Kevin Kikkert

If you are looking for a classic and easy to follow instructional book, "Ben Hogan's Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf" is a MUST read.
For fun, I have "Commander In Cheat" by Rick Reilly. I have not been able to start it yet, but I have heard it is pretty funny.
I also own "The Practice Manual: The Ultimate Guide for Golfers" by Adam Young that I flip through on occasion. This book is great for training yourself on how to practice, and full of drills and improvement techniques you can take with you to the range. 

I see it as an opportunity to play shots that you normally don't play whether you are playing up or back on tees you don't normally play. Playing up might give you more 3wood/iron off the tee or wedge looks into the green. Playing back helps you work on your longer irons into the green. I like to mix it up every now and then.
In regards to your question, @DaveP043 hit it on the money with how your buddies approach the game. Do they take golf seriously, or are just out their for a good time? Are they trying to get better, if so, maybe playing one tee back will be a good challenge and help them develop some of the clubs they normally don't hit as much. If y'all are out there to just socialize and get away from the daily grind, then I doubt many people care what tees they play from. Personally, I have found before that moving up a tee box didn't necessarily produce better results for me. I was driving the ball through the fairway on some holes, not hitting the best shots into the green, etc. That's why I mentioned it might be good to have your group move up one week and then back the next week, it'll help develop your overall game in my opinion. 

Wow, it has certainly been WAY too long since I have been able to update the spreadsheet with a birdie "X." 
The last two weeks, I have not been golfing my best, but seem to be in a "Par or Double Bogey" area, which is not a good feeling. There is no in between. 
Last week we signed my wife up for a GHIN account at our country club so she can start tracking her handicap and join the women's league next season. Little did I know, this was going to lead to her "dragging" me out for 72 holes this weekend! We golfed 18 at two of our other county club properties and and 36 at our home course.
We were playing the home course yesterday, and the Par 3 third hole was finally playing back to 156 (had been 170's all week, and I kept hitting front fringe) and I stuck one to 20ft right of the pin. There is a high ridge that runs through the center (back to front) if this green, so I had to putt up to that ridge with left break, and then plan for down the ridge to the pin while breaking back to the right. Rolled the putt right into the center of the cup and marked a circle. 
What was even more fun, was right after I made my birdie putt, my wife (who had chipped onto the back of the green) sunk her par putt. 

Wow, it has certainly been WAY too long since I have been able to update the spreadsheet with a birdie "X." 
The last two weeks, I have not been golfing my best, but seem to be in a "Par or Double Bogey" area, which is not a good feeling. There is no in between. 
Last week we signed my wife up for a GHIN account at our country club so she can start tracking her handicap and join the women's league next season. Little did I know, this was going to lead to her "dragging" me out for 72 holes this weekend! We golfed 18 at two of our other county club properties and and 36 at our home course.
We were playing the home course yesterday, and the Par 3 third hole was finally playing back to 156 (had been 170's all week, and I kept hitting front fringe) and I stuck one to 20ft right of the pin. There is a high ridge that runs through the center (back to front) if this green, so I had to putt up to that ridge with left break, and then plan for down the ridge to the pin while breaking back to the right. Rolled the putt right into the center of the cup and marked a circle. 
What was even more fun, was right after I made my birdie putt, my wife (who had chipped onto the back of the green) sunk her par putt. 

I need to go back through my scorecards to see of I have double bogeyed every hole yet.  I think I could be close.  🙄

Very cool -  I had planned on going myself as I get to North Carolina now and then for work, but the timing just didn't work out.  I'm in Indiana so if they have it in Kentucky the next time, it would be much closer for me.
His rendition of Hallelujah should go straight to Spotify lol.  

@juspoole
I agree! Chasing Scratch is one of the most entertaining podcasts I have ever listened to. Mike and Eli are HILARIOUS!!! I am one episode behind on Season 3 and almost died from laughter at Mike's version of "Hallelujah."
A friend and I who are big fans of "the pod" went down to Raleigh for the listener's par 3 event and had a blast. We didn't play well, but got paired with Eli and had some great conversations.
I also listen to all of the NPG podcast powered by My Golf Spy and really enjoy the insight and information that is provided. Always good for a laugh and update of the golfing world.

Thank you for this suggestion.  Loved the "pod".  Mike and Eli and a great and entertaining pair to listen to.  Also the way they executed the podcast is great and easy to follow along.

Please listen to chasing scratch it’s amazing. Also another one of my favorites is the back of the range


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

I have Golf in the Kingdom, but have never gotten through it.  I'll have to give it another go.  One of my all-time favorite books is The Legend of Bagger Vance.
I recently caught the golf bug again after almost 2 years away from the game.  Current reading list:
1) Short Game Bible by Pelz - I'm a big fan and am currently working on my finesse wedge swings
2) Bulletproof Putting in Five Easy Lessons by Michael McTeigue - Kindle Version - I'm really enjoying it
3) The Unstoppable Golfer by Bob Rotella - Love Rotella - Got the Kindle version and it came with a free Audible version too.  Listening to this.
4) The Practice Manual - on order 

I don't recall seeing anything about golf books in the Forum but perhaps I've missed it. I'm not a particularly avid book reader of any kind but this one caught my eye today. And... it was free. So the story goes like this... (this is a triple play of my original intent with the post)
 
I was headed to the grocery store to grab a steak to cook in my cast iron skillet later this afternoon. Next to the grocery is a SteinMart. In my area they have by far the best selection of golf apparel. They carry many brands including Ping, Callaway, Hogan, Norman, Bolle', Bobby Jones, and many others. Great prices also. Anyway, I found a table with Hogan apparel and a stack of books. The sign said buy any Hogan item and get a free book. (see below) I didn't want any golf clothes today really so I just picked up a book to purchase. Before I headed out to the grocery I saw a mark down sale on Bolle' shorts so I went ahead and grabbed a pair. At the check out the lady said the book was only for Hogan purchases and I couldn't buy it separately. Ok.. I said I'd pass. At the end of the checkout she went ahead and put it in my sack. Pretty nice of her I thought.
 
I haven't read any golf books lately but this one might be interesting. I mean isn't anything about Hogan interesting? We'll see. My question to all you is what golf book are you reading? Magazines don't count by the way.
 
Later today I'll be pan searing a NY Strip in my cast iron skillet. And... reading my newest golf book, Ben Hogans' Magical Device.
 

 
(well this sucks. I guess I don't know how to properly rotate a photo.)

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? I started during the Tiger Boom so since about 1999.  Current handicap - 13.2
What do you love about golf?  You can always push yourself to improve.  You can play it for the rest of your life.  
What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I was a part of a different online forum but I find the people here are the best around.  I've never seen such courtesy and everyone is really proud of this community.  You don't get all the negativity here which is really hard to control online.... great job and I'm glad to be here!  I don't know any Spies on a personal level. 
Where are you from? What is your home course? I'm from West Michigan and I consider my home course The Meadows at GVSU.
What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? There are so many affordable golf courses and the quality/value is great.  The weather is very unpredictable though and the short season sucks.  
What do you do for a living? Deputy
How’d you pick your user name? "Smooth" has generally been the only swing thought I have and my first name starts with G.
 

Coke
Sprite
Oh this is a tough one.  Taco.  Blackened mahi mahi  seals the deal 😍
Lake in the mountains!
A-dubs!
Manhattan, pre 2020
Universal!
For my game...CB.   For the looks bladezzzz
Miura, TM, PING
Love Hogan, but I own Wilson blades.  So give me the shield.
Wheat!
Waffles.  They were designed for syrup.
Gimme that purple dr....I mean grape jelly.
Scared of heights.....so sky dive!
Ford
Chick Fil A! 
What in the world is original taco flavor?!
Straight
Brunette!
F1 all day, night, week, year.
The answer is Clemson.
Is there anything you haven't sold?

Michigan or Ohio State? (Hint: The answer is Michigan)

Michigan or Ohio State? (Hint: The answer is Michigan)

today i learned: i'm the only person who likes grape jelly

Sourdough

My home course: Sunnybrook Country Club in Grandville, Michigan. 
Sunnybrook CC is a well maintained course with a very walk-able Front 9 and a Back 9 with 3 holes that are steeply up or downhill. The greens are in great shape and can be deceiving without the correct read or knowledge of the course. The maintenance crew keeps the rough very long, which makes missing the fairway feel like a penalty many times. 
Hole 1 | Par 5 | 452: Reachable in two with a great drive, but there is a pond that covers the last 30-40yds just in front of the green, so flying your 2nd shot is difficult Hole 2 | Par 4 | 389: This course has a lot of long Par 4's. Creek and trees on the left, big trees on the right. Plays straight, but feels scary. My least favorite hole on the course Hole 3 | Par 3 | 155: Three of the four Par 3's are almost identical. Play at 150-165yds and have some bunkers, but no real danger. Hole 4 | Par 5 | 527: Drive 230 to a corner protected by a huge tree. 90° left dogleg with 250+ from there. Not getting home in two. Hole 5 | Par 4 | 320: Shortest Par 4 on the course. Green is protected by trees on the right with a pond. Straight forward, though. I hit 3 wood off the tee. Hole 6 | Par 3 | 149: See Hole 3 and rearrange the bunkers. Hole 7 | Par 4 | 353: Short, but has another 90° dog leg left and the corner is protected by woods and a giant willow tree. Another 3 wood off this tee. Can be a very tricky green. Hole 8 | Par 4 | 422: The beginning of the "Long Par 4" stretch. Plays like a Par 5 for me, but reachable with a good 3 wood second shot. Straight as can be. Hole 9 | Par 4 | 382: Another straight Par 4, but a creek runs 40yds in front of the green that is very dangerous for me. Hole 10 | Par 4 | 419: Yet another straight, long Par 4. Hole 11 | Par 4 | 374: Feels almost identical to Hole 10 to me. Hole 12 | Par 4 | 328: The first of the three "Hill Holes." Tee shot over a large "ravine" to an uphill fairway landing spot. Plays short, but tee shot placement is absolutely crucial. Hole 13 | Par 3 | 157: See Hole 3 and 6, but add a very sloped, speedy green towards a pond on the right. Hole 14 | Par 4 | 411: Blind tee shot uphill. Woods scare you on both sides and looks daunting. Second shot is straight down hill into a steep green with bunkers and a pond. Hole 15 | Par 5 | 488: Straight Par 5. Still cannot get home in two, but 3 decent shots put you in great position.  Hole 16 | Par 4 | 391: There is a corner you can cut the slight dogleg left, but you do not want to hit through the fairway. Green protected by bunkers on approach.  Hole 17 | Par 3 | 212: Longest Par 3 by par and always feels into the wind. I rarely hit this green and usually end up right and blocked by a tree and bunker.  Hole 18 | Par 5 | 561: Again, not getting home in two. Speed slot to the right allows you to cut a corner of trees, but again, three decent shots can put you in great position. The holes that I am most likely to birdie are: 1, 3, 5, 6, 13, 16 and 18.
The hardest holes for me are 2, 4, 8, 12, 14 and 17.
Let's see if I can birdie them all!

- 41/39 = 80 (+8)
- 6/15 FIR
- 8/18 GIR
- 32 Putts (1 3-putt, 11 2-putts, 6 1-putts)
One of those weird rounds where the score was much better than how I played? I did chip and putt well so that helped keep the score from ballooning.
Just not comfortable this morning standing over the ball at all. With exception to one or two shots, I pretty much blocked the ball all over the course and struck stuff poorly, including two stone-cold tops with my 4 hybrid on the front nine. Just got some lucky bounces, stayed out of the penalty areas and didn't get overly frustrated with myself. 
I think I am rolling the club inside on the takeaway, but I just had no sensation of what a good swing should feel like today.

Let's start with the bad. Played bogie golf on the front 9 for a 45.
Then the good. I played the back 9 at +1 for a 37.
Now the completely poopy. This happened on hole 12. Not thrilled at all.
 
Sent from my Moto Z3 Play using MyGolfSpy mobile app
 
 
 
 

I have GOT to play better!!  I didn't think it would happen for awhile, but my wife and I tied today at 85.  Her last 3 rounds have been 84, 87, and 85; the 87 was in the Wed Ladies league.  She hasn't beat me since just before my total knee replacement in 2014; I was in pain.  
A triple and a double along with 2 3-putts (which I rarely do) on the front nine did me in.  FOCUS!!
We had a hawk's nest in the trees by the driving range all spring.  Now we have two new young hawks on the course.  Lots of food available; squirrels running all over.  My wife feeds them peanuts, salted of course for seasoning!!  When a ball landed in the fairway, one of these hawks dropped down from the tree to check it out.  We got pretty close to it before it took off.

Impressive round by Morikawa after missing the cut at the Travelers. Taking a week off to regroup and regain the form has worked so far. 
 
I think I saw a 9 on a par 5 from Bubba and a 9 on a par 3 from Palmer. This course can change a round in a second.  I also like how next week at the Memorial, the rough is supposed to be even thicker. It’s already causing problems for a lot of these players.

I shot even par today in the men’s league at my club with this slop in my group. Best round I have played in a long time, took a lot of concentration in between shots to stay focused at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

82 39/43
2 birdies/ 9 pars
9 FIRs / 10 GIRs
35 putts (2 3 putts that were on complete opposite side of the green)
I played at the RTJ Oxmoor Valley Ridge course today. Everything was great the first 8 holes. I was -1 through 8 and had hit 7/8 GIRs with back to back birdies. I was thinking I could record a personal best today...
Then came hole 9. It started with a tee shot that leaked a little right and caught the cart path sending it like a rocket into the trees. It took me 2 shots to get out, 2 chunks, 1 sandy, and 2 putts later to record a quad on a relative easy hole. After that I played bogey golf and could not get back in the groove. I let the mental part of the game get to me after that one bad hole.
Overall though, that is now 8 out of my last 9 rounds that have been 83 or lower. I’ve gotten my handicap down to 7.9 through this stretch. Hoping to keep it up!

Got another birdie off the list.  #9 par 5... 3 shot hole for me all the time.  Pin back right with water short and right.  I started a 7i at the front of the green with a cut but ended up off the back of the green about 12 feet from the pin.  Chipped in for a birdie.  I can't recall ever making a birdie with a Blue flag pin on this hole.
Only two holes left... #7 and #10