I can knock them balls off that carpet with my irons big and small all day like a pro...once I get out on the grass its a different story though!
Golf researchers (wtf where do I sign up for that gig?) have shown proof that hitting off of those mats will change the lie angle and loft of your irons over time. In other words your 6 iron that flies straight normally over time can turn into a 5 1/2 iron that pushes balls right. Yikes no thanks.
Drew, I am replying directly to you as one of the other ex-drunken posters. As a brother, as a man(and will read the whole thread after I post completely out of context ) Golf is best enjoyed drunk!! I never have gone to a driving range. that would be like work, or practice, and just not as much fun as playing. Driving ranges make you analyze your shot and well that is usually humbling. Get a 4 some out there with at least one oversized golf bag filled with cheap beer. It also does not hurt to have a few before you get there. Go to a cheap public course that will tolerate your a bit more too. 2 get 2 carts, and its off to the races. you gotta have rules. you know when you dont drive it past the womans tee what happens right? well just have fun and be goofy. Always drive over the other guys ball when its on the fairway. I never thought I would be down with golf, but drunken golf with your boys is just plain fun. dont stress over a bad shot, the beer will keep you loose, and you buddies humor will make even bad shots fun PEACE
Golf is definitely the most frustrating sport ever, but I will gladly take a day of losing a dozen balls in water hazards and shooting a 150 over a day of work any day of the week!
Dude, I just played 18 holes and if it is any consolation to you, I am worse than you, no matter how bad you are. Everything that was said in this thread is true...it all properly describes everything that keeps happening to me all the time - also the 1 out of 100 that keeps you coming back. Oh well, I will have a lesson tomorrow - hope that will help a little bit.
Drew, Don't feel so bad. I have a set of clubs (they are Wilson) at home, but I never have time to play. And what I mean by that is hit balls to the point of where I don't embarrass myself when I do play on a public course. My father has played golf for close to 40 years, and the man is constantly watching tapes about swings and all kinds of other stuff. You think someone who has played that long would not need to do that, but he does anyway. He was an outstanding baseball player growing up and even was given a look by the Pirates but unfortunately a 5'6" 110 frame scared them off. As soon as that was over, he took up golf at the age of 22 and has never looked back. Some of the things he does when it comes to golf: 1) He has played (at my count) in at least 7 different states including Indiana and Florida. 2) One year he traded clubs like 7 different times. It pissed my mom off so much that she threatened to divorce him, hehe (about the only time that she ever got that upset). 3) He constantly watches the Golf channel and he ALWAYS has to watch all of the major tournaments. 4) At one time I think he had a 2 or 3 handicap (he doesn't have that now because he is a 60 year old man plus he doesn't nearly play as much as he used to). The sad thing, though, is that he hardly plays anymore because of the situation with his mother (she is in a nursing home with multi-infarct dementia and he goes twice a day to feed her). But that doesn't mean he has given it up. He has actually got a day blocked off during the week since he is retired in Wednesday in which my mom handles the nursing home duties and he goes play on that day. The one thing I remember him telling me when he tried in vain to get me to play (I always wanted to play baseball and later softball) was this: "Son, you know what the best part about being a teacher is?" (he taught junior high school social studies and was a guidance counselor for 30 years). I said, "I don't know, dad...what?" He said, "You get to leave at 3:15 and that gives you enough time before dark to hit a shag bag of golf balls." Add in the summers, and you can see that teaching is really the best profession to have if you are an aspiring golfer. The point of that story is that my dad felt that playing on the weekends without hitting any balls on the range is a waste of time. He went and hit every day and did that for years, and as I said earlier he still is learning things about the game. So, don't get discouraged Drew, just keep at it. I wish that I can get back into playing but it looks like softball is going to take up the time that I could be spending at the driving range.
Man, I think golf is tough enough without having to play behind a foursome like that! I definately drink when I play, I'm a little too tense until I get a couple of beers in me. As an aside, Wed in the league I play in, they had a crazy format I've never played before. We played a 2-man scramble, but the catch was that you had to choose 2 clubs only plus a putter to play the 9 holes. Very different. The club pro said it was just a fun thing, but I'm not so sure. I picked driver, sand wedge. Talk about some weird shots. Drewdog, I feel ya, man. Everybody's got their tips, and you sure can't be trying them all, but I'll tell you a few of mine, in case you want to try them. I think one of the main problems, as has been mentioned, is trying to think about so many things while you're trying to hit the ball. I won't talk about grip and address, because you can take your time and think about those things all you want before you start your swing. When you're ready, start your takeaway with a shoulder turn. You're more likely not to slide your hips. Keep your arms extended, but as loose as possible. This next one really helped my slice. At the top of your takeaway, the back of your left hand should be facing straight up. When you start your swing, then your only thoughts should be seeing the ball and getting the back of your left hand facing the target as you strike the ball. I read way too many golf magazines and try new stuff way too often, but that back of the hand thing sure helped my slice. Of course, a lot of other things can't be wrong, but the thing that causes a slice is when the club face is open, and when you know at the top of the swing that it is drastically open, it makes it easier to make sure it is square on impact.
TAKE LESSONS FROM A PROFESSIONAL!! It's well worth the money if you are serious about the game. Also, try to find one that uses video analysis...you will be amazed at just how bad your swing is.
To those of you that are aprehensive of following my 4 some... Latch on. we are all there to play. we play for fun. I let the people that are all about a quick 9 or 18 pass, its no sweat for me. but if you are going to be a stopwatch watcher, you clearly are not having fun either alone, or with your friends, so change your mental outlook. back to the title of the thread. Nothing that you do voluntarily should be stressfull. At the very least your should not complain about it. hell work is where i go for stress. The links is ME time. furthermore, I do actually play a good game, and I do play plenty fast enough that I am always waiting for the old people in front of me to get done. So, when you next hit the links, likely today, do not get uptight, do not let the 4 some that are having fun ruin your day. Have your own damn fun and dont worry about the rest of the people there. If they are waiting for you, it is only giving them more time to enjoy a beautifull course on a beautifull day with their best friends... Woe is Me
I just played High Meadow Ranch north of Tomball and followed up my 81 last weekend with a REALLY fun 96. True, I was playing bad but the following factors did not help: Holy **** the greens there are in horrible shape! There were bare patches of sand and squares of sod all over the place. Every tee box was set up on a side hill lie. There wasn't a single marshall out there to help speed up play, we serioulsly waited on every single shot for 3-4 minutes. It was rediculous! Their website says that it was just rated #2 public course in Houston area, YA RIGHT!!! by who the head pro? Whatthaf*ckeva!
I hate hearing that about High Meadow Ranch...that was a great track the few times I played it. I just got finished playing at Greatwood this morning. Pretty good shape but the damn workers were driving me nuts. They would keep mowing and doing their **** no matter what. Guys in fairway bunkers wouldn't even look up when we were on the tee box. Play was so slow we skipped 8 and 9 and went over to the back nine were I promptly blew up on #10 (par four) with a friggin' 9. I put one in the water...then had two pitch shots that went over the green. Horrible. Too many homes out there too. It only cost $30 with a coupon from their website.
