2018 Golf Thread

[The Needler]

Needler, sounds like PP didn't follow the below part of the guidance in your link. When he replaced his ball, if he'd instead just placed his putter alongside the marker and placed his ball on the green that would have reversed how he'd marked the ball. The way he did it might have ended up with the ball a little closer to the hole. But I can't imagine ever calling someone on that, or ever playing again with someone who would raise that objection.
In order to accurately replace the ball on the spot from which it was lifted, the steps used to move the ball or ball-marker to the side should be reversed.

I didn't read his original post that way, but yes, I'd agree that if he placed the marker where the ball originally rested and then the ball in front (or behind, or next to) it, that would be a violation. I thought our antagonist was just claiming you were required to first mark behind, and then to the side, and not permitted to mark directly to the side.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

He was saying I needed to mark behind the ball in its original position. Then align my putter head to a fixed position and then move the mark. Then reverse process to replace.

I simply aligned putter head to the ball and marked on opposite end of head, then replaced it after his stroke.

He didn’t make a big show of it, he never does, he threw in a smarmy ‘ya know, were this a tournament...’., which is his way. I preemptively withdrew from the hole I was about to halve, the $5 wasn’t worth listening to about in perpetuity or him suddenly hawk eyeing me. I simply said I didn’t know that rule and remember going forward ‘so that if I was in tournament...’ He’s also the kind of guy that counts everyone else’s strokes on every hole in his head. He’s actually a good friend he’s just a dick about this topic and like I said, we don’t particularly play with him much anymore.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Marking the ball correctly is actually one of the areas of the rules that I think is super important (at least until they change the rule that you can fix anything on the green). I also thinks it's one of the hardest places to govern and people cheat and bend the rules on the greens the most.

You can give yourself a pretty big advantage on the green by marking and moving your ball even a couple millimeters. Better line, get it out of a divot or out of the way of a spike mark, etc. The mark the ball in front of the ball and replace the ball in front of the ball mark is probably the most used cheat of all time.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

It was just a culmination of his nit picking on little shit like that. It was a Saturday afternoon round, drinking, playing for small stakes and the foursome ranged from a 10 to a 21 handicap. A millimeter isn’t helping any of us. He literally agreed I got no advantage and it was same spot, just that I didn’t do it properly in sequence. It was just douchey. But like I said I took the penalty and bit my lip to preserve the friendship, I just don’t play with him much anymore and the other two guys gave me shit afterwards for letting him get away with it.
Whatever. I’ve no problem with gamesmanship in a tournament on something like that, it’s not needed in a friendly round with buddies imo. If you’re scratch and playing for $100 a hole, sure. When I’m a 16 and he’s a 13 and we’re friends playing for $5 per hole per team, yeah, I think that’s going over the top a bit, but your mileage may vary.

Edit: if anyone has issue with pace of play, this guy is at the top of your list with shit like this and insisting on using a rangefinder for every shot. The most of us have gps watches. ‘Anyone got a yardage?’ ‘Yeah, it’s 147 front, 161 middle, 172 back; pin is middle’. “Ummmmm...rangefinder says it’s 159 to pin, just so you know’. Thanks doctor, if any of use could hit a 7 iron with that much precision e wouldn’t be playing for $5/hole.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I use a range finder on every hole and can generally hit it with that much precision and I only play $2 Nassau typically unless I play the course pot game. I don't think the better you are the more you play for. In fact, I usually see the higher handicaps playing for the most money.

Someone recently told me a funny story. His buddy played at Augusta with a random group of guys and a member. One of the guys was talking smack on the first tee and turns to everyone like a big shot and asks "how much we playing for?" And the member turns to him and asks "how much you worth?" Mr. Bigshot chuckles and the member insists "sir, how much are you worth?" Mr. Bigshot spits out some number and the member says "ok then we'll play for that". At this point Mr. Bigshot is nervously agreeing and the member quickly retorts "sir, at Augusta we play for nickles and dimes".

 

[jercra]

I use a range finder on every hole and can generally hit it with that much precision and I only play $2 Nassau typically unless I play the course pot game. I don't think the better you are the more you play for. In fact, I usually see the higher handicaps playing for the most money.

Someone recently told me a funny story. His buddy played at Augusta with a random group of guys and a member. One of the guys was talking smack on the first tee and turns to everyone like a big shot and asks "how much we playing for?" And the member turns to him and asks "how much you worth?" Mr. Bigshot chuckles and the member insists "sir, how much are you worth?" Mr. Bigshot spits out some number and the member says "ok then we'll play for that". At this point Mr. Bigshot is nervously agreeing and the member quickly retorts "sir, at Augusta we play for nickles and dimes".

Yeah, I agree totally (other than you being able to hit it with that much precision). In fact, where I play my men's club we're putting together a "scratch" game with all low handicappers and no strokes given. The buy in will be a princely $20. In general we play a $2 or $5 Nassau. $5/hole would be unthinkable to just about everyone I play with. In most cases, bets are paid off with beers at the end of round.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Hey I said generally! Purposely ambiguous.

When I lived in Columbus I played in a regular Wednesday game with two of my best buddies that could sometimes get out of control. One guy was a +1-0 handicap and the other was a 0-2 handicap. $2 Nassau against each guy, unlimited presses when down and a snake was always in play that started at $1 and doubled every three putt. You had to pay out to each guy the snake total. There were a couple $128 payouts on the snake alone and once a putt that would have been worth $256 had it been missed on 18. I almost lipped it out and almost shit my pants.

 

[Eagle3]

Here's my recent rules violation story: Two weeks ago I played in a 2 man best ball tourney with one of my buddies.
They had an odd number of teams, and we were last to sign up, so the pro sent us out with one of the kids from the bag room as a marker
(he played with us and kept our score). On the 4th hole we both hit good drives to a blind landing area, and our balls
ended up perfectly in line with each other 10 yards apart. I hit first and knock it on to about 20 feet. My partner mis-hits his shot, but
ends up just short of the green. As I'm walking toward my ball on the green, he's getting ready to chip and I hear an "Oh Shit".
Before he said anything more, I go to mark my ball and realize I had hit his ball, and he had hit mine. We were playing the same ball, different number, and I even had a mark on my ball. BUT, there was nobody in front of us so we were playing fast, and we had a side conversation going in between shots that distracted us both. He is consistently longer than me, so I was a dumb ass and assumed the shorter ball was me (I remember looking at the ball quickly, but it was sitting in a way where the number wasn't visible). After I hit, he didn't check the other ball closely, assuming that I had just hit my ball, and the kid playing with us was on the other side of the fairway.

SO, instead of making an easy 4, possibly 3, we both take a 2 shot penalty and had to re-play from the correct spot. We were both a
little rattled, and both made bogey when we went back and re-played the second shots, plus the penalty, for a triple. We ended up 1 over for the day with 15 pars, 2 birdies and the triple. We would have tied for 2nd if we made par, tied for first with a birdie. Instead we finished 4th, out of the money. Those kind of mistakes ALWAYS come back to haunt you.

I've hit the wrong ball in casual rounds before, but that's the first time I've ever hit done it in over 40 years worth of tournaments. I doubt it would have happened if we had been paired up with 2 other guys playing the tournament. It took away the tournament "feel" playing with the kid as a marker, and we lost focus.

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

Flawless is right about the importance of ball marking, especially in tournament play, but I would never voluntarily play again with someone who chirped about ball marking in a friendly round. That’s insufferable jerk territory.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

I use a range finder on every hole and can generally hit it with that much precision and I only play $2 Nassau typically unless I play the course pot game. I don't think the better you are the more you play for. In fact, I usually see the higher handicaps playing for the most money.

Someone recently told me a funny story. His buddy played at Augusta with a random group of guys and a member. One of the guys was talking smack on the first tee and turns to everyone like a big shot and asks "how much we playing for?" And the member turns to him and asks "how much you worth?" Mr. Bigshot chuckles and the member insists "sir, how much are you worth?" Mr. Bigshot spits out some number and the member says "ok then we'll play for that". At this point Mr. Bigshot is nervously agreeing and the member quickly retorts "sir, at Augusta we play for nickles and dimes".

I assure you he can’t hit it with that much precision, nor can anyone else in our group. If someone hits the green on a 3, they generally have about an 80% shot of being guaranteed the greenie.

And fair point about gambling. We don’t usually play for more than a buck or two a hole and greenies/birdies/eagles, but that particular guy always ends up jacking stuff up higher.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Flawless is right about the importance of ball marking, especially in tournament play, but I would never voluntarily play again with someone who chirped about ball marking in a friendly round. That’s insufferable jerk territory.

Funny you mention it I do recall an iffy mark on the 6th last week from you...

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Happy Open Week. This is sneaky my favorite major. The course is so burnt out guys are hitting 457 yard drives. The ball just won’t stop. I can’t wait.

 

[Zomp]

Best part about the open is after the final round we can go and play 18

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Best part about the open is after the final round we can go and play 18

Absolutely. Open all weekend then I got Torrey Pines next Monday AM. Apologize in advance to my employer for my productivity level this week.

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

USGA and R&A have agreed to something on green reading books. No details yet but it looks like the news just broke. Something to keep an eye on.

https://golfweek.com/2018/07/19/usga-ra-have-agreed-to-severely-restrict-green-reading-books/

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

Inspired by the action at Carnoustie, I went out last night about 7:30 to play a few holes...and on the first fairway discovered that the battery for my electric trolley hadn't charged despite having been plugged in for several weeks. (I discovered when I got home that the charger had given up the ghost.) I barely made it through the third hole, which loops back to the clubhouse, before having to trade it in for a push trolley sitting outside the pro shop, and after the fifth hole I was discomfited enough that I just gave up. Really wanted to play all 18, and I probably could have made it around before dark, but alas.

Oh, and I know electric trolleys aren't really a thing in the US, but having one has been my best ever golf-related investment. Being able to walk but not have to spend any energy carrying my bag is just fantastic.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Inspired by the action at Carnoustie, I went out last night about 7:30 to play a few holes...and on the first fairway discovered that the battery for my electric trolley hadn't charged despite having been plugged in for several weeks. (I discovered when I got home that the charger had given up the ghost.) I barely made it through the third hole, which loops back to the clubhouse, before having to trade it in for a push trolley sitting outside the pro shop, and after the fifth hole I was discomfited enough that I just gave up. Really wanted to play all 18, and I probably could have made it around before dark, but alas.

Oh, and I know electric trolleys aren't really a thing in the US, but having one has been my best ever golf-related investment. Being able to walk but not have to spend any energy carrying my bag is just fantastic.

Hope you had 14 clubs

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

I wish I could hit a driver even moderately straight with some consistency. I’m so good with my irons right now and just can’t hit a fairway. My 3-wood isn’t much better either. Oh well.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

I wish I could hit a driver even moderately straight with some consistency. I’m so good with my irons right now and just can’t hit a fairway. My 3-wood isn’t much better either. Oh well.

Fun game right?
I've had driver issues for years, but always nailed my 3W and hybrids. Swapped them all out and now I'm grooving my D and can't hit a 3W or hybrid for shit. So I swapped those out again, first test drive is Sunday. It's gotta be the club right???

 

[Phragle]

I wish I could hit a driver even moderately straight with some consistency. I’m so good with my irons right now and just can’t hit a fairway. My 3-wood isn’t much better either. Oh well.

Together we'd be decent foursome team. I drive, you iron on, & I one putt birdie.

Is it a one way miss or are you spraying everywhere?

 

[Light-Tower-Power]

My swing is still pretty much fucked but at least I'm dialed in from inside 30 yards or so. Golf is hard.

 

[TFP]

My swing is still pretty much fucked but at least I'm dialed in from inside 30 yards or so. Golf is hard.

Right there with you man. We're probably in the exact same place.

As an update - I've bit the bullet and signed up for lessons. Had a new student eval and a full lesson already. Found out (pretty quickly) how terrible my takeaway and club position was. The face is wide wide open. So now I know what the right position is, and am practicing daily in slow motion to get there.

I'm at the point where I'm in between swings. My old swing is what my body defaults to (but now I can feel it's wrong) and while I know what I'm supposed to do, it doesn't come close to feeling natural yet. So I'll get the club to the top and just feel completely lost.

The good news is that last week at the range I just started with the club there and swung like that, finally got to a point where my body knew how to swing from that position. Then I moved to full swings and something clicked...I started flushing it. Best I've hit the ball all year by a long shot. Monday came around and it was gone again, but at least I know it's there. Next lesson coming up on Thursday.

It's going to be a long process. 1 step backward to take 3 steps forward.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

My Torrey Pines experience was awesome. Get there 2 hours early and spent some $ at the pro shop, chipped and putted. We played the black tees, 7k yards or so. Parred the first hole after hitting 3 wood-7iron in and missed a 12 footer.

Went 44-43. We played one hole from the US open tee box (13). It was a 670 yard par 5 w a 260 yard forced carry to the fairway. Made a 5 after my third shot found the greenside bunker (after smashing a drive and still having 335 to go).

Course was open but sand guarded the course. The fairways were insanely narrow and the greenskeeper was telling me for the tournys it’s even more narrow with absurdly thick rough conditions. Makes you appreciate what those guys do on the course even more.

No birdies unfortunately, but struck some really good golf shots. 87.5 was the over under for myself, and I was able to make a 12 footer for 6 on 18 to get it.

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

Together we'd be decent foursome team. I drive, you iron on, & I one putt birdie.

Is it a one way miss or are you spraying everywhere?

Spraying, but the underlying issue looks like it’s that I’m under plane and flat with my woods and hybrids. Low hook and blocks to the right. I noticed a gripping issue with my right hand over the weekend so I’m going to keep an eye on that (something I do with my woods/hybrids and not at all with my irons). Frustrating.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

I have a tendency to start getting 'flippy' with my wrists and start scooping at the ball with short irons instead of hitting down on it. This tendency raised it's ugly head this past Friday at my 9 hole league and resulted in squandering 4 great drives because I couldn't hit a wedge. I know this starts to happen when my approach shots start going high, to the right and woefully short of my target. Super frustrating when it happens. To get myself out of it I usually go to the range, choke down on an 8 iron and hit about 50 balls at 3/4 speed making sure my hands are in front of the ball on contact. It helps get the feeling of hitting down and compressing the ball back.

But I wanted to ask if anyone else that deals with this has a quick drill or approach they use during a round when they notice that they are flipping at the ball. In the past when this happens I've tried to change my approach during the round, move the ball back in my stance, take something like a 7 iron and just hit knock down shots into greens. Many times this is fine but obviously there will be times where there is something between me and the green where this isn't really an option.

Someone recommended that I stand off to the side on a tee and put my bag on the ground and use it like an impact bag. I think that could help get the feeling of making contact with my hands in front of the ball again but I'm curious if anyone else has a trusted trick.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

I put a ball down on a tee (way down, obviously like an iron shot) then place a second ball about six inches behind it. If you don't have a descending blow, you'll hit the back ball first. Focus on knocking the tee out of the ground on your divot.

Edit: And using your bag as an impact bag sounds like a good way to bend a shaft.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

I put a ball down on a tee (way down, obviously like an iron shot) then place a second ball about six inches behind it. If you don't have a descending blow, you'll hit the back ball first. Focus on knocking the tee out of the ground on your divot.

Edit: And using your bag as an impact bag sounds like a good way to bend a shaft.

Sorry should have added.... use the golf bag as an impact bag IF you have a jacket, rain pants, other articles of clothing that you can ball up to take the impact.
I agree that just hitting a golf bag is a bad idea.

 

[Zomp]

I meant to post yesterday. Life has gotten in the way and I played 2 days ago for the first time in 3 weeks. Shot 85, 45-40, but the reason I wanted to post is because of a ball I played.

My buddy on the back side says, "Listen, play this ball but let me put it down for you on the first few swings. I don't want you to see the logo." Eleven is a 370 yard par 4. I hit the ball he tells me to and catch it okay. Its low but it'll do. I get to the ball in the fairway and he turns it again so I can't see the logo. I have 132 yards to the pin so I hit the ball around 240 with my 3 wood which is about where I would be with any of the balls I play. I hit my pitching wedge good, the ball takes one hop and stops on the green about 20 ft from the pin. Again, standard just like I would have done with my Chromes or Prov's. My PW goes about 140 when I flush it so it was about right.

I get to the green and the ball says "Top Flite". I almost fell over. Apparently at Dick's they sell Top Flite Gamer Soft balls for $15 a dozen, which they claim is a ball that is similar to Chrome Soft. I'd have to agree. I played the rest of the 9 with it and it felt very nice. I don't know if I'd game it in tournaments, but if you're looking for an every day ball that won't break the bank give it a shot.

 

[Zomp]

So driver next. Sorry for delay. I can only say anyone who buys what Crossfield says 100% hasn't seen Ian. Leave it at that.

Can you expand on this? I know this is an old post but I've become addicted to Crossfield's videos. I don't find them too educational (though I do generally agree with a lot of his stuff) but they're very entertaining.

 

[TFP]

FYI, Peter Millar having a giant 50% off sale on their website. Some incredible deals there.

 

[Zomp]

You would wear Peter Millar...

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I meant to post yesterday. Life has gotten in the way and I played 2 days ago for the first time in 3 weeks. Shot 85, 45-40, but the reason I wanted to post is because of a ball I played.

My buddy on the back side says, "Listen, play this ball but let me put it down for you on the first few swings. I don't want you to see the logo." Eleven is a 370 yard par 4. I hit the ball he tells me to and catch it okay. Its low but it'll do. I get to the ball in the fairway and he turns it again so I can't see the logo. I have 132 yards to the pin so I hit the ball around 240 with my 3 wood which is about where I would be with any of the balls I play. I hit my pitching wedge good, the ball takes one hop and stops on the green about 20 ft from the pin. Again, standard just like I would have done with my Chromes or Prov's. My PW goes about 140 when I flush it so it was about right.

I get to the green and the ball says "Top Flite". I almost fell over. Apparently at Dick's they sell Top Flite Gamer Soft balls for $15 a dozen, which they claim is a ball that is similar to Chrome Soft. I'd have to agree. I played the rest of the 9 with it and it felt very nice. I don't know if I'd game it in tournaments, but if you're looking for an every day ball that won't break the bank give it a shot.

I play these in the winter, it's a great throwaway ball for sure.

 

[thestardawg]

Anyone ever experience the putting yips and if so how did you cure them?

I havent carried an official handicap for a few years now, but I'd estimate I'm around a 12. I'm not a long hitter, probably 230-240 with my driver, but I'm good an minimizing mistakes, and managing the course. I usually play out of Kettle Brook in Paxton and I'm generally scoring 80-85 even with putting issues.

I used to be a very good short putter, but now anything under 10 feet has become an issue. Long putts aren't a real issue, but often on the short putts I'm jerky with my motion and I'm stabbing at the putt leading to pushes, pulls, distance control issues and a real miserable time on the greens.

 

[Zomp]

When I was younger I was a terrible putter, particularly in school tournaments.

The only thing that helped me on shorter putts was to just keep repeating the mantra "straight back, straight forward" as I putted. Once you choose your line, stick to it and just keep saying that as you stand over the ball.

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

No, but change your posture/balance and dramatically change your grip. I don’t think many people who experience the yips ever are able to continue putting the same way as before—claw, forearm brace, cross handed, long putter, etc. People do beat it seemingly often but usually with major changes to their approach.

 

[TFP]

Right there with you man. We're probably in the exact same place.

As an update - I've bit the bullet and signed up for lessons. Had a new student eval and a full lesson already. Found out (pretty quickly) how terrible my takeaway and club position was. The face is wide wide open. So now I know what the right position is, and am practicing daily in slow motion to get there.

I'm at the point where I'm in between swings. My old swing is what my body defaults to (but now I can feel it's wrong) and while I know what I'm supposed to do, it doesn't come close to feeling natural yet. So I'll get the club to the top and just feel completely lost.

The good news is that last week at the range I just started with the club there and swung like that, finally got to a point where my body knew how to swing from that position. Then I moved to full swings and something clicked...I started flushing it. Best I've hit the ball all year by a long shot. Monday came around and it was gone again, but at least I know it's there. Next lesson coming up on Thursday.

It's going to be a long process. 1 step backward to take 3 steps forward.

Lesson 2 was yesterday. Now I understand why I felt lost/stuck at the top before this. I was focusing on getting the arms working together and keeping my elbows the same distance apart throughout the swing. Additionally, focus was on keeping the elbows pointed down at the top of the swing and the follow through. I'd get the club to the top correctly but my elbows would be all over the place so I couldn't actually swing the club on plane.

I went to the range and kept practicing doing about 10 practice swings for each ball I hit to work on the muscle memory. Results were mixed, but when I did it right I felt like I was actually swinging the club like I was supposed to for the first time in a LONG time. It'll still take a lot of practice and repetition to feel natural (and I'm sure I'll need to build on this as well), but the progress is encouraging.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Anyone ever experience the putting yips and if so how did you cure them?

I havent carried an official handicap for a few years now, but I'd estimate I'm around a 12. I'm not a long hitter, probably 230-240 with my driver, but I'm good an minimizing mistakes, and managing the course. I usually play out of Kettle Brook in Paxton and I'm generally scoring 80-85 even with putting issues.

I used to be a very good short putter, but now anything under 10 feet has become an issue. Long putts aren't a real issue, but often on the short putts I'm jerky with my motion and I'm stabbing at the putt leading to pushes, pulls, distance control issues and a real miserable time on the greens.

I cured mine by using the same thinking process as I do on chips

• Short takeaway with minimal wrist movement
• Acceleration through contact

For 3-5 footers, looking at the back of the cup on putts where I'm hitting it straight or through the break also helps

 

[TFP]

Yeah - I've used the looking at the cup trick a bunch at definitely works. Just subconsciously send the ball to the hole, like you're throwing a baseball to a target.

The other thing I would do is setup 2 balls each at 3 distances. Say 3, 6, and 10 feet. You can't leave the putting green until you make all 6 in a row. If you miss, you start over. This will help simulate the pressure a little bit and let you try different tactics.

 

[Phragle]

You would wear Peter Millar...

What's wrong with it?

Anyone ever experience the putting yips and if so how did you cure them?

I havent carried an official handicap for a few years now, but I'd estimate I'm around a 12. I'm not a long hitter, probably 230-240 with my driver, but I'm good an minimizing mistakes, and managing the course. I usually play out of Kettle Brook in Paxton and I'm generally scoring 80-85 even with putting issues.

I used to be a very good short putter, but now anything under 10 feet has become an issue. Long putts aren't a real issue, but often on the short putts I'm jerky with my motion and I'm stabbing at the putt leading to pushes, pulls, distance control issues and a real miserable time on the greens.

I have the opposite of all that RN so I'm hesitant to even read it. I'm always thinking about smoothness, and a consistent path. I try to hit the center of the face too.

I think sometimes an equipment change can be a great way to hit the reset button on mental issues. When I was with Lomb and SSSF a while a go my swing fell apart and reverted to my swing of 5 years ago. After that I traded my irons for a similar but better fitting set, put some lead tape on the heads, and shortened my woods -- all stuff I had been meaning to do but was putting off. After that and watching my swing on video and making some adjustments I'm back to roasting it. Not 100% but close.

 

[Zomp]

What's wrong with it?

It's a bit too preppy/fratboyish for me.

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

I was struggling badly with my putting right before the State Championship tournament my senior year in high school and decided on a whim to putt like Jack Nicklaus, hunched over the ball with a very open stance. I had 24 putts that round for 18 holes despite never having putted that way before.

Moral of the story: putting is way more mental than physical. If you can trick your mind into behaving with the putter, even for a short time, longer term results can often follow.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

What's wrong with it?

TBF I was going to order two shirts til I saw the $15 shipping, going to be living that Kirkland Signature / Izod $15 polo life instead

 

[Phragle]

There has to be a code or something. People don’t pay for shipping in 2018

 

[TFP]

TBF I was going to order two shirts til I saw the $15 shipping, going to be living that Kirkland Signature / Izod $15 polo life instead

I snagged a soft shell jacket, a 1/4 zip pullover, and a vest for under $200 and $0 shipping.

Of course I needed none of those things.

 

[steveluck7]

I would echo the recommendations here to change something physical or equipment wise. Even if you try for a round or two, knowing “that didnt work at all” might make you more comfortable going back to what you have been doing. That alone could help you get out of your own head. Best case, you find something that works and you start making putts more consistently.
A few years ago, I went with the fat grip on my putter as a change of pace and have loved it and will be sticking with it as long as I can

 

[steveluck7]

I have a wedge question.
I currently have a gap wedge - 50 degrees; a 54 degree Vokey and a 56 degree Vokey.
I seem to find myself pretty consistently undecided between my 50 and 54 when I’m ~100 yds out. Should I scrap my 50 and 54 and get a 52?

 

[4 6 3 DP]

Can you expand on this? I know this is an old post but I've become addicted to Crossfield's videos. I don't find them too educational (though I do generally agree with a lot of his stuff) but they're very entertaining.

I love Crossfield's stuff. I'll watch anything golf on Youtube. I watch him, Shiels, TXG, Teeuplo, Michael Newton, et al...

But he's trying to make a big point out there that shafts don't really matter, that custom fitting is a fad and that shafts don't make a big difference.

Now, if he simply made the point that lessons are a better use of money for 95% of golfers than equipment, absolutely. But there are many golfers for whom equipment makes a sizeable difference in performance.

I got fit by Ian in Toronto on May 15. The equipment showed up June 15 or so. My cap was around 12 on June 15 and I had broken 80 once in my life, with another 81. Since July 1, I've shot 76, 78, 80, and 81 (several times), cap is down to 9 and falling. And I had clubs that were within a year old - Switched out Ping G400Max for TM M3 with an Accra shaft, switched Ping i200 with PX LZ shafts for Srixon z765 with Nippon shafts, and callaway MD3 wedges for Vokeys with Modus shafts. I by no means am saying that what happened to me is the rule, but in my hands, I can feel significant differences in those clubs and they are performing way better for me.

My only point is that you can't buy a game, but fit properly by a really good fitter, you can make significant gains. I say that having been fit by Joe and Leighs, Ace of Clubs, Club Champion, and Spargo in the last 2 years and believe all do a good job, but Ian/TXG unlocked something for me.

 

[Phragle]

I snagged a soft shell jacket, a 1/4 zip pullover, and a vest for under $200 and $0 shipping.

Of course I needed none of those things.

A vest? Shit, Zomp was right.

I have a wedge question.
I currently have a gap wedge - 50 degrees; a 54 degree Vokey and a 56 degree Vokey.
I seem to find myself pretty consistently undecided between my 50 and 54 when I’m ~100 yds out. Should I scrap my 50 and 54 and get a 52?

I don't think most people need even 4 degree gaps never mind 2 degree. I have a 45-50-54-58 set up that I love but I'm thinking of going weaker in the last two. There's certainly value in knowing what club to hit. Maybe bend the 54 weak and trade the 56 for a lob. Having the right bounce and grind for the way you use your wedges is just as important as the distance gaps tho.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Speaking of apparel, on a whim I grabbed an amazon brand polo for 10 bucks. It fits and feels great. I’m generally an XL and sized down 1 based on reviews, but it’s polyester and breathes well and looks great on me.

I love having a few inexpensive polos in the closet / car for impromptu rounds

 

[southshoresoxfan]

The best way of thinking about putts for me is to envision a clock in the hole and picture what time on the clock the ball wants to enter. From there it’s speed and confidence.

I’ve been putting better w the occasional blow up (Hell I 4 putted yesterday) but I’ve been maintaining confidence on every stroke. Had 13 putts today on my 9 hole round after work.