Topic: Golf Equipment / Callaway Hybrids

I’m a bit of a fan of Callaway ‘n Ping so I could be said to be biased.

One thing I can be objective about however are the Callaway “heavenwood” hybrids. Do not buy these without trying them first. I was very disappointed with them, could be me but I could not get rid of them fast enough.

Topic: Golf Talk / why the high loft drivers?

Yep, focus’ your attention though.

Topic: Golf Equipment / NEW UV X3

Nigel,

Yikes !! 4 rounds out of one golf ball ? you’re either the straightest hitter on planet earth or you’ve found one with a built in homing device.
Seriously, the key to scoring ( other than putting ) is to challenge yourself to play as many holes with the one ball as you can and try and beat your previous record. Why..less and less penalty strokes.
I play mostly where there are either plenty of lakes and / or ob’s so 4 rounds would be a challenge. My record is currently 39 holes with a Pro V and 22 with a Vision UV. They are the only balls I use and which one depends on the conditions etc
The ball obviously plays little part unless it can swim or cross a road on its own ( coming back that is ).

Topic: Golf Talk / why the high loft drivers?

A really good way to work on driver height off the tee is to practice with a five wood teed up at driver height.
The plan is to try and pick the ball cleanly off the tee with the five wood. If you flip or hit down on the ball too steeply…good bye.
I think either Ells or one of the other Seth Efricaaaans regularly practices this way.

Topic: Rules of Golf / Markings On Clubs

Further, it is a principle of law that where there is a conflict or difficulty in interpretation between the law ( rule ) and a regulation ( appendix ) the law will prevail.
I suspect a legal interpretation might conclude that the law ( Rule 4 ) only stipulates that “foreign material must not be affixed to the face of the club”. IMO
4-2a only refers to altering the playing characteristics during a stipulated round.

Topic: Rules of Golf / Markings On Clubs

Yes, and you have to ask the question if lead tape does not alter the playing characteristics how can a bit of sticky tape.

Rule 4 clearly contradicts the Appendix, it should say, to get it right..”nothing should be affixed to the clubhead” not just the “face” of the club as the rule currently stands.

Topic: Rules of Golf / Markings On Clubs

Thinking about this further poses the question, the application of the tape can’t be made IMO afer the commencement of the round as this alters the “playing characteristics” of the club.

So, assuming the tape is on the club before commencement of play, Appendix 11, 1a stipulates that in the design of the club there can be no “external attachments”.

Ruling 4-1/5 decided that adhesive tape added to a club to reduce glare was “an external attachment” rendering the club “non-conforming” ( I happen to dis-agree with this ruling which I think is wrong ).

BUT the Appendix clearly makes an exception for “attachments that do not affect the performance of the club” SO does the alignment tape alter the playing characteristics…IMO no, but I suspect the R & A would say yes on the basis of 4-1/5.

As I said, I think 4-1/5 is wrong as the Appendix is a “design” not playing rule and 11. 1. a contradicts itself…. go figure.

Topic: Rules of Golf / Markings On Clubs

No, Rule 4 only prevents “foreign material” being added to the “face” of the club

Topic: Rules of Golf / Tangled in the rules

Look forward, can’t change the past.

It often happens ( not always, unfortunately ) that if your seen to be up front and consistent with keeping to the rules, people begin to accept and eventually respect your position. Especially if you “call one” on yourself, for example the ball moves and your the only one to see it, integrity comes from within.

I have also found that the ones that scream “nazi” the loudest often are the ones most likely to “bend” when it suits them.

Topic: Rules of Golf / Tangled in the rules

Mate, you can give him a drop in match play if there is doubt in your minds. That said, you were perfectly correct in advising him as you did, I would have done the same.
Its amazing to me how many people doing the right thing end up the “bad guy”. I had to give a ruling last Saturday that had the same result, I’m the baddie…so be it.
If I could say in a “friendly” way, you were wrong not to call the second one. Two wrongs etc etc, and you already had a rep as a “nazi” so what’s to lose. But I understand your motives.
I let one go about five years ago…never again…..the wrong guy’s name is on the “Medal of Medals” honour board because of my not wanting to be a “nazi”. Every time I walk past that bloody board now it brings back the memory, as I said…never again !!!

Topic: Golf Talk / why the high loft drivers?

Anyone would think using a “high loft” driver was akin to getting the black plague.
There is, after all, only 4 degrees between 8 & 12, give high a try you might just be surprised with the result.
Got a 15 degree 3 wood, hit it better than your 8.5 degree driver ???? hmnnnnnnn.

Topic: Rules of Golf / Tangled in the rules

The rules of golf determine whether he got a drop or not, ( obstruction, gur etc ) too many people go “drop hunting” without knowing the rules.
If as his opponent you do not give him a drop his only course of action is to seek a ruling ( without undue delay ) there and then or notify you of his intention to appeal before you finish the hole and play from the next tee.. ( Dangerous thing to do in this circumstance )
The two ball option does not apply to match play as a decision must be reached or appealed before any player tees off on the next hole ( or walks off the last green )
The problem with issues like this is they “fester” and its bad news if its early in the match.
Best course is don’t allow the drop if your not sure and advise your opponent of his option to appeal and get over it.

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Putting a Score Together...

The answer is in the question

Topic: Golf Equipment / NEW UV X3

It would be interesting to know what the life of a golf ball actually was ( its first life that is, not after its been recovered by a frogman and recycled ). I’m pretty sure most new balls don’t get to see 18 holes in a row too often.
Is durability therefore a major drama ??..maybe it is with the yellow ball, because it keeps getting itself found.
Whilst cover damage can be an issue, you can’t expect a cover to survive cart paths, trees, rocks & logs etc with no damage at all and still have the performance required in other areas.
I’ve only ever quit one ball due to the cover ripping up & it was not a Vision.
Look forward to the new one.

Topic: Golf Equipment / what wedge degrees

56 degree wedges, if bought as part of a standard set are normally set up as a sand wedge with high level of bounce angle. May not be suitable for fairway play, especially on harder fairways.
You need to have a great technique, practice a lot and have a suitable lie to play a 60 degree or highet lob wedge. This is a high risk club.
48/52/56 would get my vote for the “average” golfer. You need to check the loft of the 9 iron and work from there for the gaps.

Topic: Golf Equipment / Best places to buy and install shafts?

Yep, Golf Factory black building half way up on the left with big golf ball out the front. Good fella’s Craig & his dad, Craig does all the fitting & knows his apples. Not expensive either.
All the good guys are on the left ( going in ) in that street. Stay away from the one’s on the right hand side…be warned.

Topic: Golf Talk / Topping fairway woods

Try moving the ball forward rather than back and play with more of a sweep…worked for me. Pretend ball not there.

Topic: Golf Talk / Senior Flex?

This thread is a perfect example of why everyone, once they get to the point of wanting to play regularly, should be fitted for their clubs by a reputable fitter who has no vested interest in what they buy.

I want to say I am no expert on golf shafts, that said, in my experience there is no such thing as a “regular” regular, ‘stiff” stiff or “senior” senior golf shaft. They all vary so much, those terms are virtually useless. ( This has probably been said before many times ).

I had Graphalloy “A” ( senior ) flex Prolaunch Blue shafts in a set of irons which I did not get fitted for me ( yeh, I know…dumb ). Those things turned out to be way way stiffer in flex than “regular” Callaway shafts.

Forget the label, don’t spend good money on quality shafts unless you absolutely know what your doing and what your buying.

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / What makes for Good Practice

I never get to bucket #2 until I am totally happy with a full bucket on all shots inside 100m, after warm up…..........result, rarely get to bucket #2.

Topic: Golf Talk / why the high loft drivers?

I love my 12.5º. It’s like cheating. Especially on waterlogged fairways. I do tend to launch it a little low so it’s horses for courses.

Home on The Range

Me Too !!

Topic: Golf Talk / What do you avoid?

Kiwi golfers bagging seniors who hit 5 woods, especially when there is a rugby match on the same Saturday.

Topic: Golf Talk / why the high loft drivers?

The whole shooting match with a driver is launch angle, followed closely by launch angle and coming last is launch angle.
Every golfer, but every golfer, has a golf swing that has an optimum launch angle for maximum distance and they are all different.
Senior golfer needs high loft, phooey, young athletic smasher needs low loft, phooey.
Find a reputable launch monitor operator and tune from there.

Topic: Golf Talk / why the high loft drivers?

These drivers are generally for older people who hit a short ball and have trouble getting it into the air, or for average players who struggle for height in their drives.
You will rarely see a low marker playing a driver with more than 10.5 degrees of loft.

Tell that to Ossie Moore, to name just one “reasonably” low marker

Topic: The Lounge / Who Rules?

History is history, no pun intended, and we can but learn from it although I have yet to see it happen.

The point about Islam and the Koran is lost in the translation. If you speak to a truely honest muslim, and I have dealt with many, they will admit that peace, harmony, goodwill etc., relates to other muslims only, not the infidel.

According to the Koran I am told and I hasten to add I have not read it myself, it is NOT a crime to kill, maim, torture etc a “non believer” in the name of Islam.

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Three Quarter Swing

Yep, simpler the better. Problem is ego’s get in the way, who cares how far anybody else hits anything, its rarely relevant to your game.

Its an oldie but a goodie “it’s not how, it’s how many”.

Play a whole round or two with what you think is your 3/4 or “controlled” swing and try and play as many holes as you can with the one ball ( i.e. keep it in play no matter what ) and see if your scores don’t improve.

Golf is a precision game not a power game, until your on +1 or better, playing professionally or long driving.

I play regularly with a guy off 4 or 5 who beats me off the stick most of the time until we play at a course where there’s lots of water then its no contest. If 3/4 equals straight I’m all in favour.