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The wait is almost over!

• Tyrones 95 Posts

  Tue, Jan 8 2013 8:40 AM

  Hello All,

  First, I want to say the information freely shared within these forums to help new players is what really makes this site.

   

  I started playing around 3 months ago. Once I kinda figured out how to hit the ball (still trying to figure out), I realized very quickly the limitations of the starter set of clubs and balls.

   

  After reading 100's of posts about equipment, I decided early on to work my way up to level 59 and purchase the Ping G20 irons & driver. I use this set in real life and I'm real interested in how my real clubs react in this virtual world.

   

  Many times during this journey had me almost breaking down and purchasing better clubs. I've made it this far using the starter set. I did purchase a Ping 3W, which I use as a driver. That's right, I don't use a dedicated driver. I used Cali balls for a while, which did improve my game. I recently began using the 10 credit balls, which to my amazement, have not really hurt my scoring.

   

  I'm so looking forward to having a real driver, quality irons. As far as wedges are concerned, it looks like I'm going with either the Ping's or the TM ATV's. I have no clue as to a putter.

   

  Once I get this new equipment, I intend to step up my virtual game and participate in tourneys, interact with some of you great folks, and share my experiences with those looking for advice.

   

  Lastly, I've read about issues with credits, game play, asshat players with no respect. The bottom line, as I see it, is 99.9% of the humans involved in this site are here to have fun and many are here to help fellow players. The gifting during the holidays started with one player and snowballed into a blizzard of helping others.

   

  So, if these virtual G20 Ping's can do me as well as my real set handles Torrey Pines, you all better look out, ha ha, ha. Seriously, I'm looking forward to getting my ass handed to me playing against you guys. You all make this site what it is.

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Tue, Jan 8 2013 10:09 AM

  Tyrones:

  So, if these virtual G20 Ping's can do me as well as my real set handles Torrey Pines, you all better look out, ha ha, ha.

  I'm excited for you, I remember my first round with my new G10s (at the time) over the TMs I had been using. What a difference! You'll see.  :-)

• Tyrones 95 Posts

  Tue, Jan 8 2013 10:26 AM

  I'm dying to finally hit a real driver. The 3W I purchased has carried me this far. If you look at my profile, you'll see my longest drive is 320'+. This was on St. Andrews. I had a 20mph tailwind and I aimed for the paved road. The ball hit the road, bounced about 40' up, caught the tailwind, and took off. I could not replicate that if I tried, ha, ha.

• PUHOLINO 1,189 Posts

  Tue, Jan 8 2013 11:30 AM

  Tyrones:

  I used Cali balls for a while, which did improve my game. I recently began using the 10 credit balls, which to my amazement, have not really hurt my scoring.

  That's because the attributes of more expensive balls are totally wasted on the starter gear, you'll see a huge difference when you get G20s.

  Tyrones:

  As far as wedges are concerned, it looks like I'm going with either the Ping's or the TM ATV's. I have no clue as to a putter.

  With your future PW being a 115 yarder, I'd suggest you get the 60 and 75y Pings and pick between either 90 or 95 yard Ping or 93y ATV as your 3rd wedge. You could also choose to use 4 wedges and basically save yourself from doing any math at all. That setup can also serve you well until you reach legend tees. As for the putter, I'm in love with my L35 Ghost spider, but everybody has different preferences, depending if you're a ding putter or you use the missed ding method for aiming and depending on what increments suite you best.

  I hope the G20s bring you as much enjoyement as they brought me.

• alanti 10,564 Posts

  Tue, Jan 8 2013 1:14 PM

  Welcome to the forums and is great seeing someone reading the forums and getting benefit from them.

  The G20s are excellent clubs and you will notice a huge difference. I totally agree with Puholino with the three wedges. The starters wedges are poor and this will help your short game hugely. The only problem using 4 wedges when you are at masters is some greens will not be reachable in regulation (but thats where a 4th wedge does help). Personally I would keep a 3 wood. 

  At level 59 you can get the full set and sell back the hybrid. I too used the L35 Ghost until I finally upgraded to the Nike Method which IMO is far superior.

• PUHOLINO 1,189 Posts

  Tue, Jan 8 2013 1:44 PM

  alanti:

  At level 59 you can get the full set and sell back the hybrid.

  And when you sell back your current 3w, it means you basically get a better 3w free of charge. Driver + irons would cost you 3700, a full set costs you 4000 and you get 220 cr back if you sell your old 3w and the new hybrid.

  alanti:

  I too used the L35 Ghost until I finally upgraded to the Nike Method which IMO is far superior.

  Well, that's where the putting technique comes in. Nike's great if you move the marker and ding your putt. But the bigger level of forgiveness makes it next to impossible to putt well with the "miss ding" method (at least for me), cause you need to click much further away from ding to get the same line and then most of the power goes out the window. I tried the L51 Nike in the free rentals during the last year's Masters and couldn't get friendly with it in 4 whole days. Like I said before, to each his fancy. It's all about finding the correct tools for your game.

• Boomerboy44 1,514 Posts

  Tue, Jan 8 2013 2:02 PM

   

   Tyrones:

  So, if these virtual G20 Ping's can do me as well as my real set handles Torrey Pines, you all better look out, ha ha, ha.

  You will be a terror with your new G20's.. Good Luck.............

   

   

• alanti 10,564 Posts

  Tue, Jan 8 2013 2:50 PM

  PUHOLINO:

  Like I said before, to each his fancy. It's all about finding the correct tools for your game.

  Can't agree more, especially with a putter. I should have quantified that I am a ding putter unless on some holes on Oalmont and a few putts on Olympic.

  The Ghost is a better putter under 10 feet, Nike slightly better 10-20 feet but with the ding method I find the Nike much better over 20 feet. All depends how close you can stick the ball consistently. For me, thats still work in progress.

  In real life I have about 10 putters which I use (a tell tale sign my putting has issues lol) but malnly stick to a Callaway putter I have used for years. It once got me disqualified in a comp as I had 15 clubs in my bag - forgot to take one putter out after I had used them both on the practice green.

• Tyrones 95 Posts

  Wed, Jan 9 2013 6:07 PM

  Thank you all that have provided support and information.

  One level away from purchasing the G20 set.

   

  I believe I understand the reason why, but still think it is a shame that I do not have the option of gifting/selling my current trusty 3W. As mentioned, I tossed my starter driver(225yd) for this Ping 3W (230yd). Off the tee, this 3W carries way, way farther than the starter driver. This single and only upgrade has allowed me to level up this far. Granted, my current average is 68.56, which in real life if very, very respectable. I just wish I could save someone from purchasing a whole iron set, give them this 3W, and let them work their way up. Not trying to start any crap, just wish this option was here.

   

  I figure 3 more days until the Ping G20's. Then learning how these clubs handle. Then playing with you big boys and girls. Looking forward to many fun (and trying) times.

• Corwyn 2,410 Posts

  Wed, Jan 9 2013 10:35 PM

  Hi Tyrones,

  I WallPosted you an invitation to our Tough-It-Out tourney. Well, now there's added incentive: a very generous participant has offered a free set of irons to the highest placed player from Master tier or lower, and with your obvious skills with a mostly Starter set, you might have a good shot at it. Hope you'll consider it (although it is a month-long tourney... might be too long a wait for you...)!

  Best, Corwyn