Taking up Golf
Discussion
Bing o said:
Well I play off 6 and play once a week if I'm lucky. My golf clubs live at the golf club in another country, so I rarely practice, and never really did.
Do you play at Bintan Lagoon or RiaBintan? I played at both a few years ago when working in Sing. Not bad courses - but not sure I could be bothered every week with the travel! Yoof Full Chav said:
I think my cheap Dunlop rubbish, they are about 10 years old or so, are so un PH it's silly, so you surely can't be worse off than me
A friend I play golf with has clubs older than dust (I mean that!) but he still plays mid 80's rounds to my 100 odd strokes with my swanky Williams F1 set.OK, so I guess I am deserving of some of the comments. 
I came over all goatee-director like when I have neither...
What I should have said is:
Ask your friendly PGA pro to make sure that the clubs you are using are correct for you (especially lie angle and shaft flex). The analogy of trying to drive a car with wonky tracking holds true, and golf is a hard enough game without having wonky equipment. I recently had to borrow a set of Taylor Made burners with stiff shafts - I'd describe myself as a competent golfer, but I couldn't hit the bloody things in the air because of their stiff shafts.
I came over all goatee-director like when I have neither...What I should have said is:
Ask your friendly PGA pro to make sure that the clubs you are using are correct for you (especially lie angle and shaft flex). The analogy of trying to drive a car with wonky tracking holds true, and golf is a hard enough game without having wonky equipment. I recently had to borrow a set of Taylor Made burners with stiff shafts - I'd describe myself as a competent golfer, but I couldn't hit the bloody things in the air because of their stiff shafts.
Fats25 said:
Do you play at Bintan Lagoon or RiaBintan? I played at both a few years ago when working in Sing. Not bad courses - but not sure I could be bothered every week with the travel!
I play at Ria, and I know what you mean about the travel, but at the same time, it's a good day out away from the missus, and a damn sight cheaper than golf in Singapore as I can't play midweek usually. Lagoon has a couple of good course, but I like the drama of the 7th-10th at Ria more...Bing o said:
I play at Ria, and I know what you mean about the travel, but at the same time, it's a good day out away from the missus, and a damn sight cheaper than golf in Singapore as I can't play midweek usually. Lagoon has a couple of good course, but I like the drama of the 7th-10th at Ria more...
I have never managed to play in Sing due to the cost, and the perceived difficulty of playing on a weekend. I also agree with your comments re clubs. I would say once you can play golf to a regular 28, playing by the rules*, then you should get some decent clubs. Anyone should be able to get to 28 with any set of clubs.
However after that point you should really get yourself whatever makes it easiest for you to play. I came back from US earlier this year, and BA kindly snapped the shaft of my driver on the flight. I was playing away on the day that I went to get my clubs from garage, and noticed this as I packed the car. So I popped across the road to my golf course, and borrowed a shaft. I stated I needed firm flex.
I spent the entire round hitting the ball 100yards before it violently turned right at 90 degrees, and went another 100 yards! The kick of the shaft was all wrong for me. I then spent some time the following weekend, and hit 10 different shafts with my club, and 5 of them I was unable to control at all, and one of them was clearly the best for my swing.
* The amount of people I have spoke to at work that have just started playing golf, and tell me they shot 90 at the weekend, and then I go out with them, and they lose balls and don't count them, or play airshots, play mulligans etc is unbelieveable.
Whilst waiting for a very slow threeball last saturday, FIL and i got talking to the two old guys waiting to tee off. They count a lost ball as one, so even though one put three balls into the water hazard, he swore he had only had three shots. We might not be golfing wizards, but at least we know how to add the score up properly
Yoof Full Chav said:
Whilst waiting for a very slow threeball last saturday, FIL and i got talking to the two old guys waiting to tee off. They count a lost ball as one, so even though one put three balls into the water hazard, he swore he had only had three shots. We might not be golfing wizards, but at least we know how to add the score up properly
Glad to hear it! You will be amazed how many people don't! Or worse than that is refuse to play a provisional from the tee, then walk to roughly where they think their ball went and drop a ball and claim they are playing three. Or see the ball go out of bounds, and try the same thing. Grounding clubs in bunkers, or other hazards is also a favourite.
Fats25 said:
I have never managed to play in Sing due to the cost, and the perceived difficulty of playing on a weekend.
* The amount of people I have spoke to at work that have just started playing golf, and tell me they shot 90 at the weekend, and then I go out with them, and they lose balls and don't count them, or play airshots, play mulligans etc is unbelieveable.
The only times I've played in Sing have been corporate days or open competitions. I managed to get 3 rounds at Warren for 180 bucks in the Warren Open, but playing off the back tees in a 54 hole competition was hardly the relaxing golf I was after.* The amount of people I have spoke to at work that have just started playing golf, and tell me they shot 90 at the weekend, and then I go out with them, and they lose balls and don't count them, or play airshots, play mulligans etc is unbelieveable.
And on a related note to that tournament and your last point, my friend told me of people asking the referees for rulings and the refs giving wrong rulings (ie taking the relief on the wrong side of a cart path giving them a clear route to the green rather than being behind a tree, or a ball lying on an OB line as being in play. Not quite dropping a lost ball, but in a serious competition, really not on! I don't think it would have stopped me missing the cut by 7 shots, but it was hardly reassuring when the officials f
ked it up, and aided the players in effectively cheating.My last tip, is to know the rules of the game. It sounds stupid, but knowing how to take relief can save you shots. I may be a cock according to some, but I was amazed when my competitors in an inter club competition didn't know that you can drop in line when the ball is unplayable. Despite me showing them the rule, they insisted it could only be 2 clubs or stroke and distance...
The RandA do a good rules app....
I play with a crappy set of dunlops I found in my dads loft. I will eventually get round to buying new ones but the ones i have at the moment got my handicap down to 18 so its not all bad. I really really need a new driver though. Fancy a R9/R10 Taylor made but will have to buy of ebay.
Its not about the clubs though but a good set does help, get everything else right first! Nothing looks more comical than a guy with £1500 clubs in his bag then proceeds to top it,air shot, etc etc. Practice, practice practice and get some good instruction.
Its not about the clubs though but a good set does help, get everything else right first! Nothing looks more comical than a guy with £1500 clubs in his bag then proceeds to top it,air shot, etc etc. Practice, practice practice and get some good instruction.
carl carlson said:
I play with a crappy set of dunlops I found in my dads loft. I will eventually get round to buying new ones but the ones i have at the moment got my handicap down to 18 so its not all bad. I really really need a new driver though. Fancy a R9/R10 Taylor made but will have to buy of ebay.
Its not about the clubs though but a good set does help, get everything else right first! Nothing looks more comical than a guy with £1500 clubs in his bag then proceeds to top it,air shot, etc etc. Practice, practice practice and get some good instruction.
This is true, we played a couple of holes with a guy the other week, who had the latest R11 Taylormade driver in his bag, and i think he had Burner 2.0 irons etc. Anyway, on one long par 4, he teed up his driver, and belted the ball, it cleared the drainage ditch, just, but didnt quite reach the fairway. FIL used his £5 dunlop driver and belter it a good 200 yards or so, and my crappy 1980's dunlop 3 metal/wood went slightly further, but that is down to my technique. Anyway, as carl carlson said, if you have the right gear, but not a clue, it wont make you Lee Westwood/rory mcilroyIts not about the clubs though but a good set does help, get everything else right first! Nothing looks more comical than a guy with £1500 clubs in his bag then proceeds to top it,air shot, etc etc. Practice, practice practice and get some good instruction.
I hope this guy is not a member here!
As I am going to break the PH rules and name and shame (not quite but you know what I mean). I have run a golf society for a few years now (www.letournoi.co.uk for any southerners that fancy a round a month). On the first ever event we had a lot of people turn up who we had never met before, mates of mates.
One guy turned up - his name is Alan Kenney - a mate of one of the other organisers of the day. He had all the gear, decent clubs, decent bag, electric trolley (approx 7 years ago!), and he looked smart. Even had the wrap around shades and had a passing resemblance to David Duval.
I had not really paid attention to his handicap, but he was drawn with two 12 handicappers. It turned out he was off of 28.
First hole SI10, and he nearly drove the green. If transpires he scored a 7. So one point on the board. In the remaining 17 holes he scored 0 points! So a total of 1 point in 18 holes for a 28 handicapper. The guys playing with him were looking out for beadle. They said he would top it 10 yards all the way to the green, get within 20 yard of the green and the knife it 150 yards! He putted out ever hole !!
We have never seen him again, but to this day people that have never met him that get off to a bad start, as soon as they are past 1 point, they say at least they have beaten Alan Kenney !!
As I am going to break the PH rules and name and shame (not quite but you know what I mean). I have run a golf society for a few years now (www.letournoi.co.uk for any southerners that fancy a round a month). On the first ever event we had a lot of people turn up who we had never met before, mates of mates.
One guy turned up - his name is Alan Kenney - a mate of one of the other organisers of the day. He had all the gear, decent clubs, decent bag, electric trolley (approx 7 years ago!), and he looked smart. Even had the wrap around shades and had a passing resemblance to David Duval.
I had not really paid attention to his handicap, but he was drawn with two 12 handicappers. It turned out he was off of 28.
First hole SI10, and he nearly drove the green. If transpires he scored a 7. So one point on the board. In the remaining 17 holes he scored 0 points! So a total of 1 point in 18 holes for a 28 handicapper. The guys playing with him were looking out for beadle. They said he would top it 10 yards all the way to the green, get within 20 yard of the green and the knife it 150 yards! He putted out ever hole !!
We have never seen him again, but to this day people that have never met him that get off to a bad start, as soon as they are past 1 point, they say at least they have beaten Alan Kenney !!
It does to me!
Another example my club handicap is 19. Hole 2 is a par4 and has an SI of 1. So I get a shot on the remaining 17 holes, but on hole 2 I get two shots.
So if I score a 4 on this hole I receive 4 points. Any other par4 on the course if I get a 4 I only get 3 points.
Stableford is all based on net scores, so you play the hole to the par for your handicap. Effectively in my example, all my par 4's are really par 5's, all par 3's are par 4's, and all par 5's are par 6's.
You receive the following:-
Net bogie = 1 point
Net par = 2 points
Net birdie = 3 points
Net eagle = 4 points
Net albatross = 5 points
If I was off 17 handicap I would not receive a shot on SI 18. Which at my course is a par 3. So when I play off of 17 the par for that hole is a 3.
Make sense? Or has that confused you more?!!
Also if you play in US they play dIfferent rules for stableford!!
Another example my club handicap is 19. Hole 2 is a par4 and has an SI of 1. So I get a shot on the remaining 17 holes, but on hole 2 I get two shots.
So if I score a 4 on this hole I receive 4 points. Any other par4 on the course if I get a 4 I only get 3 points.
Stableford is all based on net scores, so you play the hole to the par for your handicap. Effectively in my example, all my par 4's are really par 5's, all par 3's are par 4's, and all par 5's are par 6's.
You receive the following:-
Net bogie = 1 point
Net par = 2 points
Net birdie = 3 points
Net eagle = 4 points
Net albatross = 5 points
If I was off 17 handicap I would not receive a shot on SI 18. Which at my course is a par 3. So when I play off of 17 the par for that hole is a 3.
Make sense? Or has that confused you more?!!
Also if you play in US they play dIfferent rules for stableford!!
Fats25 said:
It does to me!
Another example my club handicap is 19. Hole 2 is a par4 and has an SI of 1. So I get a shot on the remaining 17 holes, but on hole 2 I get two shots.
So if I score a 4 on this hole I receive 4 points. Any other par4 on the course if I get a 4 I only get 3 points.
Stableford is all based on net scores, so you play the hole to the par for your handicap. Effectively in my example, all my par 4's are really par 5's, all par 3's are par 4's, and all par 5's are par 6's.
You receive the following:-
Net bogie = 1 point
Net par = 2 points
Net birdie = 3 points
Net eagle = 4 points
Net albatross = 5 points
If I was off 17 handicap I would not receive a shot on SI 18. Which at my course is a par 3. So when I play off of 17 the par for that hole is a 3.
Make sense? Or has that confused you more?!!
Also if you play in US they play dIfferent rules for stableford!!
What the feck are you going on about?Another example my club handicap is 19. Hole 2 is a par4 and has an SI of 1. So I get a shot on the remaining 17 holes, but on hole 2 I get two shots.
So if I score a 4 on this hole I receive 4 points. Any other par4 on the course if I get a 4 I only get 3 points.
Stableford is all based on net scores, so you play the hole to the par for your handicap. Effectively in my example, all my par 4's are really par 5's, all par 3's are par 4's, and all par 5's are par 6's.
You receive the following:-
Net bogie = 1 point
Net par = 2 points
Net birdie = 3 points
Net eagle = 4 points
Net albatross = 5 points
If I was off 17 handicap I would not receive a shot on SI 18. Which at my course is a par 3. So when I play off of 17 the par for that hole is a 3.
Make sense? Or has that confused you more?!!
Also if you play in US they play dIfferent rules for stableford!!
You may as well have written that in Russian.
Ignore stableford for a second.
(And be grateful you don't have a USGA handicap and have to fk about with slope and course ratings like I do.)
So as was said, holes are ranked stroke index 1-18, 1 being the hardest, and 18 the easiest.
Let's say your handicap is 10. SIs 1-10 you get a shot more than the par for the hole. So let's say the first hole at your course is SI 6 and a par 4. If you take 5 shots to hole out, then that is a net par for you (5 net 4).
If the same par 4 is SI 12 (handicap 10 still) then it would be a gross bogey (and a net bogey as well technically). 5 net 5.
Now, let's say you are a 24 handicapper. You get 1 shot from holes SI 7-18, and 2 shots on SI 1-6. So a 5 at the SI 6 first hole in my previous example is now a net birdie (5 net 3).
As stated, this is commonly used in Stableford competitions and also matchplay, as it is assessing different standards of players against the course. Strokeplay (ie what the pros play every week) may deduct your overall handicap from your gross score, but not at a hole level.
There are exceptions, but I am talking high level. Happy to answer any other rules/handicap questions.
(And be grateful you don't have a USGA handicap and have to f
k about with slope and course ratings like I do.)So as was said, holes are ranked stroke index 1-18, 1 being the hardest, and 18 the easiest.
Let's say your handicap is 10. SIs 1-10 you get a shot more than the par for the hole. So let's say the first hole at your course is SI 6 and a par 4. If you take 5 shots to hole out, then that is a net par for you (5 net 4).
If the same par 4 is SI 12 (handicap 10 still) then it would be a gross bogey (and a net bogey as well technically). 5 net 5.
Now, let's say you are a 24 handicapper. You get 1 shot from holes SI 7-18, and 2 shots on SI 1-6. So a 5 at the SI 6 first hole in my previous example is now a net birdie (5 net 3).
As stated, this is commonly used in Stableford competitions and also matchplay, as it is assessing different standards of players against the course. Strokeplay (ie what the pros play every week) may deduct your overall handicap from your gross score, but not at a hole level.
There are exceptions, but I am talking high level. Happy to answer any other rules/handicap questions.
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