Discussion
I have started playing golf this year after getting a good deal on clubs from a bloke at work. so far i have had 4 lessons, spent alot of time down the range and played two rounds on a short 9 hole course (lea marston) and one 18 hole round at a much bigger course (west midlands golf club). I've enjoyed it all so far and got really frustrated at the same time but I'm told this is normal.
I cant hit the ball far but I tend to hit them straight more often than not, again I'm told its easier to tech how to hit a ball further than if the balls are going left and right all the time but i am getting better. I'm amazed at how much technique is important to hitting the ball and not just strength.
If anyone around the west midlands doesn't mind playing a round with a useless newbie then get in touch.
I cant hit the ball far but I tend to hit them straight more often than not, again I'm told its easier to tech how to hit a ball further than if the balls are going left and right all the time but i am getting better. I'm amazed at how much technique is important to hitting the ball and not just strength.
If anyone around the west midlands doesn't mind playing a round with a useless newbie then get in touch.
Blackpuddin said:
Just flogged my PowaKaddy CT6 trolley, couldn't get on with it, any recommendations for good small-folding push trolleys most welcome.
I’ve got the Motocaddy Cube and really like it. There is a travel bag for it but it is so bad you’d be better using an old blue IKEA bag.
Played in the first round of the club knockout on Saturday morning.
Had to give just the one shot against a guy that had scored 41 points the previous week, so was expecting a tough game.
Ended up beating him 5&3, and was only 6 over the card when we shook hands. A good day in the office!
This week I have a 36 hole comp on Thursday at Puttenham GC, Surrey.
Had to give just the one shot against a guy that had scored 41 points the previous week, so was expecting a tough game.
Ended up beating him 5&3, and was only 6 over the card when we shook hands. A good day in the office!
This week I have a 36 hole comp on Thursday at Puttenham GC, Surrey.
After many years of reading the thread, figured it was time to finally post something. Have played much of my life, but not really played much since having kids 8 years ago. Finally rejoined Clevedon golf course just outside Bristol,, and now need to get my 3 cards in to get an active handicap.
Looking forward to seeing how I can progress over this season and enter a few competitions.
Looking forward to seeing how I can progress over this season and enter a few competitions.
F31Simon said:
After many years of reading the thread, figured it was time to finally post something. Have played much of my life, but not really played much since having kids 8 years ago. Finally rejoined Clevedon golf course just outside Bristol,, and now need to get my 3 cards in to get an active handicap.
Looking forward to seeing how I can progress over this season and enter a few competitions.
Nice one! Course looks nice. What was your previous handicap and what are you hoping to get once your cards are in? Looking forward to seeing how I can progress over this season and enter a few competitions.
Good luck!
Down to 8.2 after rounds of 77 and 79. Had 2 9 hole rounds of 38 (+2) in between too. Something has clicked so my iron shots have been much more consistent. Which give me a course HC of 9. Which means I can now legitimately call myself a single figure golfer again 
I finished the round of 79 off with a pair of doubles. I was cruising round not even thinking about my score, despite being on for my lowest score for probably 15 years. On 17 I hit 5 shots that were ok, but just a fraction out and got punished by a difficult hole with a tough pin position. And the 18th. Pushed my second shot (par 5) slightly right trying to steer it rather than hit it. I should have been able to find it, but never did. So a lost ball cost me. Nearly holed the putt for bogey too.
Stupid game.
The next round to drop off my last 20 is a 91 with a diff of 17.9. So unless I have a complete horror show next time out, I should be down to 7.something.
I finished the round of 79 off with a pair of doubles. I was cruising round not even thinking about my score, despite being on for my lowest score for probably 15 years. On 17 I hit 5 shots that were ok, but just a fraction out and got punished by a difficult hole with a tough pin position. And the 18th. Pushed my second shot (par 5) slightly right trying to steer it rather than hit it. I should have been able to find it, but never did. So a lost ball cost me. Nearly holed the putt for bogey too.
Stupid game.
The next round to drop off my last 20 is a 91 with a diff of 17.9. So unless I have a complete horror show next time out, I should be down to 7.something.
Rosscow said:
F31Simon said:
Handicap many years back was 15.6, hoping for similar now, and aiming for around 12 this season.
I'd say aim for your previous handicap and see how you get on! Don't put yourself under loads of pressure.I used to take my HC and scoring very seriously. Got down to a low of 5.5. Looking back, I think I could have got much lower if I didn’t take it so seriously and didn’t chase a score.
When I stopped playing I was off 7ish. I’ve now no real ambition other than to go out and try to shoot the best score I can each round. My HI will be what it will be.
When I started again, my first HI was 19.2 and it’s steadily dropped.
What I have done recently that I think is really helping. Is think a lot more about picking a sensible target and making sure I’m aiming correctly. I’ve stopped flag hunting, aiming for the middle of the green is more than good enough. And my scores have improved by 5 or 6 shots.
Currently in Mexico where I was lucky enough to play Mayokoba, a PGA tour track they play in November. Slightly disappointingly the front 9 was closed so they could aerate the greens, so we had to play the back 9 twice. But gutted as the front 9 is probably the better of the two and a bit more open, the back 9 is tighter, longer, and mostly into the wind.
Highlight was the 16th second time round, we decided to play it off the big boy tees and resulted in my only birdie of the day - this was the view from the tee
Launched a driver down the right hand side with a slight draw, hit a 4 iron 40 yards short then got up and down from there.
Played with a few guys from work, one of whom suggested a new game to keep things interesting I'd never heard of, called Bingo Bango Bongo. Effectively there were 3 Bs available on each hole - first to hit the green, closest to the pin when hitting the green, and first to hole a putt (gimmes didn't count). Person with the least amount of Bs bought the (much needed) refreshments afterwards.
Was a bit dubious at first but have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the format - I was having a bit of a mare after travelling for 2 weeks (legs were a bit wobbly and wouldn't cooperate with what I asked to do, resulting in a 2 way miss), but my short game was working so ended up winning overall, despite 2 9s of 53 and 46.
Was hoping to squeeze another 9 in today but they have closed the entire course to do the back 9, so am forced to sit on the beach with a beer instead.
Couple of other pics:
Highly recommended if you're ever out this way.
Highlight was the 16th second time round, we decided to play it off the big boy tees and resulted in my only birdie of the day - this was the view from the tee
Launched a driver down the right hand side with a slight draw, hit a 4 iron 40 yards short then got up and down from there.
Played with a few guys from work, one of whom suggested a new game to keep things interesting I'd never heard of, called Bingo Bango Bongo. Effectively there were 3 Bs available on each hole - first to hit the green, closest to the pin when hitting the green, and first to hole a putt (gimmes didn't count). Person with the least amount of Bs bought the (much needed) refreshments afterwards.
Was a bit dubious at first but have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the format - I was having a bit of a mare after travelling for 2 weeks (legs were a bit wobbly and wouldn't cooperate with what I asked to do, resulting in a 2 way miss), but my short game was working so ended up winning overall, despite 2 9s of 53 and 46.
Was hoping to squeeze another 9 in today but they have closed the entire course to do the back 9, so am forced to sit on the beach with a beer instead.
Couple of other pics:
Highly recommended if you're ever out this way.
48Valves said:
The next round to drop off my last 20 is a 91 with a diff of 17.9. So unless I have a complete horror show next time out, I should be down to 7.something.
I'm sure you are aware of this, but it is your best 8 scores from your last 20 rounds that count towards your handicap. Are you sure the 17.9 is a counting score?If you do have that score to come off your best 9, like you say, you should have another good cut coming
bodhi said:
Currently in Mexico where I was lucky enough to play Mayokoba, a PGA tour track they play in November. Slightly disappointingly the front 9 was closed so they could aerate the greens, so we had to play the back 9 twice. But gutted as the front 9 is probably the better of the two and a bit more open, the back 9 is tighter, longer, and mostly into the wind.
Nice, I've played there a couple of times on work jollies. Stupendous course although as you say a shame you only got to play half of it, I think that means you miss the hole with the sinkhole cave? It's an experience for sure. Also with you on the wind - I don't remember which hole it is but the par 3 that takes you up to the beach always seems to be into the teeth of a gale and you end up eating sand with your putting.Still, it's a great course and agree that anybody that gets the chance should play it.
deckster said:
Nice, I've played there a couple of times on work jollies. Stupendous course although as you say a shame you only got to play half of it, I think that means you miss the hole with the sinkhole cave? It's an experience for sure. Also with you on the wind - I don't remember which hole it is but the par 3 that takes you up to the beach always seems to be into the teeth of a gale and you end up eating sand with your putting.
Still, it's a great course and agree that anybody that gets the chance should play it.
Yes sadly meant we missed the cave bunker, which was a shame as although it generally doesn't come into play for us mere mortals unless you mess up, but is a great photo opportunity. Luckily I played it 5 years ago on our last works jolly here, still a shame to miss it - I remember a few other brilliant holes on the front 9 and it being far more open than what we played. Still, it's a great course and agree that anybody that gets the chance should play it.
That Par 3 (15) is interesting certainly, however I didn't mind it too much this time as it involved a short iron off the tee, which I could just about still hit straight, so had a par and a bogey there. It was the linger holes I was struggling with as my swing appeared to stay in the UK, had a horrible snap hook which doesn't get you very far out here. Had a list of excuses however - too long travelling, rental clubs which didn't suit me at all, far too hot for a Scotsman etc etc.
Still really enjoyed it as it was a pretty stunning place to be having a bad day, and thanks to the game we were playing I still managed to win. Somehow.
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