Popular Post Grand Stranded Posted November 11, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 11, 2021 (edited) This was probably the strangest, and at times most frustrating years I’ve gone through since I began playing about 20 years ago. The season started off with me still feeling the effects of back issue that kept me from playing the month of January, then I struggled to regain form once I started up again. It never felt quite right until late summer. I tried everything I could think of, but never quite got back to where I was last year. 2021 was the first year in at least 7-8 years that will end with my handicap being higher than the year before. It wasn’t just my back, this was the year I finally saw a drop off in swing speed. That led to me first trying lighter weight shafts, then finally going down a flex. I’ll even move up a tee occasionally when playing with friends. I went through more equipment changes this year than I did the last 5 years combined in an effort to sort things out. It was exhausting, and something I hope to never go through again. The cherry on top of a year to forget was my developing a case of the yips with my wedges. Trust me, the combination of losing swing speed AND your short game at the same time isn’t fun. Golf seems to go in cycles though, and just when things were at their worst, they started to change for the better. At first I thought it might be a “dead cat bounce”, but after a while I regained confidence in my swing (a big part of it was no longer worrying about my back), I started to hit the ball the way I wanted, and just recently even the wedge game began coming around. Things are looking up. I also did something I should’ve done a while ago. For the past few years, I rarely played a casual round of golf. I was always playing in a tournament, league or money game setting. I didn’t realize how burned out I was until I took a break and started playing a few rounds with friends or neighbors just for fun. I’ve played sports all my life and being able to still compete in my 60’s was a big part of why I enjoyed golf… until it wasn’t. I’m playing about half the amount of comps as I was, but I’m enjoying them and the casual rounds a lot more. So that’s that… I’ll get about 3-4. more rounds in down here, then head up to Long Island for the holidays. I’ll try to play some up there, but that will be weather dependent. Most likely no more than one or two, if that. I’ll get back down around New Years, hopefully refreshed, probably 5 pounds heavier, and raring to go in 2022. What about you guys? How was your season/year? Any big changes, improvements, or issues with your game you want to share with the class? Edited November 11, 2021 by Grand Stranded THEZIPR23, cksurfdude, Kenny B and 9 others 11 1 Quote Driver: G425 Max 10.5* Fairway: G425 Max 14*5* & 17.5* Hybrids: G425 Max 22* & 26* Irons: Apex DCB 6-AW Wedges: Jaws Raw Face 54-10 RTX Zipcore 58-6 Putter: ER7 34” Link to comment
Popular Post DStar Posted November 11, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 11, 2021 (edited) This year has been my 1st season back playing golf for a long time. Finally got into a position with work & family where I could commit some serious time to it and I've really enjoyed most of it. Started with a 22 handicap after 3 cards and, slowly, managed to work my way down to 14.3 (currently). I've changed loads of stuff since April when things opened up again here in the UK - the only clubs that haven't changed is my wedges as I'm pretty happy with them for now. I've designed & made my own putters as I've got the kit at work to do it. Something really nice about rolling the ball home with something I came up with and made. Going to keep playing through the winter as best I can then make a real push next year to get to single figures - that's the aim. I did think it would take longer to get to where I am but my game is improving quicker than I thought it would Edited November 11, 2021 by DStar Grand Stranded, cnosil, Stuka44 and 7 others 10 Quote RADSpeed 9° Matrix Black Tie X-Flex F9 3/4 Wood Aldila NV 2KXV Blue CLK 19° Hybrid Speeder Evo HB S MP54 4-PW Nippon Modus³ Tour 115 X SM8 50° F-Grind SM8 54° F-Grind SM8 58° K-Grind DStar 'Malvern' Putter AVX & -ProV1X Tour-X "Hey mister, your clubs are the wrong way round".. Link to comment
russtopherb Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 Although I didn't play as much as I would have liked (said pretty much everyone, ever!) I am pretty happy with my season. Exercise and stretching over the past 1.5 years gained me almost a club of distance that I didn't have before. I got a driver "lesson" from a few single digit friends that helped me immensely and finally had me hitting driver decently for the first time in a while. Had my first ever 9 hole round that I played with a single ball, no penalties or balls lost to the woods/water. I'm hopeful that the mild weather continues and I can get out there a few more times before putting the clubs in the closet for the winter. Kenny B, DStar, JerryB and 6 others 9 Quote In my carry bag: ST-X 10.5* Kai'li Blue R Flex ST-Z 15* Kai/li Blue R Flex ST-Z 4h Linq Blue R Flex Launcher 5h Launcher CBX 6i-PW CBX 54* & 58* Huntington Beach #10 e12 Contact CURRENTLY TESTING - Mizuno Long Game Link to comment
Popular Post Tom the Golf Nut Posted November 11, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 11, 2021 I only play golf for enjoyment, meaning I don't play competitively. I take the game seriously though. When I play with a group I still wanted to score the lowest of the group though. So I am competitive, but there is no money on the line just an internal bragging right. I was content with being an upper single digit HC player for many years. But once getting involved with MGS and all you fellow spies I got a renewed drive. This started with being selected for some testing around two seasons ago. Then there was a challenge to perform at a higher level to do good reviews and post results that people would read, appreciate, and be guided by. My HC dropped big time with just the additional focus, drive to improve, hitting more balls, and some equipment changes. I am currently sitting on a .6 HC. Unfortunately I got a little obsessed with chasing numbers and was pretty hard on myself. Every week I was trying to get lower to the point where I lost some of the enjoyment that this game gave me. Golf is hard, golf is work, but golf still needs to be fun. I'm playing at the highest level I ever have and trust me it's fun being able to pick a course apart, hit the ball where you want to, and be able to appreciate the course and its challenges without stressing over anything. I already decided for next season not to maintain my GHIN and stop chasing numbers (sort of). I will still give myself a goal each season it just won't be handicap based. This season my goal was to get below a 1 handicap and get my 6 iron dialed in, (My courses par 3's all require a six iron and that was my weak link) and get to play more courses other that just playing at my club. I met all my goals for the season. My goal is simple for next season. I want to have fun playing but still play well. I wouldn't be to upset if I broke 68 either! I had several 68's this year. Grand Stranded, BH43, Kenny B and 10 others 11 2 Quote Driver, TSi 1 S Flex 3 wood, Aerojet Max UST Helium Nanocore R Flex 5 wood, Aerojet Max UST Helium Nanocore R Flex 7 Wood, Aerojet Max UST Helium Nanocore R Flex 5 Hybrid King Tec MMT R Flex Irons, Tour UST Recoil 95 R Flex (6 - Gap) Wedges, Snakebite KBS Hi- Rev2.0 54* & 60* Agera 35" Ultralight 14-way Cart Bag Link to comment
JerryB Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 Best season of golf ever. Also the first season ever, so there's that. Had a ton of fun and have seen my son and I gradually improve among the daily ebbs and flows. Excited for next year! DStar, MattF, cksurfdude and 4 others 7 Quote Cobra Aerojet Max driver Cobra Aerojet Max 3 wood and 7 wood Cobra Aerojet 4/5/6 hybrids Cobra Aerojet 7-PW, GW Cobra Snakebite 52° and 58° wedges Cobra King Stingray 20 putter Link to comment
Kenny B Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 Like @Grand Stranded I had an up and down year. I started out in the spring looking forward to the 3-day clinic in LA with Monte Scheinblum. He pointed out my biggest flaw which is not making a good rotation in my backswing. So, I worked on that along with his No Turn Cast video. It got me into a better impact position, and it basically cured my sh@nks. Thank you Monte!! I managed to shoot my age... 74 and I followed that up with a sub-par 71. That was a big UP!! Now the Down... I had been working on increasing/maintaining swing speed, and I started to have shoulder and wrist problems. At 74 I expect to have aches and pains, but with each year it gets harder and harder to recover. I've played through it with mixed results. Some days I play pretty well, and other days it's like Why am I out here? I've always had swings in score from one round to another, but this year the curve has swung more to mid- to high 80's scores... fewer mid- high 70's rounds. I haven't been spending as much time on short game practice as previous years because my focus has been on improving my ball striking. Maybe that's part of the problem IDK. I guess I need to spend enough time to maintain my swing, but spend more time on pitching and putting. Moving up to the White (Senior) tees has helped with more scores in the 70's, but I can also shoot the same high 80's scores that I do from the Blue tees. I've considered taking some time off now that the weather is turning colder; even felt like quitting after a few rounds this year, but as I posted in my Signature... I can't quit, because I don't want to get old!! Shapotomous, JerryB, Syks7 and 6 others 9 Quote “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to comment
DiscipleofPenick Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 This season was back at it. After the last two years preparing for, and having, the been of our first child and COVID, I didn't play much. This year I've gotten 55 rounds - wanted 60, but there's still time. I wanted to push for scratch, and ended the year at 3.5. I started at 5.4, went up to almost 7 and lowest was 3.3. I shot my lowest round in years, firing 74 three times on my home course. I wanted to play in several tournaments, but I only completed 1. First, my handicap went up so I wasn't able to qualify for the big tournaments. Then I got sick and had to WD before even playing. A third one I had to WD on the second day due to a family health issue. At least the 1 tournament I played, I broke 80 for the first time shooting 79. I know for next year I need to drop more weight in the off season, get back to a stretching routine, and find a way to keep the swing going till March. Kenny B, MattF, DStar and 5 others 8 Quote Take Dead Aim Driver: PXG 0211 10.5* Fairway: Titleist 917 F3 15* Hybrid: Adams Idea Pro Boxer Gold 18* Irons: MacGregor MT-86 Pro Wedges: Vokey 50/54/58 Putter: SeeMore X2 Costa del Mar Ball: Srixon Z-Star Link to comment
Bossfan Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 My golf season wasn’t cut short this year like the last 2 years because of multiple eye surgeries. That alone makes it a good one. My handicap started just over 17 and dropped to 13.5. I also broke 80 for the first time. Bought a new driver, utility iron and putter all were good additions. JerryB, Shapotomous, MattF and 5 others 7 1 Quote D- Tour Edge EXS 220 4W- Sub 70 949X Hybrid- Sub 70 949X Utility- Sub 70 699 U 21 degree Irons- Sub 70 749 5-PW Wedges- Sub 70 286 50+54, Tour Edge 1 out 58 degree Putter- Cleveland Huntington Beach soft # 11 Ball- Titleist Tour Soft Link to comment
Popular Post sirchunksalot Posted November 11, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 11, 2021 The year in golf in 2021 hasn't gone the way I planned. I started the year with high hopes of good rounds on the course and that came to a screeching halt around June. Scores for nine holes went from high 40's to low 50's to struggling to break 60. I went through a round patch where I really began to question if that was just going to be the new normal for me. Now that the year is coming to a close, I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. After months of working on my swing and adjusting my focus on the course, I'm beginning to see better results. The swing is still a work in progress, but there are flashes of potential starting to pop up and it's encouraging. Thanks to the lesson I received from the pro at @Tom the Golf Nut's course I'm starting to hit the ball better more often. The Power Up wedge that @cksurfdude has also been a major aid in keeping my weight properly distributed in the backswing. Plus, all the encouragement here on the forum has kept me motivated. I want to thank all of you for the support. The mental game is also starting to shift. My last round I decided to relax more and just trust that I can hit the ball. I just had fun on the course and shot lower than I have in a long time. I also moved up a set of tees as a mental exercise and to work on rebuilding confidence that has been eroding most of the year. I had the wife tag along on more rounds this year, which I love. Put that together with two rounds with Tom and I couldn't ask for better companions on the course. I'm fortunate to be able to play most of the year and I'm excited to see what the rest of 2021 brings. RDel90, MattF, toehold57 and 9 others 12 Quote Link to comment
Popular Post MattF Posted November 12, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 12, 2021 Not as well as I would have liked but better than it should have been. My HDCP ballooned to 16.8 right after I had my first in 10+ years lessons which was a cause of frustration and disappointment. Then came the realisation that these things happen after getting lessons so I persevered and finished the season at a 14.4. Grand Stranded, Shapotomous, Kenny B and 7 others 10 Quote In the bag: Driver: TSR2 Project X HZRDUS Black 5.5 Fairway: Apex UW 19° & 21° Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Black 5.5 Irons: JPX 923 HMP 5-PW UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F4 Wedges: T-22 Denim Copper 48°, 52° & 56° UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F4 Putter Sycamore 005 Wide Blade Bag: Alpha Convoy 514 Balls: Chrome Soft X Cart: CaddyLite ONE Ver. 8 God Bless America, God save the King, God defend New Zealand and thank Christ for Australia! Link to comment
tony@CIC Posted November 12, 2021 Share Posted November 12, 2021 Strange year for me since I was playing in the high 80's the beginning of the year then slowly got worse. Mid summer, I was wondering if golf was worth the time and effort as I also lost my tee shot - didn't matter whether it was a driver, 5 wood or hybrid. Nothing worked! The around September it all changed, tee shots came back, woods and irons were back and wedges were spot on. I'm going to attribute most of the issues to a pulled hamstring and even after I recovered from that injury I was hesitant about rotating in my backswing. Also lots of focus on the swing really helped. This past week, I've played 18 for 6 days in a row with little discomfort in my leg. My other issue is the putter. I'm 3 putting too often. My tendency has been a push - I just upgraded the heel weight from 8 g to 30g. Putting improved dramatically yesterday and the misses were generally on the line but either slightly short or long. So more work required on distance control. Yesterday was my best since early Spring, carding an 85, one bad drive on a par 5 and 1 on a par 3. Better yet, I knew why; I always take a practice swing with my driver and didn't on the last par 5 (too confident) and the par 3 was just a bad club selection with the ball ending up in the bunker. Still lots of work required but no reason why I can't play consistently in the mid to low 80's. Tom the Golf Nut, THEZIPR23, Kenny B and 6 others 9 Quote Left Hand orientation SIM 2 D Max with Fujikura Air Speeder Shaft Cobra Radspeed 3W/RIptide Shaft 410 Hybrids 22*, 26* Cobra Speed Zone 6-GP/Recoil ESX 460 F3 Shafts SM7 54* Wedge Glide 3.0 60* Wedge O Works putter V3 NX9-HD - 4 Wheel EZGO TXT 48v cart - too many shoes to list and so many to buy And BAG Boy Golf Balls: Vice Pro Plus 2020 Official Tester Beginning Driver Speed - 78 2019 Official Tester 410 Driver 2018 Official Tester C300 Link to comment
Syks7 Posted November 12, 2021 Share Posted November 12, 2021 2021 is a weird one for me. It's been mostly a good year with a lot of highs, but it's also been incredibly frustrating scoring wise and the lows have been pretty low. I started the year with the goal to improve from the mid cap location I've been sitting at for years. That started with heavy swing work and stopping the casual practices I'd been guilty of when playing (Gimme's, breakfast balls, etc.) It turns out that I may not have actually been a mid-capper in the first place.... Even knowing that, it has felt like a major regression. Along the rest of the way: A major jump in swing speed, which caused a major issue in dispersion. A fitting to help correct the dispersion -- which also opened my eyes to club building. A rebuilt iron set. A renaissance with my driver and off the tee that exposed the weakest part of my game (Chipping & Pitching). A 105 yard hole out to halve the first competitive thing I've ever done on a golf course. Learning to practice with purpose Almost cutting my finger off and having to sit out for a month while it healed A complete rebuild of my pitching/chipping stroke -- which actually helped my iron striking Hours and hours and hours of chipping and pitching practice Learning to build clubs Rebuilding my wedges Playing competitive golf in a local men's club Maybe winning my flight at a tournament? (they still haven't posted results) Lot's and lots of tinkering with the bag. The year has been a net positive, but the scoring regression (a real regression combined with finally counting all strokes) has really clouded it for me. I'm only just finding my way out of it both from a more positive perspective and actually seeing improvement in my game. Hoping next year will be much better scoring wise as it feels like my swing has never been better, I'm pretty competent off the tee, my putting is solid, my wedges are finally coming in line, and I'm finally figuring out how to play my brand of aggressive golf without making stupid mistakes. I've got a pretty serious package of lessons on the way for my birthday and Christmas via my wife and I may actually make it to single digits after all. JerryB, MattF, tony@CIC and 4 others 7 Quote Driver 0811XT -- Tensei CK Orange 60 Woods 0211 3W -- Tensei AV Raw Blue Hybrids 0317X 2&4 -- Tensei AV Raw Blue Irons ZX7 4/AW -- C-Taper Lite 110 Wedges RTX Zipcore 56 Mid @55° -- TT DG Spinner Putter DF2.1 or Link.1 -- Accra Ball Zstar Diamond Link to comment
THEZIPR23 Posted November 12, 2021 Share Posted November 12, 2021 One of the most bizarre years of my golfing life I can remember. I got burnt out competing towards the end of last year so was taking a little breather. Then in January I hurt my back again and then again in April. Couple that with the pandemic life of a college and high school student and I played less golf this year than I have in the last 5+. It was nothing for me to play 5 days a week prior to this year, in 2021 I had 0 weeks of 5 rounds and 1 of more than 2 and that was last week. With all of that I have continued to work on my game and even though my handicap is higher than it has been in over 4 years, I know that I am a better golfer than I was previously. On the plus side I tied my personal best of 67 at my home club and last weekend won our club championship. So while not what I had planned for the year it was still another successful year on the course and off. Grand Stranded, Syks7, MattF and 6 others 9 Quote Stealth 2+ 9 (Diamana PD 60 S 45") Stealth 2+ 15 (Diamana PD 70 S 43") G425 19 (Raijin 2.0 85x) G425 22 (Raijin 2.0 85x) ZX7 5-9 (KBS C Taper S) Vokey SM9 45 10 F (KBS 610) Vokey SM9 49 08 F (KBS 610) Vokey SM9 55 08 M (KBS 610) Vokey SM9 59 04 T (KBS 610) Spider GT Splitback 34" ProV1 #23 Twitter @THEZIPR23 "One thing Golf has taught me, is that my muscles have no memory." Link to comment
JeremyD Posted November 12, 2021 Share Posted November 12, 2021 2021 was probably the most golf I played in almost 10 years. My handicap did go down to the low 4's but I feel I am, at times, far off from where I really can and should be. I have some good rounds and some terrible rounds. I'd be ok with a slightly higher handicap if I was more consistent. That's a total lie. I want it even lower. Moving to Pinehurst has been great, even if I didn't play any of the Pinehurst courses this year. A couple times at Country Club of North Carolina, some rounds at Whispering Pines, and Foxfire, and some rounds at Midland Country Club. I can't complain with a 10 play pass for only $99. Hopefully in 2022 I make some adjustments to my dated bag. MattF, Tom the Golf Nut, Syks7 and 4 others 7 Quote When my wife asked if I wanted to leave Maine and move to where she grew up, I couldn't say no to Pinehurst, NC. I honestly don't spend much money on golf equipment, but I'm constantly reading reviews in case I ever get ready to buy I swing left handed and have been the State of Maine Left Hander's champion since 1997, the last year they held the tournament. I'm currently a 7.1 handicap. Trying to get lower, but my gut gets in the way. WITB Driver: Epic speed 9 degree Irons: 990's S300 Stiff shafts bought when I was in college. (Received a personal use discount, otherwise would've stuck with my Hogan Edge's) 3 Wood: Epic speed 15 degree or PT15 52/56/60 Z Spin wedges (heck of a deal $100 for all 3 at Dick's in 2013) Putter: OG Rossie Link to comment
juspoole Posted November 12, 2021 Share Posted November 12, 2021 It was one of the strangest years that I've ever had. Injury put me down and required a much later start that I usually have. Once I was able to golf around Mid May, I was lucky to find my game was still there for the most part. I was able to reduce my handicap from a 4.5 to a 2.6 this year. I feel a bit off my game now, but I had a lot of confidence for most of the year. Hoping to come on even stronger next year and not skip a beat. I did not achieve my overall goal of shooting under par this year for a full round. I shot 1 over several times and even once and I did have a 9 hole round at 3 under and a couple at 2 under, but did not have the time for a complete round. I suppose you can put them together, but that does not seem like the right thing to do. tony@CIC, Shapotomous, MattF and 3 others 6 Quote Driver: Mavrik Sub Zero 9* (Set to 10) Ventus Blue 6X 2 Hybrid: TSI3 Hybrid Tensei Blue 80 X (17.25*) 3 Hybrid 818 H2 Hybrid Hzrdus RDX Black 6.5 (20.5*) 4 Iron - T200 4 Iron Graphite Design Tour AD IZ X Hybrid Shaft Irons 5-PW: T100-S 5 - GW KBS Tour 130 X Gap/Sand Wedge: Vokey SM6 49* SM8 54* Lob Wedge: Jaws 5 Wedge 58* DG Tour Issue Stiff Putter: Phantom 5.5 34" Pro Platinum Newport 2 35" Taylormade Tour Black Spider 34" Link to comment
Shawn M Posted November 14, 2021 Share Posted November 14, 2021 Ball striking much improved. Need a lot more work on putting. JerryB and MattF 2 Quote Mahonex Tour Edge 9 Driver, 3wd, 3&4 hybrids 5-P Acer XS, UST Irn graphite S Never Compromise putter Link to comment
Haro Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 My golf swing has gotten better as the season progress. My putting and chipping had been inconsistent during the year I think I been regarding putting and chipping as a “separate game”. As long as regard rolling the ball as a “game within a game” Keep it in the context of golf game and not separate the swing from the stroke all is good. MattF, Syks7 and JerryB 3 Quote Link to comment
toehold57 Posted November 17, 2021 Share Posted November 17, 2021 I don’t keep a handicap but it certainly would have dropped this year. I’ve dropped from mid to high 80’s down to the low to mid 80’s. If I can tame my blow up holes I’ll be in the 70’s. Snowman be gone! That’s my goal for next year. Nothing changed as far as equipment goes, just picked up a few tips that really solidify my swing. I also practice putting in the house while on conference calls. I don’t aim make a putt although it does help the ego. I aim to roll the ball end over end. For indoor practice on carpet I think that’s all I can hope for. Syks7, JerryB and MattF 3 Quote Link to comment
Stuka44 Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 On 11/10/2021 at 10:58 PM, Grand Stranded said: What about you guys? How was your season/year? Any big changes, improvements, or issues with your game you want to share with the class? Great year! Closing in on 45 rounds, and that is mostly just once on the weekend. Holed out from 70 yards for my first eagle of the year, last weekend, thankfully the snow flurries didn't affect the shot any. My oldest brother started playing with my second oldest brother and I so that is a great thing. I'm thankful that I'm getting better (almost completely there), at just not taking the game too seriously anymore. I'm finally realizing(at 55, which is not old mind you) that life is to freaking short to let some bad golf shots detract even the slightest amount from the enjoyment of playing golf with two of my older brothers. Syks7, JerryB, Tom the Golf Nut and 3 others 5 1 Quote Driver: Cobra King Speedzone Irons: Mavrik 4-GW Wedges: CG-14 56 & RTX 52 Putter: Scottsdale Wolverine Woods: Gigagolf 3W, 2H, 3H Ball: Srixon Z-Star XV Link to comment
fixyurdivot Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 In spite of the pandemic related headwinds, 2021 has been a great year of golf. Full bag fitting yielding the ZX5's with MMT shafts, new KBD TD driver shaft, new ER5v putter (thanks again MGS!!) and good health. The composite iron shafts have greatly reduced my chronic left shoulder pain and I'm finding them every bit as good, arguably better, than steel. I averaged just about a round/week (golf still competes with fly fishing when back in Montana ), spent a week playing with @Thin2win, @Kenny B(and his wife Martha) in Spokane, and now a full month into the winter season here in AZ. My handicap is currently 10.9 and I feel like my quest to once again reach single digit is doable. MattF, Syks7, JerryB and 3 others 6 Quote G410 Plus, 9 Degree Driver G400 SFT, 16 Degree 3w G400 SFT, 19 Degree 5w ZX5 Irons 4-AW Glide 2.0 56 Degree SW (removed from double secret probation ) ER5v Putter (Evnroll ER5v Official Review) AI-One Milled Seven T CH (Currently Under Product Test) Link to comment
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