I'm gonna throw a wild guess out there...cart path only? Or do they send you out in your own personal power boats?

Check out the Cleveland Hibore XLS. I just picked one up new for ~$110 on ebay. After one trip to the range, I was very happy. Seemed very forgiving on my misses and the good swings looked great. I'll be testing it out on the course this weekend.

I really need to stop spending so much time on ebay.

I think I'm pretty much done putter ho-ing (only bought one so far this year after 20+ last year), but I guess if I see the right deal on a Sabertooth or a Spider....

Anyway, recently I've been putting in a lot of modest bids on fairway woods. I picked up a Sonartec SS-07 16* 4 wood which arrived yesterday, so I had to run out to the course tonight to try it out. Only managed to hit it five times in nine holes but so far I'm loving it. Seems to be easy to get a high trajectory off the deck, no major hookage.

On second thought, maybe I need to spend more time on ebay...

Next up, some kind of sunday bag so I can grab half a dozen clubs and walk a super quick nine...

I just ordered a used Ping G2i C67 putter on ebay about 40 seconds ago.
Its center shafted, never tried one so it will be interesting.
Its got an iomic grip??.

I think its hard to miss for $10 shipped imo.
Ebays a sweet site.

I pretty much use amazon for everything, but for clubs, ebay seems better. I think I'm gunna buy a wedge or two, and slowly work on my short game while I find a deal for some irons, woods, and driver.

I'm no ebay pro, but imo: add all the items your intersted to "watch this item".

Also when searching for "callaway" stuff, misspell it and search for "calloway". The later will usually yeild 20-50 results in golf items. They are prolly included under "callaway" items as well but, idk, maybe they arnt?

WARNING: WTF, TL;DR.

Hit up a demo day yesterday, looking at fairway woods only. I got there late and didn't have time to hit anything else.

So far this year, I have had in the bag an Adams A3 Hybrid-FW 3 wood and a Sonartec 4 wood that I bought off eBay. I like the A3 but it needs a reshaft - at this point, it's useful only as a designated hook club. The jury's still out on the Sonartec, but it's a least a little more workable. I still draw it, straight is about the best I can hope for.

At demo day I hit the Cleveland Launcher, Callaway Squareway and X fairway, and the Cobra S9-1. All very solid 3 woods - okay, I didn't like the X fairway - but I hit a draw with all of them. Straight ball at best, just like the Sonartec I already have.

So I wandered over to the TaylorMade tent and had the rep set me up with an R9 fairway clocked to max open - I think it's 2* open. Holy **** - with my "fade swing" I can hit a fade with a fairway wood! Never before. Ever.

So now I feel like I'm in a cartoon. On one shoulder, the angel is saying "just practice more with what you have, you'll eventually figure out how to hit a fade with one of your existing 3 woods, since you can do it with every other club in the bag". On the other shoulder, the devil is saying "dude. you can buy a solution. Only $239.99 plus tax".

This is really kind of dumb. I'm obsessed with being able to hit a fade with a 3 wood because of one hole. My home course has five par 5s, two of which I can reach if I hit a good drive. Here's an MS Paint of the hole in question, which is one of the two:



With a good drive, I'm going to be 190-230 out depending on where the tees were, the wind etc. The ideal placement is obviously on the left side of the fairway, but there is OB left and getting to position A requires a well judged draw. My standard distance to the green is 210 - a good tee ball would be where the target is. I know some of you gorillas would be hitting 5 iron from there, but I'm a short hitter. This is 3 or 4 wood country for me to get home.

As you can see, there is a "neck" starting about 150 out. At that point the fairway is only about 10 yards wide, with water on the left and solid trees down the right. Once you get to about 70 yards out, things open up to the right and there's room to bail out. The rough there is no problem, and I can live with being in the right trap.

Unless I'm WAY left off the tee, the wall of trees prevents me from starting the ball far enough right to draw it in while hitting the green. If I avoid the trees I have a long carry over the hazard - which juts out in front of the green. Anything not killed or hooked is going to get wet - if anything the hazard extends even closer to the green on the left. It's ALL carry.

As my options exist right now, I can:

1. Go for it with a fairway wood, with the most likely result being a draw into the hazard. If I hit it flush, I might make the left trap. I have to hit it dead straight to have a chance at the green. This is a low percentage shot. I can't quite get there with the 3h.

2. Lay up - for max wussification, I'll hit a half wedge to 150. This is the "smart" play, but it certainly is emasculating and sucks if I dump the third shot in the bunker.

3. Fade something around the trees into the bailout area. There is some risk of a double-cross into the hazard, and if I hit anything shorter than a 4 iron it's still fairly tight. This is visually intimidating. If I'm pretty far left I can use the 3h, but if I'm there I'd rather have a chance at reaching the green.

The further right I am, obviously the smarter option #2 becomes and the more "fade" is required for option #3. Without a fadeable fairway wood, I can't attempt option #1 at all from the right side.

All I want, really, is to have something I can dependably dump into the bailout area, close to the green. The closer the better. If I happen to hit it flush and straight, I'd like to be on.

There's really no point to all this, just venting. If you like, feel free to wager on how long it takes before I break down and buy an R9 fairway. I think I have about $100 in shop credit, but no idea if my pro is carrying TM this season.

edit: There are definitely a few other shots where a fade-biased 3 wood would be useful - spots where I'm ****ing tired of having shots kick left into jail, but I don't really NEED a 3 wood at all. It's all about this hole.

additional edit: See photo of hole previously posted in this thread as another spot where a fade-friendly fairway would be great.

Great idea, execution somewhat lacking. Anyone have any suggestions on a ultra lightweight carry or stand bag? I think I'd prefer a stand, since I want to play in the early AM when the ground's wet.

The hardest part is going to be finding a strap (single or double) that's comfortable.

Also, I determined that my course does have R9 fairways and they're $20 cheaper than TGW before shipping. Need to go win some more shop gift certificates!

bonds, you can't hit a fade with your 3-wood. i thought 99% of golfers can hit a fade, usually unintentionally

i can't hit a fade but i can sure hit a mean slice

Yeah I know that sounds weird but it's the truth. I can use every trick I know - weak grip, outside-in swing etc - and I can't make a standard 3 wood go left to right.

Now, if you need to bend a ball 40 yards right-to-left, I've got that shot.

i would be careful buying a club for a specific shot. beware of the double cross...esp on the picture you drew. probably best to learn that shot first! (you can do it!)

edit: i read your options post...amen on double cross!

Random thought after watching Tigers pure stroke left handed. Do you think if he put all his time practicing left handed that he could break par in 1 round within 3 years?

On TPC, no way..

I sure as heck wouldn't bet against him.

Yes, I think he could.

If you mean a normal par 72 PGATOUR setup course, I think that he could at least once, as could quite a few of the others. If you are thinking about a US OPEN setup par 70 it would be a challenge, but not impossible. I think he would be able to do it.

You have to remember he has to unlearn all the current mechanics and relearn the reverse, it is not that easy. And it takes time.

i'd say zero chance.... maybe your local muni but no way a pga course setup. big thing is they tend to be quite long.

At the Masters Par 3 comp a couple of years ago, Wood & Weir switched clubs on one holes, both hit nice shots in. On a non-PGA setup I would think it is possible.

I am in the market for a nice 3w. how do i find these demo days in my area?

I tend to go to the same places every year, so I just watch for notices or their ad in the newspaper.

Otherwise, I would check out some of the major manufacturers' websites for dates, for example:

Cleveland demo days
Callaway

If you're lucky you can find one with a bunch of different companies & compare clubs, but sometimes it'll just be one or two.

This might be an oldy for some, I just happened across it.

Fred Astaire hitting golf balls while tap dancing

lol, i think im gunna do this next time i'm on the driving range.

ahh, the days when Hollywood promoted creativity.

anyone playing in the US Open qualifiers? Shot 73 yesterday to miss out on sectionals by 3 shots.

damn, there must be some good golfers itt.

I am going to hit the little ball today here, Not a brag by any means but it is the nicest of the 3 courses in my area.

Few questions.

Anybody have any opions on TaylorMade Tour Burner Drivers?
http://www.golftown.com/gtcommerce/s...-P8407C20.aspx

I'm looking for a decently preiced $200-$250 driver. Fwiw I suck horribly with a driver and havn't even kept one in my bag the last couple years.

What's the deal with "fade" drivers? Also any loft, or shafts that would be best suited for someone with a pretty crazy slice?

had a five putt today.

last day in houston so went and played a nice pro course with my group..greens were rolling 11-12.

midsize par5, on in regulation, and proceede to lag up to 3 feet or so, and lipout 3 putts in a row. it was disgusting.