31/8/11 Sluggish start to the week, body went into shut down from Sunday to Tuesday morning after playing two rounds and 770 km travelling in four days. Irritating to have to put up with the after effects yet recovered in full today after a Bowen treatment, that was booked last week in expectation of overdoing the effort. Once again another 31 points from 18 holes and a round that stuttered with 5 holes to go. Having mused over it since and got over finishing fourth, accepting I was close enough to the winner on 37 points considering that again there was nothing left in the tank. The frustration came from playing in the same group as the winner and getting 1 point in front after 12 holes and wiped the 13th. Then to have the joy of two putts on 14th and 16th holes stop rolling and be hanging over the hole, I laughed during the game and that is the best way to accept the fickle nature of golf.
I do like to win and with club championship qualifying coming up this past weekend was a good experience in hindsight. Not to forget that the current club champion was a DNF on the day his score was that bad. Mine was acceptable considering that apart from two wiped holes my game was okay. Putting aside from the two short ones was affected by that same malaise at Glenelg, changing strokes during shots. fact is that I am playing my best golf ever at the minute, so how the hell can that not be enjoyed. Pretty minor problem in the scale of the game, the real problem was the inability to chip consistently within 2m or less of the pin. This is added to the practise with the grip change this week. Having used the interlocking grip since grade 6 the change is being made to the overlapping grip at the minute. Another part of the coaching changes from 6 weeks ago improving my game.
The Overlapping grip has given a better control over accuracy, a part of correcting the fault of holding the club in the palm and not my fingers previously. Changing the grip was not really necessary except that the interlocking grip related to the club in the palm not fingers so the change is cosmetic in a way. All that matters is it works, taking no time at all to adjust and improving my iron play from the beginning. The Driver was an instant fit into what has became a game strength lately of accuracy off the tee. Still on track for a good crack at qualifying during September, after that my challenge may not last long but there is plenty of golf left in the season yet.
Thankyou for your time and attention “Hit ‘em straight all”, Geoff
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Testing golf at Glenelg Golf Club
27/8/11 The round at Glenelg yesterday in the Legacy - Governors Cup was enjoyable for the weather , the company and the experience. THe reception by the club and the lunch afterwards was excellent. Playing the course for the first time put my recent game improvement to the test. Finishing with 31 points after 18 holes my golf stood up in the main. The goal was to score 36 points and falling 5 short was not a disaster.
Splitting golf into three facets of; 1) Off the tee, 2) Fairway play and 3) Short game and putting, the first was passed with flying colours at Glenelg. Accuracy was exemplary. Hitting fairways and distance wise my game was an additional benefit with the 200m-220m drives never in danger from the many fairway bunker hazards, as is the case on most courses situated longer than 220m. This has been a definite part of my decision to hit shorter off the tee whilst developing the accuracy. Second shots off the fairway in the main were good enough for a 13 handicapper. Two shots in particular were excellent, shots which made being out swinging the sticks on a day, worth every minute of practise and effort to get there. Yet there was 4-5 shots in particular which did not make the day easy. Same with the short game a couple of poor chips and especially 4 poor puts did the damage on the day. With three holes to go I had 27 points (started on Tee no. 4) and hit number one a par 4 in regulation to three putt, Just short of No. 2 with the third and two putted for a bogie, then a bogie on the last with two putts. Scoring four points out of an expected 6 and I was going for the 8. The putting let me down on the last 6 holes. It was a mental error in concentration that made it a battle. Twice changed the stroke once started and 3 times hit the first putt too hard. On a course with so many sand bunkers I went in them 3-4 times on the day, twice on the first hole played.
Making the change to a more aggressive game playing strategy has been a success so far. It is still a novelty to realise that my ability allows this. The game at Glenelg was the revealing round showing that not only has the change happened, there is one more major part of my game to be worked on. The shortest club in golf, that is the measured distance between my ears. There is no pressure felt to improve the mental side of my game, it is being approached in a steady manner. Unlike the practise which has improved the technique of my game play, changing my mind and attitude during the game is complicated in being a part of my character. There is also the acknowledgement of my actual ability to develop the mental part of my game and not become an unbearable playing partner in the process.
With first qualifying round for club championships on the 11th of September and the 2nd on the 18th of the same month, there is plenty of time to tune my game a little more. Hence time is not of the essence and this is all a progression of the preparation being undertaken since May. Why all the effort in getting a better game together on my part, is not an unreasonable question. Due to the shortage of low handicap golfers at my club “A” grade is from 14/13 handicap downwards. In the championships after qualifying I will be up against 4-9 handicappers playing off the stick in matchplay. The facts are that most of these can beat me on paper, if I can hang in to the end making the final playoff is possible. It is nothing more than accepting a challenge of the improbable. Luck of the draw may have me playing other double figure qualifiers in the elimination heats so the better prepared I am can only help.
Last season I was in ‘B’ grade and soon eliminated, not up to the matchplay standard required to be competitive. The lesson was learnt though and no longer do I think with the stroke/ability of a 20 plus handicapper. It has been a process of making the effort to be able to play as well as possible and feel confident against any other golfer. Fact is those that shoot sub 80 rounds have a significant advantage over me. In matchplay though by playing my best and maintaining pressure can get a winning result, even if giving away 4-5 strokes.The 4-6 handicappers, that is really pushing the wet spaghetti uphill for a win, still will be having a crack. The analysis of my game is all aimed at this so the short game and mind facets are in for tuning over coming weeks.
Weather permiting this weekends round on Sunday will be another good hit out to grade the recent practise and coaching results. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all” Geoff
Splitting golf into three facets of; 1) Off the tee, 2) Fairway play and 3) Short game and putting, the first was passed with flying colours at Glenelg. Accuracy was exemplary. Hitting fairways and distance wise my game was an additional benefit with the 200m-220m drives never in danger from the many fairway bunker hazards, as is the case on most courses situated longer than 220m. This has been a definite part of my decision to hit shorter off the tee whilst developing the accuracy. Second shots off the fairway in the main were good enough for a 13 handicapper. Two shots in particular were excellent, shots which made being out swinging the sticks on a day, worth every minute of practise and effort to get there. Yet there was 4-5 shots in particular which did not make the day easy. Same with the short game a couple of poor chips and especially 4 poor puts did the damage on the day. With three holes to go I had 27 points (started on Tee no. 4) and hit number one a par 4 in regulation to three putt, Just short of No. 2 with the third and two putted for a bogie, then a bogie on the last with two putts. Scoring four points out of an expected 6 and I was going for the 8. The putting let me down on the last 6 holes. It was a mental error in concentration that made it a battle. Twice changed the stroke once started and 3 times hit the first putt too hard. On a course with so many sand bunkers I went in them 3-4 times on the day, twice on the first hole played.
Making the change to a more aggressive game playing strategy has been a success so far. It is still a novelty to realise that my ability allows this. The game at Glenelg was the revealing round showing that not only has the change happened, there is one more major part of my game to be worked on. The shortest club in golf, that is the measured distance between my ears. There is no pressure felt to improve the mental side of my game, it is being approached in a steady manner. Unlike the practise which has improved the technique of my game play, changing my mind and attitude during the game is complicated in being a part of my character. There is also the acknowledgement of my actual ability to develop the mental part of my game and not become an unbearable playing partner in the process.
With first qualifying round for club championships on the 11th of September and the 2nd on the 18th of the same month, there is plenty of time to tune my game a little more. Hence time is not of the essence and this is all a progression of the preparation being undertaken since May. Why all the effort in getting a better game together on my part, is not an unreasonable question. Due to the shortage of low handicap golfers at my club “A” grade is from 14/13 handicap downwards. In the championships after qualifying I will be up against 4-9 handicappers playing off the stick in matchplay. The facts are that most of these can beat me on paper, if I can hang in to the end making the final playoff is possible. It is nothing more than accepting a challenge of the improbable. Luck of the draw may have me playing other double figure qualifiers in the elimination heats so the better prepared I am can only help.
Last season I was in ‘B’ grade and soon eliminated, not up to the matchplay standard required to be competitive. The lesson was learnt though and no longer do I think with the stroke/ability of a 20 plus handicapper. It has been a process of making the effort to be able to play as well as possible and feel confident against any other golfer. Fact is those that shoot sub 80 rounds have a significant advantage over me. In matchplay though by playing my best and maintaining pressure can get a winning result, even if giving away 4-5 strokes.The 4-6 handicappers, that is really pushing the wet spaghetti uphill for a win, still will be having a crack. The analysis of my game is all aimed at this so the short game and mind facets are in for tuning over coming weeks.
Weather permiting this weekends round on Sunday will be another good hit out to grade the recent practise and coaching results. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all” Geoff
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Body maintenance and patch up time...
About to head off for a Bowen treatment before travellin to Adelaide this afternoon. The past month of steady increase back to tournament preparation practise and coaching excersises have been a bit more than my body can comfortably do without some maintenance. Have been getting regular massage over the past three months which works but is nowhere near as efficient as Bowen Therapy is in giving long term benefits.
Today the stiffness is enough to enven make having a chipping session too much to bear. Without ,recomending any products to others who have injury problems there is one in particular rub on gel that works well for me at these times. It has no effect except taking away the pain and that is a major relief and comfort to even just sit here and write.
As has been written before this is not from injury caused by golf instead it is discomfort from existing injuries that are agravated by exersise. As a low impact sport golf has been a beneficial exercise for my body. Sure there is pain at times and moderate stiffness and assorted ailments from the exercise. With a memory well attuned to pain after a couple of decades this is nothing compared to when I was doing no exercise.
Over the past three years there have been times when the boundary of my endurance has been pushed in attaining better golf ability. Which then requires a period of recovery before returning to moderate exercise. It is a very fine line between too much and just right. The past three months though my Bowen Therapist was unavailable, so this current situiation was always going to happen eventually even with the regular massage.
Yet three years ago it would have been agony over the period instead of discomfort. Once again golf is a good thing. Except on my bank ballance due to some equipment shopping over the past two months. New shoes, new driver, new hybrid, new driving practise net. Stil;l have food inthe fridge and a rioof over my head so all is tickety boo. Thankyou for your time and attention. "Hit 'em straight all"
Have put my final entries into the Gillette Summer Sports Reporter Comp. Was good to have an additional outlet and motivation to do some extra film clips as well. You can view my 7 entries at the following link;
Gillette Australia Summer Sports Reporter
Just click Gallery and in the search box below Browse Videos enter talart100 and all of my videos will display in a group., Geoff
Today the stiffness is enough to enven make having a chipping session too much to bear. Without ,recomending any products to others who have injury problems there is one in particular rub on gel that works well for me at these times. It has no effect except taking away the pain and that is a major relief and comfort to even just sit here and write.
As has been written before this is not from injury caused by golf instead it is discomfort from existing injuries that are agravated by exersise. As a low impact sport golf has been a beneficial exercise for my body. Sure there is pain at times and moderate stiffness and assorted ailments from the exercise. With a memory well attuned to pain after a couple of decades this is nothing compared to when I was doing no exercise.
Over the past three years there have been times when the boundary of my endurance has been pushed in attaining better golf ability. Which then requires a period of recovery before returning to moderate exercise. It is a very fine line between too much and just right. The past three months though my Bowen Therapist was unavailable, so this current situiation was always going to happen eventually even with the regular massage.
Yet three years ago it would have been agony over the period instead of discomfort. Once again golf is a good thing. Except on my bank ballance due to some equipment shopping over the past two months. New shoes, new driver, new hybrid, new driving practise net. Stil;l have food inthe fridge and a rioof over my head so all is tickety boo. Thankyou for your time and attention. "Hit 'em straight all"
Have put my final entries into the Gillette Summer Sports Reporter Comp. Was good to have an additional outlet and motivation to do some extra film clips as well. You can view my 7 entries at the following link;
Gillette Australia Summer Sports Reporter
Just click Gallery and in the search box below Browse Videos enter talart100 and all of my videos will display in a group., Geoff
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Footyheads Rd 22 review Carlton V Hawthorn
The game that dropped Carlton out of the final 4. Letting West Coast into the double chance position the Blues are relying upon other teams results to get back into the four. A game played out to the very end and a good comeback after the firts half but not good enough at the finish.
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Monday, August 22, 2011
How much is too much?
This is no excuse after all I still came second and had my chances to go one better on the day. Have began to lift the training/exercise routines up again with the club championships and various season trophy rounds beginning from now on into September and October. I played with last seasons club champion on Sunday (6 handicapper) After the front 9, I had a good result of 42 (13 handicap), he had a bad one with 43 off the stick. That is the best example of the gap between us as golfers, reality is that I will be in the “A” grade of our club championships competing against these golfers in matchplay. As much as I will play to win and never give up, My target is to qualify for the final and at best finish 2nd, this may change in the coming month if the current practise does get me to scores of 77-79.
The results from the last coaching session are encouraging, the swing plane, follow through and grip changes in effect now have increased consistency, accuracy and confidence with all shots. The new equipment in Irons and Driver have also combined with the better technique for more improvement. The changed mental attitude is gradually becoming the a comfortable state of game play thanks to the former improvements. Now for the downside of my ability, there is only two. One is my short game it going to take time and that is running short. Chipping is not quite there and getting these shots to drop or finish within ‘gimme’ distance of he hole is a must. The increased GIR in rounds is helping, yet I do not get many birdie putts and end up with scoring easy par. Fine in stroke rounds and general competition, in matchplay I must drop the birdie putts to have any chance against the single figure handicap opponents.
Second downside is a definite ‘shot in the dark’ to not affect my golf. It is not a fitness or training issue per se’, as a result of a motor vehicle accident in the 1980’s my body is pretty well stuffed at times. Generally I can maintain the disabling periods to a bearable level in pain and mobility effect. When returning to golf in 2009 approx. 3 months were lost to injury recovery and not able to play or practise. In 2010 no games were missed and practise was regulated to let the body recuperate. So far in 2011 no rounds missed with injury, using the same practise regulation. Lasting 36 holes though in a day without some injury flare ups, is beyond my physical ability. Yesterday was prime example of what happens when the body screams out, “Enough!” Playing through the pain barrier is nothing unusual to me but once the injuries physically hamper movement, the precision to play good shots cannot remain consistent. That can be covered with handicap allowances in ‘A’ grade, I will be up against guys who are adept at playing with no handicap allowance for most holes (two thirds or less in 18 holes).
The upside is that this is a major motivation for me, c’mon I am a bloke who has the ingrained belief of “nothing is impossible”. What is the worst thing that can happen? Lose a game of golf, that is nothing in the scale of disasters and past things that have affected my life. So look out pain barrier, once again the voices in my head have decided that it is time to push the boundaries again. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”
Geoff
Friday, August 19, 2011
Better equipment is not the key to better golf...
Throughout all of this experimentation with clubs my handicap kept dropping, during the weeks of practise I would deliberately use different irons in practise. Not once in 3 seasons did I have a bad round caused by the equipment. Many golfers have the first hand experience or anecdote passed on by a mate similar to this, “A golfer goes to the club pro and asks if he has the “Insert latest Club design breakthrough” which will fix his “lack of distance/slice/hook”. The club pro says, “No.” Then grabs a persimmon #1 Wood or 20 year old Iron and proceeds to show he can hit is as well as the latest wizz bang design.
Whilst I have now settled on a set of irons my experimentation with drivers and hybrids is still continuing. After the trip to Adelaide this week I called in to the Golf Clearance warehouse for a browse on the travels and picked a Dynacast Fastrax 400cc 10 deg reg. flex Driver and an Acer XPS201, 120cc 17 deg reg. flex Hybrid @ $25 each out of the bargain bin. This is to test out if the change to regular flex in the irons is applicable to my other clubs in the bag. So far this week the driver has definitely been a plus on that level. Admittedly it is 20cc larger than the one it replaced but it certainly feels better in the hands so far, seems to have added distance off the tee in practise as well. The regular flex hybrid has a significantly heavier club head and so far in practise has been okay and on par with the stiff flex hybrid. It was the club head weight that made me choose it as it is similar to the Cobra Bafflers that I have checked out a few times. The regular flex shafts have made me work on my swing rythym and shot playing technique, whilst no longer having to work on getting the swing speed that the stiff shafts needed to be effective. This has made practise and playing a lot more enjoyable. Putting effort now into the ‘art’ of playing that smooth technically correct swing that has distance, accuracy and ease of effort in its execution.
These changes in equipment are all motivated to combine with the changes in my grip and swing from the last coaching session. In the last moth I have built on the coaching with some reading of Steve Elkington’s book “The Five Fundamentals”. From this I have added some more grip drills and knowledge to the direction from the coach. Again the key is to incorporate changes to my golf and still play well. This time though the focus is totally on my technique and gain better accuracy and consistency to be able to drop the 3-4 strokes needed to reach 10hcp. Thankyou for your time and attention all, “Hit ‘em straight” Geoff
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Golf and work go together so well...
Since then I have uploaded my entries in the selection competition at Gillette Australia's Channel Below is a few of my vids. The first done specifically for the competition.
Just returned from Adelaide yesterday and while there was contacted with a follow up from the JAK golf weekend at Eudunda on the 6th and 7th of August. In winning the Legacy competition I garnered and invite to the Governor's Legacy Golf Cup Competition, Glenelg Golf Club, Friday 26th August 2011.
In 2011 Golf Clubs throughout South Australia help Legacy celebrate the 63rd Annual "Governor's Legacy Golf Cup Competition."
It is hoped more than 12000 golfers will take part in local competitions throughout the State in an effort to win a place in the final. This will be held on Friday 26th August, at Glenelg Golf Club when over 190 golfers are expected to compete. Like previous years we are having a shot gun start at 8.30 am to complete the course by Lunch time.
Legacy was started by returned soldiers after the Second World War to support and provide assistance to widows and children of the soldiers who did not survive. This organisation is still a necessity with the current conflicts that Australian soldiers are serving in. It is obviously a worthwhile cause, and I am honoured to have been invited to play again after the JAK weekend.
"Footyhead" was fun to get out and do a live show as, for the first time in a few years. A good laugh and a chance to have a public rave about the best Footy team in the AFL the MIGHTY CARLTON BLUES is always a good time.
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Friday, August 12, 2011
New iron setup works well from the start...
12/8/11 The post delivered my new set of Titleist AP2 710’s yesterday which helped give the day a bit of a lift. Have been under the influence of a coughing, sneezing cold for the past 3 days, cannot even recall the last time I had a cold in fact. “Free plug for Flu shots flaming good value.” It is not that bad, more of an irritation than debilitating illness. Even so that disgusting four letter word... “WORK” had me inside until 2pm before I could get out and have a hit with the irons.
First off a bit of a whack on the practise fairway with 40 balls to get a feel for the ‘fitted’ sticks. The stiff flex Bridgestone J33’s have gone to a new home in WA and I have had the AP2 set supplied with R300 Dynamic Gold shafts, + 1 inch in length. As the fitting said was better suited for me. As I do with all of my iron sets, a throw back to when I began playing golf, then followed 9 holes with irons only. Front 9 and a 44 off the stick and 2 bad putts and a thin hit 7 iron cost a 41-42. It was a windy day and a real effort on 4 holes hitting into a strong wind with a #3iron off the tee, 155m to 165m were the longest drives. The R300 flex shafts though made the shots possible with ease and are definitely better for my 76-80 mph swing speed.
Noticeable changes on the course, the shorter irons 8-PW have all picked up some distance, will take a little adjusting to from 50-100m range. Used the 3-5 irons and one 7 iron, in the nine holes and again the distance hit was not the real import it was the ease of hitting the ball that mattered. The putter has to get a mention after the experience on the scrapes last week. After the first three holes I was back into the putting groove, but had added 2 extra shots on the score. Final result was 4 pars, 2 bogies and 3 double bogies.
Now for the bit that has me going to purgatory... The AP2’s are OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) irons from the manufacturer in China. Make no mistake this purchase was well researched, even so it was a calculated risk on my part. With that knowledge behind me I was confident that no matter what, for the price negotiated the irons are copies. The irons I have purchased do have serial numbers, the quality of the iron heads is okay and the expected product labelling is perfect. My AP2’s have “Made in USA” DG R300 stickers on the shafts.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”, Geoff
First off a bit of a whack on the practise fairway with 40 balls to get a feel for the ‘fitted’ sticks. The stiff flex Bridgestone J33’s have gone to a new home in WA and I have had the AP2 set supplied with R300 Dynamic Gold shafts, + 1 inch in length. As the fitting said was better suited for me. As I do with all of my iron sets, a throw back to when I began playing golf, then followed 9 holes with irons only. Front 9 and a 44 off the stick and 2 bad putts and a thin hit 7 iron cost a 41-42. It was a windy day and a real effort on 4 holes hitting into a strong wind with a #3iron off the tee, 155m to 165m were the longest drives. The R300 flex shafts though made the shots possible with ease and are definitely better for my 76-80 mph swing speed.
Noticeable changes on the course, the shorter irons 8-PW have all picked up some distance, will take a little adjusting to from 50-100m range. Used the 3-5 irons and one 7 iron, in the nine holes and again the distance hit was not the real import it was the ease of hitting the ball that mattered. The putter has to get a mention after the experience on the scrapes last week. After the first three holes I was back into the putting groove, but had added 2 extra shots on the score. Final result was 4 pars, 2 bogies and 3 double bogies.
Now for the bit that has me going to purgatory... The AP2’s are OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) irons from the manufacturer in China. Make no mistake this purchase was well researched, even so it was a calculated risk on my part. With that knowledge behind me I was confident that no matter what, for the price negotiated the irons are copies. The irons I have purchased do have serial numbers, the quality of the iron heads is okay and the expected product labelling is perfect. My AP2’s have “Made in USA” DG R300 stickers on the shafts.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”, Geoff
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
JAK Tournament weekend
A 9 hole course with 18 tee blocks, the lay of the land at the Eudunda course is a good variation of up and down hill fairways and greens. Well ‘blacks’ in truth as the course has scrapes for the putting surface on each hole. This was the downfall for my Sunday round, although on the Saturday I dropped a few birdie putts in the Ambrose Competition. Playing up and down hills and across gullies was very enjoyable. The weather on the Sunday was not too much wind, rain and hail for my liking on the course, matched with the 2 hour drive to get there and play my energy level was not at its best.
Perhaps the most interesting revelation was my reaction to the crowded field on the Sunday. On the previous day it was not a concern waiting on the tee for groups in front to play on. In the 18 hole stroke competition my demeanour was impatient and ramped up into the usual tournament attitude. The continuous waiting on the tee and on the fairway for 5-10 minutes at a time had me completely frazzled. Then it started to hail after 7 or so holes, which fortunately we avoided by making a run for the clubhouse and an early lunch when the black clouds began to build.
During lunch I decided that the day was not going to be fun if I attempted to maintain the ‘tourney playing’ attitude. So once back out on the course it became one of hit and have fun trying out shots that would usually not be attempted in a comp. This worked and I finished the day happy and laughing and with some bonuses in my stroke play. This week though the first thing will be to get on the putting green and get some form. The scrapes were a total waste of time for me to experience, to be honest I had more fun putting on them unscraped and with all the bumps and ridges left in place. Slow and with the ball pulling up rapidly it worked best for me just belting the ball at the hole and then tapping in.
The weekend did have a high though, after the winning result in the Ambrose Competition, from a countback in a 3 way tie at 5 under. Particularly satisfying as it got the name of my mate whose father is whom the JAK weekend and trophy is named after on the winners shield. For all the competitiveness in golf the heart of the game is in the socialising and people I play with and meet.
This week is going to be broken up with another trip to Adelaide Thursday then back Friday for a meeting, got out yesterday for a hit with 60 balls. Went well in fact some good distance and accuracy especially pleased with that and the putting can get a run this arvo. This weekend is the Monthly Medal and 1st round of the Gallerie Trophy should be fun as long as it does not rain. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”
Geoff
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Reshafted 60 degree wedge...
4/8/11 Sitting in the house as it rains up in the Adelaide hills about to head off to Angaston for a couple of days with G/f then work and golf gig. Have decided to stay another day and return to Eudunda on the Sunday to play the second day of the comp. after the Ambrose on the Saturday.
Did slip down to the driving range this morning and put in an hour and a half chipping, bunker practise and irons and drivers. It is relaxing not having to pick up all the balls after having a hit. Gave the “new” addition to the bag a good work out to and very impressed.
Have had a 60 degree wedge for a while that never felt good in the hands, so it stayed in the dust gathering corner. Last week pulled the shaft and replaced it with a 6 iron shaft (short one about 33.5”) Now it is in the bag the extra length suits me just right in stance and accuacy is where I want it to be. Great out of the sand bunkers too so this is a bonus club my bag needed.
Should be fit enough and have an idea after the round what the course is like to have a crack. Ambrose is a great social way to wander around the course and get a good look at it with out being buried in playing the game.
Have a great weekend all, Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight”
Geoff
Did slip down to the driving range this morning and put in an hour and a half chipping, bunker practise and irons and drivers. It is relaxing not having to pick up all the balls after having a hit. Gave the “new” addition to the bag a good work out to and very impressed.
Have had a 60 degree wedge for a while that never felt good in the hands, so it stayed in the dust gathering corner. Last week pulled the shaft and replaced it with a 6 iron shaft (short one about 33.5”) Now it is in the bag the extra length suits me just right in stance and accuacy is where I want it to be. Great out of the sand bunkers too so this is a bonus club my bag needed.
Should be fit enough and have an idea after the round what the course is like to have a crack. Ambrose is a great social way to wander around the course and get a good look at it with out being buried in playing the game.
Have a great weekend all, Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight”
Geoff
Monday, August 01, 2011
Disaster avoided in the Kingston Open...
1/8/11 The weather was a gem for the Kingston SE Open event on Sunday, sunshine and enough wind to make the game a little more interesting in club and shot selection. The course was in fine condition as well the Kingston members have been working long and hard the past three years in redeveloping the layout and there is only one new laid green left to be brought into action. The addition of mounds on the fairways has been a very effective playing condition adjustment for golfers. Players have to plan their shots and take into account the various hazards of mounds and grass bunkers. It takes some intelligent play and for golfers the challenge is enjoyable.
Some holes give the option of playing over doglegs to the hole or take a safer path it is all up to a players choice and ability. Myself, the confidence to attack to that level is not quite there, it was a definite consideration on a couple of holes yesterday. Playing with another 14 hcp, a 9 and 10 hcp it was a good social group and ability wise mix. The other 14 handicapper had a 38 on the front 9 where as I could not get my game into a steady rythym for the second week in a row. Finishing with a 47 on the front 9 started with a (+3) 7 on the first it was head down to get that back and a +2 on the 3rd did not help the come back. Even so I was firing on all cylinders and looking good until the 9th hole. Hit the green with my second, distance of 140 m and saw the ball bounce up from the surface and felt good even though at a guess it was likely to have rolled through. The green itself was not veiwable, being a sunken one. Very disapointed to get there and see the plug mark at the front and the ball 40 m further on in trees and rough, hard greens do make GIR difficult work and the hole was another 6 (+2) in the end. Did think that a par was goingto come from the 9th and set my charge on the back 9.
After lunch and seeing the 38 by the other 14 handicapper for the first time I recall deciding to chase another players score. Dropped all the conservative ideas and went for the gold. Was not the perfect round possible made a few mistakes, only one clanger, for a 42 and a gross 89 Nett 75. The putting was hard work all day, fast greens and did not have any three putts. Was pleased to finally end the round and let the brain have a rest. Quick greens that do not break until the ball has almost stopped can be very tricky, broke the group 9 handicapper’s game wide open with 4 three putts. On my part playing away from the home track in 2010 has educated me in playing on faster greens, the benefits are helping me this season.
In retrospect the round was a definitive example of getting over the hurdles that can obstruct success. It would have been simple to have just gone through the motions on the last nine holes and enjoyed the day. Instead I attacked at every opportunity, from that attitude came the birdie on the 11th hole. The end result was the facts, fantasy is the several near miss putts that out numbered the clanger putts 4 to 1. After the first hole and the third, my shots off the tee were all fairway bound and to position. A couple of chips did not carry or went too far, due to the change from the blade (Bridgestone J33’s) to the heavier cavity backs. Was not too far off the pace either (in handicap results) at the end of the competition in A grade either.By the time the AP2 turn up I will have played another few rounds with the old clubs before making the final change in equipment.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all.”, Geoff
Some holes give the option of playing over doglegs to the hole or take a safer path it is all up to a players choice and ability. Myself, the confidence to attack to that level is not quite there, it was a definite consideration on a couple of holes yesterday. Playing with another 14 hcp, a 9 and 10 hcp it was a good social group and ability wise mix. The other 14 handicapper had a 38 on the front 9 where as I could not get my game into a steady rythym for the second week in a row. Finishing with a 47 on the front 9 started with a (+3) 7 on the first it was head down to get that back and a +2 on the 3rd did not help the come back. Even so I was firing on all cylinders and looking good until the 9th hole. Hit the green with my second, distance of 140 m and saw the ball bounce up from the surface and felt good even though at a guess it was likely to have rolled through. The green itself was not veiwable, being a sunken one. Very disapointed to get there and see the plug mark at the front and the ball 40 m further on in trees and rough, hard greens do make GIR difficult work and the hole was another 6 (+2) in the end. Did think that a par was goingto come from the 9th and set my charge on the back 9.
After lunch and seeing the 38 by the other 14 handicapper for the first time I recall deciding to chase another players score. Dropped all the conservative ideas and went for the gold. Was not the perfect round possible made a few mistakes, only one clanger, for a 42 and a gross 89 Nett 75. The putting was hard work all day, fast greens and did not have any three putts. Was pleased to finally end the round and let the brain have a rest. Quick greens that do not break until the ball has almost stopped can be very tricky, broke the group 9 handicapper’s game wide open with 4 three putts. On my part playing away from the home track in 2010 has educated me in playing on faster greens, the benefits are helping me this season.
In retrospect the round was a definitive example of getting over the hurdles that can obstruct success. It would have been simple to have just gone through the motions on the last nine holes and enjoyed the day. Instead I attacked at every opportunity, from that attitude came the birdie on the 11th hole. The end result was the facts, fantasy is the several near miss putts that out numbered the clanger putts 4 to 1. After the first hole and the third, my shots off the tee were all fairway bound and to position. A couple of chips did not carry or went too far, due to the change from the blade (Bridgestone J33’s) to the heavier cavity backs. Was not too far off the pace either (in handicap results) at the end of the competition in A grade either.By the time the AP2 turn up I will have played another few rounds with the old clubs before making the final change in equipment.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all.”, Geoff
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