Mr Soane

I booked a lesson last year with the specific aim of establishing a solid driver swing, he identified quickly that I was set-up for iron shots and adjusted my set-up accordingly. He went on to say that I was putting too much pressure on myself and that I needed more self-belief in my game. Now I trust his judgment as he was the first coach I went to when I took up golf but when I joined a high-profile local club I was beset with feelings of inadequacy which I have partly overcome after seeing the standards of some of the other members. With his help my first cards got me a handicap of 19, very happy and a good base to build on, but this driver problem really is knocking my confidence and making me reluctant to play. Now, watching some You tube videos I know that a driver swing is flatter than an iron swing but I cannot translate this at the range. I can badly slice 3 drives, pick up a 6i and cream it down the middle 9 times out of 10 with good yardage. Now I have no qualms about set-up aids but I just need that little something to make it click.

I started playing golf several years ago but I am having serious problems with my driver and 3 wood, my iron play is spot-on, I'm very happy with it but when it comes to driving I go to pieces, I slice them badly, top them, everything but cane them straight. Now my instructor says its in my head but I don't know, what can I check in my driver swing?

I'm guilty of looking over my shoulder to see how close the group behind is, regardless of how quick/slow the group in front are playing. I found the best time to play was mid-week when everyone else is working, I'd start about 8 and play very leisurely golf for the next several hours. After work and at the weekends it's a different story, I think the pace is too high to enjoy the game, surroundings, company, etc. Unless you're in a comp, I think there should be longer between tee-times and emphasis put on relaxing and enjoying the game.

After I got home from a round this year on July 4th, I realised I'd left a TM R7 sand wedge on the fringe of the 18th, overlooked by the clubhouse balcony and remebering that there was a 2-ball behind me, it was never seen again. Perhaps they were visitors and thought 'Bonus'. I still forget to pick-up clubs but always do a club count at the car.

I've just got Caddyaid on my Nokia N95 8Gb and it works a treat (well at my home course anyway). Simplest of simple yardages with hazards and whatnot.

LMAO, sweet

I play mostly alone, work restrictions mainly. More often than not if I'm out I may hook-up with another single or 2-ball, tend to play better this way.Also if you're solo and it's quiet you can drop a couple of balls and have a few practice shots. I don't know about listening to music, you may not hear that 'Fore' until it's way to late!!!

This does it for me, most embarrassing.

I started playing golf a couple of years ago and within 6 months was very fortunate to get a near new set of TM R7 TP's. Shortly afterwards I got a new TM R7 stand-bag. Now if you saw me at the range or on the course, what would you think I played off? I feel lucky to have these clubs that should last a golfing lifetime if I look after them, thats why I use headcovers when transporting them and a rain-hood when the need arises (fairly often here in soggy Wales). Assumption is a terrible trait, at least speak to the guy before jumping to conclusions.

I've been on the website and my only chance to get on there is the daily ballot but there is a minimum of 2 players and I'm on my own (the Old Course is closed now for the Open). At the end of the day any of the courses are worth playing.

I'm off to Scotland next month and I have the oppportunity to play at St Andrews but I'm at a loss as to which course to play. I've only been playing golf for 2 years, my club is parkland so I've never played links golf. Anyone been there who can recommend a course for me?

I'm asking this as I had to disqualify myself form a comp for picking balls up from the rough to clean them. My misunderstanding arose from the belief that I can pick a ball up on the fairway to clean it and that if the ball is in casusal water in the rough I can pick a better lie within 6 inches of it's original position but no closer to the hole. So as of today I need a clear understanding of what I can and can't do during the round. I've downloaded a copy of the Rules of Golf from the R & A website so I 'm working my way through that, but a layman's interpretation is what I'm after. Thanks..

Is it possible to get a date of manufacture from the serial number on the hosel of my R7 TP's?

Result. Telephoned my home insurers who confirmed I've got public liability cover and the clubs are insured as a valuable away from home - but not when I'm using them (got to be determined to steal clubs as I'm using them!) Still need a replacement value though for new-for-old cover. Thanks again for your time and typing.

Thanks for the replies. Annual premiums average out at about $80 to $100 for cover up to $3200 for your clubs, bag or buggy. I see the point that there will be a peak when the premium is worth more than the clubs, but what is included in the insurance is your public liability, hole-in-one cover, non-playing cover (golf club fees) and personal accident. Yes I have home contents cover and public liability through that, but it is apparently difficult to claim through it if you hit someone on the course or send a ball through the clubhouse lounge window (just shouting 'fore' does not mean you won't end in court being sued). That's why I want insurance but it hinges on the value of your gear.

I've managed to make-up a pretty good and clean set of Talormade R7 clubs, from the irons, Superquad TP, 3-wood TP, Rossa putter, a mixture of new and used stuff. Now I'm in the market for some insurance, both for public liability and for my gear and the insures I have contacted have said I need a new-for-old policy and that I should price up the new stuff to the equivelent of what I've got now. So how/what should I use for replacement purposes?

Thanks guys.

I have an old Hippo steel hybrid but the head is the size of my 3-wood, TM's heads are so small. I've read you hit like an iron, not a wood - correct?

I have in my bag a Taylormade R7 TP 3 and 4 iron, the 3 never gets used and the 4 rarely so I'm considering upgrading to a rescue. Now I am very brand loyal and like the look and styling of Taylormade stuff so would prefer the older R7 or more up-to-date Burner but I'm confused as to which one to get. My understanding of the rescue is thta it is a bit of an 'all-rounder' so is there any entry-level club? I suppose in time I could buy a more lofted or less lofted club if the need arises.

I got a set of used TP's at the beginning of the year and I love them. I'm pretty new to the game and they're the first pro set I've had so I've no way of comparing them against say Ping or Callaway.

Having just statred to play the game I've learnt that when you're out there playing there is just so much temptation to cheat and I don't think it's acceptable, it's a game of skill and judgement and you should roll with the puches - if you hit OB or whatever take it on the chin. This was/is a game for gentleman and you could measure someones integrity by how they played golf. At the end of the day, if I see someone cheating after I slogged my guts out, they're going to know about it, and if they cheat me in a comp, everyone's going to know.

Well I played in my first club comp today and it was up there with one of the most nerve racking things I've done. It was a 3 ball format and the guys with me couldn't have been nicer, expalining the rules, etiquette, etc. On my part the nine were played with my head up my backside, even managed an 11 on a par4! Back 9 was a much more relaxed affair, several pars and a couple of one-overs, but I can say I really enjoyed it and can't wait to get back out there. How was your first comp?

Speaking to my pro the other day during a lesson about an upcoming comp when he explained that I should play the game using my handicap and stroke index of the holes. At the moment I play off 19 so I've a shot on every hole, but take into account the stroke index of every hole, I should have an extra shot again on every hole -there is one SI 1 so do I get 2 shots on this? So do I have 37 exta shots before I even start?

I've just put my cards in and should come out a 24 but usually play with either 16-24 'cappers or my mate who plays off 5 - I can tell you it's a lot more relaxed playing with the higher 'cappers. My friend tends to be very 'passionate' about his game and has no qulams in letting me and the trees know when things aren't going well. On the plus side he is a font of information, tips and tricks but sometimes forgets some of us can't hit 250+ drives or spin a ball on the green.

If you look you'll see a thread in which I had trouble with my grip and that turned out to be too much pressure - coupled with a new set of Golf Pride New Decade grips and I devolped quite painful callus on my left hand. I'm just going to go softly softly from now on. PS he also said too tight a grip can cause all sorts of swing problems, if you grip too tight you tend to loosen the grip on the backswing which probably opens the clubface on the downswing. Try to maitain an even pressure throughout the swing (whilst not thinking too hard about launching your club over the nearest hedge!)