GJT

I will never play against you, so you have no fear. I don’t improve my lie, I take my strokes, where necessary, to the best of my knowledge. I don’t ground my club in sand traps or hazards. I admit that I didn’t know all my options on Yellow and Red stakes until @lihu posted a link. It was a very good explanation. I joined this forum to learn about my game and how to play the game better. Thank you for taking the time to reply. I look forward to the 2019 changes, whatever they may be.

Thanks again. I know that something is coming. With all the pressure to get people on the course and off the course, as quickly as possible, anything will help. My main complaint is that the rules can be so intimidating, that the high handicapper, who keep many golf courses financially viable, are being forced out of the game. No one wants to break the rules .... Btw I play by the rules.

Thank you, but I received a reply from someone who clarified the issue. I don’t cheat at anything but I complain about a lot :)

Thanks. Watched the video and saved it to my Favorites. I think I finally get the difference. For sure. I don’t actually find OB that often since I am so conservative with play. Usually it is due to not knowing it is there. I hate it when that happens :) Thanks for the reply.

Thanks for the input. I suppose re hitting from your existing spot might end in a better result, considering how ugly the lies around OB can be. The likelihood of me playing in any tournament, against anyone, is exceedingly remote. Very sorry if you were insulted.

Re Yellow stakes...so why 2 colours. Re White stakes...so why lose the distance. Btw I have yet to read an explanation of Yellow stakes that I can understand. :)

Searched for info on this...nothing showed up. So who needs yellow, red and white stakes. What the heck is a yellow stake anyway? New rules: 1) Lose a ball-lose a stroke. Drop where ball “exits” the course. 2) Move a ball-lose a stroke. There. Isn’t that easier....and faster! Enjoy

I am a little late to the party but I have a question. In the summary at the beginning of the thread there was an item that stated this new system will “allow golfers to post both competitive and recreational rounds.” What is the difference between competitive and recreational rounds?

I have attached 2 pics of a golf grip. One of these looks like it would result in toe down contact. These are not me. They are just some stock pics of grips. Could I be doing this at set up or impact?

You’re welcome ..... :)

I have seen the backwards wedge used but never tried. Will check it out. Thanks!

I searched for this and found no hits. So...I have been known to use the backside of a long iron when my ball is up against a tree. It works for me (usually) and I will get about 30 yards out of it. I am a righty. Is this legal?

So...should I actually be hitting balls or just practice swinging.???

I did some research on Ping’s colour system. Found the attached chart. My wrist to floor measurement is 35 inches. Does this mean that I should get my clubs adjusted to Silver? I will follow up with swing videos if that will help. I assume you want videos from the back?

Ping G15 black dot. Thanks for helping out.

Almost half of the club width, with most of the green towards the toe. Hmmm. Sounds like a lot doesn’t it :)

Not sure if this is a stance issue or an equipment issue, but here I go. Recenty hit a bunch of balls off one of those green brush mats. I noticed that there was an accumulation of green “stuff” at the toe of the clubs. I have also noticed that, sometimes, my divots are deeper on one side, consistent with the toe digging deeper than the heel. So it would seem that I have a lie angle issue. Suggestions? Adjust lie or stance? I am 66 in age, 6 feet tall, 22 handicap.

I don’t think any “policy” will work. What I expect is civility and common sense. Isn’t that a foundation of this game?? Last year I witnessed an event, between an 85 year old male and a 50ish year old male, that could have ended up in serious charges had the younger man actually acted on his emotions.

Good video and good reminder. I usually fix 4-6 ball marks per hole. I assume many seniors have trouble with getting down and up again. I get it. Maybe someone needs to design a repair tool that goes on the end of the putter. You slip it on over the grip, repair the divot, take it off and put it back in your pocket. It could even be designed to fit over a ball retriever tool that many seniors have on the putter.

If you have ever yelled at a group ahead of you....read this. First of all it is ignorant. We are all out there for fun. Yesterday the group behind us yelled out “hurry up” and subsequently sent the Ranger out to “talk to us”. One of our group had a bad hole and we fell behind. It happens. Btw we finished our round in 3:50 hours. Know that it is not appreciated and can result in even slower play if you actively attempt to push the group in front of you. If you want to play in less than 3 hours...tee off at 7am.

What a great job! Just the guy I want to talk to :) When you assign slope/rating to a course how do you account for various pin placements? Some of these can be diabolical...

I did a quick search and found the following info on how the USGA determines a course slope factor. It is a good explanation: https://www.thoughtco.com/usga-course-and-slope-rating-1561294 The article states: “Course rating used to be based almost solely on length. The longer the course, the higher the rating. But obstacles (degree of difficulty), in addition to distance, are now part of the consideration”. Who knew? Thanks all for your comments.

I am talking about both actually. I score 3-5 strokes lower and my handicap on the shorter courses is 1-2 points lower. I have data going back about 10 years. My distance off the tee is my biggest concern, so the shorter courses gives me a chance to make fewer errors approaching the green. I guess length really is king in this game. Thanks

Yes I track my handicap as you have noted. I have data for about 10 years and have noticed that my gross and differentials are 1-3 strokes better on shorter course. In fact my handicap (23) is 20 on the shorter course. So, as others have commented, it may just be distance. But I am surprised that actual playing difficulty (bunkers, water, narrowness of fairway etc etc) is not factored into the slope factor. Oh well... This is interesting. Perhaps the collective “go for it” attitude is in play here. Like Yogi Berra used to say...”90% of sports is half mental” :) Oh yah. I agree that sometimes hazards come into play that would otherwise be avoidable. Don’t you hate it when you “play it safe” and still screw up?