doctork

Carry a Titleist bag, with as few balls and gadgetry as I can get away with to make it as light as possible. Will no doubt go the trolley route as age takes its toll. Cheers, DoctorK

I've been playing too long to remember, but congrats on yours, 14! DoctorK

Believe the poster qualified with a separate "waterfront" catgeory for Chambers & Whistling Straits. I thought the Tacoma Narrows area where Chambers sits was supposed to be very windy. Remember the film of the old bridge gyrating in the wind, then crashing into the sound? No doubt it comes up short of the Bandon/Ballybunion standard for wind, though. Cheers, DoctorK

Not to rain on your parade, but getting back an 8iron is easy, because they have little resale value. Wedges, on the other hand, often go unreturned. People either keep them for themselves, since they don't need to match your set, or sell them. Sad but true, at least in my experience. Glad you got your stick back, though. Cheers, DoctorK

Those are great stats - 105 yds (!) with a 6 iron. Of course, his lob wedge was nearly the length of a regular approach shot. One of my favorite holes in golf... Maybe I'll get to play it someday. Anyone know if #7 has been lengthened for this year's Open? Hope not. Cheers, DoctorK

Understand your frustration with the wind, Colin. Just learn to keep the ball down and you'll actually come to enjoy playing in it... Easier said than done, right? Agree that pics should be required of any poster who visits a golf mecca. Let's see 'em, Canuck! Cheers, DoctorK

I like Furyk, too, but he's already won his two tourneys for the year. Hard to believe he's never won three times in a single season. I'll take Westwood to win, with Cabrera, Mickelson, Zach Johnson and AK waiting in the wings. Enjoy. DoctorK

Like others here, I only pull the driver on a short hole if the risk-reward equation is in my favor, and I'm hitting driver reasonably well. If a hole is tight or has a death zone on either side of the fairway, I leave the 1-wood in the bag unless an especially long tee shot is required or it's playing into the wind. I've had experiences similar to golfaddictions's where I played well except for a few wayward drives that cost me dearly. A few of those rounds will make you realize that a longer shot from the fairway beats OB any day. Cheers, DoctorK

I picked AK, but have a darkhorse of my own - if you can call a guy with three USGA titles and an NCAA Championship a darkhorse... Ryan Moore. Seems to come and go, but when he gets in contention he is absolutely ice. Plus, I think it's easier to win for a guy who's under the radar, as opposed to an AK who's got the huge weight of expectations to battle. Besides which, I think Moore would have established himself as a Ryder Cup-caliber player by now if not for the injuries. Cheers, DoctorK

Lots of great moments mentioned above, but that hole is all about train wrecks... Len Mattiace, Sean O'Hair... Gotta stop there before I start crying. DoctorK

Flop may have been ideal, but you should NEVER play a shot you're not comfortable with. More than likely, you'd have chunked or skulled it. I think you played it right, frankly, just didn't quite execute. You missed the proper way, long, and gave yourself a chance. Obviously you'd prefer to get it closer, but it was a tricky shot. Bet if you tried the exact shot again you'd pull it off. Cheers, DoctorK

Let's see... 68 degrees and sunny (for some reason, I putt better when the sun's out)... Seaside course, don't really care which or where... For some reason, on this particular day I have complete command over the golf ball, kind of like the priest in "Caddyshack," before he gets whacked by lightning... No lightning for me, though. Final score: 66, because I like the symmetry. Cheers, DoctorK

Awesome info, Canuck. But I believe Sean asked about the beer??? How was the wind? I hear it blows there every now and then. Cheers, DoctorK

My big concern has nothing to do with Rory, in particular, just the too much, too soon syndrome we've seen time and again (not just in golf). If he can stay focused, not get spread too thin with endorsements/commitments, and stay humble, the sky's the limit. Oh, and the back and knee things are a little troubling. DoctorK

I grew up playing blades, so that's what appeals to my eye. When I look down and see a thick topline and lots of offset, it messes with my mind. Cheers, DoctorK

Astounding performance at Quail Hollow, no doubt. My question is, will this be the start of a monster career, or the beginning of a disappointing few years for Rory McIlroy? I'm thinking of the supposed "breathroughs" we've seen from young guns in recent years that (so far) didn't lead to bigger and better things. Adam Scott and Sergio at the Players, Charles Howell at Kingsmill, Justin Rose... well, we're still waiting for him. RM certainly has world-class talent and, it appears, the mindset to match. So which direction do you think he'll go? Cheers, DoctorK

Phil, you are a walking, golfing disaster! I've been lucky that the minor injuries I've had came at a time when I couldn't play, anyway. Talking about cut fingers and such. Get well soon, and permanently, Phil. DoctorK Doctor

I've been fortunate enough to achieve 1 & 2, but there are a lot of golf courses I'd love to play in a lot of countries... If time and money weren't an object. Of course, I'd love to make another ace and shoot in the 60s again, having done each only once. Cheers, DoctorK

Looking worse by the day, Jared. I shudder to think how big this disaster could end up being when all's said and done. Could dwarf anything that's come before it. Hope I'm wrong. DoctorK

Haven't actually read that many, come to think of it. "Strokes of Genius," collection of Thomas Boswell's golf writing. "A Good Walk Spoiled." "The Great Gatsby" takes place on Long Island. That should count for something. Cheers, DoctorK

That's cool, thanks for sharing. Unfortunately, my audio isn't working so I can't hear your sound. Can you toss out a few influences to give an idea? BTW, please tell me you are the dude with the handlebar stash! Cheers, DoctorK

Anyone have an opinion on who would make a good match for Tiger, aside from Butch? Can't say I'm up on the hottest teachers, outside of the usual suspects, but would be curious to hear others' thoughts. Come to think of it, I could be talked into it, for the right price... Cheers, DoctorK

If we were really being sticklers here, we'd differentiate between best brand and best products. Believe everyone (me included) has leaned toward picking the companies which make (in their eyes) the best products. Not to get all marketing-speak on ya, but a company can produce crummy products and still be a great brand. I'm looking at you, Budweiser. Cheers (but not with a Bud), DoctorK

I think a better question is, who hasn 't played with someone like this? The ones that really get me are those who tell you how much a putt breaks, where to aim etc... Leave me alooooone!!! Cheers, DoctorK

"Alligators May Be Present" ... You know, in case you find yourself missing a foot at round's end... Can't wait to see the "Beware of Quackigator" sign. Hilarious, DoctorK