Random Golf Thoughts

slave1 · 14-12-2020 12:02am #1

Place for short or random golf thoughts, questions etc.
Stemming from the Off Topic thread becoming Golf Centric recently....

Ivefoundgod · 14-12-2020 12:09am

From off topic thread, sorry mods

Am looking at joining a local course in January and have spent the last few months updating my fairly old bag with some newer stuff. My irons are TM Speedbladez and I like them well enough and they're barely used so happy to keep going with them. I've picked up a 2nd hand M2 3W and 4H to replace a positively ancient McGregor fairway wood set. My plan is to pick up two new wedges in January as its probably the strongest part of my game so happy to invest in some decent kit and hope to pick up a 3h in place of a 5w second hand somewhere. Which brings me to my query, my driver is a Nike VRS covert (the red one). I love the look of it and when I hit it well it goes a decent way though not sure how far to be honest as my local range is fairly crap in terms of distance markers, I'd estimate somewhere between 210-230ish. Now that I'm catching up with the latest tech I'm wondering if I should upgrade the driver to something newer and get fitted also? The course I'm joining is reasonably lengthy and rewards length off the tee so I'm thinking its an area I would potentially benefit the most from. A lot of YouTube videos and forums suggest that the biggest difference between my club and the newer ones is forgiveness, I generally tend to miss right with a massive slice so I figure I need all the help I can get.

Whats peoples thoughts on here and where would people recommend to go to get fitted in the new year? I know there's a lot of new clubs coming out in the first few months of next year so my plan was to maybe hang on until March and get fitted then. I'm based in Carlow and my googling research hasn't brought back much in the way of local fitters outside of O' Dwyers in Kilkenny and McGuirks in Dublin/Waterford.

Deeper Blue · 14-12-2020 12:18am

Random golf thought:

I absolutely hate when people refer to golf clubs as "golf sticks"

Admittedly it's usually non-golfers but still it annoys me way more than it should

dan_ep82 · 14-12-2020 5:17am

I think the coverts got a bad name when they came out, not the longest nor very good on off centre hits. I had one a few years ago when I started out and the same as you I liked the look of them more than anything.

Launch monitor should show up what kind of spin model and loft driver suits you then you can try a few different shafts until one feels right.

I picked up a few yards changing driver after a fitting last year.

Kiith · 14-12-2020 11:25am

So how far does everyone travel to their club?

Looking at a potential 45 minute drive if we move to where we are considering, and that'll be a big change from the 4 minutes it currently takes. Would certainly limit the amount i could play, with very little evening rounds i would imagine.

Ivefoundgod · 14-12-2020 11:39am

Kiith wrote: »

So how far does everyone travel to their club?

Looking at a potential 45 minute drive if we move to where we are considering, and that'll be a big change from the 4 minutes it currently takes. Would certainly limit the amount i could play, with very little evening rounds i would imagine.

Have this predicament at the moment, there's a club about 5 minutes drive away and then the other is about 20 minutes, two alternative options are around 30-40 minutes away. The two furthest away are marginally cheaper options and not as prestige courses as the two nearest but still decent tracks. My closest option is also the most expensive but I've been put off by some stories about elitism and generally snobbery associated with members so have gone for the one 20 minutes away. It has excellent facilities and is very reasonable to join at €750 for the year so that's my mind made up. I did strongly consider the others but as you say a 40 minute drive more or less eliminates evening golf after work unless you can nip off early.

slave1 · 14-12-2020 1:54pm

Kiith wrote: »

So how far does everyone travel to their club?

Looking at a potential 45 minute drive if we move to where we are considering, and that'll be a big change from the 4 minutes it currently takes. Would certainly limit the amount i could play, with very little evening rounds i would imagine.

I did this for a year when I was a member of New Forest, yes you are limiting yourself for the evening golf so you have to factor it in but the overriding piece for me was it was only going to be a year and the course was worth it.
Shame, never made it to Tullamore to have a round with you, 2020 was a disaster

fearruanua · 14-12-2020 2:07pm

Kiith wrote: »

So how far does everyone travel to their club?

Looking at a potential 45 minute drive if we move to where we are considering, and that'll be a big change from the 4 minutes it currently takes. Would certainly limit the amount i could play, with very little evening rounds i would imagine.

25/30 mins on sunday morning. I usually have a golf podcast lined up for the trip.
stop for a coffee and a sausage sambo en route. Bliss!!!!

Snotty · 14-12-2020 2:55pm

Went from a 5 minute drive to a 40 minute drive, but the pay offs were very much worth it for 2 reasons, new course is much better and a links so this time of year its a pleasure to play and always open compare to the wet parkland i came from and secondly, i actually get more competitive golf played now, as bizarre as that sounds. In my old club i could play early (before 8.30) 1 morning during the week however there would never be anyone around wanting to play at that time, however at this new club there are always people out early and i've got a nice 4 ball that play the club comp every Thursday morning.

Kiith · 14-12-2020 5:01pm

slave1 wrote: »

I did this for a year when I was a member of New Forest, yes you are limiting yourself for the evening golf so you have to factor it in but the overriding piece for me was it was only going to be a year and the course was worth it.

Yeah, that's what i'm thinking. I've heard Dooks is quite nice, so i guess i don't mind a bit of a drive for a decent course. The landlord for the potential new house said he's sure i'd be able to get out in Hogs Head and Waterville once i meet and have a few pints with any of the local golfers :P

slave1 wrote: »

Shame, never made it to Tullamore to have a round with you, 2020 was a disaster

Yeah, for sure. Total write off this year. Sure we'll have the Boards society next year once all this ****e is over.

tax_tutor1 · 15-12-2020 1:43pm

Sounds like a sales pitch as is very is rare you will get out in Waterville unless paying green fees. Member guest rate there is expensive.
As for Hogs Head forget it unless you play in one of the local school/GAA funder raisers.

Kiith · 15-12-2020 4:40pm

It was the landlord who knows a few of the regulars apparently. Don't worry, i won't be banking on any sort of time on either course :P

Lefty2Guns · 15-12-2020 6:01pm

40 minute drive for me also. It doesn't bother me as my 2 brothers are members who live closer. I manage to get out in the evening during the summer for the Tuesday comps.

I find the drive great for unwinding. Put Spotify on in the car and head off.

Course is links aswell so always available to play.

DuckSlice · 16-12-2020 12:00am

fearruanua wrote: »

25/30 mins on sunday morning. I usually have a golf podcast lined up for the trip.
stop for a coffee and a sausage sambo en route. Bliss!!!!

I have to say that does sound like bliss, although not sure I would be willing to move away to enjoy it

It’s just 7/8 minutes for me to the golf course, 20 seconds if I’m at the GF house, can’t complain really.

gypsy79 · 17-12-2020 12:20am

40 minutes drives just seems so long for golf

I do for opens and boards but I used with 25 minutes out of city when i lived in city centre was driving

It shocks me in that part of the country where 40mins driving is 50 km plus that there are no courses in between

Kerry really is a ****ed up place

Why are you moving there....surely no woman would do that a nice fella like you

Whiplash85 · 17-12-2020 10:54am

Yeah it is 45 minutes for me also. Back to my home course where I am a distance member. It means I cant win any of the majors (no chance anyway) or vote. I could play in Fermoy where I am living currently with my wife but on 2 occasions I played there I had bad experiences. One occasion I was out on my own and behind a 3 ball who were slow. Another 3 ball caught up. And one of the members abused me/took out his frustration on me over a bad shot and slowing down momentum. Anyway I haven't gone back since. The other course is a lot friendlier and strangers/blow ins are taken under the wing a bit. Plus there is no comparison in terms of the course itself and condition. Of course it means I wouldn't get out as much or 6/9 holes on a summers evening after work isn't really possible but I will try and make up for it over Christmas if the weather is anyway half decent God willing. When driving more than 5 or 10 mins it is important to do a proper stretch and take a few additional practice swings to loosen out the lower back. I enjoy the 45 minutes drive back in the car with a cup of coffee and go through each hole and see what part of game was working ok or not at all or where I left shots behind. I probably wouldn't do that if I lived so close.

Snotty · 17-12-2020 11:11am

gypsy79 wrote: »

It shocks me in that part of the country where 40mins driving is 50 km plus that there are no courses in between

40 minute drive for me too, but if i turn on my GPS at my home, its lists all the courses local from nearest to furthest as the crow flys, my home course is 11th

Frisbee · 18-12-2020 10:27am

30-35 minutes for me. Can still get out in the evenings during the summer if I knock off a little early. We usually try play as early as we can on the weekends in summer so if teeing off at 8am it's about 25 mins with no cars on the road.

I live 30 seconds from Rathfarnham Golf Club, would love to join there but I'm only really starting playing properly this year so can't justify the 4k entrance money, maybe in a few years.

finglashoop · 18-12-2020 10:31am

8 mins away with no traffic

I play as early as I can before going to work.

Snotty · 18-12-2020 11:21am

Not getting to play much with the crap weather, not seeing much golf on TV either, I've started trawling eBay every evening and I just can't turn down a bargain 13 degree extra stiff RBZ 3 wood for £25

Could be an expensive time ahead.

slave1 · 18-12-2020 12:36pm

Bear in mind if delivery slips past Dec 31st you could face post Brexit taxes and handling charges

redzerdrog · 31-12-2020 9:55pm

Anyone try one of these? https://www.amazon.co.uk/HKKE-Detection-Practice-Training-Outdoor/dp/B08R6VVMJW

Would you recommend?

Bill Ponderosa · 01-01-2021 9:00am

I suppose I'll have to start a bit of in house golf/training. I've got the putt out and a yellow whip so I'll have use of them now. Will give the clubs and gear a good wash. Load up on youtube golf if I've time. January will be bleaker than usual. Roll on April.

spacecoyote · 01-01-2021 11:29am

redzerdrog wrote: »

Anyone try one of these? https://www.amazon.co.uk/HKKE-Detection-Practice-Training-Outdoor/dp/B08R6VVMJW

Would you recommend?

Have the accustrike version of the same thing. Got it last year, but given the way 2020 went, it didn't get much use.

Mostly ended up using it for some practice chipping in the house. It gives good feedback on strike.

As I haven't used it for much full swing stuff I can't really comment on the durability though

redzerdrog · 01-01-2021 8:56pm

spacecoyote wrote: »

Have the accustrike version of the same thing. Got it last year, but given the way 2020 went, it didn't get much use.

Mostly ended up using it for some practice chipping in the house. It gives good feedback on strike.

As I haven't used it for much full swing stuff I can't really comment on the durability though

I drunkenly bought one last night. I recently bought Adam Youngs Strike Plan so there is a few drills in that it should come in handy for even if it just swinging at plastic balls in the garden

ClutchIt · 06-01-2021 1:03am

20 mins for me. There is another course just 5 mins away, but it is twice the price. 20 mins is fine anyway, but I wouldn't want to be driving anything more than 30.
God I love golf. Dying for a game now.

Benicetomonty · 06-01-2021 9:04am

About 20 minutes for me once the m50 cooperates. Would need to be more careful on a weekday morning.

And online golf shopping is becoming a problem for me too. Wardrobe and shoe collection starting to bulge. Wife talking about sheds and extensions, cant be a coincidence.

Kiith · 06-01-2021 1:03pm

Haven't gotten caught up in online shopping, but i am planning on building a full on golf net out the back of the new house, and then maybe invest in a decent launch monitor. Jan and almost certainly Feb will be no golf, so will need to actually start working on my swing from home.

Also, emailed Dooks 3 times, and called them about membership, and can't get any info. Same thing happened in Tullamore when i was looking for info. Not sure why clubs don't reply. Surely getting new members is a priority most of the time? I'll go easy on them as it's Covid, but still.

Wait...maybe it's me that's the problem

pinkdoubleeagle · 06-01-2021 1:37pm

I picked up my new irons and wedges on December 29th after a 15 week wait only for Golf to be closed the following day so haven't had the chance to hit them yet. Also joined Rosses as a distant member and not been down yet.

Renewal invoice arrived this morning for the home club. I reckon it will be March before I do either. Not a chance Golf will be looked at until schools are fully up and running again

Whiplash85 · 06-01-2021 1:43pm

pinkdoubleeagle wrote: »

I picked up my new irons and wedges on December 29th after a 15 week wait only for Golf to be closed the following day so haven't had the chance to hit them yet. Also joined Rosses as a distant member and not been down yet.

Renewal invoice arrived this morning for the home club. I reckon it will be March before I do either. Not a chance Golf will be looked at until schools are fully up and running again

I think once non essential retail is open again then golf clubs will be open again. If schools are to remain closed until mid term or after it I should say then we are probably looking at mid March realistically for a return of golf. Its a pity but the only thing that takes the sting out of it for me is that a lot of golf clubs will be closed at the moment anyway due to extreme cold snap. From the couple of rounds I played before current restrictions it was tough sledding as well with underfoot conditions and heavy rain.

Ollieboy · 06-01-2021 2:26pm

Kiith wrote: »

Haven't gotten caught up in online shopping, but i am planning on building a full on golf net out the back of the new house, and then maybe invest in a decent launch monitor. Jan and almost certainly Feb will be no golf, so will need to actually start working on my swing from home.

Also, emailed Dooks 3 times, and called them about membership, and can't get any info. Same thing happened in Tullamore when i was looking for info. Not sure why clubs don't reply. Surely getting new members is a priority most of the time? I'll go easy on them as it's Covid, but still.

Wait...maybe it's me that's the problem

A lot of clubs will not have full time offices staff or the option of remote working for staff due to old phone systems. Also, some clubs will put staff on leave to allow them make claims. Because pros shops are closed, I reckon your wasting your time ringing any club at the moment.

Golf won’t reopen until we drop to level 4. I reckon that’s the start of March.

I also think we will be back to 14 mins or 2balls and no competitions for a while like last time.

It will be tough time for most clubs as renewals due now and clubs usually have very little cash at year end.

Ivefoundgod · 06-01-2021 3:16pm

I've had similar issues getting responses from clubs on membership even before this latest lockdown. Sent multiple emails to clubs but only got one reply which had any concrete information and an application form attached. I did contact a club this week but am not sure if/when I'll ever get a response on that now that golf is closed indefinitely. I'm beginning to wonder now if its even worthwhile trying to join somewhere this year given the cost and likelihood of ongoing restrictions.

Ollieboy · 06-01-2021 7:46pm

Ivefoundgod wrote: »

I've had similar issues getting responses from clubs on membership even before this latest lockdown. Sent multiple emails to clubs but only got one reply which had any concrete information and an application form attached. I did contact a club this week but am not sure if/when I'll ever get a response on that now that golf is closed indefinitely. I'm beginning to wonder now if its even worthwhile trying to join somewhere this year given the cost and likelihood of ongoing restrictions.

Golf membership is always worthwhile, it’s about belonging to a club and been part of a family.

I reckon once we reopen at the end of Feb or early March that it will be the last lockdown for golf but it will be a long time before other sports get back to pre COVID activity. The govt were very clear that golf would only shut down if the situation was very bad.

I personally see COVID been around and a issue until the end of this year if not longer. They will only complete the vaccines and have to restart again. Hence I think golf will be the most active sport around for a while.

slingerz · 06-01-2021 9:35pm

I don’t see golf clubs opening by Paddy’s Day really. I expect schools will stay shut until the mid term in February and give golf another month after that. Hopefully the vaccine means it’s the final lockdown

The only saving grace is that given the time of the year and the weather/underfoot conditions it isn’t the worst. Lockdown 1.0 was way worse given the fine weather we had!

tayto lover · 06-01-2021 9:39pm

Thinking back over the summer.
If I didn’t have an 8 on the seventh, a 7 on the eleventh, a 6 on the fourteenth and another 8 on the seventeenth I could have won the Captain’s Prize.
I was that close.

blue note · 08-01-2021 11:01am

Why do people obsess about making a draw their natural shot shape instead of a fade? I think a few pros have done it in an effort to win Augusta and I'm not sure it's a good idea even then. But you see mid to high handicappers trying desperately to turn their shot shape into a draw. I think it's madness. Colin Montgomerie and Jack Nicklaus played with natural fades. It's not stopping people get down to single figures or anything!

Personally, I have a natural slice. I try very hard to hit it straight and on the good days it balances off to a fade. And most of the time that's an absolutely fine shot shape. The only time it's a bit of a problem is on a very windy day when a left to right wind can turn it into a serious slice. Or if I'm too tight to trees on my left hand side. But if I switched to a draw I'd have a mirror of the problem anyway.

DuckSlice · 08-01-2021 12:07pm

blue note wrote: »

Why do people obsess about making a draw their natural shot shape instead of a fade? I think a few pros have done it in an effort to win Augusta and I'm not sure it's a good idea even then. But you see mid to high handicappers trying desperately to turn their shot shape into a draw. I think it's madness. Colin Montgomerie and Jack Nicklaus played with natural fades. It's not stopping people get down to single figures or anything!

Personally, I have a natural slice. I try very hard to hit it straight and on the good days it balances off to a fade. And most of the time that's an absolutely fine shot shape. The only time it's a bit of a problem is on a very windy day when a left to right wind can turn it into a serious slice. Or if I'm too tight to trees on my left hand side. But if I switched to a draw I'd have a mirror of the problem anyway.

The ball generally goes further with draw that probably has a lot to do with it.

padmcv · 08-01-2021 1:11pm

blue note wrote: »

Why do people obsess about making a draw their natural shot shape instead of a fade?

I try to play a draw because my fade can turn into a slice very quickly.
My miss with a draw on a bad day is a low-left which I find less damaging to my score than a slice.

slave1 · 08-01-2021 2:11pm

At pro level a bad draw is a better miss than a bad fade (apparently, don't know why)

08-01-2021 4:46pm

blue note wrote: »

Why do people obsess about making a draw their natural shot shape instead of a fade?

My coach actually got me to switch from a natural draw to a fade. My bad hooks we're costing me alot of shots from the tee.

RoadRunner · 08-01-2021 4:52pm

slave1 wrote: »

At pro level a bad draw is a better miss than a bad fade (apparently, don't know why)

I think the side of the miss is more significant for amateurs. In my own experience, ie: not pro level :rolleyes: a miss left and a miss right are not equal. The bad push is always a high shot with spin that carries pretty good distance. When it lands the ball is dropping from a high trajectory with spin which is very likely to nestle into the rough and become a lost ball. Due to its trajectory it's difficult to gauge exactly how far it travelled and the search area for the ball is wide. Just finding the ball needs luck.

The miss left is a bad hook has a very low trajectory and will land way shorter then normal however with pace. Your eye can often follow it better if it goes into rough it may skip and hop around. Due to the difference in trajectory will sometimes have a better lie then you might expect for such a poor strike. With luck you may still be able to find the green with it.

The Pros have other people to find their ball. They normally just walk up to it wherever it ends up.

billy3sheets · 08-01-2021 5:42pm

Interesting read on what Tadhg Harrington thinks of draw v fade here: https://harringtongolfacademy.com/swing-myths-set-up/
Personally I'd love to be able to draw and fade the ball. I'd naturally fade or slice it, probably because I try to swing too hard and come over the top. I watched a few videos on drawing it and have been having some success, if not a draw then a non-slice.

dan_ep82 · 08-01-2021 6:15pm

I think most people can hit a fade and a draw but like me it's hit and miss whether it's a functional one.

I score better when my miss is a low hook vs a high push fade simply because it usually stays in bounds.

I can fade a draw irons pretty much on command but the driver is a different story.

Bill Ponderosa · 08-01-2021 8:36pm

Strangely when I started playing golf I had a natural draw. When I got decent at golf I decided I needed to learn how to hit a fade mainly for the craic but incase I ever needed it or to show off to the lads.

Anyway for the next few weeks I hit nothing but fades off the tee with the driver. Learned it fairly quickly, big power fades. 3 weeks later I said I better get back to my usual shot shape as I was starting to hit massive slices. Unfortunately for me my draw was gone for good. 3 years later I've no idea where the ball will go and my game has fallen apart!! Work in progress.

redzerdrog · 08-01-2021 10:13pm

I think it is a myth that a draw goes further than a fade or that a a left miss is better than a right miss.

It's all about getting the functional match up in the swing but many people who fade the ball lose yards not because of the ball fades but because fade might be due to an over the top movement or early extension or a very weak grip or other deficit in the swing.

I think most people get thought to move from a fade to a draw because this move will change the functional match up in the swing that causes some of the above. But in theory the aim isnt necessarily to change everyone to a draw but if you have someone who's natural path is -12 with an nautral face and get them to try change the their path to a exaggerated +8 they might get some movements that will bring that natural closer to -2 which will make it much easier to get a functional match up.

That made a lot more sense in my head anyway!!!

Deeper Blue · 09-01-2021 1:46am

I'm absolutely sick to death of hearing about Charlie Woods

They were even on about him during the tournament of champions TV coverage earlier

Granted he's got a great swing for his age but so do thousands of other youngsters. Chances are he'll never even make it as a pro.

Leave the kid alone

Jimbee · 10-01-2021 1:54pm

I suppose if you even have a slight fade you are generally moving the wrong body parts first. If you play that way there will be times when you get a worse fade.
If you learn to hit a draw you will always be able to hit both ways. If your hooking go back to a fade to straighten out your flight and vice versa. So learning to draw the ball is not just for distance it teaches you different movement patterns and gives you lots of options.

tayto lover · 10-01-2021 4:34pm

I can draw the ball and fade the ball.
The trouble is I don’t know when and I don’t know how.

gypsy79 · 10-01-2021 7:48pm

tayto lover wrote: »

I can draw the ball and fade the ball.
The trouble is I don’t know when and I don’t know how.

I am by no means an expert.....but if you are doing both I am suspecting that your alignment is off. You need a set of alignment sticks!!

blue note · 11-01-2021 3:19pm

Those replies were interesting. I had thought it was just wanting to be more like the better golfers in the club, but it sounds like there are logical reasons to pursue a default draw. I won't be trying it, but I'll no longer judging the people that do.

Okay, I'll try another one....

I don't get people trying to chip with lots of check on the ball. They should just roll it up to the hole. Seeing people who are very average club golfers trying to fire it towards the hole and have it just stop is the opposite of impressive for me. If it works fine, but you're swinging so hard to hit the ball such a short distance. The chances of chunking it or boning it through a green are massive. As opposed to a bump and run with the 8 iron. Even if you thin it, you're not swinging hard enough for it to be a major problem. Even if you need to clear something my preference would be to play it with a bit of loft anyway.

So what's the logic there people?

Ivefoundgod · 11-01-2021 3:36pm

blue note wrote: »

Those replies were interesting. I had thought it was just wanting to be more like the better golfers in the club, but it sounds like there are logical reasons to pursue a default draw. I won't be trying it, but I'll no longer judging the people that do.

Okay, I'll try another one....

I don't get people trying to chip with lots of check on the ball. They should just roll it up to the hole. Seeing people who are very average club golfers trying to fire it towards the hole and have it just stop is the opposite of impressive for me. If it works fine, but you're swinging so hard to hit the ball such a short distance. The chances of chunking it or boning it through a green are massive. As opposed to a bump and run with the 8 iron. Even if you thin it, you're not swinging hard enough for it to be a major problem. Even if you need to clear something my preference would be to play it with a bit of loft anyway.

So what's the logic there people?

I think this is actually the very absence of logic rather than there being any logic to it. Its an ego thing IMO, people like to hit a shot that the pros do and given that very few golfers can hit a drive 300 yards or stitch a 7i to 10 feet the most attainable type of "pro shot" is the chip shot with check. I'd agree there's very few who can even do it and you see players who have no business even attempting it trying it but let them on. There was an interesting video by golf mates a while back where they played a few holes with a man in his 70s playing off single digits, I think 4ish? His course management was fantastic and he swore by the bump and run. I know it made me re-evaluate shot selection around the greens. I'm generally a sand wedge guy with chips, I'd rarely try to check the ball but I would often aim to land say 10-15 ft short and let the ball roll up to the pin but looking at his technique I plan to use it more often, particularly when I'm 50ft+ from the pin.

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