Golf Practise is what works not procrastination..

Friday afternoon joined in the 9 hole Chicken Run competition for the first time in a few weeks. Needed to have a social round as well as put the recent training and practise to the test in a competition. Had been a gradual loosening up since returning home on Wednesday using the DreamSwing to full effect and getting the swing consistency established. Soon had the irons on song in the first day, the driver was a two day process. The tightness from travelling and a little involuntary self protection was the fault. Had a slice/fade that was caused by swinging with the arms and not rotating the body at the hips during the swing. This is not a new thing for me it is caused by reaction to a long time injury. Sure enough once I had worked through the tune up and got to the Driver fix it took nothing more than making a conscious effort to stop the slice. Short game fault was also caused by the same problem and was fixed as well. End result was an easy 18 stableford point score in the Chicken Run. Today will put in a 30 min session in the morning and afternoon just to keep the golf tuned up. Playing 18 holes on Sunday at Robe before the first round of the Southern Port Golf tournament at Beachport on Monday. Did make one other game change using the Cobra S3 irons again. It was not planned more a whim to compare them with my reshafted Ap2 irons. Once again the Cobras feel much better balanced and with more 'touch'so it is likely they will be in the bag for Southern Ports Golf Week. Hit the ball, find the ball , hit the ball. Thankyou for your time and attention Geoff

2014 Masters Games at Naracoorte

2014 Masters Games at Naracoorte from the 3rd to the 7th of April. Will be registering for the event next week and looking forward to enjoying the golfing competition again. Hopefully will do a little batter than in 2011.

Sport Levy: $50pp Coordinator: Aaron Osman aaron.p.osman@gmail.com and Marlene Bull Email: bullfish1@bigpond.com 0428 622 181 Age Groups: Men's and Ladies: 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74 and 75+ Dates: Friday, April 4 - Shotgun Start - 2 person Nominated Ambrose (no fixed gender category) Combined Age: 70-99, 100-129, 130+ Saturday, April 5 - 18 of 36 Hole Championship Stroke Round - Men's and Ladies: 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74 and 75+ Sunday, April 6 - Second 18 of 36 Hole Championship Stroke Round - Men's and Ladies: 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74 and 75+ Social Activities: Dinner and Drinks Saturday Night at Naracoorte Golf Club Venue: Naracoorte Golf Club, Riddoch Hwy, Naracoorte Food & Refreshments available at venue http://www.naracoortemastersgames2014.com.au/sports.html Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

A win in more ways than one...

Tuesday 11th Feb. In the past three seasons by this time of he year I have been in dedicated training for the Southern Ports Golf Week which begins on the last Saturday of February (for the past 39 years.) If it was not for the shoulder injury that would have been exactly what would have n\been my golfing experience since December. Instead I have barely picked up a club and this weekend was my second competitive round for 2014. It is a new development that my attitude has been revamped and invigorated with the simple pleasure of being able to get out and just play golf again. The Ace last week has added an even stronger belief that I can do anything on a golf course and we all know how important confidence is for the game. This past weekend I went out and enjoyed the round and won the competition as well. Golf is not a game that requires superb fitness to play well. Thankfully, as athletic prowess is not something I have much of. Over the last three holes I was definitely flagging in strength and condition, much better stamina than last week though. While it is not a game requiring excellent fitness, I believe that 'match conditioning' is needed to play good golf and that is not about athleticism. As I once again am going through a period of physical rehabilitation and recovery, about the 60th time since 1982 it feels as good as can be expected. Definitely believe and feel this recovery is enhanced by the much improved fitness and condition from playing golf and associated exercise since 2009. The anger at having to do physical rehabilitation again is not diminished, let's not go there and risk collateral damage. I do channel the energy of anger into my motivation. It is very powerful and has to be tempered so it does not create one of those painful golfing dickhead personas on the course. I am a very happy person always. It is a lot more fun using anger for golfing motivation today than it was 20 years ago when using it as energy to be able to get out of bed or just walk along a street. Warning using the 'No Pain No Gain' adage at me will deliver a kick to your groin and a beaming smile from me, while saying "Pleased to be able to help you." Always good to get that darkness out of my system and get on to the next step forward. Today is the follow up chiropractic treatment and the improvement since last week have been excellent. so much so that I am know starting to plan the Golf Week strategy with a belief that winning is possible again. My major game concern is the start of a gay fade off the tee block has began to feature. That is caused by the physical shoulder damage and should not be a major problem to overcome in the next two weeks. That long running problem with poor green in regulation statistics has been improved since returning to play in the past two weeks. The limited practise I have done was with the 7-8 irons hitting 20 odd balls without any pressure. which has carried over to my competition play. Chipping is poor at the minute. Simply as I have not been able to endure the required amount of repetitive practise to get consistent of late. Yet with these failings my golfing is good enough to win as I am playing confidently and not trying to "play out of my skin". All I can rationalise it down to is the hiatus in playing has let my game settle down and be refreshed mentally. The improvements from using the Dreamswing in 2013 are now seen as my usual game and not the 'new' game that was always being mentally noted while playing last season. Hit the ball, find the ball , hit the ball. Thankyou for your time and attention Geoff

Hole in one today!!!

Sunday 2nd February. Hole in One Day! Yes dear readers today I achieved one of golfs holy grail's for players. Surprised of course, watched the ball fly towards the hole hit the edge of the green pop up into the air and bounce on the full into the hole. A #4 Hybrid on the fourth hole a 165 metre par three.

I think this was my first 18 hole competition outing in 6 to 8 weeks at least. Resting up recovering from injuries and busy with work as well has curtailed even practice sessions of late. Today a mild 34 degrees and free from work commitments so I bit the bullet and decided to get out and enjoy a social competition round. You know that you are respected when the captain comes up introduces himself and proceeds to tell you that golf requires holding the rubber handle bit and hit the ball with the club shaped bit. The greens keeper asks if you have paid your green fees as that is required by visitors when playing on the course. Put the pressure on for the rest of the round, after scoring the trick shot. I had a sudden ramping up of pride in not wanting to get the ace and then score 30 points. It was flaming hard work the injuries were tender and had a decent limp with the right groin and hamstring at the limit by the 18th. The dodgy shoulder was totalled after the 16th. Yet the never give up attitude had me throw everything into the last hole, best drive of the day 250m +, green in regulation almost a birdie and finished with a 3 point par and 37 points.

Once again failure to get greens in regulation was the weakness in my game. Struggled with chipping and still not disappointed considering the lack of recent practise. Sitting here well fueled with cider, ice packs on shoulder and proud that I rose to the occasion, hurting or not to play as well as i did. Pride may be something others frown upon I do not. Today I aced a hole and tried my best to score well to do this justice. Thankyou for your time and attention. Hit the ball, find the ball, get it out of the hole and do a happy dance. Thankyou for your time and attention , Geoff