the GOLF BLOG of HYPE....by one man

Wow, has it really been a year since my last post? Yes, it has. Last year went by in a blink it seems. Well, I did accomplish one of my goals this past year....and that was to golf more than the year before. I posted 46 rounds last year which is a little over twice from the year before. But how pathetic is that really, that in the last 2 years I've only posted 65 rounds or so?! I've got to increase that drastically BUT I'm taking the first 3 months of 2009 off and away from the course.
This doesn't mean that I'm not going to be doing anything about golf at all. On the contrary, I'm going to be doing a lot for golf during this time. Notice I said "for" golf, not "about" golf.

I had a number of golf related goals for last year and this is what happened: My handicap came down like I wanted it to, though not quite as low as I'd hoped (3.6). I can create more distance with my irons when I need to, but not as consistent as I would like. My swing has slowed down a bit (on purpose) and I'm getting more distance with my driver and fairway metals, and that's always good. My putting is still good and I finally decided to buy a new putter for my birthday this year....more on that later. The major goal of practicing more did not happen but that was due to a job change early in the year that kept me extremely busy all year. This is a good thing especially with the way today's economy is going. I'm secure in what I'm doing and making more money, 2 very good things.

OK, so, 2009 golf and business goals. You'll see a change in this site in the next month or so and the posts will come with greater consistency, I promise. I've got a number of other golf sites that will be upgraded early this year also and I'll let you know when that occurs, though the first phase is happening right now. I'm expecting my putting to improve quite a bit this year with my new putter. I broke down and bought a "name" with the Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport2 Mid Slant...could he give it a longer name? Most of you have seen this putter, it has a more traditional appearance, very good weight (similar to the one I've used for the last 12 years), and I'm expecting it to provide me even more confidence on the green than I already have. If I can shave just 3 strokes per round, which I believe I can, then I'm going to be very happy. My irons WILL be replaced this year and I'm looking at either the new Titleist Irons (been playing Titleist for 10 years), the Taylor Made irons because their supposed to be one of the best, or the Nike Irons because they have a great look. I'm also going to eliminate my 3 and 4 irons and put a couple hybrids in my bag...time to get more serious with my game. I'm working to gain a bit more physical strength by getting back into shape a little more than I already am, and to that end I have lost 7-8 pounds in the last few weeks. I only weigh 177 so it's not a lot. I've been using a Top Flite golf ball, mainly due to cost, about $15 a dozen. I've historically used the ProV1 or the Nike One Black, but at $50 a dozen that added up. It didn't seem to matter since my handicap dropped a bit and I still had the control I needed.

I've got a friend that I golf with on occasion and a few months ago we were out and I drove my ball through the fairway slightly. As we were looking for it he asked me what kind of a ball I was hitting, I told him "a Top Flite with a blue line",...he turned around and said "you're kicking my ass with a Top Flite"? He only plays ProV1's but he gets them for free from his work (big company). I had an earlier post about the golf ball I think. You have to remember the Pros don't all use Titleist, they all don't play the same ball. And there's not that much difference in the ball, especially for all of us amateurs. It really makes me laugh when I'm with someone who is a 12, 13, 15, or 20 handicap explaining how he gets so much more from his ProV! and then proceeds to shoot a 88 or even a 98! Yea, it's the ball stupid.

Oh well, I'm going to work hard and continue my good luck from last year in most areas of my life, including golf, and carry it into this year. I hope you're all able to do the same. With this economy it would be nice if the golf courses where I live would drop their prices just a bit, but that isn't going to happen. For me to golf each weekend and maybe play twice on some weekends, on a good, challenging course, is going to cost $400 to $600 per month. That's a lot...but that's a commitment to the game. (I should be committed) Hit 'em solid and hopefully in the direction you wanted to ...and have a great year! And keep your attitude in check, no one likes playing with a whiner. Competitiveness is a good thing, being well mannered and pleasant is even better. It makes everyone in the group comfortable and happy, and the round for everyone is what it's supposed to be....fun.

MrGolfBall....

Just what does it take to get the ball into the hole? Considering that's the most important part of the entire game you'd think we should know more about how to accomplish that.

There are every kind of putters imaginable out there to help us accomplish that very simple task. You can buy a short putter or a long putter. There are putters that you shove in your belly and some you hold under your throat. Some putters have teeny tiny heads and some have mallets. The choices are endless.

There are all kinds of balls, but they look exactly the same. Hmmm...putter....ball....hole. Seems easy to me.

This simple task, this seemingly very easy part of the game, has lost tournaments, has destroyed psychies, and has ended careers.

Getting it in the hole...or rather, not getting it in the hole, has fueled the putter industry and has kept the golfing public in a confused state of "putting frenzy".. While some golfers will use the same putter for an entire career, others will change putters almost as often as they change their shirts.

After 12 years of using the same putter I have to admit I finally decided to buy a new one. Albeit, it's one of the leading putters out there, I've paid as much as a new driver. But, it's my birthday this week and it's extremely similar in weight, length, and basic shape to my current putter, which will now be relegated to the "extra clubs" bag in my garage.

My putting has always been good, but obviously I'm hoping the new club will help me get it in the hole more often. It sounds more like a personal problem though if you ask me. Ha Ha Ha I only want 2-3 less putts per round and that's very do-able for me. It's going to be the coolest looking putter in my group each time I play though. I'll post a picture of it when it arrives.

Until then,...practice, practice, practice. And get it in the hole!