Siamese Moose

The top seeds in both conferences are out! Is it going to be Columbus vs Colorado in the finals? 8 vs 8?

I live in Ohio, so I'm a Blue Jackets fan. I don't know if going all in this year at the trade deadline was a smart move, but I'm impressed that the GM was ballsy enough to do it. I love the way game 1 went, but I fully believe that what they achieved was just "poking the bear". I would not at all be surprised if the Lightning take the next four in a row. I'm really worried about next year, as so many free agents are likely to leave. I don't think it's living in Columbus that drives them out, though it certainly isn't a prime place for attention. I think it's more that Tortorella's style of hard nosed coaching only works for a limited time, and eventually the good players want out from under him.

..and didn't buy anything. My current driver (Wishon 919, 10.5°, XCaliber Superlight stiff, 44") is six or so years old, so I'm sure newer technology is worth looking at. In addition, since getting it I've been through two back surgeries, so my swing speed is way down(from 104-5 to 89-90). I went to Miles of Golf (Cincinnati), and worked with Eric, the same guy I've worked with before on irons and wedges. He knows my swing pretty well, and I totally trust him. My numbers with my own driver were: 89-90 mph swing speed, ball speed 138, launch 14.8°, all OK so far, but my problem: spin: 1524rpm. The ball's just not spinning enough to stay in the air. And that remained a problem with every head we tried (M6, G410, F9, Epic Flash), as well as every setting and loft. The Callaway gave the best results, but spin was still under 1600. There was not enough there worth spending any money on. I was swinging rather poorly, so he's invited me to try again when we do a hybrid fitting soon.(Waiting on the new Mizuno 919 Fli Hi fitting supply. I really liked them at last month's demo day.) I had a weird problem: I was downright awful hitting off the fitting mat, but when we stepped forward onto the grass I was extremely consistent. Of course, that was out of range of the Trackman, but it was easy to see that nothing was beating my current club. The good news is I saved money (No charge for the session either, regular customer.) The bad news is I'm losing carry. The modern low spin driver designs just aren't a good fit for me. I may even leave the driver home for a while, cause I'm not losing anything with the 3 wood. I may try reshafting my driver, as the existing shaft is pretty stiff for my current speed, but then again I'm hitting it pretty straight, and I don't know if I want to mess with it. Lots to think about here!

At a recent demo day I hot some of the new 919 Fli Hi hybrids. I was very pleased! So far the fitting heads have arrived at the shop, but for some reason the shafts have not. Anxiously awaiting that email from the fitter telling me to come in!

Finally got my first round in this year! Very pleased to shoot 80, one double, one birdie. Had to adjust to the fact that for some reason I'm almost two clubs shorter this year, and that's before figuring in today's wind.

When I got fitted for irons last Spring I tried to do the impossible: with the help of the fitter I never looked at the sole or back before I tried a club. I was trying, as much as possible, to not know the brand before hitting it. This wasn't fully successful, as some heads you just know are "Brand X", but I was trying to eliminate my brand biases as much as possible. I ended up with TM M3, but the Cobra F8 was a very close second. Going in I was pretty sure that if I stuck with my preconceptions I'd end up with Mizuno (which is what was replaced) or Srixon. I hit those well, just not AS well. I'm going in for a driver soon. I don't think I can do the same thing, because I can identify almost all of the candidates from the top.

I am the same height, weight, and age as Corey Pavin. At the time he won his Open I was hitting my clubs the same distance as he did (I've fallen behind since, but Corey hasn't had two back surgeries). He was my "cold slap in the face" that I didn't need to hit it farther to get better, I needed to hit it better to get better. While I'd still love to hit it farther, I know that's not what's going to lower my handicap.

The title of this thread caught my attention for an off-the-wall reason: my primary care doctor is Marshall McHenry, M.D.

Allergy-wise I'm miserable year-round, but Spring is the worst (tree pollens), followed by Fall (leaf mold). You don't want to take the time to read through everything I've tried/been through. I currently take fluticasone spray (Flonase) and Zyrtec every day. Add azelastine spray (Asterpro) on bad days. On bad days with my eyes (which is basically every day working in the yard) I use Alaway drops (same as Zaditor, but much cheaper). Last September I had nasal surgery (septoplasty and turbinate reduction), and while I still have congestion, I breathe a lot easier overall. That worked more than all the medications combined.

I haven't played that many "great courses" (yet). The most expensive was the Ocean Course at Kiawah, which was something like $125 surcharge on our package (all the other courses were free), 20+ years ago. Most memorable: Jasper Park and Banff Springs, both in Alberta, though the fact that we were on our honeymoon might have had something to do with it. Here's a twist, what's your biggest disappointment? Mine would be the Cascades course at the Homestead, in Virginia. Not much variety, blind shots, and mediocre condition for such a famous place.

I've had it after surgery due to Percocet. Went away right after changing meds. Probably obvious, but any change in your meds?

Rob, Cincinnati OH I used to be a 6 HC. I'm returning from two back surgeries, so am not playing anywhere near that now, probably about 16. My current clubs are all too stiff for my new body, and driver loft is too low. I'm planning to get a fitting sometime soon anyway, but this would be a great opportunity. I expect I'll be in the highest lofted driver with a regular flex. Similar for fairway woods. The CBX irons and wedges look well suited to my current (lack of) skills. Graphite shafts throughout, please

I am Rob in Cincinnati, OH. I walk between 40 and 50 rounds per season.

Definitely Mary Ann, always has been since the show was in first runs. She got busted a couple years ago in Hollywood for Mary Jane. Her mug shot still looked good for mid-60's.

I'm not a doctor, and I won't try to give you anything near as comprehensive as RP, just my story... I was first prescribed statins about 1990 (when I was 30). Brought my LDLs down nicely (I don't remember the exact numbers from back then). Over time the numbers crept back up, which my internist told me was not unusual as you get older. He increased my dose, and I started having muscle pain in my legs. We did a blood test also that had results that indicated a side effect problem. We tried several different statins and different doses without relief. Even going back to the original drug and dose I still had problems. Apparently I became sensitized. Now, the good part is I have no other indicators for heart issues. Now every few years I go in for a heart check-up. It was originally a calcium MRI heart scan, which looks at plaque in the heart arteries. I got a 0, which is a perfect score. Now they give me an arterial ultrasound, which gives you a "cardiovascular" age. When I had it at 52 my cardio age was 33. As long as these numbers remain good there is no need for me to take statins. The downside is these tests are not covered by insurance, but the med center gives a special price of only $100. That's cheaper than copays for statins for an equivalent period. If you don't have any other indicators for heart issues, you might ask about this option. Good Luck!