Why You Suck at Golf - The One Month Update

[Tony Covey MGS]

So we've had roughly one month of golf season so far in my part of upstate NY, it's been a struggle early, but the game is starting to come around. As a result of the brutally long winter, the course is rough (as are most of the clubs in my area right now). #1 had gone temporary, #3 should be, and realistically, there's a good chance we're going to lose both greens.

 

 

My Bag

 

 

The Weapons off the Tee

 

 

I've played 45 holes without dropping a stroke off the tee. While I'm not positive, I'm fairly certain that's a record. 

 

The Mini driver is the stock 12° TP in X flex. I'm playing the Covert 2.0 Tour at 45". I'm currently experimenting with 3 shafts right now. The Fujikura Speeder 757 is the early favorite, though admittedly I haven't spent much time with anything on the range, and I certainly haven't looked at the numbers on the launch monitor yet.

 

 

Another option is this Oban Kiyoshi Gold 05 (X-Flex). I've only taken about 10 swings with it, so I'm by no means closed to finished with it. My initial impression is that it's a bit softer than I like in mid section, and has a bit of a loose feel to it. Again...more time will tell for sure.

 

 

The 3rd option currently is the Kuro Kage Silver TiNi. This is basically the stock shaft but in the 75 gram model. It's actually a bend profile that should work well for me, but c'mon...stock? How sexy is that? Still, I'm definitely going to give it a longer look.

 

 

SLDR Hybrids

 

My hybrids remained unchanged...and it's probably going to stay that way. It might be possible to hit rescues better than I've hit these so far, but it would take some doing, and I'm comfortable and confident with these, so they'll be around for a while.

 

 

SpeedBlade Irons

 

The grand experiment has produced mixed results so far. I love the feel of the UST Recoil shafts, but I haven't been as consistent as I'd like with the irons. I've hit some good shots, and the forgiveness of the longer irons has saved my ass more than once, but I haven't been precise with the short irons. While I've yet to develop any sort of affinity for the irons, the performance is slowly improving, so I'm going to ride it out a little bit longer. I definitely enjoy having a more forgiving iron in the bag, and the new SLDR irons could represent the compromise for me.

 

 

Wise Up, Dumbass

 

I'm TRYING to play smarter (with mixed results). Two weeks ago I tried to hit a low hook under a branches to a well-protected, narrow, raised green with OB beyind it. It didn't go well. Saturday I had nearly the same shot, and while it took me so long to do it that I was probably guilty of slow play, I eventually decided to bounce an 8 iron back to the fairway. I made par. The first time around I made 7. There's probably a lesson in that.

 

And despite that 0 lost strokes from the tee in 45 holes, I find myself thinking that I'm hitting the ball high right now, which means the TaylorMade SLDR 430 9° might be an option for me...because that's how normal smart golfers think...this tee thing is working out better than it ever has in your life, maybe you should move to a less forgiving club.

 

Fighting stupidity is a daily chore around here.

 

So far keeping the ball in play hasn't translated to lower scores, but when the greens are better putting should improve. I'm still regaining my shortgame feel from the long winter, so that's costing me strokes as well, and of course there's the iron play...

I expect at least 2 of the 3 to turn around shortly, and when they do, I should be posting much lower scores.

Fingers crossed....

 

 

 

 

[revkev]

Nice update T

 

I don't know if you saw it but I'm going one up on you by taking lessons.  Took my first one on Friday - this is after shooting a competitive 74 mind you - I'm just sick of getting it around and want to get back to being the ball striker I was a few years ago.

 

Just came back to work for a lunch time range session.

 

Now you know what will happen when I play tomorrow, I'll hit it great and not break 80.

[GolfSpy WD]

I just signed up for a lesson after some atrocious golf. Hopefully this guy sticks.

 

Good luck T!

[Mr_Theoo]

Sounds like the experiment is working out well. Keep up the good work T.

[fozcycle]

Nice intro T, hope the grass starts growing soon.

 

Rev, you should be the one giving lessons.

 

Got two more weeks of working everyday, but was able to play Sat morning....38/45, 83. my best round at Pebble Creek in about 3 years.

[wbealsd]

It looks like we're finally going to get some consistent weather with the temp above 60*!

 

Courses have all suffered but finally getting in shape. I've only managed to get in 3 1/2 rounds, so far, plus 3 range sessions. It's just tough to gain any consistency with the limited time on the course.

 

At least I'll be able to spend most of the afternoon on the range today!

[revkev]

It looks like we're finally going to get some consistent weather with the temp above 60*!

Courses have all suffered but finally getting in shape. I've only managed to get in 3 1/2 rounds, so far, plus 3 range sessions. It's just tough to gain any consistency with the limited time on the course.

At least I'll be able to spend most of the afternoon on the range today!

Just so you know I did seven years in beautiful sheboygan WI. You can only imagine what went through my mind when a church from Florida contacted me.

 

Even good players need to work on their game Foz. The hard truth is that I haven't been hitting it consistently the past two years. Good ball striking round followed by bad. My handicap has stayed down because I've gone low a few times. The short game is still there. I've got to get that long game back.

[wbealsd]

This afternoon was the best range session I've had this spring and I'll be able to spend tomorrow at the range, as well. What really made me happy was my time at the chipping range, when I holed the first two and was leaving myself in good putting position most of the time.

 

I'm finally starting to play, instead of think my way around!

 

There's a blind draw scramble at the country club I joined this spring, but since I haven't been comfortable with my game and have only played this course once, I wasn't planning to sign up and embarrass myself... Now I think I may give it a shot