Rappers

I think the pace of play regardless of whether the course is busy or not is a moot point. The R&A have produced a document called the 'pace of play' if I recall correctly, which does illustrate some of nuances of slow play. However, there are so many variables it is very difficult to conceptualise. Clearly controls such as a Course Marshal will often help with keeping the pace of play at a reasonable level most of the time. Teeing intervals of 10 minutes, as opposed to 8 minutes or less is another sensible idea. The problem is that no individual or group wants to be labelled a slow player or to be hurried along. Nevertheless, there are some individuals who play golf more slowly than others, which could be down to their age, ability, while others because they think they are playing in the US Masters! Finding the antidote for slow play is the golfing Holy Grail.

I agree there is a difference from hitting balls off a matt and grass, where the turf interaction can have a significant effect on the ball dynamics. Testing clubs is also better in a real world environment, where flight, feel, sound is part of the feedback. However, much of this is down to aesthetics, which is not the case when testing golf balls for purely performance data.

I think we will agree to disagree. The benefit from so-called real world data is contaminated because over several hours/days the weather including wind direction can change which will obviously skew the data. Most metrics can be achieved accurately with modern technology in a sterile environment i.e. indoors.

Firstly, any testing should be carried out with a golf machine like the 'Iron Byron' to ensure accuracy and legitimacy of sampling data. Which golf balls I would like to see tested primarily depends on how many different makes are to be tested. That said, it should include premium balls manufactured by Titleist, TaylorMade, Callaway, etc. Notwithstanding that, a fair selection of the cheaper balls like Kirkland, Vice, etc. I would also like to see a range of balls at different compressions and swing speeds in order to evaluate which balls perform best for different golfers. Ideally testing should be carried out in a controlled environment as opposed to outdoors where the elements can have a significant impact on performance. Finally, data such as dispersion should be included as well as distance and spin rates. Quite simple really - Lol.

I have never played golf in the US...yet. So here is my top 10 which will probably be different to most. 1. Saunton East 2. Sunningdale Old 3. Wentworth East 4. Moor Park High 5. Aguilon - Spain 6. The Grove 7. Abama - Tenerife 8. Bell Dunes - France 9. Villamoura Old - Portugal 10. Northwood - my home course!

The 10th shot!

It's obvious from the comments that golf in the US is different to the norm in the UK. Here in the UK you have either public courses or private courses and very little in between. Public courses are by and large not very well maintained, so if if you are a serious golfer most will join a local private members' course. I am a member of a good quality private course, my third such enterprise, been a member at my current club for 22 years. Most good private courses have a joining-on fee which can be anything from a few hundred pounds to several thousand pounds. I am retired and play 3/4 times per week in summer, less in winter and my membership with all the bibs and bobs is £2,200 per annum. Based on a 100 rounds per year a round costs me about £20 - good value in my book. Being a member of a private course brings many benefits. For starters, we don't book tee times except in competitions at the weekend. I play for the club against other clubs in the county with no green fee cost. Free use of practice facilities and clubhouse. Social functions to attend if you wish at a modest cost. Most of my friends are members and we do socialise with the WAGs outside of the club from time to time. Don't know what I would do without golf.

Well, when my ship comes in (maybe next year) I will be thinking some new equipment. My driver shaft has a split in it and is taped over at present, so sooner or later I'm going to have to get a new driver. Thinking of a Cobra Aerojet, the reviews have been excellent for both distance and forgiveness. Love to get a new set of irons as well if my budget allows because as a senior golfer I feel maybe a bit more oomph would be good for my game. The Mizuno Hot Metals or Srixon Z4s look like contenders with a regular graphite shaft.

The best clubs I have ever played were the original Callaway Big Bertha irons (1995), ugly clubs but great to hit. Moreover, I did not know until recently just how much of a forgiving iron they were until I checked out the Maltby Playability Factor (MPF) - Ultra game improvement irons rated at 1111 MPF, which is nearly double my current set of Mizuno JPX 1919s forged at 619 MPF. A link for those geeks interested in checking out irons - https://www.golfworks.com/head-mpf-ratings/

It's been difficult practising whilst enduring the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK. Practice facilities only opened this week at my club. However, I have been to the local driving range and today I will be working on keeping the hands/handle of club in front during impact to promote a better impact position - dynamic loft.

My 'killer move'...several, but I would hazard a guess they are inextricably linked. Steep downswing leading to a poor impact position...I think you know the rest. The real question is what am I doing about it? I am working on more body turn, better rotation and keeping the club on a slightly steeper plane on the backswing. My next phase is ensuring my hands lead the downswing into impact, whilst hopefully this will help in creating more lag. At the ripe old age of 62 this is quite a challenge. I play off 6 (5.6) and am retired, so I have all the time in the world. Just hope my old bones can take it. Interested to learn what others are doing to correct their killer move. Rappers