GOLF - 2022

[Rosscow]

Shot 77 in pretty windy conditions on Sunday and left quite a few out there, too.

Game seems to be on its way back!

[Rosscow]

DuncanM said:

I'm just getting back into golf after taking a break due to arthritis in my ankles. I will never not love golf, it's been a part of my life for over 30 years.

It's the golf swing I love studying the most, and despite a lay off, I can still shoot my old regular scores of low/mid 80s. I put this down to my technical obsession, 6 iron in the living room .


Hoping to play more next year, golf balls annoy me with their prices, hate paying more than £20 a dozen

Over the £20 mark but the Sounder ball at £32 is supposed to be excellent. Will be trying some myself soon.

https://soundergolf.com/products/the-sounder-golf-...

[Rosscow]

Back on the ball talk.

I’ve actually played the Z Star a lot and have always got on well with them. So I’ve just ordered 3 dozen of the new Z Star Diamond.

Z Stars are excellent balls - good enough to win the Masters with Hideki means good enough for me!

And at under £30 a dozen (if you shop around), I think they’re probably the best value premium ball…

https://www.hotgolf.co.uk/product-category/golf-ba...

[Rosscow]

JamesNotJim said:

What the pro’s use are not the same. Sorta like Titleist with the left Dash and left Dot, these balls were tour balls only until very recently. It’ll be the same for every manufacturer. They’ll all have “white Sleeve” balls that are tour only.
I flick between the TP5X and the Bridgestone XS ball. I got 4 dozen of the 2020 TP5X a month ago, it spins a little less than the newer ball.
Just remember when it comes to balls, soft is slow.

Yep, I get that. But obviously we don't get white sleeve balls!

I've just played Bridgestone Tour B XS for the summer too, I like them. Have never played a TM ball, no real reason to be honest.

The Z Star diamond should be a slightly firmer version of the Z Star which I've always enjoyed playing.

[Rosscow]

fourstardan said:

Ball pricing is insane yes...when you consider how many we go through.

I usually go down to a 3 piece in winter myself with the weather and density of the air (Bridgestone again with e12 contact).

I don't buy that many to be honest - I normally get 2 or 3 rounds out of a ball before I either lose it or it gets a cut, etc.

3 dozen will probably last me until this time last year (unless I have really bad spell!!!).

[Rosscow]

DuncanM said:

You're playing to a good standard, and/or don't have many hazards where you play?

I think cat1 and good cat2 players can absolutely justify the cost of good balls, I'm just a miserable sod as I think they're too expensive now.

I've been on the border of Cat 1/2 for a few years now, at the moment gone up a couple of shots and now hopefully on the way back down.

But yes, I also play the majority of my golf on links so not many trees/woodland to deal with. Having said that I've recently played 2 new to me courses and managed to go around without losing a ball! I just don't think I have too many *really* bad shots any more - more silly mistakes that cost me a shot (missed green, 3 putt, poor chip, etc).

[Rosscow]

DuncanM said:

That's great going, I remember chatting to you on here before, looks like you've reached a really good level now

Golf is actually a great vfm sport, and has stayed that way for years.

Recently bought my lad some 2nd hand clubs from ebay, Ping S59, in superb condition for their age - £125.

I'll stop moaning about balls

Played yesterday morning - lost a ball and played terribly!

S59's are lovely, great find.

[Rosscow]

Teebs said:

I go PW, 50, 54 and 58.
50 gets used the most, 54 the least and 58 for bunkers etc..

I have the same, and my PW is 46 degrees.

My 54 is my most used (use it for pretty much all of my chips and approaches inside 100 yards). 58 for bunkers and proper flops. 50 degree is my 115 club.

[Rosscow]

Patrick Bateman said:

Booked in for the championship at Carnoustie again next Friday with my old boss. Getting on for £50 again which should be nice.

That's tremendous value!

[Rosscow]

fourstardan said:

Winter golf is what it is dire and a game of pot luck around the rain.

I'm a lucky one (but pay for the pleasure) it's a heathland sand base so drains ok, I played Saturday and it was just about ok. The "best" course (remedy oak) has a mat rule over winter , yet quite happily want 2500 a year membership and the ludicrous sign up fee LOL.

Playing on a parkland clay base soil is definition of hell in winter, I've done it before in a previous club and it's just horrendous.

Can you do qualifying comps off of fairway mats? I suppose you can?

Our course was immaculate last Saturday, greens were ironed and the fairways were like carpet! It actually plays better in winter than summer.

[Rosscow]

Love that picture!

Yep, lovely and mild here, too. Played Saturday afternoon in a match, shot 80 and won 3&2. A couple of 3 putts and a couple of iffy drives, could have been 76 easily.

Irons were really good though, probably the best this year. Highlight was a 190 yard 5 iron approach that finished pin high. Onward and upward!

[Rosscow]

Yeah, I'm pull/push trolley advocate and of course carry every now and then, too. I have a Sun Mountain Speed Cart which is 9 years old and on the verge of needing replacing....

I can see the benefit of an electric trolley if you have a particularly hilly course, especially if you're older. However as mentioned above, the stress of the thing running out of battery/taking itself off/having to make sure the battery is charged all the time would do my head in!

[Rosscow]

Just picked up a pair of these for £50! Happy days!

https://www.footjoy.co.uk/en_GB/men/shoes/spikeles...

[Rosscow]

RayDonovan said:

Rosscow said:

Just picked up a pair of these for £50! Happy days!

https://www.footjoy.co.uk/en_GB/men/shoes/spikeles...

Where?!

Our Club pro was having a clear out! Sorry!

[Rosscow]

Challo said:

Potentially playing at Wentworth over Xmas. Best mates step dad is a member and got some visitor vouchers to use up. Fingers crossed it happens, although I’m not sure what the members will think of a hacker making his way round the course lol

Enjoy, it's a great course but it's bloody long and tough. Being end of december it'll play even longer! Nice for a freebie, though!

[Rosscow]

RayDonovan said:

On thr 790's, what has made you go for the GW in the set? I'm having the same debate on a new iron order and can't decide on leaving it at PW or to include the GW (thinking towards the latter currently). Cheers.

I'd be careful ordering a matching gap wedge - they normally have loads of bounce (around 11-12 degrees). My 50 degree wedge has 8 degrees.

[Rosscow]

RayDonovan said:

You're right, it has 13° (i230). I do play high bounce on my wedges, but 13° is pretty high. Just depends if it plays the full bounce or not..
I'm not ordering the 4 iron so I do have a little budget flex for adding the GW...

13 degrees is a huge amount of bounce. My PW only has 6 degrees!

What bounce does the P790 PW have? You'd want something similar to that I'd have thought.

[Rosscow]

Hobo said:

Just for info, I also have Taylormade Milled Grind wedges, 52', 56' & 60', and don't intend to change those. I actually also have a 64' but that doesn't leave the house, as was a poor purchase on my part (when I had just started).

Edited by Hobo on Monday 5th December 09:35

Interesting bit of gapping there now, so you'll go: 45 - 50 - 52 - 56 - 60

I'd probably take the 52 degree out and use the slot for something else - driving iron, etc.

[Rosscow]

48Valves said:

My i500 PW has 12° bounce and the gap 13°.

Personally it’s not an issue as one tends to be a bit steeper with those clubs.

I think that probably depends on where you play - turf conditions, etc.

[Rosscow]

Going to Urban Golf in London tonight for the Cookie Jar Golf xmas party. Should be a good evening!