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I'm a dad.  My kids come first, so about 10 years ago, I dropped
down from 15 rounds per year to a range of 0-3 rounds per year.  Way
back then, I had a used Taylor Made bubble burner driver and 3W.  Over
the past several years, as I have grown older and more sedentary, my
tee shots got shorter and shorter.  I couldn't hit the driver straight
(big fade/slice from trying to get distance).  This year, I played a
round and tired out by the fifteenth hole.  Whereas I used to shoot
94-95, I shot a 112!

 Fortunately, late last summer at a fund-raiser, I needed a fourth
to play with my brother and a 40 year friend.  I took my 10 year old
son, who had a blast.  Last fall, my wife, who wants to play, my son
and I played a best-ball round together and had a great time.  

This year, just prior to the 112 disaster, my son, wife and I played
a fun round and my 15 year old daughter, who refuses to play, rode in
my wife's cart and enjoyed her day too.

Since golf can now be a family activity, rather than a  "Dad's gone
all day" activity, I decided to get fitted for a new set of clubs to
replace my now 15 year old woods and my equally old Ping Zing irons.  I
only needed a 2 degree change in club head loft on a set of Calloway
Big Bertha irons which will be in next week.  I picked up a Big Bertha
460 driver and 3W and went to the range. 

Oh boy, what a difference 15 years worth of technology makes.  I hit the driver 250 yards on half my swings.

I decided to play a round two days later.  I was so excited.  At the
practice tee, 250 yards and pretty straight.  On the front nine, very
long and very wide.  I hit it wide right.  I hit it wide left.  I hit
it into water.  I did hit one down hill in the fairway for 314 yards,
beating my younger days best of 311.  I stepped up to a 210 yard par
three and smoked it 30 yards over the green and out of bounds.  I lost
4 balls on the front nine and had a blister growing on my right thumb.
(I am right handed).  I swung so hard my lats hurt.

After shooting a 57 on the front, I decided to settle down and just
focus on a smooth swing.  I kept my energy by eating small amounts
through the round and drinking plenty of gatorade to replace salt as
well as water.  Needless to say, I shot a 47 on the back.  For the
round, I had drives of 314, 280, 265, 233 and 250 in the fairway, most
on the back nine.  The blister popped on the 16th but I still managed
bogey on 17 and 18.  (As you can see bogey is a good hole for me.  I
had 7 with 2 doubles on the back nine.)

Well.  My blister is healing and I am cooling my heels waiting until
it's strong enough to swing nicely.  It's good to be able to get down
the fairway and I am pretty sure I will get lower scores if I stop
swinging like an ape!  The irons come in the next week or two.  I'll
report back then.