[Hennybogan]

Another grandslam dinger . . .

Would you advise the same type of record keeping for the handicap/club player type? Do you record the data on a spreadsheet or something? Or just look at it after a round?

What do you think about those Bushnell lazer yardage thingies or whatever they're called? Would that help a person make progress?

The last statement is GREAT!

Bucket,

What's a spreadsheet? OK, I know, and I have done a small one when working for a new player, charting shots against each other to see the pattern. I keep the notes in my yardage book. If I get a new one for that year, I will transfer all my notes about shots hit on each hole for as long as I have been to the tourney (pain).

I will reference these notes before and during the round. Par three yardages from 182 to 195. 6,6,5,6,6. It's gonna be a six unless it's into the wind. It might change when I get there, but I still want to try to prepare before the round. I might go through it after the round, but I like to do all the work during the round (usually when they are putting).

For the club player, I would keep track for a few rounds to learn how it works. You might find out that you don't club as well as you think. Once you catch on, the real skill is the analysis of the conditions. It would help to do it every so often as your swing improves or you change equipment. The ball makes a big difference.

I use the Bushnell Yardage Pro 1500. As accustomed as I am to real numbers, I find it very difficult to play without one. My thinking is built around numbers, and I find it difficult to trust the number when using eye or sprinkler heads. Besides, I don't want to have to walk yardages on my day off. Or look for balls. I do think that they are a good tool.

HB