Topper

I use a GPS watch and really like having it ready for immediate access...nothing in my pocket and don't have to go to the cart to retrieve it if I need a yardage. I know some don;t like a watch but it doesn't bother me at all. I only refer to it when I don't have a convenient yardage marker in the fairway.

See below. I do make changes depending on the course and how I'm striking the ball. Most of my changes involve rotating a 3W or 3h into the upper end depending on the type of course I'm playing and how I'm be striking the ball. As of late, I've been hitting my fairway woods and hybrids well while my driver is a little off....sort of flip flopped from most of the earlier season. I haven't been playing a lot and only swing the driver 10-12 times a week....literally...so that probably explains some of it.

Irons - Winn Dri Tac Oversize Woods & Driver - Winn Dri Tac Wrap Lite Oversize

For what it's worth, I'm still using the same set of GigaGolf irons that I started golfing with. They have been good clubs. I'm 6'4" and my clubs are +1/2" and 2* up.

I've been putting with a blade putter for a while....with mixed results. The biggest problem was consistent speed where some putts would be "hot" and roll well past the hole. I found alignment difficult too. Through trial and error, I found that center shafted mallets with wide alignment aids seemed to work best. I'm somewhat "thrifty" so spending big bucks was out out of the question. Through the magic of Ebay, I picked up a Never Compromise center-shafted Voodoo Daddy putter for $26 with headcover. I replaced the grip with a Tiger Shark Jumbo paddle grip which feels fantastic. All I can say is WOW! It's been a huge benefit for me. I went to a par 3 course near my house to practice today and shot 1 over. I missed many of the greens like usual, but my chipping was OK leaving putts in the 3-8' range. I made them all except one...even a 20' from the fringe to save par. In my case, the change to a new putter appears to have helped my game considerably but that's because I went from a putter that did not match my putting style to one that does. It did take me a couple of days to get used to the feel and sound which were very different from my previous putter. I need a lot more putting practice but the switch was definitely in the right direction.

In context, I thought this was actually funny. Kudos to Blixt for going along with it.

That's a fact. The going rate in my area seems to be $3/grip. Combine that with the grips that seem to be increasingly expensive and the cost to regrip get significant. Saving $30-$40 by installing your own grips (which is easy) starts to make more "cents."

Like These?....

I don't know if it's common practice but it's definitely a rules violation....not that it matters during a casual round. But you wouldn't want to do this in any kind of tournament or when posting rounds for handicap. " Note that Rule 16-1b, the Rule that allows the player to lift his ball from the putting green, does not permit the player to substitute another ball; this precludes the player from substituting a “putting ball.” A player who substitutes another ball when not permitted to do so incurs the general penalty (loss of hole in match play or a two stroke penalty in stroke play) under the applicable Rule."

Lots of good suggestions. One thing I've found helpful when doing range work is to simulate playing on a course....and maybe integrating a drill into the routine as well. Instead of hitting a bunch of balls with the same club...mix it up. Hit a driver, followed by a mid-iron to a specific flag/marker on the range, and then a wedge to a closer marker. In my case, I would incorporate a "punch drill" into my swing to focus on hands forward at impact and extension on follow-through. Your instructor may recommend a specific drill for you.

2 - Srixon I play a lot in early morning when grass is covered in dew. In the sunshine, the grass gets a silvery appearance making white golf balls much harder to see..for me anyway. Srixon's yellow is really bright.

I'm not fussy regarding my golf ball and tend to play non-urethane covered balls. This summer, the primary (but certainly not only) ball I've been playing is the Srixon Trispeed Tour...because they're on sale for $17.50 and I really like the yellow color. But I'll use different color balls during the same round, especially when I need to hit a provisional. For a provisional, I'll hit a white ball....usually a Srixon Soft Feel, Top Flite Gamer,.....or whatever is in my bag.

Ebay is your friend. A complete set of Ping Eye2's won't hurt if you decide to sell later on. You'll get your money back and then some. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ping-Eye-2-Square-Groove-Red-Dot-SW-Sand-Wedge-ZZ-Lite-Steel-Stiff-/360702747898?pt=Golf_Clubs&hash;=item53fb8f24fa

I hope you misinterpreted what he said when you reference "epoxy." No epoxy should be used for re-gripping. I remember reading a post where someone had a problem with one of the "green" solvents that claims low odors or low solvent content or something like that. The solvent remained soft and allowed the grip to move. Grips should be tight and dry after sitting overnight when installed with regular grip solvent or mineral spirits.

+1 I find that I don't get the height I want with hybrids below 20*. I can get fairway woods to land softly with a little more distance on average. And when I miss thin, fairway woods can still get enough loft so that the shot is not too damaging to my score. I am working to improve my consistency and hope to put a 15.5* 3W in my bag eventually.

This is a good point and why I hesitated for so long. It makes no sense to groove in bad mechanics. However, you can still have the same problem at a driving range even though you can see ball flight. Take periodic lessons and have an instructor point out a couple of swing flaws and show you drills to correct them. Since you're in your back yard, it's easier to setup and use a video camera to check your progress. Maybe consider Evolvr? Swinging a club with no ball will help too like 9iron suggested. I used to box and trainers would have me spend a lot of time "shadow" boxing for the same effect. But I will say, hitting a heavy bag, speed bag, and pad-work was still more fun. Similarly, I find hitting a ball into a net is more fun. I really like to hear the sound of a well struck ball even if I can't see it's full flight. I'm relatively new to having a backyard hitting net but I shot my lowest round of the season yesterday and was only 4 over on the back 9. Didn't even realize it until I added the round up after I got home. I think having the net helps....but I also take periodic lessons where I'm given specific drills to work on.

80-90 yards - probably gap wedge 70-80 yards - probably sand wedge 60-70 yards - choke down on a sand wedge

I don't know if you've provided enough info for the many knowledgeable instructors and veteran golfers on this site to come up with a definitive diagnosis. If I had to put money on it, I'd say you are probably swaying off the ball during your back swing among other things.

There's a good thread where Iacas (and others) bring up good points that sometimes our focus on ball flight can be counterproductive when trying to develop good swing mechanics. It's a good read and nudged me into setting up a hitting net this summer. That and the fact my family and work schedules do not allow enough time to go to the range to make any real swing improvements. One thing I know for sure is that I cannot make swing improvements simply by playing golf. I can't find the thread at the moment, but maybe someone else can. You will be eventually able to feel when good ball contact is made. A good mat will help a lot here. A poor mat can mask poor shots.

+1 on the Callaway Triball. I have the 9' version. It's real easy to setup and take down....or move around. It comes in a nice nylon carry case. I got mine from Walmart.com for $114 which I think is a pretty good deal with free site to store delivery. I use a Fairway Pro golf mat ( http://www.fairwayprogolfmat.com/ ). It has a pretty realistic feel that was surprising the first time I hit from it after having hit from regular mats. What's not evident is that the mat is pretty thick (in addition to being able to move) and can hold a regular tee. And it's portable....which was a requirement for me. However, I might be hesitant to recommend it for a brand new golfer. The "safe hitting area" is relatively small from side to side and the crazy inconsistent swings we all have as beginners could result in hitting the frame. Front to back is no problem...plenty of room for fat shots.

I use oversize....but I can pickup a basketball with one hand so a normal grip feels like a pencil.

This. I opted to use a sand wedge from a dirt cart path for a 20-25 yd chip. On the green and 2 putt for bogey. Could have been a worse.

That's an interesting observation. There is a Jack-designed course near me (Timber Banks) that is on my "bucket list" for this year. I have heard that the course is nice but the greens are tough to hit and hold. Like others, I like variety in hole layout and difficulty that is walker-friendly. I do not like courses with lots of houses right on the fairways. I also don't like too many blind tee or approach shots. A few is OK for variety but too many gets old real quick. And lastly, I don't like 200+ yard par 3s. Par3s should be score-able by us mere mortals and include those that are really short but heavily guard and those that are longer and maybe a little less guarded due to the extra distance.

I'm probably going to sound like I'm from the stone ages, but I would consider a simple pull/push cart (2 wheel type). These carts are small, easy to transport, and have fewer parts (which means less breakage). I bought mine on sale for $35 almost 4 years ago and it's still going strong. If I actually cleaned it and put a little Armor All on it it, it would like as good as the day I bought it.

I'll admit that I'm not overly fussy about my golf ball. But I still agree that Top Flite is making fine golf balls these days...and hopefully Dick's continues the trend. I often play the D2 Feel and Gamer and like them both.