** 2024/2025 Golf Talk Thread **

[BiffTannen 866]

53 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

@BiffTannen, moving the driver discussion here.

My son just bought a used driver, but I have no idea what.  I'm hitting balls with him tomorrow, I'll find out then.

Basically he needs a stiff shaft, maybe extra stiff.  He bought his starter Callaway set from Costco last year; I suggested he get the stiff shafts online, but he ignored me since I'm his father and bought the regular shafts they had in the store.  Our instructor told him he swings way too hard for such a shaft, and suggested a few older clubs which he feels compare nicely to newer technology.  One of them was the Ping G400, from 2017 I think.  I stumbled on one at a PGA Superstore last week killing time between appointments and hit it; I thought it was OK, not nearly as nice as the used TaylorMade QI10s they had next to the bay.

I can't say I've ever really hit Titleist clubs, so I'll be interested in your opinion. 

 

Ping - I think you will hit more fairways but lose a bit of distance. 

I'm not sure I like the new clubs being made out of carbon rather than titanium. A guy in my group has the Stealth and I don't like the sound it produces. . 

[BiffTannen 866]

@jerryskids

this is a cool hangout if you’re looking for user reviews  

https://forums.golfwrx.com/

[edjr 6,578]

Jake Knapp with a cool 59 today

[jerryskids 6,535]

21 hours ago, BiffTannen said:

@jerryskids

this is a cool hangout if you’re looking for user reviews  

https://forums.golfwrx.com/

Thanks, I bookmarked it for the future.

Hit balls with my son today.  He bought the Ping G400 on eBay -- 8.5 degrees, stiff shaft (actually, maybe xtra stiff, I didn't ask).  It was... well loved, but the face was fine.  First time out, he hit it really well, so I'm very happy for him.  His only real problem was hitting under the ball and popping it up, which isn't the club's fault.  

[jerryskids 6,535]

On the topic of a golf outing here, we absolutely should plan something for next year to coincide with spring training.  I thought about this when I was looking at Reds games and thought of Lager. 

 

[edjr 6,578]

33 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

On the topic of a golf outing here, we absolutely should plan something for next year to coincide with spring training.  I thought about this when I was looking at Reds games and thought of Lager. 

 

I have a place in kissimmee, will cost nothing for yall to stay.  https://orangelakegolf.com/

4 courses, 2 18s on resort, no need to even leave. 

after playing 18, i usually just want to sit by the pool/lazy river and hangout.

[listen2me 23 1,823]

1 hour ago, edjr said:

Jake Knapp with a cool 59 today

Did happen to bet him 80 to 1. Along with 2 other losers.  He wont go wire to wire.  Not a fan of when my bets.lead after the 1st round.  

Why the F is PGA National playing ridiculously easy?  They could over adjust for tomorrow in order to avoid embarrassing themselves.  I know wind is down this week.   But its still always a tough venue.  

[edjr 6,578]

14 minutes ago, listen2me 23 said:

Did happen to bet him 80 to 1. Along with 2 other losers.  He wont go wire to wire.  Not a fan of when my bets.lead after the 1st round.  

Why the F is PGA National playing ridiculously easy?  They could over adjust for tomorrow in order to avoid embarrassing themselves.  I know wind is down this week.   But its still always a tough venue.  

he was the favorite coming in

[BiffTannen 866]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGELObiS-nx/?igsh=Mm9xZnV2YWt6b3Zr

[jerryskids 6,535]

1 hour ago, edjr said:

I have a place in kissimmee, will cost nothing for yall to stay.  https://orangelakegolf.com/

4 courses, 2 18s on resort, no need to even leave. 

after playing 18, i usually just want to sit by the pool/lazy river and hangout.

No reason we can't do both!  I'm talking a year from now for coming out here.  Spring training in AZ is an awesome, unique experience.   

[edjr 6,578]

3 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

No reason we can't do both!  I'm talking a year from now for coming out here.  Spring training in AZ is an awesome, unique experience.   

I am down.  Bert already stretched me out good, it’s been 2 years though 

[jerryskids 6,535]

21 minutes ago, edjr said:

I am down.  Bert already stretched me out good, it’s been 2 years though 

If I haven't mentioned it, my brother is working construction at the Ft Lauderdale airport, so I'll come out to your place any time as an excuse to visit him.  

[edjr 6,578]

3 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

If I haven't mentioned it, my brother is working construction at the Ft Lauderdale airport, so I'll come out to your place any time as an excuse to visit him.  

send me your numbah.

[thegeneral 2,875]

First nice day of year in PNW yesterday. Played my favorite course in the area (Washington National) shot a 92 with two 7’s on the card. Mostly just happy to be out there getting a good walk in with some good swings (and a few bad ones), looking forward to summer!

[BiffTannen 866]

On 2/27/2025 at 6:05 PM, listen2me 23 said:

Did happen to bet him 80 to 1. Along with 2 other losers.  He wont go wire to wire.  Not a fan of when my bets.lead after the 1st round.  

Why the F is PGA National playing ridiculously easy?  They could over adjust for tomorrow in order to avoid embarrassing themselves.  I know wind is down this week.   But it’s still always a tough venue.  

What’s he doing trying to hit a submerged ball?

[listen2me 23 1,823]

2 hours ago, BiffTannen said:

What’s he doing trying to hit a submerged ball?

That was ridiculous.  If he could have just tried to make bogey he might of mentally stayed in it.  He decided its right here I save face or totally lose.  And he lost.  Was looking for hedge out opps for a bit. Didnt hit any.   

Ehh try again at the Palmer.

Did hit a winner take all dollar lineup for 400 last week.  Had another great lineup in same tourny this week but Woodland missed the cut.  Still finished like 20th out of 400 and some lineups.  

 

[jerryskids 6,535]

15 minutes ago, listen2me 23 said:

That was ridiculous.  If he could have just tried to make bogey he might of mentally stayed in it.  He decided its right here I save face or totally lose.  And he lost.  Was looking for hedge out opps for a bit. Didnt hit any.   

Ehh try again at the Palmer.

Did hit a winner take all dollar lineup for 400 last week.  Had another great lineup in same tourny this week but Woodland missed the cut.  Still finished like 20th out of 400 and some lineups.  

 

You should join EdEx.   

[listen2me 23 1,823]

59 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

You should join EdEx.   

I should but I wont.  Haha

Maybe ill surprise the crowd one of these years.   Seems like the best thing going here these days.   

[WhiteWonder 2,673]

On 2/27/2025 at 5:05 PM, jerryskids said:

Thanks, I bookmarked it for the future.

Hit balls with my son today.  He bought the Ping G400 on eBay -- 8.5 degrees, stiff shaft (actually, maybe xtra stiff, I didn't ask).  It was... well loved, but the face was fine.  First time out, he hit it really well, so I'm very happy for him.  His only real problem was hitting under the ball and popping it up, which isn't the club's fault.  

Does you son play a lot / have a low handicap?  I would adjust that loft +1*  (I think the g400 can adjust +/- a degree) and get it playing at 9.5. It's going to play much more forgiving that way. 

I'd rather see someone who swings hard and is strong, smooth out their swing and use a stiff than use an x-stiff shaft also to be honest.... I mean unless he is a long time golfer single digit handicap.  an x-stiff playing 8.5 degrees is going to be fairly unforgiving for him, I think.  

Mid 2023 I lowered my driver to 8.5 and wound up changing it back for 2024.

[jerryskids 6,535]

15 hours ago, WhiteWonder said:

Does you son play a lot / have a low handicap?  I would adjust that loft +1*  (I think the g400 can adjust +/- a degree) and get it playing at 9.5. It's going to play much more forgiving that way. 

I'd rather see someone who swings hard and is strong, smooth out their swing and use a stiff than use an x-stiff shaft also to be honest.... I mean unless he is a long time golfer single digit handicap.  an x-stiff playing 8.5 degrees is going to be fairly unforgiving for him, I think.  

Mid 2023 I lowered my driver to 8.5 and wound up changing it back for 2024.

Appreciate the input.  No, he's new to the game.  But he's strong and the regular shaft was spraying the ball everywhere, hence the recommendation from our instructor for the stiff shaft.  I agree with you on the move to 9.5, but the club didn't come with the tool, he'd need to get that.  Also, I suspect that he mentally would resist that because of popping the ball up, although that isn't the club's fault.   

[dain11279 963]

Supposed to be in the mid 50s here with sun and rain the next couple of days. That should melt most of the snow around here. 60 and sunny next Wednesday, fingers crossed I can get back out on the course then 

[BiffTannen 866]

1 minute ago, dain11279 said:

Supposed to be in the mid 50s here with sun and rain the next couple of days. That should melt most of the snow around here. 60 and sunny next Wednesday, fingers crossed I can get back out on the course then 

I'm getting the itch as well, but hate going this time of year to find a giant poster in the pro shop that says CART PATH ONLY

[WhiteWonder 2,673]

18 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

Appreciate the input.  No, he's new to the game.  But he's strong and the regular shaft was spraying the ball everywhere, hence the recommendation from our instructor for the stiff shaft.  I agree with you on the move to 9.5, but the club didn't come with the tool, he'd need to get that.  Also, I suspect that he mentally would resist that because of popping the ball up, although that isn't the club's fault.   

i wouldnt suggest regular but more stiff than X-Stiff. granted all shafts play differently but an x-stiff is going to feel more like a board. 

He can probably get an employee at a big box golf store to adjust the head for him...  and yes, popping it up is the swing not the loft haha, as you are well aware. Once he hones his swing a bit more, even though that extra degree doesnt seem like a lot, he will hit it straighter and more consistent with that little extra loft

[dain11279 963]

10 minutes ago, BiffTannen said:

I'm getting the itch as well, but hate going this time of year to find a giant poster in the pro shop that says CART PATH ONLY

I always walk so not a problem for me

[WhiteWonder 2,673]

11 minutes ago, BiffTannen said:

I'm getting the itch as well, but hate going this time of year to find a giant poster in the pro shop that says CART PATH ONLY

my local course that I will generally play when it warms up but conditions still are not great is an easy walk. i bring my trusty basic ass pull cart with me. it's not even a cool fancy push cart 

[edjr 6,578]

19 hours ago, BiffTannen said:

I'm getting the itch as well, but hate going this time of year to find a giant poster in the pro shop that says CART PATH ONLY

Lazy fock

[BiffTannen 866]

Just ordered 4 for the price of 3 for 2025 Titlist loyalty program. Their new performance alignment was not eligible for the promotion. Dumb

[WhiteWonder 2,673]

On 3/17/2025 at 6:53 AM, BiffTannen said:

Just ordered 4 for the price of 3 for 2025 Titlist loyalty program. Their new performance alignment was not eligible for the promotion. Dumb

I found 2 dozen premium balls in the brush down the first fairway last week. ProV, TP5, Vice Pro, Bridgestone tour, chrome soft triple track etc. no scuffs  

I have not bought balls in years and still have boxes of brand new proV and TP5 in the closet. 

[BiffTannen 866]

1 hour ago, WhiteWonder said:

I found 2 dozen premium balls in the brush down the first fairway last week. ProV, TP5, Vice Pro, Bridgestone tour, chrome soft triple track etc. no scuffs  

I have not bought balls in years and still have boxes of brand new proV and TP5 in the closet. 

Prov’s are a new model this year. Had to check them out. 

[jerryskids 6,535]

20 minutes ago, BiffTannen said:

Prov’s are a new model this year. Had to check them out. 

What version do you play?  Have you looked at the new "left dash"?

[BiffTannen 866]

15 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

What version do you play?  Have you looked at the new "left dash"?

Past few years I played prov1x but last year I found a regular and loved it so I went regular this year. A guy I play with plays the dash, but I’ve yet to try them. 

[WhiteWonder 2,673]

i'll pretty much play any "premium" ball these days and honestly even some of the tier below like a super soft or tour response... . As long as it has decent feel around the greens. So I tend to find 6+ "keeper" balls every time I play. Golf is an expensive enough hobby as it is, I just have no interest in paying $55-$60 per dozen... or even buy 3 get 1 free deals. I do have favorites but at this point it's the swing, not the ball. When I get under a 5 hcp, i'll worry about tinkering with my balls 

[BiffTannen 866]

1 minute ago, WhiteWonder said:

i'll pretty much play any "premium" ball these days and honestly even some of the tier below like a super soft or tour response... . As long as it has decent feel around the greens. So I tend to find 6+ "keeper" balls every time I play. Golf is an expensive enough hobby as it is, I just have no interest in paying $55-$60 per dozen... or even buy 3 get 1 free deals. I do have favorites but at this point it's the swing, not the ball. When I get under a 5 hcp, i'll worry about tinkering with my balls 

I keep a few sleeves of Kirklands in the bag at all times. If I’m not hitting it well, I’m not sending $5 balls into the woods and water all day. 

[jerryskids 6,535]

10 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

i'll pretty much play any "premium" ball these days and honestly even some of the tier below like a super soft or tour response... . As long as it has decent feel around the greens. So I tend to find 6+ "keeper" balls every time I play. Golf is an expensive enough hobby as it is, I just have no interest in paying $55-$60 per dozen... or even buy 3 get 1 free deals. I do have favorites but at this point it's the swing, not the ball. When I get under a 5 hcp, i'll worry about tinkering with my balls 

I ended up not getting the buy 3 1 free deal on TP5s, as you can get 48 mint balls on eBay for 1/2 that price.  But the ProVs did make some significant changes, plus they added the Left Dash I mentioned, so I'm thinking about splurging on those.

You said you find a lot of balls; I don't find as many because the desert doesn't lead to as many lost balls, but by far the most balls I find of any type are ProVs.  There are a lot of bad golfers out there paying a lot of money for balls they don't need.   

7 minutes ago, BiffTannen said:

I keep a few sleeves of Kirklands in the bag at all times. If I’m not hitting it well, I’m not sending $5 balls into the woods and water all day. 

I'm working through a few dozens of those as I get back into golf shape, and implement the stuff I've learned in lessons.  I'm like you -- if the swing is working, I much prefer the better balls I have (TP5s) around the green.

[WhiteWonder 2,673]

9 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

I ended up not getting the buy 3 1 free deal on TP5s, as you can get 48 mint balls on eBay for 1/2 that price.  But the ProVs did make some significant changes, plus they added the Left Dash I mentioned, so I'm thinking about splurging on those.

You said you find a lot of balls; I don't find as many because the desert doesn't lead to as many lost balls, but by far the most balls I find of any type are ProVs.  There are a lot of bad golfers out there paying a lot of money for balls they don't need.   

I'm working through a few dozens of those as I get back into golf shape, and implement the stuff I've learned in lessons.  I'm like you -- if the swing is working, I much prefer the better balls I have (TP5s) around the green.

The left dash has been available since 2019. I think it may have been limited back then... not sure as I did not seek it out.   If I had no brand new balls, I would probably jump on a buy 3 deal. I can gift 2 of them. 

Yeah, right now up in this area its prime ball picking time. Minimal foliage or long grass, brush has been cut back and yet people will hit brand new premium balls into the right junk off the first tee and I guess just reload or drop down the fairway. I actually emptied out my bag before playing last wednesday in anticipation of finding a ton and it did not disappoint. .  I did lose 5 balls on my 7 penalty shots but still came out way ahead haha. 

[BiffTannen 866]

37 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

I ended up not getting the buy 3 1 free deal on TP5s, as you can get 48 mint balls on eBay for 1/2 that price.  But the ProVs did make some significant changes, plus they added the Left Dash I mentioned, so I'm thinking about splurging on those.

You said you find a lot of balls; I don't find as many because the desert doesn't lead to as many lost balls, but by far the most balls I find of any type are ProVs.  There are a lot of bad golfers out there paying a lot of money for balls they don't need.   

I'm working through a few dozens of those as I get back into golf shape, and implement the stuff I've learned in lessons.  I'm like you -- if the swing is working, I much prefer the better balls I have (TP5s) around the green.

From what I’ve read the left dash gives you height trajectory similar to the 1x but with much lower spin and has the same firm feel. The softer feel is what I prefer about the regular. After playing one last year and going back to the x it felt like I was hitting a rock. 

[Alias Detective 1,388]

Scotties Masters Dinner look like my kind of meal.  Man food.

[BiffTannen 866]

1 minute ago, Alias Detective said:

Scotties Masters Dinner look like my kind of meal.  Man food.

A bowl of chili followed by a ribeye. Sign me up

[Alias Detective 1,388]

Menu Details:

Appetizers:

Cheeseburger sliders (served "Scottie Style" with fries on the patty)

Firecracker shrimp

Papa Scheff’s Meatball & Ravioli Bites

First Course:

Texas-style chili (inspired by Coach Randy Smith's recipe)

Main Course:

Wood-fired cowboy ribeye

Blackened redfish

Sides:

Macaroni and cheese

Jalapeno creamed corn

Brussels sprouts

Chipotle-lime roasted sweet potatoes

Dessert:

Warm chocolate chip skillet cookie with vanilla bean ice cream

[jerryskids 6,535]

2 minutes ago, Alias Detective said:

Menu Details:

Appetizers:

Cheeseburger sliders (served "Scottie Style" with fries on the patty)

Firecracker shrimp

Papa Scheff’s Meatball & Ravioli Bites

First Course:

Texas-style chili (inspired by Coach Randy Smith's recipe)

Main Course:

Wood-fired cowboy ribeye

Blackened redfish

Sides:

Macaroni and cheese

Jalapeno creamed corn

Brussels sprouts

Chipotle-lime roasted sweet potatoes

Dessert:

Warm chocolate chip skillet cookie with vanilla bean ice cream

Dang, that looks good. 

I'd love to get the recipe for the sweet potatoes; do they publish them?