Miss Shanksalot

How about Hireko wedges ? I have the Dynacraft forged, but I have a few other Hireko hybrids, too, and they're all top quality clubs at a much lower price.

Interesting. I guess I'm having an issue with my head/face moving slightly to the right in the backswing, and then getting a bit disconcerted trying to come back and through, because the ball is no longer in focus. It's disorienting. Were you able to get used to that?

There must be some folks out there who wear bifocals when they play golf. Has anyone tried progressive lenses instead of lined bifocals? How have they worked out? Or haven't they? Thanks, Kim

I think that what it all came down to was that his external pressures became internalized. I mean, sure, his GF was mostly supportive of him, but he clearly felt an internal pressure not only to do well just to do well, but also to do well because by being away from her, he was possibly putting their relationship at risk. Thus, the pressures multiplied for him. What would have been interesting was to see if someone without family obligations could have done better than he did. I also thought he began to lose the experience of joy in the game. Sure, most of us are competitive to some extent. But we retain our ability to rejoice over that purest of shots or most perfect of putts. Just some thoughts.

Both.Still dangerous and a wee bit distracting: I kept thinking a quarter or divot tool was falling out of my pocket as I was about to take a swing. I guess I just don't see what they hoped to gain by their behavior; in fact, there was much to lose, no?

Don't know if you're talking to me or the OP. But, as I mentioned, the marshal came around and specifically told everyone *not* to play through but to cool their jets because this round was going to be fubar due to the group outing ahead of us.

Obviously, you have never tried to park in Chicago. If you had (especially with the new system), then you would carry "douche" cards, too. Sure, I knew there was a risk regarding the situation escalating into something more dangerous. But, (1) It was a Disney course -- the most magical place on earth. I really wasn't worried about it; (2) the marshal had already spoken to them about the slow play ahead of them; and (3) did I mention it was a Disney course? Honestly, what do you *really* expect, pace-wise, at such an obvious resort course? If you say you expect people to be on pace because that's the way the game is played, you're unrealistic. You're just never going to get that kind of compliance on a course at which at least half of the people rent clubs and are there to kick back and enjoy. And if you subsequently hit into people who have no control over what's happening ahead of them, then I'm afraid you really are a douche. The marshals try to control things as best they can, and I respect the idea that they are doing their best to enhance my game experience. I also don't expect that other golfers are purposely trying to detract from it. And regarding typical distances hit: we always wait until everyone is definitely out of reach of the purest of shots. Why? Because we've seen some of our playing partners hit into forward groups, and that scares the hell out of me.

I guess I have two reactions to this thread. The first is, I've learned that how well people dress and how "pretty" their clubs are simply may not match their skill levels. As a female, I initially found myself intimidated by well-dressed, well-armed guys. But I quickly discovered that I actually play better than many of them (I usually score about a 105 from the chick tees). At the same time, I've found that there's an assumption that as a female, I will play slowly. This just isn't true. I take no more than two practice swings and if I'm really sucking it up for some reason (usually putting), I will pick up. Usually I am ahead of pace. Never once have I been chastised by a marshal for slow play. This past week, my husband and I were in Orlando, playing as a twosome at one of the Disney courses (Palm). There was a slowish group in front of us, primarily because there was a "group outing" (marshal's words, not mine) of about 12 players in front of them. In other words, there wasn't much we could do about the pace of play. And honestly, given the fact that Disney offers resort courses (not private clubs), I expected that we'd encounter some slower play. Not a big deal. Enjoying the sun, the beautiful course, the beer.... Anyway, we did see the marshal stop at the foursome behind us and presumably explain the situation to them. Somewhere around the 10th hole, however, they started coming very close to hitting into us. I just didn't get it. What were they hoping to achieve? Clearly, the course was clogged in front of us and not much could be done. Finally, at the 15th hole, they hit so that they were only about 30 yards away from us as we were chipping onto the green. I'd had it. So, in the hole, I left them one of the laminated cards I keep in my wallet. It reads "you are a douche." And I wrote on the card, "Relax: it's a game!" I'll admit that my behavior could have been better. But at least it stopped them from hitting into us for the final three holes.

Have you talked with your wife about this? What are her thoughts? How does he accept guidance/feedback from you and from instructors at the kids' club? Does he seem to have a real desire to improve at the game, or is he just having fun? Is he capable of having fun while being challenged to learn and grow? You can ask people for their opinions, but the truth is that you and your wife know your son the best and thus, will be able to figure out what's best for him. There are some very kid-friendly instructors out there, but if he just wants to have fun whacking at a ball rather than learning the game, even the most kid-friendly instructor won't be able to help him improve. Good luck and let us know your decision. Kim

Just play through.

I guess we'll have to disagree. If it's a public course, people have a *right* to be there whenever they want to be there. And if they want to *play* rather than practice on an 18-hole course rather than a pitch-and-putt, that's their right, too. I look at it this way: I sometimes do my grocery shopping at peak times and get through it as fast as I can. Sure, somtimes people get in the way (through children or label examination or inability to choose an item, etc.). But that's part of shopping. I don't expect them to shop at non-peak times or in a 7-11 just because they don't conform to my desires. Tough crap for me.

I just don't see how you can possibly enjoy the game; you'll encounter at least one of these annoyances during nearly every round. Additionally, newbies have the right to learn at a time that's convenient to them. If they're aggravating you, then ask to play through.