Saw a Prov1 commercial yesterday. The campaign was that amateurs should use the best available balls because swing speed is irrelevant, and that if amateurs are trying to get better they must use balls that better players use. Also, they had some Titleist representative say that there is scientific evidence that higher swing speeds don't compress the ball as much, and that higher and lower swing speeds have more in common than different regarding ball compression.

Isn't this a bunch of bull**** though? Bad players (including myself) are bad not because they use bad balls, and using a quality ball isn't going to improve their game dramatically. A good ball might enhance performance if they are already good players.

Plus, the already expensive price of the ProV1 will be even higher for bad players because of all the lost balls.

It's like the guy from Hopkins golf explaining how Tour players use custom grind wedges to have more options around the green - so should you. Because you also want to score well and having more options around the green helps an am hack score better.

lol. OK bud.

The sad thing is most people think like this and will buy all the "best" gear then disregard it after 6 months when their cap hasn't improved, for the next new thing.

I would think they would avoid doing this with all their ball fitting marketing.

I haven't touched a club in what will be exactly a month Tuesday. Hadn't gone longer than two weeks in 10+ years, maybe longer, and for the most part played once a week at least.

Have not missed it one bit. No urge to play or even hit balls. Nothing. Had definitely been in a rut prior. Not score-wise, my last round was under par, but definitely hadn't been enjoying it really.

Golf has been a major part of my life. It's weird to not want to play now.

And whenever I try this, what do you think happens? I skull it across the green. A month ago I hit a guy in the elbow I was paired up with. Now I'm afraid to try that.

I suggest watching Mickelson pitching videos on YouTube.

He explains about assessing the lie, weight distribution etc which determine how you'll hit the shot

to every thing, there is a season

maybe he's just done w golf. (a+ if you get the ref)

but i can understand it...

That made me think of this

Chunk and run if you don't have to carry anything. If you do have to carry the ball ,play past the pin and rely on long putt or a easy chip back toward the pin.

A lot of driving ranges have a practice green that you can use for this, do any of the ranges in your area offer that? If not, you can search for local, public golf courses and see if they have ranges with a practice green.

Check this video on how to hit a chip that's buried in deep rough. One thing that he didn't mention but he does at the first clip around 1:20 is that there is almost no follow through on this shot. It won't be the right shot to go over a bunker though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sSD43spsNk

I gotta give props to Spottswoode for showing me a different grip when putting. I've been using it for the last 3 rounds (for lag putts) and it's been working.

Inverted hand grip (front-hand-low)

"bitch-slap that ball"

Speaking of which - I've been going to a par-3 course the last 2 times to get more accustomed to my new clubs (and apparently, my new swing).

I've developed an unexpected draw, so I had 2 decisions: 1. adjust to the draw (aim more to the right) or 2. slow my swing down and concentrate on a more fluid swing (with less distance)

I think I'm going to opt for #2

eta: although - I should probably explore option #3: see an instructor

You try to slow your swing down and your draw will turn into a hook. Fire your body through faster to straighten up the ball flight.

BO

Nice one! Glad to see it's working out for you. I guess it's only 3 a side next time

That's an awesome tip. Very interesting.

Ed, you don't get it.

doesn't it have more to do with the swing plane (inside to out) than swing tempo?
I find my swing plane gets a little off track when I try to bomb it (by increasing my clubhead speed)

Like I said before, I think it's time for me to see an instructor.



give me some time




Why doesn't he get it?

All things being equal, (how would I know if you changed your swing plane?) if you fire the body faster, it's tougher to draw the ball. You mentioned slowing your swing down which would move your body slower and (probably) cause your hands to pass the body leading to a draw.

You said you were going to try #2, and I said that's not what you want to do. If you want to try #3 and see an instructor then that's fine.

BO

Got it.

Looks like I'm heading to Scotland for 4-5 days at the end of August and then I'm going to head to somewhere in Europe for a week after. I can't decide if I want to lug my clubs with me just to play while I'm in Scotland. The prospect of playing St. Andrews is certainly on my mind though.. Decisions decisions.

Do it and report back to me. Planning a Scotland trip for next year.

Bring your clubs, you will be glad you did.

Are you connecting through somewhere like Heathrow or on the continent where you could possibly store your clubs while you're elsewhere?

You know that you're going to want to play golf. If you doubt that for even a second, review my stickied thread and re-evaluate....

If you play more than once it'll probably be the same cost to fly yours over as it would be to rent.

Ship your clubs to the hotel in Scotland, give yourself the option to play, and then ship them back when you head to the mainland.