Retrop

Two of my favorite sports-related companies are MGS and Driveline Baseball. While Driveline focuses on player development, and MGS focuses on equipment reviews, I think the two companies share a similar approach to business; namely, they're both extremely data-driven and insist on providing service that makes their community better at its sport. Does anyone else share an affinity for these two groups, and if so, how else do you think they're similar or different? Also, are there more examples of this type of data-driven, community-focused business in other sports?

Woods, hybrid, and irons are all hand-me-downs, and they're great clubs. Driver is a Callaway XHot; Stiff Project X Shaft; 10.5° 3 wood is a Callaway Razr X; Standard Shaft 3 Hybrid is a Callaway Big Bertha Heavenwood; Standard Shaft; 20° Irons (4-P) are Callaway Diablo Edge; Steel Shafts; No modifications Vokey SM5 52.12F Vokey SM5 56.14F Vokey SM4 60.04 Putter is an Edel Faldo G90; had a 50g counterweight in the handle, but I took it out. Grips are Golfpride CP2 Bag is a bright yellow OGIO that I won in a drawing. If you were me, which club(s) would you upgrade first?

Four 4-irons. Seeing some "batted cleanup" symbolism here.

Was playing a tournament at a course for the third year in a row. Each of the first two years, on hole 7, I hit a 50 yard hook OB into some backyards bordering the course. The third year, I said, "I've learned. I'm gonna hit something straight." So I teed off with a 7-iron and hit it in the perfect spot, but it left me with a long approach. I took out my 4-iron and snapped 3 hooks into the backyards from the middle of the fairway. Finally, I took my 7-iron out again and just advanced the ball up the fairway. Nothing like hitting 7-iron 7-iron wedge into a 360 yd par 4 before 3 putting for a 12.

Please, please, please, don't take 6 practice swings, stand over the ball for 10 seconds, and top it 20 yards (or throw a dart to 6 feet). No problem if you top it 20 yards, just hit, learn, and hit again--while we're young.

A test of side-saddle putters would be interesting. Perhaps it would be hard to find a group of testers with enough familiarity with the stroke though. The super-mega-long drivers would be an interesting test too. I'm thinking clubs in the Krank category that typically draw long-drive competitors to put them in their bags.

Really appreciate the response and information! I have a hard time justifying subscription-based products too, especially when there's extra cost hiccups like you mentioned. Any performance tracking/ game improvement system you're thinking about switching to when those original sensors give out?

Arccos. Can't decide if it's worth the investment or not. Any satisfied users?

Had never broken 80 in a tournament round. Last round of the high school season. Was +4 on a par 72 through 17. Last hole was a long par 4 with an approach over water to a narrow green. I took a 9, but you better believe that 79 still felt pretty sweet!

What's the difference between Shrek and a bowl of carrots? One is a funny beast and the other is a bunny feast!

Played a few days ago in a brief reprieve from a cold spring. Grass was brown and greens were hard, but it was awesome.

I love playing and walking. It gives me a chance to slow down and take in the outdoors!

I'd play mini-golf with 1. Ben Crenshaw 2. Brad Faxon 3. Dave Stockton and I'd still be a crappy putter afterward!

It has to be The Greatest Game Ever Played for me. Nothing like a young Shia Labeouf to make a movie worth watching! Just kidding, he's pretty average in this one. It's a great story though, and Ouimet's caddy is a phenomenal character.

Not much to pick from in North Dakota! Only one option on the PGA, in fact, and he wasn't even born here! Tom Hoge was born in North Carolina but grew up in Fargo. No tour wins for him yet, but he was racking up top 10s before this year's season was postponed. On the LPGA, ND's claim to fame is Amy Olson--she also grew up in Fargo and went to college in North Dakota too.

Long time listener, first time caller! How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? I started taking golf seriously in high school. Up until then, I was a once-a-year-with-my-old-man type of player. In college, I stopped playing besides a couple summer scrambles, but I'm ready to get back into the game. I haven't kept a handicap in a few years, but I got it down to the 6-7 when I was in high school--however, I imagine I'm in the ~10 range now. I usually score in the low-to-mid 80s. What do you love about golf? I love that it lets me be outside for hours at a time, and I love that it's a game I can share with my father. I think it's an awesome game because there's such a sense of inner competition--every time I play, I'm playing against the player I was yesterday (and the course, of course). I love watching golf, I love learning about golf, I love reading about golf, and I love playing golf. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I've followed the main site for a few years and have always been impressed with MyGolfSpy's commitment to giving their community recommendations based on objective measures. I hadn't heard of the Forum before, so I'm interested to see what it's all about Where are you from? What is your home course? I'm from Mandan, North Dakota. My home course is Prairie West golf course; I have a ton of great golf memories there, and it holds a special place in my heart What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? The best thing about North Dakota golf is that there's lots of opportunity to play. There used to be a statistic going around that said the state had the most golf courses per capita (don't know if there's any truth to that or not). Unfortunately, there's no top-end quality courses here, but there's some pretty good ones. The worst thing about golf here is that the season is so short! What do you do for a living? I'm a college student. I'm finishing my undergraduate degree this spring, and I'm starting a master's program this summer. How’d you pick your user name? It's my last name spelled backwards, and it's been my username for just about everything since I was 10 years old.