dabigkahuna

Callaway Hot X 4 hybrid. I can drive it, hit it off the deck, chip, and putt if needed. It's the only club I've ever hit a hole in one with from 165 yards. Any 5 club challenge will include this club.

I keep golf shoes until they walk to the trash bucket, and throw themselves in. My wife says I look like I'm homeless, and my reply is...."so what?".

What's my favourite ball? Anything I find, and that can last more than three holes! Having said that, I've actually paid for Titleist Pro V 1's and Trufeels. Next would be TM TP 5's, and finally Bridgestone e6's.

Bar none, it was a course played in the middle of the Fla Keys composed of sand, hard pan and shell rock. I had fortunately forgotten to bring my own clubs on this trip, so they loaned me a really beat up set of mismatched irons and woods that should've been in a museum. But here's the thing, I'd been under a lot of pressure at work, and my parents had rented a place at Faro Blanco on Marathon so my wife and I could kick back with them while our first born was on the way. So, I figured I'd grab a few beers, get away for an hour or two and relax. Despite the conditions, it turned out to be just the break I needed, and I felt refreshed despite handing them back a bent 9 iron when I finished. This was more than 30 years ago, and I'll never forget it.

I cannot hit a 3w off the deck to save my life. When I do make contact it turns into a horrendous fade and usually OB. A friend gave me a Ping G5 5w around 19 degrees, and I've pured it straight up the pike to around 200 yards. If I'm in the rough, my Callaway 4h is the go to club in my bag. I'm considering a TM M3 3w to complement my M3 driver, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

I'm a bogey golfer who only upgrades about once every 10 years. I was recently in the market for new irons as my Callaway Diablo edges were just not working for me anymore. A buddy gave me a set of Pings Raptures, and I hit them far, but could not seem to work fades, or draws very well. So, in talking with guys from my league, the Mizuno 923's kept entering the conversation, and based on several recommendations, I decided to try them out. My golf shop guy had me bring in several 7i's from different sets to compare on his monitor. Lo and behold, the Mizunos beat our Callaway and Ping in distance, accuracy and forgiveness. I've been gaming them about three months now and cannot believe how high and far they go relative to my old sets. So, long story short, Mizunos are my irons. In fairness to Callaway, my 4 hybrid has essentially replaced my long irons, and 3W. Driver is a TM M3 which replaced my old Nike Sasquatch Sumo 5900. My 5w is a Ping G5 and is incredible off the deck. I'm not really a brand guy, but will put what works in my bag, even if it's a total mismatch. If it works, it stays.

I played in this format last year with some friends, and at the time chose Driver, Putter, and PW. In hindsight, I should've gone with 4 hybrid for drives and fairway. PW for approach and short game, and Putter for the greens and fringe shots. We had fun, and it really opens your imagination as to what a single club can be used for on the course.

Over the decades, many tips come and go, but the one that always resonated for me is.............. "See where the ball was" What it means is that you are keeping your head steady, and eyes focused on the swing plane as you sweep through the ball. It has required me to swing on a more level plane, and take a reduced backswing to about 3/4's my usual (beyond parallel) backswing. In all, it has quieted movement and improved solid contact with the ball.

My course has a dedicated short game area for chipping and pitching from various lies and distances. I devoted two hours using several different clubs, and hit each club high, low, short & far so I'd have an idea of each one's capabilities. I played the next day and was so confident from 100 yards in, that I shot in the low '80's for the first time in 20 years (at least). My mid irons will be next, as I've never hit them well and rely way too much on hybrids.

Although I own none of their albums," Foreigner- Rocking the Ryman" on Utube has provided endless hours of entertainment for quite a few years now. Every song is a hit, and the production qualities of the music and vocals are excellent. A close second would be "Dan Fogelberg live at the Capitol Theatre", also on Utube.

After a tour like that, I think I'd have to change my shorts in the parking lot! Well done on your narrative!

For me, the Titleist Tru Feel ball performs exceptionally well given it's price & performance. I don't have all the stats but know it sells for around $24 a dozen, and comes in different colors. Right now, I'm trading used Prov V 1's for them with my playing buddies, and could not be happier with the distance and spin I get with them. YMMV.

Considering what clubs cost these days, you cannot protect them enough. I'm a week into a set of Mizuno 923 irons and have covers for all of them. Yeah, I got some ribbing from my buds, but their clubs came over with Columbus, and look it. Take care of those puppies.

I'm a starter and show up for my tee times 30 min early at a minimum. Guys who show up late when I'm on duty are directed to a corner to wait for the next opening. This may sound harsh, but when you're dealing with 5 minute tee time intervals, you don't have time for idiots or hand holding. Clowns who give me crap are directed back to the pro shop for a refund. None have taken me up on the offer. If you're not early for a tee time, you're late!

On the course and driving range, I use a 8oz bottle of Shout fabric cleaner. It's about $3 on Amazon, and you empty out the soap and refill with water and a little detergent. The top of the bottle has soft plastic bristles to clean your clubs and deep clean the grooves. I've been stopped dozens of times on the range with people asking what I was using. I then dry each club with a towel, and they are as good as new from that point on. At home, I use a bucket of soap suds and a plastic brush to soak and clean when necessary.