catfell

I would also second looking at Spirit Air if you're coming from NYC. I think they also fly down to the Dominican Republic. Myrtle is great, but the temperature can be surprisingly cold and frost delays can happen. If you were hoping to play in shorts, go further South. That being said, I really do like Myrtle Beach because of the quantity of good courses. And I don't mind playing in 40 degree weather (in NYC). Now go forth and scratch that itch.

When playing a bump and run type chip with a 6-iron, where do you grip the club, same as a full-swing shot or do you choke down? If you choke down, how far down? Thanks.

As previously said, if it works for you, then great. I had a swing very much like the one you describe, where the backswing is very slow and deliberate, trying to maintain good club position to start the downswing on-plane. The problems I found with the technique is that my hands were very active in the backswing and subsequently in the downswing. Which was creating lots of problems because if my hands weren't having a good day, my ball was going everywhere. Also, I found that with such active hands, I had very little lag. Since then, I'm working on lighter grip pressure (to take my hands out of my swing), and finding a good tempo and rhythm so my backswing is smooth and relaxed. Which seems to translate to my downswing. Now my misses are a lot straighter, and my ball striking is a lot more consistent. But if the "bow-and-arrow" works for you, ride it 'till it stops!

Whether it is a camera or your buddy watching your swing, if they're not in the plane of your swing, the perspective will yield an false view. Sorry if that was confusing sounding. Either the camera or friend should probably be off to your right side (assuming you're swinging righty) about hip or waist high. Assuming your takeaway is in plane, your shaft should be pointing right at the camera (or friend). Hope this makes sense.

Assuming you're posting your scores for your handicap, definitely no mulligans- period. Playing a casual round, hit a bad shot, and want to see if you "could" have made it, sure drop another ball. That said, it's your game you should be able to do as you please, as long as it's not affecting anyone else (like your gambling partners perhaps) and you're keeping up the pace of play with the group in front of you.

Welcome to TST. There's nothing like doing something you learned as a kid. With a little coaxing, it's like you're not thinking about it at all, just doing it.

A: It used to be pancakes, bacon and coffee at the clubhouse. I'm trending towards the breakfast wrap with salsa, bacon and cheese. Q: What's the best meal you ever ate at a golf course, and where?

Around 160yds. Mizuno MP60/DG300 Reg

I met Michael Breed once, a few years back when the US Open was in the NYC area, some company hired him to give free 5 minute lessons at the World Financial Center. They had about 4 hitting bays with nets set up, and he just went from bay to bay, taking a quickie interview of the golfer, watched him/her hit a couple of balls, and then quickly a lesson. Pretty impressive, and a very nice guy. I think his TV persona is a little too caffinated, but it's an entertaining show.

Bump! Anyone got any suggestions for playing around Vero Beach, FL?

I search on TST yielded no results, so I'll ask the question. I'm headed to Vero Beach in about two weeks. Anyone have any recommendations for where to try and play? I'm hoping for something that is less than $100 a round, $50 would be even better. I think we're staying at the Vero Beach Hotel, and am hoping the hotel has some hook ups with some of the nicer courses, but I would love some first hand advice about what's good. I originally thought we were going to be around Orlando, and was hoping to play Orange County National, but I think the 2+ hour drive might be a bit too much. Thanks in advance.

Bring rain gear, it's gonna be a wet open. Sorry, in my post-hockey game delirium, I assumed you meant what to wear at the US Open this year. -catfell

Regardless of what type of grip you are using (eg. overlap, interlock) and how strong or weak the grip is, your palms should be facing each other. Otherwise your hands will be fighting each other throughout your swing, and you won't be able to hinge/cock easily. I'm always amazed how important a setup with good fundamentals trumps almost anything else.

I like the par 3 in Flushing Meadows. In spite of the mats, you could always duff your tee shot a couple of yards into the grass, and take your second shot from the grass just a few yards closer to the green. They're open really late, and the greens are very undulated. And if you're feeling thirsty, the beer cart sells tall boy cans of beer and typically will pass you at least three times in a round. -catfell

Van Cortland is at the end of the #1 train in the Bronx. It's a 5 minute walk into the park to the course. Mosholu is a shorter 9 hole course with a good (for a muni) putting and chipping green. Take the #4 train to the end of the line in the Bronx. Dyker Beach (Brooklyn) R Train to 86th St. Then take the B64 Bus. I forget which Staten Island courses are closer to the ferry, but they are pretty nice, IMHO. You could also take the LIRR to Bethpage and take a local cab or walk. Pretty much every muni around here takes longer to play than almost anywhere else. Rounds that take 5-6 hours is unfortunately, quite normal.

Thanks Flap, But I can't say the Black has ever, in my experience, ever played anything but long. Miss the fairway, too bad. Just hack it back onto the fairway, take the extra stroke and bogey is your new par. Too many times I've tried hitting an approach from the rough and ended up back in the rough or worse. I expect to get my a$$ handed to me, and enjoy every minute of it. -catfell

Yipeee! I'm playing this Sunday, and we got the time by calling like any other civilian (and NY state resident). So it's not impossible, but difficult.

Orange County National sounds great. Between the two 18 hole courses, Crooked Cat and Panther Lake, does anyone have a preference and a reason why they prefer one over the other? Thanks for all the suggestions, please keep them coming. -catfell

The wife and I are headed to the Orlando area for a wedding in Mid-September, we are going mid-week so she can help with the wedding setup, and I'm free to play golf for a couple of days with the groom. I'm looking for suggestions for courses in the area, I'd like to spend no more than $100 per round, and we're not staying at a resort with an associated course so places like Bay Hill are out (gotta be a guest of the resort to play). Thanks in advance. catfell

Assuming you are swinging right handed... Keeping your right thumb down the middle or right middle of the shaft will limit your wrist cock. It may make it easier to feel where the shaft is during your backswing, but it is not typical of a "proper" golf grip. I used to keep my right thumb pointing down the shaft, but I was usually two clubs shorter than my playing partners. Since then, I put my right thumb around the shaft, and it meets the side of my right index finger, gently pinching the grip in between the two fingers, with a little space separating my right index and middle fingers. I hit the ball farther, and feel the club much better in my hands now.

Both the World of Golf and the NY Golf Center rent clubs, if the most convenient course doesn't have rentals or rent what you like. I think it's in the neighborhood of $30.

The thing that helped me chip better was to make sure that as I finished my stroke, I turned and opened my chest towards the target. I find it helps keep my weight forward and moving forward.

So the greens were pretty punched up, very sandy and a bit bumpy. Some of the fairways are aerated too, but a day on the Black is still a fun butt kicking experience. I played terribly, but that's no reason to give up the game. I just wish my sand game would return to me.

I'm playing the Black tomorrow, and was wondering how the greens are since the recent aerating?

On a somewhat related note, my men's league (it's actually coed) team is always on the lookout for new players. No checking, but definitely some contact. Anyone in the NYC area looking to play regularly? We play at Chelsea Piers, in division 3b. Usually on Monday nights. Send me a PM if interested. Thanks, Wellington