drPheta

I had a golf pro tell me that too stiff of a shaft (for a given swing speed) will actually cause you to either push the ball or fade it more. Is this correct? I thought if a shaft were too stiff, you'd end up with lower ball flight. This guy also told me that the MP-57 were only good for 5 handicappers or better.

Happy Gilmore wore hockey jerseys to his games. :P On a different note, tennis is a very "respectable" game and both sexes where collared and non-collared shirts. They also wear sleeveless shirts. They wear dress shorts and sports shorts. Some also have crazy outfits and colors.

Well, after a bunch of swings and tryouts I decided to go Mizunos. The MP-57 are within my budget, so I'm going to grab these. Will scour all the used club sites for them. They're "harsher" than my shovels, but they feel so so nice when I get a clean shot off them. Anyone got a lead on good MP-57 irons? The fitter at Dick's said standard loft and lie should be fine. He also recommended me for Regular to Stiff flex, but said either would be good for the swing I have now... and with practice I'd be able to handle a stiff flex shaft with a stronger lie angle no problem. If I was ambitious enough, he said I could go with a stiff flex shaft, and a .5 degree stronger lie on my clubs if I wanted. I have no idea if that makes sense, since I'm still new and need to learn the terminology better. Maybe I'll drop by the pro shop at one of the local courses when I'm at the range next time.

Based off what I've read from iacas so far, this is what I've learned: 1. slide into the swing, not rotate 2. left arm as straight as possible through address. 3. shoulders rounded, with elbows close together, thereby maintaining a constantly wide radius to my swing I wish I had a driving range in my own place... or owned my own golf course. $10 a bucket gets expensive.

I just got back from "trying out" some different club designs. Callaway X22 and X24-Hot, TM R9 and Burner Plus, and Nike VR split cavities. I have to say that the difference is amazingly huge between the clubs! I have to say that I'm not a fan of big cavities, compared to shallower ones. Granted, I an infant in this game, but the feel of the shallower cavity really allowed me to adjust my swing by a lot. I didn't get to try any muscle backs, so those will be next on my list to try out. Thanks for all the advice, everyone. Once I figure out what head design suits me, I'll get fitted if/when I decide to upgrade.

Jozy had some insane moves today... and he was inches away from getting the US 3 points in the group. Damn he's fast!

How much does a fitting traditionally run? Any place to stay away from for fittings?

Yes, the conferences each "own" the schools, and the money they get from the BCS gets split. That's a really simplistic way to explain the football side of the deal, but that's essentially how the conferences are divided. Bowl games also bring in money to the schools, which is why everyone thinks the BCS bogus. College football history is being made right now, and we may see a setup for a playoff system in college football... or we may see some money being thrown around with a crappier version of the BCS. FWIW, the last time teams left/expanded the ACC stole a couple great programs from the Big East, and other conferences scooped up nonconference teams. As it stands now, most conferences would potentially benefit if the remaining Big 12, C-USA, and MW teams moved to ACC, SEC, and Big East conferences. I'm a Rutgers grad, so I'd love for Rutgers to squeak into the Big10 as it is now with the other conferences staying put; or for the Big12 orphans, some C-USA, and MW teams to join the Big East and Rutgers stay put. Can we say basketball powerhouse in the Big East, and a seriously legit football conference? Win-win!

ND is sitting so pretty with it's Independent football status. They have it golden. Big East basketball, yet independent football. They get automatic bids above legit Big East football teams who work hard within their conference for bowls (money), yet ND with a lesser record can steal a bowl from a Big East football team with more wins. I don't think ND will drop that status to play hardball against the other Big Ten teams. It still gets loads of football money, and it doesn't even have to work hard for the status it has now. Take the benefits of Big East basketball, without the heartache of Big East football. Anyone get the sense I hate ND?

Awesome advice. As long as I can acknowledge a bad swing when it comes with a cavity back, I'm fine. I'm just afraid of depending on technology and falling into bad habits.

I'm new to the game, very new, and my friends advised me to get a good, solid set of beginner clubs. It's very sound advice. I have no idea what good clubs are like vs bad clubs. So, I got game improvement clubs from a reputable company with the approval of my friends (Callaway X12 irons). My question is this, and correct me if I'm wrong. Doesn't it make more sense for someone new to be "forced" to learn great technique using blades or players clubs without the false confidence of gamer improvement clubs? I don't want this to turn into, "look at the new guy with $100000 worth of clubs who can't hit for diddly." This is a legitimate attempt at making me the best golfer I can be with the best tools. For instance, my first mountain bike was not a beginner bike. The shifters, crank, fork, and all the components were high end (but not race quality). I learned how to ride a mountain bike the way it should be ridden, and I grew into it. The same thing with skis and snowboards. I started out with the high end stuff and forced myself good technique. The equipment lasted me years before I justifiably upgraded to race/pro quality stuff. I'm told irons last a long time, and that I could potentially use the X12s for years before I'd feel the need to upgrade. However, I don't want to hinder my athletic ability/potential to learn proper form if a less forgiving club will force me to do so. I've searched extensively through the forum about technique and equipment. I understand it's about what's between the ear and what my hands are capable of doing. I just don't want to be fooled that my game is decent, when it's the cavity back/perimeter weight/etc that is making me hit "better." I want to hit consistently as a result of my form.

I can't believe what I just read. I have a huge problem with slicing and fading most of my shots. My first time at the range today, and I had a handful (out of 2 buckets worth) of clean shots. I knew my body was moving towards my target, but I didn't know how. This just clarified so much for me, and I'm going to hit the range more tomorrow to practice this. Thank you TST!

I hadn't heard about this Big 12 dissolution. I only thought the Big 10 was trying to grab some Big East teams and maybe WAC or some other big market team.

Only hit the range, so far. Best shot (during my 2 buckets) was with my 8i. Straight, clean scoop, and it went about 120 yards. I impressed myself, because this was the absolute first time I've hit real golf clubs.

Dentist. This will change in 1 year.