Golfers: I hit an 84 the other day. WOOOOT!! but i do have a couple of questions.

[PlatinumGold]

my first time ever breaking into the 80's.

my goal by the end of this calender year is to hit in the low 70's.

btw, it was COLD out there too, low 30's but with the wind much colder. it was kind of fun because i was the ONLY person out on the golf course.

does the ball travel farther or not as far in colder weather? i've heard some people say farther and others say not as far.

have any of you played winter golf? the fairways were frozen and so were the greens, i couldn't hit any of my lob shots, had to go with all low trajectory pitch and rolls in order to get the ball to hold the green. a lob shot would just bounce off the green.

anyway, just wanted to brag, for the record i started to play golf last year March.

 

[dug777]

just don't sleaze on the drinks girl, she's the green keeper's daughter and he'll kick your ass!

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: dug777
just don't sleaze on the drinks girl, she's the green keeper's daughter and he'll kick your ass!

you joined AT forums almost 4 yrs after i did and it looks like you will pass up my post count soon.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: dug777
just don't sleaze on the drinks girl, she's the green keeper's daughter and he'll kick your ass!

you joined AT forums almost 4 yrs after i did and it looks like you will pass up my post count soon.

don't bet on it

I hardly post on here these days (well, compared to what my PPD has been )

 

[Gibsons]

You'll likely get more roll on the fairways, but all other things being equal, the air should be denser, so the ball should travel a shorter distance in the air. But the actual density of the air will also depend on humidity.

Good luck getting to low 70s, that's a long way from mid 80s!

edit: I completely ignored what temperature might do to ball and club, this might help or hurt depending on lots of things. I'd guess more likely to hurt, but there are a lot of variables. Gaghalfrunt might know.

 

[edro]

Just because you were the only one on the course, it doesn't mean you can use your shoe wedge more often!

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: Gibsons
You'll likely get more roll on the fairways, but all other things being equal, the air should be denser, so the ball should travel a shorter distance in the air. But the actual density of the air will also depend on humidity.

Good luck getting to low 70s, that's a long way from mid 80s!

edit: I completely ignored what temperature might do to ball and club, this might help or hurt depending on lots of things. I'd guess more likely to hurt, but there are a lot of variables. Gaghalfrunt might know.

i played once when it was DENSE humid, it was really really humid, that day for sure, i noticed the ball did not carry at all.

my understanding is, when it is really cold, the ball doesn't compress as much so it won't travel as far.

but. OTOH, ya, you do get more of a roll.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

I can do an 84... for one hole

 

[Gibsons]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: Gibsons
You'll likely get more roll on the fairways, but all other things being equal, the air should be denser, so the ball should travel a shorter distance in the air. But the actual density of the air will also depend on humidity.

Good luck getting to low 70s, that's a long way from mid 80s!

edit: I completely ignored what temperature might do to ball and club, this might help or hurt depending on lots of things. I'd guess more likely to hurt, but there are a lot of variables. Gaghalfrunt might know.

i played once when it was DENSE humid, it was really really humid, that day for sure, i noticed the ball did not carry at all.

my understanding is, when it is really cold, the ball doesn't compress as much so it won't travel as far.

but. OTOH, ya, you do get more of a roll.

The variable is you might be playing with a ball that's normally too soft for your swing speed. As it cools and gets harder, it might better match your swing speed. Not something I pay too much attention to, I'm usually playing with whatever ball I found last anyway. And hopefully it's not a rockflite.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: Gibsons

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: Gibsons
You'll likely get more roll on the fairways, but all other things being equal, the air should be denser, so the ball should travel a shorter distance in the air. But the actual density of the air will also depend on humidity.

Good luck getting to low 70s, that's a long way from mid 80s!

edit: I completely ignored what temperature might do to ball and club, this might help or hurt depending on lots of things. I'd guess more likely to hurt, but there are a lot of variables. Gaghalfrunt might know.

i played once when it was DENSE humid, it was really really humid, that day for sure, i noticed the ball did not carry at all.

my understanding is, when it is really cold, the ball doesn't compress as much so it won't travel as far.

but. OTOH, ya, you do get more of a roll.

The variable is you might be playing with a ball that's normally too soft for your swing speed. As it cools and gets harder, it might better match your swing speed. Not something I pay too much attention to, I'm usually playing with whatever ball I found last anyway. And hopefully it's not a rockflite.

ya, i have a bag full of balls i've picked up over the last 4 or 5 months. the first 5 or 6 months i was definitely a net loser, lost more balls than i found, the last 5 or 6 months, i've definitely been a net gainer, finding more balls than i lose.

i have some new ones in the bag, but i don't play them unless conditions are good.

 

[meltdown75]

*debates posting due to earlier post count comment*

um, congrats!

you're progressing pretty good. i don't play golf in the winter although i did play on Feb 29th one year in when it was 65 degrees out and there was still some unmelted snow on the ground.

i've never broke 80... shot 80 a few times but that's about it. i will probably play less this year and i don't think i am joining the league or getting a membership... i just want to play more courses.

anyway just wanted to say cheers on the scoring :beer:

work on your short game if you want to break 80.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
*debates posting due to earlier post count comment*

um, congrats!

you're progressing pretty good. i don't play golf in the winter although i did play on Feb 29th one year in when it was 65 degrees out and there was still some unmelted snow on the ground.

i've never broke 80... shot 80 a few times but that's about it. i will probably play less this year and i don't think i am joining the league or getting a membership... i just want to play more courses.

anyway just wanted to say cheers on the scoring :beer:

work on your short game if you want to break 80.

really? actually, my short game is pretty good, i have a good lob shot, good pitch etc.

my problem i think is my mid game, i can't seem to put my second shot on the green consistently, i'll get GIR mb 4 or 5 times a round now, that's ok, but it seems to me, that's what i have to improve to get my score down.

getting on the green in 3 is usually not a problem for me, the day i scored 84, i was really on with my putting too, one thing about frozen greens, they seem to be more uniform and consistent (they were all consistently frozen, so they all played about the same).

i was getting within a couple feet of the hole with most of my pitches, but i just wish i was hitting the greens more in regulation.

guess expecting 60% to 70% GIR is a bit much for an amateur.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: meltdown75
*debates posting due to earlier post count comment*

um, congrats!

you're progressing pretty good. i don't play golf in the winter although i did play on Feb 29th one year in when it was 65 degrees out and there was still some unmelted snow on the ground.

i've never broke 80... shot 80 a few times but that's about it. i will probably play less this year and i don't think i am joining the league or getting a membership... i just want to play more courses.

anyway just wanted to say cheers on the scoring :beer:

work on your short game if you want to break 80.

really? actually, my short game is pretty good, i have a good lob shot, good pitch etc.

my problem i think is my mid game, i can't seem to put my second shot on the green consistently, i'll get GIR mb 4 or 5 times a round now, that's ok, but it seems to me, that's what i have to improve to get my score down.

getting on the green in 3 is usually not a problem for me, the day i scored 84, i was really on with my putting too, one thing about frozen greens, they seem to be more uniform and consistent (they were all consistently frozen, so they all played about the same).

i was getting within a couple feet of the hole with most of my pitches, but i just wish i was hitting the greens more in regulation.

guess expecting 60% to 70% GIR is a bit much for an amateur.

I was referring strictly to chipping and putting.

I read a great book recently, maybe you would like to check it out. Going into this golf season, it gave me quite a few good thoughts.

http://www.amazon.com/Harvey-PenickS-Little-Red-Book/dp/0671759922

Personally when I'm not hitting greens, I check my setup and grip. Then I think two things: aim and visualization. I aim for a certain part of the green, not just the green in general. That is just a nice thought I like to have. I also want to make sure I am not getting too rigid and tensing up. I remind myself, "I'm playing a game. A game should be fun. Hitting greens is fun." Self-talk helps me out a lot when I am playing. I also want to be able to swing easy and get it there, so I usually take an extra club and smooth it out.

I think the best tip is to just try to have fun and work with what you've got. I'm not too big on mechanical swing thoughts. Simple grip and setup thoughts, and fun. Then again, I'm not very good and taking tips from an amatuer is usually a pretty bad idea

 

[bignateyk]

As your score gets lower and lower, it becomes harder and harder to shave off strokes. (And alot more frusterating)

IMHO the game of golf gets more and more frusterating as you get better and better because your expectations go up, and it takes so much more effort to improve by just one or two strokes.

Ive been stuck shooting around 80 for the last 2 years. I think to get much better I would have to move somewhere where I could play year-round.

 

[MrManly]

GJ. I still shoot in the 90s, but I've only played for about 1 year.

I just shot my first Hole-In-One last Saturday. Rolled it right up onto the green and into the hole from 157 yds. Woohoo!

-MrManly

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: MrManly
GJ. I still shoot in the 90s, but I've only played for about 1 year.

I just shot my first Hole-In-One last Saturday. Rolled it right up onto the green and into the hole from 157 yds. Woohoo!

-MrManly

i haven't hit a hole in one yet, i have chipped in from about 70 yrds out tho, was a Par 5 and was my 4th shot for a chip in birdie. i have also hit an eagle, drove the green (short par 4, about 270 yrds but i hit the downslope of the hill to the green just right and it rolled on the green, for a tap in eagle.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: meltdown75
*debates posting due to earlier post count comment*

um, congrats!

you're progressing pretty good. i don't play golf in the winter although i did play on Feb 29th one year in when it was 65 degrees out and there was still some unmelted snow on the ground.

i've never broke 80... shot 80 a few times but that's about it. i will probably play less this year and i don't think i am joining the league or getting a membership... i just want to play more courses.

anyway just wanted to say cheers on the scoring :beer:

work on your short game if you want to break 80.

really? actually, my short game is pretty good, i have a good lob shot, good pitch etc.

my problem i think is my mid game, i can't seem to put my second shot on the green consistently, i'll get GIR mb 4 or 5 times a round now, that's ok, but it seems to me, that's what i have to improve to get my score down.

getting on the green in 3 is usually not a problem for me, the day i scored 84, i was really on with my putting too, one thing about frozen greens, they seem to be more uniform and consistent (they were all consistently frozen, so they all played about the same).

i was getting within a couple feet of the hole with most of my pitches, but i just wish i was hitting the greens more in regulation.

guess expecting 60% to 70% GIR is a bit much for an amateur.

I was referring strictly to chipping and putting.

I read a great book recently, maybe you would like to check it out. Going into this golf season, it gave me quite a few good thoughts.

http://www.amazon.com/Harvey-PenickS-Little-Red-Book/dp/0671759922

Personally when I'm not hitting greens, I check my setup and grip. Then I think two things: aim and visualization. I aim for a certain part of the green, not just the green in general. That is just a nice thought I like to have. I also want to make sure I am not getting too rigid and tensing up. I remind myself, "I'm playing a game. A game should be fun. Hitting greens is fun." Self-talk helps me out a lot when I am playing. I also want to be able to swing easy and get it there, so I usually take an extra club and smooth it out.

I think the best tip is to just try to have fun and work with what you've got. I'm not too big on mechanical swing thoughts. Simple grip and setup thoughts, and fun. Then again, I'm not very good and taking tips from an amatuer is usually a pretty bad idea

Agreed. Most people once they develop a swing can nail the ball down the fairway with a driver, blah blah blah, but once they get on the green they equal their number of strokes trying to putt it in. Putting and chipping are key to advancing your game.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: meltdown75
*debates posting due to earlier post count comment*

um, congrats!

you're progressing pretty good. i don't play golf in the winter although i did play on Feb 29th one year in when it was 65 degrees out and there was still some unmelted snow on the ground.

i've never broke 80... shot 80 a few times but that's about it. i will probably play less this year and i don't think i am joining the league or getting a membership... i just want to play more courses.

anyway just wanted to say cheers on the scoring :beer:

work on your short game if you want to break 80.

really? actually, my short game is pretty good, i have a good lob shot, good pitch etc.

my problem i think is my mid game, i can't seem to put my second shot on the green consistently, i'll get GIR mb 4 or 5 times a round now, that's ok, but it seems to me, that's what i have to improve to get my score down.

getting on the green in 3 is usually not a problem for me, the day i scored 84, i was really on with my putting too, one thing about frozen greens, they seem to be more uniform and consistent (they were all consistently frozen, so they all played about the same).

i was getting within a couple feet of the hole with most of my pitches, but i just wish i was hitting the greens more in regulation.

guess expecting 60% to 70% GIR is a bit much for an amateur.

I was referring strictly to chipping and putting.

I read a great book recently, maybe you would like to check it out. Going into this golf season, it gave me quite a few good thoughts.

http://www.amazon.com/Harvey-PenickS-Little-Red-Book/dp/0671759922

Personally when I'm not hitting greens, I check my setup and grip. Then I think two things: aim and visualization. I aim for a certain part of the green, not just the green in general. That is just a nice thought I like to have. I also want to make sure I am not getting too rigid and tensing up. I remind myself, "I'm playing a game. A game should be fun. Hitting greens is fun." Self-talk helps me out a lot when I am playing. I also want to be able to swing easy and get it there, so I usually take an extra club and smooth it out.

I think the best tip is to just try to have fun and work with what you've got. I'm not too big on mechanical swing thoughts. Simple grip and setup thoughts, and fun. Then again, I'm not very good and taking tips from an amatuer is usually a pretty bad idea

Agreed. Most people once they develop a swing can nail the ball down the fairway with a driver, blah blah blah, but once they get on the green they equal their number of strokes trying to putt it in. Putting and chipping are key to advancing your game.

my game is strange.

i can hit the driver reasonably well now, i can hit my wedges very well, i put decently, but my mid irons i can't hit worth a cr@p.

i hit my PW 100 to 120 yrds. i hit my 9 iron 100 to 120 yrds, i hit my 8 iron 100 to 120 yrds, i hit my 7 iron 100 to 120 yrds, i hit my 6 iron 100 to 120 yrds, i hit my 5 iron 100 to 120 yrds.

no one i play with can figure out what i'm doing here. i hit my 30% hybrid 160 yds, my 26% hybrid 170 to 180 and my 22 hybrid 190 or so.

but i can't hit my mid to short irons.

it's got to be psychological at this point, there shouldn't be any kind of difference in distance between my 5 iron and my 30% hybrid given the same swing, the clubs are the same length etc. the same swing should yield pretty much the same distance.

 

[PlatinumGold]

btw, right now, in my bag i carry a

Driver, 3 wood, 5 wood, 18% hybrid, 22% hybrid, 26% hybrid, 30% hybrid, 7 iron, 8 iron, 9 iron, PW, 50 degree gap wedge and a 56 degree sand wedge. and of course the putter.

 

[pmoa]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold
my first time ever breaking into the 80's.

my goal by the end of this calender year is to hit in the low 70's.

btw, it was COLD out there too, low 30's but with the wind much colder. it was kind of fun because i was the ONLY person out on the golf course.

does the ball travel farther or not as far in colder weather? i've heard some people say farther and others say not as far.

have any of you played winter golf? the fairways were frozen and so were the greens, i couldn't hit any of my lob shots, had to go with all low trajectory pitch and rolls in order to get the ball to hold the green. a lob shot would just bounce off the green.

anyway, just wanted to brag, for the record i started to play golf last year March.

Pretty good, but when I go by myself I shoot a 72

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: pmoa

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold
my first time ever breaking into the 80's.

my goal by the end of this calender year is to hit in the low 70's.

btw, it was COLD out there too, low 30's but with the wind much colder. it was kind of fun because i was the ONLY person out on the golf course.

does the ball travel farther or not as far in colder weather? i've heard some people say farther and others say not as far.

have any of you played winter golf? the fairways were frozen and so were the greens, i couldn't hit any of my lob shots, had to go with all low trajectory pitch and rolls in order to get the ball to hold the green. a lob shot would just bounce off the green.

anyway, just wanted to brag, for the record i started to play golf last year March.

Pretty good, but when I go by myself I shoot a 72

not only was i by myself as in no foursome, there was NO ONE else on the entire golf course.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: pmoa

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold
my first time ever breaking into the 80's.

my goal by the end of this calender year is to hit in the low 70's.

btw, it was COLD out there too, low 30's but with the wind much colder. it was kind of fun because i was the ONLY person out on the golf course.

does the ball travel farther or not as far in colder weather? i've heard some people say farther and others say not as far.

have any of you played winter golf? the fairways were frozen and so were the greens, i couldn't hit any of my lob shots, had to go with all low trajectory pitch and rolls in order to get the ball to hold the green. a lob shot would just bounce off the green.

anyway, just wanted to brag, for the record i started to play golf last year March.

Pretty good, but when I go by myself I shoot a 72

not only was i by myself as in no foursome, there was NO ONE else on the entire golf course.

In that case you should have shot 62

 

[rodneyxiii]

Two questions:

1. Did you take lessons

2. Are you out of your freaking mind? It's winter in the great north east. You're only about 2 hours south of me and it has been cold as hell the past 2 weeks up here in Jersey City.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: Gibsons
You'll likely get more roll on the fairways, but all other things being equal, the air should be denser, so the ball should travel a shorter distance in the air. But the actual density of the air will also depend on humidity.

Good luck getting to low 70s, that's a long way from mid 80s!

edit: I completely ignored what temperature might do to ball and club, this might help or hurt depending on lots of things. I'd guess more likely to hurt, but there are a lot of variables. Gaghalfrunt might know.

You've got it right. The temps have a very minimal impact on the materials used in a golf club or the ball itself. The simple fact is that colder air is denser and denser air retards distance potential. It's the same reason why the ball travels about 10% farther in Denver than it does at sea level. One of the science geeks can do the exact math, but you should probably assume that the difference between playing at 40*F and 90*F will be a club to a club and a half of carry and possibly as much as 2 clubs depending on your swing speed and spin rate (denser air increases spin). If you hit a 7 iron a given distance when it's 90* you're probably going to need either a 6 iron when it's 55-60* or maybe a 5 iron from the same distance as the temps get near freezing.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: rodneyxiii
Two questions:

1. Did you take lessons

2. Are you out of your freaking mind? It's winter in the great north east. You're only about 2 hours south of me and it has been cold as hell the past 2 weeks up here in Jersey City.

ya, i'm out of my mind.

seriously, i've played about 70 rounds since March of 06.

no, i never took lessons per se, just played a lot and one of the guys i play with is a golf pro and he gives me pointers.

i drive him crazy tho, cause i never do anything he suggests unless it really makes sense to me.