Southern Ports Golf Week Rd 2 at Beachport

1/3/12 Thursday. After the second round at Beachport my score had improved but once again poor putting combined with poor tee shots cut my round out of contention. With only one triple putt for a bogie a marked improvement on the Kingston SE round. It was the several lip out putts that cost me 4-5 strokes combined with a driver which went off the fairway too often. Having to play five shots to get back onto the fairway that effectively killed off the potential to score well. With a gross 91 for a nett 78 with 32 putts this put me in a mid 20’s placing still much better than many and not a disaster.

The final round on Friday at Robe is going to feature gusting winds on the coastal course. Again I am expecting to play better than the previous two rounds, this is not blind optimism. It has been a very beneficial experience, having pushed my physical boundaries in preparing to play in the 2012 tournament that was in itself well worth it to now have a better swing. As always when playing golf the social conversation often goes around to golf matters and chatting with single figure golfers again has delivered more vital knowledge. This time though I am competing in the same grade albeit at the tail end of the handicaps in A Grade on 13. The importance is that now I am in a position ability wise to begin making the move down the numbers and play at a much improved level.

Not forgetting that there are differences between ‘my game’ and any other golfers game, the process is not about aping another golfers game to improve. In fact there has been one epiphany during this week which I will describe after the tournament is over. The whole series has been great fun and not a single bit of bad attitude or complaining about the condition of fairways, greens etc. has come from me. Unlike others who have not performed well either and started that self destructive blame game on all of the various outside influences which have affected their game.

Today I am going out with the same attacking game plan for my home course with form that has improved over the week. The mental attitude has not faltered through the week, the fact is that I am not good enough yet, to be able to play successfully among this level of competition. With that simple reality not being ignored on my part already the planning has began for the rest of 2012 to improve the standard of golf I play to be competitive. dear readers I am a hungry b@st@rd when it comes to the desire to play good golf and win. The game play goal is to develop the ability and quality of golf played that can support my desire for success. Golf is great fun to play, win or lose there is always a new challenge to create that adds to the enjoyment. Thankyou for your time and attention. “Hit ‘em straight all.”

, Geoff

Tournament Round One played at Kingston...

28/2/12 Tuesday. First round played at Kingston SE on Monday and whilst the weather was fine the scores apart from one golfer with a nett 72 were below expectations. Including my own score which I was happy with considering that once on the green the putting was poor. After having three putted thrice in the round there was nothing much else that was notable in the rounds errors. Then on the 18th hole inexplicably I had an 8, taking no penalties just could not get the ball on the green after two good shots on the par five. Replaying the strokes in my mind I have no explanation why, after having no problems and actually having a run of pars on the back nine.

A mental brain explosion took me from an acceptable 76-77 nett finish to a 79. That is not even bothering me, the score is a fact now and whilst a better one would be preferred I can deal with this starting number. Last season I was similarly placed after the opening round of Southern Ports, certainly it was not best start but it is not the end of the challenge. Played to the game plan for each hole throughout the round, putting was a failure could not get any rythym, front nine was short or wide with misreads. Frustrating day on the course considering that the play was all on target after the first 3 holes. It took me a little by surprise for those first hole hitting through the green unexpectedly. This was easily fixed simply by taking a club less on approach shots.

The table has one player on Nett 69, 73 and 73. Followed with five on 74, four on 75 and five on 78 then myself in the five on 79. Tomorrow is at Beachport and the weather prediction is a return to the windy coastal conditions that are familiar to the local players. his will have no bearing on my game as I have the game plan already for this course. Chose to rest up today and relax, starting work at 5.30am, finishing work around 12.30. The Bridgestone iron have slotted into use with ease, better than expected in truth. The Driver improvements held up well throughout the day, good enough for me to play a consistent round with at Beachpport and try and pick up some strokes on the current leaders. Thankyou for your time and attention. “Hit ‘em straight all”

 Geoff

Tournament starts tomorrow...

26/2/12 Sunday. Southern Ports Golf week is underway with the various Pinehurst foursome events on Saturday at Beachport and Robe and today at Kingston SE. These rounds are more relaxed and give visitors the opportunity to play the courses before the various grade competitions begin on Monday. The heat on Saturday took a toll on the various fields with 32 degrees and humid conditions not all that pleasant. Today the humidity remained, as the day progressed the temperature became cooler there was only a smattering of rain drops. It certainly did not reach the predicted 35 C.

Monday the Kingston SE weather is cooler still 16-23 degrees and 1-5mm of rain. 14 to 22 kmph wind speed is nothing difficult to play in either. Being aware of the weather conditions is not usually a consideration to my playing golf or not. With a three day tournament I have to pace myself, hence today I played a morning 9 holes and then spent the day doing practise sessions on the short game, putting and a selection of long and short irons. First off tomorrow will be restocking the bar and having it all ready for the volunteers to man for the C grade Women and Mens events at Robe. Then having a warm up session prior to driving the 42 km to play.

Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Unexpected purchase of a new iron set...

23/2/12 Thursday. Went into the CBD and got the work side of the trip out of the way early this morning in Adelaide. This was to beat the heat as it was going to get into the low 30's which for us country dwellers on the Limestone Coast is a little uncomfortable in a cityscape.

Then as many golfers do I went for an amble through golf stores on the way to the Drummond range on Tapleys Hill Road. Dropped into the Golf Locker on South Road a clearance warehouse style store which is being revamped at the minute. This has been a good place for getting the bargain priced clubs that I have been experimenting with over the years. Had decided to get a wedge to use around the green and replace the SW that has been the tool used for that job. Last trip I also noticed several Bridgestone J36 irons in the clearance bins and was going to see how many remained. The j33 set I sold in 2011 I really enjoyed using but stiff flex shafts and the new groove rules made them redundant in my bag.

This was changed when I saw a j36 #3-PW combo set on sale as an opening/renovation special. Had no intention of buying a new set but for $175 and they were the right length and shaft flex it was a good deal, together with $28 for a 56 degree wedge. Not the perfect configuration with the mix of blades and cavity back irons but good enough for me. So ended up at the driving range the #3 wood and #2 Hybrid left in the car and putting the irons through their paces.

The new wedge was excellent, great feel and the right loft. Same with the j36 PW to #7 irons, very good distance and accuracy. In the heat and tiring a little my use with the #3 - #6 irons was more ragged than I wanted. Nothing particularly wrong, it was not my prefered way to practise nothing more. I had to rush a little to keep to my schedule and that is not the way to practise.

Again that trait of mine to use a variety of irons in my weekly practise has been an assistance. I have no concerns about not using my 'regular' set when it comes to playing a round of golf. With my recent return to form with injury improvement I intend to put these irons through their paces on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If I am satisfied with my ability to get the distances right with them I can decide on the AP2 or Bridgestone j36 set for Mondays opening tournament round.

The following quote is taken from another golfers diary/thread at iseekgolf and this sums up golf for some,, not all of us. I am in the serious catagory. The practise, the coaching, the looking at equipment, all has a part in the purpose of getting better at the game. I do it my way just as many others do. The commitment is not for the light hearted and there are sacrifices which have to be made.



“I can tell you that some of us are on here taking this all super seriously, guys like myself (and many others) have a goal and come hell or high water we are chasing it like there is no tomorrow.”


The last three months have been worth every bit of the sweat, pain and dollars spent. Winning is the goal and nobody is going to let me or any other golfer win without trying their best to come first. Thankyou for your time and attention, "Hit 'em straight all" Geoff