[What’s your favorite piece of gear that isn’t a club?]

My push cart - hands down - I might prefer it to my clubs because at least I’m getting done exercise benefit with it.

[Hands Down #1 Bucket List Golf Course]

On 1/25/2024 at 4:57 PM, bens197 said:

It’s Shinnecock Hills.  

I’d compromise and play Maidstone, Fishers Island, National Golf Links or Friar’s head though

 

I have a college roommate who has played all of those - along with Pine Valley and Merion - it helps to know people.

 

Augusta for me, please. 

[Fantasy Golf This Year]

I tried and it wouldn’t let me register - I’d be interested 

[Ten Years]

Congrats!!! 

[Do the "right" clubs matter? Even to a PGA pro?]

This was fun, I wish that I had more time to watch.  

It would be incredibly fun to have him practice with them for a few weeks to see what happens but that might also impact his swing.  It does matter I saw it first hand with driver this year - I've got one that really fits and it has made a significant difference off the tee - now if I could just find wedges that fit like my driver does.

[Sacks Parente Putters - 2023 Forum Review]

21 hours ago, billpierce said:

As I re-read the reviews, the fitting process really stands out.  Curious if others noticed how much the session and results were referenced consistently across all reviews?

Could be my bias.

The fitting process was unique.  Further I believe that none of us ended up where we thought we would be when we applied.  In fact, I think we each ended up with close to the opposite style of putter to what we thought we would like.  I wonder if that would have been the same had we been fit live?  Had I been handed a blade type putter to try at a fitting I don't know how I would have done.  I had a couple of weeks to get used to the idea waiting for its arrival.  Just a thought.  

[How does one contact OEM's to present a product invention?]

40 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Promote it yourself using social media, show someone using it and how it changed their game with before and after results, as mentioned above get a booth at a golf expo or go and make pitches in person.

Find a golf instructor and partner with them so that they can use it with their students and help promote its benefits. 
 

But for the most post you are probably going to have to go it alone until it’s making money and someone buys you out or you keep at it on your own

Everything that I would suggest has already been suggested  - if you could find a teacher with some sort of following to hop on with you - that would be your best case scenario.  First now though you need to do things that get your product on the radar - no doubt on your own - if you can get to expos as APH suggested, that's good but producing your own social media videos would be better - you'll reach more people.  

[How Did You Discover MyGolfSpy?]

For me it was an attempt to prove that a Srixon Commercial about golf balls was BS.  You might remember how they had commercials claiming that tour level balls were not for regular golfers.  Their argument was that since they curved more, tour balls led to more drives in the rough and hazards rather than the fairway  It was a direct attack against Titleist of course and simply not true - if you made a ball that spun less off the driver and more around the green it was not going to be less accurate and the difference in spin between a tour level ball and non-tour level one off driver was not enough to make that much difference.

 

A couple of friends from a small forum that I was a part of made up of the former PGA Partners group (I forget exactly what we called it but all of us were a part of that group when it became defunct.) two of those guys, Rookie Blue and Dogpro were members here.  Rookie suggested that I check this site out.  

I had my answer pretty quickly once I came here.  It was in fact BS - I also found a lot of other content that I really liked.  Then MGS ran its tour staff contest where entrants pumped MGS on facebook - the one who had the most likes for the contest won a full set of clubs made up of MGS most wanted stuff - there was a first and second prize - I finished 2nd - the haul was ridiculous - I still have the SCOR wedges in my bag - every time I try to replace them - they end up back in.  BTW I came before there were testing opportunities and I stayed - it was six months in that the contest started, I think.  

 

I will confess that I continue to have a bias against Srizon balls and Peter Jacobsen to this day - they never responded to my questions about those commercials.  Interestingly enough I had a question about a set of irons that I bought from them this past summer.  They did respond but the answer was not helpful in the least.  I'm still up in the air about the irons - I love their look and turf interaction, they feel too light though - I will deal with that with my fitter at some point.

 

BTW I see Mr. 72 here - he's another of those former PGA Partner guys - I'm putting in good word for him if ever, whenever he applies for a test.  He's a knowledgeable guy who will take that responsibility seriously.  He also won't pull any punches in his review.  

[Handicap Anomoly]

1 hour ago, StrokerAce said:

thinking of you Rev; I know how much you love the game, and have loved it for many many years. As someone whose vision has progressively worsened over the years I sympathize with you. I hope the surgery does wonders and you can see more clearly than ever.

I certainly agree with you re: handicap... that can be really misleading and, sometimes, unfair. 

good luck!

Thanks - truly appreciated - to be clear the cataract surgery has brought remarkable results.  I'm extremely pleased with it.  All the things that you hear about are true, colors are far more vivid, distance vision is 20/20 and I can see nearly all of my golf shots all the way to their final resting spot.  The very few that I haven't seen are normal - shots directly into the sun.  Bottom line, I'm very pleased with the outcome of the surgery.  

 

Thanks also to the other replies - I realize that the system is working as it should and I know that we are talking best 8 of the last 20 - since I hadn't posted much for a while that goes back to when I was playing better.  Just thought it funny that the index would go down even though I've been playing terrible. 

 

In regards to golf I do think I've got it somewhat figured out - its just a matter of syncing the pieces back up.  My putting and chipping are pretty much there because I have been putting throughout the surgeries due to the Sacks-Parente test.

 

Penny is a complicated question - while COVID has disappeared for most of us in that it is just another thing we might get at the time of the year when we are indoors around a lot of people it has not for her - she got it for the first time this past October and it was very, very bad.  The same strain that caused minor flu like symptoms for me that past in three of four days, caused her to be hospitalized and took about a month to recover from.  She has no memory of the hospitalization, the baseball playoffs or anything else during that time.  We keep trying to move her college forward and then her autoimmune flares up - she could certainly use prayers from anyone who prays.  

 

On a positive note we are waiting to hear about a 5k scholarship that she has applied for.  It looks promising.  That would be a huge help in regards to school - she needs to have more of a purpose in life - she is a hidden victim of the pandemic as our a lot of young people - you can really see it in our school students - they are basically a year behind academically and more so socially.  

[Handicap Anomoly]

I'm sure this won't evoke a lot of comment and had to make mention of it somewhere.  A quick reminder, I've had lots of eye issues throughout my life but particularly this summer as my cataracts worsened, it may the game no fun what so ever and I basically stopped playing in August until after my surgery in November.  I know that a lot of people are able to play just fine right after that surgery - not so me - my depth perception was radically altered and it took some time to come back.  I started playing fairly frequently in December but then had to two a week or so off because of work related matters (Christmas - minister - you get the just of it.)  

 

When I quit playing my handicap index was 8.8 - that's very accurate as I played in a league that forced me to play by the rules (putt out, play it down type of stuff).  Between Labor Day and Christmas I only played three rounds and a nine hole partial - my scores were 81, 83, 88 and 39 for the 9 (it was early on in that sequencing - before the surgery - the 88 was post surgery.)  I then shot 88,89 the first week of the New Year and those were adjusted scores - they were actually higher - it was awful - but I also found my balance point and my swing and shot 40 this past Sunday which I dutifully posted.  Of course it then grabbed my 39 and suddenly I had a 79 and my index just dropped from 8.8 to 8.6 despite hardly playing and 18 holes scores that suggest I can't possibly play to that index.  

I'm not overly concerned because it's an early Easter and I won't be playing any sort of competitive golf again until April.  I would anticipate that I will be able to play to my handicap or even have a lower one by then - restored eyesight should lead to lower scoring eventually.  I just needed to vent this one out a bit  - It's amazing to me and would be amazing to anyone who has played with me the past few months that my handicap could drop like this.  I also know that the governing bodies have changed the way that 9 hole scores are figured into handicaps.  I'm happy for that as I find myself playing 9 more and more frequently.  It fits my time schedule and I really enjoy 9 holes walking.   

 

[Trackman and Spin]

csnoil knows his stuff - for the less technologically inclined it is probably the ground you are playing on or the elevation that you play at - if your trackman setting is for sea level and wet and you are playing at 1,000 ft and firm - that can be 30 yards very easily. 

 

Just look at the PGA tour averages from different parts of the country - it's eye opening.  Sea level by the water courses (not mountainous like last weekend) places like Torrey Pines or Innisbrook or PGA National - you are going to see driving averages drop significantly as compared to mid-summer, mid-Western or Northeast courses and if you get a tournament in the dry desert at 2,000 feet - I'm looking at you, Scottsdale or Vegas - watch out.  The PGA is going to be showing those average drives and saying - "See we told you there was problem." 

[PGA connections / local course history]

Sounds like a great place to play - thanks for the history of your course.  

[Sacks Parente Putters - 2023 Forum Review]

I love how my teammates have the data.

 

I have a 24 year old church member who says the following after a putt from the fringe on 7 - “I’m guessing your giving that putter a positive review, your speed has been perfect all day.” And then after an up and down on 8 and a lip out for birdie from 25 feet on nine, “you putted great today.”

 

I love this putter - it’s staying next to my 7 wood and 9 wood as fixtures in my bag.

[What Have You Bought Lately? (CHA - Club Ho's Anonymous)]

I bought this real cool drink on New Years Day called “The Hangover” 

 

I bought a new Surplice that I broke out for Advent Lessons and Carols the weds before Christmas.

 

And I bought 3 dozen of these.

[Sacks Parente Putters - 2023 Forum Review]

On 12/31/2023 at 7:55 PM, JohnSmalls said:

This may be a dumb question, but it's for you @cnosil and for the rest of the testers:  what is your go to method to determine if your start line is off or inconsistent?

Not a dump question at all. I spot putt so it’s easy to determine if the ball has rolled through a point 6 inches in front of my ball or not. 
 

I find it very easy to roll the ball where I’m aiming at the proper speed with my putter. I was 24/40 from 8 feet today. Did have the first one left short out of 80 recorded putts though. I’m 47 for 80 this far. I’m also yet to 3 putt on the course and my greens are really tough, lots of multi tier attempts 

On 12/31/2023 at 7:55 PM, JohnSmalls said:

This may be a dumb question, but it's for you @cnosil and for the rest of the testers:  what is your go to method to determine if your start line is off or inconsistent?

 

[Time For Some Change]

18 hours ago, Peaksy68 said:

Lots of changes going on for me. Firstly in September I changed golf clubs after 20 years as a member at my old one.  Then the week before Christmas I handed in my resignation after almost 19 years at my current workplace.  Almost feel like I need to reintroduce myself to the forum too, haven't spent a lot of time here lately.

I'm enjoying my new club, course isn't as good but condition is excellent and the people are great.  Saturday rounds coming in under 4 hours (compared to 4.45) is also a big improvement. Get to practice hitting my own balls off grass too which is a great change for me.

Not exactly sure what I'll do work wise. I've got more than 6 months leave getting paid out so I've got some time to decide. Probably pick up some locum work where there's some good golf courses nearby.  Looking forward to the next phase and hopefully get to play more golf.

Wishing you the best in regards to the work situation. Interestingly I’m on the wait list at a new club. Very similar reasons for the change, to yours. 
 

I hope you’re around here more frequently, you always Aalto the mix.

[How'd you play?]

1 hour ago, Sluggo42 said:

So, I’m guessing lenses? Did you get the fancy new “multi-focal” ones, or a single view? I’m supposed to be looking at this as my eye doc says I’m close, and it happens quickly once they go…

I was not a candidate for the fancy ones. I have glaucoma. I chose distance and they are very good - I’m 20/20, actually 20/15 in my right eye. I saw every shot that I hit yesterday - I don’t recall the last time that I was able to do that.  Last Spring?  Even then I could rarely see where anything over 150 finished. I use readers for up close stuff like this post on my phone. 
 

It goes very fast when it goes - yes - I went from 20/20 corrected at my spring appointment to 20/50 at my fall one when my doctor recommend surgery - I remember the round in late June when I suddenly couldn’t see a single tee ball. 
 

Surgery is easy and results are instantaneous - the time in between the first and second eye weird. Whatever helps the repaired eye hurts the bad eye - it’s bizarre.

 

Good luck 

[How'd you play?]

12 hours ago, EnderinAZ said:

Chipping and pitching reasonable after a long layoff. I would call that a successful day in and of itself!

Well to be quiet I cheated a bit. I’m in the Sacks Parente test group so I have been putting. I was shocked at how well I chipped/pitched though because I have not been doing that 

[How'd you play?]

On 12/28/2023 at 6:48 PM, Sluggo42 said:

Finally got out again after all my “issues”, and my buddy after cracking his fibula. I’m telling ya, you have to be tough to get old…

anyways, a rough front, but then got thru the back with only 2 slips.

all in all, great to get back out

I think you and I are close to the same vintage!!! You can say that again on getting older. And let’s pray we continue never get older and yet keeps going laying. 
 

There were moments on the front 9 when I was truly ready to pack it in. I know lots of people have cataract surgery and are playing in a week - I’m not one of them. I hadn’t really been playing since mid summer because I just couldn’t see, it was no fun. I hit balls on the range Thursday just fine and warmed up reasonably well yesterday. 

Bogey on 1 is always acceptable particularly in n the cold (50’s in Florida is cold) and wind. Then the bottom fell out on 2 and again on 7 - but I kept going and it got better on the back 9.  It was 48, blown no and drizzling at the end. 
 

The good news is that I saw every one of my shots. Things look so radically different - it’s going to take a while to adjust. My putting was outstanding and chipping/pitching reasonable 

[What Brands/Products Do You Want To See for Member Testing 2024?]

Maserati 

 

Hey you didn’t specify golf equipment and someone had to say it. 
 

I can’t imagine doing a better job than you did this season. You covered all the bases from training aids, to measuring devices, to all different types of clubs, major OEMs, DTCs, startups, staples - 

I don’t recall a Mizuno iron test - I sense that they are loosing their iron king mantle, it might be interesting to see a test in their bread and butter category of players irons. If it’s right for their cycle. 

[Sacks Parente Putters - 2023 Forum Review]

2 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

What are you finding your miss is? 

Great question, thanks.  It’s tempting to say my miss is an imperfection in the green.   

 

Actually there is a big change to my misses. They were consistently left, short left on long putts, long or short left on short ones. Now on the short ones it’s either way but I almost always hit the hole. I think it’s poor aim or read. 
 

I find this putter to be incredibly true, thus far. I’m comparing it to an Evenroll - that is a great putter. But this blade fits me far better than the hatchback that I had, prior. 
 

I also think there’s something to the low balance point. The putter absolutely inspires confidence. I’m playing on old school Bermuda on Thursday. That will be interesting. Let’s see how it goes, there aren’t many of those greens left. 

[Sacks Parente Putters - 2023 Forum Review]

Data gathering today. These are 8 footers. My prior 50/50 distance was 6.5 feet. Thats been consistently true for me since I started tracking it.

8 feet is the tour 50/50 distance. My fitter, Aki, told me that I have a good enough stroke that I should be able to better that since I play most of my rounds at the same club and country clubs have good greens. 
 

I was 12/20 today… 

[Merry Christmas]

It was a great Christmas at the “office” and at the house. I hope everyone else had as nice a Christmas we did. Thanks for the greetings and right back at all of you ——

 

Im heading to the golf course today, tomorrow and Friday.

[Sacks Parente Putters - 2023 Forum Review]

I’ve been understandably busy the past few weeks. Did get to the putting green today. Hit 15 20 footers and holed 4 of them with zero 3 putts. That’s remarkable for me, not the zero 3 putts but to hole that many from 20 feet. 

[Planned 2030 Golf Ball Rollback]

I wish the survey had asked the million dollar question of will you follow the new rule in 2030.

 

I answered it as if I would but I most certainly won't.  My guess is that this will change by then but should it remain the same I simply won't play by the rules and won't maintain a handicap at that point.  

 

I play golf for fun - losing 7 or so yards off of driver and a like number off of irons is not helpful in that regard. I don't' hit the ball far enough as it is and I'm as long as or longer than many of the people whom I play with, even those younger than me.  They are taking what's not broke, in fact what is working the best that it has in decades and running the risk of ruining it.  

 

Good luck