Discussion
Happy new year golfers!
First 9 of the new year in the bag
As I was wide awake and I’m a complete lunatic. I thought I’d get out for some fresh air. And fresh it was. It was quite possibly the wildest conditions I’ve played in. It was fun until the rain started on 8. So I played the 9th and bailed to the clubhouse for breakfast.
Surprisingly, there are two others out there.
First 9 of the new year in the bag
As I was wide awake and I’m a complete lunatic. I thought I’d get out for some fresh air. And fresh it was. It was quite possibly the wildest conditions I’ve played in. It was fun until the rain started on 8. So I played the 9th and bailed to the clubhouse for breakfast.
Surprisingly, there are two others out there.
Edited by 48Valves on Wednesday 1st January 09:59
Challo said:
Thanks will take a look.
Having read and watched a lot of golf psychology stuff. Probably too much. The things I would highly recommend are The Four Foundations
https://amzn.eu/d/3rzTaW2
and as already mentioned, Golf Sidekick on YouTube. Start with the pre Covid videos.
I’d also recommend DECADE Foundations. It’s pricey but worth it. I’d spend the money on this over Rotella books any day of the week (just my opinion). It gets a bit deep at times, but you can take from it what you need.
fat80b said:
Hobo said:
Is anyone using a LAB DF3 putter ? Contemplating buying one but are they actually as good as the reviews say ?
Putting is questionably the worst part of my game and flick between my scotty Cameron and my spiderx, so potential to save a few shots would certainly help.
I have been considering getting one. They do a custom fit thing where you video yourself and they work out the spec from the video. All reviews look good, but it's annoying that you can't try before you buy. Putting is questionably the worst part of my game and flick between my scotty Cameron and my spiderx, so potential to save a few shots would certainly help.
I think what's putting me off is
- a) the cost,
- b) the fact that a new club probably won't actually improve things permanently, and
- c) whenever I have this thought, I putt well the very next round with my current putter (A Yes Callie with a Superstroke fat grip which I actually really love).........
This made a huge difference to my early form last year and I was putting really well at the start of the year.
Obviously, having learnt this valuable lesson, I then drifted back into the old habit of no more than half-a-dozen putts before a round being the only putting practice I do.............
I had a putting lesson as I was getting frustrated with it. Turns out statistically putting was the best part of my game according to strokes gained.
I was completely under estimating how close I was to the hole. So I would get annoyed missing a 15 footer thinking I should be holing most of them.
During the lesson we measured out 8ft. And made some putts from there. Of course I holed them all. But once you realise that PGA tour players are 50:50 from 8ft it allows you to be a bit more lenient with yourself.
I was all over with my alignment and ball position, so my start lines weren’t great. I now work on that on my putting mat at home and only work on pace for 20 foot and 40 foot putts on the practice greens.
fat80b said:
Have I got stats...........I have all my scores (going back 399 rounds) 
I still record every round in golfshot as I can't bare to stop... I track GIR, Fairways hit, and number of putts here.. My lifetime putting average is 1.99 putts per hole and 2.14 putts per GIR - both of which are pants imho....
I now use Arccos for strokes gained and have stats for everything for the last 18 months or so.
I can see that over the last 40 rounds, my putting has reduced by 1.4 strokes gained (from +2.3 to +0.9 ) which confirms that my putting was better in the summer than the autumn. (in my last round though I gained +5.6 putting which was nice - a couple of good long putts and I holed 2 that I normally wouldn't for birdie)
Stats wise, my problem is length (that's what she said) off the tee. I lose 4.5 shots off the tee mostly due to my average driving distance and some 3-off-the-tee shots, but make them all back with approach, short, and putting to get my handicap to a fairly reliable 17.9.
The stats say I should get better at hitting driver as a priority, but I'm somewhat trapped because I know that my best round scores have all come from sticking to my 3 hybrid off the tee (190 ish) and keeping it in play - Conversely, my worst rounds come from persisting with driver (with the very occasional OK round).....
Sounds similar to me. When I did take Arccos it said I was losing a few shots due to scratch due to driver distance. Luckily I am very accurate with the big stick. I still record every round in golfshot as I can't bare to stop... I track GIR, Fairways hit, and number of putts here.. My lifetime putting average is 1.99 putts per hole and 2.14 putts per GIR - both of which are pants imho....I now use Arccos for strokes gained and have stats for everything for the last 18 months or so.
I can see that over the last 40 rounds, my putting has reduced by 1.4 strokes gained (from +2.3 to +0.9 ) which confirms that my putting was better in the summer than the autumn. (in my last round though I gained +5.6 putting which was nice - a couple of good long putts and I holed 2 that I normally wouldn't for birdie)
Stats wise, my problem is length (that's what she said) off the tee. I lose 4.5 shots off the tee mostly due to my average driving distance and some 3-off-the-tee shots, but make them all back with approach, short, and putting to get my handicap to a fairly reliable 17.9.
The stats say I should get better at hitting driver as a priority, but I'm somewhat trapped because I know that my best round scores have all come from sticking to my 3 hybrid off the tee (190 ish) and keeping it in play - Conversely, my worst rounds come from persisting with driver (with the very occasional OK round).....
Putting was surprisingly good, apart from longer putts. Which as I said is where I now focus my practice on. I do still struggle on slow greens. I much prefer putting on fast greens.
DuncanM said:
AndyB_7 said:
Determined to finally get involved in here after spending the last year just lurking!
Picked up golf 18 months or so ago as an 'interim' hobby whilst injured from football, and as a way to get out more with my dad and brother. Obviously became instantly obsessed and decided early last year to get a membership at a local club. Fair to say I got my moneys worth and played the best part of 100 rounds since March!
Started last year playing off around 28 but managed to get that down to 16 by the end of the year (which just dropped down to 15.2 after a good first round of 2025). Current best round is 81 so far, but generally low to mid 90s is where I'm at as there's always a blow up (or 2 or 3 or 4) on the card.
No real goals in terms of HCP for this year - feels like 15 is a nice middle ground where you never know what you're going to get each time you go out! But keen to play some different courses and get involved in a few comps at my club, and of course to be more active on here!
Welcome! That's a very sharp improvement down to 15, clearly have some natural talent Picked up golf 18 months or so ago as an 'interim' hobby whilst injured from football, and as a way to get out more with my dad and brother. Obviously became instantly obsessed and decided early last year to get a membership at a local club. Fair to say I got my moneys worth and played the best part of 100 rounds since March!
Started last year playing off around 28 but managed to get that down to 16 by the end of the year (which just dropped down to 15.2 after a good first round of 2025). Current best round is 81 so far, but generally low to mid 90s is where I'm at as there's always a blow up (or 2 or 3 or 4) on the card.
No real goals in terms of HCP for this year - feels like 15 is a nice middle ground where you never know what you're going to get each time you go out! But keen to play some different courses and get involved in a few comps at my club, and of course to be more active on here!
. Playing other courses is a great way to test your game.
AndyB_7 said:
DuncanM said:
Welcome! That's a very sharp improvement down to 15, clearly have some natural talent .
. 48Valves said:
Yes welcome. And yes, that is seriously good improvement in such a short space of time.
Playing other courses is a great way to test your game.
Thanks guys. Not so sure about natural talent, probably more down to pure obsession and playing 2,3,4 times a week! Playing other courses is a great way to test your game.
It's definitely helped becoming so familiar with my home course, as I generally don't score as well at new courses. Particularly highlighted on a trip to Malaga last year, when I was in good form and expecting to play well, only to have a bit of a stinker at all 3 courses we played.. averaging 43 putts across the 3 rounds probably didn't help though
43putts definitely won’t help
kiethton said:
Yesterday was Pearl Valley near Franchoek and finally managed to get a round going! A 76 +4 (-1 back
9!) with two balls in the water and two 3-putts (1 and 17)! Just the one course left for the SA trip now, Gary Player (Nedbank venue) in a week or so. Gratuitous photos below.
Really liking the SA golfing way too, free range/warm up, buggy's to manage the heat, beers (2 bottle front, 2 back) and the meal at the halfway house. All that plus fairly busy courses has meant a ~5hr round though... we're normally through 18 in 3-3.5hrs when playing back home!
Good golf. 9!) with two balls in the water and two 3-putts (1 and 17)! Just the one course left for the SA trip now, Gary Player (Nedbank venue) in a week or so. Gratuitous photos below.
Really liking the SA golfing way too, free range/warm up, buggy's to manage the heat, beers (2 bottle front, 2 back) and the meal at the halfway house. All that plus fairly busy courses has meant a ~5hr round though... we're normally through 18 in 3-3.5hrs when playing back home!
That place looks awesome. I certainly wouldn’t mind a long round there in the warm sunshine with a few beers.
RayDonovan said:
DuncanM said:
RayDonovan said:
Went back a few times but I was already committed to a new Driver by that point
Dispersion was marginally better (but was already ok to be fair) but I dropped the spin down from 3,500/4,000 to 2,500 which really improved the flight
That's a seriously good improvement in spin, sounds like the right driver for you! Dispersion was marginally better (but was already ok to be fair) but I dropped the spin down from 3,500/4,000 to 2,500 which really improved the flight
The fitter described it as looking for a 'rainbow' flight. Interestingly, it's a low spin head with a higher spin shaft (but lofted down, 4g lighter weight and 2° upright) simples
RayDonovan said:
Hitting into wind in the bay but working with Trackman to normalise the data. I genuinely don't think a multi-brand club fitter would've got to the final result that Titleist did. Too many head and shaft options..
I’ve had a couple of fittings there, luckily hitting straight into the wind. You have to trust the Trackman numbers. For me though, it was useful to see the real ball flight as wind into on the range is the prevailing wind. Ive had a couple of lessons with a strong sidewind. Not great when fighting a hook and the wind is blowing over 20mph right to left. We had to close the bay door
DuncanM said:
RosscoPCole said:
At his local 9 hole course my 9 year old has just reached the semi-finals of the all-sections knock out Stableford competition. He was over the moon with the result. Since he got his new clubs from Father Christmas he has gone 50 to 38 for the 9 holes. His coach says his swing has improved so much too. Here is for a great year and a big reduction in his handicap.
9 years old! That's amazing, what a great golfing life you have ahead of you with him s94wht said:
Can't win them all if you don't win the first... delighted for McIlroy. First PGA start of the year, first win, and he was absolutely blinding yesterday. This new sawn-off finish on his wedges and shorter irons worked absolute wonders.
Also really great to see Lowry up there as well, making the birdie on the 18th for solo second. I wonder if it's ever happened before that 1st and 2nd have both had a HIO in that competition? On the same day as well?
(I've not watched professional golf for that long so the answer might well be a resounding, "of course it has"!)
I watched most of the broadcast last night. I haven’t done that for a long time. I had my fingers crossed for a Rory win and was fairly confident in him. He looked pretty in control despite a couple of trademark pulled wedges. Also really great to see Lowry up there as well, making the birdie on the 18th for solo second. I wonder if it's ever happened before that 1st and 2nd have both had a HIO in that competition? On the same day as well?
(I've not watched professional golf for that long so the answer might well be a resounding, "of course it has"!)
The eagle was obscene though. Even at their level, most pros must see that and think wow, I just haven’t got that in me.
We had our first comp of the year on Saturday. Shot 83 which wasn’t so bad, most of the damage came from a pair of doubles and a triple on the last.
The weather was perfect but the course was very wet and the greens were soft and bumpy. We suffered being one of the last groups out on a Sunday. The greens cost me at least 2 shots.
I paid the penalty for not hitting fairways with a couple of comical mud balls. I could have played safer but where is the fun in that.
I’d been to the range twice in the week and had a simulator session. I hit 95% of my irons with a draw left of target. So as one would expect. On the course almost every iron was either a straight push or a bit of a fade.
Stupid game
Edited by 48Valves on Monday 3rd February 23:00
andy_ran said:
Pincher said:
Probably sacrilege but does anyone on here use an electric trolley? I’ve just got a Motocaddy S1 from FB Marketplace as it was relatively cheap.
A bit of a gamble as you never know how good the batteries are when buying second-hand but this is a 2021 model, so hopefully it’ll do 18 holes with relative ease.
Love my electric trolley! Never looked back since getting one. Happy to carry, but prefer to use the trolley A bit of a gamble as you never know how good the batteries are when buying second-hand but this is a 2021 model, so hopefully it’ll do 18 holes with relative ease.
I have a few pals who have gone all in on the remote / follow you ones, they think they are an even bigger game changer
During the winter months I carry half a set in a lightweight bag with the minimum of kit.
kiethton said:
Played in a Canadian Greensomes competition today, only went and won the thing!
Paired at random with a guy playing off 16 so worked to 11 shots, managed a +6/41 point round to win by 2 shots.
Very consistent round where we dovetailed well, poor +4 front 9 (couple missed putts/greens) and just the 1 bogey down the back. Won a golf hoody which immediately went back to the pro shop and £100 on my card - will keep me in beer until a cart bag I fancy comes up!
Excellent scoring in that format. I love a bit of Greensomes and Foursomes. Paired at random with a guy playing off 16 so worked to 11 shots, managed a +6/41 point round to win by 2 shots.
Very consistent round where we dovetailed well, poor +4 front 9 (couple missed putts/greens) and just the 1 bogey down the back. Won a golf hoody which immediately went back to the pro shop and £100 on my card - will keep me in beer until a cart bag I fancy comes up!
They say golf is all about consistency
My ball striking is generally pretty good so I’m reasonably happy at the scoring at this time of year, I just keep throwing in a couple of silly doubles.
At the weekend I was 2 over after 8 and had a 7 iron into 9. I wasn’t 100% committed to the club and thinned it into the pond.
I had 6 approaches with wedge or less and only hit the green twice, so that needs to be resolved.
That said, I was a broken man after having a nasty fall trying learn some figure skating moves on Friday night, I thought I’d broken my arm when I hit the ice. I managed to bruise both knees, both elbows, my right hip and thigh and hurt my already dodgy shoulder. I’m far too old for that s
t
My ball striking is generally pretty good so I’m reasonably happy at the scoring at this time of year, I just keep throwing in a couple of silly doubles.
At the weekend I was 2 over after 8 and had a 7 iron into 9. I wasn’t 100% committed to the club and thinned it into the pond.
I had 6 approaches with wedge or less and only hit the green twice, so that needs to be resolved.
That said, I was a broken man after having a nasty fall trying learn some figure skating moves on Friday night, I thought I’d broken my arm when I hit the ice. I managed to bruise both knees, both elbows, my right hip and thigh and hurt my already dodgy shoulder. I’m far too old for that s
t ukwill said:
Happy to join in the 7w love-in.
I only wish I’d put it in the bag years ago. Amusing that we golfers often limit our own progress due to misplaced ideas of what works for us/snobbery around club choice.
Gladly I no longer care about other people’s views on what clubs should/shouldn’t be used. 2 seasons ago, whilst struggling around the green I happily gamed a Cleveland chipper for several months. Helped my confidence which then helped me get back to chipping with a “proper” club. Would happily do it again, when needed. I really don’t need to make the game any harder!
Just use whatever works. The only thing that counts is the number on the card, not how or what clubs you used. I only wish I’d put it in the bag years ago. Amusing that we golfers often limit our own progress due to misplaced ideas of what works for us/snobbery around club choice.
Gladly I no longer care about other people’s views on what clubs should/shouldn’t be used. 2 seasons ago, whilst struggling around the green I happily gamed a Cleveland chipper for several months. Helped my confidence which then helped me get back to chipping with a “proper” club. Would happily do it again, when needed. I really don’t need to make the game any harder!
ukwill said:
It’s definitely strange. I’ve seen people who happily use gadgets to help their game, scoff about chippers and sure-outs etc.
Maybe we should all be back in itchy tweed plus fours, using niblicks and hairy golf balls?!
I’m playing Walton Heath on Sunday - I’ll probably see a few.
It’s amusing how many ‘traditionalists’ use a GPS watch and space age carbon composite clubs Maybe we should all be back in itchy tweed plus fours, using niblicks and hairy golf balls?!
I’m playing Walton Heath on Sunday - I’ll probably see a few.
RayDonovan said:
After waiting 3 or so weeks for my GT3 driver, I emailed Titleist last night who confirmed it has been delivered to my Pro shop yesterday.
7.30am this morning the club was in my hand, 7.35am I was on the 1st tee with it
Cracking first round and it's performed exactly how I wanted, averaged 240y which considering the weather and lack of roll is great. 76 gross with a -1 gross back 9 and won fk all in the swindle as usual..
Course was playing short, but decent signs
It’s nice to know the numbers during the fitting have transferred to the course first time out. 7.30am this morning the club was in my hand, 7.35am I was on the 1st tee with it
Cracking first round and it's performed exactly how I wanted, averaged 240y which considering the weather and lack of roll is great. 76 gross with a -1 gross back 9 and won f
k all in the swindle as usual.. Course was playing short, but decent signs
My driver is a bit off at the minute, I’m either catching it central but on the face, or mid heel. Neither are pleasant.
My main problem at the moment is hitting greens with wedges. The last 3 rounds I’ve only hit 5 of 15 greens with wedge approaches
My consistency continues.
Today was a tad frustrating though. Even though the course was playing long, I thought I was hitting well enough to break 80. But if you keep missing and short siding yourself, you are going to leak shots.
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