ncwoz

Tie breaker, 66 points

I went in for my first ever lesson back in early December, and my instructor had me work on widening out my backswing. I was wayy off plane at first, which surprised me. Worked on that at home for a few weeks, then went back in for lesson #2 last week. Really pleased with the progress from the first session! Our second lesson he pointed out that I don't quite turn my hips early enough, so I'll be adding that in to staying on plane as well. We also took a look at my putting stroke, which I was pleasantly surprised with. It turns out I set up quite open, and then have a tendency to pull putts, but they were pretty consistent pulls. I guess that counts for something! Definitely anxious for the Spring so I can test out some of these changes on a real course, instead of artificial turf ranges and living room carpet.

Particularly the last few months, I feel like Shiels is getting very click-baity. Not a huge fan of that sort of content myself. Really enjoy TXG's deep dives into equipment, although I get they might be a bit too long for some. I find it really interesting and think they do a very professional job. Tough for me to hate Crossfield either, he shoots it pretty straight.

Dynasties are great for any sport, whether they annoy fans or not. It generates a ton interest to see if someone can finally knock a team off the top spot, and creates a ton of people rooting against that dynasty. I'm sure there were a ton of people cheering to see the Pats dynasty "over", just like everyone (except their own fan base) has been cheering for anybody except Bama lately. Same with Golden State Warriors, same with old school Yankees. But there's no question, the Patriots have dominated the NFL for an unprecedented length of time, division aside.

Here's some putter reviewing for your New Year's pleasure! My Stage 2 is up! Check it out:

Looking great!

Yeah, that was quite the putt to keep them alive. US looks like they might be stumbling to the finish line unless they tidy things up the last few holes...

Great question. I've fiddled around with that, but haven't tracked the stats to compare. I don't trust my consistency to deliver the face how I'd be trying to do the test justice, but it does feel way better off the Evnroll. The Cushin feels awful when you mishit it, and goes nowhere. Biggest difference I could feel was the ER2 didn't lose nearly the distance on those off center strikes. It was hard for me to tell how much left to right difference there was between the two, because I couldn't quite tell how much was my stroke potentially delivering the face non-square on the intentional off center hits.

Jeez, those are insane. I haven't had much exposure, but those are by far the thinnest and most intimidating address pics of any iron I've seen

He's saying it's more important to be putting that to be hunting pins. Which, is generally true for any mid+ hdcp golfer. Also takes into account that putting is much lower risk than chipping/pitching. No duffed putts. If it's true that your chipping is that much better than your putting, you're in a great spot. Because putting is the easiest thing to get better at. If you really improve your putting and maintain a great short game, your scores should drop quickly. That's probably the lowest hanging fruit. Turn two putt bogeys into up and down pars. Improving short game is a lot easier than building or rebuilding a more consistent full swing. If you're putting yourself in such a bad position off the tee that you consistently need to take drops, that might be the exception. Penalties kill the score, as I know all too well;) in that case, see if you can get some lessons and focus on really tightening the dispersion for your driver.

My gamer is an old Ping Cushin, so solid face with no grooves. The Evnroll is actually the first grooved putter I've hit; I've tried a few stoked with a handful of insert faces from people I know. Totally agree that it seems the groove provides the most performance capability. I'll also say I'm not a huge fan of the feel of insert faces. They feel almost mushy to me if that makes sense. Like I'm putting with marshmallow or something. The grooves do also seem to give a slightly softer feel than solid faces, but not in a bad way at all. I prefer the feel of the ER2B face to the Cushin by far.

Unfortunately, I think I'm out. But good luck selling them! That's a great set.

Hit the heated bay yesterday for a bucket 'o balls. Mostly just a touch up day, went up through the bag and then spent the rest of the time working on partial wedge shots. Swing actually feels really good for the off-season. I've got my first lesson coming up in a week, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he says with my swing!

I gotta say, this putter just continues to give me so much confidence. Took a little while to get accustomed to the feel, but now I'm loving it!

I promised myself not to buy clubs until I get a few lessons under my belt so I can get a better fit...but dang what a set. You're not making it easy on me!