I’ve been asked before what kind of ball a specific player should play. The easy answer is that there is no easy answer.
It used to be that certain designs were better suited certain players. For instance, when I took up the game, you would see better players using wound balata balls because of the increased spin that they provided. But those weren’t as suitable for higher handicap players because the spin they see is usually to [...]
posted in Equipment • 3 Comments
It seems to be the next big revolution in club design.
Unlike some of the club design atrocities from the past, I think this one is here to stay. Remember the Top-Flite Magna soup ladle? Ugh. Well, the square headed drivers are coming on in a big way, and frankly, they look kind of neat if you can get over the initial “new things are bad” feeling.
Since the creation of metal drivers, manufacturers have been toying with [...]
posted in Equipment • 4 Comments
Grooves on the faces of our golf clubs are something that we might take for granted.
With irons, especially wedges, the grooves help put spin on the ball when it is struck. This allows us to hit shots into greens that stop in a controlled manner.
When we strike the ball with a descending blow with an iron, the ball becomes briefly trapped against the turf and is “pinched”. The grooves on the club grab the cover of the ball [...]
posted in Equipment, Rules • 2 Comments
I’m not talking about insurance coverage here. What I’m referring to is the number of wedges you carry as well as the gaps in loft between all of them.
As I’ve said many times, I’m a fan of Dave Pelz’s 4×3 system, where the idea is to carry four wedges and to groove three distinct swing lengths that give you a total of twelve easily repeatable distances within 100 yards.
It’s clear that scoring happens within 100 yards. Your goal [...]
posted in Equipment, Short Game Tips • 2 Comments
I think I’m late for every significant movement in golf. I started playing golf in the early to mid 1990’s and used persimmon woods, when metal woods were already big. I was using a steel shafted driver long after graphite became the norm. And I’m not even considering one of these “in style” putting grips like the claw or the dozens of other variations.
Once again, I’m late for the hybrid revolution. When I’m hitting the ball [...]
posted in Equipment • 3 Comments
Some of my swing problems come from the fact that I don’t get to a full finish in in the follow through, like you might see players on TV doing. Intuitively, you might be wondering why the finish is important. After all, once the ball is struck nothing else you do matters, right? Wrong.
The golf swing is a complex system that involves your body, a golf club, and a golf ball. How you perform is directly [...]
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My name is Mike Gray and I'm a software engineer pursuing my dream to become a golf pro.
Life in the Rough is a chronicle of my journey. It covers my progress, my successes, my setbacks. I'll share everything I learn and do along the way, including reviews and tips. Maybe what I learn can help you too.
