[What Are Your Hurdles/Excuses For Not Practicing?]

I have few if any excuses why I don't practice more, it's something I need to do if I want to improve.

[What is your driver for 2024?]

At least initially, will be using my old reliable, Callaway Big Bertha 10.5 degree, purchased new in 2014. Still hit it very well, but am looking to upgrade hopefully this year. Will be testing the new Callaways, Ping, Srixon, Titleist and TM drivers. 

[What Golf Technology Do You Use On The Course?]

I have a Garmin G30 GPS to keep track of my score, fairways hit, putts, etc. I first look at the G30, then usually always shoot the target with my Precision Pro NX10 Slope. Like having both in case I do not have a clear line of sight to the flag or any particular hazard. 

[What Wedges Are You Currently Using?]

Purchased the Callaway Jaws Raw wedges the middle of 2023 and love them. 54-degree sand wedge and 58-degree lob wedge. 

[When Do You Normally Golf? (Times/Days)]

The guys I usually play with are the first groups off at our home course. During the summer our first tee time is 6:00 a.m., we are the dew sweepers of our course. On Sunday's I usually play early afternoon after church and play in a golf league during the week that usually tees off a bit before 5 p.m. I do prefer early mornings as we're not held up by any other groups, we usually have 12-16 total guys each Saturday morning and is great to be done by no later than 10 a.m. each Saturday.

[Does Golf Remain Fun?]

As we improve, and hopefully we do, most of us have expectations on how we think we should play from week to week and course to course. It's only natural to be disappointed with a less than stellar round, or a number of less than stellar rounds in a row. It's that expectation that drives many of us to improve and continue to play better, there is nothing wrong with being disappointed with a bad round or a few bad rounds. The issue I see for some is they get so angry over bad shots or rounds that they can affect the group they're playing with, which can drain much of the fun out of a round(s). The older I get the more I've come to realize that the best part about golf is what happens between shots with the group you're playing with that particular day. I'm beginning to learn to be happy just to be able to play each day, it's a privilege that's denied to many because of their daily schedules, physical issues or the fact they are no longer in this world. 

[2024 Season Goals - What Say You?]

First and foremost, get in better shape physically. Haven't worked out, especially weight training on a regular basis for over four years and it shows in my overall strength and loss of distance with every club in the bag.

My tee shots, especially with the driver have been my biggest weakness over the past few years, am averaging 5-6 fairways hit per round which puts me at a disadvantage on many holes.

More consistent ball striking with my irons and a fitting for new irons. My current irons are 10 years old and showing their age.

Most of all, my goal is to be a better playing partner and to enjoy each round and those I'm with.

[How many wedges do you carry?]

Have carried four wedges for a number of years. PW-46*, AW-50*, SW-54* & LW 58*. I prefer having more options nearer the hole and have found overall that carrying more wedges has helped my overall score.

[Music on the Golf Course?]

14 minutes ago, russtopherb said:

I’m genuinely curious how often people hear music “blaring from 2 holes over” because I can honestly say that I never have. Is that an actual problem or something that’s been made up on the internet?

Also I have this sneaking suspicion that a Venn diagram of folks who rant about how terrible music on the course is and folks who tell other golfers to “just deal with it” when they smoke nasty smelling cigars for 18 holes is just a giant circle. 

Have music from well over 100 yards away on to many occasions to mention, which is at best incredibly rude and obnoxious. I like music as much as the next person, but not while I'm golfing.

[Music on the Golf Course?]

Not a fan of music on the course, mainly due to the fact that far too many play it loud enough to be heard from two fairways away, in many cases I've observed. Have played in a few groups where a person was playing music that only our group could hear, still wasn't a fan but at least it wasn't as obnoxious or overt as many. I love music as much as the next person, just not a fan on the course.

[2023 My Golf Spy Open Championship Pool Sponsored by Titleist]

Cut number = Even

Highest Score- 83

[What’s Your Go To Golf Tee?]

Have been using these for 2-3 years and love them, especially the 1.5 inch tees for irons, hybrids and fairway woods. 

[When do you show up for your tee time?]

If the course has a range and decent practice facilities, usually show up 35-40 minutes before the tee time. Most of the time the group I play with are the dew sweepers and the first groups out so we get very little chance to warm up before we play.

[How long do you play the same golf ball?]

Usually put a new ball into play every 18-hole round. On occasion I'll put a used ball into play on a 9-hole round if it's still in very good condition. Usually carry 8-10 used balls in good condition in my bag with usually three brand new ones. 

[How many sets of clubs have you owned in your lifetime]

Been playing for a little over 30 years and have had six sets of irons and 7 different combinations of drivers, fairway woods and hybrids. 

Looking at the earlier replies, I am way behind the curve and have some catching up to do as compared to most.  

[What’s Your Go To Golf Tee?]

A friend gave me one of these two years ago. Played great that day and knew it wasn't just the tee, but have been buying them ever since, excellent tee. 

[2024 What is safe in your bag? What's on the chopping block?]

The only clubs I'm not thinking about replacing this year are my two new Callaway Jaws Raw wedges and my putter. All other clubs will hopefully be replaced, if I can find clubs that perform better.

[Does anyone walk anymore?]

I play approximately sixty 18 hole rounds a year and approximately twenty-five 9 hole rounds a year and walk at least 90% of the time. I've always enjoyed walking for any number of reasons. It's great exercise, you get more time to interact with your friends and it's especially beneficial if you're not playing well. It gives you time between shots to attempt to correct or diagnose what you're doing wrong. I've noticed that most times those walking generally play at a more acceptable pace than most who ride. Most who ride do not know proper golf etiquette and usually take longer than those walking. Walking also saves you quite a money each year. The average cart fee is $12-$15 and sometimes more. My Clicgear 4.0 push cart cost me $259.00 two years ago. With the amount of golf I play, I've saved hundreds of dollars just in the last two years and maybe more. A few of my friends have the Alphard V2 electric cart accessory which I would like to get this year to help me walk as many years as possible. 

[2024 What is safe in your bag? What's on the chopping block?]

$$$$ allowing, the following will be replaced this season. Driver, both fairway woods, both hybrids and all irons. The only items that will remain are my two new wedges and putter. My driver is 10 years old, fairway woods are 11-12 years old respectively, my irons are also 10 years old. 

[How often do you purchase new wedges/do they really change year/year?]

Usually buy new wedges every 12-16 months. I practice my short game often and tend to miss far to many greens in regulation, so my wedges get quite a work out.

When I buy new wedges, it's usually easy to notice the additional spin with the new wedges over my previous ones.

Good luck

[#SpyStaffSlam: 2019 Open Championship]

Justin Rose -16

[#SpyStaffSlam: 2019 US Open]

Apibarnrat 

-13