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The last time I did a SkyTrak skills assessment for my full swing (minus woods), it gave me a handicap of 9.6. The weather is steadily (finally!) starting to warm up here, so I got back to the garage today. I did the same assessment, with distances of 40, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165, 170, and 190. This time, I took only 3 shots at each distances instead of 5, just because of time. Tonight's score: 8.7. Progress! I went from 74% of greens hit to 77%. The 105 and 120 shots were still awful. My handicap at 105 was 22.8! I'm learning that I have to give up the idea of using my 54° wedge from that distance; it just doesn't reach. That's gotta be the GW, and the 120 is the PW. It's still odd to me that the wedges are short while every other club in my bag is longer than it was last summer. I'm easily getting my 8 iron to 150 and my 7 to 165. But it's time to stop being stubborn on those scoring yardages and use the club that going to get the ball close. The only other problem tonight was at the end, when I was trying to step on a couple of shots and hit them fat instead. The mat I have is fluffy; if you catch it fat, it kills distance and spin. It's great for keeping me honest. At 175 yards, I had this sequence: fat shot 56 yards short (36 handicap), shot 5 yards short (+4 handicap), fat shot 49 yards short (36 handicap). So, yeah, that's gotta get fixed. But on the plus side: no giant hooks tonight. Certainly still missed more left than right, but none of the off-the-planet shots that plagued me last time. On the whole, I'm pleased. I'm seeing progress, and with more regular practice in my future, my expectations are high right now.

Played my first two rounds with my TS2 last week in FL. After some initial work on fixing s swing flaw that had crept in, I drove the heck out of the ball. Played with our Superintendent who is usually 20 yards past me. Was toe to toe worh him on most drives. And mosf importantly right down the center!!

I've had the unpleasantness of meeting Shiels. He was an absolute *******. Got paid ~$5k for a corporate golf day (clinic, 3 holes with each of the groups we've had and produce a video from the event). Clinic was ok. Then during the round he didn't want to play - just wanted to hit drivers as he was 'going through swing changes' in his short game and it was 'off brand' for him to play badly. Never released the video to his audience as it wasn't good enough. Him and his agent ghosted the company after that. What a disgrace. Crossfield is fun/funny to watch. I have a funny story about him too Well, one of his students. I used to be friends with a guy that went onto his 'journey' and puttling lessons with Lockey. 6 months of lessons and all. From a Mizuno fanboy he went on full titleist as 'Mark said theyre the most consistent for me'. He claimed in those 6 months he went from 9 to 4hpc. Last round I played with him he 'didnt feel like a 4' on the day and asked for 8 shots After laughing at him for a bit that that's now how handicap system works I gave him 6 shots (being the generous guy that I am :)). Then he complained that we're playing from the back tees (as he said now he can hit as hard as he wants and not reach the bunkers so he doesn't need precision). Landed in 4/5 bunkers on the fairway and TOOK HIS BALL OUT and placed it before the bunker without saying anything to anyone when asked for a score until my playing partner called him out on it Also when he missed a putt he would pick up straight away if it passed the hole, even tho it would end up further than it started and called it a 2 putt He lost the match on the 11th hole and walked off without saying goodbye and we're not friends anymore So I think maybe a coach that would teach rules and etiquette on the course would be also very popular on YT ;-D Oh how fun life is.

cksurfdude and I enjoying a Black & Tan after 18 holes at Pebble Creek Golf Club, Tampa Thanks ck, for the libation. I very much enjoyed spending the day with a Spy. Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy Cobra Connect Bag: Cobra F8 Driver(10.5*) 3-4W(14.5*) & 5-6W(18.5*)w/Mitsubishi Tensei ck Blue Regular; Cobra F8 3 Hybrid, 5 Hybrid & 6-PW, Gw(49*) SW(54*) LW(58*) all w/UST Mamiya Recoil 460 ES regular shafts. Lamkin Cobra Connect grips with Arccoss tracking sensors. Putter: Evnroll ER6 33”. Bag: Cobra Ultralite Cart Bag(Peacoat/Silver).

Move over PXG... there's a new sheriff in town . Hell, I'd be inclined to play the wrong clubs (for me) just to watch the starry eye glazes around the course. Those are cool looking!

So my new glasses showed up... a little bit different than I remember trying on at the optometrist office... I just need a red and white striped shirt and I could change my name to Waldo... Going to embrace the weird.

Practice Update 2: I was going to do the par 18 challenge but quickly realized I wasn't ready and I just redid yesterdays chipping drill of trying to 8/10 within 3 ft. I got 7 today so 2 better than yesterday and awfully close to completion, I even holed one of them. I was feeling a lot more consistent today and I tried from 2 different places that required 2 different shots, one a soft semi-flop and the other a low runner, the low runner I got 7/10 and the higher shot I got 6/10. Other drills were: 3 ft compass: 15/28 or 53% - PGA tour average is 99% 6 ft compass: 8/20 or 40% - PGA Tour average is 70.4% The compass drills are what they sound like, 4 balls per hole at the cardinal points, and then switch holes so for the 3 footers I did 7 holes and for the 6 footers I did 5 holes because I ran out of time. The best part is each putt is different so it gives me a good feel for make % from those distances anywhere on the course. I'd really like to get those 3 footers over 80% and the 6 footers over 60%. That would likely completely eliminate my 3 putts or the most part. Getting better every day...I think... EDIT: added PGA tour averages for those distance putts.

It's like Furyk and McIlroy playing 72 holes with a single shot separating them. It's like that, except way higher scores I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to practice driver. I can't fit a driver swing in my garage, though I'm going to explore the possibility of removing a portion of the ceiling (yep, that's crazy). It may be that I have to create a setup outdoors once the snow melts, but I get nervous with that. My driver miss is a popup ball that can easily get over most nets and find its way to the neighbors' houses. That's not OK. For now, though, I'm working to tighten everything up from 200 down to the green. If I can do that, my scores should still drop while I try to wrestle with my tee game later.

Correct...But any day now. And best of all, we'll be getting our Trackman here on Monday....wonder if I can have my office phone forwarded to the range...ha

Hah! Thanks. At this point they're just a concept/prototype but hopefully they'll develop into another product line. We don't really want to come out with new products unless they offer something that we aren't already hitting...we think these could be good on their own or make for a good mixed set with either the MBs or CBs...but we'll see what happens

You get quickly converted to lots of sunscreen after a few trips to the dermatologist for a MOHs procedure! Don't ask me how I know.

So here's what I've got with lofts: PW (G700): 44° GW (G700): 49° SW (MD3): 54° LW (PM Grind): 58° Given the strength of the G700 lofts (combined with the hollow body, hot launching properties), it might make sense to go stronger than 54° with my SW, but then it stops being useful as a short game club, I would think. I'm probably going to do another Skills Assessment on Thursday, using my GW for the 105 yard shot and the PW for the 120. Here's why I'm optimistic: using my GW for the 120 yard shot this past attempt, I hit shots of 106, 112, and 114. Keep in mind: I was trying to go 120, so I was swinging hard. I suspect a nice easy GW will be good at that 105 range. If that doesn't solve that distance for me, then I'm going to have to look at my set makeup there.

Yep, which is why the "fitting your irons based on handicap" narrative is relatively BOGUS. That's what I've learned most on my journey with these 900 Tours. I'm hovering around a 9 at the moment, but trending back up after 2 pretty terrible rounds. Keep grinding MPR, if I can do it, anyone can! I struggle with the EXACT same distance by the way. Ever consider looking at your wedge lofts? I think for me, personally, the jump from PW (46) to GW (52) is too large. When I get to 105-110y out I always have to make a decision to choke down and lay off of a PW, or try to muscle up a gap -- which usually just results in the ball going higher, not farther.

Donuts

It's always interesting to me how people can have similar handicaps but achieve them in completely different ways. Admittedly, I have never seen data like yours for myself, so I might be entirely wrong, but if I played a par 3 course with all holes in the 100 - 120 range, I'm pretty comfortable saying I could probably shoot well under my handicap with regularity. Make them all 60 yards, and the struggles begin. Make all the holes 400 yards, straight, and tight, I'd probably end up a 30 HC since driver is my (perceived) biggest weakness.

Played a full 18 today, not keeping score. No range, so teed off cold. It took me a good 8 holes to get things going, and once I did, this driver continued to impress me. On 18, I hit a bomb exactly where I was aimed, taking advantage of the wind. I’m a happy camper at this point! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

This kind of thinking is what the big boys don't get right now... Look at how many sets they have out there just hoping to land people on something. Instead, make fewer great clubs that fits more people. I think it was the Tour Edge video where the President said he didn't want to make the best driver on the market, he wanted the best driver for 80% of the market... Smart idea... Love where you're headed with this... Waiting impatiently for those MBs!!! Come on summer!!! Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk

Suoerspeed told us that you need to hang there until the end of the new level 3 to preserve your gains. I don’t know how that relates to the old protocols Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Thanks for the message. On the MBs, we should have them by June 1st. I'm hoping we get some heads over for demo use before then and we'll definitely announce that via social media if they become available. On the driver, it's really strange because we had 10+ people test the driver during development and had zero comments on the sound. Most of that testing was done outdoors and we have noticed that it is higher pitched/louder in a smaller, indoor environment. We've had several guys double check the sound against other driver heads outside...and they noted that it may be slightly higher pitched/louder than some heads...but it's similar to some other major OEM heads and isn't "Whoa that is loud". As far as hot melt...that is definitely an option. There are forward and rear weights that are removable so you could certainly mod it if you wanted to.

Speaking of. Why does Waldo always wear stripes? ... ... Because he doesn't want to be spotted. Badum Cha!

Just go with your gut. ZJ is a 2 time major winner. RM is a ninja. That really is a tough one. I like both of them.

Not to moderate the moderator, but wouldn't this be more appropriate in the happy thread?

You're welcome.

I'm playing Moore so I want him to play well... but I'd say ZJ. No

Definitely an option. I went and looked one more time at the numbers for my attempts at the 90 and 105 yard shots (all with the 54°). Just like @yungkory observed, the average distance was the same (it was actually shorter for the 105 attempts because of a bad strike); but the 105s launched about 2-3° higher and had a peak height about 1-2' higher, with 2° steeper descent angle. So that's some data in confirmation of the idea that, with the 54°, I reach a point at which swinger harder just gets the ball higher with no added distance. [Also, I'm totally nerding out on the data I have access to. ]

If you are using a 58° for lob shots, changing a 54° for a 52° shouldn't change your short game much. You 54° is probably used for chips and pitches, a 52° can absolutely do those things and might close the gap between your GW and SW. (I may be a little partial to the 52°-58° setup, but it really does work well for me.)

Hmmmm. I forgot I got three of these with my green. I'll have to give these a try with the driver soon! Sent from my SM-A600A using MyGolfSpy mobile app

Stallings. 100 %

man oh man...getting emails about courses around me opening up this weekend and next. WOO-HOO!

So I know this is in the Shiny Metal/Irons sub, so first a question in that regard- is there a timeframe on demo availability for the Sub70 MB’s? Would it be the same as the general release? but second, and not iron related, it seems that the only negatives I’ve heard regarding the Sub70 Drivers have been about sound/feel- has anyone tried hotmelting to quiet things down some? Is there an access point to add it?

You know funny you mention it.. I have a sleeve of them.. They are not terrible, they are one of the worst balls i have ever played. Terrible would be an upgrade.. LOL Think Top Flite, You know the one $10.99 a dozen, yeah Now go three or four steps lower.. NOT playing them again, I was worried I might cave in my driver..

Idk of the feasibility of this idea, but if you have 50 yards or so, and the main purpose of driver practice is ball flight consistency, it might be worth grabbing some birdie balls and the tee-ing solution they have, OR some durable wiffle balls. In my own practice, I've found that they are most useful for finding consistency with straight ball flight.

My basement and garage are both low headroom, so I have no room to swing anything in the off-season. I've hit enough at various stores over the winter that I'm feeling pretty good about some minor changes I made with the driver, but need to get a range for verification. It's 53 today, so I might be able to sneak out this afternoon.

Oh, I also mentioned in the "How Many Brackets Do You Fill Out" thread something from SportsPickle, a satire sports website where the goal is to pick the worst bracket you can. The winner will receive a blown out basketball shoe (Not Zion's). I told @TSauer I'd post a link to it if anyone was interested. Here is that link

Yeah, very early returns are it's longer than the Bridgestone and just as accurate, however we were playing on some pretty wide fairways. So getting it on my course will be a true test. Then the G410 will be arriving within the next week. So it should be quite a "shootout" good thing I'll have Mr.Trackman around to help with his input

Yes but just think you will save $245.

And I think Bobby Grace made putters for Cobra around that same time. Maybe a few years earlier. Didn't Bettinardi also make a Hogan series at one point? Those Big Ben and Baby Ben mallets I think were Bettys Sent from my Pixel 3 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

Took mine out for a test run yesterday. I hit them fairly well but still getting used to them. Solid feel, high launch, a bit longer than my previous Mizuno JPX 850 irons, but that's expected as they're stronger lofted. I have KBS Tour Graphite shafts installed 1/2 longer than standard.

LOL I guess I have the "S" grind on mine since I hand filed mine. Got it to around 8* which is my standard

When you start to see some improvement in getting the balls closer to your target, change it up a bit. Vary your target for each shot. Pick two of three targets; putt or chip a ball to one target, then hit the next ball to a different target. Keep changing your distances for each shot. You will be training your brain to adjust your swing each time. It helps give you feel on the course.

One of our two 4somes at Cocopah CG last week. Nobody's reached/hit the water tower off the #15 or 16 tee's, but everyone tries

I'm already in world tier 4. Love this game. Psn JLukes7. Don't use a mic most of the time

Sunscreen SPF 70? My issue is actually my gloved hand - playing about 150 rounds a year one hand is deeply tanned and the gloved hand is a pasty white. Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

That’s the way we like it, Kenny. Oh and there’s grain in the rough, too. And the fairway. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Some pics from #4 Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Got to play nine today just North of San Antonio at an “ok” course. I warmed-up with a small bucket and couldn’t understand why I kept cutting the ball really bad with the TS3... Got to the first tee, big cut... 2nd tee, big cut AGAIN. I pulled the 4g weight out and realized I had it in the toe and not neutral!!! Switched it and proceeded to murder the ball! The rock-hard fairways helped me hit one 323, and one 318. Fun stuff! I’m liking this driver!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Hello all from Paris, France, I am Marie-Laure, pleased to be a new member of this forum. I only started golf a year ago (March 2018), but I immediately fell in love with the game. I don't have a handicap yet (this is my 2019 objective) but I usually score between 100-110 on the courses I play often. What do you love about golf? The long walks between two shots, preferably after hitting a nice one, that let me time to think about the next one. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I have been reading you for several months now, with much pleasure. I thought it could be fun to participate on some topics also. Where are you from? What is your home course? I am from Switzerland but now living in Paris. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Many courses but even more golfers, especially during the weekend. I feel a little pressured when better players are behind but don't seem to want to play through me... What do you do for a living? I work for a consulting firm (Strategy and Finance) How’d you pick your user name? I am pretty sure my user name is my actual first name...

Wish I had something techy to add, here's a doodle. Cant wait to hit all the new stuff.

I've posted about losing my son to suicide back in 2014. Gregory was his name, and his favorite word/phrase to everything that he liked was "SWAG". After his death shook me to my core, I started playing golf again. Somewhere in the last year or so I found MGS, and only recently started posting regularly. But when I signed up I incorporated his initial "G" with his trademark word "SWAG". In fact, if you see me driving around Tallahassee, my license plate is "4 G SWAG" in memory of my son. I miss him dearly.

Some pics from #2 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk