Middler

All sports are littered with hard working people with great skills who just didn’t win commensurate with their physical gifts. In golf, Greg Norman was a clear example, and he still hasn’t mastered those 8 inches.

I still don't care or watch LIV (a few great players and a bunch of has beens/wannabees), but I hope Rory does jump and take the money - if for no other reason than to get this whole mess off dead center. He was a good soldier and the PGA stuck it to him for his efforts. When Rahm went I figured he expected to get a pile of money, and end up playing with all the best again anyway when the "merger" or whatever happens - smart. It's gone on way too long already...having some of the world's best players on another tour sucks, diminishes pro golf. I was glad to see LIV was a washout at the Masters...it's pretty clear which players don't care about anything but money anymore.

Four of my 60-something golf buddies were there last week, they played 4 days including St Andrews and Carnoustie. I'd say the OPs planning is spot on, conditioning and equipment. My buddies just play golf 3+/week including the past several months, and when it was nasty out they just smiled and said 'good practice for Scotland.' They did end up seeing the spectrum of temperatures, wind and precipitation as they expected. It was a bucket list experience for them, will be for you too.

+1. Scheffler is very competitive, but sinister is an inapt description if you've listened to his press conferences. His course management is as good as anyone, he's just got more weapons than anyone else now that he can putt again. He probably worries less about competitors than most players, he plays his own game. He seems to be pretty unflappable, reacting to good shots the same as bad shots for the most part. A skill we can all use.

I like YouTube and watch often, equipment reviews and tournaments, but NOT golf instruction videos AT ALL. Trying to fix your own golf swing is a fools errand IMO unless you're already capable of doing so without YouTube. You might pick up some useful little tricks, but nothing substantial. Most people I know that take on random golf tips from videos or other players don't seem to work out.

Just got these Payntr X001F (mesh), haven't even worn them yet. But I have Payntr X002LE (white) that I bought in May 2022, and they have been outstanding. Just as good traction, stability and comfort if not more than my Ecco Biom C4's, for $60 less. Finally threw away my FJ DryJoys. They were my favorite golf shoes about three years ago, but I hadn't worn them in over a year. Time to move on. I really don't need spiked shoes any more no matter what the weather brings, spikeless golf shoes have gotten that good IME.

My ultimate burger has lettuce (not shredded), tomato slice, pickles, mayo, ketchup, American or cheddar cheese, bacon and a fried egg (runny yolk) on a brioche or pretzel bun. No mustard, no raw onion. Prefer medium. I've had my ultimate in several upscale restaurants. I didn't expect to like an egg on a burger but once I tried it, I was sold! If you've tried it and didn't care for it fine, if you haven't tried you're not qualified to comment (but will anyway). But I have had upscale burgers with all sorts of toppings, there are many I like - e.g. avocado or guac, gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, blue cheese. No mustard, no raw onion, no mushrooms, no chili...YMMV

Leaderboard set up for a great finish today. I’d be happy to see anyone win except DeChambeau - hope he has an 80 today. The Masters has always been my favorite golf tournament, but I wasn’t sure why, finally figured it out. Having been there in person helped, but the reason I think I like it above all other majors is it’s the same course year after year. When I watch other majors, I only sort of recognize the holes if at all. But having watched the Masters every year, I know every hole, and what it looks/plays like - so I have a good idea what the player is facing with each shot. YMMV

I know several people who play without golf gloves, but I'm so used to it, I'd never be without. I take my glove off to putt in summer, not for feel like pros do evidently, just in hopes of letting it dry a little during the round. Some summer days I use two gloves, alternating every couple of holes, so it doesn't get saturated with sweat.

Don't know if this belongs here or not, but a good golf friend of mine bought Sqairz when they first came out, found them very stable and comfortable. He liked them so much he bought a second pair. Unfortunately the soles separated from the upper at the toes, on both pairs in time, and he did not get any satisfaction from the company (90 day warranty seems pretty useless). I played with him last Friday, he was wearing Pumas...

That's a personal decision only you can make. Depends on your game and the courses you play. Maybe start with what clubs you're already using, and build in from there. Just mind your gaps. I play regularly with 20+ guys, and I'm pretty sure none of us has exactly the same 14 clubs in our bags (not talking makes/models). There is no right answer. My bag is shown in my sig line below, D-4W-7W, 4-LW, putter, but I am sure others would have different preferences. I've never known anyone else with the same setup as I have. I've played long irons my whole life, I've carried several hybrids but don't care for them, so I don't have any in my bag these days. Most people I know swear by hybrids...

Best week of golf on TV of the year bar none. I've been watching the Masters for over 50 years, and have NOT been disappointed once - you can't beat the back nine on Sunday at every Masters. I got to see the 1989 Masters in person thanks to corporate connections, and I've been politely rejected for the ticket lottery every year since, 34 times - but I still love it.

I'd hate to pick one, but it would be #13 if I had to choose. Every shot is a true challenge...

It’s always a judgment call, but I’ve retired balls with significant scuffs (cart path or tree) or occasionally once the gloss is off the ball (rare but I’ve had a couple). I had a ball last 60 holes a few months ago, and I make it 18 somewhat regularly - but like others here I lose balls before they’re worn way more often than not.

Entirely personal preferences, but that's hideous to me. I play Maxfli Tours, I hope I'll be able to buy them without the Max Align Tech. I probably won't buy Maxflis anymore otherwise...

^^ I just played #4 in mid Dec (same area) and I didn't notice anything exceptionally penal in the rough. According to this source, there is no rough on #2? https://nolayingup.com/blog/first-look-at-pinehurst-no-2-restoration

Fitters. Choose very carefully and don’t expect significant if any changes in your scoring. Companies like Club Champion who claim you’ll “lower your scores instantly” are mostly false, and their guarantee is a waste of time too. I’ve had a couple free fittings, and 5 paid fittings. 2 of the fitters, 1 Club Champion and 1 Titleist were used car salesman, a waste of time and money. Of the other 3, 2 were decent (Titleist & Mizuno) and 1 was outstanding (True Spec). I am sure there are some great fitters at Club Champion, but there are some/many just following a script with no real insights into what makes a fitting worth it. Their recommendation might be no better than throwing darts…

A perennial but appropriate topic for those who play golf. I used to lose 2-3 balls per round, my record was 5 in a single round and I almost never had a round without losing at least 1. Over the past few years I’ve slowed down my swing for accuracy, and now I probably average 1 lost ball per round, worst I can remember is 3, and I finish with the ball I started with about every 3 or 4 rounds. I made it about 60 holes before losing a ball once a few months back. I’ve actually tossed balls because the look worn, never used to do that.

Still buying and playing Maxfli Tour and Titleist ProV1 about 3:1. I played Snell MTBs exclusively for years but got out of the habit when Covid killed supply and prices went up.

The least he could do after they paid him millions all those years...

I play Maxfli Tour's. My first (selfish) thought was 'will this make Maxfli Tour's more expensive' adding endorsement money? If it does, I'll probably move on to another ball...

That’s ever changing for me, but at the moment my favorite piece of golf gear is this ball marker https://shop.pinehurst.com/1895-coin-ball-marker-p2382.aspx. That’s a real 1895 Indian Head Penny in the middle.

I started young and focused on improving and tournament competition for about 10 years, my lowest HI was in high school, and I’ll never match that again. I don’t have an interest in spending the time and effort to match those days. I guess I’ve moved past pure competitive golf to social competitive golf? TBH the latter is more fun to me than pure competitive golf. Since then I have enjoyed golf for three reasons - the golf itself, just being active/outdoors, and the camaraderie. I try my best every round (still play in leagues and occasional tournaments) but I stopped getting better many years ago, with good days and bad days. But even when I’m not playing well, I enjoy it all the same. I had the best round of my life (59 years playing) in June, but I didn’t enjoy that day more or less than any other. Maybe not what you’re getting at but if I ever reach the point again that my enjoyment hinges on how I play above all else, I am sure I will lose interest in golf as an pastime…

Fair enough, I meant more often than not. I haven't seen one that wasn't convenient to food, bathrooms, etc. but I am sure they do exist.

Nope, but I sure know a lot of guys who believe that. If they try a new course and play poorly, it’s forever a bad course to them thereafter. Two bad rounds and ‘they’re never going back.’ Some courses are harder than others, but yardage, slope and course rating show that. Or if you slice everything and a course is all doglegs left and hazards right, you’re probably going to have a tough day - that’s not a bad course.