Saturday at Bay Hill

Hi Robert,

I have a set of old Ping Blackdots with dynamic gold steel shafts and a set of Adams A3OS with Prolaunch Platinum graphite shafts. I have been switching back and forth all winter long and I definately prefer the Adams clubs with the graphite shafts. However, this may not be a good comparison because the Dynamic Golds are pretty stiff and the Platinums are a regular. I've never hit stiff graphites before. I hit both sets very straight, but have an easier time working the ball with the graphites.

Hit'em Long and Straight,
Bob

Steve

Why am I not surprised that you watch that show?

Never mind how she got her degree. She is the one teaching our next generation. That is the real scary part. Garbage in, garbage out. They can't balance a check book when they graduate. But, you can bet your ass they have been shown how to put a condom on a pickle.

Dick

Lynn

Get off you butt and get out there. There ain't no crying in golf. Or, you can just sit around in your boxers and live through all the other guys talking about their games, while you stuff your face with brownies and ice cream. Darn, now I am hungry. I hate it when I do that to myself. I am going to take a break from writing my inspection reports and go make lunch. I will check in with you guys in a bit.

Let us know how the game goes. If you don't go play, I will send out a team from the Scottish embassy to confiscate your kilt or any tartan stuff you have. At least go to the trouble to make something up. Don't just sit there.

I won't go into detail about my lunch, because I know how that kind of talk affects you.

Dick

Steve

You be careful out there. That type of "big game" has a tendency to shoot back.

I used to be a ten mile a day runner. Can't do that or a lot of other things I love any more

Let us know when the show is over. You could just take your "toys" and a chair and go sit in the yard and act like you are watching "Cops. Take your lap top out there, so you can keep us up to date.

Dick

Dick Lee--here's another one like your "older I get." One of the guys ch here likes to use the work "used-to", which he pronounces "use-tah", as in "When I was young, I use-tah hit the ball 300 yards. I used to be able to get out of a bunker with one swing. I use-tah sink putts up to 15 feet." So, we now call him "Use-tah".

Dick

Rats!! I saw a competition brewing between Jerry Lee and Jerry Reed. Everyone name dropping and the singoff never happening. Now I'm all depressed, may have to go get a secont brownie. ;0)

Lynn F

Charlie
Wow brother. Thanks for your kind words, they mean a lot. I know I shoot from the hip a lot. But in that post, I shot from the hart. I care a lot about the folks on this blog and even those across the Surge Nation we don't hear from much. As my father used to say, I just got my can full of the crap. I know what you mean about family, and it does not always have to be blood family. I have family and friends that I might not see for years or even talk to for a long time. When we talk or get together, it is like we have just been in another room and can basically pick up our conversation from where we left off last time.

As to Steve's and my writings, I guess all I can say there is that great minds think alike. I think we have walked some of the same rough roads life can put in one's path, and eaten some of the same dirt. From some of our experiences, which we have both shared in this blog, I think we are both just plain folk. I have been blessed with enough during this life to keep me happy for the rest of this life and through eternity.

There is a country song that says "It ain't about the moments you breath, it is about the moments that take your breath away." I have been fortunate enough to have so many of those moments in my life. The unending love of my Lord, the love of my father, my family, my friends, and the memory of those moments are what will guide me through the rest of my life. I am including yourself and a lot of the other regulars on this blog amongst those friends. I know I am blessed when I read of the struggles some of you folks go through every day just to get out of bed and go play a round of golf. It makes my problems pale in comparison. The support our family on this blog gives to each member who is willing to come on here and talk about what is going on in their lives is unbelievable. From the medical issues some of you have had, to the great news of new clubs or new children and new grandchildren, right down to both of our sons being sent down range at the same time again, this family of the Surge Nation is there for support and comfort. You all make my life a better place to be.

I don't believe in accidents. I know God puts people in our lives for a reason. Some he puts in our lives for a life time. Some he only puts there for a season. But, he puts them all there for a reason. I am glad He chose to put you all in mine. And, I do mean all of you. Even the ones who rub me raw serve a purpose in God's plan. It is easy for me to understand why He put most of you in my life. The others, well, I guess I will just have to wait until I see Him to ask Him what that was all about.

I hope you are getting better with each day. You just keep a positive state of mind. A satisfied mind is medicine. A man who won't be beat can't be beat. You are a tough old bird. I know we are going to be hearing about some great days and some great rounds from you again real soon.

Charlie my friend, it is almost 2:30 AM here in the Ok state. I have to get up at 7:30 to start another day. God has blessed me with lots of work and golf this week. I guess I had better go get my beauty sleep so I can be sharp at both. Thanks for your thoughts.

Talk to you real soon,
Dick

Jim, what I'm about to write should be taken as something I do & not as representing Don's teachings

If I want to hit the driver higher, I tee the ball a tad higher
If I want to hit it a bit lower, I tee it a bit lower
I setup & swing the same for both of above

The theory being that the low teed ball should hit a bit lower on the face
The loft of the club is less at the base of the club than the top due to the curvature of the face
If I'm looking for height & carry over a tree, I'll tee it a tad higher
Works for me - give it a go if you wish

If you wish to see a good SS swing by one of the bloggers - click on Robert F's gravatar - To my eye his swing is the most SSGS compliant I've seen

Great job Sunday, DJ ! Man,, those greens looked tough hitting them and staying on the putting surface. thanks for the '' inside the ropes'' update.

Roy, which graphite did you go with for those 5,6,7and 8? Tell us more about those hybrid replacements when you get em. Are they typical hybrids or the ones that look a bit like irons? I'm not far off on the speed thing. About 75 with irons and 90 with the driver. Thanks for your resonse R2.

I played 18 yesterday with the temps in the mid-40's and again today with temps in low 50's here in Northern Alabama. If I can start hitting my fairway shots better, I can have a decent game. For some unknown reason, I started topping almost all of my fairway woods (metal?) and killing worms for 80+ yards. :-0

Most of my drives are good as is my short game around the green, once I get there. ;-}

I really need to get fitted with new shafts or even all new clubs. These stiff graphite shafts from Warrior Custom Golf are just not cutting it. I tried some Cobra S9-1's with regular shafts and got 30+ more yards with every club. When I really tagged my drives today, the ball would soar out to 185-190 and drop straight down. I managed one drive of 211 yards downhill with the wind behind me ;-D

I ended up with 100 both days because of all the topped fairway shots. I didn't have a single green in regulation.

Kevin

Dick Lee:

Yes, I played today -- a "so-so" round -- you not not good, but not bad either.

The short version:

5 pars, 10 bogies, 9 fairways, 2 GIR, 6 one putts vs 2 three putts -- but 7 bunkers with only 1 "Sandy" --- Can you say "Lawrence of Arabia" ? LOL.

The bad news : 2 double bogies ans 2 triple bogies
Score: 91

Obviously, to score well, I MUST hit more fairways (my usual 10 to 12) and more greens.

"I was stroking the putter well, but they just weren't falling" as Tiger and others are want to say

Also the driving average was DOWN to about 170 yards. For some reason, the fairways were damp and ball was not rolling as far as normal. Most have been early morning irragation as it did not rain last night.

An unusual thing happened on the way to the first green. My intended "normal" 6 iron 120 yard layoff really took off -- went into the water at about 135 - 140. Hmmmmmm -- nice to know I can hit a 6 iron that far on occasion -- but not so good for the score!

The only significant physical thing - I was usuing a light weight ankle support for my somewhat weak left ankle. I think the extra "stiffness" in that joint may have slightly affected my timing/tempo - resulting in my normally straight drives picking up a fade of about 5 to 10 yards and adding to the lessened distance. Anyway, "that's my story and I'm sticking to it!"

By the end of the round, my brain had it all sorted out and I hit 2 or 3 of my "normal" drives -- resulting in the 2 GIR and ending the day with 2 pars on par 5 holes.

Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

Amos

Sorry, but Lynn ain't in Hilton Head. Glen Davis is also not a certified PPGS instructor so don't be surprised if you get a bit of a funny look if you ask for help with this swing.

Dragonhead

Is she from the mountains or farm country? Hillbillies are just about alike, no matter what country those mountains are in.

Dick

Thanks DJ and Surge. I really think DJ's getting used to that belly putter. Deej, your over all game seems to be coming around and I appreciate hearing that you are working hard and feel your close to some breakthroughs like a win in Houston this week. My wife and I will be watching closely.

Robert

Get off that butt and get busy. If you keep putting gas in your car and never run it, the tank will overflow. If you drive it at 70 mph a few hours a day it will burn off the gas. Of course, there is another choice. You can put in a bigger gas tank. Unfortunately, that is the option I had to take out here during the winter. I got a bigger tank, or in my case, bigger pants. Haha.

Glad to see in your other posts that you got your stitches out today. That is great. Now you can get started on some serious hand exercises. You will be back to swinging and swearing before you know it.

You know us NASCAR fans, we think the last four words of the National Anthem are "Gentelmen, start you engines." In keeping with that last thought, before I found Surge and you guys on this blog, I thought the term "Finish you swing" was when I said "What the he*l" at the end of every swing.

Now that you hands are getting better, I think it would be a great physical therapy for you to hold a big cheeseburger in one hand and try eating french fries with the other hand. It should improve you manual dexterity and at the same time help with your hand - eye coordination.

Well, at least now you can't say that I don't care, or that I didn't try to help with your recovery.

I hope you appreciate how much trouble I went through to write this post. Do you know how hard it is to type left handed while stuffing my face with those delicious Girl Scout Coconut cookies?

I have to go now. No, really I have to go, the box is empty.

Dick

Leader

Welcome to the blog. It is a great way to keep up with the Surge Swing and chat with some really nice folks. The weather has been a little crazy all over.

Hope you have a great trip and get in some memorable rounds. Make sure you come back on after the trip and let us know how the lessons and the games go.

Safe traveling
Dick

Robert--I can only give you my experiences with graphite. When I started, I didn't know one shaft from another, so I used my brothers old Hogan Edge irons with stiff graphite shafts, not steel. They hurt my hands on every hit from the vibration. I wasn't good enough to hit it in the sweet spot. Then I got some senior graphite shafts, and the comfort from vibrations was astounding. I let some experienced senior friends use the Hogan Edge irons when they didn't have their clubs, and they couldn't hit it.

Dick
LOL..I had the same question when the TEF thing came up a while back. I figured I was just kinda duhhh. I was watching one of Doc's videos when it hit me. There is a definite likeness.

Lynn F

Hi, Dick Lee--we're going to have to watch it before the golfers get fed up with this chain, but every time you write, you strike another chord. I also believe that there are no accidents and no coincidents. I have an armlength of stories but will save them for eye to eye conversations. I want to say this, though. I believe I have an angel watching over me. One time, my car's brakes didn't hold, and it started rolling down a hill leading to a pond. There were people fishing at the end of the road. The car would have killed them. But, there was a hole in the dirt road, and the left wheel got snagged in it and stopped it. The hole was only wide enough for the tire. If the car was off path by six inches, it would have missed the hole. Another time, I was on my motorcycle and decided to take the left turn lane. A minute later, I heard screeching brakes, and a semi passed my on the right as he slid through the intersection. With the mass of the semi, I probably would have been thrown a hundred yards. That's why I believe I have an angel watching over me. You'll probably respond and trigger another thought from me.

Thanks Steve,
Nope not Jerry Rice but Jim Rice, but not THE Jim Rice.
Well I did have a tendency to come over the top but I thought I cured at least some of that on the take away by not coming back inside causing me to over correct. So I may be treating "it" but I haven't "cured" it yet. I'll keep working on that.
Haven't checked my grip of late so that makes a lot of sense so I'll do that next! Thanks!
Funny about fixing one thing a year, I like it! This too high stuff is my thing for this year and with you guy's help maybe I can move on to the next thing before the year is over.
Down the Middle! Fs & Gs!!
Jim

Dick,

My best shot of the two rounds was a 7-metal from 147 yards, after topping a 4-metal and a 3-metal, that dropped and stopped on the green 18" from the hole. That's what happens when I get the Surge Swing right. It is definitely the best thing going.

Limited turn, 3/4 swing, everything in balance. It doesn't get any better.

Kevin

Hey Dick,
I used to play that way (two ball best ball) when I was a teenager . It is a fun way to play if you are on your own.
It was a beautiful day here today in Melbourne got to about 27*C (80*F) sadly I had to work but as soon as I knocked off at 3:20 I shot home, grabbed the clubs and headed down to the local 9 hole, hoping to repeat Saturdays performance of 84
first hole is a short par 3 103 meters, raised green guarded by 2 bunkers in front and right, with the pin at the back
took the 9 iron with an easy swing,hit it straight at the flag, bounced on the green a couple times and dribbled off the back, made a nice chip to get up and down. while on the green I noticed the ball mark where my shot came down... about 4" TO THE RIGHT OF THE HOLE! soooooo close but so far to the slam dunk!
second hole 320 meter Par 4, boomed a slight fade over the end of the fairway into light rough about 10 meters from the stream that runs through at about 280 meters, missed the approach just short of the green but made the up and down,
next two holes were bogeys, then on to probably the hardest hole on the course
A 166 meter dogleg right par 3, straight line to the hole takes you over some neighboring houses yards and a park!
I had caught up to the foursome in front who had just finished teeing off, and they let me play through with them, I hit the purest 5 iron I think I have ever hit dead straight but couldn't see it land due to the dogleg, got round the bend and there it was, sitting 10' from the hole. two putted for par. I walked away from that group with a swagger in my step,
went par,bogey par bogey to finish with 37 four over, on a short but challenging course,
My best score to date, Its such a relief for me to break the funk I have been in the last month,
Palms Perpendicular is the Key I think for slicers, I was over rotating the club head for a while and couldn't get back to square, now I almost feels like I am taking the club away and keeping it square (obviously not though) through the back swing, It also seems to help keep the club vertical.

Long and Straight with Palms Perpendicular

Phil NZ

DJ,
Good job! Persistency and consistency will pay off with a little patience thrown in.

Amen, brother! Well said!

Dick

You old sandbagger, you. LOL..I should have known you'd figure out a way to break 70. I just knew you couldn't leave the food chanel alone. Sadly, reading some of the blog I almost lost my dinner all over the keyboard. It would be a shame too: hot Dutch potato salad, roast chicken breast smothered in Baby Rays and steamed broccoli. Oh yeah and warm brownie with french vanilla ice cream.

Not sure I should get into the fitting frenzy. but my Irish is working overtime...lol. Doncha just hate the hell out of character assination?

LynnF

Just noticed something else very interesting. DJ was one of only three players in the tournament with no rounds over par. The other two were Steve Marino and Justin Rose. That's some great playing, DJ. It means you never beat yourself and you never let the course beat you.

Well, good news for me, thanks!

Surge Nation

We are all entitled to our own thoughts, and we have a right to express them. Along with that right comes some responsibilities. I have the right to say pretty much anything I want to say on this blog. I also have a responsibility to try to make this blog a place where all of us can come and talk about golf, how our days went, things that are going on in our lives, and yes even food. I want this blog to be something I could have my grandkids and family read without being embarrassed. Lately that has not been the case. There has been too much CRAP. Sadly, on several occasions I have not been part of the solution; rather, I have been part of the problem.

I have had enough!

Here is what I recommend. This is a blog for and about the Surge Swing. If this swing, the instruction you hear here (all of it), the fitters Surge has certified, or the way this blog is operated does not fit you or suite your style, please go find something that does. When you find it, work hard to learn their system. Get involved as much as you can. Help to make the group there the best it can be. Try to add to the group, not tear it down. As for the Surge Nation, we are a family. Every family has a few people who are always at or near the center of a family problem. Each of your families have them, my family sure does. So, how do we deal with them. I don't want to stand around at our family picnic and scream at each other. I want to smell the food cooking. I want to talk to family members I have not seen for awhile. I want to meet family members I have never seen before. I want to hear their stories. I want to share my stories with them. At the end of the day, I want to be glad I came to the reunion. If someone is a jerk or loud I want to just ignore them and concentrate on the ones I am enjoying spending time with. Those are the things I want to do. Lately, we have allowed the self centered and disruptive members of our family to create such a ruckus that we can not enjoy the picnic. It has gotten to the point that if a new person came on this blog they might just think this is not for them. Why would anyone want to read the crap that has been going back and forth lately? We have allowed ourselves to get caught up in it. I have been mad enough to eat nails several times. We are tearing our family apart. That is what the one or two people at the center of this would love. Some people are parasites. They eat away at the host body until they eventually kill it. Then they just move on to the next group and start sucking the life out of it. They enjoy the thrill of the racket, and the fuss. They have nothing to fear. They hide behind their keyboard and laugh at us as we continue the fray.

So, here is what I am going to do for my part. I quit. I quit the back and forth. I quit the disruption. I quit reading and replying to their crap. I will never read anything they say. I won't reply to them. I won't even reply to anyone else about them. I won't make any more comments about the little troll or any of his multiple personalities. I am asking, no I am begging you all to join me in this. If the host body does not want to be drained and destroyed by a parasite, all it has to do is shut off the blood flow. The parasite then has to choose between remaining and dying on the vine or leaving to find a new host to feed off of. If there was a chance you could use reason to get through to these people, I would say stick with it. You can't. It would take years, and lots of them, in a padded room with people with letters and numbers after their names to try to get these people sorted out. I quit playing their game. I have allowed them to come into my world and change it for the worse. I have allowed them to come into the game I was playing and change it to the game they want to play. I am smarter than this.

We have talked about how to bring this crap to an end. This is like a ping pong match. They hit the ball to us. We complain, but we hit the ball back. They hit the ball to us. We tell them we don't want to play anymore, but we hit the ball back. This could go on for ever. I am asking you all to join me in putting our paddles down and walking away. Here is what happens if we do that. They hit the ball to us, but we aren't there. The ball might bounce on our end of the table a couple of times. We might want to grab a paddle and hit it back, but we don't. You know what happens then. The ball rolls off the table and hits the floor.

GAME OVER!!!!

Lets get back to the fun stuff.

Keeping it vertical, and playing the game my way, in Oklahoma
Dick

Dick, Don't you ever go to bed at a decent hour. I'm up because I just got in from bowling, took a shower, and decided to check the blog before hitting the sack. I think a better song by Jerry Reed is, Lord it's hard to be Humble. That's a good song for a couple of our bloggers. I'm off to bed, Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow. Here, check this out, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
I just realized, I thing Lord it's hard to be Humble, is actually by Mac Davis and not Jerry Reed, It's very late, and i need sleep ! Good night.

Charlie
The brothers on this blog are not like that. As long as it positive and sharing I think we all enjoy everyone's stories. I have a host of those experiences too. I think we all do. My life has been a series of "If not for......" experiences. Yet another reason I want to live long enough to see what is written on the next page of my life story.

Dick

Concerning GRAPHITE FOR IRONS:
Okay, either no one saw my earlier post or no one has an opinion but I'll ask one more time.
Have any of you switched to graphite shafts FOR YOUR IRONS? And if you have, how's that going for you? How's it compare to metal shafts in your experience? If it's only conjecture don't bother. Like to hear from actual experience, good or otherwise. I will experience this for myself in a few weeks when I can swing a club again but in the meanwhile would appreciate some input
DOC GRIFFIN, this might be a good subject to cover on the weekly doctors visit sometime.
Thanks

What an honest video that was
How refreshing to hear an elite sportsman talk in such a candid, non cliche manner
To watch Dad & son speak in an unscripted conversation is a breath of fresh air in this minder managed, say nothing, cliche age

Had to chuckle at the difference between us hackers & a pro -
Just finished 12th in a tour event & he is "fighting those demons"
Send me some of those demons

Thanks Charlie, could you tell me which senior graphites you got? I'm going to get fit before I choose but I appreciate your experience- "comfort from the vibration" is a clear recommendation. Thanks.

DOC:

How about feel with ligweight graphite shafts? I asked because I recently had an oppurtunity to try a friends H3 hybrid with an ultra light weight graphite shft. To me, it was too light with no sensation of "feel the clubhead" -- constantly coming over the top and going way left of the target line -- It did fly high and long though.

Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

Amos

What I was trying to say but failed because of brevity is:-
Some players create more torsional stresses on a shaft than others
It's easier & cheaper to produce a high quality steel shaft to meet those needs
If your style of play is one that has those needs, you may find it difficult to get a suitable graphite shaft in a $100 iron club but no problem with steel

Glad to hear the mitts are coming along well

Phil

Good job. The great thing about funks is it feels sooo good when you finally get out of them. Between you and Dick I'm starting to get inspired today in spite of the weather. It's about 40 F here and windy and I was going to wimp outbut there's a Scottish gene in me that says just suck it up and go for it. You guys are a bad influence...lol.

LynnF