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After nine years (with a five year break in there, so four total), I'm happy to say I was finally able to finish my Master's degree today. Final project presentation and discussion went well! More time to spend on golf now!

Thanks! My employer paid for the degree so it made sense to finish one. I Thankfully, doing it one class at a time wasn't too much of a workload to handle, but it was crazy at times, especially if work was busy also. Applied Computer Science with an emphasis in cybersecurity is my degree. My final project was creating an automated and distributed set of honeypots from which I collected attack data from and summarized.

Now that sounds like a great idea! A MGS Holiday/New Year Social.

Now colour coded

Caledonia is a very nice track and in great condition. Kind of pricey and the course is on the short side. Par 70 and 6526 from the tips. I think I paid $200 to play it last year. My biggest issue was the dam ducks as tee markers (Pintail, Mallard, Wood Duck and Redhead). One duck looks like another to me. I must have hit from the wrong tees three times.

Yes, it's been a long-time coming with piecemealing classes together one per semester for the past several years. The last two years haven't made it any easier, either. Big relief walking out of the conference room this morning.

... Sage advice. Those of us that played sports and in our younger years "fought through the pain" have learned the hard way that doesn't work past 50, and the older you get the more important it is. I probably could have avoided a frozen shoulder had I stopped when the pain started. Same with the tendonitis in my elbow right now. Fought through it for several rounds until the pain increased exponentially. After taking 10 days off I am in rehab now and fighting my way back but I probably could have avoided it altogether had I stopped and began rehab after the first 2 rounds when I knew it wasn't a one time event.

If they went through your belly button then they probably used glue instead of stitches. The last thing you want to do is tear it open. The body is amazing at healing but it takes time. I had my spleen removed through the belly button and it did take four weeks before I could do a full swing without any pulling sensation. I was chipping and putting after about 2 weeks but I used one of those ball picker upper things on the end of the club because bending over to get the ball out of the cup was NOT GOOD! Before I could comfortably swing balls to the walls was probably in the neighborhood of 5 to 6 weeks. Be smart and take it one step at a time and gradually push yourself. Your body will tell you when enough is enough. Sometimes it's the sudden things that let you know " not yet". A sneeze, stepping in a depression you didn't see, a slight stumble from catching your foot on a mat or curb. If it hurts stop. If you over do it, it will take that much longer to heal.

Haha, I just saw this…it’s just too true…

Well, that was exhausting. I went right into drivers after doing a superspeed workout. not sure that is how you are supposed to do it, but you do what you can in the time you have right? Driver data, I took 1 bad shot off the entire group, it was all bad and didn't need to reflect poorly on the ball(it was the noodle). I hit shots with all of them that I felt were playable, still its golf and I'm not named Matt, or a robot. I'm not going to flood the screen with all the ball data charts, I'll just throw up the averages because... in Driver at least, there is a pretty clear winner. Both in distance and dispersion. Do you all agree? After two tests of staying in the game, the Kirkland showed its spin in full power on driver, wow. Stay tuned for next week, I have some balls that arrived in the mail from @Londo to test against 1 or 2 more I have, and I think that will complete the first round of the bracket.

@Getoffmylawn @Rickp @GolfSpy_BOS @russtopherb @Kenny B @Shapotomous You all are too kind! Thanks for the words. EDIT - Trying to catch everyone who I didn't directly respond to. Apologies if I've missed anyone!

Yeah, you should have known better. You are not a doctor, but you played one on TV!!

Congrats Cody! Awesome accomplishment! ...you should probably be able to reward yourself with some coin for the equipment budget now!

Congratulations @GolfSpy_BOS !! Front Row seats @ Fenway

Congrats on the new gig @GolfSpy_BOS! They keep finding great guys for these spots and even if you're from Bahstin. In regards to the bourbon and scotch (especially the scotch)

One comment that hasn't been addressed is that you are telling us you have issues with long to mid irons. Could it be that you need some sort of different set up? Hybrids, fairway woods, more forgiveness of some sort in that part of your bag? Just one more thought to the crowded ones you already have - many of them great advice. As for the last time that I used the same club three times in a row it was putter - I three putted the last time that I played - I suspect that I will three putt again in the near future - so long as I don't toss my putter into a pond or the woods along the way I will be using the same club when it happens.

Very cool!! I was a comp sci major back in the dark ages of card decks on a PDP 11 machine! I remember going to the house of a co-worker when I was at GE that had bought a PC for about $5k just to see this new fangled technology! Things have advanced...and come down in price quite a bit since then!

Golf.com just sent out an article that has the same topic as the OP. It's an interesting read. 1 major mistake amateurs make on the driving range: 'It's horrible' (golf.com)

Do not need them, but found too good of a deal to pass up. Ecco Biom H4 Boa Also bought a new Rhoback Vest which I really like.

This will be a tale of two events, the first being a stag day least Wednesday, which was a true scramble. We didn’t win by a long shot, but we got an eagle and a closest to pin for a few bucks and balls. The interesting part was me buying a brand new sleeve of ProV1x’s. I NEVER play new balls as I’ve got so many that I find, I just play nice ones. but here’s the interesting part. I hit so many long drives it was eerie. I mean 20-30 yards longer than a normal good drive. I have been longer of late with my “John Daly” swing, but dayum, these new balls were just flying. It’s making me rethink the whole “new balls” theory. ok, second half of recent events. I just had my gall bladder removed on last Monday and so I’m obviously grounded. They’re telling me no lifting over 15 lbs for 4 weeks… anyways, fat chance I can wait that long to swing, but I guess I’ll let the pain be my guide. Has anyone else had a similar operation? And how long did it take to recover? They did it robotically with just the one cut in the belly button, so it’s supposed to be less traumatic… anyways, this week has been terrible weather and cold as a witches …uh, well, and next week is 50% rain all week, so I may have picked the best possible time slot for it all anyways… cheers y’all, sluggo

Thank you, it was a great day for sure - Besides one drive that put me behind a tree, I was hitting better than I ever have. Also helped to join the group of members ahead of me for some insight to each hole. Really fun round. Not just yet, I had actually planned to play there instead, but they had a tournament going on. Apparently it worked out for the best as the members I was playing with said they have recently lost 6 of the greens and it's not up to par with True Blue at the moment. Also with my game off the tee, the tighter courses are usually tough for me. Length usually is no issue, but keeping them straight off the tee can be a challenge at times. Luckily I had it clicking the other day. True Blue will certainly be on my list if I'm back in the area.

Congrats Bryan, as a long time member I really appreciate the work put into making this forum the best on the planet!

I took advantage of the CyberMonday sale and picked up the 849D Driver with UST PROFORCE V2 Black 6F3, the 939X 3Hybrid with Aerotech Steel Fiber Hybrid HLS 780 F3 and 699 Pro Utility 19.5° with Aerotech Steel Fiber i80 Graphite. I only had a couple of outside range sessions before the Chicago weather closed the door on the outside season. The clubs feel great, I have to see how the gaps are between a few of the clubs. I did join an indoor golf league at X Golf near where I live so I've had at least 3-4 9 hole rounds playing on the simulator. Not exactly the same, but keeping the swing going and my hands in shape (no glove for me). I've hit the new driver and hybrid on the simulator and they both are forgiving and have distance built in.

Yea, the Maxfli Tour X looks good... just a whisker better than this mystery ball. Based on the MGS Lab tests, the Maxfli TX looked like a good match for your swing speed. I'd say that's a pretty cool correlation... that and Tony's robot has nuttin on you .

counts, in a good way.

It just so happens we just got home I turned on the TV and Moonshiners is on! Gotta buy that guy a Tee Shirt

All I'd have to say is I live where they film Moonshiners!

Mizuno has been making odd numbers for years, offering a loft in every single degree in the T22 S Grind from 45 to 58, from 54 to 58 in the D Grind, 56 to 60 in the C Grind and 58 to 62 in the X Grind

My first order of business was going to be to ban @bens197 and his fellow Buffalo Bills acolytes, but the sight of Josh Allen in a walking boot is probably already too much for them to handle.

Yep, Cleveland is the brand I remember for odd number lofts; pretty sure SCOR did as well. Edison is probably the only company making them now. the question I would ask is whether those odd number wedges were actually made that way or bent to the loft during manufacturing. I find it hard to believe that any manufacturer would have machining for each degree of loft especially when dealing with manufacturing tolerances. why is bending them a bad option? Probably the best way to get a 53* wedge…or any loft for that matter. butnthisnis where you and I differ, I want to hit a distance no matter the loft and you want a specific loft to go a specific distance.

We've heard many times that at least 90% of our game is played between our ears. When one stops to think about the myriad of conscious and subconscious things we do preparing for and executing a shot or putt, it's a wonder we're not all in rooms with padded walls. Since arriving in AZ last month for our winter season, I have been playing the best golf I can recall. Now I do have the new irons, new putter, and new driver shaft, and it could be that it just took a few months for those to hit full stride - but I'm thinking it's more my recent decision to try not to over-think, over analyze my shots. I cannot recall which pro interview it was where he discussed "freeing his mind of the clutter" and allowing the more "natural, free swinging" part of his skills back onto the course... but it resonated with me. Since retiring in 2016, finding MGS in 2018, and playing lots more golf, I have read lots of tips and advice aimed at improving our game. Some have really been helpful and others not so much. But this particular comment really got me thinking that perhaps I've fallen too far into the over-thinking side of the balance. Rather than step into a shot/putt worrying about not executing it correctly, I'm now expecting that I will. Instead of thinking through a long pre-shot checklist, just trying to think less and trust your ingrained memory and muscle/moto skills will be there. My last three rounds have all been sub 80 and yesterday's 76 my best of the season and near lifetime best. I'm hoping this level of play continues and that my effort not to let all the conscious and subconscious swing things get in the way. What are your thoughts on this?

Congratulations!! I'm glad I hadn't discovered golf yet when I was there!!

I just hit all 3 irons indoors. I didn’t turn on the launch monitor, so no numbers. The 221 looks, sounds and feels wonderful. Pretty much what you would expect from a Mizuno muscle back. The 223 and 225 both looked great at address. They sounded and felt alike. Not the same feel and sound as the 221 but very good. Just a smidge louder and firmer feeling than the 221. The 225 looked smaller at address than the MP 20 HMB that it has replaced. I took some comparison pics that I’m going to post in the iron head comparison thread.

I'm really leaning toward leaving the paint so I think just your 2 comments have pushed me further in that direction. I've also considered going the satin route with these. I like the chrome but it can be brutal in the AZ sun sometimes. I might just wait and see how the finish holds up before I decide to make any permanent changes. Thanks man! So far, to be considering these over my beloved Maltby TS-1's, to me definitely says something. At first I just thought about doing a fun project and at $100 for the set of brand new heads (essentially new clubs since I had the shafts lying around) just seemed like a no-brainer.. but now after spec'ing the clubs out to my loft, lie, and SW preferences, and hitting them, I'm realizing that these are some seriously great clubs! I think the overall profile is perfect for my eye. Heel to toe is notably shorter than the TS-1's. Top line is about the same at medium-thin. Offset is there but it's minimal and actually is slightly more confidence inspiring. At address, everything just squares up nicely to my eye and for the kind of club that they are, they are quite forgiving. I've easily hit all shapes of shots with all of the clubs so the workability of a CB/blade is definitely there. All that said, I've only had these at the range and hitting bays at PGATSS. I'm yet to play a round with them and plan to get out Saturday to play an "iron only" round. I'm guessing that the turf interaction will be similar to my Maltbys being that they have a pretty decent amount of bounce and camber on the sole which I also really like. The leading edge on the shorter irons PW - 8 is just slightly rounded to ensure better contact and movement through the grass. PW is more pronounced but not off putting and actually blends well with the shape of my Maltby TSW 50* wedge. The longer iron leading edge starting with the 7i squares up a little more with each club through 5i. I'll definitely post an "unofficial" review after a few rounds so stay tuned.

Agreed on this, Vice Pro Soft and Callaway Chromesoft are probably the softest golf balls that I would legitimately game as all the other lower compression balls don't check a box that I need from a ball.

Congrats! It's been a bit but I remember the feeling. Now you can just have periodic nightmares about scrambling to finish a paper/project instead of actually scrambling to finish a paper/project. Totally not something I ever did in grad school.... What is your masters in?

Major congratulations!! At this point I'd only get a masters degree if playing golf was central to the thesis!!

Congrats that’s great news I am sure it feels great to be done.

Exactly the same, belly button with glue… for some reason, I was thinking a week or two.. duhhhh thanks Tommy, that was what I needed to know. Not what I wanted, but I needed a dose of reality.

... Just be aware of a problem with Ecco shoes. They don't wear out. Partially my fault as I use the Ecco conditioner once a month. I bought 2 extra pairs off white Ecco Biom Hybrids to go with my black/brown/gray and original white Bioms. I bought the white ones as my first pair of Ecco's 3 winters ago and playing 5 times a week or so I figured they would wear out sooner rather than later as I use the white ones the majority of my rounds. A little cracking on the toe leather but still just as comfortable as the first day I put them on. I got caught in the rain this summer and they remain waterproof. They are looking a little ratty as the color has faded and they look lived in but again still perform as well as the very first day. Never thought I would want my shoes to wear out so I could use my new ones but that is where I seem to be. ... So enjoy your uber comfortable Ecco shoes for the next gazillion years.

I'd get the 52* blade I like the look and feel of and then bend it to get the yardage I want and grind it to get the turf action and lie angle that works. I'm still gaming the 53* diadic and the 49* and 57*. The grind is personal! I need to bend the 49 a little stronger to close the gap on the pw.

Yea I could really care less what the loft is, long as it’s a range I know I’ll be able to hit a certain distance between. 48/49 52/53 doesn’t matter. it is intriguing because you really don’t see those numbers ever and I am well below 65 so couldn’t tell ya a time that it was prevalent. Do you recall when that chsnge happened?

I like the perfect lie theory. Also, are you hitting off a mat. Mats will let you get away with lots of bad stuff. The ball can jump up on the face with fat and steep swings amoung other things. I could use some help with this as well. I could always take my practice to the course, but not anymore.

... As some have already touched on, your goal is completely different and there is a freedom to hitting balls on the range as opposed to hitting a specific shot a specific distance to a specific target. A bad shot can add one or more strokes to your score. I am sure all of us remember our score from our last range session right? ... Using personal experience as an example. It's one thing to throw passes from the pocket at practice wearing a red jersey and knowing defensive players cannot touch you. It is an entirely different experience to be in a game knowing sooner or later you are going to be hit by a LB or DE moving at full speed. You risk injury but you most certainly will experience some intense pain and that makes a huge difference. As "gamers" I and others actually do better in a game than we do at practice but I knew plenty of very accurate practice QB's that fell apart during the pressure of the game. Obviously football is much more extreme but the concept is the same. Practicing and playing for real has always been a completely different experience. ... One piece of advice I can give is play a few rounds expecting to shoot much higher than normal and just don't care where your ball goes. Just concentrate on swinging freely without steering or any concern at all if a ball goes into the woods or water. Keep score but be unconcerned about what that score is. More than a few are surprised by their results.

Also have a bad right knee, and also a walker by preference. And was also gonna suggest get a seat attachment for your pushcart (and in case of "do as i say" .. my wife not only got me a high end electric trolley last year but also splurged on the seat accessory .. but which i have not yet used..! ..but plan on using in the coming year). In my experience (65 yo, almost 66) with one bad knee and one so-so knee plus one replaced hip and one possibly on the way towards replacement hip (in addition to some spinal issues) -- standing statically, without moving, *IS* very difficult on the joints!! At the very least walk around slowly and/or do some slight squat/knee bends and/or (anything!) vs just standing still.......

@ Golfspy BOSS would have been so much cooler… Great addition to the already great team.

I've got no problem sharing a nice bottle of bourbon or scotch amongst friends! I've got one or two dying to be opened right now!

Speed day today. Rypstick workout followed by balls into the net, focusing on maxing out speed and ball speed. I love focusing on ball speeds because the strike usually has to be pretty good to put up good numbers. My swing is really starting to feel like it's coming together. I talked about it last week, but I made a change with my hands higher at address. Watching video I'm now starting to return the club to the ball on the downswing on a similar plane as I took it back. Previously, my hands were so low at address that I raised the handle a ton through impact, which was a huge timing move. Set new personal best ball speeds with the 7 iron and driver, finally breaking through a huge wall at 170 MPH ball speed that I've been trying to hit for almost a year at this point.