Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Maximum handicap?

QUOTE: Toolish @ Jan 17 2007, 10:04 PM

8 is a bit low a mark to say someone has no idea in my book...above 13-14 and you are dreaming though...

Toolish, I said more than 8. You're OK.

Topic: Golf Talk / Vic Mid Amateur

You would think the National and Golf Australia, holding a national event, who want to make a good impression. It is simply bizarre that they are holding this event only on the Ocean, a course that only one person likes (apparently), when they have two other excellent courses. And it isn't as if it is a huge field (surprise surprise).

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Confidential Guide Australian Update

Is he referring to Moonah Links Open or Legends?

He must have rated Metro from the carpark.

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Maximum handicap?

One of my pet annoyances is the high handicapper who gives unsolicited advice during a round. If they had any idea at all about the golf swing they would have a lower handicap. At which handicap is it clear that someone has no idea (assuming they aren't an amputee or have some other serious impairment)? My guess is that if you play off more than 8 then you don't have any idea whatsoever and should be ignored at all costs. Am I way off the mark? I'd be interested to hear what you guys think or any anecdotes of bad advice you may have heard.

Cheers,

PC

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / The Drought

QUOTE: St. Andrews @ Jan 16 2007, 09:17 AM

I'm a PAYTV subscriber according to some that means I cant think - so I had better not try...

C'mon St Andrews, the erosion of your brain capacity will take place over an extended period. And if you try to think and avoid watching Girls of the Playboy Mansion like those other clowns it should be further delayed.

I've probably grossly underestimated the importance most golfers place on lush fairways and green grass. As Trevor Grant wrote a few months back in an excellent article, it is probably time we learnt to accept brown as the colour of our golf courses.

Jack, I am honoured to have a response from an ISG legend of your eminence. Thank You.

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / The Drought

Was lucky enough to play one of the better sandbelt tracks recently (no, not Metro) and noticed the drought conditions had apparently killed off whole swathes of overgrowth and scrub, the sort of stuff that tends to be ignored/too much for curators and becomes overgrown. And results in plenty of lost balls and slow rounds. It should also be good for killing off some of the weeds that would otherwise be poisoned and hopefully many of the exotic trees that should never have been planted.

It has also resulted in a restoration of strategy. No longer is a shortsided shot an automatic cut up lob wedge. Golfers are being forced to think more and will need to develop a greater array of shots. Or they will be punished.

Hopefully the extended dry spell and hysteria surrounding water will result in a move towards maintenance more on seasonal variations, rather than attempting to keep things green all year round. Just like in the olden days when I was a boy before clubs started spending (wasting?) a fortune on massive automated sprinkler systems. I'd be interested to hear what all you smart fellas thinks.

Thanks

PC

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Show me the best looking course in SE QLD

The Grand

Topic: Golf Equipment / Cleveland HiBORE - Bang or bust?

Do they have a serial number? Thanks.

Topic: Golf Talk / Lower temps at Commonwealth

QUOTE: Jack @ Jan 14 2007, 10:09 PM

You really should read that again St Andrews to see just how stupid it sounds.

I told you not to sign up for Pay TV St Andrews

Topic: Golf Talk / Lower temps at Commonwealth

That is a very silly post golfguy. Is that why they call you brickie?

The forecast for Frankston on Tuesday is 34 yet the VGA is already talking about cancelling the afternoon round of the RACV 4Ball. So tithers, as much as it pains me to disagree with you, it has nothing to do with April 1st, in most cases it will have everything to do with player safety and not the course.

"2007 RACV Club Victorian Four Ball Championship - Woodlands Qualifying Round -Special Notice to Competitors

In accordance with the VGA Heat Policy and the extreme temperature forecast for the afternoon of Tuesday January 16th, it is possible that the Association may cancel the afternoon field of the 2007 RACV Club Victorian Four Ball Championship to be played at Woodlands Golf Club.
A final decision on this matter will be made at 9am on Monday January 15th and posted on the VGA Website. All afternoon competitors will also be contacted by e-mail and/or phone to advise them of the decision taken.

Should the afternoon round be cancelled, all participants will be able to elect one of the following options: -

- Remain in the draw for a rescheduled qualifying round to be played at Woodlands on Tuesday January 23rd (7.45am multi-tee start).

- Be re-allocated to an alternate qualifying round (subject to availability).

- Offered a refund of entry fee.

It should be noted that the morning round at Woodlands will still take place with men's qualifying positions applied on a pro-rata basis. In addition, any competitor may withdraw either before or during the event due to hot weather/humidity conditions. Competitors who elect to withdraw in this manner will be issued with a full refund of their entry fee or if possible allocated to a comparable alternate event."

A link to the VGA heat policy is on the front page of there website. It doesn't seem to proscribe a maximum temperature.

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / St Andrews Beach Par 3s

QUOTE: Jeffrey @ Jan 13 2007, 12:28 PM

This is a great topic as it is a questiion that I have oscilated on repeatedly over the last few years.

Despite all the opposing views on this thread the only one I disagree on is Rsheehy's view that the putting surfaces at 11 and 4 are blind. Apart from a small depression in the 4th green I have never had a problem seeing the ball on these greens from the tee.

At the moment, I really like the Par 3s. My favorites were once my least favorites 4 and 11.

4 is a fantastic hole. In this day and age the long Par 3 is one of the few ways to test the precision of the long irons and fairway woods. There is a fairly simple strategy to this hole but it works well. The green and surrounding area slope right to left. The right had greenside bunker is definetly where you dont want to be. The area to the left of the green is a pretty good place to be. Each time you play it you are confronted with the decision of just how far right do you aim. Further to that, the contouring of the green is fantastic.

Of all the Par 3s, 11 offers by far the best shots. Playing from the right hand tees, the front left pin is one of the most intersting and challenging you will see. Not just from the tee but every shot after. Playing at the pin is one of the riskiest shots around. Playign to the heart of the green leaves the very real chance of putting off the front of the green with your next shot. The recovery shots to this green are some of the most fun and challenging around.

6 I am not so much a fan of. It is very one dimensional strategically. Every time you play it you hit it long and to the left side of the green. Although I understand the severity of the land, tHe bank to the back left of the green also looks very artificail to me, especially compared to the other greens on the course. As long as you dont underclub or pull it way left, the up and downs are fairly easy. When you play with members there are a lot more pars on this hole than any other on the course. The first timers always underclub and get big numbers though. In summary, after 13, my least favorite hole on the course.

16 is a good hole. it is the only hole on the course with a real noticable cross wind. When the wind comes from the left it is tough as the best way to approach it is with right to left shot. However when the wind comes from the right it can blow balls off the green. THe hole is different from the others on the course in that a shot that rolls down the bank to the left of the green finishes in rough, not on short grass. Of course the bank is so long it would be impracticle to have balls roll to the base. The hole was a late addition to the course, squeezed in to being the number of holes up to 18 and given that, I think it does a pretty good job.

As others have mentioned, I think the balance of the holes is also pretty good. There is good variety in length, direction, required shot shape, and recovery options.

I'm with you Jeffrey, 6 struck me as a little one-dimensional and left me cold. 16 is interesting and I thought it would have been improved with more short grass to the right. You would still be stuffed if you finished there, but at least you could try and be a hero. You don't think they have overdone it a little by having two par threes as long as 4 & 16. I can't remember the exact yardages, but there can't be too many courses going around with two par threes that long.

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Ernest Jones - Swing the clubhead

Spike, thanks for the thoughtful comments. After years of filling my head with junk, I'm just looking to strip it back I guess. Simplify the swing and I'll have more time to work on the short game. 3 Basic essentials probably isn't a bad place to start, especially since my rhythm is shot.

QUOTE: vman @ Jan 13 2007, 12:37 PM

The more the complexities of the golf swing are understood, the simpler the game becomes.

Mick

I'm imagining this in your best Master Yoda voice.

Are you a golf pro?

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Video Cameras

I'm just wondering if the advent of video cameras may have diminished the quality of golf teaching. It seems that many teachers now reach straight for the video camera and use the footage to attempt to get the pupil into certain positions, usually with Stuart Appleby or some other USPGA tour pro on the other side for reference. I'm curious as the best lessons I've had didn't involve a video camera and I always seem to be playing with guys who have a lot of lessons but are never actually improving.

At the end of the day, has the widespread introduction of the video camera resulted in an improvement in teaching outcomes? Or are the outcomes the same but the delivery has changed? Has it resulted in a collective dumbing down of the knowledge of teachers? Could lessons be improved if reliance on the camera was reduced (a feel vs actual argument I suppose)?

PS, I'm thinking here of the area in the middle of the Bell curve.

Topic: Golf Talk / Vic Mid Amateur

QUOTE: MatthewM @ Jan 12 2007, 10:00 PM

if you had to play Moonah Links (Open) or National (Ocean) which would you choose?

or put alternatively, if you had to send someone to an eternity of golfing hell, which one would you send them too?

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Ballarat Courses.

QUOTE: ttitheridge @ Jan 12 2007, 10:44 PM

I am the black sheep in the Titheridge golfing talent pool.

As Australia's leading golf course reviewer and commentator you can't be that bad.

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Ernest Jones - Swing the clubhead

QUOTE: Virge666 @ Jan 12 2007, 11:39 PM

Well that is a crock of shite to start with... any idiot can hit the ball. Getting it near a target is the hard part.

Why do people make this game so bloody mystical ?

Have you had a look at the book Virge? He asks the same question as you, why do they make the game so mystical (complicated actually).

QUOTE: cjgolf @ Jan 12 2007, 08:44 PM

yes I have heard of it and it gets a lot of airplay on the US based forums

Hi CJ, I'm guessing Jones was probably the fad coach of his day (~1920s-1950s). Any links would be appreciated.

QUOTE: TheBlade @ Jan 11 2007, 08:56 PM

I sugest you state what area you are from and ask the members here what coaches they would recommend. Then book some lessons with one.

This way you have a chance to talk to someone who has solid knowledge about the game. You can clarify certain golf confusions with him and he should be able to guide you down one path... the imperatives to good golfing!

You will get a lot of things done quicker this way. If you tap into a coach with a super understading of the game... even quicker.

Blade, I'm in Melbourne and the last thing I want is another coach promising the holy grail tying me in knots (and costing me money). And I'm not convinced there is actually a good one in Melbourne. Everyone knows a good coach, but look a bit more closely and you'll usually find the person making the recommendation has gone nowhere or backwards with their game. Any coach can probably cause a dramatic improvement with hackers by teaching some fundamentals, but I've got years of bad habits and I'm in that difficult zone, the mid single figures. And please pardon my cynicism.

Topic: Golf Talk / Vic Mid Amateur

I thought it was being played at Moonah Links. Hard to imagine they could go to an even worse venue.

Topic: The Lounge / PAY TV

QUOTE: Jack @ Jan 12 2007, 03:07 PM

Kendra is annoying. Holly on the other hand is a real classy lady.

Like I said St Andrews, you and your family will get stupider and stupider.

Don't do it.

Topic: Golf Equipment / Titleist 975D Re-shaft?

I'd chuck it out. You can buy much more recent and muuuuccch easier to hit drivers for a practically nothing these days. If you want to stick with Titleist you could probably grab a 983e on ebay for not much more than $100.

Topic: The Lounge / PAY TV

QUOTE: Jack @ Jan 12 2007, 01:31 PM

To the bleeding hearts who dont like Pay TV - please dont get it and don't bitch about it to others, especially when you want to watch the PGA this year and its only on PAY.

Jack, FTA don't broadcast the PGA because it is a crap event that NO ONE watched. It is sort of sad that someone would pay to watch it rather than doing something useful.

Topic: The Lounge / PAY TV

St Andrews, Pay TV is a complete waste of money and will only make you fatter, lazier and stupider. It will not help your golf game, and as Moe points out, you won't get to watch it because the missus will always be watching What Not To Wear or other dross on the Lifestyle channel. And once you have it, it is impossible to get rid of. And I'm not dangling bait.

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Ben Hogan

QUOTE: Virge666 @ Jan 11 2007, 10:33 PM

Bullshite - Jack Nicklaus destroyed way more . . .

That left knee movement and "keep head still" . . . butchered I tell you, butchered.

Virge, I disagree because I think more serious/better/ambitious players gravitated towards Hogan - and were usually demoralised. Nicklaus was the comic strip stuff. The two guys I know of who applied Hogan principles with any success were practice machines. One of them was Kevin Hartley, who the oldtimers on here may remember.

Sven, have you read the book? Millions have, and I'm just suggesting it ties the ordinary bloke or blokette in knots.

Vman, I like your work. We should have a game one day. If I ever start playing again.

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Ben Hogan

Too hard for the avergae Joe to understand/apply effectively Horatio my boy would be my contention. What is your experience?

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Ernest Jones - Swing the clubhead

I picked up a copy of this book from a local op shop today and is wondering if anyone has heard of it? Or better still read it and can make comment.

Chapter 1 basically begins with "'there is only one categorical imperative in golf, and that is to hit the ball. There are no minor absolutes.'

The above quotation fro Sir Walter Simpson's remarkable book is, from cause to effect, golf. Learn it, understand it and, if you are a beginner, you are on the right road to good golfing. If you are a more expert player snared in the complexities of attempting to remember at one and the same time the stiff left arm, head down, braced leg, right arm pressed to side, etc, you are started on the road to escape from the minotaurs labyrinth of confusion.

The teaching of golf has become overwhelmed in paralysis from analysis."

I know I'm in the labyrinth of confusion atm. And having scanned though this forum I'm guessing I'm not alone. How can I get out? Is the answer in the following pages of the book?

Thanks in advance chaps,

PC

Topic: Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction / Ben Hogan

Since its release in 1957 or thereabouts Hogan's modern fundamentals must have sold squillions of copies. And if my observations are anything to go by, destroyed thousands of swings. Is there anybody out there who has benefited from this book? I'd be interested to hear comments/experiences from the swing fanatics of this excellent forum.

Cheers,

PC