2015 SoSH Golf Thread

[Freddy Linn]

I have no idea what you're even saying here. I'm playing the wrong clubs?
 
I'm a 4.5 handicap with a custom set of Titleist MB irons. My 9-iron has 43 degrees of loft. I'm not bragging, but I play with a lot of really good players that are better than I am that hit it even farther than I do.

 
Maybe I shouldn't have been so categorical (especially since I was thinking about GI clubs), but if you are carrying a 9-iron 160 then you likely are gapping yourself with your wedges way more than you need to given how many of your shots are going to be in that range if you are playing from normal tees. 

 

[FL4WL3SS]

 
Interesting my PW is 44 degrees. So if your 9 iron is 43 - what does your set look like that after for degrees PW/52/56/60? Something else in between the PW/52 a Gap? 
 
 
This goes against everything I have been working on this year, and maybe that is wrong. I used to try to hit my 7-PW as high as possible, now I am trying to keep them on the same launch angle as other irons and a more solid strike is allowing them to check up after landing. 

My PW is 47 degrees; I then have a 52, 56 and a 62.
 

 
Maybe I shouldn't have been so categorical (especially since I was thinking about GI clubs), but if you are carrying a 9-iron 160 then you likely are gapping yourself with your wedges way more than you need to given how many of your shots are going to be in that range if you are playing from normal tees. 

How am I gapping myself? I have 10 yard increments between clubs - my PW carries 148-150, I then own a 52 degree wedge that I can step on to get to 140, but rarely do. I use my PW as my 150-120 club and sometimes even as my 100 club depending on the conditions. My 56 can be stepped on to carry 120, but I use it as my 50-100 club and from 50 and in it depends on the shot I'm trying to play which determines any number of clubs I will use.
 
I don't really understand your 'gapping' argument. I have a club in my bag that can get me all the way up to 270 from the fairway (3W - 62 degree), I don't really pay attention to the number on the bottom of the club. Just because I carry my 9-iron 160 doesn't mean I use it for my 160 shot. Depending on conditions and the type of shot I'm trying to hit, I'll use anywhere from a PW through a 6 or 7 iron for a 160 shot.
 
Outside of my driver, I take maybe a handful of full shots in a round. Most of my irons shots are between 50-80%.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

As a matter of fact, when I'm playing poorly it's usually because I'm trying to hit all of my clubs to their max potential. If I'm pulling 9-iron for a 160 shot, I'm usually playing like shit.

 

[Freddy Linn]

My PW is 47 degrees; I then have a 52, 56 and a 62.
 
How am I gapping myself? I have 10 yard increments between clubs - my PW carries 148-150, I then own a 52 degree wedge that I can step on to get to 140, but rarely do. I use my PW as my 150-120 club and sometimes even as my 100 club depending on the conditions. My 56 can be stepped on to carry 120, but I use it as my 50-100 club and from 50 and in it depends on the shot I'm trying to play which determines any number of clubs I will use.
 
I don't really understand your 'gapping' argument. I have a club in my bag that can get me all the way up to 270 from the fairway (3W - 62 degree), I don't really pay attention to the number on the bottom of the club. Just because I carry my 9-iron 160 doesn't mean I use it for my 160 shot. Depending on conditions and the type of shot I'm trying to hit, I'll use anywhere from a PW through a 6 or 7 iron for a 160 shot.
 
Outside of my driver, I take maybe a handful of full shots in a round. Most of my irons shots are between 50-80%.

 
My gapping argument comes down to the fact that most decent amateurs aren't Tom Kite with three/four wedges and three/four swings.  It's nice that you can do it, but most amateurs only have one speed, and when you are carrying a 9-iron 160, you just don't have a whole lot of options inside 150.  It has to be on or around a number for you to be consistently successful.  If you can carry a 9-iron or whatever 40/42 degree club 160 with a reasonably high ball flight, transition to a players CB, accept a little distance loss, and give yourself more options in the distance range that you are going to have most frequently.  I think that in a strange way TaylorMade is making the game harder for certain people.
 
And if it matters, my game sounds a lot like yours expect my driver swing speed isn't 125 and my 9-iron carry yardage is 144.  And I play with a ton of pros and really good ams.  160 carry with 9 is still really impressive.

 

[doldmoose34]

thats an interesting post with the lofts from the 90s i know that since I bought my Taylor Made RBZ GI irons last year distance has taken a bit of getting used to, IE: i was hitting my King Cobra Tour II 6 iron 150-155, now I'm hitting the RocketBallz 8iron 150 just like I did with my old MacGregor MT Tourneys 30 something years ago

and I love my 50 degree A wedge, best club in bag from 100 in

 

[southshoresoxfan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arGp8aQJXQU
 
This is my 8iron swing.  Anyone care to comment/critique? I think i can get a little more vertical with the club instead of wrapping around the body a little lower.  This was a nice 165-170ish draw.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Your backswing is around and then up, it needs to be more up and then around. Look at your take away when the club is parallel to the ground, the club is behind your hands and inside.

Watch this: https://youtu.be/3uyxn1G73cc

And this: https://youtu.be/tgwNEpvQQqE

Pretty good action through the ball, though.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Your backswing is around and then up, it needs to be more up and then around. Look at your take away when the club is parallel to the ground, the club is behind your hands and inside.

Watch this: https://youtu.be/3uyxn1G73cc

And this: https://youtu.be/tgwNEpvQQqE

Pretty good action through the ball, though.

Thanks! Yeah that was my thought as well. I end up in a good slot on the downswing but kinda get there backwards.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

I hate that guys voice but the wrist thing absolutely works. Getting me in the right slot much easier.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Well that was the best range session in a long time. The wrist hinge thought in the backswing locked my driver in place swing after swing.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Work on it for a week and then post another vid.

 

[The Napkin]

I would probably pay for your round if you followed me around and gave swing thoughts like that. Or at least a beer or two. Half a handie?

 

[southshoresoxfan]

I would probably pay for your round if you followed me around and gave swing thoughts like that. Or at least a beer or two. Half a handie?

Stay away from my swing coach

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Hey now, there's plenty of me to go around.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Also, I prefer ZJs.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

I sell wine. Unlimited samples.

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

Played Kettle Brook in Paxton last friday. Casual round. I suck off the tee. Lost maybe six balls. Highlight of the day was jacking a ball about 100 yards right and OB on a par five, striping my second tee shot down the middle, sticking a 200 yard approach over a greenside pond to 10-15', and 2-putting for a bogey. What's really frustrating is my mid-irons are so sharp. If I could just locate my driver in and around the fairway I would be fiiine. Not playing for four years will really mess with your game.

 

[The Napkin]

Have any of you played Lake Kezar up in Lovell, Maine by any chance? Going to be up there soon and am thinking about taking the clubs along.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Anyone want to play anywhere in ma this saturday? None of my usual crew is arounf

 

[doldmoose34]

Guys I'm scoring for the Symetra tour tournament at Thorney Lea yesterday and today. You can't believe how these little girls pound the ball

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Played DW Field in Brockton yesterday. In a word two words, never again.
 
The course itself was in pretty decent shape (especially the greens) for late summer and $35 walking. However, it seemed like they were spacing tee times by ~6 minutes, and it ended up taking us 2:40 to play 7 holes. Should have probably seen it coming given it had times available on a Friday night but still...

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Played DW Field in Brockton yesterday. In a word two words, never again.
 
The course itself was in pretty decent shape (especially the greens) for late summer and $35 walking. However, it seemed like they were spacing tee times by ~6 minutes, and it ended up taking us 2:40 to play 7 holes. Should have probably seen it coming given it had times available on a Friday night but still...

DW is brutal. Had a 9:40 tee time a cpl Sats ago and it took us 1 hr and 30 min to tee off on 4. It sped up a little after that but it was awful.

Decent shape tho, mildly challenging on the back and cheap. During the week its faster.

 

[LogansDad]

I played here in Alamogordo today, and shot a 44 on the back 9, which I am almost certain is my best 9 holes ever.  The front wasn't awful (for me) at 53, but was hurt by a 10 (with 3! lost Vice golf balls) on the 9th hole, and possibly the worst chip I have ever made on the second hole that turned a great approach to about 20 feet (but in the rough) into a 7.  If it weren't for those two holes it might have ended up being my best round ever (but can't we say that about every round?).
 
On the back 9 something just clicked, really for the first time all year.  I was still spraying my drives a bit, but I was hitting my mid and long irons really, really well.  My chipping was spot on (came about an inch from holing one out for birdie), and ended up with four pars, three of them in a row.  I just wish I knew what it was that clicked so that I can repeat it next time.  I think what really helped though was that I got a little more comfortable with my iron distances, so I wasn't trying to crush everything, which helped to keep my body aligned, as I was having a really hard time the last few rounds keeping my hips from rotating too much causing me to hit behind the ball a lot.
 
I have some extra money this month, so i think I am going to grab the Game Golf system, and maybe even a lesson as I don't think there is really anything else I can teach myself.  
 
As an aside, a bunch of us are renting a house in Phoenix the 1st through 4th of October. We are planning on spending a lot of time at Top Golf because it looks like a lot of fun, but are also planning on playing at least 18 both days.  What courses do you guys recommend that combine both good price and great golf? 

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Got a chance to play Belmont CC yesterday for a company outing w Frank Nobilo. What an amaIng day. Got a chance to work w Frank at the range for a bit 1 on 1 before a lot of the other golfers got there.

Great course. Amazing shape. True greens. Thick rough..shot an 89 which I was very happy with. Highlight of the day was at Franks hole (15 155 yard par 3 guarded by 4 bunkers) i stepped up after he shot and stuck one inside of his and nailed the 10 foot birdie putt and he lipped his out

So for one day...one hole...i was better than a former PGA pro. Pretty cool

 

[Lupe Whalewatch]

Got a chance to play Belmont CC yesterday for a company outing w Frank Nobilo. What an amaIng day. Got a chance to work w Frank at the range for a bit 1 on 1 before a lot of the other golfers got there.

Great course. Amazing shape. True greens. Thick rough..shot an 89 which I was very happy with. Highlight of the day was at Franks hole (15 155 yard par 3 guarded by 4 bunkers) i stepped up after he shot and stuck one inside of his and nailed the 10 foot birdie putt and he lipped his out

So for one day...one hole...i was better than a former PGA pro. Pretty cool

 
I was there too!! Frank went to the green with you guys? He stayed on the tee when we got there. He's a super nice guy...seemed genuinely interested in talking golf with us. 

 

[southshoresoxfan]

 
I was there too!! Frank went to the green with you guys? He stayed on the tee when we got there. He's a super nice guy...seemed genuinely interested in talking golf with us. 

Heh yeah. We had a 3 some because one of my customers bailed. Who were you playing w? Do you work at Horizon or a store?

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Heading up next weekend with a group of guys to play Belgrade Lakes on Saturday and Samoset on Sunday. Psyched, I've never played either and have never heard anything but great things about both. In addition, got a hookup and the rooms at Samoset will be cheap (about 40% of rack rate) and the golf is free.

 

[Lupe Whalewatch]

Heh yeah. We had a 3 some because one of my customers bailed. Who were you playing w? Do you work at Horizon or a store?

Neither-I guess there were a couple late cancellations, and a buddy who invited me knows the guy who puts it together. We were 3 and got paired with a guy who runs fine wine division at horizon (I think). Some great giveaways, and I managed to take down $150 for long drive.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Neither-I guess there were a couple late cancellations, and a buddy who invited me knows the guy who puts it together. We were 3 and got paired with a guy who runs fine wine division at horizon (I think). Some great giveaways, and I managed to take down $150 for long drive.

Sweet deal. Yeah it was an awesome event. Wish it was 10 degrees cooler tho i fell apart a little the last few holes.

 

[TFP]

Next weekend, my friends and I have our annual Ryder Cup weekend. Usually it's 8 guys from one of my hockey teams, 4 on 4, with 2 man teams of 9 holes Best Ball, 9 holes Alternate Shot, 9 holes scramble, then individual 18 hole match play the next day at Pinehills.
 
This year, we incorporated another team, and its 8 on 8. Doing 27 holes at Crosswinds on Saturday, 18 holes at Pinehills on sunday. All handicapped and planned out in advance, we spending the night down in Plymouth too. 
 
It's going to be awesome, and it's going to be a disaster. I can't wait.

 

[LogansDad]

That sounds like an unbelievable weekend.  I didn't get to play at all while I was home because of family stuff, but I really wanted to play Pine Hills.  Enjoy!

 

[cshea]

I played awful last week, so....obviously it is the clubs fault! Let's buy some more! I ordered a 58 and 62 degree Cleveland Chrome Satin wedges. Also bought a Rocketballz Stage 2 3-wood.

Anyways, my biggest issue is around the greens. My putting is acceptable, but I can't chip to save my life. Skulls, straight duffs, stubbing the club into the ground....that sort of thing. Feels like I throw away 10-15 shots per round just from sucking a chipping. Instead of bogey golf, it turns the round into doubles and triples. Frustrating.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Try squeezing the club like youre ringing out a sponge a few times before you take a swing. Helps you feel softer hands. Also dont slow down at the ball. Sounds like you are stabbing at it.

 

[cshea]

Will try that, thanks. Decelerating is definitely an issue of mine. Every chip..."don't decelerate, don't decelerate...." then stab at it.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Try overexagerting the shoulder turn through the ball on the follow through. Sail a couple in the air but past the hole. Then adjust backswing accordingly. Works wonders for me as a warmup drill.

 

[Freddy Linn]

Stand closer to the ball and get really upright. Hover the club at address just a bit (most folks dip during the back and through). Smoothe out the tempo. That will, at the very least, solve hitting chips fat/sticking it into the ground.

 

[LogansDad]

So this Game Golf thing is pretty awesome, 
 
Picked up a new driver last night, and it is way more forgiving than my 12-ish year old R360 but I definitely need to practice with it.   Played two rounds today, and both would have been pretty good if I could have avoided the one major blowup hole on either of them.  
 
Going from slow green in the morning to a course with really fast greens in the afternoon was.... not helpful.  I also need to start practicing chipping, like all the time.
 
My Game Golf profile is daveawrit, if anyone else is using it and wants to add me.

 

[jercra]

As an aside, a bunch of us are renting a house in Phoenix the 1st through 4th of October. We are planning on spending a lot of time at Top Golf because it looks like a lot of fun, but are also planning on playing at least 18 both days.  What courses do you guys recommend that combine both good price and great golf? 

Late response but We-Ko-Pa is 36 holes of amazing golf in Scottsdale and they have special for $155 for 36 holes (it's 2 18's) during the time you'll be there.  $80 a round isn't cheap normally but it is for 2 fantastic courses in Scottsdale.  It's not your typical "through the houses" bullshit down there.  It's great layouts and great conditions just out in the cactus filled desert.  Loved both rounds there enough that I'm playing them both again in December.

 

[jercra]

Anyways, my biggest issue is around the greens. My putting is acceptable, but I can't chip to save my life. Skulls, straight duffs, stubbing the club into the ground....that sort of thing. Feels like I throw away 10-15 shots per round just from sucking a chipping. Instead of bogey golf, it turns the round into doubles and triples. Frustrating.

The simplest tip I can give for consistent contact on chips is to keep your hands in front of the clubface through the shot.  The biggest mistakes I see from high handicappers in chipping is trying to "throw" the ball into the air.  That leads to flipping the hands at the ball. Here's a good drill from "The Golf Fix" that will help get that feeling down:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14WNR5GaZLg

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Chipping is actually a strong suit for me. Take your normal stance, then adjust so the ball is aligned with your back foot, so about a half step up, keeping hands ahead and shaft is leaned forward. Your target is to land the ball on the green and your club selection determines how far it rolls out. My swing thought is "pocket to pocket" - my hands move back to my right pocket and forward as far as my left pocket, with no hinge on the wrist, keeping the hands in front of the club head. No movement in the lower body. It's basically a putting stroke, if you will. I've since adapted to a more feel based approach and do most of my chipping with a sand wedge or lob wedge and adjust my hand speed, but practicing with different clubs for different distances is a good start. Focus on landing the ball five paces onto the green and go with anything from a seven iron to a wedge depending on how far you want it to roll out.

 

[cshea]

Thanks, guys. Will give it a shot. I definitely do get handsy with my chips trying to flip it.

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

Will try that, thanks. Decelerating is definitely an issue of mine. Every chip..."don't decelerate, don't decelerate...." then stab at it.

 
It's going to take a ton of practice beating that out of your system, assuming you're not being facetious about your mental state. Good luck hitting your brandy-new chip shot under pressure if you don't have enough reps in. That's asking to just think you're "bad at chipping" or something when it doesn't work for you when you need it most.
 
Anyway, all of the stuff about set-up kind of misses the point IMO. You need to be accelerating through the ball, and you can't be throwing the clubhead with your hands (or said another way, your hands should be ahead of the ball slightly at impact). Sounds like you're stabbing at the ball because your hands/wrists are too active. There is a tempo to it, and you will likely launch balls past the hole as you're getting a feel for it (at least you should since it will mean you've committed to proper contact and aren't trying to get cute with distance control). The good news is it is something you can practice in your living room over the winter--set up some pillows as a landing spot or something.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Since we are on chipping...ive found myself w some tough angles near the green lately. I know the obvious solution is to be better about plan of attack on holes, but when faced with a tight landing area over a hill, what kind of shot do you guys go to? Do i need to just get confidence in the high flop? Just wondering if anyone had a good go to alternative for that kind of spot.

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

Since we are on chipping...ive found myself w some tough angles near the green lately. I know the obvious solution is to be better about plan of attack on holes, but when faced with a tight landing area over a hill, what kind of shot do you guys go to? Do i need to just get confidence in the high flop? Just wondering if anyone had a good go to alternative for that kind of spot.

 
Depends how floppy you want to get? Being able to open your highest lofted wedge at least a little is very useful. But the more you put the ball in the air around the green the harder to control (IMO) and the higher risk for a mis-hit... so you don't want to start thinking of it as your universal get-out-of-jail card. It's a high maintenance shot too, you need to have confidence in it. If you have access to a club with a decent short-game area at the area you can work on it; the problem is the ball will come out very differently depending on lie, and the clubhead will bounce differently too so you need to have some idea what is going to happen. You're taking a bigger swing when flopping and if you catch the ball thin, watch out, it is going to go a while (and you can go right under it sometimes too which just leaves you right back where you started plus a stroke).
 
I used to be much more aggressive opening up my 60-degree but I also used to practice it all the time at the range (like, take a giant 150-200 ball bucket, empty onto the green from various awful lies, then clear it and repeat... a couple times a week). Now, only if I'm out of options because I don't have the time to practice like I did in high school and college. I try to bounce a lot of pitches onto greens when short-sided, if I can. Depends on the rough and slope, etc. Minimize risk rather than go for several hero shots a round.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Yea. Ive been playing a local links course a lot and theres some driveable par 4s that are just begging me to hit driver. Im ending up pin high but in tough spots. Ill just tee up a 6iron and play a regular 130 yard ish approach in for now. But i do need to work on getting some confidence in that open face shot.

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

Yea. Ive been playing a local links course a lot and theres some driveable par 4s that are just begging me to hit driver. Im ending up pin high but in tough spots. Ill just tee up a 6iron and play a regular 130 yard ish approach in for now. But i do need to work on getting some confidence in that open face shot.

 
If you're intent on doing this start by opening up your lob wedge only about 20-degrees, take an open stance relative to the hole, and aim for contact with the ground more toward the heel of the sole than with a standard shot (edit: don't confuse this with contact point on the face of the club). Swing path should either be in line with your feet or between your feet and the path to the hole. You'll have to learn how to aim it over time. If your hands aren't ahead of the ball at impact you're dead. Try out of pristine first cut/fairway fringe lies first since they're the easiest since the ball isn't too tight or buried in grass you can just work on the shot (judging how the ball will come out of the rough is the hardest part IMO) That's only a starting point; flop shots are "feel" territory. You'll need to learn what works for you. It's worth noting that the more you hit the ball off the toe the "deader" the shot.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

And DO NOT decelerate the club. It's counter intuitive, but a flop shot needs speed in the club head.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

And DO NOT decelerate the club. It's counter intuitive, but a flop shot needs speed in the club head.

Yeah my best ones messing around i take a pretty healthy whack through w a half backswing..my success rate is only about 50 on the range tho

 

[jercra]

Yea. Ive been playing a local links course a lot and theres some driveable par 4s that are just begging me to hit driver. Im ending up pin high but in tough spots. Ill just tee up a 6iron and play a regular 130 yard ish approach in for now. But i do need to work on getting some confidence in that open face shot.

How's your sand game?  The flop is almost the same as a standard sand shot.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

How's your sand game?  The flop is almost the same as a standard sand shot.

Get out 99 percent in 1 shot. Have a pretty good feel for it. Just blast my right knuckles down into the sand is the cue i use and turn all the way through. Interesting cue for the flop never thought of it that way