So, this weekend, 3rd and 4th September is our club championships.
2 day, 2 round event. Go out in handicap order on day 1 and then score order on day 2 with the best scores going out last. just like a real tournament !!
Last year I was in 2nd after day 1 so went out late on day 2:-)
So prep for this year.
It's fair to say that this year hasn't really gone how I would have liked. I've struggled all year long with the driver and lateley the putter and consistency has been a big problem.
I've played some of my best golf and some of my worst.
So I've got a week to work on a few things to try and find a little something.
So the plan for the week.
Monday (yesterday) - 9-12 Holes practice - Complete
Tuesday (Today) - Chipping and Putting (If I have time and it doesn't rain)
Wednesday - Driver
Thursday - Irons and full Wedges. (plus maybe some putting and driving if I feel i need some extra)
Friday - 9-12 Holes and then some practice depending on the results of the 9 holes.
Yesterday, was good. Not a bad front 9, 1 undert my handicap and made a couple of silly mistakes that could have easily taken 2-3 extra shots off. Swing felt great, smooth and flowing. Even with the driver. Putting was ok, just ok. But better than it has been.
I need to do some stuff at home after work so might not have much time to practice. So I'll try and get 30 mins on the putting green. Just concentrating on technique more than anything.
For the weekend I want to get myself to the point where I'm not thinking about anything swing related when i'm playing. Maybe one swing thought at most.
I play my best golf when I don't think. odd to say, but it's true. I just see the shot I want to hit and then just hit the ball. The problem this year is I've changed so much I've had some many swing thoughts to deal with I've not been able to do that.
It feels like most of the stuff I've been working on is now bedding in. So time to let the reines off.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Played 12 Today
Had a bit of spare time this afternoon so went out for a few holes. Was going to try to fit in 18 but it was a bit slow, so just 12.
Steady I think describes it. New putting stroke is fine, driving ok to. Hit some lovely drives with a touch of draw.
Went out in 41 with a birdy on 7. Had a makable eagle putt but started the putt to far right and it never came back.
Gave myself a lot of good chances too. 4 Pars and a Birdy in 12 holes. But chucked in a couple of doubles as well.
Plus the bogeys should really have been pars.
So signs of improvement.
Steady I think describes it. New putting stroke is fine, driving ok to. Hit some lovely drives with a touch of draw.
Went out in 41 with a birdy on 7. Had a makable eagle putt but started the putt to far right and it never came back.
Gave myself a lot of good chances too. 4 Pars and a Birdy in 12 holes. But chucked in a couple of doubles as well.
Plus the bogeys should really have been pars.
So signs of improvement.
Completely Re-Vamped my Putting
Took a close hard look at my putting over the past few days and come to the conclusion that my technique needed sharpening up.
Watched some good todays golfer putting videos and incorporated those changes.
Grip - Have the back of my left hand pointing at the target. And the back of my right pointing in the opposite direction so my palms are facing each other. This helps keep the putter blade at right angles to the target line.
Arms - Moved them into my sides rather than hanging down. This locks them in so prevents the arms getting involved in the swing. So as you rock you're shoulders back and forth it's just that turn that swings the putter.
Also, by getting my arms into my sides it's got my eyes over the target line, so a much better aim.
Ball position - Moved it more forward towards my left foot. This gets the putter just hitting the ball as it rises so gets a better role.
And finally, changed the length of my stroke, at least on the shorter putts. Shorter takeaway which promotes a better follow through after the strike. This gets around any deceleration in the down-swing and gives a much better roll.
So not much changed then !!!
Tried all this on the putting green before yesterdays round for about 15 mins. Felt weird but much more consistent strike and much more confident on shorter putts.
Watched some good todays golfer putting videos and incorporated those changes.
Grip - Have the back of my left hand pointing at the target. And the back of my right pointing in the opposite direction so my palms are facing each other. This helps keep the putter blade at right angles to the target line.
Arms - Moved them into my sides rather than hanging down. This locks them in so prevents the arms getting involved in the swing. So as you rock you're shoulders back and forth it's just that turn that swings the putter.
Also, by getting my arms into my sides it's got my eyes over the target line, so a much better aim.
Ball position - Moved it more forward towards my left foot. This gets the putter just hitting the ball as it rises so gets a better role.
And finally, changed the length of my stroke, at least on the shorter putts. Shorter takeaway which promotes a better follow through after the strike. This gets around any deceleration in the down-swing and gives a much better roll.
So not much changed then !!!
Tried all this on the putting green before yesterdays round for about 15 mins. Felt weird but much more consistent strike and much more confident on shorter putts.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Brocket Hall
Managed to get a half day yesterday and went and played Brocket Palmerstone course with 3 m8's.
Putted like an absolute prat. 4 3-putts !!! And wait for it, 2 4-putts. Ended up with 40 putts !!!!!!!!!
Greens weren't that fast at all, I just couldn't seem to hit the ball out the middle of the putter. Long putts were a mile short. Missed a ton of 3 footers. just when I thought I had turned the corner with my putter.
Rest of my game ?
Drove the ball well on the back 9, which we played first. Then my driving just deserted me for no reason, weas getting stuck on my back foot again and slicing everything off right and couldn't stop doing it. Ended up dropping to my 3w or a few holes.
irons were pretty good. Couple of stupid shots, but in general pretty good.
Wedges, really good still. Greens were receptive and was spinning them nicely.
So more work needed on the usual suspects still. Driver and Putter.
Will this ever end ?
Putted like an absolute prat. 4 3-putts !!! And wait for it, 2 4-putts. Ended up with 40 putts !!!!!!!!!
Greens weren't that fast at all, I just couldn't seem to hit the ball out the middle of the putter. Long putts were a mile short. Missed a ton of 3 footers. just when I thought I had turned the corner with my putter.
Rest of my game ?
Drove the ball well on the back 9, which we played first. Then my driving just deserted me for no reason, weas getting stuck on my back foot again and slicing everything off right and couldn't stop doing it. Ended up dropping to my 3w or a few holes.
irons were pretty good. Couple of stupid shots, but in general pretty good.
Wedges, really good still. Greens were receptive and was spinning them nicely.
So more work needed on the usual suspects still. Driver and Putter.
Will this ever end ?
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Average
Praciced a bit last week. Mainly Irons and Driver. Bit of my new 5w and bit of chipping and putting.
didn't manage to get any rounds in until today's comp.
Stableford off full handicap.
Played ok. That's about it really.
Drove the ball ok. Didn't hit that many fairways, but didn't miss them by much.
Hit my irons ok.Hit a good amount of GIR.
Chipped ok. Probably didn't chip it close enough often enough really if anything.
Again, putted ok. Got the ball rolling at the hole and was striking the putts well. Just nothing dropped from beyond 6ft.
Couple of silly mistakes here and there which cost me a few shots.
Ended up shooting 32 points. So that's another .1 onto the handicap. Now 12.3.
Next comp in 2 weeks. Club championships on the 3rd & 4th Sept.
didn't manage to get any rounds in until today's comp.
Stableford off full handicap.
Played ok. That's about it really.
Drove the ball ok. Didn't hit that many fairways, but didn't miss them by much.
Hit my irons ok.Hit a good amount of GIR.
Chipped ok. Probably didn't chip it close enough often enough really if anything.
Again, putted ok. Got the ball rolling at the hole and was striking the putts well. Just nothing dropped from beyond 6ft.
Couple of silly mistakes here and there which cost me a few shots.
Ended up shooting 32 points. So that's another .1 onto the handicap. Now 12.3.
Next comp in 2 weeks. Club championships on the 3rd & 4th Sept.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Interesting Round Today
Was a bit of a funny old round today. Mix of really good and really bad. Started really bad. 2 double bogeys.
Then pulled out some good holes to get out in 42. Started the back 9 well with a tap in par. Then stuck in a double bogey after a failed bunker escape. Then rolled off 5 straight pars. Then finished bogey, bogey. 18 should have been par but I duffed a 3 footer. So came back in 40 for an 82. 1 under handicap.
Pretty tidy back 9.
Changed my putting slightly after watching a today's golder putting tip. I rotated my left hand towards the left slightly so the back of my left hand was pointing towards the hole. This has the effect of straitening out the left arm and got me swinging much straighter.
The result. Only 28 putts !!
Pretty much most of my game is coming together now. Drove the ball ok, irons still good, pitching and chipping spot on and putted as well as I have for ages. Just a few silly mistakes cost me a sub-80 round today.
Bit of practice this week and a comp on Sunday. Might try to get out for a couple of 9's during the week as well.
Then pulled out some good holes to get out in 42. Started the back 9 well with a tap in par. Then stuck in a double bogey after a failed bunker escape. Then rolled off 5 straight pars. Then finished bogey, bogey. 18 should have been par but I duffed a 3 footer. So came back in 40 for an 82. 1 under handicap.
Pretty tidy back 9.
Changed my putting slightly after watching a today's golder putting tip. I rotated my left hand towards the left slightly so the back of my left hand was pointing towards the hole. This has the effect of straitening out the left arm and got me swinging much straighter.
The result. Only 28 putts !!
Pretty much most of my game is coming together now. Drove the ball ok, irons still good, pitching and chipping spot on and putted as well as I have for ages. Just a few silly mistakes cost me a sub-80 round today.
Bit of practice this week and a comp on Sunday. Might try to get out for a couple of 9's during the week as well.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Hertfordshire Again
Ducked out from work a bit early yesterday and went and played the Hertfordshire again. This time in half decent weather.
The course was in still great condition, although that couldn't be said for my game. A real mixed bag. I played some holes sublimely well. Had some a great eagle opportunity, numerous good birdy opportunities as well.
But also played some holes horrendously and lost quite a few balls as a result. Knocked up a 7 on the first after snap hooking my drive off the tee. Took a 10 on the 16th after loosing my drive and then my second ball.
But even after 9 I had only shot 41. And that's with the 7 at the par 4 1st and a ton of missed makable putts. I honestly believe on another day that could have been level par.
Then came back in 52 for a 93. Not 1 par or better. Lots of bogeys and worse.
Ah well. Signs of the good, but also some of the bad.
Not playing today. Might see if I can find some time to go to the range. Out again tomorrow morning for a knockabout.
The course was in still great condition, although that couldn't be said for my game. A real mixed bag. I played some holes sublimely well. Had some a great eagle opportunity, numerous good birdy opportunities as well.
But also played some holes horrendously and lost quite a few balls as a result. Knocked up a 7 on the first after snap hooking my drive off the tee. Took a 10 on the 16th after loosing my drive and then my second ball.
But even after 9 I had only shot 41. And that's with the 7 at the par 4 1st and a ton of missed makable putts. I honestly believe on another day that could have been level par.
Then came back in 52 for a 93. Not 1 par or better. Lots of bogeys and worse.
Ah well. Signs of the good, but also some of the bad.
Not playing today. Might see if I can find some time to go to the range. Out again tomorrow morning for a knockabout.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Oh, One other thing
Just been watching a few of my swing vids and noticed that I'm actually on tip toes when I hot some shots. on both feet.
I know I have a habit of rotating my left foot post swing so my toes are pointing at the target. That probably explains why. I need to stay more grounded through the swing.
Something to work on next time I think.
I know I have a habit of rotating my left foot post swing so my toes are pointing at the target. That probably explains why. I need to stay more grounded through the swing.
Something to work on next time I think.
What a difference a day makes.
Went up the range at lunchtime to see what was up after last night.
Didn't really change anything. Just checked the basics. Grip, Alignment, Posture etc and hit the ball pretty well.
Just trying to keep my takeaway long and wide, starting the turn with my body. then just turn through and try to keep my arms long on the swing through. And keep a steady tempo.
This is probably one of my best swings ever. or at least I've videoed.
Also hit a few drivers as well. At first I couldn't see where they hell they were going as I was just loosing the ball in the sky. But after a bit started to pick the line. Again much better than yesterday.
And finally my new 5w arrived. A TaylorMade R9 TP with a stiff shaft. tbh, I didn't hit it that well, I seemed to keep hitting behind the ball. So I need to spend a bit of time with that before I put it into play.
Didn't really change anything. Just checked the basics. Grip, Alignment, Posture etc and hit the ball pretty well.
Just trying to keep my takeaway long and wide, starting the turn with my body. then just turn through and try to keep my arms long on the swing through. And keep a steady tempo.
This is probably one of my best swings ever. or at least I've videoed.
Also hit a few drivers as well. At first I couldn't see where they hell they were going as I was just loosing the ball in the sky. But after a bit started to pick the line. Again much better than yesterday.
And finally my new 5w arrived. A TaylorMade R9 TP with a stiff shaft. tbh, I didn't hit it that well, I seemed to keep hitting behind the ball. So I need to spend a bit of time with that before I put it into play.
Lost it on the range last night
Mentally and actually.
Hit the ball absolutely awfully. Started warming up with a 7i planning to work on my driver and was hitting the 7i all over the place. Fat's, Thins, Shanks, Pull's, Slices everything but straight.
Everything felt out of sync.
I decided to hit a few drivers but either sliced or pull hooked them. Some I didn't even see where they went they were that bad.
I could feel the red mist descending. Had to step back a few times to calm myself down, but in the end it got the better of me. I just completely lost it. The last 15 balls I just tee'd up and smacked em. Not caring where they went. Grabbed my clubs shoved them in the bag and stormed off. Shoved them in the locker and headed to the car.
Bumped into the guy in the next bay on the way who kindly informed me I'd left my mobile sitting on the bay partition and he'd handed it in.
So almost lost that too !!
Going back at lunchtime today and see what's going on. If it's still bad then I think a trip to Bryan will be on the cards in the next few days.
Hit the ball absolutely awfully. Started warming up with a 7i planning to work on my driver and was hitting the 7i all over the place. Fat's, Thins, Shanks, Pull's, Slices everything but straight.
Everything felt out of sync.
I decided to hit a few drivers but either sliced or pull hooked them. Some I didn't even see where they went they were that bad.
I could feel the red mist descending. Had to step back a few times to calm myself down, but in the end it got the better of me. I just completely lost it. The last 15 balls I just tee'd up and smacked em. Not caring where they went. Grabbed my clubs shoved them in the bag and stormed off. Shoved them in the locker and headed to the car.
Bumped into the guy in the next bay on the way who kindly informed me I'd left my mobile sitting on the bay partition and he'd handed it in.
So almost lost that too !!
Going back at lunchtime today and see what's going on. If it's still bad then I think a trip to Bryan will be on the cards in the next few days.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Recent Changes - Putting and Driving
As we know my putting has been causing me a lot of issues recently and my driving has always been a bit iffy to say the least.
I've incorporated a couple of changes that seem to be helping.
Putting
I've speeded up my routine and stopped spending so much time over the the putt.
I basically spend my time reading the putt, getting the line and thinking about pace etc. The I just get over the ball and hit the putt. No practice swings etc. Just get in there and hit it.
This has stopped me thinking about my stroke so much which was getting me too mechanical. I'm know rolling the putts much cleaner now.
Driving
I've mainly changed my set-up.
This is my old set-up from a few months back.
Notice my hands and shaft angle. Hands forward, shaft upright, Shoulders level. Right foot out at a slight angle.
I'll get a new picture, but that right foot is now square. The shaft is tilted slightly back brining my hands more into the middle of my stance and I have a slight lean to the right.
This seems to be working well. Ball does seem to fly quite high, but is much straighter. It also seems to help me get through the ball much better.
I've incorporated a couple of changes that seem to be helping.
Putting
I've speeded up my routine and stopped spending so much time over the the putt.
I basically spend my time reading the putt, getting the line and thinking about pace etc. The I just get over the ball and hit the putt. No practice swings etc. Just get in there and hit it.
This has stopped me thinking about my stroke so much which was getting me too mechanical. I'm know rolling the putts much cleaner now.
Driving
I've mainly changed my set-up.
This is my old set-up from a few months back.
Notice my hands and shaft angle. Hands forward, shaft upright, Shoulders level. Right foot out at a slight angle.
I'll get a new picture, but that right foot is now square. The shaft is tilted slightly back brining my hands more into the middle of my stance and I have a slight lean to the right.
This seems to be working well. Ball does seem to fly quite high, but is much straighter. It also seems to help me get through the ball much better.
Past Weekend
Comp on Saturday and a Knock around on Monday as I had a day off.
The comp went ok. We'll I say ok, I shot to my handicap, again. Which is good I guess.
Comp was the monthly medal and I was playing with a couple of 9 handicappers that were m8's and had a good laugh with them. All three of us played pretty solid which is unusual. Someone usually has a mare.
I shot 83 in the end. But was out in 39 which is 2 under my hcp, then let it go again on the back 9.
Bogeyed 10 after fatting a 90 yard wedge shot managed to save bogey with a good pitch and putt.
Doubled 11 after hitting monster drive, then dropping an easy 8i into the front left bunker. Didn't get the first one out. Second dropped to 4ft but missed the bogey putt.
Bogeyed 13 and 14 where I don't get shots. Again missing makable par putts.
Good Par on the tough SI 2 Par 3 15th. Middle of the fair, middle of the green, good try at birdy but had a tap in par. That got me back to 1 under my hcp.
Then the Par 5 16th. FFS. What is it with this hole. The fairway is a mile wide, but with OOB down the right. I guess you know what happened. OOB. 3 off the tee. Stuck the second in the fairway bunker, caught the lip on the way out and advanced it 15 yards. Few more shots later and I card a triple bogey 8.
Now 1 over.
Finished well which was pleasing. Pared the tough 215 par 3 17th. Hit a fantastic 4i to 15ft from the pin. But missed the birdy putt by a fraction. Easy Par. The parred the SI 18 Par 4 18th. Ok drive up the right. Cracking 5 iron from 179 into the wind onto the green. But a long way from the pin. Left the first putt about 8ft short then sunk the par put.
I should have easily finished 3 or 4 under for a nice little cut. Same as last week as well.
I feel I'm so close to hooking up a decent sub 80 round in a comp I can almost taste it.
I putted a lot better. Didn't really hole as many of the <10ft putts I should have, but cut out the 3 putts.
Also played 18 yesterday evening in really windy conditions. Posted an 89. 41 out which was really tidy, then just couldn't get anything going on the back 9 with only 1 par on the 18th. Just too many bogeys and doubles to score well.
The comp went ok. We'll I say ok, I shot to my handicap, again. Which is good I guess.
Comp was the monthly medal and I was playing with a couple of 9 handicappers that were m8's and had a good laugh with them. All three of us played pretty solid which is unusual. Someone usually has a mare.
I shot 83 in the end. But was out in 39 which is 2 under my hcp, then let it go again on the back 9.
Bogeyed 10 after fatting a 90 yard wedge shot managed to save bogey with a good pitch and putt.
Doubled 11 after hitting monster drive, then dropping an easy 8i into the front left bunker. Didn't get the first one out. Second dropped to 4ft but missed the bogey putt.
Bogeyed 13 and 14 where I don't get shots. Again missing makable par putts.
Good Par on the tough SI 2 Par 3 15th. Middle of the fair, middle of the green, good try at birdy but had a tap in par. That got me back to 1 under my hcp.
Then the Par 5 16th. FFS. What is it with this hole. The fairway is a mile wide, but with OOB down the right. I guess you know what happened. OOB. 3 off the tee. Stuck the second in the fairway bunker, caught the lip on the way out and advanced it 15 yards. Few more shots later and I card a triple bogey 8.
Now 1 over.
Finished well which was pleasing. Pared the tough 215 par 3 17th. Hit a fantastic 4i to 15ft from the pin. But missed the birdy putt by a fraction. Easy Par. The parred the SI 18 Par 4 18th. Ok drive up the right. Cracking 5 iron from 179 into the wind onto the green. But a long way from the pin. Left the first putt about 8ft short then sunk the par put.
I should have easily finished 3 or 4 under for a nice little cut. Same as last week as well.
I feel I'm so close to hooking up a decent sub 80 round in a comp I can almost taste it.
I putted a lot better. Didn't really hole as many of the <10ft putts I should have, but cut out the 3 putts.
Also played 18 yesterday evening in really windy conditions. Posted an 89. 41 out which was really tidy, then just couldn't get anything going on the back 9 with only 1 par on the 18th. Just too many bogeys and doubles to score well.
Friday, August 5, 2011
The Hertfordshire
The HertfordShire
Played there yesterday afternoon in the pouring rain. It's part of the Crown Golf group which my home club is as well so i get to play for free.
I've been meaning to play there for a couple of years but never got round to it. What a mistake that was.
What a place !!!
The course puts Chesfield downs to shame. Some truly stunning holes.
It's only 6,300 off the Whites, but plays a lot longer. Lots of doglegs, ponds, lakes, ditches, OOB etc. So it's not a blast go find type of course like Chesfield.
It has a great stretch of finishing holes from 13 in. All either off elevated tee's looking down on a beutiful hole or over water.
It's hard to pick my favorite. 13 is up there. Of an elevated tee driving down into a slight dogleg left. Then a second shot uphill to a green on the right. It just looked stunning standing on the tee.
15th a short (135 Yard) par 3 off an elevated tee over a big pond. Was another fantastic looking hole. It's a bit of an optical illusion. Card said 135, sky caddie said 135. But it looked more like 160. I took an 8i as I didn't want to be short and flew the green !!!
18th, Scary hole. Par 3, 174 yards. Over Water, ALL THE WAY. Bunkers guard the front. OOB at the back. Trees up each side. Scary, Scary Hole. I hit a peach of a 4 Iron to the front of the green then went and 3 putted from about 20ft . ARGH.
Even though the rain was heavy at times the course played fantastically. I'd love to play this again when the sun is out. So i'm going to look at another oppotunity in a week or so. Can't wait.
How'd I play ?
Not too bad I guess. Shot 93. Drove the ball probably the best I have in a long time, probably mainly due to a modified setup. But again putting let me down. 36 putts with GASP, 4 3-putts. But I actually struck the putts much better, just never holed anything.
Irons and Wedges were OK.
Lost a few shots through not knowing the course and not knowing there was a ditch in play across the fairway a couple of times.
But hey. Don't Care. Really enjoyed the day.
It actually surprised me how I can enjoy myself and not play too good, when the course is as good as this.
Played there yesterday afternoon in the pouring rain. It's part of the Crown Golf group which my home club is as well so i get to play for free.
I've been meaning to play there for a couple of years but never got round to it. What a mistake that was.
What a place !!!
The course puts Chesfield downs to shame. Some truly stunning holes.
It's only 6,300 off the Whites, but plays a lot longer. Lots of doglegs, ponds, lakes, ditches, OOB etc. So it's not a blast go find type of course like Chesfield.
It has a great stretch of finishing holes from 13 in. All either off elevated tee's looking down on a beutiful hole or over water.
It's hard to pick my favorite. 13 is up there. Of an elevated tee driving down into a slight dogleg left. Then a second shot uphill to a green on the right. It just looked stunning standing on the tee.
15th a short (135 Yard) par 3 off an elevated tee over a big pond. Was another fantastic looking hole. It's a bit of an optical illusion. Card said 135, sky caddie said 135. But it looked more like 160. I took an 8i as I didn't want to be short and flew the green !!!
18th, Scary hole. Par 3, 174 yards. Over Water, ALL THE WAY. Bunkers guard the front. OOB at the back. Trees up each side. Scary, Scary Hole. I hit a peach of a 4 Iron to the front of the green then went and 3 putted from about 20ft . ARGH.
Even though the rain was heavy at times the course played fantastically. I'd love to play this again when the sun is out. So i'm going to look at another oppotunity in a week or so. Can't wait.
How'd I play ?
Not too bad I guess. Shot 93. Drove the ball probably the best I have in a long time, probably mainly due to a modified setup. But again putting let me down. 36 putts with GASP, 4 3-putts. But I actually struck the putts much better, just never holed anything.
Irons and Wedges were OK.
Lost a few shots through not knowing the course and not knowing there was a ditch in play across the fairway a couple of times.
But hey. Don't Care. Really enjoyed the day.
It actually surprised me how I can enjoy myself and not play too good, when the course is as good as this.
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