Golf - underclubbing... practise never ends

Play Your Best Golf - Break 90 Vol 1
12th June 2010 Preparation for Sunday’s round was finished off this week with two 9 hole rounds and a revision trial in swing balance for curiosities sake. Finally got myself back into the winners spot in the Friday night 9 hole “Chicken Run” stableford comp. at the club won on a countback between 3 golfers with 18 points and that included zero points on the first hole and had a gross score of 47 off the stick. A good return considering the eight shots on the par five first hole. The “Chicken Run” is a semi serious comp. and is a lot of fun to play in. Also a great way to tune up for the weekend. It was interesting to be in a group with 3 of the clubs acknowledged big hitters, as I have commented before I am not seen as a big hitter by myself or the other players. This may have to be reconsidered, after the round which included a lot of running commentary and gamesmanship I more than held my own off the tee.


The gamesmanship was a result of having five golfers who have all played matchplay this season against each other, it was very good natured and after this game it is apparent that we all accept future meetings in the club championships are considered possible this season. I do prescribe to the adage; “Drive for show and Putt for dough” in my golf. The effect of playing good shots off the tee especially of late in my experience cannot be ignored. For those who may not know from my previous posts, I did not use drivers at all in rounds for the first year, only since January 2010 has the driver even been in my bag. It has taken a while to get the accuracy off the tee that was so beneficial last year using irons only. Certainly had a lot of fun as well in the transition period, winding up and really belting the ball at times with the driver just for the sheer joy. Since getting the rythym and swing technique consistent the distance of my shots has been average 220 m and occasionally 250 m. Making it so apparent that technique is the key to golf rather than brute strength. In 9 holes on Friday I was up there or past the big hitters I played with and still all that mattered to me was being on the fairway and not the length. On the third last hole a par five one of the guys tried to cajole me into using a driver for my third, a little bit of argy-bargy followed and I played my 3 iron as intended and he pulled his out and played his as well. It was all gamesmanship and fun to do but I take note of this as much as the various playing style and attitudes of other golfers as well for future reference. In fact I won the comp. beating this guy in the final countback for the day. We both knew what the others approx score was at the time and he was trying to goad me into letting him in with an ego driven slog and possible error.

Yesterday was a very relaxed day, ambled out for 9 holes (44 gross with 12 putts) after practising first. I was only doing short iron hitting 7 to 9 and some pitching wedge pitching in practise. My short irons have been a bit of a quandary of late, since changing to the older (1980’s) irons and reshafting the to my preferred length they have improved. I appear to have lost 5-10 metres with my lofted clubs these do have more loft than the cavity backs had for the same iron sizes, to balance this though has came greater accuracy and “feel” with the irons so the practise is to get comfortable with the choosing right club for distance. For curiosity I did use an older practise routine for some variety and to help gauge my club selection choices. Simply standing with my feet close together and taking as large a swing I could without losing my balance is the drill. Then widen the stance and hit another ten balls then out to my regular stance and another ten. This has helped me in realising hat my swing is not too bad and I had good accuracy and did not lose my balance with the feet close together. From 100 metres out I now have to take a little more time in club selection and acknowledge the course conditions and this will curtail the under clubbing problem. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all”  Geoff

Golf - Winter play in the rain, wind and mud

Play Your Best Golf - Break 90 Vol 1
When the winter season begins golf takes on a new set of variables. As much as I enjoy playing in sunshine with the fairways dry and the ball rolling further on when hitting the ground after a driver or iron shot, winter golf is a new set of challenges. I will even go on record and admit to looking forward to the winter golf as it brings players closer together in competition with the increase in errors caused by weather conditions. The golfers who do not practise as much are at a definite disadvantage in winter with playing conditions more likely to impede rather than assist shots. The following is an article written by, Patrick Keegan a college graduate who competed on the NCAA collegiate level in golf for four years in the United States, and also served as a golf professional for two years.

My home course is on the Southern Coast of South Australia and winter is stormy and wet. It is not unusual to be on the course hitting into a 20 + gale force wind with rain coming sideways into your  face. So the preparation to play in this weather has been a part of why I persisted this past week playing in conditions that were not all that pleasant at times.  There is a scene in the 1980's film Caddyshack where the priest is playing his best round ever in lousy weather. His playing partners leave him to finish the round. On dropping the final shot into the hole his dance of elation is cut short when lightning strikes his putter waving above his head. I had a moment the same this week without the lightning strike, on the twelfth hole I hit the green in regulation and made an easy par setting me up for a good run home on the final six holes and a chance to break my handicap. The sky was black the rain was falling and I kept going and this was a two part bonus, made a gross 91 and played well in lousy weather.

Playing in Inclement Weather by Patrick Keegan on February 24, 2009

"We’ve all been there. You have a great round going, you are feeling it…then the clouds get dark and the skies open up. You go from stringing pars and birdies together, to barely being able to hang on to the club. The temperature drops in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, you are cold, playing poorly, and completely out of it. There really is nothing worse than having a great morning or afternoon ruined by poor weather. But, since you likely do not play on the PGA Tour, you will actually have to play through some bad stuff over the course of a season.



The bottom line is that no one is on top of their game during a stretch of poor weather. The key is to let it have as minimal an effect on you as possible. Because, even a 15 minute stretch of rain can ruin a round of golf, if you are not prepared to handle it, mentally and physically.


Half the battle with the elements is a mental one. In my competitive days I much preferred playing in terrible weather when I knew I was going to have to. Seeing an awful forecast for a big round of golf didn’t really phase me much. I would go into the round with the mindset that ‘it’s going to be a grind’ and ‘everyone else has to play in the same weather that I do’. This was always much better than having a beautiful day unexpectedly ruined by a downpour. But, when it does rain, you can’t let it bother you or get into your head. You will likely get frustrated, but half the battle is keeping your composure and playing through it.


If mentally preparing yourself is half the battle, the other half is preparing yourself physically. It is essential that you bring proper attire for whatever might come your way. My philosophy with rain gear has always been “light and tight”. Too much clothing will hold you back and make swinging the club difficult. Avoid sweatshirts, sweaters, and anything with cotton. Cotton will only soak up water and make your task even more difficult. It’s best to wear a tight top made from either spandex or polyester. I usually wear a GORE-TEX rain vest or jacket depending on the temperature and amount of precipitation. GORE-TEX rain pants are an absolute must for me too. They keep the entire bottom half of my body dry, I can’t recommend them highly enough.


Lastly, and most importantly, your hands. The only part of you that is actually attached to the golf club. If you can’t hold on to the club comfortably and confidently, you are done. You need to find yourself a really good pair of rain gloves, or an alternative. I personally have never found a pair of rain gloves that I like or can rely on. I tend to grip the club tighter than most players, so when the rain comes, I go with my bare hands. Everyone has habits or rituals they go to when the weather turns. Find a combination that works for you, and rely on it. Keeping your head focused on your game as opposed to the elements is all that you can hope for while playing inclement weather. The rest is out of your hands."

This was an interesting piece that described to me why I look forward to winter golfing, the harsher playing environment and influences are in my favour. Mentally I have a positive outlook in the worst conditions and have won some of my best competition rounds in the most trying of weather conditions.
Thank you for your time and attention, Geoff

Golf - Putting and chipping practise works

Play Your Best Golf - Break 90 Vol 1
9th June 2010 Got out on the course at 3pm this afternoon to practise pitching and putting. Set up a pitching target and used the Wedge only in the practise, in games of late often used the 7 iron to pitch and run from the fringe of the greens. The 7 iron has taken a while to get a good enough touch to pitch and run the ball up to the hole. Do not have a preference for using either club it is a matter of which one will deliver the best result. The Pitching Wedge is becoming a very effective tool for me from 25 metres and in to the green, all from the repetitive practising that has been done in 2010.


Putting; often referred to as the “other game” in golfing conversations is not a strength in my game, still making bad putts in close to end up with three putting holes. Searching for knowledge to improve my putting and having lessons have all began to give my efforts some substance to improve on. Recently some words and a description in how to improve putting from Hale Irwin (US Open, 1974/79, Aust and Sth African Opens 1978, Brazilian Open 1982, winner US Ryder Cup Team 1975/77/79 and US vs Japan Tournament 1983.) has made this a lot easier to practise.

Hale Irwin comments, “I know you see a wide range of styles on the putting green, but the players who are consistently good putters have three things in common. They operate from a stance which is basically square and well balanced; their heads remain almost completely still throughout the swing; and the face of the putter repeats its square contact with the ball every time. It does not matter how odd some of the putting styles may look, you can guarantee that if they are successful they will incorporate these three factors. So should your putting action.”

Practising putting is not spectacular or as energetic as it is with drivers or irons and we have all heard the advice of why it is important and the reasons. Even so it can easily become an irritating mantra which takes the fun out of practise. That is the “F” word that is important in golf; FUN none of that in the game and where is the enjoyment for a player? I enjoy practise at times it does become a task, that is when I change the routine to enliven my spiit and challenge my progress in a different direction. A little change and I can return to practising the same routins again later on refreshed and enjoying it as much as when I began. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all.”Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Golf - 54 holes fixes the slice, hook and putting yips

Play Your Best Golf - Break 90 Vol 1
8th June 2010 Peaked this weeks training this morning after playing 18 holes 3 days in a row, was not certain if 18 would be played this morning. It was not imperative to do so in respect to my training program, although it could not hurt and eventually in coming months it would have to be done any way. Playing three consecutive days of 18 holes is something I have not done for at least a year, when I was first starting to play golf again.


First result to report is my physical condition being excellent, feet and ankles a little stiff is the only noticeable after effect from 54 holes played. Not positive about the next assumption, felt a little resistance in my back and ribs to the swing turn during the last 6 holes today and Monday as well. This became apparent during practise swings and I adjusted the stroke to remove the feeling with no ill effects. Sitting here 4 hrs later there is no residual stiffness or tenderness, in which case this can be put down to tiring towards the end on the rounds. As it took two months to prepare for Southern Ports tournament in March this year, I have definitely progressed to a greater extent in my physical conditioning without being consciously aware this was happening. I am aware that golfers do not need to be an athlete to play good competative golf, the higher your level of fitness is does give you another asset in game play. It is very easy to ignore fittness in the quest to play better golf, the game does require you to learn specific skills and repetative practise to hone them. I do use a couple of excersise tools, a set of handgrips and a 5 strand chest expander. If I have a gap in playing golf then I use the excersise equipment. Just to keep my arms, shoulders, hands tuned and active.
I view my golf practise and training the same as a trainer sees a horse in preparation, have a set of goals to meet in competition and know that the conditioning is done well in advance. Tuesday my score improved on the day before by one stroke a gross 90 (33 putts), compared to 91(30 putts) on Monday and Sunday’s 93 (32 putts). No complaints from this happy golfer, no matter what errors were made in the round that could have made the score lower, consistency has been established in my game again. It has been a challenging target to achieve with new irons and establishing a better fitness and physical condition while still trying to be competitive and improve my game skill level at the same time. My game scores of late have been below acceptable standards and this is no critique of my ability. Simply my skill is not that good, a 21 handicap indicates that.
Today I am not going to play a round, instead with the lousy weather a little practise on the putting and pitching range will do and I can catch up on some career work for a change this week. My iron game has been intriguing to experience of late. The irons have a lot more feel and the ball can be shaped with draws and fades. Getting a consistent swing every time is still being worked on. During the past 3 days the feel of my swing has became second nature and the grip as well, and memorised into how to do it correctly, more often. The driver was totally on the mark in the 3rd round, settled into that 200m distance shot that gets the best results with accuracy. The added bonus was that the distance had crept out to 220m off the tee average with the continued practise of the past days. Did enjoy the past months of winding up and really giving the ball a crack off the tee, the wayward shots were disastrous though and it is good to be back to a profitable game rythym on the tee. As usual looking forward to the coming weekends game and having a red hot go at winning my first Monthly Medal for the season.  “Hit ‘em straight all.”Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff