U.S. Amateur

[Sandpiper3]

I am looking into playing the sectional qualifier for the US AM this year. Closest one for me would be in WA state.

So im lookin at the list of courses for the qualifier, and get down to WA, and guess where it's being held?

Chambers Bay! So I'd get to play a round against the top notch competition in the north west at one of the best new courses arguably in the US, for 125$. Thats pretty damned good as im guessing just a green fee in mid july will probly cost that much!

Definately looking to put this onto my summer tournament schedule, would be a great way to measure my game against some of the top players around. Anyone else in the Northwest thinking of playing? Or anyone else planning on playing anywhere?

[SilverUberXeno]

From everything I've read from you, I think you definitely have the game to put up a fight. And put aside all the mockery you get, even from me, about being a short hitter. You might get blown out by 30 yards on every drive by some of those guys.

Just remember... Golf isn't about playing his game better than he does, it's about playing YOUR game better than he plays his own.

[Sandpiper3]

Haha, thx SUX. I really dont mind about the short knocker jokes, i make just as many as everyone else.

I played with my friend today who hadnt played in like 2 years, the 3 times he hit a decent drive he outdrove me. He's a pretty big guy, but I just dont swing that hard with the longer clubs. Im still trying to smoothen out my long irons as I was swinging too hard at those and my swings gotten a little inconsistent cuz of it.

[JasonMacIsaac]

Originally Posted by SilverUberXeno

From everything I've read from you, I think you definitely have the game to put up a fight. And put aside all the mockery you get, even from me, about being a short hitter. You might get blown out by 30 yards on every drive by some of those guys.

Just remember... Golf isn't about playing his game better than he does, it's about playing YOUR game better than he plays his own.

I hit the ball 280-290 and I would be outhit by 40-50 yards by some of those guys. You don't realize how far some of these guys are hitting the ball. At the Canadian Amateur at Bell Bay the 18th hole is 560 yards and this course has so much sand under it that no ball gets any roll. Anyway at the Amateur Andrew Parr hit Driver 6 iron to 20 feet and made eagle.

I have 270 or 280 into this hole most of the time after a decent shot.

[JasonMacIsaac]

Originally Posted by Sandpiper3

Haha, thx SUX. I really dont mind about the short knocker jokes, i make just as many as everyone else.

I played with my friend today who hadnt played in like 2 years, the 3 times he hit a decent drive he outdrove me. He's a pretty big guy, but I just dont swing that hard with the longer clubs. Im still trying to smoothen out my long irons as I was swinging too hard at those and my swings gotten a little inconsistent cuz of it.

My advice to you is buy either the power hitter or speed stik and use it for half and hour a day. You will gain the 20 yards you desperatly need to compete at this level.

[Sandpiper3]

Will those things make that much of a diff Jason?

Im not arguing at all, I know I need another 15-20 off the tee to be able to really compete. I can play at a solid level already, but hitting 4i where theyre hitting 6s and 7s puts me at a great disadvantage at this level for sure.

[keithpbz]

If you really want a power hitter, i have the 310 gram one for sale with head cover

[Clugnut]

The heck with it, Piper. Go for it. It would be a great experience and you would know exactly where you stand in the golf world. I think Chambers Bay is $155 to play, so you would be playing a great course at a discount rate, against the best players in your section. What could be better?

[MCDavis]

If you don't do it, may your hair fall out and your drives slice like a ginsu knife!!

Go for it, Piper!! You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain!!

[VtDivot]

Good luck Piper, but I agree with Jason. I hope you are going for the experience, beacuse qualifying would be an extraordinary achievement.

The dude that wins the VT am every year by 12 shots qualifies every year in NH or CT and he barely makes it.

Plus I think you would get a practice round also, so 2 rounds for $125

[VtDivot]

Originally Posted by JasonMacIsaac

I hit the ball 280-290 and I would be outhit by 40-50 yards by some of those guys. You don't realize how far some of these guys are hitting the ball. At the Canadian Amateur at Bell Bay the 18th hole is 560 yards and this course has so much sand under it that no ball gets any roll. Anyway at the Amateur Andrew Parr hit Driver 6 iron to 20 feet and made eagle.

I have 270 or 280 into this hole most of the time after a decent shot.

I have never gotten home there.

[SilverUberXeno]

Let's keep in mind the Tour Driving average is approximately 281...

What you said, Piper, is true. Hitting 4i where they're hitting 7i makes things harder. But that's your game at this point. Be better with your 4 than they are with their 7. It's not unreasonable that you can gain 20 yards in driving distance. But imagine if you can hit your 4 like their hit their 7, and then you can ALSO keep up with their driving, ya know?

It's been beaten to death, but Zach Johnson won the masters without going for any 5's in 2. By all means, try to increase your SS and get the ball out there through practice and workouts, but play YOUR game, whatever that game is. If you ever do get that distance, you'll kill 'em. Until then, settle for just beating them.

[Clugnut]

Originally Posted by SilverUberXeno

Let's keep in mind the Tour Driving average is approximately 281...

What you said, Piper, is true. Hitting 4i where they're hitting 7i makes things harder. But that's your game at this point. Be better with your 4 than they are with their 7. It's not unreasonable that you can gain 20 yards in driving distance. But imagine if you can hit your 4 like their hit their 7, and then you can ALSO keep up with their driving, ya know?

It's been beaten to death, but Zach Johnson won the masters without going for any 5's in 2. By all means, try to increase your SS and get the ball out there through practice and workouts, but play YOUR game, whatever that game is. If you ever do get that distance, you'll kill 'em. Until then, settle for just beating them.

Yes, exactly. Corey Pavin still manages a top ten every now and then, and he hits an over the top 250 yard slice tee shot every hole. But, its not how, its how many. I am trying to remind myself this every time I touch a club now. I am now cutting the ball on every shot and I'm at least 10-15 yards shorter with every club. I'm also playing the best golf of my life. Play to your strengths and have fun.

[skierbri10]

Just remember Jack Nicklaus wasn't the longest on tour when he was in his prime, but he had a killer long iron game. Good luck, I envy you.

[The Salt Vampire]

Originally Posted by skierbri10

Just remember Jack Nicklaus wasn't the longest on tour when he was in his prime, but he had a killer long iron game. Good luck, I envy you.

Actually he probably was and if he wasn't he was close to it. Top 10 anyway. Sort of like Tiger is today.

You are right about his long iron game, but he also hit a lot of 1-irons and 3-woods off the tee as far as the other guys hit driver.

As for 'Piper. They give you great advice. Play your game. I can't relate a lot to golf, but I can relate to hockey and hockey scouts. Small guys that are scouts want big guys, soft guys when they played want tough guys, slow guys want fast guys. (Me? I was slow, soft and small, so I want all three .

Anyway, my point is, we always want what we aren't in sports. Somehow we think that's the key.

Play Chambers Bay. Haven't played it, but got to go out there and walk around with a friend of mine when it was under construction. The site is spectacular.