FairwayToHeaven

Hello fellow hackers! Nice to have a place to talk golf and get information about clubs, etc. I love birdies and bourbon. I love the game of golf even though it doesn't always love me back. I've accomplished one ace, one albatross and managed to break 70 once! Now, I'm trying to play as much as I can before my spine says I have to stop! How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? I'm an 8 handicap according to GHIN, but don't feel like it on some days! I grew up around the game thanks to my dad. After HS, I played consistently for 10-12 years and then had kids which tapered my game off. The kids are now 14 and 10 and getting interested in the game so I'm back playing regularly. What do you love about golf? The feel of a great shot, the fellowship, and the outdoors. My favorite time to play is at dusk. And now, teaching my son and daughter the game even though they don't listen at times. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? Researching new club options. Where are you from? What is your home course? Central AL - Saugahatchee Country Club What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Can play year round for the most part, but the heat and humidity can beat you down. I used to love it as a younger man, but now I'd rather play early and beat the heat. Can be pricey. What do you do for a living? Product Manager/Marketing

No doubt the Rapture is old. I have only recently gotten to where I’m back playing regularly where new clubs have been worth it. I’ve always liked Ping but their latest models not so much on look, feel and sound. Seems Titleist and TM drivers of late are more in line with what I like. Actually considering the TM Mini Driver as a replacement option. thanks!

What'd you decide? I'm also torn on this mini driver option. I'm looking for a new driver option. Hitting a Ping Rapture Driver that I love look and feel and sound of and feel like I need to try something more forgiving (modern). I hit one of these at a demo day recently and was really pleased with all of the above. Smaller head, carbon look, sound, etc. Felt like I was striping it fairly well. I have an older Cleveland Launcher 3W - so I'm torn between this mini driver and possibly the Titleist TSi3 3W. I think the TSi3 3W may be as long as this mini driver giving me a new tee option but also give me a good off the turf option too.

Thanks! I suppose a more consistent distance is a logical argument for a newer driver. And I would agree matching a new shaft with an older driver is likely a challenge. I am just not a fan of some of the bigger 460 heads and the hollow-like pipe sound from some of the newer Pings so I may have to steer towards a different brand like Titleist or Taylormade. I was recently at Dicks hitting a few balls into the net and tried the PING G425. I didn't like the sight or sound and actually ended up hitting a Titleist TSi3 3w 13.5* as long according to the tracker device (~250yds). And if felt SO much better than the G425. My son wants to get fitted so maybe I'll join him...

Hey folks - I've been debating on upgrading my driver to a later model, but have also considered just upgrading the shaft. Looking for any thoughts or recommendations? I'm not really in tune with the shaft tech available. I used a PING Rapture (v1) 10.5 with the stock TFC 909D Stiff Flex shaft. It's an old driver model, but I really like the driver - the feel, sound, appearance. I'm just comfortable with it. More distance never hurt anybody, but I'd rather know where it's going. I'm anywhere from 240-270 off the tee with it. With my swing and my spine (at 42) I can't see me getting too much more distance from say a used PING G30 or G400 - plus I don't like the sound of the G400. SO - I was thinking maybe a shaft upgrade would be an option to try. I appreciate any thoughts! Thanks!

Less about aha moments and more about goals - once you break 90 you know how and you play that way. Same with 80. This is a fresh topic for me as I've been coaching my 14 yr old who just caught the bug. I made mistake of getting him 2 lessons too early - so I had to strip him back down and start with basics. He was so tense and tight after those lessons. Here's some of what I've told him: Keep it simple - don't try shots you have no business attempting. It's a game of strategy and course management. Par is the opponent. Avoid big numbers and 3-putts. For the casual golfer, my grandfather would say your goal is a "5" on every hole (that's not a single digit capper per se, but good for beginners like my son). Short game! Spend more time practicing short game and getting it closer to hole. Best place to shave strokes - 3 FT par putts go in more than 10 FT putts. You only hit driver 10-14 times a round so don't spend a whole range session hitting it. Start range session with shortest club. I'm actually trying to work the 8-Iron around the greens into my game vs. chipping with SW. My biggest mistake is thinking too much over a shot - take one casual practice swing, eye target, step up and smash the back of the ball. If in doubt, club up and choke down. Clubs. Most say get fitted which is fine, but you can do research and find suitable forgiving irons, drivers, etc. With the balls and drivers the last 10 years, hard to go too wrong. My son was using some of my old blue dots - then I measured him and realized the clubs may have been hurting him. Found some orange dots and he immediately had better ball striking and flight. And make sure shafts are right for you - I just demo'd a SIM 3W and I couldn't make contact with the low-mid trajectory shaft - but mid-high was awesome. As for lessons - careful not to get too much instruction where you're thinking about too many mechanics and changing your swing a lot. I grew up with very little, but learned the game with basic understanding of feet/alignment, head down/still, left arm straight, relax hands/wrists, slow takeaway. Different for all, but when I start having an off day I try to get back to those fundamental things. Dassit!