Discussion
soupdragon1 said:
1st round of the year for me last weekend, links too. The tight lies of a true links are hard to replicate.
Hit a few chips pre round. Perfect shots resulting in lovely spinny checks but a little off, it's a thin or a chunk.
Thankfully, any chips I was able to bump and run with a 9 iron or PW and didn't need any elevation. Those higher elevation chip shots are just hard on a links, as there is no real margin for error.
It's something Golfsidekick talks about a lot lately, lie/turf conditions are so important, being able to judge, and play the right shot. Hit a few chips pre round. Perfect shots resulting in lovely spinny checks but a little off, it's a thin or a chunk.
Thankfully, any chips I was able to bump and run with a 9 iron or PW and didn't need any elevation. Those higher elevation chip shots are just hard on a links, as there is no real margin for error.
First round since Forest Pines a month ago. Not sure what to expect having not swung a club for 30 days and at 11pm the night before the wind was howling!. Somehow, it was glorious & T shirt weather at 7am.
I wasn't great off the tee but managed to recover well - Arccos confirmed that my short game was great - Putting was also good - Every putt had a chance of going in and on another day, 7 or 8 would have.
Made a couple of brain farts taking on things I shouldn't have because I wasn't really there to score - e.g. taking on a 230 yard 3 wood on the 3rd which I pulled OB, as well as 2 rough duffs going for the hero shot on the last for example.
Considering I couldn't regularly break a 100 a year ago and I'm now slightly disapointed with an 89 - I think I have to be quite happy with that
Tee shot on the par 3 17th - I hit a soft 7 iron off a tee and it held a near perfect shot shape into the wind.....so close!
I wasn't great off the tee but managed to recover well - Arccos confirmed that my short game was great - Putting was also good - Every putt had a chance of going in and on another day, 7 or 8 would have.
Made a couple of brain farts taking on things I shouldn't have because I wasn't really there to score - e.g. taking on a 230 yard 3 wood on the 3rd which I pulled OB, as well as 2 rough duffs going for the hero shot on the last for example.
Considering I couldn't regularly break a 100 a year ago and I'm now slightly disapointed with an 89 - I think I have to be quite happy with that
Tee shot on the par 3 17th - I hit a soft 7 iron off a tee and it held a near perfect shot shape into the wind.....so close!
Ashfordian said:
Played at Royston today, which is built on the side of a hill. Windy but managed to miss most of the showers. Shot a 74 (+4) with 3 birdies which flattered the score as I was not hitting the ball that level of consistency. Greens were in great condition 
and it was nice to see a ball bounce and get some run on the fairways.
The noticeable thing from the course is the elevation change over the round because of the course design on said hill. Total elevation gain was 225 meters over 5.3 miles of walking, whereas other courses I play it is normally 50-100 meter elevation gain. Anyone else play a hilly course? Or can beat this elevation gain for their course?
Dewsbury District was 229m according to my Garmin and it felt relentless at times. My home course is circa 60m and doesn't feel too bad. and it was nice to see a ball bounce and get some run on the fairways.The noticeable thing from the course is the elevation change over the round because of the course design on said hill. Total elevation gain was 225 meters over 5.3 miles of walking, whereas other courses I play it is normally 50-100 meter elevation gain. Anyone else play a hilly course? Or can beat this elevation gain for their course?
RayDonovan said:
Ashfordian said:
Played at Royston today, which is built on the side of a hill. Windy but managed to miss most of the showers. Shot a 74 (+4) with 3 birdies which flattered the score as I was not hitting the ball that level of consistency. Greens were in great condition and it was nice to see a ball bounce and get some run on the fairways.
The noticeable thing from the course is the elevation change over the round because of the course design on said hill. Total elevation gain was 225 meters over 5.3 miles of walking, whereas other courses I play it is normally 50-100 meter elevation gain. Anyone else play a hilly course? Or can beat this elevation gain for their course?
Dewsbury District was 229m according to my Garmin and it felt relentless at times. My home course is circa 60m and doesn't feel too bad. and it was nice to see a ball bounce and get some run on the fairways.The noticeable thing from the course is the elevation change over the round because of the course design on said hill. Total elevation gain was 225 meters over 5.3 miles of walking, whereas other courses I play it is normally 50-100 meter elevation gain. Anyone else play a hilly course? Or can beat this elevation gain for their course?
Hammersia said:
RayDonovan said:
Ashfordian said:
Played at Royston today, which is built on the side of a hill. Windy but managed to miss most of the showers. Shot a 74 (+4) with 3 birdies which flattered the score as I was not hitting the ball that level of consistency. Greens were in great condition and it was nice to see a ball bounce and get some run on the fairways.
The noticeable thing from the course is the elevation change over the round because of the course design on said hill. Total elevation gain was 225 meters over 5.3 miles of walking, whereas other courses I play it is normally 50-100 meter elevation gain. Anyone else play a hilly course? Or can beat this elevation gain for their course?
Dewsbury District was 229m according to my Garmin and it felt relentless at times. My home course is circa 60m and doesn't feel too bad. and it was nice to see a ball bounce and get some run on the fairways.The noticeable thing from the course is the elevation change over the round because of the course design on said hill. Total elevation gain was 225 meters over 5.3 miles of walking, whereas other courses I play it is normally 50-100 meter elevation gain. Anyone else play a hilly course? Or can beat this elevation gain for their course?
Course starts halfway up a hill and by the 5th you're on top of it, surrounded by sheep and some brutal winds. Worth a play if you fancy something a little different.
Hammersia said:
Royston is good fun although it is technically impossible to hit a decent tee shot off the first. And yes it's a heck of a workout.
I'm really struggling to see what is difficult about the tee shot on the 1st?I hit the fairway yesterday and it is definitely not in the top 3 of the hardest tee shots on the course.
48Valves said:
It must have been breezy at Royston yesterday? It certainly was at St Ives. Which I will blame for hitting just about every shot fat. On the 1st I finished my divot before making contact with the ball on my approach shot and the it didn’t get much better from there.
For elevation change, I can only think of Hallifax Ogden or Baildon that I’ve played that are similar.
We have finally got sand in our new bunkers and they are looking great. Just need some consistent good weather now for the green staff to be able to repair the damage around the course from the machinery used during the bunker works.
I like the way they have incorporated the sleepers into your new bunkers.For elevation change, I can only think of Hallifax Ogden or Baildon that I’ve played that are similar.
We have finally got sand in our new bunkers and they are looking great. Just need some consistent good weather now for the green staff to be able to repair the damage around the course from the machinery used during the bunker works.
It was very breezy yesterday, although the hill and trees do provide protection on some holes at Royston, so you have to use course knowledge for when you get this, whereas your place gets little protection with the open, flat lands all around it.
Hammersia said:
RayDonovan said:
Dewsbury District was 229m according to my Garmin and it felt relentless at times. My home course is circa 60m and doesn't feel too bad.
Haven't played it for years but Hastings is about the hilliest I know from memory even more than Royston.I think we can safely say any course that has 180m+ of elevation change is hilly. Dewsbury District definitely sounds hilly. Probably 50-60m elevation of Royston is taking up by walking between three greens and the following tee for the next hole.
One surprisingly hilly course is Brocket Hall - Palmerston which came in at around 165m elevation, simply because lots of holes cross a very small steep valley that runs through the course.
fourstardan said:
Has anyone played Royal Mid Surrey? I had a day at Kew today and sneaked in a bit of a look over the fence.
Sadly not, only heard good stuff about the place. Weirdly I was on their pro-shop weekly email and it appeared to be a very very well run Club - from memory they have a lot of + handicap members..
fat80b said:
First round since Forest Pines a month ago. Not sure what to expect having not swung a club for 30 days and at 11pm the night before the wind was howling!. Somehow, it was glorious & T shirt weather at 7am.
I wasn't great off the tee but managed to recover well - Arccos confirmed that my short game was great - Putting was also good - Every putt had a chance of going in and on another day, 7 or 8 would have.
Made a couple of brain farts taking on things I shouldn't have because I wasn't really there to score - e.g. taking on a 230 yard 3 wood on the 3rd which I pulled OB, as well as 2 rough duffs going for the hero shot on the last for example.
Considering I couldn't regularly break a 100 a year ago and I'm now slightly disapointed with an 89 - I think I have to be quite happy with that
Tee shot on the par 3 17th - I hit a soft 7 iron off a tee and it held a near perfect shot shape into the wind.....so close!
Superb stuff, fantastic progression over a year! I wasn't great off the tee but managed to recover well - Arccos confirmed that my short game was great - Putting was also good - Every putt had a chance of going in and on another day, 7 or 8 would have.
Made a couple of brain farts taking on things I shouldn't have because I wasn't really there to score - e.g. taking on a 230 yard 3 wood on the 3rd which I pulled OB, as well as 2 rough duffs going for the hero shot on the last for example.
Considering I couldn't regularly break a 100 a year ago and I'm now slightly disapointed with an 89 - I think I have to be quite happy with that
Tee shot on the par 3 17th - I hit a soft 7 iron off a tee and it held a near perfect shot shape into the wind.....so close!
WindyCommon said:
What are some good drills for someone who was happily playing off 11 but is now struggling with topping the ball. Happens with all full swing clubs, and short irons are somewhat bottom-groovy too.
Asking for a friend obvs…
Couple of things to get it out of your mind. Try hitting some punch shots (ball back of stance etc). Asking for a friend obvs…
If that doesn’t cure it, do the ‘step drill’. Feet together, then step left (for righties) & hit the ball.
Obviously check ball position is middle of your sternum for say a 8/9 iron & only moves forward by a ball / ball & a Half by the time you get to a 4 iron…
kentlad said:
Couple of things to get it out of your mind. Try hitting some punch shots (ball back of stance etc).
If that doesn’t cure it, do the ‘step drill’. Feet together, then step left (for righties) & hit the ball.
Obviously check ball position is middle of your sternum for say a 8/9 iron & only moves forward by a ball / ball & a Half by the time you get to a 4 iron…
Worst place ever to ask for advice here, I stick a twig/ leaf/any crap really infront of my 10 year olds ball while using his 6 iron and say hit down and through and move the twig...If that doesn’t cure it, do the ‘step drill’. Feet together, then step left (for righties) & hit the ball.
Obviously check ball position is middle of your sternum for say a 8/9 iron & only moves forward by a ball / ball & a Half by the time you get to a 4 iron…
fourstardan said:
Has anyone played Royal Mid Surrey? I had a day at Kew today and sneaked in a bit of a look over the fence.
Yes - very nice course, well worth a visit. Old school feel but not too stuffy & friendly. Course is interesting but very playable - very good condition. A quiet little oasis in a busy part of West London.Got a game next month at Sand Martin- anyone played that?
WindyCommon said:
What are some good drills for someone who was happily playing off 11 but is now struggling with topping the ball. Happens with all full swing clubs, and short irons are somewhat bottom-groovy too.
Asking for a friend obvs…
Lateral head movement can sometimes trigger that, especially if you veer your head a bit to the right. Asking for a friend obvs…
I would start with some half swings if you can get to the range, and build back up to a full swing, and figure out which part of the swing is making you hit the toppy shot.
Greenie said:
Yes - very nice course, well worth a visit. Old school feel but not too stuffy & friendly. Course is interesting but very playable - very good condition. A quiet little oasis in a busy part of West London.
Got a game next month at Sand Martin- anyone played that?
Sand Martin was/is superb for the money Got a game next month at Sand Martin- anyone played that?
RayDonovan said:
Dewsbury District was 229m according to my Garmin and it felt relentless at times. My home course is circa 60m and doesn't feel too bad.
Don’t have a fit bit. I’ll put in Peebles, Seaford Head, Aldwickbury, Willingdon..I would seriously reroute the last two. A decent hill can be great for golf but I’d rather work my way up it once then back down again. Those two you go up 4 different times, ridiculous.
This will get talked about at Augusta, don’t believe it. I’ve been and it’s as steep as Hadley Wood (also a McKenzie..)
WindyCommon said:
What are some good drills for someone who was happily playing off 11 but is now struggling with topping the ball. Happens with all full swing clubs, and short irons are somewhat bottom-groovy too.
Asking for a friend obvs…
Cause varies we’d need to see your swing. For me thingy shots can come from lifting my right heel too early on the ds Asking for a friend obvs…
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