Need Opinions (Help) with Golf!

[HottyToddy]

I use to be decent at golf when I played all the time years ago.. I was a 12 handicap in my early 20s and was constantly getting better.. I hung up the golf cleats because I have awful knees.. I've had 9 surgeries (5on my left and 4 on my right) and 5 of them were major... All stemming from football and tennis... I have awful arthritis build up in both and DJD... I'm an outdoors person and I'm tired of fishing.. I lost weight and have my knees in as good as shape as they're going to be. I have to play with 2 big bulky overload knee braces on. They are as much mental as physical. Enough of the back story lol.

ive been going to the range 2-3 times a week for 6 weeks now with one of my bro in laws extra set of clubs... I joined my local country club (again) and I'm ready to play.. Here's my game... I've changed to a full time 3/4 swinger.. The 3/4 swing really takes a lot of pressure off of my knees. My ball striking and control are very good considering how long I've been back... I have a strong grip and have a really nice baby draw with my irons.. The kicker is I'm not near as long as the average golfer.. I'm hitting my 7 iron 125-135 yards maybe 140 and my 3 iron 175-185 maybe 190 on a great swing... I hit my driver around 210-225... There is no more grip it and rip it for me anymore. My knees seriously can't take it.

Ive played 2 rounds.. Round 1 I shot a 104 and round 2 I broke 100 with a 98.. I'm proud of that.. My short game and putting were very rusty but I will get both of them going. I use to have good feel around the greens and could roll it.. I have no doubts that I get to bogey golf really soon and I think I can get to the mid to upper 80s... Sorry for the long post but I wanted to be very detailed before I got to my questions.

Should I be playing the yellow tees? At the CC they are called senior or handicap.. The group ill play with most days are bombers with handicaps from 7-11... Mostly they play from the whites and sometimes blues.. I hate to be that guy but the course is very long for me right now... Hell hole number 2 is 208 yard par 3 from the whites.. Plays at 184 from the yellows.. I would catch hell but damn I'm at a big disadvantage throughout the course.

How can I get more distance with my irons with the 3/4 swing? Should I expect to get longer the more I play?

Having a ton of trouble with my driver and woods with the 3/4 swing.. Hit One good and one bad.. Any advice?

Whats a hot set of used irons? Any suggestions on a decent set from 3-500?

Im pumped to be back at it. I can't wait til the next time I play...

 

[MattyMatt]

The master of the 3/4 swing, Don Trahan, happens to be from my County. His son, DJ, is a pro who has had some success and hits it a mile with the 3/4 swing. I played some with DJ growing up. Great group of folks. I would contact him with any questions I had on mastering the 3/4 swing.

http://www.dontrahanacademyofgolf.com/certified-professionals/Don-Trahan

He also has trained Pros and club fitters to go with his 3/4 swing system around the Country. Definitely would reach out for his advice on the swing, clubs to go with it, and proper fitting. good luck and hope you get that handicap a dropping...

 

[HottyToddy]

Thanks a ton Matt!! Appreciate the info..

 

[NickPappagiorgio]

Go get yourself fitted for clubs. It sounds like your shafts may be a little too stiff for your swing now and a different shaft may get you more distance.

 

[bubbabubba23]

3 things gonna increase ur distance with ur irons: compress ur irons--play it back in stance and deloft the club--and release the club and get to ur left side����

 

[MattyMatt]

Thanks a ton Matt!! Appreciate the info..

No problem. I hope you reach out to him and it helps you tremendously! Let us know how it goes. Enjoy being back out there, and I look forward to hearing about your lowest round yet...

 

[HarryCaray]

I would play from whatever tees your buddies play from. It's all relative, so if a 95 is a goal score for you right now from the whites (whereas it might be 90 from the yellows), who cares? The par 4s will basically play like 5s for you but who cares? I wouldn't wanna be that guy and slow my buddies down, going to 2 different tee boxes for 18 holes gets old. JMO

For the 3/4 swing on your woods make sure you are dragging the club back, not picking it up too quickly. Maybe slow your swing down until you get some more consistency.

I don't think you will get more distance on your irons without going to a full swing, but if you can hit them accurately you got a good thing going there.

 

[HottyToddy]

Thanks for all of the helpful comments fellas

 

[HottyToddy]

Yeah Harry were all good friends and I would take serious shit lol... But it will get old playing 40-60 yards behind them lol... I still have memories of ripping the shit out of it lol..

 

[HottyToddy]

I'm going to reach out to him this week Matt. Thanks again.

 

[HottyToddy]

Thanks nick I may go get some senior shafts lol.

 

[HottyToddy]

Bubba I've been trying to get it deeper.. I'm playing it just right of my dick right now and keeping hands the hands forward.. Enjoying the challenge right now..

 

[MattyMatt]

I'm going to reach out to him this week Matt. Thanks again.

No problem. And, you don't have to go to a full swing to get more distance with irons. The same distance can be created with the 3/4 swing. It's all about the proper fit of clubs, the right shafts, and launch control. You'll get her figured out. Enjoy improving your game...

 

[VIEJODINOSAUR]

Bubba I've been trying to get it deeper.. I'm playing it just right of my dick right now and keeping hands the hands forward.. Enjoying the challenge right now..

Good luck to you....enjoy the game from the shorter tees....you are out there to have fun....

Problem is that there are other golfers out there who should be joining you....too many hacks playing the blue and black tees....

 

[Stax]

It just sounds like inconsistent swings to me...if you can get a 3 iron 185ish....you should be able to get the driver at least to 250.

I know people say equipment doesn't matter but with all the technology out there it makes a world of difference. You need some type of game improvement irons. Callaway, ping, cobra, Taylormade, etc all have game improvement sets. You should be able to find a nice used set for 300ish. A high forgiving driver would help too. A decent golf ball makes a difference also. If you google "super game improvement clubs" you will find tons of reviews.

Just don't try to do too much with your swing at one time that'll turn into a disaster.

Good luck bud.

 

[packer2012]

I would play from whatever tees your buddies play from. It's all relative, so if a 95 is a goal score for you right now from the whites (whereas it might be 90 from the yellows), who cares? The par 4s will basically play like 5s for you but who cares? I wouldn't wanna be that guy and slow my buddies down, going to 2 different tee boxes for 18 holes gets old. JMO

For the 3/4 swing on your woods make sure you are dragging the club back, not picking it up too quickly. Maybe slow your swing down until you get some more consistency.

I don't think you will get more distance on your irons without going to a full swing, but if you can hit them accurately you got a good thing going there.

First, you paid to rejoin the club. Must be a pro there that can help you far more than anyone here.

And, Harry must be tanked up again on the Bud, like when he was alive. So many things seriously wrong with that post. Don't even have the patience to go into it all. For one thing know this...... the reason most guys are so much longer with their irons....... the lofts have been modified over the years..... Meaning an 8 iron is not anywhere near a REAL 8 iron anymore, and hasn't been for years.
Stay with the ¾ swing and be comfortable. (How stupid is anyone to suggest otherwise on that?)

Get to the shorter tees and enjoy yourself. The guys you mention are not "friends" if they can't understand that. One of the biggest (if not THE biggest) problem in current golf is numb-nuts hacking it around from too far back on the tees. ….. Ruining everyone’s good time by taking forever to complete the round.

Good luck to you....enjoy the game from the shorter tees....you are out there to have fun....

Problem is that there are other golfers out there who should be joining you....too many hacks playing the blue and black tees....

This post is BALLS-ON accurate! Amen Dino. Well said!

 

[MattyMatt]

And, Harry must be tanked up again on the Bud, like when he was alive. So many things seriously wrong with that post. Don't even have the patience to go into it all.
Stay with the ¾ swing and be comfortable. (How stupid is anyone to suggest otherwise on that?)

Totally agree. that's why I mostly avoided going into his post.

Seeking the advice of the local pro is probably sound advice to start. I mentioned the best Pro in the game at the 3/4 swing, and hoping one of his Pros are in Hotty's area (I don't know where he is). One of his pro fitters is who I would seek as well. That will make a huge difference as well. Hoping Mr. Trahan finds him the help he wants in his area. If not, maybe attend the day Golf School. I like the 3/4 swing, and everyone who enjoys the game for a lifetime will end up on it eventually anyways. You can get the distance and the same results with it.

 

[StevieRay]

I have to use the 3/4 due to shoulder , wrist, knee issues. Works for me

 

[MikeB]

Two things jumped out at me with your post.

First, you said that you are playing with your friends.

Second, it appears as though you are using handicaps.

If they are your friends, then it shouldn't matter if you don't hit it as far off the tee.

Handicaps are there to make things more competitive. Unless you are not playing recreationally, then I would play from the whites.

I play every week with my very good friend who I beat by about 10-12 strokes per round. We are friends, so I don't worry about it. He has had 2 knee surgeries and plays from the whites like I do. I bust his chops (like he does to me) for 18 holes for a variety of things. The fun part is, just being out there playing. Everything else always falls into place. I personally would just use more club and sharpen up my short game.

Whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck and hope you enjoy yourself out there.

 

[VIEJODINOSAUR]

Busting chops and playing with good friends does it for me....guys like us should be out on the course and not taking the game too serious....too many guys watch golf on TV and think they are better than they are.....there is a reason why we are amateurs....

I play 4 times a week (no weekends if I can help it).....women caddies here in Thailand make the game so much more enjoyable.....