Golf Thread

Anyone else here play golf with their partner? The lass I am dating at the moment, asked if she could try it last weekend and absolutely loved it. Not sure if I am a traitor to the cause or the luckiest man alive right now :)
 
Great day on Saturday. Captains Prize and won with 43 points. A nice Bushnell Range finder for first place! Seeing as I turned up thinking it was a team competition I didn't do to bad!
 
Recently got back into golf. Not played since I was around 14-15 (now 28).

I've acquired my dads old set of clubs, nothing great, I'm pretty sure they were from good ol' sports direct some 10 years ago!

Played with a couple of friends I normally play football with the other week (didn't come last, which was the aim!)...was quite fun, but I'm hooked again, even though I'm not that great!

Seem to have the stance and the grip fine, but a lot of my shots either veer off to the left or right. 1 in 8 normally goes straight. any tips for a beginner overcoming this? Tempted to get a few lessons in if I'm honest. was at the range 3 times last week but can't put my finger on what I'm doing wrong!.... probably quite a few things!
 
I've got a rules related question and was wondering if anyone knew the answer. I played a round this weekend with a few friends and at one point hit a shot very close to a trench that was filled with stinging nettles. The trench ran parallel to the fairway and had white stakes by it to define out of bounds. My ball was technically still in bounds, but to hit my next shot I would have had to stand out of bounds (in the trench), and therefore had no stance. My argument was that I was entitled to relief from a man-made object, similarly to if I was on a path, but one of my friends said that because I had no stance my ball was deemed as being out of bounds and I had to take a penalty drop.

I ended up taking the penalty drop because he was convinced he was right and I didn't want to start an argument, but I'm still curious who was right.

Also, does anyone know what the white and black marker pole on a par 5 denotes? I'm assuming it indicates a particular yardage either from the tee or to the pin?
 
I am with you on this as the ball is in play regardless off how you play it. He is penalising you for being right/left handed? If it was a sprinkler head for example on your stance he cant penalise you for that.

Also I have always believed that the poles are there as and idea of where to go if you have a blind shot over a hill or where it dog legs left or right and you need a layup point.
 
I've got a rules related question and was wondering if anyone knew the answer. I played a round this weekend with a few friends and at one point hit a shot very close to a trench that was filled with stinging nettles. The trench ran parallel to the fairway and had white stakes by it to define out of bounds. My ball was technically still in bounds, but to hit my next shot I would have had to stand out of bounds (in the trench), and therefore had no stance. My argument was that I was entitled to relief from a man-made object, similarly to if I was on a path, but one of my friends said that because I had no stance my ball was deemed as being out of bounds and I had to take a penalty drop.

I ended up taking the penalty drop because he was convinced he was right and I didn't want to start an argument, but I'm still curious who was right.

Also, does anyone know what the white and black marker pole on a par 5 denotes? I'm assuming it indicates a particular yardage either from the tee or to the pin?

I think if your ball was unplayable then you would have to take a penalty drop within two club lengths and not nearer the hole.

Your ball is not deemed out of bounds though.

As zakjattaway said, a black and white marker pole is just to give you the recommended line to hit your shot.
 
I've got a rules related question and was wondering if anyone knew the answer. I played a round this weekend with a few friends and at one point hit a shot very close to a trench that was filled with stinging nettles. The trench ran parallel to the fairway and had white stakes by it to define out of bounds. My ball was technically still in bounds, but to hit my next shot I would have had to stand out of bounds (in the trench), and therefore had no stance. My argument was that I was entitled to relief from a man-made object, similarly to if I was on a path, but one of my friends said that because I had no stance my ball was deemed as being out of bounds and I had to take a penalty drop.

I ended up taking the penalty drop because he was convinced he was right and I didn't want to start an argument, but I'm still curious who was right.

Also, does anyone know what the white and black marker pole on a par 5 denotes? I'm assuming it indicates a particular yardage either from the tee or to the pin?

Your ball is in play, however, it is a penalty drop and 2 club lengths if you deem the ball unplayable from your stance. There would be no free relief.
 
I understand the whole "if it is unplayable then its a penalty with 2 club lengths" but surely this wouldn't apply being man made you would get relief. If it was a tree however then I would agree with the penalty. Maybe I am just being a little picky. :D
 
I understand the whole "if it is unplayable then its a penalty with 2 club lengths" but surely this wouldn't apply being man made you would get relief. If it was a tree however then I would agree with the penalty. Maybe I am just being a little picky. :D

It's a boundary trench though. Same if it was a wall.

You can't even move an out of bounds marker post.
 
Well I'm now firmly hooked again (despite being **** after my 6 year break) so took the plunge and got my hands on a new set of second hand clubs, Callaway Diablo Edge, and the results have been startling.

My old set were just a duff starter set but the Edge clubs are apparently built to be "more forgiving" and I cannot believe the results. Only driving range tested so far but I have went from being unable to hit a hybrid to hitting it 170-210 yards consistently and almost always straight (as opposed to continual hook with my old clubs) my 8 iron shots have went from 100 yards to 130-140, my 6 iron is pushing 180 at times. It feels unreal and whilst I am slicing/hooking a few the amount has went from every other shot to 1 in 10.

It's quite freaky and must admit I am really looking forward to my game on Sunday now to see how I get on, still off 28 (without even troubling getting round in 28) so if I can push or hit 28 will be overjoyed.

Here's hoping :p
 
Good to hear no1newts. I went from a bargain basement set of Dunlop clubs to a proper set of Mizunos and it certainly made a difference. I do think that some of it is probably confidence related, which is a huge part of golf. I feel much better standing over the ball now with my Mizunos, so that confidence normally transfers into the shot I hit.

I'm also starting to see some improvements. After using a mirror behind me at my local range I realised that I have too much knee flex when I step up to hit the shot so tend to get poor contact, hit the ground before the ball, etc. Since taking some of the bend out and standing slightly taller I've noticed a big improvement in the consistency of my shots. I went round one of my local courses in 20 over par last weekend, which is the first time I've shot under 100.

edit: oh and that was with a duffed chip or two and three threes off the tee. I could have conceivably hit 12-14 over par :D
 
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Strangely enough I have went the other way to you and I have started flexing and having a "lower" stance and found this has helped me a lot when playing off the ground as I find myself able to get under the ball easier and get my shots away.

Funny old game :p
 
Got round in 109.

Had a few teething problems with the new clubs but when I got my eye in I was playing well and could feel thr benefit of the new clubs. Was only 1 over par (on handicap) on the back 9 and with a bit more work pretty confident I can break 100 before the summer is out.

Highlight was driving the green on a 190 yard par 3, low light was then 4 putting on the same hole :p:D
 
I broke 100 for the second time in two weeks when I played on Sunday. I'm hitting the irons sweeter than I ever have before and my driving improved significantly last round. Considering I got a 10 on a par 5 because I had to retake the tee shot twice and then four-putted on another hole, on top of having a couple of duffed chips during the round, I think I could easily take another 8-10 shots off if I play a round without any drops and sort out my short game.

I used to wonder how on earth people ever got near the lower handicaps, but now I'm starting to see how it's possible :)
 
Sad news that McIlroy not going to defend his Open Championship in a weeks time, what a numpty getting injured playing footie with his mates.

Was tempted to drive up to St. Andrews for a day to watch some golf, 1200 mile round trip, don't think I'll bother now. Speith to win his 3rd major?
 
Got to fancy Speith now and Whistling Straits being the last of the 4 Majors its all shaping up nicely for him. Would be nice for Rickie Fowler to play like everyone says he can play on Links courses though. Also Dustin Johnson being a long hitter was close last year.
 
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Shot my first round under 90 on Tuesday night - 88! This included the most unfortunate 9 ever, where I hit my drive well wide and hit a provisional (off 3) - couldn't see my ball anywhere in the trees so played that which turned into a nightmare!

Coming up the next fairway - found my ball from the drive!!! Gutted!

7 Pars and Birdie - was very pleased
 
Been playing again for about 2 months and I'm just woeful. I played about 5 years ago just not consistently and wasn't very good then however I'm more committed now I'm older can drive and go with friends easier etc. Anyway, I'm really struggling with my irons, I can't help but slice the ball to my right (right handed) as though I'm catching the value with the toe of the club. Any ideas why this may be? I'm short and for some reason play better with the longer clubs, not sure If it's a stance/distance issue with the shorter irons, how far away should the ball be away from me with the irons?
 
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