mdvaldosta

For the first time, I took a few swings on a lauch monitor. I've been having trouble finding a driver that I don't balloon the ball with. My current, a 983E with 9.5* loft does well (I thought) but I wanted to see numbers. At any rate, this is the average of 7 swings. Clubhead speed: 117 mph Ball speed: 168 mph Launch angle: 7.8 degrees Spin: 3,600 rpm From everything I've read, my launch angle is too low and my spin is too high (verify?). The gentleman working with me suggested I was coming down too steep on the ball, causing the lower angle and higher spin. I don't have any video of my swing, but what would you suggest are common fixes (things I could try, or look out for) for this?

That sucks. From a management standpoint, I'm sure they're gonna re-attach the clubhead for you, for free. I doubt though that they'd be willing to pay damages for what happened to your head, at most maybe a discount on a new driver. Good luck with it, it'd be interesting to see what they do.

I don't know how/why some of you have sooo many sets? I can understand having a new set and still have your old stick, but 12? 13? Crazy.

Another thing I thought of, is the ball you're using. Some balls fly higher (and usually with less spin). Usually the cheaper balls.

Well, right now it's stored in the trunk of my car! But... prior to that I had them sitting in a closet at home for about 5 years and it doesn't open/close any different than I bought it.

What's your favorite putting drills to do on the practice green? Little games or other things to keep things fun? I've been working so hard on my iron play that I've been totally stinking it up on the greens, shooting my worst scores in a long time while striking the ball better than I have in a while. Go figure... At any rate: What do you do to improve your putting, and how do you keep it fun? I've been playing hole-to-hole on the practice green treating each flag as a par 2. We've got 9 of them so it's pretty much perfect. Sadly, I haven't broken par yet :/

I just switched from some old DCI's to 690MB's, and aside from the first few feeling alittle strange I really hit the blades well. I don't think it's so much your handicap, but more about striking the ball well. I'm very happy with blades, even with my poor scoring since I started playing again, and I'll likely never go back.

I've found recently that I've been laid off at the top with too much of an open face, and I come across it open. So, thinking about that I try to keep it closed and end up hitting a snap hook too. Funny thing is, at the range it would straighten itself after a few practice drives. In the end... I just loosened my grip and stopped worrying about it. Relaxed, and gravity fixed it. Heh. Sometimes you just gonna trust your swing I guess.

I bet this will be his breakout tourney. Good luck to all the other PGA'ers... they're gonna need it.

You could have the lofts of your irons bent alittle stronger, and/or look into different shafts. Some clubs just hit the ball higher, and they don't mesh well with your swing.

Anytime you change something it's gonna be uncomfortable and you'll probably hit the ball worse. So long as it's a good change for you, in the longrun you'll be much better because of it. Just stick with it and try to think positive.

That's pretty amazing, but I don't think it's real. Got to be a camera exposure thing or something unless it's a ladies flex graphite shaft (lol). I don't think those shafts can bend that much without breaking.

Some folks prefer to use a lob wedge around the green and anywhere inside, say, 60 yards or so. Others only when they have to hit it high and land it soft. For me, it's just a risky club. I have one in my bag and use on occassion, but prefer my 56* anywhere inside 80 yards when at all possible. I can stop it tight when needed and I don't have to worry as much about hitting it thin or scooping under it.

ROFL, my thoughts exactly

Keeping it straight just makes it more repeatable, and that's what we're all after isn't it? So long as it starts off straight and ends straight that takes care of 99% of it, the real problem lies when you don't strike the ball with a straight arm or when you start off bent and strike the ball straight... you'll then have to manipulate your body and posture during the swing to hit the ball properly.

Another vote for eBay...

I think most people spend far too much time with their driver and full iron shots on the range, then spend a bunch chipping and putting... but never really practice those 30-70 yard pitch shots.

As hard as you can hit it with a controlled, comfortable and repeatable swing. For me, it's about 95%. I find, honestly, that 80% effort will yeild 95% of your distance.

Yes

Great videos. My advice (since everyone's an expert, including me : ) is to do what pretty much everyone else is already saying: Open your stance a bit to help clear your hips and shoulders. Play the ball alittle further back so crisp contact is easier. Lean your weight foward , very important. Take an abbreviated backswing so you accelerate through the ball. These are the basics that I've learned and it helps you be a solid short gamer even if you don't play very often. Once you get the feel of things you can start moving the ball more foward in your stance and opening up the clubface so that you can get more height on the ball if needed.

Tiger. Jack was great in his field, though Tiger is better against better players.

Work hard on my swing, lots of practice. 3-4 times/week. Play at least 1 time a week. Get swing help from a professional (started yesterday). Post/track a real handicap for the first time. Get handicap to 6 or below. I think I can, I think I can. Enjoy golf and have fun.

http://www.gagolf.com/ The course is much nicer than the website, lol.

I would agree, honestly I was one of those 300 yard hitters with a 20 (or higher) handicap. I played baseball growing up and had a helluva swing, about 115mph and a nasty slice to go along with it. I ended up playing golf on the high school team as a senior, and improved alot (probably finished as a 15 capper but didn't track it then). Was nicknamed "Happy" as the movie was popular around then. At any rate, I frequently either bombed the shot into the woods (1-2 strokes right there) or if I did hit the short grass I'd end up hitting it fat or pull/pushing it. Even if I hit the green in reg I'd end up 3 or even 4 putting it. My point is that pretty much every 300 yard hitter was a duffer at some point unless you grew up playing golf as a kid. Maybe many of you did, I don't know. I'm sure there are alot, in fact I play with a guy who hits the ball farther than me and he's probably a 15-18. In the end, it's not how far you hit it though. You may look cool on the driving range but when it comes to putting up the numbers I'd rather have a good short game instead.