Golf!!!2!

[Rutuu]

My gut tells me hitting blades is likely a function of swing speed as well. If you've got a lower swing speed you've gotta get the centre of gravity down and get the smash factor up.

And yeah I'd rather my snap hook or block shots land short.

[Manhattanboy]

So a buddy is breaking the bank to have a professional golf simulator designed and built into his new house.

I have played around in the simulators at Golf Town but I wonder how much fun would it really be over time (would you lose interest quickly) and can one really improve your game?

I guess if you really like tinkering with new clubs, shafts, lofts etc it could be really useful.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I'm going to Palm Springs beginning of April and will be playing at least 3-4 rounds.
Will share what we end up playing and feedback.

But also listening in for recommendations.

Desert Willow - Firecliff.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Anyone ever been to Naples (FL)? Got a family trip there in the spring, but just from quickly looking it doesn't appear that there are a lot of non-private options out there. We do have a rental so a bit of a drive isn't an issue.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by GomerPile

Are they a true blade? Do you like them better then a comparable muscle back?

MBs are true blades. Bladed irons are a style of club that are usually one piece forged construction, featuring a a thin top line, little to no offset, small head/face, and an even smaller sweet spot.

Traditional blades featured a center of gravity that was in the middle of the club face, offering the highest degree of control but making them exceptionally difficult to hit for all but the most proficient players. There was not much mass to these clubs, and no offset, which made the player work the shot.

About 20ish years ago Acushnet brought out the CB series in their clubs, which were advertised as blades because they were forged CBs. They were the first "players" club - that step between the game improvement and the pro quality clubs. The CBs provided additional sole weight and shifted the center of gravity lower and toward the rear of the club, making them easier to get the ball up in the air, but still providing the same control with traditional blades. The traditional blades were renamed MBs and then redesigned to feature more weight to the rear of the club (the muscle back bulge) providing the similar effect of shifting center of gravity to help get the ball up in the air. All manufacturers have followed this trend, even the traditionalists like Hogan with the Apex butter knives.

More and more tour pros are using muscle backs compared to a true blade, I currently have a set of the Sub 70 Muscle Backs and quite enjoy them.

There aren't many traditional blades around any more. The last set of traditional blades I've come across are the Rickie Fowler KING RF Protos from Cobra. They are stunningly beautiful clubs. TINY heads with no offset and as little mass behind them as you can imagine. Still a slight MB engineered in, but tiny heads that made you work the ball. Because of the traditional size and no mass, off center hits went nowhere and gave tons of negative feedback. Even Hogan has shelved the traditional design and has gone to a larger head with more mass. This is the evolution of the bladed clubs and has been subtle over the years. I have a set of 1988ish Cleveland 588 blades, and a set of 2013 588MB blades, and the difference is quite subtle. Only when you place each next to each other do you see the extra size of the later design. They are both difficult to hit, but the 2013s are much easier.

Originally Posted by Rutuu

My gut tells me hitting blades is likely a function of swing speed as well. If you've got a lower swing speed you've gotta get the centre of gravity down and get the smash factor up.

And yeah I'd rather my snap hook or block shots land short.

This is mostly accurate. There is a reason why blades are referred to as "workable" clubs - you have to work your ass off to make them perform! Different clubs are designed for different players. Blades are definitely for your advanced players as off center hits receive no correction from the club and bleed distance quickly. This is a result of the lack of mass and the functions of the design. Just like with a five piece golf ball, to make a blade perform you need to have good clubhead speed and find the center of the face. The sweet spot on blades is smaller so you need a consistent swing.

An interesting term you just threw out there is smash factor. This stat is the ball speed divided by the clubhead speed at launch. Also referred to as efficiency factor, it determines how much energy you getting out of your swing and transferring into the ball. The higher the better. Swinging harder doesn't necessarily mean greater smash factor, but it does move the needle for clubhead speed. Still need to find center of the club face and drive through the ball to get the maximum smash factor. Important stat to track if you're focused on bombing it.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Anyone ever been to Naples (FL)? Got a family trip there in the spring, but just from quickly looking it doesn't appear that there are a lot of non-private options out there. We do have a rental so a bit of a drive isn't an issue.

Tiburon is the must play. It hosted a couple of events there, both PGA and LPGA. Heritage Bay is pretty nice. Arrowhead is top notch as well. Valencia is a nice track, just have to watch conditions. I might suggest you travel a little inland and play Panther Run. It's the home course for Ave Maria University and I've head some really good things from it from friends in the biz in Florida.

[indes]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

So a buddy is breaking the bank to have a professional golf simulator designed and built into his new house.

I have played around in the simulators at Golf Town but I wonder how much fun would it really be over time (would you lose interest quickly) and can one really improve your game?

I guess if you really like tinkering with new clubs, shafts, lofts etc it could be really useful.

Pretty much everything I've read for golf sims is that they are a great improvement tool for higher handicaps.

I've only had my sim for this winter but I don't see it getting old any time soon! What a great way to hang out while it's cold outside. I also can't wait to get my kids going on it in the next few years.

[jayswin]

Anyone here had a golf canada membership in years past? Worth the price? Looks like the best parts are coverage of stolen clubs (is that at golf courses or if they're stolen anywhere?), window insurance up to $1000 and stat tracking?

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Anyone here had a golf canada membership in years past? Worth the price? Looks like the best parts are coverage of stolen clubs (is that at golf courses or if they're stolen anywhere?), window insurance up to $1000 and stat tracking?

I pay for it since it’s only $50. I like the official handicap aspect for certain things. But it’s got some other nice features.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Anyone here had a golf canada membership in years past? Worth the price? Looks like the best parts are coverage of stolen clubs (is that at golf courses or if they're stolen anywhere?), window insurance up to $1000 and stat tracking?

I have it. It comes with my club membership. I use it to post my scores and get a handicap.

[jharp]

Sorry if this has been mentioned before, basically TLDR, but has anyone used Golftec in Beacon Hill, and if so, is there a particular coach you recommend or would stay away from?

[prarieboy]

Originally Posted by jharp

Sorry if this has been mentioned before, basically TLDR, but has anyone used Golftec in Beacon Hill, and if so, is there a particular coach you recommend or would stay away from?

I was taking lessons at Golftec a couple of years back and went to Beacon Hill.

Although he wasn't there while I was taking lessons Tyler LeBouthillier is someone I would recommend. He was a Pro at my club so I know him from there. He is a great golfer and a great coach. I'd give him a try.

[jharp]

Originally Posted by prarieboy

I was taking lessons at Golftec a couple of years back and went to Beacon Hill.

Although he wasn't there while I was taking lessons Tyler LeBouthillier is someone I would recommend. He was a Pro at my club so I know him from there. He is a great golfer and a great coach. I'd give him a try.

Nice, thank you!

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Anyone here had a golf canada membership in years past? Worth the price? Looks like the best parts are coverage of stolen clubs (is that at golf courses or if they're stolen anywhere?), window insurance up to $1000 and stat tracking?

It's money well spent.

[CofR]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Anyone here had a golf canada membership in years past? Worth the price? Looks like the best parts are coverage of stolen clubs (is that at golf courses or if they're stolen anywhere?), window insurance up to $1000 and stat tracking?

I bought one this year for the first time. The insurance made it seem worthwhile to me

[iggypop]

Originally Posted by CofR

I bought one this year for the first time. The insurance made it seem worthwhile to me

Interesting, this insurance does really seem worth it. It looks like Golf Canada will pay you whatever the value of your set is from https://www.globalgolf.ca/trade-in/.

Just looked up my set; I'd get a whopping $450 for my clubs, and another ~$250 for laser/watch, etc.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Just found out I'm going to Bandon Dunes! It's booked up through 2023 so I entered into a tournament and got waitlisted. A player had to withdraw and I'm in! 90 holes of golf in three days, but it should be worth the physical abuse. Also planning on making a trip of it and playing Reserve Vineland, Pumpkin Ridge, and making a run up to Chambers Bay. Probably add a couple extra on the coast to make the drive between sites less intense. Can't wait!

[indes]

Just played 9 holes at Chateau Whistler on my golf sim with a few buddies and had a blast!

Can't wait for the season to start and see where I'm at after a winter with the sim. I started golf last year and only broke 100 once (94). Hopefully I'm toying with the 90s a lot more this year!

[Dion]

Never be like Matt Jones

https://twitter.com/user/status/1500168185001168903

[Dion]

I was in the local Sally Ann last week and found a near mint Cobra Amp Cell 3/4 fairway wood for only $40 and change.