Golf Thread

[SKILL]

I'd definitely recommend another wedge, 52° or 58/60° and maybe a 3 hybrid 19° to fill your gapping between 3W 16°, 5H 22°.

But without a good range session to get yardages you won't really know.

Just looking at the 921 they're quite strong lofted so possible it's the short end to look at depending on your distances.

Yeah, I recently picked up a cheapo Slazenger 60 degree wedge and I love it I'm no great played but if you're not far off the green with a bunker or something in the way it's great to have the confidence that the thing is gonna go sky high, and just stop when it lands. I hit it maybe 35-40 yards max but it's such a nice feeling when you hit it, kinda weird really...

Played 18 holes today, local club so no buggy but nicked a mates trolley (just a basic two wheel manual one, and my bag didn't really fit great being a stand back) which was way nicer than carrying the clubs... Hit some good shots and some absolute stinkers, 122 overall which is 'ok' for me, certainly not a good round though.

Definitely noticing the change in the course though, especially as I started at the tail end of the heatwave/drought period it makes everything way longer when the ball just stops when it lands

 

[magicroundabout]

Yeah, I recently picked up a cheapo Slazenger 60 degree wedge and I love it I'm no great played but if you're not far off the green with a bunker or something in the way it's great to have the confidence that the thing is gonna go sky high, and just stop when it lands. I hit it maybe 35-40 yards max but it's such a nice feeling when you hit it, kinda weird really...

Definitely noticing the change in the course though, especially as I started at the tail end of the heatwave/drought period it makes everything way longer when the ball just stops when it lands

Since being fitted for my SM9's my short game has improved massively. Confidence in all my clubs has made my handicap drop this year.

The winter will be difficult when it gets really wet

 

[SKILL]

Yeah, it was fairly wet today as it absolutely bucketed down yesterday (hence playing today rather than yesterday...) but can still get wetter I'm sure

 

[MarkA]

Since being fitted for my SM9's my short game has improved massively. Confidence in all my clubs has made my handicap drop this year.

The winter will be difficult when it gets really wet

Can you describe the process of getting fitted for wedges?
What do they ask you in terms of what you want out of them? I assume something about how comfortable you are with bounce angles to define which you should be using?

 

[magicroundabout]

Can you describe the process of getting fitted for wedges?
What do they ask you in terms of what you want out of them? I assume something about how comfortable you are with bounce angles to define which you should be using?

Absolutely.

I went to Scottsdale Golf Performance and Build Centre for my fitting as the guys have an amazing reputation so my experience might be different to others.

First of all I was given a talk about my game. Where I am with handicap, What I feel are my strength and weaknesses. Went through my bag, especially the irons. Also my current wedges. I explained how visually they don't offer me confidence and lack spin.
Following this I was asked if their are any particular wedges I liked. I knew I wanted the SM9s so went straight for them.

After seeing my highest lofted iron (GW 48°) he asked how high a loft I would be happy with. I said I'd never used a 60° but I'm open to try anything.

We started with a 52° wedge and went through all the various bounce options Vokey offer. With each bounce he asked for my feedback whilst setting various targets and certain distances. 20 yards and 40 yards and also comparing spin/strike. He also never told me which bounce I was using. It was all purely on feel.

We did this through a 56°, 58° and a 60°. I didn't feel comfortable with a 60° so we opted for the 58°. I wasn't striking this right so we went 1° toe down which gave me amazing numbers.

What we also did was use various balls. TP5, ProV1 and Bridgstone Tour B-XS.
ProV was an absolute beast with Bridgestone a close second.

All in all it was a great fitting and would definitely go back should I need anything else

 

[SKILL]

Another round of golf today, after the 18 holes walking yesterday (with a trolley at least) I was aching a lot this morning but it was the Bristol course today with buggies... Then they go and say we need to stick to the path, d'oh Makes sense but for someone used to a sedentry job/lifestyle doing 14k steps yesterday and then 10k today was a bit much

Still, the golf was good, bit of rain at the start but was dry by the third hole. My biggest issue was probably being lazy and trying a shot with 'the wrong club' rather than walk back to the buggy for the right club, towards the end I started taking multiple clubs which was a bit better.

Overall scored 115, matching my best ever (on the same course) and that's with the conditions definitely being a hindrance.

I also scored my first Birdie (My hole in one was technically an Eagle but had never got a Birdie ), par 4 hole, driver was really good but had to do an ~90 yard shot over some water to an isolated green which I hit perfectly, it pitched a maybe a metre before and hit the flag as it was coming down for it's second bounce to end up at most 2 foot from the hole and 'just' knocked it in for the Birdie, happy days

We're gonna switch to trolleys soon, I've 'borrowed' one off one of the group but it's got flat/summer wheels and I need to use hedgehogs for that course, seen some seemingly universal things that clip onto the flat wheels but also gonna look for 'proper' wheels, the trolley is labelled as a 'Zucci Golf' trolley but that seems a random/old/cheap brand that I can't find much info on...

 

[booyaka]

Nice morning - 12 holes and done.

Too slow for me to be bothered. Played ok. But 2 four balls, comprising of guys who are 60+ years old, playing off the back tees at this time of year = very very slow.

No idea who schedules white tee medals at the end of October.... 2.5 hours for 12 holes - zero interest when I'm really just out for fresh air and a knock around. None of the 8 of them could reach the 370 yard par 4 fourth hole in 2..... Zero run on the fairways.

People should really think about what tee's they should be playing off this time of year....

 

[SKILL]

I hadn't really considered the tees, we were playing off the usual yellow tees (middle of the 3 basically) but I did notice that most of them were quite far forwards compared to what I'd expect.

 

[MikeTimbers]

Nice morning - 12 holes and done.

Too slow for me to be bothered. Played ok. But 2 four balls, comprising of guys who are 60+ years old, playing off the back tees at this time of year = very very slow.

No idea who schedules white tee medals at the end of October.... 2.5 hours for 12 holes - zero interest when I'm really just out for fresh air and a knock around. None of the 8 of them could reach the 370 yard par 4 fourth hole in 2..... Zero run on the fairways.

People should really think about what tee's they should be playing off this time of year....

played yesterday in a fourball where the average age was about 58. Teed off at 14:04 and despite being up the arse of the group of relative youngsters in front of us, we were in the dark by 16. The group in front of the group in front were all in their 30s and had a big gap in front of them. I regularly see young guys waiting for the par five green to clear and then getting absolutely nowhere near.

It's not always the old guys. Let's not make it an age thing, it simply isn't. The problem is golfers who simply take too long.

Full disclosure: I'm 59, play off 8 and hit my 3W 240yds. I know my yardages and play ready golf.

 

[booyaka]

played yesterday in a fourball where the average age was about 58. Teed off at 14:04 and despite being up the arse of the group of relative youngsters in front of us, we were in the dark by 16. The group in front of the group in front were all in their 30s and had a big gap in front of them. I regularly see young guys waiting for the par five green to clear and then getting absolutely nowhere near.

It's not always the old guys. Let's not make it an age thing, it simply isn't. The problem is golfers who simply take too long.

Full disclosure: I'm 59, play off 8 and hit my 3W 240yds. I know my yardages and play ready golf.

I'm not having a pop at the "older guys" - (i'm 46 and playing today with a 61 year old with a bad back!) - But it's clear as day that with the course this wet, cold day, zero run, people should not be playing off the back tees at the end of October in a 4 ball.

100% agree that people standing around from 280 yards with 3w are just as bad. But the 4 ball in front of us had lost nearly 2 full holes by the time we got to the 12th hole. They were strugging to get anywhere near any of the shorter par 4's in 2.....

All I suggesting is that people should consider, but not be forced or told to, playing sensible tees at this time of year with the conditions as they are. We al ljust want to play and get home in well under 4 hours at this time of year.

 

[MikeTimbers]

I think the whole question of teeboxes needs open discussion. As said, when the courses are wet, set the tees further forward and when it's scorchio, set them back.

But being able to reach greens in regulation is no guarantee of fast play - just look at the pros! I'd rather play with someone who knows when they can't reach and lays up, then gets close and one- or two-putts than with someone who goes for every green in two and is looking for lost balls, faffing about in the rough or the sand, or arguing which side of the fscking water to drop on. I want to play with someone with either a GPS watch or a laser rather than someone who insists "it's all about feel!" and then hits way over the green. I really want to play on a course where the marshal forces groups to miss holes out if they fall too far behind the group in front or even ejects them from the course. I'm all for inclusivity but I see a lot of players lately who should still be on beginner courses or the range.

 

[ArcticHeron]

Shot my best ever at Dartmouth on Saturday. 58 for 9 which isn't fantastic considering it's a par 35 front 9, but got my first ever par after landing a 191 yard par 3 green uphill and got mostly bogies throughout which I'm really happy with. My issue is settling into the round. Nearly always shoot 10+ on the first hole which admittedly is a very unforgiving par 4 and always struggle to make a double on the second which runs parallel and feels much the same.

Had my third lesson straight after and we changed a lot with regards my down swing so that's going to take a week or two to drill in, but my aim is to break 100 before the new year which I think is reasonably attainable.

 

[MikeTimbers]

Nearly always shoot 10+ on the first hole which admittedly is a very unforgiving par 4 and always struggle to make a double on the second which runs parallel and feels much the same.

Don't know your course but unless there is a long carry over water, try hitting a 7-iron off the tee. Nothing wrong with taking the first hole easy if it's really hard. Par is only a number; and always remember what your par is i.e. allowing for your handicap.

 

[ArcticHeron]

Don't know your course but unless there is a long carry over water, try hitting a 7-iron off the tee. Nothing wrong with taking the first hole easy if it's really hard. Par is only a number; and always remember what your par is i.e. allowing for your handicap.

There's just a lot of peaks and valleys which requires identifying the proper stance for weird lies, beyond my ability at the moment sadly!

 

[booyaka]

Has anyone ever brought anything from Druid? Some really great offers on there and they seem to have reviewed relatively well.

I know I posted yesterday to say my mate was happy with his shoes - Asked him yesterday and he said "not any more" - the shoes have split along the bottom between the sole..... He paid £32 in the sale for the shoes but said whilst they were fine for 4/5 months, they are busted. He's going to email them to see what they say, but in his words yesterday - "not buying cheap shoes anymore - not worth it"

I think t shirts/jumpers would be fine but shoes are something I would never skimp on for golf. Need a solid footing/base.

 

[ArcticHeron]

I know I posted yesterday to say my mate was happy with his shoes - Asked him yesterday and he said "not any more" - the shoes have split along the bottom between the sole..... He paid £32 in the sale for the shoes but said whilst they were fine for 4/5 months, they are busted. He's going to email them to see what they say, but in his words yesterday - "not buying cheap shoes anymore - not worth it"

I think t shirts/jumpers would be fine but shoes are something I would never skimp on for golf. Need a solid footing/base.

Ahhh that's a shame. Tbf I'm not looking to get shoes. They have an ambassador pack with is a bunch of decent looking clothing for £99. Thanks for looking into it

 

[magicroundabout]

Shot my best ever at Dartmouth on Saturday. 58 for 9 which isn't fantastic considering it's a par 35 front 9, but got my first ever par after landing a 191 yard par 3 green uphill and got mostly bogies throughout which I'm really happy with. My issue is settling into the round. Nearly always shoot 10+ on the first hole which admittedly is a very unforgiving par 4 and always struggle to make a double on the second which runs parallel and feels much the same.

Had my third lesson straight after and we changed a lot with regards my down swing so that's going to take a week or two to drill in, but my aim is to break 100 before the new year which I think is reasonably attainable.

I echo what @MikeTimbers has said.

As a rule when playing, play each hole like it's YOUR handicap.
Such as, if you're an 18 handicap a Par 4 becomes a Par 5, Par 5 Par 6 and Par 3 a Par 4. Don't play to the course handicap play to yours. Therefore you are playing bogey golf.

I did this with a friend several weeks ago as he'd said he'd never broke 100. Once I talked him through this and each time I marked his card the amount of pars (to his handicap) he was obtaining was great. He ended up shooting 93 (Par 72) and he's an 18 Handicap. He was over the moon. First ever time shooting below 100 and as he said, the pressure was off.

 

[ArcticHeron]

I echo what @MikeTimbers has said.

As a rule when playing, play each hole like it's YOUR handicap.
Such as, if you're an 18 handicap a Par 4 becomes a Par 5, Par 5 Par 6 and Par 3 a Par 4. Don't play to the course handicap play to yours. Therefore you are playing bogey golf.

I did this with a friend several weeks ago as he'd said he'd never broke 100. Once I talked him through this and each time I marked his card the amount of pars (to his handicap) he was obtaining was great. He ended up shooting 93 (Par 72) and he's an 18 Handicap. He was over the moon. First ever time shooting below 100 and as he said, the pressure was off.

Honestly, I start reading about how the handicap system works and my brain turs to slurry. I should really make the effort though, don't you need 8 full scorecards to get it relatively accurate to start with?

 

[MarkA]

I echo what @MikeTimbers has said.

As a rule when playing, play each hole like it's YOUR handicap.
Such as, if you're an 18 handicap a Par 4 becomes a Par 5, Par 5 Par 6 and Par 3 a Par 4. Don't play to the course handicap play to yours. Therefore you are playing bogey golf.

I did this with a friend several weeks ago as he'd said he'd never broke 100. Once I talked him through this and each time I marked his card the amount of pars (to his handicap) he was obtaining was great. He ended up shooting 93 (Par 72) and he's an 18 Handicap. He was over the moon. First ever time shooting below 100 and as he said, the pressure was off.

I want to echo exactly this.
My best rounds are when I have exactly this in my mind and this definitely helped me break 100 too, and more so, it helped me break 90 as well.

 

[SKILL]

Honestly, I start reading about how the handicap system works and my brain turs to slurry. I should really make the effort though, don't you need 8 full scorecards to get it relatively accurate to start with?

I think it's only 3 rounds/54 holes minimum now, not sure if it gets any more accurate the longer you play, I guess technically it should...

Personally I don't tend to get annoyed at any one holes score really, for me it's the individual shots, yesterday on a par 4 I hit a nice drive but then just couldn't hit an iron/wedge shot to save my life so what should've been a fairly easy par/bogey turned into an 8 (/max), but the actual score is 'meh' if that makes sense?

Be interesting to see if I can get <110, or maybe even <100 over winter but not putting any expectations on myself really especially as even I'm noticing it's getting harder/'longer' and we've barely started Autumn really