vkosek

Virgil I Grissom HS Huntsville, AL Class of 95

It sounds like you might be trying to "help" the ball into the air. By trying to scoop it, you're most likely catching the middle of the ball on the "up" half of your swing, wich results in a low liner that has no chance of stopping. If you're just starting out, the PW is a good choice for the most simple chip shots. Think about it like you're hitting a putt: 1) low takeaway, 2) Dictate the weight of the shot with the length of your backswing. Shorter shots get less, longer shots get more. 3)Always accelerate through the ball (which fits with the backswing thing) 4) Follow through as if you've just hit a putt; natural (as in, don't actively try to stop the clubhead), but not really a full follow through as if you've just made a full swing. A common mistake is to try and fly the ball to the hole and get it to stop immediately. A better strategy (imo) is to pick a spot where you're confident you can land the ball, hit it there, then think about it as if it's a putt after that (i.e. play some break). Once you get that down, try expirementing with different lofted clubs. Higher loft= less roll out, lower loft = more roll.

Right before takeaway I tell myself "Stay Connected". By saying that, I'm really telling myself two things: 1) Don't let your lower body outrace your upper body, and 2) Maintain the linkage between your hands, arms, and chest/shoulders. All the mental stuff about hazards comes before I set up for the shot. I'll stand behind the ball and figure out where I need to hit the ball, and under a worst-case scenario, where I can miss and be ok. Even the miss scenario seems positive to me because I know it's not the end of the world if it happens.

1. Would I, "pound a few beers while shooting hoops with my boys"? No, I think I'd sip on a 40. 2. If I had the privilege to play at Augusta and if I decided I wanted to have a drink, I'd hope to quaff something better than a Bud Select. 3. You sound like you'd be a lot of fun to play with.

First thing I'd do is get that bag down to 14 clubs. Your wedge setup seems a little excessive. Assuming that your PW is 47 or 48, I'd get a 52 and ditch the 50 and 54.

The only hybrid I've played is the 14* Callaway FT that's currently in my bag. I really like it (looks good at address, sounds good, feels good at contact) off the tee when there's wind in my face as I have an easier time keeping the trajectory low than I do with the driver. I've also heard very good things about the Sonartec hybrids.

Hey shortgame- I replaced my 3 wood with a 14* Callaway FT this winter. Although it's still early in the season here, I've played a few rounds with the new setup and have two main observations: 1) I feel like I have more directional control with the hybrid. Possibly because of the shorter shaft length? And I haven't noticed any loss of distance. 2) The trajectory with the hybrid is much lower than with the 3W.

Nothing says surgical like a 17 handicap.

Tiger?!? In the sandtrap forum?!? Think I can get an autograph? It must be a real hassle having to walk among the unwashed masses all the time, what with them asking if you're pro and all...I bet that gets real annoying.

The time I played with the Lama (big hitter, the Lama) , I was good for around 275 carry, but that was in the Himalayas. At sea level I can fly it 250 with a (really) strong breeze at my back. With the same wind in my mug, I'm good for about 125.

Maybe my post wasn't written so well. I didn't intend it to mean that I never miss a green or run into difficult chipping situations, but if someone could be that good of a ball striker on a consistent basis, they'd be awful hard to beat. Remember when Toms won the Accenture Match Play in '05? His play in the final stands out as one of the best ball striking performances I can remember. The guy was unconscious, and basically unbeatable.

I went with ball striking. Since it wasn't its own category, I'm including driving as ball striking too. If you can hit your irons close, you don't need a perfect short game.

Agree with everyone above. The V1x is a much firmer feeling ball than the V1. They're both great balls, but the V1 just feels too mushy for my taste. Noticed the same thing with the Callaway HX Tour and HX Tour 56. Played the 56 for a month or so last summer, and it felt way too soft. Like the HX Tour much better.

Played today (lucked out with some great weather). Best: Par 5. Hit a great drive up the right side. 200 left. 5i flew right over the pin and stopped about 12 feet behind the hole. Missed the putt though. Oh well, tap in birdies ain't bad. Worst: Par 4. Busted a drive up the middle, about 40 yds from the green. Chunked the pitch. It only made it about half way to the green. Failed to get up and down after that.

Man, some good ones on here. Not sure if the things I do are superstitions, so much as habits, but whatever. Wet my towel on the way out of the clubhouse. Keeps everything nice and shiny. Empty out my pockets, then divot tool w/ballmark in right hip pocket. Seven long tees in the left hip pocket. On driver holes, tuck a tee in the right side of my hat while walking to the tee box (always use that one). Set the ball on the tee at an angle so that I can read the "ProV1x 392" as I'm standing over the shot. I feel like it helps with my alignment. Use that stamp to help line up putts too. Find and use a broken tee laying around the box on non-driver holes. At the turn, replace all of the long tees I broke so I start the back nine with seven.