Monday, September 28, 2015

Back to back Handicap Championship defence...

Golfing is at a very comfortable level for me at the minute.This weekend I won the Handicap Championship semi final and that has me through to the final play-off for the championship in a couple of weeks. It is a repeat of last season with the same opponent except his handicap is a lot less that a year ago. To win on Sunday had me play at my best capability to win 2 up with 1 to play after giving 16 strokes to the opponent. Scoring a 77 off the stick and playing to an 8 handicap which is my best score reached a few times in the past season. Very satisfied with the win and that I can play to an 8 handicap every 4-6 weeks. The improvement in my game is supported with fitness. Currently 3 kg in weight lost and another 5 kg to go at the minute. There are still moments of frustration that pass as always. The continued effort to improve at golf is a major benefit to my life in general. There is no way I could maintain the motivation for fitness and improving my physical being with out the outlet of playing golf. Thank you for your time and attention Geoff

Monday, September 14, 2015

Winning score and long drives at last...

The recent break has refreshed my golf on both physical and mental levels. The improved weather has been a major assistance in playing better also. the last weeks I played it was a battle against the elements, then the effort needed to hit the ball being added.
The weekend past almost by accident without any dedicated decision to make it happen another improvement settled into my game. Every now and then I would take a full back-swing in practise and never in any serious mind set to add to my golf. This was a definite no go area for me mentally and physically to ensure no more damage or pain added to long term injury. My ongoing conversation about training and improving fitness revolves around improving my health from an accident many years ago. The golf is an added bonus which benefits from the effort and is also a sensational benchmark. It has been obvious for some time that my flexibility, movement and strength in all the right places has been improved. During Saturday's round I was hitting the ball well, having fun and enjoying the fine weather. As the day progressed it became obvious that my drives were only 2-3 metres behind one of the big hitting playing partners. Whilst it was noticed my mind was on the game being played and not one aspect. Until the last hole a par 5 and we were desperate for units. I deliberately got up to hit a bomb on the tee. Which I did, still not good enough to win the unit, the big hitting was noticed by the rest of the group and that was the reason I took particular note of it. Sunday's round I did set out with the full knowledge that on the tee I was going to be taking the bigger back swing all day. Even now it is a surprise that is sinking in that I did it all day with accuracy and consistent long distance. What really hit home was how easy it felt, effortless in fact. The ball just flew so much further with out any noticeable addition on my behalf. To be able to espouse satisfaction and enjoyment at the observation of a game improvement is one thing. To have played and won on the day is what give it credence.I relied upon my ability on the day to play consistent and winning golf. Thank you for your time and attention Geoff

Tuesday, September 01, 2015

Good scores and good fitness go hand in hand

Have been off the golf course for the past few weeks and refreshing my fitness in fact. I believe that golf is a game that does suit people who are not athletes 100%. In my own situation every time I improve my fitness my golf improves s well. Since returning to the game in 2009 my fitness has probably improved 100% plus. I still have limitations from injuries and that is part of the motivation to improve physically. Without doubt that has happened because of golf that is from my GP and the physical therapists I use to keep in tune. Footy fitness would be terrific in my case to achieve but I could not do that level of training without various part breaking down. At the minute I am in reasonable condition. Played the first 18 hole comp. round in a fortnight and finished with 80 gross and square in a par round. Physically I was tiring towards the end though and that cost me a better score. A few weeks ago I realised that it was time to stop. Was loving playing golf bu could not maintain the effort consistently. Surprisingly after a few Chiro and Bowen treatments the cause was one that had been a goal for some years. I have improved myself physically in movement and flexibility to the stage that I am now able to move and use bits that have been stagnant for 20 odd years. In the competition round Sunday my drives were all on the 220 metre mark and yes there were a couple even longer. That 220m is usually my maximum, not my average and was done effortlessly. The freedom of being able to swing and my hips move through the shot has added the distance to all clubs, WOW is still the reaction to the drives. Now that I am back playing it is the less is more program again. Play a couple of 9 hole rounds and one 18 hole round each week will be the plan or this settling in period. Back on the diet plan as well with 1.5kg dropped in the past 2 weeks so far. Walking 40 minutes every morning except golf days. At this stage last season, I was barely functioning with so many sore bits. This year even though I needed to have a two week break I am travelling 80% better. Working on my fitness is the key combined with the weight loss is the foundation for season 2016 already begun. In 2014 I was so broken down that I could not pick up a golf club from November to February. That will not be the case this year and I am going to be very cautious and stick to my tried and proven plan that has developed in the past six years. Reason is that I have crept out to 10,9 hcp in the past two months after getting to 9.8. The only ambition for the rest of the season is to consolidate the single digit handicap. Thankyou for your time and attention Geoff