Golfing

[bydesign77]

Chef, that is indeed freaky.

I don't know though, I like the ProV1 better, but there was something about a balata ball, wasn't there?

I did something this summer I haven't done. I holed out, twice.

One I saw from about 75 yards. The other I didn't from about 50. The one I didn't see I was looking in the trap and over the green, then finally looked in the cup.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Moddy, in 1994 I was playing the municipal course in Vichy, France. Like many French cities, it has all of its recreational facilities in a central park area. That's how on the fifth hole, I managed to slice my drive into the fifth race coming down the backstretch of the racetrack. At least I didn't hit the favorite.

 

[Chef2]

Chef, that is indeed freaky.

I don't know though, I like the ProV1 better, but there was something about a balata ball, wasn't there?

I did something this summer I haven't done. I holed out, twice.

One I saw from about 75 yards. The other I didn't from about 50. The one I didn't see I was looking in the trap and over the green, then finally looked in the cup.

I loved the Professional ball, but they are hard to find anymore. The Tour Balata's were nice, but one slight mi**** gave it a smily face from hell.

Now: I love me some Pro V's. I love the sound of it spinning after a crisp wedge from 110.

 

[qtlaw]

You can have the balatas, professionals, Top-Flites, Molitors, all those other balls. Nothing changed golf more in the past 30 years than the first Pro V1 and the subsequent advancements. Its no contest. The ball flies straighter, farther, its ridiculous. Yes the big head drivers and graphite shaft advancements have undoubtedly helped.

Example, compared to 15 years ago (I think that's when the Pro V came out), I was lucky to drive it 210. Now I had a slice/fade then. Now I get it out there 250 consistently, at times 275+. Funny thing though, is my 7 iron is still 145-155, same as with my original Wilson Staffs muscle back forged irons with steel shafts.

As for the hole in one, LAST THING ON MY BUCKET LIST!!! Oh so close but nada. Yet, my son when he was 7 got one his first time on a course he could reach the hole (75 yds.) Golf IS NOT FAIR!!!

 

[bydesign77]

You can have the balatas, professionals, Top-Flites, Molitors, all those other balls. Nothing changed golf more in the past 30 years than the first Pro V1 and the subsequent advancements. Its no contest. The ball flies straighter, farther, its ridiculous. Yes the big head drivers and graphite shaft advancements have undoubtedly helped.

Example, compared to 15 years ago (I think that's when the Pro V came out), I was lucky to drive it 210. Now I had a slice/fade then. Now I get it out there 250 consistently, at times 275+. Funny thing though, is my 7 iron is still 145-155, same as with my original Wilson Staffs muscle back forged irons with steel shafts.

As for the hole in one, LAST THING ON MY BUCKET LIST!!! Oh so close but nada. Yet, my son when he was 7 got one his first time on a course he could reach the hole (75 yds.) Golf IS NOT FAIR!!!

I agree that the Pro V is a great game changer, allowing better control and distance...

But I think the bigger headed drivers and improvements in wedges have more of an impact.

I can still hit the ball 250 with any ball. And I can get any ball to check. But I couldn't do that without my Taylormade driver and Cleveland wedge.

 

[Key]

My one and only hole-in-one came at Forest Hills in Augusta, Ga. No. 4, 150 yards uphill. Hit a 7-iron. I was in my own cart, but playing with three others, who absolutely butchered the hole. So I drive up next to the green, look over and don't see my ball. Two thoughts I had: stay here next to the cart in case it's in the hole and grab a sand wedge and be prepared to play out of the bunker.

One of the other guys chipped up, the ball went past the hole, hit the backstop and rolled right back toward the cup. I started feeling pretty good at that point. I had one of the other guys go by the hole to check on my ball. Sure enough it was in there. Cracked open a beer on the 5th tee in celebration, bought more at the turn and made it around in a smooth 40-47--87.

That story never gets old

 

[bydesign77]

I haven't played Forest Hills in forever. Is No. 4 the on that the tee box is above the previous green? I think it's a par 5...

That's where I won my only career playoff in the AAJGA.

 

[Key]

bydesign77,
They had a redesign sometime in the early 2000s, I believe. I moved to Augusta in '04, and never played the previous layout, so I'm not sure. The greens, though, were like concrete when I was there from '04-'06. It was frustrating watching wedges land in the front of a green only to bounce all the way to the back.

I only played Gordon Lakes once and only remember a par-3 with a pseudo island green. Maybe No. 7 or 8? I'm thinking that course has more than 18 holes there, though.

My favorite course in that area was probably Jones Creek.

 

[bydesign77]

GLGC added 9 holes in the mid to late 00s.

It's No. 6 Lake that has the island green.

The hole I aced has been completely redesigned and has a lake in front of it now.

 

[playthrough]

As for the ProV1...one of the most remarkable product stories in any industry today, forget golf. It's the highest-priced ball yet also the sport's best seller by a huge margin. Probably the best ball, sure, but it's not twice as good as an average ball for a weekend golfer, yet they scoop them up by the millions (and I'm guilty too) instead of an average ball at half the price.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Until this year, I was good for 25 rounds a spring-summer-fall. This year? Out 3 times. I can't believe it. I've found that I don't feel like making that five-hour time commitment. It chews up half your day. The last time I went out, my patience went south in a hurry, and then all I wanted to do was get the hell out of there.

Usually shoot in the 90's. Low round was 78, many years ago, on an easy course.

The easiest cure . . . get out as early as you can, and beat the rush, and the yahoos. I haven't spent 4+ hours on a round
in a non-charity-tournament setting in 30+ years.

 

[Chef2]

That's the one thing about me. I play very fast.

2 friday afternoons ago, me and the course super went and played 18 holes in 2 hours 10 minutes before our high school game that night.

He shot 78, I shot 80.

 

[Chef2]

If anyone on here wants to see how to swing a golf club.....next time a decent PGA Tour event is in your neighborhood, I strongly encourage you to go out.

Not necessarily to the tournament itself, but to the driving range.

I followed Ernie Els at the 99 International from the range and for 18 holes. My God, that swing flows like none other.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

That's the one thing about me. I play very fast.

2 friday afternoons ago, me and the course super went and played 18 holes in 2 hours 10 minutes before our high school game that night.

He shot 78, I shot 80.

When I was young, foolish and could hit it a ton, would be first one out on a local (no sand, no water, wide-open) municipal and would ALWAYS be back inside of two hours . . . walking.

 

[Chef2]

That's the one thing about me. I play very fast.

2 friday afternoons ago, me and the course super went and played 18 holes in 2 hours 10 minutes before our high school game that night.

He shot 78, I shot 80.

When I was young, foolish and could hit it a ton, would be first one out on a local (no sand, no water, wide-open) municipal and would ALWAYS be back inside of two hours . . . walking.

Every Saturday and Sunday here, there is a BIG group that goes off at 12:30. Typically 15-20 guys, we split them into 2 or 3 groups, depending on the number, and almost invariably, even with a 6-some.....we'll be round in 3-3 1/2 hours tops.

 

[holy bull]

Until this year, I was good for 25 rounds a spring-summer-fall. This year? Out 3 times. I can't believe it. I've found that I don't feel like making that five-hour time commitment. It chews up half your day. The last time I went out, my patience went south in a hurry, and then all I wanted to do was get the hell out of there.

Usually shoot in the 90's. Low round was 78, many years ago, on an easy course.

The easiest cure . . . get out as early as you can, and beat the rush, and the yahoos. I haven't spent 4+ hours on a round
in a non-charity-tournament setting in 30+ years.

I know. For me, that means jumping in as a single, which I'm OK with. The guys I play with always want to go out 9-10 AM. Last time I tried to play, I had a 6:45 tee time ... and it poured. Round cancelled. I threw in the towel after that.

 

[21]

A brief digression, but I need to ask this:

Is 'golfing' a legit word? A couple years ago I got blasted by a writer when I said I was 'golfing on Sunday.' Insisted the right phrase was 'playing golf,' you wouldn't say you were 'footballing' or 'baseballing.' Guy is a famed loudmouth who I won't out here, but ever since then, I can't say 'golfing.'

Any thoughts from the learned word police of SJ?

 

[Madhavok]

I got in about 20 rounds this summer which is sort of low since I was working at one of the top municipals in CO. Shoulder problems and a complete lack of a consistent swing attributed to that. Best on nine was a 44 with a few bogie and a double. Going to recommit to the swing next season. I will say, my short game was the best it has ever been.

 

[holy bull]

A brief digression, but I need to ask this:

Is 'golfing' a legit word? A couple years ago I got blasted by a writer when I said I was 'golfing on Sunday.' Insisted the right phrase was 'playing golf,' you wouldn't say you were 'footballing' or 'baseballing.' Guy is a famed loudmouth who I won't out here, but ever since then, I can't say 'golfing.'

Any thoughts from the learned word police of SJ?

Webster calls it an intransitive verb. Nobody I know uses it as such. But I don't think it's a "blast-able" offense.

 

[21]

A brief digression, but I need to ask this:

Is 'golfing' a legit word? A couple years ago I got blasted by a writer when I said I was 'golfing on Sunday.' Insisted the right phrase was 'playing golf,' you wouldn't say you were 'footballing' or 'baseballing.' Guy is a famed loudmouth who I won't out here, but ever since then, I can't say 'golfing.'

Any thoughts from the learned word police of SJ?

Webster calls it an intransitive verb. Nobody I know uses it as such. But I don't think it's a "blast-able" offense.

Did not think to snap back, 'IT'S AN INTRANSITIVE VERB, YOU INSUFFERABLE BLOWHARD!' Next time I will be better prepared. 8)