Pandaman

Thanks everyone. Age is an attitude as much as a 'wrinkling' process. It's just that the wrinkles appear take over more as you get older.

Lower scores for me too. Matt finishes just never appealed to me personally anyway. But ultimately most of us play for fun, so enjoyment is key, if a given finish/colour combo is more enjoyable for you, or just helps you see your ball easier then go with it.

The most noticeable change for me is the increased pace of play, with everyone in a 2 ball at most. The course is in great condition (it's not had me taking chunks out of it for weeks). The green keepers are still playing catch up with trimming the rough and 'fine tuning' the greens, but they have done great so far.

That's 'different'. Oh well, good excuse for putting like p*#ck I suppose.

Why not just try it. It's not like the club you remove will be in the lake, you can swap out a different one or revert back to just 1 putter easily enough.

Possibly, but I would avoid the thinner pipes as they will be too flexy. I wouldn't trust it in a stiff breeze either. I think sone form of 'anchorage' would be wise. I think it would be tricky to have an easily put up and taken down one with those too.

I generally find putting safer if the ground is ok to roll over, as in not too lumpy and the grass not too long.

I can't disagree with you there. The problem is though that breaking any law(s) could potentially result in legal action of some sort. Whether or not the law(s) in question are sensible however is a different matter, and not one that I am qualified to answer. No doubt some lawyers will make enough cash to buy a few bags full of PXGs arguing that one out.

I can certainly sympathise with the owner, but if they are actually breaking laws then it is not unreasonable to expect some legal repercussions. I am in UK where all courses are currently shut. Unfortunately though it is not really because 'playing golf' in itself is deemed unsafe. It is mainly the 'unneccesary journeys' needed to get there (as well as the potential risks of players congregating in the car park etc.) that effectively made keeping them open just not compatible with the guidelines and legislation. There are mutterings of them opening, with safety measures, shortly though.

Here's mine. It's basically a 10x10x10 cage net supported by props and bungees, as I need to put up and take down every time. I had to upgrade the net to this one recently as i skied my driver over the previous one (8x8 pop up type), luckily the neighbours tree got in the way and stopped it, but it made my 'cheeks' clench a bit. I am currently refining the net hanging to narrow it at the back, so my wife can get past more easily. I also got a SkyTrak about a month ago, which makes it so much more worth the time to set up (15 to 20 mins from stored away to starting hitting).

My wife is OK with my set up, but 'reading between the lines' I suspect she would prefer it if I didn't want one (or just 'invested' in a SkyTrak). Due to lack of space mine has to be put up and taken down every time I use it. Which is a bit of a pain, but at under 20mins to set everything up and start hitting (10x10x10 net, mats, and SkyTrak) it's less time than driving to the range, and i don't spend on fuel, or range balls either. I just can't use it when it's raining.

I had one of their full swing analysers for a few years and I found it OK, and liked it, I only sold it due to getting a Garmin that connects to my watch. It didn't do putting so I can't give feedback on that aspect unfortunately. Being a 'plug in' that fits in the grip end it could wobble and give erratic readings at times, but I expect that would be less of an issue for putting due to the much less 'aggressive' swing. My thoughts would be for $20 it may well be worth a gamble (how many gimmicky training aids cost way more than that).

I use a GPS watch (Garmin S60). My distance control is far from perfect, so knowing the 'exact' distance to the pin isn't really going to help me that much. I like being able to just glance at my wrist and get good enough info to choose my club and shot. I can use the 'map' easily enough if i need to know more details, and it's great on unfamiliar courses too. I used phone GPS apps initially, but was forever fiddling with my phone.

Overall I think a more widely relaxed attitude to dress codes would be a welcome improvement. We want to make newcomers feel relaxed and welcome, it is behaviour that needs the 'code' not the clothes. That said, if a club or course has a dress code, then just follow it if you want to play there. My course has a code, I would prefer it a little less strict though, it just feels a bit much specifying that you can't wear patterned socks when some golf trousers could dazzle anyone from 400 yards, but it is what it is. The only item of clothing code that should be 'standard' pretty much everywhere is flat shoes IMO, to protect the course and for health and safety reasons.

I got a SkyTrak about a month ago. And if your budget allows then I would highly recommend it. Personally I wouldn't want to take it to the range, not a lot of need to if you can use it at home with a net as you effectively have a range at home anyway. IMHO the MGS article was pretty much spot on. Unfortunately I haven't the space for a radar based unit, so SkyTrak was my only viable option, otherwise Mevo+ would have been a consideration. I wanted one that gave feedback on direction and sidespin, which the lower price range ones don't, but one of those may well be ideal for taking to the range, as you can see your shot shape and direction properly anyway, so all the device needs to do is give distances. Since the MGS article was published I believe both the PRGR and Mevo+ have been released, and both of those have been getting good reviews.

To me it just makes sense to get fitted if you are buying new, or even second hand, if possible, whatever your skill level. Just getting the length and lie right for you will help, or at worst do no harm. The same with shafts, even if limited to a few 'stock' offerings, getting the most suitable from those available makes perfect sense if the option is there. Granted, a 'detailed fine tuning' may not be worthwhile for a beginner with many inconsistencies, but something as fundamental as making sure that what they have is the right size etc must be benefit.

Normally i will play 18, my most in one day is 36. If I play in the evenings after work then there is rarely time for 18 before the light fades, so will just play as many as i can.

I am UK based, so your situation may be different, depending on where you are. I ordered mine from a UK distributor. I got lucky and ordered just days before the £250 discount offer ended, and stock ran out due to increased demand. Even then it took over a week to arrive due to demand and (I think) waiting for a shipment that was in transit to the distributor. I did wonder if I had just missed out, but luckily all was well. I called them a couple of times to check on progress and they were very helpful and reassuring (if a little busy). Last time I looked, just before mine arrived, they were taking back orders with estimated delivery several weeks away. I would suggest you contact your supplier for an update on availabity and estimated delivery. Hope this helps.

Nice one! I took the plunge and got mine about 3 weeks ago, awesome tool... shame about the swing. Been mainly using it outdoors into a net. Also indoors in the lounge for chipping/pitching (into a net 'of sorts') using practice balls. I found the 30% type work best, the foam ones are pretty good too, the hollow plastic and waffle/airflow work, but are just too erratic. Obviously the 'numbers' won't be the same with practice balls as your real ball (but different models of real ball give different numbers anyway, as do range balls of course), but close enough to be useable. Enjoy, I definitely don't regret 'investing' in mine. Will also come in very handy for deciding which ball to game going forward. Even with my inconsistent ball striking i can see differences between models.

Here in UK most, if not all, courses are shut, so no option to post a score anyway. Which is a shame I was on target to shave a few more off my handicap this season. So I'm spending the time out to hopefully hone my skills a bit, so I can hit thr ground running. Maybe suspending handicaps is a sensible option, as any drops due to the different playing conditions may well be a little artificial anyway, irrespective of the integrity of the players.

I do like the Ping Hoofer. But I opted for the Inesis waterproof standbag instead, and I am extremely happy with it. It is well worth checking out if you want a decent bag at a good price.

My course (in UK) has shut down completely and I think that's the case for all UK courses.

I much prefer walking. Riding seems to break the flow a bit for me, and I need the exercise. When I firstt started I would often play with a chap who had to ride for health reasons, and had his own 2 seater at the club. So I rode with him, but i missed the walk. I mostly use a push cart, but like to carry if just doing a few holes.

I would find it fascinating, and a great experience, to see you enjoy playing with your service dog. I am not really a dog fan, though have no issue when a dog is under control and well behaved, as service/assistance dogs invariably are. If people have a problem then 'stuff em' and enjoy playing with others, and hopefully the doubters will change their attitude when they see the dog 'working' on the course. I would say the important thing is for you to explain to your playing partners what the situation is, so they are aware of what to expect, as it will most likely be a new experience for them. They will also have a chance to see how well behaved the dog is as you are warming up or on the practice green.

Sorry, forgot to add that bit... We played as a fourball, the top score counts on the first hole, top 2 scores on 2nd and top 3 on 3rd, then start the cycle again on 4th hole. We used Stableford point too, but not sure what the norm is.