MCMSR

At my previous course (Cyprian Keyes / Boylston, MA), almost every hole is/was a challenge — Narrow fairways, uneven lies & visual tricks. On the Championship course, it was #4 (par5, 500/488/429yd): narrow fairway (extremely, sloped left side mostly unplayable due to rocks, trees, vegetation / lateral hazard, total right side); narrow throat, over wetland at 175yd approach; long, narrow green with multiple bail-out bunkers on right. Now, at Quail Hollow G&CC / Oakham, MA), it’s #18 (par4, 329/295/270yd): blind tee-shot to elevated fairway; approach must clear all-around wetlands to small, island-like green with extreme undulations (possible low, left side bail-out; but overhanging tree blocks most shots) — On approach: Take extra-club, go long & make the up/down.

No music. Period. Engage with your partner(s). Appreciate your surroundings.

As a ‘has been jock’ with a litany of conditions (cardiac, both feet & shoulders, replacement of 1-hip, both knees) and going on age 75, walking stopped years ago. Still appreciate being out/about with the ‘birds, bees & sycamore trees.’

Perspiration /sweat not an issue, so unless it’s cold/raining, never wear a glove. Using midsize, less tapered grips (redone every year).

No specific ball allegiance. In play until ‘non useable’ … cut, damaged, lost, scuffed, etc.

Removed the #4/#5 hybrids as gapping issue; replaced with … Callaway, Heavenwood-21’. Higher launching, better distance.

If bifurcation means there would be 2-classes of balls (a standard offering for the amateur/recreational player & a restricted distance ball of some sort for the professional tours) — I’m totally in favor! Then, regardless of the ball, player differentiation (age, equipment, fitness, skills, strategies) shall be the determining factors — Just as it is today.

It’s 4-irons (6-7-8-9) … 4-wedges (Pw/42, Aw/47, 50’ & 54’). Need/want to address the distance/gapping issues which have developed with fairway & hybrids ….

Currently, carry the 3w (tee-shots only) — Using 4-5x/ round, on shorter par-4/5s. Otherwise, driver then 4/5h from fairways/rough. Years ago, carried 3-5-7w; swing changed & much better/ consistent results with the hybrids.

Thanks much … Self-gifted a fitting at ‘Joe & Leigh’s (Easton, MA)’ — ended up with Ping.G430 (3w), TaylorMade Stealth 2HD (3h,5h) & Cleveland CBX.ZipCore (50’, 54’). Going back to refit for irons (replace Cobra.T-Rail) …

Recently, full-bag fitting at Joe & Leigh's (Easton, MA). Due to timing restrictions, completed over 2-days (about 1.25hrs each). Day-1 [Driver+Woods] with Darren; Day-2 [Hybrids+Irons+Wedges] with Keith. Easy-going, no pressure experience. Recommendations based on the numbers: no change on the Driver; added the Ping fairway, G430. Light.15'Flat; added the TaylorMade hybrids, StealthHD. Regular. 20'+27'; removed poor/under-performing clubs (hybrid, wedges) from the Iron-Hybrid set but no change to the 5-6-7-8-9-PW; added the Cleveland wedges, CBX-Zipcore. 50'+ 54'; and no change on the putter. On the course, over 3-rounds, better than expected/projected results in terms of accuracy & distance ... Definitely, worth the time, effort & cost!

PXG in Framingham is a ‘sexy’ place — Book your fitting with Brian Fitzgibbons (formerly, Director of Instruction at Cyprian Keyes).

Last full fitting was in 2013 at SPARGO, by Tom. As I’ve aged, it has been all self-evaluations to chase distance. Anyone with personal experience at JOE & LEIGH’S? Or, any other reputable fitter?

Unless I'm in a greenside bunker (infrequent, given home-course layout & typical shot patterns), it is the Lw/60'. Then, depending on tee selection &/or course conditions, it is the Driver (if forward) or the 3w (if back, wet).

Several years ago I stopped thinking/worrying about the process & results. Instead, it became: ‘Swing the club, hit the ball, find it — Do it again.’ As scores dropped, it became more enjoyable. Still keep the stats which reveal what I actually need to improve rather than what I assumed/thought was important. Using the LSW shot analysis & recommendations have been made the day-to-day that much easier ….