PlaidJacket

Next time I go to Bandon I'm bringing a fake doctors note of some kind. I walked 3 courses when I was there including the par 3 which had just opened. You'd better be in good shape to walk several days there. The ground is hard as can be and hard on your feet. I wore two different pair of golf shoes both with flat soles. No spikes. I blame it on Bandon (which is an awesome place) for me getting plantar fasciitis in my right foot. LOL Also next time I go I'm taking Kenny with me so I can get that $50 deal on a caddy. My caddy was $100 !! including a tip. Ouch.

I've been lazy recently riding in a cart. My right hip/groin has been a little sore the past few weeks. I've been working too much recently and sitting in a damn chair at the computer. That kind of lifestyle is a killer in more ways than one. At any age. I told the guys in my Saturday game the other day I'd be walking again this next weekend. The weather has been fantastic.

Well, Theoo... put in a 29 for yours. It may not be much but at least it dropped 1. I think you've had a 30 showing as long as I've been here. Keep looking at it and reminding yourself that you can go lower my friend.

And you are still my marker. I'm trying to get to 5ish by year end. It ain't easy. Especially like yesterday when out of nowhere I make a triple and a double. Both on par fours. Grrrrrrr

I'd like to make a suggestion to everyone. In your MGS profile (MY Settings) there is a place to input your current handicap. A lot of people do. I'd like to further suggest that everyone update their handicap after each revision. I just did mine. In Texas our GHIN is revised on the 1st and 15th of each month. I understand your local USGA Association might only update monthly. Why does it matter? It doesn't really. But, knowing a member's handicap allows for estimating their skill level or current playing ability. I use mine as a visual reminder of where I am and where I want to be. I'm trying to get down to a 5.5 by year end. The update I just posted today shows a 6.1 down from 6.2. Zzzzzzzz. Getting close unless I get in my way.

Yesterday I once again used the full grip method. With my irons. I switched back and forth a few times with my driver using full finger and my ole standard over-lap. I hit better shots with the over-lap when driving the ball. No big hooks. So... as my experiment continues I'll use full finger with my irons and over-lap with the driver. As they say... whatever works.

I was talking to a friend last night about my discovery of the 8-finger (full finger) griping method. This guy is a scratch player and has been for decades. To my surprise he informed me of another guy I know that's a 0-2 handicap who plays with a full grip method. I never knew. My friend went on to tell me that he himself sometimes uses a full finger when he needs to get a little extra out of an iron. Interesting note though.... he said he uses a reverse overlap grip. Here's the thing. I recall a few times over my career seeing a guy or two using the full finger and until recently thought to myself that this guy must not have had any instruction. I mean; who would grip a club like that? That's not what a real golfer does. Well, Jack Nicklaus is a "real golfer" and he says it doesn't matter what grip you use as long as you can deliver the club head to the ball properly. I think I'll go with Jack and the 10-finger, full finger, 8-finger, what-ever finger for the time being. Seems to be working for me.

Yesterday I played 18 in my usual Saturday game. Scored well (77) with a double on 18. UGH! I used the Full-Fingered grip all day and struck my irons great. Solid and crisp. But... I'm not so sure about it with my driver. I did manage 50% fairways (7). Of the 7 I missed two of them were ugly low hooks. The others were off the FW either left or right by no more than 5 yds. This week I'll practice some with the driver experimenting with the FFG and my normal overlap. To be honest I think I'm sticking with FFG. I'm noticing much more solid striking and better ball flight and increased distance. Since this is only the second opportunity I've had to use this gripping technique I'll add that the jury is still out. But, so far the results are very promising. It's kind of crazy to say but I feel like I've discovered some sort of secret. The FFG actually feels quite natural to me. I'm much more optimistic about my game than I have been in months. Is it possible that something as simple as changing the way I hold the club going to become a game changer? Maybe.

I was hoping to provide an update from my change to the 10-finger...ehem, full-fingered grip. I had to quit today after 4. I'd played 81 holes the past few days and my right hip was sore. I just couldn't turn well. I'll put something up soon after I've rested a bit. I think the full-fingered grip just might be for me. To start with I don't have large hands. Average. The other day I noticed increased distance and more consistent flush ball striking. Both are winners for anyone's game. Certainly mine.

I've just returned from a golf outing and made a discovery. I think. On the final day while on the practice tee I for some reason decided to hit some balls with a 10 finger grip. Wow! I had been struggling some during the week with my ball striking. I think I'm switching to a 10 finger. I've played my entire career with an overlap. That's just how I was introduced to the game. Pros don't use a 10 I thought so why should I? Well, very few anyway. Hogwash. I discovered some of the most flush ball striking I've ever seen and felt. Much more compression. And... I've gained distance. Additionally I've not suffered any odd hooks or anything. All this is not to say that I've found the "secret" but it sure seems to be working for me. I'm heading out shortly to join my regular Saturday game. I'm excited to try this out again. I'll let everyone know how it worked out with more information regarding distance, ball flight, etc. Do any of you guys use a 10-finger grip?

I usually grab an extra scorecard. Maybe some pencils and tees if they have logos. I like to collect other stuff. I have a collection of flags from 5-6 courses that have significance. I also collect bag tags, poker chips, and balls. When my group takes our annual golf trip I'm usually the one that pretty much puts the thing together. Therefore I have a folder of information from each trip. If we should decide to go to the same place again I've already assembled all the necessary information and don't have to reinvent the wheel.

I walk almost all the time. Exceptions are, during the hottest months of summer, When I play "away" courses, or if the course is layed out where walking is unfriendly. I enjoy walking because.... 1) I play better, and 2) it's decent exercise. I use my 10yo Sun Mountain push cart. I do agree that walking seems to be out of favor anymore. Even at my home club a guest fee includes a cart weather you want one or not. There is not discount if you walk. Cart rentals are a major source of income for golf courses. I don't know the numbers but carts are usually leased and by the time they are beat-up and shot new ones come in. I'd say about 1/2 of my normal Saturday group walks.

I'll add a couple of thoughts if I may. I do believe that groves help/assist spinning the ball. Not just out of the rough but also from closely mowed grass. Additionally I believe a wedge should be replaced or even re-grooved when they get worn down. And they do. I'm come to notice from actual experience that the surface of the wedge helps grip the ball to some degree. My wedges for instance have normal grooves and a micro-groove etched or cut into the face in a circular type fashion. These wedges have the best stopping power of any wedges I've ever played. Some of my regular competitors have even remarked at how I'm able to stop my shots. They joke that have illegal clubs. They're not of course. Now with all that it's also a huge factor as to how you strike the ball. Perhaps the most important. As my game/ball striking has improved through the years so has my ability to control spin thereby hitting shots that hit, hop and stop. From short fairway grass I like to "pinch" it at times. I'd probably use my Groove tool again at least once before deciding I need a new wedge. Can't hurt and it's much cheaper than getting fit for a new wedge.

I have the exact same tool as Phil ! I haven't used mine in a few years but I think it helped clean up some rounded shoulders, etc. I like messing around with clubs so it was kind of fun to do. Did my club performance improve? Maybe. Do I think it did? Perhaps. Will it hurt to try it out? Neh.

I remember many years ago when Nicklaus came out with his "Golf My Way" video; he said it didn't matter what grip you used. overlap, interlocking, 10-finger, etc. Just find one you feel comfortable with. However he went on to say what does matter.... and that's the moment of truth when you deliver the club head to the ball.

HOW ABOUT A SUBSET OF CLASSIFIEDS FOR TRADES? If it were up to me I'd call it Trade 'O Rama or some such. Seems that everything in classifieds is for sale. I did a private sale in the forum a while back without going through the classifieds. Today I was thinking about my new putter and what if it didn't work out. I have other clubs also sitting around. I think I'd rather explore a trade with a member as opposed to selling something. I don't need cash per se. But someone just might have something I'd like to have or visa-versa. Shipping would be worked out between members. After all.... trading is the oldest form of commerce on the planet.

I don't recall seeing anything about golf books in the Forum but perhaps I've missed it. I'm not a particularly avid book reader of any kind but this one caught my eye today. And... it was free. So the story goes like this... (this is a triple play of my original intent with the post) I was headed to the grocery store to grab a steak to cook in my cast iron skillet later this afternoon. Next to the grocery is a SteinMart. In my area they have by far the best selection of golf apparel. They carry many brands including Ping, Callaway, Hogan, Norman, Bolle', Bobby Jones, and many others. Great prices also. Anyway, I found a table with Hogan apparel and a stack of books. The sign said buy any Hogan item and get a free book. (see below) I didn't want any golf clothes today really so I just picked up a book to purchase. Before I headed out to the grocery I saw a mark down sale on Bolle' shorts so I went ahead and grabbed a pair. At the check out the lady said the book was only for Hogan purchases and I couldn't buy it separately. Ok.. I said I'd pass. At the end of the checkout she went ahead and put it in my sack. Pretty nice of her I thought. I haven't read any golf books lately but this one might be interesting. I mean isn't anything about Hogan interesting? We'll see. My question to all you is what golf book are you reading? Magazines don't count by the way. Later today I'll be pan searing a NY Strip in my cast iron skillet. And... reading my newest golf book, Ben Hogans' Magical Device. (well this sucks. I guess I don't know how to properly rotate a photo.)

First off Kevin, let me say that your presentations are impressive. You're obviously a smart guy and a deep thinker. I say this sincerely and honestly. How does anyone come up with all this research and then a presentation like you've provided? I scratch my head. I'm not a fraction of that deep into the swing. I'm probably what you might call practical. I study swings and take lessons and practice and play. In general I try to emulate what I see that works and apply that to my own body and athletic ability. Over the course of 40+ some odd years I've gotten much better than when I began. Since I turned 50 I've somewhat noticed a slight decline in the way my body responds. I'm now 60. Today I don't have as much speed and as a result I've lost distance. But I adjust. That's one of the beauties of this game. As for the swing itself there are many ways to effectively hit a golf ball and play quite well. We've all seen them. Some are just scary looking but somehow that guy shoots par all day every day. My swing is reasonably good for my age and experience. It could be loosely defined as a "classic" model. Personally I don't give a hoot about all the research and such. Just show me how to do it and I'll get it. Eventually. Honestly, if I were take a lesson from an instructor and he started going all Carl Sagan on me I'd be frustrated and go elsewhere. My head would explode. LOL Here are just a few things I think works and you must process. 1. Have a decent amount of natural athleticism. 2. Start young. (as possible) 3. Get good instruction. 4. Practice. 5. Play often with people that are better than you. 6. Have a competitive nature. 7. Don't be a quitter. 8. Play as much as your circumstances will allow. 9. Practice. 10. Read books, articles, videos, etc. 11. Try to control your mind and emotions. 12. Gamble (even with yourself) 13. Keep statistics 14. Practice. 15. Own equipment that fits you. 16. Enjoy the game. Your game. 17. ?? 18....... Is your model telling a truth about the swing? I don't know. For me the truth about the swing is what goes on the card at the end of my round. When I'm swinging well my score is low or lower. It's an easy day on the course. When I'm not swing well it's a 4 hour whipping. Perhaps it's just one of those days regardless of the outcome. Perhaps if I studied your research I might improve. Perhaps If I practiced more and better I might play better. Perhaps if I was still 35 I'd play better. In fact I know I would play better if I was 35 again. How about a Time-Machine Kevin. Now that's something I could latch onto. Thanks again for you studied research and sharing with us. You're a true Fellow of the game in my opinion

After reading the reviews on the Blog and thinking more about it. I'd just as soon pay $500 more and buy the Flightscope Xi. It's proven technology and great support. In other words... it's the real deal.

I'm going to get out in my garage this spring and reclaim all the room I have there. I want to do like RookieBlue and some other guys and start acquiring some basic club repair tools, etc. As for new equipment? I'll be fitted for and buying a new driver and probably a FW wood and hybrid on the 27th. Pretty excited. Other than that I have a dozen of the new Snell balls on the way.

I'll be interested to see what you discover. I'm in the market for a LM. I posted in Classifieds yesterday that I'm looking. I haven't really considered the SkyTrak because of Sky Golf's lousy track record with their other products. I own a SkyCaddie which is ok I suppose. My real grip with it is the clunky OS that runs it. I'm also a little less inclined for this LM and other newbies to the LM game due to the newness of their products. I'm not too much of a first adopter. What I really want is a FlightScope Xi - Xi+, X2 or perhaps a Trackman. FlightScope is my dominate choice. None-the-less I'm still very interested in your review and the initiative you've taken.

I like this post as well. Be sure you indicate which tee you played from. And by the way... it's not a sin if you don't play the back tee. I sure as hell am not going to pay a hefty green fee to get beat up. I rarely play any tee beyond 6700'. And depending on the course/layout that might even be a little much. Ya know?

I decided take the glove off my earlier post. This is a ball review. I'll post a short review on the MG Gloves later in the week.

Way to go Brad. Good review with stats to back it up. As some of you may know I've commented (crowed) about the MG Tour C4 a few times. It really is a great ball. Like GS Brad I too experienced the type of spin stopping power he described. I didn't have any data to back up my earlier claims but I could just tell the ball was a winner. As for putting; the C4 feels great to me. No difference than a PV1 that I could tell.

I found one. Sort of. It's called, Intelligolf.i haven't tried it on the course yet but I don't expect much from it. It's pretty clunky it appears with little explaination as to how it works. I paid $3.99 for it so no biggie. The most promising app I've seen is golf moolah. It's iphone only for now. Has anyone used Golf Moolah?