ddryan

Dave, I hear you- Sunday's match, I am 135 out, center cut fairway on the first hole, end up short left, on the edge of a greenside bunker in 4 inch long rough caused by a trough where the motorized rakes enter the bunker- can barely get the club on the ball, which ends up in the bunker. Short sided myself, laying 4 in the bunker, get out (long of the pin) and two put for a triple. Great start. Second hole is a longish par 4. The hole has a creek running along the left side of the fairway, cutting across the fairway at about 305, woods on the right, and the fairway sloping right to left. I hit a baby fade, right to where it should be, and cant find the ball. in fact, three of the four of us in the foursome cant find our balls, and all three were well hit and should have been in the right rough or fairway... end up with a scrambling bogey after a good shot from a lateral drop and chip to about 3 feet. On to a downhill par 3 at about 145 to center. Thinned an 8 and end up in the drink. going to the 4th hole ( a par 5 ) I am already 6 over with two lost balls. Tee up on the par 5, rip a great drive with a bit of a draw, which ends up taking a huge hop to the left, and into the lake paralleling the left side of the fairway. (now down 3 golf balls- this is crazy)-- on the short par 4 6th I pull yet another left of center and end up in the pond protecting the left side of the 6th hole. time to change golf balls. (cant be the player, must be the equipment!?!?) Settle down after the next hole, end up 47 / 41, having looked at (but missed) about 3 legit birdie opportunities on the back 9 - so back 9 better but still not hitting the ball where I want. Need more practice!

Alan, et-al..... Well, fixed one thing, broke two others!!! - My drives (by and large) found the fairways- I did as you suggested, slowed down and made sure I committed to and finished the shot. That said, my Iron play - and my 3 wood, for that matter, went off the rails- I normally play a baby draw, but all thru the weekend I was pushing everything, sometimes with a fade to boot. best I can figure, I was sliding my hips forward during the downswing, which really REALLY bothers me- That was a thing I struggled with several years ago, and it seems to have reared its ugly head again - any recommendations or drills to prevent that slide, and to promote a full turn, would be appreciated!

Thanks - I will try it before my Saturday round and see what happens...in any case, I will dance with the one I brung!!!!

Thanks - I will try it before my Saturday round and see what happens...in any case, I will dance with the one I brung!!!!

Went to the range last evening with two objectives- first, tempo and getting my left shoulder under my chin (backswing) and back facing the target. That sets me up for the second objective, which is a "Matsuyama-like" pause at the top, and a smooth, slowly accelerating transition to an inside out swing and 10 - 12 yard draw. Works for most of my irons and hybrid, but cannot for the life of me, consistently get my driver or 3 wood to do the same. I even set the driver head from Square to closed and shifted the weights so the heavy weight is at the toe to see if that would help- and it did seem to help, even the misses were less pushed right, but still not exactly where I want them to be. Always open to suggestions from the group!

I'm sick and tired of all the crap that is going on with facebook these days! There are some crazy SOB's in this country. It makes me want to quit social media so I won't have to read some of the BS. Problem is that nobody can have a reasonable discussion and polite, intellectual disagreement. Everyone has to win every argument. WE have lost the ability to show compassion, empathy and, frankly, vulnerability - Not weakness, but vulnerability - the ability to say -I don't know and I will listen to someone who may know more than me. I can still make up my own mind, but at least listen to the conversation. Today we spend more time preparing to respond rather than to listening and comprehending what the other person is saying. This from the highest levels of government down to the local playground- It is a sorry state of affairs...

RE Cars, trucks and other issues- I do a great deal of internet homework beforehand, find the car I want to test drive, etc, then go there specifically for that car. I test it and say thanks, leave and look at the best prices on line and in the area. Once I decide, I go to my credit union, get a check for the cost of the car (best price I can find), plus the state and local sales tax, state registration fees, add on $100. and get the check made out for that amount. I return to the dealer, say I want that car, and let them do the gyrations and d&%$ dance of trying to upsell me undercoatings, over coatings additional warranties and whatever, then let them try to sell me their financing. at that point I pull out the check and say here is the check- take it or leave it. I have NEVER had a dealer not take it.........However if they refuse, I will go to the next place that has the same car and get it there...

Congrats!! Pretty cool watching the ball fall in!

I posted this on a different thread some time ago, apologies for those who have seen it before... A man returns home early Sunday morning, looking disheveled, smelling of scotch and perfume, telltale lipstick on his unbuttoned collar and neck... only to be greeted in the kitchen by his irate wife - Where the He!! have you been, it is 7AM- you left for your Saturday round and never came home....???? He responds- "Honey, we have been married over 25 years, and you know I love you more than anything- and I cant lie to you. Yesterday at the club after my round I bumped into an old high school flame- we chatted for a while, had a few drinks, and all of a sudden I find myself back at her place- I really don't know what happened- but I will tell you this- it meant nothing to me. I am ashamed of what I did, and I ask your forgiveness...." To which his wife says....... Bull$h!t -you played 36 again, didn't you!!!!!

79 on Saturday, 87 on Sunday - there's consistency for you... and, while I seem to be rolling putts better (distance control and break) nothing is dropping- shaving more edges (both high and low side) than a Brazilian waxing studio...

Swing the club already!!!! (in response to the Jason Duffner waggle video-- It drove me CRAZZZZY!!!) I am a firm believer in, and love to quote Bush 43, during his interview with Feherty- when he said his grandfather saw his swing and said - "Well, you will never be a good golfer, but if you play fast, the good golfers will let you play along with them!" Hit it and move on, be ready for your turn, and play ready golf!!!

Did not play Oak Island GC, but played two of the four courses in St James. Very nice area- Southport is a quaint town, and Oak Island is a south facing barrier island, which, at certain points during the year, provides the impression that the sun is setting into the Atlantic- very cool, and what hooked my wife, a California Girl at heart.

On the 17th at TPC Sawgrass- before the renovation. Good time had by all!

Royal New Kent, Traditions at Stonehouse, and the tracks at Ford's Colony are usually in good condition, and always fun.

Very seriously looking at St James Plantation (just inside the intercoastal waterway from Oak Island) for our retirement digs...

IMHO, it is all about respect. Respect for the folks you are with (if they don't want music, then respect their desires) - keep it low enough that you need to be next to the cart to hear- not blaring across the course audible in the next county. Keep the selection respectful as well- don't mind the style, but don't need to hear abusive, aggressive or profanity laced language, regardless of the "style" of music. Frankly, that kind of sums up my approach to life- respect yourself, respect others, share differences of opinion politely (if passionately) but don't try and force your opinion (political, economic, personal sexual preferences, religious or otherwise) on anyone- We are adults and can make up our own minds. - I despise zealotry- and have spent a lifetime working to protect our individual freedoms, liberties, and our way of life. I guess it (giving and receiving respect) is important to me-

Thanks - After looking ah his website, I may not only get the set of Dyna-Powered done, but also my current sand wedge, which actually came from that set. a 1962 Wilson Sandy Andy, it has no grooves left, and very little chrome- may get it regrooved and rechromed. Thanks (I knew this was gonna cost me!!!)

These putters look Awesome- I would (almost) be afraid to use them... So, has anyone done restoration work on an iron set? I have a full set of the 1960's Wilson Dyna-Powered Irons - they were my dad's- and I would love to see them cleaned up and restored- I can re-grip them but would be hesitant to get to grinding or sanding without knowing what I was doing. No urgency, just a nice to have thing. I cant play them- they are too damn small and incredibly unforgiving! Thanks

OK, similar, but on slightly different tangent- A man returns home early Sunday morning, looking disheveled, smelling of scotch and perfume, telltale lipstick on his unbuttoned collar and neck... only to be greeted in the kitchen by his irate wife - Where the He!! have you been, it is 7AM- you left for your Saturday round and never came home....???? He responds- "Honey, we have been married over 25 years, and you know I love you more than anything- and I cant lie to you. Yesterday at the club after my round I bumped into an old high school flame- we chatted for a while, had a few drinks, and all of a sudden I find myself back at her place- I really don't know what happened- but I will tell you this- it meant nothing to me. I am ashamed of what I did, and I ask your forgiveness...." To which his wife says....... Bull$h!t -you played 36 again, didn't you!!!!!

Ground em all. I tried to hover my driver several years ago, but results were inconsistent at best.

Almost always. I much prefer walking- and carrying my bag. It helps me with my timing, focus and maintaining (forgive the pun, but it is the truth) a sense of being grounded in the game. When I participate in tournaments where everyone is in a cart it is often disconcerting for me, rush to the next spot, then jump out and ....oh, wait, there is a group in front of us... and I don't like waiting. Walking allows me to stay on pace with the group in front, but not waiting on every shot, especially if they are in carts. When on vacation, or visiting a track for the first time I may ride, but when I am with my group on the weekend, I much prefer walking. I also enjoy walking even if my bag is on the back of a cart, walking is still better to help me keep focused.

Another Lucky guy - my profile photo is our group (16 of us) who travelled to Scotland for the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship in 2010. Played 8 courses in 10 days and watched the Sunday round of the Open Championship. (some of us played a bit more, since we made a second loop on several tracks) but I would agree with the selections- We played (in my rank order) the Old Course, Prestwick, Kingsbarns, New Course, Loch Lomond, Carnoustie, Castle course (don't bother) and a rather forgettable parklands course. Would love to go back, but don't think we could ever pull off such a magnificent vacation- at least not on my salary!!!

They are a great product, and work well to help avoid chafing. Alternatively, Duluth Trading has "Buck Naked" underwear (boxer/brief style) that, although without the pouch, there is ample room (at least for me) and keeps me in place and also avoids chafing, even after walking 36...