Random Golf Thoughts

spacecoyote · 03-09-2025 01:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123782098#Comment_123782098

Without going the Slave1 route (which likely will result in your wedges being non-conforming, strictly speaking), they reckon wedges should be replaced for amateurs roughly every 100 rounds.

So chances are, if you've got 2nd hand and have been playing with them a couple of years, then you likely would get a benefit from replacements.

There are often deals for a pair of wedges, and you can usually get a good price on last years models which will be great wedges anyway.

You dont need to be able to "put spin" on them. Wedges will naturally generate spin by their design

soverybored1878 · 03-09-2025 02:37PM

I have one of those tools in my kitchen drawer, don't think they make all that much difference to be honest. Perhaps only temporarily.

As far as getting fit for wedges, I wouldn't say that is the be all and end all. As a high-handicapper, bounce is your friend. Higher bounce wedges are a lot more forgiving than low bounce ones. Especially in bunkers and in Irish parkland conditions. Plus, McGuirks only usually fit people for the new stuff so it'll be expensive to go down that route.

As another poster said, probably best to wait until the start of next golf season. Greens will be softer from now until then so you'll get more benefit from fresh wedges next spring.

spacecoyote · 03-09-2025 03:03PM

https://www.mcguirksgolf.com/c/gents-wedges-and-chippers/1228

There are piles of "2 for ..." deals on their site, including prior generations.

If youre comfortable enough with the spec around shafts to select online relative to the rest of your bag, there can be value there

scotty_golf9 · 03-09-2025 04:24PM

MOD EDIT, stop spamming please

slave1 · 04-09-2025 10:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123782375#Comment_123782375

Non-conforming is a rabbit hole, I've seen decades old clubs in use which would all be non-conforming, one of my buddies lost a weight from his driver and still uses it, that's non conforming, crappy fitted grips that bulge are non-conforming, sharping to reinstate groove pattern back to when new is fine. I'd just watch your hand though, the pricier ones are lethal sharp should anything slip. Oh, you can sharpen before/after your round but not during, that's non-conforming!!!!!

Ivefoundgod · 04-09-2025 03:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123784728#Comment_123784728

Not sure I'd agree its a rabbit hole, the rules are fairly straightforward (except for those early 2000s drivers, difficult to judge that), just because you see plenty of older clubs that are non-conforming doesn't mean we should all just turn a blind eye (not that you are suggesting that). Sharpening grooves is dodgy IMO, how is any average person might to know how to reinstate them to their original pattern. I'd argue anyone using those sharpeners is on dodgy territory. It doesn't bother me a whole lot but it should at least be pointed out to people and I wouldn't encourage their use personally.

As regards wedges, most higher handicappers should be using something like the CBX from Cleveland, especially if wedge play or short game is a struggle. Playing something like a Vokey or MG4 on full shots is going to be significantly harder than a cavity back wedge.

daithi7 · 06-09-2025 11:47AM

Yup, agree with all of that @ivefoundgod.

I'm a 12 handicapper, My old wedges were Cleveland cb wedges, & my current wedges are Titleist Vokeys. I prefered the Clevelands tbh.

A bit like Hiace vans, I thought 100,000 low handicappers couldn't be wrong. Except I found the weight in the head of the Clevelands much more reassuring, & lead to more consistent, solid chipping for me than the light feeling vokeys.

The feel of the vokeys is probably a bit better alright for 'touch' chippers, but tbh, I'm not that good, I just need a blade that will ideally give me a fairly consistent feel & strike off the full variety of lies. The Clevelands do this better for my level of chipping imho, and I used to get far less fluffs, fats &/or thins with them as a result, and they were far more solid from the rough also with the extra bit of muscle & weight in the heads.

Coming to think of it, I might rescue them from my beach set & put them back in my main bag for this winter coming. Back to the future!!

golfguy1 · 26-10-2025 07:52PM

playing waterford castle next week.

Anyone play it recently??

cheers

blue note · 11-11-2025 09:49PM

Do committee members get paid in any clubs? I just noticed it on our minutes from last year's AGM, 3 of the committee members in our place get a payment of €1800 I think it was. I assume this is highly unusual. It's said to cover unvouched expenses, but why would you not just submit the receipts and get reimbursed? Maybe give the captain an entertainment allowance or something, but a flat fee for committee members?

I've been on gaa committees and managed a team for a couple of years. In reality, as well as a decent amount of work those positions end up costing you money. Aside from a few managers who get paid (and shouldn't), people just do them because they want to. I'd be disappointed if it's different in golf clubs.

awec · 11-11-2025 10:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123981355#Comment_123981355

Never heard of a committee member getting paid.

That sounds odd to be honest. Is the payment every year and does it go to particular people or particular positions on the committee?

I struggle to see what "unvouched expenses" a committee member might have.

blue note · 11-11-2025 10:56PM

3 honorary members. Secretary, treasurer and one other too. And it's annual. It was increased last year to 1,800.

big_drive · 12-11-2025 08:04AM

Never heard of that before, would it be to cover cost of using personal phone, equipment, etc for club related activity? It's an odd one.

BoardsMember · 12-11-2025 08:16AM

Sounds very odd to me.

pointer28 · 12-11-2025 08:23AM

Secretary or Treasurer would require a lot of work beyond your normal committee member which might discourage the preferred members from taking on these roles.

Maybe it's just a small incentive to reward them for their extra work?

It's not a lot of money when you see the joining or membership fees for some clubs.

Of course, that's just my guess, might be completely wrong.

token56 · 12-11-2025 08:35AM

Very unusual in my opinion. You can justify reimbursing genuine expenses of course but that should be on a receipt by receipt basis but not a fixed sum to be given out. Sounds dodgy to be honest and I know I wouldn't be happy for my subs to be going towards unvouched expenses for a select group.

daithi7 · 12-11-2025 10:06AM

I think some club officers get their subs for free, or heavily subsidised as a 'reward' for their voluntary work in many clubs. We do this at our club & tbh I think this is fair enough. However I'd be very surprised if your officers get paid net. Maybe this a double entry to effectively cover paying their subs?

If you're not happy with this & i wouldn't be either, I'd query this at an agm, & bring a motion to close this down if you're still unhappy. It sounds like it could be an inside gravy for the big cats 🐈 scheme otherwise...

blue note · 12-11-2025 10:43AM

"That positions which are Honorary it therefore follows that membership fees are
regarded as paid."

Their membership fees are covered too. But our membership fees are tiny, 210 or something (but we pay about 30 per round). I wonder is it in place of a more normal membership fee that they feel this is appropriate. From reading the minutes from last year it seems it was discussed then so I won't be bringing it up. Also, I've played once this year and once last, so I'd want to be more active to contribute to the AGM really.

I also heard that the club is awash with money, so I also wonder if there an element of them thinking, sure the club has it, we might as well reward those doing the most work. But the financials aren't distributed without being requested, so I don't know for sure. But the prizes for our jubilee year last year were absolutely ridiculous. I'd be more in favour of really modest prizes and the doing well in / winning a comp be the reward, but I know I'm on my own in that. I also heard there's a free bar at the captain's dinner. Again, that's crazy.

swededmonkey · 12-11-2025 04:05PM

Given that subs are relatively low, this could be viewed as a notional payment to cover subs as a contribution of the work undertaken. Saying that, its worded very poorly and should be amended to reflect so.
The €1800 covers the sub and 53 rounds of golf at €30 a round. That balances out over a year.

bobster453 · 12-11-2025 07:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123982141#Comment_123982141

But the financials aren't distributed without being requested, so I don't know for sure.

Very strange the above..but then again its all very strange.

I know Captains sometimes get free membership for their year, but pay for Captains Day prizes

What does the Constitution of the club say re this?

Possibly a perfectly good reason for it but the optics aint great in fairness, has a stench of a cover up.

Especially when financials have to be requested rather than being issued as a matter of course.

Given the current situation with clubs having to comply with the Companies Act and egms to ratify constitutional changes for same,it all appears very 1970s ish

slave1 · 13-11-2025 10:52AM

Captains usually don't have to pay green fees in away clubs either for their year of being Captain (or is that still a thing)

spacecoyote · 13-11-2025 11:55AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123984628#Comment_123984628

Think its the year after their captaincy?

Russman · 13-11-2025 12:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123983585#Comment_123983585

I agree with this. It all, at face value, seems a little odd. I've never heard of committee members getting paid. I can get on board with captains getting something towards entertainment they'd have to do as part of their duties, attending inter-club matches etc etc. which seems fair enough.

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