Jaywun

I just love this whole topic. The am-pro difference debate has and will go on forever. With 3 grown children who were very competitive in sports, I saw and coached a bunch of "sure things" that never even got scholarships. I think we have all known kids who could run a 4.3 40 and bench 300 in high school and never even get close to the show. Dan Marino has said many times that there were neiborhood kids that were better than him. Jerry Rice had among the slowest 40 times of all wide receivers. At every level Larry Bird was told he wouldn't make it at the next level. Then there are the others (majority) like Deon Sanders who said in Pop Warner he scored every single time he touched the ball. So whats the formula, the variable, the IT? I was often amazed that in every championship game with seconds left and they needed a goal, Michael Jordon ALWAYS got the ball, even on nights when he had a horrible fg percentage. I always second guessed the coach, until he made the shot! I mention all this because I feel there are lots of parallels between these guys and +handicap guys that can't make the mini tours as well as Canadian tour/Nationwide/etc. guys that don't have the IT for the PGA. Alot of these guys would be among the leaders in ball striking statistics but will never make it. Then there are all the other guys- Zach Johnson cut from Varsity golf team in high School. One of the few PGA guys I can actually outdrive HAS A GREEN JACKET! Basically, it is very diverse. It is not black and white. No, not every physically capable person with a love of Golf if given the means could consistently make cuts on Tour. Of course not. Probably not even 1 in a million. But there are also thousands of people that, if they had the means, would be household names. Now, my personal opinion. I feel the key is nothing more than BELIEF. Whether that belief is valid or just based on ignorance, thats all I see as the IT factor. Out of all the guys going to first stage tour school this year. I'll bet there's only a handful that KNOW they'll be on the PGA tour. I dont mean just 'say it'. I mean believe it 100%. As sure of it as I'm sure of eating dinner and going to bed tonite. I remember watching Christina Kim hitting balls here in San Jose when she was 14. Of course she was a great player, but what I'll never forget was her attitude. There was not a shred of doubt that she was going to the LPGA. Now I or anyone else could have sat her down and gave her a million valid reasons why she wasn't going to be a pro. But she would've just laughed and said we were wrong. Just like if we said the sky is green and the grass is blue. So I say, If your playing under par. And TRULY see yourself on tour, go for it. Even if you're working 60 hrs a week raising a family. The worse thing that can happen is sitting, watching golf on tv at 60, knowing you could have done it, but didn't. Remember Abe Lincoln took his bar exam 8 times before he passed! Go ahead, jump on me if you disagree. Im too old to care and kinda like the attention.

Taylormade, I just want to add that you are in a great situation! Example, I'm only 11 index but I've never been under 9.0 . Basically shooting the same scores for over 5 yrs. Starting golf late and now with my age and physical limitations I know I'll never be scratch. The guys I know that are like you, can drop a 5 iron soft from 200 yds or hit 300 off the tee are only double digits from limited experience. Most are half my age and the dedicated ones will be low single digits or scratch in a short time. In other words playing more and learning WHERE TO MISS is key. If your a 10 now and have those consistency probs. with more experience you'll be going LOW in no time. Good luck!

Do most touring pro's choose equipment sponsors for the clubs or for the highest negotiated contract? I tend to think most all are up for highest bidder. Anybody have info on this?

KZG blades-soooooo sexy

The newest Golf Digest has an article about taking range game to the course. Good luck

The Tiger swing in college thru '97 was incredible. Rory has the swing I wish I had though.

Watching the celebrity tourney I noticed something. Alot less deliberate on chipping and putting than the pros. Then I realized over the last couple yrs I've gotten into a habit of rushing with chips and putts. I've always been a fairly fast relaxed player and that has helped me on full shots. But watching the best amatuers I notice, (probably because they are so nervous) that they actually never look set and confident on the short shots that they screw up. And most of these guys are + handicap. About 5 yrs ago when I was playing my best. 4 consecutive rounds under 80. I just now realized, I took alot more rehearsal chips than I do now. Mostly just to lock myself in to the exact shot I want to play. Very high concentration level. It just donned on me that I dont do that anymore. I watched B. J. Toliver rush on a 20 yd. pitch, never looked commited and ended up yelling, oh god, hit it- hit it!. Very familiar feeling! I'm gonna try to get myself more zeroed in on short game shots to see if I can get my old game back.

Check out KZG muscle backs. Real purty. Awesome clubs. You might actually hit them better. Good luck!

What is Santa bringing you guys this year? I'm getting a fresh new set of wedges. Still undecided on brand. I really want them now, but it'll be easier to get them on Christmas. Big wife=domestic violence.

I played Laddies then Laddie-x. I guess I never noticed a difference. I tested different balls for a few hrs. yesterday and I actually had better results with my Laddies. I hit prov's, b330's, nxt, etc.(all dug out of my shag bag)All different shots. I was happy to find that with my game, my balls were fine. Thanks for the input guys. I went to the store and confidently bought 2 dozen more for 19.99. I did spend too much time lusting after the Vokey wedges. Thats gonna cost me later!

I've got 2 Cleveland cg12 wedges. Fathers day gift 2 yrs ago. Well I never actually liked them. They feel light and clicky at impact. Kinda hard to explain. Anyways a buddy of mine was chipping today and I notice he has older Cleveland wedges (real old actually) I ask to try them out and immediately notice how much heavier and solid they felt. They cut thru the turf clean and ball contact like butter. I dont know if its the head or shaft or both but I'm pulling the trigger right away on new wedges. BUT, they dont make them anymore. So what new wedges have the same heavy solid feel at impact. I dont think they'll let me hit a bunch at my local golf shop. If they do then no problem. If I spend 2 or 3 bills on new wedges I wanna love 'em. Anyways what are the denser heavier feeling wedges? The Vokeys look nice but will they feel as solid as forged? All input appreciated, thanks

Great job Bullit!!! Breakthru's like that are huge. I remember busting 100 like it was yesterday.

The tag "great ball striker" , with no majors is a nice way of saying 'terrible putter'

sorry,(UBS)

Is this an old tourney or live this week?

I cant wait for the next episode to find out who cheater is. Do you guys remember Brian on early Big Break? I remember my kids laughing and saying Hey Dad,check this out, this guys a tool Ha Ha! I find it hard to believe that after the first show nobody told him how nuts he sounds.

Fat Slice THATS HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy cow I think we're talkin' the same guy! Too funny

I've been walking on alone during the weekdays lately. And have been paired up with all kinds of characters. Some have made my round so enjoyable, and others have made me wish I stayed home that day, even if green fees were free!. This Monday, a great example. I get paired up with 2 other singles on a beautiful day at San Jose Muni.(A very easy, wide open course). Dont get me wrong, I'm no goody 2 shoes, but I am very laid back and really love my time on the golf course. Having golfed over 20 yrs. Ive been around alot also and never considered myself judgemental in any way. But some guys give me the creeps right off.... First guy says 'I hope you guys dont mind, I'm a beginner and not very good'. I say 'there aren't any pro's out here, everybody is a beginner at some point' The second guy jumps in about hating playing with beginners. If you cant keep up you should go home, etc. We play the first 2 holes. I par, par. The beginner bogey, bogey. Very simple smooth swing, no experience but trying real hard and a very nice guy. The jerk is all over the place. Swinging real hard and hacking terrible. Very angry. The beginner and I are walking together and he's asking alot of questions very politely. I really dont like giving advice but the jerk keeps jumping in trying to give advice while he's in his stance etc. Anyways on the 9th I'm at even par and beginner is shooting his best ever. On our approach shots the jerk sends his ball into the lake and says 'f--- you guys!' and walks straight to his car. The back 9 was one of my most enjoyable I can remember. The guy just had a baby bla bla. We really hit it off. Anyways, on the way home I'm thinking what if it was just me and that jerk together for 18 holes. One of my most pleasant afternoons would have been one of my worst. I can't believe somebody could get that angry on a golf course. I love golf so much, I cant imagine becoming that angry at a place where we are supposed to have the most fun. Anybody else run into Dr Evil on the course?

Thanks everyone. I chip alot with prov1's that I find. And to me,they chip lower with alot more spin. With my testing and my stroke, I think they would probably help alittle on 50 yds and in. But not enough to justify cost. I usually stop a ball with no rollout on most full shots, and play for rollout on most short shots. Most of all the feedback from what you guys gave is pretty much what I expected. I just needed more validation. One strange thing though. And I swear this is not an exageration. Half of all balls I find in hazards are prov1's. Of all the players I've seen that play prov1's would greatly benefit from a lower spinning cheaper ball. I have seen beginners put ball after ball in the water. That adds 20 bucks to the price of a round! The bay area in Cal. must be the prov1 captol of the world. Anyways, thanks gain guys

I've played the same ball for many years. Precept Laddie, 19.99 for 2 dozen. I dont try other balls for money reasons. What can I expect from more premium balls? I average 250 off the tee, 150 yd. 7 iron. And average from 80 to 84 on my local courses. I would love to get into single digits. Do you guys think a premium ball would help? In other words, would a scratch golfer still be scratch if he played with my brand? I'm trying to justify the added expense. What are your guys' experiences?

No!!!!!!!!

5 iron pin high, 10 years ago. But can't with 3 wood today.

I actually believe fast is ok, as long as your lines are consistent and you finish your backswing. Many many great champions have had a fast backswing. But they all kept the same tempo and always stayed in balance. Rory mac for example has a very fast backswing. But the transition is so smooth and his balance is perfect. Which to me is more important.

Playing a long par 3 today, I found my ball plugged in the bunker under a big lip. 1 playing partner mentions-tuff break! I just saw this shot on playing lessons. I picked my wedge staight up then straight down hard behind the ball. Had my eyes closed at impact for the sand spray. I just caught my ball falling straight down next to the hole then trickle in! I couldn't believe it, my only birdie of the day. Sorry guys, I just had to brag. I tried telling my wife but she just dont get it!

I will buy it for sure! I am so intrigued by him. I've watched all his online videos. Pure amazing!