The 680's head is noticeably smaller than the 690 with less length. Although the 680's have less offset, the difference is .01 of an inch or less I think, pretty close to negligible. Feel at impact was about the same, but ball flight was much flatter which I personally don't like. It's not a substitue for hitting them, but I hope that gives you a starting point.

I realize the board is pretty new and not everyone knows and trusts eachother yet. But on another board I used to participate in, every christmas we used to have a secret santa pass. Basically the way it works is everyone who wants to participate is assigned to a secret santa and also acts as someone elses secret santa. That way everyone who gives a gift recieves one. You anonomously send a gift to your recipient and then leave certain clues for your recipient to try and guess who your santa is. We could limit the gifts to $10-15 including shipping so no one's neck's on the line. Since there are certain items such as balls, tees, divot tools, towels, and grips golfers always need it should be a fun way to get to know one another. I'd be happy to organize it if anyone's interested.

I think Tivo is the greatest invention, it's the only reason I am able to watch TV. Outside of Astros baseball, PGA golf, and Texans football, my favorite shows are: The Simpsons CSI Las Vegas Big Break II Sports Center Golf Channel Academy What's In the Bag Seinfeld re-runs Arrested Development

My first set of clubs was a set of Ping Zing 2's and the larger more forgiving head definately helped me make solid contact more often and helped with a lot of positive reinforcement. If I had tried to learn on blades I probably would have quit. However, once my handicap started dropping, I became frustrated with the lack of control I was getting. As is usually the case it wasn't the club's fault but mine. Since I wasn't consistently hitting the sweet spot of the club my distance control and accuracy were poor. So I picked up a used Mizuno blade 7 Iron and started hitting it at the driving range. Although it was a harsh learning curve the lack of forgiveness helped tremendously and forced me to make really consistant contact and focus on what is going on at impact. I also learned that I was losing some distance due to the fact that I was hitting shots slightly fat which I didn't realize due to the wider sole of the cavity backs. But the trenches I was digging with the blade made it clear that I was a touch too steep on the down swing. Now I'm playing with Titleist 690 MB's and I love them. I'm especially proud of the quarter sized wear spot I've hit into the face! I've also come to like the visual appeal of the smaller head and thin top line. Although I can't reccomend one or the other since everyone's swing and style of play are different, all i can say is blades have helped my game more than any other purchase I've made.

I too am a big fan of par 5's they give you the opportunity to grip it and rip it or play conservatively and still score well. My favorite I've played so far is the eighteenth at Barton Creek Canyon's Course . The entire hole is downhill, so it plays a bit shorter than it's 561 yards. The fairway is fairly wide, mounded, and crossed twice by a stream. The tee shot is guarded to the right and left by bunkers. Accuracy is important because there is not much real estate between the fairway and dense woods. Although the green is relatively flat, the approach to it is guarded by a huge oak tree to the left and a stream in front. Pretty difficult any way you want to approach it. As far as dream holes I'd love to play, the 18th at St. Andrews, 9th at Fancourt, and the 10th at Turnberry Alisa come to mind.

My home course is Greatwood , a really fun layout, short but challenging with a lot of water carries and pretty tight fairways. Houston also has some decent municipals especially the new Memorial Park since it was renovated, although it can get a bit crowded. There are also some really nice new courses like the new Jacobsen designed Black Horse which is super challenging and hosted a second round regional for PGA Q school and Red Stone which is going to host the Shell Houston open this year. Both are super tough courses with pretty fair green fees.

Either a travel bag or a travel case, anyone have any reccomendations on which is better or some good choices? Scotty Cameron Newport 2 stainless putter New tour velvet grips for my irons

I often find it hard to spend more than fifteen or twenty minutes on the putting green before my short attention span tends to get the best of me. Anyone have any great putting drills they like to do? One I've really enjoyed is leapfrog putting to master speed control. Putt one ball, then each succesive ball must go past the one before it.

Keep in mind this is who I'm predicting severly tainted by who I'd like to see win. Augusta - Fred Couples always plays well there and as long as he's healthy, I think he's playing really well now, still tattooing the ball. US Open - John Daly + Short course + wide fairways = championship PGA Champ. - Tiger Woods, he's got to end the slump sometime. British Open - Davis Love III, I think his ball flight's perfectly suited to the old course.

I agree with pahonix, 9 out of 10 amateurs don't have a strong enough grip. Remember the both V shapes formed by your thumb/index fingers should point to your right shoulder. Here's an image: http://www.juniorlinks.com/imageLibr...rip_strong.jpg Furthermore, most also seem to clamp down on the club with vices instead of light grip pressure, that can prevent proper release of the club and lead to an open club face at impact which turns into slice. Grip pressure should be about a six or seven on a ten scale, just enough to keep the club from flying out of your hands. Excess grip pressure leads to tension in the arms and slower swing speeds. Hope that helps

I'm kind of an equipment nut . . . so I was wondering what sticks ther guys out there are hitting with. Here's what's in mine: Driver: TaylorMade 510 9.5° Fujikura Speeder 660TR 3 Wood: Titleist 980F 15° Fujikura Speeder 869 Irons 2-PW: Titleist 690 MB Wedges: TaylorMade RAC 56°, 60° Putter: Yes! Tracy II Ball: Bridgestone B330

Hi I'm from Houston and found the sandtrap.com a couple of weeks ago. I'm 23 and in med school. I came to golf late, only three years ago, but got sucked in fully. I try to play at least once a week weather permitting (which it hasn't recently!). This past summer I managed to whittle my handicap down to a five thanks in large part to my local pro who patiently helped me tighten up my short game especially 50 yards in. I absolutley love golf and am really looking forward to participating in this forum. Love the site!