The Golf Thread - 2016!

The Golf Thread - 2016!

Author
Discussion

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,723 posts

162 months

Friday 1st January 2016
quotequote all
Fellow golfers!

Another year has been and gone. Finished off 2015 with one of my better rounds of the year which was nice. 12 over the card at Chart Hills (only 4 over through the front nine!).

Goal for this year is to get down to 13, hopefully 12. I'm in a good run of form at the moment and we have a big match on Sunday so hopefully I can continue my run.

My short game is exceptional at the moment, scrambling and putting is superb so hopefully I'll improve my iron play.

Here's to some good golf for the following year!

Juanco20

3,212 posts

192 months

Friday 1st January 2016
quotequote all
Returned to golf in 2015 after about 10 years away. Had developed some bad habits on my takeaway which were causing all sorts of directional issues off the tee. Last few weeks on the range I've finally managed to sort things out and I'm hitting it better than ever now.

Aim for this year is to get out there and play as much as possible. I think I can easily be a single handicap player with the way I strike the ball. So that is where I hope to be by the end of year which might seem optimistic for someone who currently doesn't have a handicap. I'll keep you updated on the progress

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,723 posts

162 months

Saturday 2nd January 2016
quotequote all
That's a nice target to have!

One thing I've learnt this year, spending quite a bit of time playing with single figure golfers, is the main difference between them and me is short game and putting. It's something I'm currently really focusing on and I've seen my scores come down.

Juanco20

3,212 posts

192 months

Saturday 2nd January 2016
quotequote all
My short game is ok, nothing special. But I've been killing myself off the tee which has made it impossible to shoot low scores. I'm now hitting 8/10 drives straight and a good 270-280 yards which will make a huge difference; it pretty much takes mid-low irons out of the game on the courses I play (5500-6000 yards)

GTO-3R

7,458 posts

212 months

Monday 4th January 2016
quotequote all
I'm getting my backside back in gear this season. Gone back up to 2 for the first time since I was 14 (20 years ago) due to severe lack of playing and I'm not happy about it!

Starting at the range this week to get things in order!!

snowy

541 posts

280 months

Monday 4th January 2016
quotequote all
Any rules aficionados here, just a pub talk question the other night, if when playing a match play match, both golfers play off 13, so no shots given makes sense to me, but the question was posed if a golfer has an exact handicap of 12.5, and another golfer has an exact handicap of 13.4, should the higher handicap golfer receive 1 shot in a match play match?



The question was asked based on the change of golf rules on the 1st January for 4 BBB matches which has changed the rules from 3/4 difference to 90% now

Anyone know the answer?

boxsey

3,574 posts

209 months

Monday 4th January 2016
quotequote all
snowy said:
Any rules aficionados here, just a pub talk question the other night, if when playing a match play match, both golfers play off 13, so no shots given makes sense to me, but the question was posed if a golfer has an exact handicap of 12.5, and another golfer has an exact handicap of 13.4, should the higher handicap golfer receive 1 shot in a match play match?



The question was asked based on the change of golf rules on the 1st January for 4 BBB matches which has changed the rules from 3/4 difference to 90% now

Anyone know the answer?
AFAIK you still only use the playing handicap when calculating the shots you get in a match. Therefore in the above example both have a playing handicap of 13 and therefore there are no shots.

Well done for starting the 2016 thread Rosscow thumbup

Like many in the North our course is too water logged to enjoy playing at the moment. Fortunately I'm off to the Algarve for a week of golf, starting this weekend! biggrin

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,723 posts

162 months

Monday 4th January 2016
quotequote all
Echo the above, as far as I know it's always the playing handicap, not the exact handicap, that is used.

ManFromDelmonte

2,742 posts

179 months

Monday 4th January 2016
quotequote all
Played a couple more rounds at The Berkshire over the Christmas period (one on each course), nothing great in terms of scoring but over the 2 rounds I probably hit 4 of the best bunker shots I've ever seen let alone done myself, really tough shots from very deep bunkers to within a foot. Nothing to put that down to, bit of luck, bit of confidence I guess.

Probably came the closest I've ever come to a hole in one too, 9 iron pitched about a foot short of the hole, bounced forward a couple of feet and then ripped back past to leave me a 3 footer which I missed. Looking at the pitch mark I must have been inches away from at least hitting the hole on the way back if not dropping in.

Can't wait for the weather to start getting better.

Am starting a new job soon in an office 50 yards from my (Central London) flat, hopefully this means in the summer I should be able to get out of town and play a few rounds after work.

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,723 posts

162 months

Wednesday 6th January 2016
quotequote all
Looking forward to seeing how the new PXG players do this season..... they managed to get some big names on side!

roboxm3

2,414 posts

194 months

Wednesday 6th January 2016
quotequote all
Rosscow said:
Looking forward to seeing how the new PXG players do this season..... they managed to get some big names on side!
I was surprised to see that they've gone for the full bag (bar putter) as well, don't see that very often with any manufacturer!?


Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,723 posts

162 months

Wednesday 6th January 2016
quotequote all
roboxm3 said:
Rosscow said:
Looking forward to seeing how the new PXG players do this season..... they managed to get some big names on side!
I was surprised to see that they've gone for the full bag (bar putter) as well, don't see that very often with any manufacturer!?
What do you mean? Do you mean you're surprised the players have gone with a full bag from PXG? Or that you're surprised PXG are making all of the different clubs?

Either way, it's common to have players with one manufacture supply all their clubs, and most manufacturers produce all the clubs?

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 6th January 2016
quotequote all
RIP Christy O'Connor Jnr.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/35241893

Remember watching the end of the '89 Ryder Cup at the Belfry when he pinged a 2 iron to about 3 feet on the 18th to beat Freddie Couples.

For those young'uns who have no idea what I'm on about...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHlaZW9hXd4

Played in a pro-am in the mid 90's in the group behind his, almost hitting him with one of my drives mid round, when we get to the next tee his group was still waiting to tee off, so he wondered over and said in that gorgeous Irish lilt, "..even if you'd shouted fore he'd never had heard it Im too f*&kin' old, but bloody good shot son that was a long way!"


Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,723 posts

162 months

Wednesday 6th January 2016
quotequote all
RIP indeed.

I tried hitting one from his 'spot' on the 18th. Fair to say it didn't end as well as his hehe


roboxm3

2,414 posts

194 months

Wednesday 6th January 2016
quotequote all
Rosscow said:
What do you mean? Do you mean you're surprised the players have gone with a full bag from PXG? Or that you're surprised PXG are making all of the different clubs?

Either way, it's common to have players with one manufacture supply all their clubs, and most manufacturers produce all the clubs?
I know it does happen and Zach Johnson had a full Titleist bag before the switch but I was still surprised to see that PXG had produced a full set of clubs that top level tour players were happy to use, with them being so (relatively) new to the game.
I was expecting PXG irons with 'other' driver, fairway and wedges.

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,723 posts

162 months

Wednesday 6th January 2016
quotequote all
roboxm3 said:
I know it does happen and Zach Johnson had a full Titleist bag before the switch but I was still surprised to see that PXG had produced a full set of clubs that top level tour players were happy to use, with them being so (relatively) new to the game.
I was expecting PXG irons with 'other' driver, fairway and wedges.
I would say most big 'staff' players have pretty much a full bag from their respective manufacturers, for example:

McIlroy - Nike
Woods - Nike
Westwood - Ping
Spieth - Titleist
Poulter - Titleist
Bubba - Ping
Fowler - King Cobra

As you say, normally if there is the odd club it tends to be the putter.

There are a few that don't, notably Luke Donald (Mizuno's number 1 man but only uses their irons - uses Taylormade woods and an Odyssesy putter!).

Interestingly, Zach Johnson actually uses a SeeMore putter (and still will with PXG as far as I know).

I think PXG poached 2 of the top Ping engineers/designers so no surprise they know how to make all of the clubs, and they've probably been in development for a lot longer than we realise.

roboxm3

2,414 posts

194 months

Wednesday 6th January 2016
quotequote all
Rosscow said:
I would say most big 'staff' players have pretty much a full bag from their respective manufacturers, for example:

McIlroy - Nike
Woods - Nike
Westwood - Ping
Spieth - Titleist
Poulter - Titleist
Bubba - Ping
Fowler - King Cobra

As you say, normally if there is the odd club it tends to be the putter.

There are a few that don't, notably Luke Donald (Mizuno's number 1 man but only uses their irons - uses Taylormade woods and an Odyssesy putter!).

Interestingly, Zach Johnson actually uses a SeeMore putter (and still will with PXG as far as I know).

I think PXG poached 2 of the top Ping engineers/designers so no surprise they know how to make all of the clubs, and they've probably been in development for a lot longer than we realise.
I get your point but aside from TW with Nike (and even then it was only the (copied) irons to begin with), the rest are properly long-established brands probably paying big money to exclude other names, as well as essentially making those players whatever it is they want to play, in terms of feel, weight etc.

I know that PXG have a lot of £££ behind them and I don't doubt that their clubs are decent (not that I'll ever get to know at their price point). I did read about the Ping designers / engineers being poached as well, which probably short-cuts a lot of R&D time.

I actually quite like the look of the irons with the perimeter weighted screws, haven't seen much of the other stuff though...might go and have a browse...



Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,723 posts

162 months

Wednesday 6th January 2016
quotequote all
roboxm3 said:
I get your point but aside from TW with Nike (and even then it was only the (copied) irons to begin with), the rest are properly long-established brands probably paying big money to exclude other names, as well as essentially making those players whatever it is they want to play, in terms of feel, weight etc.

I know that PXG have a lot of £££ behind them and I don't doubt that their clubs are decent (not that I'll ever get to know at their price point). I did read about the Ping designers / engineers being poached as well, which probably short-cuts a lot of R&D time.

I actually quite like the look of the irons with the perimeter weighted screws, haven't seen much of the other stuff though...might go and have a browse...
Mark Crossfield has reviewed the driver (if you can stand him!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4MFAaKMir8

kentlad

1,073 posts

182 months

Thursday 7th January 2016
quotequote all
Managed to get a round in over Christmas at Lingfield park. Great little course, all be-it very wet so didn't really ever get going which was a shame. Have to be accurate off the tee though, very tight track!

2016 is looking like a bit of a weak year of golf for me personally, no goals set and I won't be able to play much. Hopefully I can cling onto playing off 12! But hoping to get my act together in 17' and considering entering for the Trilby Tour if i can get some real playing time in. Looks like a great laugh!

That PXG driver looks quite nice and clean, the irons to my eye look a bit overdone. What's wrong with a nice simple blade? Much more appealing IMO. As for the forgiveness the technology gives, I'm sceptical at best...

roboxm3

2,414 posts

194 months

Thursday 7th January 2016
quotequote all
Rosscow said:
Mark Crossfield has reviewed the driver (if you can stand him!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4MFAaKMir8
I'll give that a watch later, cheers.
I don't actually mind him too much, he does seem like a bit of an excitable kid at times and I don't think I could manage a full round with him but a 5min video is OK hehe