2023 Annual Thread of 3 Putting

[tx 3 putt 76862]

On 1/24/2023 at 8:35 PM, Constant said:

I have a Scotty Cameron Teryllium T22 Tel3 Newport 2 35" putter up for sale on ebay. If you’re interested, pm me for the listing. 

how much do you think it’ll go for ?

 

that same putter, but long neck for me 

[Constant 6723]

3 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

how much do you think it’ll go for ?

 

that same putter, but long neck for me 

Should go for around $1000. It is sitting at $830 but doesn’t end til tomorrow around noon. 
 

I’ll take a little loss on it but I can put that cash into something more useful for me. I’ve preferred my flowback 5. 

Edited January 26, 2023 by Constant

[TXSooner518 2438]

Old Mac & Preserve details and pics

Spoiler

104, 35 putts (4 one putts, 3 three putts), 0/18 GIR (LOLOLOL only the largest fucking greens on the continent), 10/14 fairways.
Strokes gained: Driving -1.5, Approach -12.1, Short game -2.4, Putting -1.9. (As a current 21, I use strokes gained comparison to a 15 cap, since that's my current goal.)

We drew for partners, I teamed with my buddy, we lost 2&1, pressed and press was AS. Beat my brother 4&3, lost to dad 2dn, beat my bud 1up, and I won 6 skins.
 

Brother teeing off with a gallery.

I was very pleased with the first tee shot of the trip , solid driver up the right side in wind and rain, just shy of the deepest right fairway bunker, leaving a simple wedge in.

Result of 1st tee shot.

Sadly, thin it over the green, but recover with a reasonable chip back to 20 feet, lag it up and tap in for bogey.

OK, next up, easy par 3, right? I hit a pretty good 8 iron, but it draws a bit, and the tail wind skids it into the bunker over the back left of the green. NEVER GO THERE. Don't really have a backswing, take 3 to get out and make a filthy quad. Gross.

On #3, I pipe a drive back into the wind that literally misses Ghost Tree limbs by inches. A truly fun moment!


Group with GT in background.

Walking past GT to my drive. It went a very solid 243 yards, then I hit a flushed 8 iron just over the green, chip from 40 yards with my hybrid to 5 feet and make it for the first par of the trip. This began a very enjoyable sequence where I scored well on many of the famous/signature holes.

4 was playing into the teeth of the wind, but I nuke a drive which from the gold tees reaches the humpback speed slot and ends up 264 yards from where I struck it. I then lace a low 3w 223 yards again just over the back of the green into a fluffy rough lie, but hit a pretty good SW out of it, 2-putt bogey, which I thought into a 25mph wind was a damn good 5.

On 5, have a 9i to the biggest green in the world and just clank it into the wispy mess right in front of me and just make a messy 6. Then head to 6, and pound a drive 277, leaving just a 6iron second into this par 5. Hit a gross shot that skids off the Hell bunker rail ties and ends up off in the right rough, but manage to scramble from there for another bogey.

Walking past Hell Bunker, thankful the 6iron bounced off the ties and out, not in!

On to the next signature hole, Ocean. Hit a skanky 5w tee shot leaving me about 220 up the cliff from light rough. LACE a 5w 214 yards up to the front left corner, just off the green, then lag the puttchip to a foot and tap in for another signature hole par ha.

On 8, the Biarritz, hit a 7i that looked/felt great in the air and then a huge gust just dropped it like a sniper, it landed right on the front edge then spun all the way down the hill in front of the green. Gross. Hit a decent little chip/pitch from there to 25 feet, but mediocre lag leads to first 3putt of the trip, and a double, and I'm now 9 over on the three par 3s so far.

Hit a beauty drive on 9 up the left side again back into the wind. Leave a 5iron face open on approach and fan it well right. Make a short game mess, but drain a 20 footer for bogey and a front nine of 47.

Feeling overall quite solid, step to the 10th tee and hit my first poor drive into the rough right, that goes just nowhere into the wind. I then just can't hit the ball, jankily advancing it a bit at a time, then missing a 5 footer for triple. Yeesh.

Hit a great drive up the left on Road, and feel back in business. Hit a chippy 8 iron that comes up short right. Try to lag with my putter and blast it over the green. Then putt that one back over the green into the Road bunker. JFC. 2 to get out of that and another quad.

Now 12, the Redan. Flare a hybrid off to the right, hit a pretty good chip up but get a bit unlucky, then another short game fiasco capped by another missed 4 footer for triple. Sweeeeeeet quad-quad-quad start to the back B.

Get the wheels back on the Riksha with another nice drive 257 up the left on 13 leaving a 50 yard pitch in, which I hit reasonably well but rolls just off, and I miss a 10 footer for par. I hit a mediocre drive on 14, but it leaves another 60y shot in, which I putt up the hill to the fringe, then get down in 2 for my third (and final) par of the round.

On 15, hit a decent drive up the left, then have 5w in and literally cold top it 10 yards. Neat. Hit the next one solid up short of the green, then an OK chip to 15 feet, but miss a 3 foot bogey putt. Ick. On 16, Alps, hit a pretty good drive but it really doesn't go much, and I have 5i in. Draw it up onto a plateau left of green. Get up there and it's literally mowed down gorse, so I'm walking on literal gorse and have to pitch off it, and hit a BEAUTY from 40 yards to 12 feet. Miss that, but tap in bogey.

17 I hit a big pull hook tee shot for my first lost ball of the round. Drop and mostly flub my next one. I holler across the fairway to Brownbear for a line, then lace 5w on what I think is the right line, but it's too far left and gone again. Eventually hit a sweet lag from 57 feet to 2 feet, but the 2 footer is for triple.

18 I hit another good drive into the teeth of the wind, then a 3w just over the green. Hit what was allllllllmost a great chip, but it rolled down a ridge to about 20 feet, two putts for bogey and a back nine 57, total 104. Overall, was pretty pleased given the circumstances, course, and conditions. Didn't feel like I played that bad, minus 5 and 10-12 and just finding a death spot on 2.

Move on to the Preserve, and there I shoot a 56, which is 17 over through 13. Approach strokes gained -3.9, short game -1.1, putting -4.3. As you can tell, had some bad putting. FIVE three putts and a four putt, with only one 1 putt. Did hit 5/13 greens, only really bad tee shot was on 2 that I fanned into the gorse. But yeah, missed a ton of short putts, then the 4 putt on 11 was an absurd hole location, where I hit a great 7i to 15 feet for birdie, then my par and bogey putts were both also 15 feet. Did hit a really good shot on 12 after a bad tee shot into the bunker, ball was just in the bunker, I had to stand outside of it, and the ball was literally probably 15-18 inches lower than my feet and I hit a great little 9i chip out choking down to the steel. As mentioned, we hit putters off the front tee at dusk on 13, and I hit mine to 30 feet and made par.

  
Couple shots from preserve, including me enjoying a tasty beverage at sunset after a 9 hour day of golf.

This easily could have been a lot better without all the missed 2-4 footers. Next time!

Bandon Dunes details and pics

Spoiler

90, 31 putts (7 one putts, 2 three putts), 5/18 GIR, 9/14 fairways.
Strokes gained: Driving -1.5, Approach -6.7, Short game -0.9, Putting +5.1 (LOL).

This round, I teamed with my dad, who also played over his head, we won the team match 8&6, no press. I beat my brother 4&3, leading the 90h match 4up, square with dad, trailing 90h match 2dn, beat buddy 7&6, leading 90h match 7up.

Beauty of an opening tee shot right down the right side where I wanted, but stop me if you heard this before, slightly thinned my wedge over the green. Mediocre puttchip from back there, but great lag from 45 feet and bogey to start the day for second straight round.

Par 3 woes continued as I donked a 6i down into the scrub, found it, then advanced it to an unplayable on my way to my second straight day of a 7 on the par 3 second hole.

Smash a drive on the recommended line on 3 and it goes right into the left fairway bunker in an unplayable lie under the lip. Drop, then line drive a 5w into the lip of the bunker and it falls back in. THEN, blade my SW under the lip and drop again. I take 10 seconds and re-center and tell myself I'm not going to allow my emotions to spiral. I then do hit a very nice 6i onto the green with an incredibly breaking putt over a knob, which I lag pretty well, but miss the comeback for back to back quads.

Flare my drive on 4 just a bit and I'm off in the scrubby area right of the fairway about 115 yards out. I hit a chippy little 8i up the right side and judge it perfectly. Settles to about 2.5 feet and I knock it in for a birdie on one of the best golf holes in the world. AWESOME feeling.
 

This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 640x476.

4 green from fairway (not my ball). The waves were big most of our trip, had multiple High Surf Advisories, which was very cool, scenery-wise.


My approach on 4. Had to wait about 8 minutes to putt it, def was going to have massive sads to miss it ha.


5 tee. Really loved this look.

Drive up the right side of the fairway on 5, then hit a laser 4h 20 feet right of the flag and make an easy par. Back on track! Hit a pretty 9i on 6, but just misjudge the wind, and have 80 feet for bird, but cozy it right up for another kick-in par. 4-5-6 is one of the coolest stretches of golf in the world, and for this 20cap to play it in -1 was just world class experience.

Another good drive on 7, then the short right dropoff made me favor left with my approach. Chipputt up to 18 feet, kick in bogey. Good drive up the right on 8, flush a wedge over the back, chip up to 20 feet and roll it in for par.

First bad drive on 9, pretty far right, but really fine over there. Flush a hybrid back into position, then just chunk a 5i approach. Hit what I thought was a good bump and run, but it hit a soggy spot and died. Chipputt up to 15 feet, make it for bogey and turn in 46, not bad at all with back to back quads.

Pull my drive on 10 but hit it well, goes just into the rough. Brownbear advised me to play it 15 yards short because of a flyer lie. Come up just short with SW, then chip up to 18 feet. Bang that one in off the flag for par. Rip drive over the bunkers on 11 then flush gap wedge just over. Very ticklish chipputt from back but I lag it up to 3 feet and make another par.

On to the 12th and I hit a beauty of an 8i to 6 feet and roll it in for my fifth straight one putt, my second birdie of the round and continue playing great on the best holes.

Good drive on 13, then I hit a bad 3w very close to the unplayable bush up the left, my ball is just a couple feet away and I have no line. I hit a GREAT hooking wedge to get back in position, then a solid 8i chip from 50 yards to 20 feet and two putt for bogey.

Pound a drive up the middle on 14, easy 9i from the middle of the fairway and hit a wipey weak fade short of the bunker. Hit a very mediocre chip that rolls back off the green, then a puttchip up to 7 feet to save bogey but lip it out. Annoying double here to seemingly slow down momentum.


View of sunset across 16 tee box from 15 tee.

But luckily we have a signature hole in 15 and I laser a 9i to 4 feet and roll it in for my third birdie of the round, and now -2 on the last 3 par 3s after being +17 on the first 5 par 3s.

View on 15 green looking north, my tee shot the orange ball.

 

 

 
Impossibly epic.

On to 16 and the sunset and the feeling was incredible. Solid 15mph headwind and I was definitely anxious knowing this round was really going incredibly well. Pound a drive right on the recommended line, easily over the diagonal scrub, leaving 80y in from the middle of the fairway. Then chunkhosel my wedge into a fairway bunker I didn't even see or think about, because no person should. Next shot hit the top of the mound outside the bunker, popped way up, then landed and plugged in the bunker. Legit just wanted to cry. Drop out, scrape it up, make quad. GAHHHHHHH.

Hit a good drive on 17, but catch the left bunker. Oh yay more sand! But rip a good 7i out just short of the green, but then a pretty mediocre chip to a back pin and a 3-putt double ensues.

I know I need a par on 18 to break 90 and it's getting dark. Hit a very good drive left center, but then a mostly topped 3w. Still have 9i approach, but don't hit a great one and come up a bit short. Puttchip up to 9 feet, so I have that for par and 89. Brownbear gives me a line, but it's uphill and the delta between a 1putt and 2putt is waaayyyy bigger than between 2putt and 3putt for me in this spot, so I'm gonna give it more pace, so I play a bit less break than he says, and I lip it out on the low side. HA!

Still, probably the absolute best stretch of golf I've played, and did it in the absolute best location for golf that I've played. Will relive the play on 16 untill I get back, for absolute certain.

Sheep Ranch details and pics

Spoiler

87, 39 putts (one 1 putt, five 3 putts), 7/18 GIR, 13/14 fairways.

No strokes gained data, since no maps site has updated to include the current map of Sheep. Also can't input it into my site that I use to track my handicap and stats, which is super annoying, esp since it was my best round. Also using the Arccos to really relive the shots and round helps so much!

For the 2 on 2 matches, the final pairing was me with my brother, we won 2up. I defeated my brother 6&4, leading the 90h match 11up, defeated buddy 5&3, leading 90h match 13up, and beat my dad 2&1, taking a 1up lead in the 90h match.

Dad and I scooped all the skins with him taking 10 and me the other 8.

Really enjoyed being there before the round. The panorama from the patio is incredible, and the secluded range was really cool.
 

Fire pit with amazing panorama down to the ocean.

 

.

Cool shot of 11 green from the patio area.

Opening tee shot.

For the 3rd straight day, smoked a drive on a good line. Hit a really good 5w second, but it slid just a bit right and into the gorse just short and right of the green. Good pitch up and 2putts for my 3rd straight opening bogey.

In 1st fairway.

1st green.

Beside the 1st green. LOVE the snag tree.

View of 17 green from 1 green.

Pound a drive on 2, hit a good gap wedge in, routine par. Pretty good shot on 3, just off, chip up close and make another par.

3rd hole.

4 was playing tough into the wind, and I pulled my drive giving me a longer way in. Hit a solid 3w approach and made an easy bogey. Hit a nice shot on 5 to about 15 feet and make another easy par.

Then 6. It was playing into the wind and lonnnng. Hit a pretty good drive but pulled a touch, then flared my 3w a bit and it got perilously close to the cliff. Hit what I thought was a good 8i chip from there, but couldn't see the surface and it just scooted WAY long over the green. Chipped back up, couldn't save bogey.

 

 

The awesome 6th, including my brother hitting his tee shot.

Kind of a wipey 9i on 7 missed the green short right for another bogey. Great drive on 8, then flew the green with a 5i, but got down in 3 for bogey. Next, a wide right approach over by the 10 tee, middling chip, and first 3putt of the round led to a double on 9, out in 42.

10 featured an all-time crazy shot, and one of my biggest trip regrets. Hit a great drive down the left side, then hoseled my approach which bounded right and hopped into a gorse bush about 18-24 inches off the ground, 80 yards out from the green. I stepped in, with my heels on the very edge of a signficant downslope behind me, and baseball slapped it with a 7i onto the green! SOOOO annoyed that I didn't think to get a pic of the ball in the bush. Sadly, had a significant ridge to deal with and 3-putted again for double.

11 is the Volcano hole, and I hit a middling drive in the fairway, but couldn't go in 2, so laid back with a very well struck hybrid, and then overclubbed my 3rd to the back of the green with a front pin and had my third straight 3-jack, this for bogey.

Volcano. Pops ended up left of that massive mound and is a very low ball hitter. Would have made him +5000 to do anything from there, but he hit a great 7i just over it to 15 feet.

Hit another middling drive on 12 way right, but it caught the very edge of the fairway on an upslope. RIPPED a beauty of a 5w that was cutting back to a right pin, but slipped just off the green, chip up and 2 putt. Was near the green on 13 in two, but chip was just OK, then missed a 5 footer for par.

Hit what I thought was gonna be a great drive on 14, but it caught the massssive knob and slid off to the right, leaving a longer approach than I anticipated. Hit it decent, but just off the green and another basic bogey.

15 was my only missed fairway, pounded it but just a bit right and it caught the fluffy rough. Hit a really nice shot out of that to about 18 feet and 2putted for par.

16, fire the signature hole alert haha! Hit a really nice pitch in there to 18 feet or so. We were trying to move fast as the rain had started and was clearly getting ready to really get going, I hit a mediocre birdie putt, left it 4 feet short, then missed that. Blleergh.

Gorgeous.

POUNDED a drive right at the green on 17, and it was about 5 yards shy and just at the left edge, def no more than 20 feet or so from the cliff. Yikes! Chipped that up to 6 feet, straight putt, and pulled the damn thing.

 

17 green from the other side, 4 hours later. You can see my orange ball and its ill-fated short birdie effort.

18 was playing right into a driving rain with probably 20-25 mph wind and I laced a driver, 3w, 8i to have about 20 feet for birdie and left it right beside the hole for another par, out in 45.

Really just kept myself out of trouble this round (obv helpful that there are no death bunkers to find the HEY YOU MADE QUAD disaster button in). Reliving it here and with the pics is def improving my (already high) evaluation of this course, and I'm def excited to fire it again ASAP. The views really are just out of this world throughout.


pretty cool shot of the Sheep Ranch from Old Mac the day before.

Bandon Trails details and pics

Spoiler

100, 41 putts (1 one putt, 6 three putts), 4/18 GIR, 8/14 fairways.
Strokes gained: Driving -2.2, Approach -2.8, Short game -3.6, Putting -4.6.

For the gambling, my buddy was most down and pops was most up, so they were partners for the 36 hole match for Trails/Pac. They led 4up after this round, I was up and down and my brother played the worst he's played in years.

I lose to pops 1dn, 90h match is AS through 72 (fun!)
I beat my brother 1up, lead the 90h match 12up
I lost to buddy 1 dn, lead the 90h match 12up

My first lifetime round with a caddie carrying my bag. I really enjoyed the freedom to walk the fairways fully unencumbered, especially at a place like Bandon, where you can really soak in the views and atmosphere. And of course, stuffing an approach and just strolling to the green carrying a putter is too elite!

As we hit the first tee, we have a nice solid 25-30 mph wind in our face and it's fairly chilly. Wind is from the south, and the southern sky had looked pretty dark but the heavy rain pocket slid east of us, which we were thankful for!


Watching the group in front of us begin their hike into the wilderness.

For the fourth straight round, I hit a good driver on the 1st hole down near the nets. Have about 125 in up the hill and hit a 5 iron into the wind, ha. Flare it right of the mound right of the green where it is on a huge upslope. Good - I hit a nice chip off of it to 18 feet. Bad - I run that putt 5 feet by and miss the comebacker, ending my streak of bogeying every opener.


My POV for my 3rd shot on 1.

Hit 5i again on 2, and again leave it out right, the wind was quartering left and just didn't move it back. Have to hike way up on the dune right, which is like walking on a beach mountain, so soft, lot of effort! It's on a tricky lie, so just take my medicine and chip it down in front of the green rather than trying to fly the bunker onto the green. Hit a nice up with my putter from there to 8 feet and make that for a solid 4.

Hit a hookish drive on 3, but find the 4th fairway over there, then smack two nice hybrids back to back to reach the green, giving me a 15 foot look at birdie and a tap in par.

Pound a drive up the left on 4, starting to feel pretty good about this round! Chunk a wedge from there, then hit a pitch a bit thinny that runs over the green right. Chip back up to 18 feet, and 3-jack that for triple. Never get complacent!


5 tee

Flag is right up front on 5, and not wanting to flirt with short and the death bunkers, I hit a flushed wedge too deep with the ridge making the next putt tough. Birdie look is from 67 feet, and I give myself a solid 7 foot look at par, but lip it out for the 3rd 3-putt in first 5 holes, but the first justifiable one at least.

Another well struck drive on 6 but I find the giant bunker down the right side. Hit a solid full SW from there, but leave it out right. Chip that one up to 20 feet, routine 2-putt bogey.

We get some light rain from roughly hole 6 through 9, but I hit another good drive into the breeze (wind once we moved into the woods on 3 was more in the 15 mph zone, very workable). Lace a 5w into the breeze up the hill from there, and it jussssst leaks right and finds the short right bunker. Leave two shots in the damn bunker, before finally hitting a solid one out that catches a bit of slope and ends up 18 feet out. 3-jack that for quad. JESUS what a waste of two solid shots!


7 tee. Tough hole uphill into the wind and wet, but six shots to get down from 20 yards leaves a mark.

8 is playing driveable with the wind from my tee and I hit a well-struck but pulled drive pin-high left of the green. I have a pitch over a bunker to a not-huge green, and exasperatingly thin it over the green to the bunker on the other side, not what I needed after the adventure on 7. Hit a good bunker shot to 9 feet, but can't get that one to fall and walk off with a sweet and sour bogey.

Hit a good drive, then hybrid on 9 to be in good position. Chunk a 7i approach, then pullthin a wedge back left over the green. Lord. Hit a GREAT chip from there to 5 feet, lip that out for double and front nine 51, which felt like it could have been 43 with no real change.

Love love love the little tunnel path from 9 into the clearing reveal on 10. The hole transitions on Trails were just so cool, loved really everything about this track.

Hit a great drive on 10, then semifat a hybrid up short of the green. Hit an OK chip to 20 feet, then 3-jack that one as well. Paying the piper for running so hot with the putter at Bandon Dunes! Didn't feel like I was putting poorly honestly, just being slightly off and every mistake being compounded/punished.

Pulled my drive on 11 up the hill left, leaving a long way home with water right of course. Lace a 3w from 230 out to 41 feet, lag it up dead, tap in for par. Needed that, let's go!

Hit 5w on 12 to 20 feet for birdie, another great shot. Lag it up dead, tap in for par, rolling!

Annnnnnnd snap hook one into the trees left on 13 for our first lost ball/penalty of the round. Drop and hit a really good 3w up that I pull a bit and ends up at the bottom of the hill left of the green. Hit what I thought was a perfect bump and run 8i that got about 2 feet from the green then rolled basically back to my feet. Obv hit the next one through the green into death bunker on the right side, leave one in that bunker for good measure on my way to quadzilla.

Take the truck ride up to 14 and take in the Keiser inspiration point. Just so amazing up there, incredible feeling and views. Pictures from there are awesome, but they don't truly capture the scope or just the serenity/vibe of the whole thing.

 
The scene at and around 14 tee.

Serenity and vibe are harshed with another hook into the garbage on 14. Drop and hit a really nice 8i that just cuts a tiny bit and bounces down into the bunker right of the green. Leave the first one in, but hit a great second one to 8 feet. Run that 4 feet by, miss that one for one, back to back quads. Tilt.

Have a self-chat, then another good drive on 15. Hit a pretty poor 8i into the greenside bunker short right, which was not exciting given my bunker play on this trip (I did work on bunker play pre-trip, and was having success right before. My weakness is getting very armsy with bunker shots with some disconnection. If I feel like my navel drives the shot back and through, good results. Holding up under pressure obv hit and miss). I do hit a good one though here, but miss the 9 foot par bid. Tap in bogeys feel good after quads though!

Hit a great driver, then 5w up 16. I flush a wedge approach where I can't see the surface, and it had gone off the back. Damn. Hit a solid puttchip to 9 feet, but again miss, again tap in bogey.

16 tee. Intimidating view and walk, but 3 flushed shots help!

What a beautiful hole 17 is! I unfortunately fat an 8i down short of the green. Pretty good putter from there to 15 feet, another tap in bogey.

17 tee.

Head to 18 needing par to stay in double digits. LFG! As we walk off 17, a moderate rain begins falling. At the top of my backswing, either my buddy or one of the caddies bangs a bag, and I flare my drive into the junk right. Boooooo. I drop and just lace an 8i through the rain to 18 feet, catch the lip of it on my putt for par and 99 but it doesn't drop and I tap in for 100.


Getting dry and warm at Trails End after a solid rain on 18. One of those where you think, eh, one hole, hassle of getting out the rain gear isn't worth it, it will prob stop any second, then you get to be damp and cold!

Funny how in my head I played pretty bad this round, but looking back over it, was a couple minifiascoes and putting runbad from being a pretty good round for me. It definitely didn't help to have 3 lost balls off the tee in the last 7 holes as far as take-away feelings of how I played.

Just love this golf course. I know 14 and 16 are controversial, and maybe my opinion will change with more runs, but thought they were both fine and fair, if difficult. It's obviously less splashingly photogenic than the oceanside courses, but the scale and framing, along with the transitions, just SUNG to me, even though they weren't meaningfully capturable with a camera.

Pacific Dunes details and pics

Spoiler

102, 41 putts (one 1 putt, 4 3 putts, 1 4 putt (LOL JFC)), 5/18 GIR, 9/13 fairways
Strokes gained: Driving +0.1, Approach -10.2 (LOL JFC), Short -4.9 (LOL JFC), Putting -2

For the 36h match, brother and I rallied to get close, before losing 4&3, brother played his best round of the trip, 84 with a back nine 39. We pressed and won the press 2&1, then we re-pressed to make the whole match on the line on 18 and halved.

I ended up AS with dad for the day and for the 90h match
Lost to bro 4&3, won the 90h match 9&8
Lost to buddy 2&1, won the 90h match 10&9

We were really excited about the forecast for us at Pac, was going to be the coolest temperature round of the trip, but no wind and no rain in the forecast. Was definitely chilly arriving at Pac at 8 for our 840a time, but the weather all day was just PHENOMENAL. Blue skies, wind under 5mph, just staggeringly beautiful. Chill wore off quickly, and would have been totally happy playing the back 9 in shorts and a polo.

I had planned on going in and looking at all the course camera archives to check us out, but was disappointed to see it is difficult/impossible to choose what camera you want to see from in archive, and only options are regular speed and 30x. I told my wife before the Pac round that she could watch us. She sent me a pic of us on the tee from the cam, then I showed my group and she texts "are you showing everyone the pics?" hahaha. Would def love a feature of choosing any cam you wanted and picking time/date and watching at maybe 2-5x speed. Tiny nitpick!

 
Me observing Pac 1 on course cam, plus our POV.

Piped a drive down the right side on 1, so went 5/5 on opening tee shots. Had a wedge in and just borked it right into the fairway bunker, wtf. Wedged out short of the green, then hit a 35 yard puttchip up to 5 feet. Lipped that out, FFS. Double.

Hit a nice drive over the left bunkers on 2, then a very nice 9i into the green. Had 60 feet for birdie and had to traverse the giant knob on the back left part of the green. Hit a nice putt to 7 feet but missed that as well.

Another good drive on 3, then a pulled 3w left over the left bunker toward the gorse. Couldn't see it down, but arrived and it had a beautiful lie just shy of the gorse and about 75 yards into the green. Hosel it into greenside bunker. Neat! Hit that shot over the green, then chip up mediocrely to 35 feet. Mediocre lag to 7 feet, run that 2 feet by, THEN lip that one out for a smoooooth quad with a down in 7 shots from 75 yards. Impossible.


My lucky break on 3, right before the carnage.


4 tee. Wow.

Make the turn to 4, what a gorgeous setting, even in the rage afterglow haha. Playing dead into the wind, I hit another good drive, then have 3w that I pull into the bunker left. OK out short of the green, chip up to 40 feet, two putts for double.

As we hit 5 tee, the marshal lets us know nicely that we need to move a bit faster. Obv my adventure on 3 didn't help, my brother isn't the fastest player in the world (tho the best in our group), and my dad is moving a bit slow after 85+ holes of walking. I am always super cognizant of pace, though that makes me rush sometimes. I hit a nice 6i to the fringe, which was shocking in the circumstances, and the other 3 all hit bad shots which, with the marshal watching definitely is giving me an anxiety spiral. Dad is in the bunker far short, blades it into the lip unplayable, drops out, then chips his hybrid into the greenside bunker. Come on pops haha. I putt chip up to 9 feet, but miss that one, tap in bogey.

We never catch the group in front of us, though we are usually one shot behind (so we see them walking off par 4 greens as we tee off on that hole etc.) and the group behind us only waited on a shot or two, so it wasn't disastrous. Played it in just a shade under 4:15 and the requested pace was 4:05. Not calamity, but def hate hate hate that feeling.

I hit what I think is my first driver miss of the day on 6, going well right, but it carries the bunker, and is actually sitting in a great spot, perfect lie, and I have a 9i straight up the angle of the green without having to carry the bunker or dropoff. Obv, thin it into the gunch over the green, drop, hit a pretty decent chip that catches a ridge and ends up 30 feet away, 3 jack that for a triple.

7 and 8 are moderately blurry for me, definitely glad to have Arccos and the course preview on the site, I was def frustrated and feeling rushed a bit. Another good drive on 7, topped hybrid, then what I thought was a good bump and run that hit a soggy spot and died. Chip to 15 feet, two putt for double.

Another really nice drive on 8, followed by a chunky 6i, then a pitch into the greenside bunker. Please stop! Leave two in, before a nice 3rd to 15 feet and a 2 putt quad.

Another self-chat on 9 tee, with the idea to get the wheels back on and at least have hope of sub-100 when we are on 16 tee or so. We are playing the upper green and I hit a pretty good drive on the requested line, but miss the fairway into the rough right. Pretty dicey lie, but hit a really nice 9i just over, chip up to 25 feet and make a 2putt bogey for a front nine 56, disgusting.

Tee shot on 10 is a slighly chunky 8i down short of the green, chip up to 50 feet, lag it nice, tap in bogey.

What a pair of back to back par 3s.

Hole is way back on 11, I hit what I thought was going to be a great 8i but comes up on the front, 75 feet away. I lag that to 2 feet and tap in for par, that was fun. Buddy hit a shot that we legit thought could go in on the tee but was actually 10 feet short and he made bogey so that was a fun yoinking of a hole ha.

Feeling back on track, hit a good drive up the left fairway on 12. Have 5w in, which I've hit well, and hit a ridiculous heely low hook off the cliff left of 4. JESUS. Drop and hit a really nice 9i to 45 feet, 3 putt that for double.

Another good drive up the right side on 13, but it doesn't really go far. Hit a beauty of a 5w into the green and have 15 feet down the hill for bird. Roll it 7 feet by, miss the comebacker. :/.
 
13 another magnificent hole, incredible tee view, then the dune right of the green is just mammoth. Check the flagstick on the green for a sense of scale. So awesome.

Skanky topped 8i on 14, then a really nice SW out of the mess to just over, really nice putt chip down to 5 feet, roll it in for bogey.

On 15, manage to play another full golf hole! Nice drive up the left, good 3w to short left of green, chip up to 20 feet, two putt par. Golf is easy!

Mediocre drive on 16 flares right into a dodgy lie. Thin a 9i out of it that rockets over the green and just buries in the mound behind it. Drop, hit a really nice puttchip from back right up to 10 feet, but can't make that. Double.

Broken record from Trails, but 17 is another just gorgeous par 3 that gives me great feels. Hit a really nice 5i to the right part of the green, 65 feet for bird, hit a great putt that hits the flagstick dead ass center, but bounces off, tap in par.


17 tee, then love the view over 17 green with 18 extending in the distance. My yellow ball with 65 foot birdie putt visible in second pic.

So now, just need a 6 or better on 18 to rally all the way back from a front nine 56 to staying sub-100. Hit driver hard, but pull it into the sandy zone left, not the bunker, but def a sandy lie. Flub a hybrid out of that back up on the fairway level. Third shot pound a 3w, but pull it up on the hill left. We search but cannot find it despite Brownbear's guarantee "oh we'll find that" haha. Dream is dead! Hit what I thought was a great bump and run but it runs through the green. Then do that again, back off the front. DEAR GOD. Chip that up to 12 feet annnnnnnd lip it for one last quad, definitely not the way I wanted the last hole of the trip to go!

As noted earlier, we grabbed lunch at Pac Grill (grilled cheese and seafood chowder, A++) then spent a solid 4 hours at Punchbowl, which was just a tremendous full day.

Chowder and grilled cheese.

Like Trails, felt afterwards like I just forgot how to play, but revisiting here, a few mini-meltdowns and single bad occurrences away from another solid round.

Two pics of the exterior of the Chrome Lake lodging, plus a shot of the view from the path from our door. So serene.

Fin.

[tx 3 putt 76862]

6 minutes ago, Constant said:

Should go for around $1000. It is sitting at $830 but doesn’t end til tomorrow around noon. 
 

I’ll take a little loss on it but I can put that cash into something more useful for me. I’ve preferred my flowback 5. 

flowback is a great head 

[Constant 6723]

31 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

flowback is a great head 

I’ve enjoyed the hell out of it. Still can’t putt for shit, but I miss confidently. 

[Constant 6723]

I jumped in last year and joined a nearby country club, so any DFW cats wanna come out and play just holler. 
 

I suck, but play fast. 

[Lurch 5922]

I hadn’t broken 80 in 5 years. Not bad for a 14.1 handi

[Beantown Express 2.0 6559]

On 1/26/2023 at 3:43 PM, Constant said:

I’ve enjoyed the hell out of it. Still can’t putt for shit, but I miss confidently. 

This has been a game changer for my putting.

[Pam Cummings 9639]

Don't tell anyone else but the greens at Mill Creek in Salado are in great shape, and it's a cheap play. $40 for a Sunday morning round is crazy. And usually not very crowded. Worth the drive.

[horn4life 3759]

So I THINK I am about to start playing again.  I have probably played about 3 rounds in the last 10 years, but I'm sure I could step up cold and break 100... as if that's worthy of note. 😉 I only picked up golf at all because my wife's Father had a family reunion built around a morning golf tournament.  And I was the young future son-in-law who did play half a round with some 1940's Tommy Armour blades with worn ass grips.  I managed to get closest to the pin that day (much to the consternation of my future wife's father who had never taken home a trophy from the tournament).  I played for about 4 or 5 years, mainly as simply gambling.  Shooting in the high 80's to mid 90's for most of that time, but standing over quite a few multi-hundred dollar putts with our "dots" gambling game.  I decided to improve my game after years of giving my buddies a little cash here and there and bought a set of 4 lessons at Golfsmith (dating myself) and I moved my game from mid 90's to consistently mid 80's on the high range and cracking 80 on easier courses more and more. 

Anyhow my gambling buddies moved away long ago, and I quit playing as I spent nearly a decade coaching two traveling teams.  But now I am thinking I am going to get back into it.  I am trying to decide my best plan of action, as if I start again, the goal is to be a mid 80's and below shooter. I have decided that after so long a break I am going to start off by buying a package of lessons and allow myself to be coached from scratch.  The good news is i know course management so that alone saves me a couple strokes, and I have always been an above average putter.  

So questions- Keep in mind that I don't want the most expensive or best looking gear (remember the gambling part), but I want function. 

1) Golf shoes - What should I buy. Used to mainly buy FootJoy, but now there seem to be so many choices?  But I am looking for comfort and walkability. I still have an old pair of sandal soft spikes I used to love but now the comfort level looks to be a lot higher.  I am going to probably walk a lot of twilight in the future for exercise, so what should I look for?

2) Lessons - I am seriously contemplating joining a place off 183/620 Golfinity for at least a couple months for a combination of a practice facility and lesson package.  i also thought about just getting a package of some lessons at First Tee since I don't belong to a club anymore.  But I know lessons and practice took 10 strokes off my game with a willingness to do "what wasn't comfortable" and relearn my swing.  This time I figure just start with lessons so that I am practicing good form and technique.  Any thoughts on what I should focus on? The Golfinity indoor place would give me both lessons, and daily practice if I can make the time, at a seemingly affordable price point. IF the lessons are solid.

3) Clubs - Ive got some 8 or 10 year old 2021 Tommy Armour  845's, but figure I will buy a new set and get fitted. or a discounted higher quality used set that is close to being truly fitted.  My game is not so good where that 1/4 inch is gonna throw me off! 

I am about to pull out my old crappy stuff and go hit a few balls and the putting green.  Then all hope will be lost... 😉   Anyhow give me your thoughts about getting back into the game.  

 

[dieucla98 2942]

8 minutes ago, horn4life said:

So I THINK I am about to start playing again.  I have probably played about 3 rounds in the last 10 years, but I'm sure I could step up cold and break 100... as if that's worthy of note. 😉 I only picked up golf at all because my wife's Father had a family reunion built around a morning golf tournament.  And I was the young future son-in-law who did play half a round with some 1940's Tommy Armour blades with worn ass grips.  I managed to get closest to the pin that day (much to the consternation of my future wife's father who had never taken home a trophy from the tournament).  I played for about 4 or 5 years, mainly as simply gambling.  Shooting in the high 80's to mid 90's for most of that time, but standing over quite a few multi-hundred dollar putts with our "dots" gambling game.  I decided to improve my game after years of giving my buddies a little cash here and there and bought a set of 4 lessons at Golfsmith (dating myself) and I moved my game from mid 90's to consistently mid 80's on the high range and cracking 80 on easier courses more and more. 

Anyhow my gambling buddies moved away long ago, and I quit playing as I spent nearly a decade coaching two traveling teams.  But now I am thinking I am going to get back into it.  I am trying to decide my best plan of action, as if I start again, the goal is to be a mid 80's and below shooter. I have decided that after so long a break I am going to start off by buying a package of lessons and allow myself to be coached from scratch.  The good news is i know course management so that alone saves me a couple strokes, and I have always been an above average putter.  

So questions- Keep in mind that I don't want the most expensive or best looking gear (remember the gambling part), but I want function. 

1) Golf shoes - What should I buy. Used to mainly buy FootJoy, but now there seem to be so many choices?  But I am looking for comfort and walkability. I still have an old pair of sandal soft spikes I used to love but now the comfort level looks to be a lot higher.  I am going to probably walk a lot of twilight in the future for exercise, so what should I look for?

2) Lessons - I am seriously contemplating joining a place off 183/620 Golfinity for at least a couple months for a combination of a practice facility and lesson package.  i also thought about just getting a package of some lessons at First Tee since I don't belong to a club anymore.  But I know lessons and practice took 10 strokes off my game with a willingness to do "what wasn't comfortable" and relearn my swing.  This time I figure just start with lessons so that I am practicing good form and technique.  Any thoughts on what I should focus on? The Golfinity indoor place would give me both lessons, and daily practice if I can make the time, at a seemingly affordable price point. IF the lessons are solid.

3) Clubs - Ive got some 8 or 10 year old 2021 Tommy Armour  845's, but figure I will buy a new set and get fitted. or a discounted higher quality used set that is close to being truly fitted.  My game is not so good where that 1/4 inch is gonna throw me off! 

I am about to pull out my old crappy stuff and go hit a few balls and the putting green.  Then all hope will be lost... 😉   Anyhow give me your thoughts about getting back into the game.  

 

There are more golf shoe options out there than you can count. I've recently owned Tomo, Curater, and Nikes. The Tomo are stupid comfortable but really lacking in support - for example, if I'm walking up a steep hill (which are everywhere at my course), my heel pops out. The Curater Moneymakers and Nike 270s are great all around - comfortable and walkable with good support and feel. They aren't the cheapest but look the part and can be worn anywhere. 

Lessons are the answer. IMO, don't bother with new sticks until you know you're playing often. I play weekly and I'm swinging nearly 7 year old Cobra ForedTecs for my irons, 10+ year old SLDR 3H, 6 year old M2 3W + Driver and have 0 desire to replace them. I've tried the latest and greatest in all those options. The difference in tech helps with forgiveness but not a ton in distance.

What helps even more with forgiveness? Lessons do. Rather than groove in bad habits with more forgiving clubs, fix the bad habits with lessons. 

[tigol 2395]

So I THINK I am about to start playing again.  I have probably played about 3 rounds in the last 10 years, but I'm sure I could step up cold and break 100... as if that's worthy of note. I only picked up golf at all because my wife's Father had a family reunion built around a morning golf tournament.  And I was the young future son-in-law who did play half a round with some 1940's Tommy Armour blades with worn ass grips.  I managed to get closest to the pin that day (much to the consternation of my future wife's father who had never taken home a trophy from the tournament).  I played for about 4 or 5 years, mainly as simply gambling.  Shooting in the high 80's to mid 90's for most of that time, but standing over quite a few multi-hundred dollar putts with our "dots" gambling game.  I decided to improve my game after years of giving my buddies a little cash here and there and bought a set of 4 lessons at Golfsmith (dating myself) and I moved my game from mid 90's to consistently mid 80's on the high range and cracking 80 on easier courses more and more. 
Anyhow my gambling buddies moved away long ago, and I quit playing as I spent nearly a decade coaching two traveling teams.  But now I am thinking I am going to get back into it.  I am trying to decide my best plan of action, as if I start again, the goal is to be a mid 80's and below shooter. I have decided that after so long a break I am going to start off by buying a package of lessons and allow myself to be coached from scratch.  The good news is i know course management so that alone saves me a couple strokes, and I have always been an above average putter.  
So questions- Keep in mind that I don't want the most expensive or best looking gear (remember the gambling part), but I want function. 
1) Golf shoes - What should I buy. Used to mainly buy FootJoy, but now there seem to be so many choices?  But I am looking for comfort and walkability. I still have an old pair of sandal soft spikes I used to love but now the comfort level looks to be a lot higher.  I am going to probably walk a lot of twilight in the future for exercise, so what should I look for?
2) Lessons - I am seriously contemplating joining a place off 183/620 Golfinity for at least a couple months for a combination of a practice facility and lesson package.  i also thought about just getting a package of some lessons at First Tee since I don't belong to a club anymore.  But I know lessons and practice took 10 strokes off my game with a willingness to do "what wasn't comfortable" and relearn my swing.  This time I figure just start with lessons so that I am practicing good form and technique.  Any thoughts on what I should focus on? The Golfinity indoor place would give me both lessons, and daily practice if I can make the time, at a seemingly affordable price point. IF the lessons are solid.
3) Clubs - Ive got some 8 or 10 year old 2021 Tommy Armour  845's, but figure I will buy a new set and get fitted. or a discounted higher quality used set that is close to being truly fitted.  My game is not so good where that 1/4 inch is gonna throw me off! 
I am about to pull out my old crappy stuff and go hit a few balls and the putting green.  Then all hope will be lost...    Anyhow give me your thoughts about getting back into the game.  
 

I had a good experience getting fitted at the PGA Superstore. They worked with my budget very well.

[horn4life 3759]

25 minutes ago, dieucla98 said:

There are more golf shoe options out there than you can count. I've recently owned Tomo, Curater, and Nikes. The Tomo are stupid comfortable but really lacking in support - for example, if I'm walking up a steep hill (which are everywhere at my course), my heel pops out. The Curater Moneymakers and Nike 270s are great all around - comfortable and walkable with good support and feel. They aren't the cheapest but look the part and can be worn anywhere. 

Lessons are the answer. IMO, don't bother with new sticks until you know you're playing often. I play weekly and I'm swinging nearly 7 year old Cobra ForedTecs for my irons, 10+ year old SLDR 3H, 6 year old M2 3W + Driver and have 0 desire to replace them. I've tried the latest and greatest in all those options. The difference in tech helps with forgiveness but not a ton in distance.

What helps even more with forgiveness? Lessons do. Rather than groove in bad habits with more forgiving clubs, fix the bad habits with lessons. 

I don't mind paying good money for shoes at all.  That was where I was going to initially focus my shopping.  I used to sell shoes as a teen and good shoes are money well spent in nearly every instance.  So gotta see what's comfy AND supportive.  Plus I know what fits in shoes!

Talked to my buddy to go see whats lurking in the discard closet at his dad's place.  I need him to get another pair of hand me downs so I can get his current Mizuno's! Love my putter and won't change that, or my wedges.  Just thinking a little more forgiveness with a larger face in all likelihood.  Hell I need to see if I even have a decent glove anymore.  I just realized my old Adidas soccer turf cleats are nearly identical to a lot of today's golf shoes.

Edited February 9, 2023 by horn4life

[Lurch 5922]

I walk 2-3 rounds a week and these have been fantastic

https://a.co/d/hkHHRfe

[Lurch 5922]

For lessons, consider a school. It’s been ~6 years since I went last (went 3 times) but these guys were awesome

https://www.golfdynamics.com

[tx 3 putt 76862]

Any of the current sneaker type golf shoes. I have sone pumas and they’re just damn comfortable 

start stretching now 

[horn4life 3759]

19 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

Any of the current sneaker type golf shoes. I have sone pumas and they’re just damn comfortable 

start stretching now 

Luckily I am already limber, but I have always had back issues and flexibility helps there.  I went and hit a small bucket yesterday, sucked like shit at first.  But once some of it started coming back I closed my foot position a hair and moved back away from the ball, i was striking about 25% really well, the other 50% headed in the right direction down the fairway, and the rest exactly like a guy who hadn't hit a bucket in 10 years.  Talked to my buddy and I think he's in on joining Golfintity, at least for a couple months. So I wanted to hit some balls just to make sure my back would not blow out before signing a contract.  

I'm gonna go try on more shoes today.  While I honestly prefer the soft spike shoes for foot grip, the nub cleats will be a lot more comfy walking, which is part of my restart reasoning getting some non-beer cart exercise.  I will buy a good pair of waterproof, with soft spikes if I continue to play, and start making tee times without the weather as the primary criteria.

The good news is I still can bang down the putts.  I was explaining to my wife the horror of the "3 putt" in that usually you are barely missing that second putt. And those 3 inches are the same stroke count as a 260 yard drive.   For me it's about improvement and honesty.  I'm only playing against myself and pretending I am better than I am because I continually improve my lie is just bullshit.  Of course my background is 90's shooters over multi-hundred holes and you don't get to improve your lie with your gamblings buddies. Plus without an honest stroke count why bother to play? But yesterday gave me hope. That 25% of strikes that jumped off the club face, and solid putting gave me hope, but golf is a game of frustration... once you start to get hope! 😉

 

[huge 3793]

My last 2 pair of shoes have been Ecco Biom.  I love them.  The new ones are like $240 so I would look at last years model if you can for a big discount.

[Lurch 5922]

I’ve made a lot of dumb purchases in my life, but green tees has to be at the top of the list

[horn4life 3759]

Step One (pun intended)

Went to golf Galaxy and came super close to buying a pair of cuatar money makers like the ones below, but the actually burnt orange accent on these new release Pumas versus last years model in the money makers swayed me.  There was a little more stability in the pumas as well.   

[horn4life 3759]

So went and hit a few balls and I know it's time to upgrade my gear, just because Iron technology has evolved so much in the last 30 years, I would now be at a clear disadvantage.   The larger more forgiving faces on the irons alone would be worth the upgrade.  I looked at a few online suggestions and since I love my Cleveland wedges, I thought their Launch Halo Irons might be a possibility. They got very good reviews.  I also have liked my Callaway products and the wife said there was some gold stuff at Costco.  And low and behold there was what seems like a very affordable set or graphite shafted Callaway Edge Irons, woods and an Odyssey Putter which is similar to my old Ping I like already.  What do you guys think for a moderate upgrade to improve my game from my '90's tech. Costco Callaway 10 piece golf club set. For $579 with the putter seems like a decent deal. Same kit on Amazon was like $720 and up.

Any suggestions or opinions on other forgiving clubs for an old duffer getting back into things?  At least my shoes are comfy!

[Lurch 5922]

That’s a very good deal and probably a good start for you if you are of average build. I saw one of the YouTube golf guys try that very set and he was impressed with it

[HouTex 1866]

New technology helps.  But it really is the Indian and not the arrow.  

[conVINCEd 21469]

20 minutes ago, HouTex said:

New technology helps.  But it really is the Indian and not the arrow.  

I take my Hogan blades and Ping persimmon woods to the range from time to time for shits and giggles.  Once arrows reach their expiration date it matters.

[TXSooner518 2438]

9 hours ago, Lurch said:

That’s a very good deal and probably a good start for you if you are of average build. I saw one of the YouTube golf guys try that very set and he was impressed with it

Seems a great deal. You will want a 5 wood or 4 hybrid to fill the gap between 3 wood and 5 hybrid. I'd get these, and see if you prefer woods or hybrids and then get the one you like hitting better. 

[Lurch 5922]

Exactly. The technology helps A TON. Especially for high handicappers that routinely miss the sweet spot

[TXSooner518 2438]

Anyone in the market for club fitting, Club Champion running a deal right now for $100 full bag fitting (with or without putter) or $50 for any other fitting with promo code ARCCOS100. To receive promo price, must purchase at least one club. 

[horn4life 3759]

My future Golf Buddy had some hand me down Taylor made RZB's that are probably 8 or so years old.  But light years ahead of my old ass beaters.  The larger more forgiving club face definitely reduced the mis-hits.  Though the grips were worn and my hands were slipping some, the technology was a considerable improvement.   In the past I have really preferred a corded grip on my irons.  My buddy did not like these because of the steel shafts, and is moving to a set with graphite shafts.  I need to hit some new technology Irons in both steel and graphite to see if I want to move to graphite shafts on my irons.  

One question though.  Will a larger face and graphite shafts make it harder to work the ball with a draw or fade?  I am assuming more forgiveness (flex) makes this more difficult?  Was definitely getting a LOT more distance on the RZB's.  Whatever I go with I am going to have to rethink the distances from what I used to use to calculate years ago.  I also liked to use my 4 and 3 a fair amount back when I could sort of work the ball on longer approaches, and my 5 wood for more straight away shots.

I can see how with a bit of practice, and some better technology in equipment, I should be able to shoot bogie golf in no time.  Mainly I just don't want to be the asshole slowing down everything searching for my ball in the woods every other hole.

[dieucla98 2942]

1 hour ago, horn4life said:

My future Golf Buddy had some hand me down Taylor made RZB's that are probably 8 or so years old.  But light years ahead of my old ass beaters.  The larger more forgiving club face definitely reduced the mis-hits.  Though the grips were worn and my hands were slipping some, the technology was a considerable improvement.   In the past I have really preferred a corded grip on my irons.  My buddy did not like these because of the steel shafts, and is moving to a set with graphite shafts.  I need to hit some new technology Irons in both steel and graphite to see if I want to move to graphite shafts on my irons.  

One question though.  Will a larger face and graphite shafts make it harder to work the ball with a draw or fade?  I am assuming more forgiveness (flex) makes this more difficult?  Was definitely getting a LOT more distance on the RZB's.  Whatever I go with I am going to have to rethink the distances from what I used to use to calculate years ago.  I also liked to use my 4 and 3 a fair amount back when I could sort of work the ball on longer approaches, and my 5 wood for more straight away shots.

I can see how with a bit of practice, and some better technology in equipment, I should be able to shoot bogie golf in no time.  Mainly I just don't want to be the asshole slowing down everything searching for my ball in the woods every other hole.

I would argue a good chunk of your extra distance is only because more modern irons are much stronger - a 6i of yesterday has the same loft that a 7i does today, for example.

The cavity back irons will be more difficult to work a draw/fade than, say, a forged blade. But you gain the forgiveness. That tradeoff still exists - workability vs forgiveness. You have to figure out where you want to lie in that trade off and then get an iron that matches. That being said, compared to older irons, I think nearly all irons today are more forgiving and less workable than their older counterparts (old blade vs new blade, old cavity back vs new cavity back).

Shaft flex is a tradeoff between distance and control - basically, swing the weakest flex that you can control. The other reason to splurge on a shaft is for consistency in how it load/unloads. I haven't really researched graphite shafts in quite a while but I imagine they are generally lighter in weight for the same flex so if you like lightweight feeling, graphite makes sense.

I don't care if I'm playing with a 110+ golfer - you can suck and still play fast, it's just about being aware of yourself and others.

[Lurch 5922]

Unless you are sub 5, workability is overrated, imo

[TXSooner518 2438]

Even if you are sub 5, the data really shows that every player is best playing a "stock" shot rather than trying to work multiple shapes of shots, deviating only when absolutely forced to due to obstacles, and the better approach is shifting the target you select based on your stock shot and centering the dispersion away from disaster zones. 

[Lurch 5922]

Exactly. The more forgiving club may not only save you tons of shots by giving you some value from your mishits, but also by getting you to stop trying to pull off shots you have no business attempting.

[TXSooner518 2438]

Definitely recommend people check out the work of Scott Fawcett, Jon Sherman, Lou Stagner, and Mark Broadie on this topic, including the Hack it Out and The Sweet Spot podcasts, the books Every Shot Counts and the Four Foundations of Golf, and the DECADE system. 

[horn4life 3759]

41 minutes ago, Lurch said:

Exactly. The more forgiving club may not only save you tons of shots by giving you some value from your mishits, but also by getting you to stop trying to pull off shots you have no business attempting.

Hell if I didn't have the "pull it out of my ass luck" you would for sure be right!  Actually if I am playing for low score, i'm conservative as hell.  But I will also absolutely attempt shots that are low percentage, but because usually there is a lot of money on the line, and it's do or die. About the only time I have ever really tried to work the ball at all has been really with foot/ball position on my 3 and 4 iron rather than thinking I can move my strike point 3/8 of an inch with any degree of consistency.

Thank God I can putt and can read the green usually pretty well.  My lines are usually good, but my touch on speed is definitely off. But that will take care of itself with a little more practice, with consciously firmer putts, along with pro side, not low side adjustments to stay higher on the hole to make it "larger."  The wind on the green was definitely fucking with me today when I was practicing.

I do have two paperback copies of "Drive for Show, Putt for Dough. Memoirs of a Golf Hustler" on the way.  Great read if you have never read it!  Since the only reason I used to play was gambling it was a great guide to some of the psychology of successful golf gambling I was unaware of.  Highly recommended!

Quote

In 1958, Leon Crump took a week off from his job as a machinist to play golf with a group of gamblers. At escalating stakes, he shot the lights out, won $31,000, and he still hasn't gone back to work. ...

 

Edited February 20, 2023 by horn4life

[horn4life 3759]

So probably super dumb question. But I never really turned my cards in before to get an official handicap, and wondered what is the best way to do this since I will be playing mostly public golf courses around Austin.   Seems like my Father-in-Law used to be part of MGA or Men's Golf Association in Austin.  Any pros or cons to joining one club or another.  Do you even turn the cards in? Or is there an App where you turn them in digitally?  

There is a large group that plays once a month I go invited to play with months ago, but I really need to establish a handicap before I play because they run it as a tournament.  Plus I figure I need to get some rounds in while I suck! 😉 

[Lurch 5922]

I use MyScorecard, but don’t recommend it since their handicap, while accurate, is no longer on GHIN

[dieucla98 2942]

You don't have to turn scorecards in, you can just post them using the GHIN app or GHIN website. You do have to be signed up with a club that is associated with GHIN (of which there are many).

The only way to now maintain an accurate handicap is through GHIN, unfortunately (though handicaps are more fair now so tradeoffs and all that). 

[Lurch 5922]

The only way to now maintain an accurate handicap is through GHIN, unfortunately

Not really, but since most tourney directors are only familiar w GHIN it’s easiest if you use that.

Since the formula is open, GHIN competitors are available (like MyScorecard)

[HouTex 1866]

More on GHIN, it’s nice because of the transparency.  Sandbaggers that aren’t very careful can be exposed.  It’s difficult to catch the assholes that intentionally miss putts, but when a guy is not recording rounds when everybody knows he plays all the time it’s easy to see. 

[horn4life 3759]

As we talk about scores and handicaps, I forgot what I dislike most about the game.  The general lack of honor of so fucking many people.  Anyhow thanks all!  I saw the GHIN system.  

The place I am looking at has Trackman? simulator to get my lessons at. I figure 8 lesson in the next two months (twice as many as I ever had) will put me on the right track.  They gal showing me the place said a lot of coaches like Trackman to coach from. Is that true? I am very ignorant here as I have never hit even a single ball in a simulator. But as I was telling my wife I will absolutely listen to coaching, but does this trackman system give you enough information to where you can help coach yourself? If that makes sense.  Like does it tell you if the ball is spinning left or right?  So I could see how minor position adjustments in my feet might for example change the spin on the ball?

THANKS AGAIN all of you for answering my sometimes stupid questions.  

 

[dieucla98 2942]

3 hours ago, Lurch said:

 

Not really, but since most tourney directors are only familiar w GHIN it’s easiest if you use that.

Since the formula is open, GHIN competitors are available (like MyScorecard)

 

GHIN has PCC now so the formulas are not the same unless MyScorecard does PCC just using their own data. Even if they did do that (which I doubt), their PCC would be different from GHIN PCC since the underlying data would be different.

[dieucla98 2942]

27 minutes ago, horn4life said:

As we talk about scores and handicaps, I forgot what I dislike most about the game.  The general lack of honor of so fucking many people.  Anyhow thanks all!  I saw the GHIN system.  

The place I am looking at has Trackman? simulator to get my lessons at. I figure 8 lesson in the next two months (twice as many as I ever had) will put me on the right track.  They gal showing me the place said a lot of coaches like Trackman to coach from. Is that true? I am very ignorant here as I have never hit even a single ball in a simulator. But as I was telling my wife I will absolutely listen to coaching, but does this trackman system give you enough information to where you can help coach yourself? If that makes sense.  Like does it tell you if the ball is spinning left or right?  So I could see how minor position adjustments in my feet might for example change the spin on the ball?

THANKS AGAIN all of you for answering my sometimes stupid questions.  

 

Trackmans are a game changer in teaching. They provide a ton of info that the naked eye can't discern (for mere mortals not named Penick). Makes it less risky for the student - the teacher has such a huge aid they are more likely to succeed. There are competitors to Trackmans but they are the Rolls Royce of sims. 

Edit: to expand some, it tracks backspin, side spin, club speed, ball speed, face angle, plots the trajectory, carry distance, roll out and more. It's impressive.

Edited February 22, 2023 by dieucla98

[horn4life 3759]

Finally going to go out and play a round, Friday.  I have gone out an hit a couple times with a bunch of different clubs and it's amazing how easy some of the newer "irons" are to hit.  They are really more of a fairway wood or savior or whatever you want to call them but amazingly forgiving, with high launches.  Just not what I think of as an Iron, and at first I definitely did not have these clubs far enough back in my stance.  My brain kept thinking 5 wood, and I was hitting a 6 iron loft, so definitely some adjustment. 

Going to try and see how hard it is to schedule a lesson package at Golfinity today if I don't run out of time.  I wanted to wait for their big grand opening promo before joining to make sure there would be available lesson scheduling once more people joined. Rather than join and be pissed that it's hard to schedule.  

Golf game will be with a buddy's Dad who still plays regularly and just turned 91.  I hope like hell he somehow shoots his age! (and I don't suck!)

[huge 3793]

Ended up with the TM Stealth 2 3wood 15 degree with the stock stiff shaft.  Tried some more expensive shafts in the bay but nothing moved the needle.

Achieved what I was looking for in the bay, now time to execute on a golf trip to Concan this weekend.

 

Frio Valley Ranch, I hear good things?

[tx 3 putt 76862]

TM makes damn excellent fairway woods, excellent choice 

I’m curious about concan golf, hope you have a great trip 

[huge 3793]

On 3/2/2023 at 11:40 AM, tx 3 putt said:

TM makes damn excellent fairway woods, excellent choice 

I’m curious about concan golf, hope you have a great trip 

Its a good track.  Long.  Just over 7000 from the second tees.  Worth a round if you are in the area.

[crash_davis 23096]

I'm sure there's a metaphor here about hitting a really bad shot and then what happens with the following shots and holes.

 

 

 

[Mileslong 4728]

[tx 3 putt 76862]

 

[heso 2785]

It’s finally golf season up here. First round of the year tomorrow. cantwait.gif

Gonna be a crisp spring morning.