GolfTurtle

A Saturday Foursome Gone Awry

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:41:38 -0400

About a month ago I got invited to join what was going to be a “regular” Saturday foursome, a “friendly” game. For five weeks in a row my partner and myself proceeded to get our skulls stomped by obviously higher skilled golfers. This was no new experience for me, honestly. I’ve been beaten, and beaten bad, usually happily because I’d been pushed to elevate my game, had a good time or even learned something. However, After all my many, many attempts at making some light and casual conversation and fellowship with the other team I could clearly see, THIS was no friendly game.
This time I was seeing a bit of a different pattern develop. The “A” player for the opposing team refused to give us any strokes (a first for me) even after winning EVERY week. He also refused to come to any consistent agreement on when a putt was considered good or not and could be picked up, inside the leather was irrelevant with this guy if it could swing a point or change momentum. After a day of giving putts to this guy he makes me putt 5 on the back 9 that were inside the leather, always seeming to make some little “ooooh that’s a tough one, heck anyone could miss that” comment RIGHT before I putted. This fellow never shot over 75 throughout the duration of this little escapade and I never shot lower than 89, enough said right? In a “point” game, bucks can add up quick as many of you may well know. This guy tried to goad us into “presses” when we were playing horrible, and ALWAYS made the shot when it counted. It soon came to me that my partner and I were patsy’s, pawns, targets of a hustler. I guess golf isn’t immune to the hustler character. It just seems like a sport of such high integrity, that it would be much less prevalent. The thing is, we’re all members of the same country club, a small less than 200 member club, the ONLY course in the county, in a very rural area, small population ect ect..
Well, the story winds down like this. After paying the foes a hefty sum of cash I shook their hands, told them to have a great weekend, and then gracefully bowed out of any future games. My honor and integrity unquestioned and conscience clear, I had shown my class and valor, unlike those fellows, I felt invigorated to handle it the way I did, it was refreshing. Appropriate for this month, and Arnie’s 80th birthday, I handled this little adventure as a lesson well learned, and I certainly didn’t do anything that “The King” would frown upon, actually he’d probably put a big bear-like arm around my shoulder and say “You did well son, you won after all, come on, let’s go play. What’s your handicap again?.”

Review of Titleist AP2

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 20:42:21 -0400

Titleist AP2’s may be the most perfect iron for the low-mid handicapper. I started the year with the AP1’s and a handicap of 14.5, by late May my handicap had dropped to 10 and I found myself struggling to improve and shape shots anymore even on the days when I was striking the ball very pure. I switched up and got fit for AP2’s standard lie with Project-X 5.5 shafts and Golf Pride multi-compound grips. This proved to be the best equipment decision I’ve ever made. My handicap has continued to drop slightly all summer long. I’m now at a 7.9 where I seem to have peaked at, and I’m shaping the ball better than I ever have in my life.
The AP2’s have just enough of a cavity paired with the elastomer (rubber?) insert to offer forgiveness on off center shots, yet not too much to look thick or seem bulky or heavy. That same reason is why I wouldn’t recommend them for purist or scratch golfers that like a maximum amount of feel.
The AP2’s have just the right amount of feedback
for me. Not too soft, but hit the sweet spot and they
are like butter. The forged feel is certainly there,
nothing really feels “muted”. I enjoy the fact that
they are only slightly thicker on the top-line but not
really noticeably so. Overall, I’ve got to reiterate my
statement that these irons are perfect for the player
looking for shot shaping ability with a more
forgiveness than traditional or muscle back blades.
I’ll close by adding that these irons are also more
resistant to bag chatter than other forged irons I’ve
used in the past which is certainly an added bonus.
With the reduced price coming, the generation 1
AP2’s are a steal in my opinion.

Now with more golf!

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 00:10:05 -0400

I’ve decided to narrow the subject matter for my blog. I’ll now be (almost) totally dedicated to golf. I’m going to be touching on all things golf; equipment and review, tips, technique, strategy, clothing, course review, professional coverage and prediction. It’s going to be a fun fall/winter season, we’ve got a lot of catching up to do so please explore and enjoy. Link me to communicate on any of the social media outlets listed.

Photo Above: Heritage Hill Golf Club Hole 12 Par 3