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Congrats Super!

Shotrock - the holes at the far end of the new course are spectacular. The old course plays through woodland so every hole is isolated, but the new course has a more open heathland feel, the stretch from 5 - 8 is stunning. But all 36 holes are magnificent.

Just back from Spain. 3 laps on the Costa del Sol.

Torrequebrada - Awful. Couldn't drive, couldn't hit irons, couldn't chip, couldn't putt. Horrendous start (OOB on 1, 1 point on 2 after a 20 yard topped drive, 0 points on 3. Scrabbled together a most unimpressive 21 points. Blanked from mind.

Santana - sublime to the ridiculous, or rather ridiculous to sublime and back to ridiculous. Hit ball much better though and chipped and putted well all in all. Similar start 1 point, blob, 1 point but then started to score. 33 points coming up the last, drive on a very awkward SI 1 hole in position A, 8 iron in to the green... No, 7 iron (to make sure) fatted into the lake 20 yards in front of me, blob. Still, 33 points was a good return and the 18th an abject lesson in living in the present instead of what the outcome might be.

Mijas Los Lagos - Mixed bag, hit it much better but a few leaky drives albeit rescued by some occasionally impressive iron and approach play. Putted well going out, left a few putts out there on the way back. 32 points but still only amassed 2 points on the front 3 (although fought back to an impressive total of 20 after 10 before the putter went cold).

Nice to play in some warmth, courses good (although Torrequebrada seemed to have inconsistent green speeds, but still a great course - my demise was my own inability, I'm not making an excuse!), hire clubs difficult to adjust to (TM Rocketbladez vs my own Cleveland forged CB irons) but at £37 a flight (4 flights) to get my clubs there and back I'll put up with them!

Whereabouts on the Costa del Sol were you based Roller? I went in late May and thoroughly enjoyed all 3 courses I played. Would go again but would be looking for different ones so always interested to hear thoughts on different courses.

Shotrock....now that’s a trip!! Only played the Sunningdales twice but they are an absolute joy, as is St George’s Hill. Apparently the house  where Lennon filmed the Imagine video overlooks a hole on the green nine. I couldn’t figure out which one it was. Howeller’s house overlooks the 5th on the Red

Stayed in Benalmadena so 15 mins from airport, have been there a number of times and have played quite a few courses (albeit some quite a while ago). Mainly up that end, not been too far past Puerto Banus. I think I recall Bluecoverman having confessed to some soujourns to the Costa DS too.

Happy to give my tuppence worth here or any thread or via PM if you would like it JAS. Caveat being the subjectivity of it all, I know nothing of golf course design, but I know what I like playing on!

Yes I have had several enjoyable golfing trips to the Costa DS over the years but none that recently as Belek, Turkey became the slightly more preferred destination.

By coincidence heading for Bulgaria tomorrow for a weeks golf. A new venue for us and playing at Thracian Cliffs on the Black Sea Coast, which looks amazing and really looking forward to it...apart from the 2.30am start for a 6.00am flight from Luton that is!

First round of the year. Seem to be able to drive great bit irons are very flaky and can't putt to save my life!! Nothing new really, beautiful day though.

Last played in October, nothing since, and nothing on the horizon. Which is pretty annoying!

Currently on holiday in Hawaii, will do a full article on the golf on the trip in due course but here’s a quick taster from my most recent round a couple of days ago at Wailua Golf Course on the East coast of Kauai. I’ve been coming to the islands for nearly 20 years and have always just driven past Wailua on the way to Princeville...until this year. Wailua is a public course run by Kauai County and at $48 a round makes you question why the big resort courses charge over $200 in some cases nearer $300 (more of that when I do the full article).

Anyway, paid my $48 + $20 for the buggy, I would have walked but had my partner with me spectating. So just about to tee off and the starter says...another single will be joining you is that ok sir? Of course, says I, (I do enjoy that aspect of holiday golf, you never know what you’re going to get). Well....up to the tee comes what I can only describe as the American version of Catweezle, unkempt grey hair, baggy tee shirt, denim shorts and...sandals. “Never judge a book by its cover” I kept repeating to myself. The guy was polite enough, introduced himself and off we went. The first was a fairly longish par 5 which despite two well struck shots I wasn’t getting on in 2. Flicked a wedge fairly close but missed the birdie. The other guy is on in 4 and knocks a 20 footer to about 2 foot and picks up. On the 2nd tee I noticed a bit of a wobble as he lined up the drive, initially I thought - crikey why’s he so nervous? It gradually became clear however that the guy had early stage Parkinson’s. Ah ok, the guy has bigger issues than conforming to proper golfing attire. As the round progressed he explained that he just liked to get out, he didn’t care about his score anymore, he just likes to hit good shots, he accepts that he no longer has the control putting wise to assemble a score. We had a few groups in front so we were pretty much waiting on every tee. The guy was pretty engaging and clearly quite well read. I thought back to my saying to myself “never judge a book by its cover” Yup, spot on on this occasion. His attitude to golf and life was actually quite refreshing. By the 6th Hole another single had caught up...now here we had Kevin from Alaska, proper golfing attire including knee length white socks...in Hawaii..wtf?? Anyway Russ invited the guy to join us. To our amazement after we’d tee’d off, Kevin proceeded to the REDS!! I play off the reds because I don’t hit it very far. Ooookkkaay said Russ & I raising eyebrows and wry smiling in unison. Actually he wasn’t kidding, despite whirling like a dervish he was averaging about 150 off the tee. Oddly, as the round unfolded, after the initial pleasantries and introductions Kevin was in a world of his own and played what  I would class as pressing golf bordering on invading the space of the group in front, indeed by the 12th I was on the tee, scoped the group in front as still in range so I removed my ball and said to Russ, you go, I might still reach them. As he teed up, Kevin stepped on to the reds and hit his. As Russ then hit his, Kevin was off up the fairway, before I’d hit mine. To be fair he did apologise when he realised. On the next Russ mis hit his tee shot
and only got about 2 yards past the ladies tee. Again, not realising Kevin sped off down the fairway.

That was it for Russ, he drove his buggy up to mine and said “Look man, I really don’t want to spoil your round but I can no longer play with that guy, I don’t like his energy, he has a bad vibe, I’m going to drop back”  I replied that I couldn’t agree more, the guy has no etiquette whatsoever. I’ll drop back with you. So off he drives back over to Kevin and tells him straight, no drama...”Look man, John and I wish to enjoy our round, we’re going to hang back, you just carry on”

We did enjoy the remaining few holes, I was happy with the way I played, basically bang on handicap. For a muni, Wailua, particularly the back 9 is a very nice track, clearly the best vfm on the island. The experience of the contrasting personalities of both playing partners will live long in the memory.

Good story JAS, not all golfers are pr1cks, but all pr1cks are golfers it seems.

Nice story JAS, enjoy your stay!

Great story Jas. Very true about judging a book by its cover. Still makes me laugh that golf has dress codes or people worry what soneone else wears when playing.

beninho wrote:Still makes me laugh that golf has dress codes or people worry what someone else wears when playing.

Not sure it makes me laugh any more. It's pathetic really.

Our club did a membership survey recently. One of the recurring feedback themes was that the members want to see the dress code enforced more strongly.

This thread isn't very popular any more. I've hardly played golf this year... on Saturday was my first round for 3 weeks, and my second in 7 weeks I think. I didn't play at all in March due to snow etc. Has everyone else's golf suffered so far this year?

Anyway, Saturday I played my 1st round singles KO. It was a cold miserable damp day, but I mostly kept it straight off the tee, found a lot of GIR and made myself very hard to beat.

Gave my opponent a glimmer of hope on the 9th when I pushed my drive into the trees, he was down the middle and safely found the heart of the green with his approach, but I had a good lie and manufactured a seve-like escape that stayed low under the branches of the tree I was under then climbed above the tree in front, faded round some more trees and landed softly and checked up 6 feet from the pin. He was totally demoralised when I rolled in my putt to go 3 up and I wrapped up a 6&4 win. Gotta love match play!

Our course opened for the year yesterday - May 1st.
Can't ever remember it opening as late as that - two months of snow and miserably cold temps in March & April will do that.
Hope to get out there next week if the monsoon season gives us a break.

Enjoy Kwini! and remember don't go trying to drive those short par 4's just because Tigers back

I know what you mean, Ray. I've hardly played since October! I've now played in three competitions and two matches and played absolute rubbish and approached my first singles knockout last Tuesday with resignation and proceeded to win on the 17th! It was my short game which saved me (especially my new Odyssey putter ) to the extent that my opponent ended up giving me three foot putts as she said I wouldn't be missing anything from that distance! First Mixed of the year with LordPutt on Sunday so we're off for a practice round this afternoon.

Generous opponent!

Last week my opponent made me hole a putt that was no more than 2 feet on the 3rd. I didn't say anything but was pretty surprised as I'd rolled in a 4 footer and a 6 footer on the first two holes. Guess what... I missed due to lack of concentration, so I guess his decision was justified. But it made me more determined to beat him after that!

Not a bad result - we were 7th out of 18 but way off the winning score of a nett 62 (I know some of you don't like nett scores but the best nett is the winner of the huge trophy). If only some of those putts had dropped instead of teetering on the edge of the hole!

I'm back to a game every two weeks now but absolutely exhausted after the walk.Sitting around with the dodgy hip for 12 months did more damage than you would think plus I'm 64 tomorrow!
After many years of two rounds a week and enthusiastic club membership I'm sadly morphing into a casual golfer .Not seeing the sense in paying a full fee when its £15 a round with a member on a Tuesday.Not forgotten how to play though so see how I feel in a few months.
Good to be back though

Played yesterday at Slinfold, it's a spa and golf place in Sussex, quite nice course. Definitely found something in my game, first time for a long, long time I've consistently hit good irons with a bit of "fizz". Still couldn't really score (driving a bit off and quite hard driving holes and a cold putter) but mostly just bogies which is good for me.

Played my best round since starting back competitive golf on Wednesday which resulted in a .4 handicap cut but was beaten to the win by two others! Still, I was pleased with the way I played (one under the CSS) especially as my card included a snowman!

Good work LP.

I can't get a 7 off my card. Think I've had 6 or 7 in the last 5 or 6 weeks. Not ideal playing off 7. More annoying as I'm hitting it very well (in the main) and still buffering (one 0.4 cut too) despite these aberrations.

Played Castletown (Isle of Man) for the first time in about 5 years the other week. Nice links course, almost flat calm, glorious sunshine. Started that with a 7 (2 shanks, 2 duffed wedges and 3 putts). But, got a TV eagle on the first par 5. High, soft drawing 3 wood round the (ever so) slight dog leg rolling out to around 290, laser 6 iron to 3 foot and stroked home. Mint.

Finished 7 over, 6 going out (with the treble 7 on the first and a double somewhere else) and 1 coming back on the 18th.

All in all a very happy bunny.

Played Hill Barn in Worthing this evening. Good form continued, 5 pars (only played 15 holes). Even made a few putts. Lost a few off the tee but also hit some great drives. Really enjoying playing again, aim now is to try and get a few more rounds than normal in before the bubble bursts.

1st Round Club Championship knockout last night. 6 & 5 win, level par in a howling wind, perhaps coming good at the right time.
Next stop Wednesday.

Well done SR, a convincing win - that wind was pretty brutal here so it must have been where you are!

We had a good result in my club's Mixed Open on Sunday - a nett 64 but were nowhere near the winners' enclosure as the top score was a nett 59 followed by a 59.5 and a 61. If only a few of those putts which shaved the hole or finished on the edge had dropped - but I suppose a few at the US Open could say that too! Next up is the Mixed at The Dukes, St Andrews where we did pretty well last time.

super_realist wrote:1st Round Club Championship knockout last night. 6 & 5 win, level par in a howling wind, perhaps coming good at the right time.
Next stop Wednesday.

Your opponent must have had a bit of a shocker, level par is good but wouldn't usually produce a beating like that

Mac, As usual a typically one dimensional view of things Mac. It's the first round and I qualified 2nd, I was playing the 15th ranked player, which means they come from up the handicap order a bit, plus it was windy, really windy.
Also, I was level par with a lost ball courtesy of a bad bounce and a bogey on the card, so 3 birdies in 13 holes isn't bad at all.

McLaren wrote:

super_realist wrote:1st Round Club Championship knockout last night. 6 & 5 win, level par in a howling wind, perhaps coming good at the right time.
Next stop Wednesday.

Your opponent must have had a bit of a shocker, level par is good but wouldn't usually produce a beating like that

Mac - I'm sure if Super shot level par against you it would be all over well before the 13th.

Another win last night. 3&2. Semi on Friday

super_realist wrote:Semi on Friday

A bit defeatist, why not aim for full hard on?

Mac, you know what they say about people who are obsessed with other people's sex lives don't you?

No. 



The thought that you were the type that had to schedule out your etection activity just amused me. Although let's be honest we all earmark some porn time if we know the house will be empty.

Well Mac, I'll enlighten you. The sort of people who talk about the sex lives of others aren't getting any themselves.

I believe you have a girlfriend about as much as I believe you have an MSc.

super_realist wrote:
I believe you have a girlfriend about as much as I believe you have an MSc.

Unless it stands for Mastur of Science

Another knockout win yesterday (in a howling gale) which went to the 19th - I was 2 up with 2 to play then she went and birdied the 17th and I made a Horlicks of the 18th (a tricky green with a fast downhill putt which I missed and it went six feet past and I missed the putt coming back!). But as they say "never give up" and I won the 19th with a chip shot stone dead to a foot from the pin. That's the second knockout which has gone to the 19th - I think I'm getting a bit of a reputation of being someone who is difficult to shake off. So I'm in the final of one and the quarter-final of another. Bring it on!

Well done LP.

Club Champ Semi Final win last night for me.
Final tomorrow.

Beaten on the 37th after being 3 down after 30.

Unlucky Super but you still did incredibly well!

So glad you got past your "semi" too ;-)

Unlucky Super but you still did incredibly well!

So glad you got past your "semi" too ;-)

Davie wrote:Unlucky Super but you still did incredibly well!

So glad you got past your "semi" too ;-)

Sadly I was 3 up after 12, but he went Birdie, Birdie, Par, Eagle to cut arrears to all square.

Lost to a friend so never as bad as losing to someone you aren't that fond of or don't get on well with.

Sounds like a great effort with a lot of tidy golf played Super.

My struggles continue, Club Champs at the weekend, fairly decent 78 in the morning, good enough for buffer, started level through 5 in the afternoon then the wheels came off, absolutely horrendous finish for an 86 and yet another 0.1.

Worrying trend really, played County Senior Champs last Weds and was +1 through 12 then the roof caved in, finished +9, good enough for buffer but being +1 through 12 and you find that +3 won, that is one helluva disappointing collapse.

First obvious thought on late collapses would be fitness/fatigue but no, on both occasions I’d have easily gone out again, have done loads of gym/stretching work in the off season and early season and eased back on it a bit now so it’s definitely not physical conditioning. I can only conclude that it must be some sort of mental block. Feel like the way I’m playing early on in rounds is up there with the best I’ve ever played yet there seems to be some hidden force that comes along and trashes everything. Where are the shots going? Predominantly left, we’re talking later than Corbyn.

Jas you have to think about you vs the field, maybe everyone was going low through the first 12. Or if you know your average score just accept that as the round unfolds you will trend towards that. Instead of thinking you can maintain +1 think about it as a good position to maybe get under your handicap by a shot or two. It may sound disheartening but you are unlikely to suddenly shoot a low 70. 



Super 

You need to be playing at a higher level than club champs  It's great that you can get to the final and have won before but I suspect you have some serious game. What options would you have if you wanted to step it up.

Having seen your Facebook posting JAS, was it something to do with the fact you might have had moving house on your mind as well? Doesn't help!

McLaren wrote:Jas you have to think about you vs the field, maybe everyone was going low through the first 12. Or if you know your average score just accept that as the round unfolds you will trend towards that. Instead of thinking you can maintain +1 think about it as a good position to maybe get under your handicap by a shot or two. It may sound disheartening but you are unlikely to suddenly shoot a low 70. 



Super 

You need to be playing at a higher level than club champs  It's great that you can get to the final and have won before but I suspect you have some serious game. What options would you have if you wanted to step it up.

Mac, I'm the same as anyone here, just a club golfer albeit maybe better than average. You probably know the standard of golf is absurdly good these days. I'm not close to being a + handicap golfer (although maybe I am as my putting and chipping are certainly plus handicap level), and there's dozens of people around +3 or better around where I play, although at times I can compete with them, having comfortably taken out a county player in a club match a couple of weeks ago.


Strangely I've taken massive positives from the defeat. There was a lot I did very well, and only a few things which really cost me the Championship. I now know where my main weaknesses and strengths are, so the defeat has been good to highlight those.

If I can sort out what I see are my main deficiencies then I think comfortably being scratch is attainable and hopefully get another chance in the Club Champs next year to vindicate the work I'll be putting in.

Just from what people say about their rounds on here I reckon you would spank a field of 606ers by at least 5 strokes.

Was your final played over Toc? If so what hole did the guy eagle?

Had a long weekend in Norfolk last weekend. First time up there and really enjoyed it. Obviously helps when the weather is warm and sunny, I can imagine these places to be pretty desolate in winter. We played:

Royal Cromer: stunning views, a cliff top course that is definitely not links but plays a lot like a links with wind a big factor. I had no warm up and stepped on to the tee not feeling comfortable with my swing. Had a bit of a shocker, long game all over the place but solid short game kept the score respectable.

Hunstanton: 36 holes, and got a proper warm up, so much better all round performance. Almost got my 1st eagle of the year on the downwind par 5 2nd. Probably my favourite course of the 3, proper championship standard links, bunkers all over the place so lots of thought required off the tee with course planner in hand. Was really interesting that 2 of my playing partners were often choosing hybrid / fairway / long iron off the tee, but that the other 2 of us mainly hit driver. It's great when the course allows multiple strategies.

Royal West Norfolk: Most people rank this higher than Hunstanton and I can see why, a really quirky course and tremendous fun. The course is a traditional 9 out 9 back layout on a narrow strip of land right along the coast, with a low dune ridge separating it from the beach, and a marshy estuary on the inland side which floods at high tide and cuts off the course and clubhouse. There is a notice board and a bell in the clubhouse which warns you 30 minutes before the tide comes in. Stepping into the clubhouse is like stepping back 100 years, and a lot of the members looked like they'd been there since the Victorian times too. The course has some huge bunkers and walls constructed with wooden sleepers, features several intimidating carries over marshland (2 lost balls for me), and a tough finish battling into the prevailing wind.

RWN was definitely more fun than Hunstanton, but the routing with blind shots and criss crossing fairways means its a bit tricky for a first time visitor. However it is less strategic, especially the back 9 where every tee shot (apart from 13) is a case of hitting driver as far as you can into the wind to make the approach easier.

My mates stayed on another day to play Sheringham but I had to get back. Apparently this was awesome as well.

Overall, a really enjoyable trip, not too difficult to get to from London, and one to definitely repeat.

McLaren wrote:Just from what people say about their rounds on here I reckon you would spank a field of 606ers by at least 5 strokes.

Was your final played over Toc? If so what hole did the guy eagle?

No, it was my other club.

The St Andrews Club has probably the worst Club Championship you can imagine. Usual top 16 qualifying, but a wretched, anti climax of a final of only 18 holes on a Friday night after having played Mon or Tues, Wed, Thurs and then final on Friday. Just pathetic and sells the title short by having such a terrible non event of a final.

Why on earth the clubs in St. Andrews can't arrange a Sunday on the Old for all the clubs to play their championships on I don't know.
The R&A get three times as many times as other clubs on TOC, and many a Sunday event on it, so if they can get that, and if the R&A are truly into equality as they claim, then every club should get the same privileges and tee times as the R&A does. Unfortunately the Links Trust is scared of them.

super_realist wrote:
The St Andrews Club has probably the worst Club Championship you can imagine. Usual top 16 qualifying, but a wretched, anti climax of a final of only 18 holes on a Friday night after having played Mon or Tues, Wed, Thurs and then final on Friday. Just pathetic and sells the title short by having such a terrible non event of a final.

All rounds in one week? Can't imagine anyone would enter this, unless nobody at the club has a job / family.

raycastleunited wrote:Had a long weekend in Norfolk last weekend. First time up there and really enjoyed it. Obviously helps when the weather is warm and sunny, I can imagine these places to be pretty desolate in winter. We played:

Royal Cromer: stunning views, a cliff top course that is definitely not links but plays a lot like a links with wind a big factor. I had no warm up and stepped on to the tee not feeling comfortable with my swing. Had a bit of a shocker, long game all over the place but solid short game kept the score respectable.

Hunstanton: 36 holes, and got a proper warm up, so much better all round performance. Almost got my 1st eagle of the year on the downwind par 5 2nd. Probably my favourite course of the 3, proper championship standard links, bunkers all over the place so lots of thought required off the tee with course planner in hand. Was really interesting that 2 of my playing partners were often choosing hybrid / fairway / long iron off the tee, but that the other 2 of us mainly hit driver. It's great when the course allows multiple strategies.

Royal West Norfolk: Most people rank this higher than Hunstanton and I can see why, a really quirky course and tremendous fun. The course is a traditional 9 out 9 back layout on a narrow strip of land right along the coast, with a low dune ridge separating it from the beach, and a marshy estuary on the inland side which floods at high tide and cuts off the course and clubhouse. There is a notice board and a bell in the clubhouse which warns you 30 minutes before the tide comes in. Stepping into the clubhouse is like stepping back 100 years, and a lot of the members looked like they'd been there since the Victorian times too. The course has some huge bunkers and walls constructed with wooden sleepers, features several intimidating carries over marshland (2 lost balls for me), and a tough finish battling into the prevailing wind.

RWN was definitely more fun than Hunstanton, but the routing with blind shots and criss crossing fairways means its a bit tricky for a first time visitor. However it is less strategic, especially the back 9 where every tee shot (apart from 13) is a case of hitting driver as far as you can into the wind to make the approach easier.

My mates stayed on another day to play Sheringham but I had to get back. Apparently this was awesome as well.

Overall, a really enjoyable trip, not too difficult to get to from London, and one to definitely repeat.

Ray I was going to say add Sheringham to your next trip until I read your penultimate line. Lee Trevino apparently once said that the view from the back tee on the 5th is his favourite in all of golf.