PPOT Golf Thread

[onewhippedpuppy]

The LIV golf thread got me thinking, I can’t recall seeing a thread in OT to talk golf. Who else enjoys a lively game of whack-f$#k?

I used to play in high school, mostly as an excuse to skip class and drink beer with my friends. I sucked, as we all did, and after high school I quit playing. Fast forward to two years ago when my oldest son (22) started golfing with his buddies and got hooked, he now plays 3-4 days per week when the weather is nice. Oldest son got my youngest son (16) hooked, so much so that he’s going to quit baseball and golf for his high school team in the spring. Seeing a good opportunity to golf with my boys, I bought a used set about a year ago and started going with. Since we’re now a threesome, my wife (former HS athlete) decided to round out our group.

It’s escalated to the point that we are religiously playing at least once a week, with another 1-2 driving range trips weekly as well. My youngest only wants golf gear for birthdays and Christmas, and has been taking lessons to get ready for the spring. I still suck but went to one lesson with his instructor that was a game changer for me, I feel like I get a little better each round. Still don’t keep score because it only makes me angry, but may give it a try soon. I’m now on a nicer set of used Callaway clubs, and we are shopping for good deals on quality used gear for my wife. We are, 100% fully addicted as a family. Which is great! Except for the price, this isn’t a cheap sport.

[peppy]

I want to like the game, but it is the only sport I have ever played and never gotten better. I have been playing on and off since I was 8 or 9 and I'm 58 now. We are members at our local club with a cart in our shed and still can't get motivated to play. The only joy I get is finding lost balls that someone else hit.
I do want to enjoy the game though.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I did one 30 minute lesson and it made a dramatic difference. My grip was wrong and my weight transfer was wrong, he gave me some tips and told me to come back after playing 4-5 rounds. I still suck but it made a huge difference and I need to go back soon for next steps.

[berettafan]

owned clubs forever but only went once or twice a year for charity stuff. play a few holes, skip a few, where's the cart girl? not what anyone would really call golf.

then a few years back I got my son a set of clubs for Christmas telling him this is a skill I wish I'd developed earlier and it can be a good social thing too. Well he really took to it and then I decided to give it a reasonable effort. I'm now smitten by the game and absolutely lust after the feel and sound of a flushed iron.

I suspect I am at the lower end of actual skill and development speed but I'm making progress. Driver has improved greatly though I'm not a long hitter. Irons improving too but then I'll have a day where it looks like I've never been on a course.

I generally play solo but have a couple folks I'll go with from time to time. The quiet contemplation over a huge expanse of manicured grass....I dunno something about it just feels so, so good.


forgot to mention- I put together a somewhat janky but functional simulator in the garage and it has proven useful. can't really hit driver in there but fairways on down are pretty safe. use a Garmin r10 plugged into a Walmart tv. old baseball netting and harbor freight mesh tarps for the enclosure. did spend some $$ on the hitting mat.

[berettafan]

We have a ton of courses locally being a tourist destination. The club I joined is $800 for two years! 2 18 hole courses and usually can just show up late afternoon and walk 9. Wallet doesn't even come out of my car.

So as hobbies go golf is easily the cheapest one I have! Virtually free now that I've stopped bouncing around between irons and drivers. Even found a local person selling found balls in mint condition for 1/4 of what I'd pay in store.

[porsche tech]

Turned 79 last March 1 and March 10 shot 79! The older you get…the better your chances. Still happy to be able to walk 18 holes 3 times a week. We have one guy in our club who is 92 and still walks 18 regularly and shoots in the 80’s. I’m hoping to still be able to get out of bed when I’m 92!

[billybek]

I play a lot during the summer months while I am off work. Didn't quite hit 50 rounds this year.
I broke 80 for the first time at our local muni which is a fairly short 18 but has its challenges. I was able to get back under a 20 handicap for the first time since returning to golf 5 years ago.

My long game sucks. There, I said it. My relationship with my driver is often strained but I still take it out and use it. This winter it is my goal to reconcile with the big club and learn how to get some distance and carry out of it. I would be happy being able to carry 200 yards.

I have a net and a Fiberbuilt stance and strike mat in the garage and have purchased a Square Golf launch monitor to give me some indication on the flight of the ball.

It is a long winter here and just having the ability to go out and swing the clubs in the garage sure makes a difference come spring.

There are a few people online that offer good golf advice. Danny Maude is one of them.

[Chocaholic]

Have played on and off for 50 years. Mostly off. Have never broken 100. Usually shoot around 120. One decent hole followed by 3 or 4 terrible ones. Lessons have never made a lasting difference. With retirement coming, would like to enjoy the game but I lack one important requirement…ability.

[onewhippedpuppy]

79 at 79 is awesome! I’m definitely a long way from that.

My wife and I are possibly only two years away from being empty nesters, so we are also starting to look for more healthy hobbies to keep us active and occupied as we move into life post-kids. Probably going to join a course close by that’s $400/mo unlimited golf including driving range, as we are already spending more than that on weekly family trips. Wichita has a decent network of city courses that are less money but they are also always packed and they won’t let my 16 year old drive a cart, which is ridiculous.


I also struggle with long irons and driver, though I’m getting more consistent. I’m doing pretty good to hit my driver 230 at the range. My 16 year old can touch 320 when he really smokes it!

[porsche tech]

My 6’7” SIL and 15 year old 6’4” grandson were hitting balls into the lagoon behind our house several weeks ago with my old BigBirtha driver.



A couple of days later when I went to play, something was rattling in the head of the driver. I had already “googled” most forgiving driver and came up with PXG. So $550 later (with 20% veteran discount) I own one. I’ve bought nice cars with A/C for less.

[onewhippedpuppy]

We did a driver fitting for my youngest son’s birthday that identified the Ping G440 SFT as the best fit for him. Watched the sales and managed to pick one up for him at $450, retail was $600.

I have a Callaway Mavrik that I bought used for $140, it’s been through hell but still kicking!

[berettafan]

Callaway Preowned site is really good for finding deals. The Rogue and Mavrik series are nice looking for sure. Son has a Rogue driver but it's too stiff for me to hit well. Beautiful flight.

I tried Ping for driver but never could get along with it very well. Absolutely LOVE their fairways though.

[ErrorMargin]

Love golf and try to play at least once a month. I usually play at the Little Newport course in Newport Beach.

I played a few times a Hilton Head Island while on vacation. One time my approach shot when wide and came to rest directly on a pinecone. Being a stickler for the rule, I played it as it lay. I chipped it to about 3 feet (but then two putted ).

[porsche tech]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Callaway Preowned site is really good for finding deals.

I agree. Many of my clubs are from Calloway peowned and they stand behind them. The ones I have gotten were in like new condition. I had a problem with one club and they immediately sent me a replacement with a sticker to send the problem one back to them. I would recommend them.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Just got done playing 18 holes, great round of golf! Probably the first time I was able to hit every club in my bag. Normally the long irons and driver kill me, but I was able to hit my 4 iron, 3 hybrid, and driver pretty well today. Not 100% the first time, but a mulligan never hurt anybody.

I’ve had really good luck with FBMP and EBay local pickup for clubs. I picked up my Mavrik driver for $140, just bought my wife a like new women’s Mavrik for $150, and upgraded my irons last week to Callaway RAZR X HL last week for $140. I freaking love these irons compared to my generic Visa set, they are so forgiving and easy to hit. According to Callaway they are a game improvement iron and I agree with them. Also agree that their certified preowned program is quite good, if you don’t want the absolute latest model they are way cheaper than new.

I need to find a good quality set of irons for my wife, hers are another generic set. She’s been using mine which probably isn’t ideal, she’s 5’6” so men’s shafts are too long and have fatter grips. After that I need to replace my 3 and 5 woods, as both are generic. Probably go with hybrids to give me a little more flexibility. I have a generic 3 hybrid and a Cleveland 7 hybrid that I’m starting to hit pretty well.

[Brian 162]

I bought new clubs this year and took a few lessons. Improved my putting thanks to a new putter. It’s a work in progress. I’m a long way from having a decent score.
We did join a local golf course this year.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I paid $70 for a 30 minute lesson and it’s the best golf investment I’ve ever made. Just those changes have taken golf from frustrating to fun. I’m due to go back, look forward to what else he can tweak!

[craigster59]

"I've been able to shave 8 strokes off my game. I just skip a par 3 hole" - Bob Hope

I've played off and on since high school, never a sport I wanted to take too seriously, felt it would take some of the enjoyment out of it. I was more into football and baseball.

Haven't played since retiring but now that the weather is cooler in Az I'll get back out there.

I remember reading an interview with some pro awhile back and they asked him what his favorite thing about golf was. He replied "After hitting an errant shot and coming up on a terrible lie, you think about giving up the game altogether. But then you swing, making contact with the ball and see a beautiful soaring shot, one you didn't think possible, straight at the hole and all is right again". That's my feeling about the game.

And my favorite player was Payne Stewart, my God he had a beautiful swing along with his stand out fashion sense. His untimely death was a great loss to the game.

[TimT]

[onewhippedpuppy]

Bill Murray’s brother lived (maybe still does) in my hometown, he used to fly in to visit and play Flint Hills National, a very nice local course. Then he would come close down the bar on a restaurant where two of my roommates worked. Apparently a super nice guy, he always bought everybody drinks.