Tell us about your game today...

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.. 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!

Mid week medal. Worst score ever. 'Nuff said

Forgot to tell you about today's most embarassing moment.

On the 13th hole I noticed that some Troon member had left a right mess in a freshly raked greenside bunker. Muttering something about 'old men who had come late to golf but were pig ignorant of etiquette ' decided to rake the bunker myself.
In the middle of this selfless act I was attacked by my clubs and trolley as they had slowly rolled down the slope and into the steep bunker. What a mucking fuddle, bag, trolley and clubs all askew and about 10 minutes of raking to sort it out.

Is it on YouTube yet?

Davie
The beauty of it was that no one saw it.
My playing partner was in the gorse having a pee.

These push trolleys sometimes have a mind of their own Doon. It would be nice if they had a brake as well. The powered ones can be even more persistent in making a bid for freedom.

Having a pee in the gorse, now that just sounds dangerous to me.

Mine does have a brake which I don't think I have used.

Us push trolley users get a bit of flack from the golf police when we occasionally pull them.
I saw something much worse yesterday. Three golfers walking in line up the fairway pushing their trolleys. One chap had a pull trolley but he did look a bit like he did not want to be 'different'.

If a trolley rolls into a bunker and no one sees it, did it happen?

The last push trolley I had, refused to stay on the top of the bank, as I walked down to the water to recover my ball, it careered down the bank and shot about 6ft into the lake, I had to wade in waist high water to recover it, can still see some of my tees still floating in that lake.

I now have an electric trolley, and avoid the lake as much as possible.

Played to my handicap for the first time this holiday, shot a 4 over 76 including a double when I airmailed the green on a par 5 with a wedge in my hand. Stood over the shot thinking a birdie would give me a level par front 9 and walked off 3 over

The 18th on the course I played today finishes with a 757 yard par 6, never played anything like it before! Driver, 3 wood, 3 wood to level with the green followed by a chip and 2 putts. Different but great fun

Par 6 - I like a bit of original thinking... who says holes can only be par 3, 4 or 5. Isn't there a course in australia with a par 8?

I quite like the thought of a 50 yard par 2.

Doon the Water wrote:I quite like the thought of a 50 yard par 2.

what about a 20 yard par 2 where you have to hit it through a windmill?

Had a fantastic lesson today, take away is now on a better plane, dispersal and contact better and my ball flight lower as my right hand is now more passive. I had no idea how much I was using my right hand until I saw it on video. I feel like I can play to my handicap again and improve.

raycastleunited wrote:Par 6 - I like a bit of original thinking... who says holes can only be par 3, 4 or 5. Isn't there a course in australia with a par 8?

There is a course in Oz that is spread over dozens of miles I believe - still, when you have all of that room!!!

Had a week off work this week so played 3 times (2 "friendlies" and a medal)

Tuesday, played to my handicap for 15 holes but lost 5 and 3
Wednesday the medal round was my worst ever.
Friday played the same "friendly" against my mate that beat me 5&3 on Tuesday. Won today 6&5

Funny old game....

Finished off my holiday with a 5 over 77. Played off tees that were 6700 yards, paired up with a couple of old dears that were nobbling the ball all over the place so really quite pleased that I managed to maintain my concentration. Last 2 games were 1 under and level handicap on courses I've not played before so feel that my game is in reasonable shape just now.
Now to start all the winter work, going to book up a series of lessons over the winter with a target of shaving off another shot to get down to 4 next year.

drive4show wrote:Finished off my holiday with a 5 over 77. Played off tees that were 6700 yards, paired up with a couple of old dears that were nobbling the ball all over the place so really quite pleased that I managed to maintain my concentration. Last 2 games were 1 under and level handicap on courses I've not played before so feel that my game is in reasonable shape just now.
Now to start all the winter work, going to book up a series of lessons over the winter with a target of shaving off another shot to get down to 4 next year.

Good stuff, well done D4S.

final medal of the year today. a poor round, but crept into my buffer - which considering my form of late i was happy enough. managed to fluff 3 chips and hit 2 tops out of nowhere. missed all 11 birdie putts i had between 4 and 20 feet. only real highlight was holing out from a greenside bunker for a bird on the 7th. that was straight after being hit in the chest by a loose shot from an adjacent fairway, bruise is coming up nicely. lots of stress trying to find balls in the rough. i twice got to the 4 and a 1/2 minute mark before finding it. at this time of year long rough just off the fairways is plain silly. the ball is sitting down even in the semi rough, and turning the clubhead over something rotten. reckon they really need to trim all areas down to semi rough height soon or its going to be a long and unpleasant winter.

Played down at Princes today, on the Shore and the Dunes. Par 72, shooting 78. The weather was great, just a bit of wind, and the course was in fantastic condition.

Highlight of the round was a 385 yard drive straight down the middle on the par 5 7th, leaving me 160 to the pin. Lowlight also happened on this hole... I took another 6 strokes to get in the hole, mainly due to a four putt.

Another lowlight happened on the 10th, where I hit a snap hook off the tee (lost) then a gigantic block left with my 2nd ball, and managed to hack my way to another 7.

I also had to have words with some idiot who decided to shout at the top of my backswing when teeing off on the 9th. I'll let him off though, as he bought me a drink in the clubhouse after to apologise.

Overall not too bad. In amongst the carnage I managed to make 5 birdies.

Consistency isn't my strong point at the moment, and thanks to not having played much in the last year, a pregnant rhino would have better touch around the greens.

Played in a team comp today, teams of 3 only best 2 scores on the card, full handicap stapleford, our team was made up of an 8,14 and 19 handicap players. We had plenty of banter out on the course and shot a super 87 points (47 on the front 9 and 40 on the back 9).

Thats the first time I have played on one of these events and thoroughly enjoyed it, anyone else played on this type of event?? and if so what was your best score??

No game, but a trip to the range.... I've felt for a while something is brewing since my return to play in september. I had the round where I somehow had a 69 playing awful, then last time out hit the ball like I was swinging a python using orangans arms.

Well tomight the problem hit and I suffered, shanked my first 15 wedges! Decided goto the 8 iron for comfort, 7 shanks! Upto 6 iron, 2 shanks. Switched to hybrid 5 straight pull hooks! Took the driver out sliced 3 straight out of the range! Clubs packed away rest of range balls given to oldman mav. No point standing there suffering walk away forget it hopefully and see how get on in stableford sunday! If its still off! May need lessons as things are definately not right!

London - the land of golf riches!! Just back from a business/pleasure trip there and played these 3 gems:

Rye – Rustic quirky links (I could have used a caddie or at least a stroke saver book there). First hole (which I birdied) is not very impressive, but things immediately got much more interesting. Some amazing holes on the back, but I can't believe they don't lose a plate glass window a week as people hit their approach to 18. They must have the most accurate golfing membership anywhere.

New Zealand – For a flat piece of land, some of the most artistic, penal and playable bunkers with an amazing set of greens. This was one of the best conditioned courses I have ever played. Augusta would be envious. Greens were velvet, and amazingly consistent. Fairway the same.

St. George’s Hill – I had very high expectations for this course, and they were pretty much exceeded. kind of like a Swinley Forest on steroids, grand scale and some wonderful elevation changes. #8 is amazing. Best round of the week for me. What a clubhouse and homes nearby. Can't believe some were scraping down homes to put in new ones.

shot

I've played NZ and SGH but sadly, not Rye. They say the hardest shots at Rye are the 2nd shots on the par 3's

Always enjoy SGH, agree with you that it is better than Swinley. The clubhouse and views around the course of how the other half live are fantastic. Which 8th are you referring to?

Also agree about the conditioning of NZ, I played it about 6 years ago in the summer, it was pristine. As I recall, greens weren't particularly quick but the ball went exactly where you hit it so can't really ask for any more than that

I wonder what Shotrock posted on his "business" board??!!

Drive - Sorry, should have been clearer. The par 3 8th at SGH. Big green, but intimidating off the tee.

A Rye member told me (in his cut glass accent) "Rye is a shotmaker's course ... one needs a good draw off the tee and a good fade with your approach shots. It will double your landing area." I sometimes have both shots, but like my kids, don't always come when called!

The bunkering at NZ is really something -- visually intimidating, but totally to scale.

The staff at all courses could not have been nicer to us.


Kwin - I guess I won't mention the extra 18 I snuck in at Worplesdon on my way to Heathrow! But remember -- work is just another 4 letter word that ends in "k"!

shot

Just trying to picture the hole, confusing because they have 3 loops of 9 so 3 8th holes

Drive - We played the Red and Blue 9s. Unless jet lag has the best of me, I'm pretty sure their signs refer to #1 as Red #1 and #10 as Blue #1.

I made a mess of the blind tee shot on #10 (or Blue #1 I think).

Chaps, New Zealand is literally just down the road from me. That being, i've never played it. It's notiriously stuck up and introverted. How did you get on, and how were you treated?

shot

After much googling, I've found the par 3 you are referring to. I've always the 9's the other way round so it's been the 17th for agreed.

Agreed, excellent par 3 although I do like the little tiddly one that is the 2nd hole on the other 9. Only plays as a wedge or 9iron but very easy to run up a big number!!

MustPuttBetter wrote:Chaps, New Zealand is literally just down the road from me. That being, i've never played it. It's notiriously stuck up and introverted. How did you get on, and how were you treated?

I got invited along as a guest to a Charterhouse public school reunion by a member at my previous club. He told me that I was his guest for the day, it was all doctors, lawyers, MP's etc, all pillars of society. The barsteward then dropped it on me at morning coffee that the cost for the day was £95!!!

So much for being his 'guest'

Drive - That par 3 "8th" is featured in a Harry Colt book of his best 18 holes, but I also really like the hole you are referring to as well (my 11th). Short and you're dead. I was predictably long (just slightly) and walked away with a bogey.

Must - Don't know specifically how we got on NZ to be honest. It was arranged by a friend of mine who's been living in London for years. (I did offer to reciprocate at my club here in the states fwiw) How was I treated? They simply could not have been nicer.

MPB

As far as I know, NZ is pretty straightforward to get onto. Usual requirements...handicap, big wad etc but other than that, off you go son, enjoy your round, spend loads in our bar when you finish!

Played at Princes today (Shore & Dunes). 34 out, 44 in.

In my defence, it got bloody cold during the 2nd nine. And windy.

Starting my golfing day with a lesson followed by a knock with the boys at 1:30. First lesson with this guy, got a very good reputation plus all the kit so have high hopes. According to his website he works with several tour players, I'll ask him today which ones.

Have a good game everyone

drive4show wrote:MPB

As far as I know, NZ is pretty straightforward to get onto. Usual requirements...handicap, big wad etc but other than that, off you go son, enjoy your round, spend loads in our bar when you finish!

In theory I'm sure that's true D4S, but I've a few friends who have tried to get on there twice. Both times they were asked who the member they were playing with was. Answer 'none'. First time they were told you can't play without a member and the 2nd they were told 'sorry no tee times'.

Plus there are loads of review sites with comments saying guests were treated badly by the members etc

Maybe an unfair rep as you guys seem to have had no problems but that's the rep it has all the same

MPB

I looked at their website, still under construction but I did find a review site that gives visitor green fee rates so I'm guessing that they are happy to accept visitors.

Have a look at this site for a bit of background

http://www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/htmlsite/productdetails.asp?id=108

D4S I have seen visitor rates published before. That's why I say 'in theory'.
I just hear a lot of bad press about the members, not the course, is all I'm saying

Maybe the chap in the very last review on that link is alluding to it...

medal today. Probably the last of the year (there may be one or two more stablefords but can't see any more medals in the calendar)

I clearly have a problem with medals and I wish I know what it was. I've been playing OK for a while now yet the last two medals I've played in have been disasters and I can't explain it.

I don't believe it to be nerves (when I first started playing medals I will confess to being very nervous) - but not anymore. Today was great company, very comfortable atmosphere - seriousness about the game but light hearted between shots. Conditions were superb for so late in the year. I can't explain it.

I have a couple of more fun events coming up which I know I'll enjoy; a "turkey trot" next weekend which I think is betterball stableford in teams of two, plus a greenkeepers xmas fund the following weekend (mixed 4BBB stableford but with 3 clubs and a putter).

I expect to do better with 3 clubs + putter than I did today in the medal

Perhaps I need a sports shrink!

MustPuttBetter wrote:D4S I have seen visitor rates published before. That's why I say 'in theory'.
I just hear a lot of bad press about the members, not the course, is all I'm saying

Maybe the chap in the very last review on that link is alluding to it...

Fair enough MPB, I can't really comment for the members as I played it pretty much as a society. I can say though that some of them were knobheads

The course is meant to be wonderful, that much is for sure

Stableford today in spanking, if breezy, conditions for October. Last qualifier for us too. Greens excellent and good company. What's not to like? To cap it all, finished with 39 points (off 4) which should get me down to my season's goal of a 3 handicap. Bizarre game sometimes as didn't feel I played that well until the scores were totted up. Putted well though which made the difference.

Today was our clubs last qualifying event for the Order of Merits which I'm unable to win due to injury preventing me from entering the required Number of events. A stableford cup competition which in all honesty I approached with some severe nerves due to Thursday nights shankfest at the range.

Didn't start well at all I could think was don't shank it! Our first hole par 3 Shanked straight oob onto the railway lines for a blob! 2nd hole peach of a drive about 120 to the green, 3 straight shanks for another blob! After that I thought oh well let's limit the damage and prepare for 0.1 increase for the 2nd consecutive comp!

That thought somehow settled me and ended up shooting 19points front half after that, followed by 20points back half with a 3putt double dogey on the 16th for a total of 39points and was in 2nd place when I left the club, didn't have 1 shank after the 2nd and hill the ball superbly what an odd game we play!

Not the best weekend for me, my partner and I got spanked 6&5 in a bounce game yesterday, didn't really play that badly, the other pair just played better and dovetailed better.

Today I resisted the temptation to sign the book and play the medal, just a stableford bounce game with my playing group...shocking start. 6 over after 4 holes (3 errors 3 double bogeys). Turned it around and was standing on the 18th tee still just 6 over (very pleasing as the wind grew to about 3 club by the turn). Unfortunately a shocking 2nd on 18 resulted in a finishing double. Parring the back 9 on our track in a 3 club wind is quite a feat especially after a shocking front 9 so disappointed to double the last but will take the positives of playing 5 through 17 in level par.

Nice little bounce game for me today. I was expecting a 3-ball stableford with my two regular partners but the pro shop put us with another guy who we all knew a little who was looking for a game.

We chose to play a 4BBB matchplay with balls thrown up in the air on the 1st tee. Me and my regular partners are all fairly steady around the 20-22 mark - the 4th guy was a 14 h/c and as the balls were tossed I was pleased to be partnered with him.

For 4 of the first 6 or 7 holes he must've wondered how bad his luck was to be drawn with me. The games was played in a very good atmosphere with lots of banter but after 7 holes we were 2 down and I hadn't really contributed.

Then I got my head together and helped us get back to 1 down after 9 - and the putter suddently set alight. Long putts on 9 (for a half) then 10 for the win, just missed a long one for another win on 11 (got the half), another long putt for the win on 13 and a birdie putt on 14.

Ended up winning 3&1 on 17 with a par on the toughest par3 on the course - about as good a friendly 4BBB match as you could get

Maverick wrote:Today was our clubs last qualifying event for the Order of Merits which I'm unable to win due to injury preventing me from entering the required Number of events. A stableford cup competition which in all honesty I approached with some severe nerves due to Thursday nights shankfest at the range.

Wouldn't be a wrist injury from all those enforced "W's" would it Mav?

No SR thats going to be my winter injury.....................

Ironically if i'd played one more event and qualified for the OOM i'd have won it having played the minimum number of events damn knee...

Played Saturday: very steady.

Had 8 - 1 putt greens. I've never managed that before.
I even 3-putted one green, after not concentrating on a 2 foot putt.
That was 29 putts in total.

I had 39 stableford points, and won the sweep.

3 man team event on sunday, played with two randoms

one score to count one front nine, two scores on back nine

I didn't score for first six holes but scored on the last 7 for a team score of 64 which came SECOND! to winners on 65, amongst the honours for the first time at my home club after nearly two years

got a 2 on the 17th par three for a share of some balls and a grand total of seven quid on my account, happy days1

I didn't score for first six holes but scored on the last 7 for a team score of 64 which came SECOND! to winners on 65, amongst the honours for the first time at my home club after nearly two years

Tarka can i assume it was Stableford otherwise a 64 coming 2nd to a 65 i'd find odd.

Good result though.

Maverick wrote:

I didn't score for first six holes but scored on the last 7 for a team score of 64 which came SECOND! to winners on 65, amongst the honours for the first time at my home club after nearly two years

Tarka can i assume it was Stableford otherwise a 64 coming 2nd to a 65 i'd find odd.

Good result though.

stableford mate, should of said!

Had the 2nd round of a 36 hole medal last Sunday. To set the scene, I was handily placed after a nett 69 the week before a couple off the lead. Was also cut from 8.4 to 8.0 after that which pleased me as I was one bad card away from going up to 9.

Practiced nicely on Saturday and was confident going into Sunday. (You just know what's coming don't you........)

Shot a nett 77!!! Managed to turn practically every 'easy' par into a bogey and every bogey into a double. Still at least the weather was still good enough for shorts!!

One thing that has helped my game enormously (although you wouldn't believe it on Sunday) is something that was discussed here a few months ago, just after Clarke's Open win. And that was the fact that Clarke never took a practice stroke before putting. I'd always taken 2 or 3 but now I don't take any. Just line the ball up and hit it. For me I think the practice strokes just gave me more time to think about what I was doing instead of doing it instinctively. I find that the roll is better and I hit a lot of good putts now, leaving few short.