doctork

Hey, it's never too late, Corndog. Assume you've begun focusing more on the short game since having your revelation? Personally, I find practicing the short game more fun than bashing balls on the range, especially chipping and pitching. Figuring out how to play flop shots, the bump-and-run and all shots in between -- next best thing to downing a good draft beer! BTW Terrible what's happening on your coast down there in LA. Hope it doesn't turn out as bad as it looks. Cheers, DoctorK

Honestly, I've been to FLA and seen scarier things than this fellow. Actually, he's like something out of a Carl Hiassen novel. "Skink" could have one as a pet! Hope we have some Hiassen fans here who get that reference. Cheers, DoctorK

I did that very thing (chopping off 2"), with a Karsten Anser 2, coincidentally. Played with the standard 35" putter for 20+ years, always choking way down. Took a few practice strokes with a 33" and realized how much easier it is to control that simply gripping down on a longer putter. Try it, you'll like it! Cheers, DoctorK

Can't say I've followed this story beyond the headlines, but how big of an ass must Trump be to shove his hyperbolic "world's greatest course" baloney down the throats of the Scots? Last I checked, they were rather (and rightly) proud of their more historic tracks. DoctorK

Yet another club-fitting convert. Let us know how it goes on the course, Solo. Cheers, DoctorK

Ah, the wonders of photoshop. Or is that nature?! The dreaded Quackigator. Aaaggghhhhhh! DoctorK

Putter: Ping Anser 2 - Karsten Series Tips: Groove a proper stroke with a simple putting aid, a la the Putting Arc. A few minutes a day makes a big difference Best and worst putts: Best -- holed out from 70+ feet a couple times, but that's dumb luck. Remember being especially pleased after canning a 15-footer, with ~5 feet of break on a green stimping about 11... Worst putt? Too many to count, but once drove a par-4, had a 12-footer, straight in, for eagle - and 3-putted. Tips for tricky greens: Spend some time on the practice green beforehand to get an idea of the speed. It's all about feel. Great topic, Uncle -- everybody wants to talk about the full swing, when it all comes down to the short ones. Cheers, DoctorK

Been there, done that, hurdl3r! The best are when you go 39-50 -- the coveted 80s round without a nine in the 40s! Cheers, DoctorK

I believe Salt 'n' Pepa said it best: Push it. Push it real good. Cheers, DoctorK

That shot was nothing short of astounding. Seve had his flaws, but outside of Tiger was undoubtedly the most exciting player to watch of my lifetime (yes, including Phil and Greg Norman). Flare personified. Cheers, DoctorK

Yeah, she said Russia. (Or was that Tina Fey?) Was just joking about Canada because that's where I live. DoctorK

Golf does give a person insight into what being bi-polar must feel like. (And I don't mean that to make light of bi-polar disorder.) I find it relatively easy to shake off bad shots or holes early in the round, when there's plenty of golf left to turn things around. It's those back-nine blow-ups that cause me to crack. In those situations, when I've wrecked a potentially good round, I try to stay focused because I've learned that playing well on the last hole or two creates a positive feeling, even when the score is disappointing. Knowing that I finished poorly because I quit on a round is the worst feeling there is. DoctorK

Guess you're referring to the ballyhooed shot at Hazeltine, but how about the 6-iron from 215+, over water on the 72nd hole of the 2000 Canadian Open? Epic! Cheers, DoctorK

Neko Case - Middle Cyclone

Does getting stitches to patch up mole removal count as badassery? If so, then I am one - twice over! To answer your question, I suppose a seemingly interminable northern Ontario winter could count as an involuntary leave, but then, I voluntarily live here. I feel your pain, RHPM. Well, not your literal pain, thank goodness. Get well soon, and get thee back to the links! Cheers, DoctorK P.S. Sarah Palin can see Canada from her house!

Tiger's consistency, and the fact that he plays only those tourneys with the top fields, will keep him at the top as long as he's playing often enough. Imagine how big his lead would be if not for the three short-medium-long breaks he's taken in the past few years. (Dad's death, knee and... you know.) DoctorK

That's gotta hoit! I've hit concrete that was covered by leaves (twice!) and rocks hidden under a thin layer of dirt. But never made full-on contact with a root. As far as your improved ball-striking, funny how often great discoveries come by complete accident. Hope it sticks. Cheers, DoctorK

I tend to focus on fundamentals with the actual swing - alignment and ball position, primarily. My latest project is the mental game and attempting to integrate "process vs. outcome" thinking into my mindset. Have always been guilty of focusing too much on score... to the detriment of my score! I find that approaching each shot methodically, with a pre-determined sequence of steps, helps to block out the external thoughts that interfere with the swing. Cheers, DoctorK

For montru and others who have admitted to doing what we've all dreamed about... What happened after you whacked it back? Any punches thrown, blows landed...? Cheers, DoctorK

Agree that charity tourneys are meant to be enjoyable, but I think the fellows who groused are put off by those who take winning so seriously that they'll CHEAT IN A CHARITY GOLF TOURAMENT! Between that, and putting together teams loaded with ringers so you can take home some nice prizes and feel like big-shots because you shot 55... Guess it's the next best thing to playing on Tour. Cheers, DoctorK

Kicking and screaming, no doubt. Unless I'm actually in the market for new gear, I have to avoid demo days at all costs. Can you say "kid in a candy store"? Cheers, DoctorK

What Sean said. Cheers, DoctorK

you're still happy with your old stuff? In other words, do you feel compelled to buy a new driver every year or so, regardless of how well you may be hitting then one you're playing? Just curious about guys who seem to always have the latest and (supposedly) greatest golf gizmos in their bag. Personally, I stick with clubs I like until they are obviously outdated and likely costing me strokes. Cheers, DoctorK

Welcome, fomoco. Playing to an 18 after just 14 months is pretty solid. Best of luck with the never-ending pursuit of... whatever it is we're all pursuing! Cheers, DoctorK