golfaddiction

Last round I actually stepped away from a 10 foot putt mid-backswing because it didn't feel right. I was really proud of myself, and ended up making the putt after re-grouping. How bout - I'll be able to find that one! (after it veers off into the woods)

I suspect refinished balls might affect performance because the outside coat doesn't come from the manufacturer, but recycled balls have simply been cleaned and re-packaged.

I once played with hockey player Sandy McCarthy who was on the Rangers at the time. He hit the ball a mile without much effort (he's 6'3, 225) and was very friendly as well.

I have tried them. I don't think there is a difference, but then again I'm not the purest ball striker there is. However, after reading the study I am sufficiently convinced I won't be losing any performance.

Over the past year I've been trying out a few different types of balls (and buying them new). I just read a study on GolfBallTest.org comparing 4 and 5 star recycled balls to brand new balls. The result of the study was that there was no significant difference in weight, compression, roundness, hardness, distance, and spin between top grade recycled balls (which may have been sitting in lakes/ponds for a few years) and new balls. I don't think I'm going to ever buy new balls again. I just ordered 36 recycled NXT Tour balls from Amazon and all of them appear to be in great condition. And for about a dollar per ball I'm spending less than half what I'd spend if I bought new. Personally I don't mind the logo balls that are thrown in. If anything, it makes it more interesting

Is anyone here in any leagues at one of the NYC courses? I have never been in a league but I'm sure I would enjoy it.

I love my Nike wedges. I would go to a golf shop and swing away with what they have. I found I didn't like the heavier club heads, but you may be different.

I played in high school and was the 5th or 6th man by my senior year. I usually shot between 45 and 50. Today I have much better equipment (my parents didn't like to spend more than about 30 dollars per club on me) and am better than I was back then. However, I'm not sure I could make 5th or 6th today team because I imagine youngsters today are better than they were in the 90s. On this topic, I often say joining the golf team in HS was the single best decision I made back then. I recommend anyone who is interested in golf to join their high school golf team. You're probably not going to get a chance to play 4 times a week again until you're retired. Not to mention getting to play some of the nicer private courses.

Despite what it looks like on TV and what you are "supposed" to do, two-putting in many cases is actually really hard, especially on fast, slow, slopey, two tiered, and large greens. Perhaps you shouldn't expect to two-putt every green, and should not take anything for granted. I don't get mad at 3-putts any more, I just take what I learned about green speed to the next hole, and take what I learned about that particular green to the next round. Last round, I three putted the first green, but only one other green after that.

A few years ago I might have had a different view, but after reading "Who's Your Caddy" it seems "putting your mouth" on somebody else's ball is actually bad ettiquite. The pros get very upset when their own caddy yells something like "it's in the hole," let alone someone else they are playing with. Now I can see why. I didn't mind the guys I was playing with otherwise; they seemed like nice people. I just didn't have the heart to tell them to stop talking to my ball. Plus, what am I supposed to say when they yell "good shot," and then my ball fades away and misses the fairway? "No, actually it wasn't a good shot?" "Maybe for you it would be but I like to play from the fairway?"

I played with some older guys yesterday that were just starting out. Right after EVERY shot, they would yell "great shot!" and if it turned out to be not such a good shot, it was "that's ok, you can play from there." It was like they've never seen anyone hit a golf ball before. One guy even had the nerve to yell "yes!" or "it's good!" during putts a few yards BEFORE the ball got to the hole. Most of the time the putt would miss, and he's yell "oh no! i was sure that was good." I'm proud of myself for posting a decent score given these conditions.

Just work each hole backwards. Think about where you want to be for your 2nd shot and use the proper club to get there. Oh yeah and don't let what anyone else is doing alter what you are doing.

Recently there have been some topics on Golf Psychology, which I'm starting to come around on. One piece of advice that I'm going to start to follow is playing with the game I have, not the game I think I should have. I haven't hit a ball "straight" in years. Usually, my irons come in with a bit of fade, or start left and stay there. I can hit somewhat of a draw if I need to (especially with my driver and 3 wood), but it's not my stock shot. Yet, I find myself on the course thinking, ok, just hit this ball straight and get it close. Of course, I should be thinking, hit a natural fade cause it's ok to miss right, or aim further right because you don't want to miss left. One thing I have learned about my game is that it's not perfect. And getting onto the course thinking it has to be perfect always leaves me disappointed. So starting tomorrow it's not "you weren't slicing balls this badly on the range yesterday" but instead "a nice fade will work well into this green."

If you'd rather carry 2 wedges, I bought 54.12 and 58.10 Nike SV Tour wedges last year. I definitely feel like I don't need another wedge, and have been hitting everything inside 100 close with these two. I use the 58 degree inside 50 yards, and the 54 degree from 50-100 yards. In the sand, I use the 54 degree unless there is a big lip or it's a very shot distance.

I was putting horribly for the first few months of the season, but turned it around when I focused on keeping my head still. Also, take putts before AND after your round, and you are bound to improve.

I don't usually practice, but I've hit a few left handed shots with my 54 degree wedge turned upside down. One time I mis-hit it and didn't get out of the rough (had a much better lie for my next shot, though), and the other time I over-shot the fairway, but also to a decent position.

I'm going to give Golf is Not a Game of Perfect a try. For 4 dollars used you can't go wrong. Also, it's not related to golf psychology (except to get inside the mind of players during a round), but I highly recommend "Who's Your Caddy" by Rick Reilly. It certainly qualifies at "light reading" and is highly enjoyable.

Not true at all. While there are style variations, everyone will tell you to put your weight on your front foot for short shots. If you are struggly with short game, I suggest "The Art of the Short Game" by Stan Utley. He teaches a simple swing, and it has really helped me over the past few months. As for putting, if you watch the pros they all look almost identical when they putt, except for putting grip. Basically, keep your body and head still and move your shoulders.

Wow the Gamer v2s really shine in that comparison. I'm almost out of balls, I might give those a shot.

As I found out today - always use the driver off the first tee. The giant head means you're always making some kind of contact. Today I shanked my 3wood into the woods on the first hole. I put my provisional just off the fairway and made 6 total, but it's just a little unnerving standing on the first tee with such a small clubhead.

That sucks a lot. But if you practice the hell out of chipping and putting maybe you'll be better off?

I saw some guy on the course with a remote controlled automatic push cart. Now THAT is embarrassing.

Haha, I never feel embarrased using the pull cart. If anything I feel smarter.

Can't remember my first birdie, but I remember my first eagle, which I didn't get till last year. And I've been playing for 15 years.

Pull cart all the way. You get to enjoy the walk, get some exercise, and not kill your back and shoulders.