Round Tracker 2024

[Wazmankg]

That's exciting!

My big eureka this year was a simple one but I was not fully rotating. I started turning my belt buckle fully toward the target at the finish earlier this year and just like this discovery for you, it has consistently helped with my ball striking all year long. I think it's good advice for any swing.

Nice. I expected more distance with the change I made... that's the reason I tried it. I turn 70 next week and while I haven't lost much yet, I won't be getting any longer. I expected to have accuracy issues but it's been just the opposite, even off the deck. That shocked me. I expected to be hitting it sideways occasionally. But if my left hand is in the correct grip position the clubface will return to square without much help at all from the right hand. I was probably doing all sorts of unnecessary manipulation with my right hand before. I wish I'd tried this 30 years ago. lol

 

[foster4prez]

That's exciting!

My big eureka this year was a simple one but I was not fully rotating. I started turning my belt buckle fully toward the target at the finish earlier this year and just like this discovery for you, it has consistently helped with my ball striking all year long. I think it's good advice for any swing.

I've played baseball grip my entire life. Been really struggling with getting too "handsy" with my driver the past couple of years. Recently went overlap with my driver only. Have lost like 5-10 yards off the tee but hitting it straighter and more consistently than I have in years. It's amazing.

 

[H2S]

Nice. I expected more distance with the change I made... that's the reason I tried it. I turn 70 next week and while I haven't lost much yet, I won't be getting any longer. I expected to have accuracy issues but it's been just the opposite, even off the deck. That shocked me. I expected to be hitting it sideways occasionally. But if my left hand is in the correct grip position the clubface will return to square without much help at all from the right hand. I was probably doing all sorts of unnecessary manipulation with my right hand before. I wish I'd tried this 30 years ago. lol

nonsense... yer just a pup
I'm 74... late last season one of my buds noted that I had virtually no hip rotation... that simplest change got me 10-20 yards more per drive.

And this season, after complaining about my crappy fairway performance (gdammit I worked my ass off with the 4 & 5 irons to no avail) you might recall foster4 suggesting a 7wood... s'funny, now, when I DO grab the 4 or 5 there's no distance intimidation... if I HAVE to have a 175-200yd second, that 7wood stands alone. So much more confidence now than a year ago... that's 'distance' of a sort, right?

 

[Wazmankg]

nonsense... yer just a pup
I'm 74... late last season one of my buds noted that I had virtually no hip rotation... that simplest change got me 10-20 yards more per drive.

And this season, after complaining about my crappy fairway performance (gdammit I worked my ass off with the 4 & 5 irons to no avail) you might recall foster4 suggesting a 7wood... s'funny, now, when I DO grab the 4 or 5 there's no distance intimidation... if I HAVE to have a 175-200yd second, that 7wood stands alone. So much more confidence now than a year ago... that's 'distance' of a sort, right?

I gave up my mid-long irons years ago. 7 iron is my longest iron now. I have a couple of hybrids, a 5 & 6 , at least one of which is unnecessary. I also have 9, 7 & 4 woods. I'm money with the 9 & 7 from 165-180. With the 4 I'm less consistent and anything > 190 or so is going to be a shot & a pitch unless I get some roll. But I could probably get rid of at least 3 clubs and it wouldn't matter to my scores. Most guys should be hitting hybrids & woods instead of mid/long irons... they're so much easier to hit.

 

[H2S]

I gave up my mid-long irons years ago. 7 iron is my longest iron now. I have a couple of hybrids, a 5 & 6 , at least one of which is unnecessary. I also have 9, 7 & 4 woods. I'm money with the 9 & 7 from 165-180. With the 4 I'm less consistent and anything > 190 or so is going to be a shot & a pitch unless I get some roll. But I could probably get rid of at least 3 clubs and it wouldn't matter to my scores. Most guys should be hitting hybrids & woods instead of mid/long irons... they're so much easier to hit.

holy shit, even your six iron?
I mean, really?
the all-purpose all-answer iron?
damn, that ain right.

Saint Bobby, he say responsible homeowners should even keep a six iron near the front door - for protection n sech

Bag a driver, 7wood, 4>9 irons, PW and 54° wedge, putter and telescoping ball retriever... bag weight is all the provisional balls.

 

[Wazmankg]

holy shit, even your six iron?
I mean, really?
the all-purpose all-answer iron?
damn, that ain right.

Saint Bobby, he say responsible homeowners should even keep a six iron near the front door - for protection n sech

Bag a driver, 7wood, 4>9 irons, PW and 54° wedge, putter and telescoping ball retriever... bag weight is all the provisional balls.

Lol.. actually that was a tough one, but it's where I drew the line. I hit the best shot of my life with my old 6 iron... barely over a forest of trees from a parallel fairway where I'd pulled my drive. The height and distance were perfect for my best 6i but it was basically blind. But I dropped it to 4' for bird... exactly how I pictured it. That was an exception though. Yours is the set of a much more skilled player than me. I used to have one of those retrievers. Maybe I still do if me ex hasn't disposed of it.

 

[H2S]

Lol.. actually that was a tough one, but it's where I drew the line. I hit the best shot of my life with my old 6 iron... barely over a forest of trees from a parallel fairway where I'd pulled my drive. The height and distance were perfect for my best 6i but it was basically blind. But I dropped it to 4' for bird... exactly how I pictured it. That was an exception though. Yours is the set of a much more skilled player than me. I used to have one of those retrievers. Maybe I still do if me ex hasn't disposed of it.

har...
I mean, you're one of the more astute posters on these boards, but... har...
I mean, thanks, but the set I carry most is stubborn old habits.
Retrievers are slow play delay relievers... we do a lot of hawking, especially on 'ancient relics by the foursome' days.

 

[Wazmankg]

44/48 - 92. The grip change (no grip pressure with my right hand/fingers) is definitely a keeper though. I hit it so much better.. and longer. I just need to practice it and get comfortable because it feels so much different than how I've been holding the club since I was a kid. But I've no doubt it's the right way for me to grip and swing the club.

On the front I parred both par 3s and both par 5s .. hitting approaches into a few hard, wet sand traps and a couple of 3 putts cost me on the par 4s. The music my playing partners were playing and their very slow play got to me on the back... that's my story anyway..lol. I did sink a 20 footer for par on 18 though, so that was a nice way to end the season if it is the end.

 

[Wazmankg]

One of the guys I was paired with yesterday had a game unlike anyone I've ever played with. He was a big guy.. not tall, but big. He used to be a power lifter... actually both of them were. Off the tee he was all over the place and even when he kept it in play he wasn't much longer than me... otoh the other guy could crush it.

His approaches were also hit & miss. But his pitching and chipping were off the charts fantastic. I've never seen anyone as good who doesn't play golf for a living. From ~30 yards off the green to the fringe he was hitting it within a 4' circle all day long and most were much closer than that. At first I thought.. lucky shot. But he just kept doing it over & over. The lie, slope & terrain didn't matter. He hit it stiff every time.

The kicker is that he couldn't sink a short putt to save his life... just epically bad. He missed at least 3 inside 2', several from 2'-4' and one that couldn't have been more that 8". I think he cashed in only 1 of his good chips and that was because it was literally kick in close. His long putting was fine. He and his buddy were laughing about it as I guess that's what he always does. I'd be breaking 80 all of the time if I could chip & pitch like that. Best best short game and worst short putter in the same person... makes no sense.

 

[MTVike]

One of the guys I was paired with yesterday had a game unlike anyone I've ever played with. He was a big guy.. not tall, but big. He used to be a power lifter... actually both of them were. Off the tee he was all over the place and even when he kept it in play he wasn't much longer than me... otoh the other guy could crush it.

His approaches were also hit & miss. But his pitching and chipping were off the charts fantastic. I've never seen anyone as good who doesn't play golf for a living. From ~30 yards off the green to the fringe he was hitting it within a 4' circle all day long and most were much closer than that. At first I thought.. lucky shot. But he just kept doing it over & over. The lie, slope & terrain didn't matter. He hit it stiff every time.

The kicker is that he couldn't sink a short putt to save his life... just epically bad. He missed at least 3 inside 2', several from 2'-4' and one that couldn't have been more that 8". I think he cashed in only 1 of his good chips and that was because it was literally kick in close. His long putting was fine. He and his buddy were laughing about it as I guess that's what he always does. I'd be breaking 80 all of the time if I could chip & pitch like that. Best best short game and worst short putter in the same person... makes no sense.

Must have a bad case of the putting yips.

 

[Wazmankg]

Must have a bad case of the putting yips.

Definitely. But apparently it wasn't a 1-off for him. If I couldn't sink a 2-footer I don't think I'd play a round again until I got over it. Most were actually gimmes and I would have thought nothing of it had he just raked em up.

 

[H2S]

Must have a bad case of the putting yips.

my dad called anything over water, from or over sand, or lying within four feet of the hole... a FEAR SHOT.
my dad instilled any number of anxieties in my golf game...

thanks pop

 

[foster4prez]

Played Lonnie Poole (NC State's home course) today. Arnold Palmer design. Five par 5s and five par 3s. Greens had lots of tricky little ridges that could send your ball going the complete opposite direction that you thought it would.

Had eagle putts on 1 and 3 (that I missed) and was -2 through 6 holes feeling good. Four doubles later, I carded a 39-42-81. Not bad for the first time being out there. 5 wood was golden all day. Couldn't hit a wedge to save my life.

 

[NEhomer]

The grip change (no grip pressure with my right hand/fingers) is definitely a keeper though.

The left shoulder, arm, wrist, and hand does all the work. The right hand just goes along for the ride. An active right hand can only fuck things up. Best of luck!

The music my playing partners were playing

Cripes.

My music rant is this. The moment you ask me if it's ok I'm immediately thrust into one of two camps and I don't want to be in either. I either have to endure your noise pollution or I have to be the killjoy of the group.

This year, I've decided that killjoy is the lesser of the two. Screw you and your stupid music. For fucks sake, give something your undivided attention for a change.

 

[NEhomer]

Gonne play my home course for the final time tomorrow. Mid 40s, not too much wind and a bit of sun.

...then they'll pull the pins on Thanksgiving...

 

[fknhippie]

Gonne play my home course for the final time tomorrow. Mid 40s, not too much wind and a bit of sun.

...then they'll pull the pins on Thanksgiving...

Ours closed Tuesday.

 

[NEhomer]

Ours closed Tuesday.

I forgot, private course?

We have temp pins for the wintertime but there's not much point if you can't anguish over missing three foot putts. I also have a full wedge shot flag in my front yard. I hit balls nearly every day, nearly all year long. I really should be a lot better.

 

[fknhippie]

I forgot, private course?

We have temp pins for the wintertime but there's not much point if you can't anguish over missing three foot putts. I also have a full wedge shot flag in my front yard. I hit balls nearly every day, nearly all year long. I really should be a lot better.

No, it's public, more of a rural course.

 

[H2S]

Had dinner with 4 other couples last night... spent most of our chatty time planning next year's golf outings schedule. Dr. Manny suggested we try The Rock at Drummond Island, MI, Ozarks National, Hollister, MO (a C&C design) and do the 4 Shanty Creek, MI runs again. As Manny owns condos at those three locations, ie: free sleeps?... hah!... not hard to say "yea." The not-so-free trip, by unanimous decree, will be a week in NC's Sand Hills area (Pinehurst, Tobacco Road, Pine Needles, etc). Also decided to rent a Vrbo for March in St. Augustine area with non-golfing friends - will abandon wife there and visit Sensei Mike in Stuart for a week or so. Arizona Tommy offered garage accommodations if/when we get down to Scottsdale this winter.

 

[foster4prez]

Had dinner with 4 other couples last night... spent most of our chatty time planning next year's golf outings schedule. Dr. Manny suggested we try The Rock at Drummond Island, MI, Ozarks National, Hollister, MO (a C&C design) and do the 4 Shanty Creek, MI runs again. As Manny owns condos at those three locations, ie: free sleeps?... hah!... not hard to say "yea." The not-so-free trip, by unanimous decree, will be a week in NC's Sand Hills area (Pinehurst, Tobacco Road, Pine Needles, etc). Also decided to rent a Vrbo for March in St. Augustine area with non-golfing friends - will abandon wife there and visit Sensei Mike in Stuart for a week or so. Arizona Tommy offered garage accommodations if/when we get down to Scottsdale this winter.

My dad and I are doing Scotland in June for my 40th. We've since decided that we need an annual "big" golf trip. Top of the list right now are:

1. Bandon Dunes
2. Cabot Citrus Farms
3. Cabot Cliffs

I'm trying to talk my wife into Big Cedar Lodge/Branson for a whole extended family trip but she's not biting.