The General Golf Talk Random Talk Thread

[smellysell]

What's everyone doing over the winter? I'm planning on lessons every other week on the sim. 9 holes a week for league on the sim, and going to try to sneak in 15 minutes of practice a week on it to work on what I need from the lessons. Going to build a "new" set of irons, digital SW scale, and of course lots of putting.

 

Sounds busy enough now that I type it!

[cardoustie]

WINTER PLANS:

 

> Trying to lose 30lbs. No hooch. It's been 3 weeks dry and no issue. Weights and treadmill time

 

> I'm going to custom paint fill my new iblades this week

 

> Will try to hit balls at the dome more regularly so I am not stone cold for winter trips south or when April rolls around

 

> solve my 3 wood riddle

[tolmij]

Never mind winter, we down under are well into our summer season. Losing weight is not an option too many freshly picked mangoes in the shops. Will have to play more golf to lose weight

 

Playing this Friday for the first time in a month, hope it goes better than my last game.

[SilverBullets]

I played twice over the thanksgiving break with my dad for one round and my parents and wife the second round. It was a lot of fun spending time with my parents and I was happy they made the trip out here to visit.

 

I played pretty awful both rounds. For some reason, over the past couple of months, I just can't get everything together. In my last 8 or so rounds, I basically play 13-14 pretty close to par (anywhere from Even to +3) and then will play the other 4 or 5 holes at like 8 to 10 over. And this isn't like mixing in bad holes here or there. It's like being even through 5 holes and then carding 4 straight doubles and then shooting 38 or 39 on the back. Or I will be like 2 over through 7 and then just forget how to play golf on 8-13. I have no idea what's going on.

 

Either way, after starting out +6 through 4, I settled down a bit and carded a disappoint 82 on Friday. On Saturday it was just brutal. On hole 12 I quit keeping score and started just messing around hitting practice shots and 'fun' shots. It was gross. I couldn't get off the course quick enough. I have no idea what I shot but it had to have been around 90. I have developed the yips with my wedges and it's worrisome. Yips to the point where I can't get the ball on the green with a wedge in my hand. I either blade it when I try to accelerate through the ball or I chunk/duff/flub/etc it when I get scared and decelerate. It's bad.

 

Right now I have better chance of hitting the green with a 6 iron in my hand from 190 than I do with a wedge in my hand from 20 yards off the green. It's that bad.

 

I think it's time for a couple of weeks off and some range sessions. Get the mind out of golf for a bit and reset.

[MtlJeff]

WINTER PLANS:

 

> Trying to lose 30lbs. No hooch. It's been 3 weeks dry and no issue. Weights and treadmill time

 

> I'm going to custom paint fill my new iblades this week

 

> Will try to hit balls at the dome more regularly so I am not stone cold for winter trips south or when April rolls around

 

> solve my 3 wood riddle

 

I went from 210lbs to 170lbs in about 6 months. It was both very easy and very hard....and that makes sense in a weird way.

 

It took me a few years of kind of half-a**ed trying before i made any progress. So it's really hard to finally commit and do it. It's human nature to lose 5lbs and then put it back on because "you've been good lately".

 

But when i finally committed , and upped my distances jogging, combined with smarter eating choices (one rule i had was always order fish on work dinners, and no more fries ever), it basically flew off. I went from running 35k a week to 70k without feeling like it's harder. It's kind of a snowball effect, the more you lose the easier it is to run....so it snowballs

[CrabDaddy]

Some random topics from my years on the course

 

1. I've been hit by a ball on the fly 3 times .. it hurts

2. I've been within 20 yards of a 14' saltwater croc ... scary as hell

3. I hit a drive over 400 yards once at a new links course, in a tourney, 60 km downwind. 601 yards and got home with an 8i from 190

4. I shot 68 and 86 on back to back days last summer

5. I was in a fistfight on my public track when i was 17 (32 years ago). I did NOT start it

6. Been attacked by fire ants TWICE. I don't recommend this. Though the martini's and legs in an ice bucket are VERY nice afterwords

7. I've had one ace and one albatross, 28 years apart

8. I'm in my university sports hall of fame for GOLF, but everyone guesses football

9. I've played 475 different courses over the last 35 years

 

OK -> I will stop at 9 but have at least 10 other good ones

Giving MAJ a run for his money!

At the risk of being that guy, what was your lesson like with Johnny Miller? He teach you how to hit a trap draw? Or Word not allowed fade?

(Serious question with humor added)

[MtlJeff]

Cardoustie where was the Croc incident?

 

I ran into a massive gator in Florida once. Was an elevated tee box so we had no visibility. When we got up to it i was probably 10 feet away from this guy. He was huge....but just sat there, didn't move. We played the ladies tees that hole....i was fairly terrified. That's the only time i've seen a gator in the wild.

 

That's an impressive list! I missed that on page 1.

[deadsolid...shank]

Some random topics from my years on the course

 

1. I've been hit by a ball on the fly 3 times .. it hurts

2. I've been within 20 yards of a 14' saltwater croc ... scary as hell

3. I hit a drive over 400 yards once at a new links course, in a tourney, 60 km downwind. 601 yards and got home with an 8i from 190

4. I shot 68 and 86 on back to back days last summer

5. I was in a fistfight on my public track when i was 17 (32 years ago). I did NOT start it

6. Been attacked by fire ants TWICE. I don't recommend this. Though the martini's and legs in an ice bucket are VERY nice afterwords

7. I've had one ace and one albatross, 28 years apart

8. I'm in my university sports hall of fame for GOLF, but everyone guesses football

9. I've played 475 different courses over the last 35 years

 

OK -> I will stop at 9 but have at least 10 other good ones

 

I want to hear the other 10.

 

And if I was with you on #2, I would have been 21 yards from it!!

 

EDIT: sorry, posted this after I read the first post and before I saw the post with the rest of the list.

[cardoustie]

The croc was at The Dunes GC on Sanibel Island

[cardoustie]

Some random topics from my years on the course

 

1. I've been hit by a ball on the fly 3 times .. it hurts

2. I've been within 20 yards of a 14' saltwater croc ... scary as hell

3. I hit a drive over 400 yards once at a new links course, in a tourney, 60 km downwind. 601 yards and got home with an 8i from 190

4. I shot 68 and 86 on back to back days last summer

5. I was in a fistfight on my public track when i was 17 (32 years ago). I did NOT start it

6. Been attacked by fire ants TWICE. I don't recommend this. Though the martini's and legs in an ice bucket are VERY nice afterwords

7. I've had one ace and one albatross, 28 years apart

8. I'm in my university sports hall of fame for GOLF, but everyone guesses football

9. I've played 475 different courses over the last 35 years

 

OK -> I will stop at 9 but have at least 10 other good ones

Giving MAJ a run for his money!

At the risk of being that guy, what was your lesson like with Johnny Miller? He teach you how to hit a trap draw? Or Word not allowed fade?

(Serious question with humor added)

 

Johnny was my hero as a kid going to see Cdn Opens in Oakville

 

His lesson was all about more rotation back and thru

[cardoustie]

WINTER PLANS:

 

> Trying to lose 30lbs. No hooch. It's been 3 weeks dry and no issue. Weights and treadmill time

 

> I'm going to custom paint fill my new iblades this week

 

> Will try to hit balls at the dome more regularly so I am not stone cold for winter trips south or when April rolls around

 

> solve my 3 wood riddle

 

I went from 210lbs to 170lbs in about 6 months. It was both very easy and very hard....and that makes sense in a weird way.

 

It took me a few years of kind of half-a**ed trying before i made any progress. So it's really hard to finally commit and do it. It's human nature to lose 5lbs and then put it back on because "you've been good lately".

 

But when i finally committed , and upped my distances jogging, combined with smarter eating choices (one rule i had was always order fish on work dinners, and no more fries ever), it basically flew off. I went from running 35k a week to 70k without feeling like it's harder. It's kind of a snowball effect, the more you lose the easier it is to run....so it snowballs

 

Good for you Jeff

 

My downfall was multiple back surgeries in 2004 and the load of meds afterwards. I was 37 in 2004 and ran 5 miles four times a week ...

 

I hear you ... going to grind this out ... ramp up the running as the joints adjust.

 

I was a top cross country runner as a kid, then focused on soccer ... and then golf

 

Saddens me that at 22 I could still do 5 miles in under 30 minutes .. now I need a large stopwatch

[cardoustie]

17. Met Craig Parry and Robert Gamez at the same Edwin Watts in Orlando

18. Spent an hour on the range at Muirfield Village with Chris Perry the day before 9/11

19. Played in the 2007 Gretzky Nationwide event and got to meet him and a lot of other hockey legends .. big for a Cdn kid

20. I've owned every model of Ping S series irons

21. Parred the Road hole in back to back rounds

22. I've been charged by a swan ... frightening

[CrabDaddy]

17. Met Craig Parry and Robert Gamez at the same Edwin Watts in Orlando

18. Spent an hour on the range at Muirfield Village with Chris Perry the day before 9/11

19. Played in the 2007 Gretzky Nationwide event and got to meet him and a lot of other hockey legends .. big for a Cdn kid

20. I've owned every model of Ping S series irons

21. Parred the Road hole in back to back rounds

22. I've been charged by a swan ... frightening

Okay, Okay, we get the idea...

 

I'm a Johnny Miller fan. A little before my TV viewing time, but love watching the highlights of him attacking flags. His swing looked out of control - so many moving parts, it's a wonder he could find the sweet spot at all, LOL!

[smellysell]

Never a swan, but I've been charged by geese many times. That all I've got...

[CrabDaddy]

Never a swan, but I've been charged by geese many times. That all I've got...

Turkeys... I don't think they have a clue what to do if they catch you, but they like to give you the business.

[Reasonability]

Can't begin to run with Uncle Cardy when it comes to most memorable events. It would be akin to bluffing at poker with seven high and a deuce kicker.

 

What I can relate to is back issues. He who invents, preaches, teaches, and otherwise represents the original "X" factor - at least the way it was originally laid down... must have a close relative who is a back surgeon. Managed to get through it without actually going under the knife. Took weeks to regain the ability to walk - a year or two to function without constant pain. Probably five years to relearn the golf swing. Next time I blow it out like that will be the last time. Knocking on wood every day.

[Conrad1953]

Never a swan, but I've been charged by geese many times. That all I've got...

 

Happened to me last time I was on a wild goose chase. Tables turned.

[smellysell]

Can't begin to run with Uncle Cardy when it comes to most memorable events. It would be akin to bluffing at poker with seven high and a deuce kicker.

 

What I can relate to is back issues. He who invents, preaches, teaches, and otherwise represents the original "X" factor - at least the way it was originally laid down... must have a close relative who is a back surgeon. Managed to get through it without actually going under the knife. Took weeks to regain the ability to walk - a year or two to function without constant pain. Probably five years to relearn the golf swing. Next time I blow it out like that will be the last time. Knocking on wood every day.

 

I had back surgery May 2015. Glad to say I played all summer with relative comfort this year. I blame the damage on squats and power cleans mostly, but sure years of football didn't help either. Golf was the nail in the coffin for it though.

 

Side note...

 

Somebody please tell me I'm not the only one that can't resist picking up a club and taking a few swings in the dark in my underwear when I go out to get a drink of water at night? The mom my daughter gave me when she walked out of her room was pretty great.

[Conrad1953]

I see you're in Helena smelly. Not too far to Conrad I think. Best

town name ever! :cheesy:

[cardoustie]

Can't begin to run with Uncle Cardy when it comes to most memorable events. It would be akin to bluffing at poker with seven high and a deuce kicker.

 

What I can relate to is back issues. He who invents, preaches, teaches, and otherwise represents the original "X" factor - at least the way it was originally laid down... must have a close relative who is a back surgeon. Managed to get through it without actually going under the knife. Took weeks to regain the ability to walk - a year or two to function without constant pain. Probably five years to relearn the golf swing. Next time I blow it out like that will be the last time. Knocking on wood every day.

 

I had back surgery May 2015. Glad to say I played all summer with relative comfort this year. I blame the damage on squats and power cleans mostly, but sure years of football didn't help either. Golf was the nail in the coffin for it though.

 

Side note...

 

Somebody please tell me I'm not the only one that can't resist picking up a club and taking a few swings in the dark in my underwear when I go out to get a drink of water at night? The mom my daughter gave me when she walked out of her room was pretty great.

 

I do that all the time, roll a few putts with the 4am outbound pee and inbound water infusion

 

Funniest was being away at a scramble four years ago or so ... 4 guys in a room .. 2 cots and 2 double beds ... door open to next door with 4 other buddies

4am .. I hear "Oh Yeah" "Baby that's the one" "So smooth" "Right in the center" "So pure" "End over end'

 

Sounded like a porn shoot ,... my buddy DW was in his underwear rolling putts and had a dark rum and coke stabilizer going and a sweet cigar

 

This hotel had a mini putt, there was a lot of late night contests and gambling going on. One guy was a little lit and made an 11 on the volcano hole

[smellysell]

I see you're in Helena smelly. Not too far to Conrad I think. Best

town name ever! :cheesy:

 

Not too close really either. Work with a less a lady that grew up there.

[Reasonability]

Winter plans - LMAO Work - nap - work - snack - work golf :download:

 

Somewhere inside of that I hope to come across some nice heads to glue up to some Nippon shafts. Would like to snag another set of Macgregor VIPs (5.5 Rifle shafts if you're listening Santa).

 

If anyone is thinking about throwing your lie and loft machine in the garbage - please let me know. It's one of those things I'm convinced will come along one day at a bargain. Not much luck so far but one day that gold mine will happen along for sure.

 

Here in the mid-Atlantic area we get all four seasons. Have been lucky in recent years for the most part in that old man winter hasn't been too harsh. Hoping at least a few rounds happen. (So that I can test out my newly built/bought clubs bent to my specs on my own bending equipment) :happy:

[tolmij]

Decided against golf this friday, temp is forecast to be around 107F. Too hot for this body.

[tolmij]

Decided against golf this friday, temp is forecast to be around 107F. Too hot for this body.

[smellysell]

Decided against golf this friday, temp is forecast to be around 107F. Too hot for this body.

 

I hate you! Haha

[Conrad1953]

I see you're in Helena smelly. Not too far to Conrad I think. Best

town name ever! :cheesy:

 

Not too close really either. Work with a less a lady that grew up there.

 

What is "less a lady"? I'm afraid to ask but did anyway.

[smellysell]

Haha, not sure where the "less a" came from.

[CrabDaddy]

17. Met Craig Parry and Robert Gamez at the same Edwin Watts in Orlando

18. Spent an hour on the range at Muirfield Village with Chris Perry the day before 9/11

19. Played in the 2007 Gretzky Nationwide event and got to meet him and a lot of other hockey legends .. big for a Cdn kid

20. I've owned every model of Ping S series irons

21. Parred the Road hole in back to back rounds

22. I've been charged by a swan ... frightening

Okay, Okay, we get the idea...

 

 

Cardoustie, just making sure you knew I was 100% tongue in cheek, hopefully, for a chuckle. Your list has been an interesting read. Bring on 23 - 100 any time.

[CrabDaddy]

What's everyone doing over the winter? I'm planning on lessons every other week on the sim. 9 holes a week for league on the sim, and going to try to sneak in 15 minutes of practice a week on it to work on what I need from the lessons. Going to build a "new" set of irons, digital SW scale, and of course lots of putting.

 

Sounds busy enough now that I type it!

Slow motion work. I keep trying it, but five minutes is probably not enough. I should be better - with my swing speed, there isn't much difference.

The problem I have with swing changes is that I never stop playing, except when it stays below freezing and/or we get snow, and I feel like I need to have a workable swing to take out on the course. Compromises are made, old habits creep in... I really need to be more disciplined.

[cardoustie]

23. I've seen my twin make both his aces, both in tournaments!

24. Somehow I eagled our 18th hole from the tips (Lion Tees at 585 yards with pond in front) in our club C back in 2005. It was dry and downwind and I knocked a TiSi 5w on from 257 and holed the putt. I have never EVER been near the 250 plate from those tees since. Normally into the Westerly breezes.

25. I've left too many socks and golf towels in the woods to count over the years (stay away from draft beer kids)

26. Met some great golfers over the years at the PGA show. Paula Creamer (meow), Doug Sanders, Chi Chi, Tom Kite, Dave Stockton, Hal Sutton etc

27. Spent time in the Titleist booth last year with Bob Vokey and Scotty Cameron. Both awesome to my twin and I ... Scotty talked flow necks with me, gave me a putting tip and Voke told me I'd never get wedges that spun more than my SM2's !