[Rob's DIY push cart. v-1.0]

What fun. great job. now if you could just figure out how to hook an Alphard motor to it...

[7 Wood vs 4 Hybrid?]

38 minutes ago, Bob Jerabek said:

I use both my 21* 7 wood is turned down to 20* and my 21* 4 hybrid is set at 22* I get a perfect 10 yard gap this way.  Fits right in with the irons gapping.

I also do a heavenwood and a 4 H with similar adjustment to lofts. 

[Effort is there.Just can’t get it]

4 hours ago, Goober said:

He plays 5 days a week in a morning men’s club.Ive also told him that as well.Take a break of the group and go out and work on no score but focus on your lesson(s) with no pressure.His rank is always D player when picking our teams.. so when he goes out do solo for a while and be your own A player.Told him around 4-5pm on the weekdays he would have the whole place to himself.His wife sadly passed 15 years ago.So he doesn’t have any obligations of being home at a certain time.He is on the course 7 days a week, and plays 5-6 days.The other time is hours on the range… hours of hitting golf balls 

Hours hitting golf balls without a plan would seem to lack focus.

Maybe if he played the course on the practice range.  It also sounds like he isn't picking a target and seeing the shot. Play what ever he hits off #1, hit what would be a normal 2nd shot, etc. Focus on what the shot would look like based on the previous shot and where he thinks it left him. Needs to actually get behind the ball on the range, see that hole in his mind, and the aim point. Range is wide open so missing isn't end of the world.This keeps it from being I am going to hit 100 8 irons and go from there. As much as he plays, there is little value in repetitive swings without a plan. Maybe if one of his buddies went once in awhile to the range with him and he describes the shot he needs to hit and how he is going to do that to the buddy? No advice though. Just let him think and hit.

I have a hitting mat on my back porch. I don't hit a ball, just get in 20-30 swings on days I am not playing. I swing and "see" the ball flight, really good shots there! Positive reinforcement of what  I am doing. Maybe chip some wiffle balls. Again, no expectations. 

I don't know, maybe get him some of the new Bridgestones with the new line up, see shot, focus on green dot balls. Reorient the thinking on the course.

[Effort is there.Just can’t get it]

I have told a lot of people this. STOP keeping score. Golf can be about the journey if you let it. Somehow we have been bamboozled in to believing our score determines our worth and our improvement.  In your buddies case, the minute he can stop comparing his score to everyone else and himself, the sooner he can just remember a few good shots each round, the better off he will be. 

[Making The Switch To Graphite]

Started with woods. Not much of a difference because the shafts were longer so felt weight didn't change much. Then hybrids. Then irons. The only problem I have found was adjusting my swing because the irons are so light. The upper body still needs to marry with the lower half of the body. The reward for me was the height I can get with my new irons.

[Do you choke down on your clubs?]

Choke down to take yardage off. It works most of the time. I have "nuked" a few but it always comes as a surprise. Others in this thread have reported some other standard choke up times I use like ball above the feet and in bunkers. I also choke up into high winds either front or behind to control yardage. 

Regarding the article, using the results of a limited testing pool of lowish handicap golfers to push back on golf "myths" is hardly scientifically valid. They reported some trends for those golfers but drawing any real conclusions seems problematic. Interesting though. One could wonder that by choking up, the grip is marginally smaller, particularly with the lower hand. Maybe it's as simple as we all are using a grip to large. This would account for the slightly better result for choking up a 1/2 inch as opposed to a 1/2 inch shorter club, and the similar results from choking up on a longer club.

I think it would have been more believable if they robot tested.

 

[Cart Path Only- does it affect your game?]

Doesn't matter to me. The only annoying thing is watching a player ahead, who walks 50 yards to the ball with his laser, uses laser, then walks back to the cart to get the correct club. Then hits it fat and repeats the same routine 60 yards forward from last spot. I am tired of suggesting shooting from the cart and then taking 3 clubs to walk to the ball that are the yardage, and then one club less and one club more. How hard can this be?

One of our courses was closed for major renovation and when opened, was 4 months cart path only. 5 hour rounds. Just saying.

[Retired BUT playing less golf!!!]

I also retired in AZ. My wife and I retired in 2016. We play at least 3 times a week. We moved to a retirement golf community with 3 courses and a military course within 10 minutes.

Everyone has a dream pre-retirement plan, doesn't matter if it changes once you get there. Retirement is a reward and if one can do what ever they want, a just reward. 

Have fun.

[Range Finders on Tour]

GPS and rangefinders. May not speed up play from the middle of the fairway, but it would help when in the next fairway over etc. So much easier to use on layups from trouble without watching a pro or caddie walk them off. Every step they take walking a hundred yards back and forth slows the entire field down.

We usually watch picked groups on TV. The problem with slow play is the players who are fighting to make the cut on Thursday and Friday. Imagine the pace of play of number 135 player in a 156 man field. Those players are not playing well, have a lot more to analyze, than the players we are watching. It couldn't help but speed them up on what has to be a lot of trouble shots.

[Mizuno Long Game - 2023 Forum Review]

4 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

I have a question for the testers who ended up really liking the fairway woods and hybrids.

Do you feel they stack up against the likes of Titleist TSR's and Callaway Paradym's and Cobra Darkspeed's and the like? Do you feel that all things being equal you aren't missing anything by using the Mizuno's compared to others?

I'm considering the STZ-230 3/5 woods and 4 hybrid over the TSR2 versions to keep some costs down as I'm pretty much replacing everything in my bag but the driver and putter. I'd be curious to your opinions on the comparisons to the other big name OEM options if you have any to offer in that regard. Thank you.

I realize you are asking the testers who liked the clubs but I am answering anyway so as to stay fresh with this testing forum thread. 

I wasn't a huge proponent of these clubs. I felt they were made for higher swing speeds than mine. The driver and the 3 wood were a bust for me. They are very low spin options. If you have a swing speed 90+ with the driver, probably would help. Note I play with original Epic drivers and woods.

The 4 hybrid was a nice club. For a hybrid I thought the club head was small but I hit it well. It wasn't better than my Big Bertha 4 hybrid but it wasn't worse. Ball flight was marginally higher and very straight. 

I sent all three clubs to another tester as they were not on par with the driver and 3 wood, or just as good, with my 4 hybrid.

I realize this doesn't cover what newer generations of clubs might do even better than my Epics and BB19, but I feel it's telling that they didn't match previous generation Callaways for me.

Bottom line, if you have a chance to test them I would definitely do that. As a rule, they hit the ball pretty straight.

 

[Debate: Golfers Don't Deserve Free Relief from Fairway Divots]

7 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

A cut or cracked ball has a specific criteria, a ball on or off the green has a specific definition.  Pros call in Referees because they want official cover for whatever they end up doing.  The pros are allowed to ASK for a second opinion, but they don't have a "right" for that.  But again, everything you cite has some specifically defined criteria.  Even if you accept divot relief as appropriate, you still need to write a definition of a divot that can be consistently interpreted by players and officials both.

Actually, a cut ball doesn't have a specific definition. For instance, in the ball rule, there is an indication what a cut can't be: "scratched or scraped or its paint is only damaged or discolored," but an actual definition of what constitutes a cut is not there. Why, because common sense defines a cut. It's easier to say what isn't than what is. As is the same for instance, for abnormal course condition regarding animal holes. I suppose one needs to be familiar with what animals in a given area might be making holes and what those holes look like. There is lots of stuff that isn't defined down to the nanometer because we rely on player judgement.

The rules already agree with this as noted below:

Under Rules 1.3b2

Accepting Player’s “Reasonable Judgment” in Determining a Location When Applying the Rules.

Many Rules require a player to determine a spot, point, line, edge, area or other location under the Rules, such as:

Estimating where a ball last crossed the edge of a penalty area,

Estimating or measuring when dropping or placing a ball in taking relief, or

Replacing a ball on its original spot (whether the spot is known or estimated).

Determining the area of the course where the ball lies, including whether the ball lies on the course, or

Determining whether the ball touches or is in or on an abnormal course condition.

Such determinations about location need to be made promptly and with care but often cannot be precise.

So long as the player does what can be reasonably expected under the circumstances to make an accurate determination, the player’s reasonable judgment will be accepted even if, after the stroke is made, the determination is shown to be wrong by video evidence or other information.

If a player becomes aware of a wrong determination before the stroke is made, it must be corrected (see Rule 14.5).

But lets say a requirement for a definition of a divot is required. I can go with this if necessary. I mean, I am not wedded to just saying a divot if there is this much angst about what constitutes a divot, although I asked my wife to describe a divot and she nailed it.

But of course our rule makers would need to make this hard so:

A divot for purpose of relief is defined as an abnormal course condition in the closely mown areas of the playing area that has been caused by another players swing such that there is a hole in the ground that materially differs from the course condition of the surrounding area within 1 club length of the player made hole in question. It must constitute an actual hole and may not simply be brushed grass.

That even sounds like the excessive wording they put in the rules now.

So if there is a hole, clearly made by a club, and surrounding it is beautifully manicured fairway grass, I think it's pretty obvious that it's a divot. If this isn't obvious to others, then I am glad I don't play them for money. I mean, if you are a dedicated and caring golfer concerned with filling your divots, and you are looking at where your club just went through the ground and you feel it requires sand, then you have just determined for yourself what a divot is.

Please don't write how is one to know if a player actually made the hole, because I sure as hell didn't see the animal that made that hole my ball is lying in going about making it either!

Of course, the absurd question is what constitutes a hole? Absurd yes because an animal hole isn't defined either! But if I have missed that, it would be materially the same. But if this is also required it would simply be where any portion of the ball as found in an abnormal condition as described above that is lower than the surrounding closely mown area. Even if it is a bloody dimple lower.

Again, we would rely on player judgement which is defined by the rules as noted above. 

Many believe the golf rules are black and white or wish them to be, but they aren't. They are an amazing color of grey. And forever will be. The USGA & R&A tried to write down decisions regarding every little facet of the rules and gave up in favor of player judgement relying on integrity.

 

As an aside, if I hadn't seen US Opens determined by a divot, I wouldn't give a hoot about this subject. As with so many other things in life, I don't materially care about the rules of golf in my everyday play. I don't play for money and I certainly don't care that golf is touted as a metaphor for life and life lessons about following the rules. For some of us it's just a fun sport in fresh air.

and makes for an interesting discussion area!

[Debate: Golfers Don't Deserve Free Relief from Fairway Divots]

5 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

So write a rule that clearly defines what a divot is, when it’s not longer a divot so that every golfer and rules official has the same interpretation of when relief is no longer allowed. And that it can be applied in all grass types equally and there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that relief is allowed from the imperfection.

It’s pretty hard to define so everyone is on the same page. 

As ever on this forum there are times when folk disagree.

There are so many holes in the rule book that a definition of a divot is not required. How many times have you seen rulings that depended on the "judgement of the player". See this all the time on the tour where something may or may not be in the way of the player as a TMO. Reference yesterday's ruling on how to get out of a tree/bush filled area.  Or when they are butt up to a drain as to whether they feel they would hit it in the routine delivery of the club for a golf shot. Or literally Tiger's movable obstruction. 

Interpretations for this kind of judgement call ended in a hundreds of page supplement to the rule book at one time. Now, we rely on player judgement and the fact that as a rule, we believe players aren't going to cheat. The mythos of golf is people play by the rules and don't stretch them. That is why there is a thunderous castigation on social media every time it is perceived there is an incorrect drop or other questionable decision by the golfer involved.   

One simply cannot cover the numerous permutations for all scenarios to reliably state a rule for divots. This is also not required for other similar rules necessitating a drop.           

The rules already agree with this as noted below:

Under Rules 1.3b2

Accepting Player’s “Reasonable Judgment” in Determining a Location When Applying the Rules.

Many Rules require a player to determine a spot, point, line, edge, area or other location under the Rules, such as:

Estimating where a ball last crossed the edge of a penalty area,

Estimating or measuring when dropping or placing a ball in taking relief, or

Replacing a ball on its original spot (whether the spot is known or estimated).

Determining the area of the course where the ball lies, including whether the ball lies on the course, or

Determining whether the ball touches or is in or on an abnormal course condition.

Such determinations about location need to be made promptly and with care but often cannot be precise.

So long as the player does what can be reasonably expected under the circumstances to make an accurate determination, the player’s reasonable judgment will be accepted even if, after the stroke is made, the determination is shown to be wrong by video evidence or other information.

If a player becomes aware of a wrong determination before the stroke is made, it must be corrected (see Rule 14.5).

 

As such, a line only need to be added in the line regarding abnormal course conditions to read "Determining whether the ball touches or is in or on an abnormal course condition or in a divot".

This practically writes itself. One already defined abnormal course condition is an animal hole. Do you require what actually constitutes an animal hole? Is there a strict definition in the rule book? I can't find it. I think it is left up to the judgement of a player. The course I learned golf on had a bunch of ground squirrels. The little devils were everywhere. If any kind of hole interfered with a ball, it was automatically deemed a ground squirrel hole because there were so many of them. Was it really? Who knows.

I submit that a divot is a lot more recognizable than an animal hole.

 

                    

 

[Superstition]

None.

I had one early on when I played high school football. I whacked pads with the other tackle before the game. He got tired of it and we didn't before our final game, semi final for the state championship. We lost. I blamed him!

Since then, not a one. Because I mean, if you forget or it takes someone else who doesn't want to play anymore, YOU LOSE!

[Debate: Golfers Don't Deserve Free Relief from Fairway Divots]

GUR.

Who in the world was the first person to say "golf isn't fair". So what, we all "suck it up buttercup"! Poppycock!

I read the article. First off, the author assumes golfers are pretty much the cheating, thieving, unscrupulous bunch of scoundrels we really believe every other golfer is. Really? I don't believe that is the ethos the "game" is trying to project.

The dual premise that golf is unfair and that a DIVOT is to hard to determine is crap.

It ISN'T hard to determine a ball is in a divot. The change in rule would be as simple as calling over your playing competitor and getting an opinion, just as we do for cut balls or a ball on or off the green, or any other problem that could affect the field. Even the pro's are allowed to call in a separate ref if they doubt the first one. Then they play on. So how hard could this be?

I play different courses with different greens keeper philosophy. The military course I play plugs the fairways and greens early in the day and doesn't close at all. The courses I play in my retirement community shut down for 3 weeks so the plugged areas can be groomed etc.

Guess which course I would rather play? Guess what course you can only play?

So, would you or would you not roll your ball on a plugged fairway or would you rather have no golf at all? I don't see the difference from playing on plugged fairways and the minefield of untouched divots in fairways. I play early, usual in the first 4 groups, and we empty a divot bottle on each 9. Sometimes on 1 hole! There are way to many entitled people playing golf now. If this is growing the game having all these dimwit slackers allowed on the course, I would rather go back to a game that isn't growing.

C'mon man, this stuff is common sense.

If we were still a bunch of gentlemen golfers willing to call penalties on our self, there would be no argument regarding playing out of a divot after a perfectly hit ball to anywhere in the fairway.

But apparently we are not, so you get these kinds of articles.

 

 

[Do you still carry a 5-iron?]

70+. Carry a 4 hybrid and a 6 hybrid. 6 hybrid has a longer shaft so the 5 iron/hybrid distance is covered by a hard 6 or choked up 4. The thing about a hybrid is, if you find one with an adjustable hosel, like the Callaways I carry, it is very easy to dial in yardages with different settings and shafts. The long to mid irons can't be changed much or as easy. Pretty much have to buy a new one, whereas I experimented with my 4 hybrid the past week. -1 degree resulted in a soft fade, +1 resulted in a hard draw, and standard went pretty straight. It is very consistent.

I did buy a newer 5 hybrid in the past year, a Paradym off the pre-owned site, because I don't hit the 4 as high as I would like. It didn't go any higher which kills me because my 6 hybrid can hit moon balls. More testing in the future. One thing for sure is I need to change  the grip as it feels big.

The never ending story.

[Vokey SM10 Wedges - 2024 Forum Review]

Can't wait for the results of this test and how these new Vokey's stand up to your current crop of wedges. Wring them out and have fun.

[MyGolfSpy X Bridgestone Mindset Sampling Opportunity - Closed]

I have followed MGS testing regarding scuffs on the ball. I usually use a ball until it doesn't perform and have played plenty of balls with "scuffs". Yesterday one of these balls went a bit wayward and ended up on a bridge down the left side. Minor scuff. The next 3 full shots literally fell out of the sky. It's been a while since I have had this happen. Out of play immediately. Still like the ball. Anyone else experiencing this?

[MyGolfSpy X Bridgestone Mindset Sampling Opportunity - Closed]

Had a chance to play additional rounds with this ball. While I don't have exact numbers, I can give impressions vs my normal Pro V1.

Just a tad shorter off the driver. Pretty much spot on yardage wise with the rest of my clubs. Good height and spin off the scoring clubs, say, 4 hybrid through 58 wedge. Nothing unusual. A bit flatter trajectory off the fairway woods but at times wowser distance off the 5 wood. ??? Can't explain it. This ball just likes that club. It might even be just that one ball. Hmmmm. Will try another ball next round.

Ball does not show much use and looks to last several more rounds. Come to think on it, it might be awhile before I test another ball off the 5 wood.

As I indicated in a previous post, the concept painted on the ball is a good reminder, but as I have played golf for 40 years I already do this. You only get to do it on the tee ball and putting unless a miracle happens in the fairway and the green dot is on the top side with arrow at the target, so you still need to find a way to make it work without the logo. I guess painting a green dot all over the ball would be weird.  I wish the arrow was longer and wider, so ya, bigger. Maybe they did testing and a bigger arrow detracted from the process, becoming to line oriented instead of the visualized target?

I do have one Par 5 on the base course where I have difficulty lining up, getting happy feet, and the ball to far forward. Yesterday for the first time in years I felt totally comfortable over that shot, so there's that.

Bottom line, if I had to buy balls I would consider these. It's that pesky shoe box full of free found Pro V1's that get in the way. Any ball I find that isn't looking brand new or is another brand, I put on a catch and release program to friends that use a ball other than Titleist or to a buddy that sells the rest. Good times.

[How many of you have opted out of a 3W for a different club in the top of the bag?]

Driver, 3,5,7 woods. I don't use the 3 wood a lot but when you need that distance, you need it. Bonus off the tee for short par 4's. I would rather hit my 5 wood off the deck, but if a 3 wood is going to put me in a better position, I hit it.

[Attaining a single digit handicap]

On 4/27/2024 at 6:47 PM, chisag said:

... It is the cornerstone of all sports. Is it worth striking out 9 times and blasting a Home Run with the 10th? Or is it more fun to hit several singles and a double over 10 at bats?

Fun thought. Pete Rose or Reggie Jackson.

All I can say is I payed to watch Reggie and was rewarded with a Home Run. Fun times either way.

I guess I am a bit different. If you aren't playing for money, this round is inconsequential over a lifetime. Throw down a water ball and have at it. You won't ever know if you don't try. Sure, on that day it affects your score, but 20 years from now you will remember clearing that water, whereas you won't remember the possible double bogey. 

[Garmin watch or Rangefinder?]

Sky Caddie SX 400. I have used several Sky Caddie products and love them. Can really help if you play holes backward from the green to figure out where to place t shots. Can't be beat when yardage is needed where a laser wouldn't work. It does require payment. I have a 3 year plan. With the proliferation of app products out there for the phone that not only show the hole with yardages etc, but also track shots, probably will be my last Sky Caddie product unless there is a serious upgrade to track shots etc. 

That being said I also have a laser. Shot Scope Pro 2 L2. Highly rated by several different web sites for under $150. Have had it for 3 months and love it. Replaced a 20+ year old Bushnell hunting laser.

Lasers have become very cheap on Amazon. No idea of the quality or accuracy. Would make an interesting long term test.

[How early do you show up for your tee time?]

30 minutes. Most times the wife checks in and I corral the clubs. Then 15 minutes chipping and putting. 10 minutes chatting and stretching. As I either play everyday or swing on the back porch, doesn't take much to get loose. 

[Share your Shot/Hole Of The Day!]

Basic backstory. Live in AZ in an aged community. We have three courses. Clearly water and the requirement for over seeding every year has become a problem. They shut down one course for basically all of last year and put in grass that doesn't require much water and does not require over seeding. 2 months they have to color it green. Anyway, I haven't played the course in 1.5 years. Played Sunday. The greens might as well have been grassed with green concrete! Example, front pin at 127 yards measured. Hit choked PW with regular mid high trajectory that landed just on the green and rolled off the back. First bounce, and I swear, could have cleared the Empire State building! Well, maybe not, but you get the idea. In our foursome there were NO ball marks on the greens. Those greens need work for sure. Couple years of sand and top dressing, plugs, and whatever, to be playable. 

Right now with the snow birds, packed anyway. 

[Music on the Golf Course?]

I love country on the golf course. Especially when I play by myself. But not if anyone objects. My usual group has a music hater on the course so I respect that. I have noticed playing that there are some pretty entitled feeling people who think when in range of them you will enjoy rock blasting from their cart. I think forum decorum would object to my written feelings along those lines. 

[Has YouTube made you better or worse?]

I don't watch much. I watched Quite the Chap for awhile. One minute lessons that made sense. Not sure what happened to him. Looked at Facebook and the site talks about a lot of channels but I didn't see the lessons right off the bat.