Topic: Golf Talk / Arachnophobia

My 9 year old can’t even stand any web of any description.
Unfortunetely the elder sister gets a fair bit of yardage out of “look out behind you it’s a spider Nooooooooooooooo……..................”

“Will the real slim shady, please stand up”?

lol My partner and little girl are the same. The smallest spider will freak both of them out and if the mrs is at home alone she sprays anything that moves until it practically drowns in the stuff.

I think my partner had the last laugh though when a Huntsman crawled up my leg whilst driving on the freeway. Took every ounce of strength I tell ya to pull over and calmly remove this big bugger!

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Tee Trouble

Great advice again Guru – Don’t know about the handicap though mate because I don’t have one (have to do something about that) but the stats I’m keeping are certainly telling a story.

Since making changes to my grip and shortening my backswing I’ve hit, on average, 22% more fairways. A change in putting reduced my putts per round by 8 and a safe shot rather than show shots has certainly reduced my total strokes.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Breaking tees

I’m loving the direction of this thread (and tees).

I use the plastic wedge tees for my driver as well and haven’t broken or lost one yet.

On par 3’s I’ll always tee up using wooden tees. The tee is only just visible and I don’t see it being a problem in breaking the tee and leaving a nice divot.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Over Swinging

Live4golf posted this some time ago beaker:

Daly vs Holmes

I used to have a similar problem which was causing a massive slice but time on the course and the range and mentally telling yourself to stop mid backswing sorted me out.

I’m sure the other guys will post something a little more useful but if you’re happy and hitting fairways then golf on.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Golf Talk / the hole that always kills your round...

I would definitely have to say the 6th at Morisset and the 13th at Toukley looking at my stats.

The 6th is a long par 5 where your 2nd shot is always over the hill. You have to try and keep to the right of the fairway to leave you with a good approach but there are trees to contend with, some very ordinary rough and if you do get a nice 2nd shot you have the bunker to contend with before even thinking about putting.

The 13th is a par 3 with water crossing in front and to the right of the hole. Play left and you end up in some short rough but this leaves you with a hard chip shot onto a green that slopes toward the water.

Both do my head in each time but that’s the challenge.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Tee Trouble

Thanks Guru. The Golf School articles are a constant source of inspiration and reminder of the little things that we often overlook which can help our game. I find the articles like reverse grip also get the brain thinking.

I was cranky at myself for stuffing the 2 par 3’s though. Both times I grabbed the 6i and jagged it right into the rough and ended up with a 4 and 5 respectively. Good recovery but I really thought I could walk away with par on both and really had a good chance of shooting 45.

My GIR was awful @ 22.2% (pathetic and kicks the dog) but considering this and only 55% fairways I must be doing something right!

Cheers,

Mick

Edit: Doesn’t keeping stats of these things make it interesting??

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Tee Trouble

Shot another personal best round this morning at Toukley. Would have played 18 but have a wedding to go to this afternoon.

I shot a 48 (par 36) which I am ecstatic about and really sorted out my putting. Had 20 putts for the 9 and only 3 putted 3 times which is somewhat of an achievement for me. The best part was that after
playing this “game” for about 15 months I finally broke 50 without any lessons as such. Breaking 45 and 40 however I think will require some lessons on my short game and a visit to launch monitor.

Highlight was the 4th par 5 (460 metres) where a great 16 foot putt just sneaked its way in for birdie much to the disgust of the guys in front who had a similar line and 4 putted lol

Bring on next weekend!

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: The Lounge / Bad night at work

Sorry you were subjected to something like that Leigh. Take the advice that you received here mate and get whatever help you need.

I’m not much help with something like this but I’m sure everyone will agree that our thoughts are definitely with you.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Golf Talk / What the!!???

Thanks Daves for clearing that one up. Thought you guys were into something kinky and was wondering where my invite was!

What’s this about cricket being more important than golf MrC?

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Golf Talk / Daylight Saving

JonD: Takes a bit out of you mate especially when you’re coming home in the dark as well but I just love this time of year and look forward to it all year!

frankyb: Tell me about it mate!! I find I have to take a break every 6 months to avoid burnout.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Golf Talk / Goodbye australia

Yeah I played on Sunday mate and found the greens to be super quick.

I think I was over-reading the movement and lipped a few but I just don’t think Morisset have the budget to keep up with the maintenance side of not only the greens but also the course in general.

BTW Morisset are selling off land to keep the course going (or so I hear).

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Golf Talk / Goodbye australia

anyone got good places to play golf in centralcoast?

Whereabouts on the Central Coast you after mate?

Magenta is the obvious choice (if you know someone) however also consider Tuggerah Lakes and Wyong.

I played at Toukley a few weeks ago but the greens were pretty ordinary. Morisset is really coming back nicely but the hot weather we’ve had lately might play havoc with the greens.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Golf Talk / Daylight Saving

Love my daylight saving and wish we stayed on this time all year.

I get up at 4.30am for work and don’t get home until around 6.40pm so it actually feels like I have a life and not traveling to and from work in the dark. I can get some practice in the yard before it gets too dark and even go for a swim on those hot afternoons.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Golf Talk / What the!!???

Nice round Leigh and good to see that handicap dropping.

Besides the obvious answer can someone shed some light on this “swinger” phrase?

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Tee Trouble

Unstable leading foot it was mate, my back foot wasn’t in the right position (I have to feel it getting tight just above my knee) and not getting my hands ahead of the ball with my irons. Picked that one up myself and kicked myself for not picking up on it earlier.

My new shoes have really added some stability and looking forward to another round next weekend. I know that the ability is there, not to be a great player but a good consistent player, but the putting needs some serious work but I have some drills to practice this week to hopefully sort that out.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Golf Talk / Silly Golf Habits

Can’t say I have any really.

I find that having superstitions (or whatever you want to call them) don’t work. What do you do if you lose your lucky red hat, pink underwear or whatever?

Having said that I always ensure I don’t wear a watch on course or on the range?

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Tee Trouble

Don’t decent golf shoes make a difference? Finally bought some shoes and this stopped me sliding all around the shop and has really helped to improve my game.

Played 9 this afternoon and whilst I shot 53 this was my best round since May 2008. Usually very strong on the par 3’s but club selection and too much compensation for a side wind cost me dearly.

Was hitting 55% fairways and whilst my percentages were down my driving has improved 300% and I hope this new found swing stays with me.

Putting let me down again though with 24 for the round. I didn’t spend any time before the round having a practice putt and found out the hard way how quick the greens really were. 5 holes were 3 putts which was a bit disappointing but learnt a lot about the greens at my local.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Golf Equipment / soft golf balls

hey boof i got some of them Precept Laddie X’s i got 2 dozen for 34bucks an they played reall good stright an long well long for me lol i was happy i flog the inlaw’s by 10 shots

Good to hear mate. I got another dozen on the weekend and got given some Dunlop Master Pro (another old fart ball but I hit them alright).

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Keeping feet square

Dart: Thanks for that mate – gives me something else to think about on my golfing journey.

Jack: If I’m understanding correctly, the fundamental idea is to hit the ball square off the clubface, therefore ball goes straight. Whatever variables you add impacts upon the end result which is an outside influence so to speak.

I’ve confused myself I think …

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Keeping feet square

ShortsTuff: Cheers mate- goes to show I have a fair bit to learn regarding the rules. I often shake my head at some rules though as they contradict other rules (maybe that’s just me).

Using the above as an example, and sorry to GSS for hijacking this thread, Decision 14-3a I would think that using a club as an alignment aid would be assisting making a stroke? Reading Decision 8-2a1 does specifically allow it but using a club as an alignment aid but having to remove the club prior to playing wouldn’t you “lose” the alignment that you’ve just placed the club on the ground for?

Dart Probably the best and most simple explanation I’ve read mate.

Using me as an example I will often sort my grip out first then alignment, stance, etc I know that if I get this right my swing will typically take care of the rest and I get good solid contact. Fundamentally is there anything wrong with this thought process and from a technical view point what am I missing?

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Keeping feet square

Kiwi:No worries. I hope the comments by myself and Jamey didn’t offend.

Jeff: Doesn’t 14.3 cover this:

14-3. Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment

a. That might assist him in making a stroke or in his play; or
b. For the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might affect his play; or

I would think that using a club (equipment) would assist in making a stroke or play? I’m only a newbie mate so stand to be corrected.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Keeping feet square

I understand your point Kiwi but to me alignment, and getting alignment right especially on course, is critical.

At the range GottaStartSomewhere I would suggest that you get the feel for alignment using whatever tools / method you find necessary. On the course you try to duplicate that feel. It will soon become second nature which is exactly what you want.

In the process of re-building my game from scratch I found that my biggest problem was alignment (and my putting but that is another story). It is still something I am working on but I know that with my right foot I almost need to “feel” as though it is turned 20 degrees (hard to explain) before I’m square to target.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Golf Talk / Where,s Lag/p

lagpressure? Last posted 21 September mate so he should be around here somewhere.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Recovering from an injury.

I try and play every single week but sometimes it just doesn’t happen Long so I play mental golf.

The idea is I choose a course I am familiar with and “play” a round in my head. You still think about your pre-shot routine, club selection, shot selection, etc You might be away from the course for 6 weeks but you’ll feel mentally refreshed knowing you’ve “played”.

Go slow on the rehab too mate and do it right. Don’t cut corners or you may find you have problems in the future with the same wrist.

Cheers,

Mick

Topic: The Lounge / Mugs Gallery

Well our female members aren’t joining this discussion so to keep the blokes satisfied this one can play on my course any day!

Image of Sarah Kemp courtesy of some random blog.

Hope the ladies out there aren’t offended?!

Cheers,

Mick