nhwoj

wow! it's been about 6 or 7 months since i've been on here... so disappointing, but i'm ready to get back! anyway, yesterday, on the second hole at my home course, i hit my second shot to within 10 feet with a 6 iron. left my putt about 6 inches short, but made par anyway! going again today to another place near where i live, maybe i'll top it!

Have you ever hit that perfect shot? Not necessarily a 300 yard drive, or a hole in one, that sort of thing, but the one that feels so good coming off the club, and goes right where it was supposed to, just like you imagined? That feeling is why golf is so addicting. Because once you get that feeling, you just want to feel it again and again and again.

I had broken and dislocated my ankle in April, and it was never reset correctly by a doctor (I had popped it back into the socket right after it happened). Somehow, this caused a large spot of dead bone to develop on my tibia. The surgery was to remove the chunk of dead bone. I was on crutches for a month (September 8 - October 4), and I actually recovered very quickly after that. Thanks for asking!

It depends on your type of game. I play pretty much irons only, and I hit balls with really high trajectory, so everything pretty much lands and stops. Hell, I've backed up 4 irons in the fairway. So if I decided I liked a ball, but it was high-spin, It wouldn't work. As someone above suggested i believe, get fitted for a ball, it's probably your best bet for lowering scores.

Looking into some new iron sets. Just wanting to know a little about these clubs - pros, cons, etc. because most golf stores only tell you what you want to hear... Ping G10's come 3-PW, Wilson Di11's come 4-GW, and Wilson Ci9's also come 4-GW. All sets are the same price, $500. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks! One last note: The G10's come with a 0.75° upright lie, or I can get 4-PW instead for $440 with a standard lie. I tend to hit the ball really high, and I'm pretty sure upright lie gives you a higher launch angle, correct? Thanks again for any and all feedback.

Hello Sand Trap! My first blog post comes on the same day as my last round of the season. I thought my season was over last weekend, but I was pleasantly surprised last weekend with some birthday cash (3 months late - but hey, I'm not complaining) that allowed me to get in another round this weekend (as well as a new divot tool). My home course has a junior rate of $10 after noon, so I decided to try and squeeze in 18 there before sunset at 4:30 instead of going down to Green Meadows about 30 minutes south. The course was deserted and I ended up playing a nice 27 all by myself. I only saw 6 other groups all day and not a single soul for the last 9 holes, save a pair of people on the ninth. I found the solitude peaceful and played some of the best golf of my life. I shot 59 on the front (I was just warming up... cut me some slack!) then went 50-50 for an even 100 on the back/front (again). This was my lowest score to date at this course by 6 strokes, and back before I had my surgery in September (when I posted the 106) I was a notorious footwedger and do-over-er... I have since kicked such amateur habits and am posting very legitimate scores now (save one mulligan per 9 holes... hey, it's just for fun, right?). I hit 3, 4, and 1 fairways, respectively, which made me especially happy. I have a pretty vicious cut (I try not to use the s word) which makes me unable to hit driver and hope to keep the ball in the same county, so now I hit 4 iron off every tee. I still cut a little with that, but it's much easier to control, so tee shots have been getting much better lately. My long iron (4/5/6) consistency in the fairways has been getting much better, especially during my second and third nines today, which was quite pleasing. My putting was very good too, with 16, 19, and 16 putts. The only gripe I have about my round was my short game, which is normally my strong point, being very off-and-on, chunked wedges and poor bunker play being the main culprits of my frustration. Anyway, I hope to keep posting in my blog weekly over the winter, updating the stages of my withdrawal... It should be interesting. Thanks for reading! -Woj

I always have to have my clubs in the right order in my bag... in numerical order of course (with the putter next to the driver). Except for the wedges. I allow them free reign to align themselves however they please. I just like to have everything in perfect order.

That's the one I use too. Really simple, and easy to use, rather than dealing with all the offical GHIN stuff.

A hybrid/rescue is much easier to hit than a wood, especially from the rough. I also find hybrids/rescues much more versatile in that they can hit from the tightest of tight lies and are useful for pretty much anything... punch shots under trees, and even stuff you wouldn't expect. If you're having a bad day chipping? Roll one on from the rough with your hybrid. Awful with those greenside sand shots? If there's no lip, try rolling it out of there with your hybrid, if the sand conditions allow it (you'll find at most muni's, they will).

Welcome to the Sand Trap... I'm pretty new here too, and it's awesome to see what golf is like around the world. It's amazing to me to see so many people playing in places I wouldn't have thought of, like Singapore and Malaysia!

Have never played here, it's a little far away (Jackson, NH) from where I am, but it looks beautiful and I really appreciate covered bridges... so this was an obvious choice for me!

Good point. That's what most of my predicament is, making sure she has fun but also learns about the game too.

My nine year old sister wants me to take her to our local 9-hole short course this weekend. She has never played golf before but is eager to learn. What would you guys say the most important things she needs to learn are, and how would you go about teaching young kid? Feel free to share your experiences teaching younger kids and first timers, and any advice helps. Thanks in advance for any tips!

Same here. Not that it matters, he's looking for good player's opinions...

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I feel like sometimes I have the same issues. Thinking about my swings and what to do to hit good shots can actually make me worse. My lowest legitimate full round to date was a 108 yesterday. On the final hole, a long par 5, it was getting dark and my main concern was to finish up quick and get home. I ended up hitting 3 wonderful 4 irons in a row without even thinking of any sort of swing mechanics. Remind yourself of what you need to do before you take your shot or during your practice swings, not when you're actually swinging. But your last range visit sounds very good, so try to replicate whatever you did then every time. Keep up the good work!

Played Green Meadows in Hudson, NH. My best shots came on the par-5 18th on the Jungle course, my 36th hole of the day. I lack the ability to hit a driver, so 4-iron is my primary club. 3 straight perfect (slight fade for me) 4 irons put me within 20 yards of the green. I was very happy, great way to end my season!

I think it's safe to say that this was the last round of my 2010 season in NH, ended it going 58-51 for 108 and 58-58 for 116 at Green Meadows in Hudson NH. First eighteen was on the Prairie, (66.7, 110) second was on the Jungle (68.9, 120), both very nice courses at very low rates if you are ever in the area.. I played from 8:30 - 5:30, squeezed every last moment out of my second season playing this wonderful game. Hoping to come back even better next year! Have a good winter everyone.

Here's a new video of my driver swing, guys. Please give me feedback, what's better, what's worse, etc. Anything helps! Thanks.

Yeah, I think the fact that we're on here in the first place is just a testament to the sickness that is golf. Also, let's just say my yard doubles as an 18-hole wiffle ball golf course.

Congrats! And to do it in the winter is even more impressive.

If you can putt off the water hazards, get off the course. Other than that, it's all good!

I've played at my home course many times this year, and only seen one person playing the blues. It's a very narrow course, which may influence what tees people play, but I've also played at another course near my home that is very wide open, and not much longer, and still only seen one guy playing blues. I guess the trends don't reach New England as quick!

I pay $10 at the two courses I play most often (junior rates!) and since they're both owned and operated by the same people the base rate is around $40, and it decreases as it gets later in the day. Both courses are great (IMO) and challenging in different ways, plus you can play as much as you want for one greens fee at both places, so I would say it's a very fair price.

Amen to that. At what point do I get to exchange all my "donated" balls for a sleeve at the pro shop... I mean that is how it works, right?!