NoSpoon

Agreed. You can't take that away from him. It's just a shame he's brought the controversy on himself, because he doesn't need to cheat to win tournaments... So why do that to yourself and to the game? 

Agreed. You can't take that away from him. It's just a shame he's brought the controversy on himself, because he doesn't need to cheat to win tournaments... So why do that to yourself and to the game? 

Well the old saying that cheaters never win needs revision IMO.  He is just an unlikable guy to me. 

I stopped by a DSG this morning after seeing the MGS article yesterday and wanted to check out the irons in person. I was pretty surprised not to see any of the 845 irons available on the floor. I know that DSG has different levels of golf sub-sections and that they vary by store (so not every store will have every version of the irons). However, if you want the market to view you as more than a knock-off brand, I feel like you need to take yourself seriously to have the base model of your irons available on the release date in every store. 
I don't see myself ever taking the time to go back to DSG to look at the new 845s so in my mind that's a marketing opportunity missed for them. 

I get it... The problem is I also hate not playing golf for 5 months! And sim golf isn't my favorite 

This might be one of my favorite quotes ever. I 100% agree! 

4.5 dreaded golf-less winter... I hate winter!

But, as long as the course is open I’m down to play.

You only get one shot at life, golf when it’s 33° or 73° it sure beats not being able to golf at all.

I feel your pain. My remedy is a combination of those you mention plus. Prior to this year I would, after the courses closed, I would hit the range, they also have an "indoor" range which resembles an indoor batting cage with a really high celling.  But that closed this year. So I try to get to Top Golf at least once a month just to beat balls, work on chipping and putting in my basement. And if I'm lucky I can squeeze in a couple of golf trips to warmer places during the winter. But I'm usally the first one on the course as soon as they open in the spring and the last one out there in the fall.
Chris

I probably have 3 or 4 different balls in my bag at any given time. I'm going on my second season using the Z-Star as my primary. If I happen to lose my personally mandated max of 3 new balls, I change to whatever else is in my bag, which includes a few Z-Stars that were retired for scuffs due to inevitable collisions with unintended targets, a few high quality balls I find and keep (ProV1, TP5, and/or respective x varieties), and I think there are still a couple K-Sigs a friend gave me.
I get the idea that we should find and play one ball, but when I am having "one of those days" where I lose three or more new balls, the consistency of the ball will be of no benefit to my game at that point.

I usually keep two different balls in my bag. A couple sleeves of a high quality (urethane cover) ball, and a couple sleeves of something cheaper for those days I'm slinging them all over the place. I totally buy into playing one ball to eliminate variables, and I get that the stats show it would help my game slightly to play a good quality ball... but I really don't think the woods or the penalty areas care what material the cover is made of... 

It strikes me that this event/venue is a good example of what every tournament could look like in several years if the ball keeps going farther and farther...

I've been working on my putting a lot this offseason on a mat in my spare bedroom.  I had been using a two thumb type grip (similar to what GolfSpy MPR uses), but switched to something a bit more like a two-finger overlap grip.  While I really like the balance the dual thumbs with fingers down the side provided, I wasn't able to get the forward press I like to use to feel comfortable, which was leading to some face angle issues.
As a sidenote, I've been struggling with an inexplicable tendency to pull my putts to the left the last couple weeks.  Checked that I wasn't putting sidespin on the ball, checked to make sure the ball was getting online... I tried everything.  I tried changing grips, nothing worked - couldn't figure it out.  It dawned on me this morning that it might not be my fault so I checked the floor.  Sure enough, my putting mat was on an uneven part of the floor and apparently reading hardwoods are not my strongpoint.  Moved the mat and magically everything straightened out. 

I've been working on my putting a lot this offseason on a mat in my spare bedroom.  I had been using a two thumb type grip (similar to what GolfSpy MPR uses), but switched to something a bit more like a two-finger overlap grip.  While I really like the balance the dual thumbs with fingers down the side provided, I wasn't able to get the forward press I like to use to feel comfortable, which was leading to some face angle issues.
As a sidenote, I've been struggling with an inexplicable tendency to pull my putts to the left the last couple weeks.  Checked that I wasn't putting sidespin on the ball, checked to make sure the ball was getting online... I tried everything.  I tried changing grips, nothing worked - couldn't figure it out.  It dawned on me this morning that it might not be my fault so I checked the floor.  Sure enough, my putting mat was on an uneven part of the floor and apparently reading hardwoods are not my strongpoint.  Moved the mat and magically everything straightened out. 

I've been working on my putting a lot this offseason on a mat in my spare bedroom.  I had been using a two thumb type grip (similar to what GolfSpy MPR uses), but switched to something a bit more like a two-finger overlap grip.  While I really like the balance the dual thumbs with fingers down the side provided, I wasn't able to get the forward press I like to use to feel comfortable, which was leading to some face angle issues.
As a sidenote, I've been struggling with an inexplicable tendency to pull my putts to the left the last couple weeks.  Checked that I wasn't putting sidespin on the ball, checked to make sure the ball was getting online... I tried everything.  I tried changing grips, nothing worked - couldn't figure it out.  It dawned on me this morning that it might not be my fault so I checked the floor.  Sure enough, my putting mat was on an uneven part of the floor and apparently reading hardwoods are not my strongpoint.  Moved the mat and magically everything straightened out. 

That’s a great thought. So important to focus on that spot where e ball is and was. Forces you to really focus on contact. You should have the alignment so hit it! Can’t hit it if you’re eyes aren’t on the ball (there goes that baseball thought process again).

Filling this away for mental games this upcoming season: "So before your take the club back, how many times do you wiggle your toes?"

Great looking bag!  I play at SR too - hope to see you out there sometime.  

@B.Boston We play this so much reading it I can see every hole! For me 3, 4, 9 and 13 are my best holes. 13 a SR can prove difficult because it is tight and has A LOT of trouble. My shot plays well to this hole (Slight fade). Typically playing about 200ish out on the second shot can be made. On average score very well on these holes.
Good overview you come up with all that on your own?!

Big fan of NLU here as well.  I'll clearly have to check out Get a Grip.  The two Brad Faxon episodes are some of my favorites (255, 276)
Thought that Kostis' comments were refreshing and I appreciated his honesty (although I'll admit there was definitely some bitterness toward a former employer)

Dahmen's caddie Geno Bonnalie was waiting to pick Dahmen up from the airport in Roanoke, VA last fall for the Greenbrier.  This is very near where i live.  If you don't follow Geno on Twitter, he is hilarious.  Dahmen is pretty funny too.
 

Big fan of NLU here as well.  I'll clearly have to check out Get a Grip.  The two Brad Faxon episodes are some of my favorites (255, 276)
Thought that Kostis' comments were refreshing and I appreciated his honesty (although I'll admit there was definitely some bitterness toward a former employer)

Big fan of NLU here as well.  I'll clearly have to check out Get a Grip.  The two Brad Faxon episodes are some of my favorites (255, 276)
Thought that Kostis' comments were refreshing and I appreciated his honesty (although I'll admit there was definitely some bitterness toward a former employer)

What say you @Lacassem!? I'm in for the birdie challenge.  Like @NoSpoon above I'll be playing Shining Rock as my home course here.
My home course: Shining Rock Golf Club, Northbridge, Massachusetts
Hole 1 | Par 4 | 411: Downhill slight dogleg left.  The approach shot here is challenging due to the slope of the back half of the green.  If the flag is back DO NOT try to fly it to the pin.
Hole 2 | Par 4 | 384: Everything feeds to the right on this hole which can make it difficult.  a long but skinny kidney bean shaped green guarded by deep bunkers and steep slopes required accuracy, as does the quick and sloped green.
Hole 3 | Par 5 | 504: Dog leg right par 5 which I can get on in two with a good tee shot.  A bad tee shot forces you to layup to a waste are which then still required a 150 yard shot.
Hole 4 | Par 4 | 282: Short with a dog-leg right.  Can get the ball on the green here off the tee, but large numbers and lost balls are had if you leak it right or don't make the forced carry.
Hole 5 | Par 3 | 219: Long par three on paper, but issues with the tee box have had it play consistently around 110-120 yards last year.  Much more difficult if the tee is back.
Hole 6 | Par 4 | 300: Short part 4 that turns to the right and goes uphill to a severely sloped two tier green which essentially splits the whole into two greens.  Stay below the hole.
Hole 7 | Par 4 | 290: Pretty short, uphill par 4.  Another treacherous green complex.  Don't be above the hole. 
Hole 8 | Par 3 | 148: Fairly simple uphill par 3.  Two tier green but not overly difficult.
Hole 9 | Par 5 | 485: A nice easy slightly turning right par 5 to end the front.  I have an albatross, and eagle, and multiple birdies here, so I think it suits my eye.
Hole 10 | Par 4 | 360: Stay middle or right on the fairway, and this straight par 4 is your friend.  There is OB right, and woods left... but they shouldn't be in play.
Hole 11 | Par 4 | 372: A gettable hole has a wide and generous fairway and a green that feels like one of the flatter ones on the course.
Hole 12 | Par 3 | 188: A large green for sure, but now much room to miss left, right, or long.  Another sloping green from back to front provides for some interesting long putts. 
Hole 13 | Par 5 | 478: A skinny par 5 that twists it way uphill to a nice green.  Club selection is key as approach shots from an uneven lie can be challenging.
Hole 14 | Par 4 | 345: A split fairway but otherwise fairly simple hole.  Better to be at pin high or short than long.
Hole 15 | Par 3 | 180: Wide open par 3 but a very tricky green with subtle bumps and breaks.
Hole 16 | Par 5 | 563: An absolute BEAST of a par 5.  My best tee shots require a wood on the second to reach the green.  The fairway narrows as you get to the green and steep drop offs long and right and woods left require accuracy on the approach.  Not going to lie, birdie here is exceptional, an eagle would be other worldly.
Hole 17 | Par 4 | 312: This plays short as it is straight and downhill.  I have driven the green and most approach shots are with wedge in hand.  I've got a better change at an eagle here than on 16.
Hole 18 | Par 4 | 375: Elevated tee and wide fairway that narrows with water on the right if you go too long.  The angle makes the approach more difficult than it should be, but the green is pretty simple.
Easiest holes for me: 3, 9, 11, 17
Hardest holes for me: 1, 6, 7, 16 

I love this! I'm in.  Starting with the pars challenge, but will record birdies as well. If I finish the pars quickly, I will try and round out the birdies!
My home course: Shining Rock Golf Club, Northbridge, Massachusetts
Hole 1 | Par 4 | 411: Primarily tricky because I'm not warmed up when I tee off. Plays downhill and short, but anything off the back of the green is a disaster. 
Hole 2 | Par 4 | 384: Fairly wide open hole, with a narrow green.  This one is gettable with a good tee shot but that's no guarantee for me.
Hole 3 | Par 5 | 504: Last 150 yards or so are a forced carry, so it's usually best for me to lay up.  I can make birdie here for sure
Hole 4 | Par 4 | 282: Short with a dog-leg right.  Green is blocked by some trees, but I can reach with a little 3w fade.  This birdie has my name on it too.
Hole 5 | Par 3 | 219: Long par three.  This is going to be extremely challenging for me to birdie but a par is very achievable.
Hole 6 | Par 4 | 300: This isn't a hard hole as long as you land on the right level of the two-tier green.  Doesn't fit my eye (read: hook) well at all, but I can conquer it.
Hole 7 | Par 4 | 290: Pretty short, uphill par 4.  The green is diabolical... if the flag is on the front, it's better to be short of the green than to land 10 feet past the flag.
Hole 8 | Par 3 | 148: Tricky green, but really manageable hole.  I'll make birdie here
Hole 9 | Par 5 | 485: One of the more open and straight-forward holes on the course.  Just don't lose the tee shot right.
Hole 10 | Par 4 | 360: Stay middle or right on the fairway, and this straight par 4 is your friend.  No concerns here
Hole 11 | Par 4 | 372: Plenty of landing space for the driver on this hole, which opens up as it bends a little left.  The green is very receptive.
Hole 12 | Par 3 | 188: Tricky hole and a bit uphill.  Not much space to miss the green here if you want to find your ball.  This will be a challenge to biride.
Hole 13 | Par 5 | 478: This one is all about the tee shot.  Looks wide open off the tee, but land in the wrong spot and you'll have a miserable second shot.
Hole 14 | Par 4 | 345: Swing away here.  One of the easier holes for me to play.
Hole 15 | Par 3 | 180: Wide open par 3 but a very tricky green. Will struggle to make birdie here.
Hole 16 | Par 5 | 563: For me this is long.  If I'm not playing well, I'll be struggling to be in range of a GIR.  I'd be thrilled to make birdie here.  This is going to be a hard one.
Hole 17 | Par 4 | 312: I could copy this one straight off the original post... Easiest hole on the course (for me). Downhill. Hope to have multiple birdies on this hole.
Hole 18 | Par 4 | 375: Elevated tee and wide fairway.  The angle of the green makes my approach shot the bigger challenge.  I'll make a birdie here eventually.
Easiest holes for me: 3, 4, 9, 10, 14, 17
Hardest holes for me: 1, 2, 5, 12, 15, 16

I love this! I'm in.  Starting with the pars challenge, but will record birdies as well. If I finish the pars quickly, I will try and round out the birdies!
My home course: Shining Rock Golf Club, Northbridge, Massachusetts
Hole 1 | Par 4 | 411: Primarily tricky because I'm not warmed up when I tee off. Plays downhill and short, but anything off the back of the green is a disaster. 
Hole 2 | Par 4 | 384: Fairly wide open hole, with a narrow green.  This one is gettable with a good tee shot but that's no guarantee for me.
Hole 3 | Par 5 | 504: Last 150 yards or so are a forced carry, so it's usually best for me to lay up.  I can make birdie here for sure
Hole 4 | Par 4 | 282: Short with a dog-leg right.  Green is blocked by some trees, but I can reach with a little 3w fade.  This birdie has my name on it too.
Hole 5 | Par 3 | 219: Long par three.  This is going to be extremely challenging for me to birdie but a par is very achievable.
Hole 6 | Par 4 | 300: This isn't a hard hole as long as you land on the right level of the two-tier green.  Doesn't fit my eye (read: hook) well at all, but I can conquer it.
Hole 7 | Par 4 | 290: Pretty short, uphill par 4.  The green is diabolical... if the flag is on the front, it's better to be short of the green than to land 10 feet past the flag.
Hole 8 | Par 3 | 148: Tricky green, but really manageable hole.  I'll make birdie here
Hole 9 | Par 5 | 485: One of the more open and straight-forward holes on the course.  Just don't lose the tee shot right.
Hole 10 | Par 4 | 360: Stay middle or right on the fairway, and this straight par 4 is your friend.  No concerns here
Hole 11 | Par 4 | 372: Plenty of landing space for the driver on this hole, which opens up as it bends a little left.  The green is very receptive.
Hole 12 | Par 3 | 188: Tricky hole and a bit uphill.  Not much space to miss the green here if you want to find your ball.  This will be a challenge to biride.
Hole 13 | Par 5 | 478: This one is all about the tee shot.  Looks wide open off the tee, but land in the wrong spot and you'll have a miserable second shot.
Hole 14 | Par 4 | 345: Swing away here.  One of the easier holes for me to play.
Hole 15 | Par 3 | 180: Wide open par 3 but a very tricky green. Will struggle to make birdie here.
Hole 16 | Par 5 | 563: For me this is long.  If I'm not playing well, I'll be struggling to be in range of a GIR.  I'd be thrilled to make birdie here.  This is going to be a hard one.
Hole 17 | Par 4 | 312: I could copy this one straight off the original post... Easiest hole on the course (for me). Downhill. Hope to have multiple birdies on this hole.
Hole 18 | Par 4 | 375: Elevated tee and wide fairway.  The angle of the green makes my approach shot the bigger challenge.  I'll make a birdie here eventually.
Easiest holes for me: 3, 4, 9, 10, 14, 17
Hardest holes for me: 1, 2, 5, 12, 15, 16