Rodney,

Home Depot out here has a premium grade of white pine. The grain runs straight and because of it's premium rating, there are no knots in an 8 foot length. The wood is sanded extermely smooth and is usually pretty straight without having to sort through dozens of boards. It definately differs from the the construction grades. You can take your thumb nail and easily make a mark in the construction grades. The premium takes a lot of pressure and your nail will not penetrate very far if at all. I can tell this is a harder and tighter grained than the lesser grades. I don't know the specific stress factors between spruce and white pine, but judging from the hardness, it can't be much of a difference. Sounds like it may be worth a try.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have just past through Titusville this past March. I was going from Orlando to Daytona Beach and was given an alternative route that took me through your neck of the woods. We are moving to the West Palm Beach area within a year. I will have to look into some clubs in that area.

Thanks again,
Jim