2014 SoSH Golf Thread

[jercra]

In your guys valued opinion how quickly should i be able to progress to a 10ish cap? Started two summers ago, 29, hit it pretty long and play 27ish holes per week. Im currently shooting a tick better than bogey golf.

Obv everyone is different but what is a normal arc?

I'm not really sure there is a normal arc.  Do you know the strengths and weaknesses of your game?  Do you take lessons?  Do you practice or do you just play?  IMO I'd say there are basically 4 things that will get you better: 1) Lessons.  2) Practice.  3) Play more golf.  4) Get fit for clubs to match your game.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

I'm not really sure there is a normal arc.  Do you know the strengths and weaknesses of your game?  Do you take lessons?  Do you practice or do you just play?  IMO I'd say there are basically 4 things that will get you better: 1) Lessons.  2) Practice.  3) Play more golf.  4) Get fit for clubs to match your game.

I dont have a glaring weakness. My shortgame has gotten much better. I often do not have a blow up hole anymore, but i also have only made 12 birdies since last oct. My approach shots from 100plus need work, and a little more consistency with FIR.

How often would you recommend lessons? I take them occasionally (2-3x per season). I go to the range and work on specific stuff 1x a week. I feel the basics of my swing are in a good place right now. Still fight a little fade with my driver, but overall i get through the ball well.

 

[jercra]

I dont have a glaring weakness. My shortgame has gotten much better. I often do not have a blow up hole anymore, but i also have only made 12 birdies since last oct. My approach shots from 100plus need work, and a little more consistency with FIR.

How often would you recommend lessons? I take them occasionally (2-3x per season). I go to the range and work on specific stuff 1x a week. I feel the basics of my swing are in a good place right now. Still fight a little fade with my driver, but overall i get through the ball well.

Well, there has to be something wrong with your game or you'd already be a 10 or better.  Do you track your stats at all?  My casual observation playing with higher handicaps is that they don't hit many GIR and they don't make many one putts.  I'd suggest lessons once a week or every 2 weeks and don't just focus on your full swing.  Get some chipping, approach and putting lessons too.  And when you practice, skip the full swing every other time and just chip and putt.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

I avg 2.0 putts per GIR and a little better on non GIR greens which to me says my accuracy and consistency on approach shots is my downfall. I hit about 60 percent fairways.

I guess when I said no glaring weakness I meant i think the newbie gains so to speak are gone and the bi weekly lessons are probably the next step.

Anyone have a go to guy in the Canton area?

 

[doldmoose34]

Have any of you guys played the Wynn course in Las Vegas? I have 5 nights coming up at the Encore next week.
 
I hear in the summertime you might get out for around 350.00 or so. (I'm not paying 500.00 unless it's Pebble Beach.)
 
 
 
Is it worth 350?

I've never played it but Ive stayed there a lot (comp'd) know when I was picking up a shirt in the pro shop there the girl said the summer special was like $275 this was a couple Augusts ago and agree $500 is just for Pebble

 

[Zomp]

So I've been playing well, and my club championship qualifying is this weekend.  Of course, I break my foot playing soccer yesterday and am put in a cast for the next month

 

[Duende Roomer]

George Wright is fun. First two holes are straightforward and easy then you get to 3 and its like wtf. The back is much harder than the front, though so maybe not just tiredness

 
Three at least is fairly straightforward. The blind tee/second shot on five is a killer. You can be absolutely cruising along through six and then seven, nine, ten, and even eleven just destroy you. Plus they're keeping the rough at four or more inches. I had a few balls just off the fairway two weeks ago and it took several minutes to find them.
 
That being said, it is a great layout in really good shape (especially considering the way it was in the recent past).

 

[FL4WL3SS]

So I've been playing well, and my club championship qualifying is this weekend.  Of course, I break my foot playing soccer yesterday and am put in a cast for the next month

Dude that suuuuuuucks. I'd be miserable.

T&P

 

[Leon Trotsky]

 
Three at least is fairly straightforward. The blind tee/second shot on five is a killer. You can be absolutely cruising along through six and then seven, nine, ten, and even eleven just destroy you. Plus they're keeping the rough at four or more inches. I had a few balls just off the fairway two weeks ago and it took several minutes to find them.
 
That being said, it is a great layout in really good shape (especially considering the way it was in the recent past).

 
Yes, they have made some very measurable improvements. If anyone is ever looking to play there, hit me up. I live five minutes away.

 

[bostonbeerbelly]

I am sure some people have played Cyprian Keyes, so I am just looking for any helpful tips or thoughts on the course.  I am playing in a charity tournament the 25th (Putt for Presents) and don't have another weekday beforehand to take advantage of the free round they offer. 

 

[Leon Trotsky]

Ugh, probably hardest course I have ever played. I am a 22 handicap so not terribly good, but I am pretty sure I did not have a level lie a single time during the round. SO hilly.
 
I played Blackstone National last week which was really great. Anyone else play there?

 

[bostonbeerbelly]

Ugh, probably hardest course I have ever played. I am a 22 handicap so not terribly good, but I am pretty sure I did not have a level lie a single time during the round. SO hilly.
 
I played Blackstone National last week which was really great. Anyone else play there?

 
Glad we will be playing a scramble then.  Our team ranges btw 10-18 handicap and I don't think there is an A and B flight so my hopes are not terribly high.

 

[Dogman]

Received an email about this today:
 
http://www.scottycameron.com/gallery/default.aspx#video-tour
 
Anyone going to make an appointment?

 

[Dogman]

So I've been playing well, and my club championship qualifying is this weekend.  Of course, I break my foot playing soccer yesterday and am put in a cast for the next month

 
I'm with FLAWFUL, I'd be misearable. Get well.

 

[Plantiers Wart]

So I've been playing well, and my club championship qualifying is this weekend.  Of course, I break my foot playing soccer yesterday and am put in a cast for the next month

 
Played first day of my club's member guest today, and someone's guest played with his broken left foot in a walking boot - shot an 84, too.  (he supposedly is an 8) 

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Received an email about this today:
 
http://www.scottycameron.com/gallery/default.aspx#video-tour
 
Anyone going to make an appointment?

Scotty Cameron putters are overrated. And I say that as a complete titleist fanboy.

 

[SaveBooFerriss]

I left for a two week vacation on June 18.  No golf on the vacation. I got back on July 1 and was planning on playing last Sunday, but my back started giving me problems, so I couldn't play.  I figure it would clear up for I made a tee time for Saturday, that I ended up cancelling yesterday.  There is no end in sight o these back problems.  I can't walk for more than 10 minutes without having to sit down because of the pain.  I've been told it should clear up in a couple weeks.  So, no golf for me for a month or so.    

 

[patinorange]

I've never played it but Ive stayed there a lot (comp'd) know when I was picking up a shirt in the pro shop there the girl said the summer special was like $275 this was a couple Augusts ago and agree $500 is just for Pebble

I pulled the trigger and did it. Got out for $300. I think the overall experience was worth it. They treat you like a king and getting the clubs from the car to the clubhouse and back was all seamless for hotel guests. There is a beautiful locker room and first rate facilities.

I played from the whites. It's a very nice course with plenty of water and hilly terrain. The greens were great.

I played alone. The place was pretty much empty. A forecaddie is required and since I was alone he did everything from reading the greens to giving me a few valuable tips. All the caddies are PGA professionals and if my guy John was any indication, they are relaxed, personable, and are geared towards you having a good time. Outstanding.

I shot an 89 which I was pretty proud of. My highlight was on 18. A tough par 4 with the golf villas along the left side. The patios provide a little audience for golfers coming up 18.
I dumped my third shot into a deep green side bunker. Somehow I popped it out to foot. Tap in and a little applause.

My only complaint is it went too fast.
3 hours with a couple of playing lessons thrown in.

I don't think I would pay 500 but it was a nice once in a lifetime round.

I would imagine most people on the course are comped high rollers.

 

[Phragle]

What would cause my driver (r1) to suddenly start sounding different and weird? From the first hit today I noticed it sounded different. It was louder, had a funny pitch and a reverb like sound to it. I made sure all the screws were tight.

 

[Freddy Linn]

What would cause my driver (r1) to suddenly start sounding different and weird? From the first hit today I noticed it sounded different. It was louder, had a funny pitch and a reverb like sound to it. I made sure all the screws were tight.

Did you crack the face? Dunk it in water, although sometimes the hairline cracks are so small you don't see bubbles. After submerging it for a while shake it to see if water got inside.

 

[Phragle]

No bubbles I could see. Maybe I'll submerge it over night. Or I could try to get a refund. I bought it two months ago and have only used it twice.
 
It sounds like two metal pipes colliding.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

No bubbles I could see. Maybe I'll submerge it over night. Or I could try to get a refund. I bought it two months ago and have only used it twice.
 
It sounds like two metal pipes colliding.

Probably a fake. Post pictures.

 

[Phragle]

That's weird.


What do people here have for a wedge set up? When I got my new irons a cpl years ago, the fitter moved me from 56/60 to 54/58 as the gap wedge in my new set (R11s) was a 50, whereas I carried a 52 vokey in old configuration.

What I find is that I rarely hit a full 54. I either have to hit an easy 58 or get on top of a 54 - both of these generally lead to bad shots. I'm thinking of going back to 56/60 and also going back to highest bounces possible (I'm a digger) as he put me in mid.

Here's my current avg yds:

8- 155
9- 140
PW-125
G-110
S-100
L-85

Id rather have that 15 yd gap on those last two by going up a couple degrees.

Just curious what everyone else goes with.

 
Makes sense. 
 

Probably a fake. Post pictures.

 
I doubt it. I got it at Dick's. I used it at my fitter, the range once, then cut the shaft .5", and haven't used it for six weeks. It was fine until I tried it today. I can't imagine cutting the shaft did any harm.

 

[doldmoose34]

Wedges, the set of RBZs that I got this spring came with just what I needed. An A (50degree) wedge. For my shitty game it Fits right in that 75-105 gap where I'd have to either stand on my Vokey 55 or ease way the fuck off the PW

I LOVE THAT CLUB

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I doubt it. I got it at Dick's. I used it at my fitter, the range once, then cut the shaft .5", and haven't used it for six weeks. It was fine until I tried it today. I can't imagine cutting the shaft did any harm.

If it's used, there's no guarantee. Nobody at Dick's is checking whether or not their trade-ins are fakes or not, trust me.

 

[Plantiers Wart]

Anyone ever diagnosed with "golfer's elbow"?  After playing four straight days, I woke up to find my right forearm badly bruised from wrist past the elbow.  Not in bad pain, but worst bruise I have ever seen.  Diagnised as golfer's elbow with slight tear of a muscle in the elbow, which explained the bruising.  So on the shelf for two to four weeks.  Just curious if this will now be a recurring inury I need to worry about in the future.... 

 

[southshoresoxfan]

The worst part when people find out you dont totally suck at golf? Being asked to play in every stupid 150 dollar foursome tourny in massachusetts. Played in one and it was the least enjoyable 6hrs of my life.

 

[Doug Beerabelli]

I was in Hyannis for my daughter's dance competition a couple weeks ago, and stayed at the resort where it was located.  Also attached to it was Twin Brooks golf course, an 18 hole par 3.   Got out one afternoon with my 9 year old son and my dad.   I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the course.  Greens/course  were in good shape, variety of holes (one 215 yds, a couple around 190, 2-3 160s, the rest in the 100-140 range).  Water on 8 holes, too.   Very much enjoyed the round.   And best part was it kindled an interest in golf for the boy, something I've been patient with so far.  He's got his own clubs, has done First Tee a couple times, and could participate in the junior program at my club if he wanted.  He hasn't for the most part, but with baseball season over, he's very into the golf now.   We did a parent child pinehurst on Saturday (he carried me), he played with him mom after work yesterday, and we might go out today.   I've purposely had a light hand with him on pushing golf, but I've repeated the mantra "you have a great opportunity to play, and play a lot for free - I suggest you take advantage of it."   His dad remembers going into his own pocket for greens fees in his youth, which certainly was not a bad thing . 
 
Family will be going to Hawaii in a few weeks, and the four of us (13 year old daughter) will be playing Kapalua one day.   Looking forward to knocking that one off bucket list.   Plan is not to push kids too much (have them pick up ball or just enjoy the ride/views if they tire of hitting the ball).   Wife is a golfer, so I'll have backup to battle the "I want to go back to the hotel" conversation.   Might try to get out on one of the Big Island courses if time permits, too.

 

[Plantiers Wart]

I've played that Twin Brooks course a few times with my son when we rented in Centerville.  Another fun one is Blue Rock in Yarmouth. 
 
Biggest problem he had at Twin Brooks was we teed off about 6:30 every morning to get round in before the beach - and he would be yelling when he made a putt or hit a green.  Not a big favorite of the resort guests with rooms overlooking the course....

 

[Freddy Linn]

Just got tickets for one of the practice rounds at Augusta.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Couldnt be happier with where my game is heading right now. Cracked 40 two rounds in a row. Hitting my clubs long with a draw off the tee and 16 putts each of my last 9 hole rounds with a total of 9 GIRs. One thing im noticing on my irons im getting a really deep divot and they are missing right and slightly short. So im hitting them fat obv. Too steep a plane the likely culprit?

 

[jercra]

Couldnt be happier with where my game is heading right now. Cracked 40 two rounds in a row. Hitting my clubs long with a draw off the tee and 16 putts each of my last 9 hole rounds with a total of 9 GIRs. One thing im noticing on my irons im getting a really deep divot and they are missing right and slightly short. So im hitting them fat obv. Too steep a plane the likely culprit?

Yup.  Take the irons as straight back as you can (on the range obviously).  Try to picture a ball behind your club at address that you roll parallel to your stance to start your swing.  On the range you can actually set a ball behind your club and roll it away from your target to start your swing.

 

[Freddy Linn]

So I'm a decent middle-aged low handicapper who has never gone lower than par/72.  Playing the back tees at 6,668/par 71 – 72.8/135 slope with a +2.4 and a 2.
 
Make the turn in +1, pretty good.  Go par/par/par/birdie/par/birdie/par.  Huh, one under with two unreachable par 5’s to go.  Lay up on 17 to 110, hit a PW to 15 feet, lip out and make par.  Fine.  Just don’t hit it in the river and at worst you will make 6 and shoot 71.
 
Hit it in the river.
 
Drop in an awful area and an awful lie.
 
Punch hook 4-iron around some trees, pretty good, takes a wicked hop somehow right and trickles back into the hazard, but playable.
 
172 from the hazard, great 5-iron takes a bad hop into the greenside bunker.  I lay 4.
 
15 yard bunker shot with river long.  Don’t skull it.
 
Hit it to three feet, putt is right edge.
 
Make it for 6 and personal best of 71.
 
Edit:  just under three hours.  The plus shot 70 making nothing, the 2 shoots +1.  Mine was the only six on the card.

 

[doldmoose34]

Just got tickets for one of the practice rounds at Augusta.

Asshole I just got the email I didn't


Kidding a-boot the asshole

 

[4 6 3 DP]

Question for the better (or really all of you) golfers here:
 
I grew up playing tennis and basically created a golf swing from my fairly good tennis swing. As such, my arms are fairly dominant in my swing. I'm inconsistent as hell. Some days I am pretty crisp, other days I am chunking all over the place. Probably shoot around 100 realistically, best round this summer is 92 on a day it was generally working. 
 
I work with a guy who played good college golf and still shoots scratch consistently and he has said at this point, I simply don't load off my back leg and coil my hips properly, if anything, my belt buckle might point to 2 o'clock best case. 
 
My real question is that I have taken just practice swings for two days loading and then pointing my belt buckle at the target. It of course feels bizarre to me, but my bigger question is - if I started right now with a pro, how many lessons would it take to break me down and start over?  Again assume I have pretty good hand eye coordination and I'd practice. 
 
I know this isn't exact science but trying to decide what I should do. Not sure I should try and figure this out myself. I would like to get better.

 

[Import78]

If you want to get better, take lessons.  You won't figure it out on your own.  I started golf a few years ago and was wildly inconsistent.  I took a few lessons last year and decided to take more this year. Started with video analysis, drills and such, worked on fundamental swing mechanics etc.  I'm way better now (NB: I still suck at golf), much more consistent.  I took about 5 lessons last year and took another 5-10 this year.  About half of those were 'group' lessons with my wife and I as the group with her getting most of the attention.
 
I take my lessons at the local driving range and the pro there has been great, if he sees me hitting a bucket he'll check in, watch a couple and throw a few tips my way.  He also helped me out a lot at a demo day with which clubs to try and buy.

 

[doldmoose34]

You won't be getting any tips at Dicks sporting goods any more, with golf sales down big at the chain, they whacked all the PGA pros who staffed the stores. They are Taylor Made and Callaways biggest resellers and the shitload of new product both have flooded the market with was a huge factor. One article I read in the past cpl days said how a driver that was $299 a year ago (R1?) is now $99. Takes a lot of ball sales to make up that loss of margin

 

[jercra]

Has anybody used any of the Scotty Cameron Dual Balance putters?  I've used a few counterbalanced putters before but never a putter designed to be counterbalanced.  I'm going to go play around with some tomorrow if I can find a pro-shop that has them but was looking for any feedback I can get first.  I'm asking because all of a sudden I suck at putting and the only way to fix it is by spending money, obviously.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Napkin, OGG, and I are seeking a 4th for a round at Highfields this Sunday at 12:05.

PM or post in the RMPS game thread if interested. Namaste
 
edit: there will be onion rings

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Anyone play the North Course @ Foxwoods before? Getting married next year and I think I'm going to do the golf package as part of my bachelor party.  The championship tees are 7600 yards 76.6 rating with a 145 slope...i.e. way harder than anything I've ever played.  Looks amazing though.  I've been capping around a 11 level the past month so shooting 90 would be the goal.

 

[TFP]

So my game has come a long way this summer. I'm now consistently in the mid-low 90s and have broken 90 a few times. Playing a lot of 9 holes during the week and am around 45 as my norm, and yesterday I shot a 41 at a difficult course (Marlborough CC) that included 3 missed birdie putts under 10 feet, so it easily could have been under 40. 
 
Not sure what has really changed, other than just consistency and my mental game. My swing feels good but I'm not hitting amazing shots, just making good contact and keeping the ball in play. The biggest help has just been limiting my bad holes. For me, a bad hole is now a double bogey, not a double par. And I've gotten a lot better at shaking off bad holes and moving on to the next. For example, yesterday I was 2 over going into 17 (we played the back) and tripled it. Came right back and put my tee shot on the par 3 18th within 6 feet, and naturally missed the putt. 
 
Pretty excited moving forward. I think I will need some real lessons and practice to ever make the jump to a single digit handicap. Sitting at about 18 now (down from 23 to start the summer).

 

[FL4WL3SS]

So my game has come a long way this summer. I'm now consistently in the mid-low 90s and have broken 90 a few times. Playing a lot of 9 holes during the week and am around 45 as my norm, and yesterday I shot a 41 at a difficult course (Marlborough CC) that included 3 missed birdie putts under 10 feet, so it easily could have been under 40. 
 
Not sure what has really changed, other than just consistency and my mental game. My swing feels good but I'm not hitting amazing shots, just making good contact and keeping the ball in play. The biggest help has just been limiting my bad holes. For me, a bad hole is now a double bogey, not a double par. And I've gotten a lot better at shaking off bad holes and moving on to the next. For example, yesterday I was 2 over going into 17 (we played the back) and tripled it. Came right back and put my tee shot on the par 3 18th within 6 feet, and naturally missed the putt. 
 
Pretty excited moving forward. I think I will need some real lessons and practice to ever make the jump to a single digit handicap. Sitting at about 18 now (down from 23 to start the summer).

You combine that 41 with another good nine holes and you're going to drop below an 18 significantly

 

[TFP]

Would one 18 hole score really make a big change to it though?

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Depends what the rating/slope of the tees you played, but an 18 handicap posting an 80-82 would bring your cap down, yes.

 

[Freddy Linn]

Kind of spitballing this, but one round with a crazy handicap differential can move your index 10-15%.

 

[bostonbeerbelly]

I am looking to join a country club for next year. Does anyone on the north shore have any input on my final 2 I am down to.
 
Bass Rocks vs Ferncroft?
 
I was a previous junior member of Bass Rocks, live in Gloucester and work in Manchester so the commute is very easy.  I also have many family friends as members, feel comfortable there, and the price is right.
 
Ferncroft...I played for the first time last week, played great shot an 85 playing with the GM. 40 on the front/45 on the back. Love the course, was much tougher than Bass Rocks is and really felt like a true golf club with a championship caliper course. 
 
Right now it really comes down to the cost and where I will play the most.  If anyone has any input on what I should be looking at in making my decision I would appreciate it, and if I am overlooking an obvious choice in the area, throw that out as well.  I will hopefully be getting in at minimum 2-18 hole rounds, 2-9 hole rounds and 1-2 days on the range a week (I have a lot of free time in the summer). 

 

[TFP]

Kind of spitballing this, but one round with a crazy handicap differential can move your index 10-15%.

Cool. Let's hope for a few more crazy handicap differentials before the end of the summer, then.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

So ive made the executive decision that I am going to get fitted for clubs over the winter. Ive dropped my cap from 18-19 to 10-11 this season w a mixed bag of hand me downs, used, and demo clubs.

Whats a reasonable price range I should be expecting to spend? Anyone have a good go to guy in or around the boston area? Any recommendations or thoughts on how much the right set can improve my game? Putter fitting? Ball fitting? (If thats even a thing) Im a newbie with regards to all of this.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

So ive made the executive decision that I am going to get fitted for clubs over the winter. Ive dropped my cap from 18-19 to 10-11 this season w a mixed bag of hand me downs, used, and demo clubs.

Whats a reasonable price range I should be expecting to spend? Anyone have a good go to guy in or around the boston area? Any recommendations or thoughts on how much the right set can improve my game? Putter fitting? Ball fitting? (If thats even a thing) Im a newbie with regards to all of this.

My biggest suggestion, wherever you go, is to not let the fitter talk you into clubs that don't look and feel good to you. They may suggest game-improvement clubs that are fat and clunky and don't fit your eye or they may suggest more of a players club that can look thin and small if you're not used to it. Pick out the club head that you're most comfortable with and then get fitted for the right shafts.

In my mind, the two most important things when getting fitted are comfort and shaft. If you get those two things right, you'll be good. They may get you on a trackman and try to tell you this driver head puts 200 rpm less spin on the ball than that driver head, but if you're not comfortable with it then the advantages are going to be negated.

Also, definitely get a putter fitting. Most people overlook this, but it's probably the most important fitting one can get at your level. Putting is all about feel and less about technique, so get a putter that fits you and you feel comfortable with.

I'd say ball fitting is last, but definitely something to think about as you become a better golfer.

 

[steveluck7]

I'll second Joe & Leigh's. I got fitted for irons last spring. Like PP said, i went in and hit 5 different brands then narrowed it down. Ultimately settled on TaylorMade RocketBladez. I was like you, and had a bag of hand-me-downs that i had gotten used to over the years so my one word of caution is to not be surprised if you some difficulty the first few rounds with your new clubs. It took me a bit to get used to them as they were longer and had a different lie angle than my old set.