Good work Tal …..... seeing the reward for effort is always going to keep you at it ….. so keep looking for the signs of improvement in all areas of your golf, and take pleasure in them.

A couple of things for you to ponder though …...

You have go to love putting .. in order to be any good at it.

We all I think, need to really look forward to getting on the green and being able to putt. Having a positive outlook whenever you step onto a green is half the battle …... so remind yourself that you are a good putter as often as you can . and smile whenever you pull out the flatstick ….... I reckon it helps.

In relation to going flat out off the tee, just from my own experience as a low teen player ….... I had the game arse about. I’d go flat out off each tee, and then go conservative on the approach shots. I’d wind up in the rough all too frequently off the tee, and cost myself chances to score well at both ends of the hole.

I’ve now adopted the completly opposite approach ….. safety off the tee, and then attack the greens and flags with ym approach shots ….... and that I reckon has really helped me to get down to single figures.

Just be mindful that while “long” is good …...... chipping out sideways from the rough isn’t … so just a bit of fine tuning I reckon to make sure you “pick your battles”, and keep the odds in your favour ….....

Great work of late though Tal, and it all looks very promising for you in 2013 …...

talart, great to hear that all of the hard work is having such a positive effect, both on the golf game and how you are feeling generally. I too have entered into a bit of a “regime” for the new year, for other reasons other than golf, but I am hoping that I see some knock on effects on my golf game as well.

On the basis of your experience, I have some reason to be optimistic about my prospects!

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http://www.golflink.com.au/...

This has helped my game immensely and it mat seem to be a rap[id improvement. I was not until after 2 weeks off the course and only hitting practise balls while exercising that a social round got me out for nine holes and the bug was back to play. It was a very quick realisation that my capability had changed and I am still adjusting to this. Playing for fun is very important and just enjoying this ‘new’ game I have.

In relation to going flat out off the tee, just from my own experience as a low teen player ……. I had the game arse about. I’d go flat out off each tee, and then go conservative on the approach shots. I’d wind up in the rough all too frequently off the tee, and cost myself chances to score well at both ends of the hole.

For me GPJ it is a very different set of circumstances. Never been long off the tee. It was physically impossible and also technically inept skill wise. Now I have the physical ability which while I call it flatout, is still based upon my previous shorter tee game that was all about accuracy to compensate for the shorter distance.

25/1/13 Friday As I do every year this time is spent training and practising for the coming season. 2013 is markedly different with an increased fitness training program that is definitely adding more improvement to my golfing. In addition I have imported a training aid that is designed to improve golfing as well. At this stage after 3 days this is definitely having an effect.

Third day with the Dream Swing training equipment. Definite improvement in ease and comfort while using the equipment. Considering the noticeable changes the Dream Swing design is perfectly created to suit any golfer who is serious about improvement. As was proven the day before with hitting the ball on the range a marked increase in club-head speed and ease of swing.

Dream Swing 3rd day

At the minute this improvement is coming at a time when I had intensified training and practising in my annual season preparation. To be playing well at the minute and then notice a marked improvement in several aspects of my golfing is no mean feat. The coming weekend of golf competitions on Saturday and Sunday are going to be challenging.

Having to adjust to significant game changes and still play consistent and competitive golf at the same time. This is where my attitude of “playing for fun’ during this period shows it’s benefit. I enjoy playing well and winning, at this time of the year though the focus is on having fun. Enjoying my game improvements in a thrill. Even when it is a challenge to play consistently while adjusting to the effects of the training is why there is no tantrums in my golf.

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

25/1/13 Friday As I do every year this time is spent training and practising for the coming season. 2013 is markedly different with an increased fitness training program that is definitely adding more improvement to my golfing. In addition I have imported a training aid that is designed to improve golfing as well. At this stage after 3 days this is definitely having an effect.

http://www.facebook.com/pag…
Returned the game in 2009.
Typical Pre-Round Routine: 30 min driver & irons warm up, 30 min Pitching, putting. Stretches. Sacrifice chicken.
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A war bride from Thailand perhaps? :-)

A war bride from Thailand perhaps? :-)

heheheh armed and dangerous with ping pong balls at 20 metres.

A war bride from Thailand perhaps? :-)

heheheh armed and dangerous with ping pong balls at 20 metres.

28/1/13 Monday. Another weekend of playing two competition rounds, Kingston on Saturday and Robe on the Sunday. This weekend was significantly different in golfing approach on the Saturday. Choosing to experiment in a competition round with using the 56 degree wedge in my approach shots from 70-100 metres out from the green. This was brought about with a combination of harder greens and the need to drop and stop the ball as well as the recent distance improvement I am getting off the tee as well as with all clubs. I had practised during the week with the 56 degree wedge, which I carry for use in sand bunkers and for shots 25 to 30 m out from the green when not suitable for the pitching wedge.

Was never comfortable with this club and duffed most of the long shots. Reverted to playing it as before from 30 metres in to the green for the time being. It is going to be a matter of practise to improve results with this wedge. It is possible to not practise with it of course. My choice though is to improve with it and have an extra selection available in my clubs.

Day two was a head down and serious golf day as far as is acceptable for my summer rounds. The focus was still on having fun and that perhaps showed in the two double bogies during the last four holes. A few concentration lapses from being relaxed prevented a sub 80 score finished with a gross 82 and nett 69 to break my handicap easily enough. Several birdie putts just lipped out as did 3-4 par putts. None of which mattered, close enough is good enough when gauging the improvement at this early stage of pre season preparation.

On the other side of the coin is that I hit the ball 240 metres plus on eight the par four and two of the par five holes and these shots were on the fairway. As well as green in regulation on the three par three holes. Accuracy is always the goal but now the distance is beginning to become regular change in my game. Hitting approach shots to the green from 125 metres or less on ten of the eighteen holes played was a significant advantage. I will add that I played in below avareage physical condition on both days as another guide to the significant improvement in my golfing capability of late.

The improvement has been excerbated by an addition to my golf practise regime. The next month will be a defining period in the effectiveness of this recommended tool.
Thankyou for your time and attention “Hit ‘em straight all”

10/2/13 Sunday. Returned form playing Heywood, Victoria last night was a great day and well worth the 2 1/2 hour drive over to play. Fronting up again to play at home this afternoon as well. The training and fitness program of the past two months is delivering the result planned.
http://www.heywoodgolfclub....
Missed getting the week before game report on line as well. The usual Kingston then Robe competitions were played on Saturday and Sunday. The first day I really let loose off the tee and pushed my limits with hitting the ball as hard as possible. The previous weeks exercise routine had been a bit more than was comfortable and was a little drained to tell the truth. The poor score did not bother me again. I have been using this round to develop a course strategy at Kingston as well as test the limits of my improvement.

As usual after the Kingston round I get on the Robe track and reap the rewards of the day before practise session done in a competition round. Some may find this a little confusing to be playing in a competition round and deliberately adopt a mind set of ‘this is practise’. I am not interested in protecting my handicap my goal is to get it lower and this requires a major change in my game play in tandem with the skill improvements. So far every week it has worked, a poor score on day one is countered by a good score the next day using the knowledge gained from taking the path less travelled.

This weekend I stepped up another level in going to Heywood. This round included pride in playing well besides enjoying the atmosphere and catching up with mates at their home club. A gross 86 with 33 Stableford points and beating most of the field for a 5th place not a bad result. First time on the track and that made the result even better. Today I am backing up at Robe and going hard for another par or better round. Thankyou for your time and attention “Hit ‘em straight all”

Thursday 14/2/13 Travelled to Adelaide yesterday night this gave me time to get to the Drummond Golf Driving range at West Beach this morning. Wanted to put in a session with the golf swing tool that has ben a vital part of my practise the past month. Hit 60 balls and the results were again exactly what is wanted. Easy swing staying to the corrects path and the ball going straight to the target.

Was flaming hot work and that took a toll on my desire to do more than 60 balls. Summer heat wave settling in for the next few days and looking forward to returning to Robe and the coole climate by the ocean Friday. This has been my quota in the past week per session and I am not going to increase it either. Keeping in mind that my fitness needs to be maintained not harmed in the next 2 weeks.

What is important to note is that I have put the hybrids away except for the 3 and 4 which are remaining in my bag. The rest are all Titliest AP2 irons which I have not used for 6 months. The improved fitness as well as recovery from injury has been hinting that this was a possibility for a coupke of weeks. This week I have played 3 9 hole rounds and used the irons to very good effect. This is definitely a result of using the training tool as well. The better ‘feel’ with the irons is what I need to increase green in regulation. This in tandem with my fitness has enabled a more aggressive approach to my game that is much needed.
Thankyou for your time and attention “Hit ‘em straight all”

Sunday 24th February. The practise and training period has passed, Monday is the first round of the Southern Ports Golf Week 54 hole championship. The past weeks have been all directed to being in the best form possible for this my 4th crack at the title. With two 2nd placings in C Grade 2010, B Grade 2011, 2013 again has me in A grade and up against the gun golfers. The gross championship is well out of my reach my 12 handicap is far behind the scratch and single digit scoring potential. My goal is the Nett Championship and with 54 holes in three days, consistency is the goal.

The first round on Monday is played at my home track this year so I will have a local knowledge advantage. Unfortunately unlike other years I have not managed to get to Wednesdays venue, Beachport, for a few rounds prior to the tournament. The plus side is that I have the course on video and these reviews in past seasons will be enough to give me some playing advantage. The final days play on the Friday is at Kingston where I have been playing weekly in my preparation. :Last Saturday I had a Gross 84/Nett 72 in the competition and am well versed in the nuances of this course.

It all comes down to golfing ability of course and this event is great fun as well with golfers from intra and interstate all vieing for the various titles.This year my biggest change has been increased fitness that has been worked on since November 2012.The weather is sensational here at the minute as February and March usually is on the Limestone Coast. Significantly warmer than usual in fact which is great for swimming and this is also very draining on the golf course so my fitness training is already giving me an advantage.

Yesterday was the LOOM WINES Mens Pinehurst Comp. played at Robe best described as Sun, Fun and Golf. A great day had by all as the pictures in the link to the Southern Ports Facebook page show. For some it is a fun way to get form on one of the courses. For others who cannot play in the weeks competition for various reasons as they have in the past it is a day to at least be part of the event.

It is a very sociable week and I had a great time catching up with faces that I had not seen for a year. Of course a bit of good natured ‘sledging’ was part of the catching up. Make no mistake this is a competitive event at heart and every golfer is having a crack at winning something. Even in 2012 I managed to get a second place at one event and that was a big effort. Moving into A Grade is a major step up, The lower grades are as competitive but the ability is at a lower standard.

Today is a swim in the morning and depending on the weather I may or may not play in the 18 hole competition at Robe. As I discovered last weekend two hot days in a row take a bit more out of me. This 54 hole tournament is about staying power not an 18 hole sprint.
Thankyou for your time and attention “Hit ‘em straight all”

Clean underpants Day tomorrow, all fresh and ready to play the first round. Today a third place finish 38 points lost on count-back for second. Putting not at a peak but can turn that up tomorrow. Playing very easily to score well today.

GIR is the real downfall for me and playing on my home track in the first round of the 54 hole tournament is a bonus for my game. Looking forward to the golf, as well as the whole social experience. Great fun and a real test of my game and where I am at again.
Thankyou for your time and attention “Hit ‘em straight all”

Feb 25, 2013 – 06:00 AM
I have been bordering on a sub handicap round for a few weeks while preparing for the Southern Ports 54 hole competition starting today.

https://www.facebook.com/So...

Almost did not play in yesterday’s club comp. it all came down to weather conditions. Fortunately the recent hot spell abated and moderate wind to move the humidity and cool down the walking made it a yes. Tidy 82 gross for 38 Stableford points has me down to 11.7 playing off 12 for the first round and on my home track to start the championship challenge this week.
hit em straight all
geoff

Good bounces Geoff. Have fun.

Monday 25th February 2013 First Round of Southern Ports

played yesterday and it was hard work. Front nine was marred with a lost ball and two in trees, the fairway accuracy of Sunday was nowhere to be found and scored a 48 gross after nine holes. Went in the club house found a quiet corner and had a little chat with myself, as golfers do. Wanted a 40 on the back nine and scored a 39 to finish with 87 gross and 75 Nett. Sitting in 16th place on the table for the Nett championship and only six shots behind the leader (Nett 69)

The Robe course ripped a few in the field apart with it’s dual layout on the front and back nine. Both are very different in make up one flat the other hilly. With enough wind to add a special twist for any mistakes. Kingston on Wednesday and Beachport for the final round I am settled into the tournament game now. Not as happy as I would like to be with the first round score. That is the fact though and I have full confidence in my game to get the results and climb up the table.

Caught up with Alan Grant who beat me in the play off for the B grade title in 2010. One of the great parts of this event is the friendships made with other golfers that come to have a crack at the title.

Yes Smart ArSeS it is me in the red shirt giving the thumbs up. I am a boring old fart not a wrinkly one. Thankyou for your time and attention. Hit ‘em straight all.

Still in the running then mate. Where does that leave you in A grade?

Sitting 16th place and in range yesterday and then I fell off the mark on the last hole of each nine in the second round. Went all or nothing again and faltered on those two holes to fail in my charge for a par round or better. A 7 on the par 4, 9th and a 9 (OB with second shot) on the par 5, 18th did the damage. Having 25 putts was a win for the day. One round to go at Beachport and still a chance to make the daily winners list with a better effort. As the saying goes ‘bugga’ Had my chances and could not quite get there in the end. The tournament is great fun make no doubt.

Mine was not the only frustrating round and many were much worse. It was not an easy day and the last four holes were played into a strengthening wind and in the end it was enough to break my concentration. One poor club selection that cost me all of the hard work of the previous 17 holes. Yet it was such great fun throwing everything I had into the effort. Fighting back from the triple bogie on the ninth hole. was a great buzz. The feeling at the end of the round is best described as ‘stunned’ It did not hurt and the bemusement I was going through was just as apparent on many other golfers faces in the clubhouse.

To sum up how this event works is that the winner of the gross yesterday had a 74 off the stick and in the first round scored an 86. Playing off scratch and out of the running for the Gross Championship the golfer has bounced back onto the winners podium. My experience in 2011 was similar could not get over the line all tournament until the 3rd round and claimed a second place on that day. As disappointed as I was afterwards, to have had 25 putts was a great boost.

In fact that was the benchmark of my confidence on the day. It was a combination of mental lapses and perhaps a touch of tiredness on the last hole that brought me undone. A days rest on Thursday will rejuvenate the energy level for another charge on Friday. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”

Thursday a quick up date with a gross 152 I am 9 behind the leader in the nett championship 143 and 7 behind two golfers in second place at 145. Overall I am in the top 15 score wise.

Even now my dull boring brain accepts this fact without ant regrets or frustration. The other more creative part of my brain is yelling that this is nothing that a nett 60 will not fix on Friday at Beachport! Dear readers do not even consider the reality of this attitude, fact is a nett 65 will put me in the mix (Gross 75 at a course I have played well at several times) I will have a red hot go in the final round and chase the title until the very last putt on the day to complete my card.

Go get em Talart!!!

He drops 5 you pick up 5 and your there!

Inspirational reading Talart. Keep it up!

Saturday 2/3/13 Spent the day resting up after finishing at 11pm running the bar for the Southern Ports Presentations. Dear readers Talart was totally stuffed yesterday. In fact one of the conversations I was in and also heard others having after the last day was a compliment to the Professionals who play 4 day tournaments. As well as the pro am before and for some there is also the qualifying round. Southern Ports Golf Week Now is the time to like the tournament and start planning for coming along in 2014.

A week of golf is a big effort and the winners thoroughly deserve the reward. $200-$300 vouchers go a long way to covering the accommodation and travelling expenses. Not to neglect the daily prizes for each round that reward the golfers who play well.
This is the first time in four years I have not been in the winners lists at all. Yet I was in the hunt every round and the benefits will be delivered for me in coming weeks. I am thoroughly prepared and in my best condition ever for the coming Golf Open days in the region through March and April just to begin with.

Third and final round of Southern Ports tournament on Friday and while I managed a 9th place on the day once again a lost ball shot my challenge down in flames on the day. Golfers luck ,it was just not possible to find the object buried in a small patch of thick grass at the base of a tree. The Beachport course was a tough task for all bar one golfer on the day with a strong ocean wind making every shot hard work.

The one golfer who had a good day scored one over par and leapt from 5 strokes behind the leaders to win the A Grade competition.
That is one of the great things about playing this competition. You never feel out of the running until the final card is in the scorers hands. The camaraderie among the players is the most enjoyable part of the week. With the competitive nature obviously there for al,l the social aspect of playing with people you have never met and enjoying the common passion of golf is sensational.

As disappointed as I am with my scores and results on the last day. It was a miss by very little to have made the winners list in the final round. Yet my congratulations for the winner and all others was sincere and genuine.. The sacrifice and effort to get away to play golf for a week is no small thing. Then you have to get up and play on a new course every second day for a week as well as enjoy the many social events that occur.

350 plus golfers do find a lot of time to socialise off course and that can be very tiring. That is the subtle way to describe the party atmosphere which does take a toll on some golfers stamina. For me it was all done with ease and only 51 weeks to go before I tee up again in 2014 for another crack at the title.

Today is a joint competition day with Kingston and Beachport golfers coming to play at Robe. There is going to be a lot of recounting of the week experiences as golfers love to do when they have shared the experience and are all looking for a little more that may make next year a better one.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”

Final results – A Grade winner Men – Graham Rentsch [Hamilton] 226, R/up- Ben Slack [Echunga] 229
Nett winner – Greg Holcombe [Heywood] 216, R/up – Mark Davies [Naracoorte ] 218
Veteran Kevin Etherton [Casterton] 220
B Grade Men- Peter Wells [Blackwood] 265, R/Up – Graham Young [Flagstaff Hill] 272
Nett winner – Bill Quinlan-Watson [Robe 218, R/up – Ben Schaefer [Kingston] 220
Veteran – Bill Quinlan Watson
C Grade Men – Jim Pegler [Beachport] 112 st.pts, 2nd – Allan Webster [Beachport] 102 c/b
3rd – Tim Mort [Robe] 102, 4th – Scott Fennell [Robe] 101
Veteran – Allan Webster [Beachport] c/b Tim Mort

A Grade Ladies Winner – Elizabeth Saint [ Millicent – Play-off with Lyn Pascoe] 245, R/Up Juliet Hugo [RAGC} 248
Nett Winner – Lyn Pascoe [Thaxted Park] 215, R/up – Robyn Walters [Beachport] 225
Veteran – Kay Rasheed [Kingston] 227
B Grade Ladies winner – Mayette Briggs [Naracoorte] 282, R/up – Sandra Munn [Naracoorte] 291
Nett Winner – Robin DeClifford [Kew] 227, R/up -Pam Symonds [Kingston] 228
Veteran – Lyn Kiddey [Thaxted Park] 229
C Grade Ladies Div.1 Winner – Jan Green [Beachport] 108 pts , 2nd – Felicity Miles [Naracoorte] 103
Div.2 Winner – Jenni Brown {RAGC] 96 pts, 2nd – Susan Hunt [RAGC] 94
Veteran – Jan Green

What a great experience thanks for the detailed report it was very interesting reading :)

Well done mate! Stayed competitive. Nice write up.

Thanks Node and Weetixbix, Recovered this morning and am fronting up for 18 holes in the club comp no wonder I was flat yesterday just realised that I will have played 5 competition rounds in 8 days after today’s round! Had not really thought about anything except the next stroke since last Sundays competition the scores 82, 87, 88 and 89.

In fact was one less but my card marker did not correct an error after it was pointed out after the front nine. Still my error as I signed the card and did not recheck the individual hole totals. No sour grapes on my part and I accept all responsibility for the error as the onus is on me to ensure the total is correct. A timely warning as I have never been DQ-ed and or lost an event because of an error. In fact one golfer would have won the C Grade event but for a DQ this year for an incorrect handicap on his card. That is one of four DQ’s I know of in the week long event.

The rules of golf are there to help players not hinder them and sometimes we all have to be a little more alert. Yes we are amateur golfers but the social game and attitude can not be used as an excuse when you make and error.

Sunday 3/3/13 Fronted up and played in my home club competition today, the rest day on Saturday was the most I have lain around the house for some time. Definitely helped me recover from the past week of competition. Interesting to realise that after the Sunday round I had played 5 competition golf rounds in eight days. So happy to have made the decision to work on my fitness in preparing for the week.

Overall I improved my standing from 2011 Southern Ports Golf Week from bottom 15 to a top 15 finish. Very satisfied with the result even though I did not make any winning results on the 3 days for the first time.

Yesterday a 34 point Stableford round with two wipes was a fair effort. It took a few holes to loosen up at the start. Not a lot of energy left in the fuel tank at the end of the day. Will be taking it easy golf wise for a few days working on keeping my short game and putting touch only. This weekend is the two day Naracoorte Golf Club Open and I am planning on having another crack at this course again. Never managed to put a full 18 hole effort on the card there yet and this year my preparation has been much better looking forward to 2013’s attempt.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”