Golf Lesson for LOW handicap golfer

[dewilson58]

Not impressed with the teachers at The Villages.

Any recommendations for teaching pro's in the area.

Okay traveling an hour or so.

Thanks
:ho:

(any one used Oxford??)

[LeRoySmith]

Not impressed with the teachers at The Villages.

Any recommendations for teaching pro's in the area.

Okay traveling an hour or so.

Thanks
:ho:

(any one used Oxford??)

I could give you a few pointers.

[swooner]

I could give you a few pointers.
If you’re a low handicapper why screw it up by going to a pro who will inevitably try to teach you to swing like he does?

[mrf6969]

I am a under 20 handicap. I could probably help you a lot. First tip, start at the 19th hole.

[dewilson58]

If you’re a low handicapper why screw it up by going to a pro who will inevitably try to teach you to swing like he does?


Looking for a tweak.
That's why I'm looking for a specific Pro.
Not looking for a generic, broad-brush teacher.

[Two Bills]

If it ain't broke, why try to fix it. :shrug:

[CoachKandSportsguy]

we aren't low handicappers, nor mid handicappers, but we can shoot in the mid-high 80s when the sun is shining properly. . . .

search in the Orlando area. . .

We went with Larry Rinker, ex pga player and current pro teacher, and he specializes in old people swings, a one time present to each of us as he is very expensive, and he made very specific recommendations and also golfed a round with us for a full day the monday after the Father / son PGA tournament for best playing conditions evah! . My play improved tremendously practicing his tweaks, not so much when i don't practice..

good luck,

sportsguy and coachk, two time local tournament winner

[asianthree]

My dad was a scratch golfer, yet rarely gave lessons to any of us.
His tip, it’s your game, respect the game, the rules. If one can’t enjoy the few hours of solitude, enjoying the great moments, don’t dwell on the bad shot, then golf is not your game.

[jim@jedward.com]

Stephen Wresh at Continental Country Club. Best in the area. Excellent with low handicap golfers.

[Rwirish]

I can give you lessons but my hourly rate is very high ( same rate as Butch Harmon charges ). ������

[dewilson58]

Stephen Wresh at Continental Country Club. Best in the area. Excellent with low handicap golfers.

Local golf instructor arrested after battle with teenage son over dishwasher.

https://www.**************.com/2018/02/22/local-golf-instructor-arrested-battle-teenage-son-dishwasher/

[dewilson58]

We went with Larry Rinker, ex pga player and current pro teacher, and he specializes in old people swings, a one time present to each of us as he is very expensive, and he made very specific recommendations and also golfed a round with us for a full day the monday after the Father / son PGA tournament for best playing conditions evah! . My play improved tremendously practicing his tweaks, not so much when i don't practice..


Forgot about this guy.......................this is a great option.

[staceygolf]

I hear Mitch Adcock at Palmer is excellent with low handicappers. He is a former PGA Tour player.

[rmellone]

Steve Wresh at Continental, I shoot in the low 80's and he is giving me some changes to get into the 70's
352 267 4707

[Daisy5278]

Not impressed with the teachers at The Villages.

Any recommendations for teaching pro's in the area.

Okay traveling an hour or so.

Thanks
:ho:

(any one used Oxford??)

Mike Bender in Lake Mary...be prepared to be on waiting list.

[SHIBUMI]

How low a handicap are you???? Golfers are like snowflakes, each is a little different in some way..............assuming you need to discover your swing not the short game.

Most high handicappers suffer from loft......... lack of f...talent

Low handicappers need a slight mechanic twist to free up their swing.........

It starts with having the right swing philosophy and most pros deal in hitting positions and not co-ordinating your golf swing...........

This is going to be a journey to find the right pro........when you go explain your swing philosophy to them............there in may lie the rub...........




Not impressed with the teachers at The Villages.

Any recommendations for teaching pro's in the area.

Okay traveling an hour or so.

Thanks
:ho:

(any one used Oxford??)

[SHIBUMI]

I did know a guy who could take 3-5 shots off low handicappers, 5-10 off mid handicapper, and 10-15 shots off high handicappers in a few lessons.........he dealt in swing philosophy and co-ordinating movement ...........How low a handicap are you???? Golfers are like snowflakes, each is a little different in some way..............assuming you need to discover your swing not the short game.

Most high handicappers suffer from loft......... lack of f...talent

Low handicappers need a slight mechanic twist to free up their swing.........

It starts with having the right swing philosophy and most pros deal in hitting positions and not co-ordinating your golf swing...........

This is going to be a journey to find the right pro........when you go explain your swing philosophy to them............there in may lie the rub...........

[PGApromike]

Funny this came up today. I just finished building my hitting area. I'm planning on offering a limited number of spots on my schedule. I'm currently a 33 year PGA Pro and will be starting a initially a short game program. This program is going to improve your full swing as I teach mainly Correct Impact Position and how to get to it.
Please message me privately for more info.

[ChrisnGerm]

As a retired educator, coach and referee of several sports I belive I am qualified to evaluate coaches/instructors. I have also taken golf lessons from several instructors over the years. Since coming to TV I have taken several lessons from David Sherman at Lopez Legacy. He is outstanding! In chatting with David it became very obvious why he is an excellent instructor. David has worked with/mentored by some of the very best, i.e. David Pelz. Coach Sherman is a two time NCAA Coach of theYear!

[guitarguy]

It’s been three years but I went to Golftec in Orlando. They sell you a package and are very flexible in scheduling.. I did about 2 years going every 3 weeks. Sometimes on a course in Orlando rest at their location. They provide feedback of your lesson thru their app within a couple hours. Excellent graphics within the video. It has been over two years and I can still review the videos, by each lesson. I only wish they were close, I would still be doing it.

[Andyb]

Not impressed with the teachers at The Villages.

Any recommendations for teaching pro's in the area.

Okay traveling an hour or so.

Thanks
:ho:

(any one used Oxford??)

John Hughes, Orlando

[FredMitchell]

What part(s) of your game has the fewest "strokes gained"? You probably want to know that before selecting professional help.

[Bucci1920]

Taken lessons from Mitch and I think he is great.
Works with what you have and tweaks it.
No cookie cutter.
Would recommend a sand lesson, his speciality.
Been a 2-5 for 40 yrs and have played competitive golf my whole life.

[botrott]

Not impressed with the teachers at The Villages.

Any recommendations for teaching pro's in the area.

Okay traveling an hour or so.

Thanks
:ho:

(any one used Oxford??)
Tyler McGhie near Orange County National. Works with what you can do physically, not a cookie cutter coach. Has plenty of content on Youtube and does online lessons so you don't have to travel

[USNA83]

I recommend Athletic Motion Golf in Winter Garden. It's an indoor practice facility with Trackman bays and the pros there have worked with PGA tour players. I've been a member since July.

[Topspinmo]

The problem with golf is when you fix one problem 5 more pop up? If you can finely drive ball off tee, can’t hit approach shot, now it you finely hit drive, and good approach shot, you can’t putt. What I have found I can drive ball, can hit approach shot close, but I don’t have to be accurate. Now I got to putt, which has to be accurate. So, IMO it all boils down to the putting. 50 cents please…:faint:

[fdpaq0580]

Lessons? You don't need no stinking lessons! Just remember to keep your head down.
You're welcome. 😉

[jimhoward]

I would second the recommendation for Golftec. Particularly if you are just trying to tweek your swing. The video analysis really helps you see the impact of small changes. Feel isn’t real. Often the changes that you make based on feel do the opposite of what you think. Being able to see every swing is so important.

[BrianL99]

This thread is fascinating. I'm amazed at how many experts we have on TOTV!

I've been in TV for 4 winters. I play 5 times a week. I book the night before, so that means I've played with approximately 1000 different golfers.

I have played with fewer than 20 people who played the Blue Tees.

I have never seen anyone else play the Golds or Blacks.

I have yet to see anyone break 80.

I shot my age from the Blues at TDS, last winter. I figured if I got old enough, I'd eventually accomplish that elusive goal. 1 under par.

[Snakster66]

This thread is fascinating. I'm amazed at how many experts we have on TOTV!

I've been in TV for 4 winters. I play 5 times a week. I book the night before, so that means I've played with approximately 1000 different golfers.

I have played with fewer than 20 people who played the Blue Tees.

I have never seen anyone else play the Golds or Blacks.

I have yet to see anyone break 80.

I shot my age from the Blues at TDS, last winter. I figured if I got old enough, I'd eventually accomplish that elusive goal. 1 under par.

I played the Golds At Palmer on Saturday. Seemed about right, but no, I didn't break 80. The tee on the second hole on Riley Grove was only one that had me second guessing my choice. Some intimidating carry on that one.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

This thread is fascinating. I'm amazed at how many experts we have on TOTV!

I've been in TV for 4 winters. I play 5 times a week. I book the night before, so that means I've played with approximately 1000 different golfers.

I have played with fewer than 20 people who played the Blue Tees.

I have never seen anyone else play the Golds or Blacks.

I have yet to see anyone break 80.

I shot my age from the Blues at TDS, last winter. I figured if I got old enough, I'd eventually accomplish that elusive goal. 1 under par.

I follow @LouStagner on twitter. He is a golf stats guy, and coaches the Princeton Men's golf team, and caddies in USGA amateur tournaments.

HIs stats are very telling and fascinating with data points in the tens of thousands from all handicappers.

Scratch players make bogey on one of out every four holes they play.
Scratch players are in the top ~1% of all amateur golfers.
They average ~4.7 bogeys per round.
They average ~ 2.2 birdies per round.
From 110 yards in the fairway, they are getting it up and down about 1 out of 10 times.

hey do NOT have a scoring average of even par.

A scratch player...
Playing a par 72...
With a 71.5 course rating...
And a 131 slope rating...

Will have a scoring average of about 75 over their last 20 rounds.

Scratch golfer stats mega thread by Lou
https://x.com/LouStagner/status/1849825129481544096

Approximate ranges:
That puts a low handicapper between 75-82
A mid handicapper between 82- 89
A high handicapper 90 and above

@BrianL, you are probably a scratch golfer, correct! very impressive given the difficulty of the sport.

However, if you read enough of Lou's posts, you will realize that most 65 y/o and above should not be playing the back two tee boxes based upon their age/expected/average distance off the tees anyway. . one can be scratch at the men's forward tees. . .

[BrianL99]

I played the Golds At Palmer on Saturday. Seemed about right, but no, I didn't break 80. The tee on the second hole on Riley Grove was only one that had me second guessing my choice. Some intimidating carry on that one.

That's a tough hole. I find keeping it right on the Tee shot, is a better way to play the hole. Of course, it probably doesn't matter much, because it's nearly impossible to keep your 2nd shot on the Green.

[dewilson58]

I played the Golds At Palmer on Saturday. Seemed about right, but no, I didn't break 80. The tee on the second hole on Riley Grove was only one that had me second guessing my choice. Some intimidating carry on that one.

Jus played it this morning.
Course is in great shape.

The poor starter at Riley needs to retire.
He was arguing with me as to my name (with my Villages ID in hand).
Argued I was some guy named "Wallinkoski" & I was at the wrong tee time.

Once past him, very nice morning.

[dewilson58]

Thanks the posts and PM's.

I have a couple solid options.

:gc:

[dewilson58]

Scratch players make bogey on one of out every four holes they play.
Scratch players are in the top ~1% of all amateur golfers.
They average ~4.7 bogeys per round.
They average ~ 2.2 birdies per round.
From 110 yards in the fairway, they are getting it up and down about 1 out of 10 times.

A scratch player...
Playing a par 72...
With a 71.5 course rating...
And a 131 slope rating...

Will have a scoring average of about 75 over their last 20 rounds.

However, if you read enough of Lou's posts, you will realize that most 65 y/o and above should not be playing the back two tee boxes based upon their age/expected/average distance off the tees anyway. . one can be scratch at the men's forward tees. . .

Wow, I feel better about myself without a lesson.

Interesting ............... the "65 and above" comment vs. driving distance (no matter what age).
I believe it's driving distance, not age, determining back two tees.

[BrianL99]

I follow @LouStagner on twitter. He is a golf stats guy, and coaches the Princeton Men's golf team, and caddies in USGA amateur tournaments.

...

However, if you read enough of Lou's posts, you will realize that most 65 y/o and above should not be playing the back two tee boxes based upon their age/expected/average distance off the tees anyway. . one can be scratch at the men's forward tees. . .


Lou Stagner is a 1st class jerk. He's an assistant coach at Princeton, who provides them with statistical analysis. Lou's not much of a golfer, I'd play him at scratch any day and I have 30+ years on him. His X account is one of the worst examples of engagement farming I've seen in the golf community.

As soon as someone calls him out on his nonsense, Lou disappears. IMO, his understand of golf stats is no better than a 16 year old boy's understand of sex.

If you want to follow someone from Arccos who knows what he's talking about, follow @hutch_golf. Hutch is not only a stat guy at Arccos, he plays at scratch and just won his club championship.

Being a finance guy, you already know this ... statistics are only as good as the raw input. Arccos' stats aren't representative and rife with errors and Lou comes erroneous conclusions. Lou brags about their "2 billion shot" database, but has no interest in putting his "conclusions" into context, only tossing hand grenades over the transom, to generate "hits". (I have a friend at Arccos, who's about 8 steps above Lou on the food chain, so I have a little extra insight).

Sorry to get wound up, but Lou Stagner is the Kardashian of golf "statisticians".

[BrianL99]

Wow, I feel better about myself without a lesson.

Interesting ............... the "65 and above" comment vs. driving distance (no matter what age).
I believe it's driving distance, not age, determining back two tees.

Age & driving distance are fairly well connected. I don't kow any 65+ year olds, who can hit it farther than they did at 50.

The best distance recommendation I've seen, is multiply your 5 Iron (carry) distance by 36. That puts me right around 6000 yards. I now play the Blue Tees everywhere (TDS is about 6200 from the Blues).

[Safety Ranger]

Try Larrie Yosha at Harbor Hills.

[HORNET]

Move up one set of Tees, then enjoy the day!

[dewilson58]

Move up one set of Tees, then enjoy the day!

:what:

[Two Bills]

Jus played it this morning.
Course is in great shape.

The poor starter at Riley needs to retire.
He was arguing with me as to my name (with my Villages ID in hand).
Argued I was some guy named "Wallinkoski" & I was at the wrong tee time.

Once past him, very nice morning.

You were Poles apart then? :rolleyes:

[Papa_lecki]

I follow @LouStagner on twitter. He is a golf stats guy, and coaches the Princeton Men's golf team, and caddies in USGA amateur tournaments.

However, if you read enough of Lou's posts, you will realize that most 65 y/o and above should not be playing the back two tee boxes based upon their age/expected/average distance off the tees anyway. . one can be scratch at the men's forward tees. . .

If you follow Lou, most 45 year olds shouldn’t be teeing off from the back two tees.

[SHIBUMI]

As a golfers handicap gets lower his ego gets higher. Then as he hits single digits his ego grows exponentially. For the OP to say there isn't any teacher in the Villages that can teach him anything means his balloon is a little too full. He needs to let a little air out before he can let any learning in. So, as your golf improves, be careful of this stat.. it is so spot on:loco:


I follow @LouStagner on twitter. He is a golf stats guy, and coaches the Princeton Men's golf team, and caddies in USGA amateur tournaments.

HIs stats are very telling and fascinating with data points in the tens of thousands from all handicappers.

Scratch players make bogey on one of out every four holes they play.
Scratch players are in the top ~1% of all amateur golfers.
They average ~4.7 bogeys per round.
They average ~ 2.2 birdies per round.
From 110 yards in the fairway, they are getting it up and down about 1 out of 10 times.

hey do NOT have a scoring average of even par.

A scratch player...
Playing a par 72...
With a 71.5 course rating...
And a 131 slope rating...

Will have a scoring average of about 75 over their last 20 rounds.

Scratch golfer stats mega thread by Lou
https://x.com/LouStagner/status/1849825129481544096

Approximate ranges:
That puts a low handicapper between 75-82
A mid handicapper between 82- 89
A high handicapper 90 and above

@BrianL, you are probably a scratch golfer, correct! very impressive given the difficulty of the sport.

However, if you read enough of Lou's posts, you will realize that most 65 y/o and above should not be playing the back two tee boxes based upon their age/expected/average distance off the tees anyway. . one can be scratch at the men's forward tees. . .

[BrianL99]

I follow @LouStagner on twitter. He is a golf stats guy, and coaches the Princeton Men's golf team, and caddies in USGA amateur tournaments.


@BrianL, you are probably a scratch golfer, correct! very impressive given the difficulty of the sport.



I'm far from scratch. Getting that low at 70+ years old is tough. I was 5.3 when I left TV last May. I've been between 3-6 for about 15 years. I've had a nagging injury for a few months and up to around 8 now.

It's extremely tough to keep a low handicap in TV, because of the course ratings & slope. To be scratch, you'd need to shoot under par most every day, from the Blue or Gold Tees.

To give you an idea, a Scratch Player at Mallory, playing Caroline to Virginia from the Blue Tees, is playing at +4. Shooting 68 isn't easy, no matter what golf course you're playing.

[kkingston57]

Stephen Wresh at Continental Country Club. Best in the area. Excellent with low handicap golfers.

Took a lesson from him. 90% of the shots were off of a mat. Does not work for me.

[kkingston57]

Lessons? You don't need no stinking lessons! Just remember to keep your head down.
You're welcome. 😉

Most amateurs do something else wrong(like swaying to their right) which lifts their head and after missing the shot they scream I lifted my head.

[Teed_Off]

Not impressed with the teachers at The Villages.

Any recommendations for teaching pro's in the area.

Okay traveling an hour or so.

Thanks
:ho:

(any one used Oxford??)

There are many golfers who keep a GHIN Handicap Index yet are very liberal with their own rules (rolling the ball in the fairway, gimmees, etc.) rather than the rules of golf. BTW - the only D. Wilson listing The Villages as their home course has an H. I. of 23.6.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Being a finance guy, you already know this ... statistics are only as good as the raw input. Arccos' stats aren't representative and rife with errors and Lou comes erroneous conclusions. Lou brags about their "2 billion shot" database, but has no interest in putting his "conclusions" into context, only tossing hand grenades over the transom, to generate "hits". (I have a friend at Arccos, who's about 8 steps above Lou on the food chain, so I have a little extra insight).

Sorry to get wound up, but Lou Stagner is the Kardashian of golf "statisticians".

Sorry to hit a nerve. As a high handicapper and a finance stats guy, I find the stats very interesting, as I have no other means of analyzing golf shot data. Golf with its GHIN index, slope and rating, and Pro players, has alot of common knowledge misinformation. I wasn't suggesting his skill level or his index as anything relevant, but more as my only source of golf stats for referencing performance versus handicap.

peace out. .

[BrianL99]

Sorry to hit a nerve. As a high handicapper and a finance stats guy, I find the stats very interesting, as I have no other means of analyzing golf shot data. Golf with its GHIN index, slope and rating, and Pro players, has alot of common knowledge misinformation. I wasn't suggesting his skill level or his index as anything relevant, but more as my only source of golf stats for referencing performance versus handicap.

peace out. .

Golfers always seem to have a misconception about how good they are, how good the guys on TV are, as well as the expected quality of their shots.

To throw a local connection at the wall. 1st Stage of Korn-Ferry Qualifying begins to today at the Country Club of Ocala. It was previously scheduled for 2 weeks ago, until the hurricane interrupted things. All the other 1st Stages are complete.

@SkeenJackson is competing there. Jackson is a +6.2 Index (GHIN - United States Golf Association Service (https://www.ghin.com/golfer-lookup/golfer/53616c7465645f5f94149945a55e3df0ec265bf212534c48/club/18087)). He has NO status on any Tour in the world. He's trying to make it through the 1st Stage to qualify for the Korn_Ferry Tour ... there are 2 more Stages before he makes K-F (the PGA Tour is a long way away).

So let's put things into a local perspective.

If Jackson came down to visit and played Mallory Hills (Caroline to Virginia, the tougher routing), from the BLACK Tees, he would be playing at +7. He would have to shoot 65 to "play to his handicap". 7 UNDER Par. He would have to average about 67 to maintain that handicap..

Jackson barely slips into the Top 3000 AMATEURS in the world, at #2954.

What's been happening in golf over the last 20 years of so is ... I'll use a economics description ... elasticity of the performance curve.

The very best Professionals (the guys we see on TV) have gotten significantly better than the days of Palmer & NIcklaus. Advances in equipment have allowed the Pros to distance themselves from the average players and surely from the typical "hacker". Scratch players used to watch golf on TV and think, "geez, with a few months of practice, I could play with these guys". Now? Any PGA Tour player could give the typical scratch player, 4-5 strokes a side and beat him like a drum. My club in NH has 12 guys with + handicaps.

Golfers don't realize how poorly they play, in relation to what they see on TV and end up with unrealistic expectations.

In fact, what they're watching on TV are freakishly talented professionals, that mere mortals have no hope of ever emulating.

@Loustagner is great at reminding folks of how badly they play.

[dewilson58]

As a golfers handicap gets lower his ego gets higher. Then as he hits single digits his ego grows exponentially. For the OP to say there isn't any teacher in the Villages that can teach him anything means his balloon is a little too full. He needs to let a little air out before he can let any learning in. So, as your golf improves, be careful of this stat.. it is so spot on:loco:

Learn to read and comprehend.
Never said "there isn't any teacher in the Villages that can teach him anything."

[dewilson58]

There are many golfers who keep a GHIN Handicap Index yet are very liberal with their own rules (rolling the ball in the fairway, gimmees, etc.) rather than the rules of golf. BTW - the only D. Wilson listing The Villages as their home course has an H. I. of 23.6.

Not me T, thanks for checking.

:loco::loco:

[It's Hot There]

This thread is fascinating. I'm amazed at how many experts we have on TOTV! I've been in TV for 4 winters. I play 5 times a week. I book the night before, so that means I've played with approximately 1000 different golfers. I have played with fewer than 20 people who played the Blue Tees. I have never seen anyone else play the Golds or Blacks. I have yet to see anyone break 80. I shot my age from the Blues at TDS, last winter. I figured if I got old enough, I'd eventually accomplish that elusive goal. 1 under par.

FUNNY, your posts, your opinions are presented as fact. chilout

Not seeing a lot of "experts" on TOTV, seeing a lot of suggestions to the OP's question.

Your 1000 different golfers, if true, is less than 1% of The Villages.
I have played with a frequent poster and he plays only Black & Gold Tees.

siBUM, don't know how many low handicappers you know ("As a golfers handicap gets lower his ego gets higher."), but the frequent poster enjoys the game, helps people if asked, laughs at himself and has no ego.

Enjoy your morning coffee.

[BrianL99]

There are many golfers who keep a GHIN Handicap Index yet are very liberal with their own rules (rolling the ball in the fairway, gimmees, etc.) rather than the rules of golf. BTW - the only D. Wilson listing The Villages as their home course has an H. I. of 23.6.

Not me T, thanks for checking.

:loco::loco:

An Index of 23.5 in The Villages, almost qualifies as a "good golfer" :1rotfl:

[CoachKandSportsguy]

In fact, what they're watching on TV are freakishly talented professionals, that mere mortals have no hope of ever emulating.


I have played with/against ex professionals in three different sports, a long time ago, in my 20's: actual competition, pickup and fun organized.

There is a huge/immense/ginnormous/intergalactic difference between amateurs and professionals, to which most people can't relate. There are gazillions of couch potato judgers, who can spew/type like their egos believe, but try actual competing with them sometime, and experience the differences.

they are freakishly talented, but also gives one hope that a golf shot out of the rough, or just missing the green, still making par or bogey at worst is not impossible. . . .

[Topspinmo]

[QUOTE=It's Hot There;2382722]FUNNY, your posts, your opinions are presented as fact. chilout

Not seeing a lot of "experts" on TOTV, seeing a lot of suggestions to the OP's question.

Your 1000 different golfers, if true, is less than 1% of The Villages.
I have played with a frequent poster and he plays only Black & Gold Tees.

siBUM, don't know how many low handicappers you know ("As a golfers handicap gets lower his ego gets higher."), but the frequent poster enjoys the game, helps people if asked, laughs at himself and has no ego.

Enjoy your morning coffee.

[/As a golfers handicap gets lower his ego gets higher

Same goes for pickleball players, tennis players. But, that different. In golf, billiards, darts, bowling, ect… you have no one to blame but yourself. In Pickleball, tennis, baseball, football, and dozens more sports you have others to blame cause they not up to the entitled standards that lowers you play due to their inabilities.

[Markgolf]

Not impressed with the teachers at The Villages.

Any recommendations for teaching pro's in the area.

Okay traveling an hour or so.

Thanks
:ho:

(any one used Oxford??)

What type of instructor appeals to you? How often do you get lessons? What are your goals? What technologies do you prefer?

[BrianL99]

they are freakishly talented, but also gives one hope that a golf shot out of the rough, or just missing the green, still making par or bogey at worst is not impossible. . . .

I used to play golf a couple of times a week, with a guy who had an MBA from Harvard and consulted to major corporations around the world. He also happened to be a former All American Defensive Back.

He loved to play golf. 4-5 times a week, at an expensive private club. Never kept score. He has no idea of what his scores were. He enjoyed the 1 or 2 shots he hit pure every round and that's what it was all about for him. I often don't keep score. I only count how many Pars or Birdies for the day.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I used to play golf a couple of times a week, with a guy who had an MBA from Harvard and consulted to major corporations around the world. He also happened to be a former All American Defensive Back.

He loved to play golf. 4-5 times a week, at an expensive private club. Never kept score. He has no idea of what his scores were. He enjoyed the 1 or 2 shots he hit pure every round and that's what it was all about for him. I often don't keep score. I only count how many Pars or Birdies for the day.

I would be in the low 80's average if I didn't blow up 3-4 holes, so I also just count pars and bogeys. . . this year was my first for eagle opportunities with two. . however, with longer season and more practice opportunities in TV, I am hoping to shoot my age decade someday. . including the cattail pitch and putt. . : :jester:

[BrianL99]

I would be in the low 80's average if I didn't blow up 3-4 holes, so I also just count pars and bogeys. . . this year was my first for eagle opportunities with two. . however, with longer season and more practice opportunities in TV, I am hoping to shoot my age decade someday. . including the cattail pitch and putt. . : :jester:

Folks who are fairly new at golf, are often confused by the "goal". Golf is not (at this level) about making good shots ... it's a game of minimizing your bad shots.

Want to try an experiment (I stole it from Tom Watson, so I don't want credit if it works)?

Everyone has a club or 2, they love and seem to hit well most of the time. Go play some day and just use that club, unless you're in the sand or around the green. Use it (or one of 2) for every shot. I'll bet you $5 you'll shoot your best round ever.

[BrianL99]

To throw a local connection at the wall. 1st Stage of Korn-Ferry Qualifying begins to today at the Country Club of Ocala. It was previously scheduled for 2 weeks ago, until the hurricane interrupted things. All the other 1st Stages are complete.

@SkeenJackson is competing there. Jackson is a +6.2 Index (GHIN - United States Golf Association Service (https://www.ghin.com/golfer-lookup/golfer/53616c7465645f5f94149945a55e3df0ec265bf212534c48/club/18087)). He has NO status on any Tour in the world. He's trying to make it through the 1st Stage to qualify for the Korn_Ferry Tour ... there are 2 more Stages before he makes K-F (the PGA Tour is a long way away).

So let's put things into a local perspective.

If Jackson came down to visit and played Mallory Hills (Caroline to Virginia, the tougher routing), from the BLACK Tees, he would be playing at +7. He would have to shoot 65 to "play to his handicap". 7 UNDER Par. He would have to average about 67 to maintain that handicap..

Jackson barely slips into the Top 3000 AMATEURS in the world, at #2954.



It's a tough game. Jackson Skeen shot 84 today, in the 2nd round of 1st Stage at CC of Ocala.
First Stage- FL 1 - First Stage Leaderboard | Korn Ferry Tour Q-School (https://pgatq.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/pgatq24/event/pgatq2420/contest/1/leaderboard.htm)

It will probably take a score of -11 or -12 to make it through 1st Stage. He's probably out of it (no cut at Q School). Golf is hard.

[Snakster66]

Folks who are fairly new at golf, are often confused by the "goal". Golf is not (at this level) about making good shots ... it's a game of minimizing your bad shots.

Want to try an experiment (I stole it from Tom Watson, so I don't want credit if it works)?

Everyone has a club or 2, they love and seem to hit well most of the time. Go play some day and just use that club, unless you're in the sand or around the green. Use it (or one of 2) for every shot. I'll bet you $5 you'll shoot your best round ever.

Only trouble with that is, those two clubs aren't always the same (for me anyway). But that aside, that's a pretty good idea and would be an interesting thing to try sometime.

[fdpaq0580]

Jus played it this morning.
Course is in great shape.

The poor starter at Riley needs to retire.
He was arguing with me as to my name (with my Villages ID in hand).
Argued I was some guy named "Wallinkoski" & I was at the wrong tee time.

Once past him, very nice morning.

You're not Wallinkoski? Could of fooled me. 🙂🙃🙂

[fdpaq0580]

Most amateurs do something else wrong(like swaying to their right) which lifts their head and after missing the shot they scream I lifted my head.

You may have just saved my game! 😯🤔🤐

[fdpaq0580]

Just a thought after reading an article about balls. I mean golf balls. It got me thinking how technology is constantly improving equipment and how those improvements alter training, playing, range, etc, and ultimately the game itself. As a pro, you compete with others for the "prize". With sponsors designing equipment for you, specifically. As amateurs, we don't have that luxury. As amateurs, we also are told we are competing with ourselves (who am I kidding). Being our best. For low handicap players, it might not be anything wrong with your game, but a change in equipment that will move you up the ranks.
Just the meandering mind of an old guy that loves the game, even though I was never any good at it.

[BrianL99]

Just a thought after reading an article about balls. I mean golf balls. It got me thinking how technology is constantly improving equipment and how those improvements alter training, playing, range, etc, and ultimately the game itself. As a pro, you compete with others for the "prize". With sponsors designing equipment for you, specifically. As amateurs, we don't have that luxury. As amateurs, we also are told we are competing with ourselves (who am I kidding). Being our best. For low handicap players, it might not be anything wrong with your game, but a change in equipment that will move you up the ranks.
Just the meandering mind of an old guy that loves the game, even though I was never any good at it.


Equipment is nearly irrelevant for the vast majority of golfers. Unless you have physical characteristics that are vastly different than the average person, changing balls or clubs, isn't going to do anything significant to help (or hurt) your game.

About 7-8 years ago, I conducted a "golf ball test". (the entire story is posted on GolfWRX, same user name).

I played 10 rounds with Titleist Pro V1's. Average score was 80.3. Course Rating 71.2, Slope 133.

I played 10 rounds with balls I found in the woods. I only played balls that were in good condition and I would NOT play any top line balls (No Pro V1's, no Srixon Z-Stars, no Taylormade TP's). My average score with the "found in the woods" balls, was 79.8.

All 20 rounds at the same golf course.

For the average golfer, there's not a whit of proof, that "fitting" produces any significant and sustained improvement in score.

Years ago, a guy name Dick Weiss came up with a process called "SST Pure" shaft alignment ((Shaft Stability Technology Precision Unifying and Resonance Enhancing). It was in theory, an improvement of the old "spine align" process and supposed set the shaft in the most "stable" position. 100,000's of clubs have had this process completed, for about $50/shaft, in the hopes that they would become better golfers.

Dick hired a friend of mine to get USGA approval for SST Pure. His analysis proved that there was no inherent improvement in shot dispersion, using SST Pure. At best, it could identify "outlier" shafts that had manufacturing defects. The USGA approved the process. Now a days, shaft manufacturing has improved to the point that there are very few outlier shafts.

It's the Indian, not the Arrow.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

About 7-8 years ago, I conducted a "golf ball test". (the entire story is posted on GolfWRX, same user name).


I conducted the same test this summer, though not intentionally. . .:rant-rave:

Playing in Scotland this past summer, I brought one box of high end balls, and lots of cheap balls, some used. I started playing with the high end balls on each course, but after I lost a sleeve of balls by hole number 2, i switched to the cheap Top Elite balls, and lost a sleeve by hole 12. . . or so depending upon the wind and the course.

but the courses had beautiful scenery. . . and i had a couple of pars by the end of the day. none of these were high end courses. . except one. . . a british open qualifier links course where I lost about 2 boxes in the heather




. .

[BrianL99]

I conducted the same test this summer, though not intentionally. . .:rant-rave:

Playing in Scotland this past summer, I brought one box of high end balls, and lots of cheap balls, some used. I started playing with the high end balls on each course, but after I lost a sleeve of balls by hole number 2, i switched to the cheap Top Elite balls, and lost a sleeve by hole 12. . . or so depending upon the wind and the course.

but the courses had beautiful scenery. . . and i had a couple of pars by the end of the day. none of these were high end courses. . except one. . . a british open qualifier links course where I lost about 2 boxes in the heather

. .


I can't think of another consumer product, more driven by ego, than golf balls. I know plenty of guys who can't break 90, who insist they NEED $55/Dozen Titleist Pro V1's to "play their best game". Nonsense.

If you can't break 80, no golf ball is going to mean more than a stroke or 2 to your average.

My average from the Blue Tees in TV last winter, was around 74-75. I won't pay more than $25/Dozen. I just bought 8 Dozen Maxfli Tours for $22.50 a Dozen ... I should make it January!

[Snakster66]

I can't think of another consumer product, more driven by ego, than golf balls. I know plenty of guys who can't break 90, who insist they NEED $55/Dozen Titleist Pro V1's to "play their best game". Nonsense.

If you can't break 80, no golf ball is going to mean more than a stroke or 2 to your average.

My average from the Blue Tees in TV last winter, was around 74-75. I won't pay more than $25/Dozen. I just bought 8 Dozen Maxfli Tours for $22.50 a Dozen ... I should make it January!

Yep, I dig the Maxfli tours. Or find logo overruns on golfballsdotcom for a good price for anyone who ‘needs’ more well known balls. I liked Vice, but it seems to me their prices have creeped up.

[BrianL99]

Yep, I dig the Maxfli tours. Or find logo overruns on golfballsdotcom for a good price for anyone who ‘needs’ more well known balls. I liked Vice, but it seems to me their prices have creeped up.

My favorite golf ball is the Vice Pro Plus, but as you noted, the price has gone up significantly, in the last year or so. $32.99 for quantities of 6+ dozen isn't much of a deal.

[Snakster66]

My favorite golf ball is the Vice Pro Plus, but as you noted, the price has gone up significantly, in the last year or so. $32.99 for quantities of 6+ dozen isn't much of a deal.

That was the one I liked as well. Still okay compared to the big guys, but getting to be more than I can justify when I can get Maxfli for much less and comparable ‘performance’.

[BrianL99]

That was the one I liked as well. Still okay compared to the big guys, but getting to be more than I can justify when I can get Maxfli for much less and comparable ‘performance’.

You may want to stock up. $110 for 4 Dozen. Site Maintenance (https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/maxfli-2023-tour-golf-balls-48-pack-22maxu2023mxfltrlgbl/22maxu2023mxfltrlgbl?color=White)

The MSRP on the 2024 Model is now $39.95 ... more than the Vice. Site Maintenance (https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/maxfli-2023-tour-golf-balls-22maxu2023mxfltrggbl/22maxu2023mxfltrggbl?color=Yellow)