It's amazing to me that less than 1% of all golfers keeping a handicap are scratch golfers, and 70% of them are all posting here! It's also annoying that I know there are VERY FEW PEOPLE in the world who drive it 320+ all the time, and miraculously, they all seem to post here too! Same holds true for those with 125+ MPH driver swing speeds!


Are there any golfers around a 5.0 here, who maybe drive it 270, hit a 4 iron 210, swing speed around 108-109... you know, I'm not even asking for "normal" 90 mph swing speeds.. I'm giving some leeway...

You guys can't ALL hit it that long, and play that good.. It's not possible.

Ok, my rant is over.

If it makes you feel better, I only average about 300+ off the tee. My 125MPH swing speed has dropped to 117 due to tendonitis. And my handicap is 7 due to short game issues.

You will find that the majority of people on internet golf sites are equipment fiends. Most of the average golfers you are looking for are content with clubs off the rack and are not interested in sites that specialize in Tour equipment. So, to answer your other issue, a larger quantity of low hcp, high speed, long distance golfers will be on here.

Enjoy the site for what it is. Because it is possible....

I think one thing I have learned on this site is this: No matter how good you are, there is always someone better.

That is one of the main reasons I keep going to the range and putting green. What fun would it be to be the best (besides having millions, a large boat, and a hot blonde wife)

In my circle of friends I am the best golfer, but when I read posts here, I learn that there are people that can smoke me day in and day out. To me, that is what makes reading here fun. If I can't shoot below par, at least I can read about a Joe Schmoe that can.

Any way, I just take it at face value and enjoy the insight of those here that know more than me, and 9 times out of 10, I learn something.

I agree with your general premise. Avg Joe Hack is not on here posting, looking at tour issue equipment, etc.

However, I also know this... It's impossible for 70% of the countries scratch golfers to all post here. Well maybe not impossible, but EXTREMELY unlikely. I bet you there are more people on here who claim to be a 2.0 or better than actually are if I go through the GHIN database and see.

In other words... I think a lot of people here are lying.

Also, in terms of tour issue equipment... I think a lot of people would rather have "Tour Issue" equipment that doesn't fit them with an XX shaft tipped like 3 feet (I'm being sarcastic) just to say they use it instead of getting properly fit, and having a better chance to play to the 2.0 they claim to be.

I'm a 5 HDCP (4.8 technically), carry the ball around 285, and hit a 4 iron 215, but my swingspeed is higher. Feel better?

If it makes you feel any better I am an 18.5 and only hit it 240-260.

Cliff

I agree, but most of these guys know a whole lot more about golf than me...so I learn alot reading their info.

FWIW, with my buddies, I'm the best player. But I'm only an 12 handicap and drive 240-270 with an occasional 300 yard pop.

Bottom line is this. This site is great for entertainment value alone! There are some funny posts, interesting arguments, and great topics to discuss among people who enjoy this addicting game as much as you do. If you didn't enjoy golf, you wouldn't be posting on here to begin with. Sure, golf is a little like fishing, everyone has their glory stories, and a lot of us like to verbally inflate our abilities. I know how good, or bad, I am. That's all that matters to me. And, if in discussing this wonderful game, I happen to meet a few others that have a passion for it like I do, then that's a bonus. I could care less if you lie about your swing speed, carry distance, or handicap. I could care less if you can outdrive me, or I can blow it past you. I just hope I can provide some useful information for someone, get a good laugh, and have a virtual beer with some golf lovers. That's why I post on here anyway.

I am a 8 handicap. Don't know my swing speed but average 265 with the big dog and it a 4 iron 210. I can see your point. Especially the guy who averages 320 with his driver. What a load of BS. Why do people want to lie? And it also seems like there are alot of oturing pros and q-school candidates. Just be honest people.

You know, I thought roughly the same thing when I first joined this site, then I just thought there was a ton of exaggeration going on (which I'm sure there is some).

Now I've realized that when someone posts a comment and mentions their uber-low handicap I recognize their name as one who's either mentioned it before or someone who made posts with a really good point about swing mechanics/equipment, etc.

Already too long of an explanation to basically say I see a lot of the same people making a lot of posts, it wouldn't surprise me if some of those making regular contributions on a golf board were good low handicap players.

BTW, 2.1 hdcp (but think of myself as a 5), avg drive 270's, 4 iron around 210 yards, swing speed around 108-109.

Personally, I think it's a pretty bold move to call out the members of the board on their abilities.

Generally, I'm the classic definition of a lurker, in fact I'm intimidated by the knowledge shown on this board. I could not care less about claims of ability, I read the posts to educate myself and learn more about the game.

By the way, I play to an 18.5, have crappy equipment (with 4 young children, all needing their own equipment, I have to sacrifice) and can occasionally hit a straight drive that might approach 280 with my antiquated Ping TiSi.

Also, keep in mind that there are more members that don't post than do based on the membership numbers.

I must not be reading this board enough....I really don't see people claiming high swing speeds, the virtue of "Tour" is best, or regular Joe Blows who are + golfers here. One of the primary goals of this site was to have a place where people can learn and the quality of their golf game was not the end all and be all of their persona. It escapes me how immature some people are on these boards when I get responses like:

"I'll wring your neck if I ever see you and take your money on the course."
"I played with so and so and I'll kick your a$$"

Everything is relative to everybody. Its up to you and only you to be the filter. There are alot of good, passionate, and dedicated golfers and golf professionals on this board but, balance and common sense should be your guide. Discussion boards are just like watching the News, there's always a slant, bias, or marketing angle. Just know your source...

I'll make everyone feel better...
I'm a 22 HC with a 225-260 yard drive (when I hit it square), and the only difference right now between me and a hacker is I'm serious about the game and really want to get down to a single digit HC. I started playing last year, and I can't tell you how much little tips I pick up here help me to improve my game and just enjoy golf more. And as a new golfer, I'd rather come to a site like this were everyone is better than me. I know I'm always going to find the answer I need to a problem on the course, and it gives me goals to strive for.

Ace,
Dig a little deeper in this site. You will see a lot of people with various skills posting here. Overall, I think this site might be the most realistic bunch of people i have found on a golf message board. There are some really good players, some big bombers, and average joes intermixed. You can even find some people that admit to playing REGULAR flexed shafts. The threads you are reading might have more of the scratch golfers, but if you go into the domestic equiptment forum you will find as many posts about game improvement clubs as you do about blades.

I agree with a lot of the posts. I could say that I hit my driver 315 yards and that would be true. However, I average about 280 with the driver, 195 4 iron, 130 wedge, and play to a 5 hdcp. It seems that when most people report thier driving distance they report how far the ball goes when they hit it well. They do not add into the equation the few drives that they snap hook 150 yards down the fairway. You can talk all you want, but on the course your ability talks for you!

Dude you got the wrong website......

My SS is 110ish I carry the ball 270 on a good day and my handicap is 6.9 .

You are right, it's worse over there, but it's bad here too.

oh yeah and I only play a "stiff" in the driver

why are there so many posts that constantly question the authenticity of this website? who cares if people lie, it's not like this website is a competition to see who has the lowest hdcp, highest SS, or stiffest shaft. Enjoy the site for the amount of information that is on it and be happy that us golfers have a place to come and teach and learn.

mike olson

Is this turning into a "What's your handicap" thread? Seems like I saw one of those in the Juniors forum and got a laugh out of some of the responses. I guess The First Tee has a lot to do with that.

Mainly I come here because I found a thread about it over there in that other review forum. I like reading what's new, seeing the TOUR pics and what's in everyone's bag.

Generally, there is a great membership here as far as posters are concerned and their patience with the new guys that become members. I just wish more people would use the "search" feature and not just start a new thread where the same sort of thread could have been found by just scrolling down the board a bit.

This site has become my new "go to" site when I am online. Now once Football season comes around, I'll head back to that message board.

If you go to TGC's site and read some of the comments by Frank you will see that most amatuer golfers are playing shafts in their drivers and fairway woods that are too stiff. Maybe that is why you see so and so playing the XXX flex and tipped to three feet types of posts.

This is a great site, sure there are good golfers here and yes maybe some of them are stretching the truth a bit on what they are playing and where they are hitting it, but aside from that this is a great place. You'll find that it is not just here though. Go to some of the hunting forums out there or fishing forums, it happens there too. I've seen it.

FWIW, my GHIN is 18.2 and I play regular shafts in my Driver and FW woods

so what us here who do hit it 320 have to lie? i am one who can hit it that length when i pull out my driver those 3 times a round. i am also a scratch with a +.5 index, so i am sorry for telling the truth. dont just be jealous, because some people can hit it a long ways. BTW i am a junior golfer and i dont appreciate you calling people liars when you dont even know us.

I consistently outdrive Corey Pavin.

I'm a 22 handicap with a swing speed of 78. I carry the ball about 180-190.

aec4 - you're right about that. That "Other" website is much, much worse for the "Playa" statistics. It's downright laughable at times. I find a much more balanced mix of golfers here on GolfWRX.

Much, much more balanced. Anytime someone posts they hit their driver 300+, the ignore light turns on. And I don't know what website ace4 is reading, but this is not the one with a ton of posts on everyone's sub 2 index and 320 drives. Try to compile a list, it's no different than taking a poll at your local club. A few exaggerations, a few sandbaggers, lots in the middle. In the end, it's harmless. I rarely see it outlandish claims here, but maybe that's because I have the ignore light on.

Well spoken. Having been around for a while, I just ignore the bragging, true or not, who cares.

I feel there's a more evenly balanced demographic golfers here than some of other sites. I only take value of the poster's contributions to forums, not one's own playing abilities.

I wish I can hit 4 iron 210 yards and hit my drives 300+, but I can't unless I find a cart path or couple of sprinkler heads along the way. As of this morning, I carry +1.7 hc but it's about to go up to 1-3 after today's revision that reflects my recent poor playing, no excuses for sucking but I have done very well in several nice tournaments in the past that no one can take it away from me.

I don't really recall that many threads with that kind of bragging though, maybe few though.

don't worry buddy. You could beat me easily

Just the thought, the idea, that the average guy on Golfwrx can hit 300 yard drives and is a 0 handi or a + handi is just wrong...........BUT!...........All the guy in Bag Chatter, we are all scratch or better, and all of us in there hit their drives 300+.....Let's see....there's kascopro, theinsider, 63wagon, Boonie, amajeski, chainsaw, Cory, AKFLY, Cup, alcap, golfhuna, br61, MrParr1Noid, Pittbull, beruo, JHR, Golfwrx, Demolitionman, PMHacker, Dyno, and a few other, hell man, we're all scratch golfers.........At least on Chat we are. Late at night there are guys on there who've hit their drivers over 400 yards too.....These Guys Are Good!

p.s. We used to let some of the jrs in but they were outdriving us so we had to shut them out.

We laugh and we joke about the longknockers on here and the guys who are plus handi's but don't kid yourself, there are plenty around here. Longballas and plus handi's aren't the average guy on Golfwrx, but where do you think guys of that caliber congregate to? You got it, they all come here...........I believe that Golfwrx should start a type of Cerification for proving that guys can hit it 300+ and are + handi's, I know, we could call it WRX Certified.

i would say that i am "normal according to your standards... 5.6 index, hit the ball about 270, and hit my 4 iron just over 190.

9.4 hcp and well I only drive 250-260 so that'll change =D

I have an offical 2 handicap but, it should be about a 7. I haven't played to my number in a long while but, for some reason it won't go up...I hit my driver about 265 carry and my four iron about 195 if I actually hit it in the face...I have seen some of what you are saying but like it was said before, you are the filter. You can look at the other posts of the guys that say they hit it 300+ and figure it out...I have hit a few out there before so, maybe I will start putting 300+ on my driver distance...Who cares if it went down the cart path or off a sprinkler...

also 300 could mean this as an example...
at my home course hole 6 par 4 320 yds. I hit it over little trees and knock it on the green everytime. Its a dog leg left, so I say hey I carried it 314 but in reality I realize I cut the distance to what was probably 240?

You love something because you are good at it right? When was the last time you quit something when you were considered decent at it? Then remember the last time you quit something because you were bad at it.

Truth is, when you are good at something, you like it, and you want to talk about it. And that's what GolfWRX is, a place for golfers to talk. Would a golfer who really doesn't give a crap and who isn't the greatest in the world waste his time talking golf online? No, not at all. So, that is why there are so many good players on here, they want to talk golf.

There are millions of golfers out there, and 15,000 memebers here. Even if all of us did meet your criteria, we'd still be a very, very small percent.

And please, know who you are talking about before you make claims. You can post here, it's the internet.

And if the % of people here who claim to be 2.0 or less from what I've seen is actually true, there would be more golfers here <= 2.0 than exist according to the GHIN service.

I know exactly what I was doing when I made the claim, thank you very much.

You've just missed me!

I'm jealous now!

I get it now! Cuz i cant out drove you guys ha and I have high cap.

Joe, I completely forgot all about you.............But one time didn't you tell me you were only averaging around 299? hmmmmmmmmm? Where the heck you been buddy?

You have to take it for what its worth.. Its a forum.. MOST of the people are going to over exagerate theirselves... especially the younger crowd (check the junior posts)... on that note.. You're right...the stats show everyone here can't be as good as they say.. Thats just people over inflating themselves..of course the mods don't see it... but its there.. HOWEVER it doesn't mean its a bad site.. the people make the site...and if someone wants to pretend to be a +2 then go ahead...there are enough people here to point out bad advice that no one should be considered dangerous.. just take it as a fun bunch of people to talk with, and realize that most people are blowing smoke..



if it were a fishing site:
everyone would have caught a 22 inch bass with a stick, shoe lace, and bubble gum

if it were a car site:
everyones car would do 0-40 in 2.4 seconds


you catch my drift... everything is overinflated, this is the nature of forums, and the nature of the internet..USER BEWARE!

Hey! That's me!

Josh

I know I hate it when people exaggerate.
I was just telling my girl friend Shannon Elizabeth last week, after shooting 61 at Pebble Beach, while flying in my personal jet that people who exaggerate are bores.

OK, I appologize, I've never hit the ball 400 yards in my life and I'm not a 0 handicap, I'm sorry to any I may have offended by my gross exaggerations.........And I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

I always hate when people bag on me for how long I hit the ball. Hell, it doesn't mean I am any good at all but I can hit it a mile. I have hit more then a few drives out over 350 yards but I have hit way more 200 yards dead right into the woods!! . Don't let other people yardages and handicap bother you. I have played with to many people that do. Just the other day I was playing with I guy for the first time. He is a decent golfer but he always thought he needed to hit the same club I hit. He came up two clubs short on every par three. I think most people worry to much about what everyone else says. I am one of those players that might shoot a 72 or an 85, it just depends on how much I get to practice between my 3 jobs. I aspire to be one of you guys with the low handicaps consistantly and hit the middle ever time and not just being know as the guy that can hit it a mile. I would give up the distance to be straight any day of the week. Mybe I should look for some lessons and work on my swing.



I would like to add that this website is awesome. I find it very informative with some very knowledgable members. Thank you to everyone for all of the great info and advise you have shared with me.

thats exactly what my friends do they dont know anything about golf but we go too the range and see me hit it like 290-300 and they freak out and start to think im like the greatest of all time i like that they think that but its not true im about a 11 handicap. I dont really see why people think hitting it far makes you soo good, im not calling anyone out here but i saw a post in the junior form and it was in the how far can you hit it post and Goose had wrote hit averages 290 and that he can hit his 3 wood 270, then someone replied to that and said

" Goose ive only seen a few PGA pros average 270 with a 3 wood when will we see you on tour" maybe one day goose will be on tour but its not only going to be because he hits it long

That is really funny, it just so happens, that day you were shooting 61 at Pebble Beach, she was with me, and we were at Augusta and I shot a 60.......And I'll admit, I "Did" get lucky that day.

Are you sure about that? Because if you did know what you were doing you would have at least some kind of numbers to back up your claims. Please, be my guest. We have 14,000 members. According to the USGA, 2.1% of all golfers registered have an index of 2 or better. So, please list the 294 members here who have boasted in their posts to have an index of better than or equal to 2.

I am asking you nicely, please do not post in this thread again unless it is to list out those members. In case you haven't figured it out, your thread topic is offensive. GolfWRX is not the kind of operation that restricts posting based on playing ability. You attempted to make your point, everyone else here disagrees, it is time to move on.

Well said, DemolitionMan. Despite being an extremely high handicapper and short driver, I can still say I've been made to feel extremely welcome here. It appears that Aec4 is just a little too down on his own abilities, feelings of inadaquacy, I guess.



Me personally, I say the more people at this site with a great game, the more people I can learn from.

And I need all the help I can get...

im a 5,11 and yes im around 143... not skinny

im a 3.9 hdcp but i just say 4 i have no idea how fast my swing speed is but i subtracted how far out i am on par 4s and 5s from the total yardege and found out i avg around 275 with my driver

and around 207 with a 4 iron

if you look at driving distance on juniors golf talk you would see a bunch a B/S talk but what do you exspect they are juniors

my issue with someone pretending to be a +2 is giving equipment reviews and or advice...if you cant be truthful about a stupid handicap, how can you be expected to give honest opinions about clubs, shafts, balls etc, etc...it all boils down to character.

aec4, I can fully understand and appreciate why you posted your message. I have had my doubts on ocassion also. However, I am sure that many of the forum members are indeed excellent "players". FWIW; I played over 65 rounds last season here on Long Island at about 20 different courses, among which were Bethpage Black, Garden City Golf Club, and Shinnecock. I never saw anyone drive a ball 300 yards. I never saw anyone shoot par. I never saw anyone hit a fairway wood 240 yards off the deck. Etc, etc. The PGA Teaching Pro that I consult with once in a while, told me last summer that the average golfer drives a ball between 200 - 230 yards. They'll tell you 275-300. "They're FOS"!

hehehe.........Maybe you are consulting the wrong PGA Teaching Pro.......Sometime guys live in small circles and just assume that others live in those same small circles......Oh rony