J.P.

Those courses are middle to low tier. Bali Hai is noisy next to the freeway and airport. Desert Pines has a bunch of pine trees struggling to survive wishing they were back East at the course DP is copied from in the Carolinas. LV National can be crowded and is narrow. I like the Paiute courses - do the Wolf. Also look at Bears Best to the West of the Strip, and Rio Secco to the South East in Henderson, NV. A little cheaper, but very cool is Tuscany golf course due East. All can be reached in under 30 minutes - Paiute may be pushing it. Look these up. They are all far better than what you have so far. Trust me. Have fun!

Based on those numbers, possibly, BUT, why not work to get that speed back!!! Watch your swing in a mirror, check coil, lag etc . . See a PGA Teacher that can look at you on video, Do whatever you have to do to get your speed back! It makes golf more fun! Good Luck!

jmurdock, I too have wondered about this. I tried the Pro V1 a while back, and found that for me, it simply curved too much off of my long clubs. Be it an intentional draw that hooked too much or a loose swing/open face slicing into trouble. The Pro V1x curves left and right LESS than the Pro V1; could rephrase this to say it is less workable, but also less penal on poor shots. Problem is, it takes a high amount of club head speed to maximize V1x potential. I always thought at my 100mph swing speed, this ball was not getting compressed well, but since i use it when its hot out here, it worked ok. SO, I took the Bridgestone Challenge! Of course they set me up with a Bridgestone ball, in particular, the B330s. They said for me, I was getting more ball speed with it than with the e5's. Still, I was concerned because as has been stated, B330s competes directly with Pro V1 - I was worried about that excess side spin taking my draw into a hook and getting me in trouble. My concerns were unfounded. I could not be happier with the B330s. I am hitting it farther than I did the V1x, but probably due to getting it to compress more. (it may not be the case for those swinging at 110 etc) It does not curve as much on bad swings as the Pro V1 did to me. It is awesome in the wind, and is sensational around the greens. It will easily spin back on the greens similarly to Pro V1 - (not always a good thing) and its durablity is fine. (just played 18 yesterday with one ball) Lastly, the reason I went to Bridgestone was on the recommendation of Hot Stix golf. They wanted to get my driver spin down, and said the B330s would take off a couple hundred rpm's and so improve driver launch dynamics. Hot Stix also suggested the Tyalormade Black to accomplish the same, though I have not tried it. This is only my personal experience and not intended to be a commercial. Good luck!

Not to hijack the thread, but that's the number we should compare. How do peoples smash factor change with handicap or do they? At Hotstix in Az, while i have a rather slow swing speed, 98-100, I was getting decent ball speed 142-147 with decent smash factor numbers 1.45-1.47 Maybe some could add this info in addition to ball speed if they have it??

My last round of golf, my pinseeker 1500 range finder somehow found its way out of my cart and onto the ground. I have no idea how, even now. Group behind us caught up to us on the next tee before I even knew it was missing and asked if it was mine. I produced the empty case for it along with a stunned expression, and they gave it back. That's why golf is different than most other sports. Good people can be found on the golf course. I always am considerate of how players will feel if they lose one of their hard earned golf tools. Besides, their wife will never let them buy another one!

What do some of you outside the US know about how the european players feel about Nick Faldo? I seem to hear an awful lot about how he is not well liked by many peers? I know the captain never hits a shot, but could it affect the Team concept if there are some players who have some reason to not like this guy? Maybe all the current players are too young to remember the things that bothered the vets about him. Can't really see a rout for either side this time.

Wonderful evaluations! I too have played the Boulders. Awesome scenery and track. I did get to play faster and without angst you experienced. I saw a coyote darting across one of the long par 3 greens just before I tee'd off. Nice place - could be more reasonable price wise. Thanks for the heads up!

I think many people tee it up that high for a few reasons. 1. Higher tee height promotes a flatter swing plane - good with the driver. 2. The "tall face" club heads of today have sweet spots higher off the ground 3. Vertical Gear Effect improves launch dynamics - by striking the ball higher on the face - just above middle face - you launch the ball higher and with less spin - a condition that will maximize carry. Tee it high and watch it fly!

I am not a negative person, but in this case, I must say, it won't happen. I will take a bit different angle. Green Speed. Ultra fast greens have a way of affecting every aspect of the short game. By everything, I mean how deep into the green to carry the approach shot without quality spin on the ball? How far on do I land the sand shot to let it roll out? Do I dare chip & run with a 7 iron, even a 9 iron? My sand or lob wedge out of greenside rough with no spin to a tight pin? Not happening. Then they have to putt. When putting, there will always be this subtle, or not so subtle, fear and uncertainty present. Maybe they have a 15 footer for birdie that at home they would challenge - at Torrey, they will be apprehensive about running it to far past for fear of the comebacker. So, no birdie. How good is their lag putting from 30 feet, 40 feet etc. . . Fast greens create apprehension in the short game - which will prevent them from performing at a level they are used to at home. Short game mistakes will add up quickly and will likely be the reason they shoot over 100.

I too remember this phenomenon. However, it is not supposed to be the case. My recent experience playing white tees (around 6000 in Vegas) found me shooting 78 with maybe just 2 driver tee shots, several 3 woods, and long irons off the tee. That took away OB penalty strokes etc... The short length also allowed for easier to hit short irons into the greens. I think it was 12 GIR. Normally from 6700 to 7000, Driver is in play on most holes and even when its in the fairway, the longer iron is more difficult/prone to error when hitting approaches. I have been at a point - when I couldn't hit a 3 wood any better than a driver or a 9 iron better than a 5 iron - it's these type of problems that find one scoring the same no matter what tees they choose . . .

I view the shot from behind the ball and hold the club vertical (toe in the air) with my right hand and bring my left hand in from the SIDE. Once I like where the placement is, I bring the right hand into postion. While this is happening, the shaft is aiding in downrange aim and target finding. I actually pay close attention to this detail before every shot - practice and while playing - it eliminates a variable when diagnosing bad shots . . .

I wasted 6 years thinking I could learn golf on my own - I have visited a golf school 4 times a year for a couple years now, and worked hard on the issues and am improving dramatically. The handicap in my sig is from before lessons. We will see later this year - what it could be down to - I did not want scoring pressure while changing my swing. Get a good instructor and practice what he says ! You will improve!!

There is a very nice and reasonable course 20 to 30 minutes East of Scottsdale in Fountain Hills, AZ. Take a look at their web site - this is a very nice place - a reservation, but no housing development around it. Just you and nature! Go Early! We-Ko-Pa Golf Club. wekopa.com Have Fun!

No - not at all . . . I went to get fitted for the "woods" portion of my set at Hotstix in Scottsdale. They suggest components for you that match best with your swing speed, spin rate, swing tempo and skill level etc. . . A big component of fitting is the shaft you get as well and the frequency they build it to, so don't get so caught up in the heads on the shaft. I am quite certain a perfectly fit shaft would tempt you to buy a head you previously did not like. Good Luck!

Europe recently has putt much better than USA. I don't get it with very good putters like Tiger, Phil, and Cink. When we make putts, as did Couples, and Demarco in Past Presidents Cups, USA wins. Still kinda early though . . .

Wow! Maybe it's pre Parkinsons or Tourettes like Eric said - or just old range finder tech - but my Pinseeker 1500 is instant - wind - no wind - clouds - no clouds etc . . . What ever happend to those stories I would hear about turning on your sky caddie GPS upon arrival to the course and it not getting signal or providing yardage till the 5th hole etc. . . & loss of signal during the round etc. . . Anyway, the most important distinction for me is YARDAGE TO THE FLAG!!! I am trying to get inside Dave Pelz "Golden Eight Feet"!!! I already know most greens are around 30 yards deep. Flag distance allows me to decide if I want to keep it short of the flag for an uphill putt - or just past it to be sure to carry a false front etc. . It is also always overlooked that rangefinders have MAGNIFICATION!!! I survey the green for trouble with 7X mag! No subscription fees - no loading courses - Just take off for Arizona, Hawaii, Palm Springs etc. . . and play golf . . . I'll never quit using my Pinseeker!!!

Ely Callaway died in July 2001. Phil switched, as you say, in 2004.

This is a harder question with Tigers knee now. Of course he was going to win the US Open. I think he has won at Torrey Pines 5 of the last 6 years. Now, it's not so solid. I remember he missed the cut in a recent US Open cause of a long layoff due to his fathers passing. While this may not be as long nor as emotional, it will be a layoff. I will say this though, if he wins at Torrey Pines, he'll be unstoppable the rest of the year. At the risk of mentioning Duval one more time, his mental decline is far more serious than the erosion of his physical skill. Mental toughness may well be the most developed of all the special skills Tiger has.

Probably would add a 64* wedge like Pelz says to in his short game book. It would be nice to have a club that could add height to shots around the green with out opening the face and the risk that brings. Hmmm. . .

You know, thats true . . . I too have stood close to Tiger on several tee shots, and while he is bigger than life as an ideal, what strikes you when you see him live is . . . he's not that big a person. Oddly enough - I thought the same thing when I saw John Daly in person too. Not as tall nor as heavy as my TV makes him look. Driver speed 98 mph via Hot Stix monitors in Az. Jp

Bali Hai would be great - if it was somewhere else. By this I mean, it is right down town, and basically under the airport traffic and borders two rather noisy roadways to its East and West - one being I-15. So, while the design does harken back to an uncharted island you might find Gilligan on, the noise will remind you that you are in the city. It is a nice layout - not as good as your Reflection Bay choices and they don't have a warm up range - you hit off mats into nets - even though the mats have automatic ball reloading - not what I like. No question if money is no object, Shadow Creek and Cascata are great choices in the stay and play game at around $500 each. If you would rather pay in the $250 range, Rio Secco in Henderson, where Butch's school lives, is nice as is Bears Best in Summerlin to the West, a collection of Jack's favorite holes West of the Miss river. Both 20 minute min cab rides. Rio Secco used to be affiliated with the RIO hotel, so there may be a shuttle to that one. I do like the Revere/antherm courses too. If time is no problem - cheaper nice courses would be Paiute, 30 minutes north of the strip where Pete Dye has designed three courses, snow, sun, and wolf. Middle of a reservation with no homes to hit. Also, 90 minutes north in Mesquite Nv is Wolf Creek. Check their website out. Crazy elevation changes and golf carts with four wheel disc brakes cause of it. Kinda far away though. Have fun! J.P.

I got that too . . . Thanks for your efforts against this stuff - that's another reason I appreciate this site. ARE YOU STILL WAITING ON THE MP67'S IACAS???!!! We'll need a full review!

Well, I'll throw in my 2 cents. I became a Mizuno convert a couple years back with my MP30's. I just love the feel and control they provide! Naturally I wanted to play the Mizuno Forged wedges as well. I needed a 52, 56, and a 60. I did exhaustive testing between the MP-R's, Cleveland CG10's and Vokey Spin Milled. After testing, it's just my opinion, but the Vokey's are in a class of their own. I cannot explain why. I am not a big fan of over the top spin - nor gimmic type styles - I just need a precise instrument to execute delicate short game shots. The others feel like nice golf clubs, and perform well. The Vokeys feel like a finely tuned instrument. I bought a 56.10 and a 60.04 and am happier than ever with the short game shots. The 56.10 is the best out of sand of any sand wedge I have ever owned. I bought a 52 MP R to see how it would do, and while nice, I just wonder what a Vokey Oil Can 52 could do for me now. (No spin milled in 52*) I don't want to bring back the Forged versus Cast debate again, that has been debated here more times than anyone wants to remember, but . . . try several brands of wedges before you buy. . . that way you don't miss something that can surprise you! Don't lock onto the idea that a cast club can't feel sensational!

You know gulfsidebo, I too have wondered if this is an unhealthy obsession. I have been playing for the last 6 years or so. I guess it goes in cycles, but man, sometimes, all I think about is playing or the range - till I get there! Course I hold a job & pay attention to the wife etc . . . but perhaps there is something more I was supposed to accomplish in life . . . missing it cause so much thought is on golf??? Ya think? Hmmm.

My humble opinion . . . I have a somewhat similar past. Except I thought I could learn to play on my own, by books, video taping myself, etc . . . Alas, I could not. I got so tired of not knowing the TRUTH - what was I doing and why. I finally decided I wanted to learn to strike the ball correctly - not some quick fix. I decided to give a swing overhaul a 1.5 year commitment. I decided my body would need to be in better shape, so I began a stretching program. I decided I needed first rate training - I did not want there to be any question about the swing info I was receiving. I attended a Jim Mclean 2 day golf school to begin. I was given a couple critical items to work on/rehearse EACH DAY. I return for a follow up. I get a couple new items, with attention still paid to the first things. I continue to follow up every few months, and continue to work daily at home on those things my instructor tells me to focus on. ie. . we began with perfecting grip and set up. Next backswing, now progressing on to impact. With daily work, the moves are ingrained by the time I get to the range for practice. It works. I am striking the ball like never before. Well. When I began the training, last October, I was a 11.5 hcp mostly cause of a passable short game. I decided I would not keep a handicap till 2008 and have no expectations in this time of change. We'll see where I am next year. There is no changing of teachers. There is no experimenting and trying new things/tips. There is no watching golf channel or reading Golf Digest to find out what to try. There is only daily focus on stretching and positions/drill practice at home that have been directed by my teacher. Time wise it only takes 20-30 minutes of stretch and 15 minutes of drill/position rehersal a day. When I get to the range and course - all this is paying off in better ball striking. I still have a ways to go - impact is a challenge for me - but there is hope - I am a slow learner - and am getting better. I am not familiar with Florida, but I know Jim Mclean has a school out there and I highly recommend you try them. They are very good. Expect this to take some time - there is no quick fix. Best of luck.