Another day of game tuning..

Wednesday 23/2/11 Golfers come in to play the game with different attitudes depending on personal choices. Some are purely social in their approach, enjoying the walk, camaraderie and the competitive challenge is not a major influence on their game. Others are committed to the competition aspect of the game being part of the pleasure derived from being on the course as well as the social aspect. For me the ability to travel and play in Club Opens as well as club championship, monthly medals is a definite part of my golfing enjoyment.


If it was not for competitive golf, there is no way I would have gone through the dedicated periods of practise to improve my game. The improvements have now made me realise that a decision is soon going to be required on “how much more golfing can I do?” Writing my golf diary yesterday was the first time this thought has came to my attention. This time last year having reached a 22 handicap and played a couple of 17 hcp rounds, the reality was that my golf was very basic ability. Today my 16 handicap and having played to 12 a couple of time and broken 80 in a social round recently the improvement is at a level of a competent average golfer.

This recent improvement has came from 3 months of preparation for next weeks Southern Ports Tournament. I have done this twice in the past two seasons and had major handicap drops as part of the goal to play better golf. By listening to other golfers and other research (okay I am an obsessed golfer) After this tournament I am going to have to look seriously at how much time I can dedicate to practise in the future. It is not about lack of time available, more so to get myself a grounded approach and not start floating off with the clouds. Ambition, desire, dreams, ability and capability are all topics that need to be defined and acted upon. This week I caught up with a guy from primary school days who is now a successful professional golfer, twenty odd years since last catching up and yes we talked golf. I remember the amount of practise it took him and the commitment, and yes I did wish I had the same support to chase the golf dream. Which is partly why now I have the time and ability to play golf again I am so dedicated.

Fortunately I have a career which allows me to incorporate golf into my creative output and performing. Which is far better than when I used to do the same with beer and partying in my performing. Even so there is a limit and that is better off being considered in the near future than letting it slide until a crisis point is reached. The key is for me to use what I have observed among other golfers and picked up from reading to be aware of the realistic standard I can reach as a golfer. My off the cuff comment 3 years ago to my friends was, “be happy to reach 15 and I would like to get 10 hcp”. Having now arrived at an entry point to the first target, making the plan for the future is now due.

Today while putting in the hour with irons and #3 Woods, keeping tuned up and maintaining the standard reached of late, the #1 Driver was given a try for the first time in 3 weeks. Satisfied to play without the Driver next week in light of recent great scores without it in the bag. That is no reason to discount using a club that gives me 30-35m extra off the tee. The results from 15 balls hit was 10 in the target area, will persist during the week and if the standard improves will be looking at the Driver going back in the bag. Working on the “less is best” principle and only using the driver 5-6 times in a round off the tee at the minute. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all”Geoff

Training for the last week...

Tuesday 22/2/11 Back from Adelaide late yesterday, after leaving straight from the course on Sunday afternoon. Not the usual way to leave the course without having some socialising after a round but no choice this time around. Was well worth the hurry with the two meetings in Adelaide very productive for the production of the golf documentary in 2011. Important for several reasons not the least to have less mental distractions during next weeks Tournament and filming schedule.





The decision to use the smaller Prosimmon irons with the stiff shafts was well warranted. The accuracy and distance obtained, also the control in what was the strongest wind played in for 3-4 months was very effective. Only carried #3 Metals (Cobra and Shark) on the day leaving the 9.5 degree driver out as well. Over the past ten rounds, seven have been under 90 (from 82 to 88) my confidence is established for the 3 round tournament next week. The score was 31 points with three wipes and two 1 point holes on Sunday playing to 23 off a 16 hcp, similar to the last full round played before the 2010 tournament I had a blow out then as well. The three costly wipes came from 4 putting one green, a poor pitch and a lost ball while using the Cobra #3 to tee off on the 17th. At that stage of the round I was playing well with 16 points from 7 holes on the back nine. The tee shot was a strong draw into trees and the ball was unable to be found.



Having kept the record of my pre-Tournament preparation last year has been a great reference point, it has a lot to do with my satisfaction at the minute. I do practise often but never to such a planned routine as I have for 3 months in the lead up to Southern Ports. It is not possible to do this always and it does take some motivating factor to make the extra effort (and sacrifice) and commit to the routine. I am only an amateur mid range golfer with a realistic view of my capability and ability in golf. Yes, my dedication and commitment is more than some and less than others and that is what gets the results for my standard of late. Improvement takes time and the proof in my approach, is that in the last two years at the same time with the same practise I have dropped 3strokes twice, doing the same routine.



This week is all about honing the strokes with all clubs to a consistent standard of accuracy and distance. Split into Drivers, Irons, Pitching/Chipping and Putting. Spending up to 3 hours a day (daylight saving (pays off at last) with most focus on Putting that is a definite area needing improvement. With the two #3 Metals already I have improved on them in two sessions. First was a lapse in concentration and trying to hit too hard was making my front foot lift, making the shots erratic. Now sorted and 30 balls to 200 m in a 15 m radius from the target is good enough for me with the Shark XLT Club.



The Cobra was a totally different matter, only had it for a week and not really given it a dedicated work out. Having been a slicer for so long with Woods this club had been good distance wise but the draw on it was what caused the wipe on the 17th hole, Sunday. After a concentrated session today it became obvious that I have to line up the shots with this club allowing for a draw every time. I had thought it was just my fault and poor playing yet setting up the same for both clubs the Cobra was 10 – 20 m left of the target every time compared to the Shark. Finally did the thing I never expected to do and aimed deliberately to the right and watched 10 balls draw onto the target zone.



This afternoon will be putting and pitching drills and this is the weeks routine, for Tuesday- Friday. Will play nine holes Friday and Sunday to put the practise to some field testing. Then it is down to the way the rounds unfold in the competition. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight All”



 Geoff

One week to go...

"Another Crack At The Title" Movie Trailer


Sunday 20/2/11 Beginning the last week prior to the Southern Ports Tournament starting on Monday 28th February, feeling satisfied with my preparation. The one hurdle that arose was a back injury on the 9th of January which has been sorted in a good way. The recent competition results have all been encouraging earning a 16 handicap one above the minimum for “B” grade since November from the practise and training regime followed. Last year my hcp was 22 in the “C” grade section and it was a struggle through May to October for me on the course.

Some of the difficulty was self inflicted while using the period to experiment with different irons and focus on specific skill development. This week I decided to get the stiff flex irons out for a Thursday social round and was pleasantly surprised at how much improvement was delivered. Hitting most greens in regulation with a club less that usual, so I took then out to play 9 holes in the Friday chicken run comp. The weather was lousy a drenching rain and windy the total opposite of what has been the easy playing conditions the past 6 weeks. One lost ball and still came in with 17 points and a 45 off the stick. Not one to live in the world of what might have been, yesterday I went out in dry windy conditions played the same 9 and scored 42 off the stick. Hitting these irons crisply and the ball is travelling accurate and long when needed. today I will try them out over 18 in very gusty wind conditions and if the score is good will definitely has them in the bag for the Tournament.

Received the draw with my tee times Friday and the first two are 1 pm and the third I am in the last group of the day. So good to have got this far since last year and for the first time in a while I can say that I am excited. Filming the documentary at the same time will be no problem either, the routine of practise over past months has my mental focus at a peak. Many could think “woop de doo” about my commitment to this effort and tournament, that is fine, it is not the OZ PGA but the closest my golfing standard will ever come to playing a three day tournament. Great fun and the challenge to win amongst such a field of golfers is inspirational.

Next week I will be winding the practise back to mostly driving range itron and driver shots and most practise will be putting and pitching. The short game is vital to success and my putting is ready for a little tune up. Not walking the courses much to preserve my body, my limits have increased since 2009 but with all my broken bits a little conservation will be apt caution. The Film has been given some much appreciated support from the local print and television media, even though it i s12 months away fromrelease the work being put in now is what delivers the end result. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all” Geoff

When the clubs are passe'

Wednesday 16/2/11 Since 2009 I have purchased several sets of clubs to use on the course. The first being a new set of SHARK XLT cavity back irons and metal drivers. The game improvement aspect of these irons began to have a negative effect in my game play after travelling from 32 hcp to a 22 hcp. During 2010 my game was at a hiatus compared to the large degree of improvement previously, dropping 3 strokes to be playing off 19 hcp in December.


This was not an unexpected result, having noticed many other golfers struggle in that period of transition through the ‘teens’, handicap wise. It was also caused in part due to my series of experiences using different irons, preparing the way for purchasing the ‘right’ set when the appropriate handicap figure is reached. The figure is 10 and I have played to 12 twice in recent weeks. Trying out blades and peripheral weighted irons and cavity backs has been an interesting experience, particularly as my swing changed a lot during the season. Thanks to ebay, picking up 2 x $30 sets to use was a major bonus to explore club suitability.

Now well into 2011 and I have dropped to a 16 handicap after a concerted practise regime in preparing for the Southern Ports Tournament since late 2010, it is coming to decision time for club choice. The irons will be easy enough to establish during a fitting session. For me anyway, the professional may find it a little difficult as I have a definite process for choosing. It is not going to be a matter of Club A and getting the measurements. I am not a Brand Fan person I have decided that there are several types of clubs that will be suitable and it is not going to be a walk in and purchase in a day matter.

Currently my problem is with the Driver, a club that admittedly is used less frequently off the tee of late. In my last round of 82 gross, was not even in the bag. There was a time when the Cobra 9.5 degree club was a very handy part of my club selection .Yet even prior to the back injury that was caused during a tee shot with the driver in January I was putting in way to much effort trying to get consistency with it. Having now tried several other drivers that are not 460cc but less, I am aware that one of the results of my improved swing may be affecting the Driver. The 380-400cc drivers give equivalent distance off the tee and yet I can definitely work the ball with a very good draw that is not apparent with the bigger club head. Also the smaller drivers do not spray left and right compared to the larger. Obviously this is not unique to me and many other golfers have been down the path, summer time means the #3 Metal is fine to use. Come Autumn and Winter and I will have to be settled and resupplied with a Driver in the bag.

Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all”
 Geoff

Played to my limit to win...

Monday 14/2/11 Played to my expectations on Sunday, which is why the result was so pleasing to me as a player and a person who loves the game. Breaking 90 was the goal of my golf for 2010, when that happened it was a close run struggle to an 88 or 87 at best. Always very pleasing to break 90 during the season yet it felt like I was being teased with the allure of a better golfing experience being just out of reach. On the 18 th of December in the Kingston Open an 88 off the stick was the beginning of the current run of good score, resulting from the preparation for the Southern Ports Tournament.




After the stroke round on Sunday and a score of 82 gross for a nett 65 with 30 putts my handicap is now 16.1 down from 19.3 in December. In fact 8 of my 10 flagged scores are in the last 9 rounds played since the Kingston SE Open. What was particularly pleasing about the result in the last round was that I went out with a definite game plan, played exactly as I had prepared to do so. Scored an 82 that instead of being a surprise result was a far more pleasing reward, one I have worked hard at for three months to be able to do.



In the last practise session on Saturday I gave the Cobra 9.5 Degree driver a good work out, that still had a woeful spray of accuracy in 50 % of the strokes. This was not such a problem prior to the back injury in early January, there is still some residual problem from this affecting the use of the club. The Driver was not in the bag for the competition and this was a major reason for the good score, hitting fairway after fairway and clear shots to the green every time with the #3 Metal. This morning a new #3 turned up in the post this one is a stiff shaft Cobra compared to the #3 Shark regular flex I used in the round. Have been out and had a good try out with the two clubs, with the wind no distance difference, into the wind the Cobra gives a lower flight on the ball. Main difference is that I can work the ball better with the Cobra, it “feels” more direct in the connection between the player and the ball control.



To be able to play to my limit and the enjoyment that came from returning to accuracy over distance again, far outweighed the confusion that reigned during 2010 as I struggled to combine improvement with ability. Not carrying a Driver in my bag will not be a permanent feature, already I am in the process of purchasing a replacement that I can use with better consistency at the minute. This is based upon the experience I had during late 2010 with a 1990’s model Bridgestone Driver which I found had the same improved ball control and accuracy as the #3 metals do off the tee in my game. At the minute it appears that my skill level is not good enough to use 460cc Drivers to the same degree I can with smaller sized Driver club heads.

Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all” Geoff

Tournament fine tuning time..

Saturday 12/2/11 An unexpected trip to Adelaide on Thursday created an opportunity to refresh my golf at the minute. I have been altering the practise routine of late to specifically target areas of my game that were not up to a suitable standard. Playing off a 17 hcp the reality is that my results have been akin to those in 2009 when I began to drop the strokes from 32 hcp into the low twenties. Over the past 5 rounds playing to the following handicaps in competition 12, 15, 18, 19, 20 ( not in that order), very satisfying after the struggle it became in 2010 on the course where I went from 24-20 during Jan to Feb. and down to 18 by December. In hindsight 2010 was a very difficult season golf wise for me, just not able to come to the table with consistent performance. Even though I was expecting this possibility, by August through to October my attitude was one of feeling like a tired punching bag. Pounded into a sagging loose fitting state and not seeing the benefits the effort was preparing the way for.




It is difficult to have to let time take it’s course, golf is not a game for the impatient to take up when it comes to achieving success. At this minute looking back to when I began in 2009 up to now and how much improvement has been the result of the practise and patient approach is very satisfying. The routine of practise and the fact that as much as my passion for the game is bordering on obsession, it is not the number one priority of my life. Except when I am practising or playing in a competition, then it is all that matters. Of late my practise has reverted to mostly setting up and hitting buckets of balls with various clubs getting the swing right and the accuracy and distances settled into a consistent pattern.

No longer playing so many holes per week to build up ‘match fittness’ This week the unexpected break to the routine made it possible to travel and then head out for 9 holes without the usual controlled pre-round preparation. End result was a bogie round of 9 holes with some poor putting costing 3-4 pars.



After the round at Kingston on Tuesday and the debacle on the front 9 (20 Putts) followed by 14 putts on the back nine, this part of my game is going to get some dedicated practise time. No pressure in the preparation for the Tournament starting 28th of February. Having started getting ready in November my game has nothing but fine tuning and enjoyable playing sessions left to do and be ready for the “game face” period on the 3 days play in the week. This was vital to be sorted as I am also producing a film documentary during the week and that will be a creative distraction. If I did not have my golf game in readiness it would not have been possible to do either to an acceptable standard.



Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all” Geoff

Kingston SE course tryout....

Wednesday 9/2/11 Got my work caught up with an early morning start yesterday to free up the afternoon to take a drive to Kingston SE for 18 holes. Have not played there since winning Division II in the Pre-Xmas Open, the second round of Southern Ports Tournament is played there and I needed to familiarise myself with the current course conditions.


The major difference with this course is the greens. Kingston (Wednesday 2nd March) is the fastest of the three. The first round is at Robe (Monday 28th Feb) (second fastest) and after yesterday the greens are markedly different and even faster than the last time I played there. The other noted difference in the course characteristics is the mounds arond the greens and the rolling fairways. The practise I have put into my Driving, fairway shots and short game have been a major influence in how I play this course for the better.

The putting is another matter and it is a note in my play book on this course to get there early to specifically practise on the putting green. Even thouigh the round yesterday was a tune up session the putting was disasterous on the front 9 with 20 and a back 9 of 14 putts. I hit the first three greens in regulation for 8 putts! (3/3/2.)
They were all long putts of 5-8m read the breaks well but was 3-4 m past the hole for the second putt. Obviously by the second 9, I had a grasp on the pace on the greens but the damage would have been catastrophic in a competition round.

Still struggling with the Driver off the tee, this is really something that I need some coaching assistance from the club professional. Unfortunately he is now based back in Naracoorte and I do not see a window coming up where I can drive there for a lesson. Hopefully I will get one prior to Southern Ports if he comes down in the meantime and I am available then. It is not a major problem I am using the #3 Wood off the tee getting 200-220m and good accurate results. The loss of 30-50 m off the tee is not a hinderance for now. When winter sets in though and the favourable conditions are gone then the Driver is a definite need for the distance off the tee.

Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all” Geoff

On target for Tournament week...

Monday 7/2/11 Stabelford round on Sunday with a final tally of 36 points two holes wipes score wise and 8 fairways hit. The memorable moment losing the nearest the pin to a hole in one. Good to finish tied for 4th place 3 points behind the winner. Used the 3 metal off the tee, the Driver for 3 holes only and 2 of those were woefully inaccurate resulting in a wipe and 1 point.




One of my throw away sayings for many years has been; “I am going fine until I start thinking” it is used in jest to lighten a moment, which comes in handy during some golf rounds.

Of late too much thinking has been causing a little disruption to my game. Reaching the improved level of my handicap in recent weeks has been a result of practise, practise and study. I am not what would be called a student of golf it is more apt to say that I am an informed golfer. There is an adage which goes “a little knowledge can be dangerous in the wrong hands”. At times this “little knowledge” has caused some problems in my game when I begin to surmise there are faults the need correcting.



Having carried the results of several injuries from a motor vehicle accident for two decades, it is always a consideration to make sure that as little strain and damage is put on my physical weaknesses. This protective attitude to my health can become a problem if I do not keep it within the realms of reality and not wander into the error of ‘self diagnosis’. Much the same as self diagnosis of Golf Technique instead of going to a professional it is so easy to fiddle with real and imagined problems. A pointless excercise can take up time and bring a self imposed fog on your own golf games progress. I keep myself in check and although at times do wander down this path it is good to recall another adage from the legal fraternity, “A man who represents himself, has a fool for a lawyer.” When it comes to golf I try and keep to the basics, when I meander into the act of self coaching it is soon realised to be a waste of time and potentially dangerous.



Of late during the recovery from the injury in January I became over protective on the physical front and this flowed over into a journey of equipment that is suitable or not to my game. Over a two week period my thoughts were that perhaps using stiff flex shafts was an error and using regular flex shafts would be better. This was enforced with the ease of using #3 Metals off the tee and fairways during the recovery period. Yes the injury happened while teeing off with the 9.5 degree driver. It was caused by the person playing the shot not the club itself. The success using the #3 metal came from my improved swing technique, not the club and it having a regular flex shaft.



Instead of deciding that was the cure after spending some time hitting regular flex Drivers I followed this path. Put in some extended practise sessions hitting all my clubs, played several rounds, then grabbed a selection of regular flex drivers and did it again with my stiff flex driver as well. The result was that the problem was not the shaft flex. Problem was a combination from the lack of dedicated driver practise over several weeks and the injury distracting me from the effect that lack of practise.



Only a couple of weeks to go before the Southern Ports Tournament and the next schedule of filming for the movie “Another Crack at The Title” My game is tuned up and I have some solid form, will try to get some coaching prior but that is not crucial. The vital facet is to continue practise and not get complacent with the improvements this has created. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all” Geoff

The first sub 80 score...

Tuesday 1/2/11 Golfers have many facets in their game that deliver noted moments of satisfaction and enjoyment. Of them all, the first time is always a personal achievement, not that all will be remembered ie birdie, par, pitch in the hole. Where as the first eagle, hole in one, those that are particularly rare in golf are the first time events that stay with a golfer. When it happens the game becomes a little bit friendlier after all of the effort put in to master the skills needed.




Today I was going to post a brief description of the round on Sunday in the club competition. This was the first serious hit out since injuring myself several weeks ago. After last weekend and the effects of playing in the heat and not taking my water bottle, ignoring the need to have a drink. This weekend a filled frozen waterbottle was first thing in the bag. Even so it was a draining day on the course, made a few mistakes and made them up as the round progressed to finish with an acceptable total in the stroke round. Gross 89 for a Nett 72 with 29 putts.



Today I decided to get out for my first full practise session on the range since injury 3 weeks ago, a full 90 minute session hitting irons and the #3 and #5 Fairway Metals. Initially I was not committed to putting in a full session. Feeling no ill effects during the course of the practise, the stops were pulled out to let me work on a swing fault as well. Ever since taking up golf I have scooped the ball with my irons. In recent months the improving technique and stable consistent swing, set up making the change to hitting down on the ball with irons. This was successful today adding better distance from 9 to 3 irons and good accuracy as well. All in all a very satisfying practise session.



Feeling in good nick and with some time available I drove the 45 km to Beachport intending to play 9 holes and familiarise myself with the 3rd of the Southern Ports courses for the end of February. Played the first nine well scoring 40 off the stick in the cooler conditions with a gusting wind making some of the holes a little difficult. As a 17 handicapper getting a score like this and time to play another 9 available the ante was upped to play 18 and have a crack at breaking 80 for the first time.



This score would have no official status or relevance to any but myself if I made the target. It was a chance to have a first and realise a significant return for all the practise of late. Yes dear readers, cracked the fabled 80 mark today with a 38 on the back nine, grand total of 78 off the stick. That gives me a gross total of 167 in two days of golf at Sthn. Ports Courses this week. I would play the 3rd course as well on Thursday if my travelling would allow it this week but cannot. Having followed the same practise and preparation routine as last season for the week long tournament even with the injury setback all is 100% for my crack at the title in a months time.



My track record at all 3 of the tournament courses over the past 3 months has been garnered from practise and excercise to peak at the right time. Taking into account that this is summer and the courses are far more benign than the winter. The score today would not have happened if the solid 90 minute workout on the driving range had not been done earlier. The goal is to maintain the form and establish consistent standards from now until the tournament and hopefully break 80 in official competition in the meantime. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”Geoff