Love Golf?

[applescrap]

Haven't played it for over a year. I had a membership at another course last year and haven't played any golf since my hip went out in late June. I'm finally healed up enough to play but the courses are closed.

The last time I played it was March 2019 with winter rules and I was disgusted with the pin setting. They weren't rolling the hole flat after cutting a new hole. Make the perfect putt that should fall in on the high side of the hole and it hits the little left over pucker berm and rolls away, arrrg! As long as it's dry the fairways are in good shape and well kept.

Others have told me that they were taking better care once the full season started. It's a very popular course in the summer, I wouldn't even think about playing on a weekend due to all the backups.

I usually play it a few times a year, maybe 5. I have friends who absolutely love the course.

Thats right. Pehls talks about it in his book. He called it the lumpy doughnut. This part of his book stuck with me more than anything else. He built a machine to make putts and had a hell of a time calibrating it on a pool table. Turns out balls weren't quite perfect. This has gotten better. Once he got it calibrated he took it out to tour events. The calibrated machine only made something like 70 percent of putts when setup on a green! Strangely it made iirc 40 percent in the afternoon. So late day playing or at my muni cups that never move have lumpy dougnuts around them. I liken them to volcanoes.

Pehls measured a single 4 some following up and found iirc that the average 4 some left 500 foot prints on the green. Heres the kicker, most were by the hole. And whats more they are all perfectly around it because dont step on the hole right. Almost seems like it would be better if we stepped on hole? Anyways he found some putts couldnt be made with the machine. And some couldnt be missed. I took from it that damn putting is hard, now I have an excuse for my s..y putting.

 

[BruceH]

I liken them to volcanoes.

That's the term I use "volcano hole".

The course I had a membership at had fantastic greens. I was usually first out on weekdays as a single and got to know all the ground crew pretty well. Every other day they were rolling the greens. When the pin was moved they had a small hand roller, almost like a rolling pin to go over the hole and make sure it was level.

 

[passedpawn]

Thats awesome. What went well?

Putting and chipping from < 100y is mostly regulation now. There was a period of a couple of months that I changed my putting grip and stance, but that was a mistake.

I've posted my chipper/putter club here before (my kids call it my grandpa chipper, or "gipper"). It lets me one-putt a lot when I'm 10y or less from the green. I'm very accurate with it. I'd say that one club has saved my 5 putts a round. I know a lot of guys are deadly with the pitching wedge, lob, or 8i, but I tend to shank or blade those a lot, but not when I use the gipper.

 

[applescrap]

Putting and chipping from < 100y is mostly regulation now. There was a period of a couple of months that I changed my putting grip and stance, but that was a mistake.

I've posted my chipper/putter club here before (my kids call it my grandpa chipper, or "gipper"). It lets me one-putt a lot when I'm 10y or less from the green. I'm very accurate with it. I'd say that one club has saved my 5 putts a round. I know a lot of guys are deadly with the pitching wedge, lob, or 8i, but I tend to shank or blade those a lot, but not when I use the gipper.

Thats awesome, I want to try one. Haha, come to think of it I played a lot of golf with a guy who had one. He was good with it. 40 yards out sure. He only got in trouble when it wasnt right for the situation.

 

[BruceH]

Putting and chipping from < 100y is mostly regulation now. There was a period of a couple of months that I changed my putting grip and stance, but that was a mistake.

I've posted my chipper/putter club here before (my kids call it my grandpa chipper, or "gipper"). It lets me one-putt a lot when I'm 10y or less from the green. I'm very accurate with it. I'd say that one club has saved my 5 putts a round. I know a lot of guys are deadly with the pitching wedge, lob, or 8i, but I tend to shank or blade those a lot, but not when I use the gipper.

You're one of those guys! All kidding aside if it works for you it works.

Chipping from right off the green is one of things that takes more thought than is usually given. For me a bump and run with a short or even mid iron works better than a wedge. However, I often forget that and try to fly most of the way with a wedge when I don't have to. It's all good until I stub the sole into the ground and only move the ball a few inches or blade it right off the green.

If I had a dedicated club like your chipper I'd probably be more inclined to use it exclusively when just off the green with nothing in the way.

 

[HoppyDaze]

today would have been round one of The Masters

 

[applescrap]

Hope to play arrowhead. Only private owned courses are open. But walking only, called they are sold out th, f, s. Hope it snows, Ill go out in it. Less people!

Have you guys seen that hit mat that the club scrapes showing, basically critical data. I want one! Its acustrike mat iirc. You hit and it shows the swipe across the mat. Face and path can be seen. I knew I was on to something looking at my swipes in snow. Problem is all good shots are right, I dont need it to tell me the swing or shot sucked. The feedback on great shots. Guess what, perfect, duh. Idk, I still want one! I bought one of those shaft analyzers, Ill share that some other time but short of it. It didnt stay put. The butt ones work I think.

 

[BruceH]

today would have been round one of The Masters

Don't think we will see any majors this year. For that matter any PGA. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[passedpawn]

I think I need a lob wedge or something like that. There are greens that I find impossible to chip onto - balls roll right off the other side. Bump and run doesn't work if you're chipping over a bunker, and a lot of the Florida greens are protected by bunkers. I'll chip just over the bunker, but thar she goes, down the other side of the green. Bite!

Not really sure how to play that shot with the clubs I have. Pros seem to be able to lob it and even get it to roll back to them, but that's magic I don't have.

 

[BruceH]

Managed to get some wedge practice in the backyard. I have a net on a hoop thingy that I try to fly the ball into from about 40-50'.

Didn't do too bad considering I haven't had a club in my hand since late last June. Direction was good, misses were mostly a touch long, right or both, wouldn't of mattered much on a green. That was with a 54 degree. I'll take the 58 out today but it's scary to use anywhere but off a tee, for a full shot, or in the sand. I seem to blade as many as I hit well with that club when not going all out. I wish I knew more about sole grinds for wedge use.

 

[Brewers Hardware]

I think I need a lob wedge or something like that. There are greens that I find impossible to chip onto - balls roll right off the other side. Bump and run doesn't work if you're chipping over a bunker, and a lot of the Florida greens are protected by bunkers. I'll chip just over the bunker, but thar she goes, down the other side of the green. Bite!

Not really sure how to play that shot with the clubs I have. Pros seem to be able to lob it and even get it to roll back to them, but that's magic I don't have.

You need to get one of those 72 degree wedges. Flop that bad boy over anything.

 

[applescrap]

I think I need a lob wedge or something like that. There are greens that I find impossible to chip onto - balls roll right off the other side. Bump and run doesn't work if you're chipping over a bunker, and a lot of the Florida greens are protected by bunkers. I'll chip just over the bunker, but thar she goes, down the other side of the green. Bite!

Not really sure how to play that shot with the clubs I have. Pros seem to be able to lob it and even get it to roll back to them, but that's magic I don't have.

You are describing be short sided. A shot over a bunker that is going to run away spells bogey, even for a pro. Although they have a way better chance and a tour pro even better. Also I didnt mention it but alluded to it, but this was and is the situation the chipper struggles. Still a good safe chip is better than a duff into a bunker.

Important, learn where these spots are on your course and avoid them. This is the next step in lower scores too. But yeah sure a lob will work better than a chip. I got one for low bounce and also for a full swing 70 yard shot. I like 58. I see many playing with that and I like it. Two wedges if not 3 you need. Our ground is firm here in summer and I like the lower bounce. Either way chip it on and take a bogey, when your short sided thats the way it goes. Head to the next tee and sail one down the center.

 

[passedpawn]

Hmmm, 72 degree wedge. I like it. Might get something like that in my bag.

Tee time 3pm today

 

[applescrap]

Hmmm, 72 degree wedge. I like it. Might get something like that in my bag.

Tee time 3pm today

So jealous! Snowed here.

 

[HoppyDaze]

I'll play you all for $20 hole if you promise to use a 72 degree every hole

 

[HoppyDaze]

I think I need a lob wedge or something like that. There are greens that I find impossible to chip onto - balls roll right off the other side. Bump and run doesn't work if you're chipping over a bunker, and a lot of the Florida greens are protected by bunkers. I'll chip just over the bunker, but thar she goes, down the other side of the green. Bite!

Not really sure how to play that shot with the clubs I have. Pros seem to be able to lob it and even get it to roll back to them, but that's magic I don't have.

You need to play lofted pitch shot with some touch. A chip shot is a play when you know you'll get some check or you're chipping uphill form a short distance. Pitch shot will get it up in the air....doesn't have to be a flop, just slightly bigger swing curve with a more lofted club. Low 60s will treat you well

 

[passedpawn]

You need to play lofted pitch shot with some touch. A chip shot is a play when you know you'll get some check or you're chipping uphill form a short distance. Pitch shot will get it up in the air....doesn't have to be a flop, just slightly bigger swing curve with a more lofted club. Low 60s will treat you well

Coincidentally, I found a 60° on the fringe of the 17th hole yesterday, so I practiced a bit with it. I'm getting one. (I left the club in the pro shop as the group ahead of us was long gone by then).

 

[passedpawn]

I slammed some other dude's ball off the course and into the water when he hit onto our green while we were still playing it. They were less than 100 yds away and must have clearly seen us on the #1 green. Groups were staged 15 min apart, but they decided to go early and push our foursome right away. I was getting ready to chip onto the green (my son was standing in the middle of it) and here comes a ball, bounced off the green and right near me. I took my gipper and chipped it into a swampy area near us - I was pizzed.

Anyway, otherwise fun afternoon out there with boys and neighbor.

 

[BruceH]

Rumor has it that at least one course isn't open but has a donation box and doesn't stop people from walking on.

I can walk my dogs, go to the store for groceries, go to the liquor store, go to a restaurant for take out, buy a new car, even go to a weed store if that was my thing. But I can't golf or even go to a driving range.

 

[HoppyDaze]

I didn't realize the courses around here are open because of I have been buried with work in tax season; tee time Thursday...I'll get some pics. Gonna be ugly. Haven't played or practiced in months.

 

[passedpawn]

I didn't realize the courses around here are open because of I have been buried with work in tax season; tee time Thursday...I'll get some pics. Gonna be ugly. Haven't played or practiced in months.

Have fun. 72 swings isn’t getting your money’s worth in my opinion

 

[applescrap]

Super excited. Been busy so havent checked in, but callaway preowned 30 percent off got epic flash driver and epic flash 3 wood. Amazing deal. I couldnt resist got irons. I wanted rogue irons after all my research or epic but they didnt have them, in steel stiff. I am right on the edge. Hope I can flex them. They had the rogue pros which sure are pretty. I have been hitting pro clubs, f that, i want big old offset cavity backs with a thin face. Is what I am thinking, maybe after a few rounds ill ship them back for something else. Dont know, never played callaway. I got steelhead xr irons for 235. 30 more more set sand .I remember my cavity backs well. Dead feel was biggest complaint, but man miss hits flew. I was always there. Miss hit mine and I have to chip from 50 yards. My 4 iron is the same loft as this st. Xr six. Newer, its designed to pop the ball up. Im pretty stoked. I think the 11 years I have been belting and ripping my driver in rocky mountain winter, summer, mesquite, florida, cancun, etc..has done it in. I am sure of it. Why the heck havent I done something. So all totaled well under 600 for new bag. Well used anyways.

 

[applescrap]

Holy s..t. passed. What? While you were on it? Did you let them by? Thats crazy. Haha, nice one into the swamp. Bounce is everything. My sand wedge has to much bounce. Florida can have tight lies too so get a lower bounce 60. The club slides under the ball on its bounce allowing you to hit fat but still hit shot. Too many of you play all your shots with leading edge, which is why some times they dig. I do the same. Bounce masters never hit fat. Google some bounce videos to make sure you get the right bounce for you.

 

[passedpawn]

Holy s..t. passed. What? While you were on it? Did you let them by? Thats crazy. Haha, nice one into the swamp. Bounce is everything. My sand wedge has to much bounce. Florida can have tight lies too so get a lower bounce 60. The club slides under the ball on its bounce allowing you to hit fat but still hit shot. Too many of you play all your shots with leading edge, which is why some times they dig. I do the same. Bounce masters never hit fat. Google some bounce videos to make sure you get the right bounce for you.

I let people through all the time, especially smaller groups that move fast. But after that rudeness on #1, I wasn't feeling generous.

 

[passedpawn]

Have you guys seen this clever tshirt? Golf and coronavirus awareness in one.

 

[BruceH]

@applescrap I've been getting those Callaway emails too. Almost pulled the trigger on an Epic Flash with Evenflow blue 65 but decided to back off. The lure of a new to me driver is strong. I still wonder why I traded my old Cleveland XL years ago, best driver I ever had. Or maybe it was all the practice and golfing at that time in my life.

Last year I bought a set of used Steelhead XR irons. Previously I was using X18 from 10 years ago. Lofts are jacked so each club was just about one club lower, all the manufacturers seem to be doing it. Just a mind game imo.

What I noticed most is mis hits still go almost as far as a good hit with my old irons. Ball still goes just as high even with the jacked lofts, i.e. the 5 iron with the loft of my old 4 iron still goes just as high in the air as my old 5 but also farther. A sweet spot hit goes noticeably farther. It's hard to get used to the cup face sound and feel.

I wish I had more to report but just as I was getting used to them my hip got bad enough that I couldn't golf anymore.

Edit: mis hit put together came out as mishit Odd.

 

[jrgtr42]

Putting and chipping from < 100y is mostly regulation now. There was a period of a couple of months that I changed my putting grip and stance, but that was a mistake.

I've posted my chipper/putter club here before (my kids call it my grandpa chipper, or "gipper"). It lets me one-putt a lot when I'm 10y or less from the green. I'm very accurate with it. I'd say that one club has saved my 5 putts a round. I know a lot of guys are deadly with the pitching wedge, lob, or 8i, but I tend to shank or blade those a lot, but not when I use the gipper.

My father has one of those - he's probably had it for 50 years - it's got a wooden shaft to it!!
I'll borrow it sometimes when we play together and I'm just off the green. (when we play, we're lucky if one of us is in double digits; we're not worried about every single rule in the book)
It's a great club to use for just that - pop it up a few yards and get it rolling.
When I play alone I'll choke way up on my 4-iron and use it the same way - a putting stroke to get it down and rolling sooner.

 

[jrgtr42]

Have fun. 72 swings isn’t getting your money’s worth in my opinion

LOL. There's an old comic strip - B.C., I think, where they're playing golf, and one of them says, "let me get this straight. The fewer shots you take, the better you're doing?" "yep." the other replies. The first then says, "well then, why do it at all?"

 

[doug293cz]

Have fun. 72 swings isn’t getting your money’s worth in my opinion

I'm one of the most cost effective golfers I know.

Brew on

 

[applescrap]

@applescrap I've been getting those Callaway emails too. Almost pulled the trigger on an Epic Flash with Evenflow blue 65 but decided to back off. The lure of a new to me driver is strong. I still wonder why I traded my old Cleveland XL years ago, best driver I ever had. Or maybe it was all the practice and golfing at that time in my life.

Last year I bought a set of used Steelhead XR irons. Previously I was using X18 from 10 years ago. Lofts are jacked so each club was just about one club lower, all the manufacturers seem to be doing it. Just a mind game imo.

What I noticed most is mis hits still go almost as far as a good hit with my old irons. Ball still goes just as high even with the jacked lofts, i.e. the 5 iron with the loft of my old 4 iron still goes just as high in the air as my old 5 but also farther. A sweet spot hit goes noticeably farther. It's hard to get used to the cup face sound and feel.

I wish I had more to report but just as I was getting used to them my hip got bad enough that I couldn't golf anymore.

Edit: mis hit put together came out as mishit Odd.

Thanks man. Dang it, why didn't I ask. I have been more busy working at home! I wanted the rogue but at that price couldnt resist. Glad to hear they fly well, playing on the tips with these youngsters is giving me a lot of 180 plus in. Thanks for the review. Yeah my 4 iron is the same as this new 6. Just hit my 4 then, right? Wrong my muscle back four is like a butter knife and any miss hit goes no where. Can wait for the high balooning flight again. Never liked the way callaway drivers or irons looked, no disrespect meant. The tm drivers just look better. And Iove titleist but I like the after market shafts, a lot and the price. The shaft I got was the tensei blue 65. It was reallly well reviewed and feels awesome.

Honestly since I got my new driver and 3 wood my bamboo shoot has grown, hot women follow me around and its like a bud light commercial. No really though the shaft feels nice and I am so glad to have the matching 3 wood shafts. I have all these shafts in my bag. A pro I took lessons with wanted me to go to a private club maker in town. They tune and fit all shafts the same. He said I had a different shaft in the driver , 3 wood, hybrid, irons, and wedges. Thats 5 different shafts in the bag. Dang. Glad to have a match. The 3 wood epic flash felt better then the driver out of the box and I think will be well worth the 100 I paid. Nothing like having a new club you cant hit because ranges are closed.