Round Report 2008

[Home-slicer]

It was disappoining afetr playing so well Thursday, but there was a silver lining though as the 0.1 I got back takes me back out to 9 for the club champs which start this weekend. So if I win the net by less than 4 shots (a shot per round) I can thank yesterdays round for it.

NaH, you sandbaggin' motherfukker!! Shame on you.
And here we go again with another Rugby thread hijacking. Knock it off you two!! Hey, I like American rules football.( a real mans' game) You know what I did?? I started an NFL thread in THE NON GOLF FORUM!!!

Back on subject. I tied my career low 93 for the third time this year. My goal is no longer to break 90 by the end of this season. It's to break 93. (Lofty ambitions, I know.) Damn I'm awesome. The left hand low grip is the truth BTW. First full round with it. 35 putts (which is excellent for my hackin' a$$.)

[Kiwi Player]

The left hand low grip is the truth BTW.

You queer, gay b@stard!

[Home-slicer]

You queer, gay b@stard!

Hey! I thought us Cleveland Launcher players were supposed to stick together! Et tu, Wiwi?

[Kiwi Player]

Hey! I thought us Cleveland Launcher players were supposed to stick together! Et tu, Wiwi?

You have a Cleveland Launcher? Why didn't you say? You ARE the man (gay putting grip and all).

Sorry I was getting carried away with that Kiwi/Aussie/little brother rivalry thing and forgot you were American. Also your signature says Maxfli Fire!

LOL

[Home-slicer]

I'll put my real bag in my sig. when I get my new clubs.(hopefully next month.) Right now I can't cause I don't even know what kind of irons I have. LOL. They are some POS Taylor Made RAC knock offs. God, my sig. would look ridiculous.

Driver- Cleveland Launcher 460. 10.5*
3 wood- generic steel head knock-off
Gaybrid- Cobra Baffler DWS 19*
4-6 iron- TM RAC knock offs.
8-SW- TM RAC knock offs. (I broke my 7 iron last year and haven't replaced it. LOL!)
Putter- PING g2i anser
Killer bag, eh?

[Kiwi Player]

I'll put my real bag in my sig. when I get my new clubs.(hopefully next month.) Right now I can't cause I don't even know what kind of irons I have. LOL. They are some POS Taylor Made RAC knock offs. God, my sig. would look ridiculous.

Driver- Cleveland Launcher 460. 10.5*
3 wood- generic steel head knock-off
Gaybrid- Cobra Baffler DWS 19*
4-6 iorn- TM RAC knock offs.
8-SW- TM RAC knock offs. (I broke my 7 iron last year and haven't replaced it. LOL!)
Putter- PING g2i anser
Killer bag, eh?

What are you getting next month?

[Home-slicer]

What are you getting next month?

Between the golf mags and this forum I'm completely confused about what gear to buy. I live in a small town with no really good golf shops. So I'm looking on-line and I find a clubfitter 2 hours away that makes custom sets of KZG clubs. This is the only guy within 2 hours of where I live that has a launch monitor and an outdoor driving range for club testing. I've never had any type of swing analysis done so that will be a big part of the decision process. Sorry to be long winded.
In theory im thinking
Ping G10 Driver.
KZG irons
wedges I'm undecided but leaning towards Eidolon.
and some type of mallet putter. Leaning toward Rife 2 bar hybrid blade.

[Kiwi Player]

Between the golf mags and this forum I'm completely confused about what gear to buy. I live in a small town with no really good golf shops. So I'm looking on-line and I find a clubfitter 2 hours away that makes custom sets of KZG clubs. This is the only guy within 2 hours of where I live that has a launch monitor and an outdoor driving range for club testing. I've never had any type of swing analysis done so that will be a big part of the decision process. Sorry to be long winded.
In theory im thinking
Ping G10 Driver.
KZG irons
wedges I'm undecided but leaning towards Eidolon.
and some type of mallet putter. Leaning toward Rife 2 bar hybrid blade.

Going to a clubfitter is a great idea. That's what I will do next time I decide to upgrade.

Good luck!

[Not a hacker]

What's happened to Elsom?

Don't tell me he's been banned? I knew he had been cited but if he is banned that is one of the biggest BS citings I've ever seen. Agree that you will miss him big time, he is a great player and you guys missed him in Auckland IMO.

Yeah injuries could be a worry for you guys, especially as the Boks tend to resort to blatant thuggery when Plan A doesn't work. We'll see how you go this weekend and then get set for the Brisbane showdown.

Agree that it will be an absolute cracker!

Elsom hasn't been officially banned but the decision was held over, which is never a good sign. I read this morning that Tahu is in line for a run on spot at inside centre, which I think will definitely worry the Kiwis. Barnes was a competent player, but Tahu has that natural brilliance and pace that will worry any side.

[Not a hacker]

Between the golf mags and this forum I'm completely confused about what gear to buy. I live in a small town with no really good golf shops. So I'm looking on-line and I find a clubfitter 2 hours away that makes custom sets of KZG clubs. This is the only guy within 2 hours of where I live that has a launch monitor and an outdoor driving range for club testing. I've never had any type of swing analysis done so that will be a big part of the decision process. Sorry to be long winded.
In theory im thinking
Ping G10 Driver.
KZG irons
wedges I'm undecided but leaning towards Eidolon.
and some type of mallet putter. Leaning toward Rife 2 bar hybrid blade.

Sounds like some common sense there HS. KZG are supposed to be the real deal and are getting a set of them custom fitted would be a better option than going in cold for other brands.

I was going to give you some advice on a change of putters but I can see you have already thought of that too. If you stick with left hand low I would definitely recommend a face balanced mallet putter. I have a centre shaft putter but have found other shafts work just as well as long as it's face balanced. One other suggestion for the putter: I find that a left hand low putting grip works better with a more upright stance but with the arms hanging straight down and the head straight over the ball. This setup has the hands lower to the ground so it might be worth demoing a few putters with a shorter shaft. Mine is 34' which feels perfect. Keep perservering with the new grip and you will soon be changing your goal to breaking 85.

[Home-slicer]

I made 3 putts Sunday that I would have never made with the traditional grip. My putting is atrocious and if I was outside of 10 feet it was almost a guaranteed 3 putt. I only had 4 3jacks Sunday and 3 of them were negated by the 3 unlikely 1putts.(all 15+ feet. I usually never make one over 10 ft.) so I am definitely sticking with the new grip.

Question: Do you overlap any fingers? I tried some with and without. and What does face balanced mean and how do you know if a putter is face balanced.

[Not a hacker]

I made 3 putts Sunday that I would have never made with the traditional grip. My putting is atrocious and if I was outside of 10 feet it was almost a guaranteed 3 putt. I only had 4 3jacks Sunday and 3 of them were negated by the 3 unlikely 1putts.(all 15+ feet. I usually never make one over 10 ft.) so I am definitely sticking with the new grip.

Question: Do you overlap any fingers? I tried some with and without. and What does face balanced mean and how do you know if a putter is face balanced.

Sounds like your putting is really on the improve. One thing I have found with the reverse grip is that even under pressure my putts still go where I aim them, so now it only comes down to reading the speed and the break, knowing that I will make a good stroke every time.

I grip it with the right thumb underneath the left thumb, and the left little finger overlapping the the right index finger.

Face balanced means when you balance the club (shaft) on your hand the face should point straight up. Most mallet putters these days are face balanced, and all centre shaft mallets I've seen are face balanced. I think it gives you an advantage because with the reverse grip you can employ the Pelz straight back straight through (not sure if I told you about that but it can be done with reverse grip and greatly improves accuracy) technique easier as the putter head wants to stay on line.

I can promise you that if you get the right putter and stcik to the Pelz SBST putting stroke you will soon be a strong putter. I was a renowned bad putter for years til I changed grips and now I'm known around my club as being a good putter. Straight uphill 10 footers are now almost gimmes for me these days, and since getting my new putter about 6 rounds ago I'm averaging around 30 putts a round (with less than one 3 jack per round) and have lost 2.2 shots off my cap. The 3 jacks will disappear as you get used to your new grip and start getting more of a feel for distance. An interesting aside is that all the 'experts' say the biggest advantage of the reverse grip is for straight short putts around 6 feet or less, but they claim that you lose feel on the longer putts. I have certainly seen a massive improvement on my holing out from inside 10 feet, but my touch on long putts is also better than it used to be too so I don't agree with the 'experts' on that one.

[Home-slicer]

I grip it with the right thumb underneath the left thumb, and the left little finger overlapping the the right index finger.

I tried with all 10 fingers on the grip (felt like all my fingers were crammed together but made for a nice sbst stroke) with 2 fingers overlapping(felt better but didn't put as good a roll on the putts) and the method you described (It was the best compromise of feel and good stroke) so that's what I am going to stick with. The short putts are still a little dicey but better than before.(That might be because I am still using a blade anser) The biggest improvement has been on long putts.
I am contemplating getting one of the Pelz putting tracks. (These rails you putt in that forces the SBST stroke.) I know it's gay and gimmicky but if it gets my stroke reliable and repeatable, I am willing to try it.

[Not a hacker]

I tried with all 10 fingers on the grip (felt like all my fingers were crammed together but made for a nice sbst stroke) with 2 fingers overlapping(felt better but didn't put as good a roll on the putts) and the method you described (It was the best compromise of feel and good stroke) so that's what I am going to stick with. The short putts are still a little dicey but better than before.(That might be because I am still using a blade anser) The biggest improvement has been on long putts.
I am contemplating getting one of the Pelz putting tracks. (These rails you putt in that forces the SBST stroke.) I know it's gay and gimmicky but if it gets my stroke reliable and repeatable, I am willing to try it.

The dicey short putts are definitely down to the Anser. They are good putters but not cut out for the reverse grip SBST stroke. When you get a better fitting putter and get used to the SBST stroke the short putts won't be an issue. I can honestly say that when I'm standing over a short straight putt I have no thoughts going through my head except 'this is going in the middle of the cup'. I haven't missed anything from inside 4 feet since getting the new putter. Don't know if the rails will help you out, but might be worth a try.
The other two tricks of the trade I can relay from my experience are the stance and the use of the shoulders. I stand with my feet way open but with my shoulders and putterhead pointing down the target line. I know that they always tell you to line your feet up along the target line but I find it more relaxed to have an open stance and think the only thing that really matters is where your shoulders, arms and putter head is pointing. The other tip I would recommend you try is to use a rocking of the shoulders with straight arms and locked wrists back and through the ball. I know that Pelz recommends the shoulder rocking technique (Phil is a classic example of it even though he uses a conventonal grip) and I can guarantee it is much more solid on the less than 10 footers, and at the end of the day that's the distance where your putting can make up the most shots. I have picked up at least 2-4 shots per round by holing out more from the 6 to 12 feet range.

[Home-slicer]

. The other tip I would recommend you try is to use a rocking of the shoulders with straight arms and locked wrists back and through the ball. I know that Pelz recommends the shoulder rocking technique (Phil is a classic example of it even though he uses a conventonal grip)

So you use the completely straight arms a la Phil, huh? Hmmmm. Haven't tried that yet. I have a 34" putter (I am right at 6' tall) and when I've tried that in the past with a standard grip, even the 34 felt too long. I want to find a stroke and groove it before I try out and pick a new putter. Someone returned a taylor made monza spider to my home courses pro shop and I tried it out (34") I did pretty well with it.

[Not a hacker]

So you use the completely straight arms a la Phil, huh? Hmmmm. Haven't tried that yet. I have a 34" putter (I am right at 6' tall) and when I've tried that in the past with a standard grip, even the 34 felt too long. I want to find a stroke and groove it before I try out and pick a new putter. Someone returned a taylor made monza spider to my home courses pro shop and I tried it out (34") I did pretty well with it.

I keep my left arm pretty straight (not ramrod as I still want some feel i it) but obviously the right arm will be a little bent because of the position of the hands on the grip. I think my putter is a 34 inch (I'll check it again with a tape measure tonite) but I like to hold the club towards the middle of the grip so 34 is ok for me. If you like to grip it at the top you may need a shorter shaft. It's also important to make sure you have a full follow through so you don't decelerate on the through stroke. I have a shorter backswing than followthrough and find that it makes me accelerate through impact and I get a more solid strike and more consistent distance control.
I would recommend you get yourself a new putter that fits your new stroke asap. Trying to learn this new technique with an ill fitting putter will force you to make compensations to fit the putter and you don't want that. I've never used a monza spider so can't comment too much on them but I've found all TM putters to be a little harsh feeling for me. But if it works for you go for it. I'd suggest you go to a pro shop or a super store and just hit a few different putters til you get one that provides a good roll. I've also heard you can get fitted for putters these days so it might be worth trying that too. Personally I would also recommend you ignore the brand and price when trying putters. Just keep looking til you find one you like and buy it, whether it costs $200 or $20.
Good luck and look forward to hearing about your soon to be completed sub 90 round.

[Kiwi Player]

I read this morning that Tahu is in line for a run on spot at inside centre, which I think will definitely worry the Kiwis. Barnes was a competent player, but Tahu has that natural brilliance and pace that will worry any side.

Spot on as usual.

Tahu was brilliant wasn't he!

After that we'll rename him Ta Who?

[bjdrivers]

I put it on the old man today for my 35th birthday. 2&1 I played from the tips (7009 yds) and he was on the whites (6113 yds). Great match. I held a 1 up lead until he won the 9th to square it. I took another 1 up lead on 11 and went 2 up on the 16th to go dormy. He missed a 3 footer that would have won him the 17th.

The G10 driver was on today, didn't keep stats but I was striping it. Makes the game a lot easier and helps when he gets 40 yards or more per hole due to the tees.

http://www.thecourseateaglemountain.com/Default.aspx

[Horseballs]

It was the big member-guest at the SPCC this past weekend. There are 12 flights of 6 two-person teams based on the combined handicaps of the team. You play a 9 hole match against each other team in your flight and it's one best net ball. If you win a hole you get 1 point and if you tie it's half a point, with another point going to the winner of the 9.
It was raining off and on all day for our first 3 matches. Our first match was a walk, with us winning 8-2. I shot a very solid +1 with 6 pars to open plus a bird on 7.
The next match we won 7-3 against a team I thought would be a serious contender. I shot another +1 with 6 pars, 1 bird and 2 bogies.
The third match was against my nemesis at the SPCC. He is a very solid 3 cap who knocked me out of the club championship by parring me to death. Worst ball-striking match for me by far but I drained 2 par putts from 25 or more feet and shot even par. We were losing the match until the 7th hole. I birdied 7 and 8 and parred 9, and we won 6-4.
The fourth match was against the lowest point total group in our flight, but their good player was lights out. 300 yards off the tee on every driver hole. It actually threw me off a little to watch this guy hit the ball. They won 6.5-3.5 and we felt lucky to keep it that close. I shot 38.
Our last match was a victory lap of sorts. We won 8-2. My 17 cap partner finally started hitting some good shots and we won the last 4 holes outright.
We finished with 32.5 and got into the playoff, which was a true alternate shot. This is where we choked like Sergio. I hit the tee shot on 1 which hit the top of a tree, but left us with a relatively easy 100 yard shot that had to be just slightly low. He tops it and leaves us 65 yards to a back pin. I hit my 58 wedge (which had been so money all week) with a little punch, it hits hole high and bounces a couple feet off the back (total choke job). My partner kind of chunks the chip to the fringe about 12 feet away and I miss the putt. We took 6 and were the first group eliminated.
We did get this ugly as hell flight winner trophy that is firmly planted on my mantle. It displaced a couple of family photos. I expect the trophy to be mysteriously lost within a year.

[lorenzoinoc]

The stresses from the Ryder Cup and your wife's third trimester appear to have led you to violate your own standards on post length. I invite you to head to the SPCC or local watering hole and have a four martini evening on all of us here at GR.

Guys, to avoid the administrative hassle of dividing the tab, I'll pick names from a hat and have HB PM you with what you owe him.

[GrainFlowForged]

Crappy day, decent round. Long story short shot 82 with 2 triple bogey 7s. It was pouring rain, cold and windy for about the last 13 holes. I felt good as I was getting some breaks but in the end a few good shots that got unlucky lies cost me a round in the 70s on a tough day....shot 39/43 (triple bogey on both sides). Probably hit no more than 4 fairways but my misses were very manageable. Only 3 putt came on the 18th for a bogey....

[GrainFlowForged]

My round yesterday:
-5 greens...
-3 birdies....
-7 FW.....
-5 pars....
-1 Quadruple bogey 9 (on a 440 yard PAR 5?) WTF? Im still in shock, it is tough because of a tree blocking the 2nd shot but if you are on the left side its a routine birdie or par at worse...I of course went right...
-Bogeys: to many to count
-Doubles: Plenty....
Went on to shoot an 86 after being 1 under through 4 (out in 41, came in with 45 after a birdie on 10....)

Weird round, easiest course ive ever played and it made me look like a major chopper....Playing a much tougher course today but one that I shot my personal best 76 on.

[Not a hacker]

Played the third round of the club champs on Saturday and I'm now officially out of the running. Had a real mixed round. Had a quadruple bogey on a short par 3 after hitting into a bunker, getting a perfect lie, then having my playing partner (a chopper) hitting one next to me, hitting his shot, then trying to do the right thing by softly raking the sand where I had to place, resulting in a **** lie (light fluffy sand over the top of hard packed clay). Highlight was draining a 20 footer for eagle after driving a par 4 (258 metres uphill with wind behind, flew it to about 10 metres short of th green then rolled into dead centre). It's the first time I've driven that green for a while and was a relief as I was starting to think I may not be as long as I used to be. I was playing a ProV but changed to a D2 distance for that hole, awesomely long ball.

[Kiwi Player]

It was a relief as I was starting to think I may not be as long as I used to be.

Whilst I'm sure your fiance will be pleased to hear that NAH it's too much information for us here at GR.

[Strick]

Had a crazy round today on my home course. Been fighting a cold for two weeks and taking a bunch of over the counter medicine. First 13 holes I was 9 over with no birdies, I hadn't had two consecutive good shots all day to that point. Then finally on a 515 yard par 5, I hit a good drive followed by a great draw fairway wood to the front collar. Hit the 80 foot lag putt to 6 feet past the hole and make the 6 footer for birdie. Next hole par 4, good drive followed by solid iron shot to 6 feet, make that for birdie. Next hole par 4, good drive followed by solid iron shot to 6 feet, make that for birdie. Next hole 480 yard par 5, great drive to 175 yards out followed by great hybrid shot to 6 feet, make that for eagle. Last hole par 3, hit solid iron shot to 20 feet, lip out birdie attempt for tap in par. Best 4 hole stretch I've ever had preceeded by 13 holes of nothing, go figure.

[finnk]

Played a decent round couple of days ago, hit my irons really well but could not putt at all. Unless the hole is really long I tend to tee off with a long iron, I did hit a couple of great woods (> 250yards). What really killed me was putting and short game as usual. You can checkout all the details (score/map/stats/putts) at http://www.teedroid.com/home/roundview/101

Got sent out as a single after two foursomes so there was a lot of waiting at times. Hard to keep focus going. I tried practicing chipping while waiting but to me it seemed like my short game actually got worse. Really had to start waiting on the 6th hole, and you can see how that lead to the first double. But still, it is golf

[Not a hacker]

Played a decent round couple of days ago, hit my irons really well but could not putt at all. Unless the hole is really long I tend to tee off with a long iron, I did hit a couple of great woods (> 250yards). What really killed me was putting and short game as usual. You can checkout all the details (score/map/stats/putts) at http://www.teedroid.com/home/roundview/101

Got sent out as a single after two foursomes so there was a lot of waiting at times. Hard to keep focus going. I tried practicing chipping while waiting but to me it seemed like my short game actually got worse. Really had to start waiting on the 6th hole, and you can see how that lead to the first double. But still, it is golf

I'm not one to give technical advice, but lately my chipping had become diablolical and I decided to get out and practice and discovered something. After much trial and error I stumbled upon one simple swing thought that had me hitting solid chips again. I tried to empty my mind of the myriad 'tips' about chipping which weren't working and instead focussed purely on hitting down on the back of the ball with a descending blow on all chips. I suddenly started htting the ball solid and the confidence returned. I used it on the weekend and got the same result, no yips or chunks. The touch and feel is yet to fully return (hit alot past the hole as you would expect), but I am making consistent ball first contact again so it's only a matter of tie til the feel returns. It's funny how you forget the importance of hitting the sweet spot when it comes to the short game. I read an article recently where the pro said perfect contact on chips and putts is even more important than on full swings, but is something very few players (even pros) achieve. Hope this is of some help.

[lorenzoinoc]

For me, the contact formula is loose, relaxed grip and slow rythm. When my distance control stinks, it's usually one or both of those things.

[finnk]

I'm not one to give technical advice, but lately my chipping had become diablolical and I decided to get out and practice and discovered something. After much trial and error I stumbled upon one simple swing thought that had me hitting solid chips again. I tried to empty my mind of the myriad 'tips' about chipping which weren't working and instead focussed purely on hitting down on the back of the ball with a descending blow on all chips. I suddenly started htting the ball solid and the confidence returned. I used it on the weekend and got the same result, no yips or chunks. The touch and feel is yet to fully return (hit alot past the hole as you would expect), but I am making consistent ball first contact again so it's only a matter of tie til the feel returns. It's funny how you forget the importance of hitting the sweet spot when it comes to the short game. I read an article recently where the pro said perfect contact on chips and putts is even more important than on full swings, but is something very few players (even pros) achieve. Hope this is of some help.

Suggestion is much appreciated. Going out to play again tomorrow, different course, but I will let you know how it goes. Hitting down on the back of the ball is one of the techniques I usually employ, it just did not work last time. Skulled several and careened them across the green (lucky for me I was playing a single). I totally see what you are saying about clearing the mind, when things don't work on my full swings that is usually what I try. Couple of deep breaths, clear my mind, practice swings, and usually it all comes back to me. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to practice short game and putts before heading out as well.

[finnk]

Played a round today - 7 stroke improvement for an 86 (40 front, 46 back). Granted the course, Blackhawk (Austin/TX), does not have tall rough, it is barely a penalty over being in the fairway. Another note is that I had never played the back nine before so not too surprising I did not do as well as on the front.

I did really concentrate on hitting down on the ball, I think it worked based on performance. I played good golf, irons as usual were the strong points of my game. With putting/short game what I need to work on, I even 3 putted the first hole. Had a good string of pars on the front (2-6). Only a couple of pars on the back though. Instead of reading about it, take a look here: http://www.teedroid.com/home/roundview/107

[KoolCat]

Well, I have not had any memorable rounds lately, but I was reminiscing the other day about a round that I had about 14 years ago. It was the summer before my senior year of college and I had just finished an internship in the Jacksonville (FL) area. I started the summer as an 18 handicap, but was fortunate enough to get out 2-3 times a week after work to hit balls. I was living in a condo on a public course that was pretty dead in the late afternoons. I would get home from work around 6 and go out and walk a loop of 4-5 holes that were far enough from the clubhouse where the ranger never cared to go. I would make that loop 2, 3, or even 4 times and play 10-20 holes.

I was playing a set of Wilson Staff FG-51 Tour Blades. As an 18 handicap, I probably had no right playing those sticks. However, playing the blades helped me go from an 18 handicap to a 14 in just 6 weeks. I practiced more than I played and would usually hit more than one ball on every approach shot. Doing that while playing those blades really helped me to groove a decent swing.

Anyway, on to the round. The highlight of my summer came the Monday after I finished my internship. I got to play TPC Sawgrass, Stadium Course. I had played this course on the computer hundreds of times and had watched The Player’s Championship every year for the past several years. I had always dreamt of playing that course. Here is what was in my bag at the time (to the best of my recollection):

Taylor Made Burner Tour Preferred Driver
Taylor Made System 2 Midsize 3 Wood
Taylor Made Burner Tour Preferred 5 Wood
Wilson Staff FG-51 Tour Blades (2-PW)
Ram Tom Watson Sand Wedge (56)
Titleist Bullseye Putter
Titleist Tour Balata 90’s

The round started off so-so. We played from the blues and I pulled my 3 metal off of the first tee into the pine straw left of the fairway. I ended up taking a 5. Most of the round is a blur as all you can think about is that Island Green on 17. I ended up shooting a 45 on the front, which was not too bad for a 14 handicap. I played much better on the back nine and was 4 over going into 16. I got a par on the par 5 16th and headed for the infamous 17th hole at Sawgrass. The pin was on the front left, lower portion of the green. The tees were back about where the pro’s play from. It was playing about 135 to the middle and maybe 120 to the stick. If I were going at the pin, I would have hit the PW, but instead pulled the 9 and set my sites on the middle of the green. I hit the ball a few grooves up on the face and skied it just a touch. Instead of hitting the middle of the green, it hit maybe 10 feet past the hole and spun back down the slope a little closer to the hole. When I got up to my ball, it had spun back into its own pitch mark about 3 feet from the hole. I swear that if it did not get stuck in that pitch mark it would have been an ace. I made the 3 footer for birdie and bogie 18 to play the last 3 holes even par. To this day, that was probably the closest I have ever been to getting an ace. Can you imagine getting your first ace on the 17th at Sawgrass? I probably would have quit the game right then, not even playing 18, so I could say the last golf shot I ever hit was an ace at the 17th at Sawgrass…

I finished with an 85 on the toughest course I had ever played. My best score to date was an 83, so this was a career round for sure. Using the slope and rating for the blue tees at Sawgrass, I remember calculating that this would have been like shooting a 77-78 on an average golf course. Definitely one of the most memorable rounds I ever had, although I remember very little about the round other than teeing off and playing the island green. It’s crazy, but when you play that course, especially for the first time, it is difficult to think about anything other than the 17th hole during the entire round.

[Horseballs]

First round in 3 weeks yesterday. We were supposed to have the first tee time, but these old bastards jumped in front of us. They must have been out in the dark, but we still caught them after 3 holes and watched them fart around the rest of the way in. They actually weren't too slow, but the fact that we had to wait at all is a little annoying. Oh well.

I was pretty rusty off the tee. I usually don't hit a ton of fairways, but my misses are usually manageable. I had a few that absolutely stymied me. I also didn't make any putts over 5 feet.

[Kiwi Player]

First round in 3 weeks yesterday. We were supposed to have the first tee time, but these old bastards jumped in front of us. They must have been out in the dark, but we still caught them after 3 holes and watched them fart around the rest of the way in. They actually weren't too slow, but the fact that we had to wait at all is a little annoying. Oh well.

I was pretty rusty off the tee. I usually don't hit a ton of fairways, but my misses are usually manageable. I had a few that absolutely stymied me. I also didn't make any putts over 5 feet.

Don't leave us in the lurch HB. What'd you shoot?

[Horseballs]

Don't leave us in the lurch HB. What'd you shoot?

80. I took bogies on 15 - 17 for no reason whatsoever. I did birdie 18 with a tap-in though.
We've got our closing day scramble this Saturday. It's called Greenskeepers Revenge. The course setup is ridiculous. Pins will be on the worst slopes (one was on a false front last year we took a 6 after hitting the green in two in a scramble). A flag was also cut in a two inch PVC pipe right on the fringe, and on a hole where you don't see the putting surface, the flag was in the way back while the hole was on the front. It's a fun round.

[Kiwi Player]

80. I took bogies on 15 - 17 for no reason whatsoever. I did birdie 18 with a tap-in though.
We've got our closing day scramble this Saturday. It's called Greenskeepers Revenge. The course setup is ridiculous. Pins will be on the worst slopes (one was on a false front last year we took a 6 after hitting the green in two in a scramble). A flag was also cut in a two inch PVC pipe right on the fringe, and on a hole where you don't see the putting surface, the flag was in the way back while the hole was on the front. It's a fun round.

80 is a pretty good score HB.

I just wanted to know whether you had broken 93, the yardstick by which all Mizuno MP-32 blade toting golfers are measured!

[Not a hacker]

Yesterday I was reallistically looking at a first ever par round. I stood in the middle of the 15th fairway at even par after 3 bogies/3birdies, but to my horror I realised that I had left the 53 wedge out of my bag after playing a longer course last week and putting in the strong 3 wood. I had perfect distance for the 52 but had to decide between the PW or
56. After much consternation I pulled the PW as I had a bunker in front. I tried to hit a half shot in but my arms got a little behind and I pushed it out a little right, landed on a flat bare patch and bounced OB. I hit another in the front bunker and couldn't get up and down to take triple. The thing that really bugged me was that I was in total control of my game at the time and hit a good tee shot on that hole which took a wicked left kick off the fairway which robbed it of about ten metres, which made me hit a less than full shot. I recovered to par the last 3 holes but I will always wonder what could have been.

To make matters worse I got this mornings paper to see that in the teams event we came second to the local cheats who once again used the magical pencil t post a winning best ball score without losing any shots off their handicap. I won A rade for the day and reduced my cap by 0.6 whcih has me sitting just outside 8 again.

[jesse.day]

I played Cedar Creek a municipal course here in San Antonio. Its a tough layout and its not helped by the fact that 99 percent of all players there used a cart and won't take the time to repair ball marks on the green.

It was sprinkling for the first nine and I shot 3 doubles, 3 pars and 3 bogeys. As usual 2 of the bogey's were GIR with a 3 putt. To my surprise one of my doubles was a GIR. Back nine shot 1 double, 2 pars (both saves), and the rest bogey's. Again 2 GIR's with 3 putts. Its frustrating as chit to play this course because there are ball marks everywhere and they have too many weeds on the green. Wish I could blame the conditions but 38 putts speaks for itself

[Horseballs]

I like the layout of Cedar Creek, but found it to be crowded to the point where I avoided it.
SA has some great tracks. I didn't get a chance to play all the publics, but my favorites by far were The Bandit and Pecan Valley.

[edgey]

Hi

Omen old pal, you and i have disagreed on many things, sometimes harshly but i do respect your knowledge on Jap forgings sooooooooooo

I am at the point where my game has improved and i now have the validation of she who must be obeyed to purchase WHATEVER irons i want.

For the record i do NOT want Mizunos so please lets remove these from the equation and i do not want specialist one off forgings as the cost is silly.

My heart says Miuras, but i do love the look of the Cally proto X forgings. I know they aint Jap but i like them for some unknown reason.

I may go to blades or possibly players CB.

Any other thoughts??

I expect some jibes and thats cool but something constructive would be good

Edgey

[Kiwi Player]

Hi

Omen old pal, you and i have disagreed on many things, sometimes harshly but i do respect your knowledge on Jap forgings sooooooooooo

I am at the point where my game has improved and i now have the validation of she who must be obeyed to purchase WHATEVER irons i want.

For the record i do NOT want Mizunos so please lets remove these from the equation and i do not want specialist one off forgings as the cost is silly.

My heart says Miuras, but i do love the look of the Cally proto X forgings. I know they aint Jap but i like them for some unknown reason.

I may go to blades or possibly players CB.

Any other thoughts??

I expect some jibes and thats cool but something constructive would be good

Edgey

Edgey

This is worthy of it's own thread. Why are you posting it in the round report sticky?

P.S. the Miuras get my vote, but then again what would I know?

[Not a hacker]

Edgey,

If the finance minister has authorised the purchase, you would be absolutely mad not to follow your heart and go for Miuras. The Cally proto's look okay, but there is no way in the world you will get a set off the rack that will be anywhere near the quality of Miura forgings. Miura's are made to stricter tolerances than any other forged iron, and from recollecton they come SST pured standard. They make full blades and players cavities so you will have plenty of choice.

This sounds like a once in a lifetime deal, if you don't go for the Miuras you will regret it.

P.S. If you do go for the Miura's, you will seriously have to ditch the Lovett wedge (if you really have one and are not putting it in there to take the piss) or you wll receive a lifetime ban from the forged iron playing fraternity.

[Horseballs]

I played 9 holes on Friday and 18 on Sunday.
I was 2 under after 7 on Friday, only to bogey the last 2. One was a 3 putt, the other was missed up and down.
My bad momentum carried into Sunday as I shot a pretty sloppy 83 from the white tees. I kept putting myself to around 230 - 245 yards for my second shot on the par 5's and I just kept going for the green with 3 wood. Terrible results. I figure I normally play the SPCC's par 5's in about 1 under, but I was 3 over yesterday.

[poe4soul]

Played 18 yesterday on the 71.3/140 course. Shot 77 with 34 putts on healing greens. I usually putt in the high 20's on good greens. Hit 11 of 14 fairways and the 3 I missed were just off the f/w. Played the pars threes 1 under and it should have been two under. This is the first sub 80 round in about a month. I've been working on my release and been having a terrible time off the tees. Looking forward to the next round to see if it was a fluke.

[jesse.day]

I like the layout of Cedar Creek, but found it to be crowded to the point where I avoided it.
SA has some great tracks. I didn't get a chance to play all the publics, but my favorites by far were The Bandit and Pecan Valley.

I played Pecan Valley today. I was wicked sore from a leg workout (calves pic requests should be forwarded to Strokegizz). Shot an 85 with 46 on the front and 39 on the back. Back was better play because I had a few beers to kill the soreness. The practice green was in great condition. I was really excited to see the greens on the course. Then the sanding machine came out and they played like crap. Will be playing the course in the future but I think that its an easy layout compared to Cedar Creek. Too bad the same management company doesn't acquire Cedar Creek and turn it around.

[Gus Riley]

Played a new course (to me). It's slope is 122, a rating of 71.7. Par 72. Carded a 92. My golf partner scored better by 2. During the game I was as far back as 7, so with his mistakes and a little positive effort from my game I gained five strokes on him.

My highlight was that I rediscovered my flying elbow...I corrected this and began hitting my clubs better with no fat shots. The downside is this discovery occurred after the 6th hole. 1st hole was a triple bogie, 2nd a single, and third a double and so on. After this I was able to get on for a few birdie putts, but most for par attempts. I only made one birdie, and 5 pars. So the bogies were still pretty much the rule. It was a cold and windy day here.

As mentioned before I am making my golf come-back after a fifteen year absence from this great game. When I quit I had a 10 handicap, still a hacker, but what the hey. I am older now and found I had to redo my golf equipment. New driver, 3, and 5 woods....I added a 7 wood (love it!!). Next I reshafted all of my 845s...They were all stiff shafts...I found I was not strong enough to get through them...Regular flex is better as long as my swing is not too seriously flawed.

I'm making progress. I'm shooting around 18-20 over on most days, and that is on a course with a 138 slope. I only have 10-11 games on since my return. The season is almost over here. I hope to get a game or two in Virginia in the next couple of weeks. Can't hardly wait for spring!!

[Home-slicer]

I got in 9 holes this afternoon. (For those new to the board, I'm the resident hack) Shot a 43. Best nine ever for me. if I had putted worth a sh!t, I would have shot in the 30s. I've never birdied a par 3 before today. It felt strange writing a 2 on the scorecard. I've never had 2 birdies in an 18 hole round, much less 9. The second was a par 5, from 100 yards, stuck a SW to 1 ft. Of course I had a snowman, a 7 and a 6, but I'm not here to talk about my lowlights for once.
For 6 of my 9 today, I felt like a golfer, damnit!

[Horseballs]

I got in 9 holes this afternoon. (For those new to the board, I'm the resident hack) Shot a 43. Best nine ever for me. if I had putted worth a sh!t, I would have shot in the 30s. I've never birdied a par 3 before today. It felt strange writing a 2 on the scorecard. I've never had 2 birdies in an 18 hole round, much less 9. The second was a par 5, from 100 yards, stuck a SW to 1 ft. Of course I had a snowman, a 7 and a 6, but I'm not here to talk about my lowlights for once.
For 6 of my 9 today, I felt like a golfer, damnit!

Time for some muscleback blades if you ask me.
I'm playing in a scramble on Saturday.

[Not a hacker]

After 3 consecutive rounds f breaking my handicap (even though the stupid course rating only meant I ost 0.6 isntead of 1.4) I had the inevitable crap round on the weekend. It started by my first shot of the day bouncing straight right from the middle of the fairway and nestling in a sh!t lie 2 inches from the fairway but with a huge farkin tree in my way. This set the tone for the round and I proceeded to shave the hole on the high side numerous times, and chip and putt like a spastic in general. Hit some great full shots but didn't take advantage of it and ended up 7 shots over my cap. Worst round for ages. Will be playing mid week this week to get some much needed time out on a real course.

[Gus Riley]

Went out to a course that is short and kid friendly. Brought my 9 year old niece out to play. She finished 9 holes in 50, pretty darn decent game! I played 18...wasn't hitting very good. I have a sore right elbow...had a hard time finishing my swing. Left a lot of shots out to the right. Still, I shot a okay score...16 over. But the course is very easy and short...no traps and no water. Not very challenging at all.

Tomorrow I hope to get out again. Home course has 138 or more slope, it's narrow and much longer with plenty of sand and water. Hopefully my elbow will feel better.

[Home-slicer]

Time for some muscleback blades if you ask me.

No doubt. As soon as I decide between on 1 iron vs. 4 wood, I'm pulling the trigger on some Miuras.

[Horseballs]

Went out to a course that is short and kid friendly. Brought my 9 year old niece out to play. She finished 9 holes in 50, pretty darn decent game! I played 18...wasn't hitting very good. I have a sore right elbow...had a hard time finishing my swing. Left a lot of shots out to the right. Still, I shot a okay score...16 over. But the course is very easy and short...no traps and no water. Not very challenging at all.

Tomorrow I hope to get out again. Home course has 138 or more slope, it's narrow and much longer with plenty of sand and water. Hopefully my elbow will feel better.

Golf Buddy would have knocked off at least 5 strokes.
My scramble got cancelled so we played at a club I haven't played in years. It was pretty hokie from the tips (I don't think anyone plays from the back tees, since the membership is old as dirt). There were several tee shots with overhanging trees requiring either a slice (not a powerfade) or punch shot just to hit the fairway. One was on a 550 yard par 5. Started out with 3 pars, then held it together despite some bad ballstriking, but took a triple on 9 from 165 out in the fairway. The back nine was a putting exhibition. A "how not to putt" exhibition.

[Gus Riley]

Golf Buddy would have knocked off at least 5 strokes...

Only if it was a skycaddie and came complete with Peter Jacobsen swinging my irons. I was also using the day to get acquainted with a new putter. Like the putter but it is going to take some work.

Enough of this computer! It's 0815 and I got a tee time to meet.

Birdies to all!

[The Purist]

I hope to get a game or two in Virginia in the next couple of weeks. Can't hardly wait for spring!!

If you want to be humbled, go play Royal New Kent (in between Williamsburg and Richmond). Last week, I took a 9 on a par 4. I hooked a drive into a about a 12' deep bunker to the left of the fairway. I had to wedge it out sideways. I hit the green with my next shot to the left middle of the green, but the pin was on the side of a hill and these greens are really fast. It was impossible to stop the ball near the hole. My first putt was above the hole, and it nearly rolled off the green. My next putt barely missed the hole, but the ball roled back about 15 to 20'. I missed 3 more 15 footers before finally sinking one. http://www2.cybergolf.com/sites/cour...=356&page=9231

[Horseballs]

If you want to be humbled, go play Royal New Kent (in between Williamsburg and Richmond). Last week, I took a 9 on a par 4. I hooked a drive into a about a 12' deep bunker to the left of the fairway. I had to wedge it out sideways. I hit the green with my next shot to the left middle of the green, but the pin was on the side of a hill and these greens are really fast. It was impossible to stop the ball near the hole. My first putt was above the hole, and it nearly rolled off the green. My next putt barely missed the hole, but the ball roled back about 15 to 20'. I missed 3 more 15 footers before finally sinking one. http://www2.cybergolf.com/sites/cour...=356&page=9231

That's a bullsh!t pin if the ball can't stop near the hole.

[The Purist]

That's a bullsh!t pin if the ball can't stop near the hole.

It was laughable. I should have shot a cell phone video of it. You could set a ball right beside the hole and it would role back 15' everytime. That was the only hole that you couldn't stop it close on, but it was hard to be aggressive on any of the holes (putting wise).

[Kiwi Player]

Shot 82 in our Annual Ham & Turkey shootout. Ball striking was good but my putting let me down again. Only one 3 putt but I missed another 3 short putts that were only 3-4 feet.

On a couple of occasions ball striking was almost too good. A couple of times I hit 9 iron on holes that I am familiar with that were sailing straight at the pin and ended up at the back of the green (pin in front) or right over the green which is really frustrating.

[Horseballs]

It was laughable. I should have shot a cell phone video of it. You could set a ball right beside the hole and it would role back 15' everytime. That was the only hole that you couldn't stop it close on, but it was hard to be aggressive on any of the holes (putting wise).

I don't know if there are any firm guidelines for setting pin placements, but when I used to work maintenance on a golf course, our superintendent wouldn't let us cut the cups on any slopes. That's Mickey Mouse bullsh!t to turn a golf hole into a putting contest.
I can remember the same thing happening to my group a few years back. We were playing skins and had 5 or 6 carryovers going into a par 3 where no one was getting any strokes. I hit a shot to 10 feet while the rest of my group either went in the water or missed badly. It was impossible to get the ball any closer than 10 feet and no one made better than a 6, which won the hole (not me). Total bush league.

[Gus Riley]

Got 27 in today. The day was 78-80 degrees, clear, but windy. Played my home course 138 slope. 42 on the front, 44 on the back, then 43 on the front again. For my game right now this was an exceptional day on the course. Got my driver straightened out about halfway through the back 9. What is really important is I figured out my problems with my irons...flyaway elbow. I didn't hit a fat shot in 27 holes today!! Out-a-sight! When my driver got straight (kept my left elbow straight!) this made my middle game so much easier. My real downfall was my lack of familiarity with my new putter (bought it yesterday). I like it, and I feel it will come around with more practice.

I think my game is about to come around! Alright!!

[Gus Riley]

Got another 27 in today. WOOHOO!! The season is about over here. It was 75 degrees out today...but the wind was brutal!!! This wind carries an oncoming front with it. Tomorrow is suppose to be COLD and wet! So goes the season I think.

Posted a 45 on the front and a 41 on the back...86 again. All was pretty good today. My putting was weak, and I had a bonehead shot or two in the middle. My game is coming around very well. A score of 86 on a slope of 138 ain't too bad for me.

I turned and played the front nine again and acheived a 41. Too bad I can't replace the first nine with it. An 82 would be nice. It got dark so I couldn't get another back nine in to match up with the second front.

Looking forward to Thanksgiving and some golf out in Virginia...weather permitting.

[Horseballs]

I got to play yesterday for the first time in 3 weeks. As discussed in an earlier thread, the inlaws are living with me for the next week, so 40 degree weather is more than adequate for a round of golf. We had a frost delay until noon and greens were frozen about half an inch below the surface. Not even Wiggles would be spinning the ball, but on an unrelated note, the bump and run with the 60 was in full effect.
I started out par, birdie, birdie, but 3 jacked a green and missed a shorty (after lob wedge bump and run). Finished the front +1. Shot a Mickleson-esque 43 on back for an 80, including a nice run of double, bogie on the last two holes.

[Not a hacker]

I got to play yesterday for the first time in 3 weeks. As discussed in an earlier thread, the inlaws are living with me for the next week, so 40 degree weather is more than adequate for a round of golf. We had a frost delay until noon and greens were frozen about half an inch below the surface. Not even Wiggles would be spinning the ball, but on an unrelated note, the bump and run with the 60 was in full effect.
I started out par, birdie, birdie, but 3 jacked a green and missed a shorty (after lob wedge bump and run). Finished the front +1. Shot a Mickleson-esque 43 on back for an 80, including a nice run of double, bogie on the last two holes.

Look on the bright side HB. Just imagine how bad your score could have been if you weren't a member of GR and had access to such insightful techniques as the LW bump and run.

[Not a hacker]

I'm going out on a limb here and calling it before I play.

After feeling lacklustre and having results reflecting it, I feel like I've got my mojo back and am jumping out of my skin with enthusiasm to play. I'm boooked in tomorrow at a local course and have a feeling I'm going to go low (which for me these days means anything under 80). And yes Kiwi it's a real course, not my goat track nine holer. It's a par 72 championship course at a tick over 6,000 metres. My body feels loose and good so there will be no excuse. I've put myself on the spot by making a prediction, but if I don't score well tomorrow I have no excuses.

I'll post the score here this time tomorrow.

[poe4soul]

I played this last weekend and one of our regular 4 some was 2 over going out. He made the comment after his straight tee shot that he has found his golf swing. He shot an 81. The wheels started coming off just after he made the statement. A chili dip chip, a couple of missed putts and a topped drive.

Be careful NAH the golf gods can be cruel especially after blasphemy. Good luck.

[Kiwi Player]

I agree with Poe on this one. I don't know how many times I've been playing with someone who is driving the ball well or putting well and someone comments or compliments them on it. At the very next tee or green they usually slice their drive or 3 putt.

If I'm playing well I don't want to discuss it until the 19th.

So I will be interested to hear how NAH's round goes after his bold prediction!

[Horseballs]

I agree with Poe on this one. I don't know how many times I've been playing with someone who is driving the ball well or putting well and someone comments or compliments them on it. At the very next tee or green they usually slice their drive or 3 putt.

If I'm playing well I don't want to discuss it until the 19th.

So I will be interested to hear how NAH's round goes after his bold prediction!

Not sure how his round will go, but I know for a fact that his rugby team is a bunch of pansies. They can't scrum for sh!t! Right Kiwi?

[Kiwi Player]

Not sure how his round will go, but I know for a fact that his rugby team is a bunch of pansies. They can't scrum for sh!t! Right Kiwi?

I promised no more rugby smack talk until next season and I am a man of my word....


........ oh what the hell.

Yeah they're sh*t alright! Useless cheating b@stards who have gotten away with hell for years by bluffing the ref.

Now they think they're gonna improve just because they've paid a fortune for the second best Kiwi coach available but they're sadly mistaken if they think that Canterbury sheep shagger can turn a bunch of soft c*cks Wannabees into world beaters.

Phew, glad I got that off my chest.

[Not a hacker]

Without wanting to hear the "I told you so's", You told me so! Overconfidence strikes again.

When I got there yesterday I found out that it was their once a month 'back plate challenge' day where you play form the tips and they put the pins in tournament positions. Yesterday once again showed me that in the world of golf I am still a chopper. I stared badly and got worse form there. I duck hooked my opening tee shot, which led to an opening double, and 45 shots later I truned for the back nine with a 46 on the card. I was staring down the barrel of a Omenesque score after doubling the par 5 11th from the middle of the fairway after a 260 metre drive, but I got some lucky bounces and canned some good putts coming in and limped home with a 42 for an 88. No excuses, my game just was nowhere near good enough to stand up to the huge jump in class of playing a championship course set up in tournament conditions compared to the goat track I play. I missed way too many approaches on the wrong side of the pin early and was left with no chance of an up and down (it was like a remedial lesson on why they call them sucker pins), and my confidence just deserted me after that. I hit a high percentage of fairways (9 from 14), but from there I was a chopper. The fact that it was a mid week comp and they didn't shave the greens down was the only that saved me from going over 90.
One thing yesterdays debacle did do was show me the stark contrast between what us weekend warriors have to contend with and what the greenkeepers are capable of doing to make it fit for tournament conditions. It was like a different course totally. It also showed me that course management becomes more important as the conditions get tougher. I could have saved myself at least 5 or 6 shots by ignoring the pins and going for the middle of greens. There were 3 occassions where the pin was in such a ridiculous sopt Tiger would have left it alone and gone for the middle of the green, but idiot me went for it and ended up dead.

All in all the experience once again demonstrated to me how good the pros are, and how useless I am.

[Kiwi Player]

All in all the experience once again demonstrated to me how good the pros are, and how useless I am.

I won't say I told you so. We appreciate your honesty. Hell this is the internet. You could have told us you hit 9/14 fairways 12/18 GIR and the putter was on fire for a 76.

This deflating experience will probably lead to sub 80 round next time out.

[Not a hacker]

I won't say I told you so. We appreciate your honesty. Hell this is the internet. You could have told us you hit 9/14 fairways 12/18 GIR and the putter was on fire for a 76.

This deflating experience will probably lead to sub 80 round next time out.

I'm playing my par 62 goat track on Saturday so I bloody well hope so

[Kiwi Player]

I'm playing my par 62 goat track on Saturday so I bloody well hope so

Well I meant on a par 72 track.

Alright then a sub 70 round!

[poe4soul]

Oh well, there's always next time. The rounds I've shot the best was when I had no anticipation of a good score. Usually struggle with my warm up and just walk out there, tee it up, and whack the ball around the track. Seems like expectations are the easiest way to ruin a good score.

That being said I've been hitting the crap out of the ball on my last two range sessions and I'm sure I'll be killing it this weekend.... (I never learn.)

[lorenzoinoc]

I found a couple of flaws in my driver swing recently and now it's really coming together. It's fun to be able to not fear the driver and have a little confidence. For me the trick is to feel confidence but have no expectations, particularly as to score. Played in Palm Desert today. The weather was absolutely perfect and had one of my best rounds

[Horseballs]

Played in Palm Desert today. The weather was absolutely perfect and had one of my best rounds

OK, I'm beginning to resent you warm weather and Southern Hemisphere bastards.

I never have any idea when a exceptionally good or bad round is going to show up. Sometimes I'll cruise into the course 5 minutes before my round, tee off with my shoes untied and play great. Other times I'll feel great, hit balls and putt, but stink up the joint. The one thing that has improved in the past couple years is my consistency. My "bad to average" rounds would still be sub-80. Still yet to break par on 18 though.

[Not a hacker]

That's the spirit Poe. I think one of the things golf lacks, especially at tour level, is brashness and cockiness. I think the pro's should strut into the pre-tournament press conferences full of trash talking bravado like a boxing weigh in. I'll get the ball rolling by saying that with my supreme golfing skills I'm gonna murder the course this weekend, and if I don't whip the rest of those no talent bums at my course by at least 5 strokes I'll walk around the club with my pants (cargo shorts of course) around my ankles.

[lorenzoinoc]

I'll walk around the club with my pants (cargo shorts of course) around my ankles.

Sounds like you've decided to go back to meat.

[lorenzoinoc]

I never have any idea when a exceptionally good or bad round is going to show up. Sometimes I'll cruise into the course 5 minutes before my round, tee off with my shoes untied and play great. Other times I'll feel great, hit balls and putt, but stink up the joint.

Same here. Although there are a couple of different times when I usually play my best. When my putting stroke feels great in warm-up and I'm seeing the line, and hangover rounds. I seem to find my rythm when I'm after a night of solid drinking and maybe a couple of hours sleep.

I don't drink heavily that often but if I need to to fix my swing tempo, I will.

[Kiwi Player]

Same here. Although there are a couple of different times when I usually play my best. When my putting stroke feels great in warm-up and I'm seeing the line, and hangover rounds. I seem to find my rythm when I'm after a night of solid drinking and maybe a couple of hours sleep.

I don't drink heavily that often but if I need to to fix my swing tempo, I will.

Yeah me too.

Some of my best rounds have been when I am so hungover I can see three balls. I just aim for the one in the middle and having three balls to aim at vs one really increases the odds of solid contact.

[Horseballs]

I also guarantee that if I get to play in the next month I will absolutely dominate the course. I will eat its children, bite off its ear, etc.

Disclaimer: There is no chance in hell I will be playing within the next month.

[poe4soul]

Not a bad showing this weekend. I played 18 friday and saturday on a 6500, 71.7/125 course. Shot a 79, 78. Couldn't hit a F/W to save my life on friday but my irons were playing well and hit many greens for difficult lies and angles and had 3 x 3 jacks.

Saturday I pounded the ball off the tee. Hit 9/14 F/W and my missed F/W's were just off in the rough. Missed more greens but was more digressive on my approaches and got up and down most of the time w/ 29 putts.

[Dyna]

I don't know if there are any firm guidelines for setting pin placements, but when I used to work maintenance on a golf course, our superintendent wouldn't let us cut the cups on any slopes. That's Mickey Mouse bullsh!t to turn a golf hole into a putting contest.
I can remember the same thing happening to my group a few years back. We were playing skins and had 5 or 6 carryovers going into a par 3 where no one was getting any strokes. I hit a shot to 10 feet while the rest of my group either went in the water or missed badly. It was impossible to get the ball any closer than 10 feet and no one made better than a 6, which won the hole (not me). Total bush league.

Played 2 courses late in the year & both were setup as worst pin locations. Cups cut into the sides of severe slopes, right on the top of a ridge, etc. Real pain in the as5 & on most of the holes you felt lucky to get away with a 2 putt as 3-4 was the norm.

[Strick]

I had an absolutely crazy golf weekend. After going 2 years without shanking a wedge, starting about a month ago, I've been shanking my 54* and 58* wedges on shots from 40 to 85 yards almost every time. So whenever possible I've resorted to pitch and run for that yardage range. Friday before our competition, I took 11 balls to an isolated practice area and attempted to hit my 54* wedge each ball twice. Result was 5 pulls and 17 shanks. I almost pulled out of the competition but decided to just avoid using the 54* and 58* wedges and go ahead and compete. Went out and shot a 73 with 4 birdies and 5 bogeys. As odd as Friday's round was, Sunday's round was absolutely special. I pulled off what has to be a fairly rare 666 round for an amateur: 6 birdies, 6 pars, and 6 bogeys. Even more rare is that the 54* and 58*(scoring clubs) did not contribute to any of the birdies. I also pulled off the 222 birdying: 2 par 3's, 2 par 4's, and 2 par 5's. Birdied the 1st hole par 4 with pw from 115yds to 15ft. Birdied the 3rd hole par 3 with 8 iron from 140yds to 15ft. Birdied the 6th hole par 5 with pw from 110 yds to 1ft. Birdied the 9th hole par 5 with a jaw dropping punch/cut 7 iron off a dirt lie from 115 yds out partially behind the trunk of an oak tree over a frontal greenside trap to 20ft. Birdied the 15th hole par 3 with 6 iron from 155 yds to 5ft. Birdied the 18th hole par 4 with 7 iron to 15ft short of the green and 35ft to the hole, only a minute after one of my fellow competitors had drained a down hill 70 ft putt from the back fringe. Amazingly the most birdies I've had in a round was 7 in Montana in 2006 in which all 7 birdies were within 4ft. and my same 54* and 58* contributed to 6 of them. Crazy game sometimes.

[Kiwi Player]

Shot 77 on Saturday. 7 Pars, 3 birdies and 8 bogies.

My putter wasn't exactly on fire but it was working and I made most of the putts that I should have with no three putts which is a big improvement for me as my putting had been diabolical over the past few weeks.

One of the birdies was a nice putt that I read perfectly, another was a bit of a fluke as I stroked the ball too hard on a downhill putt and if it hadn't gone in I probably would have been looking at a 6-8 footer coming back and every chance of a three putt. The third birdie was a par 5 that I reached in two with driver, 19* Rescue and just made my two putts.

Played similarly on the same course on Sunday but shot 81. 8 pars, 8 bogies, 1 double and 1 birdie. I three jacked a couple this time which was annoying. I birdied the same par 5 again. This time I hit an ordinary drive and left myself a long way out almost in the trees. I decided to use my 3 wood to try and hit a low stinger under some overhanging branches. I didn't keep it low but I got lucky as I really nailed it and it sailed over the branches within inches of hitting them and came to rest on the left fringe of the green pin high.

Some days you just get lucky

[hdmyg8586]

Has anyone bought this type of sling shot before that holds the amo in the handle? http://www.liangdianup.com/sporting_1.htm
this company has free shipping to anywhere in the world and they guarantee delivery to Australia. I heard that sling shots
are ok to sell in Australia as long as you say they are being used to toss bait in the water when you go fishing, any truth
to thatone?

[Horseballs]

I played yesterday at the SPCC. It was supposed to be 54 degrees with 20mph winds gusting up to 40. It never got to 54 degrees and thankfully the winds weren't as bad as the forecast, but still very windy. First time even hitting balls for a long time. I'm at the range hitting wedges and things are going OK. Then I start shanking everything that has a hosel. Now it's my tee time and the last shot I hit on the range was a half swing shank with a pitching wedge. I only shanked once out on the course, but the threat of the shank made my first 6 holes pretty terrible (lots of thin shots and 2 WTF chunk pitches). I turned in 44 and lost every possible skin to a 14 cap who shot even par (WTF?). I shot an even par 36 on the back, but still lost every skin because a chopper (19 cap) shot a 42.

[lorenzoinoc]

I turned in 44 and lost every possible skin to a 14 cap who shot even par (WTF?). I shot an even par 36 on the back, but still lost every skin because a chopper (19 cap) shot a 42.

And I thought the sandbaggers around here were bad. Sounds like both of these guys saw you shanking on the range and got in line to play you. You're to be commended for not killing them and leaving them in the woods.

[Horseballs]

Both of these guys are in my regular crew so I can vouch for their chopper status. I do think the 14 is a bit of a sandbagger, but I doubt he's doing it intentionally. He is just lazy with posting, but is otherwise a very honest guy.
He was getting some good breaks and putting the freaking lights out from inside 10 feet. He must have made 5 or so 8 footers for par on the front nine. He also beat me for the 18 for the first time in several years.

[lorenzoinoc]

It's no fun losing net, never mind gross, to a double digit even if only for 9 holes. But well done coming back from the shanks and a 44 to shoot 36 on the back, and on a cold day no less.

[Not a hacker]

I played yesterday at the SPCC. It was supposed to be 54 degrees with 20mph winds gusting up to 40. It never got to 54 degrees and thankfully the winds weren't as bad as the forecast, but still very windy. First time even hitting balls for a long time. I'm at the range hitting wedges and things are going OK. Then I start shanking everything that has a hosel. Now it's my tee time and the last shot I hit on the range was a half swing shank with a pitching wedge. I only shanked once out on the course, but the threat of the shank made my first 6 holes pretty terrible (lots of thin shots and 2 WTF chunk pitches). I turned in 44 and lost every possible skin to a 14 cap who shot even par (WTF?). I shot an even par 36 on the back, but still lost every skin because a chopper (19 cap) shot a 42.

Fukn chopper! Gettin hosed by a couple of dopuble digit hackers.

[lorenzoinoc]

I played lights out yesterday, except for one long, difficult hole on the back that has a huge, steeply sloped green. The pin was at the bottom. My ball came to rest 30 feet or so above the pin. The greens were fast and generally in this situation, on this green, you breathe on the ball to just barely get it going and hope it doesn't roll to the bottom which would give you around a 20 foot two putt.

Well I tapped the first putt and thought I might have given it too much. But it stopped 12 feet above the pin. I couldn't believe it. Picture a ski jumper coming to a stop midway down the ramp. I just got the second one going, missed it and of course this time the ball made it to the bottom. Missed the comebacker for a four putt. Can't remember if I ever four putt a green before. That hole took me from a shot at a seriously low round for me, to just plain nice round territory.

I spoke to my son this morning and he was in the same exact situation on this hole yesterday in a later group. He four putted the exact same way. Neither of us felt we made a bad putt. He, however, had made 5 birdies on the front from the far back tips and was on pace to break the course record until that hole.

Somehow I feel responsible.

[Horseballs]

I played lights out yesterday, except for one long, difficult hole on the back that has a huge, steeply sloped green. The pin was at the bottom. My ball came to rest 30 feet or so above the pin. The greens were fast and generally in this situation, on this green, you breathe on the ball to just barely get it going and hope it doesn't roll to the bottom which would give you around a 20 foot two putt.

Well I tapped the first putt and thought I might have given it too much. But it stopped 12 feet above the pin. I couldn't believe it. Picture a ski jumper coming to a stop midway down the ramp. I just got the second one going, missed it and of course this time the ball made it to the bottom. Missed the comebacker for a four putt. Can't remember if I ever four putt a green before. That hole took me from a shot at a seriously low round for me, to just plain nice round territory.

I spoke to my son this morning and he was in the same exact situation on this hole yesterday in a later group. He four putted the exact same way. Neither of us felt we made a bad putt. He, however, had made 5 birdies on the front from the far back tips and was on pace to break the course record until that hole.

Somehow I feel responsible.

He'll probably end up hating you forever.
We have a hole like that too. I usually resign myself to having a 3 putt when I'm above the hole.

[lorenzoinoc]

He'll probably end up hating you forever.
We have a hole like that too. I usually resign myself to having a 3 putt when I'm above the hole.

I think that's where the genetics come in. We're both reticent to just take our medicine. He in particular is trying to can the 50 foot snakes instead of thinking position on the second putt.

[Home-slicer]

. Can't remember if I ever four putt a green before.

My frist round of golf, I hit a par 3 green with my tee shot. I was stunned. The green was huge (which was why I hit it) but I was thinking about my first par despite the 50 ft. putt. (Keep in mind I was 34 years old and had never putted on a green that wasn't astroturf and didn't have clown heads or windmills.) 6 putts for my quadruple 7. Nice.

[lorenzoinoc]

Ok, here in bowels of winter, through the rains and mud, all of a sudden I'm playing as well as I ever have. I worked on some things the last couple of months and have hated the way I was hitting the ball. GIR was way down and I was leaning hard on my short game. Now it looks as though that work is paying off.

Today it was breezy and in the low 50-s and again shot lights out. My friends are going through the typical winter struggles and I'm in the zone ($$$ although it's only what I've given them recently).

The rains are gone and the forecast is for high 60-s low 70-s through New Year's. I'll be out there every day.

[ForeOnRoad]

I haven't been on GR much, but here is my 2008 round post...I finally broke 70 after 33 years of playing...'bout time hehe.

http://www.mygolfdomain.com/member.p...und&round=6695

13 GIR, 30 putts, and 3 under with no worse than par on the back. I didn't have a great start...after getting back-to-back bogeys early on I said that was enough 5's. This was during men's league weekly play in a team Chicago tournament. We won the back and 18. I kept the ball hehe.

Here are all of my scorecards:

http://www.mygolfdomain.com/member.p...4&which=scores

[lorenzoinoc]

Congrats on breaking 70. BTW, aren't you guys supposed to be getting dumped on in SLC? Just the mtns?

[pingman360]

well i hardly ever give a round report but i figure i may as well...

the most recent time i have played was this last friday (i try to play once or 2x a week... and practice daily)... i shot a 73 with one birdie and 2 bogey's... i hit the ball very well missed 3 GIR's, had 8 putts at birdie from 10ft or less and only made one of them... i've been kinda rebuilding my swing, or refining it over the winter and it appears to finally be working... i've been working on getting more upright to be on plane thus avoiding any re-routing that i have to do... well basically if i could have putted halfway decent i may have had a good round but maybe next time...

[ForeOnRoad]

Congrats on breaking 70. BTW, aren't you guys supposed to be getting dumped on in SLC? Just the mtns?

Thanks. It was the next to last round of the men's league season at Bountiful Ridge. I followed it up with an 85 there the last week hehe. I'm really looking forward to next season and playing to win in state tournaments instead of playing just to play. I have my handicap down to 1.8.

I went snowboarding two days ago. Solitude had 22 inches of new fresh powder over 24 hours. I live down the road from there about two miles below the canyon. There is still tons of snow everywhere...maybe the most I have seen over a few day period in the valley. Anyone that visited for Christmas for the week or more and to ski/snowboard is having a great time.

Today, I'm going to watch football...tomorrow I think I'll go fly fishing. It will be a little warmer and sunny.

I might post a snowboarding photo later...got breakfast going now.

Those that haven't used my game tracker should check it out...the site is still going four years later, still just costs me time and money (about a $2,500 loss so far), but I enjoy using it...just need a lot more traffic.

[ForeOnRoad]

Here is a photo from snowboarding at Solitude the day after Christmas.

a very white Christmas

[lorenzoinoc]

Here is a photo from snowboarding at Solitude the day after Christmas.

a very white Christmas

Honeycomb Canyon is great after a big dump. I've put a lot of days in moreso in Little Cottonwood, particlarly Snowbird, one of my favorite places.

[Strick]

Started the year off right this morning in our New Year's tourney. Shot a 2 under 70. Had 1 bogey and 3 birdies. 15 GIR's on a 20 mph breezy morn.