Not been able to practice much this week at all. I managed a 45 min range session on Wednesday. Just really hit some balls to see what my swing was doing.
I wasn't really getting my body through the ball so concentrated on driving the right shoulder through which helped a lot.
I also played Brocket Hall yesterday with 3 mates. We played the Palmerstone course.
Played ok in spells but really struggled with my driving, yet again. I just can't seem to slow my swing down to get control and it's really costing me. My irons seem really good, solid crisp contact, good flight and distance. Chipping was good, putting was ok on really tough greens. But I was getting in sooooo much trouble off the tee I wasn't giving myself any chances to make a score.
Ended up shooting a shocking 98, could have easily been over 100. And that's after shooting a 77 a couple of weeks back !!!
Putting was tough. Big greens, fast but true, but lots of humps and elevation changes.
The thing is about driving is at my course you can get away with bad drives because it is quite open. You don't really get overly punished. Ok you might not be able to hit the green in 2, but you can usually get it close to give yourself a chance at a chip and putt.
So it's when I play courses like Brocket, Woburn etc where accuracy off the tee is critical it really shows up my driving for what it is. Inconsistent and dodgy under pressure.
This driving is really getting to me now. It really seems to be my Achilles heel. When I drive well, I score well. When I don't, well, I have to hope I'm scrambling well.
Something to work on this week before next weeks comp. I just need to find something that is consistent, even at the loss of some distance.
However, it was an enjoyable afternoon out with fiends. For that I can be grateful.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Frustrating Game
Is it me or is golf one of the most frustrating games going ?
I mean round to round, hole to hole and even shot to shot can have such a huge variation. One minute you're playing like a pro, the next it's like it's the first time you held a golf club.
Take today for example, and probably last Sundays round as well, front 9, both times, some of my best golf ever. Last Sunday went out in 38 (3 over par). Pretty damn good for a 13 handicapper. Today, how about this one, 36, one over (again the same 13 handicapper). And I missed a couple of really good birdy chances !!
Now you can probably guess where this story goes next. Last Sunday, back in 49, that's 11 shots more for 9 holes. More than 1 shot more per hole worse. Insane yes ?
Ok, now today. So out in 36, back in, wait for it, 52. Yep 52. 16 shots worse for 9 holes. An average of almost 2 shots worse a hole. Obviously I don't expect to come back in a gross 1 over par like the front, but you'd expect some kind of continuation of form front to back would have seen me coming in at 41, maybe 42 at worse. You;d at least expect a sub-80 round, wouldn't you ?
And the really annoying thing. I have no idea why. Missed a few putts I probably shouldn't have, few chips that probably should have got closer and probably 1 bad drive OOB on the 16 (again !!!!!).
It almost feels like a lack of concentration on the back 9, just silly mistakes costing me. But the flip side is I don't want to over think things and put pressure on myself. I usually play best when, well, I just play. Don't think about it. Just pick my shot and hit it as well as I can.
But the plus side is I know I've got it in me to shoot low, and I mean really low. I don't actually feel that a level par round is completely out of the question if I hook everything up for 18 holes.
Now I wouldn't have been saying that a few months ago.
I mean round to round, hole to hole and even shot to shot can have such a huge variation. One minute you're playing like a pro, the next it's like it's the first time you held a golf club.
Take today for example, and probably last Sundays round as well, front 9, both times, some of my best golf ever. Last Sunday went out in 38 (3 over par). Pretty damn good for a 13 handicapper. Today, how about this one, 36, one over (again the same 13 handicapper). And I missed a couple of really good birdy chances !!
Now you can probably guess where this story goes next. Last Sunday, back in 49, that's 11 shots more for 9 holes. More than 1 shot more per hole worse. Insane yes ?
Ok, now today. So out in 36, back in, wait for it, 52. Yep 52. 16 shots worse for 9 holes. An average of almost 2 shots worse a hole. Obviously I don't expect to come back in a gross 1 over par like the front, but you'd expect some kind of continuation of form front to back would have seen me coming in at 41, maybe 42 at worse. You;d at least expect a sub-80 round, wouldn't you ?
And the really annoying thing. I have no idea why. Missed a few putts I probably shouldn't have, few chips that probably should have got closer and probably 1 bad drive OOB on the 16 (again !!!!!).
It almost feels like a lack of concentration on the back 9, just silly mistakes costing me. But the flip side is I don't want to over think things and put pressure on myself. I usually play best when, well, I just play. Don't think about it. Just pick my shot and hit it as well as I can.
But the plus side is I know I've got it in me to shoot low, and I mean really low. I don't actually feel that a level par round is completely out of the question if I hook everything up for 18 holes.
Now I wouldn't have been saying that a few months ago.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Stooopid Work
Getting in the way of my practice.
Meetings over ran yesterday, which meant I didn't manage to get up the range before I had to pick up the other half.
Same again today.
Sitting here twiddling my thumbs as I've got 15 mins before I need to go pick here up, So I thought I'd post a rant :-(
Meetings over ran yesterday, which meant I didn't manage to get up the range before I had to pick up the other half.
Same again today.
Sitting here twiddling my thumbs as I've got 15 mins before I need to go pick here up, So I thought I'd post a rant :-(
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday's Results Are In
Got the usual howdidido email.
Placed 23rd, mid table and no OOM points this time.
33pts, so kept it in the buffer zone. Just.
Winning score was 40pts, so I only had to shoot a level par round on the back 9 and I'd have tied.
Oh well. Next comp is 8th May.
Placed 23rd, mid table and no OOM points this time.
33pts, so kept it in the buffer zone. Just.
Winning score was 40pts, so I only had to shoot a level par round on the back 9 and I'd have tied.
Oh well. Next comp is 8th May.
And Another Post Today
This time on something I need to work on with my full swing.
It's something Brian was trying to get me to do in my last lesson but I still feel I haven't quite got it yet.
It's releasing the club by rolling my right forearm over my left in the follow through.
I still feel I hold the club square through impact, almost trying to guide the ball straight. This is resulting mostly in a slight fade, but a bad drive will be a big slice, and a bit of a cut off follow through as the club face remains pointing straight up in the air after impact.
The importance of this was reaffirmed during yesterdays comp when I was playing with a senior for the round.
His practice swing was just standing there and swinging back and forth rotating his right forearm over his left in the follow through. Just back and forth, nice and easy until he got the feel
He'd then step up and hit a lovely powerful draw, he pulled a few, put he had the right intention and feel he was trying to get.
When I was working on this with Brian, I was getting to 'flicky'. i.e. Almost trying to flick the ball at impact rather than a more gradual rotation through the ball.
I've just been doing it with a 6i here in the office to just try to get the feel I need, but need to get up the range to put it into practice.
I have a feeling that I'm going to need to make sure my swing path is good otherwise I can see a lot of shots going weak and left.
But I think I've got my head around how to make this work now.
It's something Brian was trying to get me to do in my last lesson but I still feel I haven't quite got it yet.
It's releasing the club by rolling my right forearm over my left in the follow through.
I still feel I hold the club square through impact, almost trying to guide the ball straight. This is resulting mostly in a slight fade, but a bad drive will be a big slice, and a bit of a cut off follow through as the club face remains pointing straight up in the air after impact.
The importance of this was reaffirmed during yesterdays comp when I was playing with a senior for the round.
His practice swing was just standing there and swinging back and forth rotating his right forearm over his left in the follow through. Just back and forth, nice and easy until he got the feel
He'd then step up and hit a lovely powerful draw, he pulled a few, put he had the right intention and feel he was trying to get.
When I was working on this with Brian, I was getting to 'flicky'. i.e. Almost trying to flick the ball at impact rather than a more gradual rotation through the ball.
I've just been doing it with a 6i here in the office to just try to get the feel I need, but need to get up the range to put it into practice.
I have a feeling that I'm going to need to make sure my swing path is good otherwise I can see a lot of shots going weak and left.
But I think I've got my head around how to make this work now.
Putting Changes
I've never really spent much time practising putting, the occasion session during the week with some chipping practice.
I've had 1 putting lesson last year and my coach said everything looked good, gave me a couple of tips, but in general I had a sound putting stroke.
Recently as my handicap has dropped I've felt my putting hasn't kept pace with the rest of my game. The odd silly missed 3 footer, a few too many 3 putts from distance. Not holing enough 10 foot putts etc.
So I decided to spend a bit of time studying and working on my technique.
First thing I done was get one of these. Yes Putter Pathfinder
It has an alignment mirror to make sure you're eye line is right over the line of the putt. I found I was a couple of inches inside the line.
Plus a club head guide. You can set the little magnetic pins at the edges of the putter so you have to stroke it between them along the aim line. if you're off-line then the little post waggles.
This really gets you taking it straight back and through.
Took a bit of practice and really makes you concentrate on you're alignment and stroke.
The other change I've made is a slower, longer backstroke, then a just a flowing stroke through the ball.
The first two changes have really helped with the short to medium length putts, the last change seems to give me much better distance control.
Before the change I was averaging 1.8 Putts per hole, after the change I'm averaging 1.7. Ok, 0.1 doesn't sound much. But over 18 holes, that's almost 2 shots !!!!
I'm probably averaging about 30 putts per round, whereas before 30 putts would be a great round. Most of the time I'd be around 33-34 area.
(Oh the low blips on the graph are 9-hole rounds !!)
I've had 1 putting lesson last year and my coach said everything looked good, gave me a couple of tips, but in general I had a sound putting stroke.
Recently as my handicap has dropped I've felt my putting hasn't kept pace with the rest of my game. The odd silly missed 3 footer, a few too many 3 putts from distance. Not holing enough 10 foot putts etc.
So I decided to spend a bit of time studying and working on my technique.
First thing I done was get one of these. Yes Putter Pathfinder
It has an alignment mirror to make sure you're eye line is right over the line of the putt. I found I was a couple of inches inside the line.
Plus a club head guide. You can set the little magnetic pins at the edges of the putter so you have to stroke it between them along the aim line. if you're off-line then the little post waggles.
This really gets you taking it straight back and through.
Took a bit of practice and really makes you concentrate on you're alignment and stroke.
The other change I've made is a slower, longer backstroke, then a just a flowing stroke through the ball.
The first two changes have really helped with the short to medium length putts, the last change seems to give me much better distance control.
Before the change I was averaging 1.8 Putts per hole, after the change I'm averaging 1.7. Ok, 0.1 doesn't sound much. But over 18 holes, that's almost 2 shots !!!!
I'm probably averaging about 30 putts per round, whereas before 30 putts would be a great round. Most of the time I'd be around 33-34 area.
(Oh the low blips on the graph are 9-hole rounds !!)
Round 2 of 2011 OOM
Yesterday was round 2 of the summer league. Stabelford off full handicap. I've been playing some good stuff lately so was aiming for a little cut maybe.
Good solid start Bogey, Bogey & Par for 7pts after the first 3 holes. Our own little amen corner. If you haven't done too much damage to you card after the 3rd you're doing ok. So I was happy with 7 pts.
Par, Par & Bogey for the next 3 for another 8pts.
Finally finishing the front 9 with a little par run for another 7pts giving me a front 9 of 22pts. (out in 38 blows).
Could have been a bit better, Missed makable birdy putts on 8 and 9 of no more than 8ft. But hay 22pts, I'll take that.
So, 3 bogeys, 6 pars, 85% FIR, 44% GIR and 15 putts. Not too shabby.
Bogeyed the 10th for 2 pts, Happy with that. 11th, sliced drive onto the side of a bank, hit a good 6i to just short of the green. Then horror of horrors, simple chip over the bunker and completly shanked it into a bunker 30ft right of me. Duffed bunker shot, few shots later I've carded my first blob.
Terrible teeshot on the long par 3 12, pulled it left. Ok chip over the bunker and a couple of good putts gets me another 2pts. Another blob on 13 due to a duffed chip into the sand.
Find the sand with my teeshot on 14, hit an ok 6i but it just drifted into the rough. 7i into a bunker 30ft to the left of the green, really good bunker shot, missed put and card a 6 on the par 5 for 1pt.
15th was good un. Drive right down the middle, sweet 6i to the front fringe of the green 2 putts for an easy par and another 3pts. Ok round starting to get back on track.
16. Long uphill par 5. OOB down the right. Yep you got it, huge slice OOB and I'm 3 off the tee. 2nd driver ended up in the fairway bunker. Was far enough back and managed to hit a good 3 wood. 6i to the side of the green then chip and 2 putts for an 8 and another blob.
17, was the hardest 2 pointer in history. 210 par 3 to a raised green. Hit a good ish 4i but tugged it slightly into the front left bunker. Thinned the bunker shot 70 yards over the back of the green, past the 18th tee and into the thick rough. So no I'm left with 7 yards up a 30ft bank from deep rough. Got my 56 out and gave it a good swing. up it popped few high, almost hit the pin and rolled 10ft past. Sunk the putt for a 4 and another 2pts.
18, easy par 4. Teeshot went right again onto a bank. Hit a really sweet 8i to a back pin and it just rolled off the back by a few feet. Little chip 2 3tf and missed the putt for a 5. and 1pt.
The round just fell apart, I didn't feel under pressure, I never usually do, It was inexplicable. I wasn't trying to force it.
Ended up with 11 pts and 49 shots. Argh. 14% FIR, 0% GIR, but pleasingly enough only 15 putts again.
So finished with 33 points and 87 strokes. 50% FIR, 22% GIR and 30 putts. Stayed in the buffer zone, I hope.
So more than a little disappointed. When I looked back it was probably only 3 shots that cost me so much.
Shanked chip on 11, when I should have given my self a par putt.
Duffed chip on 13. Again, had plenty of room, so again should have had a par putt.
Then the OOB on 16.
Ah well. 33pts ain't bad. probably not going to get me any OOM points. But I've got to be happy with that front 9.
Putted really well, I have done for the past few weeks since I change my stroke. Irons were for the most part pretty good. Apart from 2 silly chips I was pretty good inside 100.
I feel some practice with the big stick coming this week. It just feels that I'm not releasing the club head and holding it open for some reason.
Always something needs work.
So here's the card. Apparently God does still hate golfers :-) (or maybe just me)
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Broke 80
Should have posted sooner but been a bit busy.
Broke 80 for the first time last Sunday. Oh Yeah.
Out in 39, back in 38 for a 77.
Drove the ball ok, hit enough greens. It was mainly inside 100 yards I was deadly. Got up and down from all over the place. Chipped well and didn't miss anything inside 6ft.
tbh, I didn't make that many putts outside 6ft either.
Just a real steady round.
Guess god doesn't hate me so much after all :-)
Broke 80 for the first time last Sunday. Oh Yeah.
Out in 39, back in 38 for a 77.
Drove the ball ok, hit enough greens. It was mainly inside 100 yards I was deadly. Got up and down from all over the place. Chipped well and didn't miss anything inside 6ft.
tbh, I didn't make that many putts outside 6ft either.
Just a real steady round.
Guess god doesn't hate me so much after all :-)
Monday, April 4, 2011
Lesson 3 with Brian
It's been about 3 weeks since my last lesson. Mainly because I haven't found the time to get down to gosling when Brian has been available.
I felt things were starting to slip a little so wanted to get down to see him to check things out.
Grip and setup all check out ok. He's really pleased there.
Takeaway was ok but I'm breaking my wrists a bit so he got me taking it back with a really firm left hand keeping a sold grip on the club. After a few swings the takeway was good. Much more control over the club going back.
Now the swing. This is where I felt I was having trouble. My age old problem, getting stuck on my back foot.
The way Brian explained it is I need to get the club to drag me forward, rather than trying to transfer my weight, my swing should just bring my body with it.
Few more balls and I'm starting to let the club bring me forward but I'm still holding the club open and scooping it rather than releasing it. He got me into some positions where my right hand drives the club through and turns the club over.
Few more swings and much better, good tight backswing, club and body driving through, right hand releasing and turning over the club head which gave a much better follow through.
He then handed the driver over, hit some with that, few where I didn't get through it, but then it all clicked and started pounding them out there.
Chatting with Brian he says he's really pleased with the progress, said it might take me a while to make it natural but is very happy with the swing. Looks much more orthadox and in control.
So. Just need to keep a tighter controlled backswing, let the club pull me through and drive the right hand over into a good release.
Easy :-)
I feel a mini range session tomorrow after work. Short game then some irons and drivers.
I felt things were starting to slip a little so wanted to get down to see him to check things out.
Grip and setup all check out ok. He's really pleased there.
Takeaway was ok but I'm breaking my wrists a bit so he got me taking it back with a really firm left hand keeping a sold grip on the club. After a few swings the takeway was good. Much more control over the club going back.
Now the swing. This is where I felt I was having trouble. My age old problem, getting stuck on my back foot.
The way Brian explained it is I need to get the club to drag me forward, rather than trying to transfer my weight, my swing should just bring my body with it.
Few more balls and I'm starting to let the club bring me forward but I'm still holding the club open and scooping it rather than releasing it. He got me into some positions where my right hand drives the club through and turns the club over.
Few more swings and much better, good tight backswing, club and body driving through, right hand releasing and turning over the club head which gave a much better follow through.
He then handed the driver over, hit some with that, few where I didn't get through it, but then it all clicked and started pounding them out there.
Chatting with Brian he says he's really pleased with the progress, said it might take me a while to make it natural but is very happy with the swing. Looks much more orthadox and in control.
So. Just need to keep a tighter controlled backswing, let the club pull me through and drive the right hand over into a good release.
Easy :-)
I feel a mini range session tomorrow after work. Short game then some irons and drivers.
1st Com Results Are In
Shot a 1 over par net 72 on Saturday as previously posted. CSS was 72. So level for the comp.
Shame about 16 and 17, but hey, it happens.
I came 5th in Div 2,Net 68 won that div, and the comp. So I recond I could have tied that if I hadn't made a mess of 16 & 17.
There were 2 better scores in Div 1 and 1 better in Div 3. So tied for 8th overall with 3 others. Which should get me some decent points to start the season off.
Next comp is 17th April, few things to work on, but in good shape.
Shame about 16 and 17, but hey, it happens.
I came 5th in Div 2,Net 68 won that div, and the comp. So I recond I could have tied that if I hadn't made a mess of 16 & 17.
There were 2 better scores in Div 1 and 1 better in Div 3. So tied for 8th overall with 3 others. Which should get me some decent points to start the season off.
Next comp is 17th April, few things to work on, but in good shape.
More Thoughts on the 910D2
Now I've played a few rounds with it my opinion still stands.
The D2 is easier to hit than my R9 and it is longer. Dave, who i play with on Sunday, said he noticed I was geting at least 20-30 yards extra out of it.
The distance improvement is much more noticable into the wind as well. Whilst the ball seems to fly quite high it doesn't seem to 'hang' up there and just drop, it stays high and carries forward. And that measn more run out on landing.
My R9 used to land quite soft, fly high-ish but hold up into the wind. then just drop and stop,
I actually feel because of how forgiving this driver is I could probably hit it harder than I am. Over the past month I have deliberatly slowed down my driver swing to gain some control. But I feel that I could speed it up again at the loss of only a little accuracy, but get some extra yardage out of it.
Something to try.
After Fridays 9 holes, I was fading slightly with it. So I adjusted it to a slightly closed face. And tbh I didn't really notice a difference in ball flight. The other thing I might try as well is reduce the loft to get a lower flight. I can adjust it down by .75 degrees to a 9.75.
Again, something to try this week.
Next comp isn't until the 17th April, so have a bit of time to experiment.
The D2 is easier to hit than my R9 and it is longer. Dave, who i play with on Sunday, said he noticed I was geting at least 20-30 yards extra out of it.
The distance improvement is much more noticable into the wind as well. Whilst the ball seems to fly quite high it doesn't seem to 'hang' up there and just drop, it stays high and carries forward. And that measn more run out on landing.
My R9 used to land quite soft, fly high-ish but hold up into the wind. then just drop and stop,
I actually feel because of how forgiving this driver is I could probably hit it harder than I am. Over the past month I have deliberatly slowed down my driver swing to gain some control. But I feel that I could speed it up again at the loss of only a little accuracy, but get some extra yardage out of it.
Something to try.
After Fridays 9 holes, I was fading slightly with it. So I adjusted it to a slightly closed face. And tbh I didn't really notice a difference in ball flight. The other thing I might try as well is reduce the loft to get a lower flight. I can adjust it down by .75 degrees to a 9.75.
Again, something to try this week.
Next comp isn't until the 17th April, so have a bit of time to experiment.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
45 holes in 3 days
So, 9 on Friday to give the new driver a run out. 18 Yesterday in the first summer comp. 18 today in my normal Sunday game with Dave.
Well. New driver is still running well. I'm consistently getting an extra 20-30 yards out of it over my R9 and easily more accurate.
Scoring wise. 88 today. Started bad with a triple bogey and a double bogey. The strung 5 pars together, should have pared 8, then pared 9. So 6 pars on 7 holes. Not bad. Finished the front 9 with a 41. Not too shaby after that start.
Back 9, just couldn't get going. Only 1 par on the 17th. Everything was close, just not quite there. I have a feeling tiredness came in a bit. Just didn't seem as focussed, making silly mistakes. Easy chips either thinned or too short costing me nailed on pars. OB'd my second shot on the 16th for another 8 on the par 5.
Bogeyed 18 from 110 yards out. Hit a monster driver into the wind, leaving 110, wind was that strong I took an 8 and pulled it left. Good pitch with a 60 degree up the bank leaving a 6 footer, but shaved the hole. Tap in for bogey.
So some real positives, the game is definitely there. New driver is working well. I just need to focus that bit more on the back 9 and get rid of those silly mistakes.
Well. New driver is still running well. I'm consistently getting an extra 20-30 yards out of it over my R9 and easily more accurate.
Scoring wise. 88 today. Started bad with a triple bogey and a double bogey. The strung 5 pars together, should have pared 8, then pared 9. So 6 pars on 7 holes. Not bad. Finished the front 9 with a 41. Not too shaby after that start.
Back 9, just couldn't get going. Only 1 par on the 17th. Everything was close, just not quite there. I have a feeling tiredness came in a bit. Just didn't seem as focussed, making silly mistakes. Easy chips either thinned or too short costing me nailed on pars. OB'd my second shot on the 16th for another 8 on the par 5.
Bogeyed 18 from 110 yards out. Hit a monster driver into the wind, leaving 110, wind was that strong I took an 8 and pulled it left. Good pitch with a 60 degree up the bank leaving a 6 footer, but shaved the hole. Tap in for bogey.
So some real positives, the game is definitely there. New driver is working well. I just need to focus that bit more on the back 9 and get rid of those silly mistakes.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
First Comp of 2011
Just back from the first comp this year and the start of the defence of my Order of Merit title.
Played some pretty good stuff today in really difficult conditions. Wind was really up and the greens were pretty bobley after being spiked during the week. Shot a 85, net 72. 1 over par.Out in 39 but back 46.
All was going well until the 16th. OB'd my teeshot, resulting in an 8 on a par 5, then followed it up with 5 on the par 3 17th. Steadied the ship with a par on the 18th, leaving my birdy putt in the jaws.
Highlight of the round, chip in from the back of the green on the 8th for a birdy. Also hit my 3h from 170, into a stiff wind to 10ft of the pin. That was nice.
Putted pretty well today, 29 putts totol. Hit 60% of FIR and 27% GIR. 8 pars, 1 birdy, 5 bogeys and 4 double bogey or worse.
Should be in with a shout for some order of merit points hopefully. Might even get a slight cut. (The 8 should get rounded down to a 7, so a level par score, and with the tough conditions I thing the CSS might be 72, giving me a .3 cut)
Played some pretty good stuff today in really difficult conditions. Wind was really up and the greens were pretty bobley after being spiked during the week. Shot a 85, net 72. 1 over par.Out in 39 but back 46.
All was going well until the 16th. OB'd my teeshot, resulting in an 8 on a par 5, then followed it up with 5 on the par 3 17th. Steadied the ship with a par on the 18th, leaving my birdy putt in the jaws.
Highlight of the round, chip in from the back of the green on the 8th for a birdy. Also hit my 3h from 170, into a stiff wind to 10ft of the pin. That was nice.
Putted pretty well today, 29 putts totol. Hit 60% of FIR and 27% GIR. 8 pars, 1 birdy, 5 bogeys and 4 double bogey or worse.
Should be in with a shout for some order of merit points hopefully. Might even get a slight cut. (The 8 should get rounded down to a 7, so a level par score, and with the tough conditions I thing the CSS might be 72, giving me a .3 cut)
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