A. I consider playing golf a test of my practice. Unless I'm invited to play with friends, I won't
spend the $$ and 5 to 6 hours playing 18 holes with strangers if I think I need more practice. I don't
want to be in practice or analysis mode when I'm swinging a club during a round of golf. I only want to think of one thing
during the swing - contact.
B. I like to be prepared.
My bag is a Datrek - Brighton 14 IDS (individual divider system).
It is stocked with;
- a club selection based upon the upcoming course's hole placement and distance (e.g. I swap the #3 iron
and 5 wood for an additional wedge and a fairway wood)
- covers for every club
- 4 bags of wooden tees (reg and tall)
- 2 rubber range mat tees (extender type)
- 12 balls (all spin balanced and lined) ProV1 and yellow Top Flite XL
- 4 divot tools
- 1 bag of ball markers
- 1 container of 6 pencils
- 2 gloves
- 1 elastic wrap for wrist
- $20.00
- 1 towel with bag snap
- 1 range finder
- 1 sunblock
- 1 baseball hat
- 1 bristle/wire brush-retractible cord
- 1 pocket watch with bag snap
- 4 Aleve or Tylenol packets
- 1 sunglasses in hardcase
- 4 cyalume light sticks for glow balls
- 1 sharpie marker
- 2 gatorade or other bottled drinks
- 2 or 3 protein or power bars
- 1 cellphone (set to ringer off)
- 1 pr. sweatpants
- 1 sweat shirt or wind breaker
- 1 vest
- 1 rainsuit
- 1 umbrella
#25-#29 depends on weather of course
C. I prefer to be there at least an hour early to warm up.
D. I keep the head covers on everything. I keep the club faces and balls clean before, during, and after play.
Not doing this during a round is a warning sign to me that I'm getting lazy and won't care "that much" about the next shot.
E. I warm up beginning with half swings on some short irons working up to the driver. Then I go to the putting
green for chips and putts.
F. I attempt to concentrate and take dead aim to a target on every shot but this is VERY difficult. I
occasionally forget on the first tee or I may lose the concentration (especially in the latter holes if I'm walking and
get tired).
G. I use my driver on all 275yds.+ holes.
H. From 120 yds and in, I can usually get it on the green.
I. I am pretty good with my wedges and know the carry of both full and half swings of each wedge (P,G,S,L).
J. I chip and putt to make it, not to get it close. I line up my balance line on the ball with the
target or target line, and putter.
K. If I'm not sure of the break, I putt for the center of the cup. I try and at least remember
uphill/ downhill stroke adjustments.
L. I didn't have a fairway wood that I like for the post tee shot but I'm deciding on one now.
M. I keep a couple tees, a divot tool and a couple ball markers in my right pocket since I can't get my
glove hand in and out of the left. I try to fix at least two ball marks while on the green.
N. I made a small club selection chart that I use and keep in my right back pocket. I go up a # (loft) for
downhill and down a # (loft) for uphill shots. Otherwise, I play it per the preferred club on flat shots.
O. No irons under a #5 in bad lies. Consider a #8.
P. I work on my mental game to enjoy the experience, and control frustration so I don't wreck my
opportunity to do well. I can usually kiss off a bad shot or poor hole score and go on without too much frustration.
Q. I try to remember that these are "tools" and not "clubs".
