GOLF - 2023

[Tycho]

Rosscow said:

It's interesting as there are studies out there that show how detrimental carrying a bag can be for not only your game but also your fitness - and the fact that you burn hardly any extra calories by carrying.

https://golfible.com/carrying-golf-clubs/

I play with guys that carry a full 14 clubs and it just makes me scratch my head, I really can't see any benefits other than having to carry due to abnormal ground conditions.

Interesting link. I enjoyed carrying my bag as you have more freedom where you can go on the course and if it is cold you can put your hands in your pockets or mark your card as you have both hands free. This had to change a couple of years ago as I found the weight was making my back ache after 12 or 13 holes even with a double strap bag and then I changed to a trolley and feel so much better after a round.

[Rojibo]

s94wht said:

Interesting points above.

Played my first round of the year yesterday and I wasn't nearly as bad as I thought I might be, which was a positive. Started off horrendously for the first 3 holes, could barely strike the ball, particularly with driver, but got better as it went on. Grouped up with some others during the round who were lovely people, and also clearly beginners, which was nice. We formed what was then the last group out so it didn't matter if we were slow. The wind was wicked cold though, and when I got back into the car, my neck/shoulders were really sore from being tensed and braced against the cold. Straight in the bath when I got home! I think I will look to pick up a gilet, if anyone has any recommendations?

WRT the points above, it was also my first outing with my Ben Sayers electric trolley that I got for my birthday in late November. I really enjoyed it, much more than I thought I would! I do like carrying and thought it was probably better for my fitness, but I will have to give the link above a read! The only downside I found to the trolley was the extra cleaning and setup/takedown hassle, which I might not bother with if I'm just getting a quick 9 in after work. Otherwise it was really cool!

Did you warm up at all? I typically won’t hit driver for the first few holes until I get a bit loosened up, or if I’ve arrived with enough time to spend in the nets (rare). I once played with a pro who coached a lot of amateurs and his philosophy was that we start in first gear, if that means taking an iron off the first tee then so be it.

A good base layer and a wind proof outer should have you covered, though you’ll still feel it on your face.

I’ll admit I regret not getting the course yesterday, I looked at the weather forecast and thought sod it, went to the range instead which was practically a crèche…. Must remember headphones.

[s94wht]

Tycho said:

if it is cold you can put your hands in your pockets or mark your card as you have both hands free.

This is what I very much appreciated with my electric trolley. Turn it on, walk behind it with hands in pockets, turn it off. Will be better when the ground isn't so squelchy and uneven though.

[Tycho]

s94wht said:

Tycho said:

if it is cold you can put your hands in your pockets or mark your card as you have both hands free.

This is what I very much appreciated with my electric trolley. Turn it on, walk behind it with hands in pockets, turn it off. Will be better when the ground isn't so squelchy and uneven though.

I'd like an electric trolley but the prices are crazy even for the basic ones and it is difficult enough getting a smaller Motocaddy Cube in an MX5 that I don't think an electric one would fit.

[Rojibo]

Tycho said:

I'd like an electric trolley but the prices are crazy even for the basic ones and it is difficult enough getting a smaller Motocaddy Cube in an MX5 that I don't think an electric one would fit.

I manage to fit my Motocaddy M1 in the front boot of my GT4 with the wheels off. The footprint is pretty small with the wheels off you’d be surprised.

[bodhi]

Was hoping to play in winter league yesterday, but got out of bed at 7am to get down to the club for the draw at 7 45, then 10 minutes later the dreaded message went out on the Club Whatsapp group - course closed. Bah. So I sent a message to me mate and we toddled off down to 3 Hammers just outside Wolverhampton to have a few games on Toptracer. I beat him round St Andrews (+8 vs +12), he won the nearest the pin competitions we had after that.

Swing seemed generally OK considering I was trying to protect a dodgy rib (I suffer from Costochondritis), but was losing a lot left, especially with my wedges, so need to do some more work on my takeaway.

On warm gear I've got a couple of Under Armour Gilets which do the job, however I swear by my UA Base Layer and Titleist Snood on a cold day. I know snoods are semi-controversial, however they are incredibly warm and I'd highly recommend one. It goes well with my golf hoodie and joggers

I kid. I don't wear the joggers in winter

[s94wht]

Tycho said:

s94wht said:

Tycho said:

if it is cold you can put your hands in your pockets or mark your card as you have both hands free.

This is what I very much appreciated with my electric trolley. Turn it on, walk behind it with hands in pockets, turn it off. Will be better when the ground isn't so squelchy and uneven though.

I'd like an electric trolley but the prices are crazy even for the basic ones and it is difficult enough getting a smaller Motocaddy Cube in an MX5 that I don't think an electric one would fit.

Both good points. I've just checked out what mine would have cost, and I certainly wouldn't have paid that if I were buying it myself. My stand bag and the trolley just about fit in my Mk7.5 GTI.

[kiethton]

s94wht said:

Tycho said:

if it is cold you can put your hands in your pockets or mark your card as you have both hands free.

This is what I very much appreciated with my electric trolley. Turn it on, walk behind it with hands in pockets, turn it off. Will be better when the ground isn't so squelchy and uneven though.

Thats great on flat courses but all the undulations on mine (even in the fairways) make taking your hand off a huge risk as the trolley will either fall over, or veer off in a random direction due to a mound/gravity

[kiethton]

1st comp of the year yesterday and played well but scoring was a bit meh, primarily due to long, damp greens.

Managed a 35 point round/7 over gross (for 5th) but missed 3 or so very makeable birdie putts, 3 putted twice and finished with 2 points on the last 2 holes. Also got thrown a little with the 3 temporary greens on the course.

Saving grace was making a 2 on 13, the hardest par-3 on the course, after missing a 4 foot putt for 2 on 11...at least I got some 2's pot prize money back! - lets see what this round does to the index as it doesn't seem to have hit....yet (if it even does due to the temps)

[s94wht]

kiethton said:

Thats great on flat courses but all the undulations on mine (even in the fairways) make taking your hand off a huge risk as the trolley will either fall over, or veer off in a random direction due to a mound/gravity

Mine did fall over backwards a couple of times which gave me a bit of a chuckle as it just lay there, helpless

[Rojibo]

bodhi said:

Was hoping to play in winter league yesterday, but got out of bed at 7am to get down to the club for the draw at 7 45, then 10 minutes later the dreaded message went out on the Club Whatsapp group - course closed. Bah.

Nothing quite like that should I have a lie in or get up early decision pang of regret when you find out you should have just stayed in bed.

[Tycho]

s94wht said:

kiethton said:

Thats great on flat courses but all the undulations on mine (even in the fairways) make taking your hand off a huge risk as the trolley will either fall over, or veer off in a random direction due to a mound/gravity

Mine did fall over backwards a couple of times which gave me a bit of a chuckle as it just lay there, helpless

My dad saw someones trolley and bag trundle down the fairway at Stoke Park and end up in the lake so it always puts me on edge when people have their trolley on "Follow me" mode.

Rojibo said:

Tycho said:

I'd like an electric trolley but the prices are crazy even for the basic ones and it is difficult enough getting a smaller Motocaddy Cube in an MX5 that I don't think an electric one would fit.

I manage to fit my Motocaddy M1 in the front boot of my GT4 with the wheels off. The footprint is pretty small with the wheels off you’d be surprised.

I can only fit my bag without the woods in the boot and the trolley has to go in the passenger seat with them and it all just about fits. Can't really be arsed with taking wheels off etc. Might just have to get another car to go golfing with although that is stretching the man maths a little far.

[s94wht]

Tycho said:

s94wht said:

kiethton said:

Thats great on flat courses but all the undulations on mine (even in the fairways) make taking your hand off a huge risk as the trolley will either fall over, or veer off in a random direction due to a mound/gravity

Mine did fall over backwards a couple of times which gave me a bit of a chuckle as it just lay there, helpless

My dad saw someones trolley and bag trundle down the fairway at Stoke Park and end up in the lake so it always puts me on edge when people have their trolley on "Follow me" mode.

To be fair, that issue isn't limited to electric trolleys.

[Tycho]

s94wht said:

Tycho said:

s94wht said:

kiethton said:

Thats great on flat courses but all the undulations on mine (even in the fairways) make taking your hand off a huge risk as the trolley will either fall over, or veer off in a random direction due to a mound/gravity

Mine did fall over backwards a couple of times which gave me a bit of a chuckle as it just lay there, helpless

My dad saw someones trolley and bag trundle down the fairway at Stoke Park and end up in the lake so it always puts me on edge when people have their trolley on "Follow me" mode.

To be fair, that issue isn't limited to electric trolleys.

It is if it is a flat fairway

[s94wht]

Tycho said:

It is if it is a flat fairway

Ah gotcha, I read "trundle down" and pictured a hill lol

[Tycho]

s94wht said:

Tycho said:

It is if it is a flat fairway

Ah gotcha, I read "trundle down" and pictured a hill lol

yeah, this was really a high speed quest for freedom with an OAP unsuccessfully trying to keep up.

[s94wht]

Rojibo said:

Did you warm up at all? I typically won’t hit driver for the first few holes until I get a bit loosened up, or if I’ve arrived with enough time to spend in the nets (rare).

I don't think warming up would have solved my issue of barely making contact with the ball I was just setting up all wrong, didn't have the feel for it at all. By about the 17th I hit a decent drive

[Ashfordian]

Rosscow said:

It's interesting as there are studies out there that show how detrimental carrying a bag can be for not only your game but also your fitness - and the fact that you burn hardly any extra calories by carrying.

https://golfible.com/carrying-golf-clubs/

I play with guys that carry a full 14 clubs and it just makes me scratch my head, I really can't see any benefits other than having to carry due to abnormal ground conditions.

I carry, and carry the full 14 clubs. The biggest noticeable weight is a drinks bottle(1.5L) but in the winter I take half what I take with me in the summer. The weight of clubs and other accessories is minimal overall. At worst my bag weighs 15kg.

On the fitness thing, if you are playing once or twice a week you quickly get conditioned to it. I still find the actual golf swing way more taxing on the body than carrying the golf bag.

I find the worst option is a pull trolley as you are constantly resisting the pulling of it. I find this affects the timing of my swing.

Then the next worst is a push or pull trolley on a hilly course. On a hilly course (eg Royston) I can definitely see the benefit of a motorised trolley, especially when it can be used to pull you up the hills, but carrying is the second best option here.

At some point age will mean I need to move away from carrying, but by then age will be the limiting aspect of my golf game as well.

As a further note, I can find playing in a buggy negatively affects my golf. As I do it so irregularly, I struggle to get into a rhythm that walking allows you to do. There is something, and I cannot accurately describe it, about walking up to your ball than gets you into the correct mindset for the shot.

[Rosscow]

Absolutely agree regarding buggies - hateful things! Courses designed for use with buggies hold absolutely no interest to me.

I use a push trolley and at this moment in time wouldn't consider anything else - maybe with age I'll go electric but at the moment I'm keeping it simple!

[theguvernor15]

Rosscow said:

It's interesting as there are studies out there that show how detrimental carrying a bag can be for not only your game but also your fitness - and the fact that you burn hardly any extra calories by carrying.

https://golfible.com/carrying-golf-clubs/

I play with guys that carry a full 14 clubs and it just makes me scratch my head, I really can't see any benefits other than having to carry due to abnormal ground conditions.

I guess it's horses for courses, i don't see any kind of noticeable benefit or hindrance to my game by carrying or using a trolley.

I tend to use my Powakaddy if it's a comp/society or i have a bit of time, or there may be rain so i can carry a brolly & stick it in the umbrella holder.

If it's a quick round of an evening or practice i just sling a carry bag in the car as it saves me loading/unloading the car & it's something else to clean.

I have a friend who plays off very low single figures (around 3) he never uses a trolley.

My home course is paticularly hilly & steep in places & i don't really find it difficult or tiring to carry.