Big improvements.

The week started with a fun event again, this time a mixed “frolic” which was a 12 hole greensome competition. Played with a guy off 13 and it is far to say nether of us were on our game. My driving was very poor and my partner was not very accurate, I had to play out of 4 bunkers, although I did get out first attempt each time which was nice. We only ended up with 20 points and I hope we both play better in a couple of weeks when I am partnering him in a 4BBB competition, one of our majors.

Tuesday found my playing the first round of our club knockout competition and considering how poorly I had played the day before I wasn't in a very confident frame of mind. I was giving my opponent 2 shots and we halved the first with bogeys but I went one down on the 2^nd when she hit the flag with her approach and tapped n for a par.

I gave a shot on the 3^rd but I then I parred the 4^th to get back to all square, I had a par 5 to her 6 so that was halved. A poor 2^nd found a ditch on the 5^th and that put me one down again but a par at the 6^th got me back to all square, and we both parred the 7^th. The tide started to turn my way when I was lucky to win the 8^th when her putt for a half just lipped out and doubled my lead on the 9^th when she found water and I parred the hole.

I Went 3 up on the 10^th when a bogey was enough to win the hole before we both parred the 11^th.and I won the 12^th to go 4 up. Gave the 2^nd shot on the 13^th and that was enough to enable her to win the hole but a par on the 14^th put me dormie 4. We both bogeyed the 15^th and that gave me the match by 4&3.

I was amazed at the difference in my game from the day before, I drove well and my short game was mostly good, I played under my handicap and hope I can keep it up in Thursday's medal.

Wednesday I had a lesson booked at Chorlton and having looked at my swing, James suggested that my right hand had slipped round, so after adjusting my grip I found I was hitting the ball straighter although it did feel a little strange. I managed to get in 9 holes in the evening to practice and mostly seemed to ht the ball a lot straighter.

Thursday was a lovely day and I started the medal comp feeling good although 3 putting the first for a double bogey set me back a bit, however 3 pars and 5 bogeys gave me a decent first 9 and one under my handicap. I did have some good fortune when a push into the trees on the 3 found a decent lie, and I got a lucky bounce on the 9^th to avoid going into water. I was driving well but sadly I was not hitting my 3 wood very well. A great drive on the par 5 6^th for example left me with a good chance of finding the green in 2 but I topped my 3 wood and 3 putted again so only got a bogey.

An awful chip to the 10^th ended up with me starting the back nine with an awful triple bogey 7 and then the heavens opened. The rain came down as hard as hail and although I was just off the back of the 11^th in 3 I took 3 more for a disappointing bogey 6. I didn't play the 12^th well but hoed a 15 foot putt for a bogey and then on the 13^th a couple of bad shots meant I was still 30 feet from the hole in 4 but I holed that putt for another fortunate bogey.

I hate a great tee shot to 8 feet on the 14^th but after the 2 great putts on the previous holes I missed the birdie, After a steady par on the 15^th I again had a good birdie chance on the 16^th but missed again from about 10 feet. A bogey on the 17^th meant I needed a bogey on the last to beat my handicap, I a decent tee shot but it faded at the end and found a bunker and although I got out I was in longish grass just off the green, I hit it to 8 feet but missed the bogey, This meant a nett 72, which proved enough to win the competition, although CSS stayed at 72, so unfortunately no handicap cut.

Hole 1

A decent drive finshed just off the green but a poor chip and an under hit putt left about 10 feet for a bogey which I missed, so a double bogey 5 start.

Hole 2

I hit a very good straight drive, but topped my fairway wood which left me about 50 yds from the green. I chipped on and 2 putts gave me a bogey 5.

Hole 3

I hit a decent drive but unfortunately t found a fairway bunker, my shot out caught the lip and although it stayed out it was only level with the bunker. I decided to hit a 3 wood to try to clear the ditch but pushed t way right into trees. I was fortunate to find the ball in a decent position and I found the green and 2 putts gave me a bogey 6.

Hole 4

A decent tee shot ran just through the green and I chipped to a foot anf holed for a par 3.

Hole 5

A nice straight drive left 150 to the green, my 5 wood finished about 5 yards off the green and although I left my chip about 12 feet short I holed the putt for a par 4. was very happy as rarely par this hole.

Hole 6
I really hit a great drive straight and over 200 yds, I had a change to reach the par 5 green in too but I topped my 3 wood and was still 60 yds from the green. I hit a nice pitch but it pulled up very quickly leaving me a slightly uphill and then downhill putt though had judged it but it speed up and ran 6 feet past the holes and I missed the return for a bogey 6.

Hole 7

Another good drive left a 9 iron to the green, I hit it to about 10 feet but missed the birdie putt so a par 4.

Hole 8

A decent drive but pushed and I didn't have the best of lies, I hit a reasonable 3 wood but it caught the branches of a tree and finished up on a path. Had a free drop but onto a mossy bank and missed the green with my pitch. I chipped on and 2 putted for a bogey 6.

Hole 9.

Not the best tee shot but it got a lucky bounce and finished on the fringe of the green, misjudged my putt and left myself 3 feet for a par, but missed it to finished the nine with a bogey and 4 for a total of 43 shots, One better than my handicap.

Hole 10

Another good drive again followed by a poor 3 wood which still ran to 40 yds from the green, I had a bit of indecision on the club to play and I didn't commit to the shot and shanked it into a very grassy lie, my pitch only reached the fringe and I again left the putt 4 feet from the hole and missed it. So a triple bogey 7 for a terrible start to the back nine.

Hole 11

A decent drive as the rain started to fall, my layup before the ditch was a poor on and finished in the rough, I hit a wedge that ran off the back of the green, I hit a nice chip but t was downhill and ran 8 feet past the hole and I missed the par putt so a bogey 6.

Hole 12

The ran was really coming down heavily now and I slightly pulled my tee shot, was only 20 yards from the green but with rain running down my neck I rushed the shot and didn't reach the green, my next chip found the green but about 15 feet short of the hole however I read the line well and holed it for a bogey 4.

Hole 13,

I hit an awful drive high and way left, I played the next shot up the 8^th fairway and left myself 100yds although over trees and a bunker. I cleared the trees but found the bunker. I got out but left a 30 feet uphill putt, Fortunately I managed to hole this for a bogey 5.

Hole 14

I hit a lovely tee short to about 8 feet sadly my birdie putt just curled off at the last minute so a tap in for a par 3.

Hole 15

I hit a nice drive and finally a reasonable 3 wood to leave around 100 yds, I hit a nice 9iron which finished pin high and though hit a weak first putt I holed the next from 6 feet for a par 5.

Hole 16

I hit a decent drive although it was a little left and left my having some overhanging branches to deal with, but another nice 9 iron left me a 10 foot putt for a birdie but again I missed and had a par 4.

Hole 17

I hit a reasonable drive although it was left and finished n the rough, I didn't hit a great iron shot and was still in the rough 200 yds from the green, I hit a decent 3 wood which left my 80 yds from the green and my pitch just found the edge of the green, 2 putts gave me a bogey 6.

Hole 18

I usually have a good idea of how I am doing and knew that a bogey would see me finish under my handicap, I hit a good 6 iron but it drifted at the end and found a greenside bunker. I got it out first time but only onto longish grass just off the fringe. I hit my chip to about 8 feet but missed the putt to finish with a disappointing double bogey 5.

So 45 shots on the back nine for a total of 88 gross, nett 72.

I felt a lot better about my game today although starting and finishing with double bogeys was very disappointing. My driving was mostly good apart from on the 13^th, although my 3 wood, which s usually pretty good was poor today. My pitches were good but my chipping could have been better.

My putting was very strange, I holed some good putts but 3 putted 4 times and it was a shame I couldn't make at least one the three good birdie chances.

Sunday was our first board competition, the Seal Shield, I started off really well with pars on the first 2 holes and another at the 4^th, after 5 holes I was just 2 over par with the next 3 holes being ones usually pay well, cue a thinned wedge on the 6^th, my 2^nd finished right behind a tree on the 7^th and topped 3 wood findng a ditch on the 8^th, I ended up with double bogeys on all 3 holes. A bogey on the last meant 45 shots for the first nine. I set off well on the back nine with pars at 11, 12, 14 and 15 and bogeys at the other holes and was stood on the 17^th tee 2 shots under my handicap, I was slightly unfortunate to have a double bogey on the 17^th and was in the same position as I was on thursday, needing a 4 for a nett 71. Amazingly I played it almost exactly the same as thursday, found the bunker off the tee, got it out but only into the long grass, chipped to 8 feet and just missed the putt to finish with a double bogey 5 and a second successive 88 for a net 72.

Hole 1
Lovely tee shot to the middle of the green, 2 putts for a par 3

Hole 2

Decent drive a little right, hit my 2^nd to about 30 yards from the green, a nice chip to 8 feet and holed for a par 4.

Hole 3

Decent drive, then went to lay up in front of the ditch but pulled it into the left hand rough. A 7iron finished 2o yards short of the green, I chipped to 15 feet and 2 putts for a bogey 6

Hole 4

Decent tee shot to fringe of the green, left my first putt 4 feet short but holed for a par 3.

Hole 5

A great tee shot left 150 yds to the green, but hit the top of the ball with my 2^nd shot and it only went 20 yards. A nice 7 iron found the green and 2 putts gave me a bogey.

Hole 6

Another good straight drive, then a slightly topped 3 wood that finished 50 yds from the green, I thinned a chip that ran through the green chipped to about 20 feet but was too aggressive with my but and although it lipped the hole it ran 4 feet past and I missed the return, so a double bogey 7

Hole 7

A decent drive but down the right, I had trees between me and the flag so I aimed to hit a little short towards the front of the green, sadly the ball went towards the pin and finished right up against a tree. I had to take a penalty drop, chipped on and 2 putted for a double bogey 6.

Hole 8

Another good straight drive and I had the chance to get very close to the green in 2 but badly topped my 3 wood and went into the ditch, another penalty drop and a 5 iron was just short of the green, a chip and 2 putts for the 3^rd double on the trot, this time a 7.

Hole 9

Not a great tee shot and it was short of the green, a chip and 2 putts for a bogey 4.

45 shots for the first nine, very disappointing after the great start and messing up 3 holes I normally expect to play well.

Hole 10
My drive found the rough and I hit a decent 2^nd to 60 yds from the flag, I underhit my pitch and failed to reach the green, however a lovely 2^nd chip to a foot gave me a bogey 5.

Hole 11

A nice drive and a wedge to just short of the ditch, 80 yds pitch was a little offline but a chip and one putt for a par 5.

Hole 12

A decent drive to just right of the green followed by a chip to 3 feet and a putt for a par 3

Hole 13

A decent drive just found the rough, a 5 iron was 30 yds short of the green, a chip and 2 putts for a bogey 5.

Hole 14

Tee shot was a little thin but found the back of the green, a good long putt and a tap in for a par 3.

Hole 15

A good d rive and the best 3 wood of the day left 60yards to the flag, slightly over hit wedge ran just off the back of the green, a little chip to 2 feet and a putt for a par 5

Hole 16

A nice drive, but not the best 7iron left a 20 yard chip which just caught a sprinkler but finished 8 feet from the flag, par putt lipped out so a bogey 5.

Hole 17

A good drive but a pulled 2^nd left a 3 wood from the rough which went rather too far right, ht a nice chip but it just didn't stop running and finished just on the edge of the green, a decent long uphill pull was a little short and a 4 foot putt for a bogey just slipped by the hole, so a double bogey 7.

Hole 18

A well hit tee short which was pulled a little left found a bunker, a poor lie meant my feet were outside the bunker but I got it out but only into the long grass on the back of the bunker, I chipped on but it ran about 8 feet past and my putt just fell away at the last minute so a double bogey 5.

Despite the double bogeys on the last 2 holes, I finished the 9 with 43 shots for a total of 88 and a net score of 72.

Again I mostly played well, but a few poor fairway woods cost me shots. I am playing a lot steadier though and I am sure I will start to get my handicap down again soon.

A good week

Three weeks into the season and the course is beginning to settle down nicely, with firmer greens running far more truly than they had been in the preceding weeks.

After a fun 12 hole competiton on Sunday, the Lady Captains v Lady Secretary's teams,we had our first handicap shield match on Monday, this is a season long Lancashire competition, with the county beng divided into 4 regions, and each region into 4 groups. The groups play a home and away league. The winners of each group then play off to get a regional winner and then the 4 regional winners play off to get the overall winning club. Last season Ellesmere won our group but we lost in the regional semi final.

We were playing Manchester and I played a lady off 19 handicap so I was giving her 3 shots. I played very steadily, the best in fact I have played so far this season, I took and early lead and kept it going until I finally won the match 4&2 on the 16^th. One of the most pleasing things about the round was that I only had one hole where I scored worse than a bogey

Due to having other things to do I only managed a further 9 holes this on Wednesday evening before Thursday's competition day.

Thursday's comp was a foursomes stableford, a qualifier for another Lancashire ladies competition the Scott Leggat. I played with Janet, who I have played with in doubles competitions n the past and we tend to play well together.

We started steadily with 4 bogeys for 7 points after 4 holes, but messed up the 5^th after 2 good shots, we recovered by birdieing the 6^th and paring the 7^th and 2 more bogies gave us a front nine total of 18 points.

We started the 2^nd nine with another 2 bogies then parred the 12th, but then messed up the 13^th, another par at the 14^th and a bogey at the 15^th was followed by another bad hole, we finished with a bogey and a par at the last for another 17 points and a total of 35. This proved to be enough to win the competition and so we will now play in the regional qualifier at Walmersley golf club in early June.

I was mostly pleased with how I played this week and I hope can carry it forward to next week's medal.

Thursday round

Hole 1
A lovely teeshot from Janet found the back of the green, but wth the flag near the front I badly overhit a long putt, Janet couldn't hole the return so we started with a bogey and 2 points

Hole 2

I hit a decent drive but it was a little right and finished in a bunker, J got it out well to about 50 yards from the green and I found the green about 20 feet from the hole, J's putt was just short, so a tap in for a bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 3

A decent drive from J but I pulled my 6 iron a little and then J hit the 3^rd just short of the green, I chipped over a bunker and we had 2 putts for a bogey 6 and 2 points.

Hole 4

I hit a good teeshot but it ran through the green, J chipped to 3 feet but I missed the putt so a bogey 4 and no shot here so just 1 point.

Hole 5

J hit a nice drive and I followed it with a lovely 3 wood that was unlucky to run across the front of the green and into a bunker, sadly it took us 2 to get out and we were still off the green J's chip was long and I missed the putt so a triple bogey 7 and no points.

Hole 6

A lovely drive from me and a nice second from J left me a 40 yard pitch, I hit it to 4 feet and J holed the putt for a birdie and 4 points.

Hole 7

A decent driver from J left me 160 to the green, I hit another lovely 3 wood which just ran off the back of the green, J chipped to 3 feet and I holed the putt for a par and 3 points.

Hole 8

A poor drive from me found the trees and J could only knock the ball forward about 50 yds, I didn't ht a great 3rd and J left it short of the green but I chipped to a foot and J holed for a good bogey 6 and 2 points.

Hole 9

J's tee shot just missed the green but was in long grass, I came out a bit thin to 15 feet and 2 putts gave us a bogey 4 and 2 points.

Hole 10

Another poor drive from me and an average 2^nd from J left me 135 from the green, I hit a lovely 7 wood, which ran through the green (again!). J chipped to 3 feet and I holed for a bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 11

A decent drive from Janet and I pulled an iron which left J 100yds from the green but unfortunately  her swing was obstructed by branches so she laid it up before the ditch, I hit a decent pitch and 2 putts gave us a bogey 6 and 2 points.

Hole 12

Finally a good drive from me but it ran through the green, J chipped to 3 feet and I  holed for a par 3 and 3 points.

Hole 13.

A good drive fom J but for once a poor 3 wood from me left a 50yd pitch over a bunker, J found the green and 2 putts for a bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 14

I hit a nice teeshot but it was right of the green and found a bunker again it took 2 to get out and a long bogey putt missed, no shot here so no points.

Hole 15

A reasonable drive from J but I messed up a 3 wood from a mossy lie, J hit the next to 90 yds and I hit a lovely 9 iron to 3 feet and J holes for a par 5 and 3 points.

Hole 16

An awful drive from me found trees, J knocked it out and I slightly topped the next which finished just shot of a bunker, J's chip ran through the green I chpped on but short and J missed a long putt so a treble bogey and no points

Hole 17

A decent drive from J and a good iron from me into the wind left us 190 from the green, J was a bit off line with the next and I was left with a pitch over a tree, I hit it well and found the green and 2 putts gave us a bogey 6 for 2 points.

Hole 18

Another pulled iron by me finished up wide of the green but pin hgh, J chipped to 10 feet and I holed the putt for a par and 3 points.

I was disappointed with my driving and I was pulling my irons, but I mostly hit my woods well and chipped and putted well too, in fact we only had 30 putts in total.

A matchplay win and a handicap increase.

Sunday was the first round of the Bell cup, the ladies team event in which we got to the quarter-finals last year. Our match was at home to Didsbury and all our girls were giving shots, including myself who gave 3 shots.
I was 6^th out and quickly went 2 up with a bogey, par start, however my opponent hit back with 2 pars to bring the match back to all square,

I went back to 1up when she made a mess of the 5^th and a bogey on the 6^th was enough to go back to 2 up.
We halved the 7^th and 8^th with bogeys and pars respectively, but went back to one when I 3 putted the 9^th.
3 putts at the 10^th meant another half and then 11 and 12 were both halved with bogeys.
I gave a shot at the 13^th but we both made a mess of the hole and we halved again, this time with an 8! Then I hit the green on the par 3 14^th and 2 putts gave me a par and the hole to go back to 2 up.
I was on the par 5 15^th in 3 but on the wrong tier of the green and again took 3 putts and halved the hole.
A good drive on the 16^th set me up well and my opponent hit a tree with her second shot and was only able to reach the green in 5 shots. Although my second shot wasn't great I put my 3^rd safely on the green and rolled the putt close to win the hole and the match by 3&2.

With the last pair still on the course the team score was 3-3 and we waited nervously for them to finish. It went right to the last green where our girl holed out for a par to win her match and give Ellesmere a 4-3 victory.

I had a lot on during the week so only managed one practice round before the Thursday competition, Although I played well so approached the comp quite positively, unlike last week.

We were playing the first medal of the season and I  was playing with our Lady Captain.

On the first tee I took my 26 degree hybrid as usual, this club will normally get me onto the green if I hit it straight. I pulled it a little to the left but what was worse that to my surprise it overshot the green by 20 yds.

Sadly this week my driving wasn't as consistent as it usually is, so I did struggle quite a bit and for the 3^rd week running I scored badly on the first few holes. however I mostly putted better than last week. I did play better on the back nine and could have finished in my buffer, depending on a ruling on the 9^th hole.

I hit an awful shot which clattered in to the trees and came to rest on a path up against an stone edging as shown in the picture at the top. I had free relief but we didn't know whether this edging was classed as part of the path. If it wasn't I could take a drop on the path, but if it was I would have to play 3 off the tee as there was nowhere to take relief other than on a steep bank covered with foliage.

We decided than I play from both positions and then find the correct ruling after the round. With the ball played off the path I made a 4 but the ball from the tee resulted in an 8. The ruling was that the edging was part of the path and so the 8 stood, resulting in me being outside my buffer and receiving a 0.1 handicap increase, which, although it doesn't seem much, changed my handicap from 15.4 to 15.5 and increased my playing handicap from 15 to 16.

I do try to bring my handicap down so I was disappointed with it going up, but in fairness my game so far this season doesn't merit any better.

And so to the round.

Hole 1

My teeshot when 20 yds through the green I fluffed the chip, so was on in 3 and 2 putts gave my a double bogey 5.

Hole 2

My drive went way right, but I hit a good 3 wood which unfortunately finished in a greenside bunker. I got out ok but overflew the green, a chp on and 2 putts for a double bogey 6.

Hole 3

A poor drive was pulled left trees, had to play out down the 2^nd fairway and then tried to go over trees, fortunately ending in a good position. A 6 iron finshed just short of the green and I chipped to 10 feet and holed the putt for a bogey 6

Hole 4

A decent tee shot finished just short of the green, I chipped to 12 feet but underhit the putt which finished a foot short of the hole, but sadly I missed that tap n for a double bogey 5.

Hole 5

I hit my drive well but pushed it right and it found the ditch that runs up that side of the hole, after a penalty drop I hit a good 3 wood just short of the green a chip and 2 putts gave me my 4th double bogey this time a 6.

Hole 6

I hit my drive high and left but had a good enough lie to hit a decent 3 wood which left about 14 to the green, I thinned a 6 iron which ran off the back of the green. A chipped to 3 feet and holed the putt for a par 5.

Hole 7

Finally I hit a good long straight drive leaving an 8 irion to the green but I hit it fat and left it 30 yds short. I chipped on and 2 putts gave my a bogey 5.

Hole 8

Another drive high and left meant I couldn't try to clear the ditch and I had to lay up short, A 3 wood finished 20 yds short and I chipped on and 2 putted for a bogey 6.

Hole 9

An awful teeshot clattered the trees and finished against the edging of a path, as described earlier, I played 3 off the tee but only succeeded in finding the ditch that runs up the hole, A penalty drop meant I was playing 5 I missed the green, chipped on and 2 putted for a quintuple bogey 8.

All that meant I had taken 52 shots for the first 9 holes.

Hole 10

I hit my drive a bit thin but it ran on well, I topped my 3 wood and a 2^nd finished short of the green, my pitch ran through the green. I chipped to 8 feet but missed the putt for a triple bogey 7.

Hole 11

I hit a decent drive and played an 8 iron to 100 yds, I found the green with a 9 iron and 2 putts gave me a par 5.

Hole 12

A reasonable drive finished to the right of the green, a chip and 2 putts for a bogey 4.

Hole 13

An average drive and a decent 3 wood left a pitch to the green and 2 putts gave me a bogey 5.

Hole 14.

found the green with my hybrid and 2 putts gave me a par 3.

Hole 15

After a good drive I again topped a 3 wood, another 3 wood left me 90 yds from the green but a thinned pitch went through the back. I chipped to 3 feet but missed the putt for a double bogey 7.

Hole 16

I hit a good drive but I didn't hit a very good 8 iron and was left with a chip over a bunker. A very nice shot with my 56 degree wedge finished 3 feet from the pin and I holed for a par 4.

Hole 17

I hit a good drive and a decent 6 iron to leave me 160 yds from the green. A nice straight 3 wood found the middle of the green, but I misjudged the putt which finished 4 feet from the hole and missed the return putt so a bogey 6.

Hole 18

A pulled tee shot found a greenside bunker my escape finished through the green but I chipped to 2 feet and holed the putt for a bogey 4.

A better back 9 of 45, for a total of 97 and a nett score of 82.

Not quite there yet.

On Saturday saw me off to Frodsham for the Northwest round of the Golf Monthly forum members king of kings competition. I have played Frodsham a couple of times before and t has some nice holes. It s set on the top of Frodsham Hill with good views on a clear day across the Weaver estuary. Today wasn't very clear but it was dry. The course as a popular footpath across it and at one point we had to wait while a bout 30 hikers cross the fairway we were playing.

I played quite well but it seemed that everytime I had a good hole I followed it with a poor one. I finally finished with a nett 74 which although being the joint 2^nd best score was miles behind the winner who had a nett 66. The winner has now won himself a place in the fnal, which will be held at Hillside Golf club, one of my favourite courses.

Sunday was our Captain's drive in followed by a shotgun start for our opening mixed greensomes. I was partnering the hubby of our lady captain. We had a nice round, although after a poor start we were never going to challenge but we did rally and finished with a respectable 32 points, the winners scoring 41.

After a couple of practice rounds on monday and tuesday were I played indifferently Thursday brought the 2^nd competition of the season, a par competition. This type of competition is basically match play against the course, where the course scores par on every holes, so you take the shots you are due and a net par is a half, better is a win and worse is a loss. This winner being the player with the best total score.

I played very well from tee to close to the green but that's when it tended to go wrong. My chipping was poor and I really struggled on the greens which were very slow, the grass was quite lush and also there had had fertiliser applied. I was 6 down after 10 holes although did improve to finish 4 down.

I have to admit that start the round full of negative thoughts, a bad round would see my handicap rise to 16 and a poor chip and 3 putts on the first hole only compounded these thoughts. These thoughts are certainly a problem for me when my handicap is at risk and if I don't stop it I will not start to improve. I even wonder that if I would be better getting the handicap increase the nat least I wouldn't be worrying about that and may start the round more relaxed. As it turned out although I was outside my buffer, which is 3 shots over my handicap, the competition standard scratch score was increased so my handicap remained at 15.

This coming weekend we are playing in the first round of the Bell Cup, a knockout competition of over 100 clubs around Manchester, which we did very well in last year reaching the last 8.

So to close, this weeks competition round on all its detail.

Hole 1

I hit a decent tee shot which finished just short of the green, sadly my chip was poor and I still had about a 30 foot putt which I left about 10 feet and then missed the putt for a half so lost the hole.

Hole 2

A nice drive to the centre of the fairway was followed by a decent 3 wood that was a little left and found a bunker just short of the green. I got out to the fringe then again left my first putt way short and again missed with my next to go 2 down.

Hole 3.

Not the best drive of the day and it ended up right behind a tree and against a root so the only thing I could do was use my putter to get the ball back into play. Hit a reasonable 3^rd shot to leave a 6 iron to the green and although I didn't hit the best shot but it found it's way onto the green. I took 2 putts from about 15 feet and halved the hole.

Hole 4.

I hit a really nice 6 iron onto the green but again left my first put very short and missed the par putt, I didn't get a shot on this hole so another loss to go 3 down.

Holes 5.

A reasonable drive followed by a decent 3 wood left about 40 yds to the green, I thinned a 56 degree wedge right through the green and then fluffed my chip, I did find the green with my next shot but that was another hole lost. 4 down.

Hole 6

My drive went to the right but had a decent lie and I hit a 3 wood to about 50 yds from the green, after my poor wedge on the last I tried a low chip but failed to reach the green, I putted but again was woefully short and missed the par putt so halved the hole.

Hole 7,

My drive was rather high but straight and left a 5 iron to the green, I hit pretty well but it caught a greenside bunker, I got it out onto the green but yet again a weak first putt meant I 3 putted to lose the hole and go 5 down.

Hole 8

A reasonable drive and 3 wood left me 70 yds from the green and a good pitch left me about 15 feet from the hole, 2 putts and my first win of the day to get a hole back.

Hole 9

My tee shot ended up on the bank to the left of the green a chip and 2 putts for a bogey but no shot so back to 5 down.

Hole 10

A good drive and 3 wood left my just shot of the green, unfortunately a thinned chip, went to the back fringe and took 3 putt to lose the hole and go 6 down.

Hole 11

A good drive left me about 170 yds and as I was scoring badly I decided to take on the ditch I hit a lovely straight 3 wood that finished on the edge of the green but another poor first putt resulted n 3 putting yet again but I still had a par to win the hole and get one back.

Hole 12.

I hit a nice tee shot that finished right of the green and for once I hit a nice chip to a couple of feet and holed for a par to get me back to 4 down.

Hole 13

I was way right with my drive and when I tried to hit between 2 trees I failed, another rcouplew of poor shots and lost the hole to go back to 5 down.

Hole 14.

I found the green with my tee shot and although I left my first putt quite short I holed the 2^nd for a par which with no shot meant a half.

Hole 15

Two good shots left me 80 yards and a nice pitch found the green, but again 3 putts meant a bogey and only a half.

Hole 16

A decent drive left a 6 iron which finished just short of the green, a good first putt left a short one for a par and a win so back to 4 down.

Hole 17

A good drive then an iron to just short of the ditch left a 5 iron which I ht well and found the green 2 putts gave me a par to get it back to 3 down.

Hole 18

A topped tee shot left me at the bottom of the steep bank short of the green, the first chip failed to get up the bank, I did chip on but missed the bogey putt to lose the hole and finish the round 4 down.

So I 3 putted on 8 holes, which is totally unacceptable for any level let alone the one I aspire to play to.