Tuesday 12/3/13 One of those strange days in the second days play. Putting was the problem. No excuses from the 5.30 am start to travell being any more than a footnote in my opinion. Off the tee went very well, fairway and chipping was great but I am certain that 38 putts sank my second days play with a 95 off the stick. With 30 putts the day before this was not expected as the greens changed pace in the two days slowing down and I had 6 putts at least stop short of the hole in the round. In truth I am not even bothered by this as I saw the results of all the practise done to improve my tee shots and fairway and short game all come to fruition. Putting can now become the training focus to be brought up to the same level as the rest of my game. Gotta love the game that throws up so many challenges.

Left to Right Ben Semple, Myself, Fabian Bigmore Willy Hyslop (eventual winner of the Naracoorte Open Nett competition and a flatscreen TV)
The Day before I was ragged on the front nine and scored a 50 with a 41 on the back nine with 30 putts on the day. It was a few bad shots out of bunkers that cost me on that day and I had no idea the putting would collapse on day two.
Beer O’ Clock for Tal
The driver was a major improvement, changed to the 400 cc regular flex shaft in reaction to some advice from my coaching professional. He is correct the stiff flex shafts are not suited to my swing with the driver either. The change to the smaller driver did limit my distance. The 230m + drives were non existent yet all day 220m off the tee and on thefairway was excellent results.

In the market for a new shaft on the Cleveland now, I will not sacrifice the distance of the tee for too long. Getting the best suited shaft is going to take time yet the hot weather is not going to limit my game for the next month or so at all with using the Toskii Driver.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”

Finally cooling down after a week and headed out for a comfortable short range session at 6pm. Having rested up from golfing since returning Sunday and mostly to avoid the heat it was time to get out and put the past three months fitness and importantly golf practise to the test.

Took the regular flex Toski driver as well as the stiff flex Cleveland and a 6 iron for the trial. The iron was astounding 140 metres with ease and 10 of 15 balls in a 5-10 metre circle of shade on the fairway. The other 5 were all grouped 10 metres to the right. It was almost an exercise in working the ball the ease I had in hitting a ball to the right and then the next straight to the target. Fact is I was not trying to work the ball it was an error and I would do it then with the next shot know exactly what to do for the ball to go straight.

Hit the ball straight is my golfing mantra and after today I can state that I can work the ball within certain limits if I “have to” in a game. My first choice is always going to be hit the ball straight.

The driver was on target right from the start with even better accuracy than the 6 iron with 13 of 15 balls inside the target area of 25 metres. The distance reduction has to be accepted until I get the Cleveland driver reshafted. 200 to 215 meters is the ball length achieved today with the 400cc Toski. Well down on the 220-235m from the 440cc Cleveland with the stiff shaft but I cannot get anywhere near the consistent distance and accuracy as I do with the reg shaft. All is good though as I have been advised by my coach on the shaft change and experimented to check the validity of the claim.

Friday 15/3/13 Having been practising and establishing a new swing and getting comfortable with the changes myself for the past two months the results are becoming established. Importantly it is an improvement and because of the training and practise method used after the first week or so the transition was in place. The most difficult part of the experience is getting used to the changed accuracy, distance with the ball in all facets of the game.

Learning and adjusting to the changes all comes from repetition in practise and undoing 4 years plus of what has been the standard is not easy. Yesterday I went out and played 9 holes with a very different set of clubs and finished with 41 off the stick. This was done for several reasons. One of which to prove that the equipment is not the most important factor it is how it is used.

I could be raving on about how poor the improvements have been because I played badly in the Southern Ports Tournament. That my handicap has not dropped more than 1 stroke since making the changes could also be a complaint. Fact is there are other improvements to be made yet in my golf and I am not expecting or trying to drop 2-3 strokes in a hurry at the minute.

The putting practise is coming into its position as first priority. Followed with a change in the driver to a regular flex shaft from the stiff. At the same time a 3 wood is back in my bag after finally getting it right with the new swing and at last there is a reliable option for 190m to 210m shots in my bag.

It is an odd experience on my part it is still new to know exactly what has been done wrong when I do not play the correct new stroke and have a poor result. The correction is so simple and easy to do but until playing the shot correctly in the first instance becomes the way I play golf it is still enthralling to be going through this transition period.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”

Saturday 16/3/13 This week has been one of consolidation and the improvements are going to be put to the test in competition Saturday and Sunday. Friday in the 9 hole club comp. I finished with 39 off the stick, 2 over par. 22 Stableford points and following on from the social round Thursday of 41 that shows that my game is in a good place at the minute.

The interesting fact is that I had changed irons to a made up set from Seve Balesteros clubs with regular shafts.

The ball feels harsh not painful or erratic though on mis-hits but damn sweet on good shots. In essence these irons are forgiving yet really reward the well hit shots. Changed deliberately to prove that it is not all about the equipment used but how a golfer uses it. Perhaps it was because I concentrated harder using these irons but it was also good short game and putting as well as off the tee shots which made up the whole round. I am going to play the two competition rounds with this club configuration over the weekend.

Be great to hear how they go. Been reading Brad Hughes forum on SITD and he advocates older clubs due to weight and flatter lie angles etc. How old are these and any idea how flat compared to what you normally play?

This is a bit weird really that Seve clubs are now in your bag as only the other night when bored I was trawling through youtube at Seve clips. Pretty damn entertaining ! Here is a fun one I come across and knowing your penchant for camera work and now that you have the clubs how long before we see something like this ?!

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Be great to hear how they go. Been reading Brad Hughes forum on SITD and he advocates older clubs due to weight and flatter lie angles etc. How old are these and any idea how flat compared to what you normally play?

Will have to find out now OB. Have just been hitting them and not really thinking that much about anything except accuracy.

Just goes to show that ‘new’ is not always best sometimes. I have mused on this a lot in the past 4 years. and used many irons from 1970. 80’ 90’s and really have found many that work great.

Hey there big T, enjoying ya journey. I’m with you on the club thing, it’s a weird world hey.

I think the best and only way is to play and practice with all sorts and find what is interesting to you. We both came to golf late, so are malleable when it comes to tools I reckon as we have less inbuilt habits from years of hitting balls.

I’ll be back for more chat, once u hit these Honmas a bit. It’s all very interesting indeed. I’m understanding Brads raves a heap more now too, as my mind awakes!

Sunday 17/3/13 Happy St Paddy’s Day. The Irish every since they invented Whiskey and Guinness they have not came up with anything of note. Probably coz they have been pissed ever since.

Been a good week on the golf course with Thursday and Friday playing very well in 9 hole comps. Then Saturday the weather turned into a type that is close to the winter conditions we get on the coast. The forecast was for 35km winds on Thursday and on Saturday we played in 40km winds with gusts reaching 60km plus. My game fell apart and in the stroke round finished with 101 off the stick. Off the tee was okay but approach shots fell short and to kill the golfing my short game was a disaster of too long or so short it needed another chip shot to get on the green.

Just laughed at the way my game unravelled after the first 8 holes and then a OB on the 9th finishing with an 8 and a 50 on the front 9.

Decided to just let loose after that and enjoy the day. With a 51 on the back nine there was a series of bad shots on several holes but no damage done to my confidence or game. If anything a valuable wake up to what the conditions are the norm for the coming golf season here.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”

Yep, the weather has turned again, the game will need adjustments. Wet, windy, rugged up, cold hands, etc etc all makes for some more challenges!

Like you say though, gotta keep going and enjoy the day.

Hey there big T, enjoying ya journey. I’m with you on the club thing, it’s a weird world hey.

I think the best and only way is to play and practice with all sorts and find what is interesting to you. We both came to golf late, so are malleable when it comes to tools I reckon as we have less inbuilt habits from years of hitting balls.

I’ll be back for more chat, once u hit these Honmas a bit. It’s all very interesting indeed. I’m understanding Brads raves a heap more now too, as my mind awakes!

What is this golf game you talk of?

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

Having no preference for a name as far as golf equipment goes I have wondered about my ease in using a variety of types. One theory I have considered. (Every golfer revels in coming up with theories) is related to my performance artistic career. The practise of rehearsal and doing ‘stuff’ to get a show/act right comes naturally to me in fact I do it almost unconsciously every day.

When it came to golfing the coaching all had its purpose but then the personal choice of equipment for me is one of continual selections. Just to see what another club will do, how it feels etc. is enough for me to literally buy a set and use it. Ebay made it possible to do this and still be able to eat. Yes just like many idiot artists I will put doing something of interest in front of having food!

Haha, totally get you Tal, tools to an artist take on a different creativity don’t they? That’s what I’m getting at, short, long, upright, flat, we adjust and perform to the tool. It’s a matter a trying to gauge which one makes it ‘easier’ to achieve our aims.

I’m forever trying horns and mouthpieces,,,,,,

Stink good thing u are a musician lmfao

Sunday 17/3/13 Good enough to make the winners list claiming 3rd place in a 3 way tie on 35 points at the end of the round today. Always good to make the winners list. Especially satisfying given the 16 shot improvement from Saturday’s 101 off the stick at Kingston to an 85 gross today.

It is not fair to use the weather as an excuse for playing poorly. I was still the golfer who played the shots yesterday and scored 101 off the stick that today scored 85 off the stick. The main difference was that the winds today were 16-19km/hr compared to yesterdays 40-60km/hr.

It was much easier playing many shots yet I still made the same mistake several times with fat shots on approach to the green. As well as several shots that went too far and through the green. This was the main blemish on the days round. With the first of four championship qualifying rounds next weekend my game is in a good place, with room for improvement.

The Seve Balesteros irons are definitely making a statement in their effectiveness. I am considering re-shafting them again with newer shafts.

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

Saturday 23/3/13 After a week of rest and relaxation where I decided to have a break from golfing practise for a refresher It is off to Kingston for a round today and then Sunday at the Home club for a club championship qualifying round.

Did play in the 9 hole chicken run yesterday afternoon off a 10 hcp (we alter hcp in this comp to share the chicken prizes around) my playing cap is 12 in reality but lost 2 strokes after winning a chicken last Friday. I like this change as it makes me play to a lower cap in a competition for fun. 14 points yesterday for nine holes so not too bad for a social hit.

Saturday 23/3/13 Stableford round at Kingston was a valued hit out. 33 points 19 on the front nine and faded with 14 on the back nine holes. Good off the tee all day putted well and short game was okay the failing on the day was the 80 to 130 metre shots at the green. Not unusual but with the days play in hindsight all acceptable it was the stand out fault which cost me a better finish.

Happy to finally be able to see this as the next major practise target. Off the tee using the 400cc Toski driver I was getting 220m drives consistently with accuracy and this was setting me up for GIR shots and that is a significant improvement. Yes the drives can be increased with a larger driver and that is in the pipeline. The return to the smaller club head is because I am now using a regular flex shaft on the driver which is more suited to my swing speed.

Hopefully the weather will be kind tomorrow and I will get in a good qualifying round score for club championships

Sunday 24/3/13 The weather held out in golfing favour today and it showed in my result. The first Qualifying round for club championships and a Monthly Medal stroke round and an 86 off the stick with a nett 74 was acceptable. One lost ball on the 7th and a brain fade on the 18th hole added 3 strokes to the tally.

Worked hard to come back from the lost ball and once again the problems came from the second shot after the drive from the tee block. Still this is a good thing and the fairways hit was a very impressive result. The dedicated work on the approach shot is the key to improvement

Sunday’s stroke round was to begin the qualifying rounds for the Club Championships. It was also a Monthly Medal round and first round of the three round Gallerie Trophy event.

The westerly wind did make it a different playing experience and with the relatively mild conditions the scores were good in the main. Following on from my round at Kingston on Saturday with a 33 Stableford points result I improved with a gross 86 Nett 74 on the Sunday. With an easy putt missed on the first hole and a lost ball on the 7th hole I was travelling well enough with one hole to play. A double bogie 6 on the last cost me a place in the count back for a third place finish.

The double bogie was caused by a poor second shot with a finished under a tree from a centre of the fairway drive. Left with a very restricted shot to go for the green. A chip shot that went short and on for 4, missed the first putt to score a 6. This error was again a result of a poor second shot while going for the green off the tee. Whilst this was the poorest of them all on the day there were 3 other approach shots which were compounded with below average chip shots. Putts having to be played from long distances are harder to get in the hole than those inside one or two metres. The statistics for me were 30 putts on the day and 12 fairways were hit off the tee.

As has been noted over the past weeks all of the practise d=since December 2012 and fitness training has been a major assist. Now it is time to build upon this and the improved technique. Dedicated shot practise to get the ball on the green from 150 into 50 metres is the crucial development that must be achieved. The tee shot with the smaller driver and regular flex shaft is proving its validity. The need is for a larger driver though with a regular flex as I cannot go for the club championship success with the 10 to 20 metre distance loss off the tee.

Beer O’Clock in the clubhouse
This coming Easter Weekend is a very busy one for the club in green fees. The competition on Easter Sunday is the club Guest Day a 2 person aggregate Stableford starting at 12pm. A fun social day for golfers and friends to enjoy a walk around the course having a hit.

The following Sunday on the 7th of April is the second Qualifying round of the Club Championships, Gallerie Trophy and the April Monthly medal. A great combination of events all on the same round for golfers to have a game in.

Managed to get a 2 hr. window of time this afternoon and played 9 holes to give the Dunlop driver another trial. Played two balls on most holes and once again the tee shot accuracy was very good. Hitting all the fairways with ease. This was especially noticeable as the wind was a steady 40kph and that is not easy to play in on the coast.

The key is again the second shots to the green I do not hit them in regulation and if my short game is poor bogies are the usual return. While this is continually being affirmed the time to practise the long irons and hybrids is not set yet. Today though was refreshing and relaxing time on the course. The enjoyment was further enhanced with the recognition of my errors that had me missing greens in regulation.

Wednesday 27/3/13 Yesterday afternoon I managed to get out and play a casual 7 holes to test out a club in my unused collection. With the definitive proof that my accuracy off the tee with the smaller 400cc clubs in the results of fairways hit at 60-75%. Together with the ease of using regular flex shafts I grabbed the 400cc Dunlop Fastrax offset Anti-slice driver for a hit yesterday. This club had been reshafted with a Fuji. 25 stiff flex shaft from a Taylor Made 580 driver.

The Toski driver has been very effective of late so it was just done for the sake of trialing something else to see what else may be changed.
The Dunlop delivers a solid thunk and feels ‘meaty’ when hitting the ball, it is slightly shorter 3-4cm in length. Delivers a less lofted ball flight 10 degree the same in the Toski.

Flat sole on the Dunlop more bulbous on the Toski

Club face proflie lower on the Dunlop while the Toski stays true to the rounded driver shape.

Twin scallops on the top of the Dunlop heighten the lower profile in the design.

As I went around the difference in the swing and impact while hitting the ball was a slight distraction. It became apparent that there was a greater distance off the tee from the Dunlop Driver. This was a vital discovery as I have lost 10-30m plus in the change from the stiff flex 440cc Cleveland launcher driver. On the last hole I got the definitive result. two shots from each driver and a 15m difference in length with the Dunlop travelling longer in the air. Thankyou for your time and attention. Hit ‘em straight all

Wednesday 3/4/13 It has been virtually a golf free week since this time 7 days ago, by my standards at least. No particular reason for less playing or practising, a combination of rest, physical and mental from golfing, work commitments and it felt that it was time to do so.

Tuesday and today has included some casual social golfing. No dedicated practise more so that fun filled amble around a course hitting balls and ‘feeling’ the state of my game out. All was in good condition off the tee, on the fairway and on the greens. Short game was lacking in the accuracy and general execution and that is to be expected at my golf standard when not maintaining practise.

Putting was surprisingly at a better standard than expected. Good to know that this side of my game has reached a stable level. Not a brilliant level yet one that is reliable and that is a valuable confidence booster.
The Cleveland 310 Driver has been sold on. The results from using the Dunlop Fastrax driver are the reason for this. Instead of re-shafting the Cleveland I will build on my improved technique more with the 400cc driver until I find a replacement. This is no hurry to do and it is just a matter of picking up a bargain on the ‘bay.

Besides as always I get a buzz out of looking at Golf Porn online and having a purpose as well as a perve. With the added bonus that I no longer buy every second set or stick that takes my fancy. I was keeping an eye on myself in that regard. I do see the stupidity of the fox guarding the hen house in that description.

There has been a development a very unexpected one in fact.

Went to visit a mate who is moving house and relocating to Queensland for a coffee and bullsh@t. Ended up in the shed as blokes do moving stuff around and he mentioned there were two old sets of clubs gathering dust. It is part of the golfer religion that this is akin to feeding the hungry or healing the sick, a true golfer will get the abandoned clubs and at least swing them. Well under the boxes etc was a bag in a garbage liner. Opened up and there was a set of Ben Hogan Magnum irons. Made between 1986-89 in the early cavity back style.

Cut the long story short mate said would I like to have them he does not play at all so I obviously offered to have a hit at least. C’mon it is cruelty to inanimate objects to not hit balls with old golf clubs. Yes, took them home and cleaned them before going for a hit. All and excuse to fondle these notably ugly irons to look at. Kinda like that old saying ‘Ugly but with a great personality’ The looks meant nothing to this golfer who is all for personality and the obvious fact that the sticks are Hogan’s.

Well here I sit 50 balls at the range later and hooked. The shafts are 2.5-3 cm shorter than my current shafts, grips are old and greasy, shafts a bit pitted, Apex 3 rating? Who cares, I have hit the last 20 balls into a gusting wind and put 5 inside a 10m target circle and 12 all grouped 10m to the left of the target circle. The Magnums are something special to hit. For a 12 handicap golfer who needs some game improvement irons and prefers the older CB style, Magnum is getting in the bag.

The Ben Hogan brand helps in the credibility stakes, the performance though was the clincher. Will look forward as always to finding the club distances compared to my current club choices. Golf, the shed explorers dream sport. Hit ‘em straight all

Thursday 4/4/13 Put in some dedicated practise time on the range and course today with the Magnum irons. Also replaced the 3 and 4 Nextt Hybrids with an Acer #2 Hybrid and Ben Hogan Apex #2 iron.

The important part of today was to get an idea of the distances I hit with the Magnums. Regular flex shafts that are significantly shorter I expected and had some difficulty to begin. The practise did help in the afternoon I played 7 holes and hitting two balls soon found the distances with the Magnums. In some cases there was no difference in club choice. Which was interesting to notice. Although the first three holes I had to go a club up as I loosened up. Hitting into the strong winds was hard enough but no great problem.

Overall the Magnums are producing good results and I am looking at playing them in the weekend rounds. Thankyou for your time and attention. Hit ‘em straight all.

Saturday 6/4/13 This weekend is looking good weather wise and that is going to make the golfing that little bit more enjoyable. Still playing the olde 1986-89 circa Ben Hogan Magnums in the rounds including Sunday’s Monthly Medal and Championship qualifying rounds. They will not be a permanent addition to my bag, returning them to the owner on Monday. This may be difficult, the pain will go away and once again I have added more practical knowledge to my club data bank.

Yesterday I had a 41 off the stick in the nine hole Friday ‘Chicken Run comp.’ If’s do not count in the reality of my golfing analysis usually. This time though I am going to mention two drives that hit the fairway and rolled off nestling among trees on the side, as well as a missed 1.5m birdie putt on the first hole. None of the faults were caused by using the too short, outdated Ben Hogan Magnums. The three added strokes resulting from the misses in addition to playing off a 9 hcp and not my official 12 in this club comp. did no real damage. My final score was 18 stableford points.

I am not perturbed about handing the Magnum’s back for one simple reason. Last season I noted a realisation of my golfing while using different sticks for fun and in practise. While the equipment can help it is my ability as a golfer which gets the ball to the targets and in the hole. Again I will refer to the oft mentioned anecdote of many professionals who have shown that they can grab any set beside their own and still play par or sub par golf.

I am not that good yet after a coupe of days using the Magnums have gone and played a good 9 holes in competition. Now have no qualms about playing two 18 hole competitions with them in the bag either.

It would be great to own the set, I would have to re-shaft them which is no problem. Point is I can do better with another newer set in the bag. Playing with the Ben Hogan Magnum’s has been refreshing and invigorating to my golf preparation and enjoyment. That is why I play the game it is fun. Thankyou for your time and attention.
Hit ‘em straight all.

Had an reasonable round at Kingston SE yesterday. Started the back nine with two double bogies and a triple on the last hole to shoot the score to pieces. for a 90 off the stick and nett 77.

The experiment with the Hogan Magnums was not the fault it all came from three drives that were poor and putting the pressure on recovery shots. The exercise has had a significant result, was going to play them again today in the Robe competition round and have decided to take the Magnum’s out of the bag and put the Titliest Ap2’s back in.

The experiments of late have been needed to understand the changes to my golfing due to improved fitness, technique and game play. The result has been fluctuation between a 13 and 12 handicap as I affirmed that the equipment makes little difference now that my body is no longer as subject to injury limitations.It was difficult to incorporate this reality to playing golf after 20 plus years of limitations though. Old habits are very hard to change.

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

Apr 08, 2013
Experiment results from this weekend in my competition rounds, playing with a set of 1986-89 Ben Hogan Magnums Saturday Nett 77, back to my AP2 Titliests Sunday Nett 75. The magnums were 2.5 cm shorter yet felt great to hit the ball with http://the-penguin-hunter-d... pics and more detail there. Both rounds had a couple of double and a triple bogie holes which did the damage.

The cause of the blow out holes was poor drives off the tee. Combined with my limited ability to get GIR and a couple of 3 putts the recovery efforts were to no avail. I cannot say that the disappointment was painless yet nor was it devastating. At the minute I am accepting the limits to my golfing while acknowledging that my practice time has been reduced of late.

This is combined with some equipment upgrades on the way. Re-gripping my irons they are way too small and this is causing the pull to the left on too many approach shots. This is compounded by lack of certainty in playing the shot for the green, and more errors. As well as the continual scramble for up and downs to get par, putting too much pressure on my game ability. My golf is not rubbish, yet, it is all getting retarded by not working on the little things that only practice can improve.

Thankyou for your time and attention.

Hit the ball, find the ball, hit the ball.

Wednesday 10/4/13 The time schedule worked out and managed to get on the range and have a simple session hitting a bucket of balls with the six iron. Nothing spectacular for many in my case though very special. Enjoying being able to hit the ball with a fluid, consistent swing. Having my body rotate at the hips and the club follow through easily behind my body just like ‘real’ golfers do. Twenty plus years since I have had this much movement and that is special to me.

There were some crap shots but 90% were all grouped in a 30 metre target area. This is all part of developing the ability to get greens in regulation. As well as the practise goal, there is the fun aspect of finally being able to step up to a ball and hit it with ease to a target. All that jealous from watching the pros hit a ball with such ease is now gone as I do it myself and it feels easy as well.

As usual my mind is not stagnating on golfing either, or wallowing in the fun being had. It has began to plan doing that ting which was a dream. You see on T.V. all the time the pro’s spinning back their
short irons. Once in a blue moon I would do this myself. Never deliberately though, purely by happen stance.

Now with this much improved swing in my ability it can be a possibility for me to to do this deliberately. The following
four things are what is required as I understand the theory;

1. Have clubs with sharp, fresh grooves.
2. Use golf balls that are designed to improve feel around the
greens, versus balls that are designed to go as far as possible.
3. Position the ball further back in your stance so that you hit
down sharply on the ball.
4. Hit the ball first and then take a divot.

While it’s true that finding the right golf ball can help any golfer to play better and get backspin, I’ll put up my hand and say… “I’m no golf ball expert” I enjoyed using the Taylormade Burner ball that was taken out of production and replaced with the XD. Which I find to be crap compared to the Burner. The Penta is so so as well. Don’t mind using the Srixon or Callaway balls Pro V’s wasted on my ability. Have enjoyed using Optima’s again as well the TS gives the best performance.

What do other golfers use that works well enough for their game? I am not after a one dimensional ball for distance or spin etc. Nor am I after a general multi purpose ball.

If a ball is round I can hit it well enough to play a good round. I am getting tired of being jerked around by manufacturers who change for no reason that I can validate as genuine.
Thankyou for your time and attention.

Hit the ball, find the ball, hit the ball.