Skulled Birdies

I was wondering if anyone knew of any other website like caddytips where I can get an 18 hole breakdown of caddy insights for a range of golf courses? Not advertising but damn, playing Spyglass would have been harder had I not gotten tips like "this hole is surrounded by trees making it tough to feel the wind so look at the moss hanging from the trees in the distance to see where the wind is blowing."

Yes. In fact, in some cases because I have no expectation, I can outdo myself on my weak side. It really helps bring the frustrations you feel on the course to your home practice sessions.

Here are mine. I started on 5/19. Results were almost immediate. I was using the swing speed radar: Level 1 5/19 5/21 5/23 5/25 5/27 5/29 6/1 6/4 6/6 6/8 6/9 6/11 6/16 6/15 Light 104 112 115 Normal 94 5.32% 99 5.32% 94 -5.05% 103 9.57% 94 -8.74% 90 -4.26% 102 13.33% 113 10.78% 117 3.54% 107 -8.55% 112 4.67% 113 0.89% 117 3.54% 121 3.42% Reverse 78 -2.56% 76 -2.56% 84 -10.53% 97 15.48% 91 -6.19% 83 -8.79% 95 14.46% 102 7.37% 103 0.98% 107 3.88% 111 3.74% 116 4.50% 113 -2.59% 118 4.42% Step-Change 104 1.92% 106 1.92% 101 4.72% 104 2.97% 103 -0.96% 95 -7.77% 106 11.58% 105 -0.94% 109 3.81% 104 -4.59% 111 6.73% 115 3.60% 123 6.96% 129 4.88% Step-Change Reverse 85 2.35% 87 2.35% 91 -4.60% 95 4.40% 88 -7.37% 88 0.00% 100 13.64% 97 -3.00% 105 8.25% 102 -2.86% 105 2.94% 105 0.00% 111 5.71% 124 11.71% Normal 94 0.00% 94 0.00% 99 -5.32% 104 5.05% 101 -2.88% 106 4.95% 107 0.94% 114 6.54% 116 1.75% 109 -6.03% 122 11.93% 114 -6.56% 125 9.65% 123 -1.60% 455 1.54% 462 469 503 477 462 510 531 550 529 561 563 589 615 % Change 1.54% 1.52% 7.25% -5.17% -3.14% 10.39% 4.12% 3.58% -3.82% 6.05% 0.36% 4.62% 4.41% Medium Normal 84 11.90% 94 11.90% 87 7.45% 95 9.20% 89 -6.32% 103 15.73% 102 -0.97% 105 2.94% 109 3.81% 104 -4.59% 111 6.73% 105 -5.41% 109 3.81% 118 8.26% Reverse 74 25.68% 93 25.68% 81 12.90% 81 0.00% 91 12.35% 80 -12.09% 86 7.50% 102 18.60% 105 2.94% 104 -0.95% 105 0.96% 105 0.00% 106 0.95% 118 11.32% Step-Change 93 -6.45% 87 -6.45% 86 1.15% 99 15.12% 91 -8.08% 103 13.19% 103 0.00% 103 0.00% 110 6.80% 109 -0.91% 106 -2.75% 112 5.66% 113 0.89% 115 1.77% Step-Change Reverse 70 8.57% 76 8.57% 76 0.00% 88 15.79% 87 -1.14% 94 8.05% 98 4.26% 101 3.06% 101 0.00% 102 0.99% 105 2.94% 106 0.95% 110 3.77% 112 1.82% 321 350 330 363 358 -1.38% 380 6.15% 389 411 425 419 427 428 438 463 % Change 9.03% -5.71% 10.00% -1.38% 6.15% 2.37% 5.66% 3.41% -1.41% 1.91% 0.23% 2.34% 5.71% Heavy Normal 78 14.10% 89 14.10% 81 8.99% 96 18.52% 91 -5.21% 92 1.10% 100 8.70% 102 2.00% 99 -2.94% 101 2.02% 101 0.00% 105 3.96% 116 10.48% 109 -6.03% Reverse 64 17.19% 75 17.19% 71 5.33% 92 29.58% 74 -19.57% 74 0.00% 88 18.92% 92 4.55% 99 7.61% 101 2.02% 101 0.00% 102 0.99% 107 4.90% 114 6.54% Step-Change 82 2.44% 84 2.44% 88 -4.76% 100 13.64% 91 -9.00% 91 0.00% 94 3.30% 97 3.19% 101 4.12% 101 0.00% 103 1.98% 109 5.83% 115 5.50% 108 -6.09% Step-Change Reverse 61 16.39% 71 16.39% 69 2.82% 84 21.74% 68 -19.05% 63 -7.35% 87 38.10% 96 10.34% 92 -4.17% 95 3.26% 103 8.42% 109 5.83% 106 -2.75% 108 1.89% 285 319 309 372 324 -12.90% 320 -1.23% 369 387 391 398 408 425 444 439 % Change 11.93% -3.13% 20.39% -12.90% -1.23% 15.31% 4.88% 1.03% 1.79% 2.51% 4.17% 4.47% -1.13% Numbers are erratic in some places because some days I didn't feel as strong as others. Some just piss me off because my left handed swing was as or more efficient than my normal. Overall I am very happy. I really do recommend people take it easy as when you first start and warm up. You don't want to go in cold swinging as hard as you can even if it's only 39 swings each time. I have taken a day or two extra for rest when I didn't think I "had it" or when my back still tight after warmup. I don't want to set myself back before I started.

For me, short answer: yes Long answer: hell yes I went from topping out at 108 to 118 and I'm 4 weeks in. I'm piping in above where I used to be able to hit it at the range. Irons are also 1/2 club longer. Looking forward to seeing where I am after the end of the first program. I do feel however I need to start some sort of workout regimen to get flexibility and strength consistent with my gains. It does help work on mechanics because there's a noticeable difference in club weight and you can really feel the load changes so you're forced to pay attention to the mechanics.

Literally my words with a sh*t eating grin while hitting it. Straight ropes.

I'm in the fortunate position of kid in a candy store with free tasters. I've had success with Taylormade in the past so right now I'm looking at the Milled Grind, Honma TW-W4 and Cobra MIM. Taylormade is a bit firm and clicky but it sets up well to my eye, haven't yet tried the Honma but it scores really well the previous MGS wedge test in the areas I care about, spin and dispersion. I've also had my eye on the Cobra MIM wedge. I've already got it set up to hit these when the clubs I ordered arrive. Also gonna try and test the drivers.

Thanks for the sentiment. I am getting them replaced right now through insurance but things are just starting to normalize the bay area that I'm able to go out and get fitted. Right now I'm building the set. I didn't want to get my heart completely broken again so I'm breaking up my clubs a bit. I got the Honma TW737 V 5-10 irons. Clubs are little stronger which I like for my gaps distances. Filled in Mizuno MP-20 HMB for 4-2 irons which should be ready next week. Gonna get fitted for either the Ping G10, EXS 220 or the EXS 220 Pro. Need a 50 and a and 56 which I'll bend to a 55 and I have a 60. I used to really like the whippy feel but as I've gotten better with my timing I don't need that whippy feel to get there and I get a penetrating flight that runs forever. It also helps since I've upped my swing speed but realistically with my build and frame I'm never gonna be able to squeeze out enough to need an x-stiff. Getting fitted taught got me used to the importance of numbers and dispersion. I switched to graphite because it was stupid how much tighter it is compared to any of the steel shafts. I'll post a pic of my set when I'm there. Keep it in the short grass.

Greens and weirdly hot dogs. The only time I find myself eating a hot dog is on the golf course and I've been fortunate to only eat decent hot dogs. But the quality of the greens are my only metric. A crappy place isn't going to have an all of a sudden stellar green, a mediocre course layout can have a great grounds crew and tight greens and if you're paying $90+ on a round the greens are expected to be great. We spend most of our time on or around the greens anyway so I want the place I spend most of my time to be have the best conditions possible. You can come back and practice, get the feel for with or against the grains, really practice your short game on good greens.

How'd you play?

Ditto on that and congrats. Where was your hole in one? I got mine in Napa at Chardonnay on hole 5, short par 3 126 yard pin.

For reals? I've had my superspeed training set going into my 3rd week now and I'm definitely starting to feel the mechanical differences in my swing transitioning from "harder" to "faster" and totally messing with my yardages. I was able to test the HZRDUS Yellow vs. the 4T Ventus shafts with the EXS 220 just now and the conter balance on the HZRDUS made the weight feel amazing and also lowered the spin significantly. Just a great performing numbers wise and loading at the top felt right. Side by side the Ventus felt too whippy. I had already had made the conscious decision it was my next driver but now the issue is the EXS 220 Tour model comes out next week with a smaller head, moveable weight and deeper face to help with reduce spin so I wanna give it a throw first. My swing wasn't 100% when I hit it today but was still able to pipe a few over 300 topping out at a max distance of 310, 112 mph swing speed and 162 max ball speed. Spin was up 500-750 rpm comparatively from the last time I was hitting the Ventus but the few I got out there were sub 2000 rpm. If I can drop the spin even lower it's gonna get hard to swing with a constant erection. Initially I went because I needed to fill in some clubs I had to order to replace my Miura's that were stolen. I got the Honma TW737 V 10-5 that I got bent 2 degrees flat and ordered 4-2 iron of Mizuno MP-20 HMB. They match the progression of loft with the Honma's best. I was skeptical with a hollow club but Mizuno hits it out of the park in the feels and performance.

Face is HOT. It feels like you can't miss and when you do it still goes a mile. It's my next driver. However, I would like to try it with the HZRDUS Yellow Shaft before I make that decision. I hit it with the 4T Ventus and loved it but want to see if I can squeeze out another few mph's with the HZRDUS.

Avenge me. I couldn't get off the tee box. And the greens may feel soft under your feet, don't let that ish fool you. They roll. Again pay attention to the grain, it does affect the ball.

What I can tell you is that the first 4-5 holes are breathtaking. It is a beautiful course and it was a beautiful day. I played with an older couple who seemed to frequent the area. They had already played Pebble and they were playing again Tuesday. They expressed how nice it was and how windy it usually was. The breeze was coming off the coast so those holes were definitely affected by the wind. I had a great rough day. I couldn't get out of the tee box with my driver due to my dreaded hook which compounded my issues. I ended up shooting 90 because of how many extra strokes I lost to OB. My 2 iron was and mid irons saved me. Bring some KY for the back nine as you will rarely will have a level shot, lots of elevation change. I have a fairly good memory of the place because it was awesome, very unique design and it'll haunt my nightmares because I worked for that 90. Hole 1 Long par 5 into a breeze. Keep the ball in play. You will not get there in 2, angle your third shot to the right for the best angle as bunkers occupy left and right. Hole 2 Do. Not. Use. Driver. Even if you're playing from the tips. I played golds and used my 2-3 irons because it gave me the best angles which is how this course plays. Most holes penalize distance, position is key, especially on this hole. It's short and 215-225 is plenty long enough to go into this hole with a 9 iron or less up the hill. Hole 3 Downhill par 3 that always plays into a headwind and will play true to yardage unless you hood it Hole 4 Fudge this green. This green is 8-9 paces wide and forever long. Another hole you want to keep the driver in the bag for 220-230 at or just left of the sprinkler box in the distance. If the pin is in the middle land it to the front, if the hole is in the back land it in the middle as it slopes severely front middle to back. If you're gonna miss the green right is best. Hole 5 Uphill par 3 into the wind, front pin is a sucker pin. Hole 6 Now you can let the big dog eat. Playing gold, it's 230 to clear the bunker on the left. Green slopes back to front so you won't get much roll after Hole 7 Par 5, aim for right side of the pond in the distance. Shots that land on the green shoot left due to the green sloping towards the water. Hole 10 Downhill par 4, tee shots need to be right center as there's a tree that blocks you out. Down hill shot guarded by front bunkers. Hole 11 Dogleg right par 5 you may need to cut the corner if you're long off the tee. Large ridge in the middle where short right goes right and visa versa Hole 12 Another downhill par 3 that again plays into the wind and it DOES PLAY TO YARDAGE. When in dough wind look at the moss in the trees. Hole 14 Straight forward par 5, If the pin is in the middle aim left, shots will run off of the slope back to the hole from here. Hole 17 Another hole you don't need driver on, 225 is plenty long for a wedge in. That's all I remember. Pay attention to the grain it has a huge influence on speed. Fairways are great but also fluffy so you won't get the roll you're used to and remember it's the hardest of the 3 courses. Take more pictures than I did.

Thanks for hills. I'm terrible about being split on whether or not the hill slopes a certain way. I use an abbreviated version of Aimpoint Express, I say abbreviated because I've never formally had a lesson on it and fumble around on my own, but I'm forcing myself to pace and walk around the hole to feel. I watched the Golfaholics youtube channel and they played a round there, I saw how the greens rolled. Looked like the greens very greatly by grain and every green is three putters' purgatory.

Here's how it went down for me. I saw the half off email for NCGA, like, a week ago. I get home today and I get a text from a buddy of mine who also happens to be my sales rep. He texts me a picture of Pebble and I know exactly what he was going to say. I tell him I'm in and he explains he was just letting me know about the deal and they already had 4 for the 22nd at Pebble. FML, but then I think "You're an adult! Take advantage of that ish." So I hope on the horn and call Spyglass and ask what they had for that day. They had the first 4 tee times available that morning and then this single for 11. They're not opening the clubhouse or practice greens, the range is available. You're getting a Quarantine baggie with some wipes, tees, Spyglass bag tag (not sure the quality) and one more thing I can't remember also it'll be one person per cart but they may not have enough so I may have to walk. I do hope I get a cart so I can smoke a cigar though. I asked and there are quite a few spots open but with the month coming to close I'm not sure anymore But if you're playing Spyglass on May 22nd at 11 or so you'll be teeing it up with yours truly.

Hey Y'all. I was able to book a tee time at Spyglass this month at a discounted rate due to COVID-19. Unfortunately due to the world being on fire there won't be any caddies to help with course management. I checked Greenskeeper.org and there isn't much info about it at all. I jumped on it because a buddy said one of his friends organized a round at Pebble. After I told him I booked it he told me Spyglass was definitely the harder of the two and to tell me how it goes and I though, well s***. Any of you fine gentleman have any insight on how to play? From what I'm hearing it it's foggy or windy add 300-500 yards to the course, know your carry distances, find the fairway at all costs and the greens are fast AF. Anyone have more to add in what surely will be a scenic shitshow of a round?

I'm all about spin around the greens. I haven't had the opportunity to try the Reactiv tech to compare and contrast from the original BXS but from what I'm reading this might be my ball moving forward.

Appreciate you. Yeah, I'm worried about compression and spin around the greens. @yungkory shared the members review and it's undeniable that the BX is longer by a wide margin but spin around the greens is king. I already bought the BXS but I think I'm gonna buy a few dozen of the BX for tourney scrambles. Due to quarantine and lack an abundance of newly formed hobbies that die off like a puppies attention span I just bought the SuperSpeed set and with my insurance money for my stolen clubs. Looking to test out the Exotics EXS 220 with the HZARDUS Yellow shaft. I was smashing it. Increased my swing speed 3-4 mph. Might as well give both a throw. Might make a alternate balls through rounds depending on holes. Is that legal?

So I am inept? Damn it. My wife will not be surprised.

Hey gents. Was curious if anyone could tell me the difference between these two. Maybe I'm inept but I couldn't find what specifically separates these two balls. I currently play the BXS but I went through their online golf ball fitting by entering my stats. The entire way through I'm fitted for BXS but the last stat, driver distance puts me in the BX as the choice. Numbers are as follow: Swing Speed : 105-107 Ball Speed : 155 Launch: 13 degrees Backspin: 1900 Distance average 270+ Is it distance or is it softer cover?

This is a bittersweet story as my home course, Roddy Ranch in Antioch CA, has since closed down but the 16th hole was a doozy. A modest 420 yard par 4 that plays up hill and always into, at least, a 10 mph headwind. Relatively wide fairway but right was death. Second shot left you 170 yard up hill green surrounded by bunkers front, right and long with losing it right left you into a downhill fescue. Never made better than par. A really beautiful course in it's heyday that was fair with tabletop greens, greens all broke towards the Valley. Played some of my best golf there and I could get out for $19 twilight during the summer time. What a great time to be a teenager.

So did I...

Thanks Fullsendglf. Yeah the Miura’s. Sucks but golf is perfect for a wandering eye. I’ll check out those 718’s. But since I’m on a shoestring budget and for whatever reason golf clubs are going up in price it just adds to the fun of it all. Hopefully they’ll be some midseason coronavirus sales. But not likely so it’ll be foster home golf bag for a while.

Thought I’d share what I had in the bag. Had my car broken into 2 weeks before stay in place went into affect. It’d finally built my set: Driver: TaylorMade M4 9.5° Kuro Kage Silver Shafts 3 Wood: Exotics XCG5 15° Driving Irons: Titleist 2 & 3 irons Irons: Miura CB 501 4-PW Aerotech i8 Shaft 2° down Wedges: Miura Black 52° bent to 53° & 56° bent to 57° Putter: Scotty Cameron California Del Mar Insurance didn’t come close to covering but it’s more than I would have gotten through trade in so now I gotta build on a string budget. I like the new Exotics EXS 220 driver but not sure for irons. I gamed a Mizuno combo set MP-4 PW-8 iron, MP-64 7-3. Titleist and Callaway a million years ago. Thoughts?