Firebird

Another option would be to decrease you AOA as it really has an effect on launch angle. I used to and sometimes still do have a steep AOA which used to mean that my miss was a pull draw and my launch angle on my 10.5* Driver was 4-5* - not great. When I got my new set of clubs it came with a 18* hybrid and it took some getting used to. I used to only hit my driver every now and then because I found I was hitting my 3 wood almost as far and more consistently. Nowadays I still hit down on my irons but know where near as bad. As far as Woods, long irons and hybrids I now sweep them or hit slightly up. Still not 100% yet but slowly getting there. During lockdown I sent my V1 swing videos to my old golf pro and asked him to review and make suggestions. He is in a aged care home and we thought it might give him something to do. He came back to me after a week and over Facetime pointed out that I was starting my swing from the top with my arms instead of from the bottom - my legs. Hence the steep AOA and out to in swing. He told me of a drill that I remembered him having me do 20+ years. I know this might sound strange but give it a try. Take a 5-6 iron and tie a short length of strong string around the shaft, then attach to something solid so the club head is at the same height it would be at the top of your back swing. I use the clothes line. Now set yourself up so that you are holding the club like you would be at the top of your back swing. It helps the first time you do this if you have a second person to help. When you have the club in position you will find that if you gently try to start your swing with your arms the club will not move. Makes sense it is tied to something. Now instead try moving your lower body and you will find you can move your legs and hips back to parallel without your shoulders and arms moving. I spent 3 months of lockdown doing this 10-12 times 2-3 times a week, then doing that same thing with the club not connected and making a full swing from the top and over the last few months I have seen a huge improvement - yesterday for example I had my best round in many years, 48 Stableford Points, a Gross 79/Net 60. As with all training it is all about muscle memory and getting the feeling and this drill for me works.

Epic Flash 3 Wood and a new back, shoulders and neck.

I sat beside the MD of Acushnet ANZ at a charity event and we had a really interesting discussion on golf balls. I asked him about using balls that had been in the water and he said that it depended on the type of cover, if the cover is scuffed and the quality of the water. A Urethane covered ball like Pro V in clean water should be still ok for 5-7 days, however if the water is polluted or acidic then it could be as little a 8-12 hours. He also said that scuff marks break the seal and will allow water to penetrate the cover much quicker. Fusablend/Lonomer will last allot longer in water but again it all depends on how badly the cover is scuffed up.

Seed 001 - which is one of the ball I play anyway. Tis the closet ball I have found to a Pro V and is 2/3 the price. I would guess the non Taylormade sponsored Pros would go Bridgestone.

My wife had an old set of Tommy Armor (steel shafts) which she really liked however she needed good wedges so we went to the local golf clearance outlet to buy her 2-3 Cleveland wedges. While she was testing the wedges Phil the owner bought over 3 set of womens clubs they had on special and I suggested she try them. She did not like the Callaway or the Cobra but loved the Taylormade M2. It took her a few rounds to get used to them particularly the hybrids which we also needed to buy as most womens set are 6-PW. Within a month here handicap had dropped by 4 strokes. So yes I think it is a good idea to get a new set, however to be fitted or not will depend on your budget. In my case she was very happy with going off the shelf and seen it as a great upgrade without spending too much - $600AUD - M2 4-5 Hybrids 6-PW, Cleveland CBX AW and SW.

Why are you wanting to change.

Love them, they last and last and also work great in the wet.

Wilson Staff FG V6. As they have just released a new version after 4-5 years you should be able to pick up a set on special.

Was that about the same time the a guy called Noah built a big boat.

Insulting sob, I am an Australian K1W1.

Good news, the tip of my finger is almost grown back and I hope to start playing again on Saturday.

Hope you recover quickly and soon.

Can't get a break, just when I was starting to get my new swing working I accidentally shortened my R index finger by 4mm on a Mandolin. So no golf for me for at least 2-3 weeks. One of the most painful things I have ever experienced and do not recommend.

We always take 2-3 week holidays twice a year where we generally do not play golf. I find that after about a 2 weeks I find that I do not really miss it but then do enjoywhen I do finally get back on course. Interestingly we have been in Lockdown for 21 weeks and boy were we itching to get back out on course, not necessarily for the golf, more for the banter and catching up with people.

Only issue I find with Kirkland is that the cover marks up quite allot but then again I generally loose them before they get too bad. My preferred ball is a Seed 001. It is the closet ball I have found to a Pro V1 and is half the price.

I have FJ DNA Helix Spiked and FJ SL Pro Spikeless Shoes. Our course get really wet and muddy in winter and I have always worn spiked shoes as when I wind up tight I find that I need the extra grip otherwise my feet start to slide around on the downswing. The DNA's are comfy when the ground is wet they are not so great when the ground is rock hard. What surprised me was that the SL Pro's provided as good or even better grip in the wet and are so comfy in all conditions. I have a set of Callaway Spikeless that I wear as casuals and they do not offer any where near the same level of grip as the SL Pro's. They feel like they stick to the ground. One of my playing partners also bought a set and he is also amazed at the level of grip.

Here is a review, conclusion excellent for the price.

This would not have been possible a year ago as due to illness I would be in pain for 2-3 days after each round. Did not play great and it was quite hot on Tuesday 34C (94F) but it was still great to be able to play 3 rounds in such a short period. Mind you I was totally knackered Wednesday night. But now hopefully we will be able to continue to play and my golf fitness will improve.

The key question is - Will they improve your game. I have a set of Wilson Staff Blades that I love but they sit in the closet 90% of the time. Even the Pro's nowadays tend not use them. Several things you need to be aware of. Firstly they are generally the have traditional lofts which are weaker than your XR Steelhead Irons. Secondly you miss the seat spot which is about the size of a dime and you will loose a lot of distance, thirdly they are really difficult to hit out of longer grass/rough and lastly the heads are usually much smaller and that can be a little off putting. On the plus side, they look amazing, the feel amazing when you hit the sweet spot and you can really work the ball.

Either go to a OEM performance centre like Callaway, Taylormade Titleist, in fact go to as many as you can or got to a Pro Shop that does real fittings and has a selections of brands that you can test. Swing as many different models as you can and then narrow them down to the top 3, then hit those again. Then go home and think about it. The alternative is to find a fitter that has the SIM's and try them with different shafts to see if you can find one that feels good.

What ball are you using as a high spin rate will cause a high ball flight. I would suggest going to your local pro shop or range and trying a similar lofted club with a different shaft. BTW I hit a high ball and I found the little difference between shafts when I was getting fitted.

We play a public course and slow play can be a real issue. Mind you there would be no benefit in calling us through and you would just get stuck behind the next group.

My old buggy has a foot brake and swivel front wheel and I found being able to lock the front wheel was more important that having a brake particularly on a hilly course. My wife now uses it and she finds the foot brake better than the hand brake she had on her old buggy. I also find that I have know issues with not having a brake on my GolfKart electric buggy, as mentioned all you need to do is turn it sideways on a hill as the front wheel is fixed, just do not do this with the Caddyteck if the wheel is not locked as it will take off down the hill. One last thing to the umbrella holder on the Clicgear have an issue with the retainer rubber band thingy. They do not work very well.

Well, today was our first round in 21 weeks at our club. Only played because this is the first time my wife has been out in 21 weeks other than walking around the local park. Unfortunately we got 40-50mm of rain in 12 hours and it rained the entire round. The 6th hole was an island green and the 7th had a water hazard. We eventually stopped on the 16th as it is a short walk to the car park. This is a picture of the 7th fairway looking back towards the tee. The water continued across the 6th fairway and was 150mm deep over the path so there was know way to get to the 6th green or 7th tee. But at least we were able to play. Much better than being in lockdown.

Thanks and yes we played Waterford Valley. First round back so was absolutely stuffed by the end.