The Golf Thread

[cotton]

Originally Posted by Lexvol

Believe it or not I have tried the range. I think I simply need a lesson. I cannot hit a full wedge from 125 in. It is a curse, not a blessing.

I had the opportunity last spring to attend a Pelz scoring game seminar (the one day corporate thing.) They presented some interesting techniques and philosophies that I actually didn't apply to my game, but there is one particular chipping technique I learned that immediately shaved about a stroke off of my game.

His seminar, or his book, are at least worth considering if you are looking to improve from a full wedge in.

[Lexvol]

Thanks Cotton, I will check that out. My three quater wedge is just not getting it done.

[GAVol]

I'd think that the problem with 3/4 swings and punch shots is that you are taking all the spin off the ball which makes things even more unpredictable. Have you considered adding a 64 degree "X-wedge" and carrying 4 wedges?

Personally, I think it's a little extreme, but Pelz is a big proponent of the 4th wedge.

[Lexvol]

Right now I have a 53 and a 60. If I add a third it would probably be a 56. My 53 is ok from 110 to 100 when I feel I can take a full swing. My 60 is ok from 60-50 when I can take a full swing. Maybe a 56 will solve my problems from 100- 60 yards. Otherwise I should consider playing for the 150. I get more realistic birdie opportunities with an 8 or 9 iron in my hands than I do with those wedges.

And by the way, you are correct. Three quater swings really open me up to dropping my shoulder, and the shanks. I simply don't have a consistent three quarter swing.

[lawgator1]

Golf can best be defined as an endless series of tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer
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Golf! You hit down to make the ball go up. You swing left and the ball goes right. The lowest score wins. And on top of that, the winner buys the drinks
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Golf is harder than baseball. In golf, you have to play your foul balls.
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If you find you do not mind playing golf in the rain, the snow, even during a hurricane, here's a valuable tip: your life is in trouble.
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Golfers who try to make everything perfect before taking the shot rarely make a perfect shot.
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The term "mulligan" is really a contraction of the phrase "maul it again."
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A "gimme" can best be defined as an agreement between two golfers ... neither of whom can putt very well.
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An interesting thing about golf is that no matter how badly you play; it is always possible to get worse.
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Golf's a hard game to figure. One day you'll go out and slice it and shank it, hit into all the traps and miss every green. The next day you go out and for no reason at all you really stink.
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If your best shots are the practice swing and the "gimme putt", you might wish to reconsider this game.
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Golf is the only sport where the most feared opponent is you.
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Golf is like marriage: If you take yourself too seriously it won't work , and both are expensive.
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The best wood in most amateurs' bags is the pencil.

[Lexvol]

Someone hand me my reading glasses. I can't make out that small print. My favorite golf saying:

"Sex and golf are the only two things you don't have to be good at to enjoy" Tin Cup

[Lexvol]

Cotton, when will you be swinging again? Any guesses?

[cotton]

Originally Posted by GAVol

Personally, I think it's a little extreme, but Pelz is a big proponent of the 4th wedge.

Yes, he is, and it does help in some situations. If you don't like hitting a 3/4 60, hit half of a 56. I never could figure out which club to take out of the bag, though.

[cotton]

Originally Posted by Lexvol

Cotton, when will you be swinging again? Any guesses?

Going through PT right now, so I don't really know. I still don't have full extension of my left arm. Our company golf tournament is the weekend of 6/1, so that is a goal, but right now it is very questionable as to whether I will do more than put.

Thanks for the concern, though

[lawgator1]

I played in a charity tourney this past Friday with some deputies from a Sheriff's Office that I represent. They brought in one ringer. First hole, a par 5 at 500 yards, uphill, the kid takes out driver and hits it 330 yards dead center of the fairway. Our approach shots were hit with 6 and 7 irons.

He hit pitching wedge 150 and 6 iron pin high from 210.

I have never seen anything like it, except at the Bayhill tournament and guy like Tiger and Singh. Needless to say, the kid won the long drive competition out of 120 players.

I contributed on one hole. We were stymied off the tee (400 yards, and we were 80 yards out, just off the fairway thanks to "the kid" again). I hit one of those draw shots with a hooded five iron, keeping the ball about 5 feet off the ground most of the way there and letting it roll up to the green. I then sank a 45 footer for bird. We shot a collective 60 and got second (someone claimed to have shot 58).

Thing is, after watching that guy hit and realizing that he routinely smacks the ball 80 yards further than I have ever hit it on even my best day, it is sort of discouraging.

[Lexvol]

Those kids that grew up hitting these Flinstone sized drivers simply know how to hit a golf ball off of the tee. They are fearless.

Don't get discouraged Gator. Just keep hit'em straight.

[lawgator1]

Originally Posted by Lexvol

Those kids that grew up hitting these Flinstone sized drivers simply know how to hit a golf ball off of the tee. They are fearless.

Don't get discouraged Gator. Just keep hit'em straight.

Well, see, if I could do that then I'd keep at it. LOL.

I mean, a year ago I was hitting a pretty constant 240, occassionally getting some roll with the wind to 260, and always in the fairway. Nice little draw.

Now I'm swinging over the ball and banana-hooking it, or popping it up, or fading it just a degree or two short of a full-fledged slice.

I know!! I'll do the time-tested cure-all that every golfer knows works... I'll replace the driver as clearly there is something wrong with it.

[GAVol]

Originally Posted by Lexvol

Right now I have a 53 and a 60. If I add a third it would probably be a 56. My 53 is ok from 110 to 100 when I feel I can take a full swing. My 60 is ok from 60-50 when I can take a full swing. Maybe a 56 will solve my problems from 100- 60 yards. Otherwise I should consider playing for the 150. I get more realistic birdie opportunities with an 8 or 9 iron in my hands than I do with those wedges.
.

Sounds like you need to find some wedges that work for you.

I had a similar problem. I hit a 54 degree SW 100 yards and had trouble with it in the 80 yard range and I never felt confortable trying to hit a lob wedge that far. My solution was that I ditched my 60 degree wedge and went instead with a 58 degree wedge with some bounce and it made all the difference in the world. Those 10 extra yards with the L-Wedge took all the pressure off me trying to do too many things with the SW.

[vol_in_ar]

Originally Posted by lawgator1

Well, see, if I could do that then I'd keep at it. LOL.

I mean, a year ago I was hitting a pretty constant 240, occassionally getting some roll with the wind to 260, and always in the fairway. Nice little draw.

Now I'm swinging over the ball and banana-hooking it, or popping it up, or fading it just a degree or two short of a full-fledged slice.

I know!! I'll do the time-tested cure-all that every golfer knows works... I'll replace the driver as clearly there is something wrong with it.

Better get the SUMO or the New Calloway square head

[lawgator1]

Originally Posted by vol_in_ar

Better get the SUMO or the New Calloway square head

Or just keep playing charity tournaments with our own little version of John Daly. Focus on my putting.