Due to weather, etc. I had the opportunity to play with a couple of new guys Saturday. I've known both of these from visiting with them around the clubhouse. Yet, never had the opportunity to play a round with them. Here's how the day went...
Partner #1: Young man, late 20's. Nice, polite, great person to have in your group. Bag was made up of an old Cleveland Launcher driver (400cc), an old TiteLies clone fairway wood, a cheap set of "hand-me-down" Wilson cavity backs, a SW he says he picked up at a garage sale for $1.25, and an old Bullseye putter. Beautiful easy swing... this young man carded a 73. GOOD STICK... BAD STICKS!!
Partner #2: Mid 50's, male. Again, excellent person to have in your group... etiquette wise. Bag was R7 SuperQuad driver, V-Steel fairways, R7 irons, Cleveland 900 wedges, and an Odyssey 2-ball SRT putter. Nice swing. Nice clubs. Carded a 94!! BAD STICK... GOOD STICKS!!!
Myself: Early 60's. Bag is in signature, with irons that date back to 1989. Driver and putter are much newer. Awkward swing that resembles a 100 lb overweight Jim Furyk on a bad day!! Carded an 81. BAD STICK... REASONABLE STICKS!!!
I honestly believe the young man could shave significant strokes off an already pristine game with a set of clubs fitted and technologically to today's standards. Yes... this young man could "buy a better game"!
The other gentleman has bought all the game he can handle. He did get frustrated as he got further into the round, but with a couple grand wrapped up in his bag... I can understand why! Yet, he does play enough to know he'll probably not get any better. He fully understands golf is just a game and is to be enjoyed.
I have had the opportunity to watch a couple First Tee events. The kids come from some pretty disadvantaged backgrounds. When I say their clubs, I marveled at the dollars in the bags. Was told many club distributors use First Tee as a "donation" of recent models as a tax advantage. Those kids have some awesome swings.... but have the equipment to back up those swings.
I've come to this conclusion... Up to a certain point in your age and ability, you can buy a better game. Up to a certain point in your age and ability, if you want to advance your game you can get fitted and get "tech'd"!! Many of us have a difficult time realizing when we reach either an age or an ability ceiling. We seem to think we can continue tossing money at this game and improve. Certainly, there are times our bodies need to move from a stiff shaft to a more flexible shaft. There are times when a putter goes south and a new putter is in store. There are times when there are actual scientific technological breakthroughs (.830 COR, etc.) that we can take advantage of. In the meantime... an old fart like me needs to understand that both the age and ability ceilings have been reached and the rest is simply having clubs in your bag that will allow you to enjoy this game to the fullest extent possible.
Excuse me.. I'm leaving work early today to go by Golf Galaxy and look at new drivers. That young kid had me by 50 yards. Surely, there's a new Tour Tested, latest model, most advance shafted driver waiting that can at the very least shave 2 or 3 strokes......
Partner #1: Young man, late 20's. Nice, polite, great person to have in your group. Bag was made up of an old Cleveland Launcher driver (400cc), an old TiteLies clone fairway wood, a cheap set of "hand-me-down" Wilson cavity backs, a SW he says he picked up at a garage sale for $1.25, and an old Bullseye putter. Beautiful easy swing... this young man carded a 73. GOOD STICK... BAD STICKS!!
Partner #2: Mid 50's, male. Again, excellent person to have in your group... etiquette wise. Bag was R7 SuperQuad driver, V-Steel fairways, R7 irons, Cleveland 900 wedges, and an Odyssey 2-ball SRT putter. Nice swing. Nice clubs. Carded a 94!! BAD STICK... GOOD STICKS!!!
Myself: Early 60's. Bag is in signature, with irons that date back to 1989. Driver and putter are much newer. Awkward swing that resembles a 100 lb overweight Jim Furyk on a bad day!! Carded an 81. BAD STICK... REASONABLE STICKS!!!
I honestly believe the young man could shave significant strokes off an already pristine game with a set of clubs fitted and technologically to today's standards. Yes... this young man could "buy a better game"!
The other gentleman has bought all the game he can handle. He did get frustrated as he got further into the round, but with a couple grand wrapped up in his bag... I can understand why! Yet, he does play enough to know he'll probably not get any better. He fully understands golf is just a game and is to be enjoyed.
I have had the opportunity to watch a couple First Tee events. The kids come from some pretty disadvantaged backgrounds. When I say their clubs, I marveled at the dollars in the bags. Was told many club distributors use First Tee as a "donation" of recent models as a tax advantage. Those kids have some awesome swings.... but have the equipment to back up those swings.
I've come to this conclusion... Up to a certain point in your age and ability, you can buy a better game. Up to a certain point in your age and ability, if you want to advance your game you can get fitted and get "tech'd"!! Many of us have a difficult time realizing when we reach either an age or an ability ceiling. We seem to think we can continue tossing money at this game and improve. Certainly, there are times our bodies need to move from a stiff shaft to a more flexible shaft. There are times when a putter goes south and a new putter is in store. There are times when there are actual scientific technological breakthroughs (.830 COR, etc.) that we can take advantage of. In the meantime... an old fart like me needs to understand that both the age and ability ceilings have been reached and the rest is simply having clubs in your bag that will allow you to enjoy this game to the fullest extent possible.
Excuse me.. I'm leaving work early today to go by Golf Galaxy and look at new drivers. That young kid had me by 50 yards. Surely, there's a new Tour Tested, latest model, most advance shafted driver waiting that can at the very least shave 2 or 3 strokes......