I must say, having this blog has already nudged me to get out there and practice. I got home today from a job interview (gotta pay for those range balls and greens fees) at about 4:30. Dinner was at 6, so I thought about just staying in and listen to the wind howl from the security of the couch. Instead I took my lazy butt and went to the range. I worked on a drill to fix my push/hook that involved putting an empty range bucket by my right foot to keep me from swinging from too far inside. It worked somewhat, but I ran out of time and range balls.
Thanks readers (are there any yet?) for the motivation.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Clubs
The last few day I've been consumed by a pesky search for a job. It appears that a lot of work goes into this process. So, let's talk about equipment. Come on, we know that we all like to talk about it. My stick is better than your stick. Or, the reverse, it has to be the clubs' fault. "Honey, I could play much better if I bought these $800 irons."
I hit with Wilson Deep Red II irons (3-PW) that I got used at Second Swing Golf in Pittsburgh, which is now closed. I have 3 wedges, 52,56, and 60 degrees, from Warrior Golf that I got for $30 a few years ago. My driver is also a Warrior, their extreme Ti version with adjustable weights. I got the driver for trying a set of fairway woods, which I ended up buying. I spent about $200 for 3-wood, 5-wood, and 5-hybrid. I have a 4-hybrid by Orlimar, which I got for Christmas in the family grab-bag one year and I love it. Finally, I have an Odyssey two-ball putter that my dad gave me for Christmas.
So the only clubs I have that I bought new are the Warriors. I have to say, that in my experience, Warrior is a good company, with great customer service, but fairly poor record-keeping. After I ordered the wedges, they called with the offer to test the fairway wood set and I could keep the driver free. I thought that was a good deal, especially since I did not expect to keep them. Well, after I decided to buy them, they called a few weeks later with the same offer. After informing them that I already had a set of fairway woods (from them) they offered to let me try the irons. At this point I felt that my wife would end my career with a nine-iron to the knee if I spent that much more money, so I refrained. The clubs, however, are excellent in my opinion and look great as well. They also offer a free refitting service, which I did not take advantage of. So, if you're looking for a new set of clubs and want a good deal, check them out, especially if you're a West-Coaster.
I hit with Wilson Deep Red II irons (3-PW) that I got used at Second Swing Golf in Pittsburgh, which is now closed. I have 3 wedges, 52,56, and 60 degrees, from Warrior Golf that I got for $30 a few years ago. My driver is also a Warrior, their extreme Ti version with adjustable weights. I got the driver for trying a set of fairway woods, which I ended up buying. I spent about $200 for 3-wood, 5-wood, and 5-hybrid. I have a 4-hybrid by Orlimar, which I got for Christmas in the family grab-bag one year and I love it. Finally, I have an Odyssey two-ball putter that my dad gave me for Christmas.
So the only clubs I have that I bought new are the Warriors. I have to say, that in my experience, Warrior is a good company, with great customer service, but fairly poor record-keeping. After I ordered the wedges, they called with the offer to test the fairway wood set and I could keep the driver free. I thought that was a good deal, especially since I did not expect to keep them. Well, after I decided to buy them, they called a few weeks later with the same offer. After informing them that I already had a set of fairway woods (from them) they offered to let me try the irons. At this point I felt that my wife would end my career with a nine-iron to the knee if I spent that much more money, so I refrained. The clubs, however, are excellent in my opinion and look great as well. They also offer a free refitting service, which I did not take advantage of. So, if you're looking for a new set of clubs and want a good deal, check them out, especially if you're a West-Coaster.
Getting started.
My name is Matthew Mills. I'm 27 years old, married, and live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
My goal is to enter a local qualifier for the U.S. Open by the time I'm 30 years old.
Sound familiar? I was inspired by Jason King and his now-hyped quest to dunk a basketball by the age of 30. With this goal, he has increased his vertical jump 9 inches in about two and a half months. That's huge! Most 29 year-old, non-professional-athletes are lucky to have a 9 inch total vertical. That's when it hit me. Having been married for four years, as you other married guys will attest, it gets harder and harder to go work out. Or, to do pretty much anything but watch sports on TV, and compare your biceps to the athletes', make a silent vow to work out more, and then go get another beer. Geez, you can't even watch golf without that feeling anymore. Have you seen Tiger's arms? It finally dawned on me that I need a competition, a goal. Thus this blog was born.
This is going to be somewhat challenging, as I need a handicap of 1.4 to enter, as expressed on the application page of the USGA. I have not ever even had an official handicap, but I would estimate it to be in the mid-20's. I've always been an athletic person and I love sports and competition. I played football and ran track in high school and played rugby in college. I would probably still be playing rugby if my shoulder wasn't shot. I picked up golf the summer after I got married four years ago and took a few lessons from Bill at Bill's Golfland in Belle Vernon. Not THE Bill, the other Bill. I loved the way that golf is always a competition. Even if you are alone, you compete against yourself and the course.
As any golfer knows (as does his wife) the hard part is that golf is freaking expensive! Even after the clubs, balls, shoes, gloves, tees, etc., it costs money just to go play. So, what I need is money, or sponsors, or both. Don't worry, I'm not begging for a handout here. Part of this blog is trying to find said money or sponsors. I'm inviting everyone along for the ride as I track the progress toward my goal. I have some things going in my favor. On the rare occasions that it goes straight, I can drive the ball 300+ yards. Um, well, that's about it for now, except for a willingness to work my butt off when I have a reason to. For your entertainment I'm going to keep cumulative records of money spent, time spent, and my handicap. Along the way I'll hopefully pick up some stories and insights, as well as readers and sponsors.
My goal is to enter a local qualifier for the U.S. Open by the time I'm 30 years old.
Sound familiar? I was inspired by Jason King and his now-hyped quest to dunk a basketball by the age of 30. With this goal, he has increased his vertical jump 9 inches in about two and a half months. That's huge! Most 29 year-old, non-professional-athletes are lucky to have a 9 inch total vertical. That's when it hit me. Having been married for four years, as you other married guys will attest, it gets harder and harder to go work out. Or, to do pretty much anything but watch sports on TV, and compare your biceps to the athletes', make a silent vow to work out more, and then go get another beer. Geez, you can't even watch golf without that feeling anymore. Have you seen Tiger's arms? It finally dawned on me that I need a competition, a goal. Thus this blog was born.
This is going to be somewhat challenging, as I need a handicap of 1.4 to enter, as expressed on the application page of the USGA. I have not ever even had an official handicap, but I would estimate it to be in the mid-20's. I've always been an athletic person and I love sports and competition. I played football and ran track in high school and played rugby in college. I would probably still be playing rugby if my shoulder wasn't shot. I picked up golf the summer after I got married four years ago and took a few lessons from Bill at Bill's Golfland in Belle Vernon. Not THE Bill, the other Bill. I loved the way that golf is always a competition. Even if you are alone, you compete against yourself and the course.
As any golfer knows (as does his wife) the hard part is that golf is freaking expensive! Even after the clubs, balls, shoes, gloves, tees, etc., it costs money just to go play. So, what I need is money, or sponsors, or both. Don't worry, I'm not begging for a handout here. Part of this blog is trying to find said money or sponsors. I'm inviting everyone along for the ride as I track the progress toward my goal. I have some things going in my favor. On the rare occasions that it goes straight, I can drive the ball 300+ yards. Um, well, that's about it for now, except for a willingness to work my butt off when I have a reason to. For your entertainment I'm going to keep cumulative records of money spent, time spent, and my handicap. Along the way I'll hopefully pick up some stories and insights, as well as readers and sponsors.
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