Still unsure what to have in the bag...

Since winning Division II of the Club Open there has been little opportunity to play competition golf. Which has been no problem enjoying the Ambrose event on last Saturday and in the main relaxing practise session to keep the form that has returned tuned. This week I have been using the Cleveland SL290 driver instead of the Cobra Encore. This is to answer the nagging question of whether I need to upgrade. Today I was hitting the drives 220 to 240 m off the tee with the Cleveland and doing so with full effort and the Cobra is on the same level. It feels as though less effort is needed with the Cobra of the tee, in comparison the SL 290 feels as though there is a little more in the tank that a change in shaft would deliver. This is the quandary that faces my golfing at the minute. Fitness is improved, technique and ability as well. Combined with the summer weather it is time to establish the final set up of my bag and chase that goal of a single digit handicap. All ths will be fun and the Kingston Summer open on the 14th of December is my next major competition to put my game to the test. Thankyou for your time and attention Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

New Hybrids in the bag...

Could not take it sitting around and not get out and have a decent hit for another day. Played 9 holes after 10.30 to put the new hybrids through their paces on course. Very satisfied after the round a tidy 42 off the stick and the hybrids proved that this club is much easier for my game style. Keeping #7 to PW and a 56* irons in the bag the rest are #2-#6 Hybrid Clones of the TM Superfast rescue clubs. At this stage will play Friday Chicken run and that will be my golfing weekend total. G/f down for a stay as well as taking some time out of playing just to refresh myself. Thankyou for your time and attention hit the ball find the ball hit the ball

First round elimination...

4/9/12 Tuesday. Back home this afternoon after travelling to Adelaide straight after the matchplay round on Sunday. Eliminated from the championship challenge on the 18th hole of the day. Was 4 down after nine holes and had three errors on three holes that cost me the game. Two poor chip shots and a poor putt on the first hole of the day was all it took to be defeated. Once again though it was the overall golf from game to physical condition that did not measure up at the end of the season. Although in better condition than last year going further was beyond my ability. As optimistic as I am about every game played reality is what comes through with the results. Not disheartened at all and already planning the next crack at the title in 2013 if it is possible to play in them again. If anything the shortfall this season had been getting down to a ten handicap which is the goal for 2012. Obviously the last months results have not been anywhere near this level. That is the truth of the matter past rounds have been battle to play at my best even if the weather has been a rough winter there was just not enough capability in my body to keep going. It had been apparent for some time that it was a struggle to play my best. It was possible in bursts and the round on Saturday at Kingston epitomised the standard of my golf game. With four wipes and scoring 33 points in a Stableford round the erratic shot play and not maintaining reliable golf qualities were obvious. Looking forward to not picking up a club much in coming weeks and letting the recovery start from there. With improved weather conditions on the way as spring leads into summer golfing will be more enjoyable outdoors as well. Playing in a couple more club Opens before the season ends in 2012 will be my game goals. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all” Geoff

Easing faults out of the game

10/1/12 Tuesday. Out and into the practise regime today, working on the iron fault that was so effective in crushing any chance of success during Sunday's competition. Yesterday was a light workout with the sand wedge and chipping to the hole. Today started out in front of the driving net getting the stance and swing correct before heading out to hit 20 balls on the range. All to good effect no big hooks or slices, the ball flying relatively straight from powerful hitting to the target. The chipping has settled down as well getting one ball in the hole from each 15 to the target at 10 to 15m. Started the stamina exercises using the hand grips and chest expander on Monday. This has been a particular assistance in my improvement on the golf course, not after strength with this equipment. The goal and result as delivered in 2009 and 2010 is it to increase the stamina of arms, upper body and hands to reduce mistakes made by tiredness.


You may think that this is overkill for a person who has been playing golf since 2009, on a regular basis. The factor which makes this a must is the Southern Ports Tournament is 3 x 18 hole Competition rounds in a week. Each one counts so there is no let up on the need to play the best golf possible. My entire golf approach is to make a few errors as possible to get the best result. Nothing unique about that, many golfers have the same game plan. That is why I have done the three months of pre-Tournament preparation each year. The results are testament to how effective this is, runner up in both years, C Grade in 2010 and B Grade in 2011. This season I am in A Grade (14hcp or less) and having a crack at the handicap section. Even with my optimism the gross is nowhere within my reach.



All is progressing well at the minute and there has been a noticeable improvement after beginning training last Monday. With two coaching sessions, one on the short game and the other on my stance and set up getting rid of various faults which all detract from the capability top play efficient shots. Still have one more session to go and that was going to be on putting. Yet since last week that part of my game has got back to the standard I expect when not carrying injury. So that coaching session can go into reserve for the end of January. By then I will be firing on all cylinders and will have a coaching session to check that there is no faults starting to creep into the shot play. At the minute it is now a comfortable stance after the awkwardness for the first couple of days after the correction. Very simple to stick to it as is. Stand up, straight legs, push backside out, head up, chin not buried in chest, shoulders back not hunched, backswing straight and hit the ball to target.



Looking forward to interviewing an Australian Touring Professional with a 15 year career playing on the One Asia Tour and in Australia on Wednesday. It has taken a year to get this done and well worth the time. For us average club golfers we do get to play and chat with the professionals. To be able to sit done with a touring professional and film the experience first hand is a bonus. We all know it is not easy to get there and whilst the top players are trotted out in front of the cameras with cliche’ answers during and post tournament. rarely if ever do we get to hear much from the 100’s of other players who make up the bulk of professional ranks. It will be good to sit down without any rush and hear a professional talk about playing the game for a living. Covering recent rounds in the JB Were Masters and Australian Open in 2011 and all the way through the One Asia years is going to be interesting.

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