Too right Dart. If I can hold that I’ll have heaps of fun playing this game, and more than likely play some really good golf too.

On reflection my bad golf was as much fun as the good today as I learned from it and moved on. I’m looking forward to converting a few birdies though, but hey, then I get less shots to enjoy : )

Nice work Stinkler, it’s all coming together mentally and physically. Nice work mate, I feel a breakthrough coming on.

Just back from a good practice session. Today I wanted to do 3 things, pitching, putting and concentration. I started with pitching working on basic motion up, just about 20 mins. Then went to the putting green for 20 mins working on 20 foot plus down in 2.

For concentration I wanted to play 9 holes with my focus on maintaining a level head with a good pre shot and clear key. The 9 went like this;

1st par 3 155mtr, 6i to left fringe, not great contact but ok,
uphill to green 3mtrs off, took PW and had the shot in my head, CK in place and nice contact, bugger me it rolled beautifully in! Started with a birdie! Very happy, not at the birdie but this puts pressure on me for my concentration practice, interesting.

2nd Par 4, 3i slightly left but nice strike, was near trees but I had about 130 over some small trees. took 8i and hit it great, popped over green to rear long fringe, pondered my club here, had 4mtrs of green so took PW and just popped it out of the thick grass and it rolled to about 4ft. Looked at the putt from all angles and chose my line, knocked it in.

3rd par 4, 3i again, great strike taking on the dogleg left, had 60mtrs to pin, chose the LW as had good lie and green was raised. Popped it up to 10 ft, 2 putts for par.

4th Par 3, mind racing, 1 under, took 7i and just tried a little hard pushing out right. Had a tricky lob over a mound to a green running away from me. Relaxed and remembered my game plan of concentration. Picked my spot and fired CK and lobbed it up to about 4ft! Carefully surveyed the putt and confidently dropped it for par. Yeah.

5th, long par 4, solid drive tailed off into right trees, again just tried too hard. 7i back to fairway had 100 in. PW to 10 ft and 2 putt for bogey, back to even, but had my fun being under for the first time for 4 holes,,,,,

6th par3, 143mtrs, 8i pin high but pushed out right again, shit lie duffed chip, started thinking score so had to remind myself again. 2nd chip sweet to 1 ft, tap in bogey.

7th par 4, thinned 3i up the middle leaving me 170. 5i very well hit to pin high but I was thinking it might roll left a bit but it stayed up to the right on a mound. Hard chip here, maybe 2mtrs of green more than a meter bellow my feet and I’m 4mts off in thick grass. took the LW and cut under it to get it over the grass and roll down, excellent shot if I do say so myself! 4ft putt made for par!

8th long par4 dogleg left. Best tee shot of the day, 3i along tree line with a draw to the 150 marker, sweet. Had up hill shot so 6i came out, so did my steering habit! Still it was just short on the fairway so all cool. Grabbed the LW, nice lie and crap fringe to get over, CK in head and saw it pop up high and left, argh, hit green pulled up and spun right to 1 ft!!! Ha, excellent, tap in par.

All I had to do was par the next hole and I was 1 over for 9. How good is my concentration then????

Par 4 268mtrs. Driver comes out, feeling good. CK in and step up. Holy shit, I smashed it straight at the green over the necessary crap, must be right up there near the sprinkler? Walk up and can’t see the ball, after a little look I realise it’s resting next to the white hose under the sprinkler 4 mtrs shy of green(may have almost made the green but for the hose?). Waiting for the sprinkler to turn I move the hose and set myself up before I get wet, where’s my concentration?? Gone. Duffed the easiest of chips in a hurry, lesson learned, ouch. 2nd chip was done with focus up and on to 6ft. This putt for par. Well, wish I could say I made it but dam it was close! 2 putt for bogey and a round of 2 over for 9, which is my PB anyhow.

Showed myself what I’m capable of today with the right attitude and concentration. The aim is now to get that going more often.

Gotta be a sign of things to come

well done mate
where?d you play that 9 stink?

Played at a very basic track, Royal Park, bit of a cop out but still, I need to get used to scoring well. I also believe there is no such thing as an easy golf course, just harder ones : )

Playing 18 at Yerring Meadows tomorrow, that will be a bigger test of my concentration, the penalties are far greater there. I will remain focused and accept what comes, shot by shot.

Reread the CK sprinkler chapter Stink, kidding, bloody well done !

Well Yering Meadows sure is a challenging track, but I’m very happy to get 34 points when I don’t know it all that well. The greens here are hard, in all ways. It’s bloody hard to stop the ball on them, I hit heaps of greens but stayed on very few.

I fell down in 2 main areas today,
1 putting, couldn’t read the greens well, had good length but not direction, too many 3 putts. Not worried though as my putting is a work in progress and getting better, I also don’t usually play on cement greens : )
2 fairway bunkers! I think I was in a few because I was driving much longer and straighter than I expected, which I guess is good. I was actually aiming for most of them! Got out of them all ok but only one where I hit the ball first, which hit the green and went over the back anyhow,,,,,

I find what has happened is I’m hitting the ball very well indeed now and much straighter than ever, BUT, I need to change my attitude and alignment to suit my ball striking. Too often I aim a little left for the slice or push then slam the ball exactly where I was aiming to the left. Or the push that happens is because I’m aiming left and over compensate. From now on I’m aiming where I want it to go and going to play it with confidence.

Stick with me, this game is beginning to make sense.

What a strange game this is? Played comp today and really didn’t feel like I was making great contact with the ball. Mostly a little thin today but at least mostly straight. I felt like my pre shot and CK were getting messed up a bit and had to work hard to keep on my game. Thing is though I didn’t lose it, I kept on it and wouldn’t give in.

Came in from the front 9 with a surprising 20 points. No amazing golf but solid, apart from an annoying 3 putt that really should have been 1 putt.

As I didn’t feel like I was on fire I started the next 9 not expecting much, just wanted to remain solid and move the ball to the hole. It seemed to work as I ended up with 21 points on the back 9. Left a few shots out there too. Driving wasn’t on today at all, have a sore left shoulder and my extension wasn’t working (hooking it), but I took my medicine and played on.

41 points sees me at 12 over for the day and I’m extremely happy with the fact that I could hold my game together even though I wasn’t totally on fire. I think that is my best scoring comp round too so even more happy with that.

I’m really beginning to understand how much attitude has to do with this game. I was faced with some difficult shots today and before each shot as I walked up I told myself “I’m up for this, I can do it”. This attitude also made me prepare more seriously, even though as I said I got a bit muddled at times.

Things are looking good for you mate! 12 over is only 4 shots off your target for the whole year. Onya!

I’m really beginning to understand how much attitude has to do with this game. I was faced with some difficult shots today and before each shot as I walked up I told myself “I’m up for this, I can do it”. This attitude also made me prepare more seriously, even though as I said I got a bit muddled at times.

2010 will be the year of breaking 80.

Awesome job mate, some great golf by the sounds of it over the last few days. +2 for 9 holes and then 41 points in the comp – nice work. You hit the nail on the head about the attitude, I had a similar round the other day when my driving and putting were poor but I stuck in there and managed my way to a good score. Sub 80 is very close I think mate.

if that’s at Northcote stink that’s a great score,
well done,

Yep, at Northcote. Want to go out to Bundoora one day but feel I need to conquer my home course and not make excuses for greens or lies. The holes that used to daunt me are becoming regular bogey holes instead of wipes, getting close to playing there without doubt or fear. Was putting for par on the 7th both x’s, so that’s a plus for me.

Stink
not sure how you play this hole (7th)
have seen a gazillion people try and cut the corner and get in to trouble.
depending on the wind & T possy,
i always lay up and then go the green (or get over the creeK) with 2nd.

When i play the Darebin Cup we play off the plates,
So a 3 wood for me then
if the T’s are up 5 wood or 4i.
straight down the middle
Southerly drifts the ball round the corner where as the when the northerly is in you need to be accurate down the left edge.

i use the same course management on the 4th,
lay up then go for it.

my best score there for 9 is a 35,
normally a 40 is the go for me,
have loved and hated that course
have putted for eagle on the 8th too….
Let me know about bundoora as it is in real good nick (for them) & will freshen you up for home, try not to think bogie/wipe holes.
You can do it,
it’s only 1 swing.
kiwi

Down to 16.2 HC now, only lost .9 as the CCR was 68 : (

Still, that’s my lowest yet so will attempt to keep it heading in the right direction.

Kiwi, I took your advice on this hole before and now I never take on the trees. A 4i is the go or a 3i if the tee is way back. My best there is 38 but not in comp. A 35 is good golf indeed mate! I’ll take you up on Bundoora in march for sure, as you say it’ll freshen me up. Cheers.

Kiwi, I took your advice on this hole before and now I never take on the trees. A 4i is the go or a 3i if the tee is way back. My best there is 38 but not in comp. A 35 is good golf indeed mate! I’ll take you up on Bundoora in march for sure, as you say it’ll freshen me up. Cheers.

2010 will be the year of breaking 80.

stink
took 20 years to get that 35,
have lived close for that long.
Give us a hoy re Bundoora,
maybe Russ will join us.
kiwi

Well they say a break does you good, I always seem to play better after one it seems. I was in Adelaide last week for an important concert and had planned to have a hit but it all got a bit busy so I had about 10 days without a round. I had been doing some chipping and my PST and heaps of thought practice.

Today I played at Kew guest day and was on fire!! I’d love to be able to say I broke 80 as it was looking good until a triple bogey : ( but I did post my first ever single digit game at 9 over for an 81. Bloody stoked I am and now have a taste for breaking 80 like never before.

2 birdies, 8 pars, 6 singles, 1 double,1 triple

I pulled off so many good shots today and really starting to feel a confidence over the ball. My one triple was a result of lack of focus as my partner (4 ball) was getting hassled about me carrying him and I was laughing and lost it of the tee,,,,,, woops.

Shot loss pending,,,,,

Noice!

Been reflecting on my game yesterday and trying to work out where I can improve to break 80. Everything points at short game and putting now. Off the tee I was pretty good, only 2 drives put me in a position with no shot at green and my iron play was pretty bloody satisfying. If anything I think more short game practice will just improve my iron play as my striking was great but my club face control still needs some work.

I made a couple of great 20+ foot putts yesterday but there was a few pressure 2nd putts because I left it way short. Part of that is confidence on the greens not being a regular there. I need to learn to aim at a spot other than the hole. I tend to imagine the shape and play to that rather than pick a spot outside the hole and putt to that line. The long putts I made were straight so it felt right.

I know that through basic motion and the hinges you can practice club face control and this seems to be done heaps with the wedges (as in PW,SW). Is it a good idea to spend time doing these drills with 7i to 4i as they are less forgiving with direction? ie chipping a 5i say 30 to 60 mtrs?

stink
30-50m i would use a 7i or 8i
same action as a putt.
then you can learn to bang the ball into hills and have it pop over the top like for eg the 3rd at northcote,
say you miss right, pin high, bad lie
8i in to the up slope and up and over the top.
kiwi

Kiwi, I was talking more about practicing club face and ball direction control, not about an actual shot to use. However I’ll put that one in my file for getting me back when I need it, though I usually miss the 3 rd left.

I’d be up for that hit soon too? Is Russ about?

practice practice practice short game AND putting is the key to scoring. takes the pressure off approach shots, knowing you have a good chance at getting up and down for par.

if you are still not completely happy with the long game, maybe allocate 60% practice time to short game and 40% to long game.

lately my game has got to near where i want it to be, just waiting to break 70 now and waiting for the rain to STOP.

What a day, lucky???? Not at all. Stupid, probably.

Well Yering Meadows guest day, I guess I’m lucky to start, a free game at a good track!

Tee off 12.39; weather ok.
Played the Nursery (?)

19th, par 4.
Good drive FW right
6i into strong wind, on green 10 mtrs to pin
1st putt very sad, another 2, Bogey for 2 pts

20th par 4
drive right again to rough
110 in with wind, PW but cut it too much, front bunker.
Very good bunker shot in hard wet sand with steep lip. Had read somewhere to keep hands firm with this shot and it worked.
10 ft putt to tap in for bogey, 2 pts

21st Par 4 into wind
Great drive middle
6i to fringe, good chip to 4 ft
Par, 3 pts

22nd par 3 strong cross wind left to right
Hit 8i very well pin high to left of green.
Spectacular putt for birdie, 3 pts
This was the first time I got 3 points on a hole I didn’t have a shot on, very rewarding feeling.

23rd par 5
Drive left down in rough
Great Hybrid back to FW 100 out
into heavy wind, punched 8i to rear of green, easy chip on and one putt for par and 3 pts

24th par 4 with wind
3i not struck great but to FW left (wise choice, driver would put me in shit)
Great 7i to right fringe, excellent chip to a foot, tap in par, 3 pts

25th par 3, 140ish into strong wind
Hit 6i as well as I can to front of green, 16 ft putt to lip, tap in par
3 pts

1 over 19 points after 7 holes, mmmmm

26th Long par 4
Great drive to centre, yeah.
180 out, nervous, should have hit 4i, der, Hybrid, backed off, pulled to fence pin high, had no shot : ( chip close to green, chip on,,,,,,, 3 putt dick head scratch, ha, I’ll learn.

27th par 5,
Great drive, enter the wild Melbourne regular storm, pissing down, Hybrid down guts to 30 mtrs, by the time I get there I’m soaked and the wind is wild, umbrella broken, still I played my chip, popped it up to 10 ft, ran up grabbed it and kept running, should have marked it!!!! If I made a 2 putt it would give me 22pts for the front,,,,,,,,, I’ll never know ; )

Anyhow, the weather fined up and I played another 5 holes with my mate, had no more time after the deluge. Had 32 points for 14 holes, not that it means jack,,,,

Loving the game and hitting the ball bloody well at the moment. The game at Kew the other day didn’t count on my HC so still of 16 for the moment. $234 speeding fine on the way home to cap it off, silly me, that hurts.

Argh!!!!!!!!!!!! What a day at Yarra bend, one to put behind me.

Wont do shot by shot but here is some stats.

Front 9
Fairways 100%
GIR 67% (6)
22 putts
7 over 42

Back 9
Fairways 1
GIR 1
putts 21
12 over 47

43 putts!!! #@$$^x%x

2 things to say. 1; I got very tired and sore today, something was not right with the old body and lost it on the back 9. Must address my nutrition and water intake, screwed up today and neglected myself and paid the price.

My putting and chipping was atrocious!! Must be that time of the month. Had little confidence with the putter and was over thinking grip etc, just not a good golf day at all.

Plan?
Buy a big water bottle and take some nibbles.
Be the best putter of anyone I know!

Gees I tell you the competition around here is getting tough! Matt99 puts up such a good read (and game) I spend all my time enjoying his story!! But, thought I’d drop by for my more, well, less entertaining journey : )

Haven’t had a chance to play 18 for a week now, but been slashing at a few quick 9’s and keeping up my practice.

The most interesting aspect of golf of late for me has been the whole “club face is king” theory, which I might add I am firmly accepting wholeheartedly. I’ve been experimenting and thinking about this really quite a lot.

One thing I’ve been focusing on is getting my swing path in to out and in practice I feel this very much, BUT, I have been keeping an eye on my divots and on my best shots my divot faces left of the target. I admit this is for my shorter irons as I tend not to take a full divot with 6i up as it’s just a ‘dip’ in the turf. Anyhow, I understand I can play good golf with that swing path if I master the face control.

On that, hit a 6i on the 1st par 3 today that rolled over the edge of the hole clipping lightly the pin, oh god it was so close to the holy grail of golf shots, ended 3 foot past to start with a birdie, nice. Ended up +5 for 9 which really feels quite average for me now, whereas 6 months ago would have been stoked indeed, so must be improving.