wmiller

Tried this experiment with a friend, as a result of reading this thread: Last time we played, I suggested we play for drinks or something. My friend was interested, but cautious (I can give him 5 a side and not bother to bring money). So I told him I'd make it easier for him. Outside of 150 yds, he could roll it up anywhere within a 3' radius. Inside 150, a 1' radius. On the green, he could mark and then place his ball anywhere within a 3" radius. Lift clean and place was also allowed. Free relief from divots, and spike marks could be repaired. Stroke penalty only , not stroke and distance from hazards or OB. I'd play by all the rules, and give him 5 a side. I did enjoy my free drinks after the round, and we realized that even with all that, he didn't shoot any better than he normally does. Next time we go back to not even bothering with a score. And I'll buy afterwards.

I've bought my last three sets off Ebay, but like others have said above, do your research first. My local Golfsmith also sells clubs, but horribly overpriced and often in worse shape than those I've bought on Ebay. FYI.

Of course, nobody over the age of 40 started with blades (heavy sarcasm here). I'm sure Bobby, Arnie, and Jack to name a few, would have been SO much better with some SGIs... ;-) To the OP: Get 'em. If you've any decent hand-eye coordination, you'll figure it out. But just in case you're like a good friend of mine, (his hand-eye coordination stinks, but he does love to play), keep the others too.

I have duck feet as well, 13EEEE, and have two pairs of True Linkswear. Will never wear anything else, unless they go out of business of course. Most comfortable shoe I've found for walking the course.

Last official handicap was a one. Yes, we always played the same tees. While I often was hitting two clubs less than them into the par 4s, it didn't seem to matter. Most could throw a lawn dart with a 7 or 6 iron inside my 8 or 9. Brandie, the young college girl, could hit a 5 iron almost as far as I could (~190-200), which was pretty big back then with a balata ball and today's 6 iron loft.

I've actually played with a few LPGA pros, and played regularly with a young college girl who went on the tour shortly thereafter. My one and only coach was friend to quite a few, and when they were in town for the Dina Shore, would show up to visit and get in some practice. I could occasionally beat my young friend, but never ever beat the touring pros. Even when I shot 68-67. I could out drive them, but it didn't matter. Beth just flat kicked my arse... You want to make yourself feel better by telling yourself you can beat the girls, by all means go ahead. But maybe you should trying playing with a few first... ;-)

I just recently fitted a young friend with those very clubs and he is doing rather well with them. They are a good quality club, and Pings just last forever. I still play a set of i3 blades (smaller head, less offset) as my backups. They are NOT going to be as forgiving as a Super Game Improvement club, but they will give you good feedback on mishits.

-1 today. Didn't play from the blues (~7100) because my friend I play with every two weeks isn't long enough to play from there. I just teed off with a few more 3 woods and 3 irons. Still felt good though. The new i15 with the Diamana WB is just killing 'em. :)

The last time I talked to a PGA teaching pro, I approached him to inquire how much it would cost to have my swing video taped. Instead of giving me a price, he said: "First things first. Let me see your stance and grip." Ok... I took my stance and he immediately spotted my weak grip and stated that I must be hitting everything right. No, I said, I tend to hit a high draw. He basically called me a liar, I promptly offered to hit some balls (we were standing out in his teaching area), he accepted, and I put five or 6 nine irons on the green @ 150yds with about a 5 yd draw on each. Yea, it was a big green... :) Anyway, he watched this and then promptly started telling me how we needed to flatten my swing some, strengthen my grip, etc., etc.. Told him I could not flatten my swing due to a bad lower back, it was fine as is, and was simply interested in analyzing my swing, and could he take a video. His reply? "Not without a lesson." We were done at that point. That was two years ago, haven't spoken to one since. Not interested in rebuilding my swing. It is what it is... Honestly? I'm not sure any of the teaching pros down here are able to do much with someone who already has a decent weekender game (shot -1 today, 4 birds, three bogeys). Were I to start taking lessons now, I would be most interested in learning how to fine tune my distance control, and more consistently hit a 5 yd fade (something I have extreme difficulty with). Maybe some putting lessons and course management. To be fair, I've not approached any of the pros at the local private clubs. They might be of higher caliber, but I might pass out from sticker shock when told their rate. :)

I'm a righty and when playing multiple rounds a week, will tape the two middle fingers on my right hand. I'm a little self conscious about it, but it keeps the calluses away.

When I swap out a worn ball during a round, I throw it in the bag. At the range, normally after finishing off the crap range balls (and they are crap), I'll pull 3 or 4 of the worn balls out of the bag and tee them up for the driver. I watch the flight and look for any signs of anything bad I've added to my swing (that the range balls hide). Only once or twice have I pulled a brand new ball from the bag. Usually after seeing some really screwy ball flights with range balls and wondering if it was the ball or me.

If the grip is leading the head, the club is de-lofted, making it stronger. My friend the pro says he weakens the lofts to compensate.

When using a 'spine finder' you are NOT locating the spine of the shaft, but rather the NBP (natural bend point) of the shaft. The spine, which is the most stable orientation of the shaft, is found by flexing a shaft with a laser tipped weight on the end (tip) of the shaft. This is called FLO, or Flat Line Oscillation. In my limited experience, the spine axis is located between 70 and 90 degrees from the NBP axis. Nice pic above. I have the same one. Works really well, and doesn't damage the shaft.

If your friend is keeping score while he's bending the rules, then I agree, that's not right. For score, you need to play to an agreed set of rules, like using strict USGA rules (i.e., stroke and distance), or some variant that is agreed to by all involved (i.e., no distance penalty for lost ball, just stroke, etc.) My friend and I play every other Sunday, and I honestly can't remember the last time we kept score. More like a social forum where we enjoy each other's company for a few hours and hit golf shots. That we have a good time is the important part.

I keep several of the 'gold' dollar coins in my pocket when I play, and use them as ball markers on the green.

I don't understand this concern for how other people play. Like it violates someone's religion or something If I play in a tourney or am playing for a few $$ with friends, of course we use the rules. But if I'm out to relax and enjoy myself on a golf course, I'll do as I please thank you. This includes lift-clean-and-place, taking relief from divots, and repairing spike marks on the green, etc., etc.. I've played courses in pga conditions and you never get a bad lie in the fairway. If I'm playing my local and roll into a mud hole/dirt patch in the middle of the fairway, you bet I'll roll it up. Keeps things even.

I just finished my second round with a new i15, 8* with a Diamana white board in it. I'm flighting the ball lower, longer, and with more control than I did with a 9.5* G15, cranked down to 8.5*, and with a tipped RIP shaft in it. And while I've read that the i15 is designed/built with a 'fade bias', I don't see it. I also MUCH prefer the 'click' I get from the i15 as opposed to the loud 'ping/ting' sound from the G15. Anyone else playing the i15? And if so, what are your impressions? Thanks.

84. Stunk up the course. Tweaked my back loading the bag and stuff in the jeep, took a prescription pain pill and muscle relaxer and made it to the course before they kicked in. Good thing I was walking and not driving a golf cart. Probably would have hurt myself or someone else.

3 over on home course (white tees though). Had great success with a new i15 driver. I read/was told these have a fade bias. Straight as an arrow for me. Maybe a hint of draw.

Balata balls would cut (I remember see a 'smiley' on the ball if I bladed one), they spun twice as much as today's balls, and you could literally knock them out of round with a big drive. And crack the cover where the grooves on the driver's insert hit the ball. Durability wasn't in their vocabulary. Closest I've found today is the really soft ladies balls for when I'm hitting the persimmons.

What he said... I have the Tours and the Stealths, and the Tours are the best for wide feet. I normally wear a 13 3EEE or 4EEE, and these fit great. Like golfing in slippers that don't slip when you swing.

It's called peripherial (sp) vision. I don't have to look at you to see you. The brain is wired to detect movement (the old Flight or Fight reflex) and it can be distracting, as it was intended to be. If you can't see someone standing right on your ball line, out of the corner of your eye, get your eyes checked. There's something wrong. Oh, and I don't need any help tracking my ball flight, thank you.

"Nice hosel rocket!" (self explanatory)

74 (+2) today. Put a 20* hybrid in play today, and must say, I like it. Putter was working well too... :)

I am 6'3", with a WTF of 37.5. I have a rather upright swing because of a bad lower back, but have been having some really good success going back to a standard length (Ping standard length) on my white dot S57s. Lengthening or shortening the shafts is done to fit a person's swing dynamics more so than to fit a static measurement. Or that's my opinion anyway... :) In theory, if you can competently swing a 3 iron at a given length, then you could swing a wedge at the same length. Conversely, If you can handle a pitching wedge at a given length, couldn't you swing every other club in your bag just as well at the same length? Having set up my little shop in the garage has allowed me to tinker (hey, I'm an engineer, what can I say) with my clubs more so than if I had to pay someone every time I wanted something done. One thing I want to try is take a set of old i3 Blade heads and fit them all with shafts cut to a standard 6 iron length. I am very interested in the outcome. (it's been done before, by others, but I want to try it myself) Your last question is exactly why I tried what I did. And so far, it is working quite well with my rather steep digger/driver swing.