2018 Golf Thread

[Zomp]

Anyone hit and have thoughts on the Callaway Rogue line? I have a hook up and can get a driver and hybrid for pretty cheap brand new with the hazardous shaft in them. I've never liked the look of Callaway clubs and have actually never played them (I've had TM, Titleist, Ping, Nike, etc...) but the Rogue looks pretty good and my numbers were decent on the launch monitor.

One thing I'm definitely doing, no matter what club I get, is cutting the driver down to 44.5''

 

[Leon Trotsky]

I shot 88 at Juniper Hills on Sunday. 41 on the front and 47 on the back. Even more impressive for my game is I played a single ball for the whole round!
I have been getting off the tee in play very consistently lately. It is really short with my driver with a consistent fade, but I guess short is fine if it is in play nearly every time...

 

[TFP]

Should I post here about how awful my swing is or keep it in the main thread? Because it is AWFUL. Thankfully I was gifted some lessons for my birthday. Can't wait to find the time to go and work with an instructor.

So first thing's first - get a lesson. I can't stress that enough. It's helped me a lot in figuring out what I was doing wrong. Anything posted here won't help at all compared to getting a good lesson.

For me, my problem was mostly my clubface. It was wide wide open basically from when I first took the club away. Yes I had other issues, but it all started with that and trying to compensate for it. As a result, the club face would be wide open at impact, leading to high ball flight, flares, slices, or overcompensating. So I've been working on taking literal 1/4 swings keeping the clubface closed (which is really neutral) while keeping my chest and elbows all working together. It's working to the point where I can hit it well on the range, I just haven't been able to translate it to the course (yet). But I know it's the right way to go, and now I know definitively what the wrong thing is.

It's a long long process to unlearn all these bad habits. I've fucked up my swing so bad, I'm basically rebuilding it from scratch.

 

[Shawn O'Leary]

I'll echo TFP's comment about lessons. They are critical. Practice can actually be counter productive in that all you may be doing is tinkering and/or cementing bad habits that later need to be undone. It can be hard to trust that what a pro is showing you, especially when it feels foreign, but trust it and practice it - get to the point its muscle memory.

I'm still an improving golfer and have a long way to go, but I started at 120s golf five years ago and just broke 90 for the first time. Get your swing down through practice, and then shave strokes between the ears (course management).

 

[Doug Beerabelli]

Had a first for me - knocked in about a 140 yd shot from the rough into the jar on a par 4. Unfortunately, it was for birdie. Pulled the drive, hit tree limb on othewise well struck second shot.

 

[Phragle]

That is fantastic!! Now you know you have 80s in you, you'll never be the same!!!

I'd focus on hitting the driver well and on that short game. Then irons inside 150, then long irons. I completely reject drive for show putt for dough. Hitting your driver well is essential for scoring well. And realistically, a good putter and a bad one aren't going to be a hell of a lot different statistically from 20 feet. I think where good putters make a difference is on long putts, leaving themselves gimmes instead of longer putts. But yeah, keep hitting that driver as much as you can.

Yeah I agree. One good drive and it's not that hard to par or birdie a hole. Can't say the same for one good putt.

Anyone hit and have thoughts on the Callaway Rogue line? I have a hook up and can get a driver and hybrid for pretty cheap brand new with the hazardous shaft in them. I've never liked the look of Callaway clubs and have actually never played them (I've had TM, Titleist, Ping, Nike, etc...) but the Rogue looks pretty good and my numbers were decent on the launch monitor.

I didn't really like it but drivers RN are are pretty much all the same. Small differences here and there, but it's more about fit and what you like and less about better vs worse. You can't pick the shaft you want? I haven't hit the hybrid but I like the fairway. The hybrid is probably just like all the other hybrids. If you can get them cheap enough I wouldn't hesitate. Then if they just don't fit you have some value to trade after you get fitted or whatever.

One thing I'm definitely doing, no matter what club I get, is cutting the driver down to 44.5''

Yeah it's a huge no-brainer. Right now I'm a big fan of shorter heavier shafts in my woods. Most people just add headweight but I don't like the way it feels.

 

[TFP]

That is fantastic!! Now you know you have 80s in you, you'll never be the same!!!

I'd focus on hitting the driver well and on that short game. Then irons inside 150, then long irons. I completely reject drive for show putt for dough. Hitting your driver well is essential for scoring well. And realistically, a good putter and a bad one aren't going to be a hell of a lot different statistically from 20 feet. I think where good putters make a difference is on long putts, leaving themselves gimmes instead of longer putts. But yeah, keep hitting that driver as much as you can.

I just finished reading "Every Shot Counts" by Mark Broadie. He's the inventor of the Strokes Gained statistics and it's all about using that data to identify golf strategy and misconceptions.

The major one is that the largest factor into strokes gained among the pros and amateurs is iron/approach shots. Driver is second. Everyone always thinks putting, but so many putts are tap ins and then difference between an amateur and a pro on 5 foot putts isn't nearly as drastic as the difference in iron play. It's miles apart. Putting is the easiest to practice and improve, but at most you're saving a couple strokes a round. With your irons and tee game you can start saving 5+ strokes in a round. It's the hardest to improve but will yield the biggest gains.

It's a really interesting (and quick) read, it goes into a ton more depth about a bunch of other stuff too like how putts break on greens, all based on the statistics.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Anyone hit and have thoughts on the Callaway Rogue line? I have a hook up and can get a driver and hybrid for pretty cheap brand new with the hazardous shaft in them. I've never liked the look of Callaway clubs and have actually never played them (I've had TM, Titleist, Ping, Nike, etc...) but the Rogue looks pretty good and my numbers were decent on the launch monitor.

One thing I'm definitely doing, no matter what club I get, is cutting the driver down to 44.5''

I picked up the 3W with a Hazrdous shaft and have been loving it. Thing is a mission launcher and pretty forgiving.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I'd be careful buying a shaft you have never hit and especially careful cutting it down without knowing if it will impact the dynamics of the shaft with your swing.

Getting the shaft right in the driver is the most important thing. If nothing else go at least try it out first, but would recommend getting fit.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Anyone want to get out Sat? I’d be looking for anytime after 10am

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I'm busy

 

[Shawn O'Leary]

Played in our 9-hole Sundowners league tonight. Shot a 42. Still in a good groove.

 

[Shawn O'Leary]

Anybody in this thread from the Chicago area and would like to link up for golf?

 

[southshoresoxfan]

League playoffs last night. Partner and I (he’s a 10 I’m a 7) shoot 38/37 and lose 2 up. The 13 cap in the other group hit 3 straight putts over 20 feet to win a hole and halve two that we had won. Just crushing.

5th hole we were down 2. 310 yard par 4 which requires a fade to see the green. I absolutely torch my driver down to the front edge. The 5 cap in the other group hits his drive OB and his partner hits one into a fairway bunker about 70 out. He’s getting a stroke. He hits his shot into a green side bunker and I lag my putt to about 5 feet.

Both partners are out of the hole. He hits a thin bunker shot that just catches the hill into the green, flattens out and rolls 20’ past.

Steps up. Aerated green. Stuffs it. Absolute dagger. I love and hate match play so much. We’ve played this team three times and there’s been 7 halved holes out of 27. Absolute awesome matches.

 

[Zomp]

Does anyone have an opinion on having a game improvement iron instead of a hybrid in the bag? I have trouble with my swing being steep. I'm trying to improve it but its taking time. My iron play has always been great because of it though and I'm fairly long with my irons. I don't think hitting a 3 iron would be an issue but would like something more forgiving than what I have in my iron set up right now. My set up right now is D, 3W, 5W, Hybrid, 4-PW, 53, 58 Putter. Aside from the driver, the hybrid is probably the worst club in my bag. I'd like to try a game improvement/driving iron instead.

 

[bostonbeerbelly]

Does anyone have an opinion on having a game improvement iron instead of a hybrid in the bag? I have trouble with my swing being steep. I'm trying to improve it but its taking time. My iron play has always been great because of it though and I'm fairly long with my irons. I don't think hitting a 3 iron would be an issue but would like something more forgiving than what I have in my iron set up right now. My set up right now is D, 3W, 5W, Hybrid, 4-PW, 53, 58 Putter. Aside from the driver, the hybrid is probably the worst club in my bag. I'd like to try a game improvement/driving iron instead.

Unrelated question, but do you have a huge gap in your distances, going from a PW to a 53 degree?

 

[Zomp]

My stock PW is 140 or so, stock 53 is 118.

Its the biggest gap in my clubs, yes, but I don't mind because I like hitting knock downs with my PW.

 

[Phragle]

Does anyone have an opinion on having a game improvement iron instead of a hybrid in the bag? I have trouble with my swing being steep. I'm trying to improve it but its taking time. My iron play has always been great because of it though and I'm fairly long with my irons. I don't think hitting a 3 iron would be an issue but would like something more forgiving than what I have in my iron set up right now. My set up right now is D, 3W, 5W, Hybrid, 4-PW, 53, 58 Putter. Aside from the driver, the hybrid is probably the worst club in my bag. I'd like to try a game improvement/driving iron instead.

Depends what you want the club to do. I thought you wanted the Rogue hybrid? What head and shaft do you have with your hybrid and long irons right now? I'm also Team 4 wedges, but that's about the modern clubs loft decrease as much as anything.

 

[inJacobyWeTrust]

Does anyone have an opinion on having a game improvement iron instead of a hybrid in the bag? I have trouble with my swing being steep. I'm trying to improve it but its taking time. My iron play has always been great because of it though and I'm fairly long with my irons. I don't think hitting a 3 iron would be an issue but would like something more forgiving than what I have in my iron set up right now. My set up right now is D, 3W, 5W, Hybrid, 4-PW, 53, 58 Putter. Aside from the driver, the hybrid is probably the worst club in my bag. I'd like to try a game improvement/driving iron instead.

Ultimately it will come down to personal preference, but I also have a steep swing and swapped my 17 degree titleist hybrid for an 18 degree callaway xforged UT this year and love it. It's a bit tougher to hit from tight lies in the fairway, but other than that it's a much better fit for me than the hybrid. Much easier to control the ballflight up/down and left/right than the hybrid and still goes a mile off the tee.

 

[Zomp]

I want it to go 230ish and straight.

I can get a deal on their hybrid or the driving iron.

Ultimately it will come down to personal preference, but I also have a steep swing and swapped my 17 degree titleist hybrid for an 18 degree callaway xforged UT this year and love it. It's a bit tougher to hit from tight lies in the fairway, but other than that it's a much better fit for me than the hybrid. Much easier to control the ballflight up/down and left/right than the hybrid and still goes a mile off the tee.

Funny thats the exact same club I was looking at. Either that or the Mizuno MP 18 MMC. I could get either at a discounted price (the mizuno with a golfers warehouse credit).

You have the 18 degree, is the lengths about the same as the hybrid?

 

[Phragle]

I want it to go 230ish and straight.

I can get a deal on their hybrid or the driving iron.

Everyone wants long and straight. I'm talking more about spin, ball flight, more off the tee or fairway, and it would help to know why your hybrid is your worst club. Generally with good fitting clubs a hybrid will have a higher launch, spin, and ball speed. Some people say they can't hit one or the other, but I think that's mostly about fit or confidence.

Funny thats the exact same club I was looking at. Either that or the Mizuno MP 18 MMC. I could get either at a discounted price (the mizuno with a golfers warehouse credit).

You have the 18 degree, is the lengths about the same as the hybrid?

The Callaway is just better IMO. The Mizuno is pretty small, it's not something I'd want for a 2-3 iron. Driving irons are really hot, but it's hard for them to keep up with distance of a hybrid even if the loft is the same because hybrids usually have a lighter, longer shaft.

Are you not trying any of these clubs you're looking at? Hitting them will tell you more about what works than any of us can.

 

[Zomp]

Yes. Of course I am trying them out on launch monitors and what not. Am I going to get fitted somewhere like Spargo or Joe and Leigh's for just a driving iron? Probably not. I, like most, have a finite amount of resources that I can allocate to this game so the free ones at Golfsmith and the Warehouse will have to do.

But if the standard response to someone looking for equipment opinions/recommendations is always going to be "Go get fitted, we can't help" whats the fun in that?

My long irons are Wilson FG Tour V2. I forget what shaft I have in them. KBS tour stiff maybe? My hybrid is older. Its an Adams but I forget what model. IDEA maybe?

 

[Phragle]

Yeah I'm the last person to fire off the "Don't think, get fitted" response. Trying things and learning what you want and need is essential, it's why I asked. If you just walk into a fitting with your brain off, how are you even going to know what you're buying is right? Like in your case the Callaway driving iron comes stock with a stepless Project X shaft -- is super stout and feels boardy to most. I wouldn't tell someone to buy it without trying it.

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

Does anyone have an opinion on having a game improvement iron instead of a hybrid in the bag? I have trouble with my swing being steep. I'm trying to improve it but its taking time. My iron play has always been great because of it though and I'm fairly long with my irons. I don't think hitting a 3 iron would be an issue but would like something more forgiving than what I have in my iron set up right now. My set up right now is D, 3W, 5W, Hybrid, 4-PW, 53, 58 Putter. Aside from the driver, the hybrid is probably the worst club in my bag. I'd like to try a game improvement/driving iron instead.

I pulled my 4-hybrid and added a g400 4-iron to my bag. It’s 20.5 degrees and relatively easy to launch off a decent lie (the g400s are a total joke in terms of forgiveness—I can’t recommend them highly enough they’re awesome). The biggest difference is mishits lose distance but they stay in front of me. They certainly don’t hang and bend forever like a poorly struck hybrid. All that height, spin, and distance works against you when you don’t hit the ball straight.

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

An anecdote about club/shaft making a difference:

I bought g400 hybrids this year, got fitted for them too, 19 and 22 degrees, and when I hit them well they were perfect—long, mid-trajectory, a nice straight piercing ball flight—really great stuff. The problem is I would snap hook them. They always felt like they wanted to be closed in my hands and I never really got comfortable with them. They’re great clubs but just weren’t working for me.

I swapped them for my brother’s Callaway Big Bertha OS hybrids recently and I cannot hook the Callaways. I can leave them open and miss right if I take an uncommitted swing but for the most part I hit big high gentle fades that carry way longer than they feel like they should. If I do everything I can to turn them over I hit maybe a 10 yard draw. The y sit so much more like an iron in my hands even though they’re the same length as the Pings and the Recoil shaft just loads differently for me.

Meanwhile, my brother is striping the g400s. He said they play much more similarly to his 3-wood, which is probably the biggest strength of his game. It might be why I struggled with them—I’m terrible with woods in my hands.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Anyone looking to get out Saturday? Got a noon tee time at Butter Brook but had a couple buddies bail, so looking to either fill that or cancel and play somewhere else

 

[Zomp]

Should be a fun weekend for me. I've worked a few extra hours each day this week to take the rest off.

Thursday: 18 holes at my club
Friday: Going to the Dell Tech Open (best day to go in my opinion)
Saturday: Scramble at Swansea Country Club
Sunday: A few cookouts
Monday: Going to the Dell again with club passes

 

[Shawn O'Leary]

One of those "you can't believe that just happened moments" on Sunday. Playing a team match and trying to get to the semis. My partner and I are down 1 hole going into 18 - a longer dogleg left par-4 that is tough to par and really easy to put up a big number. Opponents have the box and tee off. Their high handicapper puts in the trees left (jail) and later finds he can't locate the ball. Their low man hits a high draw about 280 yards down the right side of the fairway setting up a nice look into the green.

My partner and I both hit the fairway about 20-30 yards short of the low man. He first goes to help try to locate his partner's ball and then, while the partner heads back to re-tee, sees his wife and daughter coming off #1 tee and chats them up. My partner and I play in (we have a group right on our heels). I hit a nice hybrid to the right side of the green. Putt up to inside 3 feet and then in for par, with a stroke, for a net-3. My partner skulls one, then flubs his third into the greenside bunker. Picks up his ball.

Their low man watches his partner's drive land, finishes chatting up his wife and daughter and hits a shot of about 170/175 yards that lands in the first cut just off the green, hops a couple of times and rolls in for an Eagle to close us out. My partner and I were in between the 18th green and 1st tee expecting my net birdie would be enough to even the match and force playoff holes. Hard to be pissed about being beaten by an eagle...

 

[kenneycb]

Anyone looking to get out Saturday? Got a noon tee time at Butter Brook but had a couple buddies bail, so looking to either fill that or cancel and play somewhere else

I'm gone this weekend but I played Butter Brook two weekends ago and the greens were absolutely horrendous and scuffed up everywhere. Given the area had been pounded with rain the prior few days but the course conditions were the dreadful all around.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Yeah I played it during one of those downpours a few weeks back, they weren't doing so hot before the storm so I imagine they've just gotten worse... layout's great though and the price is right

 

[kenneycb]

Yeah it's always been the go to course in the area, so it was disappointing to say the least. It was not disappointing when I went par-par on 17 and 18 to take some money from my friends in Wolf.

 

[jercra]

Anyone interested in playing a little golf next week? My brother and I are both back in Boston for Pearl Jam on Tuesday night and have an open slot for golf on Tuesday@9:00AM at Atkinson with me, my brother and a friend (pre-PJ round) and then Wednesday@9:48AM at Red Tail with me, my brother and @Phragle.

 

[Zomp]

Swansea Country Club did a scramble today. $50 per guy and it included dinner. Not a bad deal.

Anyway we play in it on and out third hole of the day my next friend aces it. 119 yds, he lays off a wedge a bit and it hits right over the pin, checks and spins right into the hole. We go insane of course.

Ended up at -11. Winners were -15...four guys in their 70s by the looks of them.

So my friend wins a brand new Mack daddy wedge from Callaway for his closest to the pin. Then during the raffle he wins a golf bag which he promptly sells for $50.

Last raffle prize of the night was a new Oddysey red ball putter. Who wins it? My friend. In the parking lot a kid offers him $75 for it. He turns it down knowing it’s at least worth $150. Driving home on the highway and sure enough we pull next to the kids who were trying to buy the putter off us. My buddy gets it out of the back seat and holds it out the window just to taunt them. To be fair they found it hysterical.

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

So I finally put together a sub-80 round: 77 on Saturday. First time in the 70s since taking a few years off (and I only did it twice before that too). I’ve managed a few 9-hole rounds below 40 but keeping everything together for 18 is a different thing. It wasn’t even a particularly notable round—I just piled up pars and never got into serious trouble.

Sunday was interesting with an 83 featuring 4 birdies (new personal best). I went birdie, birdie, bogey, par, birdie on the 4th through 8th then triple, bogey, double, double, bogey on the 9th through 13th before righting the ship. Very Mickelson-like. Anyway, tail end of the season is fun since things do start to click at times.

 

[Zomp]

Well done Lomb.

I played Green Valley in Portsmouth tomorrow. I don't know if I've ever played fairways that hard before. I hit the greenside bunker on a 600 yd par 5 in two and was hitting some stingers 260-270. Pretty fun way of playing.

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

I got out for 9 over the weekend...second time this year. I had no idea where my shoes were, so I played in sneakers. First hole was typical OGG-- Spray a tee shot, recovery to the fairway, knock it up short of the green. Good chip to 2 feet, make the putt. I figured that would be my game all day, and I was ok with it. 2nd hole I hit a 5 iron to 3 feet for a birdie. Hmm. Striking the ball pretty well. Par/Par/Par before I start to stumble. Birdie at 8 helped, so I turn in a tidy 39. Now- the course isn't terribly long (3300 from the tips which we were playing) and is fairly open. But I'd be hard pressed to put up a 39 at a chip-and-putt most days. I think going in with no expectations, and no extra swing thoughts really helped. I half want to go out again to see if I can replicate, and half want to just pack it up for the season and go out on a high.

 

[Reverend]

Just dropping this here in case anyone is interested in such a thing (.pdf attached):

 

[NCPatsfan]

Anyone hit and have thoughts on the Callaway Rogue line? I have a hook up and can get a driver and hybrid for pretty cheap brand new with the hazardous shaft in them. I've never liked the look of Callaway clubs and have actually never played them (I've had TM, Titleist, Ping, Nike, etc...) but the Rogue looks pretty good and my numbers were decent on the launch monitor.

One thing I'm definitely doing, no matter what club I get, is cutting the driver down to 44.5''

I have the sub zero driver and 3 wood. I love them. I wouldn’t say I gained any distance with them, but missed hits go much farther and stay straighter. I paired them up with a new iron set, the P-790’s which are delightful. My love of the game has rekindled this year and these new clubs have certainly helped bring me back in.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

For the people that had been asking about driving irons, TM just released the GAPR line. https://www.taylormadegolf.com/GAPR-MID/DW-AL169.html?cgid=new-releases#utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_location=US&utm_campaign=Seer_Trademark_Brand_Exact&utm_adgroup=TrademarkOnly&utm_keyword=taylor+made&utm_type=e&utm_device=m&utm_content=269574139801&utm_account=taylormadegolf&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh-H6sLGs3QIVCRgMCh3qOAmgEAAYASACEgI2-PD_BwE&start=2&

 

[southshoresoxfan]

83 at Red Tail today. 42 putts. That has to be a record right?

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Damn. How’s it playing at this point? Greens beat up or fast as hell?

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Damn. How’s it playing at this point? Greens beat up or fast as hell?

They punched a couple weeks ago. Fuzzy and a little bumpy on some greens, some were quick and undulating. Nobody in my group putted well. It was the best ball striking round I’ve ever had so I’m just a little annoyed but overall fine with it.

 

[Shawn O'Leary]

Got to play Chicago Golf Club yesterday; oldest 18-hole course in the U.S. Very cool, understated, clubhouse with lots of golf history on display. The course was fantastic; it wasn't overly punitive but I still didn't play well. Very fast (and unique) greens. The best part is that it was a scout round for an upcoming member-guest event in a couple of weeks .... so I get to play it one more time.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

That's awesome. Hopefully the weather cooperates.

Any pictures?

 

[Shawn O'Leary]

That's awesome. Hopefully the weather cooperates.

Any pictures?

They don't allow electronics of any kind beyond the parking lot - including GPS watches and range finders. So no course pics. When I go back on the 26th I'll take some pics of the clubhouse from the parking lot (about the best I'll be able to get away with without being banished).

 

[Kliq]

I’m going to Ponkapoag today; is it really as bad as people say it is? I’m a novice golfer.

 

[Kliq]

Update: Yes, yes it is.

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

The USGA has a distance survey up on their website. They’re clearly looking to do something (stupid) about the ball and equipment.

 

[Phragle]

Link?

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

Link?

Link: http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/advancing-the-game/distance-insights.html