Golf Thread

[JustBen]

Quite happy with my last range session, just concentrated on one thing only which was to get my weight to get back over to my left side and through on the swing. Really helped with striking and reducing topped shots where the bottom of the arc was before the ball.

I have quite a sizeable gap in lofts in my clubs, currently have the Callaway Elyte X driver at 10.5, Adams Tight Lies fairway at 16 then my next club i can hit is my 7 iron at 31 degree. In terms of distance is 230ish > 190-200 yards for the 3 wood then on average around 140 yards for my 7 iron.

so i have quite a sizeable gap, ive got a few hundred to spend so could potentially get 2 clubs second hand or 1 new. Does matching brands make a difference? Do used clubs loose much in terms of performance? If i go second hand i can get things from the last 4-5 years at a decent price or get something new like the Callaway Elyte X 5 wood

 

[esK`]

Quite happy with my last range session, just concentrated on one thing only which was to get my weight to get back over to my left side and through on the swing. Really helped with striking and reducing topped shots where the bottom of the arc was before the ball.

I have quite a sizeable gap in lofts in my clubs, currently have the Callaway Elyte X driver at 10.5, Adams Tight Lies fairway at 16 then my next club i can hit is my 7 iron at 31 degree. In terms of distance is 230ish > 190-200 yards for the 3 wood then on average around 140 yards for my 7 iron.

so i have quite a sizeable gap, ive got a few hundred to spend so could potentially get 2 clubs second hand or 1 new. Does matching brands make a difference? Do used clubs loose much in terms of performance? If i go second hand i can get things from the last 4-5 years at a decent price or get something new like the Callaway Elyte X 5 wood

Nah 2nd hand clubs wont lose any distance. Ping G425 fairway woods can be had for a reasonable price and are forgiving.

 

[esK`]

Range session last night after my lesson at the weekend

Definitely seeing an improvement in my swing and after my usual miss being right, there were only a couple balls that went right last night with everything else being on target or left of it

I don't mind the left miss on the range as it means the changes are working, I just need to watch my grip doesn't get too strong (historical due to playing a pull fade off the tee most of my life)

Played Casa de Campo 'Teeth of the Dog' and shot +4 but a couple bad shots on the last 3 holes cost me 2 shots missing the green (left) and Trackman auto giving me 3 shots to finish the hole from the rough

Playing both days this weekend so Saturday will be a practice trying to take the changes to the course and Sunday may be the last counting comp for this year unless the weather holds up

Got some heck of a rain here over the weekend, range session for me to try and work on the 1/6 slight lefts. So hard to try and keep focused when the nights come early now!

 

[JustBen]

Nah 2nd hand clubs wont lose any distance. Ping G425 fairway woods can be had for a reasonable price and are forgiving.

Thanks didn't think they would apart from wedges maybe if you can spin them. OCD part of me wants the same as driver but so expensive when I can get new mizuno st max for nearly half the price and the ping 425 is about half the price.

 

[esK`]

Thanks didn't think they would apart from wedges maybe if you can spin them. OCD part of me wants the same as driver but so expensive when I can get new mizuno st max for nearly half the price and the ping 425 is about half the price.

Wedges, maybe a bit different. Mine are 2 years old and have loads of life left in them still. As long as you keep them clean they should be fine. Anything in the last 3 years should be okay still.

 

[TheCSSDoctor]

Played this morning and had a better ball match between the 4 of us, me off scratch and then my partner getting 4 shots and the other guys 1 & 2 respectively - we got beat on 17 but overall I played fairly well, shooting 77 in tough windy conditions

Tee game was a bit mixed, but there were some good positive signs from my lesson on Saturday, just needs more time to get used to the change

Will see how tomorrow goes in the weekly comp

 

[TheCSSDoctor]

Bot disappointed with my result today, which seems picky when I shot 79 (36 points), but I had a handful of birdie chances that didn't drop and finished with a bogey on the last

Tee game was decent though, a 250yd 3w to the front edge of our drive able short par 4 and a nice 280yd drive on 16 that was annoyingly too close to the green to get any spin on the approach

Greens are obviously not at their best and on another day a number of putts wouldn't have been deflected offline like today, so I can't be too unhappy with the result

On a positive note, it was enough to win the comp today

 

[SKILL]

Wedges, maybe a bit different. Mine are 2 years old and have loads of life left in them still. As long as you keep them clean they should be fine. Anything in the last 3 years should be okay still.

It really depends on use... I held on to my last wedges for a shade over 2 years and switching from a well used Mizuno T-24 54 degree to a brand new Mizuno T-24 56 degree was night and day different, but that was 2 years that included ~350 rounds so a fair bit of use

I intend to replace at least my 56 degree after around 150-200 rounds which is seemingly about a year for me

 

[booyaka]

Off for a TPI screening today

We take you through the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) certified screening process which assesses physical fitness, mobility and golf bio-mechanics. Once this information has been assessed and reviewed, we can create a TPI golf fitness handicap and bespoke fitness improvement programme specific to your body. We will also agree a timetable for measurable goals of improvement going forward. As your physicality is enhanced, we undertake a follow-up TPI screening to assess and review your golf fitness handicap accordingly.

Getting near the big 50.... Feel I need to do some proper stretching / Pilates etc - Looking forward to seeing the results / outcomes etc - Get some more physical focus on golf specific training etc.

The chap ( Paul Moultrie - Seniors Scottish Order of Merit winner) is also an expert Pilates instructor. Also very much into the mental side of the game as well

Will report back later.

 

[booyaka]

Incredibly useful session. Paul Moultrie, 61 years old, +2 handicap and won Seniors Scottish Order of Merit last year. Been playing golf for 50 years and represented Scotland at all levels nationally.

Full TPI LVL 1 fitness screening - 16 separate movements to see where you may have restrictions or issues.

I knew going in my hips are tight/not very flexible and screening confirmed this.

Everything is scored red/amber/green based on your range of movement in that particular exercise.

Only red I had was lower quarter rotation which is basically testing rotational mobility on both the left and right lower extremities (hips, knees, ankles)

You get an overall "handicap" score based on your fitness.

Average Euro tour player is around 8 handicap, local young amateurs/ Scottish amateurs around 12. Mine was 19 which is very decent for 49 year old!

Paul is also a expert Lvl 3 platies instructor so we discuss some exercises I need to improve certain areas of my body. Mainly more of the golf swing comes from the core so that's a huge part that people don't train.

Not just the physical stuff - he was extremely interested in where I want to get to, my game, mental approach etc - I've booked another session to get some more pinpoint exercises / workout stuff to improve on over the winter.

He didn't see me or want to see a single golf swing - he's not a swing coach - he just does everything else around the game.

Took a lot from that yesterday and really felt like he was interested in me and my game and not just going through the motions.

He's a massive believer in Pilates for golfers especially as we get older/less flexible.

 

[-westy-]

An actually useful driving range session last night after work!

Been suffering an awful driver swing for a while, to the point where I could barely hit the ball. Now - I'm not a believer of getting swing tips from social media, but I saw one video that seemed to resonate; it described the exact issues that I was struggling with. It was fairly simple - just a bit of spine tilt, and start the shaft more centrally - doesn't need to be a lot, just enough to make sure I'm hitting up on the ball.

Tried this last night - on a better range mat where I could get my own tee in - definitely felt like I was hitting up on the ball a lot more - more height gained and straightened my shots out nicely. Looking forward to putting it into place on the course - managing to get off the tee with a driver will transform my game.

(the caveat being that it'll all go to **** as soon as I get on the first tee)

 

[SKILL]

An actually useful driving range session last night after work!

Been suffering an awful driver swing for a while, to the point where I could barely hit the ball. Now - I'm not a believer of getting swing tips from social media, but I saw one video that seemed to resonate; it described the exact issues that I was struggling with. It was fairly simple - just a bit of spine tilt, and start the shaft more centrally - doesn't need to be a lot, just enough to make sure I'm hitting up on the ball.

Tried this last night - on a better range mat where I could get my own tee in - definitely felt like I was hitting up on the ball a lot more - more height gained and straightened my shots out nicely. Looking forward to putting it into place on the course - managing to get off the tee with a driver will transform my game.

(the caveat being that it'll all go to **** as soon as I get on the first tee)

You'll probably pure all your drives and then duff the approach shots, that's how it works for me at least

 

[-westy-]

You'll probably pure all your drives and then duff the approach shots, that's how it works for me at least

Oh definitely, I'll be trying to hit up on the ball with a wedge

 

[Biz.Kid09]

Thinking of going for a putter fitting with the look to get a new putter for Christmas. I keep stopping myself because its as much the putter as it is the putter but theres not much point me getting frustrated and persisting with something thats fundamentally wrong for me.

 

[OldKitMan]

Thinking of going for a putter fitting with the look to get a new putter for Christmas. I keep stopping myself because its as much the putter as it is the putter but theres not much point me getting frustrated and persisting with something thats fundamentally wrong for me.

putter fitting makes absolute sense to me, you ideally use it for 36 or less putts per round which is far in excess of any other club so having that one optimal should yield the biggest results.

I'm paying close attention to my putting at the moment as it's all over the place, fully intend on getting a putting lesson so I'm a bit more confident before the start of next season.

 

[Biz.Kid09]

Separate post..I was in New Orleans, Louisiana recently. I took my clubs and played three courses.

Bayou City Oaks, La Tour and Carter Plantation.

Had an awesome time, all three course are what they would consider probably municipals but compared to some of the dross near me in London, they were awesome.

Bayou in particular, close to the main city centre of New Orleans itself. Easy to get to in a cab from our hotel and a really nice course. Will be on the LIV circuit next year, had a chat with the head pro and some people from LIV about the changes they will put in place etc. It's not a hard track by any accounts so will need a few changes or the likes of Rahm will be shooting in the 50s lol.

 

[Biz.Kid09]

putter fitting makes absolute sense to me, you ideally use it for 36 or less putts per round which is far in excess of any other club so having that one optimal should yield the biggest results.

I'm paying close attention to my putting at the moment as it's all over the place, fully intend on getting a putting lesson so I'm a bit more confident before the start of next season.

Definitely agree. I recently chopped my driver for a mini driver and it's been a game changer, putting is now really my main problem outside of inconsistency!

Frustratingly, my uncle is a putting coach but out in Portugal, should really just make an excuse to get out there tbh hah.

 

[JustBen]

So I I didn't have my elyte x driver long before I stupidly wrecked it. Went to the driving range the mat was on the left side so I moved it right but obviously not enough as I grazed the edge of the driver against the bay dividers. Only a small mark to the extent it just looked like paint damage but it popped the top loose. Luckily I have insurance so claimed on that and got my money back. Did try epoxying the head back together but on the first shot it properly separated.
Insurance don't want it back so will get the shaft out and sell that with the headcover i suppose.
Been debating 3/5wood for a bit instead of another driver but went for a fitting today and came out with a new driver. I got the outgoings taylormade qi35 max lite heavily discounted. I did try the ping g440 Sft and normal but just didn't do well with it and couldn't stand the bits on top of it. Tried the Titleist, the cobra demo had gone so went with the TM.
I seem to have a habit of de lofting the club's a little so this club seemed most consistent launch and also the straightest. Ping driver wasn't much more than the 3 wood I tried and the TM I managed to carry around 220 which I was happy with (240/50 with roll maybe?)

I also tried the TM 3 wood high loft which I struck really well but it's listed at 309 at the moment and I've been told he'll sort us out something on the demo one during black Friday heavily discounted so might get that too.
Great looking driver which as stupid as it sounds it does help.

I've got 2 more lessons before Xmas (every 4 weeks) so going to do some short game stuff in the next one if weather is good.

 

[JustBen]

Definitely agree. I recently chopped my driver for a mini driver and it's been a game changer, putting is now really my main problem outside of inconsistency!

Frustratingly, my uncle is a putting coach but out in Portugal, should really just make an excuse to get out there tbh hah.

The closest I have got with this was at a previous club they just took one of each onto the putting and I picked what felt best (ping fetch). The club I use for lessons has a putting thing called Sam lab which he said will help fitting a bit more. I'll go later next year for it I think as I'm ok with my Wilson blade putter for now, aside from frequently just missing left but I think that is technique not putter

 

[booyaka]

Thinking of going for a putter fitting with the look to get a new putter for Christmas. I keep stopping myself because its as much the putter as it is the putter but theres not much point me getting frustrated and persisting with something thats fundamentally wrong for me.

Putting lesson first before changing?

Try changing grip? Claw? Cack handed?

Heads up putting? - https://www.pga.info/discover/latest/news/science-behind-heads-putting/

Few things to consider before switching putters.....