2017 Golf Thread

Papelbon's Poutine

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I use Taylormade RBZ irons, an aero burner driver a couple hybrids from TM and then the wedge setup outlined above.
(Excuse me if I ask too many questions and just ignore if that's the case, I'm not the best golfer on here by any stretch of the imagination, but I am a club geek and love talking about this stuff).


Ok, so you're hitting what for hybrids and which irons (4-pw?) I'm not talking so much brand, but lineup? Are you at a full 14 clubs or could you add one? Why do you want to get fit for a new set? What part of your game costs you the most strokes - off the tee, approaches, around the green, putting?

RBZs are relatively new tech and you might be able to do a simple bend or lie adjustment to tweak if you feel like you're not hitting optimally. If you hit your full swings well and it's 150 in that's causing you issues, as CL noted, being able to take a full swing would be really helpful. And those are some big gaps in yardage for PW-SW. You could mitigate by planing your way around the course smarter - if you have choice of hitting a driver to leave you 115 yards in for a half pitch you struggle with, or a hybrid to leave you a full PW in, go with the latter - but you can also do both.

Unless you have an itch for a new set, I'd get a simple lie and length check (or you can actually do this yourself with contact tape and a piece of plexi glass, there's plenty of videos out there) and get them bent if need be. Buy the gap wedge for your set (50* - used sites, eBay, there's sites where they will literally find a particular individual club if you lose it, etc}, drop the 52 and sand and get a 54/58 or even a 56/60 sand/lob setup. I like knowing I can take a full swing and it's only going 85 yds. I'm actually debating adding a 62* if/when I get new clubs and dropping my 5 iron. The new 5 irons are the same degree as my current 4, which I don't use. So why not add a club I can take a full swing on from 60-65 yards instead of carrying dead wood?

The rest of the season try to make a note of where you're losing strokes, what type shots, at what distances, full swing or trying to 'muscle up' or hit a half shot. That should help tell you if it's you're gaps that are costing you strokes or you need new sticks.

If you just want to burn money on a fitting a new rig, I'm not one to judge ;) I blow money in clubs every year and I don't play enough to justify it.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Looks like I'll be getting fit for a new set. I broke my PW hitting on the range last fall and had to get my shaft replaced and yesterday snapped my 8-iron. I've been thinking about a new set for a year, but was hoping to wait until next spring. I'll probably replace the shaft so I can keep the set for a backup. It's pretty annoying, this is the fourth or fifth time I've snapped a shaft on the range.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Interesting. I'm indexing at a 13 so not a low capper here. I'm a newb in terms of equipment knowledge.

Planning on a fitting this coming winter anyways so I'll address the distance gaps then. My problem is I have a 145-150 club, then a 125 club (52) then a sand at 100 or so. I'd like to tighten that range up to 140-125-110ish then add maybe a 58 on top.
I'll give you a different perspective because I think there's some misnomer in this thread from folks that have never played "blades" and frankly don't know what they are talking about.

I started playing blades years ago when I was a high single to low teens handicapper. I like the clean look, smaller head and better feel of the clubs. The idea that the ball will go as far as any other club is pretty wrong for two reasons, MB clubs have higher lofts and the faces aren't as hot. So yes, your distances will be shorter, at least initially. However, they are not more difficult to hit, a miss-hit is a miss-hit regardless of which club you're hitting, the only difference is how the ball reacts.

Don't let people talk you out of it, go try them for yourself and you'll know whether they are for you or not. I got down to a low digit handicap using "blades". I actually think they've made me a better golfer. The feedback, to me, is worth it.
 

Phragle

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I use Taylormade RBZ irons, an aero burner driver a couple hybrids from TM and then the wedge setup outlined above.
Yeah you'll probably lose a little distance with a fitting anyway. Taylormade has a big distance boner. You need an approach wedge stronger than a 52. A 45 pw, an aw around 50, a sand around 55, and a lob around 60. That's what I carry. Driver, 3w, hybrid, 4-pw, 3 vokey wedges, and a putter is 14.
 

jercra

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I'll give you a different perspective because I think there's some misnomer in this thread from folks that have never played "blades" and frankly don't know what they are talking about.

I started playing blades years ago when I was a high single to low teens handicapper. I like the clean look, smaller head and better feel of the clubs. The idea that the ball will go as far as any other club is pretty wrong for two reasons, MB clubs have higher lofts and the faces aren't as hot. So yes, your distances will be shorter, at least initially. However, they are not more difficult to hit, a miss-hit is a miss-hit regardless of which club you're hitting, the only difference is how the ball reacts.

Don't let people talk you out of it, go try them for yourself and you'll know whether they are for you or not. I got down to a low digit handicap using "blades". I actually think they've made me a better golfer. The feedback, to me, is worth it.
The thing that makes CB faces "hot" is a higher COR than blades. But COR is only a small factor in distance. Launch angle, spin rate, contact and turf interaction are much more influential to distance than COR. CB irons have a larger face meaning you can miss the center by more and still hit the "sweet spot" more so than a blade. CB irons lower the center of gravity by moving the weight to the bottom perimeter of the club. This cause the ball to launch higher, which to lower speed swingers generally means more distance. CB irons generally have a larger sole that prevents digging, meaning cleaner contact on less pure hits. Most CB irons have an larger offset than most MBs, meaning people who tend to lose the ball to the right (most mid/high caps) will hit the ball with a more square face. Combine all of those things and the ball will generally go further with a CB than an MB, but a clean strike with an CB and a clean strike with an MB with all other parameters the same (loft, shaft, grip, etc.) will go generally the same distance (within a few yards). The difference is that, in general, it's easier to have that clean strike with a larger face, lower COG, slight offset and larger sole for people with less consistent swings. The notion that a blade is as forgiving than CB is like saying a persimmon wood is as forgiving as a modern 460cc driver. That's true if you always hit the center of the club. It's really not if you don't. FWIW, I tend to hit MBs of the same loft further because the COG doesn't try to launch the ball up in the air. I hit it much more out than up than just up with a MB.

None of that means that you shouldn't play blades, and really, these days there's not even a need to pick one over the other. I'm a 2 handicap and I've already said my next set will be mixed and progressive from CB to MB from 4-PW. You should hit them and see how they feel for you. I've known lots of 15 handicapper with a game that fit blades. I've known plenty of +2's who play with CBs. The point of this whole discussion was that it's not a good idea to switch to blades to hit a shorter PW, and it's not. Switching to blades made me a better player too, but I shot 73 in a tourney today on CBs. There's no "right" set of clubs but there are lots and lots of wrong sets of clubs.
 

southshoresoxfan

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I appreciate all the insight gents. I really don't know much about the techs on clubs, I just know as I'm making more consistent contact and flushing the irons more my distances are getting a little long for what I need.

I've always cobbled together sets of gently used and demo clubs w no rhyme or reason. I need new wedges as they were bought used and the grooves are fading. I think a winter fitting will be the route I choose. I will be playing enough next year to warrant it and I've gotten down low enough on a 200 dollar make shift set to at the very least have someone take a look at my swing.
 

FL4WL3SS

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The thing that makes CB faces "hot" is a higher COR than blades. But COR is only a small factor in distance. Launch angle, spin rate, contact and turf interaction are much more influential to distance than COR. CB irons have a larger face meaning you can miss the center by more and still hit the "sweet spot" more so than a blade. CB irons lower the center of gravity by moving the weight to the bottom perimeter of the club. This cause the ball to launch higher, which to lower speed swingers generally means more distance. CB irons generally have a larger sole that prevents digging, meaning cleaner contact on less pure hits. Most CB irons have an larger offset than most MBs, meaning people who tend to lose the ball to the right (most mid/high caps) will hit the ball with a more square face. Combine all of those things and the ball will generally go further with a CB than an MB, but a clean strike with an CB and a clean strike with an MB with all other parameters the same (loft, shaft, grip, etc.) will go generally the same distance (within a few yards). The difference is that, in general, it's easier to have that clean strike with a larger face, lower COG, slight offset and larger sole for people with less consistent swings. The notion that a blade is as forgiving than CB is like saying a persimmon wood is as forgiving as a modern 460cc driver. That's true if you always hit the center of the club. It's really not if you don't. FWIW, I tend to hit MBs of the same loft further because the COG doesn't try to launch the ball up in the air. I hit it much more out than up than just up with a MB.

None of that means that you shouldn't play blades, and really, these days there's not even a need to pick one over the other. I'm a 2 handicap and I've already said my next set will be mixed and progressive from CB to MB from 4-PW. You should hit them and see how they feel for you. I've known lots of 15 handicapper with a game that fit blades. I've known plenty of +2's who play with CBs. The point of this whole discussion was that it's not a good idea to switch to blades to hit a shorter PW, and it's not. Switching to blades made me a better player too, but I shot 73 in a tourney today on CBs. There's no "right" set of clubs but there are lots and lots of wrong sets of clubs.
Agreed on all points. My post wasn't directed at you.

Btw, my current set is a combo MB/CB and I love it. My 3,4,5 are CB and I finish off the set with MB. I think you'll love it.

The Parsons rep was at my course today and those clubs are legit. The players iron was a little thicker than I was used to, but the feel was incredible. The only issue I had was they added 10 yards to all my irons, which I don't need. Was able to mess with some different shafts, though, which was nice. I don't think the price is worth it, however. I'll probably be sticking with Titleist.
 

jercra

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I've seen them and taken a couple light indoor swings in the pro-shop but I just can't imagine paying that much for irons, game improvement irons no less. I believe they have very strong lofts on them too so your extra yardage may be also as a result of those. They just filed a lawsuit trying to block TMs new foam filled irons. I wonder how long they'll be in business if they lose that suit.
 

FL4WL3SS

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I started working with a golf coach at my club and yesterday was the first day. My goal, I told him, was to do whatever it takes to get to better than scratch so I can start being competitive in state tournaments and maybe USGA events.

After 10 minutes of hitting balls with him yesterday and telling him what I though I was doing wrong and what I had tried to do to fix it, he pulled me aside to show me what was really happening and I was WAY off on what I thought. He's basically tearing everything down and building it back up. My grip had gotten really strong, the club had gotten closed and I was way past parallel at the top. He changed my grip, my takeaway, my backswing and my downswing yesterday. I stood over the ball and told him I had no idea how I'd make contact with the ball. My grip felt fucking weird, and all the new moves were crazy to me. The thing is, I felt like I was over exaggerating all of the moves he was telling me and I still wasn't even close to the positions he wanted me in.

I was eventually able to make solid contact with the ball and I stayed a couple hours after the session to practice. He told me this will be painful and he was right, this is going to be a lot of work. I'm basically back to a 20 handicap right now, so this will be interesting. I'm going to be working with him 1-2 times per month for the next 6 months. We're picking off 20 years of scabs.

Change is hard.
 

southshoresoxfan

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I figured something out w my driver yesterday and hit 5/7 fairways with an avg distance of 290, including this little gem on 14 at Norton CC from the golds.

Got on in 2 and lipped out the eagle putt. Had a lesson w the pro and my head was all over the place on the backswing. Focusing on a tight turn w a still head.

ImageUploadedBySons of Sam Horn1506430372.164308.jpg
 

jercra

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I started working with a golf coach at my club and yesterday was the first day. My goal, I told him, was to do whatever it takes to get to better than scratch so I can start being competitive in state tournaments and maybe USGA events.

After 10 minutes of hitting balls with him yesterday and telling him what I though I was doing wrong and what I had tried to do to fix it, he pulled me aside to show me what was really happening and I was WAY off on what I thought. He's basically tearing everything down and building it back up. My grip had gotten really strong, the club had gotten closed and I was way past parallel at the top. He changed my grip, my takeaway, my backswing and my downswing yesterday. I stood over the ball and told him I had no idea how I'd make contact with the ball. My grip felt fucking weird, and all the new moves were crazy to me. The thing is, I felt like I was over exaggerating all of the moves he was telling me and I still wasn't even close to the positions he wanted me in.

I was eventually able to make solid contact with the ball and I stayed a couple hours after the session to practice. He told me this will be painful and he was right, this is going to be a lot of work. I'm basically back to a 20 handicap right now, so this will be interesting. I'm going to be working with him 1-2 times per month for the next 6 months. We're picking off 20 years of scabs.

Change is hard.
This sounds awesome and was something I've talked about as a Golf Channel reality show. I'd love to know how good a regular low handicapper could get if given the chance to work on their game every day with a coach, practice, a caddie, top fitting, etc. It would be fascinating to me to be able to watch a group of people get set up and put in a bunch of real tourneys with a FedEx cup style points system or whatever. Anyway, I hope you keep the thread updated wit your progress.
 

bostonbeerbelly

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Can anyone help with a golf course recommendation for an early morning tee time this Saturday (3-some). I will be traveling from the north shore towards Worcester, and was hoping to play somewhere in between and early enough that I could drop off my cousin in Worcester for work at a hospital by 1PM.

Only option I found was Green Hill - that had a 7:45AM tee time available. Anyone else with better recommendations?
 

TFP

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Green Hill actually isn't terrible if it's where you end up.

Highfields and Wachusett would be my other recommendations, but I haven't checked their availability. If those don't work let me know and I can come up with a few more.
 

Koufax

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You could try
Butter Brook
Juniper Hill
Cyprian Keyes
 

FL4WL3SS

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This sounds awesome and was something I've talked about as a Golf Channel reality show. I'd love to know how good a regular low handicapper could get if given the chance to work on their game every day with a coach, practice, a caddie, top fitting, etc. It would be fascinating to me to be able to watch a group of people get set up and put in a bunch of real tourneys with a FedEx cup style points system or whatever. Anyway, I hope you keep the thread updated wit your progress.
For sure if people are interested I'll definitely keep with the updates.

I've put in 2 practice sessions (totaling about 4-5 hours of work) and already feel a lot more comfortable with the changes. I'm going to get myself on video today to see if I'm even close to any of the positions he wants me in. I can definitely feel the grip trying to go back, so that's my #1 focus before hitting each and every ball.

I probably won't play a round for a while, but it will be interesting to see how things shake out on the course eventually.
 

jercra

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For sure if people are interested I'll definitely keep with the updates.

I've put in 2 practice sessions (totaling about 4-5 hours of work) and already feel a lot more comfortable with the changes. I'm going to get myself on video today to see if I'm even close to any of the positions he wants me in. I can definitely feel the grip trying to go back, so that's my #1 focus before hitting each and every ball.

I probably won't play a round for a while, but it will be interesting to see how things shake out on the course eventually.
What are the parts of the game are you focused on the most? Doesn't sound like gaining distance is high on the list. Accuracy? Consistency? For me, the difference in my great scores vs. my regular scores is almost always in my approach game or my putting game. If I had the time or inclination I would work almost entirely on 80 yards and in. In fact, I played 36 on Sunday and shot 74/75 (in men't club so that's putting out) and it could have easily been 68 in both round had I been able to hit better approaches or make a couple more 10 footers. The guy I played with in the second round shot 66 by basically hitting every approach shot to inside 20 feet and making near every putt.
 

bostonbeerbelly

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Green Hill actually isn't terrible if it's where you end up.

Highfields and Wachusett would be my other recommendations, but I haven't checked their availability. If those don't work let me know and I can come up with a few more.
You could try
Butter Brook
Juniper Hill
Cyprian Keyes
I think Cyrpian Keyes will win over - one of our threesome really likes that place. Thanks guys
 

Comfortably Lomb

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I think Cyrpian Keyes will win over - one of our threesome really likes that place. Thanks guys
There is no course in central Mass. that I dislike more than Cyprian Keyes. Basically the whole course is covered in environmentally protected OB and the hole designs pretend they're clever but they're really just a pile of doglegs wedged into whatever land the course was actually allowed to build on. It's probably worth playing once so you can see how annoying it is. It's like an impoverished man's version of Red Tail. Oh, and forced carries all over the place so if there is a weak player in your group they're going to go through a lot of golf balls.

Kettle Brook and Highfields are both nice. I like Green Hill and Wachusett. Not sure how busy they are this time of year.
 

Koufax

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Hey, Lomby, it could be worse - It used to charge prices like it WAS Red Tail. The market caught on.
 

FL4WL3SS

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What are the parts of the game are you focused on the most? Doesn't sound like gaining distance is high on the list. Accuracy? Consistency? For me, the difference in my great scores vs. my regular scores is almost always in my approach game or my putting game. If I had the time or inclination I would work almost entirely on 80 yards and in. In fact, I played 36 on Sunday and shot 74/75 (in men't club so that's putting out) and it could have easily been 68 in both round had I been able to hit better approaches or make a couple more 10 footers. The guy I played with in the second round shot 66 by basically hitting every approach shot to inside 20 feet and making near every putt.
Right now I'm focused on ball striking and consistency. I had a swing that worked sometimes really really well and sometimes really really poorly and often within the same round. If any pressure was on, then forget about it, I wouldn't know which swing would show up. I often get by on distance and good eye-hand coordination. I need to build something reliable.

Once I do that, I'll concentrate on wedge play. My distance often has me at 130 and in. I'm pretty good at being able to flight the ball and get the ball landing with different spin variations (forward, backward, left, right), but definitely can hit some squirrelly shots that cost me those really good scoring rounds.

After that, I want to work on my ball patterns and different flight paths with my irons and driver. I can do high/low and left/right, but not consistently and confidently and sometimes not even on demand.

I'll work in parallel on putting, but that's never been a major issue for me. My sand game needs a lot of work, so I plan on giving that equal time during all of these other improvements.
 

TFP

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There is no course in central Mass. that I dislike more than Cyprian Keyes. Basically the whole course is covered in environmentally protected OB and the hole designs pretend they're clever but they're really just a pile of doglegs wedged into whatever land the course was actually allowed to build on. It's probably worth playing once so you can see how annoying it is. It's like an impoverished man's version of Red Tail. Oh, and forced carries all over the place so if there is a weak player in your group they're going to go through a lot of golf balls.

Kettle Brook and Highfields are both nice. I like Green Hill and Wachusett. Not sure how busy they are this time of year.
Amen, I co-sign this post 100%. I despise Cyprian with a deep deep passion.

Of course earlier this year I played it for the first time in like 3 years (wasn’t my decision) and shot 87 without losing a ball. Felt like I conquered my nemesis and have no desire to ever go back again. Even with the price reductions.

Green hill is super underrated. It has nice views, an interesting track, and the greens are in really good shape. And the price is right too. I played there a couple weeks ago and they’re doing a bunch of construction on the back 9 and look like they’re adding a range and some new/different holes too.
 
A brief return of my Scottish Chronicles: I played today for the first time since early August, in the monthly medal at Dunbar, which is pretty shocking to realize but totally understandable given other things happening in my life and career. It was a lovely morning but a pretty nothing round - I had a 20-foot birdie putt at 16, needing to make it and then finish par-par to keep my handicap from slipping up to 4.5 (and therefore 5), but I missed it, bogeyed 17 and then hit my tee shot over the wall at 18 and made a quad. Ouch. But I thought I'd mention the round because my two playing partners - one off 6, and the other off 9 - both had pre-shot routines which consisted of one quick practice swing, then immediately stepping up to the ball without a pause and hitting it. Why more people can't adopt such routines and just get on with their golf is beyond me; this should be the norm, not the exception.

(My own pre-shot routine consists of a quick waggle - barely a practice swing - then stepping behind my ball to pick an aiming point, then swinging thereafter; my routine used to be a lot longer, but after coming to Scotland I decided upon a "When in Rome..." philosophy and consciously shortened it, with no ill effects at all. If anything, the shorter routine is better for me, in that I can't overthink things so much.)
 

jercra

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Amen. I played in a Ryder Cup style tourney this weekend (27 holes a day) and was in the second to last group of the singles matches yesterday afternoon. The group ranged from 2 to 5 handicappers and not one of us takes more and a few seconds to hit each shot. Had we been playing just a regular round on a clear course I think we would have finished in well under 4 hours. Instead, it was over 5. In match play. Slow golfers baffle me.
 

southshoresoxfan

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Amen. I played in a Ryder Cup style tourney this weekend (27 holes a day) and was in the second to last group of the singles matches yesterday afternoon. The group ranged from 2 to 5 handicappers and not one of us takes more and a few seconds to hit each shot. Had we been playing just a regular round on a clear course I think we would have finished in well under 4 hours. Instead, it was over 5. In match play. Slow golfers baffle me.
Played w a guy Friday that stood over each shot for a minimum of 30 seconds. I was so annoyed and frustrated that it threw my game off. He, of course, absolutely sucked too.
 

Plantiers Wart

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Amen. How many times have we played with a hacker who makes a few beautiful practice swings and then chunks the shot? Don't waste them.

Only times I will take a practice swing is for a little pitch around the green. Never for full swings. As I get older, I know I only have so many swings in me for a round....
 

4 6 3 DP

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Im probably the fastest player at my club. I am absolutely convinced in 99% of cases that pace of play is the inverse of skill level. I am fast and not great so Im an exception and the guy I play most with is a pretty good player and is slow as &^%$ but in most case the hacks think a pre shot routine is important.
 

Koufax

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Just curious, how long to do guys take to line up a lengthy putt - 15 feet or longer? I like to consider myself a reasonably fast player, but when it come to lining up putts, particularly if there is a decent break, I like to look at the putt from three sides before committing to a line. That process takes me about 30 - 45 seconds, I imagine. I try to get most of it done before it is my turn to putt, but that's not always possible.
 

Light-Tower-Power

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Just curious, how long to do guys take to line up a lengthy putt - 15 feet or longer? I like to consider myself a reasonably fast player, but when it come to lining up putts, particularly if there is a decent break, I like to look at the putt from three sides before committing to a line. That process takes me about 30 - 45 seconds, I imagine. I try to get most of it done before it is my turn to putt, but that's not always possible.
Probably somewhere in the 10-15 second range. At that distance I'm pretty much trying to just get it to within a foot or two.
 

TFP

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Just curious, how long to do guys take to line up a lengthy putt - 15 feet or longer? I like to consider myself a reasonably fast player, but when it come to lining up putts, particularly if there is a decent break, I like to look at the putt from three sides before committing to a line. That process takes me about 30 - 45 seconds, I imagine. I try to get most of it done before it is my turn to putt, but that's not always possible.
The bolded is the key. I definitely prefer to line up my putts from at least both sides of the hole, but I'm doing it while others are putting/chipping if possible. Obviously need to stay out of their lines and not do while they're actually hitting, but I've found that once it's my turn I need no more than 10-15 seconds of a routine to putt. The only exception is if I'm away when we all get up to the green, then it's not possible. But then there's time while people are marking their balls, etc.
 

steveluck7

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I can live with an otherwise fast player being slower on the greens. You have an exponentially better chance to hit a 30 foot putt than you do to land a shot in a 5 yd circle from 150+ yards in the rough. Take the extra time on the green
 

4 6 3 DP

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There are little tweaks on that - always bring your bag to the back of the hole if carrying or bring the cart back there, so by definition you've got to walk that part of the green anyways. I don't really think of that part of golf as slow. There are very slow guys on the green but it's normally once they are over the ball. The rest of it seems to work itself out.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Interesting. I’ve found being annoyed by slow players to have very little to do with them standing over the ball. I guess the best I could describe it is as a lack of attention span and consideration for others.

They’ll drive the cart over to their buddy’s ball, sit in the cart while he waits to hit, he takes a couple practice swings, hits, then they drive over to the other guys ball, he takes swings, etc. if he dropped him off, went to his ball, they both hit and he came back, it would save a lot of time added up.

Or, they’ll be slaves to ‘etiquette’ rules that really have no place in the average round. A guy will wait while his partner looks for his ball before he hits his own because his partner is further away and it’s ‘his turn’. Or will mark a three foot putt because he’s not away.

Or they’re completely unrealistic about their ability and when they go in the woods or rough they’re looking fifty yards further than they can hit it and they weren’t paying attention when it went offline.

Or something dumb like its cart path only and they are on the other side but only bring one club, then need to go back for another when they get to the ball and realize they don’t have the right stick.

It’s a simple term but ready golf is a legit and simple solution. Whoever is ready hits. Fuck honors, fuck who’s away. Play with a double par or some other max on a hole and then pick up. Don’t go back to the tee for an ob shot, hit a provisional or just drop (I really wish they’d included that in the rule changes).

It could simply be sample size, but I don’t often recall ever considering someone standing over the ball to be the issue, nor have I ever seen any correlation to talent level. I’ve played with single digits that take forever and a guy that’s on a yearly trip that usually shoots about 130 - with picking up a few holes - who quite literally sprints between shots. And Ive played with (or behind) plenty of both the other way around.

Slow play is painful, but it’s kind of like traffic on a highway. There’s a dozen factors that lead to the backup, we just only see the ones immediately ahead of us when there’s a dozen we can’t see further up that are contributing and it snowballs.
 
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Papelbon's Poutine

Homeland Security
SoSH Member
Dec 4, 2005
19,615
Portsmouth, NH
Good point. Let's talk about how you're a 20 handicap some more.

Guys, fall golf is the best golf.
It really is great, especially in NE. Next weekend is our regular fall trip. Samoset Resort, Belgrade Lakes and Sunday River. I’m so so antsy to go and play some great courses and have a blast with the group. This year has been a complete waste, golf wise, as I haven’t been able to play much and everyone in the group has been swamped by family or work. It’s going to be awesome to just play and eat and drink with my friends and blow off some steam.
 

Light-Tower-Power

ask me about My Pillow
SoSH Member
Jun 14, 2013
15,947
Nashua, NH
Fall golf is my favorite golf. Conditions are still good, it's beautiful, the courses thin out, and you don't sweat your ass off. Would recommend the Shattuck in Jaffrey, NH for the fall scenery. You'll lose like 15 balls (well I would) but I'm not sure I've seen a more beautiful golf course when the leaves change.
 

Byrdbrain

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
8,588
The Shattuck is beautiful but it is totally tricked up and is goofy golf. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but I guess to each his own.

I do agree fall golf is great though as more leaves fall you can easily lose a ball right in the fairway which can be annoying as hell.
 
I'll see you Shattuck (which I have played...so much target golf!) and raise you The Country Club in Brookline. My favorite tree in the world is about 40 yards to the right of the second green, a huge oak standing alone which in the autumn is like a fireworks display, and the whole course is just gorgeous at that time of year.

A funny story: in my senior year of high school, I had narrowed my choice of colleges down to two: Harvard and Notre Dame. The reasons to choose Harvard were obvious, but I went to a Catholic high school that played the ND fight song, my Dad was a huge "subway alum", I was weaned on Irish football from an early age, I loved the campus in South Bend (and am not a city boy at heart), and generally I thought it might suit me to be a bigger fish in a smaller pond. Anyway, my Mom wanted me to go to Harvard, and to help influence me she got in touch with the Harvard golf coach and found out that they played and practiced at Brookline. I can honestly say that the deciding factor in my matriculation decision was the possibility of getting to play TCC a few times, even if I were to get cut from the team. Of course, I wound up making the team and got to play at Brookline for the better part of four years, which was simply incredible.
 

Light-Tower-Power

ask me about My Pillow
SoSH Member
Jun 14, 2013
15,947
Nashua, NH
The Shattuck is beautiful but it is totally tricked up and is goofy golf. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but I guess to each his own.

I do agree fall golf is great though as more leaves fall you can easily lose a ball right in the fairway which can be annoying as hell.
Oh yeah I totally agree as far as the actual golf is concerned but it's fairly cheap and I think it's worth it once for the scenery as long as you don't take your game too seriously because it'll break you down.

Overlook in Hollis and Amherst CC are my local go-to's for fall golf because they're usually still in good shape and they do a decent job of leaf control.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

Homeland Security
SoSH Member
Dec 4, 2005
19,615
Portsmouth, NH
Fall golf is my favorite golf. Conditions are still good, it's beautiful, the courses thin out, and you don't sweat your ass off. Would recommend the Shattuck in Jaffrey, NH for the fall scenery. You'll lose like 15 balls (well I would) but I'm not sure I've seen a more beautiful golf course when the leaves change.
You should check out Sunday River. Not sure what it's looking like this year - the lack of cool nights and weird temperature patterns this year have messed with foliage - but it's majestic in the fall. To see the mountains and all the foliage is amazing.
 

TFP

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Dec 10, 2007
20,380
Oh yeah I totally agree as far as the actual golf is concerned but it's fairly cheap and I think it's worth it once for the scenery as long as you don't take your game too seriously because it'll break you down.

Overlook in Hollis and Amherst CC are my local go-to's for fall golf because they're usually still in good shape and they do a decent job of leaf control.
Yeah The Shattuck is not fun for golf. The views are indeed awesome.

Fall golf is absolutely the best. Pants and a quarter zip is the ideal golf uniform.
 

steveluck7

Member
SoSH Member
May 10, 2007
3,994
Burrillville, RI
Yeah The Shattuck is not fun for golf. The views are indeed awesome.

Fall golf is absolutely the best. Pants and a quarter zip is the ideal golf uniform.
Playing tomorrow and this uniform was what I hoped when we scheduled the day but looks like summer attire... oh well, still get the views and foliage and hopefully not too much wind off of Narragansett Bay.
 

southshoresoxfan

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
5,249
Canton MA
Very annoyed. Shot a 37 on the front at my course today, parred 10 then we got called off for rain. Was 2 over through 10, have never shot under 80 on a real course.

Belonging somewhere is great tho. I've played a ton more and am feeling more and more confident standing over the ball. Handicap is down to 9.9 from 13 a month ago.