• Notice regarding image hosts and attachments. See here.

Golf Thread

Been a long day as we left the daughters house at half 8 this morning and finally got back home about 9.45 this evening

I shot 79 (3 over handicap) but I am happy with how I played generally. Made a couple pars after not great tee shots on the first couple of holes, then got my swing going but putter was stone cold today and I never holed anything over 6ft

Front 9 I shot 3 over gross after putting myself in trouble with wrong clubs off the tee rolling even further than I had allowed for, then 5 over on the back 9 included a penalty drop after leaking a tee shot right that found a ditch

We finished with 42 points, which included a couple 4 point holes from my wife (the extra roll has been helping her lately everywhere and she made the most of it today and played very well) and the winning guest score was actually our playing partners (the father of our daughter-in-law) with 44

I think the overall winning score was about 46 points from one of the member pairs, so we didn't disgrace ourselves

Sleep is needed and hopefully the drive back home tomorrow isn't as bad as it was when we drove here yesterday
 
Been playing with Callaway Chrome Tour triple tracks recently but getting near the end of the box, quite enjoyed using them.
I have tried Kirkland Signature which are decent value.
Turning up tomorrow i have the following:
40 Prov 1 X Left Dash (hoping it keeps the driver spin a little lower) this was recommended by the titleist ball selector
40 Titleist Tour Soft - this was the alternative option through the selector
40 mixed premium golf balls.

Should last be and my lad the rest of the season
 
Pairs event this weekend, better ball stroke play over Sat/Sun, during which I lost all ability to hit an iron. Complete mystery as to what I was doing wrong :confused:

Everything else was fine. Case in point, both days hit a lovely drive down the first only to chunk an 8i each time. Day one so bad it dribbled down the fairway and stopped short of the ditch in front of the green. Day two put it straight in :(. Felt bad for my partner who had to do all the heavy lifting. I probably contributed 1/6th of our score at most. Somehow we still finished in mid table respectability.
 
After an abomination of a season last year, I’ve quietly been grinding and now down to 13.0hcp the cage setup has proven a worthy investment. Granted, it does open up the opportunity of watching a YouTube video and trying it out when it’s probably not for my game :p
 
went and spent a couple of hours practicing my short game, find when i'm close the green but not in a puttable posistion toe down chipping is the way to go to ensure i don't duff it.
Played 9 holes today after work and was somehow only 3 over par. Never had more than one birdie a round so that was a shock. Playing a different course on Friday so see how that goes! Aim for this year was to just get back into golf after 5/6 years of not playing and then i thought low 20s i would happy with but no i'm under there i suppose it's good to accept this year has been a real success for what i wanted originally and set sights at maybe 15 before the season is done.
Played ProV1x left dash today, decent flight and stop well they do feel really firm compared to the Callaway chrome tour, not sure if that's just in my head (quite possibly), prefer the feel of the callaway but cannot beat the performance of the prov1

Chap at work has organised a works golf trip up to Penrith Golf Course in September good number of us going :)
 
played 18 today, 15 over the par which is a little under my handicap, back out in the morning for another 18. wonder if i'll get down a bit more before the season ends
 
Got back from my travels last night.

Spoiler alert Scramble is still a terrible format that I hate :p

The week started at the Vale Resort, first day was a 2v2 Scramble matchplay, which is infinitely better than a 4-ball scramble but still crap. That was on the National course, which I've been on 3 times but being scramble I'd like to actually play golf there tbh. I guess the 'good' bit about Scramble and not caring cause it's not really golf is I was against a guy 'having a day' and the banter was great fun throughout. Just not golf.

Second day was my first time on the Lakes course and was actually playing golf for a change, 1v1 matchplay, the absolute best format for golf. Playing a guy with a similar handicap so I got just 1 shot. We played 2x 9 hole matches and the overall, front 9 I felt like I should've won or at least halved but a good run by him and me falling apart on the last so he was 1-up at the turn. Back 9 we halved so he was 1-up overall. Great match though.

Then played East Sussex National with my nephew, reasonably interesting course, playing off the reds as he's not that good/long but an enjoyable round.

Finally St. Ives (Hunts) with the Team Titleist day, as someone with only the one Titleist club in the bag I was definitely in the minority, whole lot of Titleist gear on display obviously. I definitely saw some non-Titleist headcovers dotted around though. I'm not sure if I realised when I signed up though and it was yet another scramble, worse a 4-ball scramble. I think my thoughts on that are clear by now. Seemed an ok course, event was well organised and pretty good value really, think it was ~£80 but got a box of Pro V1's, a hat, scorecard holder, pitch mark tool, couple of other goodies, bunch o' tees and food before/after as well. Winners got a bunch of stuff like a bag and towels and all that kinda stuff as well so good value.

Highlight was the 7th 'Beat the Pro' hole, although technically not 'beaten' as I didn't quite hold the green I was much closer than the pro, and then sank the putt (from about 10cm off the green) for the solo birdie. So I did beat the pro! :cry:

Glad to be back home now, day off today then back out tomorrow naturally, back to proper golf :D Also playing Wednesday at Sonning GC, and next weekend is the Wiltshire Mens Divisional Championship at Cumberwell Park so happy days :)
 
After yesterday's round my HCP dropped to 18 again, went out this morning and was annoyed with some of the game but walked away 13 over par. I was 4 over through front 9
Another drop down to 17.4, wonder where i'll settle
 
Last edited:
Friday night was annual grudge match..... Seniors v Juniors!!

Great laugh but when juniors are hitting it 280/290 off the tee and playing off +3.2 to 2.9 you know it's a tough game!!

Good lads we played - both working towards schoalships in USA in a few years time - however, in fourball better ball we gelled really well and shot -5 under to win our match 6&5.... Overall seniors won 4-2.... Keep the juniors quiet for another year. We have a thriving 60 juniors and really really talented bunch...

Saturday medal was mediocre at best. 84 gross - short game and putting are like a scratch golfer..... Driving off the tee is so weak at the moment - not loosing a ball or anything but so cutty/steery etc - horrible.

Anyway - something different this weekend - Mixed foursome on Saturday - Playing with a friend of the wife - she is a 5.5 handicapper!! Alt shot so should be fun...

Then the big one Sunday - Final of the Club Championship Handicap Trophy... Likely giving away about 10 shots but will see what happens!
 
Last edited:
Played yesterday with the usual Saturday group and had a nightmare (84 for only 29 points)

This morning's tee time was just before 8am and it was quite a bit cooler than yesterday to begin with and from the next tees back, so an additional 500yds over yesterday

Despite that, I had a couple birdies and finished the front 9 at +1 gross (21 points)

All 3 of us lost our game a bit on the back 9 and I think we all dragged each other down a bit after the front, and 2 lost balls saw me finish with a 78(+6) and 37 points

Think that will see my index cut by either 0.2 or 0.3?
 
Played yesterday and talking about 29 points... Had a solid-ish front 9, started with a blob after putting two in the water but still had 18 points and was generally striking it great, then 11 points on the back 9 with a very mediocre performance all around.

Slow round though, tee'd off with a 2-ball in front of us and a 4-ball in front of them. By the 3rd we could see the 4-ball go to the 4th tee and also that there next group along were on the 5th tee already, they'd lost a hole by the 4th! They eventually let the 2-ball through on the 9th, never let us through even though we were waiting constantly. By the time we got to the 16th tee and had to wait, again, we saw the 2-ball get to the 18th green. Ugh.

Anyway, I decided for a change I'd go in with a 'swing thought', usually I try not to have one frankly but I just wanted to slow things down so just a slow/smooth swing was my 'thought of the day'. It seemed to work decently for a bit, especially with the irons, I was hitting some incredibly nice iron shots on that front 9 and even a few on the back, like little baby draws and everything. Got a few unlucky breaks though, hit a beautiful 7 iron into the 9th green and it just took one big bounce and out the back, the greens there weren't that dry/firm (although did get dryer as the day progressed) so felt a bit robbed by that, should've stuck really. Still, felt like I had the swing in there but it again just starts to fade over time. Dunno if I stop concentrating on the slow/smooth bit, or get tired, or it was the waiting around or what but hey.

Next round is Sonning golf club on Wednesday for a networking meeting, played there twice before with a group I go to Turkey with in November and do enjoy it but not sure I've had a good round there yet, maybe this is the time :p Then next weekend is the Wiltshire Men's Divisional Championship so that should be fun...

Also booked another golf trip for the end of next month :D Doing the NCG events up in Prestwick like last year so gonna be in @booyaka's backyard again, before that there's a Wallasey and Caldy round in the Wirral which I'm gonna do 'on the way up'. Just need to decide what to do over that weekend between the Wirral and Prestwick, and also what to do in Prestwick from Thursday-Sunday as I've booked the airbnb for a full week.
 
SKILL said:
Also booked another golf trip for the end of next month :D Doing the NCG events up in Prestwick like last year so gonna be in @booyaka's backyard again, before that there's a Wallasey and Caldy round in the Wirral which I'm gonna do 'on the way up'. Just need to decide what to do over that weekend between the Wirral and Prestwick, and also what to do in Prestwick from Thursday-Sunday as I've booked the airbnb for a full week.
Click to expand...

Barassie / Dundonald / St Nics?
 
booyaka said:
Barassie / Dundonald / St Nics?
Click to expand...

Yep, them's the courses, same as last year so a bit of knowledge going in this time, dunno if that really helps though :p

Back in July I did the East Sussex ones and the two courses I'd played last year I got the worst results on :cry:

Kinda curious what I think of St Nics though, I went in last year 'knowing of' Barassie and Dundonald but came out feeling that St. Nics was the most enjoyable course, just not sure if that's because I had zero expectations.
 
SKILL said:
Yep, them's the courses, same as last year so a bit of knowledge going in this time, dunno if that really helps though :p

Back in July I did the East Sussex ones and the two courses I'd played last year I got the worst results on :cry:

Kinda curious what I think of St Nics though, I went in last year 'knowing of' Barassie and Dundonald but came out feeling that St. Nics was the most enjoyable course, just not sure if that's because I had zero expectations.
Click to expand...

My personal opinion only but I think St Nic is the weakest of the 3. I love Dundonald - big, long course, but pretty fair unless your miles off line, massive greens. Barassie is excellent course, open qualifier, usually in perfect condition but can be hard if the wind blows. St Nics.... Just not my "thing" - quirky, some blind tee shots, some silly holes (the one over the quarry is just daft) and then the back nine has 4 or 5 fairly boring straight holes until the 16/17/18 finish which is tough.

All good courses but it's just what suits / you enjoy etc....
 
booyaka said:
My personal opinion only but I think St Nic is the weakest of the 3. I love Dundonald - big, long course, but pretty fair unless your miles off line, massive greens. Barassie is excellent course, open qualifier, usually in perfect condition but can be hard if the wind blows. St Nics.... Just not my "thing" - quirky, some blind tee shots, some silly holes (the one over the quarry is just daft) and then the back nine has 4 or 5 fairly boring straight holes until the 16/17/18 finish which is tough.

All good courses but it's just what suits / you enjoy etc....
Click to expand...

That's fair enough, and kinda what I was thinking with the whole expectations thing. Dundonald and Barassie were 'fine' but I expected good golf and I guess got it so yeah. Didn't expect anything from St. Nics and I think maybe also do like those quirky type holes at times so yeah. I did enjoy 16/17, long par 3's can sod off though with 18 :p

It'll be interesting to see how I feel after playing each for the second time I think.
 
SKILL said:
That's fair enough, and kinda what I was thinking with the whole expectations thing. Dundonald and Barassie were 'fine' but I expected good golf and I guess got it so yeah. Didn't expect anything from St. Nics and I think maybe also do like those quirky type holes at times so yeah. I did enjoy 16/17, long par 3's can sod off though with 18 :p

It'll be interesting to see how I feel after playing each for the second time I think.
Click to expand...

yeah - 18th is horrible - should shorten that hole up. It's silly at 225/230 off white tees - the entire carpark on the right hand side and a green that it almost impossible to hit with a 3w/very long iron. Would be a better hole at like 180/190.
 
Played Sonning golf club near Reading yesterday as part of my networking stuff, been there twice before and felt like I'd never really put a 'good' round together. I still haven't. :p

It wasn't terrible I guess, 31 points, just as usual way too variable, 2 blobs on the front 9 but still 17 points, then a stretch in the back 9 where I got 4 points in 5 holes :eek:

In other news trying to sort out planning for my Wirral/Prestwick trip, so playing in the Wirral (Wallasey and Caldy) on the 24/25th of September then got the weekend to travel up to Prestwick, check-in on Sunday 27th so was thinking of one or two rounds 'on the way' as you do... Did think/look at Silloth but I'm balking at paying £120 a round tbh :p Powfoot is a maybe, that would be a case of drive (~3 hours) from the Wirral on the 25th, stay for 1 or 2 nights nearby then drive up to Prestwick.

Any recommendations for courses around that area or 'on the way' (pretty wide area) between the Wirral and Prestwick? I really don't need a high end/prestigious/ranked golf course, I'll play anywhere pretty much, Cheap is 'good' :cry:

Also then in Prestwick till the Sunday after so more golf time available, am looking at Prestwick itself but at £275 I just don't think I can justify that at all, ever :p May head over to Arran as it looks pretty nice and some quirky looking courses, and of course the 'municipal' courses in the area I should try out
 
SKILL said:
Played Sonning golf club near Reading yesterday as part of my networking stuff, been there twice before and felt like I'd never really put a 'good' round together. I still haven't. :p

It wasn't terrible I guess, 31 points, just as usual way too variable, 2 blobs on the front 9 but still 17 points, then a stretch in the back 9 where I got 4 points in 5 holes :eek:

In other news trying to sort out planning for my Wirral/Prestwick trip, so playing in the Wirral (Wallasey and Caldy) on the 24/25th of September then got the weekend to travel up to Prestwick, check-in on Sunday 27th so was thinking of one or two rounds 'on the way' as you do... Did think/look at Silloth but I'm balking at paying £120 a round tbh :p Powfoot is a maybe, that would be a case of drive (~3 hours) from the Wirral on the 25th, stay for 1 or 2 nights nearby then drive up to Prestwick.

Any recommendations for courses around that area or 'on the way' (pretty wide area) between the Wirral and Prestwick? I really don't need a high end/prestigious/ranked golf course, I'll play anywhere pretty much, Cheap is 'good' :cry:

Also then in Prestwick till the Sunday after so more golf time available, am looking at Prestwick itself but at £275 I just don't think I can justify that at all, ever :p May head over to Arran as it looks pretty nice and some quirky looking courses, and of course the 'municipal' courses in the area I should try out
Click to expand...

Powfoot is great value...Southerness, Wigtown as well - a little off route but not too far. My dad highly rates Carlisle Golf Club as well, never played it myself..

Let me know dates your still around and happy to get you a game at Belleisle, my home course in Ayr. Lochgreen or Darley are in the municipal ticket as well.
 
SKILL said:
Also then in Prestwick till the Sunday after so more golf time available, am looking at Prestwick itself but at £275 I just don't think I can justify that at all, ever :p May head over to Arran as it looks pretty nice and some quirky looking courses, and of course the 'municipal' courses in the area I should try out
Click to expand...
Check out Cam & Georgina | Golf on youtube if you haven't already come across them. They've done a number of videos from all the courses on Aaran.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom