JBailey

Well, I'm old, but Honeyweller? Later, John

Being an old guy who hasn't played, or followed, golf for the last 20 years, I'm not familiar with the concept of the "strokes gained" stat that is used. However, from the numbers you've stated, it looks like the shorter the type of shot, the more it influenced the outcome of the tournament. Looks like Spieth putted for the dough. Wonder what the stats for Mr. Gomez at the Sony say. Later, John

I used to be a high school teacher. I recently played with an ex-high school student I hadn't seen for years. I knew I was getting old when he went to the front desk and asked for the senior rate. He also talked of his grand children. However, I beat him! Later, John

I voted 20 feet because that's the distance I'm trying to make the putt. 30 feet and I'm lagging. Although sometimes those go in also but not because I was planning on it. Later, John

It's finally winter here in Northern Michigan -- I bought a half hour on the simulator!! Later, John

At the Tournament of Champions last week, of the 3 top finishers, how did they rank for driving distance and putting? Later, John

I'm one of those folks who get up early and often play a round in the early morning alone. Since I didn't belong to a club this year I used the Golf Digest handicap site to calculate my handicap. So, I know it wasn't official. I didn't start up golf again till mid summer this year, but because of the beautiful weather we had in Northern Michigan this year (I played all the way to Christmas) I got in 50 rounds -- most alone. I don't necessarily like the new rule about playing alone. However, I'm joining a club next year and will go by the rule without consternation. I'll, simply, use the Golf Digest site to include all my scores for my real purpose of having a handicap -- to access my improvement, or lack of improvement. I'll also keep an official handicap using the USGA rules. Now, I have a question about the new rules. Since a good portion of my "official" rounds will be league play, and the league rules will allow "winter rules," will I be able to post those rounds officially. I suspect not, but I'm not sure. If I can't, I'm going to have darn few round to count using official handicap rules. Later, John

So, I get both more accuracy and distance. Sounds good to me. My point was not a "wild" swing, but one that still is in the fairway. Most courses I played this year were tight with penalizing woods close to the fairway. A drive close to the rough, but in the fairway, would leave me with a decent chance to hit the green in regulation. However, the angle of the drive that is on the edge of the fairway with my 220 yds. would put me in the woods at 242 yds. 10% better accuracy would give me a better chance to hit the green. Again, I think I get the point about distance being important, but unless my accuracy improves also, I'm not sure it will do me any good. This is a good discussion and if anything, it makes me think I've got to look for some more open golf courses to play. Actually, I plan on getting both 10% more distance and accuracy this coming summer. Later, John

Mcllroy seems to be primed to go after Spieth with a passion. I see those two winning all 4 majors. Spieth - Masters and US Open Mcllroy - The Open and PGA Later, John

I understand exactly what everyone is saying about the importance of length. But I struggle with the fact that my own scores have improved every time I've made a change that sacrificed distance for accuracy. So, while still keeping an open mind, I'm sticking with accuracy for the time being. I would like to pose this though. We have been talking about percentages. 10% of a 30 yd. wide fairway is only 3 yds. I can see where that's not a big difference. 10% of my 220 yd. drives is 22 yds. and is a big difference. Even when I'm driving the ball well, I'm often on the edges of the fairway and an extra 22 yds. would simply put me in the woods without a chance to get to the green in regulation. Putting my drive 3 yds. closer to the center of the fairway, however, would give me a good chance of reaching the green in regulation. It would even give me the benefit of keeping the ball in play, because of the angle, even if I did catch the ball on the screws and hit it longer than normal. I'll admit, I've always played very tight courses. Most of the courses I've played in Northern Michigan have been cut out of the woods. If you get off the fairway much, it's very penalizing. However, this year, as I take up golf again after a 20 yr. absence, the only course near me is a mom and pop course built on an old farm. While there are still a lot of trees, most holes have one side of the fairway fairly open. I can see where accuracy may not be quite as important. If that's the case I may be switching sides on the accuracy vs. distance debate. Later, John

When I was playing a lot of golf, and was a 5 handicap, I started building my own clubs. It's very cheap and easy to do this. I got clubs just like I wanted and game improved a lot. I just built a new driver. A quality driver head, 51 gram shaft with 4.6 torque, Winn grip to my liking, total cost $100. Later, John

My retirement golf plan is get to the golf course early every day to meet up with the other "old retired" guys to BS. Maybe!!, I say Maybe!! hit a few warm-up balls on the range and then go walk and play 18. On days that my wife's gone -- she's often traveling around the globe somewhere -- I may stick around the clubhouse and maybe even play a few more holes. Other days, after golf, I'm going home and play in my wood shop or cut down a few trees with my chain saws. Somewhere in that schedule I'll find time to play in the community band, blow a few notes with my tuba quartet and ride my motorcycle. I gotta' tell ya'. Retirement is great!! Later, John

I played Christmas day with a high temp of 37. In the summer my on-the-screws drive went about 240 this year. When it gets in the 40's and 30's, that goes down to 220 and I'm hitting 1/2 clubs more on approach. It's a good point that some of that may be restrictive clothes. Later, John

2 and 3 are fine, but 1 will get you in trouble more times than not. Later, John

You are probably correct. I can adjust my swing with the 52 wedge, but the 58 seems to go 60 yds. no matter what adjustment I make. Of course, close to the green having to hit over a mound in front of me I can open the 58 wedge an use a "chip" type motion to hit it high and short and stop it pretty quickly. But from the fairway any swing seems to produce 60 yards, either with a lower trajectory, or, like you said, higher trajectory but no more distance. My present sand wedge would probably give me the in-between distance I want, but it has a lot of bounce and often produces a skulled shot from the fairway. Also, my 58 wedge with normal bounce does better for me out of bunkers than the sand wedge. So, after some research I think I'll build a 54/56 wedge with less bounce than my sand wedge. I'm starting to enjoy making my own clubs again. It'll give me something to do during the cold Northern Michigan winter. Later, John

20 years ago my driver was a 9.5. I could hit it long. I played on a tight course and was often in trouble. Going to a 13.5 driver produced a little less distance, but greatly improved my accuracy. Today, 20 years later and much shorter off the tee, and much older, my regular driver is 10.5. But, again, I find myself in trouble with this club. I've only used the 14 degree one round, so I could be wrong, but distance is about the same with the 14 degree driver and accuracy, just like 20 years ago, at least for the one round, was much more consistent. I know common knowledge is that length is more important than accuracy. In my case, however, I've proven to myself, with my abilities, that more accuracy beats out more distance every time. Of course, I'd like to have both, but I'll take a little more accuracy over a little more distance any day. As far as the 14 degree driver, for most it may be a little over kill, but it worked great in the past for me. Do some research with an open mind and I think you'll see some benefit in what I'm describing. I will say, my swing speed in my old age is down to 93. If it was over 100, I'm not sure the high lofted driver would make that much difference. But, for us mortals, I think there are benefits. Later, John

I tried out my new 14 degree driver yesterday. As suspected from past experience, I lost very little, if any distance using this club off the tee. My normal driver was averaging around 235 in warmer weather. Since the last month (a godsend here in Northern Michigan) playing in the 39's and low 40's, my drives have been around 220. Yesterday, with a high of 37, I hit most drives around 220. The one exception was a wind aided 243. I was able to hit the 14 degree driver around 210 off the fairway. This will allow me to take a wood out of my bag and add another wedge, which will fill in the only "hole" in my distances. My distances are now: 58 wedge -- 60 yds. 52 wedge -- 100 yds. PW -- 115 yds. 9i --130 yds. 8i -- 140 yds. 7i -- 150 yds. 6i -- 160 yds. 5i -- 170 yds. 4H -- 180 yds. 3H -- 190 yds. 5W -- 200 yds. 14 deg. driver off fairway - 210/220, off tee 230/240 Putter As you can see, I've still got a pretty big gap between my 52 and 58 wedges. I've got an older 56 degree sandwedge that I'll try at the beginning of the summer next year. However, that club always gave me trouble off the fairway, so I might have to find something else. Later, John

I can't believe it, but I played my first round of golf on Christmas yesterday. It was 37 degrees when I started and 36 when I finished, but it was sunny and no wind so it was pretty comfortable -- for Northern Michigan. Score - 88 Fairways - 6 GIR - 3 Putts - 31 My new Odyssey putter still amazes me. I'm finally feeling that my putting has improved for good. I really wanted to get out and play because I built a new driver and wanted to try it out. Back in the days I was playing a lot of golf used a 13.5 degree driver both off the tee and off the fairway. I could hit the ball 260-270 off the tee and 240-250 off the fairway. I could hit most par 5's with that one club. I ended up with only that driver and a 7 wood in my bag for quite a few years. I built a 14 degree driver and wanted to try it out yesterday. I've been averaging 235 yds. off the tee with my 10.5 degree driver in warm weather. Lately, with the temps usually around 40-45 my drives have been around 220. Yesterday, my drives were the same distance with the new 14 degree driver -- possibly a little longer. I hit one drive 243 yds., albeit with a bit of wind assist. Although I only hit 6 fairways, I hit many drives in the 220 yd. range that didn't miss the fairways by much, and, as suspected, they were pushes and not full-out slices. I also hit 3 fairway shots with the new driver -- one 220 yds. and two 210 yds. I'm very happy with the results. Next year, if I can use the new 14 degree driver for both tee and fairway, I can add another wedge to the bag. Hopefully, that will improve my scoring to the point that I can see the handicap in single digits again as in my younger days. Later, John

I just started playing golf again after a long hiatus. My putting was horrible. I averaged 38 a round. I read all the suggestions on this site. The one that made the most logic to me was the Edel fitting with a concentration on how your view of the putter can affect your aim. I'm at least a 4 hour drive to the nearest Edel pro. So, instead, I spent hours and hours at golf stores trying out putters to find what fit me best. I'm a traditional guy and have never even considered a mallet type putter. However, I noticed in my trials that the longer the line on back of the putter, the easier it was to take the putter straight back, and therefore, hit the ball more accurately on my intended line. After that revelation, I started trying mallet type putters. The difference on the indoor practice greens was startling. I ended up buying an Odyssey Big T mallet and it has been a godsend. I've played about 15 rounds with it and my average has gone down to 32 putts a round from the previous average of 38. My scoring has gone down from around 90 to mid 80's. My distance control has been amazing, but I'm also making those remaining 3-4 footers with regularity. I'm not suggesting you go out and buy a mallet type putter. I'm suggesting you find out what works for you. If I had been closer to an Edel fitter, that's what I would have done. I'm sure there are other ways to be fitted also. Good luck with your quest. Later, John

I quit playing for 20 yrs. and started up again this year a 65. My on-the-screws drives this year were a good 50 yds. shorter than 20 yrs. ago at the beginning of the summer. By the end of summer I was about 30 yds. shorter. I walk every round and was very sore after a round at the beginning of the summer. By the end of summer I wasn't bothered at all by a round of golf. My irons were 2 clubs shorter at the beginning of the summer and now only 1 club. I think as I get in better shape next year, and work on flexibility, I'll be able to get a little longer. By playing smarter and keeping the ball in play more, I think I'll be able to get close to my previous handicap of 5. Later, John

I didn't have a home course this year because I just started playing again after many years. I've played a lot of different courses this summer. The course I like to play most is a very short and easy course that I wouldn't have even thought of joining. However, the folks that run it and the clientele have all been so fun, it's on my short list for next summer. The best part about this course is it stays open as long as the snow stays away. It's been the only course open for about a month up here in Northern Michigan. They say they'll be the first to open in the spring also. The downside is it's only 5,400 yds. for 18 holes -- not a real good test of golf. The course I'll probably join next summer is one of those mom-and-pop-turned-the-farm-into-a-golf course kind of place. It's very friendly and cheap (senior walking membership is $360 and includes range membership) and has a bar and restaurant with the required Friday fish fry. At 2,974 yds. it's a short and easy course, but it's only 12 min. away. It's also got a few interesting holes. They also have two senior leagues and a senior scramble every week so I'll get to know a lot of guys my age. Later, John

When in my 20's I played and practiced everyday in the summer. I was a teacher and had 2.5 months off. I'd play a practice 18 with one club early in the morning, go to the range for a couple of hours and then play another 18 with friends in the afternoon. I really enjoyed those days and was determined to become a scratch golfer. Alas, there is this thing called talent, and although my handicap would occasionally fall below 5, it would always return to 5. Practice, lessons -- nothing really could bring that handicap down. So, that's where I stayed for about 20 years. Then, a back injury put an end to my golfing for the next 20 years. This year -- fully retired -- I decided to try again. I'm building a completely new swing. I'm old, realize it, and I'm playing a completely different game. 1. I'm healthy enough to be able to walk at least 9 holes a day -- usually 18. I'd like to be a single digit handicapper again, but it's not real important. (I ended the year at 11.8) I take great joy in scrambling now. When you're not a long hitter, being close to the green in regulation becomes the goal. Scrambling becomes the way to a par. 2. I played about 50 rounds playing half the summer this year. I think I walked every round except 4. By the end of the summer I was consistently in the 80's. (Even had a couple of rounds in the high 70's) Quite frankly, I'm satisfied. 3. I play a pretty straight game with good course management now. Don't usually loose a ball. I hate looking for lost balls. I'm scoring well for my age and talent level. I'll practice a bit, but plan on playing almost every day. I guess that means I'm not going to put in a lot of work on my game. I'll just enjoy the fact I can still play. Later, John

Back in my young and obsessive days, I used to play 18 on a daily basis for the practice. I'd play a different club each day. I found a lot of different ways to hit some creative shots. It really helped my handicap. After some range practice I would play another 18 with friends in the afternoon. (Like I said, obsessive!) By the way, I always found the 6i to be the best club for scoring this way. I still use a 6i, almost exclusively, for chipping around the greens. As far as bunker play, many bunkers can be chipped out of. I know that a lot of bunkers have a overhanging lip, but those that don't are easily chipped, or putted out of. Later, John

I keep saying each round is the last of the season up here in Northern Michigan. However, it was mid 40's with no wind and quite pleasant today. The course decided to have a scramble because of the nice weather and the course was very crowded. Good for the course and kudo's to them for being the only course open for the last month. Score: 82 Fairways: 7 GIR: 3 Putts: 29 The short game continues to save me in the colder weather. Although I drove a it better, I still needed a chip in for a par and a chipped lip out for another par to save a good round. Whenever I have a chip other than over an elevated green I always use a 6 iron like a putter. I can't remember the last time I had anything but a chip and one putt with that 6 iron. The new putter has been amazing. I was averaging 38 putts before the new putter and now I'm down to 32 putts a round for the last 8 rounds. It's an Odyssey mallet. I consider it an ugly stick, it doesn't feel very good to me, and my posture is not very comfortable. However, my distance control has been extraordinary. I've only 3 putted a couple of times in those 8 rounds -- all due to miss reads. (Hard to putt well when you read a 5 foot to the right putt and it goes 2 feet left!) Later, John

It was very cold and very windy today in Northern Michigan. We still have one course open. I shot the following. Score: 89 Fairways: 5 GIR: 2 Putts: 33 The new putter is still working, but everything else just kind of fell apart in the wind and cold. That being said, this is December 11 and we're still on the course, so I'm not going to complain too much. Later, John