The Golf Thread - 2016!
Discussion
SpeckledJim said:
Maybe 8 rounds this year.
The really frustrating part is that despite zero practise, I can play as well or better now than ever. Because I look forward to it so much, and spend time idly theorising so much about the game when I cannot find the time to play, I think my on-course decision-making is more than making up for the weaknesses in my touch through lack of practise.
If I could combine this with a grooved swing and well-practised touch and putting, I could get somewhere.
Going pay-as-I-play is going to reduce my opportunities still further, as I wont feel any pressure to get the use out of the membership that I have paid for.
AAAAAARRRRRRGHH.
I'd keep up with the membership.The really frustrating part is that despite zero practise, I can play as well or better now than ever. Because I look forward to it so much, and spend time idly theorising so much about the game when I cannot find the time to play, I think my on-course decision-making is more than making up for the weaknesses in my touch through lack of practise.
If I could combine this with a grooved swing and well-practised touch and putting, I could get somewhere.
Going pay-as-I-play is going to reduce my opportunities still further, as I wont feel any pressure to get the use out of the membership that I have paid for.
AAAAAARRRRRRGHH.
You've only spent what is equal to £40 a round - hardly expensive golf. If you like the course then stick with it. You never know, you might get out a few times more next year.
DuncanM said:
Rosscow said:
SpeckledJim said:
Maybe 8 rounds this year.
The really frustrating part is that despite zero practise, I can play as well or better now than ever. Because I look forward to it so much, and spend time idly theorising so much about the game when I cannot find the time to play, I think my on-course decision-making is more than making up for the weaknesses in my touch through lack of practise.
If I could combine this with a grooved swing and well-practised touch and putting, I could get somewhere.
Going pay-as-I-play is going to reduce my opportunities still further, as I wont feel any pressure to get the use out of the membership that I have paid for.
AAAAAARRRRRRGHH.
I'd keep up with the membership.The really frustrating part is that despite zero practise, I can play as well or better now than ever. Because I look forward to it so much, and spend time idly theorising so much about the game when I cannot find the time to play, I think my on-course decision-making is more than making up for the weaknesses in my touch through lack of practise.
If I could combine this with a grooved swing and well-practised touch and putting, I could get somewhere.
Going pay-as-I-play is going to reduce my opportunities still further, as I wont feel any pressure to get the use out of the membership that I have paid for.
AAAAAARRRRRRGHH.
You've only spent what is equal to £40 a round - hardly expensive golf. If you like the course then stick with it. You never know, you might get out a few times more next year.
I only play 4-5 times a year due to injury, and I totally get what you mean about the looking forward to it!
SpeckledJim said:
Rosscow said:
I'd keep up with the membership.
You've only spent what is equal to £40 a round - hardly expensive golf. If you like the course then stick with it. You never know, you might get out a few times more next year.
I can't agree. I think if I'm committing all the money up front then my golf should be cheaper per-round than the chap who makes no such commitment and pays-and-plays only as much as he wants.You've only spent what is equal to £40 a round - hardly expensive golf. If you like the course then stick with it. You never know, you might get out a few times more next year.
Access to 'my' course on teeofftimes.co.uk is £15-25 to Joe Public.
At £40 a round for 'flexibility', I'm being heavily punished for my loyalty and commitment. And it's a lot less flexible than being able to play wherever I want.
Now you've done the maths for me I've got the grumps.
Where do you play?
SpeckledJim said:
At the moment I'm down to just three potential golf buddies, all of whom like me work full-time and have young families, so can't easily wangle the time.
I used to play in competitions, and play in club teams, but I just can't find the time. I miss it a lot. You're right, the membership entitles me to a proper handicap, but I haven't got one, as I don't play any golf that needs one. I should add that being stuck in the middle of a train of double-buggied fourballs playing 5-hour rounds and looking for at least one ball on every hole brings me out in hives.
Instead what I generally do at present is take the very first tee time of the day on Saturday or Sunday and rocket round solo, home by 1030h, so it doesn't prejudice whatever family stuff is on the cards.
I play at Carden Park, which is very smart, two great courses, high-spec, well-tended, and a totally soul-less Cyberdyne Robo-Corp. I'm not really missing out on much club-house-life, because there isn't any, and I don't have the time even if there was.
Grumpy.
I've a young family as well, but I'm also done and dusted by 11am.I used to play in competitions, and play in club teams, but I just can't find the time. I miss it a lot. You're right, the membership entitles me to a proper handicap, but I haven't got one, as I don't play any golf that needs one. I should add that being stuck in the middle of a train of double-buggied fourballs playing 5-hour rounds and looking for at least one ball on every hole brings me out in hives.
Instead what I generally do at present is take the very first tee time of the day on Saturday or Sunday and rocket round solo, home by 1030h, so it doesn't prejudice whatever family stuff is on the cards.
I play at Carden Park, which is very smart, two great courses, high-spec, well-tended, and a totally soul-less Cyberdyne Robo-Corp. I'm not really missing out on much club-house-life, because there isn't any, and I don't have the time even if there was.
Grumpy.
Surely you can play twice a month if you can be finished by 10.30am on a Saturday??
SpeckledJim said:
cheddar said:
SpeckledJim said:
But if you're playing a lot, then you'll burn through your 100 points in a few months. Maybe less.
What's the 100 point system?It is approximately a good idea, and overall well put-together.
Had some good rounds, shot 79 for the first time, had some terrible rounds.
Have played about 10 or 12 qualifiers, missed the buffer zone by just 1 shot in 5 of them. Have gone up from 15.4 to 16.1.
Have played quite a lot of club matches at some great clubs - Royal St. Georges, Royal Blackheath, West Sussex, Royal Ashdown Forest, Littlestone, Langley Park, etc.
Haven't played enough, haven't practised enough!
BUT I've still thoroughly enjoyed my golf. And I'm looking forward to being Captain next year!
Before that, we've got a month more of Winter Foursomes, our Christmas competition, club match versus the Parent Club and a couple of competitions in January before the annual prize giving dinner in February.
Luckily for us, we don't have winter tees, winter greens, preferred lies or any other winter rules.
The only thing that we suffer from a bit in the winter is if the fog rolls in or the frost comes down......
Have played about 10 or 12 qualifiers, missed the buffer zone by just 1 shot in 5 of them. Have gone up from 15.4 to 16.1.
Have played quite a lot of club matches at some great clubs - Royal St. Georges, Royal Blackheath, West Sussex, Royal Ashdown Forest, Littlestone, Langley Park, etc.
Haven't played enough, haven't practised enough!
BUT I've still thoroughly enjoyed my golf. And I'm looking forward to being Captain next year!
Before that, we've got a month more of Winter Foursomes, our Christmas competition, club match versus the Parent Club and a couple of competitions in January before the annual prize giving dinner in February.
Luckily for us, we don't have winter tees, winter greens, preferred lies or any other winter rules.
The only thing that we suffer from a bit in the winter is if the fog rolls in or the frost comes down......
cheddar said:
Got told "Stop pi55ing about and focus, manage the course!" by my mentor
For once I listened and went from a 17 handicap to 8.8 in 4 weeks, shot 74 three times in that month
Didn't shoot a 59
No hole in one this season, yet....
No albatross either, yet......
Watched a player six putt on the first hole
Saw another player start with eagle, birdie, eagle
Landed a ball straight in the cup from 100 yds
It bounced back out
Blew my driver up
Won a pot plant
That is a serious improvement to your handicap, well done that man!!For once I listened and went from a 17 handicap to 8.8 in 4 weeks, shot 74 three times in that month
Didn't shoot a 59
No hole in one this season, yet....
No albatross either, yet......
Watched a player six putt on the first hole
Saw another player start with eagle, birdie, eagle
Landed a ball straight in the cup from 100 yds
It bounced back out
Blew my driver up
Won a pot plant
You've seen some incredible golf - a 6 putt!!
Just done a deal with the club Pro on some lovely new Ecco shoes to replace my orginal Ecco Hybrids.
http://www.eccoshoesuk.com/ecco-mens-golf-biom-hyb...
Fantastic shoes, recommended.
http://www.eccoshoesuk.com/ecco-mens-golf-biom-hyb...
Fantastic shoes, recommended.
Grobag said:
First frosty morning of the Autumn today, lovely and bright but a bit fresh! Time for the winter gear to come out, galvins, oven gloves and hand warmers were all put to good use. 39 pts so happy days, gets me back to 9. Playing in shorts in the sun is all good, but I also enjoy winter golf and if the course is open I'll be out there. So who on here are the year-round golfers, and who's put their clubs in the garage till the spring!?
Oh yes, play all year. No winter tees or greens for us so no reason to avoid! Love a winter game of golf - as long as you have all the gear.
I have a lot of Galvin Green and SealSkinz gear. The SealSkinz waterproof socks are fantastic: https://www.sealskinz.com/UK/socks/mid-weight-mid-...
Full Gavin Green Gore-Tex waterproofs, several of their Insula tops plus their snood. Also have a waterproof SealSkinz woolly hat which is good.
When it's really cold I'll wear full thermal long johns plus I have a pair of knee high thermal Galvin Green socks, under my Galvin Green Gore-Tex trousers.
I also have one of these which I put on under my woolly hat - really keeps your ears warm! https://www.surfdome.com/the_north_face_head_bands...
Obviously mittens between shots are a must - used to have Galvin Green ones but now have Taylormade ones which are warmer (lost by GG ones).
Another good tip for when it's really cold is to wear a normal golf love on both hands. have tried the 'winter' gloves but couldn't get on with them.
cheddar said:
Help!
Playing a 5 club challenge, I've chosen four clubs - 3W, 7 iron, PW and putter, that'd actually do fine but I've got one slot left, would you go shorter (SW?) or longer (5 iron?)
Got 2 hours left before the club choices must be submitted, any thoughts?
It's personal choice but I'd not be without my 60 degree wedge. It's my go to club for most chip shots around the green and bunker shots.Playing a 5 club challenge, I've chosen four clubs - 3W, 7 iron, PW and putter, that'd actually do fine but I've got one slot left, would you go shorter (SW?) or longer (5 iron?)
Got 2 hours left before the club choices must be submitted, any thoughts?
So I'd go: 3W, 7i, PW, 60, Putter
_Neal_ said:
Agreed - fun too.
I'm playing in a "2 clubs and a putter" comp on Boxing Day actually, which I suspect will illustrate why it's normal to have at least a couple more clubs in your bag
Will be very entertaining from a shot-making perspective. Especially as I've played twice in the last 12 months.
7 iron and a wedge, job done!I'm playing in a "2 clubs and a putter" comp on Boxing Day actually, which I suspect will illustrate why it's normal to have at least a couple more clubs in your bag
Will be very entertaining from a shot-making perspective. Especially as I've played twice in the last 12 months.
I'm considering a top of the bag rebuild!
I just can't get on with my driver anymore, but I'm pretty consistent with my 3 wood. So I'm considering:
Ditching the driver
Replacing current 3 wood with the Ping Stretch 3 (13 degree, adjustable up and down by 1 degree)
Getting a new G hybrid 3, and replacing 4 and 5 irons with G hybrids.
The G Stretch will effectively be my driver - I don't use it off the deck. I'm so much better at hitting my 3 hybrid than my 4 iron so I thought I'd get a 4 and 5 hybrid.
I just can't get on with my driver anymore, but I'm pretty consistent with my 3 wood. So I'm considering:
Ditching the driver
Replacing current 3 wood with the Ping Stretch 3 (13 degree, adjustable up and down by 1 degree)
Getting a new G hybrid 3, and replacing 4 and 5 irons with G hybrids.
The G Stretch will effectively be my driver - I don't use it off the deck. I'm so much better at hitting my 3 hybrid than my 4 iron so I thought I'd get a 4 and 5 hybrid.
cheddar said:
Rosscow said:
I'm considering a top of the bag rebuild!
New equipment won't fix your game, it almost never does but YOU can fix your game.Shiny things don't make things better, applying yourself does
I hit my 3 wood well - so I want to use it more.
I struggle with my long irons, but hit my hybrid well. So I'm going to swap them. That's all.
I'll still have my driver and long irons, so if I fancy putting them back in I will.
But time is scarce at the moment - spending hours on the range doing drills just isn't possible for me right now. My Sunday morning golf is precious to me, so if a few club changes make it easier and more enjoyable for me for the time being then I think it's worth it.
I haven't bought any new equipment for 2 years so I'm not a prolific equipment w
e!Next year is going to be tricky for me - starting a very large house extension/renovation, 2 young kids and I'm Captain! Spare time is going to be minimal.
Plus, it's nice sometimes to buy new shiny things
Edited by Rosscow on Tuesday 6th December 09:30
DuncanM said:
Noodle1982 said:
Good afternoon guys. I'm looking for a set of used irons (5-9) with a budget of £200 and a handicap of 19, what would you guys recommend?
Hello, although I've never owned a set, I would say that Ping are the best bet second hand, due to their coloured spot system. Rosscow knows a bit about Ping so hopefully he'll chime in.
Basically, once you know your spot colour, you can buy a second hand set, that will be practically fitted.
They also wear extremely well.
You could go for either the G or the I series. G is more forgiving (a 'game improvement' iron) where as the I are supposedly for the better player (I am a 15/16 handicapper and use the i25 irons). The main reason I went I instead of G is that the soles on the G irons are HUGE with lots of bounce. Not good for the firm, tight fairways where I play.
Have a Google for the Ping fitting chart - work out what colour dot you are and go for a set.
Also, if you're tall I'd try and get a set slightly longer set - I'm 6'2" and my irons are 1/2" long. But see what the chart says.
G20, G25, i20 or i25 will be your target. The newer G30, G or I irons will I'm sure be over your £200 budget.
SpeckledJim said:
JamesNotJim said:
+1 gross today. Not even good enough for a win, pipped by 2 points. HA! love being a low handicapper me. 
Ignore them. Stableford points and net scores are meaningless. The winner is the person who takes the fewest shots. If that was you, then you are the winner to me!
Handicaps are like letting football teams have more players. Doesnt happen in the FA Cup, shouldnt happen in anything other than the most relaxed social golf.
That would kill the game of club golf in a flash.
So James not Jim may have bettered his handicap by several shots, which is to be commended.
But the guy who won bettered his handicap by 2 more than JNJ did, which should be applauded!
If mid to high handicappers knew they had absolutely zero chance of winning, the attraction of competitions would soon wear off.
Everyone strives to get better at golf - and the only way that can happen for the club golfer is to practice and win competitions to lower their handicap. After all, all of you single digit golfers were mid to high handicappers once and the only reason you are where you are now is because you won competitions to get there.
Give the less able a break!
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