ChicagoGolfer

You are exactly right. Take a look at the top ten and you will see a wide range of golfers. I think it is great when a course allows Mike Weir, Jim Furyk, Craig Stadler, Tim Clark compete with Vijay, Phil, and Tiger. That to me is a fair test of golf. The Masters tends to reward players who take chances at the right places. It's a brutal course at times, so the players with experience and confidence know when to "push" it. I'm confident that we will see a good sunday and it will come down to the last few holes and how players are sinking putts. The scores will be higher this year than last, but the course looks awesome and as beautiful as ever. You will see many players on sunday take chances. That's the beauty of the course.

Personally, I think Erik is mostly wrong about everything about the game. The Masters is still one of the greatest tests in golf. Phil and Tiger recently said this in their reviews of the course. I kind of trust their opinion. I look at the current leaderboard and see players of many different skillsets playing well. This is a tribute to the course and the setup. I prefer more birdies, but that will come around. Paul Casey shot 4 under today. I am confident that the course will be exciting on the weekend and we will have a horse race come sunday. Don't judge a book by it's cover comes to mind. My second point is that how does Craig Stadler and Ben Crenshaw shoot the same score and better than some of today's best players . I can tell you, they have better short games than many of today's best players, that's how. Tiger may be the greatest player ever, but Jack had much tougher competition in his hey day. I would agree that his competition was not as deep in number, but Tiger does not face a Trevino, Watson, Crenshaw, Miller, Weiskopf, Irwin, Kite in their primes. Jack did. When all is said, you probably cannot compare 2 elite players in different era's. I just feel too many people overrate today's elite players.

That's quite the story. Here's some of my life. Woods... I was fit for a driver last year and purchased a Bridgestone J33R driver (420) on eBay for less than 100. The key is the Aldila NV shaft, but I am straighter and longer with this combination than any club I try to buy. I love the look of the club and it reduces my backspin. 3 wood is a Bridgestone J33R aldila combo as well. I own a Hogan Hybrid 1 and I love this club as well, I keep it straight and feel I have control of it. Irons...I play Hogan CFT irons that I have played with for 10 - 15 years. Again, the new irons do not appeal to me, and the clubs work great. The key item here is that I use Lamkin Silhouette grips that are no longer made and no longer legal. They are awesome, but I am one of the few who love them. I use Vokey wedges. I have a 58 degree with a lot of bounce and a 59 degree with low bounce to play in the conditions I play. Sometimes, I need bounce and sometimes I don't. I am amazed more players don't have 2high loft wedges. I also own a gap wedge, so there is no distance I miss with my set. Bag... I have an Ogio Grom bag and use a pull cart mostly. The bagboy pull cart is easy to use and has already paid for itself 3 times over. Ogio bag is just OK, but I'll hold onto it for another 10 years. I try to save money as well. Balls... I like the HX Hot golf balls and Bridgestone balls the most. I have played a little with some Nike balls recently, and I would have to say they are pretty darn good as well. I never really feel any difference with the ball and probably could play warbirds and not know the difference. Other Stuff... I always have snack bars in my bag, I am a diabetic, so I have to be prepared. I have a ball marker from Augusta and a towel from Turnberry that I use each round. I do have a pencil in my bag that my fellow golf nut laughs at, it has an eraser, so we love it. "That's my story and I'm sticking to it"

Your reasons are exactly correct. The mental aspect is probably the most important one. 1) I would add that the body is still not swinging for the fences yet, so hence the scores are probably better. 2) The rounds also seem to move better timewise when the "regulars" or "faithful" are the only ones on the course. Once the Bar B Que players come out, the course slows down to a halt. I personally play better golf when the round is moving and hitting.

I like Bananas on the course (just do not forget to leave it in your bag). I also like peanut based snack bars with medium carb content. I am a diabetic, so I have to watch my sugars and make sure I do not drop too low.

I was a bit surprised to be the only Bridgestone J33R person in this poll. I have hit many drivers at the range, but I got fitted and this driver was the best performance and best look for me. I think the key to find is the shaft/head combo that maximizes your swing. For me, I needed to reduce the backspin, so we went with the Bridgestone, and I have never looked back. I am as long with this club as any, and I am far straighter with the Aldila NV shaft. I did not like the looks of the Nike's, and I feel the TM driver head is shaped concave to my eye, but to each is own. I must admit, I am interested in the TM Burner. I like revolutionary ideas, and the longer shaft, lighter shaft and lighter grip idea are tangible reasons to consider. I would probably look at a model 1 - 2 degrees less loft than my current 10.5 loft, but my numbers at golfsmith were encouraging. We'll see. I don't like spending money on equipment any more, without a tangible reason to do so.

I play with so-called idiots all the time. I even consider myself an idiot. However, I believe everyone is out to enjoy themselves and I will do everything I can to enjoy myself and try to beat the course that day. I find the other idiots in my journey entertaining, but mostly harmless. I never get mad at other players and just try to make the most of it, and make jokes with them or of them. If someone acts beligerent or dangerous to another, that is when I draw the line, but I have rarely ever seen that. Life's too short. Enjoy the round and enjoy the meat heads of the world. It's that simple.

I wear Maui Jim sunglasses while playing. I had laser surgery done and just want to be vain and wear sunglasses whenever I can, plus the bright light does affect me a bit. I do keep the sunglasses on when I putt. I keep my glove on as well when I putt, but this is due to lazyness more than anything.

I hit it about 165 carry with a few yards roll...Total distance is 170 - 175.