Fore! Who's playing golf, yo-

played 9 while the boy was at a bday party. everything is drying out and the ball is going a lot further. i've known my distances were getting longer since last summer, both by technical improvement and then getting fitted. but i've been playing in soggy conditions for months and it's clear that the ball is going even further in the air and on the ground, at least with driver, 3wood, 3hybrid. i hit 2 3 woods 220+ today and last summer i was hitting it 200. i hit a couple great 3hybrids, including one that must have rolled out a long way but i hit it pure -- 240. i hit a drive 270. my normal drive distance is 230-240.

anyway, i'm struggling with distances just because i'm starting to hit it further again and having faith to commit to my longer distances is a challenge facing a necessary carry.

my distance wedges are a problem. i'm basically not comfortable hitting my 56 further than about 60. my 52 about 70. if i try to hit it further, i invariably shank it or some other terrible thing.

there is a gap wedge of 50 degrees available for my set that i don't have. my pw is 45. my wedges are 52, 56, 60. i also found out my set has a 4i. that would also be nice because i have big gap between my 5i and my 3 hybrid.

anyway, i went to the pitching green after 9 and hit wedges for 45 minutes. i feel like i figured something out because i was hitting it really well at the end, putting 7 of 10 balls in a small bunker from 70yds and 2 on the edges. when i got fitted the teaching pro said i need to bring the club lower and more around my spine than i was because the way my body was during my takeaway i basically had little physical choice but to chop down outside in. so i have been working on that on my irons and striping the shit out of stuff (for me, obviously) on a fairly regular basis. really great contact and ball flight (for me, obviously). so i applied some of the same thoughts to my wedges on the takeaway and started hitting it really well.

redtail is where i play most because of convenience and it's on my card with free (prepaid if you must, but i have gotten many times my money's worth. i gave up the gym and pretty much everything else not related to family or snowboarding and it's been amazing. since i limit myself to playing during the free periods, i can play 4 holes, 7 holes 14 holes, whatever. i play in shitty weather because i know nobody will be on the course and i can finish 9 in 1:15. i played in rain many times this year and even snow. i know i've gotten a lot better but it's not translating to scores, although my worst days are definitely better than they used to be.

now i have to figure out where i'm out when everything dries out and hopefully drop close to 85 this year. if can par 11 of 18 holes and play the last 11 in +8 i know i can beat 90. i finally made another birdie and have had a lot of opportunities lately. it's taken a lot longer than i hoped to drop from 100 to 90 but i feel like when i finally get my brain on the other side of 90 i will make significant improvements and become more consistent at a higher level and break 90 on a regular basis.

redtail is my challenge. the 590 yard par 5 7th is one of two round killers for me. i have to hit 3 perfect shots basically, and the second a hybrid or 3 wood over water to hopefully get to a hybrid or 5 for my approach. i just haven't hit it far enough and straight enough to par that hole often. i've started driving it better, but at my landing zone are little rolling mounds, leaving a second shot needing to clear 160 with water along the right, with the ball below or above your feet and maybe and uphill or downhill lie. the alternative is a short layup, to hit the third over water from 250 or more out on in 4 and one putt hopefully . anyway i've carded many 9s in the past year to destroy whatever i had done in the first 6. i've parred it a couple times in the past weeks and had a couple other chances.

the other round killer is a 427 yd par 4 dog leg right with water all along the right and also along the left all the way to the green on the second shot. i have also been playing it better recently. my wedges have been great 50 yards and in lately and so getting on in 3 and 1 putting is not outside the realm of possibility, as is getting on in 4 and 1 putting on 7.

anyway, i feel like i've put in a lot of work and if i could just get out of my own way i would get it done.

holy shit! another novel!

Played 9 with my 13-y/o daughter yesterday. She had fun, too, so that was great.

I played with 1/2 set and I was happy about my distance control and ball flight. Able to hit a baby draw. Pretty solid for not having played much in last 2 months.

Stoked for summer...

9 bogeys and a triple today

also, 260 and 270 yard drives. 230 3wood.

Reached a 588 yard par 5 in two today. Missed the 10 foot eagle putt and tapped in for birdie but pretty stoked to reach this green for the first time ever (played the course many many times). 278 yard three wood, maybe the best I’ve ever hit in my life (typically I hit it around 240-250). Definitely had a little breeze helping me.

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Originally Posted by TahoeJ

Reached a 588 yard par 5 in two today. Missed the 10 foot eagle putt and tapped in for birdie but pretty stoked to reach this green for the first time ever (played the course many many times). 278 yard three wood, maybe the best I’ve ever hit in my life (typically I hit it around 240-250). Definitely had a little breeze helping me.

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Damn, seeing that 3 wood land on the green so close must have felt amazing.

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Originally Posted by Bromontane

Spend a month practing chipping and putting (key is to practice terrible lies as well as good ones, high loft/low loft, lag putting from a distance, getting a feel for 1/4 - 1/8 - 1/10 wedge shots on all degrees you have). If you have enough distance to hit it 240 off the tee, odds are your score inflation is happening inside 100y. Try setting the ball a little back in the stance to trap it with wedges and adapt your plan for the shot to the lie & obstacles.

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my short game is pretty solid. i kept stats for a year and i am a reliable 2 putter. i've had several low handicaps compliment me on my chipping and wedge play inside 50. it's really these two specific holes. the par 5 requires a good drive, a good 3w or hybrid over water, and another hybrid or 5 to the green. none of those are my strong suits. i frequently put the second or third into the pond. 'm getting better. the other hole is a long par 4 with lots of water that requires a good drive and for me a hybrid or 5 to the green if i'm lucky. i often slice my tee shot in the pond. they have ruined many good rounds. if not for those two holes, i probably would have broken 90 by now.

I think I did tendon damage to my finger.

To say I'm concerned about being able to golf in the near future is an understatement.

Bummer. Booner.

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Originally Posted by booner

I think I did tendon damage to my finger.

To say I'm concerned about being able to golf in the near future is an understatement.

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Fingering the thic can be risky.

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Originally Posted by TahoeJ

Reached a 588 yard par 5 in two today. Missed the 10 foot eagle putt and tapped in for birdie but pretty stoked to reach this green for the first time ever (played the course many many times). 278 yard three wood, maybe the best I’ve ever hit in my life (typically I hit it around 240-250). Definitely had a little breeze helping me.

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Playing on the flats or at elevation? Dang dude...

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Originally Posted by booner

I think I did tendon damage to my finger.

To say I'm concerned about being able to golf in the near future is an understatement.

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Do you have trigger finger?
I’ve been having problem with my left pinky.
Already had 3 cortisone shots and next will be surgery.
Surgery itself should be very easy and permanent solution.
Just gonna take a month recovery which I’m contemplating.

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Originally Posted by nutmegchoi

Do you have trigger finger?
I’ve been having problem with my left pinky.
Already had 3 cortisone shots and next will be surgery.
Surgery itself should be very easy and permanent solution.
Just gonna take a month recovery which I’m contemplating.

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Yeah I think so

I was putting new head on my daughter's lax stick and it was a really tight fit...pushing down hard on head with middle finger at bottom of finger...felt a little pop.

Then I played in hockey tourney...5 games in 4 days.

It's swollen, sore as hell, and about 75% of mobility.

I took a slapshot in one of the first games and finger felt like it broke in half so I'm worried about pain hitting balls, not to mention grip is fucked

Buddy of mine was a golf pro. Lost his right pinkie as a kid. 4 handicap.

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Originally Posted by The SnowShow

Damn, seeing that 3 wood land on the green so close must have felt amazing.

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Well, I hit a big draw and it definitely rolled its way up there. Funny thing is, as I'm nearing 40 my vision has become slightly near-sided, and it really only affects me playing golf or perhaps trying to see the score of a game on the TV across a dark bar... so I haven't bothered to see the optometrist yet. So I didn't see it but my friend was stoked for me, haha.

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Originally Posted by 54-46

Playing on the flats or at elevation? Dang dude...

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Sonoma - just above sea level. Definitely had some wind helping me, though.

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Originally Posted by booner

Yeah I think so

I was putting new head on my daughter's lax stick and it was a really tight fit...pushing down hard on head with middle finger at bottom of finger...felt a little pop.

Then I played in hockey tourney...5 games in 4 days.

It's swollen, sore as hell, and about 75% of mobility.

I took a slapshot in one of the first games and finger felt like it broke in half so I'm worried about pain hitting balls, not to mention grip is fucked

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Read some symptoms about trigger finger online.
Go to see a doctor and he/she most likely will give you either anti inflammatory or cortisone shot.
My right pinky had two cortisone shots and symptoms never came back.
My left pink had 3 cortisone shots (which is the max they’ll give you) and most likely need a surgery.
I know it hurts and uncomfortable but not at the end of the world.
If it’s treated right, it’s not a big deal.
(unless you are diabetic which’s can be one of the symptoms)
See a doctor.

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Originally Posted by nutmegchoi

Read some symptoms about trigger finger online.
Go to see a doctor and he/she most likely will give you either anti inflammatory or cortisone shot.
My right pinky had two cortisone shots and symptoms never came back.
My left pink had 3 cortisone shots (which is the max they’ll give you) and most likely need a surgery.
I know it hurts and uncomfortable but not at the end of the world.
If it’s treated right, it’s not a big deal.
(unless you are diabetic which’s can be one of the symptoms)
See a doctor.

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Definitely am.

I tried getting drunk and high all weekend to help and surprisingly didn't heal yet

The only way to heal would be stop everything and rest until pain’s gone which symptoms may return once you start doing things again.

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Originally Posted by nutmegchoi

The only way to heal would be stop everything and rest until pain’s gone which symptoms may return once you start doing things again.

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So the weirdest thing happened...

I went and hit about 10 balls last night to see if I needed to get a sub for league tonight. It wasn't great...hurt like hell, especially irons. I can still hit the ball the same, but it's not comfortable at all.

Went home and iced it, thinking it was probably a bad idea and it was going to make things worse.

Woke up and finger is MUCH better. I think something must have snapped back into place or something

Guess there goes "If it hurts don't do it". Good.

Shot another 41 yesterday. Sunk a lot of putts outside of 8' for pars and bogies. My putting had sucked and my confidence was shot so I wrapped the grip with a couple of layers of tape. Problem solved. If putts stop dropping again I'll take the tape off. Or add some.

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Originally Posted by booner

So the weirdest thing happened...

I went and hit about 10 balls last night to see if I needed to get a sub for league tonight. It wasn't great...hurt like hell, especially irons. I can still hit the ball the same, but it's not comfortable at all.

Went home and iced it, thinking it was probably a bad idea and it was going to make things worse.

Woke up and finger is MUCH better. I think something must have snapped back into place or something

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Huh. Miracle? I’ve been concerned about a finger too. Recovering from a broken finger and now think I tore a ligament in there too as it isn’t healing. Playing though a little pain but shot a 78 with a triple the other day so at least I’m playing to my handicap. Probably thanks to the Vicodin. I can see why tiger liked the stuff.

New [to me] Scotty Red-X putter felt great on the practice green. Even worked well 20'-30' off the green, a key element of my [lack of] game.

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Originally Posted by booner

So the weirdest thing happened...

I went and hit about 10 balls last night to see if I needed to get a sub for league tonight. It wasn't great...hurt like hell, especially irons. I can still hit the ball the same, but it's not comfortable at all.

Went home and iced it, thinking it was probably a bad idea and it was going to make things worse.

Woke up and finger is MUCH better. I think something must have snapped back into place or something

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My guess would be the icing.
It probably helped inflammation gone down.

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Originally Posted by nutmegchoi

My guess would be the icing.
It probably helped inflammation gone down.

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I've been icing the whole time

Played 9 tonight for league tonight and went better than I expected. Can't score but I can hit the ball...lacking a little power and control with the bum finger. Not really painful but not comfortable

Good news is my hcp is going to be at least double my normal hcp for the first few weeks till I have a normal grip. So a month from now when I'm back to normal I should be able to scrape guys

It takes a while for scores to roll off handicap. Try taping two fingers together.


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