DoubleAces

All good comments, thank you! I can be a handy man at certain things, but this falls out of my comfort zone to install myself and will be brining in a company to lay it. Both companies i've talked to have different ways to approach water from excessive rain (which we tend to get in Houston). One guy uses plastic panels that fit together under the green with many drain holes that they use under athletic fields. However, one mentioned that he only installs sand filled greens and the other says that there's no need for sand filled because of extra maintenance. All i've really heard is that sand filled is better for hitting longer shots (20+yards) in to and also comes with more maintenance. This is mainly for putting and chipping, so i'm inclined to go the non-sand filled route. Just wanted to see if there were other questions I should ask.

I'm looking in to having a synthetic turf putting green installing in my backyard. I've had a few companies out and both sound like good options. One main difference that I have found between various options is having a sand filled green versus a non-sand filled green. Is there any benefit to one over the other? I'm inlined to go with the non-sand filled option as it has little to no maintenance required. Other than putt on the green, all i would do is chip to it. I don't have a giant yard to practice my 50 yard approaches, haha. If you have looked at it or have one installed, what are the questions I should be asking? Any tips on which way to go? Thanks!!

Thanks!!

UPDATE: I ended up getting the Haack net by Rukket Sports and I can't say enough good things about it. Very reasonably priced and the quality so far seems spot on. No joke that this net sets up and takes down in less than 5 minutes. I've mainly hit 9 through 5 irons in to it and it doesn't have any issue. I haven't hit a lot of woods with the exception of a few hybrids. I don't plan on cranking 50 drivers in to the net each night, but the net could probably take it. http://www.rukket.com/collections/golf/products/rukket-haack-golf-net-by-sec-coach-chris-haack-10-x-7ft For the mat, I just bit the bullet and got the country club elite 4'x5' mat. I'm going to use it a lot and I have a 3 year old that wants to use it as well. Need something durable that will last and this seemed like the best option. No doubt the price was a little steep. Costco seemed to have a good deal on them. All in all, i'm really liking the set up so far. I got a little outdoor storage bin to keep it in so it all stays out of the elements. As a dad of a 3 year old and 7 month old, my range time has been significantly cut down. This is a great way to work on my swing and stay loose in between rounds.

How do you like your mat?

Anyone have experience with http://www.5stargolfmats.com/ ? Their high end mat seems to be a rival to the country club elite that a lot use, but about $100 less. Not sure if this is just one of those things that you get what you pay for though.

Any issues with the net quality or hitting drives though it? Doesn't look like you could hit a PW in to it, which i'm fine with. I'm learning that this is one of this purchases that you get what you pay for and I equal parts don't want to screw up the first purchase and don't wan to spend $600 if I can avoid it... Or, $1,000 if you get the Net Return Pro and the real feel country club mat... haha! Now I'm just dreaming.

Which mat are you using?

I'm looking to get a practice net to hit balls in at home. Not really sure where to start. I know Callaway makes one but have read mixed reviews (8' Quad net seems to have the best reviews). The Net Return Pro looks good, but decently expensive. Curious what members on here use? I have some large trees in the back and was thinking of hooking up a net between them with some fisheye hooks with a chain on the bottom for weight, but not sure where to get a net strong enough to withstand driver shots. Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks!

Two quick notes: I give the outfit that Meghan wore for the first putt an A+. Second, Selanee wants to be the "first green golfer." what in the world does that mean??

Thoughts on his replacement? I'm betting foltz or sobel. Or do they go after another xm guy?

Had a great time at Golf Galaxy last night! Started out with 10 different sets of irons and hit them into the net to judge feel. Then narrowed it down to 5 and took them to the simulator. Then narrowed it down to two, and two that I never thought I would consider: Calaway X-22's (non-tours) and Taylor Made Burner Plus. I hit a few more to compare the final two and just loved the feel that I had with the Taylor Made's. So, I walked out with a new set of Taylor Made irons. Can't wait to get to the course this weekend to hit them!

Taylor Made Burner Plus irons, and a bag of tees

Hit a few irons at GG this afternoon. I hit the TM Tour Burner, Mizuno MP 52s and the Callaway X22 tours. The X22 tours were by far my favorite. Ball striking and flight path were much more consistent and I love the look and feel. the 52's just didn't feel right and I kept hitting the burners way high. Never thought I'd play callaway's, but it looks like I'm heading in that direction.

I have played Cimarron and Thaquitz Creek in addition to the courses you listed. Both are good, though Desert Willow is my favorite course in Palm Springs with Desert Springs not too far behind.

Good tips. I went to do the fitting tonight, but GG was having a Hooters night with free wings and drawings and stuff so the store was packed and the lines for the hitting areas were 10 deep. I didn't want to wait that long. I have a list of irons that I want to hit, but wouldn't mind hitting others that I might not have thought of. Right now I'm looking at the TM Tour Burners, Calaway X-22s, Cleveland CG7 and Ping G10's. I'll fill in how it all goes tomorrow.

I'm in the market for new irons as I just can't hit my MP33's the way I used to since I don't get out to play all the time after college. I went to Golf Galaxy last night and learned about their fitting program where you hit 8 or so different sets of clubs "blind" in your price range to get a sense of feel, then hit the ones with the best feel on the simulator. I went in right before they closed so I didn't have time to do it last night. I'll be going back in tonight and was wondering if anyone else had done this and if you walked out with the irons that you thought you would buy. The guy I talked with was very helpful and turned on his inner "salesman" and told all of the stories of people who came in to buy the $1,200 set but walked out with the $400 set because they felt better. Any feedback or tips you have for my search are appreciated. Thanks! I'm looking in the

I've had 2, hence my name. First was playing a par 3 course by myself. Short hole, only 102 yards and one hopped it in with a gap wedge. Luckily a couple on the next tee saw it go in so I had a witness and could get it in the local paper. Second one was during a demonstration where I was a counselor at a golf camp. The pro was going over swing plane on a par 3 and was using me as a subject. He asked me to hit one to demonstrate and I did, and aced it 140 yards with a 9 iron. Needless to say the kids were super impressed and it was fun pretending like I did that all the time.

I haven't played either for while so they may have changed. I didn't think it was worth the extra money for the resort course when the legend when I played it was always well taken care of.

I'm on day 66 right now and love it! 1) I'm using bands. If you have the right bands then you get an awesome workout. 2) I didn't get the recovery drink mix. I just have a protein shake or glass of chocolate milk 3) The program works great. I've mixed it up a bit though (add biking, running, etc). Can't say I've been 100% on the diet but I do eat very healthy. 4) Like I said, I'm on day 66 and went to the range for the first time in 2010 yesterday and hit the ball pretty solid. 5) I got some unflavored protein powder and use it in smoothies and shakes for beakfast. I've seen some pretty good results. Not going to lie, I'm pretty excited to se my after shots on day 90 compared to day 1!

I've played Tahquitz Creek a few times. They have two 18s there (Resort and Legend). I like the Legend course better, and it's cheaper! If you want to be blown away you need to play Desert Willow. That course is fantastic.

My take? Yes. I played Pebble Beach, back in 2000 when it was $350. One of the greatest memories ever playing with my dad. It was right after the US Open was there and I sat on the fence on 18 tee box right where Jack did when playing his last round there. Every year I'll watch that tournament and know I've played there and walked in the same footsteps as legends of the game. I'm also bias because the story of how my dad and I got to play the course got us in the St. Louis newspaper :)

Definately has to be Mike Weir - Followed him when he played at BYU (even though i'm a Ute fan). I also had the chance to meet him after he won the 2004 Masters. He was a big influence on Utah golf when I was growing up. Such an awesome guy.

... when your wife tells you to pack your golf clubs for the honeymoon, even though she doesn't play. ... when someone mentions "the good book" you immediately think of Harvey Penick's Little Red Book