GospelnGolf

Jake, I agree 100%. Every time he opens his mouth, he tells everyone how great he is. You need to win a whole lot more before you elevate yourself to the level he has. And yes, Wyn"dumb" and his caddy look like two clowns on the green!

I busted out laughing reading your thread! In the Marine Corps, it did not matter if you had a hang nail or missing a limb, Motrin was what you were going to get from Navy docs and Corpsman... and like you said, they handed it out like candy. I had just received double knee surgery and my XO, along with some other buddy SNCOs and LTs came to see me. XO asked, "so, how's the pain? They giving you some good pain meds?" "Yes sir, Motrin 800mg," I said. What followed was intense laughter and many expletive words

Always stealthy! Semper Fi

Welcome Mark! You will find this group extraordinary! The entire gamut of golf is covered at MyGolfSpy!!! And, congrats on leaving D.C. and finding pure joy in the mountains of VA. After medically retiring from the Marine Corps in 2007 (injuries from Fallujah), I worked at Quantico for a few years and then for the Biometrics Identity Management Agency (BIMA) (State Dept. and USSOUTHCOM) out of Crystal City. So, I understand that rat race and the sweet, beautiful peace a long way away from it!!! I, too, live near a lake, but in Southeastern Virginia (Lake Gaston). Anyway, welcome!

That is the service I use as well when shipping clubs. Pirate Ship is super easy to use and saves $$$. I shipped a driver from my home in Virginia to Colorado for $7.85! Anyway, I hope others will benefit from your info about Pirate Ship! Semper Fi!

When I started playing golf a few years ago, I was listening to Michael Breed (professional golf instructor and 2012 PGA Teacher of the Year - Sirius XM radio host "A New Breed of Golf") and he was discussing one of the best ways to discover the right golf ball for yourself. He said to choose a few different brand balls and play them for a couple rounds, and continue to do so until you keep going back to that "one" golf ball that works the best for your game. So, over a season, I did exactly that. I went through all the major brands and a few less known brands, as well as the many different options within those brands. By seasons end, the golf ball I kept going back to was the Bridgestone e12 Contact. So, that was my "go to" golf ball throughout the first few years until I became a mid-handicap golfer. At this point - with a well rounded understanding of the many dynamics of the game, as well as gaining significant swing speed - I was fitted for a new set of clubs and decided to once again utilize Breed's golf ball testing methodology. And, the results were similar to the first time, except it changed from the Bridgestone e12 Contact to the Bridgestone Tour B XS. Anyway, I was very excited when Bridgestone released their new golf balls with their innovative MindSet visual technology. I purchased a box two weeks ago and after playing a few 9-hole rounds (working up to 18 with the new knee), I can attest to the mental focus that the MindSet design provides. With that, I congratulate those selected to try the new Bridgestone golf balls and I pray that they will enhance your game, and by doing so, provide an even purer enjoyment of the game we all love and hate...and then love again. Semper Fi!

Congrats!!! I look forward to the review!

1. How long have you been playing golf? I started playing golf in March 2022. My son and his fellow brothers in blue invited me to go play 18 with them. My son, Bailey, told me that he thought I could play golf and not hurt that bad (joint issues). So, I went and had an amazing time. From that day, I eat, sleep, and dream golf (secondly to the things of God, of course). It changed my life in such a significant way, I no longer struggle as much with PTSD. It has filled a void and unless you are a war veteran, I can't explain it; you will just know. 2. What’s your handicap or normal score? My HCP at the end of fall 2023 was 12 and my average score was 83. As a retired Marine, I possess the ability to go to the golf club (4 miles away) every single day to practice and/or play (as long as I have my "honey-do's" completed). That is how I was able to advance so quickly, as it relates to HCP. I work my butt off!!! However, this year it may balloon at the beginning, but settle back down, hopefully, around mid- summer. In January, I had a total knee replacement in my left knee. As of today, I can handle a full swing with 3/4 speed. I've been practicing more often each day, so maybe it will not ride too much. 3. What do you love about golf? I would say the first is the solitude! I truly enjoy playing by myself a lot. It gives me the chance to experience peace! I truly enjoy playing with others as well. The blessing of belonging to a private club is that you can create camaraderie among others whose game and mindset match yours. I play with a group of about 50 men every Tuesday and Thursday. We break up into groups of five and head to our designated starting hole. At the end, $$$ is exchanged. Lastly, I am becoming a golf nerd. I love learning the "science" of every aspect of the game. Currently, I am involved in course work that will grant me certification as a level 1 golf instructor! After level 1, I will go straight into level 2, and finally level 3. I love this sport! 4. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I discovered MyGolfSpy like most; I researched reviews on golf gear. I quickly discovered that MyGolfSpy reviews were not only super accurate, but also unbiased! I respect the business this entity provides! I wanted to learn more, so I joined the community. And no, I do not know any other Spies. 5. Where are you from? What is your home course? I live in South Hill, VA and my home course is South Hill Country Club. 6. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? The best is the lack of population. There are seven local golf courses within 30 miles. You can play on any given day at any of these courses without needing a tee time. And aside from the typical jackasses every course has, most golfers are very cordial and helpful. The worse is the lack of workers for these courses. The ability to pay well just isn't there. At a few courses, around mid- August, the greens will start to suffer. 7. What do you do for a living? As I have already stated, I am a retired U.S. Marine. Due to service connected disabilities, I am 100% disabled. However, work at home isn't easy. My wife is a home health nurse. That means she travels across three counties here in Southern Virginia treating around 50 patients per week. When she arrives home, I do not want her to have to do anything. So, I handle the cleaning, the laundry, the dishes, the cooking, and yard work. She is a blessing to me and she deserves my very best every day! 8. How’d you pick your user name? My user name is rather self explanatory. I love the Lord my God with all I have. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and my first passion is studying Theology and Biblical Studies! After the Marine Corps, I studied at seminary and graduated with a degree in the aforementioned disciplines. I love to teach theology, especially Reformed Theology. The second part of my name is my second passion, which I've already explained. Semper Fi!

Hello my golf brothers and sisters. Sometimes, listening to one PGA Tour golfer give advice to another PGA Tour golfer can actually help you, too!!! That is exactly what I experienced recently in regard to making a putter change. About three weeks ago while watching the Genesis Invitational, I happened to catch the conversation where Rory McIlroy (my favorite golfer) was discussing the putting struggles of Scottie Scheffler. After humbly admitting that he himself has had his own putting woes, he said that maybe Scheffler should switch from a blade to a mallet putter. Rory stated that the mallet provides more forgiveness and helps the golf ball stay more on line with off-center strikes. Hmm??? I have been struggling with my putting as well, having only used a blade putter since the onset of my short golfing "career". So, after hearing Rory's advice to Scottie, I decided that maybe this switch could help me as well. Therefore, I tested a wide variety of different mallet putters, completed a voluminous amount of research, and finally selected this beauty: the Evnroll ER7v. What an amazing difference! I immediately started sinking more putts and shaving off strokes. With this simple change, I have high hopes of finally breaking 80 this year! Thanks Rory!!!

Agreed! Watching Jake Knapp's swing tempo this weekend adds testament to that fact! Thank you sir.

Brother, I can't thank you enough for the resource! I worked very hard with PT after the surgery, but due to the injuries I sustained to the knee in Iraq in 2006 and having to wait 18 freaking years until I was 50 before the VA would allow the replacement, swelling made it impossible for me to do the stretches; hence the stiff knee and need for the MUA. Now though, after the MUA, I can do the stretches and exercises extremely well. I am constantly researching for info that will add support to my current regimen. So, all of that to explain why I am greatly appreciative for the info. Semper Fi!

Thanks brother! I'm using the M60A2! Rob, thank you sir! I will surely incorporate half swings into my practice regimen starting today with the Big Berthas!!!

I NEED OPINIONS!!! Good morning my fellow golf kinsmen! I was up at my usual 0400 this Lord's day, thanking God for the rain that the earth stores, which in turn blesses His creation as it awakens to Spring. But then, I quickly asked Him for some beautiful sunshine and warm weather so that all of His golfing children can go outside to play! Amen! Well, I couldn't sleep last night, which is basically every night, so I worked on refinishing an old set of game improvement irons. I just had a total knee replacement on January 8th, followed by a manipulation under anesthesia this past Friday, Mar 1, because my body insanely produces scar tissue and adhesions at a rapid rate and my knee had become "stiff"; I prefer the term "locked-up"! Can you say pain train??? Anyway, I'm not sure how my swing speed will be this year, so for the sake of distance, I thought I may need to bust out the old 2019 Big Bertha irons. I currently hit Callaway Epic Forged irons, so these Big Berthas look like tanks attached to a stick. I feel I am a good ways out from healing enough to play good golf, but I will eventually get there. Any opinions on temporarily switching irons???? Has anyone out here in spy country been where I am now??? Thanks for any replies and God Blees you all this day! Semper Fi!!!

As some have already stated, my biggest pet peeve is NOT FIXING YOUR DIVOTS on the green!!! The grounds crew work tirelessly (especially during the hot part of summer when there is little to no rain) to provide beautiful green carpets so that our golf balls can roll smoothly towards the cup. At my home course, some of the college-aged kids of members are the worst. They were correctly taught and know better, but they simply just do not care. An equal, second pet peeve is towards those golfers who act so arrogant and snobbish!!! I know every club has them, but nothing runs my blood hotter than a person with deficient character! It isn't that difficult to be respectful, polite, and dignified. There are some at my home club that, every time they are there, act like they are PGA Tour Pros that are waiting to be inducted into the HOF. Too bad the USGA HCP list is on the tack board in our pro shop ! Caveat: Here, I am talking about character in general and commonplace interaction with other golfers. Also, I can personally deal with people like this...I kind of love dealing with people like this; it's in my USMC DNA! My blood runs hot when I see them treat others with arrogant contempt just because that golfer is a beginner or new to our private club. Ok, enough soap box whine for this week! Semper Fi!!!

Micah 7:8c (ESV): "...When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." Sir, as you walk towards an unknown knowledge, may the sweet Lord - the Maker of heaven and earth - grant you and your wife an added measure of peace and trust in His decretive will, which is His perfect and wise counsel in freely ordaining or decreeing whatsoever comes to pass. I am a new member and I do not know you, but I shall stay in earnest prayer!