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
Saturday, February 12, 2011
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
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
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