cliff2222tx

I absolutely agree that it's the indian, but this indian is going xmas shopping for himself. In any event, Furyk nailed the FEDEX cup with a $39 used putter right?

Great...I can use these objective criteria.

Nothing is wrong with the PRGR putter. I thought it's time to collect another putter.

Hi Everyone, Can someone tell me how should I go about buying a putter? I've read many posts here, and most of them would say select the one that "feels" good. Well, they all feel pretty good, but I don't want to feel good. I want to sink putts. Seriously, what are the key factors in the decision making process. Thanks,

This is what I try to do when out with friends, focus on my ability to keep focus. I accepted the fact that they will be disruptive. Everything is cool, I'm among friend. I do score better when I go by myself and get paired with strangers. I don't have to talk to them, and I just concentrate on putting the ball in play.

There are some valid points here. I do see ex-jocks tend to be good players, and so are some of the non-jocks among us. I'm trying to keep things under 100 because I know I will win a few bucks from my buddies...who don't keep track of their handicap.

I would not dare to tell my ex-boss that he should be embarassed shooting 110-120 all the time. He was on the National Ski team back in Europe. He must have very good eyes, hands, arms, feet, leg, and body coordination to be on the alpine ski team. He kept on reminding me that he was on the skiing team, and golf is the hardest thing he ever tried...and still trying.

I snuck away from the wife and kids yesterday, Sunday, to play on the same course as quoted above, just for 9 holes. I was determined to play GIR+1, and here are the results: #1, 3 on, 2 putted for +1. Driver on the T box, and with about 170 yards (4H distance) to the pin, I went with a 7 iron instead, then chipped on. I normally try to get on the green with the 2nd shot. I guess this was a smart play today with the 7. #2, 3 on, 2 putted for PAR. A 500 yd par 5. Driver on the T, the fairway was open and the ball was in a good lie so I decided to use the 4H. It turned out good, then an iron shot for the GIR. I could have try to get on with 4 shots, but I guess the 2nd shot was a low risk fairway play so the decision was good. #3, 3 on, 3 putted for +2, 3W of the T box, played short on the 2nd shot, then chipped on the with the 3rd shot. Hole is going according to GIR+1 plan...except for the 3 putts. #4, 3 on, 2 putted for +1, 3W of the T box, the 150yd 2nd shot off the fairway which pushed right, then a pitch shot that went a way beyond the pin, and 3 putted. I guess the right play for me would have been 2 pitches to try to get next to the pin...instead I pushed it with a "long" 2nd shot. However; I was aiming for the open green, not the pin which tucked behind the bunker. #5, 2 on, 3 putted for +2...yikes...it's a par 3, bad putting, this was a 200yd par 3. I normally use the driver here, but I guess I did the right thing by pulling out the 3W instead. By the way, I only use the 3W on the T box, and gave up the idea of using the 3W off the deck. #6, 3 on, 1 putted for PAR. The fairway was open so I pulled out the driver. From the fairway, I pitched to the fringe behind the pin. There was a bunker in the front. One putt of the green, then one putt in the hole for PAR. GIR+1 still working. #7, 2 on, 1 putted for PAR on 150 yd par-3 hole. Decent chip and putt saved par here. #8, Par 5 hole with a +3. A blow-up hole. Mistake #1, I pulled out the driver and put the ball in the rough. I wouldn't have needed it if I played GIR+1. Mistake #2, I then try to get it out of that thick stuff by using by 150 yard stick (5H) to cross the water which was where I promptly got wet. Mistake #3, I then try another shot with 170 yd (4H) stick to make up the distance loss. Again, I put it in da wader. I gave myself an 8 for this hole. Thank goodness for Equitable Stroke Control. #9, 3 on, 1 putted for PAR. Back to GIR+1 game plan this time. Driver off the T into the open fairway. A straight shot to the pin is is 170 yds to to the pin, but a whole bunch of water all the way to the bunker in front of the pin. The hero shot never looked so good, but I went with 2 pitches around the water, which set up the PAR putt. So, the day ended with a 45 recorded for 9 holes and 4 pars (it normally take me 18 holes to get this many pars on a good day). It would have been good if I played the back 9 also, but I'm happy with 45 in the book. It's definitely an improvement, except for #8. Lesson learned for the day: 1. Stay with GIR+1 game plan. 2. Don't go for GIR with the long stick (150+yd for me) unless the risk is low, i.e., open landing spot, irrespective of pin location. 3. Play the 3W off the T, unless the fairway is wide open, need to feel like a man with the driver once in a while. Ask myself, is the extra 10-20 yards with the driver really worth it? 4. No hero shots. 5. No make-up shot to catch up with distance lost. 6. When it the rough, just pitch it out the the fairway, instead of down the fairway. The same rule probably applies to sand also. On the plus side, I did not find myself in the bunkers. I think I will impose the lessons learned above which I think summarized the replies I received here (thanks a whole bunch!!!). If you have any more suggestions, let me know. Thanks again,

Gotta be the jet lag.

That's easy, just beg.

It's interesting that you've brought this up. I don't play any organized sports or were my college buddies. We are more or less street ballers if we play anything. However; one of them shoots in the 70's and other in the 80's. They provide me some hope that I can stay under 100. I don't ask for much. When I do play under 100, it means less errant shots. Now, back to the athletic issue. I do get paired up with jocks, or former jocks once in a while. By jocks I meant collegiate level baseball players, and even a Heisman winner. They sure are long, and they tend to be pretty good.

I play a round yesterday with GIR+1 in mind, a 6,300 yd course, and shot 98. I coulda and woulda have couple strokes less if I hadn't take 2 hero shots that didn't turn out too well. I'm going to stick to this game plan for a while (while doing the necessary practices off-course). I got to tell ya, it's a lot more fun while your game is in control than chasing the elusive hero shots.

wait till you're married with couple of kids...

I hate the camera movements on The Golf Channel studio.

I play golf alone a lot at my local course. If the course is open, I tend to rush the shots. It's like racing with myself even if no one is behind me. However; if I got paired up with some other folks, I tend to play better golf.

I hit the range at least once a week, twice sometimes, and using anywhere from 100-200 balls. I normally go through all my clubs, 10-15 shots each. So, I don't concentrate on the 150-180 shots. This is a good thought. I guess spending time on the range does numb the mind; going through all the clubs became routine, and I didn't think about mixing it up until now.

I will seriously consider leaving the driver at home, along with my ego. The driver put me at about 200 yards, and the 3W put me at about 190 yards...but...but...for an extra 10 yards, the sound of the driver is so nice on the T box.

I think this applies to me well. After I take a drop, I would try again, and get skunked again, 4 more strokes added.

Thanks for the advice, and I do think it's the 2nd shots that kills me. Looking back at my recent rounds. I don't worry too much off the T. Not too many O.B.'s that I can remember. I did learn how to pull out my 3W instead of drivers on the T box, so it seemed to help. I don't worry about chipping or putting. I track my putts, and normally take about 36 putts per round. It's the long (150+ yds) 2nd shots that seemed to put me in the rough, water, bunker, and the other fairway.

I've just read the GD article, and reminesce at my recent game this past Monday where I shot 102. It was a beautiful afternoon in S. Texas, and I had to take a half-day off. Anyway, I can remember at least 2 blow-ups, both of which are shots over the water at about 150 & 180 yards. I, of course, attempted the short-cuts to get on the green. I could have gone around the water, but I was feeling pretty confident with my swing and decided to go for it. It didn't work out too well. On the previous day, Sunday, I shot 97 on the same course. I recall at least one other blow-up on a different hole on Sunday as well, I think it was another crossing the water and bunker. Likewise, there was an alternate route for layup that I didn't take. Again, feeling confident got the best of me. By blow-ups, I meant dunking in the water, took another shot, and got dunked again.

Y'all, I picked (bought) a set of TM Burner Plus irons about 2 months ago, then I saw the Burner Plus driver and fairways at Sports Authority, for about 100 bucks each, so I got a few of those. I don't see the "plus" driver and woods anywhere else. Any ideas?

This really sounds like THE PLAN. Thanks!

I play from the 6,300-6,700 yard tees...because the other guys are doing it! Now that you mention it, I'm more likely to be in trouble with the long hybrids and woods. I should concede, and leave my pride at home. Afterall, my average drive is about 200 yds, but man...it just doesn't feel right to be on the wimpy tee box.

What about steps 2, 3, and etc...?

I typically have 2-4 blow-up holes a round. What do you do when you're 180 out? I normally take my 4H and have a go at it. This would leave me about 10-20 yard short. I could have gone with a 5W, but it normally get me in trouble. I guess my question is should I do two (2) full swing 90 yard shots, or do I go with the 4H then a little bump-and-run? Which of these approach is "theoretically" easier? I can't tell. What did you mean with trying to turn every holes into a par 3? Thanks,