The Links Lounge (*** NO POLITICS/RELIGION/LIV ***)

[chisag]

1 hour ago, imkirby34 said:

For tomorrow's round I'm going to use the Takomo 201 irons and a Cobra Aerojet LS driver for the first time with no range time with either, PLUS I'm swapping out my 3 Mack Daddy wedges for my 3 SM8 wedges (at least I've played quite a few rounds with the SM8's) AND trying out the new Snell Prime 3.0 golf balls.  What could possibly go wrong?

 

 

... No range time with brand new clubs?!? You are a ballsy rebel my man and have mine and Dottie's admiration! 

 

 

Edited May 26 by chisag

[Petethreeput]

Mrs had to pick me up.  It was me being me, which is never good.

 

i like the short tees.   1 over is the worst I could have shot, 1 over is what I did shoot.

 

Last hole?  Seriously, 1/4 of the ball was over the hole.  Eagle diverted, I did knock on the putt with confidencefor a bird.

Edited May 26 by Petethreeput

[NJBigFish22]

After a week off due to my recent injury I went to the range to see if I could make our Memorial Day tee time.  2 things became clear.

 

1) the injury made me slow my tempo a little bit, and loved how I was striking the ball.  My wedges seemed short and I think I know why.  
 

2) the biggest thing that became clear, is I need more time, could I play, yes, but woukd I likely have a setback, probably.  So I’m taking another week off, and hopefully with the start of PT, I see more improvement.  At least I can walk somewhat normal now.

[chisag]

4 minutes ago, NJBigFish22 said:

After a week off due to my recent injury I went to the range to see if I could make our Memorial Day tee time.  2 things became clear.

 

1) the injury made me slow my tempo a little bit, and loved how I was striking the ball.  My wedges seemed short and I think I know why.  
 

2) the biggest thing that became clear, is I need more time, could I play, yes, but woukd I likely have a setback, probably.  So I’m taking another week off, and hopefully with the start of PT, I see more improvement.  At least I can walk somewhat normal now.

 

 

... Hard lesson to learn that when we were young, we could play through pain. After around 50 though, pain is a reminder to stop what were are doing. I still struggle with it from time to time. But I too have improved from an injury forcing me to address a flaw that crept into my game. Like going at it too hard and over using my body to subconsciously protect my back.

... And dealing with my shoulder injury for over a year, I learned when I fully release the club I am pain free but if I hold on at all and don't release the club til well after impact, it hurt my shoulder. So a big cut was out and when behind an obstruction I just hit a low runner but don't bend it left to right toward my target anymore. 

... Sounds like a good plan taking off 1 more week. And hopefully it maximizes your tempo and you continue your excellent ball striking. 👍

[Double Mocha Man]

1 hour ago, touch said:

It's a sign. 😄

 

I love double entendres. And that was a good one.

[touch]

9 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

I love double entendres. And that was a good one.

 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

7 minutes ago, touch said:

 

 

 

I'm thinking if you get Gertrude Lane's number it'll be a street number.

[chisag]

6 minutes ago, touch said:

 

 

... I have always found it pretty amazing that most kids have zero inhibitions to be themselves. As they progress to teenagers (and today with social media probably sooner) their inhibitions start making them scared of being laughed at. It is one of the reasons many actors are still just big kids with little to no inhibitions*. Of course that is a good and a bad thing but I digress. Dance or Sing like nobody is watching! Love this kid. 

*When I read a Disney book of Prince and the Pauper for Bryan's 2nd grade class on Career Day and used all the voices for each character, one of the kids said he wanted to be an actor when he grew up and I said "Sorry, but you can't do both" 🤪

[aenemated]

Whew, got the full Paiute experience today. Fierce wind and stupid firm/fast greens. And when you're on the Wolf ... that's a tough day as the greens and fairways are full on Pete Dye madness. 

 

Suffered a terrible heartbreak being -1 going into the island green #15. 175 to a total sucker pin on the far right with a pretty hard left to right wind. Flushed a 6 right at the middle and was it was one of those contacts where you know as soon as it comes off the face ... "Oh man, this is gonna be TIGHT"  

 

... but as the descent started; the wind was like "Nice try, idiot." My little draw just wasn't strong enough to defend itself. "Oh no, stay up ... stay up ... "

 

Nope. landed on the railroad tie 8 feet right of pin high ... took a big ol bounce and the lil Bridgestone went for a swim.

 

Got up and down from the drop zone but that cursed wind demoralized me. Birdie look on 16 but awful putt, wind got me again on 17 off the tee and had to chip outta the desert, ugly AF three jack on 18. Stupid wind.

 

Lotta great takeaways though. Striking my irons beautifully and now with more and more practice/playing with the Axioms, I'm about a club longer there. Airmailed like 4 of the first 6 - and doing that at the Wolf is BAD - before I was like ... ok, maybe dial it back? Short game practice this week helped a lot; that was much much better today. Putting was iffy today but I always struggle with putting in strong winds as I never properly take it into account - and those greens are brutal enough as it is. Off the tee was great but still very much looking forward to the new driver. 

 

[touch]

With my new 7 and 11 woods now taking up permanent real estate in my bag I had two TM M4 hybrids that I needed to send on down the line to the next golfer. Back on Tuesday I stopped by Play it Again on my way to my tee time at CCA. I allowed an hour to kick around the store as it had been many months since I had gone to the only decent Used Clubs store in all of Asheville. I took the $100 store credit for my two 5 year old 4 & 5 hybrids. I looked over 200 + putters and selected some that looked good to my eye to try. I bring into the store my own Pro V's to use when demoing putters. I am not looking to replace my Spider I just wanted to see if there was one that I liked that could go on the bench as my back up. There were 3 putters out of about 10 that I tired that I liked. In the first photo the first two on the left were two of my 3 favorites. a Yes Natalie and a Nike Method blade. But the one that felt the best was a milled Wilson Staff. (second photo) I assume by the $279 (used condition) asking price it is a model from Wison's current line of higher end flatsticks. What impressed me immediately was the grip. Then upon further examination of this grip that I liked so much I howled to myself. I thought, why for goodness sake, someone installed this super stroke themselves and put it on sidesaddle. But it worked as I right away took to the bulbous nob protruding out from the top of the grip on the left side. It kept my left wrist completely still. Then thanks to having the internet in my pocket I asked Google for more info on SS Wrist Lock putter grips and learned the details. Well now, the previous owner did not install the grip incorrectly at all, no sir this is a special design SS came out with a few years ago. I am not surprised that I got along with  the Wilson Staff tm22 as it is the same shape and has the same neck that was on my Toulon Las Vegas, and it also had nice heft and balance. The Toulon was my gamer before the Spider sent it packing close to two years ago. 

 

I looked it up and this model grip is USGA approved. I was sold on the grip and bought one off eBay the next day. It is here and Ryan is installing it for me on Monday at work so I can experiment with it during my two rounds next week. 

 

I ask two questions.

Have any of you used this model of a Super Stroke before and what was your experience with it ? 

@chisag , do you think its' design can help a good many golfers?

 

 

 

 

 

@NJBigFish22, the SS website says it works also with lefty putters. 

 

Ryan told me that in a past season Cobra had this exact putter grip as the stock offering on an entire line of putters.

 

 

 

Edited May 26 by touch

[Petethreeput]

First…

 

You had the EXACT same putter 3 years ago, different manufacturer (last one was a Ping).

 

Second is…

 

See the first.

[touch]

41 minutes ago, Petethreeput said:

First…

 

You had the EXACT same putter 3 years ago, different manufacturer (last one was a Ping).

 

Second is…

 

See the first.

 

 

Good memory Montana.

 

but it was a Toulon Las Vegas and not a PING. 

Edited May 26 by touch

[chisag]

15 minutes ago, touch said:

Have any of you used this model of a Super Stroke before and what was your experience with it ? 

@chisag , do you think it's design can help a good many golfers?

 

 

... I have used the same Ping style skinny pistol grip my entire golf career. It gives me great feel and of course the same grip Tiger uses. I grip my putter with the tips of my fingers for max feel. I currently use a Lamkin Sinkfit Skinny Pistol that is the same and shape as my old blacked out Ping grip,  just a textured surface. 

... I have learned though the years with my students and friends that "whatever works, works" and more so with putting than any other part of the game. As long as your wrists don't break down (because you can't consistently repeat a wrist hinge with your putter)  and you have a repeatable stroke hitting the center of the face ... whatever gives you confidence is the right choice. If the sideways SS gives you that confidence? Stick with it until it doesn't. 

[touch]

I forgot to post at the start of this round of NHL Playoffs that.........

 

Stan the Springfield,Mass Man and Bruins fan said the Rangers would win the Stanley Cup.

 

 

 

Edited May 28 by touch

[chisag]

47 minutes ago, aenemated said:

Suffered a terrible heartbreak being -1 going into the island green #15. 175 to a total sucker pin on the far right with a pretty hard left to right wind. Flushed a 6 right at the middle and was it was one of those contacts where you know as soon as it comes off the face ... "Oh man, this is gonna be TIGHT"  

 

... but as the descent started; the wind was like "Nice try, idiot." My little draw just wasn't strong enough to defend itself. "Oh no, stay up ... stay up ... "

 

Nope. landed on the railroad tie 8 feet right of pin high ... took a big ol bounce and the lil Bridgestone went for a swim.

 

 

... I think we have all been there and when you hit it soooooo good but the wind has other ideas, it can just breaks your heart. But that said, it sounds like you are playing great! 🤗 Looking forward to hearing about the new driver. 

[aenemated]

38 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

 

... I think we have all been there and when you hit it soooooo good but the wind has other ideas, it can just breaks your heart. But that said, it sounds like you are playing great! 🤗 Looking forward to hearing about the new driver. 

 

Thing is; I'd dialed in some shotmaking beauties all day and got a little full of myself 😂

 

Took a stupid line and paid for it! 

 

Driver's coming from CC who do indeed take for freakin ever to do their builds. 8° woulda been nice today! 

 

[Petethreeput]

7 minutes ago, aenemated said:

 

Thing is; I'd dialed in some shotmaking beauties all day and got a little full of myself 😂

 

Took a stupid line and paid for it! 

 

Driver's coming from CC who do indeed take for freakin ever to do their builds. 8° woulda been nice today! 

 

I dare anyone here to say, I have never been pisspounding the ball on the day and DIDNT think I could ride the wind/ high draw/ low cut/ etc.

[touch]

 

[touch]

Tournament Day 3

 

Some sights from this morning. 

I hope all of my fellow Loungers have a fine Sunday and some of you get to play some golf. 

 

 

[mshills]

Played late Friday, the round I mentioned earlier where I am calling for a slump buster.
 

Took yesterday off, had some family things with the boys. No wrestling this weekend…..we elected not to travel to the national club duals in Virginia Beach, so the freestyle season is pretty much over for now. Travel to VA Beach on a holiday weekend is difficult because it’s hard to avoid the DC traffic, and my son has impetigo on his chin anyway and would probably fail the skin check without another week of medication. 
 

The missus and I will go play today, some risk of severe weather but look. A 40% chance of t storms means a 60% chance of a great day to be outside. Club is opening our very modest pool today with a cookout and DJ, probably skip that for the most part but will play it by ear. 

[mshills]

10 hours ago, aenemated said:

Whew, got the full Paiute experience today. Fierce wind and stupid firm/fast greens. And when you're on the Wolf ... that's a tough day as the greens and fairways are full on Pete Dye madness. 

 

Suffered a terrible heartbreak being -1 going into the island green #15. 175 to a total sucker pin on the far right with a pretty hard left to right wind. Flushed a 6 right at the middle and was it was one of those contacts where you know as soon as it comes off the face ... "Oh man, this is gonna be TIGHT"  

 

... but as the descent started; the wind was like "Nice try, idiot." My little draw just wasn't strong enough to defend itself. "Oh no, stay up ... stay up ... "

 

Nope. landed on the railroad tie 8 feet right of pin high ... took a big ol bounce and the lil Bridgestone went for a swim.

 

Got up and down from the drop zone but that cursed wind demoralized me. Birdie look on 16 but awful putt, wind got me again on 17 off the tee and had to chip outta the desert, ugly AF three jack on 18. Stupid wind.

 

Lotta great takeaways though. Striking my irons beautifully and now with more and more practice/playing with the Axioms, I'm about a club longer there. Airmailed like 4 of the first 6 - and doing that at the Wolf is BAD - before I was like ... ok, maybe dial it back? Short game practice this week helped a lot; that was much much better today. Putting was iffy today but I always struggle with putting in strong winds as I never properly take it into account - and those greens are brutal enough as it is. Off the tee was great but still very much looking forward to the new driver. 

 

Nicely done….despite the late struggles. 👍🏼 I haven’t played there in more than 10y and don’t recall many specifics other than a very difficult golf course where minor mistakes tended to compound and lead to more mistakes.

[Petethreeput]

I suspect we have all hit that shot we think is close, but the closer you get to the green the further away your ball is from the hole.

 

Last hole yesterday I have 140 in.  I hit my 8i and I can’t really tell how close it is, but someone says get in the hole.  It was absolutely tracking.  Driving up to the green, the ball was actually getting closer to the hole.  About 1/4 of the ball was hanging over the lip.

 

I rarely play the senior tees, but on a few of the holes the angles to trouble are much different, and easier, which really frees up the mind.  I had one of my best driving days in a long time which really helps the score.

[mshills]

Had one yesterday. #6 is 541 yards from the member tees. Ouch. I played up, it’s 451 from those tees (and 441 from the most forward tees the missus will play today, also ouch!) which is a better par 5 length for me. Decent drive down left center and a very good 5w down the right, great look at the pin. Above the hole is dead, I hit 9i that never left the flag, I knew it was tight, and I’m pumped as in my short membership I’ve not birdied this big par 5. 
 

You know I don’t have the clubhead speed to spin those shots any more……8’ beyond the hole, ball mark right next to the cup almost on the lip. That 8’ putt felt like it was 45 degrees downhill and I did not make it but did get the par putt in. 

[Triple Lindy]

55 minutes ago, Petethreeput said:

I suspect we have all hit that shot we think is close, but the closer you get to the green the further away your ball is from the hole.

Friday’s round. Hardest par 3 because of the shape of the green and how far the banks around the green fall off if you miss. Trouble all the way around. But the pin was in the easiest location, front and right - 140 yards. Hit 7i and it’s a little right, but I get a left bounce and the ball is tracking right at the pin. Looks like it’s right at the hole. Get up to the green and I’m about 12’ away - nowhere near as close as it looked from the box.

 

17th hole is the longest par 3 - 175 yards from the whites. Pin is at the back and hole is hidden by a bit of a crest in the green - playing about 185. Hit 7W and it’s right at the flag. Watch my ball come down and roll over that crest, so I have hope. Get up to the green and I’m 6’ out.

 

I don’t have your 1/4 of the ball over the cup talent! And I missed both of my birdie putts.

[Triple Lindy]

The Stars haven’t had a comfortable win the entire post season and last night was no different. Survived an onslaught in the first period, after scoring on the first shot. Oilers tied it 45 seconds later, while Benn’s goal was being announced. Edmonton had a 16-4 SOG advantage at the end of the 1st. But Dallas got it together and started getting more chances, finally retaking the lead in the 3rd. Oilers only had 5 shots in the 3rd. For whatever reason, Edmonton pulled their goalie during a change when they didn’t even have possession of the puck. Empty netter sealed it up.
 

[Triple Lindy]

We had some rough weather last night about 30 miles north of us - large tornado that did quite a bit of damage. We didn’t get hit with anything other than some high winds. I got up early and cleaned up all the crap that had blown into the pool in prep for a hot day - forecast of 99°. Playing tomorrow, so we’ll cook out today. Still gotta mow the lawn, but it should be a good day to hang outside, hit some balls and cool off in the pool!
 

[NCLancer]

4 hours ago, touch said:

 

Though I'm rooting for the Oilers I have to admit that was a sweet deflection...

[DLeightonReid]

I played 4 rounds in the past 8 days at 3 different courses.  The one big similarity between all three courses was the thick rough.  We have had a lot of rain, making it difficult for the courses to keep up with the mowing.  I have struggled big time from the rough, so hitting fairways is a necessity if you want to score.  I had one hole where it took me three shots to get on the green from approximately 30 yards.  

Edited May 26 by DLeightonReid

[touch]

Staff brunch on a Tournament Sunday.

 

Many delicious items. Oh happy days for the mini eclair, fruit tart, and raspberry danish.

 

[imkirby34]

Pre-round range swings indicate these Takomo 201s are super easy to hit.  No idea what the distances are going to be like though.  Doesn't look as promising for the Aerojet LS driver.  😂