Tell us about your game today...

First topic message reminder :

.. or yesterday or whenever your last game happened.

I played this morning - just a bounce game with one of my regular partners.

There had been a big competition yesterday at the club so the course was a bit quieter today than one might expect for a Sunday. 11:20 tee off as a two-ball and lots of other two balls out there with a couple of quick 4-balls so pace of play was brisk.

Those who have read my posts recently will know that I've been suffering with a nasty foot/ankle injury for a few months and it's just great to be out there at all at the moment. Thankfully the foot came through with flying colours though I think I've been favouring it for the last couple of weeks still and after the game today my knee was playing up but with luck that will just be a temporary setback.

A glorious day though in the Thames Valley with above average temperatures and the course was in remarkable nick for mid March.

The match itself was close for a long way. I felt I was playing reasonably well after not playing much of the winter and after losing the 2nd I levelled it on the 3rd and was one up after nine. Though I felt I was playing better than my opponent I couldn't shake him and he hung in there until I went 2 up on 15. Closed it out on 16 but was made to work for it.

Although it was matchplay I kept an estimated Stableford score and came in with 32 (estimated) points which I wasn't too disappointed with given lack of recent regular play. One NR and a couple of holes where a 3 pointer was well withing my grasp and ended with 1 point (short game was actually pretty good apart from those two nightmares)

Now looking forward to next weekend and a Stableford competition where I've been drawn with last year's captain and next year's!

Played Club Championship qualifying rounds this weekend. One round in nice hot sunny weather with a hint of a breeze. The second in terrible pouring rain and wind although it was still warm enough for shorts.

Didn't think I was going to make the championship flight and was happy to be going for king of the also rans in A flight. Scraped into the big boys league by 1 shot from a friend who I called a penalty on, on day 1. Not that he was bitter and twisted about it when he reminded me after round 2.

I don't feel guilty about it, I even yelled NO at him when I saw what he was going to do. We had a discussion on the situation and then he didn't really speak to me for about 4 holes until another penalty was called on a different guy in the group. He said if it was a penalty then he accepted it but went onto say that no one else would have applied the penalty in any of the other groups. When I mentioned this to the fourth person in our group it was nice to hear that if you don't play by the rules then it's not golf and its just the game, sometimes the rules help, sometimes they don't.

He calmed down a little bit after that and things seemed to go back to normal but I did smile when he went and found the decisions on the rules of golf and was looking through it after the round.

On another note I saw some interesting wildlife on the course. I'm not sure who was more scared in the situation, the bobcat with the groundhog in its mouth thinking is this bar steward trying to steal my lunch or me thinking hmmn should I go with the lob wedge or grab the sabre tooth putter to stop him treading on my golf ball, it's in a rudey poo enough lie as it is.

Anyway next week knockout off the back tees against the number 1 seed who bombs it a mile. I think I might have to play full contact golf to have a chance.

Grumpy, what was the penalty you called?

Ray - Removal of loose impediments from a bunker. There was some grass clippings about 4-6 inches or so behind the ball roughly in line with his swing path. I didn't think it would affect it but he moved them despite me yelling at him when I saw what he was about to do.

The other one was for the guy who had a 6 inch putt that became a 5 inch putt after he jabbed at it and then he picked it up. He was 5 off the tee and lipped out for an 11 so he was a little frazzled! Poor sod then followed that with a 10 on the next hole.

Hi 1GG - good to see you back in the sunny weather again. Make the most of it, you'll be up to your oxters again soon enough.

Regular Tuesday night bounce game. Really slow out there tonight and we could only manage 14 holes before dusk set in.

However, I was on fire!!!! 5 over par after 14 holes and that included a triple on the 9th. I wasn't driving as well as I have been doing, but the rest of my game was - for me - spot on, including 3 up and downs from bunkers, long irons and chips were really solid and my putting was the most secure I have seen it for years. *sigh* Hope it lasts.

1GrumpyGolfer wrote:Ray - Removal of loose impediments from a bunker. There was some grass clippings about 4-6 inches or so behind the ball roughly in line with his swing path. I didn't think it would affect it but he moved them despite me yelling at him when I saw what he was about to do.

The other one was for the guy who had a 6 inch putt that became a 5 inch putt after he jabbed at it and then he picked it up. He was 5 off the tee and lipped out for an 11 so he was a little frazzled! Poor sod then followed that with a 10 on the next hole.

Fair enough, he should know the rules, although it's a hard penalty to take as moving the grass clippings probably didn't even improve his lie... as for picking the ball up in a medal

Ray - I agree it's a tough penalty for something relatively minor, however it wasn't as if I watched him do it and then yelled Penalty. I yelled at him and he could of stopped and asked why.

OS - sounds like you're back in good times golfwise. I'll enjoy the weather while it lasts although I'm not sure how long the course will remain open. It might be closed well before the white rudey poo comes along.

The missus even suggested I take Friday off to prepare for the big boys championship and then play late afternoon with her in couples golf. Apparently I've got chores in the middle to keep me busy.

Society day (36 holes) yesterday at Whittington Heath nr. Lichfield which I would definitely recommend if you're ever in the area looking for a game.

Played absurdly well and driving (which has been the bane of my Summer) is definitely back on the right track. 70 (level but should have been 3-4 under, 36 putts!) in the morning and 72 in the afternoon. All is right with the World again!

I’m a 6 handicap and I’ve had one of my most satisfying weeks on the course. Club foursomes semi-final on Tuesday- playing 2 notoriously unpopular individuals who use all the tricks in the book to try get walkovers and who possess handicaps 5 or 6 shots above their level of play. One of these gents I had a bust-up with about 8 years ago when I was a student working in the club bar and we have never spoken since so this was a particular grudge match. I have never been as determined on a golf course (and I am an extremely competitive individual!). Started out on the 1st by holing a 30 footer for a half and that I just seemed to hole every putt I had, I think it was pure will and concentration. We won on 15th, a very satisfying victory.
I brought my brother in law (non-golfer) to play par 3 golf last evening as my own course is a fairly challenging links. Proper 18 hole par 3 course with holes ranging from 100 to 220, averaging about the 150-160 bracket. Walked off the 18th with one of the biggest smiles ever after a round. I had a grand total of 7 2s! Turned level par, then bogeyed the 11th before birdies on 12, 14, 15, 16 and 18 for a 23 on the back 9 and 50 total.
Weeks like that which keep us golfers coming back for punishment!

NBS - Did Whittington Heath used to be called Whittington Barracks GC? If so, used to drive past it regularly and have always wanted to play it. It has been highly recommended to me in the past.

Well done Jeffkenna

Let us know how you get on in the final.

Another 37 points today. Can you get cut for being very, very consistent?

I had four doubles and one triple. I keep saying the biggie is going to come, but it's not

Thanks Doon the Water- will do.
Mercurio- You can get cut for general play- the handicap committee can take review your handicap if you are consistently getting single's scores as you mention above or if you are winning prizes in things like fourballs foursomes 4 person team events etc.

Bounce game with good mate Doug today ans shot 78 gross with 12, yes 12 putts from less than 12 inches. Do ya sense a theme here? No 3 putts and 30 in total

30th B'day Celebrations involved a game at the Kings Course on Thusday and a game at my home course on the Friday. Thursday was a sickener, I drove the ball great but couldn't hit my irons well at all until the back 9. Even hit a shank or two and that never happens to me.

On the Friday I got the iron play back, but a blimp on 9 and 11 wrecked my card. There are only 4 holes where you cant go left off the tee, and these are two of them. I have battled a big pull hook all year and when it creeps in it is massively left and a complete card wrecker on these holes.

It was a bittersweet couple of days, really enjoyed the days out, could have played better the first day and the the following day two poor tee shots spoiled me getting my best round this year. Playing well in patches, just need to work on my consistency. I got some golf lessons for my birthday too, hopefully can make the difference.

Rangiora wrote:Bounce game with good mate Doug today ans shot 78 gross with 12, yes 12 putts from less than 12 inches. Do ya sense a theme here? No 3 putts and 30 in total

Rangiora

I'm not quite sure what you mean by 12 putts within 12 inches? That is pretty normal to have a lot of tap ins, are you saying that you expected to hole all your putts rather than have some miss leaving tap ins?

drive4show wrote:

Rangiora wrote:Bounce game with good mate Doug today ans shot 78 gross with 12, yes 12 putts from less than 12 inches. Do ya sense a theme here? No 3 putts and 30 in total

Rangiora

I'm not quite sure what you mean by 12 putts within 12 inches? That is pretty normal to have a lot of tap ins, are you saying that you expected to hole all your putts rather than have some miss leaving tap ins?

Yup I'd expect to have have holed at least a third of them . Our course was shut last week due to snow and then open over the weekend and same hole had been used for 3 days so around the hole was like a upturned doughnut, definite rising 6 inches around the hole from where everyone has stopped to get their balls out !!. It was neigh impossible to dead weight the ball into the hole and if hit at pace often left with tricky one coming back , if that makes sense.

Ah right OK, I see where you are coming from now. When putting from any distance, I'd be pretty pleased to leave it within 12 inches of the hole.

I'm normally pretty good from 12 inches and in

drive4show wrote:Ah right OK, I see where you are coming from now. When putting from any distance, I'd be pretty pleased to leave it within 12 inches of the hole.

I'm normally pretty good from 12 inches and in

That's not what Mrs D4S said
"Half that" were her words

MustPuttBetter wrote:

drive4show wrote:Ah right OK, I see where you are coming from now. When putting from any distance, I'd be pretty pleased to leave it within 12 inches of the hole.

I'm normally pretty good from 12 inches and in

That's not what Mrs D4S said
"Half that" were her words

She tells lies

drive4show,
Are you in MB?
Are you keeping an eye on the hurricane barrelling thru' the Caribbean?? Might reach MB by the end of the week.

hi kwini

No, we fly out on 2nd October, 6 weeks today will be our first round.

I'm sure conditions will be perfect by the time we get there

Are you down at HH this year?

Just because i'm nosey/curious - where are MB and HH?? Miami Beach and Hemel Hempstead???

Ah! Good thing perhaps!! Autumn usually perfect down there, passing storms excepted.
Don't think HH is in the plans this year; the excuse for the past four years has been my lad at college down there but he's now moved on and, unless there's a change of heart from my family, HH will have to make do without us. Unfortunately!

MustPuttBetter wrote:Just because i'm nosey/curious - where are MB and HH?? Miami Beach and Hemel Hempstead???

Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head.

You have to be in the D4S/kwini brotherhood to know these things

Got ya!
And now i feel like i am!

MustPuttBetter wrote:Got ya!
And now i feel like i am!

OK...but you have to swear an oth of secrecy! You mustn't tell anyone that our real names are Bodie and Doyle

drive4show wrote:OK...but you have to swear an oth of secrecy! You mustn't tell anyone that our real names are Bodie and Doyle

I hereby solemnly swear.........

Wee 9 hole knock about and played pretty well.

On another thread I said that 'you are always one shot away from disaster'.

Well I only hit one bad shot today, it was a three wood at a short hole and it went about 150 yards dead straight and about 100 yards off line left.
Seriously wierd shot.

melton Mowbray last night first time really pleasant course/clubhouse/company.
Best golf for me all year dropped about 10 as we won 3 and 2.had to wait for the last match to finish in pouring rain where our guys won 2 of the last 3 for a half and won us the match.last match of a very enjoyable season.
Few weeks back I mentioned my friends son shooting a nett 60.Following week he shot gross 73 nett 66 to take the nett championship and cut to 6,At the weekend he played the 36 hole gross with a level 73 in the first round(cut to 5) but unfortunately went defensive and score 82 in the second to loose by a shot to a very experienced player.Great few weeks for the lad who started the year at 12 and a bit easier for me to play him for money over the winter

Played my new local course, West Hove, for the second time yesterday. Nice track if a few too many blind holes and sloping fairways which Im not a fan of, Id join if another Diggers junior wasnt due to arrive which will curtail much golfing activity next year.
Anyway best Ive played all year, which isn't saying much and a good score only ruined by 3 balls lost in the semi which is really annoying as it really wasn't that long and none of the shots were more than a few yards offline.
Still very nice to feel like i could almost play the game again. Even holed some nice putts.

Great day, course the best I have seen it, quiet course today nice little 3 hour round.

We played a Bogey match today for a bit of fun. My playing partner, Deadly, had not played this format before and after I had explained how it works told him that all square would be a good score.
After 10 holes I was 4 up and Deadly 2 up both playing very well .
We fell away a bit at the end to finish 2 up and level.
Deadly had two close calls for his first hole in one.
Away day at St Andrews soon and a match with Jas at Belleisle to look forward to forward to.

Not the round I've just played.. but one I'm playing on Monday on the Montgomerie course at Carton House ( http://www.cartonhousegolf.com/ ) - a course used for the Irish Open.

Thing is, I'm playing with a girl.. who plays of +1 and played on the American collegiate tour for ladies and represented Ireland at amateur level. I've seen her play before, and she's so going to kick my @rse. Wish me luck.

Bob
Make sure she plays off the mens tees so you can keep a bit of dignity.
For those who don't know you can pass her off as a long haired lad.

Club championship first round and won 5 and 3 with 2 birdies on 14 and 15 to finish the match off, another 78

Quarter finals next week

Pro's day today. 8am shotgun start (there is another this afternoon).

Started on the 13th and played very steadily except for a total meltdown on 3 holes in the middle of my round (4,5,6)

Our last hole was the 12th which was nearest the pin and I got inside the leader by about 2 inches! I originally thought there was a morning and afternoon prize so would have won it as the last group to play it but I now believe it's an all day comp so hope no one gets inside it this afternoon! (it was about 3.5 feet from the hole)

30pts so not too displeased considering the meltdown in the middle of my round

First game as a dad, after 3 weeks off with new baby. Playing in swindle off 9 against my club hcp of 11 I had 33 pts with 2 blobs and nothing holed over 5 feet (and only one of them!). 32 putts on 16 greens, 9 of which were hit in regulation. So long game pretty good but short game lacking as one would expect after a layoff.

So, Davie, did you win the closest to the pin? At least you got another go at in the afternoon.

My round sucked moose balls today. Had a strong case of can't be arsked, pulled it together to play the last 7 holes in 2 over with a nice birdie on the last. Got teamed up with my motormouth mate but luckily someone else had to ride with him.

1GrumpyGolfer wrote:So, Davie, did you win the closest to the pin? At least you got another go at in the afternoon.

Don't know yet. I didn't play the afternoon round and I've checked the members' website but no results sheet up yet. May not find out till next time I'm down the club

yesterdays medal cancelled due to a wee bit of overnight rain. course re-opened at 9.30 so managed to get a game in after all. similar situation to yourself 1GG. one of our fourball was pretty chatty all the way through. felt like having a monty-like strop when distracted for the 20th time at the top of my swing, but kept it cool and took their money despite shooting a crappy 35pts. never really in the zone and somehow managed three 3putts inside 10 feet. i've never played with anybody who talks through your shots. i pointed out at one point that the tee was only ever quiet when he was on it. all hints seemed to go straight over his head. good thing it wasnt a medal in the end as there was no way id have been able to stay focussed on my game. if i get paired with him again i'll need to request an extra 2-3 shots on my hcp to give me a chance.

SmithersJones wrote:First game as a dad, after 3 weeks off with new baby. Playing in swindle off 9 against my club hcp of 11 I had 33 pts with 2 blobs and nothing holed over 5 feet (and only one of them!). 32 putts on 16 greens, 9 of which were hit in regulation. So long game pretty good but short game lacking as one would expect after a layoff.

Many many congratulations SJ and of course to Mrs SJ - I look forward to seeing some piccys at the next meet up.

Spent the last 2 days playing Driffield Golf course with a mate. Not overly long, but some very nice well thought out holes, a couple of devilishly tricky holes, 3 very deceptive 'short' holes and a few places where the shoulders could be opened. The crowning glory however, was 18 of the very best greens I have played on in a long, long time. They were true, ran like the devil, had hidden breaks and took a pitch. They were also very obviously well tended by the members, because I hardly saw any unrepaired pitch marks! A pleasure and could probably go on to the hidden gems list.

Congratulations again SJ and is it a master SJ or a miss?

My game today was cricket after being persuaded by my son to play in a Lads v Dads match. Gave up cricket over 10 years ago to concentrate on golf but all was going well when I was batting. Had reached 19 not out and had played a couple of nice strokes for 4 when partner called me for a quick single. Halfway up the pitch my hamstring pinged, it felt like I had just been shot and I hobbled off retired hurt.

Now back at home very uncomfortable and sore. Already cancelled my bank holiday game of golf tomorrow and desperately hoping that it won't be too long before I will be fit for golf again. Anyone got any tips to speed up recovery?

oldshanker wrote:

SmithersJones wrote:First game as a dad, after 3 weeks off with new baby. Playing in swindle off 9 against my club hcp of 11 I had 33 pts with 2 blobs and nothing holed over 5 feet (and only one of them!). 32 putts on 16 greens, 9 of which were hit in regulation. So long game pretty good but short game lacking as one would expect after a layoff.

Many many congratulations SJ and of course to Mrs SJ - I look forward to seeing some piccys at the next meet up.

Spent the last 2 days playing Driffield Golf course with a mate. Not overly long, but some very nice well thought out holes, a couple of devilishly tricky holes, 3 very deceptive 'short' holes and a few places where the shoulders could be opened. The crowning glory however, was 18 of the very best greens I have played on in a long, long time. They were true, ran like the devil, had hidden breaks and took a pitch. They were also very obviously well tended by the members, because I hardly saw any unrepaired pitch marks! A pleasure and could probably go on to the hidden gems list.

Congratulations again SJ and is it a master SJ or a miss?

Thanks OS, she's a miss, and she's great.

I have 2 daughters SJ who have given me 2 granddaughters (so far). They are an eternal source of delight............but they will also run you ragged and twist you round their little fingers. Not that you will object of course, because as their father, that is your raison d'etre. Oh and start saving!!

On the topic of daughters. Mavette had her ladies club champ final sunday (also my 31st birthday) I have to say it was nice to see the entire ladies section out on the course following this one match. The ladies on course were spectators, some were acting as rules officials, others providing refreshments and 2 ladies were caddies for the day for the finalists.

Mavette lost the match on the 17th green, she did not hit the ball as well as she usually does, maybe a touch of nerves from the pressure of all eyes on her. Hwever her short game held up well and kept her in the hunt was a good game to watch they halved the first 13 holes. Mavette lost 14 to a par, but swiftly back to all square with a chip in par at 15 to be all square however she lost 16 and 17 to lose 2&1.

She has done herself, me and the club proud because despite her loss she is now the youngest ever lady to make the final of the ladies CC at 11years old and also the 1st to ever reach he final in her first year as member.

Bob_the_Job wrote:Not the round I've just played.. but one I'm playing on Monday on the Montgomerie course at Carton House ( http://www.cartonhousegolf.com/ ) - a course used for the Irish Open.

Thing is, I'm playing with a girl.. who plays of +1 and played on the American collegiate tour for ladies and represented Ireland at amateur level. I've seen her play before, and she's so going to kick my @rse. Wish me luck.

Great day out - fantastic course. Team of four, shotgun start, with the best two Stableford scores at each hole counting. We won with 85 points, and I'd 38 points on my own card - not bad for never having seen the course before.

The girl was great - she contributed a lot of the points too.

Greens were superb - fast and true. Step ladders or abseiling equipment recommended for some of the bunkers.

HUGE congratulations to Mavette!

I hope she isn't too disappointed that she didn't win - it's a fantastic achievement

Cheers Davie, no she didn't get disappointed she has realised that she can't win them all and that what she has achieved this year is beyond what anyone could have expected of her.

Congratulations to Mavette, really great what she's achieved so quickly. Here's hoping SJ-ette will be achieving similar things in a decade or so!

SmithersJones wrote:Congratulations to Mavette, really great what she's achieved so quickly. Here's hoping SJ-ette will be achieving similar things in a decade or so!

Cheers SJ. Strange things is this time last year her interest in the game was to complain I had it on tv when she could be watching the wizards of waverly place.....

Took her to the range one day, got her to try it out just for fun and that was it she fell in love with it, now I have to Sky+ events that I watch live so can watch them on playback on weekends. ALways on the putting green and range practicing it just bit her when she tried it and she's hooked, am amazed how quickly she has taken to it. Will not push her just let her enjoy it and develop naturally

Bob~ well done
Mav~ well done to Mavette, in a strange way the loss will probably help her settle into the Ladies Section. The ladies will expect her to win in the following years and will give her plenty support.

My round today.
Started 6,6,5 and finished 5,6,5 but the bits in between were pretty good for 35 points.
Deadly played well today, 82 gross for 37 points. he had a run of level par for six holes in the middle of his round.

We played round without losing a ball and neither of us took more than 6, so fairly steady stuff.

Meethinks I will need to play better on Friday to overcome Jas at Belleisle.