bshell27
Footballguy
I know our local club is waiving them at the moment, so I assume you can.Question for the folks that belong to a course: Can you negotiate the initiation fee or month dues?
I know our local club is waiving them at the moment, so I assume you can.Question for the folks that belong to a course: Can you negotiate the initiation fee or month dues?
If you go in the dead of winter, you will be able to strike a great deal............HTHQuestion for the folks that belong to a course: Can you negotiate the initiation fee or month dues?
It really depends on how exclusive and whether they still have equity memberships. More and more clubs just need dues paying members. If they need members, then anything goes. As an example when I joined they threw in 6 months free carts, 6 months free guests and more. Referral fee amount was passed on to me to lower monthly amount as well. So I have a lower monthly then I prepay each year (11 months instead of 12) to save even more. The incentives change all the time though so if you see if they are dealing jump on it.I know our local club is waiving them at the moment, so I assume you can.
Can we talk strategy?
If you're describing generously, I'm an average golfer. On okay courses I can shoot in the high 80's. More difficult ones, like yesterday's TPC Blaine (45 degrees and raining!) it's upper 90's.
The thing that I've noticed gets me in the most trouble is when I'm at about 170-200 yards out with my second shot on par 4's. - I'm not ever going to be a long hitter. 250 Yards will probably ever be my best. That's usually where you think you need to go for the green. But it's also where things end up in the sand, or worse.
So at that distance, is it better to try and improve with the longer irons and continue to go for it? Or should one play "old man" golf and just go something like wedge/wedge?
Have you considered moving up a tee boxCan we talk strategy?
If you're describing generously, I'm an average golfer. On okay courses I can shoot in the high 80's. More difficult ones, like yesterday's TPC Blaine (45 degrees and raining!) it's upper 90's.
The thing that I've noticed gets me in the most trouble is when I'm at about 170-200 yards out with my second shot on par 4's. - I'm not ever going to be a long hitter. 250 Yards will probably ever be my best. That's usually where you think you need to go for the green. But it's also where things end up in the sand, or worse.
So at that distance, is it better to try and improve with the longer irons and continue to go for it? Or should one play "old man" golf and just go something like wedge/wedge?
Already did it! LolHave you considered moving up a tee box
Have you thought about switching to hybrids for all your long irons?Already did it! Lol
That doesn't really change the scenario though. I'm still going to find myself at those troublesome distances. If I'm hitting from 400 yards versus 430, or whatever, I'm still going to end up at 170 if I hit it 230.
And I just can't hit even an 7 iron that far so I really lose control of my shot when it comes to 6 irons or higher. I just think scoring wise it might be better to baby it up to the green.
Yup - get a 25 degree hybrid to replace your six iron, or 22 degree if you don't hit it as long (if you're not sure which one you need, test them out at PGA Superstore/#####/Second Swing/etc. to check the distances).Have you thought about switching to hybrids for all your long irons?
Oh my bad I misunderstood. I thought you meant every hole.Already did it! Lol
That doesn't really change the scenario though. I'm still going to find myself at those troublesome distances. If I'm hitting from 400 yards versus 430, or whatever, I'm still going to end up at 170 if I hit it 230.
And I just can't hit even an 7 iron that far so I really lose control of my shot when it comes to 6 irons or higher. I just think scoring wise it might be better to baby it up to the green.
I mean if you're going to play old man golf, this is the direction to go. I stopped carrying a 5 wood, 3 iron and 4 iron. Swapped in 2 hybrids and a wedgeHave you thought about switching to hybrids for all your long irons?
For me it depends on where I'm at with my swing that day. The confidence factor, so to speak. If I don't have my "A" game I'd pull a 6 or 7 iron and try to put it in front of the green to get up and down. If I'm feeling good it's a 4 iron or hybrid and going for it.Can we talk strategy?
If you're describing generously, I'm an average golfer. On okay courses I can shoot in the high 80's. More difficult ones, like yesterday's TPC Blaine (45 degrees and raining!) it's upper 90's.
The thing that I've noticed gets me in the most trouble is when I'm at about 170-200 yards out with my second shot on par 4's. - I'm not ever going to be a long hitter. 250 Yards will probably ever be my best. That's usually where you think you need to go for the green. But it's also where things end up in the sand, or worse.
So at that distance, is it better to try and improve with the longer irons and continue to go for it? Or should one play "old man" golf and just go something like wedge/wedge?
100%.I mean if you're going to play old man golf, this is the direction to go. I stopped carrying a 5 wood, 3 iron and 4 iron. Swapped in 2 hybrids and a wedge
We have a long running joke in my group. I'm one of the better players but not by much and we have a few guys that have 7woods and a bunch of hybrids So any time we get on a par 3 and let's say it's 150. I'll ask what they are hitting and get "6 hybrid". I'll say ok let me check that against my normal club conversion chart...says 9 iron!!!! Gets a laugh followed up by a #### you100%.
My dad, (almost 71 years old) who is about an 11 handicap has at least 4 hybrids in his bag. It MIGHT be 5. His driver only goes a shade over 200 but he's really consistent with those hybrids. His course allows for a lot of shots to run up onto the green, so that's what he does.
The tactic breaks down a little bit in certain situations (my course is longer and has a lot of elevated greens, so his strategy doesn't work as well) but for an older guy without much distance, he's still pretty damn good. We bust his balls about all the headcovers, but he's still carrying a better index than me, so I can't really give him too much grief. I can't beat him on his course even playing from the same tees. He just knows the greens too well and that place punishes me with a lot of tree trouble just off the fairway to the right on a lot of holes.
Better decisions has knocked 3-4 strokes off my game. I shoot high 80s and play with a scratch golfer in my league and he got me to think much different on the course. Said I attempt too many shots with a low % of success. Shots that I might execute correctly 25% of the time.Good play continued. 39-40-79. No birdies though lots of good runs at them. Actually hit it in the water on 2 different par 3’s but saved 4 on both. What I’m really working on is making all the right decisions before the shot. Especially club selection and lines. If I don’t pull the shot off I’m OK with it. But trying to avoid stupid shots where I didn’t think It through. Example is just shooting the # to the stick and not thinking 2 tiered green sloped back to front. Death to be short. Play is 8 yards back of the flag plus its uphill so need 15 more yards than what I just shot on my range finder. Getting much more focused and so far so good.
This is really what I was talking about.Better decisions has knocked 3-4 strokes off my game. I shoot high 80s and play with a scratch golfer in my league and he got me to think much different on the course. Said I attempt too many shots with a low % of success. Shots that I might execute correctly 25% of the time.
I popped my drive up on a 400 yard Par 4 and it went maybe 140 yards. So I pull out my 3 wood and he says 'What are you trying to do? You are 260 out and if you hit it perfectly that will leave you 40 yards out with a touchy chip.
Plus there is a good chance you could hit a worm burner or pull or push it deep into the rough leaving a very difficult third shot. Take your favorite iron..maybe a 7 or 8 iron. Lay a good stroke on it and keep it in the fairway. Leave yourself a full wedge in and possibly putt for par or get a bogey at worst. Take the doubles and triple out of play. Said the same thing about hitting a 3 wood on seconds shots on Pars 5s that can`t be reached in 2.
It was good advice.
I agree..plus my 60 is hit or miss. I can hit great high chips with it, also can blade it through the green like a missile. My P or S is much more consistent.This is really what I was talking about.![]()
The bolded is another aspect - even if I hit a good second shot, I'm often left with that 40-65 yard shot into the green. What do you do with that? Well, it's either a full 60 degree, which is almost never full, or a babied wedge that gets chunked.
This is exactly what I’ve been doing and my game is finally sub bogey golf. I’ve quit trying to play hero golf and finally playing smart golf, I’m now consistently shooting 12 to 13 over. If I can eliminate the blow ups I’ll be close to single digits.Better decisions has knocked 3-4 strokes off my game. I shoot high 80s and play with a scratch golfer in my league and he got me to think much different on the course. Said I attempt too many shots with a low % of success. Shots that I might execute correctly 25% of the time.
I popped my drive up on a 400 yard Par 4 and it went maybe 140 yards. So I pull out my 3 wood and he says 'What are you trying to do? You are 260 out and if you hit it perfectly that will leave you 40 yards out with a touchy chip.
Plus there is a good chance you could hit a worm burner or pull or push it deep into the rough leaving a very difficult third shot. Take your favorite iron..maybe a 7 or 8 iron. Lay a good stroke on it and keep it in the fairway. Leave yourself a full wedge in and possibly putt for par or get a bogey at worst. Take the doubles and triple out of play. Said the same thing about hitting a 3 wood on seconds shots on Pars 5s that can`t be reached in 2.
It was good advice.
Take your 52 and 56 (or whatever wedges you have) and start practicing 1/4 and 1/2 shots with them over and over to see how far they go. Once you have your yardage for those dialed in, you should be able to handle the 40-65 yard shots much more successfully. In addition, you'll chunk them a lot less than you used to since you have more confidence in the shot and how far it will go.This is really what I was talking about.![]()
The bolded is another aspect - even if I hit a good second shot, I'm often left with that 40-65 yard shot into the green. What do you do with that? Well, it's either a full 60 degree, which is almost never full, or a babied wedge that gets chunked.
It really is the key. We have a par 5 that “looks” easy but me and playing partners seem to get more stupid bogeys and doubles there than anywhere. For most players it’s dumb to go for it in two. A coffin of bunkers short right, nowhere to miss left and death deep due to green slope and pin placement. There’s also bunkers left that are about 200 out from where you’re hitting the 2nd shot. So I now I take the club that I know can’t reach the trouble. Will hit a 185 yard 5 iron that leaves me short of the trap with a sand wedge in. Putting for birdie every time. No big #’s. There are other attackable par 5’s on our course but this isn’t one of them. Course management.This is exactly what I’ve been doing and my game is finally sub bogey golf. I’ve quit trying to play hero golf and finally playing smart golf, I’m now consistently shooting 12 to 13 over. If I can eliminate the blow ups I’ll be close to single digits.
Easiest for me is to try and dial in the clock like Tom Kite did back in the day. You can think 70%, 80% or you can think 9 o’clock, 10 o’clock if trying to hit less than a full wedge. Control length of backswing and always finish. Can’t decelerate. Can’t try to lift it.Take your 52 and 56 (or whatever wedges you have) and start practicing 1/4 and 1/2 shots with them over and over to see how far they go. Once you have your yardage for those dialed in, you should be able to handle the 40-65 yard shots much more successfully. In addition, you'll chunk them a lot less than you used to since you have more confidence in the shot and how far it will go.
Honestly are used to hate half swing wedges and now I almost play for them. I spent half my time or more on the range hitting multiple clubs less than 100 yards. It really does teach you how to use your hands at impact and also improves I think all of your other clubs because you learn how to take a little bit off of any iron in your bag.It's funny how 65 yards seems so much farther on the course than on the range!![]()
This is where the struggle since I don't practice and play sparinglyHonestly are used to hate half swing wedges and now I almost play for them. I spent half my time or more on the range hitting multiple clubs less than 100 yards. It really does teach you how to use your hands at impact and also improves I think all of your other clubs because you learn how to take a little bit off of any iron in your bag.
I can hit a pitching wedge 60 yards about as accurately as I can get it 130 yards.
Hit whatever gets you in the fairway. 7 iron to 40 yards is way easier to get up and down than hybrid into the woods left. It's also a lot easier to focus your practice in on 40 yard wedges than working on bunkers, chips from the rough, chips from awkward lies, and punching out from under a tree over a bunker to a short-sided pin.Already did it! Lol
That doesn't really change the scenario though. I'm still going to find myself at those troublesome distances. If I'm hitting from 400 yards versus 430, or whatever, I'm still going to end up at 170 if I hit it 230.
And I just can't hit even an 7 iron that far so I really lose control of my shot when it comes to 6 irons or higher. I just think scoring wise it might be better to baby it up to the green.
You are in nor cal?0standing out on the patio last night, drinking a beer watching the dog take a whizz between periods of the VAN/STL game.
started doing some practice swings and watching my reflection in the sliding glass door, and saw that i was locking my right knee straight immediately as my backswing begins. WTAF?? i have a feeling this is been going on for a while and contributing to much of my inconsistency on full-swing shots.
hope to get out on Wednesday and work on this without getting heat-stroke.
Hit me up if you come to AZ.Ended up winning my flight in the club championship pretty easily back in October. Won 6 and 4 and it honestly wasn't that close. The guy I played wasn't BAD (I dont think) but he had a bad day for sure and just didn't have the game to "beat" me on holes. If I didn't #### up, I was at least getting a halve. He actually put THREE drives OB on the first tee, so he conceded once I put mine in the fairway. After that, I never trailed.
Finally got my trophy this weekend. Its pretty nice and WAY more than I expected for the very modest accomplishment of beating three 12-15 handicaps. Its like an 18 inch wide wooden base with a 12 x 18 glass panel attached to it. Its got the bracket, my scores and club logo etched into it. Considering that 5 years ago I couldn't even get through a round without quitting, I'm fairly proud of how far I've come.
Ended up finishing the year at a 13. Got down to a 12.3 back in September but work got busy, the days got too short to play in the evenings and I just didn't have enough 85-86's to keep my number in the low 12's. But still really happy with the year. Accomplished a lot of my goals and played a lot more than I expected (started a new job in March, but the pandemic obviously allowed me to work from home, which helped)
Goals hit this year....get my index down under 13 (started at a 14.3), make an eagle (holed out on a par 4 back in like June), make 9 pars or better in a round.
Goals for next year....get my index under 12, get one flight higher in next year's club championship, shoot even par for 9 holes (shot a couple of 38's this year), break 80 for a round (my best is 82) go an entire round without a double bogey.
Probably no new clubs this winter. Gonna give my Irons 1 more year and probably my driver as well. Both will be 5 years old at this time next year.
My dad, brother and I are kicking around a trip in the Spring (probably to Whistling Straits and the surrounding courses) if travel allows. I'd also like to fly somewhere (like AZ or Florida) in February if safe to do so. I got 3 or 4 winter rounds in last year, but obviously can't count on that (and its certainly not happening any time soon in NJ with this NorEaster coming in today)
What happened?Welp - I think my Sunday morning group is offficially over. Sucks. Thats how I got half my rounds in. Not sure what Ill do now
Related to the Grandpa with the married GF issue in the Covid thread? It is 2020 afterall.old man drama
old man drama