BigMikey

I always pull for the USA, but am thoroughly disappointed in Cpt. Pavin's picks. Tiger woods is just now showing signs of life but doesn't have a single win all season. Same for Cink. Can't believe that J.B Holmes was passed by... I think Europe will win and the point totals will show that Tiger and Cink were actually bad picks.... We'll see.

The weather was awesome this labor day weekend. Going to play another round today and it's nice to barely break a sweat vs. the normal puddle I stand in after a round in July / August.

I agree that all good players have a lateral movement. Note however IMHO it's only to truely set the pivot point over the left leg. Best drill I've seen which is what Hogan and others actually do is:

Got to disagree with the statement... specifically what is outlined in bold. I've seen this same statement made time and time again... I've also got plenty of video from his swings 1945 - 1067. You can get it even today http://www.amazon.com/Ben-Hogan-Coll.../dp/B000Q1JY2I , I got this DVD set from Amazon.com. What I see is clear and inline with what he says in both Power Golf and Five Lessons. Lateral shift is necessary but only to the extent of getting your weight onto the left side and no more than is needed. If you watch his video with is irons, there is very little lateral motion, and with his driver and wider stance. (Note that Hogan had a very interesting driver stance .... more so in his later years after the 49 accident with is right foot back, making his stance quite closed in appearance but his hips and shoulders were on line.)

I read the review, something I may consider down the road. However, I took them to my regular club fitter and got the Golfpride - New Decade - Multi-Compound in Red / Black. What was great is that he had a demo set of clubs that had standard and mid-size grips. This demo set also was stacked such that the W had 1 wrap, 9I, 2 wraps etc... I was hitting the 8 iron with standard size grip and it had 3 wraps under it. It was perfect. He said basically 4 wraps will make a standard grip a Mid-Size so I ended up going right underneath it. When I hit the 6I which had a Mid-Size w/ only one wrap I could feel the size but it was slightly more spongey.... The 7I (Std w/ 4 wraps) which was basically the same size felt very firm. Before today I didn't even consider the wrapping solutions. I get my set back tommorow and will update you how it compares to the originals.

Great Video.... In fact almost all companies manufacture some or all of there clubs in China. However PING keeps it to a minimum. See this article from TIME Now granted the article was in 2003 and since 7 years have passed I know they do manufacturing in China because my S57's stated: Heads - Made in China, Shafts - Made in USA, Assembled in USA. After watching the video and knowing the good old people at PING hand assembled and set my clubs to specifications I can rest easier knowing than most other brands have trouble holding a candle to them. However, I must say I did a tour of Mizuno not far from me in Norcross, GA and saw there club mfr. and assembly process. Equally impressive. I'm sure the ANSER clubs are the same. However, I wish all the club manfuacturing companies would bring it back here to the USA full on.... Including PING. Our boys need the work.

I'm looking at re-gripping my clubs. Currently I have standard PING 703 grips. Standard size on all my irons. +1/32" - Gold Code on my fairway woods and driver. Can't say I notice a difference other than those may fade more...(that may just be more noticeable because the woods obviously go farther.) but had a few questions: 1) What is the thumb rule or what have others used to determine if they want a standard, under-sized or over-sized grip? -(FYI I wear a Men's L or Cadet L depending on the brand) - Pings static fitting tells me standard white, but a custom fitting at Edwin Watts told me if you wear a large glove go at least 1 size larger.... what to do..... 2) Golf Pride Recommendations? -I'm considering a few models of Golf Pride grips: (Note: There web fitting suggests Standard or Mid-Sized for my average playing conditions and wanted feedback) DD2 New Decade - Multi-Compound Dual Durometer 3) Winn Recommendations? -I haven't ruled out Winn grips: Xi7 Style DSi Style PCi Style Thanks in advance

Forged or Investment Cast.... I've been playing a set of S57's all this year, and would say it's the best set of clubs I ever hit. Bot a set of eBay from a golf store that went out of business. Brand new in box for $450. Concerning the ANSER irons, I must say they are sexy and regardless of where they are manufactured I'm sure the quality is top notch. I'm glad you had a chance to hit balls with them. I'll try and do the same thing next time I catch a PING Demo day down here in the south where I'm at.

Finished this book a week ago. Took some of the pointers to the practice green and course over the last week. What a difference both with the forward press and without. It took me a while to understand what he meant by keeping the 'Hands Vertical' but it's made a world of difference in my putting. I would say I've probably saved between 2 - 3 putts per round by applying Dave's principals of rolling the ball. One principal that both helped and hurt me was to try and look at the target rather than the back of the ball. On the first hole of my last round I missed the green and chipped to 15' above the hole. However I saved par with a right to left break shot, never once looking at the ball with a slight forward press and stroke of the ball. Man... I was gang busters, however later in the round employing the same technique I hit the turf and hit the putt fat, got frustrated and 3 putted. I'll chalk that up to just starting out... and continue to see how many more strokes on the dance floor I can save.

Reply if your from or close by to Atlanta, GA. Always looking for others to golf with.

I'm about 3/4 of the way through with it. I'm a little confused about the position of the fingers and palms relative to the shaft. Does anyone have any input on this or any links to videos by Stockton?

I'll make this my last post on this topic because we've beat this one to death. I achieved good results with the Penta ball when I tested it. As I mentioned before a buddy of mine said he heard it made a real difference if you hit the balls on the seam. I had switched based on a recommendation from a the sales guy I buy from at Edwin Watts. You can dog on me as an amateur... and its not untrue. However, I know this because I'm an engineer by trade.... that controlled computer simulation takes static variables into account. The number of dimples is simply a value they probably enter for the test... depending on the brand of ball and what is specified by the supplier. Not sure what other variables there may be for the software to calculate the correct ball flight but the assumption that the software truly understands the effect of the seam (I.E. Seam width, material thickness, material elasticity, etc...) is just as ridiculous. Here is the truth of what I saw. I had 3 sleeves of Penta balls, and a bag full of V1's made in 2010 that I hit from the same tee location with 75 - 85% of my all out swing. As said before I can hit balls out to 230 + and have the balls land within 20 yards of each other... so long as I'm not trying to swing out of my shoes. If I made a bad swing... I wouldn't count it and would re-tee another ball. Hitting the V1's - No problem within 20 yards. Hitting the Pentas - Intentionally not on the seam... same results within 20 yards. Hitting the Pentas - Intentionally on the seam... dispersion as much as 40 yards from one to the next... consistently. I just want to note, there was an obvious undeniable difference when struck on the seam, and the ball would go either more right or left. Again, when intentionally hit not on the seam, it had my regular shot shape, a small baby fade of about 10 yards from center point where I aim. We can argue all day about computer simulations, robot driving machines and my abilities as an amateur. However, I challenge all who call this claim BS to grab a box.... Intentionally hit balls on the seam and then the same balls on the non-seam area. And I'll bet a $100 if they have a swing worth a crap they'll see a real difference on the course. While 20 more yards of dispersion may not seem like much or may be accounted for me being an 'Amateur' I did not see the same dispersion with the same ball when not struck on the seam. Also to my point there wasn't just one outlying ball to account for the 40 yards, none of the 9 hit on the seam had consistent landing patterns, but the same balls when not hit on the seam did have. Don't take an amateurs word for it. Lets review what Jack Nicklaus said about golf seams when it pertained to the V1 of past: Page 1 and 2 of this Article Perhaps, but that doesn't mean seaming doesn't work. Jack Nicklaus, who switched to the Pro V1 this year, says he began experimenting with orienting the ball in May. "The difference is night and day," Nicklaus says. "I turn the line of the seam toward the target when I want a boring flight, and I turn it toward myself when I want the ball to stay in the air longer downwind. The effect is very obvious. The USGA never should have approved the ball." To be fair thought, the clever nerdy scientists at Titelist said this: "All the scientists at Titleist are laughing at this, because there is absolutely no validity to it," he says. "It's unbelievable to me that this idea has caught on." Maybe it's just a problem with whats between my ears, and what was between Jacks.........

Why would they... From the USGA: Indoor Ball Distance Testing Posted: 5/27/2009 In its efforts to continually improve its testing methods, the USGA has developed an Indoor Test Range to test golf balls for the “overall distance” limit. A mechanical golfer with a 120 mph swing speed hits balls with a titanium driver, and a launch monitor measures each ball’s speed, launch angle, and spin. This is the first ingredient to measuring ball distance. The USGA system then uses an array of sensors that accurately measure the flight of a golf ball during a short, indoor trajectory from a ball launcher. From this flight data, a computer calculates the lift and drag forces that are generated by the speed, spin, and dimple pattern of the ball. Balls are tested at high speeds, like a ball is hit off the tee, at lower speeds, like a ball during flight, down to the speeds a ball might encounter at the top of a drive. The computer puts all of this aerodynamic and launch information together to create an accurate simulation of the golf ball trajectory. This test is repeatable to within 3 yards (better than 99 percent), more repeatable than outdoor testing could ever be. The distance limit is 317 yards. There data is all calculated by computer simulation . I hit balls with a launch monitor at the PGA SS.... which is a simulation of ball flight... but hey thats not what my balls do when I'm out on the course. No matter how good a golf simulator is it can't calculate with 100% accuracy what that ball will do out on the course with real conditions. Also since the USGA is not looking at where the ball actually lands because 20 yards after it's off a tee it's caught by a NET, how they hell could they know what the seam does to ball flight?

Dude... how was it FUD... It's a simple fact that the ball has a noticeable seam on it. I said it was a great ball and played not different than my other balls from a score perspective. But YES there is a seam... And YES when I hit the seam intentionally... I see different results than expected only when I intentionally tested them by specifically hitting the seam. I never stated they didn't conform to USGA specs, but would invite anyone here who has a set as do I to test them yourself if you have the ability and see if you notice a difference. If the seam doesn't matter then why do you suspect it's no longer on the V1? Also how many other balls for $45 / dozen have seams.... regardless of who 'used too' in the past.

Yea, I'm familiar with that but never had a set with the seam. I believe those were the 07 or 08 versions and did not play good balls until last year when my HDCP justified it. I think someone in this forum was quoted saying that if you hit the seam on those the ball would go even farther... but can't recall. You are also correct that the old V1 'used to' have a seam. Does anyone know why it was removed.... possibly they discovered similar problems with accuracy.

Zeph... Not saying it's not a great ball or my testing is perfect... (which it's not) but have a look yourself... the seam is there and I honestly gave the set a try. My scores were no worse with the Penta than with my standard V1 ball, so I'll back the ball up and say it's great and at least equal to what I play. I just choose not to because the seam now bugs me... and will even admit it might just be in my head because I actually don't have the mechnaics of a robot driving machine but then neither do you. It would be nice to send out a set for robotic testing and see what the effect of the seam has versus other non-seamed balls.

I've got a few and used them: 1) Golfshot GPS - Great for GPS yardage and golf statistics for not only you but your partners. ($29 and worth every penny). If you only want score keeping and stats Golfshot Lite is free, and hands down one of the best stats programs out there. 2) MyCaddy Pro - www.imakepars.com Great but either free now or low cost. A good alternative to the above, but the stats are simplified. GPS is slightly better IMO. OHH.. best part, you can map your own courses based on the satellite images which is cool. A couple of course i play have some obnoxious trees and hazards that don't show up on Golfshot, and I know when I play those holes exactly where they are from where my ball currently lies.... because I went and customized the map online myself. 3) SwingAtEm - Sort of like V1, but I don't have any use for it since I'm not a golf instructor. Thought it would be cool to help the wife out with her game, but haven't even used it yet. 4) iLocate Apps - These are like 0.99 a piece and make it easy to find driving ranges and golf courses. I'm in sales so I travel a lot and always take the tools along.

Sorry I didn't answer your question... but I don't think it can be directly answered. Here's something that will really help your game and your HDCP: 1) Keep stats either after the round or digitally via electronic scoring / gps applications. 2) Really sit down after a round the same day or next while it is fresh and really evaluate your game. - Oh, I had 44 putts on 18 holes - I couldn't hit a fairway to save my life - Count your flubs, fat shots etc... - Count your penalties. 3) Identify which portion of your game will give you a lower score and set a goal. - No more than 3 holes with 3 putts, spend some time reading greens and practicing putting / chipping - Use a 3W / 5W instead of driver if you can hit more fairways or swing at 75% so that your FIR % goes up. - Play smart, aim away from trouble , lay up more even if it gives you bogeys. A friend told me a couple of years ago I went for every green....even over trouble with 200 - 230 yards to go. I took a hard look at those holes and had +2's to +4's on those holes. I took his advice and layed up even If I would have to 1 putt for par. That alone took 10 - 15 strokes off my handicap because it nearly eliminated penalties (OOB / Water) and difficult sand shots. Even though I had more +1's. My stats in +1's and par's went up and now I usually never go past +2's. BTW - That 10 - 15 strokes happened within the next 2-3 rounds of play. (I went from a 36 HDCP to 20 HDCP in 08) I use lessons to clean up specific areas of my game and now I'm a legit 10 - 16 HDCP. I take a regular lesson every 1 - 2 months as a checkup: 1) Checking my swing on iron shots to check / verify my mechanics. 2) Working on the ability to draw and fade at will. (I play the fade and sometimes when I try and draw, it goes bone straight) 3) Driving accuracy. 4) Hitting approach shots closer to the pin and below the hole. It all sounds obvious, but statistically that's what will get me to scratch. IMHO - Playing smart and practicing what statistically matters most to your game will do more for you than lessons. This assumes on average you can make solid contact with the ball. Use those lessons on things you need help on... (Putting, driving accuracy, sand play.)

Listen to the wisdom of acegolfer. He is 100% correct. In fact as you get better you'll find that lessons will screw you up for a while and you'll often take a step back before you get better. 1) Have a goal with you instructor 2) PRACTICE concepts or drills that directly relate to making your specific game better. - If your 3 putting don't go to the range and pound your driver for hours. - If you hit your irons fat / thin, you know where your time needs to be. 3) PRACTICE Perfect don't just practice stuff

Mike, I know how you feel. Everytime I take a lesson inherently my next game or two sucks. Not a 52 on 9 but I definitely notice it.... To your point it helps to do your thinking about swing / mechanics off the course and be relaxed while thinking only about how to manage the course with the tools you have.

Did you notice the seam on the ball? I played a full box of them earlier this year, and found it as good as the Titleist balls I play. However a friend showed me the seam and I went out to my local muni at about 6 PM on a long par 4 and pounded 3 sleeves of them several times setting the seam horizontal / vertical an 45 degrees so that my club would almost always impact the seam as it hit the ball. I noticed the ball flight was very scattered when I hit the seam, but if I set it up so that the seam was not in the impact zone the shots were more consistent. After testing first hand and seeing the ball would only be consistent for me when hit not on the seam was the only reason I went back to Titleist. Note: I focused my drives by hitting them at 75 -85% of my normal swing speed so that I had consistent contact and my ball flight would do what I wanted. I can carry my drives this way 230 - 240 yards with a nice controllable baby fade. With my standard balls I can hit 6 - 9 balls within 20 yards of each other. I could not get the same performance out of the Penta ball. Image of my ball: Notice the seam where PENTA is located

Can't put mine down: Ping Redwood Anser 34.5" / Black Satin Version. the 303SS provides a nice crisp feel when I putt the ball. I had a go with the i-series but couldn't get my distance down. It seems easy with a bit of practice to get my distance down on my new putter.

Wow, I just went and checked out his Q&A; from the web link you provided. It's like he never even answered the questions.... or did so in a way you would expect a pot head too.... The whole 'ya know, everything is everything.' quote was really creepy.... Then it all made since. He's Canadian!

I just recently improved my driving.... For the last few weeks I've been all over the place with my driver and even long irons with a lot off pulls and hard fade / slices... For a while my Handicap got worse by like 7 strokes I was like WTH??? Put myself on camera (Casio HS) making some swings at balls on the range. Some of my old bad habits crept back in because I've been playing a lot more than practicing. So over the last 4 weeks my driving stats over 10 rounds were: 12% left, 55% FIR, 30% right, 3% long (A couple course I play at the fairway runs out at 250) From some video study of about 10 swings I picked up some key points: 1) My left foot was coming up too high on the back swing... As I shifted my weight back onto the left foot it would shift in about 3 inches helping my accuracy decrease. 2) I was overturning my back during the backswing and taking the club further back than necessary. I'm not sure about others but I want my back to face the target perfectly at the top of my backswing. It was aiming right of it about 5 - 10 degrees and pulling my head a little out of position. 3) Something I noticed with my mid and short irons was my divots were aiming well left of the target. I was hitting nice fade shots... but really there was a problem in my swing that when I put the driver in my hand accounted for those high percentages of fairways missed right.... The video showed me that as the left foot would shift from coming up to high my hip turn would go behind me and not towards the target. I took it to heart and installed 3 quick fixes... all in about 20 mins on the practice range. 1) I focused on using my right leg / right foot - specifically the ball area of my right foot to constantly keep noticable pressure towards my left side... I consider this preloading the left side from the right but that is purely my term. It heldped keep my left foot down and planted in the same spot. Ok that fixed item 1 and most of 3. 2) I practiced a shorter backswing... that equated to my back facing the target... This eliminated my head shift... Ball striking improved immediately. 3) Now that my left foot is not shifting because my right foot and flexed right knee is transfering the weight at the proper time... I now perform the hip turn correctly.... This was so important I want to define it a little more below: During my backswing, my right knee and foot cause my right butt cheek to rotate towards the target but not push back over my heel. As I undwind my hips on the downswing, I pivot the left cheek back to parallel with the target line and then the right cheek comes off towards the target.... Heres a video on YouTube of someone executing it properly. My divots are now straight, my ball flight is much straighter... oh and over the last two rounds 100% FIR 230 - 250 average driving distance.

I would agree with iacas.... why is my post ignorant??? My point was simply I'd rather watch golf or some stories about other golfers than watch a 1 hr long practice session with Tiger and Sean Foley hitting balls. I'm as glad as anyone one that Tiger is looking in new directions to find a better way to swing the club. Hell make a Golf Channel show about it... but when I sit down to watch the PGA Championship... I'd really like to think I watching golf and not someone on the practice range and a mirid of speculation about who is or isn't his new swing coach. But hey thanks for the compliment ;)