Yes, the baseline plastics will be less durable but they're usually also less expensive. Most people will get a baseline or midgrade plastic for their putting putter (because they're also gripper). Definitely get premium plastic for your drivers and midranges for the improved durability.

Yeah, it's hot as fuck out here. But as a southern Arizona native, this heat wave doesn't seem too much worse than most summers in recent memory. I'm curious if this is more a result of increased homelessness (and declining resources to support them) rather than drastically raised temperatures.

I know the GCP has its flaws, but I like mine a lot. Definitely get a backflush basket and some cafiza to clean it regularly. And then also look into the OPV 9 bar mod from Shades of Coffee if you want to tinker a bit. Sounds intimidating, but it's just a replacement spring for the over pressure valve. I enjoy the resulting espresso more after I made the mod.

Is that a bowl of nacho cheese?