#Degrees of Golf Irons
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𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 - 𝐜𝐬. 𝟓𝟓 & 𝐥𝐧. 𝟒 | 𝐒𝐎𝐒 |
𝐬𝐢𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐫
summary: you can't complain about being paid to soak up the heat of the spanish sun and serve drinks— if you can ignore the flirting middle-aged men. however, this summer could be your last. you need to decide if you're returning next year by the end of the day. if only there was a sign to help you make up your mind.
content warning: fluff. light flirting. world-building and backstory. ignore my questionable spanish. no beta we die like summer silly season 2k24.
pairing: poly! carlos sainz jr x lando norris x phd-student fem!black!reader
from, serene: just a little teaser, a lil prologue, to establish the vibes and vague characteristics of the reader ! i’m using my light understanding of spanish (as an unfortunate no sabo kid) to get through this, so pls ignore thx.
⌕ join taglist | feedback & requests | upcoming chapters | table of contents | sip of sunshine | next ↻
The sweat beading along your hairline causes your edges to curl and lift. The cooling effects of the portable fan dangling around your neck are negated by the suffocating humidity of a mid-August summer day, yet it enhances the scent of sweat, sunscreen, and the hints of your faded perfume. Your appreciation for the dry-fit fabric of your uniform is refreshed; if it wasn’t moisture-wicking, your resignation email would’ve been submitted with haste.
But, the uniform does its best to protect you from the Spanish heat, and the pay (and tips) are satisfying. You make enough money to live frugally and cover any expenses that your financial aid and scholarships don’t during the school year. This meant you didn’t have to juggle being a full-time student and a full-time worker to survive. Working the beverage cart is perfect—you can’t be mad about serving drinks to men who have more money than they know what to do with, and even though you despise the fact that they freely flirt (terribly, at that) with a wedding band shining bright on their left ring finger—it pays your bills. As much as that disgusts you, this was always meant to be a temporary job, a stepping stone. You weren’t planning to continue working here after you got your undergraduate degree. And now, after graduating, a fancy company has hired you and is offering to pay for you to get a PhD. So, of course, you accepted their offer of free education and a job. This means there’s no reason for you to continue working as a cart girl at Golf La Moraleja in Madrid.
But, it’s Spain! Summer in Spain, at that, it’s a massive difference from a monotonous school year back in America. And, you don’t even have to pay for an apartment in Madrid (which is out of your tight budget, anyway) because your parents live here, and they’re always desperate to have you at home rather than out living on your own. The shining summer sun keeps your melanin strong, too. You’ve made friends out of colleagues, good friends. You’ve made good memories, a good resume, stupid choices, near-death experiences—you’ve made a time out of your early twenty-somethings. You don’t want to let it go.
Yet, it seems like it’s time. You don’t need the money, even though having extra income would be terrific in this economy. It would probably exhaust you during a break that’s supposed to be relaxing from your PhD studies. You’ve regained all fluency in the Spanish language that you lost growing up in the States. You’ve been a cart girl for four years, maybe it’s time to start a new chapter and leave this behind. The cart bounces over a bump in the pavement and breaks your train of thought. Your body tenses at the sound of the cans and bottles clinking together louder than you’d like. You do not want to stay late on your last day cleaning out melted sticky alcohol from the cooler. It’s ironic—you would think that with your four summers of experience, you wouldn’t let your mind wander while driving. The clock beeps its warning of fifteen minutes till the end of your shift, and you sigh. Directing the cart back towards the first hole of Course One, you’re aware that if there’s anybody present who wants a cold drink, they will be your last customer of this season or even your last customer for forever.
You lift your foot off the gas pedal as you see three figures become visible on the green, readying yourself for what could be your final service. You halt the cart, turning off the engine and smoothing out the skirt of your uniform as you stand and walk out a few steps.
“¿Qué puedo servirles de beber?”
You catch the attention of one of the men, an older gentleman who greets you kindly and informs you that he needs something strong if he’s going to be dealing with the other two for eighteen holes. You laugh politely, glancing at the men who have yet to notice your presence. The taller brunette is annoying the shorter, poking and prodding at his stance, seemingly teasing him about his form. Your smile brightens at the sight before you redirect your focus to your current client, and you begin to talk him through his options for the stronger alcohol you’re carrying today.
He easily downs a shot of whiskey and takes a bottle of beer with a lime off your hands before he turns to gather the others’ attention.
“¡Mijos!” The men at this point, have dissolved into boyish squabbling that carries over to where the two of you are standing by the cart. They silence easily at the older man’s call, heads snapping in your direction with widened eyes. Oh fuck, that is what your brain thinks at the view.
The taller, tanner one, is handsome. He’s built—broad shoulders, plush lips, a strong nose, wide brown eyes, and long eyelashes that he has no reason to have. The shorter, paler one, is beautiful. Pretty, even. He’s not quite grown into himself yet, you can tell. But, the youthful mischief lingering in his blue eyes is alluring, especially when paired with his cute sunburnt cheeks, and the big grin showing the cute gap in his teeth—did you say he’s cute already?
As they near the cart, you notice that Brown-eyes (you’ve decided on using descriptors because of the lack of names) shares the same eye shape as the older man you’ve served. He must be his son, or related to him at least. Blue-eyes must be a friend, or family, you suppose, if he acquired all the recessive traits during his genetic raffle. You exchange greetings with the two, dismissing the shakiness of the younger’s voice as shyness.
“¿Algo que quieran beber, señores?”
“Can you ask her if she has anything non-alcoholic?” The British-accented English spills from Blue-eyes’s mouth, and you understand that his greeting sounded nervous because of his lack of fluency.
“I do have a selection of non-alcoholic drinks—,” you start, smiling as all three men look surprised at your code-switching, “—That I can tell you about in English if you’d like?”
“Oh, I would like that very much, please,” the words tumble from Blue-eyes in one breath, the Spanish men laughing at his relief of being able to communicate in his native tongue.
“Not fluent in Spanish yet, huh?” You tease him lightly, with a soft smile to communicate your lightheartedness.
“I have terrible teachers,” Blue-eyes laughs pitchily, and both Spaniards gasp in faux-dismay of his words as he continues, “If you couldn’t tell.”
“I am not a terrible teacher,” Brown-eyes clarifies, accent curling around his words, “You just do not listen to me when I try to teach you!”
“That’s not my fault! How am I supposed to stay focused when I’m talking to you?”
Brown-eyes seems surprised at that response, his eyes appearing to widen even more at the words. Blue-eyes realizes what he said during the pause of banter, his cheeks flushing even redder beneath his sun-baked skin.
“Well,” you clear your throat, eager to dismiss whatever that was about, “While I don’t know if he’s a bad teacher or not—I can assure you that I’m a great teacher when it comes to the non-alcoholic drinks I can serve you today!”
All three men seem to relax at your seamless dismissal, and you can feel Brown-eyes look at you thoughtfully as you ramble a relaxed script about what you're carrying to Blue-eyes. There’s a brief moment where Blue-eyes turns to his(?) father, for his opinion on what he should order, and you look away, making eye contact with Brown-eyes. His eyes are softer, and he nods at you, as if in thanks for your earlier redirection. You do the same, and shrug your shoulders lightly as if to say, “All good.”
Blue-eyes’ voice calls for your attention as he orders a refreshing virgin cocktail, and you turn to start mixing it for him.
“You know,” you think aloud, “If you ordered an alcoholic drink, I wouldn’t believe you’re old enough to be served?”
“Hey! I’m twenty-one, I can even drink in America now!”
You turn to look at him with narrowed eyes, tilting your head to the side dramatically before shaking your head as if you don’t believe him. Brown-eyes and his dad (you’re confident in their relationship), chuckle at this interaction, in a way that leads you to believe they’ve heard it before.
“Aww,” you coo, as you salt the rim of his plastic cup, “Twenty-one! You’re such a baby! I would think your I.D. is fake if I ever saw it.”
“I’m not a baby,” Blue-eyes pouts, his eyes brightening as he thinks of a response, “Wait—well, you look too young to be serving alcohol!”
“I’m taking that as a compliment, not an insult since I’m older than you. Beautiful brown skin like mine doesn’t show age, at least that’s what my mom says. Anyways—there’s nothing wrong with being baby-faced, it means you look young for longer.”
Blue-eyes ponders that train of thought as you add a slice of lime as garnish. You hand the drink off to him, waiting for him to take a sip to see if it’s to his liking. His eyes flutter shut as he swallows, with a tiny moan of approval following, and wow, that sounded like a different type of moan. It’s enough to cause your mind to drift to other scenarios where you may be blessed to hear that noise in, and you make the mistake of letting your gaze cross Brown-eyes again.
There’s a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, and his eyebrow is raised at you slightly—like he’s aware of your train of thought. Hmm, you think, is that because he’s experienced the same train of thought as yourself, or is it because he’s gotten to hear that beautiful sound in the way you want to? It’s also possible that he thinks you’re just desperate, too. You blink at him, forcing your expression to remain innocent, before Blue-eyes speaks gleefully, breaking the tension once more.
“This is the best drink I’ve ever had!”
You’ve heard those words hundreds of times on the course, but hearing them from him has you suddenly feeling bashful, waving his words away with a hand before you address Brown-eyes.
“¿Para beber, señor?”
“Please, cálmate. I thought you were talking to my father,” he responds, and the older gentlemen, confirming your suspicions about his relation, laughs.
“And—there’s no need to call me sir. Not in this context.”
Blue-eyes chokes on his drink next to you and it’s enough to distract you from responding to whatever that was supposed to imply. Okay, you panic internally, you’re either just a freak, or these two fine men are freaks themselves, and they’re not hiding it. Maybe, they even want you to join—okay, calm down you harlot. The men roughly pat his back to clear his airways and Blue-eyes reddens, you hope it’s due to embarrassment and not lack of oxygen. When it’s clear that he isn’t at risk for dying, Brown-eyes does take a bottle of beer off your hands.
“Have you been working here for a while?” The dad inquires, pulling you away from that mind-boggling exchange and into another bout of small talk while you dispose of the bottle caps.
“Sí, señor. This is my fourth summer here.”
“What?!” The two younger men, both exclaim, shocked at your answer.
“We’ve been coming here regularly since 2019 and we’ve never run into you before?” Blue-eyes continues, perplexed.
“Really? Wow, that’s terrible luck. I guess I’ve only worked shifts when you all aren’t here,” you theorize, cleaning out the shaker you used for his mocktail.
“Why would it be ‘terrible luck?’” Brown-eyes asks with a painfully cute, confused tilt to his brows.
“It might be my last day,” you nod sadly, as all three men indulge you with sounds of dissent, “I know, sad, isn’t it?”
“But, why?” asks the dad, “Are they treating you badly here? Because I’ll talk to them for you. You seem like such a hardworking young woman.”
“Nonono, they treat me very well, there’s no need for threats! I’m just too hardworking. It’s just—I think it might be time for a change, you know?”
“We don’t know, actually,” Blue-eyes, offers smartly, “But, I wanna know. I like you, I think you’re interesting, and I’m invested now.”
You force the urge to giggle hysterically down as your brain screams, He said he likes you! That sounds like he’s in love with you! The cacophony of your subconscious gnawing at the bars of its enclosure rattles around your skull.
You stare at them for a second, determining whether or not you should share your personal life with three strangers you're being paid to serve drinks to on a golf course. So, of course, you explain your very simple dilemma to the men. Do you quit your summer job because you’re afraid it might be too much to handle on top of getting your PhD and working an office job? Or, do you continue to work on the green because you’ve genuinely only ever enjoyed your time here, because it’s extra money in your pocket, because you’ve fallen in love with Spain, and because it keeps you near your family?
“I think you should stay.”
“Obviously, stay.”
“Sí, stay.”
You laugh abruptly at the answers. You’re ninety-five percent sure their answers are drenched with an ulterior motive—well, the two younger men's responses are.
“You like it here,” Blue-eyes starts earnestly, “I figure that getting a PhD is a lot of hard work, but why don’t you at least try it out for one more summer? If it’s too much, you don’t have to come back after that, right?”
The clock inside the cart blares its alarm for the end of your shift. You reach inside and shut it off before turning back to look at Blue-eyes thoughtfully, “I guess you’re right.”
“And…if you stay for another summer, there’s a chance we will see you again, no?” Brown-eyes jumps in.
“I would say the odds are pretty low, as this is the first time I’ve served you guys over four summers,” you joke back. That’s the reality of the situation, though. The first time you run into hot men who are your type and around your age range. You have to cope with the fact that you’ll never see them again. You’re the one with the terrible luck.
You tap the ledge of the cart off-handedly as you begin to ring up their drinks in the mobile register, pausing briefly to look up with a polite smile, “Is there anything else I can get for anybody before I head out today?”
Blue-eyes and Brown-eyes turn to whisper to each other, the older gentleman snorts, exchanging thanks with you and well wishes for your future before he walks back over to their equipment, leaving the younger men to close out the tab.
“Yes,” Blue-eyes clears his throat, “Can I have a ‘Sip of Sunshine?’”
You can’t recall ever carrying any beverage with that name and telling him as such, “Sorry, I don’t think we sell that. Is it a beer, or a cocktail—”
“You’re the sip of sunshine,” Brown-eyes interrupts you, twin smiles of pride painted on both men’s faces.
You laugh freely. It’s the most pleasant experience you’ve had being flirted with on the green. “I think that was the worst pick-up line I’ve ever heard!”
Brown-eyes rolls his eyes at your response lightly, giving you his credit card to pay, while Blue-eyes cheeses at you, “It made you laugh though. And, I think it made you blush too.”
“It did, but, the blush might be more of sunburn though,” you grin back at him, handing the mobile register to Brown-eyes for him to sign and tip, if he chooses. You avoid looking at the screen as he hands it back, placing it securely in the cart.
“Wait,” Brown-eyes calls, as you slide into the driver’s seat, “We never got your name?”
“You mean you never read the name tag that’s been clipped to my collar the entire time we’ve been talking?” You pester back, amused.
“We were too busy being distracted by how pretty you are,” Blue-eyes counters.
“Ah, that’s unfortunate,” you giggle, your flushed cheeks a definite result of the conversation and not the radiating sun, “I never got your names either?”
“Carlos,” Brown-eyes answers, “He’s Lando.”
“I can speak for myself you know,” Blue-eyes, Lando, sasses back. He pinches Carlos’ arm, causing the man to yelp and pull away from his side, and Lando takes the chance to address you again, “Will we see you next summer?”
“Oh, I hope not,” Carlos and Lando’s mouths drop open incredulously, “I don’t know how much more of your terrible flirting I can take!”
You smile at your own words, starting the cart and driving away from the green with a self-satisfied wave in their direction. You pray for your boss to still be in his office—you need to let him know that you’ve finally come to a decision about returning next year.
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© httpsserene 2024 - photo in header from pinterest (edited by me).
#f1 x reader#f1 x black!reader#poly!f1#poly!formula 1#lando norris x reader#carlos sainz x reader#carlos sainz jr x reader#carlando#carlos sainz jr x lando norris#carlando x reader#lando norris x black!rea#lando norris x black!reader#carlos sainz jr x black!reader#f1 smut#f1 fluff#f1 fic#lando norris smut#carlos sainz jr smut#lando norris fic#carlos sainz jr fanfic#serene’s chapters.#serene’s fave.#⋆⭒˚。⋆. series special: formula 1#♡ ༘*.゚ love interest: ln.#♡ ༘*.゚ love interest: csj.#httpss :// sip of sunshine.
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Weird SGA pictures I’ve found in my travels today
And what I think of them
This looks like a dad who has woken up on a Saturday morning and is now sitting across from a very hungover teenager who was out last night ‘playing video games’ at a friend’s house and now dad’s not sure how to approach the topic (he’s considering calling mom in for this one) 8/10
These are brothers who got gifted matching outfits by grandma and a PlayStation 3 for Christmas and mum just made them pose for a picture after they were just in the rec room hearing slurs they never knew existed in the COD lobby. They are shaken however will not elaborate on why for fear of losing the PlayStation hours after receiving it. 9/10
Sheppard gets Weekend At Bernie’s’d following the success of the Groundhog Day episode of SG-1. The writers are nothing if not original. 11/10
The LinkedIn picture for the Old Money guy you met in your first year economics class whose dad bribed admissions to get his son into Yale who took 7 years to get a bachelor’s degree in finance. He has a high up position in his dad’s oil company that’s been in the family for generations. Deeply invested in crypto, says he knows how to invest but actually has his money controlled by his dad’s accountants. Thinks milk costs like 2 dollars or something. Thinks poor people should just get jobs because “he didn’t have it easy either”. 2/10 this picture gives my psychic damage.
John Sheppard, pictured here posing for a glamour shot for his bisexual barista she/they partner who is trying to improve her portfolio now that she’s feeling like she wants to get back into photography. John is very supportive and loves them very much. 11/10
This weirdly airbrushed promo for what I can only imagine is a bizarre early 2000s reality show that only got one season in which one ruggedly handsome bisexual man goes on an expedition to the middle of nowhere and gets 50,000$ for every person he doesn’t fuck. He goes home with 0$ in prize money. 10/10
A person who got randomly inspired to clean their room at 1am on the floor at 4am surrounded by clean clothes trying to comprehend a YouTube tutorial for the optimal way to fold shirts so they can all fit in the dresser. 6/10
Dad whose son mentioned having an interest in learning how to golf excited to explain the practical use of a 9 iron in the middle of finding out that his son meant he had an interest in Mario Golf of the Nintendo Switch. 10/10
#stargate atlantis#john sheppard#sga#sga out of context#not my finest work but hey we can’t always make good posts
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Submitted via Google Form:
Hope this isn't a weird question but from personal observation, why don't plantlife other than weeds seem to reproduce on their own in people's yards? I have observed for quite a long time and it seems like a very weird thing to happen. I don't know if it has something to do with what people do while gardening, but from what I do with my garden, I never intentionally remove seeds etc that could grow, not that I've ever even seen any. So, new plantlife (other than annoying weeds) never show up on their own. That seems so weird. What does this have to do with writing? Well it'd be nice to have characters who come across new surprises in their gardens every now and then when non weeds decide to settle there. That should very well be possible and sounds just natural... I just don't get why it never actually happens in real life. I've even asked people and they've never had anything nice that just decided to settle on its own. No one could say why though and thought my question was interesting. Oh, and about weeds. But why the wilderness doesn't get overrun by weeds yet people aren't weeding them I think? Yet in people's abandoned gardenss are full of weeds.
Tex: Things generally won’t reproduce if you keep killing them every time you see them - this is what pesticides and herbicides do, which are just some pretty words for environmental poisons that end up affecting all other plant life around it. Man-made poisons can sit in the ground for decades, which is why it’s generally advised not to grow plants made for eating on golf courses, and the soil needs at least a decade of remediation before it’s considered in the realm of safe for interaction, much less agriculture or remanding the land back to nature.
“Annoying weeds” serve an ecological and cultural purpose. The following plants are used as examples, pulled from the The Spruce as cited “weeds”. Much of this information is drawn from memory, or the accompanying Wikipedia pages, which are numerous and easily found:
The long tap root of dandelion aerate the soil, reduce erosion, are frequently eaten, used for medicinal purposes, and encourage pollination and diverse insect and wildlife.
Chickweed is edible for both humans and livestock such as chickens and mountain sheep - which will bring dung that fertilizes the soil and remineralizes it, when not also being used as a folk medicine.
Plantain breaks up hardpan, prevents soil erosion, can be eaten by humans (the young leaves are high in calcium), and also used medicinally.
Ragweed is from the wormwood family, which while it can incite allergies, is also used medicinally to treat intestinal parasites (although too much can cause hallucinations), when not being used to pull lead from the soil.
Bindweed can be used for folk medicine to treat hypotension due to its glycoside content (side effect of being toxic to mice).
Ground ivy, and also deadnettle, are part of the Lamiaceae family, which is related to mint and sage. The former can be used for beer brewing, medicine, and as a rennet substitute for making cheese. The latter are unrelated to stinging nettle (their name only means that they are considered “dead” in comparison), and function as sometimes ornamental groundcover, which is useful for preventing soil erosion.
The purslane family is quite edible to humans, and can be fed to livestock such as chickens, when not being a source of food for some types of moths, which increases biodiversity.
Stinging nettle is very nutritious and can be used in folk medicine for things like arthritis, when not also being used as a source to make textiles.
Yellow dock is related to buckwheat, and indeed the seeds can be ground into a flour. It’s also high in iron, so can be used medicinally (to some degree) to treat anemia, as well as a wider array of uses.
Wild madder is from the Rubiaceae family, which also contains bedstraw (historically used to stuff mattresses) and coffee. Plants with madder in the name are typically used to dye textiles, and its long tap root - similar to dandelion - also helps break up the soil and allow aeration.
White clover fixes nitrogen in the soil, outcompetes weeds, and is also edible. Additionally, the flowers can be smoked recreationally, and the leaves assist with the curing of a tapeworm infection.
Jewelweed is fungicidal, and its saponins can - if used carefully - treat poison ivy rashes. The young shoots can be rendered into a potherb, but it’s not recommended due to the oxalic content.
Staff vine (some cultivars) can be used for rope-making, basket-making, and some livestock can eat it without any ill effects.
Horsetail (some cultivars) is edible for humans, though can cause toxicity in large amounts to grazing animals such as horses (name of no relation to this phenomena, but to how it looks). In small amounts if can be medicinal.
Canadian thistle is from the Asteraceae family, and is related to daisies. It has a long tap root that is edible to humans, can be used to make gin, and has also been used to fletch blowgun darts.
Quackgrass, or couchgrass, is native to most continents on the planet and is thus a common food source for grazing animals and also many types of birds and some types of butterflies. This, then, increases biodiversity.
Shepherd’s purse has the distinctive ability to lure and eat nematodes, which fertilize the soil. It is edible by both humans and livestock, and can be used in folk medicine.
Wood sorrel (multiple cultivars) has a significant amount of oxalic acid, but its leaves can be eaten by humans after some preparation.
Mallow (multiple cultivars) is edible to humans, and can be used medicinally.
Lamb’s quarters, also called goosefoot or wild spinach, is from the Amaranthaceae, and is related to spinach, beets, chard, amaranth, plumed cockscomb, and quinoa. It can be cultivated in lieu of spinach as a vegetable crop, can be fed to livestock, and the juice of the plant has been attested to make wall plaster.
Pigweed is related to lamb’s quarters, as it is from the same Amaranthaceae family. They are often considered nutritious, though may need some preparation to be used as a vegetable.
Nutsedge, or tiger nut, is quite often eaten, and the oil can be considered a biofuel.
Dayflower is widely used as a medicines and dye, and can be eaten by both humans and livestock.
Velvetleaf can be used to for rope-making, paper-making, and caulk. It’s also edible to humans, and used in folk medicine.
Wild violet is a main food source for many bees and butterflies, increasing biodiversity. It can be used for medicine, but other cultivars are more often utilized.
Smartweed is from the Polygonaceae family, which makes it related to buckwheat and also knotweed. It is an important food source and habitat for many types of birds, and can be used in folk medicine.
Quickweed, like Canadian thistle, is also from the Asteraceae family. It is edible to humans, and can be eaten either in soup or a salad.
Pokeweed, also known as pigeonberry weed or inkberry, is edible to songbirds, which increases biodiversity. While toxic to mammals, it can be used medicinally, if sometimes edible after much preparation. The berries can be used to make dye, and one cultivar is being used in biomedical research.
Black nightshade, despite its toxicity, can be eaten depending on the cultivar and level of preparation required (tread carefully!), and has a long historical usage as a folk medicine.
Black medic, also known as hop clover, is from the Fabaceae family (aka legumes, peas, and beans), but is most closely related to the other clover genera Trifolium and Melilotus, and is closely related to alfalfa. It fixes nitrogen in the soil, and is frequently used by bees, which increases biodiversity.
Poison ivy, interestingly, is not a true ivy but rather from the Anacardiaceae family, which makes it a relative of plants such as cashews or sumac. Birds and other animals that are unaffected by urushiol often eat it, which increases biodiversity.
Barnyard grass, also known as cockspur or Japanese millet, can be used to reclaim saline and alkaline areas, can be eaten by some livestock and wild animals, and also eaten by humans.
Goosegrass is related to finger millet, the latter of which is a cereal crop, and comes from the Poaceae family, which hosts most cultivated cereal grains.
Annual bluegrass also comes from the Poaceae family, like goosegrass, and can be considered a type of fodder grass.
Hairy bittercress is from the Brassicaceae family, which makes it related to mustard and cabbage plants. It is edible to humans, and can be eaten raw or cooked.
Henbit, like ground ivy and deadnettle, comes from the Lamiaceae family. It is also edible to humans, and can be eaten raw or cooked.
Lawn burrweed, also known as field burrweed or common soliva, is from the Soliva genus, and thus related to sunflowers. It is also of the Asteraceae family, which makes it related to daisies. As its name suggests, it has burrs on it.
Bahiagrass is from the family Poaceae, liked barnyard grass, goosegrass, and annual bluegrass. It is used for forage by livestock, and controls soil erosion.
These plants are not “weeds” - what they can be, however, is disruptive to local ecologies or otherwise not considered economically important enough to utilize (many of these plants are used as food outside the United States, for example).
The wilderness does not get overridden by weeds because it has an ecosystem generally untouched by humans. This means that the potential for invasive plants is low without human interference, and many plants that do occur from outside the environment can be naturalized and used as an alternate food source by insects and animals.
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Saturday Morning S.T.A.R.S: The Animated Series
Episode 17: Mini-golf Madness
A-plot: Despite warnings of stormy weather, Chris, Barry, Jill and Wesker go minigolfing on their day off to settle a bet between Chris and Wesker.
B-plot: New recruit Rebecca is in the office manning the phone lines, and dealing with increasingly ridiculous antics of the RCPD.
Act one:
Rebecca comes into the office and reads notes on procedure left by Wesker. Turning on the radio she hears a weather report about a massive thunderstorm warning for Raccoon city later that afternoon.
Under a grey sky, Chris, Barry, Jill and Wesker show up at the Raccoon City Family Fun Center Mini-golf course.
Barry insists on bringing his real golf clubs from home and is bragging about his swing.
Jill is giggling and excited talking about how she hasn’t been to Mini-golf since she was a kid.
Meanwhile Chris and Wesker are deadly serious about the competition to a ludicrous degree.
In the background of the course we see another family golfing with their young, disruptive son.
In the office, Chief Irons tells Rebecca to turn off the damned radio and get serious. Flustered, she turns it off, only to get a call from downstairs, the RCPD officers want her to order them some pizzas.
Act two
The golf teams are Wesker and Jill vs Chris and Barry.
Barry is a total show off, talking up how much he knows about the game but comically overshoots every hole, or has his swing disrupted by hazards.
Jill turns out to be an absolute ace at Mini-golf, promoting Chris to playfully call her a traitor and demand to know her secret. Wesker jokes about having her ‘specially enhanced’ for the mission.
The kid with the golfing family is messing around, forcing his parents to chase after him.
At the S.T.A.R.S office Rebecca is juggling calls from RCPD officers hazing and taking advantage of her. We see her grow increasingly frazzles and frustrated, running around the department, cleaning up spills, finding lost keys, accepting pizza deliveries etc. Meanwhile the phone won’t stop ringing.
At the golf course the teams are neck and neck going into the final hole, which is an enormous, elaborate set piece styled like Castle Dimitrescu.
Over the last few scenes it’s started to rain, but Chris and Wesker insist to keep playing. Thunder rumbles. They have to use their police clout to be allowed to stay while the Center closes.
As the center closes, the father of the golfing boy is seen talking to the course staff, saying that he can’t leave because his son ran off and vanished.
Chris and Wesker stop bickering momentarily as the pay attention to the conversation about the missing boy.
The storm picks up and a strike of lightening hits the fake castle. There’s a scream. Everyone looks up to see the missing boy in the top of the castle– which has caught on fire
Act three
Chris and Wesker put aside their grudge match to rescue the boy in danger.
The team works together, despite not having their equipment, to find a way to scale the burning building and rescue the kid.
Chris grabs a hold of the child, but it looks like they’re both going to be hit with falling debris, only to be pushed out of the way by Wesker at the last second.
At the RCPD, an officer tries to get Rebecca to clean the men’s room for him. She finally has had it up to here and let’s off a little tirade before playfully whacking him with a plunger and stomping back to the office.
Returning the child to his parents, Chris and Wesker agree that the bet has ended in a tie– for now.
Jill calls them both ridiculous, but is seen bandaging Wesker’s burns with a sigh.
Barry laments that he wasn’t able to show them his hole in one.
Final scene
The crew comes into the office the next day. Wesker and Rebecca each ask one another how the day went, and both claim to have had a completely normal day.
S.T.A.R.S. says!
Standing around the coffee machine in the office, Chris and Wesker explain to the audience that competition is all well and good, but not to let it go too far. Be a good sport, and make sure you’re never in a situation that will get someone hurt!
#albert wesker#barry burton#Chris Redfield#Jill Valentine#rebecca chambers#resident evil#s.t.a.r.s.#stars cartoon au#stars the animated series
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Enniscrone Golf Links
It was windy, cold and raining this morning when we first woke up. Not the best of days for golf on a challenging links course like Enniscrone. But never to be deterred we had breakfast at the hotel and then took a short 30 minute drive north to Enniscrone Golf Links.
We arrived about 45 minutes early so we went to the driving range to loosen up and see if our swings had miraculously changed since Tuesday. It never fails to amaze me how good I can hit the ball on the practice range and then fail to take it to the course. Today was no exception unfortunately.
We then met our caddie’s, Keith and Mark, at the clubhouse and started our walk to the first tee. It was spitting rain, 20-25mph winds and 50 degrees. Sounds like a perfect day for golf doesn’t it. What made it even better the first three holes were dead into the wind and and two were uphill!! I managed two bogeys and a double.
Fortunately, the rain stopped, and the sun broke through after the first three holes. The weather warmed up enough to make the temperatures a non factor but the wind played havoc the entire day! The caddie’s said it was a two to three club wind day. I usually hit my five iron, when I hit it well, 170-175 yards. Into the wind, I hit two of the best five irons that I could possibly hit from 135 yards away and was short or barely on the green both times. A 52 degree wedge was a max 60 yard club today! The wind blew my ball off the tee twice.
The course was absolutely a great course to play. it wound its way through the highest dunes that we have experienced since we”ve been here. Lots of elevation changes, rarely a level lie, really beautiful and very challenging! Without a caddie, we would have scored a thousand. I loved playing it because it forced you to play a lot of different shots you’re not used to playing.
As you can imagine scoring was a problem today. Not a lot of penalty strokes but the course played longer than the 6135 yards on the card as many of the holes were into the wind or into a cross wind, A few had the wind at your back but not many. The 18th hole did and my drive as well as KIm’s on that hole were 75-100 yards further than anything we hit all day. It always makes you feel better to finish with a par!!
So what was the damage, 98 for me. Second highest score of the trip. It will sound odd but I didn’t feel that bad about my play. Actually, both Kim and I talked about how much fun the course was to play. What a great walk on a beautifully blustery day along a coastline where white cap waves were pounding the shoreline, the bright blue sky framed the horizon and the deep blue shades of the ocean all brilliantly begged for your eyes to capture their beauty. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of seeing the mammoth brown Irish dunes covered by windblown heather with the rolling green fairways cutting their 18 pathways through land so ideally suited for this maddening sport!
Summary Stats
Score - 98/736
Holes Played - 144
Yardage Played - 6135/49,135
Lost Balls - 1/15
No of Pars or better - 2 pars/ 4 birdies 30 pars
Steps - 12979/112,347
Miles Walked - 6.29/52.57
Green Fees - $180/$1820
Caddie Fees - $75 plus tip/$635
Finished today off with dinner at Dillion’s Bar and Restaurant. Started as warehouse in 1834 where Ballina was a major port in Ireland at the time. Later generations turned the original warehouse into what is now the bar and restaurant. Very cool vibe and where the food matched it’s rating as a top place to grab a pint and displace your hunger!
More golf tomorrow for me at Carne Golf Club and Kim will be working with a full slate of calls running into the early evening. Stay tuned. gb
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Why Podcast Networks Should Buy These Independent Podcasts
Two of the most popular podcasts began as independent podcasts -- Joe Rogan and Call Her Daddy. Rogan, who began his show in late 2009, grew his show organically, while Call Her Daddy benefited from an early acquisition by Barstool Sports and then a 2021 deal with Spotify.
It will be no surprise to any reader of this article and regular podcast listeners that an independent podcast that is either acquired by or signs a deal with a large podcast network is propelled toward fame and fortune, with this deal/acquisition being the tipping point.
Less visible examples are Science Vs, an Australian Broadcasting Service podcast that was acquired by Gimlet in October 2015. The show, now owned by Spotify, which sent Gimlet to the trash heap, is one of the most popular shows in the Spotify stable of shows.
Switched On Pop was a successful independent music podcast. Co-hosts Charlie Harding and Nate Sloan hit gold in February 2019 when Vox Media acquired the show. It is consistently one of the most popular shows in the Vox portfolio.
My point is that the acquisition of independent podcasts by large podcast networks has somehow slowed to a turtle pace.
Why is that?
After all, there are thousands of quality and unique independent podcasts that cover topics that either combine genres or are so idiosyncratic (Another F*cking Horror Podcast, Surfing Corporate, Salad With A Side Of Fries, 6 Degrees Of Cats, "Fine" Dining, and Feed The Queue) that the show is one of those rare, unique concepts. It's a unicorn that attracts attention, has a loyal listener base, and is poised to cross Gladwell's tipping point.
The answer to why more independent podcasts aren't being purchased by large podcast networks is what we'll discuss today.
Although people today embrace sound bites, short social media posts, and conspiracy theories, we will attempt a more comprehensive answer.
First, the advent of celebrity culture in podcasting has shifted podcast network resources to developing and producing celebrity podcasts. You can't blame them. After all, like the surety of movie sequels, podcast networks know that a celebrity has a built-in audience. Rewatch podcasts for a particular TV show have a nearly ironclad return on investment because listeners/viewers already follow the celebrity and were faithful to their TV show—NCIS, Psych, Parks And Recreation, The West Wing.
Second, large podcast networks can basically "copy" the format of an innovative independent podcast, and with their extensive resources, make their show popular while ironically the independent podcast that developed the concept seems like a copycat show. Don't think that's happened before? To prevent any legal action, I will refrain from specific examples. However, just do a search on any BEST OF podcast genre category, and you will find a network podcasts that came after the original "indie" show.
Third, large podcast networks are reenacting the cable TV strategy (which has failed miserably) and decided to ignore independent podcasts, hoping and praying that lack of monetization will squeeze them out of the marketplace. Look what happened when Netflix went from DVDs to streaming. The cable networks ignored Netflix like a herd of wildebeests ignores a pride of lions circling them. Netflix -- and other streaming services -- have devoured so much of the cable network infrastructure that Comcast recently announced that it was spinning off its cable networks like Oxygen, E, and Golf Channel. The white flag has been waved!
Fourth, even smaller more niche podcast networks seem territorial on content, refusing to consider a purchase of an indie podcast that fits their network strategy. What about networks like Earwolf? AudioBoom? Vox? PodcastOne? All Things Comedy? Take, for example, Salad With A Side Of Fries. A successful independent health and wellness podcast that just celebrated its fifth anniversary. It has a loyal following, solid listener numbers, and a stable ad base. Why wouldn't the Evergreen Podcast Network acquire it? It specializes in health and wellness podcasts. Or Dan Harris's Ten Percent Happier podcast group? Wouldn't Salad...host Jenn Trepeck be "ten percent happier" if Dan Harris acquired her show?
How about Surfing Corporate or How To Leverage Your Podcast on the HubSpot Podcast Network? Why isn't "Fine" Dining or Another F*cking Horror Podcast on the Earwolf Podcast Network? Why isn't The Life Shift or 6 Degrees Of Cats on Radiotopia?
Fifth, there are not many advocates for independent podcasters other than independent podcasters. There have been half-hearted attempts to hand out awards to indie podcasters, but that effort needs more muscle behind it. In the United Kingdom, there is a entire Independent Awards infrastructure and an awards event. We need that.
Also, most marketing companies work for the large podcast networks. Kudos to a marketing company like Tink Media that's not afraid to take on the giants by working with indie podcasters. That company has been single-handedly responsible for creating a self-sustaining atmosphere for numerous indie podcasters. I've never met the Tink people, but through my interactions, I sense a passion for podcasting that drives the company. They're not doing it just for the money, but for their client and the industry as a whole.
Finally, there are plenty of quality shows on the large podcast networks. No doubt about it. But take a closer look at those shows. There are the interview shows that try to copy Joe Rogan? There are the true-crime shows that try to duplicate Serial? There are the comedy shows that try to emulate Conan O'Brien? It's essentially more of the same, with different faces in different places. Want a unique show? How about a show about poop? Someone's In There. How about a show about teachers as mentors? Art Educators Save The World. How about a show that will scare the crap out of you? The White Vault.
How about a show that goes back 200 years to explain how a specific war occurred? Why Wars Happened. How about a show about the proliferation of conspiracy theories? Conspiracy, She Wrote.
How about a show that is your Swiss Army Knife in the Corporate world? Surfing Corporate. How about a show that dispenses valuable life information in about a minute? Arielle And Ned's Daily Tips.
I could do this all day. The podcasts on "top" lists in your podcast feed do not come remotely close to offering podcast listeners the "best" shows because those lists are often just the network-supported shows. It's like doing a Google Search. The returned results better reflect the company that paid for the best SEO, not the results that fit the search parameters.
For older readers, remember visiting a Blockbuster store, and it would have a list of favorite movies based on the staff's input. More often than not, that list would contain hidden gems that the customers had never heard of. Small, independent, low-budget films. Quite often, the films were a joy to watch. That's the same feeling I get when I find an indie podcast with little visibility. When I listen to it, I get that same euphoric feeling.
Let me end with this. Two of the absolute best interview podcasts are independent shows you've probably never heard of -- Kelly Corrigan Wonders and Preconceived. Try them.
Your ears deserve more.
Don't settle. Go wild. You know, play it by ear.
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Finding Your Perfect First Set: A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Golf Clubs
How to Choose the Right Golf Club Set as a Beginner
Starting your golf journey is an exciting experience, and selecting the right golf club set is a crucial step in ensuring you have a positive and productive start. As a beginner, navigating the options can feel overwhelming with so many brands, materials, and styles available. However, with the right guidance, you can choose a set that fits your needs, budget, and skill level. Here's a detailed guide to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding the Basics of Golf Clubs
Golf clubs come in several types, each designed for specific shots. A standard set typically includes:
Driver: Used for long-distance shots off the tee.
Fairway Woods: Ideal for long shots from the fairway.
Irons: Versatile clubs used for various distances.
Wedges: Specialized irons for short, precise shots and escaping tricky spots.
Putter: Essential for rolling the ball into the hole on the green.
As a beginner, you don’t need every club available. Focus on a basic set that includes a few versatile clubs to start with.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your First Set
1. Pre-Packaged Sets vs. Custom Builds
Pre-Packaged Sets: These are beginner-friendly and include all the essential clubs, usually at a lower price. They are convenient and provide a good starting point.
Custom Builds: While more expensive, custom sets can be tailored to your height, swing speed, and playing style. This option is better suited for advanced players or those committed to long-term improvement.
2. Club Material
Graphite Shafts: Lightweight and flexible, ideal for beginners with slower swing speeds.
Steel Shafts: Heavier and more durable, providing better control for players with faster swings.
3. Forgiveness
Look for clubs with a larger "sweet spot" to minimize the impact of mishits. Beginner clubs often feature:
Cavity-Back Irons: Designed with a hollowed-out back for more forgiveness.
Perimeter-Weighted Clubs: Distribute weight around the edges to improve stability.
4. Club Length
Choosing clubs that fit your height and arm length is essential for comfortable play. Many beginner sets offer standard lengths, but you can also find options for taller or shorter players.
5. Budget
Beginner sets range from $300 to $800 on average. While it’s tempting to splurge, start with a reasonably priced set and upgrade as you improve.
What Should Be in a Beginner’s Golf Bag?
A beginner-friendly golf set should include the following:
Driver: Look for a driver with a larger clubhead and higher loft (10.5–12 degrees) to help get the ball airborne easily.
Fairway Wood: A 3-wood or 5-wood is versatile and easier to hit than lower-number woods.
Hybrid Clubs: Replace long irons (like the 3- or 4-iron) with hybrids, which are easier to use and more forgiving.
Irons: Include a selection of mid-irons (5-iron through 9-iron) for versatility across the course.
Wedges: A pitching wedge and sand wedge are essential for short shots and bunker play.
Putter: Opt for a mallet-style putter, which offers better balance and alignment aids for beginners.
Key Tips for Selecting Your First Set
1. Test Before You Buy
Many golf shops and courses offer demo days where you can try different clubs. Testing helps you determine which set feels the most comfortable.
2. Prioritize Comfort Over Brand
Don’t get swayed by brand names. Focus on clubs that feel good in your hands and suit your swing.
3. Consider Growth Potential
Choose a set that you can grow into as your skills improve. Avoid ultra-basic sets that you’ll quickly outgrow.
4. Seek Professional Advice
Golf pros or experienced players can provide valuable insights and recommendations tailored to your needs.
5. Buy Used if Necessary
If you're unsure about committing to new equipment, consider purchasing a quality used set. Many stores offer certified pre-owned clubs at a fraction of the cost.
How to Maintain Your Clubs
Once you've invested in your first set, proper care will extend their lifespan and performance:
Clean Regularly: Wipe down clubheads after every round and clean grooves with a soft brush.
Store Properly: Keep clubs in a dry, temperature-controlled area to prevent rust or warping.
Use Headcovers: Protect the driver and woods with headcovers to avoid scratches.
Best Beginner Golf Club Brands
Several brands cater to beginners with affordable, forgiving, and reliable sets. Popular options include:
Callaway Strata: Known for its affordability and quality.
Wilson Profile: Offers sets tailored to different heights and skill levels.
Tour Edge Bazooka: Provides forgiving clubs for new players.
Cobra Fly-XL: Lightweight and user-friendly.
TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite: A premium choice for beginners looking for advanced features.
Conclusion
Choosing the right golf club set as a beginner is about finding a balance between comfort, performance, and budget. By understanding the basics, considering key factors, and seeking expert advice, you’ll be well on your way to selecting a set that helps you build confidence and enjoy the game. Remember, your first set doesn’t have to be perfect—what matters is that it fits your needs and makes the game accessible and fun. So grab your clubs, hit the course, and let the adventure begin!
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Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: IBKUL Golf Skort Gingham Check Black and White.
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"I don't lie any-more-often than i cheat at golf, which i play almost daily." " I don't play golf any-more-often than I lie, BELIEVE ME!"
What Does Lie Mean In Golf?
‘Lie’ actually means two different things in golf.
First, it relates to how and where the ball is sitting or lying anywhere on the golf course other than the teeing area, where it will usually be on a tee-peg, or, to a large degree, the putting green, where the grass is cut so short you would hope the ball would be sitting consistently well.
But it is also a club-related term that refers to how your irons, wedges and putter in particular sit to the ground as you set up to the ball and through impact via their lie angle – the angle between clubhead and shaft.
READ MORE https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/what-does-lie-mean-in-golf
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Tailoring Your Golf Gear: How to Select the Perfect Clubs for Your Game
Choosing the right golf clubs can dramatically improve your performance on the course. The variety of clubs available might seem overwhelming, but understanding the essentials can help you make informed decisions. This guide will help you navigate the critical factors in selecting golf clubs that match your playing style and elevate your game.
Evaluating Your Game Style and Skill Level
Before selecting your golf clubs, it’s essential to evaluate your game style and skill level. Are you a beginner who needs forgiving clubs or an experienced player seeking precision and control? Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will guide you in choosing clubs that enhance your natural abilities and address areas needing improvement.
The Basics: Understanding Different Types of Golf Clubs
Golf clubs are categorized into several types, each designed for specific shots and distances.
These categories include drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters.
Drivers: Used for long-distance tee shots, drivers have the largest clubheads and lowest lofts, maximizing distance off the tee.
Fairway Woods: These clubs are ideal for long shots from the fairway or rough. They have smaller clubheads than drivers and higher lofts.
Hybrids: Hybrids combine elements of wood and irons, providing the distance of wood with the accuracy of irons.
Irons: Irons are used for a variety of shots, from long approaches to short chips. They are numbered based on loft, with lower numbers for longer shots and higher numbers for shorter, more precise shots.
Wedges: Wedges are specialized irons with high lofts used for short approach shots, chips, and bunker play. Types include pitching wedges, sand wedges, and lob wedges.
Putters: Designed for use on the green, putters are crucial for accuracy and control when rolling the ball into the hole.
Choosing the Right Driver for Your Game
The driver is essential for tee shots, setting the stage for your play on each hole. When choosing a driver, consider these factors:
Loft: The loft of the driver affects the ball’s trajectory and distance. Beginners may benefit from higher lofts (10.5 to 12 degrees) for greater control, while advanced players might prefer lower lofts (8 to 10.5 degrees) for maximum distance.
Shaft Flex: The shaft’s flexibility influences accuracy and distance. Match the shaft flex to your swing speed: regular flex for moderate swings and stiff flex for faster swings.
Clubhead Size and Weight: Larger clubheads offer more forgiveness and a more prominent sweet spot, which is ideal for beginners. Advanced players may opt for smaller, heavier clubheads for better control and precision.
Fairway Woods and Hybrids: Versatility and Performance
Fairway woods and hybrids are crucial for long shots from the fairway or rough. Here’s what to look for:
Fairway Woods: Choose fairway woods with lofts between 15 and 18 degrees for a balance of distance and control. These clubs are versatile for various situations.
Hybrids: Hybrids can replace long irons, offering a higher launch angle and more forgiving performance. They are beneficial for players who struggle with consistency using long irons.
Iron Sets: Finding the Right Balance
Irons are essential for approach shots and play around the green. Consider these factors when choosing irons:
Set Composition: Irons are typically sold in sets, ranging from 3-iron to pitching wedge. Beginners might start with a set that includes a 5-iron pitching wedge, while advanced players might customize their sets with additional irons or hybrids.
Shaft Material: Iron shafts are made from steel or graphite. Steel shafts offer greater control and are preferred by many advanced players. Graphite shafts are lighter and can help increase swing speed, making them suitable for beginners.
Clubhead Design: Irons come in various designs, including cavity-back, muscle-back, and game improvement. Cavity-back irons offer more forgiveness and are ideal for beginners. Muscle-back irons provide better control and feedback for advanced players.
Enhancing Your Short Game with the Right Wedges
Wedges are crucial for precise shots around the green and out of bunkers. When choosing wedges, consider:
Types of Wedges: The main types of wedges are pitching wedges, sand wedges, lob wedges, and gap wedges. Each type has a specific loft and is designed for particular shots. Having a variety of wedges can cover different scenarios on the course.
Bounce Angle: The bounce angle affects how the wedge interacts with the turf. Higher bounce angles are suitable for soft turf and bunkers, while lower bounce angles are better for firm turf and tight lies.
Grind: The grind refers to the shaping of the wedge’s sole. Different grinds offer varying levels of versatility and playability. Experiment with different grinds to find one that complements your playing style.
Perfecting Your Putting with the Ideal Putter
The putter is arguably the most important club in your bag, as it’s used on almost every hole. When selecting a putter, consider:
Putter Type: Putters come in various styles, including blade, mallet, and peripheral-weighted. Blades are traditional and offer excellent control, while mallets provide more forgiveness and stability.
Length: The length of your putter should suit your posture and putting style. Standard lengths range from 33 to 35 inches, but it’s essential to choose a length that feels comfortable and allows for a smooth stroke.
Alignment Aids: Many putters feature alignment aids to help you aim accurately. Choose a putter with alignment features that enhance your confidence and consistency on the green.
The Value of Custom Fitting
One of the best ways to ensure you have the right clubs is to undergo a custom fitting. Professional club fitting analyzes your swing characteristics, such as swing speed, launch angle, and ball flight, to recommend clubs tailored to your specific needs. Custom fitting can optimize your performance by ensuring each club in your bag is the correct length, weight, and flex for your game.
Investing in Your Golf Journey
Selecting the right golf clubs is a crucial investment in your golfing journey. By understanding your playing style and considering factors such as loft, shaft flex, and clubhead design, you can choose clubs that enhance your strengths and address your weaknesses. The goal is to find clubs that complement your natural swing and improve your overall performance on the course. Whether you’re a beginner seeking forgiveness or an experienced player looking for precision, the proper set of golf clubs can make all the difference in your golfing experience.
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Mastering the Basics: Choosing the Right Golf Clubs for Beginners
Golf is a game of precision, patience, and practice, and having the right set of clubs can significantly improve your performance. Navigating the vast array of golf clubs can be daunting for a beginner. This guide will walk you through choosing the right golf clubs to enhance your game.
Understanding the Different Types of Golf Clubs
Drivers and Woods
Drivers and woods are essential for long-distance shots. The driver, also known as the 1-wood, is typically used for teeing off par-4 and par-5 holes. Its large clubhead and long shaft are designed to maximize distance. Beginners should look for drivers with a higher loft (10.5 degrees or more) to help get the ball airborne more easily.
Woods, such as the 3-wood and 5-wood, are also used for long-distance shots, especially from the fairway. They have slightly smaller heads than the driver and a higher loft, making them easier to control. Choosing woods with a larger sweet spot can help beginners make more consistent contact with the ball.
Irons
Irons are versatile clubs used for shots ranging from mid to short-range. They are numbered from 3 to 9, with the lower numbers (3, 4, 5) designed for longer shots and higher numbers (6, 7, 8, 9) for shorter, more controlled shots. Beginners should consider investing in cavity-back irons, which offer a larger sweet spot and more forgiveness on off-center hits.
Selecting the Right Shaft
Steel vs. Graphite
The shaft of a golf club plays a crucial role in its performance. Shafts are typically made from either steel or graphite. Steel shafts are heavier and provide more control, making them a popular choice for experienced players. However, beginners might benefit more from lighter graphite shafts, which can help generate more clubhead speed, resulting in greater distance.
Shaft Flex
Shaft flex refers to the amount of bend in the shaft during the swing. It is important to match the flex to your swing speed. Beginners with slower swing speeds should opt for more flexible shafts (rated as 'regular' or 'senior') to help maximize distance. Those with faster swing speeds may benefit from stiffer shafts to maintain control and accuracy.
Importance of Club Fitting
Custom Fitting
Custom fitting is tailoring golf clubs to match your swing characteristics. This involves analyzing your height, arm length, swing speed, and swing plane. Many golf shops offer custom fitting services, which can significantly improve your comfort and performance on the course. Getting fitted for clubs might seem unnecessary as a beginner, but it can help you develop a more consistent and effective swing.
Adjustable Clubs
Many modern golf clubs come with adjustable features that allow you to change the loft, lie angle, and weight distribution. These adjustments can help you fine-tune your clubs to suit your game better as you progress. For beginners, adjustable clubs can provide the flexibility to experiment with different settings and find what works best.
Choosing a Putter
Blade vs. Mallet
The putter is one of the most important clubs in your bag, as it is used for most shots on the green. Putters come in two main styles: blade and mallet. Blade putters have a traditional, slim design and offer excellent control for experienced players. Mallet putters have a larger, more forgiving head, making them a better choice for beginners who need help with alignment and stability.
Putter Length
The length of your putter is crucial for maintaining proper posture and stroke mechanics. A putter that is too long or short can lead to inconsistent putting. Beginners should visit a golf shop to get properly fitted for a putter that suits their height and putting style.
Budget Considerations
New vs. Used Clubs
Golf clubs can be a significant investment, and beginners may wonder whether to buy new or used clubs. New clubs offer the latest technology and customization options, but they are also more expensive. Used clubs can be more affordable and perform well, especially from reputable brands. When buying used clubs, inspect them for wear and damage.
Starter Sets
Many manufacturers offer starter sets specifically designed for beginners. These sets typically include a driver, a fairway wood, a hybrid, a few irons, and a putter, providing a balanced selection of clubs to get you started. Starter sets are often more cost-effective than buying individual clubs and ensure you have all the essential clubs needed to play.
Start with the Basics and Build Your Skills
Choosing the right golf clubs as a beginner can seem overwhelming, but understanding the basics can help you make an informed decision. Focus on getting clubs that offer forgiveness and match your swing speed and style. Whether you opt for new or used clubs or a custom-fit set, the key is to find equipment that helps you enjoy the game and improve your skills. Golf is a journey, and the right clubs are just the beginning.
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June 24 - Old Head Golf Links
Did a morning self guided walk of Kinsale from Rick Steves. Then some shopping and lunch at the Lemon Leaf. I should mention that we woke up to morning fog (I hoped it was the Guinness). It was still present by early afternoon!
At 2:30 we drove to Old Head, 22 minutes south for what would turn out to be a memorable round of golf. We were greeted at security by an enthusiastic fellow who exclaimed “you are in luck! There’s a wee marine layer over us but they are playing again. We were closed this morning.” I noticed that the zipper of his pants was down so I made him aware of it. He shrugged his shoulders and said “oh thanks…at least the monster is asleep!”
Adrian greeted us in the parking lot and gave us directions to the club house and range. Our tee time was 4:30pm but he said we could go early after a warm up as there were only a few groups on the course. Below is how the course looks on a clear day!
We were paired up with Wendy and Jeff Bell from Hilton Head and were assigned a young Scottish PGA Pro in training (he’s a plus golfer) by the name of Fergus Allan. He explained that if he was hard to understand it was because he was Scottish! He carried our bags and advised the entire foursome on every shot. (The Bells had pull carts and we all walked). We were ready to play.
Here’s the wee marine layer on the first hole. At no point during the round could we see more than 100 yards. It was “aim at the left side of that bunker” or “aim over that stake and hit your five iron.” Fergus was a busy man.
There was a wee bit of moisture in the air…
But it was warm…about 15 degrees C (60)
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Hanamori: The White Lily Of Eclipse
04/05/2024
The sun shines down beautifully on a Solstice golf course, nestled between retro-futuristic buildings of glass, concrete and white steel arrayed by Talented hands in ways that could inspire any concept designer. In the golden sunlight stands one of Sunset's newest entrepreneurs, the mysterious Hitomi Hanamori. She is in a heated game of golf with Roderick Sterling, the hero Cold Snap, revisiting an old family rivalry. She is wearing a summer dress with the tell-tale furgonomics of Sunset local tailor Rania Hassan.
Officially arriving in Sunset in 2023, the White Lily company has become a household name throughout the boroughs of Eclipse and Periapsis, as a series of hostile takeovers and buyouts in the logistics and shipping industries have lead to a significant industrial reorganisation. This has lead to fury from some workers as the new changes have caused some degree of disruption in their working lives, especially for lower management. An ongoing labour case rages in the courts. Under the leadership of CFO Micheal Angelis, significant anti-corruption efforts have been undertaken. While no details have yet been presented, he has claimed that thorough restructuring is now in place to combat smuggling and tax evasion in the industry.
Hitomi speaks on the matter as she hits a birdie: "Anyone throwing their weight behind this labour case against the white lily is advocating for a move back to corruption, and I decry any heroes who would do so, and that Gail Gibson. I hope that that after a rough few quarters dealing with the disaster, we can get back to what we do best, finding value in people, and valuing those people."
Indeed, Angelis has certainly not been shy about valuing his staff. Many key organisers have been provided with very significant bonuses this quarter encourage cooperation with new management.
When asked about why she chose to set up shop in Eclipse, knowing the reputation of the place, Hanamori claims that though many businesses immediately gravitate towards Solstice or Midnight, "[…] Eclipse is the beating heart of Sunset City.", she said, referring to the borough's centrality to infrastructure, logistics and access to the supplies needed for manufacturing. "I'm familiar with the challenges-- There is some level of under-the-table dealing that occurs at all levels, and part of what we're doing is try to minimise it at whatever levels we can."
Eclipse, of course, is well known for having its own insular communities and superstitions. When asked about her thoughts around the mythical 'devil' of Eclipse, Hanamori said: "I've heard rumours, but nothing substantiated. I would hope I am moving things in a positive direction. They are so resistant to change you understand."
But that's not to say that Hanamori is coming into Sunset City without knowing its culture or history. She and her company have already taken an interest in local affairs. Of particular note, her company has been investing efforts into the location of a missing orphan, possibly connected with the Crimson Crater disaster and the supervillain Bad Wolf. She has also expressed her concern about The Iron Lung. "I am not content to feel hopeless. I feel moved to act when I need to do something, as much as it is easy to not meddle, and I fear what it would look like if a child were to be drunk on a dangerous ideology."
Perhaps Hanamori's sense of urgency with this case is to do with its connection to Crimson City. After all, this was where she got her start in the U.S.A. She still retains an interest in gambling, being a major stakeholder in the Lucky Heaven casino. Another reason may be the recent appearance of the so-called 'Seraphim' crime syndicate who appeared in Sunset in late 2023. With connections to Crimson City's 'Fatal Hearts Club' for top-shelf assassins. Hanamori has agreed to aid this article's plucky author in her investigations into this group!
On the green, Hitomi is joined by her adorable maidservant Rhiapaan Tanaka. The two have always been close. "Some would find the mistress-servant dynamic terribly medieval", Rhiapaan observed, but it would seem they are more like sisters. The two seem to be a match maid in heaven! "I used to get in trouble for treating the help like family," Hanamori said, "But that's what she is. [When growing up] I was lucky, privileged, I pursued my studies in America and built my business here and abroad, due to the family I was born into."
Hanamori's family history is complicated. "People are the sum of many things, and their legacy is part of who we are, but does not define us. My mother, Hitomi Hanamori, was a supervillain. I chose the name when I stood to inherit much of what she forfeit. I embraced one last thing that I felt I could carry on. Reclaim, as it were." "It's difficult to think of someone like that with any reverence. Everything she made was equal parts horrible as it was ignoble. This is my way of turning back the hands of time."
Roderick, with a hole-in-one on a quite difficult section of course, defeats Hitomi after a very close game. As the match is over, she turns her thoughts back to business.
"We think that approach, though old fashioned, has merit in this modern world [but] there's one thing that all CEOs must need to be able to do;"
"Divine the future."
-Fluffy Crescent, Sunset Herald.
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As golfers, we all know that having the right equipment is crucial to success on the course. One key aspect of golf clubs that often goes overlooked is their loft angle, or the degree to which the clubface is angled back. Understanding the typical degrees of each golf club in your bag can help you make more informed decisions about which club to use in different situations. In this guide, we will dive into the world of club lofts and explore the typical degrees of each golf club. 1. Driver (1 Wood): Let's start with the big hitter in your bag, the driver. The driver typically has the lowest loft of any golf club, usually ranging from 8 to 12 degrees. Lower loft angles on drivers are designed to produce lower ball flight with more roll after landing. For golfers with higher swing speeds looking for maximum distance off the tee, a lower lofted driver is often preferred. 2. Fairway Woods (3 Wood, 5 Wood, 7 Wood): Fairway woods come in various degrees of loft, with the 3 wood being the lowest lofted and the 7 wood having the highest loft. A typical 3 wood has a loft of around 15-18 degrees, while a 5 wood ranges from 20-22 degrees, and a 7 wood can go up to 24-26 degrees. These clubs are versatile options for shots off the fairway or tee when you need distance and accuracy. 3. Hybrids: Hybrids are a combination of irons and woods, offering the forgiveness of a wood with the playability of an iron. Hybrid clubs typically range from 16 to 27 degrees of loft, bridging the gap between fairway woods and long irons. These clubs are great for hitting longer approach shots or getting out of tough lies. 4. Irons (3 Iron - Pitching Wedge): Irons are designed for precision and control, with each iron having a specific degree of loft to achieve different shot trajectories. A 3 iron typically has around 21-24 degrees of loft, gradually increasing as you move to shorter irons like the pitching wedge, which can have 44-48 degrees of loft. Understanding the loft of your irons can help you select the right club for the distance and shot shape you need. 5. Wedges (Gap, Sand, Lob): Wedges are specialized clubs used for shots around the green and out of bunkers. Gap wedges have around 50-54 degrees of loft, sand wedges range from 54-58 degrees, and lob wedges can go up to 60-64 degrees of loft. These higher lofted clubs provide the necessary height and spin to stop the ball quickly on the green. 6. Putter: Last but not least, the putter is the club used most on the green. Putters typically have a loft angle of 2-4 degrees, designed to roll the ball smoothly along the putting surface. The low loft helps minimize skidding and promotes a true roll for improved accuracy. In conclusion, understanding the typical degrees of each golf club in your bag is essential for optimizing your performance on the course. Knowing the loft angles of your clubs can help you make better club selections based on the shot at hand, leading to more consistent and successful rounds of golf. So, next time you're out on the course, pay attention to the degrees of your clubs and watch your game improve!
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Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Knight Lancers Women Midsize Iron 21 Degrees Stainless Steel Golf Club.
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Improving your golf swing involves focusing on several key aspects, including grip, stance, posture, and mechanics. Here are detailed tips to help enhance your swing:
1. Grip
Proper Grip Pressure: Hold the club with enough pressure to control it but not so tightly that it restricts your movement. A light grip allows for better wrist hinge.
Grip Type: Experiment with different grips (interlocking, overlapping, or ten-finger) to find one that feels comfortable and allows you to control the clubface.
2. Stance and Alignment
Feet Position: Your feet should be shoulder-width apart for most clubs. For driver, a wider stance can provide stability.
Ball Position: Position the ball according to the club being used; further forward for drivers, more centered for mid-irons.
Alignment: Ensure your body (feet, hips, shoulders) is parallel to the target line. Use alignment sticks or clubs on the ground for practice.
3. Posture
Athletic Stance: Bend slightly at the hips, keeping your back straight. Your knees should have a slight flex.
Weight Distribution: Distribute your weight evenly between your feet, with a slight bias towards your toes.
4. Backswing
Smooth Start: Initiate the backswing slowly to maintain balance. Avoid rushing.
Hinge the Wrists: As your arms lift, hinge your wrists naturally to create a good angle with the club.
Full Shoulder Turn: Turn your shoulders fully (ideally 90 degrees) while keeping your lower body stable.
5. Downswing
Start with the Lower Body: Initiate the downswing with your hips, not your arms. This promotes a more powerful swing.
Maintain the Angle: Keep the wrist angle until your hands are close to your right thigh (for right-handed golfers).
Follow Through: Allow your arms to extend fully, and your body to rotate towards the target, finishing with your weight on your front foot.
6. Timing and Rhythm
Practice Tempo: Focus on a smooth, consistent tempo throughout your swing. A common drill is to count to three during the backswing and downswing.
Drills: Use drills like the "One-Handed Swing" to help develop feel and rhythm.
7. Strength and Flexibility
Strength Training: Incorporate exercises that strengthen your core, legs, and upper body.
Stretching: Regularly stretch to improve flexibility, which can enhance your range of motion and reduce injury risk.
8. Mental Focus
Visualize: Before each swing, visualize the ball’s flight and your desired target.
Stay Relaxed: Tension can lead to poor swings. Practice breathing techniques to stay calm.
9. Video Analysis
Record Your Swing: Use your phone or camera to record your swing from different angles. Analyze your mechanics and identify areas for improvement.
10. Seek Professional Help
Lessons: Consider taking lessons from a certified instructor who can provide personalized feedback and guidance.
11. Practice Consistently
Drill Practice: Focus on specific aspects of your swing during practice sessions. Use practice drills to reinforce good habits.
On-Course Practice: Apply what you practice in actual rounds. Course management and situational practice are crucial.
Conclusion
Improving your golf swing takes time and patience. Focus on one or two aspects at a time to avoid overwhelming yourself. Regular practice and a commitment to improvement will lead to noticeable gains in your performance.
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