I know a few of the ABSers here have gathered up enough courage to take the persimmon and blades out into competitions around the globe. I would like this thread as a place to discuss what we go through and feel from comments in the parking lot to driving off the 18th tee. The hecklers, the peer pressure, the frustration… but also some of the amazing success stories that have come along.
When you go out with 50 plus year old gear… which most view as either silly, insane or just foolishly archaic… and you walk off the course to pick up your trophy or pro shop gift certificate… you have done something very special.
This is all about the golf course… and matching up the best gear for the layout. Most of us who watch some PGA Tour golf see very long courses with the guys hitting the ball all over the place but not suffering much in the way of consequences. Short irons into greens from light rough etc…
But a lot of us don’t play these kinds of courses. I don’t. I play courses where one HAS TO drive it straight. Where one HAS TO work and shape the ball around corners and into a specific pocket in the fairway. Playing into the wind I don’t want to balloon the ball in accordance with what some launch monitor is suggesting for maximum effective carry. I might choose to hit it high… but low is much easier to control… and certainly gets on the ground quicker in the event you do send one left.
I was inspired today getting an email from an advancing ABS student who nearly shot his age in competition, winning his age division and finishing second overall.
Congrats Pavel!
Let me disclaim that English is not Pavel’s native language, but he is willing to share some of his thoughts on playing persimmon in the titanium age.
Let’s encourage others here to chip in and share their stories… whether it be competition… or just raising eyebrows late in the day when joining up with another group to play the last few holes into the clubhouse.