Mark Robert

Hi, good question. Actually not much difference in distance. I only use the 5 if I’m punching or trying to hit a lower flight. The 5i rarely gets used.

Hello all, New to participating in the forum. I'm mid-50s and have been getting obsessed with this game in the last few years as other sports are too hard on my body and my kids' have got old enough to not need so much supervision (and now they play too!). I play in Toronto, Ontario, usually 9 holes or a twighlight round on a short course - twice or sometimes 3 times a week. I have spent the last few years in the used club market, and have done a bit of club building (i.e. buying heads and shafts separately) and have curated a bag that works for me (I'm not currently yearning for anything better at present): Ping G425 Max Driver Ping G410 3-wood Cleveland Halo XL 7-wood Srixon Z585 irons 5-GW (Graphite shafts) Mizuno 54 and 59 wedges PXG Operator 2 Putter (yes only 13 clubs) This season, I'm getting a handicap for the first time, and the Golf Canada platform has just put me at 12.7, even though I've only logged 7 rounds (and some of them were pretty bad, so I'm not sure how that calculation works beyond best 8 or 20). Anyway, now I have registered as possessing a handicap, I'm a bit obsessed with it and I'm wondering if that is a healthy thing... Just added some photos from my Saturday morning 9 with my son. This is Don Valley Golf Course in Toronto. The (very) busy Highway 401 passes over the course but it's a beautiful spot with the river winding through it.

I'm attaining a handicap for the first time this year, I typically play 9 holes on a full-length course once a week, and a twilight round (usually 18) on a shorter course (par 63). I tend to score quite well on the long course (+4 to +6 for 9), but struggle to do so on the short one (sometimes 20 or more over). This was true again yesterday; 12-over for the front 9, but improved on the back (+3). I'm guessing this situation is highlighting some weaknesses in my game (iron play and short game form the rough), so I'm determined to keep at it and conquer (by my standards) that course!

Like many, I suspect, I learned to do this during the COVID lockdowns and am now pretty proficient. Putting grips on is relatively straightforward for me now, but I have also learned to remove them without damage if I just want to try a new grip size or need to re-do one. I use solvent and have a grip removal tool. I use a small medical syringe to inject solvent down inside the grip and work it down with the tool until it slides off.

I put a 7-wood in the bag for the first time last year, basically the cheapest one I could get hold of (I wasn’t sure it was what I needed). Picked up a Cleveland Halo XL and love it both off tee and fairway - way better than the driving irons and hybrids I have used in the past.