Norm66

Gotta be the guy who spends more time reading putts than a PGA guy does over a 20foot birdie putt for the Masters win. Come on guy, it's for a beer after the round, not a Major win! Eric, if you're out there... ;^)

"One thing this thread has done is remind me I need to teach some basics to my fiance since she has recently moved in." Yes! When my wife (girlfriend at the time) moved in with me it was one of the very first things we discussed. And when I say discussed, I mean range time and serious safety discussions. Even folks who are anti-gun IMHO should have their children taught about firearms because even though they don't *like* them they are a reality that at some point the child may have to deal with. Ignorance is not a safe way to approach firearm safety. Education IMHO will save more lives than bans. On the subject of full-autos in the hands of civilians I'm split. I honestly can't think of a legitimate use I might have for one (certainly not home defense), but I like the idea that if I can pass the background check etc. that I would be allowed to own one (or more).

A guy I work with visited China several times over the past three years and brought home close to 10 sets of "Mizuno" and "Taylormade" clubs that I believe are probably counterfeits. My boss owns a set of these and is always talking about the great deal he got on his Mizunos. I just don't have the heart to tell him.

Man, I'm glad I live in West Virginia. I can't imagine getting to the course at 6:30 and having to wait until 7:30 to tee off. My buddy and I generally play Sunday morning at 7:00am and are one of the first couple groups off. Never ever waiting at that time unless they start sending folks off the back at 8 or 8:30 and we get stuck behind them.

Trunk of the car where they're available when I need them. I realize I'll probably have to re-grip more often than if I kept them in the house, but I don't care.

Just knowing that it annoys people is good enough reason to continue it. Of course I look ridiculous anyway.

I have one buddy I play with quite a bit that I "sledge" (new word to me, I like it) every chance I get. If you were to play with us you'd swear we hated each other the way we talk. We even slag each other when we're on the same team in a scramble. The harsher the better. And sarcasm is always great, again the harsher the better. I love showing him where "the big boys hit it" when I hit a nice drive after a bad one of his. Of course he's really the only one I treat like that. Of my other regular playing partners, one is a church-going guy and the other is my boss so they definitely don't get 'the treatment'. And from my viewpoint, if you think calling someone a Nancy after hitting a putt short is calling them homosexual you're taking things way too seriously. You're not calling them a homosexual, you're calling them a woman. And woman doesn't equal inferior it equals "of lesser strength" hence the short putt.

1. 36 2. 2 3. 21

I believe golfers are way too interested in looks and image. I believe that it's OK to have a relaxed attitude about golf, its traditions and rules so long as you're not playing competitive golf. I believe that I will never be able or willing to get beyond a 10 handicap, but plan on having a gas trying to get there. I believe that I'll be buying some new irons with my income tax check. I believe that at my level there is not much difference between Long & Soft Noodles & Titleist NXT Extremes (besides cost). I believe that somewhere is a golf glove that won't wear out in that one spot on the heel of my hand while the rest of the glove is still in good shape. I believe that playing alone is a blast, but golf is meant to be played with others, even if they're strangers. I believe that teaching your wife to golf is a path towards divorce. I believe that this is one of the coolest threads I've ever seen around here. I believe that's all.

Well, no advice here. But if you figure it out how about sharing the cure with me. ;^)

It would be awesome. I've played with women who were a little better than me, but not scratch by any means. Women who golf are sexy for some reason.

Great post Sherpat. The only thing I would add is that some folks take pleasure in paying less for a perceived higher-cost item. Essentially some people just like to find great deals whatever their hobby.

I agree that some people seem to think the latest & greatest clubs will improve their game more than simply practicing. But people golf for different reasons. Some really want to improve while others enjoy the equipment equally to actually playing. Who cares as long as they're enjoying themselves. I'm a musician and, especially on the internet, people seem to really obsess over the minute details of their instruments. Very similar to golf, in a real life performance nobody really cares what you're playing as long as it sounds good.

LOL, why is it that golf seems to just suck the sense of humor out of some people? Lighten up Francis! BTW- I didn't know Elin was a twin. They're unbelievably pretty!

I've never played well enough to tick anybody off. Maybe this year. As for playing partners, I've got maybe 6-8 guys from work who play together fairly often. I also play with my wife and frequently go out alone and play with whoever I run into at the course.

It's sunny and nearly 60 here today, but with the rain the past few days, I don't know. I might just check the range out today just to get loosened up.

I've never once considered taking a weapon out golfing with me and I'm what some here would consider a 'gun nut'. I love shooting and firmly believe in personal defense, but golfing? If I felt the need to carry (and I do have my ccw permit) on the course I'd probably just stay home. Besides, every third golfer on my home course is either a Sheriff's deputy or policeman. There was a case a couple years back at my home course where some kids stole a twosome's cart. They ran the cart to the property line before dumping the bags/clubs and then took off down the road. That's the closest I've ever heard of anything happening on a golf course.

I did it once and it'll never happen again. Let the bad shots go before they ruin your whole round.

You should try being me. Long, red hair. Full beard. Earring. Tattoos (only visible with shorts). and I weigh over 350lbs. I get looks you wouldn't believe. But I've never been paired with someone who I didn't win over by the 2nd or 3rd hole. Folks make assumptions based on looks all the time, it's human nature. It's your job to keep your demeanor such that they don't have any reason to verify their first impression.

No advice to offer, but best of luck!

"but hey what do i no" Grammar. Spelling. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

The whole world's like that, not just golf so you may as well get used to it. It's the same deal with homes, cars, women, jobs, colleges, etc. Someone will always have it easier than you do. The thing to do is not worry about it, just live your life the best you can and don't look for anyone else to help you out because they won't. FWIW I can't afford to play really nice places like Oakmont at all. $45 is the highest greeen fee I've ever paid with $25 and lower making up the vast majority of my rounds. Sure it would be nice to drive a late model Mercedes to a really nice course, pop the trunklid to see my $400 cart bag containing all the latest, custom-fit clubs, GPS unit and bang a bunch of $4 balls into water hazards, but that's not going to be my life so no use worrying about it. I hope that makes sense and helps a little bit.

Are you new to the internet in general or just golf forums? The whole net is full of people blathering on about stuff they don't understand, passing beliefs off as facts etc. Nothing to get worked up about just on a golf forum IMHO. Take a deep breath, pop a blood pressure pill and don't have a heart-attack over what someone on the 'net says. It's just not worth it.

Sorry we can't all be fit or pretty enough for your standards. Golf IMHO would be better if everybody were just a little (read "a lot") less judgmental. Gentlemen's game indeed. Rant mode off.

Short version: Lessons are good. Long version: Not that I worked relentlessly at what I learned, but I certainly have put what I learned to use. My instructor got me swinging pretty well in 5 weeks after I'd struggled to learn myself for most of a year. I can't recommend lessons enough. In fact, I kind of snicker a little when I hear or read about someone who thinks that they're coordinated enough to figure it out for themselves. I don't care who you are anything is easier if you get the fundamentals right from the start. Also, you just can't tell if what you're doing is what you think you're doing without someone who knows telling you what's going on. I knew what a good shoulder turn should look like, I just didn't realize what it felt like until I was shown.