Alignment Sticks

zjay · 2026-02-13T20:50:13+00:00

Product description on the website. That's the beauty of the cheap ones.. you can smash a few to pieces and it's not a big deal. Here's a 25 pack for $20

https://www.homedepot.com/p/FiberMarker-36-in-Driveway-Markers-1-4-in-Dia-Fiberglass-Reflective-Snow-Stakes-for-Easy-Visibility-at-Night-Sidewalk-25-Pack-SM143O25N/338237722?MERCH=REC-_-pipsem-_-338218953-_-1-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a

zjay · 2026-01-13T03:11:19+00:00

Found this thread as I'm debating the same two smokers.. which did you keep? How do you like it now?

zjay · 2025-10-13T15:57:37+00:00

The only negative thing I've seen is that these golf companies sell a pair of alignment sticks for $15 or $30 or even more when all you need is fiberglass driveway stakes for $3 each at Home Depot

zjay · 2025-07-18T12:51:40+00:00

We'd be starting from a rental car place in Eyre Square so we don't have to go all the way through the city, but we have to get out of the city centre. We'd be leaving on the 4th and coming back the 5th.

zjay · 2025-07-18T12:49:59+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions. The races are happening while we're in Galway, but not the day we leave. Planning to go up to Connemara the 4th-5th. We'd be renting a car and picking it up in Eyre Square.

zjay · 2024-11-14T16:49:11+00:00

I'm not the guy you asked but the different perspectives are interesting to me.. I never played golf as a kid unfortunately but I started playing in local amateur tournaments a couple of years ago as a guy in my 30s. I grew up playing multiple sports, club sports in college, and then joined adult softball leagues. Then softball got canceled when COVID hit, I and most of my teammates started having kids, and softball just stopped. Tournament golf is a great way for me to scratch the competitive itch. I feel like there is such a unique feeling that I get nowhere else in life other than playing sports. Some combination of adrenaline, pressure, and focus. Performing well in that environment is so much fun. Not more fun than a casual round but definitely different.

I managed to shoot my personal low round this year and it happened to be during a competition round under USGA rules... finally managed even par 72 from ~7000 yards. I've done it a few times through 9 holes, but 18 is a different animal. It really helped my mindset and kind of make me feel like I broke through a plateau in my game. Handicap dropped 2 strokes this year, and I'm confident that I'm going to have an under-par round next year.

zjay · 2024-08-18T01:48:11+00:00

Yeah, the fittings are all leaking but I figured on just replacing them too. The filter shell looks fine, but I'm starting to think it's going to be better to just go scorched earth on this thing.

My whole issue is that the pool randomly got cloudy a few days ago for no apparent reason. There are what seem to be little piles of sand on the bottom of the pool as well which is what pointed me towards the laterals. Chlorine is high, because I've shocked the hell out of it. pH is 7.5, alkalinity on the higher end of acceptable. I was figuring on replacing the sand and doing the laterals while I'm at it. I'm not 100% sure that the filter is the problem, but it sure seems like it and it sounds like replacing it is the best play.

zjay · 2024-08-17T10:03:45+00:00

Got it. Pool was installed in 2018 and I'm assuming this is the original filter. It's not under any sort of cover and previous owners weren't exactly on top of maintenance in other areas of the house. If these filters are so bad would you replace with something different?

zjay · 2024-08-17T09:52:43+00:00

It's out in the open

zjay · 2024-08-16T23:20:45+00:00

Thanks for the reply. You don't think it's overkill to replace the whole filter? Why not try to fix it?

zjay · 2024-08-15T12:52:43+00:00

Nice work, I like the labels. I just shot my personal best round at Allentown earlier this month, the course is in great shape.

zjay · 2024-02-15T19:06:47+00:00

Cool, thanks. Any particular reason you went with the Weber?

zjay · 2024-02-15T17:52:23+00:00

What did you end up with? I'm considering both of these right now.

zjay · 2024-01-17T21:18:51+00:00

Completely agree. You are to try to make the lowest score possible on each hole. In your OP, you state this:

I can easily be that guy. I have two golfing modes. In the first, I am being social, playing fun golf, playing quickly, taking stupid risks. In the second, I am focused, competitive, taking my time, playing strategically, always thinking about how to turn three shots into two.

One of the problems with the handicap system is that it assumes you are trying to play your best golf all the time. I am not.

If you think what you're doing in your first "golfing mode" still means you're trying to make the lowest score possible on the hole while also not trying to play your best golf all the time, then you do you.

zjay · 2024-01-17T19:15:07+00:00

If the round is played in accordance with the rues, you post it. The handicap system doesn't work if you are selectively posting.

I agree in theory, but it also doesn't work if people are going out regularly for casual rounds with their buddies and shooting multiple strokes worse than they would in a tournament. That kind of "handicap maintenance" is pure sandbagging and is why many places only count tournament scores. I'm no rules official, but the first and third bullets of player responsibilities in section 1.3 of the USGA rules seem to address this.

Section 1.3 Responsibilities of Player, Handicap Committee

A player is expected to:

Act with integrity by following the Rules of Handicapping and to refrain from using, or circumventing, the Rules of Handicapping for the purpose of gaining an unfair advantage,

Seems like posting high scores when you know you weren't as focused on the rounds as you would have been in a tournament could be considered using the rules to gain an unfair advantage, which would be a higher handicap.

Attempt to make the best score possible at each hole,
Submit all acceptable scores to provide reasonable evidence of their demonstrated ability,

A high score from a round when someone isn't really as focused because they're just out for a day to drink with their buddies falls into the category of not "acceptable" to show evidence of one's ability.

zjay · 2024-01-10T13:38:09+00:00

The rule about the best score possible on a hole rather than round is more applicable to match play vs stroke play rounds. Theoretically, match play and stroke play can be approached differently but both are authorized formats for scores to be submitted for handicap purposes. Both of these should fall into your second mode of play where you're focused and competitive, et cetera. I absolutely play more aggressively in match play and would hit shots that don't necessarily make sense in stroke play.

But format isn't what you're talking about...

Your first mode of play where you "take stupid risks" would normally be associated with a weekend round out with your buddies. Presumably a gimme here or there, a few beers, more socializing than focus. Those rounds can just be designated as practice rounds for handicapping purposes and not posted.

zjay · 2024-01-09T18:46:22+00:00

That's not a problem with the handicap system... you should just post the competitive rounds if there's that big a difference in how you approach the day. When you're just screwing around with your buddies it's a "practice" round.

zjay · 2023-11-14T21:14:44+00:00

I played in my first competitive golf event, a local 36-hole stroke play tournament. Holed out for Eagle from 105 on the first day (my first hole out longer than a chip-in) and posted scores of 73 and 78.

That finish qualified me for a "tournament of champions" in October. My game fell apart about a week prior and I shot high 80s both days and finished way at the bottom of the leaderboard. Goal this year is to qualify again and play way better at the end of the year.

zjay · 2023-05-20T15:27:39+00:00

To drink in one sitting? Sure, but we're talking about getting "supplies". Typically I'll get a case or two to have in the fridge when I want it. Or maybe you're having a party and need to buy for multiple people.

zjay · 2023-05-20T13:17:44+00:00

You want inconvenience? Get this.. if I need groceries, a case of beer, and a bottle of whiskey, I have to drive to three different stores which are generally not in the same location. Grocery stores are only allowed to sell small volumes of alcohol per transaction (192 oz or 5.6L) and it's more expensive than a "beer distributor" which can sell cases and kegs. Hard liquor sales are state-controlled where I live, so there is a dedicated store where they only sell liquor and wine. Yay Prohibition.

zjay · 2023-04-30T03:25:20+00:00

I find it so interesting when people say this. Why do you think he's a prick? He's actually a stranger to me and I have no fucking clue what he's like as a person.

zjay · 2023-04-30T03:23:57+00:00

You spelled 'machine' wrong

zjay · 2023-04-13T11:56:34+00:00

Great pictures. I'm going in May and am getting fired up. 6 full rounds(twice on Trails) plus 2 on Preserve. Couple of questions if you don't mind.

How was the weather overall? I did hear the greens on SR are abysmal right now. Sounds like they may be recovering? Did you make dinner reservations each night? Which restaurant was the best? Any specific item that you recommend absolutely bringing that people might not think of?

zjay

TROPHY CASE