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 ….

Initially, in the late 90’s, experienced this while playing with (& watching) my son’s college golf coach [up at St. Lawrence University (Canton. NY)] who played on the LGPA. Over the years, didn’t do anything with it until a few years ago when related articles appeared in major golf publications — Personal experiences similar to what was reported: immediate, significant improvement on the 4-8-12’ distances; not as effective on the longer distances (in terms of speed control). — So, for last 2-years, have spot-putt the long ones & cup-look the shorter ones which has brought the average putts/round down to 32-33. Try it! And, stick with it!

Definitely, l'd keep the mid/short irons; the others I can eliminate or work-arohnd

Over the years, multiple business trips provided opportunities to play in/around the Portland & South Portland areas. I found these to be enjoyable tests with interesting layouts & varied shot-selection options. All 'an easy drive' within 15-30 minutes of downtown Portland proper -- Old Marsh C.C. (Wells). Dunegrass (Old Orchard Beach). Nonesuch (So. Portland). Sable Oaks (So. Portland MARRIOTT). Fox Ridge (Auburn).

Multiple studies over the years. Consensus indicates benefit/value on short putts. Otherwise, it’s not ‘rocket science’ — Stop agonizing (you’re not a pro); know the basic ‘make’ statistics at various distances (say, 4’-8’-12’) for your handicap. Stop waisting time & aggravating your fellow players. Watch the path of other putts. See the line OR pick the spot. Make your stroke. Accept the results.

Realistically, how many clubs do we actually & consistently use?For me (male, age72+, >80 rounds, 6100yds, GHIN-12) —Typically it’s ‘Driver, hybrid, 7-9-G-L & putter’ — Why clutter up the bag?

In Massachusetts, Worldwide Golf seems reasonable - Staff will help (not ‘push’) with club selection; the 90-day ‘play-return-credit’ warranty on both new & used clubs is a definite plus.

Given the nationwide statistics, most players wouldn’t know the difference …

If not a single-digit, then don’t worry — Just play them.

2020 may be the year for ‘new clubs’ as 2019 was all medical issues: cardiac work, gi-bowel surgeries & hip replacement in December. Clubs in play based upon course, tee, conditions / all regular flex & midsize grips: Titleist. 915. D-12’ Titleist. 917. 3w16’ & 7w21’ Callaway. X-Hot. 3h19’-4h22’-5h25’-6h28’ Ping. G25/steel-6-7-8-9-W-U (Sw54’, Lw58’) Cleveland. G15-DSG. Sw54’, Lw58’ Odyssey, CB-Tank7, mallet/oversized Rife 2-Bar, mallet/oversized

Came late to the sport, about 15 years ago. A ‘has been jock’ — played all the sports: football, lacrosse, rugby in college; along with basketball, baseball in high school (some tennis, then racquetball in my 30s). Over the years, a litany of medical issues: multiple shoulder separations & dislocations, bilateral total knee replacements, rotator cuff surgery. And, in the last year: cardiac work; gi-bowel surgeries & a hip replacement ... So, haven’t played since mid-September 2019. GHIN was 12.2 (typically, 80-100 rounds annually). Individuality, self reliance - Never, really appreciated the ‘team’ aspect. Product reviews, possible testing opportunities. No other acknowledged Spies Originally from NY (Long Island); attended Hofstra. Business wise, started in NYC - then transferred to Hawaii, back to NYC, then to Massachusetts in 1978 (divorced & remarried 15 years ago, living in Jefferson/Holden since). Home course is Cyprian Keyes (Boylston) since 2005. Nothing good/bad .... Retired. Golf; ski (instructor); travel with ‘the best wife yet’ (Cozumel, Stowe, NYC, etc). Easy to remember