GOLF - 2024

[RayDonovan]

Great pictures Rosscow!

Open Qualifying today, our club has 3 playing at Fulford, York.

[bodhi]

DuncanM said:

That's awesome that you won it! Mainly because all I ever read about online, is disgustingly stupid scramble cheating scores! 8 under is definitely about right for a 3 ball, well played

Cheers mucka - I was expecting someone to come in the 50s, but it seems the format kept things sensible. Given by some of the random positions I saw people playing the 18th from I'm guessing there were some high presure situations up on the tee

Rosscow said:

Cheers boys, I do like a bit of camera work!

Unfortunately I had to settle for a tap in birdie, you can see my disgust here:

Just behind the hole as well - wounder. Nice birdie though

[s94wht]

DuncanM said:

That's awesome that you won it! Mainly because all I ever read about online, is disgustingly stupid scramble cheating scores! 8 under is definitely about right for a 3 ball, well played

I also read about all these super low scores; that doesn't seem to be a problem at my club which I'm really please about.

I did see a results email come around where two high handicappers played a scramble and shot, like, NET 95... they must have had a terrible day.

[Rojibo]

I know this shouldn’t bother me, but I just got my new irons and I’m still babying them, spent a fair chunk, P790 with Axiom 105 S shafts, with the idea being that the graphite will help with my carpal tunnel issues, and on that front so far so good, no ringing in my fingers after playing or practicing.

But I went to the range last night, to the grass area but sadly they hadn’t moved the ropes, so there wasn’t much grass left, ended up shanking a ball that must have had some sand/soil on it and it’s left a lovely scuff on the satin finished hosel . I know I shouldn’t let it bother me.. but it is.

[DuncanM]

Rojibo said:

I know this shouldn’t bother me, but I just got my new irons and I’m still babying them, spent a fair chunk, P790 with Axiom 105 S shafts, with the idea being that the graphite will help with my carpal tunnel issues, and on that front so far so good, no ringing in my fingers after playing or practicing.

But I went to the range last night, to the grass area but sadly they hadn’t moved the ropes, so there wasn’t much grass left, ended up shanking a ball that must have had some sand/soil on it and it’s left a lovely scuff on the satin finished hosel . I know I shouldn’t let it bother me.. but it is.

It's an awful feeling! My very first round, with brand new wedges, hit out of a bunker, and under the ball, was a rock the size of my fist! 18 years ago, still upsets me

[s94wht]

Rojibo said:

I know this shouldn’t bother me, but I just got my new irons and I’m still babying them, spent a fair chunk, P790 with Axiom 105 S shafts, with the idea being that the graphite will help with my carpal tunnel issues, and on that front so far so good, no ringing in my fingers after playing or practicing.

But I went to the range last night, to the grass area but sadly they hadn’t moved the ropes, so there wasn’t much grass left, ended up shanking a ball that must have had some sand/soil on it and it’s left a lovely scuff on the satin finished hosel . I know I shouldn’t let it bother me.. but it is.

The first cut is the deepest

[danneth]

Caddied for my mate today at open qualifying, great experience.

We were at kedleston park, and our three ball had Pete Cowens grandson (+4.8hcp) and a young pro from Essex who qualified for the open back in 2021.

Mate didn't really look out of place, however, come the end of the round all three of them struggled and were off the pace to qualify. Brutal course though, miss the fairway and it turns into a nightmare and the greens weren't much more forgiving.

Was good to see the likes of Robert Rock and some other pros from the smaller tours, get to see how golf should be played

[bodhi]

Anyone tried the Titleist T200 Utility Iron? Currently have a TM P770 3 iron which I'm struggling to get on with. Easy enough to launch but I'm having the devil's own job keeping it straight, and even when it does work being hollow bodied and foam filled in not really a fan of the feel.

Wife has authorised a purchase so I'm looking at these with interest, also considering a 7 wood of some description.

My bag currently goes Driver (270) - 3 Wood (250) - 3 Hybrid (230)- 3 iron (210) and I'm looking for something a bit more solid for off the tee and I have to get it in play. The 3 iron should be ideal, sadly it's the least accurate club in the bag.

Have got a lesson next week and will chat to coach, but all ideas and excuses to look at golf clubs in the meantime are most welcome

[milesgiles]

danneth said:

Caddied for my mate today at open qualifying, great experience.

We were at kedleston park, and our three ball had Pete Cowens grandson (+4.8hcp) and a young pro from Essex who qualified for the open back in 2021.

Mate didn't really look out of place, however, come the end of the round all three of them struggled and were off the pace to qualify. Brutal course though, miss the fairway and it turns into a nightmare and the greens weren't much more forgiving.

Was good to see the likes of Robert Rock and some other pros from the smaller tours, get to see how golf should be played

Good days viewing Id think might make a point of it next year. Probably go to wentworth am tempted by liv at jcb end of July..

[RayDonovan]

bodhi said:

Anyone tried the Titleist T200 Utility Iron? Currently have a TM P770 3 iron which I'm struggling to get on with. Easy enough to launch but I'm having the devil's own job keeping it straight, and even when it does work being hollow bodied and foam filled in not really a fan of the feel.

Wife has authorised a purchase so I'm looking at these with interest, also considering a 7 wood of some description.

My bag currently goes Driver (270) - 3 Wood (250) - 3 Hybrid (230)- 3 iron (210) and I'm looking for something a bit more solid for off the tee and I have to get it in play. The 3 iron should be ideal, sadly it's the least accurate club in the bag.

Have got a lesson next week and will chat to coach, but all ideas and excuses to look at golf clubs in the meantime are most welcome

No personal experience, but 2 of the scratch guys at my club have the T200 utility iron and use it to good effect. For me, it would boil down to its primary use, especially compared to a 7w - sounds like it's tee shots which the T200 would be good for (personally wouldn't want to use a 7w off the tee too much). I'd also potentially look at a hybrid of some kind..

[Leithen]

RayDonovan said:

No personal experience, but 2 of the scratch guys at my club have the T200 utility iron and use it to good effect. For me, it would boil down to its primary use, especially compared to a 7w - sounds like it's tee shots which the T200 would be good for (personally wouldn't want to use a 7w off the tee too much). I'd also potentially look at a hybrid of some kind..

I have a 5w and 7w in the bag. The 7w is great, but launches too high if it is windy.

[fourstardan]

My club (ferndown) had Open Q.

It's a funny affair, a mixture of fringe foreigners chancing there luck, Mars bars sellers, Amateur kiddos with decent potential.

Real meat and potatoes is next round.

I'd like to bring up how much of a hinderance Open Q is for a club member (Because im a misery guts)

1. Weeks of prep done, our course looked absolutely stunning, but mowers were out most evenings, the Greens has to meet R&A speed of 10 I could go on
2. Two days of no course (on an expensive membership), Yesterday not such a problem but Sunday our course was closed for practice rounds (no soul to be seen till 10am)
3. Range and Tees beaten to buggery now! Yes they hit down property on clubs believe it or not.
4. R&A officials driving all over "forbidden" areas for the day, trolleys everywhere the members get castrated over for taking them, your course really isn't your own for the event believe me.

That said its nice to see some decent golf on the track I love to hack on.

[RayDonovan]

There's a reason lots of clubs will refuse these sort of events and you've nailed it with 'why'. Even lower level regional events are a pain.

Luckily, my home course wouldn't be considered for anything above local events as it's not long enough even though the condition is 10/10 and it's tricky.

My club mate won the qualifying at Fulford with a 65 (-7) which includes a hole-in-one. Fulford gets these events quite often as it's an ex tour event and they have blue tees which turn the front 9 into a real slog (3 or 4 Par 4's that are +450y).

[Rojibo]

It’s our club champs this weekend which is nice, they’ll be doing a lot of work to get the course in good condition meaning the bunkers might actually be playable.

I’m not playing in it but it’ll be 7400 yards off the blues. I might sneak on in the afternoon and play from there though just to see how punishing it is. Makes the first hole a 501 yard par 4

[bodhi]

Leithen said:

RayDonovan said:

No personal experience, but 2 of the scratch guys at my club have the T200 utility iron and use it to good effect. For me, it would boil down to its primary use, especially compared to a 7w - sounds like it's tee shots which the T200 would be good for (personally wouldn't want to use a 7w off the tee too much). I'd also potentially look at a hybrid of some kind..

I have a 5w and 7w in the bag. The 7w is great, but launches too high if it is windy.

Interesting, thanks both. I was intrigued with a 7 Wood as I see a few pros carrying them now and the stopping power on greens does sound good, however I've always struggled with launching the ball too high so have shied away from fairway woods. I'm hitting the ball a bit lower after my lessons but still a concern.

Good point on using it off the tee as well - it would be a drop it on the deck and hit it from there as I do with my 3 Hybrid, which works fairly well, just goes a little far for what I'm looking for and contact isn't always great.

Another idea I've had is get the T200 4 iron to replace my 3 and 4 iron, then I can carry a 60 degree wedge and get myself in trouble with that instead

Should be off down the Chase this afternoon for some short game practice and to pick up some Pro V1xs (the Tour Speed doesn't seem to have the stopping power for summer greens), so will have a word and see if they have one I can try.

[Rosscow]

I'm seriously considering a 7 wood, too. My 5 wood is probably my favourite club at the moment, and I've ditched the hybrid so currently go from that to a 4 iron.

[Rojibo]

Same. Been wondering what to do at the top end of the bag, didn’t order the 4 iron as that was 21 degrees and thought I’d struggle. But hitting the 5 iron at 23.5 degrees pretty well.

Don’t always get on with my 21 degree hybrid and not sure how it fits in the bag now really, want to go test a 7 wood against a hybrid equivalent, the thing the hybrid has going is it’s quite versatile out of some awful lies.

[Leithen]

Rojibo said:

Same. Been wondering what to do at the top end of the bag, didn’t order the 4 iron as that was 21 degrees and thought I’d struggle. But hitting the 5 iron at 23.5 degrees pretty well.

Don’t always get on with my 21 degree hybrid and not sure how it fits in the bag now really, want to go test a 7 wood against a hybrid equivalent, the thing the hybrid has going is it’s quite versatile out of some awful lies.

That is the key difference. There are lies in the rough that I would have previously used my hybrid with, but don't begin to consider with the 7w. I also need to practise more from the tees. I'm effectively not teeing it up all to make sure I'm getting the same strike. With a bit of practise on a slightly higher set up I feel that I might be able to produce a better draw into the normal front-left wind we have here.

[48Valves]

Leithen said:

Rojibo said:

Same. Been wondering what to do at the top end of the bag, didn’t order the 4 iron as that was 21 degrees and thought I’d struggle. But hitting the 5 iron at 23.5 degrees pretty well.

Don’t always get on with my 21 degree hybrid and not sure how it fits in the bag now really, want to go test a 7 wood against a hybrid equivalent, the thing the hybrid has going is it’s quite versatile out of some awful lies.

That is the key difference. There are lies in the rough that I would have previously used my hybrid with, but don't begin to consider with the 7w. I also need to practise more from the tees. I'm effectively not teeing it up all to make sure I'm getting the same strike. With a bit of practise on a slightly higher set up I feel that I might be able to produce a better draw into the normal front-left wind we have here.

A mate of mine has just bought a PXG 7 wood. Can’t remember what shaft but it’s a lower launch/spin one. He plays it forward in his stance to hit high cuts and back to hit it lower with a draw off the tee. It has a nice high but penetrating flight unlike some 7woods that balloon and goes further than my 4 wood.

[ukwill]

Rosscow said:

I'm seriously considering a 7 wood, too. My 5 wood is probably my favourite club at the moment, and I've ditched the hybrid so currently go from that to a 4 iron.

I went through this process last year.

Ended up ditching the 4 iron and buying the 7 wood. So now top of bag is D, 5w, 7w.

Depending on the weather/course I will change out the 7 wood for a driving iron (19). I have the 2 and 4 Titleist U505 but cant get on with either so will probably sell them. The utility iron I'm now using the is the new Mizuno Fli-Hi. I am much happier with it - not as chunky as the U505, looks better (to me) over the ball, and a ball flight I prefer.

My problem now is I keep having dirty thoughts about the TM P790s.