Autumn progress

 

 

Since my last post I have played quite a bit despite the weather, I had a good day playing Caldy on the Wirral on a cold but bright morning. Caldy is a few mile down the Wirral from Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) and is partly links and partly parkland. I started and finished well but had a bad bout of slicing drives in the middle of the round.

 

Caldy

Later in the week I played a Open turkey shoot at Pleasington, near Blackburn, Pleasington is a lovely course and I was so impressed I have already booked to play it again in their open next season. I played very steadily and despite a couple of blobs I ended up winning.

 

Pleasington

Last weekend I played at High Legh in Cheshire, and to be honest the course didnt really do much for me, its a pretty flat parkland course with lakes and doglegs to make it interesting. I played well from tee to green but could not chip or putt, regularly taking 4 to get down from with 30 yds of the green, I can't blame that on the course sadly just one of those days, the high point was I did get a birdie 3 on one hole.

 

High Legh

Back at Ellesmere, I have generallyplayed pretty well, winning 2 winter league matches. We are now playing off fairway mats, which are a bit of a pain but if they protect the fairway and mean we can play when the ground is wet then fair enough.

I am definitely benefiting from the lessons and I have mostly been driving well and hitting my irons ok, my worry is my short game which can be erratic, good one day poor the next and as usual my putting leaves a lot to be desired most of the time.

Today I had my best round of the winter although my putting did let me down in the middle of the round. Due to course work we ended up play 11 holes, 2-8, 10-12 and 18.

I started steadily with a bogey 5 for 2 points hitting the fringe in 3 and 2 putting.
2 good shots on the 3rd gave me 2 putts for a par and 3 points.

 I was on the 4th in 2 and 2 putted for a bogey and 2 points,

On the 5th I was on in 3 and 2 putted for a bogey 5 and 2 points.

 Then the putting went off,

 I was on the par 5 6th in three but 3 putted for a bogey and 2 points.

 One the 7th I had to lay up short of the ditch and put my 3rd in the greenside bunker, I got out ok but then 3 putted again for a triple bogey 7 and no points.

Onto the par 5 8th, where I often have to lay up short of the ditch, the was behind a little and I hit one of my best drives leaving me about 50 yds short of the ditch and 180yds from the green ( I dont usually get inside the 200 yd marker, so very pleased with it). Now although I can't hit woods very well from the fairway, I can hit them better of the mats and I hit one to about 10 yds short of the green. I was on the approach to the green so I decided to putt for the eagle something I have never done before, sadly I mishit it and barely reached the green, my putt for the birdie missed so did the 2 footer for par so I ended up with a very disappointing bogey 6 but still 2 points.

I received 2 shots on the 10th and hit a good drive, an indifferent 5 iron and a pitch followed and then again 3 putts for a double bogey 6 but with the extra shot 2 points.

On the par 5 11th, I hit a decent drive and second, my chip was on a bank infront of the green but I pitched to within 2 feet and holed the putt for a par 5 and 3 more points.

I made a bit of a mess of the par 3 12th taking 3 to reach the green and then 2 putts for a double bogey 5 and 1 point.

Finally we played the par 3 18th, the pin was at the front but I hit my tee shot to the back of the green and was faced with a long putt downhill for the 2nd half, I wouldnt have minded taking 3 from here but I left my first putt a foot from the hole and popped it in for a par 3 and 3 points.

So for 11 holes I scored 22 points despite 3 putting 4 times from reasonable distances I thought I generally hit the ball very well and but for the blip in putting in the middle of the round would have had a very good score, I also finished first out of an unfortunately small field.

I played today with a new girl who has just joined  the club, its nice to get new members especially younger ones, I think she will do very well next season.

Lessons

At the end of the season, I saw a Groupon offer for a hour long video lesson for £19, thinking a little tweaking would help me a lot I took up the offer. What I saw was quite an eyeopener. I had a very crouched stance which meant I was forcing my swing and swaying a lot too. The pro suggested a couple of little things, slightly changing my grip and also getting my back straighter. He also suggested that he could change a lot more if I had more lessons, a nice ploy, which I agreed to and booked a series of 5 half hour lessons.

I started trying out the first things he suggest and although I found the lighter grip a problem I was hitting the ball  a little better.

In the second lesson we concentrated on drills to straighten my back, and again I could see a little improvement on the course, in the next we started drills to get me rotating my body better, this was a struggle to take onto the course and to be honest I didnt stick at it very much, although I did do the drills in fact I played a winter league game when I couldnt hit a fairway with my driver,

In the 4th lesson, we worked on my swing along with the body rotation and this time I was determined to keep at it, after mixed results at the range, I played in a winter competition. I had lost 6 balls by the 6th hole and really struggled.  I seemed to be concentrating so much on sliding my hips that everything went to pot. So I decided to stop dwelling on that aspect and this did help as I eventually started hitting the ball a lot straighter.

I mentioned this at my next lesson and he told me to concentrate on getting my left elbow past the ball, this has had a good effect and I found myself hitting straighter and a bit longer.

My fifth and final lesson  was on my takeaway to get the club in the right place at the top of the backswing.

I now need to spend time at the range to learn by repetition and keep at the drills. After Christmas I will have a few refresher lessons in preparation for the start of the season.

I can definititely see improvements, went I get it right my best shots do go further than previous, but I am still quite erratic, one day good, one day bad, so thats why time on the range is important to get me doing the good things automatically. Time will tell if I can acheive this.

Season's review

Now that  the end of the season has arrived, it is a good time to look back on what has been a successful first season.

After a very good start, albeit with a handicap that was probably be a little too high, things quietened down, due to my lack of consistancy within a round. A good first nine was often followed by a poor back nine, for example in one Stableford competition I scored 21 point on the front nine only to score a mere 10 on the back.

Despite that, I won a few competitions early on and also got picked to play for the club, so I had the chance to play a few other local courses. My partner and I won our invitation open, and also with another partner I won our clubs qualifier for the Ping 4BBB, sadly our score was not enough to qualify us for the finals day.

I played in most of our board competitions, quite badly at first, having probalby my worst round of the year in the first one, a gross 119, including a 14 on the par 3 18th, which despite that and also a 10 in another board comp, is probably my favourite hole at the course, but it can be unforgiving.

I did have success in boards comps though, winning the Nett prize in the Club Championship, coming 2nd on Lady Captain's day and also winning the Closing mixed greensomes with my partner.

Towards the end of the season I steadied again, and had another couple of sucesses and small handicap reductions. I finally had another reduction in the end of season review so I will start next season playing off 19 (19.4 exact)

Away from my club, I have played a few nice courses in both open events and ones arranged through the Golf Monthly website, the highlight probaby being Hillside, a wonderful course played on a lovely day ( a rare thing this last summer).

So now its the winter season and we still play 12 hole competitions, and also a winter league, not a great start today losing my first match. I have also started having a few lessons, the benefit is not yet paying off but I am hopeful than when they are finished They will mean an improvement in my game.

Closing Mixed

Sunday was our closing mixed , a board event for the Wright Musker Salvers. I had arranged to play with Steve, a guy I had played a few holes with one week day a couple of months ago, who plays off 12. The format was Greensome stableford, both players drive and then you select a ball to play and play alternate shots with that ball, our combined handicap was worked out as 16.
I had kept an eye on the weather all morning as the forecast was poor, but it had been fine, however around the time we arrived at the first tee the rain started.

We didnt play great on the first nine, we managed one par but 4 double bogies so only 15 points and the ntrippled the 10th for no points, we were wet and a bit miserable but soldiered on and after 12 holes we had managed 19 points, and then things changed. I holed a long putt for a par on the 12th, Steve hit a tee shot to 5 feet on the 14th and I holed the putt for a birdie, we parred 15 and 16, bogey on 17, then finished with a par on 18. The last 6 holes were played in level par for 17 points to give a total of 36.

There was a dinner and presentation in the evening, where it was announced that we had won by one point.

The round

Hole 1, we both missed the green to the left, Steve chipped onto the green and 2 putts for a bogey and 2 points.

Hole 2 Steve drove into the trees so we played my ball, he left it 50 yds from the green, my pitch was short, he chipped on and 2 putts for a double bogey and 1 point.

Hole 3 We played Steve's drive but I didnt hit a good shot, Steve left me 140 to the green but another poor one left us way short, Steve pitched on and 2 putts gave us a double bogey for 1 point

Hole 4, although a par 3 for us , this is a par par 4 for the men as their tee is a 100 yds behind ours, Steve hit a good drive about 40 yds short of the green, but a good tee shot from me would give us a good chance of a birdie or even an eagle, as we were taking par from the mens tees. I dont know what happened but instead of being on or close to the green as I wqould expect, my tee shot squirted about 30yd off to the right. I played Steve ball and chipped onto the green and 2 putts gave us a par and 2 points (no stroke here) but a bit of a missed opportunity.

Hole 5 We both hit decent drives so Steve played mine as the green was out of reach for me, onfortunately it found one of the greenside bunkers, my escape was to ostrong and over the green, we chipped on and 2 putted for another double and 1 point.

Hole 6 Although a par 5 for us, its a par 4 for the men, we played Steve's drive but I didn't hit it too well, Steves approach just found the green I left my putt a foot short and Steve missed it!! so another double and 1 point.

Hole 7 Two good drives, Steve played mine but again found a greenside bunker, this time my escape was to 3 feet and Steve holed for a much needed par and 3 points.

Hole 8 We played Steve's drive, I left him a chip which was on the edge of the green down in 2 for a bogey and 3 points.

Hole 9 a long par 3 for the men but the shortest for us, Steve's drive was just left of the green and I completely made a mess of my drive, so I chipped his one a little long so 2 putts for a bogey and 2 points.

This gave us a front nine score of 15.

Hole 10. We took Steve's drive but I topped the ball a few yards, Steve didnt reach the green and I left my chip short, Steve chipped on and 2 putts for a triple bogey and no points.

Hole 11 Steve's drive again, I left him short of the ditch and his pitch finished on the edge of a bunker, i chipepd to a foot and he holed for a bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 12, both short of the green, Steve chipped mine on 2 putts for a bogey and 2 points.

Hole 13, Played Steve's drive, I left him under 100 yds fom the green, he pitched to 20 feet and I holed the putt for a par and 3 points.

Hole 14, Steve's Tee shot was 5 feet from the hole, I holed the putt for a birdie, no shot but still 3 points.

Hole 15 Finally a great drive from me, Steve left me 80 yds from the green, I pitched to the top tier where the hole was, 2 putts for a par and 3 points.

Hole 16, Another good drive from me, which Steve put on the green, 2 puts and another par and 3 points.

Hole 17 My best drive of the day, gave Steve the chance to clear the ditch 150 yds away, which he did leaving me about 130 to the green, I was just short but a chip on and 2 putts for a bogey and 2 points.

Hole 18, Steve missed the green, but I finally hit a good tee shot on a par 3 nd found the green, 2 putts for a par and 3 points.

21 points for the back nine!

Delamere Forest Golf Club

Last friday I played Delamere Forest with a few other members of the golf Monthly forum, I have to say its a lovely course. The weather was mostly fine although there were heavy showers, fortunately shoretlived.

I didnt play too well in all fairness, I was stuck between taking on board the changes suggested after my lesson and sticking with my old grip and stance. I struggled with my grip, certainly on my short game where the softer grip seemed to give me less control. Happily the course made the day worth while and I did hit some good shots, notably an 8 iron to 6 feet on our nearest the pin hole.

Here are some photos which I hope show the course off well.

 

 

 

 

Video lesson.

After seeing an offer on Groupon for a video golf lesson for £19,  I thought I would take advantage of it. I hoped it would sort out my set up and alignment which I thought was the the main problem with my game. I had the lesson today and it was quite an eyeopener.

The first thing that stood out was how hunched my stance was, I basically bend the top of my back instead of bending from the waist, my grip is also too strong apparently. The pro changed my grip a little, even though I swore I didnt want my grip messing with, but he insisted it was fundimental to making me swing better. Fortunately the change is only slight but it felt like I was barely holding the club and had no control over it. That said when I took a shot it didnt feel too bad, the changing of my stance felt the strangest. The pro did assure my that if I could change those two elements then he could work on my swing a lot more.

So I hummed and ahhed and decided to book 5 lessons starting in two weeks, the price wasn't too bad for booking in advance and I will see where they take me. It will give me something to work on during the winter, I just hope I dont start going backwards.

Texas Scramble

This week our weekly competition was a Texas Scramble. This is a team event, in our case teams of three. Each player drives and then you choose the drive you want to take, all 3 players then play from this point and again you choose the shot you want to play, this continues until the ball is in the hole. The only proviso was that you must takes at least 3 drives of each player. I was playing with 2 players with handicaps in the 30s so I expected that we would be playing my shots most of the time all least the long shots.
I sugggested that we tried to make sure we all got 3 drives in as soon as possible so we weren't stuck near the end of the round with having no choice. Of the other 2 players, "C" can hit the ball well but is inconsistant and "M" didn't hit the ball very far.

Hole 1 we played my tee shot whch was just off the green, but none of us chipped to closer than 4 feet and we all missed the putt so had to settle for a bogey 4

Hole 2 we played C's drive even though mine was longer, we were on the green in 3 but not close to the hole no one holed their putts so a bogey 5

Hole 3 again we didnt take the longest drive  but played M's even though it was about 30 yards back from mine, we finished with a bogey 6 after failing to get on the green in 3, which we might have done had we taken my ball.

Hole 4 None of us hit the green from the tee so we played Ms again, got up and down for a par 3

Hole 5 I found the rough so we took Cs drive, not great 2nds but I hit the green with my third 2 putts for a bogie 5

Hole 6 played my drive, 2nd and 3rd to put us on the fringe of the green, C and myself putted close enough to make sure of the par, I had noticed that M wasnt lining her putts up incorrectly so I made her adjust her line and she promply holed her putt for a birdie 4.

Hole 7 My drive wasnt long enough for me to risk trying to clear the ditch guarding the green so we played Ms drive and all played safe, chipped on for 3 and 2 putted for a bogey 5

Hole 8 Took my drive reached the green in 4 and M holed a 15 footer for a par 5

Hole 9 my tee shot was about 15 feet away, M hit the back of the hole but it stay up for a par 3.

40 shots going out was pretty decent

Hole 10 My drive longest but in the rough so we play Ms, I hit a good pitch onto the green for 3 and M holes from 20 feet for a par 4.

Hole 11 I hit a good drive and 2nd, pitched just short of the green but bad chips from me and C and M only got to 10 feet, all missed so a bogey 6.

Hole 12, 3 bad tee shots played Ms short in 2 but up and down for a bogey 4.

Hole 13 C hits her first decent drive for ages so we play her ball as it makes her 3rd drive, not great 2nds but I hit the green from about 130yds failed to hole so a bogey 5

Hole 14, I hit the green off the tee and M holed from about 30 feet for a birdie 2

Hole 15 Despite a decent drive from me, a disaster, all hit poor seconds, about 80 yds short in 3, a decent chip by me finds the green, but none of us get nearer than 3 feet and we all miss, so the first double bogey, but not excuse for 3 putting in this format.

Hole 16, Decent drive by me but my second was poor so we played C's, on the green in 3 and 2 putts for a bogey 5

Hole 17 played C's drive, her best of the day, good 2nd and 3rd by my left a pitch off 90 yds, I found the green and we 2 putted for a bogey 6

Hole 18 My teeshot hit the green, 2 putts for a par 3.

So 42 coming home for a gross 82. the competition was played of 1/6 combined handicap so we had 14 to deduct for a nett 68. We came 2nd, the winners,, 3 of the lowest handicap girls scored a nett 64 playing of 4.

This was my first experience of a Texas Scramble, it was fun but with the handicap calculation it probably favours lower handicaps. The main problem I found that as we mostly played my ball we were didadvantaged if I hit a bad one. That said we all played  a part and Ms putting was a revelation once I had her lining up properly, our biggest failing though when when chipping for close to the green and not getting done in two enough times.

Its golf Jim, but not as I know it.

These words were spoken by me to Jimmy who had kindly invited me to play Blackpool North Shore, this morning. I am not used to playing in strong winds and at over 30 mph this was a high wind according to the Beaufort scale. right from why first drive which set off straight untill the wind picked it up and took it about 40 yds of course, I knew it was going to be a bit of a struggle and so it proved. After a respectable 6 on the 1st hole, I immediately took 9 and then 10 on the next two holes. I did managed to hold it together better for the rest of the front nine and my 56 wasnt that bad, I even managed to par the 9th. The back nine was steadier but not great and I took 52 shots.

On of the problems compounded by the wind was that the green had tricky slopes on them and the holes were often set on these slopes, so a putt that looked to be dead weight suddenly took off, with a combination of the slope and the wind, and finished 6 to 8 feet away from the hole.

Despite being only a couple of hundred yards yards from the seas, North Shore is hillier than I expected, apparently its the highest point in Blackpool, or so I was told, and certainly isnt a links course, which was a surprise.

despite the wind it was an enjoyable round, and it would be nice to ply it again in more benigh conditions.

No hole by hole report for this round but here are a few photos instead.

Flagpole bending in the wind.

 

 

7th hole

 

 

 

 

14th green

 

 

a few others

 

 

 

 

Practice and breaking 90

Well with one thing and another I haven't been on the course much this last week a shame realy because when  I have been out its gone really well.
We  had no competition last week as the greens were being tined and treated I did get out for a few holes myself on Thursday evening and started par, par, birdie, par and also parred the 8th I needed a par 3 on the 9th for a 39, which would have been my first sub 40 but the 9th hole was closed!

I also spent time practicing with  different sized tees when driving and found I was hitting it well off the smaller yellow castle instead of the white ones, so on Monday I went up for 18 holes and decided to play off the yellow ones all round. I was very pleased and was hitting the ball 20 to 30 yards farther and alsoa lot straighter, the extra yardage makes a big difference. On the 7th and 8th, where I tend to struggle with the ditches on my second shot,s were a lot easier and I cleared both ditches easily. Unfortunately the course was closed yesterday and I cant play today so I have had no further chance to play again so see if it was a fluke or not.

Today we had a 5 club stableford competition, a month ago I would have just taken irons and a putter but I took my driver, 5 iron, 7 iron, pitching wedge and putter.

I played very steadily, had putts for pars on most holes and finished up scoring 89 for 40 points, the first time I have broken 90 in a competition, normall this score would have got me a nice cut in my handicap, but unfortunately a 5 club is not a qualifying competion and so my handicap did not go down. Its a shame as I believe it would have dropped to at least 19.9.
as for playing with just 5 clubs, I didn't find it too much of a hassle, a few time I wished I had other clubs with me but mostly I managed with what I had.

Here is the round

Hole 1 par 3, 5 iron off the tee to the left of the green, chip and 2 putts for a bogey 4 and 2 points

Hole 2 par 4, Decent drive and 5 iron left about 80 yds to the green, wedge was pin high but on the fringe, 2 putts for a bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 3 par 5, Decent drive and 5 iron left 140 to the green another 5 iron slightly thinned to about 30 yds short Chip to 8 feet and 2 putts for a bogey 6, stroke index 2 so 2 shots for 3points.

Hole 4 par 3, 7 iron just short of the green, chipped to 2 feet and holled putt for a par 3 and 3 points.

Hole 5 par 4, good drive and decent 5 iron left about 50 yds chipped to the fringe and 2 putts for a bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 6 par 5, Good drive and 5 iron left about 110 to the green, tried to half hit a 7 iron but sdqueezed it right into the rough leaving 40yds chip and 2 putts for bogey 6 and 2 points.

Hole 7 par 4, Good drive then liad up 100 yds short, half hit 7 iron this time made the green, 2 putts for bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 8 par 5, good drive but in rough so laid up, reasonable 5 irion about 30 yds short, chipped to 10 feet and holled for a par 5 and 3 points.

Hole 9 par 3, nice wedge off the tee landed just short but hit a path and the ball bounced to the back of the green, first putt long and down hill was 6 feet short, missed for par, bogey 4 and 2 points.

So 43 shots going out, my best in a comp and 21 points.

Hole 10 par 4, A good drive to the middle of the fariway, I usually end up in the right hand rough on this hole. Hit 5 iron way left into rough, pitch fom 100 yds missed the green chipped on and 2 putts for a 6 the first double bogey of the round and just one point.

Hole 11 par 5, good drive and 5 iron left 140 to the green dont a great 5 iron in the rough short of the green chip to fringe and 2 putts for a bogey 6 and 2 points.

Hole 12 par 3, Drive to 30 yds short pitch and run 7 iron to fringe and 2 puttsfor a bogey 4 and 2 points.

Hole 13 par 4, Good drive then decent 5 iron left about 100 yds pitchjust short chip and putt for a bogey 5, stroke index 1 so 2 shots for 3 points.

Hole 14 par 3, 5 iron thinned so short of green, chip over bunker and 2 putts for a bogey 4 and 2 points.

Hole 15 par 5, good drive, decent 2nd left 150 to the green, hit 5 iron right and chipped to about 10 feet, holed putt for a par 5 and3 points.

Hole 16 par 4, decent drive but in rough 5 iron to just short, chip and 2 putts for a bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 17 par 5, good drive and good 2nd left 160 to the green, hit it thin so left 70 yds to green, a nice wege to the fring and 2 putts for a bogey 6, 2 shots again here so 3 points.

Hole 18 par 3 hit a 7 iron which usually would find the front of the green, this was hit left and went long scarey chip over bunker with steep downhill so played wide and safe, messed it up, so had to take on the bunker chipped well but ball ran off the green chip on to a couple of feet and holed put for a double bogey 5 and 1 point.

Came back in 46 for 19 points, so a total of 89 and 40 points.

I was really pleased with the round apart from a tendancy to hit irons to the left, but not all time, thinks it my alignment,

St Annes Old Links

On Wednesday I played in the Ladies open at St. Annes Old Links, I was really looking forward to another game of links golf have the wonderfull visit to Hillside. I wasnt disappointed although there were big differences.
Whereas Hillside is played for the most part between high dunes, SAOL is very open the dunes are quite small but still have quite an effect on your round if you stray from the fairway. Also the wind, conditions were very benign on Monday but yesterday that was quite a blow, roughly from the North West and the course ran north south. This meant that even when the wind was behind it was still blowing the ball across the fairway.
Although there were some shortish par 4s there were also a couple that were longer than some of Ellesmere's par 5 and both were into the wind, which made them very tough.
The course was in very good conditon, the fairs dry and the grren closely cut and very true, it didnt match the very high standard set by hillside, but nevertheless  I enjoyed the challenge. In honesty I didn't play very consistently, but my putting for once was generally very good.

My round in detail.

Hole 1 318yds par 4 into the wind. An iron off the tee didnt quite reach the fairway but  a 6 iron from light rough found the middle of the fairway about 80 yds from the green, a pitch was just right  of the green, a chip and one putt for a bogey 5.

Hole 2 298yds par 4 wind behind. A good drive left me about 100 yds fom the green, I topped a wedge into a bunker short of the green, got out but didnt reach the green, a chip and a putt for a bogey 5.

Hole 3 136yds par 3 wind behind, I hit my tee shot a bit thin but it skipped over bunkers guarding the green and ran toward the back. a badly judged first put was well short but I holed the putt for a par 3.

Hole 4 324yds pa4 into the wind, reasonable drive but only about 130 yds and to the right good 2nd and 3rd to just short of the green, duff chip into bunker but out and 2 putt for a triple bogey 7.

Hole 5 462yds par 5 into the wind, A decent drive to the fairway but then a thinned 2nd, a good 3rd and 4th to green 2 putts for a bogey 6.

Hole 6 454yds par 5 downwind, A good drive and 2nd left about 150 to the green but a duffed 3rd followed by a 4th that went through the green, chip on and putt for a  bogey 6.

Hole 7 399yds par 4 into the wind, drive just reach the fairway poor second found a mound in the rough, 3rd to fairway, 4th just short of the green, chip and 2 puuts for triple bogey 7.

Hole 8 333yds par 4 wind behind, poor drive didnt reach the fairway, good 2nd and third found green side bunker, despite steep bank above my ball I tried to go for the green ands failed, 2 more to get out and two putts for a triple bogey 7.

Hole9  144yds par 3 wind behind, tee shot ran to back of green, misjudged the slope and was well short with first putt, missed the 2nd so a bogey 4.

After a good start not the best golf but some good putts holed for 50 on the front 9

Hole 10 272yds par 4 into wind reasonable first but poor 2nd found fairway bunker, chipped out then 4th to fringe of green chip on and putt for a double bogey 6.

Hole 11 272yds par 4 into wind not a great drive but a decent 2nd left me 80yds as my pitching ha been poor I tried a bump and run which found the green, 2 putts for a bogey 5.

Hole 12 371yds par 4 into the wind, 3 decent shots to the gree nand 2 putts for a bogey 5.

Hole 13 138yds  par 3 across the wind, A good teeshot ran through the green, chip on and 2 putts for a bogey 4.

Hole 14  329yds par 4 wind behind, drive to the left 2nd found a grass mound on the rough, 3rd short of the green,  bad chip into bunker chip out  and 2 putts for a triple bogey 7..

Hole 15 330yds par 4 into the wind, drive to fareway, poor second, 3rd to just short of bunkers in front of green, bad chip missed the green chip on and 2 putts for triple bogey 6.

Hole 16 130 yds par 3 across the green poor first into rough, 2nd nto bunker chip and 2 putts for a double bogey 5

Hole 17 467 yds par 5 wind behind,  godo drive but a bad 2 second to dune in rough, 3rd over fairway to rough, 4th short of green, chip and 2 putts for double bogey 7.

Hole 18 461yds par 5 wind behind drive to right hand rough,  2nd to fairway, good third to about 50yds, chip and 2 putts for bogey 6.

after a reasonable start some bad holes for a total of 52 back nine and 102 for the round.

Hillside

Today I played Hillside Golf Club in Southport, in a  day organised bt Golf Monthly. What a superb course probably the best I have played so far. I had a great day and played pretty well but a bit of misfortune on 3 or 4 holes cost me a lot of points. I ended up with 32 points, the winner had 42 but 3rd place only had 35 so I wasnt too far away.
There was a strange incident when leaving the 15th green when a play played his shot too early and nearly hit me, I had to jump away, the guy who played the shot was Kenny Dalgleish! he wasnt playing in our day but along with Alan Hansen was whizzing through us all in a buggy.

The competition was Stableford format.

Hole 1 382yds par 5. I thought I would play safe on the first tee and so hit a 5 iron, I caught it really well and of it soared, sadly my direction was terrible and it soared of the boundary fence onto the railway lines. I hit another off the tee which hit the fairway, followed by a thinned one then a nice 3rd just short of the green, a chip and 2 putts for a 6, sadly made a triple bogey 8 due to the penalty off the tee.

Hole 2 456yds par 5. A reasonable iron off the tee but an iffy 2nd, a decent 3rd then a chip on to the front tier of the green, didnt judge the sloe up to the top tier as 3 putted for a double bogey 7 and 1 point, so off the mark.

Hole 3 332yds par 4. A reasonable drive but in the rough so laid up short of a ditch and 80 yds from the green getting 2 shots here so looking for a good score but topped by chip into the ditch, penalty shot out then hit the chip I should have hit first time onto the green and 2 putts for a triple 7 and just 1 point.

Hole 4 165yds par 3. A tee shot just short of the green, a chip and 2 putts for a bogey 4 and 2 points.

Hole 5 423yds par 5. 3 steady shots to just short of the green, a chip and 2 putts for a bogey 6 and 2 points.

Hole 6.326 yds par 4. A good drive and a 2nd that I thought would be just left off the green but ended up being on the front, 2 putts for a par 4 and  3points.

Hole 7 141yds par 3. A 6 iron to the left handside of the green first putt was woeful and left a good 10 footer which I missed, I leaned over to tap in from 2 inch and only grazed the top of the ball so a disasterous 5 and only 1 point.

Hole 8 347yds par 4. driver a little right luckilt on the top of a mound in the rough, a good second just short of the green, a chip and 2 putts for a bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 9 381yds par 5. A great drive and a 5iron to short of the green, a good chip to 2 feet which  I holed for a birdie and 4 points!

So front nine 50 shots for 16 points, a good return following the poor start.

Hole 10 142yds par 3. A nice 6 iron to the left hand side of the green, 2 putts for a par 3 and 3 shots.

Hole 11 481yds par 5.  A good drive from an elevated tee a good 5 iron then a great 5iron put me on the green. 2 puuts for a par 5 and 3 points.

\Hole 12 326yds par 4. A drive too far right found a pond, the water was very shallow and my play was only half submerged to I played it with a sand wedge, I got soaked but hit the fairway 3rd shot hit the green and 2 putts for a  bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 13. 326yds par 4. A good drive and second decent 5 iron from the tee but a thinned second left me about 100 yds from the very elevated green 3rd was just short so a chip and 2 putts for a double bogey 6 but got 2 shots so 2 points.

Hole 14 340 yds par 4. A good drive and a good second that I though would be short of the green but actually was pin high but in a bunker, failed to get out with the first then well over the flag with the next followed by 2 putts for a disappointing triple bogey 7 and my first blob since the first.

Hole 15 319yds par 4. A big dogleg, I hit a lovely drive to the top of the dogleg and a good second onto the front of green, overhit my first put then missed the next for a bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 16 142yds par 3. A nive teeshot that looked pin high but was actually just off the side of the green, made a mess of the chip, but 2 putts for a bogey 4 and 2 points.

Hole 17 488yds par 5. A good drive but a thinned 2nd. I hit a decnt 3rd to leave about 80 yds to another elevated green, but left the pitch short. chipand 2 putts for a double bogey 7 but got 2 shots so 2 points.

Hole 18 284 yds par 5. Teeshot into rough, decend 2nd but still into the rough. 3rd ran through the green and finished in the rough, messed the chip because Iwas in 2 minds. 2 chip was on but well short and 3 putts for a diappointing triple bogey 8 and no points to finish.

A disappointing repeat of 50p shots and 16 points, I generally played very well on the back nine and the two hole I blobbed I was just off the green and both times took another 5 shots to get down.

So all told 100 shots and 32 points, the wining 3 scores were 42, 36 and 35, so pretty close to 3rd at least. It was a thoroughly brillliant day and a massive thanks go out to the guys from Golf Monthly for the great organisation.

Lady Captain's Day

Yesterday was the big day of the season, I was first out due to having the best qualifying scores and played with Sarah, a very good player who is a 5 handicapper.

We went out in lovely sunshine with a clear course in front of us, I played pretty well but was let down by my putting particularly on the back nine, although I did chip very well. I did finish with a 93 for a net 71 which was good enough for 2nd place and a 0.8 handicap cut which has dropped me to 21.4. Sarah played well and hits the ball a very long way easily outdriving me by 50 yds but she was unlucky with her putting but still shoy a 79 net 74 which easily won the best gross prize.

In the evening, it was the presentation dinner and so a chance to dress up a bit. It was a lovely meal with probably too much red wine and as well as the prizes for the day, the major prizes for the season were handed out too, so I got presented with the trophy I had won earlier in the season.

The round

Hole 1.  5 iron off the tee just short of the green, a chip and 2 putts for a bogey 4.

Hole 2   Reasonable drive a bit short but a 5 iron left about 90 yards to the green, I hit a nice wedge to the green and 2 putts for a bogey 5.

Hole 3. A good drive but and indifferent 2nd meant I had to lay up short of the ditch, missed the green with my 4th so a chhip and 2 putts for a double bogey 7.

Hole 4. 6 iron to the green and 2 puts for a par 3.

Hole 5 A nice drive and a 6 iron left a 70 yard wedge to the green, 2 putts for a bogey 5.

Hole 6 A good drive and a good 5 iron into the wind left a 6 iron to the green, it hit the fringe and stopped dead but a good chip gave me a 6 footers for par, sadly missed for a bogey 6.

Hole 7  A to the right meant I wasnt tempted to take on the carry to the green, so I laid up short but missed the green with my 3rd, a chip and 2 putts for a double bogey 6.

Hole 8 A decent drive and I resisted the temptation to go for the carry and laid up about 140 from the green, I thinned it straight into the dtich! it was playable but I made a hash of it only knocking it sideways, 5th shots was right of the green but I hit a lovely sand wedge to a couple of feet and holed the putt for a double bogey 7

Hole 9 I hit my 8 iron a bit fat and was just short of the green, but a good chip and a 5 foot putt got me a par 3.

This all added up to 46 shots on the front 9.

Hole 10 A drive to right hand rough, my 2nd was restricted by a tree so I could only play it about 100 yards 3rd shot was short of the green and the chip ran off the side so 5 onto the green and 2 putts for a triple bogey 7 not a good start to the back nine.

Hole 11 A good drive and second shot left me about 145 to the green, unlike on the 8th I hit a great iron to the front of the green and 2 putted fore a par 5.

Hole 12. Hit my tee shot short and right but chipped to about 6 foot, missed the par putt for a bogey 4.

Hole 13. a good drive and second left me about 60 yds, thinned my wedge but luckily ran on to about 6 foot from the flag, sadly again missed the putt so a bogey 5.

Hole 14, A lovely 5 iron to the green but left my birdie putt woefully short and took 2 more for a bogey 4.

Hole 15 a good drive and 2nd left about 120 to the green a nice 8 iron to the bottom tier of the green just failed to run up the slope so a tricky putt up the slope for a birdie, I left it 4 feet short, I missed the par putt so a bogey 5.

Hole 16, Played safe with an iron off the tee but hit my second off line, fortunately it hit a tree and bounced on the right side of the tree line so a wedge to the green and 2 putts for a bogey 5.

Hole 17 A decent drive and 2nd left me 180 to the green, I didn't hit it very well, a bit of a shank, so had about 80 yds over a tree to the green. I thinned it and it failed to get down the slope so had to chip down to the very sloping green and it ran right to the back, a good first putt left a tap in for a double bogey 7

Hole 18 Hit my  tee shot a bit fat again so short of the green, a chip and 2 putts for a bogey 4.

47 shots on the back nine but with better putting it could have been 45 or less.

93 was my best score in a competition and I am going round regularly in the 90s, so I am quite happy with the way I am playing apart from my putting, I just cant get a nice smooth putting stroke consistantly enough. There was a putting competition before we went out and I took 29 puuts for 12 holes which is really quite shocking.

a win but disappointing

It was stroke play competition today, the course was closed in the morning so the numbers were down I decided to use my driver as I eally need to get used to it.but I started out very steadily with 5 straight bogeys and then birdied the 6th so I was thinking I might be in for a good round but a couple of badly chosen shots and a not so good back nine meant I ended up with a net 75 the same as CSS, it was enough to win but could easily have been a lot better.

The round in all its glory and gory details

Hole 1,  5 iron off the tee was a little short of the green but a decent chip and 2 putts for a bogey 4 start.

Hole 2  Drive a bit right into light rough followed by a 6 iron then a good wedge to the green 2 putts for a bogey 5.

Hole 3. Reasonable drive follwed by a decent 5 iron left a 6 iron to the green, left it a bit short but a chip and 2 puuts for a bogey 6.

Hole 4. 7 iron just short then a chip and 2 putts for a bogey 4

Hole 5. Reasonable drive to light rough then a 6 iron left 80 yards to the green, overhit just off the green but a chip and a 15 foot putt for a bogey 5

Hole 6 Good drive and 5 iron left me 90 to the green good chip 10 feet short of the hole holed the putt for a birdie 4

Hole 7. Good drive to middle of fairway left 150 to the green with a ditch to carry at 110 yds went for the carry and plugged in the far bank of the ditch, penalty drop then chip to green, 3 putted for a trble bogey 7. (dont go for long carries!!)

Hole 8. Good drive to middle of fairway and another ditch 100 yards away to consider, umed and ahed but the ball was sitting up so nicely! didnt hit it completely cleanly and the ball disappeared into the ditch. Penalty drop, the hit approach short of the green, chipped to 18 inches then missed the putt! for a double bogey 7 (its about time I learnt. dont go for carries unless sure of getting over !!!)

Hole 9. 8 iron to front fringe, chip and putt for a par 3.

So 45 shorts for the front nine but could easily have been 41 or 42 with a bit of sense and steadier putting.

Hole 10 Drive to right rough, a 6 iron left 150 to the green, 5 iron just short, chip and 2 putts for a double bogey 6.

Hole 11 Decent drive and 2nd left about 120 to the green, 7 iron to green but temporary green in play  putted back onto temporary green then 2 putts for a bogey 6.

Hole 12, Decent drive to about 30 yards short duffed chip to right of green chipped on the left first putt woefully short so 3 putted for a triple bogey 6

Hole 13 Drive to righthand rough 6 iron to fairway left 80yards to green, hit pitch into right hand bunker, chipped out to fringe chipped on and 2 putts for another triple bogey 7

Hole 14 5 iron to left of green, chip and 2 putts for a bogey 4.

Hole 15 Drive a bit right then 6 iron and 5 iron left 90 to the green, a  pitch woefully right, left a chip of a bunker which ran through the green, chip back and 2 putts for another triple this time an 8.

Hole 16, Nice drive to middle of fairway 150 from green, slightly mishit right so a chip over a bunker and 2 putts for a bogey 5.

Hole 17 Decent drive and 2 irons left 70 to the green good pitch shot on landing through the back, chip and 10 foot putt for a bogey 6

Hole 18 6 iron off tee slightly wayward caught tree branches, good chip for a steep bank and 2 putts for a bogey 4.

52 shots for back nine gave me 97 for a net 75.

So a win but with better course management could easily have been a few shots less. Its Lady Captain's day on Saturday, I will do my best to resist the temptation to go for carries, maybe irons off the tee on 7 and 8 will take away the temptation. Watch this space....

first round after the hols

I asked the question  in the last blog "would I get back from holiday in time to make the monthly medal" the answer, yes I did! After landing at Manchester at 1.10 in the afternoon, I headed for the course after dropping off the bags at home, fortunately for me one of the girls was just getting ready and said I could play with her and another.

So onto the round, I felt a bit rusty but I started out with my intention of sticking to just playing my irons, but I wasn't hitting them too well of the tee so after 5 holes I decided to give the driver a go. Happily I hit it pretty well with no great slicing although I still have a tendancy to hit it to the right, I really need to do some work on it. Overall the round wasnt too bad.

Hole 1, rusty 5 iron well short of the green, the chip ran off the green but chipped back dead for a bogey 4

Hole 2 Another rusty 5 iron, follwed by a 2nd from the fairway, good 7 iron from the rough ran through the green, chipped back and 2 putted for a double bogey 6

Hole 3 A better 5 iron off the tee but hit left into the trees, chipped back onto the fairway, then a good iron short of the ditch, 4th was just short of the green, chip to green then 2 putts for another double

Hole 4, 6 iron to green and 2 putts for a par.

Hole 5 Another iffy iron of the tee, reasonable 2nd but a poor 3rd, chip on and 2 putts for a double bogey

Hole 6 Decideed I might as well get the driver out, decent drive but in the rough, a nice 6 iron left a half wedge to the green, hit it a bit  thin and it rand off the back, a chip and 2 putts for a bogey.

Hole 7 A decent drive again down the right, forgot about my course management and took on the ditch and lost, miss hit pitch followed by a chip through the green finally got on thr green and 2 putted, for an quad bogey.

Hole 8, Again a driver to the right, laid up in front of the ditch, 3rd short was short of the green, a chip and 2 pouuts for a bogey.

Hole 9  A 9 iron to the green and 2 putts for a par.

So I went out in 49, not too bad but a shame about the 7th hole.

Hole 10, A good drive onto the fairway, and a decent 2nd left a pitch to the green and 2 putts for a good bogey.

Hole 11 Decent drive and second left me about 130 to the green so I went for the green rather than laying up, left it short on the steep bank but chipped on, but 3 putted from about 15 feet so I bad double bogey.

Hole 12 Took a rare 3 wood from the tee to 20 yds short of the green, chip and 2 putts for a bogey

Hole 13 A decent drive and second left about 80 yards, hit the best pitch of the day but a bit long, so was left with a very long downhill putt, which I holed for a very rare par on the SI 1 hole!

Hole 14 short with a 5 iron, chip and 2 putts for a bogey

Hole 15 Reasonable drive and second left 150 to the green, I hit it right though so a tricky chip, wanted to use SW but the lie was poor so to a PW and left it short, SW to 3 feet but missed the put for a Double bogey 7

Hole 16 5 iron off the tee for safety then a well hit iron but way off line, finished under trees. hit a low runner onto the green but 3 putted for another double bogey

Hole 17 Good drive and good second left me 160 to the green but in a divot hole, didnt hit it cleanly then a bit of a shank from the rough missed the green so on for 5 and 2 putts for a double bogey.

Hole 18 A 7 iron onto thegreen and 2 putts for a par to finish.

So 46 shots coming in for a total of 95 and a nett 72, which was CSS, I finished 2nd on a CPO. The quad bogey was rounded down though so I got a cut of 0.4 so back to 22 (22.2)

The pluses, I had putts for par on most of the back nine, a shame about 3 putting twice and my driving wasnt bad.

Negatives, forgetting what I had decided about course management which cost me 3 shots on the 7th. Although only 3 putting twice, I did miss a couple of shortish putts after chipping close, infact one finished further away from the hole.

All in all I was pretty pleased with my round and it was nice to get a little cut too. I MUST practise with my driver though.

Denton Open

I played in the Denton Open yesterday, my last game for over 2 weeks. Off to Spain tomorrow yah!! We played eary and in common with eveyone else who went out befor abot 1pm, we started in pouring rain, some of the greens had a lot of water on them, it wasnt pleasant at all. However in the afternoon theweather was glorious. Needless to say the top 3 were in the last four groups to go out. In fairness 3/4 of our round were played in sunshine, but with wet feet and wet clubs. with 2 scoring on each hole off 7/8 handicap we scored 70 points, not too bad, but it would have been interesting to see if we could have bettered that if the whole round had been played in the good weather, but c'est la vie. I could have been lovely in the morning and rainy in the afternoon.

For myself I kept my own score and did a net 75, which wasn't bad, the SSS is 72, some of my iron play wasn't has sharp as it often is but I did putt well which made a change. I am still mostly driving with my 5 iron.

So 2 weeks on a beach beckons, and then back home for the last month or so of the season, still got Lady Captains day to come, and a the big Hillside Golf Monthly event too.

So, only 2 questions remain, have I packed everything? and can I make the tee for the monthly medal the day I get back?

Britain's Best Putter

After replying to a post on the Golf Monthly forum I found myself going to Formby Hall to take part in the North West final.
I arrived as requested before 11am, the idea was to see the Odyssey people to try out putters as you had to lose an Odyssey one in the competition. I was taken to the lounge to wait, where I was joined by another couple of competitors and we had a coffee while we waited. After about30 minutes the GM rep came over and told us they were waiting for others to arrive, so we had another coffee. another 30 minutes passed and they finally came to take us to the putting green. Much to our surprise after the long wait there were already lots of people there and they were ready to start. This only gave me a couple of minutes to find a putter to use, not a great start, why we were kept waiting so long I dont know.
The first part was to play 36 holes to decided the knockout seeds. Despite holing  my first putt I didnt do particularly well and finished last of 8 with 42 and 40 putts. This meant I had to play the guy who did the  best 35 & 33 in the knockout.
He holed hid first putt which didnt bode well, but I followed him in and matched him for the first few holes until he had another single putt, I threee putted for the first time to go 2 down, but then he had a rare 3 putt for me to go back one down, I thought I might get back to all square when he had a longish putt but he holed it and we reached the 17th where his 2 meant I had to hole my first putt, I just missed and so lost 2&1.
I certainly did a lot better in that match but sadly not enough to get me to the final and get me a free putter.
I did enjoy it, but it was a shame it was a bit of a shambvles to start with.

Do I really need to use my driver?

Recently my driver has been mis-behaving, going left or right with me seemingly doing anything differently. So today I started playing a round and decided on the 3rd to to compare drives with different club. First my driver, reasonable distance but with a bit of a slice, next up 5 iron dead straight, finally a 3 wood again pretty straight. The landing area was out of sight from the tee so I was interested to see the respective distances. When I reached the balls, the shortest drive was the 3 wood, about 5 yard longer was the 5 iron, and the driver was slightly longer than that although with the slice was very close to the rough. So bearing in mind that the slice from the driver was not as bad as it often is and barely longer than the 5 iron, I decided to place the rest of the round driving with the 5 iron.
I am happy to report that I hit every fairway with the 5 iron, granted the drives were not as long as they would have been if I had hit as straight with my driver but definitely as long if not longer than a sliced drice or one of the heel. It was pleasing too to see that as I was hitting every 2nd shot from the fairway I hit only a couple of false shots. The only draw back was that as i wasn't hitting as far as a good drive and good second, I found myself hitting my shots to the green from a bit further out than I nornally would do, however I could still reach most of the par 5s in regulation.
I played the front nine in 44 and the back in 49, I had a run of double bogeys on the back nine after I caught up a 3 ball and was waiting on every shot as they wouldnt let me through, i got around the problem by palayin the last few holes in the wrong order to keep moving.

So I shot below my handicap despite only using my driver on the 2nd and 3rd holes, should I leave it in the locker in future?

Practice or play.

I have to admit that I am not big on practice. I go to the course with the intention of doing some work but after a few chips and putts I end up playing a few holes or a full round. I am sure there is good value in practicing and I have respect for people who can go and do their drills hitting 50 or 100 balls but I just find it so boring. I will happily try different shots on the course and play several balls if its quiet but that is about it.

So, am I taking the wrong approach here, should I buckledown and do practice drills or should I just get out on the course and enjoy a round and wait until my handicap drops a lot lower at which point practice on the range may become useful?

Course Management

Quite a number of holes at Ellesmere have water hazards that come into play, I do have a tendency to take these on even if the more prudent shot would be to lay up short. Yesterday I played 9 holes and tried laying up, I was pleasantly surprised to find I scored better on holes where I normally go for the carry. So in todays competition, a stableford, I decided to try and follow this approach.

As it turned out, I didnt start off very well, getting to the greens but then taking far too many shots to get down.

The round

hole 1 just off the fringe with tee shot but down in 5 after chipping too strong.
hole 2 pin high but in a bunker in 3 but down in 7, shot from bunker cleared green into bunkewr on the over side.
hole 3 just short in 3 chip too strong, down in 7.
hole 4 a straightforward bogey for 2 points
hole 5 an awful drive and again a poor showing around the green meant I blobbed despite getting 2 shots
Hole 6 a bogey for 2 points
Hole 7 I didn't take on the stream but didnt play my approach well so a double bogey for 1 point
Hole 8 Another lay up followed by a decent 3rd but then took another 4 after chipping into a bunker.
Hole 9 finally a pin high tee shot, just missed the birdie but the first par for 3 points
Hole 10 just short  in 3 chipped but again chipped  right over the green and another 7
Hole 11 saved a bogey with a single  putt for 2 points.
Hole 12 as the 11th single putt for a bogey and 2 points.
Hole 13  through the green with overhit pitch then fluffed first chip, so a nett bogey and 1 point.
Hole 14 tee shot into front bunker but a good bunker shot and a single putt got me a par and 3 points.
Hole 15 on in 4 but took 3 from a long way for a double and 1 point
Hole 16 an iron off the tree was wayward so fringe of the green in 3 but another 3 to get down.
Hole 17 3 good shots put me just short of the green in 3 and a chip and 2 putts gave me a bogey and   with 2 shots that was 3 points.
Hole 18 Tee shot pin high, and I holed from 15 feet across a sloping green for a birdie 2 and 4 points.

So I finished with a respectable score of 30 points, but bearing in mind I scored 13 points on 4 holes, the mere 17 points from the other 14 shows how poorly I played overall.

My driving at best was iffy, enven when I hit it well it tends to slice sometimes just a little but other times badly, I also still occassionally hit of the heel.
My  irons remain the strongest part of my game although my approachs from around 100 yds were not so good as recently.
My chipping was disappointing with constantly over hitting them.
As for putting, a mix of 3 putts and singles shows I still cannot judge line and length.

 I did follow the  careful approach? yeand I only went for carries when I felt sure I could clear the obstacles easily, sadly the way  I played around the green negated any benefit  I may have got from this approach.

I do find this inconsistency very frustating, maybe I should practice more.

Club Championship 28th July 2012

was Club Championship day, sadly not too many entrants in the Ladies Competition, I guess not a lot fancy the prospect of playing 36 holes in one day, I was dubious myself but gave it a go anyway. For the morning round I was pulling my own trolley but one of the other members had offered to caddy for me in the afternoon so that would be a great help.

We started off at 9.15 going out after the men, as it was the Championship, the course had been set up to be as hard as possible, the green were mown as short as possible to make them run very fast, the pins were set in the worst positions, generally at the bottom of slopes or close to bunkers.

Off my handicap, I try to bogey each hole, knowing I can afford a few doubles and hope to get a few pars to balance off the bad holes. Play was slow going in the morning, the guys were in three balls while we were in two balls so we tend to have to wait a lot, but I played OK over the first nine, I did start with 3 doubles but steadied things with 3 bogeys, followed by another 2 doubles but parred the 9^th for a score of 49. On the back nine it started well with a bogey on the 10^th, a hole I cannot reach in two so a 5 feels like a par, sadly I followed that with 2 doubles and a triple but a bogey then 2 pars brought things back on to finish with triples on the par 5 17^th and par 3 18^th, the latter being caused by my tee shot landing on the fringe but bouncing sideways and running back down the steep bang that guards the green.

Still I had a 99, net 76 which was not too disappointing and kept me in the hunt.

Because of the slow morning round, we did not have the expected 1 hour break between rounds and so after a quick sandwich, cup of tea and a change of clothes we were back on the 1^st tee within 30 minutes of finishing the first round.

Now with a caddy and enjoying the experience of just walking and playing shots, I started the second round very well a bogey on the first despite 3 putting, was followed by holing a long put for par on the 2^nd, a bogey on the 3^rd, then another good put for par on the 4^th. A double on the 5^th where I visited 2 ditches was followed by another par on the 6^th. I undid some of the good work with doubles on 7 and 8, and bogeyed the 9^th again due to 3 putting, but I ended up taking 46 on the front nine, the best nine holes of the day so far and I was hopeful of a good second round score.

The final nine started badly with double, triple, double, a nice bogey on the stroke index 1 13^th, but I took 4 from just short of the green for another double on the 14^th, I bogied the 15^th but another 3 putt gave another double on the 16^th. The penultimate hole of the day is a very long par 5, but 3 good shots put with about 30 yds short of the green, the 17^th green is set in a bowl with a steep bank at the front leading down to it. Approaches can be a bit of a lottery as if you hit the bank as the ball can shoot off the bank or sometimes pull up short. Sadly mine puued up so a nice sand wedge finished on the front fringe and again I took another 4 shots to put the ball into the hole for another triple.

So onto the final hole a par 3 over a valley with a steep bank leading up to the green, bunkers left and right and the clubhouse just at the back which is out of bounds. The pin was towards the back and close to the right hand bunker and due to the tee positon behind a large tree. Due to the better front nine I was still looking at a reasonable score in the mid 70s and I hit a lovely tee shot which started out on the pin but unfortunately faded and finished in the right hand bunker. I don’t mind bunkers even though I don’t always get out first time, so I wasn’t unduly worried when after my first attempt, the ball stayed in the bunker, unfortunately the 2^nd and 3^rd attempts to get out failed too, I did get out with the fourth only to overshoot the green and end up out of bounds on the clubhouse flags. So back to the bunker, and finally out another 3 shots to get the ball in the hole for a disastrous 10!, I was distraught, I ended the back nine with a 58 for a 104 net 81, to keep it going only for almost 2 rounds to finish with a 8 and a 10 on the last two holes had me close to tears and convinced I had blown my chance of winning.

Fifteen minutes later however, I was in tears, when I found out that I had actually won the best net score. Fortunately for me everyone found the course tough and my score was the lowest, so I won the Florence Burton Cup and get my name on the honours board in the lounge.

Playing 2 rounds wasn’t as bad as I expected and having a caddy certainly helped at lot.

My course, my game.

I thought I would do a review of Ellesmere Golf club and my approach to the holes so here goes.

Hole 1, par 3, 147 yards (162 whites)

You drive across a valley to a green with bunkers both left and right, there is no great problem in being short but the are bushes just over the back, I take a 5 or 6 iron and am pretty confident of hitting the green, as it’s the first though I am happy with a 4 or even a 5.

Hole 2, par 4, 362 yards (399 whites)

You drive of a slightly elevated tee over a ditch, with big bushes close in on the left as a result I usually aim to the right where the fairway is reasonably generous, the fairway is uphill with a bunker on the right that normally doesn’t come into play for me but probably does for longer lady hitters or from the men’s tees. An iron for the 2^nd shot usually sees me within 120 yds of the green protected by 3 bunkers, the fairway runs down to the green for the last 100ds. I am more than happy with a 5 on this and a 6 is ok.

Hole 3, par 5, 424 yards (504 whites)

The second longest hole, the fairway is slightly down hill and tree lined on both sides ,fairway, with bunkers both left and right, these are just out of my range but I sometime get near to them. 120 yds from the green is a broad ditch and the shot to the green is uphill. If I hit a decent drive and 2^nd shot I am usually between the 150 marker and the ditch so I am fairly confident of being on or around the green in 3, so I disappointed not to get a bogey here and a par is a possibility.

Hole 4, par 3 132 yards.(259 Whites par 4)

Supposedly the easiest hole on the course, the hole is slightly downhill, but the fairway slopes from left to right so a ball that bounces short of the green will normally kick to the right. There is also a bunker short left of the green. I struggle with the right club here, a 7 iron will land short but the kick on landing is unpredictable, a six iron can run through or off the green to the right leaving a chip up onto the green plateau anything from a 2 to 4 is possible from a decent tee shot.

the mens tee on this is an almost blind drive with a nasty carry.

Hole 5, par 4, 353 yards (371 whites)

A slight dogleg, with a lateral water hazard down the right and a narrow ditch about 200yds from the tee, a bunker about 50yds from the green makes it a true dogleg for me on a hole I cannot reach in 2 I play 2 shots before being able to play a short 3^rd into the green, which also has 3 hidden bunkers along the right hand side of the green. Again a 5 is good, a 6 ok. A hole I haven’t managed to par as yet.

Hole 6, par 5, 393 yards (417 Whites par 4)

A straightforward hole a flat fairways slopes down to an upturned saucer shaped of a green, with lateral water to the right. 2 decent shots and I hope to have a good chance of hitting the green, although the ball will often roll off it. Anything more than a 6 is a disappointment and I hope for a par here.

Hole 7, par 4, 325 yards (349 Whites)

The fairway runs down hill towards the green but a ditch running across in front of the green presents a problem, front right of the green is a stand of trees and there is a big drop behind that is classed as a lateral hazard. If I can drive down the left far enough I have a chance of going for the green but if I go right or am short I have to lay up. I am sometimes tempted to try and clear the ditch when I shouldn’t with often the predictable result. I look for a 5 but not too worried with a 6. A good drive and I am hoping to have the chance of a par.

　

Hole 8, par 5, 383 yards. (439 whites par 4)

A long straight hole with the broad ditch again a feature about 130 yards from the green. A good drive and I am tempted to try and clear the ditch with my second, this can be a problem as the bank leading out of the ditch is rough and it takes a good drive and good second to clear this too. I am usually tempted if my drive is on the fairway. Probably the sensible option is to lay up but unless I can hit the 20 yds of fairway from the 150 marker to the ditch, I cannot reach the green in 3. I often mess this hole up because if this and a 7 or even an 8 is not unusual, despite a 6 being relatively simple to achieve. I tend to score best her e when I missed the fairway with my drive.

Hole 9, par 3, 104 yards (180 whites)

A lovely little hole, which is a lot longer from the yellow or whites. The hole is in a little valley with rubbish all down the right on the other side of a stream that runs upto and then around the right and back of the green. A bank down the left can deflect the ball towards the green but there is rough there which also catch the ball too. I usually take an 8 iron and expect to hit the green, The green itself slopes towards the stream so if up are above the hole it can be a tricky putt. This hole is a good par opportunity.

　

Hole 10, par 4, 366 yards (419 whites)

A drive back over the broad ditch along an undulating fairway to a raised green should not present too many problems. Unfortunately it does, there is a dip in the fairway where my ball usually lands and often gets thrown to the right, leaving a 2^nd shot from the rough and often with trees in the way unless I can hit the left of the fairway, which I rarely do. So another hole where a 6 is not a disaster and a 5 feels like a par. A par is so far unknown and a 7 is often likely.

Hole 11, par 5, 406 yards 4(36 Whites par 4)

Quite similar to the 8^th, although the green is just over the ditch and has a narrow entrance with bunkers left and right at the front, so it takes an accurate 3^rd shot if I get within 150 yds in 2. I hope to have the chance of a par but a bad 3^rd shot can put me in trouble.

Hole 12, par 3, 191 yards (206 whites)

A long downhill par 3 which is out of my range, with trees down the left and rough down the right. I have stopped using my driver here because I normally end up in the right hand rough, so a 5 iron off the tee and hope for a good chip, a 5 is more frequent than a 3 here for me.

Hole 13, par 4, 355 yards (409 Whites)

Again similar to the 10^th but a flatter fairway with a bunker down the right, just out of my range, the green is not as raised as the 10^th but has bunkers both left and right. Stroke index 1 and again a 5 feels like a par, which I have not had yet.

Hole 14, par 3, 143 yards (153 Whites)

Slightly uphill par 3 over mostly rough to a green guarded around the front with bunkers. I can hit the green with a good 5 iron but often end up a little short which leaves a tricky chip depending on the lie , I do expect a 3 or 4 on this hole.



Hole 15, par 5, 410 yards. (536 Whites)

This is a slight dogleg with a sloping fairway front right to left, although the direct route is to the left the lie can be poor due to work done laying a pipeline under the course. So a drive to the right is ideal but there are a lot of trees along the right of the hole so care is needed. This also means the drive is uphill. The green is 2 tiered with bunkers front left and also to the right so care is needed with the approach as there is also a steep bank leading down from the green on the left, with a lateral hazard at the bottom, and due to the shape of the hole is often approached from the right. Again 2 good shots will give me a chance of hitting the green in 3 but due to the green’s protection leaving the 3^rd short but central is not too bad. I do often get a par here but occasionally mess it up too.

Hole 16, par 4, 311 yards (388 Whites)

This is an fairly easy hole although the fairway is tight with trees down the right and a lateral hazard down the left over which there is quite a drop to the 14^th fairway and also a thin line of conifers overhang the fairway right down to the green, a bunker protects the front right of the green. Because of the possibility of a wayward drive which has cost me in the past, I now take a 5 iron off the tee, which gives me a chance of reaching the green if it’s a good drive. I do look for no maoe than a 4 or a 5 here but the green is very long and 3 putting is a good possibility depending on where the pin is.

Hole 17, par 5, 478 yards (503 Whites)

The longest hole from the red tees, a slightly uphill drive with bunkers left and right before the fairway slopes down unevenly towards the ubiquitous broad ditch 150yds from the green. The green is set in a bowl with a steep slope leading down to it. A stream runs along the left side of the green and around the back with a steep rough bank with bushes immediately behind it. My best hope on this hole is to get as close to the ditch as possibly in 2 to have any chance of reaching the green in 3, so far I have not achieved this although I have been on the slope which sadly had a lot of grass on it which held the ball up. I normally hopr for 2 decent shots which leaves me a 3^rd over the ditch to leave a chip down to the green, due to the nature of the bank a run down it is unpredictable so I like to get near enough to be able to play a short sand wedge and hope to hit the green and not run much. A 6 here is great, although a 7 more usual sadly and often more than that.

Hole 18, par 3, 122 yards (157 whites)

A lovely finishing hole but not as simple as the yardage suggests, the tee shot is over a valley with a steep rough bank leading up to the green from a stream, there is lots of rubbish on the right and bunkers both left and right. Also 2 big trees growing from the bank leaving a tight line to the green through the gap between them there is also very little room at the back of the green before the flags of the clubhouse which is out of bounds, also the putting green is back right and also out of bounds. Anything landing short of the green is liable to end up at the bottom of the steep bank or in the stream. I hope to hit the green with a 6 or 7 iron depending on pin position on the undulating green, but any score is possible depending on the tee shot, I have birdied the hole but also and a 10 and even a 14 after trouble with bunkers and out of bounds.




My golf is a bit mixed, my driving is a little erratic, I can follow a nice straight drive with a bad slice or hitting one off the heel without, in my mind, doing anything differently, this is very frustrating and I intend to have a videoed lesson to see I I can find out what is going wrong. I expect to hit a good drive 160-170 yds although with the wind behind me I have topped 200yds a few times.

My irons are the strongest and most consistent part of my game, I expect to hit 140-150 with my 5 iron, my 5 iron is my most used club as despite a lot of practise I cannot hit woods off the fairway with any sort of consistency and so it is not worth using them in Competitions. As for my other irons I am fairly confident of my distances, which drop 10yds per club down to 100 yds with my pitching wedge. I believe I can hit my sand wedge about 50 yds but I do lack the confidence to use it fro that distance.

My chipping is not too bad but again it can be great one day and not so good the next, I tend to chip and run with my 8 iron and I am quite happy to play my sand wedge over obstacles. The use of my wedge has been a bit up and down but recently I have been using it a lot better and am now fairly confident with shots below 100yds

Bunkers, are again a problem, I am always confident going of getting out but occasionally I have bad days and have once taken 10 shots to get out.

So finally putting, this is really where my problem lies, the number of times I have been on the green in regulation on ly to 3 or even 4 put are too many to recall them whole. I struggle with judging distant, one hole leaving a put woefully short, the next far too long and then leaving one stone dead. It is very frustrating and at the moment is preventing me from getting my handicap down further, the problem is I don’t think its something you can be taught how to do. I do also sometime struggle to hole puts of under 3 feet, this is probably more about alignment and something I need to work one.
Well that’s my course and my game at the moment. I tend to score better on the front nine than the back nine. So far my eclectic score for the season is 76, which shows my potential if I could just do it all on the same round. My best competition round so far is 95 although I have broken 90 in a practice round. I feel it is within my current ability to get my handicap down to 18 if I can cut out the inconsistancy, but I need to be able to putt better to get it below that.





Well that brings things up to date so now I can keep the blog current in future.