Topic: GPJ’s Journey to ... God Knows Where

Sooooooooo Gpj, with all this knowledge and practice why aren’t you a gun or at least a decent player ?

I’m Bill Doova and i’m a chopper

Bill…...you need to head back to Ozgolf.

Topic: GPJ’s Journey to ... God Knows Where

Sooooooooo Gpj, with all this knowledge and practice why aren’t you a gun or at least a decent player ?

Topic: What's In Your Bag?

Always wanted to do this so:-

Driver – Ping G20 8.5 w/ ilima 70 x tipped 1 inch
3 wood – Titleist 909F2 13.5 w/ whiteboard 83x
Hybrid – Adams Pro Black w/ PX 6.5 HC1
Iron – MP 52 3-PW w/ S300
Wedge – Titliest Vokey 54-11 and 60-07 SM4
Putter – Odyssey 2-Ball Blade w/ Lamkin Jumbo grip and 30 grams of lead tape

Doesn’t change much – G20 just knocked out 905R w/ Blueboard 83x.

Looking for -

More loft (15) on a 3 wood (either G20 or I’ve heard the Mizuno MP Ti fairways are good)
An easier to hit hybrid or driving iron (I reckon the one mentioned is not much easier to hit than a 2 iron)

Topic: What's In Your Bag?

The tfc stiff isnt overly stiff in the g25

I swing at 97-99 and have no issue drawing it with a 9.5 (set to 10)

You’ll love it.

Try the anser also

Topic: GPJ’s Journey to ... God Knows Where

Okay, update from last nights practice 9 at Beacy, and as usual it was a frustrating nights efforts, not because I was playing badly, just the opposite, because it was a return to form of sorts.

The frustrating part of it for me, is always in not converting my practice form into comp mode. I’m not sure whether its because of the different timeslot, or different conditions, or heaven forbid, feeling the so called pressure of playing in comps …… but it is certainly annoying ……... anyway, onto the 9 holes.

1st Par 4 …….. A nice faded drive (as intended) to about 125m out. Hit a nice curling punch with a 7 iron between the twin small trees on the left hand side and onto the green, some 25 feet from the hole. Sliughtly downhill left to right putt ….. and was never going to miss …..nice start and one under.

2nd Par 3 …….. Off the slightly forward tees, 173m …. hit a weak 6 iron just left of centre down the hill and it landed and stopped some 30m short of the green. Had to chip over a bunker to the right hand pin location, and nailed it perfectly, landing it some 10 feet short, and it stopped within 2 feet of the hole ……... tap in par.

3rd Par 4 ……. Finally remembered to adjust the driver settingas I had planned to do before starting the round, so a quick tweak, more draw, more loft . and then belted a nice slight fade up the hill 220m to go.

I hit hybrid from this position on Sunday and it just went a touch too far, so it was a 3 iron last night. Hit it just short and left of the green … SW chip off the back foot onto the green was a touch “hot”, and it rolled some 25 feet down to the back of the green and slightly left of the pin. (Got to play it mid stance) It did though leave me with a fairly straight uphill putt back for birdie. I told myself “just inside the left edge” and hit it perfectly back up the slope … dropping it inside the left edge for another birdie .. two under.

4th Par 5 ……... A nice high draw up to the top of the hill to about 240m, then went with the 17deg HiFli, with the ball below my feet but on a good lie. (I stuff the shot with this club when not on a good lie)

Hit a nice draw against the slope that sailed up onto the flat section to finish just left and short of the greenside bunker by 20m. Had an awkward chip over to a tucked pin location, but hit it nicely to land the ball between the bunker and pin. Didn’t play enough right to left break on the 18 or so foot putt, and watched it drift left below the hole, easy 2ft tap in par putt …….....

5th Par 4 dogleg …….... Hit a low gently fading bullet with the HiFli around the dogleg corner. I had stood a touch more upright on the shot (this gives me a fade, a flatter swing gives me a draw) ... 110m to go. Hit a bunted 9 iron (usual distance 120m), and landed it nice and safe on the green, some 5m right of the hole location) Putted it to just short, tap in par.

6th Par 3 … 118m uphill by half a club…….. Hit another bunted 8 iron to take a bit of distance off the club, and landed it on but well right of the tucked left pin location ……... two putt par.

7th Par 4 ……. A nice slight draw with driver finished in perfect posiition on the fairway, in the heart of dogleg corner, 112 uphill metres to go. On Sunday I hit a 3/4 swing with 7 iron from this location that finished above the pin ……... so I hit a 3/4 8 iron this time, and finished up pin high, but slightly left. Lipped out the 15 foot birdie putt, tap in par.

8th Par 4 ……. Another nice straight drive to mid fairway in perfect position,122m to go. Hit a 3/4 swing with a 7 iron, and had it perfectly on target at the flagstick, dropping it right on the greens front fringe, but it didn’t release forward at all. 20 foot left to right putt from the fringe, hit the flagstick and stopped within a foot ….. tap in par.

9th Par 4 …… A nice slight draw with the driver finished up on the right hand side of the fairway, 72 uphill metres to go to the pin, with 63m to the front edge of the slightly raised green.

I had a few choices here, hit a full lob wedge, or a slightly choked down SW, or even a bunted Gap Wedge. With a few overhanging branches if I pulled it a touch right ……. I went with the gap wedge, and tried to pitch it right at the very front of the green ajnd to the right of the pin … figuring it would bounce up and on and then slow somewhere near the pin (10m roll out).

I caught it nicely, landing it just short, it bounced up and onto the green on the first hop, and rolled up towards the pin, stopping within 3 feet ……. downhill putt slightly left to right, aiming at inside left edge …….. it curled gently in the last foot or so, and dropped for birdie in the middle of the cup … 3 under, and all done and dusted.

So, another solid nights efforts, and one that I’d particularly like to thank the human metrognome for.

Playing at Yarrambat recently on Anzac Day Mr CB80, along with giving me a couple of Chinese ball markers ….. gave me an “18 hole playing lesson”.

Time and again after finding the fairway, CB would then hit something into the green on a much lower flatter trajectory than the rest of us, eg …… using more club than required and less swing, and just punching the ball into close proximity to one flagstick after another.

Time and again Geoff had good birdie chances, and he put together a great round without breaking a sweat. It was those approach shots he hit, using an easy controlled swing with no fuss or effort, that really left an impression on me, hence me employing a lot of reduced swing, bunted or punch shots last night, that also gave me some very good chances at birdie, and a lot of safe and easy pars.

I’ve always tried to learn something from my playing partners during a round (both good or bad) ...... and CB unwittingly last week, gave me a great reminder of how you can get the job done.

I am fairly consistent with these shorter swings, and know my “reduced swing” distances pretty well, but I never really play these sorts of shots enough, despite getting good, solid results with them.

After watching Geoff’s round it was a very timely reminder, of just how easy and reliable these shots can be …… so I will endeavour to consider them on my approach shots in future, and no doubt, play a lot more of them ….. so thanks CB, much appreciated buddy.

Summary time now ….

Driver …….. With the new setting it worked very well. When aiming straight I am getting a very mild draw flavour, and have not yet gone too far left. Last night though my swing was consistent, as were the results …. with no shots heading leftward (which is what happens when I lean back on one). I just tried to hit them all straight and they all went straight .

With the driver set on draw mode, I’m yet to go for a draw shot, and I probably won’t do, as I fear it turning into a bad hook. With the added loft of the new setting that might slow down the draw a touch, but there are very few holes where I need to shape the ball too much on the front 9.

I’ll try to get onto the back 9 this afternoon, as a couple of holes there I do tend to go for a shaped shot off the tee, so it will be interesting to see if the intended shapes are controllable.

The 2013 driver though Titleist 913D3 ….. was voted the most accurate in a recent study, and it’s proving to be that. It’s not overly long in terms of distance (didn’t come in the top 3 in the testing) .......... but that’s not really an issue as I am trying to play for position these days, and not distance. Having been using it for a couple of months now, it is a fair bit shorter than my old SMT, but a lot more reliable in terms of accuracy, so my own testing backs up the published recent results.

HiFli …… And I’m finally starting to get an appreciation of what this club can, and can’t do. I am working out how to shape it, and also what lies I can hit it off, and what lies I can’t …. so going forward I should have a good idea of when to reach for it, or when to bypass it, and go for an iron instead.

Putting ……. And it was nice to sink a few putts, and get some confidence back, after a woeful putting exhibition in comp mode on Sunday.

I figure it’s always going to be variable, teeing off early on a Sunday morning, as the dew slowly evaporates from the greens, and in particular, around the holes as they tend to firm up first with the traffic of a couple of groups going out ahead of us, so those last couple of feet of any putt can play a touch faster, while the rest of the green plays a bit slower early on, making “break” a little tricky to assess at times.

It’s a good challenge to have though, as I love the faster pace of Beacy’s greens.

http://www.golflink.com.au/...
2012 Rotary Ambrose Champions “All Star Team” Member.
LD Wins – Growling Bog, Waterford Valley, Bendigo.
Bacchus Marsh 27 Hole Event winner 2013.
FRANK’S COACH.

Just read this, and thanks for the nice compliments Gaz.
Glad I could help.I did play well that day and have been for last 4or 5 weeks.

Since I have learned from Coach Garth how to hit these shots its made a huge difference to my ball striking and my game is better for it.

Here is a drill Garth gave me which really helped, so hope it might help you too.
from 100m hit club normally would in my case a PW full swing, then hit 10 shots with 9 Iron to same length, then do with 8 Iron same length , then finally hit same distance with a 7 iron.

result you end up with 4 different trajectories from 100m with low pearcing shots that go at flags especially in wind or on hilly courses.

compared to your playing partners that have just one trajectory (usually high and uncontrolled).
Most handicap players thrash a PW to make it go 100m, why cause they think they have to hit that club., result, loss of control or high balls that wobble around.

watch how pro’s hit it and particularly look at what irons they use on Par 3’s. They hit 1/2 swing shots with control, very rarely will they hit full power.

even on course you could try this, next time have a shot into say 3rd hole from 100m hit 2 clubs less than what would normally.

it is a drill that good players can do as it is difficult, as need to have good swing fundamentals to execute shots, but once it works. WOW your ball control is sweet as.

and yes you guessed it ,can then go back to 125m repeat drill I am still at this distance, but once can do 4 diff clubs will go back 135 then to 145m.

On a positive note GPJ I did notice you how since you started playing at Beacky you hitting driver with 80 % power to get it in fwy.
on that course a 200m drive on fwy is way better than 260 in scrub.

keep up good work mate and lets play again real soon.

Topic: What's In Your Bag?

I cannot wait to have a hit with the G25.
Ping Fitting day at the club on 21st May.
Been using the G15 for about 2 years now, absolutely love it. But I reckon I can get some more out of my driver with a slightly lower loft than 10.5 and maybe a Stiff instead of a Reg shaft.
Might also buy a 3W if the G25 puts enough of a gap between itself and my TM burner 19 deg hydbrid that I hit about 180m.

Current Config:

Ping G15 10.5 deg Reg Flex Aldila Serrano shaft
TM Burner Hybrids: 19 and 22 Deg
TM Burner Irons: 4-PW
Cleveland CG15 Oil Can Wedges: 54 and 62 (64 bent to 62)
Ping C67 Centre Shaft Putter

Titelist DT Solo or NXT Balls
MD Golf Cart Bag
Axglo Flip n Go buggy
FJ XPS-1 BOA Shoes

Topic: What's In Your Bag?

TaylorMade RocketBallz Driver
TaylorMade R11 Fairway Wood
Nike CPR 3 Hybrids
Nike Victory Red Split Cavity Irons 4-PW
Cleveland CG 16 Black Pearl Wedge 56deg
Odyssey White Steel 2-Ball Blade Putter
Bridgestone e6+ Balls
Benson&Hedges smooth 25’s

Topic: Quest for Inkosi’s golf swing

Sliding towards the target instead of “rotating” can get our body’s centre well ahead of the ball.

I reckon that can happen sometimes, because we are not always stable in our golf swings.

Instead when we get lazy, or go for more distance, we sometimes swing too fast and instead of a smooth slow backswing, we just throw the club right up into the backswing …. and that can make the body lose balance and go back off the ball, as well as the club.

With this sway off the ball in the backswing, we then realise that we need to get back to the ball in the downswing, so we throw our weight forward towards the target.

If we don’t time it right though (and we rarely do), we can easily sway too much forward …... and suddenly, we’re past the ball and the face of the club is hitting the ball before it has a chance to square up.

Just as an example, if you take a normal address position with a square clubface and the ball in mid stance…. and then shift the top half of your body forwards towards the target, the square clubface at address (still right under your sternum) will now occur in front of the balls position.

If you then took a slow swing whilst in this position, you’d find that as the clubface reaches the ball earlier now, it will still be open slightly … the more we get our sternum ahead of the ball, the more open the face is likely to be at our old impact position.

I do exactly that at times when I go for distance, or I just get lazy or tired. I just toss the club back and up, any old place, and if I’m not careful to remind myself to “keep the lower body stable and quiet” ........... in order to brace myself from going off balance .. (and I rarely remember to do that)..... then I do indeed have the dreaded sway.

When that happens I can get any result on a given day, and will have no clue when I’m on the tee as to which way the ball is going to go.

I have found now though (after a lot of trial and error), that when I suddenly find myself spraying them and thinking things like …....WTF is this one going to go? ...... reminding myself to “keep a stable lower half” just slows my swing down a touch and stops me from throwing the club back and causing the sway ….. and I suddenly start to hit some decent shots again.

My bad shots these days are either a momentary attack of the sways, or in simply leaving my weight too far back instead of having it centered or forward (depending on what club I’m hitting) .... at impact.

Topic: Quest for Inkosi’s golf swing

Kinesh, just a quick one.

When we’re hitting our irons and we start to spray them across to “fadeland” ....... it can often be that we’ve gone thru the shot before the clubhead actually gets to the ball . eg, our body has come thru the shot ahead of the club, and drags an open faced club behind us ….. down and into the ball.

This is a conscious thing you can do if you want to play for an intentional big fade (feel like you’re thru the shot before the club) ...... but it’s not so good when you actually want to hit them straight.

For that, you want to feel that the club is right there in front of you at impact, so that you’re body is still facing the ball at impact, and not facing a spot a metre or so ahead of the ball as the club strikes it.

Just a thought …....

Topic: GPJ’s Journey to ... God Knows Where

Update time from last nights practice, and as there were a couple of groups starting the back 9 and just finishing the front 9, my plan to hit off on the 10th never eventuated.

So it was back onto the 1st …. after a dart and two warm up swings with the driver.. “new balls please”.

1st Par 4 …... Driver, 7I, putt, putt.

2nd Par 3 …... 5I, putt from off the green, putt..

3rd Par 5 ….. Driver, HiFli …... LW chip, putt, putt.

4th Par 5 …... Driver, HiFli, SW chip ….... putt.

5th Par 4 …..... HiFli, 9I, putt, putt.

6th Par 3 ….... 9I, putt.

7th Par 4 ….... Driver, 8 iron, putt from off the green, putt, putt, fark!

8th Par 4 ….... Driver, PW, Putt ….... putt.

9th Par 4 …...... Driver, 6I, putt …. putt.

FIR …... 6/7and 1 on another fairway to the one I was playing.

GIR …... 7/9

Putts …... 15 officially, but a couple more from off the green.

Highlights .. Birdies on 4, after a close 30m chip with SW, and on the 6th, after a great 9I off the deck of the tee box, had me within 15ft of the pin.

Had a couple of very good putts for birdie that didn’t miss by much, but there were some very solid pars. So . converted 2 and missed 3 more chances.

Lowlights ….. Just a couple

Firstly ….. My approach shot on 7 came up short and leftward of the green ….... got to do better on this, my most awkward shot on the course (then went and componded my miss by 3 putting from the fringe)

Secondly ….... I blocked another drive leftward on 9, out over to the 8th fairway, but recovered well with a 100m low punchy fading 6I around the trees that saw the ball eventually run up nicely onto the green. Should never have been in that position though, so I’ve got to do better on this hole with ym tee shot.

Extras …....

I played a couple of holes with two balls, and hit different clubs off the tee (to the main ball), so different clubs on the approaches too.

I managed to keep them all on line, so no extra walking was involved, which is always a bonus. (I hate it when playing two balls and they go in two completely different directions .. soooo effin annoying)

At times I was also hitting a second ball from the approach locations, but using either one or two clubs less, or one or two clubs more.

For example on 8, I hit an easy PW approach from 100m with the main ball, (PW is my 110m club, so I had to take a bit off it) but then I hit another one from the same spot onto the green, this time using an 8 iron.

I was also tossing the odd ball down in front of the green as I got up near them, and just hitting the odd chipshot with various clubs ….... so in my usual 9 holes each night, I’m probably hitting up to a hundred shots if not more, most of the time.

If I miss a putt on the green (with the main ball) that I think I should have done better on, I’ll also spend a few minutes once I’ve holed out, putting it again, and also putting from a few different locations on them.

So my 15 official putts, were again probably more like 100 putts I had last night.

When going around I tend to putt extra balls from all corners of a green, so that I can practice downhill, uphill, left to right, right to left, and all manner of combinations … and this is great practice for my game I reckon … as the practice green is pretty well flat, so I don’t actually spend much time on it.

If I finish my 9 holes early, I’ll go and have some putts and chips on the practice green, but usually only about 15 mins worth, as I prefer to do as much practice on course as possible.

They’ve yet to provide me with a scorecard for the practice green, so for now, I’ll stick to where it really counts, out on the course proper.

Topic: GPJ’s Journey to ... God Knows Where

Well gaz the pressure cooker environment of Sunday comp just cant be underestimated, thats why its so damn satisfying to finish in the rundown in whats generally a melbourne cup field. Have they given the fairways a clip, i prefer the close crop than the Wild and woolly Richard Simmons look we expereinced Sunday

More tigerish than a wounded TIGER

Wasa, you are correct about the pressure cooker of Beacy’s Sunday comp. One look at playing partner Mark’s face attests to that each week, as it’s like hes having bamboo pushed under his fingernails for four hours at a time.

As for the fairways, I haven’t noticed any change in them, so presumably they haven’t trimmed them, or if they have, then they’ve only skimmed the top of them. I must admit though that I hadn’t noticed they were “long”.

There’s still a bit of roll to be had, but not much, as the course is starting to put on it’s winter coat at the moment.

Topic: GPJ’s Journey to ... God Knows Where

Well gaz the pressure cooker environment of Sunday comp just cant be underestimated, thats why its so damn satisfying to finish in the rundown in whats generally a melbourne cup field. Have they given the fairways a clip, i prefer the close crop than the Wild and woolly Richard Simmons look we expereinced Sunday

Topic: What's In Your Bag?

Driver-TM R9 superdeep 9.5 with -MIYAZAKI 61 s tour issue shaft

3 wood TM R7 TI—REAX SHAFT 65 s shaft

Irons—TM burner s200 dynamic gold shaft-jumbo soft grips

Wedges – Titleist vokey design -red

Putter—odyssey whitehot with superstoke 65 grip

Topic: What's In Your Bag?

Ok.folks.

Im done changing!

No changes pledge for 6 months.

Im content with it all

Ping g25 is a beast…just slap it!!
Jpx pro 825 with kbs shafts are bliss and fit me to a dime
New 588 forged wedges are better than callaway …spin is more consistent …

So no changes – 6 months…starts

30/4/2013

Topic: What's In Your Bag?

Shiny toys….mmmmmm!!

Topic: What's In Your Bag?

Okay so just under 8 months in, and finally have my set together.

Driver: Cobra S2 10.5 Stiff
3 Wood: Cobra Baffler F 15.5 Stiff
7 Wood: Cobra Baffler F 20 Stiff
Hybrid: Cobra Baffler H 22 4H Stiff
Irons: Cobra S3 Max 5-P Regular
Wedges: Cleveland CG 16 – 48 52
Wedges: Cleveland CG 15 – 56 60
Putter: Cleveland Classic Collection #1
Ball: Titleist Nxt Tour
Bag: Tommy Armour

15 clubs, but I am not competing so who cares.

Topic: GPJ’s Journey to ... God Knows Where

Okay, update from last nights practice 9 at Beacy, and as usual it was a frustrating nights efforts, not because I was playing badly, just the opposite, because it was a return to form of sorts.

The frustrating part of it for me, is always in not converting my practice form into comp mode. I’m not sure whether its because of the different timeslot, or different conditions, or heaven forbid, feeling the so called pressure of playing in comps …... but it is certainly annoying …...... anyway, onto the 9 holes.

1st Par 4 …..... A nice faded drive (as intended) to about 125m out. Hit a nice curling punch with a 7 iron between the twin small trees on the left hand side and onto the green, some 25 feet from the hole. Sliughtly downhill left to right putt ….. and was never going to miss …..nice start and one under.

2nd Par 3 …..... Off the slightly forward tees, 173m …. hit a weak 6 iron just left of centre down the hill and it landed and stopped some 30m short of the green. Had to chip over a bunker to the right hand pin location, and nailed it perfectly, landing it some 10 feet short, and it stopped within 2 feet of the hole …...... tap in par.

3rd Par 4 ….... Finally remembered to adjust the driver settingas I had planned to do before starting the round, so a quick tweak, more draw, more loft . and then belted a nice slight fade up the hill 220m to go.

I hit hybrid from this position on Sunday and it just went a touch too far, so it was a 3 iron last night. Hit it just short and left of the green … SW chip off the back foot onto the green was a touch “hot”, and it rolled some 25 feet down to the back of the green and slightly left of the pin. (Got to play it mid stance) It did though leave me with a fairly straight uphill putt back for birdie. I told myself “just inside the left edge” and hit it perfectly back up the slope ... dropping it inside the left edge for another birdie .. two under.

4th Par 5 …...... A nice high draw up to the top of the hill to about 240m, then went with the 17deg HiFli, with the ball below my feet but on a good lie. (I stuff the shot with this club when not on a good lie)

Hit a nice draw against the slope that sailed up onto the flat section to finish just left and short of the greenside bunker by 20m. Had an awkward chip over to a tucked pin location, but hit it nicely to land the ball between the bunker and pin. Didn’t play enough right to left break on the 18 or so foot putt, and watched it drift left below the hole, easy 2ft tap in par putt …........

5th Par 4 dogleg …....... Hit a low gently fading bullet with the HiFli around the dogleg corner. I had stood a touch more upright on the shot (this gives me a fade, a flatter swing gives me a draw) ... 110m to go. Hit a bunted 9 iron (usual distance 120m), and landed it nice and safe on the green, some 5m right of the hole location) Putted it to just short, tap in par.

6th Par 3 … 118m uphill by half a club…..... Hit another bunted 8 iron to take a bit of distance off the club, and landed it on but well right of the tucked left pin location …...... two putt par.

7th Par 4 ….... A nice slight draw with driver finished in perfect posiition on the fairway, in the heart of dogleg corner, 112 uphill metres to go. On Sunday I hit a 3/4 swing with 7 iron from this location that finished above the pin …...... so I hit a 3/4 8 iron this time, and finished up pin high, but slightly left. Lipped out the 15 foot birdie putt, tap in par.

8th Par 4 ….... Another nice straight drive to mid fairway in perfect position,122m to go. Hit a 3/4 swing with a 7 iron, and had it perfectly on target at the flagstick, dropping it right on the greens front fringe, but it didn’t release forward at all. 20 foot left to right putt from the fringe, hit the flagstick and stopped within a foot ….. tap in par.

9th Par 4 …... A nice slight draw with the driver finished up on the right hand side of the fairway, 72 uphill metres to go to the pin, with 63m to the front edge of the slightly raised green.

I had a few choices here, hit a full lob wedge, or a slightly choked down SW, or even a bunted Gap Wedge. With a few overhanging branches if I pulled it a touch right ….... I went with the gap wedge, and tried to pitch it right at the very front of the green ajnd to the right of the pin … figuring it would bounce up and on and then slow somewhere near the pin (10m roll out).

I caught it nicely, landing it just short, it bounced up and onto the green on the first hop, and rolled up towards the pin, stopping within 3 feet ….... downhill putt slightly left to right, aiming at inside left edge …..... it curled gently in the last foot or so, and dropped for birdie in the middle of the cup ... 3 under, and all done and dusted.

So, another solid nights efforts, and one that I’d particularly like to thank the human metrognome for.

Playing at Yarrambat recently on Anzac Day Mr CB80, along with giving me a couple of Chinese ball markers ….. gave me an “18 hole playing lesson”.

Time and again after finding the fairway, CB would then hit something into the green on a much lower flatter trajectory than the rest of us, eg …... using more club than required and less swing, and just punching the ball into close proximity to one flagstick after another.

Time and again Geoff had good birdie chances, and he put together a great round without breaking a sweat. It was those approach shots he hit, using an easy controlled swing with no fuss or effort, that really left an impression on me, hence me employing a lot of reduced swing, bunted or punch shots last night, that also gave me some very good chances at birdie, and a lot of safe and easy pars.

I’ve always tried to learn something from my playing partners during a round (both good or bad) ...... and CB unwittingly last week, gave me a great reminder of how you can get the job done.

I am fairly consistent with these shorter swings, and know my “reduced swing” distances pretty well, but I never really play these sorts of shots enough, despite getting good, solid results with them.

After watching Geoff’s round it was a very timely reminder, of just how easy and reliable these shots can be …... so I will endeavour to consider them on my approach shots in future, and no doubt, play a lot more of them ….. so thanks CB, much appreciated buddy.

Summary time now ….

Driver …..... With the new setting it worked very well. When aiming straight I am getting a very mild draw flavour, and have not yet gone too far left. Last night though my swing was consistent, as were the results …. with no shots heading leftward (which is what happens when I lean back on one). I just tried to hit them all straight and they all went straight .

With the driver set on draw mode, I’m yet to go for a draw shot, and I probably won’t do, as I fear it turning into a bad hook. With the added loft of the new setting that might slow down the draw a touch, but there are very few holes where I need to shape the ball too much on the front 9.

I’ll try to get onto the back 9 this afternoon, as a couple of holes there I do tend to go for a shaped shot off the tee, so it will be interesting to see if the intended shapes are controllable.

The 2013 driver though Titleist 913D3 ….. was voted the most accurate in a recent study, and it’s proving to be that. It’s not overly long in terms of distance (didn’t come in the top 3 in the testing) .......... but that’s not really an issue as I am trying to play for position these days, and not distance. Having been using it for a couple of months now, it is a fair bit shorter than my old SMT, but a lot more reliable in terms of accuracy, so my own testing backs up the published recent results.

HiFli …... And I’m finally starting to get an appreciation of what this club can, and can’t do. I am working out how to shape it, and also what lies I can hit it off, and what lies I can’t …. so going forward I should have a good idea of when to reach for it, or when to bypass it, and go for an iron instead.

Putting ….... And it was nice to sink a few putts, and get some confidence back, after a woeful putting exhibition in comp mode on Sunday.

I figure it’s always going to be variable, teeing off early on a Sunday morning, as the dew slowly evaporates from the greens, and in particular, around the holes as they tend to firm up first with the traffic of a couple of groups going out ahead of us, so those last couple of feet of any putt can play a touch faster, while the rest of the green plays a bit slower early on, making “break” a little tricky to assess at times.

It’s a good challenge to have though, as I love the faster pace of Beacy’s greens.

Topic: And so it begins.... my handicap and beyond...

Smoldy rocks.

That is all.

Topic: And so it begins.... my handicap and beyond...

You go girlfriend!

Does Smoldy play safe or does Smoldy play golf?

Topic: And so it begins.... my handicap and beyond...

But I should point out, I don’t play any as “Par 5s”. I’m always looking to par them and have a strategy that can get it done.

Topic: And so it begins.... my handicap and beyond...

par 4’s where you receive a Hcap shot (therefore they are par 5’s)

1 378m (agree many a drive OOB right)
2 378m
11th 324m (always look at holes this length with respect when low rated
12 320m (same comment)
15th 398m (number 1 hole )
18th 362m uphill (number 3 rated)

1st. Yep.. very tough start, but I’m starting to enjoy this hole more as my driver becomes reliable. OOB ever prevalent… But I always prefer having a shot on the first hole. A little buffer.
Actual Rank: 4 Personal Rank: 5

2nd… Same length but bigger downhill so plays a little shorter. I find this a little easier than the first historically only because the green is easier and without hazard.
Actual Rank: 5 Personal Rank: 9

11th… I play this pretty safe, 3w all the way. It’s a tough tee shot but the most attractive one on the course. Tough green to hit.. I reckon this hole is one of the toughest.
Actual Rank: 7 Personal Rank: 4

12th: Narrow chute, doesn’t suit my fade, but the wonky tee box straightens me up. It’s all in the tee shot here. If I can get a good shot off the tee box. From there it’s straight forward.
Actual Rank: 9 Personal Rank: 12

15th: Easily the hardest hole on the course. Uphill into the wind, most can’t actually get there in two. Par is a huge win.
Actual Rank: 1 Personal Rank: 1

18th: It’s boring it’s long and uphill. But that’s it’s defence. It’s wide so it doesn’t hold too much challenge off tee. I hate the hole which is why I like teeing off the 10th first, as it’s not how I want to finish a round.
Actual Rank: 3 Personal Rank: 7

Topic: And so it begins.... my handicap and beyond...

Thanks for the comments CB… a few thoughts if I may:

Par 3 holes these are all rated easier than they play given the length

3rd 159m rated 18 (easiest hole on course -dont think so)
5th 158 m rated 12 (OOB down right) hard hole for single figure golfer
13th 158m rated 15 (can get bad bounce here easy bogey)
16th 184m rated 14 (Ah NO this is hardest hole at Marsh.

The 3rd is rated right I reckon. Sure it plays ‘long’ but really there’s no danger short, an easy green to read and no bunkers. Small hitting locals simply bunt one up no risk. Whilst it remains only 1 of 2 holes on the course I’m yet to birdie in comp, it is also the only hole I haven’t had worse than a 5. Personal rating is 18.

The 5th is the hardest Par 3 on the course, and it killed me when I lost this hole. It’s a very hard green to hit, OOB on right, huge tree blocking fade and really tough green to get pace right. Personal rank is 11.

The 13th easy bailout short right which makes it safe but is most open and can get affected by wind. OOB also plays with it. I love this hole it’s a tough one. Personal rank is 10.

The 16th is a doozy, but not the hardest hole for mine. It plays long but huge safe bail out zone at the front for the softies. Short is smart play with a chip onto the green for an uphill putt. Plus I took a ‘3 off the tee’ par here, so I have pure evil hatred of this hole. Personal rank is 14.

So with the Par 3s… my personal ranks pretty much match the course index which I suppose it’s good. I’m surprised the 5th isn’t ranked harder, but then my own stats support it…

Topic: And so it begins.... my handicap and beyond...

Smergen
read with interest you assessment of par 3 par 4 and par 5 holes.

Looking at the Marsh and where you get shots.

Par 3 holes these are all rated easier than they play given the length

3rd 159m rated 18 (easiest hole on course -dont think so)
5th 158 m rated 12 (OOB down right) hard hole for single figure golfer
13th 158m rated 15 (can get bad bounce here easy bogey)
16th 184m rated 14 (Ah NO this is hardest hole at Marsh.

par 4’s where you receive a Hcap shot (therefore they are par 5’s)

1 378m (agree many a drive OOB right)
2 378m
11th 324m (always look at holes this length with respect when low rated
12 320m (same comment)
15th 398m (number 1 hole )
18th 362m uphill (number 3 rated)

par 5’s where you receive shots
7th 482 rating 8
9th 486 rating 2 (unusual to have a par 5 rated 2 but its uphill and usually into wind)

so a nice mixture of 3 point holes but 3’s are difficult.

Topic: And so it begins.... my handicap and beyond...

And YGHI and I smashed Kiwi and Oz 6 & 5 in the matchplay… and whilst I kick started our run, I think Johnny Platten (44) as I will now refer to him, got the job done in the shade for us.

The only person to post above 30pts…. but I suppose when you are that big a bandit… it shouldn’t be too hard should it?

Topic: And so it begins.... my handicap and beyond...

Well I suppose I better give a wrap of the weekends round… if I must. Joined on Sunday morning by two of the Marsh’s finest in Ozdevil and YouGottaHitIt, everyone’s favourite Garden Gnome Kiwi also made the trek out to make a foursome. And an excellent one it was.

In nigh on pristine conditions, it a huge good score was there for the taking… Being the generous gents we are, we left it for someone else…

In what can only be described as one of the more inconsistent rounds in my life, I managed to reel of a whopping 28pts… Once again, the distance between my good and bad was far far too big.
Opening with 11pts on the back nine (fast becoming my 1st tee) I went:

wipe, 3, 3, wipe, 2, 1, wipe, 1, 1….

Just couldn’t get anything going. The wind definitely picked up but that’s no excuse. The 11th and 12th were set up beautifully with Rocket Stick line driving two picture perfect 3w down the middle. The rest of the 9 was just a calamity of missed chances, a bit unlucky but mostly terrible execution. In my (reasonably) rapid decent down 3 or 4 shots it has made me realise how much of a “buffer” I had out on the course. Now… there is very little.

But I certainly wasn’t the worst in our group at the halfway mark…

Onto the 1st which was now playing down wind a tad, I relaxed the attitude, care factor and smashed one down and over the corner. Converted to a nice 3pt par and had the wind in my sail again. The second 9 was more improved but once again I lamented poor execution and a lack of concentration in parts. It finished being:

3, 2, wipe, 2, 2, 2, 3, 1, 2 for 17pts.

So what to take out of it:

Off the Tee: Was pretty strong I thought, finding 8 fairways and not too foul when I didn’t. Got unlucky with a massive hit on 17 that dispite the wind, still ran through the dogleg and blocked out my second. The Chief is going well at the moment, and the new shaft and I seem to have developed a good tempo. There’s less “balloon” in the flight now, which is helping gain those extra couple of metres.

Irons: So so… Some nice ones, but more average ones. Missed all 4 par 3 greens after giving myself a wrap, although 3 of them were very nice strikes and I had simply failed to allow for wind in the shot.

Short game: Not too bad, a couple of nice chips saved me a 1 putt here and there. About standard fare really.

Putting: Oh dear sweet baby jesus… 36putts with 3×3putts. Was all over the show. Felt I putted OK, but so many that should have dropped from around the 6ft just didn’t bother. Pace seemed good and I stuck to my technique as much as I could. One of those days I suppose but certainly could do with some improvement.

Overall I guess I can just write that one off and not worry too much. I still had 8 pars, but instead of the rest being bogies I had a disgraceful 7 doubles… Not triples or blow out holes which is one thing I suppose.

But hey… I beat the little fella at least…