mdvaldosta

I'm with you on VW, great cars (just not fast). I've got a Porsche Cayenne and it's the best driving SUV on the planet IMHO. Along the same lines as VW.

If you want a good car that's gonna last, I'd steer clear of most of those (namely the Charger, Mustang and Sky). I'm a big German car fan, and although I'd rather buy American... frankly most American cars suck (save for maybe Lincoln). I'd say go with a new BMW 335I if you want speed - twin turbo and over 300 horsepower for around 40k. I also like the new Mercedes C-Class, something like a C350 would be close to 300 horsepower I think for around 40k also. Both really nice cars with much better resale than the cars you're considering now.

Have no idea really what would be best for you, but most people can benefit greatly by having a good stretching and workout program. Not heavy weights, just lots of quicker reps and lots and lots of stretching. Flexibility and good technique is the key to power, at least in my opinion.

You know I find it comical that there are so few eagles considering 50% of the folks here hit a driver 300 yards and a PW 150... On that note I've gotten quite a few... not sure exactly but 3 or 4 in the past 6 months.

Get one of those $10 groove sharpeners on eBay and gouge some deep, sharp U groves into them. Be prepared to go through soft ProV1's like candy though.

A 3 or 4 wood is a GREAT club to have on short par 4's... it's always a good idea to have something you can hit off the tee box besides a driver if the hole is short or you don't want to take a risk. A 3H will hit the ball much shorter than a 3 wood. Probably 30 yards or more.

I don't really notice much difference at all between range balls. I use a laser on the range with range balls and the distances with the ProV1x's I use on the course are pretty spot on. I think the main difference (assuming the range ball is in good condition) is spin, which you won't see much of on the range.

What's with all the debate? Doesn't the RULE state that if you sign for an incorrect scorecard you're disqualified? Plain and simple, the backround info or circumstances shouldn't matter.

My best advice is to tee off with a 3W if you're having trouble hitting driver, or if it's not a long hole. You SHOULD play whatever iron is required to make it to the green. If it's a 300 yard par 4, and there's a bunker at 220 for you, then either hit the club that will leave you short or hit a club that will clear it on the fly. #1 advice for course management - Play for the good shot while at the same time allowing for the best miss. For example: If you usually miss right, and there's a bunker on the right fairway around your landing area - play for the left side of the fairway from the right side of the tee box. That way, if you miss right you'll probably still be ok and if you pull it alittle you'll still be fine.

Speed is usually better that way, touch seems to improve but line gets worse. Once you learn the right speed really try finding and focusing on the line and once you can do both then you'll be putting lights out (in theory anyway).

I'd listen to your instructor over some hourly wage guy getting paid to read a lie board and guess after two swings.

I play the tips, regardless of length, usually but it depends on who's in my group. If 3 others are playing blue, or even whites, I'll play with them to keep it fun and fast.

If you're cutting across the ball, it'd only be a slight fade. Big slices come from an open clubface and there's lots of causes for it. Usually though it's being too active in the body and opening your shoulders during the swing.

I carry 1 hybrid, a 2H (to replace a 5 wood). It's a little shorter distance wise, but a good club to use for those in between distances or layups on long par 5's.

What's up Mike, I'm a member at Stone Creek. I'm up there 4-5 days a week. Played a round until 8:30 last night actually. Maybe I'll catch you up there and we can play a round. I carry a gray Ogio bag and Titleist blades. Hit me up if you see me., usually there around 4:30 - 7 practicing or playing during the week.

I think, to sum this up, if a typical touring pro is a +4 to +5 cap, and the course is rated a 73, then you could expect them to shoot a 68 on a typical good day. Of course, they could certainly fire off a 63 or something like that - but just as easily shoot 73.

I had an R7 TP limited (I think it was limited) and gamed it for a couple weeks. It was very solid but not very long at all. It'd stay in the fairway but played 10-15 yards shorter than the old 983E I was bagging.

Yea what he said. Hit down on the ball and you'll hit the center of the clubface. Weight foward will help with that alot.

Yea the crowds were loud, but you know they were fairly respectful from what I saw on TV. They all (from what I could tell) stayed quiet when they were supposed to. Look, the PGA NEEDS golf fans more than the fans need the PGA. Let them get excited and have a good time at events, as long as they civil and respectful when they're supposed to be.

Yea, best advice is to play the ball back in your stance and keep your weight foward. You'll definately hit the ball more solidly. Once you get alittle better at it, try moving it back towards center and opening the clubface up a bit to expose the bounce some for even more forgiveness from good lies.

I'm quite pleased, recently started playing and practicing alot (about 5 months ago) and have went from a 13 to 7 (well... almost) in 4 months. Fired off a 76 last time out. I played to a 12 back in high school (10 years ago). At any rate, for those near scratch or better... how long did it take you to progress from, say, a 5 to scratch? I know everyone's different, but just curious as to where some of you fell.

I'm not methodical, just stretch for a minute or so and take a few easy swings with a wedge to get loose. Then, hit a few wedges at a flag/target until I start grooving them. I'll move up to a 7 or 8 iron (depending on where the hitting area is setup that day) and groove a few of those. Then a 5 or 6 iron (same deal, farther flag), a few 3 irons, hybrid or 3 wood, then finish up with around a dozen or so tee shots. Probably hit 30-40 balls and I'm off to the practice green. Pitch/chip 5 balls to several different hole locations from varying lies and distances. Pull all the balls but 1 up, play 9 holes (keeping score) from hole-to-hole locations on the putting green to simulate a bit of pressure. It sounds like alot because I typed it out, but it only takes about 25 minutes.

Get fitted, the lofts (and shafts) are designed to help you achieve the best launch angle and spin rate possible for your swing. High swing speed doesn't mean low loft all the time, and vice-versa.

4I - but if I carried a hybrid that high that's what I'd it. Guess it depends on your style. I carry a 3I then 2H. Hybrid would cut through much better but it's too much club for me from that distance.

On fairway bunkers play it the same. If anything, it's easier to hit out of them. For greenside, that's another story. You can't open face up like normal or you'll bounce off the hard sand and skull it. Gotta open the face up only a little and come in steeper so that you can dig a bit more. Divot will still be shallower but you'll get under the ball this way.