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I'm glad I'm late into this game as I may have posted something I would not have been proud of. I'm going to speak for myself here and let it be. I did not come to MGS to be a tester. I had no idea that forum members might be selected to test things when I came. In fact I don't think that they were at that time, unless they were handpicked by what would now be termed HQ's. I came because I had some questions about equipment (particularly the golf ball, spin and it's impact on driver dispersion). I stayed because I got answers primarily from knowledgeable forum members but also from Tony who around on the forums a lot and Matt Sateranus. Testing, as we know it, started a year or so after the time that I arrived. Some testers were selected by mods directly but slowly but surely all testers came to be selected via applications. That made sense to me. Like the rest of us I've noticed the "shortage" of tests from OEMs including the Cobra Connect. That last one doesn't surprise me, it had its run but I'm not sure that there's the bang for the buck for Cobra any more at this point. As for the other OEMs it's their stuff, they can choose whom they want to do their testing for them and when. Likewise we are HQs stepchild or baby if you will, they may do with their platform as they please. I visit the forums because I have friends, both virtual and real here. There are often interesting discussions taking place that I like to be a part of and I do learn about equipment even if we aren't formally testing it - consider the Stack system threads. As for our mods they do a great job. They can only work with what they have to work with. When I have a significant complaint I go to them on a PM and they've always been open and honest with me. So thanks to all of them for their hard work and advocacy. Thanks to all of my fellow forum members as well - even when we disagree on a matter you make this place a fun place to come, blow off steam and talk about golf.

2022 PNW Spy Meet-up | Round 2 | Palouse Ridge | Pullman, WA Today I played the home course of the Washington State Cougars. This one has been on my radar for quite some time but I just never got it done. I arrived early and couldn't believe how empty the parking lot was. The pro shop said the course was pretty wide open and, if I wanted to head straight out, could get started before two foursomes were scheduled about 30 minutes later... sign me up. Barely having stretched my legs from the 2-1/2 hour drive over from ID, I loaded up the cart and headed to #1. Another opportunity for a 2-ball contest. This time a PV1 vs. Chromesoft ERC. Both drives were roped and only about 10 ft from one another. I hit the PV1 straight at the flag and the CS leaked a bit right and short. Upon getting up to the green, I see the PV1 sitting inside 1 ft. I coaxed the CS to within a few feet, made that putt and the tap in for a birdie, par start . I chose the "gray" tees at 6172 yards (70/127). The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the views across the Palouse beautiful. The PV1 shot 42/44 with three birdies and the CS a 43/44 with none. Because the course was so open and I finished the first 18 pretty quick, I opted to do the $30 replay. I played 2-ball again on the front 9, PV1 (49) vs. a TP5 (43). On the back, I could feel my energy waning a bit and just played the TP5 the rest of the round, shooting a 46 on the back. I kicked myself for not clubbing down on this approach. Right at the flagstick for my 3rd shot on #18 par 5 and I get a "fried egg" on a 70 degree lie. I tried hacking it up and out but it hit the lip and rolled back down. Definitely a Advil night . Tomorrow, I'm off to meet with Kenny, Chris, and Martha to play Columbia Point.

Had a decent round Monday with an 87 at Tierra Verde in Arlington, TX. It's a pretty tight track (off the tee) and after racking up a number of penalty strokes the previous week, I decided to formulate a gameplan and put it on paper to take to the course. I cut the penalty strokes in half and only one of those was a result of strategy - the rest were simply execution errors (either target selection or just a bad swing). I went from 29% fairways last week to 57% fairways this week - only missed one fairway on the back nine. GIR was down slightly from 39% to 33% which was disappointing, but I wasn't off by much most of the time. My buddies and I got paired with a high school kid who was there to practice for a two-day tournament which started yesterday (currently T2 at -1). If this kid isn't on tour one day I'll be surprised. His game was perhaps the best I've seen in any playing partner and I have a few friends who have spent time on developmental tours. It was a fun day watching him absolutely stripe it and share some strategy with him since he had never played the course before. We were hitting very different clubs, but it was further validation that doing my homework was the right move. A nice bonus was that simply watching how he held the club and moved it through the turf seemed to rub off on me. I found myself staying down through the shot better and hitting flight windows I'm not used to seeing. Final highlight of the round was achieving a 4.50 scoring average on the par fives - birdied two, parred two. I never seem to get as much out of a par five as I know I should and this ties my previous best from earlier in the season when I had three birdies and a bogey at a different course.

My home club, Plantation Palms GC, punched the greens last week, so today the back 9 was closed for top dressing. We played the front twice……shot 45/41: 86. Hit 5/7 FIRs the first round then 7/9 the second time. PXG 0211 driver was behaving today. Finished both 9’s with 26 putts.

Alright, so today was about as much fun as I’ve had at a driving range setting in my life. Brandon at Knighthawk Golf Center is a stand up dude. Irons tested: Titleist CB, T100, and T100s. Mizuno 223 (I couldn’t stand the JPX at address) Taylormade CB Hybrids tested: PING G425 2 Titleist TSi3 Drivers: Titleist TSi4 Callaway Rogue ST Triple D After some serious conversation about my preferences and whatnot, this is what he recommended that I try. Warmed up with my clubs for a few minutes while he did a quick regrip. When he walked up he said “swing speed”… So after we got the warm ups out of the way he handed me the Mizuno 223, just like the JPX it made me cross eyed. I hit it well but it felt dead and the top line looked like a SGI. Yuck. Moved into the Titleist CB, and I would have Stopped right here. I was hitting it so good that I didn’t want to try anything else. Average with the 7 iron was around 170 I believe with nearly 8k on the backspin with several different shafts. Around 120’ apex.. 50°+ land angle Tried the T100 next, nearly identical numbers to the CB. Tried the T100s next. I compared them side to side with my T100s’, and they look to have figured out a way to hide the offset, it’s just a better looking club. 181 average 7 iron with around 5500-5800 spin, 110’ apex and 49° land angle average. He said that this can’t be beat for distance and stopping power. The shaft we ended up going to with these 3 models was the Project X LZ 6.5. Which is weird because it was the lowest launching and most controlled out of the lot. I had these in the Blueprints and absolutely hated them, but in 6.0. Moved into the Taylormade CB, beautiful club. Top line like a hybrid though… bye bye. Iron specs ended up being, T100s Standard length, 2 degrees flat, PX LZ 6.5 shafts. 2 flat really calmed down my lefts. So beautiful in flight… Hybrids: first rip with the G425 set 1° flat in 17° of loft was 255 carry, 278 total… absolute bomb. This is where the dropping the 3 wood conversation began. While he was inside getting the drivers ready, I hit my 3 wood just to see what trackman had to say… 266 carry 291 overall. The TSi3 hybrid was pretty good, but the PING G425 won this battle handily. Specs: 1° flat, Tensi Orange X Driver: well, you already know the outcome, but I was not expecting it. My PXG could not muster over 262 carry today. I was hitting it as best I could too. Around 3800+ spin. Next up was the TSi4… what an odd duck. Weird shaped. 270 carry was the best this saw, and around 2500 spin, really high too. The Rouge ST was an absolute monster. I could not believe it. It sounds perfect. Looks great and it instantly gained 20 yards of carry. Only an idiot would hold my grudge any longer. So rather than average 270-280 with roll out, I’ll be landing there… crazy…. By this time I was super tired, it was 88° and humid. So I hit my two wedges, and a full swipe with the 48° produced around 13,000 backspin, and the 54° was right behind it at 12,500 at 113 yards. He was good with the gapping between the PW, 48, and 54 but said I could add another if I wanted to. So that’s where my 52, 56 came in. Since I’m dropping the 3 wood. Brandon recommend that I go with the same shaft in the wedges, and make them all the same length as my PW. We talked about and even tried to lower my ball flight with equipment, but he said he would kill to have the stopping power that I do. Everything is around 100-120’ in the air. So… when I get to Oregon I will be ordering the rest of the clubs. Bag will look like: Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Triple D Tensi White X 75g (STD) setting 9° Hy: PING G425 2 hybrid Tensi Orange X 85g & maybe the 3… Irons: T100s Standard length 2° flat, Project X LZ 6.5 3-PW Wedges: SM9 48°, 52°, 56° 2° Project X LZ 6.5 (F, F, M grinds) all at PW length. Cannot recommended a proper fitting enough. I’ve been to DSG and used their launch monitor… it is a waste of time. Everything had a 50 yard slice.

I went to the course yesterday prepared to practice, but the course was wide open and the pro said lets go play. I played 9 holes, and easily had my best ball striking day, and after 9 the pro said this is the best he has ever seen me swing. This is the first time on the course I don't have a bunch of swing thoughts. Everything feels free and easy. I drove one par 4 on the fringe, and flew one over long. The ZX7 is a beast! I just fell into my comfort zone of score of 41, so I need to work on scoring now. More so in picking better targets, so I plan on really digging into DECADE. I'm hoping to get in some holes this evening, but if not I really need to dial in my wedges and putter.

Damnit….

Ah yes, I remember it well. For obvious reasons I refrained from posting on it but I knew it was there and loved some of the comments. MGS has always been a fun place. We had one contest right after I joined that was called the Tour Staff Contest. The premise was that the winner and 2nd place people got clubs from the MGS favorites - woods from TMag, Adams hybrid, Mizuno Irons, SCOR wedges, Bettinardi putter, Bridgestone balls, Tru linkswear shoes and outfit - first place got more of the above, 2nd less but I can tell you that my haul for finishing 2nd was a full bag of all the above and included a wood fitting at the TPC Sawgrass and a Mizuno fitting at a local fitter - the winner got a Bettinardi putter fitting in Chicago. You had to write a paragraph of 50 words or less about how MGS sucked and then get people to vote for it on facebook - to vote they needed to like MGS. The contest lasted well over a month. I can still tell you where I was when Tony called me to tell me that I had nailed the second spot. I still have the SCOR wedges and one of them makes its way into my bag occasionally. The wood fitting was spectacular - TPC performance center, Sawgrass - VJ was hitting shots just down the range from me while I was being fit.

Rev...I posted I think earlier in this thread about how it's grown since I joined just 6 years ago. In that post I mentioned reading old posts from several years back, which I think dated to the erly days of the forum. You are correct, I didn't see any testing threads from way back then, but I do seem to recall seing some contests posts where members won prizes for "recriting" or referring members. It seemed really cool, and I'm sure in the erly days when trying to build the readership it worked really well. Anway, just recall enjoying reading some of those posts from the early days. Alos most notabily the Distinquished Gentelman Thread. I'm not going to link it, if people want bad enough to see it, they know how to search

Driving back home. I will do a full write up later. Was an eye opening experience… I’m a lot better ball striker than I thought.

Palouse Ridge is a John Harbottle III design and I love every one of his courses that I've played. The Olympic Course at Gold Mountain near Seattle is a must play. I also like to play his Juniper Golf Club in Redmond Oregon. He did a lot of renovation of older courses in CA, and he died suddenly while down there at age 53. Truly a great loss. See you tomorrow Bill. After Palouse Ridge you will be in for a rude awakening at Columbia Point!!

First lesson in my series was today; got along pretty well with the instructor and I think he is going to be able to help me out. Always find it funny when I talk to an instructor about my game and then they see me swing the wonder what is wrong with my game and they think I should always score in the 70s. I don't disagree, but I just can't make it happen. Did some warmup swings and he watched while I hit my shots. None were too bad and most were slight pull draws. After about 5 shots he stopped me and mentioned ball position and it being way too far forward so we moved it back in my stance and the pull draw turned into a perfect shot starting right of the target and curving back onto the target line. He also noticed my swing gets a little long and across the line. We switched to a long iron to see how I was hitting them and to see if we could get some of the big snap hooks or big right pushes. Not horrible but we talked about how the missed are increased as the clubs get longer. He also noticed that I need to sequence a little better and get the hips rotating some more. Drills and things to help are: 1. put a tee or popsicle stick in the back of my glove to keep my wrist flat to bowed to keep me from going over the line at the top of the backswing 2. Tempo drill where you swing the club forward and then make a full swing. This helps me with sequencing and shorting the backswing. Additionally it works on my tempo to keep me from swinging to fast which was resting in the push ball flight 3. start at impact position and then make a full swing. Another drill to help remind me to get the hips rotating. Overall he didn't think the swing needed a lot of work and that if I practiced using the above drills I should quickly get my swing in line especially moving the ball back in the stance. With the ball back I will be in a better position and it will help with face control. Future plans: Start the next lesson and take a look at the full swing and then transition to evaluating wedge play and then getting out on the course to see if we can see what might be causing the big misses I experience during my rounds.

You do realize that even Ricky can’t hit those, right?

This is a good damnit. Those are some good numbers homie, enjoy the new toy

I had a sneaking suspicion that this was going to happen

Fitting Day: Woke up feeling like garbage, allergies are killing me right now. Pretty sore all over, since our bed was moved last week, we are on an air mattress…. Hopeful Bag Outcome: Driver: Something that hits Bombs and finds 50%+ of fairways. Woods/Hybrid: Something that finds more than 50% fairways and hits Bombs. DI: Sniper rifle accuracy, and trajectory. Irons: The most forgiving Workable club I can stand to look at, with the least amount of offset. Wedges: Something that I have confidence in looking at address. Nothing higher than a 57° unless they flatten it. Sounds easy enough right?

Here's one that's should be in the movie quote thread, but seems appropriate now...

Hell of of round spy, one hell or a round!! Congratulations!!

I also figured out I have a predicament at the 3/4 iron spot. 3 iron and 4 iron both carry around 228, 3 iron rolls out more.. top of the bag carry yardages Dr: 280+ Hy: 250 3i: 228 Should I find a 240 club? The 3 hybrid would probably fill that, or the UDI. But I don’t know when I would ever use that. Didn’t have any DI’s to test today…

The universe has a sick sense of humor sometimes

We knew that, glad someone convinced/showed you that you were a good ball striker.

@fixyurdivotI am living vicariously through you with these pictures keep them coming! This is a bucket list down the road for me to do what you are doing love it. @Tiftaaftsuper congrats on sub70! Even if it only happens once what an accomplishment, hoping you can continue!

I usually place it on the back side of my head, running down my back. Now that I've heard @Kenny B mention stuffing it into the hat, I'll have to try that.

Played a course a bit southwest of Milwaukee today, place called The Broadlands. Long story short (pun somewhat intended), I did something I haven't done in at least ten years. Hit three drives that measured 220, 205, and 200 respectively. Hit three others not quite as long but, for me, they were in the respectable category. I didn't find it easy to concentrate on what I was trying to accomplish with the swing; lighten up the grip pressure, swing more upright than I have been, let the wrists roll, don't cast the club, etc. while at the same time keeping in mind what I was trying to accomplish with the shot. Gonna head to the range tomorrow so I can focus solely on the mechanical issues and try to develop some muscle memory/"feel" for what I'm supposed to be doing. The other thing that surprised the hell out of me today was that I was actually a wee bit over the green, in two, on two different holes that measured just over 350 yards from the yellow tees. Haven't had those two decent shots on the same hole in I don't know how long, let alone do it twice in the same round. In short while it was a really hot day here (94 degrees by the time we finished), it was fun and there was enough "transfer" from the lesson to the course to offer me some encouragement.

I guess I need to request one … is there a list of badges somewhere that one can request from?

Ordered 3 dozen of the Srixon Z Star XV. Should be in next week. Have a fairway wood fitting Thursday at Redtail Golf Center just to see if the Rouge ST LS can actually beat out my super hybrid head to head. They said they would honor the callaway trade in bonus, so fingers are crossed.

Played a practice round on the short course with the range being closed. Played multiple balls but kept score with my first shot always. Shot a 35 i think. Had two birdies, almost chipped in for one and had another par. Irons were really good. Super hybrid off the tee was hit or miss again. Really tempted to take advantage of Callaway's trade in bonus and get a rouge ST LS 3HL (hit the normal 3w quite well at Dick's yesterday with a stiff AV Blue 65 shaft). One of my birdie putts was uphill about 25 ft. Not bad for not hitting the putting green at all.

Also learned I am around .5-1.5 up with the driver, and nearly 0 with my irons. Picker galore.

Good stuff Alan...those Titleists irons really are fantastic. Did you go Tensei 1K or just tensei white?

This reminds me of about 30 years ago, I was working in the retail industry and traveling around north Georgia and north Alabama. On one trip I had a regional sales director riding with me and we are driving from Ft. Payne, Ala to Huntsville. We were on several back roads and he looks over and asked did I know what the Alabama state flower was? I replied that I had no idea. He said: Satellite Dish I swear, every house or trailer had one of these outside.

That thread could be an entire forum all on it's own. Miss seeing some of the guys from that thread!

I liked this only because I wasn't sure whether the haha or the sad emoji was the right reaction... interesting times it appears at the fitting.

He's persona non grata right now with a lot of people, but this guy knows a thing or three about chipping and pitching:

Judge is one thing, but to have an opinion on what is right and wrong is fine. Judging can also occur when one thinks they’re just expressing an opinion toward another’s views. Hard to distinguish. It’s all in the heart of the person… After reading through the thread I do find it interesting how folks are investing so much energy into this discussion. Beyond me, to be honest. I’m going to go find someone posting about putting covers on their irons now… Have a blessed day!!!

John 8:7 “When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’” Nobody here should judge another person for what they do or why they do it regardless if it’s an athlete who is doing something you don’t believe is right or not or if it’s another member and whatever choice they make. Way too many on the internet ride their high horse behind keyboards

When the wind is blowing, I have to cinch it, or it blows off. You get used to it. Even if it doesn't blow off, I am always thinking it will during my swing... not a good idea. If no wind, they just go into the hat before I put it on.

yep, some will and some won’t. It isn’t your place to cast stones or judge what they have done because you don’t walk in their shoes. You can only provide you thought on what you think you would do if you were in that situation.

I am being extreme and not literal. I know they care about the money, we all do. We hear people talk about Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and the other billionaires and say they have too much money, we hear that athletes play for too much money. People choose to work for multiple reasons and money is definitely a main consideration. People live a lifestyle and need money to support that lifestyle. As for overlooking things for money, people do it everyday. yes, some people won’t work certain jobs in the USA because of what they produce or their politics. Others look beyond their beliefs and work those jobs for the money even though. People don’t work for meat packing plants, gun manufacturers, defense contractors, etc simply because of their beliefs and that is fine. the only opinion people should have in this thread is yes I would take the money or no I wouldn’t take the money and they shouldn’t judge the individuals that do because none of us walk in their shoes. No one has a crystal ball and knows how much money they will need for the rest of their lives.

Sounds like a good plan. Sometimes it doesn't take much to make significant changes. Hope you see good results. I'm just the opposite... I used to play the ball further back in my stance, but I make much better contact with the ball off my shirt logo. Any further back and it's fat city.

Interesting Kenny... I have played Olympic at Gold Mountain and Juniper, along with Palouse... I didn't realize they were all the same designer. I agree... love the layout of those courses!!

That is quite a day FYD! Palouse Ridge looks GREAT!! All warmed up for the PNW Spy rounds. Looking forward to hearing the tales of your rounds!

Click on the three bars in the top right hand corner. ( where the log out is) Click on FAQ On the left, click on the " How do I get those badges on my profile" On the right clink the link in the body of the paragraph.

Now if I can only get one of these, I wouldn't need a cart either.

The point of my post is that players are saying it isn't about the money and more about the actual events and history, but the PGA tour is creating new events and offering more money. Playing golf is a job and people switch or stay at jobs for multiple reasons; for some it is more money and others it is about work conditions. Why can't the players that are turning down the offers simply say that the PGA tour has been good to me and I have made a lot of money playing the game and I am not going to switch simply for more money. My guess they won't say that because they have a figure and if the LIV tour comes up with that amount they will move.

Haha. You asked… you’ll get my honest answer. When I worked at the golf course as a kid, all of the giant A-Holes had Callaway clubs. Put a bad taste in my mouth back then, and I’ve carried that sentiment with me ever since.