Best score in a competition so far...

Monday 21/3/11 The past few weeks since the end of Southern Ports my scorecards have not been that good. The two trips to Naracoorte in particular had returned the worst scores in some time. Even though this was competitive competition, playing at Naracoorte is effectively to familiarise myself with a new track for the Masters games. As stated in my last post the benefit that has came from playing other courses always has been a refreshing of my approach to the home track at Robe.

This weekend was no exception to this, as I played on Sunday in the home competition after the poor score the day before. This was to see how well I could front up on two consecutive days of competition golf. This second day of golf resulted in my best ever score off the stick in a competition game. Finishing the day with a Front 9 - 40, Back 9 - 41, a Gross 81 with 30 putts. This score was good enough for third place on the day, that was a bonus. To have played this well and still have a 2-3 shot improvement possible is so satisfying after feeling a little despondent and considering a two to three day golf break to freshen up on recent results. Using the Handicap Predictor on Golf Link my handicap is going to drop 1 stroke to a 14.

The break is still an option for the start of this week. In the meantime replaying the shots that yesterday brought home the score and how much these are a result from the experiences at Naracoorte. Without the doglegs and being able to play long off the tee with out endangering my ability to play a clear second shot, I was off to a flying start. First benefit from Naracoorte in the shot playing, was the improved accuracy with the driver, the best in recent memory that can compare to my best practise sessions. Second shots were hitting the green in regulation and four chip shots in particular landed literally on the target spot chosen for the green. Putting was a revelation and in part a concern possibly, 15 on each nine and the reading of the greens was so easy with the familiar home course.



Today the sticks can be cleaned and no swings will happen at all. In the afternoon I have a Bowen Therapy appointment to fix up some muscle strains and realign my back. Tomorrow I am considering a trip to Naracoorte just to play the front 9. The rounds there have been away to good starts on the first four holes and then breaking down. Ambling around by myself I can take my time and get a definite sighting of the last five fairways and derive a playing strategy for them. At the minute the reshafted blades are proof that the choice was correct, having scored 82,83 and an 84 with the previous iron set in recent weeks, this new set have gone straight on with the job so they are definitely not a hindrance. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”Geoff

Second Round at Naracoorte

Sunday 20/3/11 The return visit to Naracoorte Golf Course has been another step in my learning curve. Last season was the first time that I made the trips around the region to play in various club opens. This was a definite benefit to my game, playing on very different greens and course layouts that are far removed from the home track and the adjoining Kingston SE and Beachport courses. Playing at Naracoorte is opening my mind up and surprising me in my acquired golf knowledge that is being used to decipher the experience.


I am not a self taught golfer, having taken a few very valuable lessons. The practise which is my biggest assist in the game is all derived from the club professional lessons, reading coaching guides and developing a structure from them to use as a routine. What is now becoming apparent is the ‘strategic’ game I am begining to prepare before playing a round. It was obvious with the Southern Ports preparation how I studied and played the courses, and noticable was the worst score was at my home course. The Naracoorte Course is similar to many around the region and there are often winners and place-getters from this club in various Opens. My game is one that struggles at these ‘inland’ tracks. The factors that affect me most are 1) The Gum trees, they are high and thick between fairways, 2) Undulating fairways and not able to see the greens from the tee block. (Both these are not features at the home track.) 3) Greens are very different course to course, that is part of golf and I can deal with that.

The previous may seem to be a long preamble to the result, another poor one, yet better than the week before. this time a Stableford round; Front 9- 11 points and Back nine- 16 (only one three putt) for a total of 27 points with three wipes and 5- 1 point holes. As with the weeek before the front 9 took me to the wall. After the first 2 holes; 4 points, then a wipe followed by a 3 pointer, having 7 points after 4 holes I was in a good position. Then to get only 4 points from the next 5 holes was a disaster, score wise. This was the result of the same errors the week before, just could not stay on the fairway off the tee. The course has several par 4 and 5 doglegs that are 160-200 m from the tee to the turn. High gum trees of course mean that shooting accross the corner is beyond the ability of most 15 Hcp golfers. The best % is to shoot to the turn and play from there and that is my approach.

The fairways are a bit tight and I have again gone too long or to the left or right into the trees and had to play sideways out on to the fairways. My accuracy off the tee here has been very poor, on the back 9 same as the week before I threw caution to the wind and unshackled my game. It does not yet make sense as to “why” for the past two weeks my game becomes constipated on the Front 9 here and how on the Back 9 I can make a conscious decision to release the shot playing, attack the holes and improve!?

The rounds at Naracoorte two weeks in succession are part of the preparation for the Masters Games golf competition played at the beginning of April. This is the first time that making a significant change in my playing style due to a course is needed. It had became obvious that after playing at Kingston and Beachport that my game on the home course had became lazy as well. The saying ‘Familiarity breeds contempt’ is an apt turn of phrase for this. After playing away it was like having blinkers removed at the Robe course seeing how my shot selection was almost blase’. This has resulted in playing shots that had lower % of success and blowout double bogie scores are becoming a regular feature on the scorecard.

Today fronting up to play 18 holes at Robe, again as a trial for the Masters, am I up to playing two serious competitive rounds in two days. More comfortable with the new graphite shafted blades after a week and will test the distances that I can now achieve with them without any experimenting. Did do a few trials at Naracoorte yesterday but that was irrelevant to the bad scoring. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”  Geoff

Another step forward....

Friday 18/3/11 Sometimes Golf seems to bring out the 'inner parking inspector' in people. There is something in this game which releases an officious know all gene in some people. It is a matter of not being put off and if there is a dispute raise it in the club house at the end of the round and get a match committee ruling on it before signing your card.

Unfortunately the incident and its ramifications must be sorted as soon as possible. Allowing the rest of the round to be completed, with a semblance of harmony. I have never had to play a round of golf which has been affected by a ruling dispute or an irritating player. Yet it is sure to happen one day, that is the law of averages lol. Generally speaking playing partners are not a distraction to me I try to be as civil as possible whilst buried in that 'GOLF WORLD' in my mind as the round unfolds.



Being a conversant and chatty playing partner can be a major task for me at times, my brain is wired in that way. Always make the effort to join in with the group, of late though in winding down from Southern Ports my game has been very erratic. Practise has been very good technically and result wise. As a person an effort has been made to relax and not dwell on the result. The future beckons, starting with getting used to the graphite shafted blades that have been in the bag this week.



Performance wise, adjusting to the longer distance and retaining the accuracy that had became the norm with my last iron set is paramount. The short game around the green is still good, the short irons from 50m - 150m has been altered dramatically. Never been a long hitter with my irons compared to many of my peers. Wedge from 50m was a big call now I am using it effectively out to 70-80 m. This increase has been transferred through my irons out to the #5.



The #3 and #4 irons are still in the same effective distances 160-190m that is no problem and depending on the conditions and hole being played the #3 and #5 Woods come into consideration with these distances. As I played only with irons in 2009 I have no favourites and use them all happily. The recent changes including better swing technique, fitness and consistency are complimented with benefits from the better 'touch' of the blades with graphite shafts. It is like having 20 clubs in the bag with the flexibility available from this latest club configuration.This month is looming as another that will deliver some more moments of note in the golf adventure. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all” Geoff

New Shafts on old Blades

Wednesday 16/3/11 Took the trip to Naracoorte and played in the Saturday 18 hole Summer Open event without any success on the scorecard. Finished 12th in the “B” Grade after a day of below average putting even for my standard. Was not perturbed about the poor showing, the course had a few hazards for me on the front 9 that considering this was my first visit took me over the expected result. On the Back 9 the Driver was left in the bag and #3 Metal took over the tee shots with good effect. My scores were a 52 and a 47 with at least 40 Putts a gross 99 and nett 84 in total.




The greens were not what was expected , finding out afterwards that this was the 4th consecutive day of competition on the course being the reason. Unfortunately my body was also not travelling well either. A flare up of accident injuries took their toll on the scorecard as well. All things considered the score was bad but the experience was not without merit. As part of my preparation for the Masters Games played on this course in April, it was good trial. At this stage another Naracoorte trip will be on for me Saturday, must admit that my pride has been a little dented with the first experience and I am out for a rematch with the course.



This coming round will be my first with the latest set of irons to grace my bag. Picked up a set of Nike Stiff Flex Graphite shafts from ebay and have fitted them to an old set of Keith Knox blades purchased last year. Previously the shafts were too short and as much as I enjoyed practising with them they were unacceptable for serious competition. Was tempted to take them to Naracoorte last week but the glue needed another day to cure. Since Monday they have been given a thorough trial on the course and in practise, proving very satisfactory. My ball striking has improved significantly and the transition to blades is now beginning. Tomorrow I will play 9 holes of serious social golf with a regular sparring partner (off 13) only two strokes separate us now, a long way from thedays when I was on 27+. Has always been a benefit for my game having serious practise rounds with this fella. Tomorrow will be the last chance to have a hit as he is returning to Tasmania.



It is a delight to hit 20 balls and see them fly straight and true to a target area ranging from 50 to 150 metres. The choice of graphite shafts came from trialing a set of 2010 Taylor Made Burner irons. The ball left the club face so well and the distance was a surprise for the lack of effort used to play shots. The same applies to the Knox blades and graphite shaft combination. The lightness of the irons in total together with the touch and accuracy is a marked improvement on the previous set. It is still a particular pleasure to experience the improved shot making skills in my game now. Even with the erratic putting which will improve over time with practise. Seems like yesterday when I used to spray balls left/right, topped or hit them fat with iron shots.

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