Why the short game is so important

Because it takes the pressure off the long game, and allows more birdie-hunting. If a flagstick is tucked behind a trap, the conservative play is to hit to the fat part of the green, the riskier play is to gun it at the flag and count on height or spin to stop the ball.

After decades of emulating Hogan's strategy of going for the safer shot, I've started shooting at all the pins -- sucker pins as well as the 'green-light specials'. Hell, if I'm 40 feet away in the middle of the green, 3-putting is a possibility, but if I'm 20 feet away in a bunker, I've got just as much chance of making par, because I know I can get out and leave myself a makeable putt. And if the shot comes off as planned, I'm confident that I won't bogey the hole, and have a reasonable chance for birdie.

Inspiration

Thanks, Tom Watson, that was great!

New stuff, and an aha! moment.

First, the aha! moment. Since I started playing this game, I've been concerned with the fact that my approach to the ball is too steep, leading to poor contact, either thin or fat, a majority of the time...except for putting, of course.

Yesterday it dawned on me that this problem -- if it was a problem -- was solvable by concentrating on a spot higher on the surface of the ball, 4 o'clock high (assuming that the 12 to 6 position on the clockface is perpendicular to my eyeline and the target line). And it works.

The new stuff is a couple of drivers, a Hi-Bore and an R7. I'm tempted to do a Mickelson and put both in the bag, drawing the Hi-Bore and fading the R7 (set up with the heavier weights on the toe side.)

We'll see, but right now it's raining.

Forgiving equipment

I played yesterday with a relative who is now a teaching, formerly playing, pro. He showed up with (as usual) Ping Eye2 maple laminate woods, and proceeded to drive it long and under beautiful control.

At one point, I asked him if he's considered getting into newer equipment, and he replied that he just doesn't have the time to do the research to find out what would be the best length, shaft-flex, etc. for him...and why should he.

Indeed.

I believe it would be a mistake for him to do what I did, try to adapt my made-for-persimmon driver stroke (off of a very low tee, with the ball back at the middle of my stance) to modern equipment.

Too late now? I'm on the fence.