Regional Golf Championship challenge a success...

Final golfing weekend before commencing the 54 hole Southern Ports Golf Week tournament on the 29th of February. Had a specific plan for the weekend and it worked. Beginning with the Friday Nine hole chicken Run at Robe. I cruised around the course finishing with 19 points and satisfied with the game played. Ticking all the boxes of Accuracy off the tee, consistent putting and reliable shots at the green and chipping.

Saturday was the true test, I had decided to throw caution to the wind and play the game which is not safe secure and reliable. It cost me a good score but I had to play a competition round outside of my proven method. Hitting the maximum distance off the tee had the expected result. missing fairways and playing sots from behind trees and in the rough. Finished with -6 in a Par round. Yes dear readers I was satisfied with that result in preparation for the round that counted the next day. Sunday was the regional Champions Event which was an event all the club champions for 2014/15. A superb golf day weather wise and all I had to do was turn up and play my 'A' game. Which I did. finished 12th in a field of 70 plus, scoring 81 gross for a Nett 72. Hitting the fairway and greens all day, did miss all of my birdie putts unfortunately. Yes there is room for improvement and to be 2 months into the year my game is at a peak and well prepared for the week long 54 hole championship starting on the 29th of February. GA Handicap at the lowest ever on 8.7 at the minute. Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Millicent Open another learning curve...

Tuesday 30/7/13 Slowly recovering from the 27 hole trek on Sunday on the Millicent course. fortunately the cart hired worked for 18 holes before coming to a stop. Even so walking the last nine holes was not that bad and fortunately the rain which was intermittent during the day did not return. My card was a battle from hole one with a 10 to start and this was not a problem as I felt that I could come back from that with 26 holes to go. That was not to be the Driver was wayward and whilst on my home track and at Kingston this would be no great problem the dense tree lined fairways and ferns took a toll Three lost balls did the main damage to my card. The putting was not that hard and this was pleasing, to see that my game has improved so much compared to the first time I played this course in 2010. Finished the first nine holes with 53 hits including a 10,8 and 8 three lost balls in total. The next nine was a 47 and the third nine a 46. A total field of 47 golfers and only four broke 80, there was thirteen scores of 80 to 89 leaving a total of thirty golfers who did not break 90. There were eight golfers in the C Grade which had the highest handicappers in it up to 27. It was not an easy day on the track with some strong winds and rain adding spice to the course. Great fun all day playing with out any fear and in the company of a 1,3 and 6 handicapper on the day. This is a point that had a lot of bearing n the day, it would have been very easy to reign in my stroke play to the more efficient, accurate and limited shots with the limited swing. Instead I chose to stick with the full swing and it was difficult in some cases with the ball going too long and into trouble or wide and in the rough among trees. The good shots though were excellent, four GIR and seven fairways hit and 35 putts on the first 18 holes tell part of the tale. The seven shots among trees off the fairway were lethal to the score. Watching the 1 handicapper using a 3 wood and hybrid off the tee except on par three holes has since delivered a very rewarding game strategy. In his case it was because of how far he can hit the ball and retain accuracy. For me today it entailed playing nine holes with a different #2 Hybrid and not using the driver at all returning 4 pars and 3 bogeys. The usual #2 Hybrid showed some interesting abilities on Sunday that did not ring true. Today it was changed over to a stiff flex hybrid instead of regular flex, with this came better consistency and accuracy. Yes the full swing is a lot faster than before and the regular flex hybrid had became unstable with the club face alignment to impact slicing right. It was also done with an older set of Seve irons that are heavier and not as effective as the usual Titliest ap2's in my bag nor my usual putter. All is good and even though the transition period is frustrating in some aspects, the change is a big step in the direction to a lower handicap. Am going to experiment some more with the #2 Hybrid rounds as well that was particularly effective today 170 -180 m off the tee and then another hit with the same hybrid on par fours and I was on the green or just off the edge. Very easy golf playing like that, all learnt while paying attention to a playing partner on Sunday. Thankyou for your time and attention. hit he ball, find the ball, hit the ball Geoff

Winter...windy, wet and still good golfing

6/7/13 Saturday, At the minute I am not certain if I will travel to Kingston for 18 holes today or stay and have a practise round on the home track. My new driver has not turned up yet this week which is a little frustrating so I will be using the Toskii in Sundays Monthly Medal round. It is also the 2nd rounds of both the Handicap Qualifying Championship as well as the Caledonian Inn trophy. After the first rounds of these events I am leading in the Caledonian trophy and am going for my third win of the event in a row. This and winning another Monthly Medal are my main motivations for the round. I have already qualified for the Handicap Championship and will wait until the match Play starts before letting that event become a major motivation. In Adelaide on Wednesday and Thursday the effort was made to get to the Drummond Golf driving range to hit 50 balls and keep my game in tune. This was time well spent, both days the range had me hitting into the face of strong winds. Being a particular weather feature of my home track in winter this helped a lot with the practise. Could have played in the 9 hole comp. on Friday after returning home with some rushing around. Instead took my time and cruised through the chores and went to the practise range and hit a relaxed 30 balls in the windy conditions. Today will work on my short game around the greens and putting before hitting a few balls on the practise fairway. Then front up to the weather of today and play 18 holes. It will be fun on the day and I am looking forward to getting out and enjoying the walk and hitting. Thank you for your time and attention. hit the ball, find the ball, hit the ball. Geoff

A slow day of recovery...

25/8/12 Saturday. So far the day has been bad since levering out of bed at 4.30am to get into work. 

On a scale of one to ten the pain and discomfort level is an eleven today. It has been a long time since I have been this crippled with pain and inability to move. Although mobility and pain has lessened in the last three and half hours, common sense dictates no golf this weekend unless there is major improvement.  

At least I am not being paralysed in place now as I was on first rising today. A combination of a Deep Heat back patch and pain medication, combined with driving around for an hour and a half with a heated seat in a Smart car delivering newspapers has relieved some discomfort. Teed off yesterday and played two holes of the Friday chicken run before pulling out which was a smart decision. I had been restricted in mobility and taking it very cautious all day in reaction to the first inkling of pain in the morning. 

Having already qualified for the club championships and at this stage sitting second there is no urgency to play on Sunday. It is the frustration at wanting to get out and have a crack at winning the Gallerie Trophy that will be curtailed at this stage which has me so irritated. It is also a Monthly Medal round on Sunday as well which would be nice to have a crack at. My current sensible plan is to not play Kingston SE today, still have to go for a drive there though as part of assisting with the Southern Ports Golf Week development. 

Will go up and back returning to spend the day relaxing and hopefully recuperating at home. If I feel recovered in the afternoon a little fitness test  with some putting and chipping will give me a benchmark on the improvement. Not expecting anything like this to happen at the minute though. Can barely lean forward on the chair to shift position so stiff and at least it is not as painful even since starting to write there has been improvement. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”

Close run finish..qualified for championships

20/8/12 Monday. The first qualifying round had to be played on a composite course yesterday. The front nine had too much water laying on some holes not to ignore that the ground was muddy and plugged balls would have been easily lost. A stroke round and championship value it would have been unfair on the possible scores. Hence the decision was made to play the back nine twice as this is up in the sand dunes and not as much effect on the holes by the flooding.

I was in a good mind set and the score was a messy 83 for a nett 70 a par for the back nine as this is 35 gross series of holes. Apart from an out of bounds on the ninth hole two missed putts and one duffed chip shot the rest of the round was played out well enough to my expectations. In the days competition I tied in fourth place. Behind the winner with a nett 66, second place 67 and third a 69 nett there was no regrets in the score, improving on the previous days effort at Kingston was achieved again. I do have a benchmark expectation with the two competitive round weekends I have been playing to prepare for the club championships. Eventually I want to be playing the my handicap or better at both club rounds each day. Improving on the moderately effective first rounds followed by the winning or par at least efforts the next day.

It was also the second round of the Gallerie Trophy and I have now moved to second place over all in this annual club competition won from the best two of three rounds played. Leaders Score is; 78/67=145, mine in 2nd 77/70=147, 3rd 80/69=149 & 4th 81/71=151. This is a little in my mental favour as this is Trophy I would like to win and will be coming out to chase the victory next weekend. My preparation for the championships is more than just playing two competition rounds a weekend in the build up for form. The whole point of playing in genuine club competition is to doing the effort to win in match conditions. The next five weeks of competition are all going to be played to break my handicap standards. That is the only way winning is going to be possible.

The current club champion has just drifted out to an eight handicap I am fluctuating between 11 to 13 of late. Yesterday by good fortune I was again drawn to play in his group and got to compare our game standards in a review this morning. In the same foursome I kept my partners card and noted the champions scores as well on each hole. My front nine of 44 compared to the champions 40. Followed with a 39 alongside his 38 for the back nine. We both had the same number of putts and the major difference was in GIR, I am a marginally better putter with five one putts to his three. Also my driver is 20-40 metres less off the tee and that is a major difference on the par four holes. The game was not a matchplay event so a lot of the game pressure was not there yet the pair of us were competing on a sociable level. On the scores I would have been defeated with a score of -2 on the 18th hole (one down after the 17th). The previous week I was in the same group as the champion as well and the result was the same. I am 4-5 strokes higher in handicap yet closer than last season by 2 strokes when losing on the thirty second of the thirty six holes in the final.

This may seem to some a little silly to have put this effort into getting closer to being able to beat the club champion. To me it makes total sense, the benchmark is a person but the prize is a championship. A victory that I have the good fortune to be able to analyse what is required to be a legitimate competitor in. I am not going to make up the distance off the tee, the ability to hit the green from 140 to 160 metres is a must improve game aspect. As well as maintaing the current putting and chipping standards attained so far. My total physical game standard is still improving and is much better than last season both in ability and condition to be able to play comfortably. The mental aspect of my game is under review as well and has also been conditioned in the preparation of past weeks. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”  

 Geoff

Keith Open a good finish...

27/6/12 Wednesday. Have pretty much recovered from playing the two days golfing at Keith on the weekend, still a few tender spots on the body and the tens machine has been working the discomfort out. Have been out on the course practising on Tuesday playing nine holes also a range and practise green session.

The golf itself at Keith went as near as according to plan a round of golf can be imagined. The first day was a club stableford competition and I played with the goal of having fun and getting a look at the course. Had a very poor score a total of 25 points and was not bothered in the slightest with that result. The 150 kilometre drive home was enjoyable, I had the layout of the holes and the various nuances of the greens replaying in my mind as I listened to North Melbourne stitch up the Adelaide Crows.

Sunday morning I arrived in plenty of time after leaving at 8am. Loosening up on the practise fairway and putting greens at Keith before the main event of the Open Competition. The experience of the previous day paid off from the beginning. and a front nine total of 43, with a 4 putt on the par 3 ninth hole the biggest blemish. After the lunch break I came out full of beans for the back nine and continued to attack the individual holes. A few passing showers did break the rythym a little but to no great influence on my game. Two double bogies on the back nine did the damage and the final tally was a 44 for a gross 87 nett 75 with 29 putts.

Unfortunately I tired significantly after the eleventh hole and played a couple of loose drives, chips and putts on the back nine. Finishing the eighteenth hole with a chipped in birdie was a bonus, over all it was a good round of golf and the 5am starts to both days took a toll on my ability to do better. The professional who has been coaching me was in my group on the day, an unexpected bit of good fortune. That was no distraction and it was good to hear the positive recognition of some shots from him.

End result was an overall 7th place finish in A grade, with 3rd place in the A Grade handicap section. Two strokes behind the winner and I will admit to a brief flaring of anger as the presentation was announced. Knowing that I had came so close was a little frustrating, after putting in the effort and coming so close it was just a heated inner flaming of myself that the cold beer and good company soon quenched.

Monday morning was a very sluggish start to the day as soon as I woke and attempted to get out of bed, the stiffness removed any spring in my step. Two days of travelling and golfing had taken their toll and the usual Monday wander around the course for a relaxing smash and bash did not go for long and five holes was enough. Tuesday I forced myself to get out and play nine holes, soon had the comfort and rythym back in my swing. Putting was off target in the practise and a session on the practise green did a good job getting back on target with the flat stick.

This weekend will be a little less golfing than the last, skipping playing on Saturday. The next two Sundays are the second and third rounds of the John Leake Trophy (Stableford), currently sitting four points off the lead I want to be on target this weekend. Following these rounds are the Lucindale CAVPower Open, 22nd and Naracoorte Winter Tournament 27-29th of July. The winter conditions have softened all of the courses in the region with the recent rains. I am feeling confident that the increased distance and accuracy ability which has been developed this season will benefit my coming rounds. Playing at Keith has delivered a confidence boost that was much needed. Having the desire to win an “A” Grade Open Event is not enough. The mental attributes of my game needed exercising to match my playing facets also. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all” 

 Geoff

Breaking 80 for the first time...

18/6/12 Monday. Yesterday on a day that the score really mattered I broke 80 for the first time in competition. The score that returned the result for a Monthly Medal win and defending the Caledonian Inn Trophy for a third consecutive win was 78 Gross for a 65 Nett with 26 putts. The practice for the past month has been directed towards putting in a good effort in defence of the title on my part. Before the days play a score of 71 nett was the maximum score I could have to possibly defend the title. After the days play a 69 nett was the maximum that would have won for me.

Considering that the first five holes were played in steady rain on a course that had been soaked for the week prior it was not a day of golfing in premium conditions. Fortunately the prevailing weather condition of the coastal winds on the home track was not at it’s howling gale strength and was manageable. Once again it was not one thing that coaxed the best golf out onto the scorecard either. The preparation over the past months has been following my usual tournament preparation program.

There are no swing, grip or stance adjustments in the game plan, that is the foundation of my golf and has been established by sticking to the coaching direction given by professionals in January this season. Regular practice that makes playing each shot the same as the last one as often as possible is all that matters. The only difference being the clubs used. There was one thing alone that did give my last two rounds the booster that resulted in this landmark score.

As readers would be well aware of my golf philosophy puts hitting the ball accurately before distance. There are some at my own club and I am sure readers as well who have been bemused by my choice of smaller drivers that limit the distance achievable off the tee. There has been no wavering on my part as the need to be accurate with the smaller drivers combines with the need to be consistent with good second shots to score well. That has never meant that I would not return to using a lager driver off the tee and I have been researching various club options to purchase for some time now.

On Friday my purchase choice arrived, several days earlier than expected, which required a hurried change of practise plans to get used to the new piece of equipment. The driver chosen is a Cleveland TL310 Driver 440cc clubhead size. After a twenty ball hit on the range on Friday it was off to the club and a social nine holes in the afternoon chicken run for a 17 point score. The new driver worked well in my hands and the improved distance was already apparent. I had realised over the last couple of months that I had to get another 10-15 metres off the tee and the smaller drivers max out at 220m in the heavier winter conditions. The Cleveland driver immediately delivered that distance even on mishits.

Hence Saturday morning after a 30 ball session on the practise fairway I decided on a trip to Kingston to play in their competition. The nearby course is a little more open to recovery with wayward shots off the tee. It has always been a favoured choice of mine when looking to fine tune my game. Greens are usually faster than the home track and the doglegs make it a course which rewards attacking stroke play, if you have the ability. Got myself around in good order finishing with an 87 gross/74 nett with 35 putts. Importantly the driver was given a thorough work out in a competition and I handled it well. What was especially noticed was the improvement in the set up for second shots on par 4 and 5 holes. The added distance off the tee immediately had a beneficial effect in my golf game.

The improved accuracy in approach shots on Sunday that came from using the shorter irons had a lot to do with the low tally of 26 putts on the day. Instead of getting greens in regulation I had several shots the at were on the fringe of the green and the third shot with the wedge or putter were up and down plays. My satisfaction at getting this score after three seasons of improving gradually is fantastic. There has been times when I was faltering mentally in my attempt to get to a ten handicap and have a crack at a single figure number. Recent scores have not given any hint when this landmark score was going to occur only that it was possible. I did it with ease not scrambling to the tally with a last gasp effort.

Next weekend is the Keith Open Tournament on the 23rd and 24th of June an course I have only played a couple of times and it is back to a new start for another week..

The moment has past and is now consigned to history as a perpetual figure of proof to what I can do in a game of golf. Which brings me to the things that almost happened on the day and that the score does not show. The game was played with no penalties and with a couple of scrambled shots to get on the fairway very few errors in conditions that were not easy to play in. There were three putts that literally stopped a roll of the ball from dropping dear readers. Yes, I have played to a six handicap in a stroke round, it was very nearly a three handicap round! Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”

 Geoff

June 1st Driver Practice continues...

Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Matchplay preparations for Handicap Championship...

3/5/12 Thursday With the continued rain during the week it has been difficult to get out on the course and practise. Continued with using the old blades for another range session on Wednesday. It is not that difficult in essence to hit the ball with them. There is no forgiveness for miss hits and the jarring of the hands and arms soon get me concentrating on doing it right. Today it was back to the game set and the Bridgestone J36’s are a treat to hit the ball with in comparison.

Practise is all focussed on maintaining the improvement of recent weeks with accuracy and consistency. Hitting in twenty five or thirty ball sessions, not hurrying just going slow and steady consolidating the successful tempo and rythym. Using a selection of two irons, a short and long one in each session is comfortable with enough variation to encourage the effort to work on getting the best results.

Finished the fairway range practise with the driver and very pleased with the accuracy of the 400cc Tolmii ten degree club. The feel of the club in my hands weight and balance wise is terrific. Following on from the Monday ‘smash and walk’ practise round I opened the shoulders up again with the driver to explore the potential for more distance. Nothing spectacular, there is a little more reach with the club and the accuracy is acceptable. Importantly the club delivers great feel when playing shots and I can quickly ascertain what changes to make to improve the strokes.

The majority of practise this week has been around and on the green with chipping and putting. Started out maintaining the use of other clubs and dusted the cobwebs off a Proline Mallet style putter to test my skill on the green. This putter is along the lines of an Oddessy two ball model, which in my hands had always struggled particularly with distance. Many putts would end woefully short of the hole previously, this time it was as good as with my regular putter and that is a significant improvement. While it was an interesting and fun practise session it is back in the cupboard having served the purpose of refreshing my attitude on the green.

This Sundays round is the Monthly Medal and will be fun to play in the wind that is starting to get established as the predominant weather feature again. The sixteen golfers for the Handicap Championships match play finals have been decided. My first opponent is a new player who has started on a Twenty Handicap, hits a big ball off the tee and is just establishing the consistency to play his best. 

The group of eight I am in has several mid twenties handicappers and two former club champions. This is not a problem for me but I did have a little laugh to myself considering my confidence. After all even at my best these guys get the same score as I, when they are having a bad day on the course. What made me laugh was that in considering my status in the group of eight I realised that I was runner up in A grade championship last season winning monthly medals and other club competitions also. So I can say the false modesty attitude is out the window as is any perceived underdog status. Will be going out and playing as well as possible and see what the results are at the end of each game. Thankyou for your time and attention. “Hit ‘em straight all”

 Geoff

Right on target...

30/4/12 Monday Second qualifying round for the club Handicap Championship played out as well as could be expected. The result reflected the last few weeks of preparation with an 84 off the stick giving a nett 71 (32 putts) and establishing me in the top five at worst in the final sixteen players for the matchplay section. The fine weather on the day set up the charge for position in the finals and I was one of the four in the two weeks of qualifying who played to handicap or better.

Handicap Matchplay is a fun challenge, with the players handicaps coming into the scoring. Depending on the final table (once it is sorted who is competing due to availability), at this stage my opponent will be have seven strokes in their favour. All that means is that in the first seven holes on the matchplay index the opposing player has a one shot advantage. IE Opponents gets a Par I have to get a Birdie to halve the hole. Being in form and playing to handicap was the key to this years finals challenge for me. That has been established and it is time to move on to the next phase of the golf season.

I had been considering during 2011, to set up the 2012 golf season into a series of specific performance periods. The effort put into coaching and practise in the build up for Southern Ports from January to the beginning of March , was well directed but beyond my capability at that time. After the tournament this season I maintained the golf conditioning with playing competition golf on Saturdays and Sundays. Four months into 2012 it seems that I can undertake two month stanzas of golf conditioning, which entails rest, practise and playing, comfortably.

The structured approach to golfing is not a new thing for me, making a conscious decision to establish a schedule of club and tournament events and training together with a management plan is. That it has been in progress for eight weeks and already the first positive results have been delivered. While this will not win golf events, I do believe it increases the ability to win. Actions are what wins and there are many things that I am doing to make that happen. The mental side of the game for me I began to see a need to give this intangible facet of the game a solid form.

All of my energies in golf are directed at overcoming obstacles whether they be swing or grip mechanics, mental strategies, physical preparation or opponents in competition. The last one is the most important, as much as it could be termed that golf is a solo sport, each golfer is competing against a field of opponents. In the coming Matchplay events this is the spread of other handicaps I am up against, two on 6hcp, three on 11hcp, two on 13hcp, three on 15hcp, four on 20hcp and one on 30hcp. Five of these golfers had scores as good as or better than my qualifying score. I put very little stake in the personality of the opponent in matchplay, my approach to this is best described by a short version of a quote from Steven Bowditch;

“It all comes down to what you really want shoot.. ( your goal) once past that you have to use the great line.. F@ck it!!.... You have to want it and have to be prepared to crash… Do not ever let fear hold you back!!!”

My positive attitude to golfing is not one of blind ignorance to the various other facets of the game which have to be dealt with. At the minute I am playing well and have to improve by three to five strokes by the end of the season to be a chance in the club championships. This season has seen a return to the club of several low handicap golfers who are currently playing themselves into form. While they are doing that I am putting in the effort to have a game that can challenge them.

Today as has became the Monday exercise on the golf course, no range or green practise instead going for a nine hole walk, belting golf balls. Competition golf I play within my limits, minimum risk for maximum result works for me. I play with many golfers who load up and belt the ball and I do take notice of the good and bad shots. Mondays during the nine hole walk is the only time that I let rip off the tee, unconcerned about making bad shots as well as good ones. The bad shots mean I have to practice the recoveries from impossible lies. It also means I get to experience the two shots today that showed there is a big drive in my playbook. The best of these today had me with a forty metre second shot to the green after carrying 250 metres in the air. This practise is fun, that now has me with the information to take to the driving range and explore the 250 metre drive that is possible.

Thankyou for your time and attention all “Hit ‘em Straight”

Geoff

A little closer to breaking 80...

11/4/12 Wednesday. The reshafting has been a success. After a try out on the range hitting into the wind, alternating between the 380 cc and 400cc drivers the distances are now consistently the same. The stiff flex shaft replacing the ultra flex in the 400cc driver has improved it’s performance in my hands. The two clubs have very different ball flights with the 380cc an 8.5 degree loft and the 400cc at 10 degree loft. The two 'feel' very different on striking the ball as well but that is no matter it did not cause any confusion for me when using them. Which is something that I am a little proud of, with a swing that is not affected with using unfamiliar equipment.

After the range session I went out yesterday and played 9 holes hitting two balls off the tee using both drivers. The results were excellent, again accurate with both and the 400cc nosing out the smaller driver for distance off the tee. The different ball flights are a facet that is going to be interesting to explore in practice over coming months. The 8.5 loft is a lower flight as would be expected and a very satisfying straight reaching drive with the addition of run. The run will not be as influential with the heavier ground conditions in winter. This has been the main reason for those 250m drives that have been a noted influence on my game. These unusual long drives have been part of the inspiration behind the current shaft replacement.

Reading recently that the standard shafts in drivers are not the best available off the shop floor has further peaked my interest in the practical experiment of changing shafts. Initially the 400cc dfriver was purchased as a back up for when a chronic back injury restricts my swing. The reason being that the extra flex shaft would compensate for the impaired swing. Since the coaching changes to my swing in January the injury no longer has a major influence on my golf. A Taylor Made 370cc driver stiff shaft was available so in it went. No cost to me and the result has shown that it was worth the effort. I have now reshafted the 420cc Infinity Driver 10.5 degree loft. This time I have shortened the shaft (regular flex) by about 7cm which has significantly reduced the flexiblity, it is about 3cm shorter than the 380cc driver shaft now. Whilst this is not a technically precise change it will be very noticable when having a hit tomorrow.

The 400cc driver at 10 degrees has a expected rising flight to an apex then falling, with a negligible run effect. When having the trial on the range it was initially a relaxed session and I enjoyed just letting loose and exploring the drivers limits. In the final two 10 ball sessions it was all about the accuracy of the shots. Once on the course the tee shots where all comfortable easy swings and the distances were at the 210-220m accuracy was a little poorer than usual though and 5 bogies and four pars for nine holes all included GIR on the par holes. The bogie holes all included poor second shots with three limited to just returning to the fairway from the rough. Short game though was very good hitting the greens easily from 50-100m.

The reshafted Drivers will not be going into the bag for competition play at the minute. I am doing this with a specific purpose that is all about getting an additional 10-15m off the tee. Not straight away, this is an equipment exercise. The rest of this season I am continuing the swing development to a better level of consistency. That alone has increased distance for all shots. To begin breaking 80 regularly it is apparent to me that getting 230-250m drives as a standard feature off the tee is needed. Back in 2010 when I had the Cobra S9.1 Driver the 250m drive was possible, it was just not possible for me to be able to regularly produce the shot with any reliability. Most of problem was caused by the ‘frog in a blender’ swing I had then. It has taken two years of practise and coaching to now be able to begin the final stages of adding a driver shot to my game that is the correct combination of the golfer and equipment.

When having coaching sessions it is not just the practical that has my attention, it is what the professional says. To take a cliche’ I will call it “cause and effect”, each stance, swing, club drill has a purpose that is IE about cutting 3-4 strokes off a rounds score. Accurate drives off the tee on to fairways will save those short shots from the rough or behind trees just to get on the fairway. More GIR’s mean more par in regulation holes and birdie opportunities. Better chipping within 1m of the hole means more par holes and birdie chances same with better putting. Having reached 13-14 handicap the next few seasons I am pulling all the stops out to see how low I can get and play winning tournament golf. Thankyou for your time and attention. “Hit ‘em straight all.”

 Geoff