Will_Mac

I like new gear just as much as the next guy but I love a good deal even more. I'll only buy used if in excellent condition though. Presently my driver, irons, SW, LW and putter were all bought used. Only 3W and hybrids were new.

Stiff driver, hybrids, irons, SW, x-flex for 3W. Used to be X in driver, woods, hybrids but had lost speed (always preferred stiff in irons even when my speed was up). Seemed to have picked it up again as the 3W keeps working better and I tend to get loose with driver lately. May throw the RIP Alpha X into driver to test the waters again.

I grabbed a Rogue 3W off of CPO. Wanted a lower trajectory and "oooo doggie" does the x-flex Matrix Black Tie 75M4 provide that in this clubhead?! Rainy day, grip somewhat compromised so jury is still out on real world results. But yeah, it hit low today. [emoji6]

Put an XV into play just today and caught two hard bounces on a cart path. So already it doesn't look nearly as good as your enduro-ball. But post scuff, I kept it in play and managed to birdie 3 of the next 4 holes (including hole where scuff was incurred). They sure are resilient.

Will be mid to upper 90s here forecasted through Thursday. Hellooo summer. [emoji6]

Thanks so much guys. I'm still ecstatic at the idea of having a green, the reality of it is amazing. Even better, it was all my non-golfer wife's idea. [emoji4] I thought she was just teasing. I handle all of our finances and of course we discuss all. Over breakfast in February of last year she said, "I know we discuss everything but because I work hard for my money, there's something that I'd really like to have and I just don't want to leave it up to any discussion. I want it." Now, I'm thinking she's gonna say new car or something and I'm already formulating a firm defense in my mind. She dances around things some more when I ask her to just come out with it already. "I want a backyard putting green," she says assertively. I literally dropped my spoon into my bowl of cereal. I was actually insulted that she'd tease me so heartlessly about a thou-shalt-not-go-there subject. One entirely off limits to mere teasing. She wasn't and made her point very clear, so I said, "I can't believe that you wanna do this for me." She replied, "wait... no, I mean... you'll use it, right? Yeah, that's good, you should. But I just want it because it'll look nice and I have a specific vision for that space." [emoji848] I mean... [emoji1787] Whatever, she meant it and we got it. It'll be a full year soon and I still can't believe it. What's even better still??? She asked recently, "hey, do you think we should add one of those sand pits next to the green?" "Uh, yeah honey... heck yeah. I hear those sand pits are all the rage, let's do it!!!" [emoji16]

Despite their wide Shot Area during the test with driver, I've found the Mizuno RB Tour to be fantastic off the tee. They've also held their line into and across winds, very, very well. As to irons, wedges and putter, they've just been fantastic for me overall. 3 birds and an eagle yesterday during a skins match, I sure do like them. [emoji6] Compared to other current releases, I like them considerably more than the TP5x, CS and XV. But... I'm no dummy, I'm more than willing to explore other options. Just received a dozen Tour B XS today and a sleeve of the MTBx is on the way. [emoji4]

Thanks. I'm sure enjoying it. And because it's sand and infill based, it'll need tune-ups from time to time. Months after install last summer, I opted for the free tune-up. But here on out, every 12-18 months is recommended, it'd be roughly $350 to have it done. Can't have that. [emoji6] I paid close attention to install and closer attention to the tune-up process. Shortly after, I bought the rake, the specific infill, drop spreader, a roller and a stimpmeter. Just last week, I tuned it myself for the first time. My gosh, I thought it putted well before but now it's fantastic. I'm so psyched that I can now tend to it and adjust speed as I like. I currently have it rolling at 14 downgrade, 10 up, roughly 12 across. I wanted it very fast because I really need to improve my touch. It's paying dividends and strangely enough, most significantly on lags which are much longer than I can practice on my own green. Overall since its install last May, my putting has vastly improved. So has my summer adult beverage drinking. [emoji4]

Sorry, missed this. Here ya go. [emoji4]

After some spring cleaning, planting, fertilizing around the putting green, I made about 30 chips and about 100 putts. It, along with I, need more work. [emoji4]

My best shot wasn't so much a stellar result as it was satisfying execution. I'd pushed my drive right on 18 and was down a hill with tree trouble, 190 out uphill. My only choice, other than punching out, was a low and significant cut under and then around the tree's branches. Grabbed 5-iron and flushed it. Couldn't quite turn it enough to land the green but turned it plenty, it came to rest just a few yards left off the fringe. Got up and down for par but par would've been out of the question without that approach shot.

Golf, especially in the beginning, is an exercise of one step forward, two steps back. Then three steps forward, one or more steps back. Rinse, repeat in assorted variations. Embrace the journey, it'll make the ride all the more enjoyable and satisfying once you reach a semblance of virtual repeatability. For me, it was probably 4-5 years before I could fairly frequently shoot in the 80's. The possibility for 100+ being ever present, of course. Tough game, greatest game.

2 dozen Mizuno RB Tour.

I've saved so much over the years by regripping myself. I used to do it for the longest without a vise and fared just fine. A vise makes life easier of course. Bought a cheap (but danged good) vise off ebay, a grip kit through Golfworks and a compressor through Harbor Freight. Needed the compressor anyway but as to regripping, I'll use it or I won't equal amounts. I'm not a handy guy but regripping really is child's play.

I think so. I play my best golf, believe it or not, in FJ golf sandals. [emoji39] Their traction on the turf is fantastic but because they're sandals, there is some play in the footbed. Nothing crazy, just a little play. So what this does is force me to swing within myself rather than, well... swing outta my sandals. [emoji6] Before last season, I hadn't ever used them outside of Myrtle Beach and that was only for a week at a time while there. Because my back was worsening, I theorized that they may slow me down and I used them for the first time in at least 5-6 years and outside of Myrtle Beach. Went on to have my best scoring year ever, by far. Obliterated my PB by 5 strokes and went on to beat that former PB numerous times. LOL... golf sandals. Who knew?

How's this as proof of addiction issues? I herniated a disc a few weeks ago (9th time) and this one is really bad, it'll be months before I can play and that's only if surgery isn't deemed necessary. Also, I LOVE my CF16's, shot a PB -4 this season with them, (obliterating my previous PB of +1). Shot -1 too, along with a few rounds of even par. So, that all said... I bought a new set of Wilson Staff C300 Forged irons. Why? I have absolutely NO idea, LOL... I mean, I got a fantastic deal on them but price is bound to be less months from now. You know, when I can actually physically swing a club. [emoji2957]

Hey, we're not captains of our own ships either. Metaphors, and their vague inaccuracies, being what they are. [emoji6]

I've been playing the best golf of my life with some old stock Taylor Made TP Red LDP balls. Liked them once upon a time but holy moly do they now suit my since evolved game?! Although I still have maybe 4.5 dozen or so, I'll still need to find a suitable (to me) replacement. So over the last 2 rounds I've mixed in play with the TP5. Really, really good ball and nearly indiscernible to me between the Red LDP save for some VERY slightly more spin off driver with the TP5 and subtly better feel off putter with the TP5 also. So impressed, it eases my mind that there's already a ball out there for me once I run though my stock. But of course, it hasn't stopped me from grabbing some supposedly mint TP5x balls on ebay to check out too. They should be here next week. [emoji4]

Because of perhaps my irrational fear of this happening, I never took a lesson. I was always fearful that an instructor would want to tear my swing down. Irrational in that I know most are pretty upfront about their strategy/intentions. Very sorry for all who had to deal with this.

I pulled 3W for 4W years ago and then 4W was ditched for hybrid late 2016 Fluke, really. I had an original Exotics 19° that a friend gave to me years ago, don't remember ever hitting it, maybe at the range, never the course. Threw it in the bag, teed off on 13 with 4W, great shot. Decided to follow it up with my first swing with the Exotics. It went about 10 yards farther than 4W. What??? Compared the two over the next few rounds from the tee and the fairway and the results held, I couldn't believe it. Even when distance was similar, the Exotics was easier to hit well. I've since moved to a 17° Exotics EX9 hybrid, a bit longer, even more forgiving. I'll never go back to 4W as the 17° hybrid is so darn easy to hit and with such consistent results. Was always very inconsistent with hybrids in the past but the Exotics line was an immediate about-face for me there.

I'm 50 but didn't start actually playing until 23. I did play one round at 16 yrs old (first time I had ever touched a club and last time since I'd pick the game up 7 yrs later) with my dad's wood-woods. But other than that, I did play in metal spikes for a few years along with a wound ball. What about gas carts without the roof? Used to be lots of those years ago too.

Putting some old stock back into play has been the best impulse decision I've ever made for my game. Previous PB was +1, reached 5 or 6 times. Maybe even more... so infuriating. Very first full round with the new-old ball obliterated that score as I shot -4 (68). In the next 4 rounds I also went -1 and even par. So that made 3 of 5 that beat my previous PB. What??? The ball? Taylor Made TP Red LDP. After procuring more from Europe (yes I did!), I now have 5 dozen, good for a spell. Dean Snell was a TM engineer who's fingerprints are all over the TP Red LDP. Once I run through them (if I can resist the urge to hunt for more, that is), I'll have to give the Snell MTB Red a go.

My favorites have always been: True Blue, Caledonia, TPC of MB, Leopard's Chase, Tiger's Eye, Wild Wing Avocet, Legends Parkland/Moorland/Heathland (sentimental inclusion, owned a condo at Legends for 12 years), King's North, Tidewater, Dunes Golf and Beach Club. For on the cheap, The Wizard is a pretty darn good track.

Used to mostly walk, at least 80% of the time. Loved it, played better and the exercise on the hilly courses where I played was great. Back issues, hip issues, torn achilles put an end to that. Back and hip have since greatly improved but the present home course is not walker friendly. I've since adjusted and can tolerate riding. Nearly effortless routine of 27 or 36 holes has won me over. 😉

Retired NYPD police officer, left in 2010 after 20 years... career went by in a flash. I'll turn 50 this year, somebody slow the darn bus already!