Although I've been golfing for a few years, this summer has been the first time I've really become passionate about it. I shot a 72 on Sunday and it's only my second time breaking 80. Any fellow golfers who would like to discuss equipment, courses, tournaments, tips, or share a story can do it here.

I'm a golfer. I was pretty decent in high school, shooting in the high 70's and low 80's. Then I went to college and literally played only once. I really got back into it a couple summers ago and now I try to play at least once a week. Right now I shoot in the high 80's, but I'm trying to get back to where I was. As you know, golf is a game(like most others) you have to play a lot to get better, and in high school I played almost every day. My swing is different now. I used to generate a lot of clubhead speed and really drive through the ball. Now, it's a slower, easier swing. I had to switch from a stiff flex to regular to accomodate my swing. One thing I must expouse is that I do not believe in handicaps. I think they are totally fake. If you're playing with Tiger Woods, and you shoot bogey golf, and go out and shoot 92 against his 72, you did not play comparable golf. If you're not that good, you're not that good - don't hide behind a handicap.

One tip: If you haven't already, read Golf in the Kingdom by Michael Murphy and learn about "true gravity."

My brother played 4 years at Pittsburg and he is a scratch golfer. He also hates the handicap system. I personally have no interest in it and my only goal is to consistently shoot around par. Eventually I'd like to break 70 but, for now, just improving my weaknesses is sufficient.

I never heard of that book but I'll check it out. Thanks.

Anyone have any suggestions regarding equipment, as to what I can do to gain control and lose distance? I've had the same clubs for four years now, and lately I've been hitting the ball absurd distances, like 180 yard 9 irons and last week I sailed a 160 yard par three with a pitching wedge. Is there something I can do to the grooves on the head (besides cleaning them) in order to make the club head less "flat"? I have steel shafts not graphite, but perhaps the heads on them are too big? Would smaller heads give me more control, or are they just more difficult to hit?

I don't know "jack" about "modern" equipment. I was just going to post, a little late, that yeah, I still consider myself a golfer, even though I rarely play anymore, but I still have my "antique" equipment, and I used to be pretty good. I've never taken a lesson. i just went out with my dad before I was a teenager and learned from him. By the time I was 14, I was beating him. (He usually shot in the mid-80s.

I was probably never as good as you guys. My best score was a 74. I usually shot in the low 80s, unless the competition was so good that it upped my game. Nowadays, I'd probably be hard-pressed to break 90, but if I started hitting the range and the putting green, I might be able to give some of you a run. I still break par on the miniature golf course.

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Anyone have any suggestions regarding equipment, as to what I can do to gain control and lose distance? I've had the same clubs for four years now, and lately I've been hitting the ball absurd distances, like 180 yard 9 irons and last week I sailed a 160 yard par three with a pitching wedge. Is there something I can do to the grooves on the head (besides cleaning them) in order to make the club head less "flat"? I have steel shafts not graphite, but perhaps the heads on them are too big? Would smaller heads give me more control, or are they just more difficult to hit?

I may be able to help, pax. First, I need to know if you hit straight when you go long. I hit my 7 iron 200 yards under control but I can muscle up and poke it 220 if I don't mind losing some accuracy. If you are on line but just sailing greens, try hitting the range and establish distances that you can bank on. This includes off the tee vs. off the carpet. Take a 9 iron and hit it as far as you can within control. Then establish a 3/4 swing distance. Then a half swing. If you can accurately lock in those distances per swing and club, you can control your game. One of my strengths is my club selection. Use your power to your advantage but don't sacrifice accuracy for distance. It feels good when I hit a 190 yd par 3 with an 8 and my friends are hitting 5's and 6's but first in the hole still wins.

As far as the club head size, bigger is usually better as far as recent equipment goes. I play Ram Tours but I'm looking at the Nike Slingshots or the Callaway Fusions. Regardless of club head size, you have to hit it clean to get it to fly. A bigger head is just more forgiving for off center shots. You may also want to work on taking divots that start at the ball location and extend 3 to 5 inches in front. If your hitting long, you make be picking the ball off the turf and losing accuracy in the process. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Thanks for the advice P-Bo.

I usually hit with an evident but manageable draw, especially on the longer clubs. I agree--I think the best way to control the distance is to just practice, getting comfortable with full, 3/4, 1/2 swings.

The reason I asked about the smaller heads is that I was under the impression that professionals and really good amateurs played with smaller heads. I know that the bigger heads are easier to hit, but I figured the pros must be gaining something by switching to the smaller sizes. Are they gaining control? If so, those might be a good idea.

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Originally posted by P-Bo:
My brother played 4 years at Pittsburg and he is a scratch golfer. He also hates the handicap system. I personally have no interest in it and my only goal is to consistently shoot around par. Eventually I'd like to break 70 but, for now, just improving my weaknesses is sufficient.

I never heard of that book but I'll check it out. Thanks.

dude if u have only been playing a few years and already have a goal of breaking 70...you are either extremely gifted, or lying.

i guess it depends on what course you are playing aswell, not trying to call you out or anything.its just i play and know tons of golfers in from varying skill levels.

i have been playing since i was about 10 and have only shot under par 4 times, i usually shoot on my local course around 80...but generally we play and drink and bullshit around the course.

handicap is only relative to you if you play regularly, and play on courses that are rated.

i generally dont keep track, and i generally dont keep score at all, at this point i know how the round is going without crunching numbers.

huge rant--


i *personally* am glad to see some of the golf hype dying down, for a while there i could barely play 18 holes on my local municipal,because of all the new players who think they are ready for 18 holes.

the par 3 "9 hole" course isnt just for kids, its a good place for begginers to learn etiquite and how the flow of golf is supposed to happen.

more people should really learn the basics before they try to head out on the big course.


anyways...just my golf rant for the day.

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Originally posted by paxsoprano:
Thanks for the advice P-Bo.

I usually hit with an evident but manageable draw, especially on the longer clubs. I agree--I think the best way to control the distance is to just practice, getting comfortable with full, 3/4, 1/2 swings.

The reason I asked about the smaller heads is that I was under the impression that professionals and really good amateurs played with smaller heads. I know that the bigger heads are easier to hit, but I figured the pros must be gaining something by switching to the smaller sizes. Are they gaining control? If so, those might be a good idea.

pros play blades, generally they have a smaller sweet spot, and yes a somewhat smaller head.but when you learn to play with them they are 10 times better than any oversized irons.

but i have friends who have played oversized forever that shoot nice scores, but they can barely hit a straight shot with blades.

it just depends, if you are not familiar with blades i would say stay away.

i would also reccomend staying away from the huge oversized massive drivers, i have had the same driver for probabbly 6 years or so...it is a 975j...pick one of these up used, trust me i have like 3, best wood ever.

For now I'll stick with the oversize clubs, but I would like to try the "blades" sometime just to see what the difference feels like. If they feel good, I might look into getting some next time I buy clubs.

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dude if u have only been playing a few years and already have a goal of breaking 70...you are either extremely gifted, or lying.

Few years = since 1996. Either way, I played about 50 times between 1996 and 2004 and about 50 times since. I shot a 75 today but an 84 yesterday on the same course. I definitely have talent and potential for better scores and that is honesty, rather than boasting. I fixed my slice a few weeks back and now consistently drive 285 - 310. I actually eagled a 315 yd par 4 this morning: I drove the green and sank a 6 ft putt.

The thing I notice the most about the progression of golfers is how much they learn during a plateau on the learning curve. I moved rather quickly from 100+ rounds to high 80's. Then I leveled off for a long time until last year. I think I may be sitting around mid to high 70's for awhile until my short game gets more accurate. During a standard 18 holes, I typically have 8 - 12 eagle/birdie putts and only make 2 or 3. When that improves, I should be able to shoot under par.

i just shot a 57 in miniature golf....that's right, I said 57.

With the negativity of that other "golf thread", and the amount of people who play here, I figured we could revive this one. Although some of you live in year round conditions, many of us are just waking up from a long winters nap. I played my first round last Saturday. Any future thoughts on the sport of golf can just as easily go here.

I live in Colorado, which is usually a year round place(unless you live in the mountains), but this year I wasn't able to get out till the beginning of March due to unusual amounts of snow. I have since played three rounds, the latest being this past weekend. My first round was actually fairly decent for not playing in 6 months.

The Masters started today. I will follow passively at work on Thursday and Friday. Saturday and Sunday, on the other hand, are glued to the TV days for me. Anyone else watching or have a pick? Although I like Tiger, and it's hard not to, I'm picking Trevor Immelman as my dark-horse.

I'm like you. I'll be visiting the leaderboard throughout the day before hunkering down this weekend. Lucky (sort of) for me, the weather is supposed to be kind of shitty this weekend, making it easier to stay indoors.

Tiger is the easy pick. Phil isn't a bad one either. For a dark horse, I like Adam Scott.

Hey PRG. I'm probably moving to Colorado this summer and I'm gonna need some course recommendations. It's 90% that I'm going and the location is up in the air for now. I'll get back to you when I know more.

No problemo. Just let me know.

Choke Sergio, choke! You know you want to!

I saw most of the Open and all of the last round and playoff. I was a bit disappointed with how Garcia finished. After leading most of the entire tournament, I expected him to pull his act together and get the win. He is a pretty talented player but it just seemed liked his putting failed him. All in all, it proved that Tiger doesn’t have to be in contention for golf to be entertaining—or at least in my eyes.