Discussion
No! Nowhere near, other things (working, weight loss, running!) taken over the last 6 months or so. HI now 9.2, so gone up slightly but not surprising as really haven’t practiced at all.
But! I have been swinging it better the last few weeks so looking forward to getting back into this year.
Also lost loads of weight this year (nearly 3 stone, down to 13 stone 6lb, so think that’s really going to help. Feel much stronger and fitter. Bring on 2024!
Edit! HI actually come down from 9.6 (02/01/23) to 9.2 today. So I suppose that’s a positive of sorts!
But! I have been swinging it better the last few weeks so looking forward to getting back into this year.
Also lost loads of weight this year (nearly 3 stone, down to 13 stone 6lb, so think that’s really going to help. Feel much stronger and fitter. Bring on 2024!
Edit! HI actually come down from 9.6 (02/01/23) to 9.2 today. So I suppose that’s a positive of sorts!
Edited by Rosscow on Sunday 31st December 12:43
48Valves said:
Before we start the 2024 thread.
Did everyone hit their goals for this year?
Tough to answer for me, didn't play enough golf, but thoroughly enjoyed every game. Maintained a good standard (80s), despite lack of play, arguably hitting the ball better than ever. Joints recovering better than they used to, which is encouraging, and the main exciting thing for 2024, is that my son, at 27, is finally into golf, and wants to play lots!Did everyone hit their goals for this year?
Overall, a good year
48Valves said:
Before we start the 2024 thread.
Did everyone hit their goals for this year?
Had a lot of goals this year - mainly enjoying playing and practicing. Meeting new people through golf and playing lots of courses home and abroad. Did everyone hit their goals for this year?
Certainly achieved that - according to Arccos I played 159 times (a lot of them were 9 holes as I do that a lot at my home course for practice) and played 32 courses throughout the year.
As far as measurable goals I’m aiming to get to a 5 HCP in 2 years. Only dropped from 13 to 10 this year so not great progress but we’ve made a LOT of swing changes and feel that real progress is starting to be made the last couple of months. And get a hole in 1 - haven’t done it but came very close.
For me, the answer has to be yes, but somehow I feel slightly disappointed which maybe shows how far I've actually come this year..
My goal at the beginning of the year was to play as much as I can (with a couple of rounds abroad) and a stretch goal of getting an official handicap.
As it finished, I played 5 rounds abroad out of 74 in total (lots of them were lunchtime 9 holes though) which is pretty decent going!
First handicap (25) achieved on 11th June thanks to a couple of open golf sessions and discovering the Sunday swindle at my club. I really struggled to play to it initially which was extremely frustrating culminating in a complete shocker in the 36 hole club championships in August. Almost parked the clubs in the garage after that.
But after the low of the club champs, something clicked, and during September/October, I ran into a bit of a hot streak, I won the long handicap cup, a couple of swindles, and a medal as everything seemed to be going in the right direction. Strung 10 or so rounds in a row under handicap to bring my end of year index down to 21.7 with 22 rounds submitted for handicap purposes and the best round being an 86. (Broke 90 3 times in the year).
Have not played since the end of Nov (in Portugal) and my home course is now a bog - was hoping to get out today for one last swindle, but alas the course is closed...
(did get a new cart bag for christmas - an OGIO one - which surely is going to knock a couple of shots off my hcap in 2024!)
My goal at the beginning of the year was to play as much as I can (with a couple of rounds abroad) and a stretch goal of getting an official handicap.
As it finished, I played 5 rounds abroad out of 74 in total (lots of them were lunchtime 9 holes though) which is pretty decent going!
First handicap (25) achieved on 11th June thanks to a couple of open golf sessions and discovering the Sunday swindle at my club. I really struggled to play to it initially which was extremely frustrating culminating in a complete shocker in the 36 hole club championships in August. Almost parked the clubs in the garage after that.
But after the low of the club champs, something clicked, and during September/October, I ran into a bit of a hot streak, I won the long handicap cup, a couple of swindles, and a medal as everything seemed to be going in the right direction. Strung 10 or so rounds in a row under handicap to bring my end of year index down to 21.7 with 22 rounds submitted for handicap purposes and the best round being an 86. (Broke 90 3 times in the year).
Have not played since the end of Nov (in Portugal) and my home course is now a bog - was hoping to get out today for one last swindle, but alas the course is closed...
(did get a new cart bag for christmas - an OGIO one - which surely is going to knock a couple of shots off my hcap in 2024!)
48Valves said:
Before we start the 2024 thread.
Did everyone hit their goals for this year?
My handicap went up and a niggling back issue returned which generally limited 18 holes to once a week so I'm going to go with no!Did everyone hit their goals for this year?
To be fair on the handicap, I was at a new course and find it comfortably more difficult with lots of OB compared to my previous course.
I only really have one goal in golf which is to get down to 5, which I didn't manage again this year - however can't say I'm too disappointed.
Positives:
- Been having lessons all year but managed to maintain a handicap of 8 most of the way through - never easy when making swing changes with the new handicap system.
- Have been seeing a constant improvement in how I'm hitting the ball, even if the odd mis
t is still costing me strokes.
- Scores have been getting more consistent, bad rounds used to be in the 90s now they are mid to high 80s.
- Learnt a few new shots, like the knock down wedge and low punches out of trees.
Negatives:
- Only broke 80 once which is less than I wanted, loads of rounds of 81/82 though.
- Worst round of my life at Hawkstone, with 102 on the Championship Course.
- Gone from sub 30 putts a round to 32-33.
So not quite got the results I wanted but have enjoyed the process of getting better, so going to crack on with the same process for 2024 and see how I get on. Swing is better than it's ever been, just need the rest of my game to do the same. Looking forward to trying though!
Positives:
- Been having lessons all year but managed to maintain a handicap of 8 most of the way through - never easy when making swing changes with the new handicap system.
- Have been seeing a constant improvement in how I'm hitting the ball, even if the odd mis
t is still costing me strokes.- Scores have been getting more consistent, bad rounds used to be in the 90s now they are mid to high 80s.
- Learnt a few new shots, like the knock down wedge and low punches out of trees.
Negatives:
- Only broke 80 once which is less than I wanted, loads of rounds of 81/82 though.
- Worst round of my life at Hawkstone, with 102 on the Championship Course.
- Gone from sub 30 putts a round to 32-33.
So not quite got the results I wanted but have enjoyed the process of getting better, so going to crack on with the same process for 2024 and see how I get on. Swing is better than it's ever been, just need the rest of my game to do the same. Looking forward to trying though!
bodhi said:
So not quite got the results I wanted but have enjoyed the process of getting better, so going to crack on with the same process for 2024 and see how I get on….. Looking forward to trying though!
That’s really all we can do in the end. Keep buggering on and enjoy the process of getting better,milesgiles said:
Which is the course with the scots pines? Always a sig of a great course
Not sure which ones the scots pines are, but going to assume Ganton (the one with the white posts in it?)https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-course/gant...
bodhi said:
I only really have one goal in golf which is to get down to 5, which I didn't manage again this year - however can't say I'm too disappointed.
Positives:
- Been having lessons all year but managed to maintain a handicap of 8 most of the way through - never easy when making swing changes with the new handicap system.
- Have been seeing a constant improvement in how I'm hitting the ball, even if the odd mist is still costing me strokes.
- Scores have been getting more consistent, bad rounds used to be in the 90s now they are mid to high 80s.
- Learnt a few new shots, like the knock down wedge and low punches out of trees.
Negatives:
- Only broke 80 once which is less than I wanted, loads of rounds of 81/82 though.
- Worst round of my life at Hawkstone, with 102 on the Championship Course.
- Gone from sub 30 putts a round to 32-33.
So not quite got the results I wanted but have enjoyed the process of getting better, so going to crack on with the same process for 2024 and see how I get on. Swing is better than it's ever been, just need the rest of my game to do the same. Looking forward to trying though!
Sounds very similar to me. I was hoping to get down to 5 but didn’t quite make it. Finished the year at 6.7. Positives:
- Been having lessons all year but managed to maintain a handicap of 8 most of the way through - never easy when making swing changes with the new handicap system.
- Have been seeing a constant improvement in how I'm hitting the ball, even if the odd mis
t is still costing me strokes.- Scores have been getting more consistent, bad rounds used to be in the 90s now they are mid to high 80s.
- Learnt a few new shots, like the knock down wedge and low punches out of trees.
Negatives:
- Only broke 80 once which is less than I wanted, loads of rounds of 81/82 though.
- Worst round of my life at Hawkstone, with 102 on the Championship Course.
- Gone from sub 30 putts a round to 32-33.
So not quite got the results I wanted but have enjoyed the process of getting better, so going to crack on with the same process for 2024 and see how I get on. Swing is better than it's ever been, just need the rest of my game to do the same. Looking forward to trying though!
My high score ceiling has come down to 84/85 and most of my rounds are now in the 79-82 range.
I’m slowly working on my flexibility and going to work a bit on improving my overall fitness and strength to gain a few yards. My main focus for improving is going to be on approach play and concentration/commitment to the shot.
I hit my goal of going under par for 9 holes a few times.
Didn’t hit my goal of shooting level par at my home course. 1 over was my best (bottled it a bit with a bogey on the last), shot 2 over a few times, every time I had a double and at least one 3 putt, so it’s in there somewhere.
My goals were to play more golf, join a club, and get a handicap. Very happy to have achieved all of these, and despite the godawful weather, I have greatly enjoyed the experience, new friendships and even the hint of an improving game.
Along the way I have replaced nearly all my 20 year old clubs - from Driver to PW and look forward to sorting out the wedges and the putter in the spring.
As for 2024 goals - sort out my atrocious putting. Play more courses around Scotland and anywhere else I might be able to take the sticks with me. I have no doubt there will be as many "arse" moments as there have always been, but hopefully the definition will be slightly tighter...
Along the way I have replaced nearly all my 20 year old clubs - from Driver to PW and look forward to sorting out the wedges and the putter in the spring.
As for 2024 goals - sort out my atrocious putting. Play more courses around Scotland and anywhere else I might be able to take the sticks with me. I have no doubt there will be as many "arse" moments as there have always been, but hopefully the definition will be slightly tighter...
fourstardan said:
My goals went amiss, wanted to win a board comp but always struggle off 7 as a bandit always seems to pip me.
Started swing speed training last month and now swinging without a ball over 125 and then happily up to a PB 129 so goals met here.
That’s proper rapid - tour level speeds. Well done. Started swing speed training last month and now swinging without a ball over 125 and then happily up to a PB 129 so goals met here.
Got some speed sticks for Xmas so just started the program. Interested to see the results on course in a couple of months.
Rory swings at around 122mph, the tour average is 115mph so 125mph would put you as one of the fastest, I'm guessing it gets harder when the ball is there, regardless 125mph is impressive stuff.
We went up for a speed session at the range last week just for fun not a coaching lesson, my best ball speed was 150mph with my 42" driver and that was flinging myself at it at, around 235 yds carry it was 2c howling a gale (might have been helping!) and sleeting in my defence so might have been faster on a warm day.
1st photo is the 17th at Ganton.
2nd photo is the 9th at Headingley (my home course). The works going on at the rear of the half way house is the new driving range they are in the process of building which I believe is scheduled for completion 2025 some time.
2nd photo is the 9th at Headingley (my home course). The works going on at the rear of the half way house is the new driving range they are in the process of building which I believe is scheduled for completion 2025 some time.
Edited by Hobo on Tuesday 2nd January 11:11
terms of 2023
Initial Handicap started at 2.7 (3 cards) and finished at 4.3, so an increase but the 2.7 is taken from 3 cards off yellow tees, so a higher actual index to finish the season is fine.
Didn't play in any inter-club comps (scratch team / union team) which was understandable but I've been asked to help in supporting the Scratch team in 2024 which should be good
Played in most club comps and managed to record my worst scores in the Club Champs ffs hehe
Got to the semi final of the local union scratch matchplay (after beating a 2 handicap and 3 handicap) but got my arse handed to me in the semi final by someone off +2 who was 3 or 4 under par after 13 holes...
Finished the season strong with a lowest gross and 2nd overall in the final medal of 2023
2024 plans
Scratch and Club Union team
Yorkshire AM at Ganton
Away days with the Club
Local Union Opens (scratch x 2 and some other events)
New Driver (Ping G430 10k)
Initial Handicap started at 2.7 (3 cards) and finished at 4.3, so an increase but the 2.7 is taken from 3 cards off yellow tees, so a higher actual index to finish the season is fine.
Didn't play in any inter-club comps (scratch team / union team) which was understandable but I've been asked to help in supporting the Scratch team in 2024 which should be good
Played in most club comps and managed to record my worst scores in the Club Champs ffs hehe
Got to the semi final of the local union scratch matchplay (after beating a 2 handicap and 3 handicap) but got my arse handed to me in the semi final by someone off +2 who was 3 or 4 under par after 13 holes...
Finished the season strong with a lowest gross and 2nd overall in the final medal of 2023
2024 plans
Scratch and Club Union team
Yorkshire AM at Ganton
Away days with the Club
Local Union Opens (scratch x 2 and some other events)
New Driver (Ping G430 10k)
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