Golf Thread 2014 - All Things Golf!
Discussion
I did say a true +4 handicapper.
Not someone that just plays their home course with their mates all the time
Not someone who doesn't hand in all their competition cards
Not someone who cherry picks events on courses that suit them
Not someone who only plays if they are playing well
And definitely not someone who keeps a magic pencil in the bag
Unfortunately there are a lot of younger players now who rely on the latter for their handicap due to handicap cutoffs for regional and national tournaments being so low.
Rosscow, did some digging and think I know which player you're referring to (don't know him personally or his personal situation).
The trick with Challenge Tour is to get a good enough card to get into co-sanctioned events where the prize money is much bigger, then do well. Either that or you have to play well in the events with the larger purses.
Coming 20th each week in the smaller events wont get you anywhere.
Unfortunately your man's best finishes haven't been in smaller events.
Also, there is a considerable overlap (in my opinion) between top of the Challenge Tour and bottom of European Tour. I think most who have tried would agree its far harder to get onto the tour than stay on the tour.
I think the biggest barrier that a good, young player faces is people who don't know better telling them how hard its going to be. So many players turn pro and lose their games because of the pressure to improve, when their original game would actually get good results.
[FLAME SUIT ON]
Not someone that just plays their home course with their mates all the time
Not someone who doesn't hand in all their competition cards
Not someone who cherry picks events on courses that suit them
Not someone who only plays if they are playing well
And definitely not someone who keeps a magic pencil in the bag
Unfortunately there are a lot of younger players now who rely on the latter for their handicap due to handicap cutoffs for regional and national tournaments being so low.
Rosscow, did some digging and think I know which player you're referring to (don't know him personally or his personal situation).
The trick with Challenge Tour is to get a good enough card to get into co-sanctioned events where the prize money is much bigger, then do well. Either that or you have to play well in the events with the larger purses.
Coming 20th each week in the smaller events wont get you anywhere.
Unfortunately your man's best finishes haven't been in smaller events.
Also, there is a considerable overlap (in my opinion) between top of the Challenge Tour and bottom of European Tour. I think most who have tried would agree its far harder to get onto the tour than stay on the tour.
I think the biggest barrier that a good, young player faces is people who don't know better telling them how hard its going to be. So many players turn pro and lose their games because of the pressure to improve, when their original game would actually get good results.
[FLAME SUIT ON]
Edited by dry664 on Monday 15th September 19:27
It looks like a lot better players than me sometimes have trouble to enjoy the game.
So what constitutes a good round for the various levels of player?
I play off 16 with my pals on Sunday mornings and yesterday I had one of the most enjoyable rounds for a long time.
It was on a course I know well, Seraincourt, and I scored 36 points but the real enjoyment came from what could have been a much better round as I found myself with a 6 footer for birdie on 4 holes but missed by an inch on each. Also a big enjoyment factor was finding the green on an number holes from + 150 metres out.
So what constitutes a good round for the various levels of player?
I play off 16 with my pals on Sunday mornings and yesterday I had one of the most enjoyable rounds for a long time.
It was on a course I know well, Seraincourt, and I scored 36 points but the real enjoyment came from what could have been a much better round as I found myself with a 6 footer for birdie on 4 holes but missed by an inch on each. Also a big enjoyment factor was finding the green on an number holes from + 150 metres out.
Rosscow said:
No flaming here, I'm a club hacker who can only dream!
Fair play to anyone who was/is good enough to turn pro, even if it doesn't work out.
I think the best thing is to go into it with a back up plan and be prepared for it to not work out - like any professional sport really.
Eyes wide open with a positive attitude and deep pockets... if it works then all is well and good and if it does not then at least you've had the balls to try it and should have no regrets in later life. Fair play to anyone who was/is good enough to turn pro, even if it doesn't work out.
I think the best thing is to go into it with a back up plan and be prepared for it to not work out - like any professional sport really.
I've taught a few kids who tried and had great back up from parents, sadly none made it as tour players but some went through the PGA system and now play local region PGA tours to supplement their teaching.
Abbott on a good day, 5 under hcp is good and on a bad day between 5 and 10 over hcp would be a fair depending upon just how much of a mare you had.
Edited by taaffy on Monday 15th September 19:59
Edited by taaffy on Monday 15th September 20:00
Going off the topic of the tournement argument...anyone care to critique my swing...working on trying to see more of a push draw at the moment...although this was a slight pull fade..
http://youtu.be/WBD1reWGZ5Q
Excuse the poor quality, filmed on my iphone.
http://youtu.be/WBD1reWGZ5Q
Excuse the poor quality, filmed on my iphone.
Rosscow said:
I think the best thing is to go into it with a back up plan and be prepared for it to not work out - like any professional sport really.
When I was younger all I wanted to do was to be a Pro. When it came to leaving school my parents said to me to get some qualifications something to fall back on if I ever did turn pro and it didn't work out. I found beer and birds and lost a bit of interest over the next few years until I gave up my membership in about 2000. Ive played the odd round since but until this year hadn't picked a club up for 10+ years. Just one of those things really. Its a great game but takes up so much time.
Looking back my head wishes id stuck at it but my heart says it was for the best, I didn't have the money behind me if I had turned Pro. Its turns into a expensive hobby rather than a job if you miss the cut every week.
kentlad said:
Going off the topic of the tournement argument...anyone care to critique my swing...working on trying to see more of a push draw at the moment...although this was a slight pull fade..
http://youtu.be/WBD1reWGZ5Q
Excuse the poor quality, filmed on my iphone.
Decent swing ..... feet look closed to target line and you lose a bit of height at the top of the backswing. It's hard to tell from this angle but it looks like you could also have a bit of reverse pivot.http://youtu.be/WBD1reWGZ5Q
Excuse the poor quality, filmed on my iphone.
Possibly a bit to frantic with your backswing speed but all in all it looks like a pretty good base to start refining a solid repeatable cat 1 swing from.
Playing this Thursday at the Bar hill Menzies course lovely course if anyone gets the opportunity to play it, I was even par over the first 3 holes last time I played which I was really happy with until everything went to hell!!
Hoping for a nice score haven’t played in 2 weeks other than hitting a few at the range so quite excited to get on the first tee.
Hoping for a nice score haven’t played in 2 weeks other than hitting a few at the range so quite excited to get on the first tee.
kentlad said:
Going off the topic of the tournement argument...anyone care to critique my swing...working on trying to see more of a push draw at the moment...although this was a slight pull fade..
http://youtu.be/WBD1reWGZ5Q
Excuse the poor quality, filmed on my iphone.
It's not bad.http://youtu.be/WBD1reWGZ5Q
Excuse the poor quality, filmed on my iphone.
I'd suggest you're investing a bit too much 'fury' into your backswing and thus not giving yourself time at the top to properly prepare and load-up for the downswing.
It looks like you're throttling the club, gripping very hard, which is taking some of the life out of your wrists. I wouldn't say you've got the desirable 'soft hands'.
Your head bounces a bit. Work on staying low in the backswing.
Swing-thought: Don't sink into the hitting phase - uncoil.
kentlad said:
Going off the topic of the tournement argument...anyone care to critique my swing...working on trying to see more of a push draw at the moment...although this was a slight pull fade..
http://youtu.be/WBD1reWGZ5Q
Excuse the poor quality, filmed on my iphone.
As above, I thought the backswing was a little furious but it looks like it makes you load the club like crazy. How can you carry a driver?http://youtu.be/WBD1reWGZ5Q
Excuse the poor quality, filmed on my iphone.
How tall are you? Whats your handicap?
dry664 said:
As above, I thought the backswing was a little furious but it looks like it makes you load the club like crazy. How can you carry a driver?
How tall are you? Whats your handicap?
cheers for the above feedback chaps...definitely something to work on as pretty much all of you have mentioned my backswings tempo..How tall are you? Whats your handicap?
Played Kings Hill from the whites yesterday, at 6600 yards which is a little longer than the 6k yds i'm used to playing but it was so enjoyable! Drove the ball pretty well all day, so even on the 550yd par 5 i had a go at the green in two. 15 over on a course i'd never played before left me a very happy chappy! Shame i 3 putted 4 times...but for those of you who've played there...you know how undulating the greens are...i didn't have a straight putt all day!
Anyone who hasn't played there that's local...i'd definitely recommend it. Absolutely cracking course and the members couldn't be friendlier!
Dry664 - With no wind & 'fair' conditions, i usually carry it 250, maybe 260 at most...usually get around 5-15 yards roll depending on shot shape.
I'm 5'11 and play off 14 at the moment.
Rosscow said:
I'll have to give Kings Hill a go one day, looks good! They do a decent 4ball offer for £50 each.
Waiting for clubs to be delivered to work and come in at the pro-shop is killing me!!!
Cannot recommend it enough! I was seriously impressed with the course layout. Some very tricky holes. I take it your from the South East? If so, have you tried Rochester and Cobham? Another decent track, not sure if you have to play with a member to get on the course...I know that used to be the case but with more and more clubs in trouble, they might be taking green fees.Waiting for clubs to be delivered to work and come in at the pro-shop is killing me!!!
You'll be back playing soon enough mate!
ManFromDelmonte said:
What are people's opinions on high handicappers using "better player" irons such as muscle backs? Is it just a case of suck it and see or is it generally a bad idea?
People have high handicaps for a variety of reasons. Some can't drive, some can't putt, some strike the ball well but have ZERO appreciation of risk:reward.It's better to match the irons to your ball-striking ability than to your scoring ability.
If you strike it well, then get some clubs to suit.
ManFromDelmonte said:
What are people's opinions on high handicappers using "better player" irons such as muscle backs? Is it just a case of suck it and see or is it generally a bad idea?
I bought my irons when i was playing off 24...i've cut 10 shots off since then...IMO having less forgiving clubs 'forces' you to improve your ball striking...as long as you don't struggle to get the ball in the air, then get down to your local pro & try a bunch of 'muscle backs' or 'players clubs'. It's definitely worth seeing if he'll let you take a demo set out on the course for a round to see if you really like the look and feel of them, you might end up finding them too difficult to use and going for a middle ground option.
FYI i use Wilson Staff FG Tour irons...purest club I've hit other than the Mizuno MP4's that i tried, but were much cheaper
Think they're down to about £350 now which i think is an absolute bargain...and when i wear this set out, i'll probably just buy another set of the exact same irons! Unless i can get down to a cat 1 by then...I've promised myself a set of Titlest MB's if i get that low! Pure Golf Club P**nFirst round since May today. I've been working in a stinking desert all summer.
The day didn't exactly start well. The GF took my keys to work with the garage key, so I couldn't get my clubs out. Called the clubhouse and they said they could loan me a set. Nice of them, but they were standard length/lie. Mine are longer/adjusted. It was causing a bit of a fade/slice with the irons, but they were pretty easy to hit, so it could have Been worse.
Had a shaky start to the round, and the massive slice with the loaner dog wasn't helping. It had an S flex shaft, and wasn't exactly inspiring much confidence.
The most noticeable problem was the short game and putting. Zero feel around the greens and the putter they gave me just felt dead. Nothing was reaching the hole, so there were white a few 3 stabs. It's unbelievable the difference a decent putter makes. The ball just comes off the face of my Anser so nicely. This one was like trying to putt with a croquet mallet.
Finished with 103, which wasn't the disaster I was expecting, but well off the best of 86 I managed earlier in the year.
Playing again on Friday I think, so as long as I manage to liberate my own clubs from the garage I'd hope to see a mid 90s round.
The day didn't exactly start well. The GF took my keys to work with the garage key, so I couldn't get my clubs out. Called the clubhouse and they said they could loan me a set. Nice of them, but they were standard length/lie. Mine are longer/adjusted. It was causing a bit of a fade/slice with the irons, but they were pretty easy to hit, so it could have Been worse.
Had a shaky start to the round, and the massive slice with the loaner dog wasn't helping. It had an S flex shaft, and wasn't exactly inspiring much confidence.
The most noticeable problem was the short game and putting. Zero feel around the greens and the putter they gave me just felt dead. Nothing was reaching the hole, so there were white a few 3 stabs. It's unbelievable the difference a decent putter makes. The ball just comes off the face of my Anser so nicely. This one was like trying to putt with a croquet mallet.
Finished with 103, which wasn't the disaster I was expecting, but well off the best of 86 I managed earlier in the year.
Playing again on Friday I think, so as long as I manage to liberate my own clubs from the garage I'd hope to see a mid 90s round.
SpeckledJim said:
People have high handicaps for a variety of reasons. Some can't drive, some can't putt, some strike the ball well but have ZERO appreciation of risk:reward.
It's better to match the irons to your ball-striking ability than to your scoring ability.
If you strike it well, then get some clubs to suit.
Thanks for the response (and from you Kentlad). My big scores all come from losing balls off the tee with woods and from stinking putting. I'll have a hit of a few different sets and see what the differences feel like. It's better to match the irons to your ball-striking ability than to your scoring ability.
If you strike it well, then get some clubs to suit.
I've just bought some second hand Mizuno MP-52 (should arrive tomorrow) and having read a few hardcore golf sites some people suggest that they're pretty unforgiving and some people suggest they are very forgiving (don't you just love the internet) but as they're rated as 'better player' irons I thought I would ask what people's thoughts were on a relative beginner using them. I currently have some graphite shafted Taylormade 360s which my coach thinks are too flexy for me hence the change. It will be interesting to compare.
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