Golf Thread

[Superpatsy]

We ordered tickets for the British Masters final day last week. Anyone been before? How congested does it tend to get if so?

Any tips in general for someone who's not been to an event like this before?

We've been to the Scottish Open a few times and it was fine - busy but you're on a golf course so there's loads of room. Getting out was fine apart from one year (2021, I think) where it started chucking it down with rain and everyone bolted out at the same time when it got delayed. Like others have said, very expensive for food.

The Open in St Andrews last year on the Sunday was one of the worst organised I've been to in terms of getting out if you were around the 18th green at the end. Had Security sending people one way to get out when it wasn't an exit so had to fight back through a massive stream of people going the other way on a path that was maybe 8 foot wide. We're only half an hour away so wasn't in any great rush to get out but it was chaotic to the point that people were having panic attacks at the sheer volume of people trying to get out the non-exit and trying to tear down the security fencing to get out.

The only merch I've seen is specific to the event - I was hoping some companies would be there (Callaway, Titleist, and so on) but they weren't.

We'd follow some groups for a while then start migrating towards the 18th nearer the end to get a decent space. Worked a treat for us at The Open last year to the extent that you can see us on the Netflix series when Cam Smith is finishing up!

 

[Zeebedy]

does anyone here use an utility iron? im looking at the W/S 21* utility iron to add to make my 14 club bag (currently at 13).

If so, is it a lot better for control as apposed to a hybrid / 3-5 wood?

 

[iGiDK]

I've dabbled in a couple of srixon #3 and #4 utility irons over the years, great clubs but didn't work out for me personally. I feel I don't have the swing speed to get the most out of these types of clubs whereas hybrids work better for me as I can put an easy swing on them, try to hit the centre of the face and let the club do the rest.

Guess it all boils down to how comfortable you are hitting your 4 iron and 5 iron and take it from there

 

[iGiDK]

Been playing loads recently, mostly medals and a few ties. Index has came down to 8.0. Had a couple of minor niggles, first one was a bad impact hitting out of an unseen rooty lie, all my fingers and both hands were really sore for a few days and could barely grip my clubs, still played though! Next one, god knows what happened but I managed to split my big toenail hitting a drive, that was a nasty one! The joys of getting old...

Played a knockout singles tie tonight, sound guy, he was playing off 21 and I was off 9. Guy was on fire on the front 9 and pretty much had me on the ropes for the full match. I was 3 down at the 9th after he'd gone out in +6 gross. Managed to bring it back to 1dn going on to the 17th, I somehow scraped a half after nearly going OB off the tee and then he imploded on the 18th and on the 1st extra hole. Pure box office all the way!

 

[Deanje]

Played a knockout singles tie tonight, sound guy, he was playing off 21 and I was off 9. Guy was on fire on the front 9 and pretty much had me on the ropes for the full match. I was 3 down at the 9th after he'd gone out in +6 gross. Managed to bring it back to 1dn going on to the 17th, I somehow scraped a half after nearly going OB off the tee and then he imploded on the 18th and on the 1st extra hole. Pure box office all the way!

I relate to the 21 a lot here. Things are going well, start thinking, "...maybe I could go pro after all?" - boom, reality slaps you firmly in the face with a two quads in a row.

 

[MarkA]

Every time you set an expectation of making par on a hole before you even hit the tee shot, is always going to turn into a disaster!

 

[SKILL]

Out for golf today, good times were had

Same score as last weekend (105/+34) but kind of a different way to get it. Struggled with the driver a bit and eventually switched to just using my 5 Wood but my chipping and putting were on point. 1.8 putts per hole average is pretty awesome Think most of that actually came from my chipping though, several times I put it within 4/5 feet with a chip and 1 putted from there.

 

[stephenb]

A case of what could have been this morning. Shot 105 for the last of my three cards going towards my initial handicap. This was despite racking up 17 on the 12th hole! Played six off the tee not realising it was a penalty area down the right where I'd lost my first two tee shots. Then after finally getting one in play put two more in the water further down!

Aside from the meltdown on twelve from the 6th hole onwards I made par or bogey all the way home after a slow start. Could have shot around 95!!! Shows how important course knowledge is.

Edit: Scorecard

 

[SKILL]

On the plus side I think England Golf will cap that score to <something>, I think it's a net double bogey, so worst case of Par 5 + 54 handicap is a cap of 10. I think.

 

[stephenb]

On the plus side I think England Golf will cap that score to <something>, I think it's a net double bogey, so worst case of Par 5 + 54 handicap is a cap of 10. I think.

Even if you don't have a handicap yet? Interesting. Added the scorecard above, as you can see it was a par 5 so if that get's changed to a 10 then it gives me a 98 (+26). This would be my best card of the three. From the Golf England golfers tooklit:

For new golfers to gain their Handicap Index they will have to submit a minimum of 54 holes (using any combination of 9 and 18 holes). Their Handicap Index will be the lowest of their three rounds minus two strokes and continue to be built until the preferred 20 scores are achieved.

Which means my starting point would be 24. Respectable

Edit: Forgot to mention my multiple wet balls meant I got to check out the Slazanger V300's. Played with them from the 12th onwards, they felt fine.

Edit 2: Looks like it will be capped to a 10. Par + 5: https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/handicapping/world-handicap-system/world-handicap-system-usga-golf-faqs/faqs---what-is-the-maximum-hole-score-.html#:~:text=If you have an established Handicap Index®, the,entitled to receive based on your Course Handicap™.

Edit 3: It's official, score was adjusted to a 98 and my starting WHS Index is 23.6

 

[Lonewolf]

Heading out midweek for my first round of golf in at Least 7 years. Having been to the range for the last couple of weekends it’s obvious that my body is less flexible than it was. Watched a few Mark Crossfield videos to remind me of the fundamentals. Rotation, balance and hitting the ball straight will be my main focus. I expect an aching body after the game.

 

[SKILL]

Even if you don't have a handicap yet? Interesting. Added the scorecard above, as you can see it was a par 5 so if that get's changed to a 10 then it gives me a 98 (+26). This would be my best card of the three. From the Golf England golfers tooklit:



Which means my starting point would be 24. Respectable

Edit: Forgot to mention my multiple wet balls meant I got to check out the Slazanger V300's. Played with them from the 12th onwards, they felt fine.

Edit 2: Looks like it will be capped to a 10. Par + 5: https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/handicapping/world-handicap-system/world-handicap-system-usga-golf-faqs/faqs---what-is-the-maximum-hole-score-.html#:~:text=If you have an established Handicap Index®, the,entitled to receive based on your Course Handicap™.

Edit 3: It's official, score was adjusted to a 98 and my starting WHS Index is 23.6

Nice, mine started at 54 Although I also just played so terribly badly for those first 3 scorecards, it's still mid-40's but pretty quickly dropped below the max

Heading out midweek for my first round of golf in at Least 7 years. Having been to the range for the last couple of weekends it’s obvious that my body is less flexible than it was. Watched a few Mark Crossfield videos to remind me of the fundamentals. Rotation, balance and hitting the ball straight will be my main focus. I expect an aching body after the game.

Sounds good, enjoy

 

[Zeebedy]

i yesterday received my new cart bag and trolley. Will be testing out Monday..Its good, because, cart bags have soo much more space I find than stand bags, especially the 14 way divider (god send!), (although I do love the Cobra bag I have), and the ease of the trolley makes sense, as my carry bag full is a right pita when full of 13 clubs.

I went for a W/S cart bag, and I did cheap out a little (to test the waters) and bought a Ben Sayers (acid battery) electric trolley. And I must say for the price, the quality seems real good, so we will see..

 

[SKILL]

i yesterday received my new cart bag and trolley. Will be testing out Monday..Its good, because, cart bags have soo much more space I find than stand bags, especially the 14 way divider (god send!), (although I do love the Cobra bag I have), and the ease of the trolley makes sense, as my carry bag full is a right pita when full of 13 clubs.

I went for a W/S cart bag, and I did cheap out a little (to test the waters) and bought a Ben Sayers (acid battery) electric trolley. And I must say for the price, the quality seems real good, so we will see..

Yeah, carrying a full back/set of clubs is a bit of a pain, over winter I bought a pencil bag (TaylorMade Quiver) and did a few rounds with 4-6 clubs as my local goes carry only over winter, actually quite enjoyed it with the lack of choice at times

My only gripe with my cart bag is that if I go to the grass bit of the range or chipping area it's not always the most stable standing up, even a windy day on a level/firm surface...

Trolleys are great too, I've just got push/pull one(s) but I partially got into golf for exercise so actually walking a round works for that Saying that my last two rounds which are tied for my best yet were using a buggy, gonna be walking (with Trolley) tomorrow and if I score badly then I guess I need to use a buggy all the time

 

[Zeebedy]

Yeah, carrying a full back/set of clubs is a bit of a pain, over winter I bought a pencil bag (TaylorMade Quiver) and did a few rounds with 4-6 clubs as my local goes carry only over winter, actually quite enjoyed it with the lack of choice at times

My only gripe with my cart bag is that if I go to the grass bit of the range or chipping area it's not always the most stable standing up, even a windy day on a level/firm surface...

Trolleys are great too, I've just got push/pull one(s) but I partially got into golf for exercise so actually walking a round works for that Saying that my last two rounds which are tied for my best yet were using a buggy, gonna be walking (with Trolley) tomorrow and if I score badly then I guess I need to use a buggy all the time

yeah, still getting the exercise is key..although I would have so much fun in the buggies all the time, but cost an arm and a leg to hire here at my local club!

 

[SKILL]

yeah, still getting the exercise is key..although I would have so much fun in the buggies all the time, but cost an arm and a leg to hire here at my local club!

Another cheap thing about the Bristol club, buggies are £15 for a round, so especially if you share it's pretty good.

Actually got next week off and thinking about playing one or more new courses, especially within Wiltshire as I should get the county card discount, and some of them are £30 for a buggy, I'd be playing solo so probably be £65 for the round (incl buggy), and I'm super cheap, I know some courses are >£100 a round without buggy but hey, I'm cheap

 

[stephenb]

Nice, mine started at 54 Although I also just played so terribly badly for those first 3 scorecards, it's still mid-40's but pretty quickly dropped below the max

Ouch! You must be well on the way to something starting with a 3? How many cards do have in now and how many are counting? Any horror scores likely to drop off soon?

 

[SKILL]

Ouch! You must be well on the way to something starting with a 3? How many cards do have in now and how many are counting? Any horror scores likely to drop off soon?

You'd think so but not really

Got plenty of cards in, been a member/had a handicap since early November so well over 20 cards/8 counting. But most of those aren't exactly stellar. Started the year off well with some early <110's but then kind slumped, also had a ~6 week stint recently of a bad back that definitely affected my game. My 105 from last Sunday also isn't on there as I didn't do it via the app because I wasn't confident of completing the round with my back.

My oldest counting is a 108 as well, so that's gonna drop off today so quite possible my handicap will go up

It's consistency really, both in individual shots and scoring, but I guess that's the case for everyone

 

[Zeebedy]

hey guys, quick question..

on my electric trolley, when I stop to play a shot or put, do I turn off the buggy motor every time? or is it OK to leave it on (obviously not moving) between times im not moving with it.

if that makes any sense?

 

[Superpatsy]

hey guys, quick question..

on my electric trolley, when I stop to play a shot or put, do I turn off the buggy motor every time? or is it OK to leave it on (obviously not moving) between times im not moving with it.

if that makes any sense?

Guy we play with has one and he doesn't turn it off.

That's a fact because whenever he annoys us with every excuse under the sun instead of just accepting it was a ***** shot, we turn it on when he's not looking so he has to run after it...