Ri_Redneck

I will be 63 this year and I do a combination of light yoga and stretching every day from 4:15a to 5a. If I miss a day, I KNOW IT!! Old Man Time is a cruel character. BT

Hand sand only if you're thinking about this. It's REALLY easy to take too much with a belt sander and then your done! BT

Just a thought, but..... Most graphite shafts have graphics which work great for alignment of your hands when taking your grip, which I happen to do. I have always installed mine logo up for this reason. When I played steel shafts I had to either mark the shaft or use the shaft band. I sometimes mark my graphites still, but a black shaft is problematic as you have to use a colored paint or tape it to show the mark. I say to each his/her own, but logos can be useful. BT

Are you referring to the OG Red which was all red? They are very hard to find in any condition other than used. They changed the color scheme with the next gen to the same as the non-handcrafted model. However, they play very similar. It was matte black with red HZRDUS (no outline) and the Handcrafted seal. They are available uncut on ebay regularly. BT

I hate those idiots that loosen the cart strap on your clubs so they fall when you take off. It's actually legal to kill them in Texas, I think. BT

EVERY clubhead should weigh what it NEEDS to weigh to be right for you. That's why we have weighting options. Golfers have been adding weight to clubheads for hundreds of years. There is NO reason to just accept a club as it is and write it off due to weighting. BT

I also play 52,56,60 and my next stronger one is 46. I go 52/115, 46/130, 9i/145. BT

I second this /|\. That wedge comes in a 46° and would probably give you exactly what you're looking for. What is the loft and distance of your next wedge down? BT

Here's where we would normally have someone say your club's are too long (which is NOT TRUE) or that you're standing too close to the ball (which MAY be true). When I get the "heels" I have subconsciously allowed my weight to creep too far back on my heels at address. I re-center during the swing ending up with a heel shot or shank. Try paying close attention to how your weight is set at address and during the swing. see if you feel your self settling to a different distribution during the swing. If so, that's the issue. BT

Awesome round @sean124! Congrats! BT

It is completely legal to have a mark or use grip or shaft markings to ensure consistent placement of the hands on the club. I have done it for years and recommend it to everyone who asks what the heck I'm doing when I take my grip. It looks weird because the face is so closed when I do it. BT

It's also important to consider what PART of fitting matters most. IMHO, weight and balance matching of the club to the golfer is one of the most important fitting parameters. Oddly, it's also one of the most misunderstood parameters for most "fitters". The club should have enough heft to promote a proper swing, but yet not be too heavy as to be cumbersome. If you can't easily control the club while swinging it in your lead hand only, there's a good chance the total weight is too heavy for you. BT

IMHO, I believe the time for being "fitted" is when your swing reaches a certain level of repeatability and has sound fundamentals. As mentioned above, fitting for size, grip, weight and length is fine for ANY golfer. Fitting for loft, gapping and flex/profile is much more advanced fitting. SO, what fitting you are going for matters. However, Parroting off what @grochol17 said, it is MUCH easier to learn a proper swing with clubs that suit your strength level and ability. A clubmaker/fitter can build one a proper "beginner" set and then modify it when needed going forward. I did this for several beginners back when I was fitting 80's & 90's. Golfers often need adjustments to their clubs as their swing AND game matures. BT

My swing is best when I make the same swing as with the Rope Drill. BS, transition and acceleration have to be smooth to get maximum speed. Also, in my best swing, it feels like my hands are always accelerating. There's no "slow down" as the club begins to catch my hands as others have mentioned in posts. I'm sure they slow a little, but it can't be much. I've seen too many videos of myself to think that. The most effort is in the followthrough as mentioned above. Hanging onto the club because all that energy is trying to rip it out of my hands. BT

It is inherently male to try to "muscle" your way through a motion. I have been helping a work associate from India over the last year (high level Cricket player) and he has made tremendous progress with his swing. He still has old habits to break though. The problem I have with my ladies (wife and daughter) is they want to guide the club through the zone and they are cheating themselves of TONS of potential. They are both athletic (wife played competitive tennis at 4.0 and daughter was nationally ranked sprinter) and strong and it breaks my heart to see them struggle with distance. I have offered to pay for lessons for both and they refuse to go. Very frustrating. BT