29/12/11 Thursday. Golfing is in casual fun mode at the minute, very enjoyable and relaxing on my part to just amble around the course and hit the ball without tapping into the 'winning mindset'. Doing this has benefits which come from the errors made. To play a bad shot through not setting up as I would in a game and then drop another ball and play it seriously and see the desired result happen is a great confidence booster.
It is very satisfying to have a decent game foundation established. Because of this I'm looking forward to the series of coaching sessions after the New Year begins. The goal is to get the advice to be able to take my game to the level required to reach single figures and maintain it. It is possible for me to do this myself using the current, training and practise routines. The coach is not going to flick a switch and make it happen. Coaching enables the confidence and clear the vision of what are the main exercises which need to be concentrated on to improve the standard of my golf.
There has only been one consistent aspect of my coaching sessions. Each time there have been particular aspects of golf identified which I want to work on. This has came about from paying attention to my game and writing down a description of what happens in range practise and rounds played. Will be ambling around the course this afternoon for a hit which by then will be a good break from sitting in the studio working. At the minute part of my coming work is producing an interview with a touring professional. Looking forward to this project and exploring the reality of playing golf for a living while on the road. This will be completed by the end of January and will be shared through the posts here for those interested. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all” Geoff
Showing posts with label golf documentary southern ports books open tournament handicap tips tiger woods jason day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label golf documentary southern ports books open tournament handicap tips tiger woods jason day. Show all posts
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Kingston SE Open preparation...
14/12/11 Wednesday, Left 4 hours early at 10 am, to get to Adelaide today so I could drop into Kingston SE and play 18 holes on the way. Had the Wilson blades in the boot, to give me my weekly workout with these irons as it is going to be less golf than of late, be in Adelaide until Friday and not enough time for golf. Yeah I know that is hypocrisy from my position, sometimes the game does get put second for doing things. Does not stop me thinking about the game though.
The hit at Kingston was the first there for a few months and a must do in preparation for their Summer Open this Saturday. Used the Infinity 420 cc off the par 4 and 5 tees, only getting 200-220m with this club at the minute compared to the 220-250 with the Cobra. Yet once again smaller driver and back on the fairways with improved accuracy. Was just browsing GPJ’s thread and he had a comment about stiff shafts replacing regular flex in drivers and that has helped get that thought ticking away in my mind. The regular flex in the Infinity works well, I like the responsive feel of the club also. It is that ‘need to experiment’ facet of my mind which really wants to know if a change in shaft would be a good thing? Not an urgent consideration as I am still enjoying the return to playing and getting some form back.
The blades were a bit of a hinderance in the hands, the AP2’s are quite a bit longer and sweeter to hit. That said, I still popped a neat 86/nett 74 with 34 putts around the course. The whole point of using the blades is it sharpens my ball striking and concentration in setting up for shots to get the best result possible.
Putting was a sloppy display, greens at Kingston were hard and dry but I will be in good touch on Saturday on them. Had a couple of chats with the greens keeper on the way around. Always good to know how a course is travelling, all the new greens are up and running at Kingston and it is very pleasant to play. I have always found it a course which makes me play shots and rewards the player who does that. That said they have a few bird scarer’s banging away, same problem with Galah damage to the course we have at Robe. Fortunately we have the okay to shoot a few to scare them off.
As usual on the drive up did a bit of “golf planning”, going to need a decision made on taking a series of regular coaching sessions in January. Expensive proposition to have at least two per week for the month, yet I see that as the best preparation for 2012 season and the Southern Ports Tournament in March. It is not a problem to keep going along as I have for the last 3 seasons, that has been successful. Being a ‘hungry’ golfer though, logic says that needs to get an upgrade for the best results in 2012. Now in the A grade competition arena, professional coaching on a regular basis is the best way for progress, having established regular practise routines it has to be consolidated and improved.
15/12/11 Thursday. Had some free time this morning so took a trip into Adelaide to browse the Golf Porn Shops. Golf Clearance Warehouse has had a name change on South Road since my last visit. The beauty of golf club stores is that unlike a lap dance you can fondle the items of pleasure. As usual there was plenty of stuff to buy and the self control was in good form, purchasing was not an orgy of stocking up on clubs for another day. Walked out with 2 dozen Optima balls for $30, good value from a clearance sale of AFL Port Power monogrammed balls.
Then a drive to the Drummond Golf Range opposite the Airport to give the driver a workout and have a few hits with the 60 Degree wedge. I rarely use this iron with only two sand bunkers on my home track and prefering to use the pitching wedge in close. It is not a matter of preference more a case of being able to go along quite well without getting it out very often. At the range though I got to have a good 40 hits at pin/green targets. A lot of variation in the distances when aiming at 30 m away targets. Going anywhere from 5m long to 10m short of the aiming point. Then I had a good crack on the range with 20 balls, it seems that 55-70m is the max distance for me with this wedge. Still the same variation in distance so a lot of work on the practise track is penciled in for this wedge.
After that out came the Infinity 420cc 10.5 degree Driver and Cobra 3 metal for some practise. The Cobra was just along for the ride, some variation to mix up with hitting the driver. Did get maximum benefit though, improved accuracy with stance and opening the club face to keep repairing the ‘hooding’ fault.
The Driver was a great fun, getting 200-220 m on the full easily and with the summer run on fairways that is a good start. Far less tendency to slice with the smaller driver compared to the Cobra S9.1 and once again better accuracy and control of the club while swinging. Getting that front leg pinned to the earth and not bending the knee and the power was transfered to good straight long hits. Have to keep it a little in check as the accuracy quotient decreases with the longer balls. Nothing that some dedicated practise will not improve.
Did not bother to hit any other irons, the Wilson 1200 blades gave me a workout yesterday at Kingston. Looking forward to getting the AP2’s back in the bag on Friday. One of the staff had a look at the Infinity Driver and commented that the ‘deep’ face was better suited to a lower handicapper as it does not deliver much ball height once hit. I do not find this much of a hinderance in my game but it has been duly noted.
Geoff
The hit at Kingston was the first there for a few months and a must do in preparation for their Summer Open this Saturday. Used the Infinity 420 cc off the par 4 and 5 tees, only getting 200-220m with this club at the minute compared to the 220-250 with the Cobra. Yet once again smaller driver and back on the fairways with improved accuracy. Was just browsing GPJ’s thread and he had a comment about stiff shafts replacing regular flex in drivers and that has helped get that thought ticking away in my mind. The regular flex in the Infinity works well, I like the responsive feel of the club also. It is that ‘need to experiment’ facet of my mind which really wants to know if a change in shaft would be a good thing? Not an urgent consideration as I am still enjoying the return to playing and getting some form back.
The blades were a bit of a hinderance in the hands, the AP2’s are quite a bit longer and sweeter to hit. That said, I still popped a neat 86/nett 74 with 34 putts around the course. The whole point of using the blades is it sharpens my ball striking and concentration in setting up for shots to get the best result possible.
Putting was a sloppy display, greens at Kingston were hard and dry but I will be in good touch on Saturday on them. Had a couple of chats with the greens keeper on the way around. Always good to know how a course is travelling, all the new greens are up and running at Kingston and it is very pleasant to play. I have always found it a course which makes me play shots and rewards the player who does that. That said they have a few bird scarer’s banging away, same problem with Galah damage to the course we have at Robe. Fortunately we have the okay to shoot a few to scare them off.
As usual on the drive up did a bit of “golf planning”, going to need a decision made on taking a series of regular coaching sessions in January. Expensive proposition to have at least two per week for the month, yet I see that as the best preparation for 2012 season and the Southern Ports Tournament in March. It is not a problem to keep going along as I have for the last 3 seasons, that has been successful. Being a ‘hungry’ golfer though, logic says that needs to get an upgrade for the best results in 2012. Now in the A grade competition arena, professional coaching on a regular basis is the best way for progress, having established regular practise routines it has to be consolidated and improved.
15/12/11 Thursday. Had some free time this morning so took a trip into Adelaide to browse the Golf Porn Shops. Golf Clearance Warehouse has had a name change on South Road since my last visit. The beauty of golf club stores is that unlike a lap dance you can fondle the items of pleasure. As usual there was plenty of stuff to buy and the self control was in good form, purchasing was not an orgy of stocking up on clubs for another day. Walked out with 2 dozen Optima balls for $30, good value from a clearance sale of AFL Port Power monogrammed balls.
Then a drive to the Drummond Golf Range opposite the Airport to give the driver a workout and have a few hits with the 60 Degree wedge. I rarely use this iron with only two sand bunkers on my home track and prefering to use the pitching wedge in close. It is not a matter of preference more a case of being able to go along quite well without getting it out very often. At the range though I got to have a good 40 hits at pin/green targets. A lot of variation in the distances when aiming at 30 m away targets. Going anywhere from 5m long to 10m short of the aiming point. Then I had a good crack on the range with 20 balls, it seems that 55-70m is the max distance for me with this wedge. Still the same variation in distance so a lot of work on the practise track is penciled in for this wedge.
After that out came the Infinity 420cc 10.5 degree Driver and Cobra 3 metal for some practise. The Cobra was just along for the ride, some variation to mix up with hitting the driver. Did get maximum benefit though, improved accuracy with stance and opening the club face to keep repairing the ‘hooding’ fault.
The Driver was a great fun, getting 200-220 m on the full easily and with the summer run on fairways that is a good start. Far less tendency to slice with the smaller driver compared to the Cobra S9.1 and once again better accuracy and control of the club while swinging. Getting that front leg pinned to the earth and not bending the knee and the power was transfered to good straight long hits. Have to keep it a little in check as the accuracy quotient decreases with the longer balls. Nothing that some dedicated practise will not improve.
Did not bother to hit any other irons, the Wilson 1200 blades gave me a workout yesterday at Kingston. Looking forward to getting the AP2’s back in the bag on Friday. One of the staff had a look at the Infinity Driver and commented that the ‘deep’ face was better suited to a lower handicapper as it does not deliver much ball height once hit. I do not find this much of a hinderance in my game but it has been duly noted.
Geoff
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Now for the Open Tournaments
Saturday 4/6/11 Now that Pennants have finished I have got a copy of all the various Club Open Tournaments in the region yesterday and can start planning my next golfing challenge. The first Open hits off on the 24th of July at Lucindale, in 2010 I won the C Grade this season I am in the B grade and will need to get a bit of dedicated practise under the belt to repeat the performance. This tournament is also the 2nd round of the DK Edwards Trophy which started last season and requires playing in 5 of ten regional Open Tournaments to qualify for a ranking. Entered it last year and it was a good incentive to travel and play in the many regional tournaments. Not entering this year due to the underwhelming promotion and information available on the event circulated by the regions Golf Association. I thoroughly support the idea yet cannot participate in something that is so poorly administered. Given that this is a volunteer based association, it is just not a promising evolution to do things half arsed. Hoping that word of mouth and supplying no running tables/ranking etc is going to inspire golfers to enter.
My motivation is to use these Open Tournaments as the inspiration to get out in the winter weather and practise hard and try to knock off 3-4 strokes by October for the Club Championships. Because of the dearth of low handicappers at our club 13-14 will have me in A Grade and there is no way that I will be competitive against the single figure golfers on my existing number. I have managed to play to 11 and 12 in competition this year so perhaps I may even manage to get into single figures by October. Joined with a group coaching session this week on short game and putting, This has definitely helped in planning my next practise routines that are going to assist in getting 3-4 strokes off my scores. The Open Tournaments have the competitive edge that inspires me to play my best. This time I am aware of the various course layouts and that is going to be a benefit together with my improved game.
Mentally at last I have come to terms with playing off the lower handicap (down 4 strokes in 5 months) It was fun enjoying seeing the numbers and having a wallow in getting there, the need to have competative golf to play and beat others is vital to getting value for the effort put in so far. Yes, I enjoy playing at the home club, the need to play better is supplied by the Open Tournaments. The whole experience of playing with new people and enjoying the socialising is a big part of the anticipation. There are a few courses which “kicked my arse” in 2010 that I am looking forward to returning and having another crack at. Well the sun is now up and time to get out and start the next round of practising. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”. , Geoff
My motivation is to use these Open Tournaments as the inspiration to get out in the winter weather and practise hard and try to knock off 3-4 strokes by October for the Club Championships. Because of the dearth of low handicappers at our club 13-14 will have me in A Grade and there is no way that I will be competitive against the single figure golfers on my existing number. I have managed to play to 11 and 12 in competition this year so perhaps I may even manage to get into single figures by October. Joined with a group coaching session this week on short game and putting, This has definitely helped in planning my next practise routines that are going to assist in getting 3-4 strokes off my scores. The Open Tournaments have the competitive edge that inspires me to play my best. This time I am aware of the various course layouts and that is going to be a benefit together with my improved game.
Mentally at last I have come to terms with playing off the lower handicap (down 4 strokes in 5 months) It was fun enjoying seeing the numbers and having a wallow in getting there, the need to have competative golf to play and beat others is vital to getting value for the effort put in so far. Yes, I enjoy playing at the home club, the need to play better is supplied by the Open Tournaments. The whole experience of playing with new people and enjoying the socialising is a big part of the anticipation. There are a few courses which “kicked my arse” in 2010 that I am looking forward to returning and having another crack at. Well the sun is now up and time to get out and start the next round of practising. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”. , Geoff
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Winning in the Wet...
Friday 13th May 2011
Had a great time at the Naracoorte Golf Club 2 cocks Day. The major fundraiser for the club’s season has 200 golfers in 5 person Ambrose ambling around hitting balls and wining and dining at the various Tee blocks on fresh roasted lamb, tender steak bbq’ed to perfection, shucked oysters and of course a selection of local wines. Not to miss the busy drinks carts taking the refreshments to golfers and preventing dehydration setting in and affecting golfing judgment. It is a long day 10am to 4.30pm on the course but not a drawn out endurance test in good company and enjoying the relaxed stroll around the course is the goal.
I did give the dinner for the evening entertainment a miss, with a 100 km trip home and a 5 am start the next day, sleep won out over kicking on. Already booked in for the 2012 event with the same group, the oddest thing was to be the lowest handicap (14) in the group. Still a strange sensation to realise that I can play the game 18 strokes better than 2009 when I returned to the game. Score wise we finished 5 under with no bogies until the back nine it was a good effort considering the mix of golfers we had.
This past week I have returned to using the cavity back irons for practise to get the touch back into my iron game, particularly my longer irons. Not certain there is any technically correct reason for the change except that I have often used another iron set in my mid week practise for a day. This time though I have carried it through to each day. The blades have been good and returned my best score using them, in the summer, autumn weather. Winter is setting in now and the strong winds in particular are highlighting my shortcomings with the blade long irons. I understand the logic behind the graded iron sets that are available these days where the long irons are cavity backs and progress to blades (muscleback) into the lofted irons. I have even considered mixing my sets in a similar fashion. The differences in the two sets combined would be negligible so it is an experiment for coming weeks to trial.
It may appear that I continually change my golfing equipment and that is true, sticking with my decision to explore as many set options before selecting a set that is best for my game. It is not expensive to do these days with the bargain bin of ebay. Having got to 14 from 32 in three years proves it is not that detrimental to a golfers game either. If I had purchased the sets first up from the professionals it may have been the right choice, yet my swing and ability has gone to a totally different sphere since then. Yes I have had hits with the first suggested iron set since then and they still feel good. It may still be the eventual choice as well, the biggest hold back is they are the cavity back I don’t like visually (Taylor Made Burner irons). Tried the R9 Taylor Made irons and that was not what was expected feel wise so the shopping continues.
The next months are free of major tournaments in the main after pennants ends in 3 weeks I should be settled into the golfing groove again. Still on the fitness path and the weight reduction diet will continue for another two months. The benefits of not pushing my body with excercise are much more enjoyable than the pain whilst going through the routines. The excersise did return benefits as well but this time I may have finally accepted that staying fit and in condition is better than having to enforce a training period to get some condition back. One thing particularly noticeable is that my rotation from the hip region actually happens now to its full potential. This was the area that hurt the most during the training with specific excersises for the injured lower back. It is amazing to feel my hips turn and swing through the ball. This has helped with my driver tee shots in the main and iron play, next will be a dedicated practise series to get the shots to a much greater consistency.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”
PS Starting his weekly internet appearances in season 2008 “Footyhead” has became a popular feature for AFL fans on their web browsing. Often wrong but never concerned “Footyhead” with his unabashed Carlton bias has ridden the rollercoaster of the past seasons with a sense of humour to get through the defeats and happy dances in victory.
“Footyhead” has had 3 clips accepted in the Nova Unhatched competition check them out here;
Click Gallery and Enter; talart248 in the search box click the search icon and 3 videos will come up.
Voting begins on the 16th of May in the Nova Unhatched competition to choose the final ten, Please go to the Nova site and post your comments on Footyhead being worthy of making the 10.
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
====================================================
"Footyhead" not the funniest fella on Youtube, but 100% Carlton to the bone
Had a great time at the Naracoorte Golf Club 2 cocks Day. The major fundraiser for the club’s season has 200 golfers in 5 person Ambrose ambling around hitting balls and wining and dining at the various Tee blocks on fresh roasted lamb, tender steak bbq’ed to perfection, shucked oysters and of course a selection of local wines. Not to miss the busy drinks carts taking the refreshments to golfers and preventing dehydration setting in and affecting golfing judgment. It is a long day 10am to 4.30pm on the course but not a drawn out endurance test in good company and enjoying the relaxed stroll around the course is the goal.
I did give the dinner for the evening entertainment a miss, with a 100 km trip home and a 5 am start the next day, sleep won out over kicking on. Already booked in for the 2012 event with the same group, the oddest thing was to be the lowest handicap (14) in the group. Still a strange sensation to realise that I can play the game 18 strokes better than 2009 when I returned to the game. Score wise we finished 5 under with no bogies until the back nine it was a good effort considering the mix of golfers we had.
This past week I have returned to using the cavity back irons for practise to get the touch back into my iron game, particularly my longer irons. Not certain there is any technically correct reason for the change except that I have often used another iron set in my mid week practise for a day. This time though I have carried it through to each day. The blades have been good and returned my best score using them, in the summer, autumn weather. Winter is setting in now and the strong winds in particular are highlighting my shortcomings with the blade long irons. I understand the logic behind the graded iron sets that are available these days where the long irons are cavity backs and progress to blades (muscleback) into the lofted irons. I have even considered mixing my sets in a similar fashion. The differences in the two sets combined would be negligible so it is an experiment for coming weeks to trial.
It may appear that I continually change my golfing equipment and that is true, sticking with my decision to explore as many set options before selecting a set that is best for my game. It is not expensive to do these days with the bargain bin of ebay. Having got to 14 from 32 in three years proves it is not that detrimental to a golfers game either. If I had purchased the sets first up from the professionals it may have been the right choice, yet my swing and ability has gone to a totally different sphere since then. Yes I have had hits with the first suggested iron set since then and they still feel good. It may still be the eventual choice as well, the biggest hold back is they are the cavity back I don’t like visually (Taylor Made Burner irons). Tried the R9 Taylor Made irons and that was not what was expected feel wise so the shopping continues.
The next months are free of major tournaments in the main after pennants ends in 3 weeks I should be settled into the golfing groove again. Still on the fitness path and the weight reduction diet will continue for another two months. The benefits of not pushing my body with excercise are much more enjoyable than the pain whilst going through the routines. The excersise did return benefits as well but this time I may have finally accepted that staying fit and in condition is better than having to enforce a training period to get some condition back. One thing particularly noticeable is that my rotation from the hip region actually happens now to its full potential. This was the area that hurt the most during the training with specific excersises for the injured lower back. It is amazing to feel my hips turn and swing through the ball. This has helped with my driver tee shots in the main and iron play, next will be a dedicated practise series to get the shots to a much greater consistency.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”
PS Starting his weekly internet appearances in season 2008 “Footyhead” has became a popular feature for AFL fans on their web browsing. Often wrong but never concerned “Footyhead” with his unabashed Carlton bias has ridden the rollercoaster of the past seasons with a sense of humour to get through the defeats and happy dances in victory.
“Footyhead” has had 3 clips accepted in the Nova Unhatched competition check them out here;
Click Gallery and Enter; talart248 in the search box click the search icon and 3 videos will come up.
Voting begins on the 16th of May in the Nova Unhatched competition to choose the final ten, Please go to the Nova site and post your comments on Footyhead being worthy of making the 10.
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
====================================================
"Footyhead" not the funniest fella on Youtube, but 100% Carlton to the bone
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Second Round at Naracoorte
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
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
2011 First Round Southern Ports played at Robe...
Tuesday 1/3/11 Got myself around the course in a reasonable state at the end of the days play. After sending off all of the groups for the day I finally got to start my round at the end of the field. It was not my expected tee off time nor doing the starters duties which did distract me a little. Finishing the day with a gross 93 for a nett 77 with 35 putts was not the planned result going for an 88-90 was the target. Four bad drives added an extra 4 shots to my score. That said the errors were very small and the choice to use the driver and not the #3 off the tee was correct the wind would have ben a distraction and trying to hit too hard would have been the rsult. The opportunities were there to make them up and unfortunately my putting was so close yet a miss is a miss. Golf is not a game of “if only” for me and the score is not a disaster, Robe being the course that can destroy a golfers chances was reasonably benign on the day for me.
Played with last years winner and we tied at the end of the day and the 2010 runner up is 3 shots behind us. The winning score of 85 for a net 66 (19 hcp) was a good effort from a golfer on his home course, second with 90 (20hcp), 3rd on 91 (20hcp) and fourth 90 (19 hcp) shows that the gap can be made up in the next two rounds. Not easy of course but what better way to play than with a challenge to urge me on, while testing my limits.
The weather has taken a turn for the worse today with the wind stronger than Monday, which was for Robe almost enjoyable being out in a round of golf being played. Kingston and Beachport are courses I play with confidence on and as always enjoy walking around. Went to Kingston SE today and played the Front 9 to get accustomed to the greens and refresh my memory for the club and shot selections. With a score on the board now it is possible to set down the targets and see if I can deliver.
=====================================
Monday 28/2/11 Southern Ports Tournament begins for me today, 440 golfers are registered for the week to play in the various events. Saturday and Sunday my practise was limited to an hour each day. With social commitments getting precedence over golf for a change, the break has been very refreshing. Yes golf is fun and relaxation for me not a be all and end all of a sporting obsession. Added to the fun is that the Handicap winner of 2010 (runner up by one stroke in the gross also) is my old cricket captain and he had some fun sledging me at dinner Saturday.
Make no mistake it was all very serious he is one competitive champion to come up against, instead of being on the same team this time. It is almost a case of teacher and pupil meeting on the sporting field, after playing in 3 consecutive cricket premiership teams under his leadership taught me a lot about playing to win. His first sledge thrown was, “he asked to play in the same group as me but the organisers said I had asked not to be grouped with him.” followed by “last few weeks of practising have ended up with throwing clubs around it was so bad.” Which means to me he has been practising, and the look in his eyes when telling me that “he missed winning the gross championship by one stroke in 2010” has not been forgotten.
Over the period of dedicated practise, the B grade status of my game by handicap is confirmed. That is not a disapointing it is the reality of the standard my game has improved to over 12 months. Enjoying golf for me is playing 3-4 times per week, practising pitching regularly and the rest iregularly. How little time I dedicate to practising usually shows in that the past 3 months has given me blisters and callouses on my fingers. Today is the beginning to see if I can get value from the practise in another competition. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”
======================================
Wednesday 23/2/11 Golfers come in to play the game with different attitudes depending on personal choices. Some are purely social in their approach, enjoying the walk, camaraderie and the competitive challenge is not a major influence on their game. Others are committed to the competition aspect of the game being part of the pleasure derived from being on the course as well as the social aspect. For me the ability to travel and play in Club Opens as well as club championship, monthly medals is a definite part of my golfing enjoyment.
If it was not for competitive golf, there is no way I would have gone through the dedicated periods of practise to improve my game. The improvements have now made me realise that a decision is soon going to be required on “how much more golfing can I do?” Writing my golf diary yesterday was the first time this thought has came to my attention. This time last year having reached a 22 handicap and played a couple of 17 hcp rounds, the reality was that my golf was very basic ability. Today my 16 handicap and having played to 12 a couple of time and broken 80 in a social round recently the improvement is at a level of a competent average golfer.
This recent improvement has came from 3 months of preparation for next weeks Southern Ports Tournament. I have done this twice in the past two seasons and had major handicap drops as part of the goal to play better golf. By listening to other golfers and other research (okay I am an obsessed golfer) After this tournament I am going to have to look seriously at how much time I can dedicate to practise in the future. It is not about lack of time available, more so to get myself a grounded approach and not start floating off with the clouds. Ambition, desire, dreams, ability and capability are all topics that need to be defined and acted upon. This week I caught up with a guy from primary school days who is now a successful professional golfer, twenty odd years since last catching up and yes we talked golf. I remember the amount of practise it took him and the commitment, and yes I did wish I had the same support to chase the golf dream. Which is partly why now I have the time and ability to play golf again I am so dedicated.
Fortunately I have a career which allows me to incorporate golf into my creative output and performing. Which is far better than when I used to do the same with beer and partying in my performing. Even so there is a limit and that is better off being considered in the near future than letting it slide until a crisis point is reached. The key is for me to use what I have observed among other golfers and picked up from reading to be aware of the realistic standard I can reach as a golfer. My off the cuff comment 3 years ago to my friends was, “be happy to reach 15 and I would like to get 10 hcp”. Having now arrived at an entry point to the first target, making the plan for the future is now due.
Today while putting in the hour with irons and #3 Woods, keeping tuned up and maintaining the standard reached of late, the #1 Driver was given a try for the first time in 3 weeks. Satisfied to play without the Driver next week in light of recent great scores without it in the bag. That is no reason to discount using a club that gives me 30-35m extra off the tee. The results from 15 balls hit was 10 in the target area, will persist during the week and if the standard improves will be looking at the Driver going back in the bag. Working on the “less is best” principle and only using the driver 5-6 times in a round off the tee at the minute. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all”
Geoff
Played with last years winner and we tied at the end of the day and the 2010 runner up is 3 shots behind us. The winning score of 85 for a net 66 (19 hcp) was a good effort from a golfer on his home course, second with 90 (20hcp), 3rd on 91 (20hcp) and fourth 90 (19 hcp) shows that the gap can be made up in the next two rounds. Not easy of course but what better way to play than with a challenge to urge me on, while testing my limits.
The weather has taken a turn for the worse today with the wind stronger than Monday, which was for Robe almost enjoyable being out in a round of golf being played. Kingston and Beachport are courses I play with confidence on and as always enjoy walking around. Went to Kingston SE today and played the Front 9 to get accustomed to the greens and refresh my memory for the club and shot selections. With a score on the board now it is possible to set down the targets and see if I can deliver.
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Monday 28/2/11 Southern Ports Tournament begins for me today, 440 golfers are registered for the week to play in the various events. Saturday and Sunday my practise was limited to an hour each day. With social commitments getting precedence over golf for a change, the break has been very refreshing. Yes golf is fun and relaxation for me not a be all and end all of a sporting obsession. Added to the fun is that the Handicap winner of 2010 (runner up by one stroke in the gross also) is my old cricket captain and he had some fun sledging me at dinner Saturday.
Make no mistake it was all very serious he is one competitive champion to come up against, instead of being on the same team this time. It is almost a case of teacher and pupil meeting on the sporting field, after playing in 3 consecutive cricket premiership teams under his leadership taught me a lot about playing to win. His first sledge thrown was, “he asked to play in the same group as me but the organisers said I had asked not to be grouped with him.” followed by “last few weeks of practising have ended up with throwing clubs around it was so bad.” Which means to me he has been practising, and the look in his eyes when telling me that “he missed winning the gross championship by one stroke in 2010” has not been forgotten.
Over the period of dedicated practise, the B grade status of my game by handicap is confirmed. That is not a disapointing it is the reality of the standard my game has improved to over 12 months. Enjoying golf for me is playing 3-4 times per week, practising pitching regularly and the rest iregularly. How little time I dedicate to practising usually shows in that the past 3 months has given me blisters and callouses on my fingers. Today is the beginning to see if I can get value from the practise in another competition. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”
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Wednesday 23/2/11 Golfers come in to play the game with different attitudes depending on personal choices. Some are purely social in their approach, enjoying the walk, camaraderie and the competitive challenge is not a major influence on their game. Others are committed to the competition aspect of the game being part of the pleasure derived from being on the course as well as the social aspect. For me the ability to travel and play in Club Opens as well as club championship, monthly medals is a definite part of my golfing enjoyment.
If it was not for competitive golf, there is no way I would have gone through the dedicated periods of practise to improve my game. The improvements have now made me realise that a decision is soon going to be required on “how much more golfing can I do?” Writing my golf diary yesterday was the first time this thought has came to my attention. This time last year having reached a 22 handicap and played a couple of 17 hcp rounds, the reality was that my golf was very basic ability. Today my 16 handicap and having played to 12 a couple of time and broken 80 in a social round recently the improvement is at a level of a competent average golfer.
This recent improvement has came from 3 months of preparation for next weeks Southern Ports Tournament. I have done this twice in the past two seasons and had major handicap drops as part of the goal to play better golf. By listening to other golfers and other research (okay I am an obsessed golfer) After this tournament I am going to have to look seriously at how much time I can dedicate to practise in the future. It is not about lack of time available, more so to get myself a grounded approach and not start floating off with the clouds. Ambition, desire, dreams, ability and capability are all topics that need to be defined and acted upon. This week I caught up with a guy from primary school days who is now a successful professional golfer, twenty odd years since last catching up and yes we talked golf. I remember the amount of practise it took him and the commitment, and yes I did wish I had the same support to chase the golf dream. Which is partly why now I have the time and ability to play golf again I am so dedicated.
Fortunately I have a career which allows me to incorporate golf into my creative output and performing. Which is far better than when I used to do the same with beer and partying in my performing. Even so there is a limit and that is better off being considered in the near future than letting it slide until a crisis point is reached. The key is for me to use what I have observed among other golfers and picked up from reading to be aware of the realistic standard I can reach as a golfer. My off the cuff comment 3 years ago to my friends was, “be happy to reach 15 and I would like to get 10 hcp”. Having now arrived at an entry point to the first target, making the plan for the future is now due.
Today while putting in the hour with irons and #3 Woods, keeping tuned up and maintaining the standard reached of late, the #1 Driver was given a try for the first time in 3 weeks. Satisfied to play without the Driver next week in light of recent great scores without it in the bag. That is no reason to discount using a club that gives me 30-35m extra off the tee. The results from 15 balls hit was 10 in the target area, will persist during the week and if the standard improves will be looking at the Driver going back in the bag. Working on the “less is best” principle and only using the driver 5-6 times in a round off the tee at the minute. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all”
Geoff
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
When the clubs are passe'
Wednesday 16/2/11 Since 2009 I have purchased several sets of clubs to use on the course. The first being a new set of SHARK XLT cavity back irons and metal drivers. The game improvement aspect of these irons began to have a negative effect in my game play after travelling from 32 hcp to a 22 hcp. During 2010 my game was at a hiatus compared to the large degree of improvement previously, dropping 3 strokes to be playing off 19 hcp in December.
This was not an unexpected result, having noticed many other golfers struggle in that period of transition through the ‘teens’, handicap wise. It was also caused in part due to my series of experiences using different irons, preparing the way for purchasing the ‘right’ set when the appropriate handicap figure is reached. The figure is 10 and I have played to 12 twice in recent weeks. Trying out blades and peripheral weighted irons and cavity backs has been an interesting experience, particularly as my swing changed a lot during the season. Thanks to ebay, picking up 2 x $30 sets to use was a major bonus to explore club suitability.
Now well into 2011 and I have dropped to a 16 handicap after a concerted practise regime in preparing for the Southern Ports Tournament since late 2010, it is coming to decision time for club choice. The irons will be easy enough to establish during a fitting session. For me anyway, the professional may find it a little difficult as I have a definite process for choosing. It is not going to be a matter of Club A and getting the measurements. I am not a Brand Fan person I have decided that there are several types of clubs that will be suitable and it is not going to be a walk in and purchase in a day matter.
Currently my problem is with the Driver, a club that admittedly is used less frequently off the tee of late. In my last round of 82 gross, was not even in the bag. There was a time when the Cobra 9.5 degree club was a very handy part of my club selection .Yet even prior to the back injury that was caused during a tee shot with the driver in January I was putting in way to much effort trying to get consistency with it. Having now tried several other drivers that are not 460cc but less, I am aware that one of the results of my improved swing may be affecting the Driver. The 380-400cc drivers give equivalent distance off the tee and yet I can definitely work the ball with a very good draw that is not apparent with the bigger club head. Also the smaller drivers do not spray left and right compared to the larger. Obviously this is not unique to me and many other golfers have been down the path, summer time means the #3 Metal is fine to use. Come Autumn and Winter and I will have to be settled and resupplied with a Driver in the bag.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all”
Geoff
This was not an unexpected result, having noticed many other golfers struggle in that period of transition through the ‘teens’, handicap wise. It was also caused in part due to my series of experiences using different irons, preparing the way for purchasing the ‘right’ set when the appropriate handicap figure is reached. The figure is 10 and I have played to 12 twice in recent weeks. Trying out blades and peripheral weighted irons and cavity backs has been an interesting experience, particularly as my swing changed a lot during the season. Thanks to ebay, picking up 2 x $30 sets to use was a major bonus to explore club suitability.
Now well into 2011 and I have dropped to a 16 handicap after a concerted practise regime in preparing for the Southern Ports Tournament since late 2010, it is coming to decision time for club choice. The irons will be easy enough to establish during a fitting session. For me anyway, the professional may find it a little difficult as I have a definite process for choosing. It is not going to be a matter of Club A and getting the measurements. I am not a Brand Fan person I have decided that there are several types of clubs that will be suitable and it is not going to be a walk in and purchase in a day matter.
Currently my problem is with the Driver, a club that admittedly is used less frequently off the tee of late. In my last round of 82 gross, was not even in the bag. There was a time when the Cobra 9.5 degree club was a very handy part of my club selection .Yet even prior to the back injury that was caused during a tee shot with the driver in January I was putting in way to much effort trying to get consistency with it. Having now tried several other drivers that are not 460cc but less, I am aware that one of the results of my improved swing may be affecting the Driver. The 380-400cc drivers give equivalent distance off the tee and yet I can definitely work the ball with a very good draw that is not apparent with the bigger club head. Also the smaller drivers do not spray left and right compared to the larger. Obviously this is not unique to me and many other golfers have been down the path, summer time means the #3 Metal is fine to use. Come Autumn and Winter and I will have to be settled and resupplied with a Driver in the bag.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all”
Geoff
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Kingston SE course tryout....
Wednesday 9/2/11 Got my work caught up with an early morning start yesterday to free up the afternoon to take a drive to Kingston SE for 18 holes. Have not played there since winning Division II in the Pre-Xmas Open, the second round of Southern Ports Tournament is played there and I needed to familiarise myself with the current course conditions.
The major difference with this course is the greens. Kingston (Wednesday 2nd March) is the fastest of the three. The first round is at Robe (Monday 28th Feb) (second fastest) and after yesterday the greens are markedly different and even faster than the last time I played there. The other noted difference in the course characteristics is the mounds arond the greens and the rolling fairways. The practise I have put into my Driving, fairway shots and short game have been a major influence in how I play this course for the better.
The putting is another matter and it is a note in my play book on this course to get there early to specifically practise on the putting green. Even thouigh the round yesterday was a tune up session the putting was disasterous on the front 9 with 20 and a back 9 of 14 putts. I hit the first three greens in regulation for 8 putts! (3/3/2.)
They were all long putts of 5-8m read the breaks well but was 3-4 m past the hole for the second putt. Obviously by the second 9, I had a grasp on the pace on the greens but the damage would have been catastrophic in a competition round.
Still struggling with the Driver off the tee, this is really something that I need some coaching assistance from the club professional. Unfortunately he is now based back in Naracoorte and I do not see a window coming up where I can drive there for a lesson. Hopefully I will get one prior to Southern Ports if he comes down in the meantime and I am available then. It is not a major problem I am using the #3 Wood off the tee getting 200-220m and good accurate results. The loss of 30-50 m off the tee is not a hinderance for now. When winter sets in though and the favourable conditions are gone then the Driver is a definite need for the distance off the tee.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all” Geoff
The major difference with this course is the greens. Kingston (Wednesday 2nd March) is the fastest of the three. The first round is at Robe (Monday 28th Feb) (second fastest) and after yesterday the greens are markedly different and even faster than the last time I played there. The other noted difference in the course characteristics is the mounds arond the greens and the rolling fairways. The practise I have put into my Driving, fairway shots and short game have been a major influence in how I play this course for the better.
The putting is another matter and it is a note in my play book on this course to get there early to specifically practise on the putting green. Even thouigh the round yesterday was a tune up session the putting was disasterous on the front 9 with 20 and a back 9 of 14 putts. I hit the first three greens in regulation for 8 putts! (3/3/2.)
They were all long putts of 5-8m read the breaks well but was 3-4 m past the hole for the second putt. Obviously by the second 9, I had a grasp on the pace on the greens but the damage would have been catastrophic in a competition round.
Still struggling with the Driver off the tee, this is really something that I need some coaching assistance from the club professional. Unfortunately he is now based back in Naracoorte and I do not see a window coming up where I can drive there for a lesson. Hopefully I will get one prior to Southern Ports if he comes down in the meantime and I am available then. It is not a major problem I am using the #3 Wood off the tee getting 200-220m and good accurate results. The loss of 30-50 m off the tee is not a hinderance for now. When winter sets in though and the favourable conditions are gone then the Driver is a definite need for the distance off the tee.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all” Geoff
Monday, February 07, 2011
On target for Tournament week...
Monday 7/2/11 Stabelford round on Sunday with a final tally of 36 points two holes wipes score wise and 8 fairways hit. The memorable moment losing the nearest the pin to a hole in one. Good to finish tied for 4th place 3 points behind the winner. Used the 3 metal off the tee, the Driver for 3 holes only and 2 of those were woefully inaccurate resulting in a wipe and 1 point.
One of my throw away sayings for many years has been; “I am going fine until I start thinking” it is used in jest to lighten a moment, which comes in handy during some golf rounds.
Of late too much thinking has been causing a little disruption to my game. Reaching the improved level of my handicap in recent weeks has been a result of practise, practise and study. I am not what would be called a student of golf it is more apt to say that I am an informed golfer. There is an adage which goes “a little knowledge can be dangerous in the wrong hands”. At times this “little knowledge” has caused some problems in my game when I begin to surmise there are faults the need correcting.
Having carried the results of several injuries from a motor vehicle accident for two decades, it is always a consideration to make sure that as little strain and damage is put on my physical weaknesses. This protective attitude to my health can become a problem if I do not keep it within the realms of reality and not wander into the error of ‘self diagnosis’. Much the same as self diagnosis of Golf Technique instead of going to a professional it is so easy to fiddle with real and imagined problems. A pointless excercise can take up time and bring a self imposed fog on your own golf games progress. I keep myself in check and although at times do wander down this path it is good to recall another adage from the legal fraternity, “A man who represents himself, has a fool for a lawyer.” When it comes to golf I try and keep to the basics, when I meander into the act of self coaching it is soon realised to be a waste of time and potentially dangerous.
Of late during the recovery from the injury in January I became over protective on the physical front and this flowed over into a journey of equipment that is suitable or not to my game. Over a two week period my thoughts were that perhaps using stiff flex shafts was an error and using regular flex shafts would be better. This was enforced with the ease of using #3 Metals off the tee and fairways during the recovery period. Yes the injury happened while teeing off with the 9.5 degree driver. It was caused by the person playing the shot not the club itself. The success using the #3 metal came from my improved swing technique, not the club and it having a regular flex shaft.
Instead of deciding that was the cure after spending some time hitting regular flex Drivers I followed this path. Put in some extended practise sessions hitting all my clubs, played several rounds, then grabbed a selection of regular flex drivers and did it again with my stiff flex driver as well. The result was that the problem was not the shaft flex. Problem was a combination from the lack of dedicated driver practise over several weeks and the injury distracting me from the effect that lack of practise.
Only a couple of weeks to go before the Southern Ports Tournament and the next schedule of filming for the movie “Another Crack at The Title” My game is tuned up and I have some solid form, will try to get some coaching prior but that is not crucial. The vital facet is to continue practise and not get complacent with the improvements this has created. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all” Geoff
One of my throw away sayings for many years has been; “I am going fine until I start thinking” it is used in jest to lighten a moment, which comes in handy during some golf rounds.
Of late too much thinking has been causing a little disruption to my game. Reaching the improved level of my handicap in recent weeks has been a result of practise, practise and study. I am not what would be called a student of golf it is more apt to say that I am an informed golfer. There is an adage which goes “a little knowledge can be dangerous in the wrong hands”. At times this “little knowledge” has caused some problems in my game when I begin to surmise there are faults the need correcting.
Having carried the results of several injuries from a motor vehicle accident for two decades, it is always a consideration to make sure that as little strain and damage is put on my physical weaknesses. This protective attitude to my health can become a problem if I do not keep it within the realms of reality and not wander into the error of ‘self diagnosis’. Much the same as self diagnosis of Golf Technique instead of going to a professional it is so easy to fiddle with real and imagined problems. A pointless excercise can take up time and bring a self imposed fog on your own golf games progress. I keep myself in check and although at times do wander down this path it is good to recall another adage from the legal fraternity, “A man who represents himself, has a fool for a lawyer.” When it comes to golf I try and keep to the basics, when I meander into the act of self coaching it is soon realised to be a waste of time and potentially dangerous.
Of late during the recovery from the injury in January I became over protective on the physical front and this flowed over into a journey of equipment that is suitable or not to my game. Over a two week period my thoughts were that perhaps using stiff flex shafts was an error and using regular flex shafts would be better. This was enforced with the ease of using #3 Metals off the tee and fairways during the recovery period. Yes the injury happened while teeing off with the 9.5 degree driver. It was caused by the person playing the shot not the club itself. The success using the #3 metal came from my improved swing technique, not the club and it having a regular flex shaft.
Instead of deciding that was the cure after spending some time hitting regular flex Drivers I followed this path. Put in some extended practise sessions hitting all my clubs, played several rounds, then grabbed a selection of regular flex drivers and did it again with my stiff flex driver as well. The result was that the problem was not the shaft flex. Problem was a combination from the lack of dedicated driver practise over several weeks and the injury distracting me from the effect that lack of practise.
Only a couple of weeks to go before the Southern Ports Tournament and the next schedule of filming for the movie “Another Crack at The Title” My game is tuned up and I have some solid form, will try to get some coaching prior but that is not crucial. The vital facet is to continue practise and not get complacent with the improvements this has created. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all” Geoff
Friday, January 28, 2011
Regular Flex or Stiff Flex Driver...
Friday 28/1/11 Had a day off the course and enjoyed catching up with some book work and did nothing more than a little pitching practise with the net. Did consider heading to the practise fairway and hitting a few long irons, chose to hold that over until tomorrow and instead headed to the pro shop and tried out some new drivers.
Still happy with the Cobra S9.1 (stiff Flex) it works well enough, this was a moment taken to try out some regular flex drivers after my experience with the using the #3 Metal while recovering from the back injury. Got a good swing rythym happening and hit 25 balls, alternating with 5 balls with the Cobra (9.5) then 5 with a Rippa 10.5 Square Head driver. The two felt totally different hitting the ball and the regular flex club did feel “softer” in my hands. The Rippa drives mostly faded in the begining. Then I settled down and hit 5 of the best I could with each.
One ball from each club was the best possible booming straight drive I could work for in a game. The Rippa still felt gentler and even more responsive to working shots with it. The Cobra was it’s usual effective steady self as I have became used to over 12 months.The solid hits with it were brutal in comparison to the Rippa.
Tomorrow I am going to go and have another solid try out with the Rippa and see if I can get the fade out of the shots. Distance wise it was the same with either club, as the back injuries are always going to occur from time to time I am convinced that getting a regular flex driver in my collection of clubs is a must.
Not in any rush to choose and get the club yet but it is going to be the next purchase to give me the selection of clubs that will best suit my game requirements.
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Still happy with the Cobra S9.1 (stiff Flex) it works well enough, this was a moment taken to try out some regular flex drivers after my experience with the using the #3 Metal while recovering from the back injury. Got a good swing rythym happening and hit 25 balls, alternating with 5 balls with the Cobra (9.5) then 5 with a Rippa 10.5 Square Head driver. The two felt totally different hitting the ball and the regular flex club did feel “softer” in my hands. The Rippa drives mostly faded in the begining. Then I settled down and hit 5 of the best I could with each.
One ball from each club was the best possible booming straight drive I could work for in a game. The Rippa still felt gentler and even more responsive to working shots with it. The Cobra was it’s usual effective steady self as I have became used to over 12 months.The solid hits with it were brutal in comparison to the Rippa.
Tomorrow I am going to go and have another solid try out with the Rippa and see if I can get the fade out of the shots. Distance wise it was the same with either club, as the back injuries are always going to occur from time to time I am convinced that getting a regular flex driver in my collection of clubs is a must.
Not in any rush to choose and get the club yet but it is going to be the next purchase to give me the selection of clubs that will best suit my game requirements.
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Humility and Good Sportmanship
Tuesday 4/1/11 A lesson in Humility and Good Sportsmanship was the result from a 9 hole Ambrose competition Monday afternoon. It is obvious to readers of my posts from the 2010 Season playing competitive golf and trying to win is a definite part of my enjoyment of the game. Enjoying social rounds and accepting the days when my game is not going to be good enough or so bad that it resembles a game of hockey played by someone who is deaf, dumb and blind is just as important to me.
During January the Club Professional is running a 9 hole 2 player Ambrose on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, $20 entry per team of two, complimentary sausage sizzle after the round. The Prizes are $100 voucher for First place and $50 Voucher for the runner up on each day. Plus NTP, a $50 Accommodation Voucher. All up they are what I call substantial prizes on offer and something that I will enter in and play as well as possible to try and win. Yesterday after 6 holes and missing a couple of birdie chances my partner and I were still square with the card, playing well enough to be enjoying the game and still in with a chance to come in under the card. As a pair of 18 and 19 handicap players, that in itself would have been a good enough reward for having a crack in the competition.
On the 7th hole my partner hit off first and faded onto another fairway with the requisite call of “fore”
to the players there, even though we did not see where the ball finished it was well placed enough from experience for the next shot to be from the adjacent fairway on the par 5. So I chose to take the risk and load up a bigger drive attempt, it went disaterously wrong and sailed out into the realms of the Bermuda Triangle never to be seen again. Unfortunately the first ball could not be found and the players on the fairway at the time had moved on to the green and were putting out. In our search to find the missing ball we did find another but after asking the other group they said it was not theirs and that was the end of our challenge for the competition.
It was about now that my temper began to rise, I can wear making mistakes in rounds that cost success. Unfortunately I do get into a very concentrated attitude when playing for a win and the frustration at losing a ball was enough to make me steam up. A little talking to myself and attitude adjustment during the walk to the next tee block, followed by a 260m drive took the edge off. It was a timely little lesson that reminded me of the period in 2010 when I had a several anger fuelled moments in practise rounds at the frustration of my game slowly becoming better.It was also a really good moment in showing how differently I approach playing social golf and competitive rounds.
My partner and I could have chosen to play the found ball and say nothing about it but did not choose the cheating path. It is interesting to be sitting here and realising how easily he cheating choice could have been justified, but morally I just could not do it. The thought of having played on as if nothing happened makes my guts go tight and is a very uncomfortable feeling. When watching a game of soccer and seeing players take “stage dive’s” for free kicks or penalty shots on goal I get the same feeling of umbrage at seeing blatant cheating. In soccer the umpire wears the bile of a crowd for paying a free kick, in golf it is up to a player or the marker of their card seeing a transgression. It was a good feeling to know that winning does not mean so much, that I would stoop to cheating. “Hit ‘em Straight all” Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
During January the Club Professional is running a 9 hole 2 player Ambrose on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, $20 entry per team of two, complimentary sausage sizzle after the round. The Prizes are $100 voucher for First place and $50 Voucher for the runner up on each day. Plus NTP, a $50 Accommodation Voucher. All up they are what I call substantial prizes on offer and something that I will enter in and play as well as possible to try and win. Yesterday after 6 holes and missing a couple of birdie chances my partner and I were still square with the card, playing well enough to be enjoying the game and still in with a chance to come in under the card. As a pair of 18 and 19 handicap players, that in itself would have been a good enough reward for having a crack in the competition.
On the 7th hole my partner hit off first and faded onto another fairway with the requisite call of “fore”
to the players there, even though we did not see where the ball finished it was well placed enough from experience for the next shot to be from the adjacent fairway on the par 5. So I chose to take the risk and load up a bigger drive attempt, it went disaterously wrong and sailed out into the realms of the Bermuda Triangle never to be seen again. Unfortunately the first ball could not be found and the players on the fairway at the time had moved on to the green and were putting out. In our search to find the missing ball we did find another but after asking the other group they said it was not theirs and that was the end of our challenge for the competition.
It was about now that my temper began to rise, I can wear making mistakes in rounds that cost success. Unfortunately I do get into a very concentrated attitude when playing for a win and the frustration at losing a ball was enough to make me steam up. A little talking to myself and attitude adjustment during the walk to the next tee block, followed by a 260m drive took the edge off. It was a timely little lesson that reminded me of the period in 2010 when I had a several anger fuelled moments in practise rounds at the frustration of my game slowly becoming better.It was also a really good moment in showing how differently I approach playing social golf and competitive rounds.
My partner and I could have chosen to play the found ball and say nothing about it but did not choose the cheating path. It is interesting to be sitting here and realising how easily he cheating choice could have been justified, but morally I just could not do it. The thought of having played on as if nothing happened makes my guts go tight and is a very uncomfortable feeling. When watching a game of soccer and seeing players take “stage dive’s” for free kicks or penalty shots on goal I get the same feeling of umbrage at seeing blatant cheating. In soccer the umpire wears the bile of a crowd for paying a free kick, in golf it is up to a player or the marker of their card seeing a transgression. It was a good feeling to know that winning does not mean so much, that I would stoop to cheating. “Hit ‘em Straight all” Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Monday, December 20, 2010
A great end to the weekend..
Golf forums are markedly different to many of the sports forums which are popular on the ’net. Whilst most sports forums have the posters commenting mostly about the Highest Professional Competition ie AFL, NRL, FA, NBA etc. Golfing forums do cover PGA competitions yet there is a great deal of comment on individual golfers, club and regional competitions. Golfers are not in the main spectators and importantly we are not team members like players of football, basketball, hockey and other sports. This is perhaps self explanatory to why golfers can openly discuss their own performance and not be treated with derision for doing this as most of the readers are not armchair critics who do not play the game and can relate to what is being said.
Getting very close to the end of the season/years postings for 2010 and keeping my list of goals short and sweet in the results targeted has been a success. Well I am calling it a success, the most important goal was to achieve a 16-15 handicap and at the minute I am waiting for the last two rounds played to be loaded by the respective club handicappers. As posted above (yesterday) prior to the round that followed Sunday afternoon, on Saturday I won the Kingston SE Summer Open Div #2 (B) grade with an 88 (69 nett), this was matched with an 87 (68 nett) 41 stableford points in the Robe Club Competition the next day. In the two days I played to a 15-16 handicap and my handicap at the minute was 19 so I expect to drop to 17-18, (have not done the calculations myself for now).
That is good enough for me to accept as a win in achieving a goal. October and November were hard months as my game began to improve and the vital consistency had not established itself. Also the necessary mental adjustments to how I played the game were not strengthened to match ready. This was the most difficult transition to make, being mentally on the same level as my improved playing ability.
It was a difficult struggle adjusting to play in my preferred low risk percentage game whilst the shots the previously were safe, would play too well now, as I could hit the ball so much better. Golf is a game of millimetres and that is how little change in a shots execution can happen to make the result very different. For now though it is time to sit here and wallow in the results and satisfaction of my golf in 2010. Thankyou all for reading and commenting though the season. Best wishes for the New Year and a happy Christmas to all. “Hit ‘em Straight all” Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Kingston SE Summer Tournament
9th December 2010
Into the last month of 2010 and a brief review of the past season is enough to say I improved and had fun playing golf as much as 2009. Just came in from having my best score for 18 holes today, 82 off the stick. The 18th of December is the Kingston SE Summer Open and that is my next serious round and will be a fine way to finish the season for myself. I managed a win in the C grade handicap section last Summer Open, at a course that was also the site of missing the last putt and finishing second in the Southern Ports Tournament in March.
The new 18 hole Kingston course has been completed now and that adds to the anticipation. As well, my own game has began to show an improved consistency and the associated lower scores. Playing on other courses besides the home club has been a major enjoyment and benefit to my golf this year. A definite effect is that course stroke traits that begin to become a factor in a round, are seen for the negative effect they have when used regularly on another course. October and November began as a real struggle with playing well and slowly all of practising with grip, swing, club changes began to have an effect, for the better. Perhaps the most frustrating part of my game now is having to endure the errors I make, that are a result of being able to play so much better. Being patient and stoic is a couple of character traits the if not present in my makeup would have had me join that long line of quitters in life. To all those impatient golfers, please keep on ‘jumping the gun’ any advantage over another player is a bonus in competition.
First meeting of the club season is next Monday and I am almost up to speed with he club operation and the tasks that come with being on committee. It is not all that difficult being on committee, although I had no intention of taking up the secretary position. The fact is I did all of the club/group committee stuff in my 20’s and 30’s. I had no desire to do it again and it took a good speech by the club pres. and concerns on my on part to make me stand up and get involved again. My commitment to the position is one season (2011) perhaps 2012 but that is 90% not going to happen.
PS My entry in the NSW Australia Day - Reel Australia competition has survived the many site cliches. LOL Looked at the site and some film vote scores went from 100 to 4000 overnight. The site admin. sent an email out after removing all votes after it was discovered some entrants could vote more than once for their film. Here is my shameless request to you. Have a look at my entry “Aussie’s Younger Days” View my latest film clip and vote if you like it! (Register and You could win $250 from NSW Australia Day Council for voting TOO!) Oh yeah and pass it on to your friends every vote counts! Or click LIKE on the Facebook Link and feel welcome to comment. Thankyou for your time and attention regards Geoff
AUSSIE'S YOUNGER DAYS
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Into the last month of 2010 and a brief review of the past season is enough to say I improved and had fun playing golf as much as 2009. Just came in from having my best score for 18 holes today, 82 off the stick. The 18th of December is the Kingston SE Summer Open and that is my next serious round and will be a fine way to finish the season for myself. I managed a win in the C grade handicap section last Summer Open, at a course that was also the site of missing the last putt and finishing second in the Southern Ports Tournament in March.
The new 18 hole Kingston course has been completed now and that adds to the anticipation. As well, my own game has began to show an improved consistency and the associated lower scores. Playing on other courses besides the home club has been a major enjoyment and benefit to my golf this year. A definite effect is that course stroke traits that begin to become a factor in a round, are seen for the negative effect they have when used regularly on another course. October and November began as a real struggle with playing well and slowly all of practising with grip, swing, club changes began to have an effect, for the better. Perhaps the most frustrating part of my game now is having to endure the errors I make, that are a result of being able to play so much better. Being patient and stoic is a couple of character traits the if not present in my makeup would have had me join that long line of quitters in life. To all those impatient golfers, please keep on ‘jumping the gun’ any advantage over another player is a bonus in competition.
First meeting of the club season is next Monday and I am almost up to speed with he club operation and the tasks that come with being on committee. It is not all that difficult being on committee, although I had no intention of taking up the secretary position. The fact is I did all of the club/group committee stuff in my 20’s and 30’s. I had no desire to do it again and it took a good speech by the club pres. and concerns on my on part to make me stand up and get involved again. My commitment to the position is one season (2011) perhaps 2012 but that is 90% not going to happen.
PS My entry in the NSW Australia Day - Reel Australia competition has survived the many site cliches. LOL Looked at the site and some film vote scores went from 100 to 4000 overnight. The site admin. sent an email out after removing all votes after it was discovered some entrants could vote more than once for their film. Here is my shameless request to you. Have a look at my entry “Aussie’s Younger Days” View my latest film clip and vote if you like it! (Register and You could win $250 from NSW Australia Day Council for voting TOO!) Oh yeah and pass it on to your friends every vote counts! Or click LIKE on the Facebook Link and feel welcome to comment. Thankyou for your time and attention regards Geoff
AUSSIE'S YOUNGER DAYS
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
MOVIE EXTRA Film finalists announced
Thanks to all who viewed and voted for "Another crack at the title" The dates of the competition were changed twice and that threw the marketing and promotional timing out. The 15 finalists are all worthy of success and you can check them out here MOVIE EXTRA FINALISTS No matter, there were more positives than negatives. The Southern Ports Tournament is now being covered by Golf Australia magazine valuable national exposure for free. The popularity among the Australian Golfing community was very encouraging, none of this would have came about if I did not do the re-write and enter the competition! The project will still be going ahead as was planned before being entered in the Movie Extra Competition. Which proves the whole point of the exercise, if you sit back and do nothing that is what you get!
The Movie Extra comp. was out of my readiness zone, for want of a better description. Even so I had to have a crack at it, that is my nature. The filming will still happen next year and at my own pace and level of capability. I was always aware that the topic and format of being an actual documentary was not what others would choose. Fact is the time it takes to write and craft a 7 episode series film is not that easy. I chose to re-write an existing project otherwise there would have been no worthwhile entry available.
The fact that I had the people available who can do the required work in production at short notice was a good thing. Also the support from various people here and across other mediums was much appreciated. Work is a serious business and in this case my pedantic attitude in setting up promotion was definately thrown out. The newspaper article will not be out until this week and that will be too late, “Any publicity is good publicity” is a fact though and this will be good for other work I am doing. As another bonus the Tournament is now being picked up for coverage in Golf Australia magazine which was not on the cards for the organisers until I started my promo works.
It is a lot of fun doing the work and truth be told it is a great reason to have to get out and play more golf.
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
The Movie Extra comp. was out of my readiness zone, for want of a better description. Even so I had to have a crack at it, that is my nature. The filming will still happen next year and at my own pace and level of capability. I was always aware that the topic and format of being an actual documentary was not what others would choose. Fact is the time it takes to write and craft a 7 episode series film is not that easy. I chose to re-write an existing project otherwise there would have been no worthwhile entry available.
The fact that I had the people available who can do the required work in production at short notice was a good thing. Also the support from various people here and across other mediums was much appreciated. Work is a serious business and in this case my pedantic attitude in setting up promotion was definately thrown out. The newspaper article will not be out until this week and that will be too late, “Any publicity is good publicity” is a fact though and this will be good for other work I am doing. As another bonus the Tournament is now being picked up for coverage in Golf Australia magazine which was not on the cards for the organisers until I started my promo works.
It is a lot of fun doing the work and truth be told it is a great reason to have to get out and play more golf.
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
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