onthebeach

I agree that my not knowing the rules was a problem. I didn't play in the second round. The only reason I wanted to play at all was to get some time on a course that's always crowded. I did the right thing and didn't play round 2 though. What am I missing about the scorecards ? Player B kept his own score, and Player A couldn't be bothered to do so. Whether the score was correct or not is moot. Further, when Player A signs for Player B's score is he not violating the rules as well? What's with all the negative comments here? I'm only asking because I'm embarrassed that this happened, and want to keep the whole thing from happening again, on both mine and their counts. I played several long years of competitive golf and am trying to get my wheels back on after a long lapse. This was a small local stroke play event, not the USGA Mid-Am. Constructive responses, other than "read the rules, a$$hole" are welcomed.

After a hiatus from competition of oh, say, 15 years for me...I made my triumphant return in the form of my city medal play championship. My only goal was not to embarrass myself, which I managed to do not one full hole in. Preface: I play a lot by myself, so I don't hole out 75% of my putts, I'm guessing. Well I'm sure you know where this is going...nervous as hell and picked up my 5" putt for a 6 on the first hole. In the championship flight. Yeah. I didn't even realize I did it, actually. The other two players informed me when we got to the next tee. I know it's my fault for not knowing that I should've gone back and putt it out, but at the time I was nervous, embarrassed and a little rushed as the next group was pushing up behind us. Both other competitors said we'd get a ruling, not to worry about it. Not thinking, I believed them and teed off on #2. Needless to say I already knew what was coming. I should've walked back and putt the damn ball out. Haunted me the entire round. I choked more ways than I care to remember, and shot 80. So I know I'm out, and just looking forward to playing this muni again on day 2, stress free with no traffic on a nice weekend. Here's where it gets interesting though. I kept player A's score. Player B kept mine. Nobody kept Player B's. Player A was so self absorbed there was no way he would've been able to confirm B's score. As I am just returning to competition and was still a little embarrassed, I let B dictate his scores to A, who then signed for B. I left the course and then called up later to get my tee time for the following day. No record of me. Called tournament director - I had been DQ'd. I was upset, argued a little, and was told "I GUESS I can give you a tee time" (he was not thrilled). For some reason I didn't even think about what had transpired with the scores. I opted not to play round 2 for a variety of reasons, but mainly b/c the whole thing put a bad taste in my mouth. I thought about how the other two competitors were quick to DQ me for my innocent 5" gimme, but mentioned nothing about their scorecards. I haven't seen the results, but as Player A shot 68 the first day and was rock solid, I'm positive he was in the top three. What would you do? I struggled with calling the director all day yesterday, and opted not to. Besides, it would certainly look like it was just sour grapes, and these other two guys were thick as thieves with most of the competitors there. Any advice for the future? I'm just curious how common this kind of crap is and how you all handle it. I know it's a part of the game, but should I just become a Rule Nazi and show zero mercy? Thanks!

Wow. Played 9 yesterday after a little more work on the driver. Ball further up in the stance, Sloooooooowed down swing. Success! Shot a smooth even par! Missed a few puts that I shouldn't have, even, and lipped out a sandy eagle... 1. Missed right (this hole is just a tough drive mentally anyway) 2. Smoked dead straight- fairway, 260 into 1.5 club wind. 3. Smoked dead straight- fairway, 250 into wind 5. Slight DRAW! Missed left. 6. Slight DRAW! Missed left. 7. 3W (short downwind) straight down the middle 260 9. Smoked w/ slight fade (fits hole) 260, L to R wind Obviously I'm still not comfortable, but I can see myself grooving the slower swing--really starting to feel the clubhead again which was giving me visions of my former self. Warning though: This game is even more fun when you're giving yourself a fighting chance from the FAIRWAY to make BIRDIES!

Driving range update: Although not 100% confirmed, at least part of the problem was not having the ball far enough up in my stance. Between that and trying to flatten out the angle/catch on the upswing, things are looking better. I tried a little flatter swing overall and I'm not sure that is the ticket. I did hit my irons a little better that way for some reason, so who knows. Will see how this translates on the course. I can straighten out the driver on the range sometimes and somehow it just won't make the journey to the first tee...

Travisc - I play 99% of my rounds at CC Country Club. If they can get Oso back in shape I'll play there a little bit too...I love that place for some reason. Where do you normally play? Still haven't played Newport, although I hear it's great... All great suggestions! Was reading somewhere that a steep swing will produce the same push/pull scenario. That makes the most sense...I can picture my hands (usually with iron swings and moreso when I'm tired) coming back too steep and too inside. I think I'll give that (plus 80% tempo) a legit try on the range this afternoon and report back.

lumpuckeroo: that thing really works? Wet towels are a lifesaver for sure...if this works better it would be huge for me. All great ideas...that's what I was looking for. I play too much to afford a cart every round, and part of the reason I'm walking is to get in better shape anyway.

All excellent points, deron. It's frustrating because I'm enough of a student of the game to right just about every other wrong, but this one doesn't seem to be cooperating. Mentally, putting the driver away is tougher for me b/c of the wind we deal with down here. I should add that I have similar problems with the 3wd though, anyway. Something about teeing it up seems to set everything off. If we assume everything else is reasonably correct (setup/etc.), what effect should a little stiffer shaft have? I was always fit with the stiffest shafts available when I was 15-20 years old, through an uncle that was a mini-tour pro. I have tried a few other shafts through the Titleist, etc fitting programs, but they never have the X shafts available to try.

I'm thinking of a pull cart...the guys I play with swear by them in hot weather. Maybe I should nix the boxers, hadn't thought of that. Side note...I have discovered carrying a little Rawlings brand rock resin bag (like baseball players use) is perfect for keeping my hands a little more dry. Highly recommended! I swear it is hotter than it's been in a long time down here!

A little background: I'm about an 8 cap at the moment. Was near scratch as a junior/high school golfer. My whole game was solid. Dropped golf for years and am back playing now. Every part of my game is back with the exception of my drive. Although I've never clocked it, I have a high swing speed, am a big guy (6'2" - 250) and have always played with stiff or x-stiff shafts throughout. 3-wood off the deck all the way to flop shots...I have a consistent, solid game. My driver, however, is laughable. I guess the post title is misleading, b/c I'm consistently TERRIBLE off the tee. - 90% of my drives fly too low. I know I could probably go to a 10.5 instead of current 9 deg, but I've played an 8 deg in the past w/ no problem, so I think it's swing related -25% of my drives are straight pulls, low and left. -70% push slice -5 % straight with slight draw but NO punch to them. With the rest of my game, and my size and background, I figure I should be hitting it about 260-290 yrds most of the time. These drives are in the 250 realm. I've checked alignment and it seems to be ok, although I haven't gotten a second opinion. I have a strong suspicion that this could be shaft flex related, but part of me feels like that's just a cop-out. I have an inside-outside swing path, and I think this is at least partly to blame, since I think it is possibly due to no proper release. I feel like I'm hitting AT the ball if that makes any sense. I know this is rambling and probably hard if not impossible to diagnose without a look, but wanted to see if this rings a bell with anyone. Side notes: a terrible quick-fix I've discovered, or patch of sorts, is to close the clubface before I grip. This is the only thing that minimizes the push, but as you might imagine also maximizes the low pull. Swinging slower helps, but the pace I have to swing at isn't sustainable in real play. I just can't make myself swing that slow! Could it be the shaft? I'm at a loss! If I were hitting fairways and not playing behind trees I guarantee I'd be a 2 or 3 cap instead of an 8-10. Thanks for reading...

Wondering what everyone does to stay cool during a round. Down in south Texas it is as hot as it's ever been. I prefer to walk, but I'm tapped out by the 15th hole or so...clothes and towel soaked completely through. What about things like cool collars...stuff like that? I wear a funny looking bucket hat but sometimes I feel like that just makes it hotter. I've found that the new clothing materials really do work, so that has helped. Anything else I'm missing?

I was just in a very similar boat to yours and decided to take the plunge a couple of months ago. Mine came down to practice. Even with range programs, hitting balls around where I live gets expensive. Add to that the fact that most of them look like goat ranches and/or don't have much of a putting green, and you get the picture. Our munis are about $35/rd for cart +18, so the math was making sense anyway (my dues are $230 + 225/year for range). I get to play 9 every night after work (walking) for free, plus hit range balls. I could easily ride 18. I think if you really enjoy golf and want to improve, this is hands-down the way to go. As for variety...you'll get there eventually. I depend on tournaments within my industry to play around town. You'll also have coworkers/friends etc that have memberships elsewhere and want to reciprocate. Do it!

I'm 31, so I get a Jr. membership. $500 initiation (special) $250/month full access to club (pool/workout/lockers/tennis) [$350 non jr.] $240/year range $17.50/round single w/ cart (free walking) This is about average for any of the 5 or so clubs in our area...

After about 10 years off of golf and a solid weight gain as I set off into the real world and sat behind a computer, I am back playing golf again. A few months in, and I probably only ride 1 out of 10 rounds or so. My back had been giving me problems in spite of constant workouts, but with the golf and the walking, although I'm a little stiff, I'm starting to lose weight and get in great shape. I choose to carry for those reasons. Maybe once I'm in tip-top shape I'd think differently, but for now, this is a means to help me GET in tip-top shape. My .02, anyway.

I work in oil and gas land management. It's a pretty interesting job. Landmen, as we're called, have a reputation for being good golfers/fishermen, etc. Fortunately this is because golf courses and fishing holes are conducive to getting business deals signed.