Golf

[Danny]

Hey, I just rediscovered golf. I'm liking it again after being away for 4 years.
Had a nice morning with my 19 year old son and 2 guys we paired up with.
It was a good walk not ruined... Ready to go again tomorrow.
I'm subscribing to Golf Digest and thinking of upgrading my clubs.
What kind of clubs do the golfers out there use/like ?

 

[poboy]

I have also rediscovered the game, walking four days a week, bogey should be my user name. I have two sets of cheapo clubs. Best thing I have done is buy a 7 and 9 wood(I cannot bring myself to call them metal woods). My friends tell my it is a sign of old age. I am just trying to trick my body.

 

[donheff]

I took up golf last summer after a FORTY year hiatus. It is fun. I have an inexpensive membership in the Armed Forces Retirement Home course in DC about ten minutes from my house (I'm not retired military but they are open for civilians who do some volunteer work around the place).

I did a bunch of on-line research and ended up buying "clones" from pinemeadowgolf.com. I picked up a set of Excel Mid Launch Plus irons with graphite shafts for $200. They are clones of the Callaway X-18s. I like them and friends who can actually play well are amazed at the quality. I'm shooting around 100 and hoping to break into the 90s soon.

 

[2B]

I used to be a fanatic but I never had any consistency. I had birdied every hole on the club I was a member of and never broke 100. I finally gave it up when the club pro who was giving me lessons asked me not to tell people he was. I had an honest 35 handicap for over 5 years.

My son enjoys it and I've played a few times with him in the last year but I can't get too excited. I'd rather go fishing.

 

[chrisdut]

Golf bug bit me hard about two years ago.  I was using an old  set but recently upgraded my clubs as follows.  Driver: Taylor Made R5 (450 cc club is large and very forgiving on miss hits).  Long Irons: Taylor Made Rescue Mid Hybrids (replaces hard to hit 3 and 4 irons).  Irons: Ping G5 (oversized cavity backs with low center of gravity to help ball get in the air).  Putter: cheap alignment putter (do not know brand but I like any putter that helps with alignment).  Have not yet replaced fairway woods yet...but open to any suggestions for clubs to get ball in the air (I tend to top a ball and sometimes struggle to get it in the air).  Bottom line is that there have been tremendous advances in technology in the last several years and I think many of the advances benefit lousy golfers like me (I usually shoot between 90 and 105).

 

[Dawg52]

I'm using Ping G5 woods 1,3,5 and a hybrid g5 club for my 3 iron.(love it) I use Callaway Hawk Eye irons. Just bought a new ping anser g5 putter. Love it too. You can spend pretty much anything you want for clubs. BTW, my 3 & 5 woods were purchased preowned from an online site. They look brand new. You can save some money going this route. 

Good luck!

 

[Danny]

Thanks all for the club info.

To give you an idea where I'm at in my reentry into the golf world
I played a fairly hard par 72 today in 106 ..but I'm not discouraged! I had some shots that made me feel better than pretty good sex...this is a journey afterall and I've staked my 106 there in the sand - yes I was in the sand a few times today but got out and on the green in one shot each time. yeah!....I 3 putted way too much and had some trouble getting lift off and hitting it straight., but I've got something to shoot for - I mean under now and I will improve - heck I'm at 106 afterall - If I'm not comfortably in the 90's by the end of the year - I'll give it up again for another 4 years.

Man prices have gone up!
$33
Last time I played public courses it was hovering around $20

So, I'm starting to look at clubs, cause I know if I can update from 1970's - got some old school Ben Hogan's that were my father's (gonna donate them to my personal museum) - to some high-tech babies - I'll be in clover - I mean the fairway....

Being frugal but still wanting quality I will take a look at lightly used clubs - I like getting a good deal on something nice.

Regards and happy golfing!

 

[Nords]

I had some shots that made me feel better than pretty good sex...

Up until now I was patiently waiting for Jarhead to weigh in with his opinion, but I just can't hold back any longer.

If you're comparing golf favorably to sex then I don't think that golf is the problem. You're probably using the club wrong, and I'm not talking about the ones in your golf bag...

 

[Jarhead*]

Thanks all for the club info.

106  ..but I'm not discouraged! I had some shots that made me feel better than pretty good sex...

Mystic: I had my PGA Card about 10 years ago, and was a teaching pro for about a year. (I did that as a favor to a friend of mine that was the head pro at my home course). I told him I'd do it for a year, but no longer. (Was cutting in on having time to play tournament golf.)

However, if all students were as dedicated as your quote, I might have reconsidered.

Most of the time I spend on this board is making "pithy" comments, and of not much value to anyone, but it does keep me entertained.

However, I hope you'll consider the following re: golf equipment. (The old coach in me is hard to kill off).

The most important element in choosing clubs is "Matching the shaft with your swing speed".
The type of head you put on is not of great consequence. How do you do that? Fair question.

Go to a good teaching pro. He has equipment that will test your swing speed, blah, blah, blah,
At that point he should be able to match the "flex", blah, blah, blah,. (Other elements, but you'll find out at contact.)

Once you've established the shaft that matches your swing speed, there are many different heads (Knock-offs), etc. that you can choose from. Should not be expensive to do so.

Whether you follow my advice or not, golf is a great game, and fortunantly (for me), it can be played for a lifetime. Have fun.

Left Arm Straight, right tucked at impact, and grip it and rip it.!

(I'm playing a two day tournament beginning tomorrow, and even at my age always get restless the night before.) 8)

 

[Danny]

Thanks Jarhead - I hadn't thought of "Matching the shaft with your swing speed"
I'm sure you're right, however I'm struggling with your good advice because I'm so damn frugal and don't want to see a golf doctor Then again I've learned that most of the time you get what you pay for in life...So I'll probably get previously swung clubs and adjust my swing speed : But seriously though I am thinking of taking some lessons so I'll find out then what the deal is. Thanks again and good golfing in the tournament.

And as for you Nords Isn't there anyone else out there that feels sex is overrated? You're done having kids, right?

 

[Nords]

And as for you Nords  Isn't there anyone else out there that feels sex is overrated? You're done having kids, right?   

How ironic-- one of the reasons I gave up golf was because we'd just married and I wanted to spend more time with my (non-golfing) spouse.

Someday you'll get a hole-in-one (if you haven't already) and I'll ask you why you're still golfing. It's not as though you'll improve the score on that hole.

Man, if the only reason for sex was procreation then I was finished over 13 years ago... and I probably should've practiced more for that project, too!

But I'll try to be objective.  I think the subject calls for a long-term cross-demographic longitudinal study for another 40-50 years before we can really determine a ratings conclusion.

The record-keeping may be difficult, but if I screw it up (so to speak) then I can always start over...

 

[F M All]

Time for a poll?

Would you rather spend 4 hours at Nord's hobby or Jarhead's?

Perhaps not - too many predictable responses.

 

[starboardtack]

Got interested in golf a couple of years ago after ER.  Being a cheapskate by nature, and frugal by choice I have been putting together clubs for a couple of years.  Amazing how cheaply and fairly easily they can be put together once you understand your preference to shaft length, composition and choice of head. There's no magic here, despite what the mfgs. would like you to believe.   Kind of fun too.  Golfing friends think I've spent a fortune.     Have even made some clubs as gifts.  Most component vendors offer free shipping  and multiple discounts based upon order.  Some of component vendor and other sites I have found useful:

techtalk:  http://www.pinemeadowgolf.com/clubs101
www.golfsmith.com
www.golfbymail.com
www.monarkgolf.com

 

[Jarhead*]

How ironic-- one of the reasons I gave up golf was because we'd just married and I wanted to spend more time with my (non-golfing) spouse.

Nords: As it should be when you are married, and have a family. (Or anticipate one).

But when your wife also "retires", spending more time with your spouse becomes a mute point.

When you're both retired, that's "when the rubber meets the road".

Having outside interests, whether it's golf, fly-fishing, long-boarding, etc. etc. will no longer be considered a selfish use of your time, but a necessary "mental health break" for both of you.

My wife's friends are constantly pleading with her to solicit my help in getting their husbands interested in golf and fly-fishing. I don't have the zeal of a missionary to do so.

I was suppossed to be starting the 2nd. day of a two day tournament this a.m. (I got a call last night that some vandals (idiots) had driven over 4 greens with their cars, and destroyed them. We're attempting to find a course in the next few days to finish out the tournament.

I'm staying home to cut some brush, and my wife has decided would be a good time to visit some friends.

Another day in the trenches.

 

[Danny]

I'm making progress on the equipment front.

In Dicks to get a basketball, when my feet led me into the golf section

Lo what did I see but a sale

$160 stand bag for $80

$130 Gore-tex golf shoes for $80

Ok, maybe I spent too much but look at the money I saved.

Next : irons
hybrid club(s)
Driver 3 & 5 clubs

Not sure about the advantages of graphite or steel shafts
about regular or stiff flex.

 

[Danny]

The most important element in choosing clubs is "Matching the shaft with your swing speed".

Go to a good teaching pro. He has equipment that will test your swing speed, blah, blah, blah,
At that point he should be able to match the "flex", blah, blah, blah,. (Other elements, but you'll find out at contact.)

Whether you follow my advice or not, golf is a great game, and fortunantly (for me), it can be played for a lifetime. Have fun.

Left Arm Straight, right tucked at impact, and grip it and rip it.!

Jarhead - I ended up taking your advice and got fitted. I didn't go to a teaching pro, but to Nevada Bobs where they have guys almost my age that were seriously knowledgable about golf. No extra charge! Good that they fitted me and tested my swing speed. Need fatter grip and 1 inch longer shaft - I just have to wait 10 days for Cobra to adjust the irons.

Cobra 3100 IH 4-9 PW GW Steel Reg Flex
Had been in Golfsmith testing them and everything else (3 hours!) - they felt about equal to the Calloway Big Berthas and Taylor RAC OS - all around $500 - I was going home to think it over when the son and I stopped at Bob's - the 3100IHs were $299 Decision made

Also got the Taylor 580XD $150 instead of $400
I Tested the Ping G5 also and loved it a little more, but it was $300 and well, did I mention how frugal I am?

The irons and driver are not the latest models so at clearance prices - not cutting edge but still extremely nice! and I like saving money ( yeah I know I could save by not buying this stuff....please get off my case whoever doesn't understand what love is)

That only leaves getting a hybrid, a fairway club, sand wedge and putter

Golf what a great pastime - expensive ...but I kinda can't help myself - could be worse though - I could be doing meth or having sex for 4 hours like a surfer we know.... :

 

[d]

could be worse though - I could be ...having sex for 4 hours

yeah, that would be horrible!

 

[Jarhead*]

Jarhead - I ended up taking your advice and got fitted.

IntoTheMystic:  Glad to hear that you were able to get the shafts that will be appropriate for your swing speed.  (My work is almost done).

Make sure after you get your equipment that you take a few lessons from a good pro, getting the foundation laid for working on "muscle memory" at the range.  (This will pay dividends for a lifetime).

Regards, Jarhead

P.S.  I guess you are referring to Nords as the surfer that spends 4 hours a day re: Sex.  If you are counting the pleading, begging, and whining, possibly.

 

[Danny]

P.S. I guess you are referring to Nords as the surfer that spends 4 hours a day re: Sex. If you are counting the pleading, begging, and whining, possibly.

Don't forget the waiting for the viagra to kick in....

 

[Mwsinron]

I golf however not the same since I moved away from my cousins. WE could play tiddly winks and make it some grand event. One of the saddest events in my life was to move basically away from my brothers (IE cousins)..However I figure someday we will be sitting near each other old and crotchy and waiting to go out and golf. At least I hope so

 

[Leonidas]

IntoTheMystic: Glad to hear that you were able to get the shafts that will be appropriate for your swing speed. (My work is almost done).

Make sure after you get your equipment that you take a few lessons from a good pro, getting the foundation laid for working on "muscle memory" at the range. (This will pay dividends for a lifetime).

Wish I had paid attention to similiar good advice when I first started playing without lessons and the cheapest clubs available. Years of frustration and wasted time would have been better spent.

There should be a guy checking all new players and turning away from the course all newbies who have cheap clubs and no lessons. The retention rate for new golfers would skyrocket. Of course some of the fun of playing would go out the window, because I get a laugh every time I play from watching what some people do on the course (much of it things I did at least once long ago).

As to the debate on sex vs golf - why not combine the two? For years my wife was a much better player than I was (she played five days a week while I worked) - the stakes for betting were "personal services" rather than cash. It was very big incentive for me to become a better player!

 

[wallygator69]

Hi,

Lessons are a good idea if you are just starting out before bad habits develop.

I've been golfing 20 years. Had real back problems back then and developed a swing that I could do for 18 holes. I am a 14 handicap but have the ugliest most unorthodox swing you ever saw. (They filmed me in Maui getting a birdie 10 years ago and sold me the DVD about 10 years ago. When I saw it I thought about quitting (for 5 minutes) it was so pathetic).

I'm 5'9 190 lbs, gym 3-4 days a week lift weights and average about 190-200 on a drive.

DW is 5'5 weighs 145 and hits the damn thing 220 on avearge with the occasioanl 250 yard blast. She's very athletic and has a perfect swing and I taught her (partially by watching me and doing the opposite).

Best golf adice I ever got was:

"A stiiff shaft and a smooth stroke gets it in the hole every time".

Fore!

Guy who works in Wally's office...

 

[Danny]

The irons arrived and I'm loving 'em.
Also got an Adams RPM 3 Wood and ordered a Cobra Baffler 3 Hybrid.

Tomorrow No 2 son and I take a joint hour lesson from the pro.
My first lesson! after 45 years of doing it my way...

 

[Alex]

Time for a poll?

Would you rather spend 4 hours at Nord's hobby or Jarhead's?

Perhaps not - too many predictable responses.

I'll take 30 minutes of the first hobby and 3.5 hours of the second....then everyone is happy.

 

[Danny]

More skin being shown on the LPGA Tour....