raycharles

A fade is the most consistent shot to play for most golfers. Whether one chooses to play a draw, or fade, they should commit themselves to practice one ball flight for consistent play.

Actually, Westwood led the field with 22 birdies for four rounds. Woods had 17. Trust me, with that putting stroke, Woods couldn't win a mid-am held at Augusta.

I agree. Heck, Tom Watson nearly won the Open Championship last year. Anything is possible, and in this case, very probable that Tiger eclipses Jack's major championship record. I say yes. The difference between Tiger and most other golfers is his tenacity and determination to win majors. Even if it takes a year or more to get his swing refined, he'll have plenty of opportunity to surpass the Bear.

Chip or putt with a Callaway Tour I, then do the same with a Z star, or Pro-V1. Immediate difference in softness. They feel completely different to me.

Srixon Z-Star for me. Priced below Titleist and Callaway. Feels like a Pro-v. Callaway I-series feel like a Rock-Flite to me. Too hard.

Thanks for thr responses guys. Don't get me wrong about the Callaway, it is a terrific ball. If you have an opportunity to chip with a Callaway I-series and then the Pro-V1, there is a noticeable difference in feel to me. The Pro-V1 is much softer. I belive I'll give the B330 a try next time out. I've heard some good reviews of the ball.

I started playing the Callaway I series ball last season with decent results. The thing I hate about the ball is the feel. I cant get over how sweet a Pro-V1 feels. So. For all you ball junkies. Is there another brand comparable to the Pro-V1 that offers similar performance and a soft feel? Thanks.

His tournament accomplishments are evidence enough that he needs no changes. His swing has changed over the past 15 years. His success in tournaments hasn't. Take the golfer with the most fundamentally sound swing on tour. Then compare his accomplishments to Woods. 'Nuff said.

Are PGA players granted the ability to wear metal spikes on all the courses they play?

I have always battled a steep swing. Its very hard for me to overcome this problem. Although I have played this way for my entire life. My divots are a greenskeeper's nightmare. I take deep divots on my irons from 7-SW. I have been practicing in my house with all the snow we're having. When I practice keeping my weight on the left side, it seems to give me more of a "sweep" down to impact. Will the S&T; golf swing fundamentals help me if I get too steep on my downswing? I am very interested in this system.

Way Cool Eric! Congrats on getting on the Golf Channel. I like Michael Breed's enthousiasm for the game. He's hyper, but very entertaining. I would love to have that studio setup in my basement. I believe there are good teachers and there are good players. The good players are just that. Many good players couldn't teach the swing at all. Would you like a lesson on proper swing plane from Boo Weekly? Mike Breed is a great swing coach, but I bet Faldo would beat him like a drum. Consequently, I found Faldo's explanation confusing. He's a great player, but perhaps that's it. Just a great player with great ability and a bad instructor.

He should just melt his clubs down, retire, and take up shuffleboard with that quitter mentality.

I agree. The guy can flat out putt. However, so could Brad Faxon. Major Champs have always putted well enough to win the tournaments, but its putting together four perfect rounds, driving, iron play, scrambling, and putting. He'll need to do more than just putt well. He'll have to play perfectly. He has the ability and although I don't know him, he sure seems like a great man, and worthy of a Major title.

I support your opinion, but the rule is ridiculous. Here is Jack Nicklaus on the subject of the groove ruling: "Some, including Jack Nicklaus, believe—or hope—that the subtle groove change will create a domino effect, causing players to switch to softer balls that spin more, which in turn will result in shorter drives off the tee and a greater emphasis on old-fashioned shot making. "With a softer ball, the game will change—and change for the better," Mr. Nicklaus said last week. "It will bring some of the great courses in the world that had become obsolete because the ball went so far back into play." This is all the information I need to formulate an opinion that the ruling is a bad one. I believe the 1988-89 cast Eye 2 (square grooves) were grandfathered-in. Eye 2 models after 1990 had the plus (+) symbol and different grooves. I am not certain they were approved. Perhaps you could help with that one Iacas. Thanks.

That's certainly a legalistic viewpoint. Duly noted. Ahh, an opinion that I agree with, with no data needed. So, then why have a mandate regarding the grooves in question? Just curious. Agreed, so again, why is this an issue with the USGA? Respectfully, wouldn't digital swing analysis and on-course GPS systems fall into that category? Ahh yes, their position. “the purpose of the Rules is ‘to prevent an over-reliance on technological advances rather than skill and to ensure that skill is the dominant element in determining success throughout the game.” Hmm. Skill. Based on their logic, both golf clubs and golf balls should be tweaked in some fashion. By that logic, the golfers of old are far more talented than the golfers of the current age.

I obviously didn't make myself clear. I am not saying that the players should revert back to the old wound balls. Or that players should be forced to use uniform technology, BUT thats precisely what the PGA is doing. I believe all tour players should take advantage of the advances in technology. That would INCLUDE grooves that offer better performance, i.e. spin. I find the groove ruling comical, at best. What is the primary reason for the groove ruling? Is it simply that players have the ability to spin the ball out of lies that were meant to punish them for errant shots? With that logic, then players shouldn't be allowed to play high performance balls. What's next, a return to standard steel blades and persimmon? Neither option makes ANY sense to me. Let them play what they want to play. Advances in technology made the game better and more enjoyable. In my opinion.

Wait a minute. I believe they are the most popular irons in golf history. But, what do I know. I only own 7 sets. Anyone want some 87-90 cast wedges? I have plenty. Shame on the PGA for the rule change. Wanna make a difference in play? Go back to wound balls and make everyone play the same brand. THe PGA is going the way of NASCAR. Everyone will be playing clubs with the same diameter, weights, lofts, and shape. The groove rule is completely ridiculous. IMO.

Agreed 100% I agree 150% on Heritage. Its my favorite course at Myrtle. Couldn't disagree more on The Legends. All three are completely overrated dog tracks. Terrible greens and very slow play. A hackers dream. The last time down I played Myrtle Beach National, Grande Dunes, and Plantation.

Has anyone ever experienced an issue with inconsistent distances with 3 or 4 piece balls? I played a round recently and took a Pro-V1 (3 piece) out of play that for three holes did not fly off the blade with the distance I am accustomed to hitting the ball. After I switched to another Pro V1, I had no issue. As an example, the last swing I made with the original ball, I missed a green short by 20 yards with a 7 iron. I took another Pro V1 out of the bag and put it in the middle of the green. I experienced that one other time with a Titleist Professional some years ago and actually went back to DT wound balls because they were more consistent on distance. Dont get me wrong, I am grateful for the new high performance balls. I'll chalk it up to a manufacturer defect maybe? Just curious if anyone has ever experienced this before.

I love to fish when not playing golf. I fish the Susquehanna, Juniata, and Potomac rivers out of a aluminum boat with a jet-driven outboard. Most of the tournaments I fish are out of my fiberglass bass boat. I fish in the MD Bass Federation. My biggest fish last year was a snakehead!

All of the courses in Pawley's area are excellent. Heritage, Caledonia, True Blue, and Pawley's Plantation are my favorite four south. They are traditional and georgeous. The Legends courses are so-so. I hate links courses. Barefoot is just so-so. The Fazio and Norman courses stink. Love's course is fine, but not very asthetic. Wachesaw Plantation East = Amazing Wild Wing Plantation (Avocet course is the best) Biggest practice facility I've ever seen. River Club = Fun and short and lots of water - great greens. Long Bay = TOUGH Litchfield CC = old school To name a few. These are always on our regular play list. Have a ball and make sure to eat a steak at "Chuck's" and spend a couple bucks at a place called "Masters".

Does it force your right elbow away from your body more than usual? i.e. Fred Couples?

Woods certainly impacted the popularity of the game. There seem to be a lot more golfers playing now. Maybe we should attribute the drastic increase in greens fees since 1998 to Tiger Woods' impact on the popularity of the game?

I always struggled with taking the club outside and back in. I was hoping this aid might help. Do you think its worth it?

You are exactly right!