bsettle

I think you may be mistaken about the optimal driver loft. The optimal driver LAUNCH ANGLE is 12 degrees, not loft. if you are hitting a 12 degree driver (which is fine, hit what makes you better), unless you are making poor contact or have the ball way too far back in your stance, you are probably launching the ball closer to 16-18 degrees. Which is much higher than optimal, which only means your are probably losing distance and roll, but I know guys that just like to hit the ball high so they have always carried 10.5 drivers.

I easily hit 85% from 75-125 because those are wedge distances, but it is not always close to the hole. I usually average probably 15-20 feet from those distances. Those distances are automatic two putts, so I am making par and I will take 18 pars everytime. If I were you I would go to the range and instead of hitting the driver, I would grab my wedges and short irons and hit 95% ball with them. Then go and chip and putt for 30-45 minutes, focusing on distance control, and your scores will drop.

I think alot of it comes from two things: 1.) They honestly do not know any better. They think they hit the ball that far because they have never really got their distances checked out. 2.) They watch tour pro's hit a 8 iron when the tv says they are 175 out, but what they dont realize is that the pin was in the back and the greens are firm. They are picking a yardage on the front 1/3 of the green that is more like 155-160. People dont realize that the yardage shown on tv is not always the yardage the player is hitting to. They are picking a number that gives them the best chance of making a putt. They may or may not be hole high.

If anyone has any of the following clubs I would be very interested: TaylorMade TP Rescue 17 degree TaylorMade TP Rescue 19 degree TaylorMade TP Rescue 21 degree Standard length please..... I have two nickent hybrids now, 20 and 17. Willing to trade plus pay. I have a PayPal account to protect us both. Also I leave in Louisville,KY and willing to meet.

Try reading the Hot List article in Golf Digest this month (also on golfdigest.com). I was surprised at the results. It will show you which balls get you the distance and spin for the money. It breaks them down by price so you can find the best ball for your budget.

I have a comment on both your scenarios. 1.) Slow play, is not against the rules, other than the rules DO state you have to try and keep up with the group in front of you. If you can't, fine. I do not think anyone on this site would be upset if you are a high handicapper that cannot play at the pace of a low handicapper. BUT if a group is OBVIOUSLY playing faster than you from behind, IT IS A RULE that you MUST let them through. It is not our obligation convenience you because you are not following the rules. You have to convenience us, not because we are better players, but because the rules of the game you chose to play say so. Yes, you paid and can take your time, but we paid and have the right to play every hole. Remember, it is a rule. 2.) Driving slow in the fast lane, also a rule. Read the little white signs with black letters "Slower traffic keep right." Yes, we can go around in another lane, but the slow driver is the one not obeying the rules. Why should we have to convenience them?

I have two contestants....First, 230 yards out with about 50 feet elevation drop over a pond, i hit a 3 hybrid to about 10 feet and converted the birdie Second....140 yards out behind two trees in the left rough with a left pin. I had to play hook in between the two trees with 3/4 swing to swing over to the left pin, i hit an 8 iron to about 4 feet and converted the birdie.

79,82,76,78 with a rating of 73.8 and a slope of 136. And the 76 should have been a 74.....i missed two birdie putts inside 6 feet.

Mine is for sure the PW. Not sure why, but I never hit any club as well all season long. If I have to lay up, I go for a PW yardage rather than a SW. 125 is perfect. Although, Driver is not far behind............i rarely miss fairways.

The Hogan drill is an quick easy drill to give him the feel of holding that wrist angle. Just start at the top of the backswing and start the downswing (holding the same angle from the top) all the way until the hands reach a good spot to release (about right inside the back leg). And do this three times with no hesitation. So he will go up.down(down being that spot where he would release).up.down.up.down.up and then on the last time swing through. This will give him the feeling of holding that angle three straight times RIGHT before he makes a full swing. I usually hit about 5 balls like this the first time i get to the range.

V1 Golf has a free swing analysis tool you can use to analyze your swing. I think everyone has pretty much said what needed to be said, but just to say what I saw: 1. Use your chest and shoulders to turn away from the ball and also might want to think about getting the wrist hinged a little quicker in the back swing...this will also help if you are getting to flat. The quick wrist drill is something Butch Harmon does with Adam Scott when he gets flat. What he does is sets up to the ball and then hinges his wrist first and then all he has to do is turn his shoulders and he is at the top of the backswing, then swing through. 2. Widen the stance...you want to be a little wider than your shoulders with your driver. You are actually inside your shoulders. This will help with balance and power because you will really be able to turn to that left side through impact without the fear of falling over. 3. And the obvious thing of consistent height. To get a good idea, put your mouse cursor on where your head is during set up and then play a swing from down the line (behind) and watch how much your head moves upwards. Think of more turning around your core and keeping the head as still as possible...both vertically and laterally. But honestly you are making very good contact even though you stand up through the shot. That shows your athletisicm and hand eye coordination are very high.

www.quailchase.com One of the top rated courses in Louisville, although usually over priced. 27 holes - so you can mix it up.

The main misconception with the flop shot of those who struggle with it is how or when the clubhead passes the hands. Remember you can still hit a succesful short flop shot by doing a few things: 1. Open the club enough that you get the loft you need, but not enough that the leading edge cannot be kept under ball 2. Try and keep your hands in front of the ball (like other short game shots) and use your chest and big muscles to "really" turn through it to generate that spin you need to keep from rolling 10 feet past the hole. This will allow you to make cleaner contact and not skull the ball. Once you have mastered the timing in certain lies, then you can really throw that head past the hands to generate even more loft and more spin.