Thoughts on Golf and Technology

I believe Marc Leishman made an incorrect drop at the Zurich Open on the 16th hole after his partner hit it in the water. He made his drop with no rules official present and he dropped closer to the hole.

The relevant rules is 17.1d(3)

Rule 17.1d – Relief from hazard

Here is a screenshot from the PGA shot tracker. It shows where his ball entered the water (slightly above the “1”) and his drop should be along the red line, between the 2 yellow circles. He instead dropped closer to the hole, at #2.

Here are several other overhead shots. There is no rules official present when he made his drop. He should be dropping along the red line, but he drops further up the slope. He even adjusts further up the slope after making his initial line. He marks his line at the blue circle, which is clearly closer to the hole. Yes, the ground camera can add some distortion, but the overhead confirms that he drops in the wrong spot.

This makes the shot significantly easier. He chips in for a birdie and they win in a playoff.

Played a new ball, the Srixon Z-Star.  I got them on  sale at Dick’s for $45 for 2 dozen.  Really like it, played one ball the whole morning.  Played Langdon Farms this morning, best course in Portland.  It’s in beautiful shape, gorgeous weather this morning.  I’ve know some people like Stone Creek better, but the fairways and layout at Langdon Farms beats Stone Creek any time.  Shot a 77 (+6), no birdies, but also no doubles.  Drove the ball really well, went from playing a huge cut to more of a straight ball and stayed balanced behind the ball on my drives.  Picked up about 20 yards on average, so I’m driving it about 260-270 rather than topping out at 250.  Tempo and timing felt really good.  Only had 2 swing thoughts today, tried to keep it simple.  Posture and Tempo (PT) were the mantra for the round.  Had a few close calls at birdie, made a few good par and bogey saves.  The game is starting to come around.  The work at the driving range is starting to pay off.

So, I’ve been following the ‘viral’ story of the Singapore Math Problem.  Here’s the reprinted answer for those that haven’t seen it (from this site).  That site also publishes an article about why it can’t be “August 17” (as stated on some other websites), either.  The problem with all of this is that they are ALL WRONG!

The question below has Albert saying, “I don’t know when Cheryl’s birthday is”.  This is fine.  However, his next statement, “but I know that Bernard does not know too”, is the problem.  Albert DOES NOT know that Bernard does not know.  This is an assumption on Albert’s part, NOT a fact as suggested by the solution. Cheryl very well could have told Bernard that her birthday ‘date’ was the 18th or the 19th.  Both of these satisfy the first part of Albert’s statement (that’s he doesn’t know, because he was perhaps given the month of May or June).  In which case, Albert is incorrect in his assumption.

Now, if the question was changed to add, “Cheryl then tells Albert and Bernard separately the month and the day of her birthday respectively, without either of them having enough information on their own to be sure.”  Then, we could use the logic in the answer and get to a solution.

If, however, you stick with the original question as stated in the test.  Than, there just isn’t enough definitive information to get to the solution.  I do appreciate the logic and agree with some that have suggested that maybe Albert and Bernard should just move on.  If she can’t give us a simple answer to a friendly question, who wants to be friends with Cheryl, anyway?

Decided to stick with my current set of irons.  Even though I came into some ‘found’ money by winning $300 in a ‘diet bet’ (where I lost 35 pounds in 6 months).  I don’t think upgrading my irons is going to do a lot for my game.  I’ve made a few adjustments in my swing and have started to hit the ball really well this season.  Putting it into my vacation fund, instead!

Contemplating new irons to help work out some kinks in my golf game.  My current set is 4-AW, Taylormade Tour Preferred CB (2012).  I got a good deal on them ‘used’ (really, mint condition) on closeout in 2013 from Global Golf online.  I feel like I need something I can work more, fade or draw, depending on pin/layout/wind.  I’ll probably find something used, since if you get a year or so later, you can get them for at least 1/2 the price when they were new.  Seriously thinking about buying them from Swing First Golf, they have a shop setup at my local driving range (Trails End) in Oregon City, Oregon.  You can hit them on their simulator or on the range outside.  If I can find a set I like that is comparable (within $50?) in price, then I’ll get them local.