[How'd you play?]

Played today in what could only be described as “Open” conditions. 50 degrees and 20+ mph winds, with some rain rolling through occasionally. Really happy with most of my game. 9 over playing off 7. Happy with my ball striking, only a few uncommitted shots. Most of my game was solid and really enjoyed the day despite the conditions. Had a post round Guinness as a tribute to Shane Lowry

[How'd you play?]

Solid round today, could have been much better without my now customary poor finish. Front 9 was very good. After a bogey start, made a great sand save on the second. Up and down on 3. Soft 3 putt after lipping out my first. Another up and down on 5. Birdies on 6 and 7 after hitting it in close. Highlight of the round was scrounging a par on 9 after taking an unplayable lie and having to play out of the trees . 
Started the back 9 well until another 3 putt on 12. Birdie on 13 before the rot set in. Double on 14 and 15, bogies on 16,17 and 18. Pins were very tough, a couple were diabolical. Finished 9 over, 7 over my last 5. Only 1 player out of 150 beat their handicap for the day

[What/How Did You Practice Today?]

Worked on irons. Focused on setting up with clubface square as I tend to have an open clubface if I don’t focus. Also tried to have my head closer to level. I usually have a significant tilt to the right, which could be a factor in clubface and alignment issues I have always had. 
Also worked on gripping more in the fingers and reducing grip pressure. 
Seemed to help, ball flight was less of a fade with good consistency.

[What Have You Bought Lately? (CHA - Club Ho's Anonymous)]

Ordered new irons today. Mizuno Pro 245, 5-P. Had a fitting with Mizuno a few weeks ago. Nippon NS Pro Modus3 105 stiff shafts. Golfpride MMC Plus4 grips. 
Going to be a long 3 weeks waiting for them to arrive.

[2024 MyGolfSpy US Open Contest ----------]

I’m just hoping to defy my long term form line. If I finish in the top 90% I’ll beat my average

[2024 MyGolfSpy US Open Contest ----------]

Cut line +5

Tiger +8, misses cut

[How do you get out of a golf slump]

I’m finding my attitude to poor golf has changed and I’m trying to just enjoy being out there playing regardless of the quality of my game. 
 

The old cliche about your worst day on the course is better than your best day at work is pretty accurate.

[Vokey SM10 Wedges - 2024 Forum Review]

Congrats to the testing team. Really intrigued to see how the online self fitting compares to the live fitting. I’m assuming that the fitter won’t know what your online fitting results were prior to handing over their results

[How'd you play?]

Last round of pennant (interclub matchplay) Belfor the final. My team needed at least a half to get through, but were playing the top team who were undefeated through the other rounds. Played at Anglesea GC, famous for the kangaroos that live on the course and renowned locally as one of the steepest courses around.

I had seen some of the course before, but had never played it. Started solidly and managed to capatalise on some mistakes by my opponent. Some very good short game play didn’t hurt either. 2 up after 7 before some very solid golf by my opponent saw us go through the turn tied.

He started the back 9 with a birdie and we both played solid golf for the next few holes. A very rough green may have hurt me on the 15th where a 3 putt cost me a chance to win the hole. My first putt spent more time in the air than rolling and finished well short. My longish second putt lipped out. My opponent then chipped in for birdie leaving me with an extremely difficult chip from the rough to get a half. Played it almost perfectly but finished 6 inches from the hole. Played another great chip on the 17 but missed the 5 foot putt that broke about 15inches after allowing a touch more. Lost 2 and 1 to a very solid player. Considering he plays off 2 and I’m off 7 I was pretty happy to push him as far a I did. Unfortunately the team lost and we missed the final on matches one throughout the season.

Very pleased with my short game and putting. Now it’s back to playing normal golf. I love matchplay, and really look forward to pennant season. Hopefully next year no health problems and I can play more matches.

[Debate: Golfers Don't Deserve Free Relief from Fairway Divots]

I’m a firm believer in play it as it lies. One thing that seems to be ignored by those advocating free relief is it would almost certainly lead to a reduction in people repairing divots. This would be even more likely if preferred lies was the norm. 
 

I actually had to hit out of a divot in my last round. It was in the rough and partially grown in. The ball was sitting down significantly but still playable. Took my medicine and bunted it down the fairway and then holed out from 60 yards for an unlikely birdie after a good bounce. A classic example of good and bad luck balancing out.

[2024 Birdie Every Hole Challenge]

Sorry everyone, I have no way of restoring the spreadsheet. It's  probably easiest (although frustrating)to start fresh. Tried going into the spreadsheet from 2023 thread, but as expected it's linked to the same one.

[How'd you play?]

Solid round but should have been much better. 7 over playing off 7. Another poor finish, doubled 16 and bogeyed 17. Had to hole a 8 foot putt to par the last. Missed 3 birdie putts from 3,4 and 5 feet. All were slight misreads but well struck putts. Disappointing as it’s rare for me to have that many close chances. Had 2 birdies, one after a good approach to 6 feet from 70 yards, the next was a hole out from 60 yards. Drove the ball reasonably well, conditions were pretty windy, with a few strong gusts making things interesting 

[Price of a golf round]

I’m fortunate that golf in Australia is relatively affordable, especially in the area I live. There are clubs that range in price USD255-USD1800 annual fees within 30 minutes from my home. We can play all year round so even better value compared to those with limited seasons. Perhaps the best value golf anywhere is at Barnbougle in Tasmania. World rated golf for USD160 or 95 for locals. 

[How'd you play?]

Somehow managed to sneak a win in interclub pennant. Scratch matchplay, struggled off the tee all day but short ame was working well. All square going up the last, opponent in very good position 30 yards short of the green, me in the trees 60 yards out. Had a tough shot, with very little margin for error, hit it to about 18 feet. Opponent thinned it a bit, to about 20 feet past the pin. He rolled his putt 3 feet past, I hit an awful putt about 6 feet short. Rolled mine in dead centre, he rushed his and hit his worst putt of the day. Really nice kid(16 yo) with a very solid swing. Don’t like my chances if I come up against him in the next few years

[2024 Birdie Every Hole Challenge]

No idea, I just used the one from the original thread started a few years ago and added a new sheet for this year. I’ll ave a look when I’m on the PC next (can’t access it on the iPad)

[What/How Did You Practice Today?]

Did a bit of everything. Full swing irons, a few drivers, some putting and a bit of short game work.

Tried something different with my irons. Didn’t aim at all, just swung the club. Lined up with the divot line I was making and swung. Ball flight was very solid, and consistency was great. 
 

Putting worked mainly on distance control doing ladder drill.

Short game hit random pitches from 20-40 yards. Kept it short and sweet as things were working well 

[How'd you play?]

4 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

This is one thing I've yet to do. Mainly because I don't want to be exhausted after only 9 holes in our southern heat and humidity. Maybe I'll give it a go in the winter time.

I normally walk, but recent health issues meant I need to manage it a bit. I feel like I have better rhythm walking than in a cart

[How'd you play?]

Really happy with my round today. Golf was solid, 7 over playing off 7. Disappointing finish, four over for the last 3. Best part was I walked the entire 18. Was thinking I’d probably cart the back 9 but was feeling good so decided to keep walking. Throttled back the pace a little compared to normal but still kept up. Drove it solid, irons ok and putting mostly good. So happy I was able to walk the course comfortably 

[2024 Masters Pool Sponsored by Titleist and Vokey Wedges]

23 minutes ago, downlowkey said:

Fingers crossed for you, mate. You’re definitely due some good luck.

I think I might have used all my luck by being in the right place at the right time, as my GP told me, “ You’re a winner”

[2024 Masters Pool Sponsored by Titleist and Vokey Wedges]

Now I need to look at the Vokey wedge selector, because I’m definitely winning this

[2024 Masters Pool Sponsored by Titleist and Vokey Wedges]

First Tie Breaker 2 over

Second Tie Breaker Christo Lamprecht

[What/How Did You Practice Today?]

Got to the practice fairway for some full swings and rolled a few putts on the practice green. Putting was solid, full swing less so but it was great to just be out there

[International]

On 3/12/2024 at 5:25 PM, Keg74 said:

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

Played a little when I was young, taking up the game again around 12 years ago.

What do you love about golf?

I’m bit of a competitive animal when it comes to sport so when I finished playing cricket golf was next.

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

I love stats and figures and how they relate to actual performance when it comes to sport. Been following/ reading MyGolfSpy articles.

Where are you from? What is your home course?

Australia, Victoria, Geelong.

Home track is Barwon Valley GC

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

There’s some top courses within a short distance which is good. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be enough more affordable options as it can be difficult to get a tee time on my home track and others.

What do you do for a living?

Machine operator

How’d you pick your user name?

Nothing to Whitty just my nickname and birth year.

 

Current WITB

Callaway Rogue Driver

Taylormade M1 3w & 3 hybrid

Ping G430 4 Hybrid

Ping i210 irons pw-5

Vokey SM7 wedges 50, 54, 58

Scotty Cameron select fastback putter

Sun Mountain bag

Bridgestone Tour B XS ball

HC 9.5

Welcome aboard, what’s the Stench

[What equipment are you thinking about?]

I’ve been thinking about moving into the “players distance” iron space for a while. After my recent health scare I might get permission. My youngest has even started lobbying the finance manager on my behalfHer line was “if he died we’d have less money than having him alive and buying golf clubs” Subtle as a truck that one.

I’ve had a hit of my mates TM790s, easily a club further with a good descent angle, so they’ll be on the list. Will probably look at all the options in the space and hopefully end up with something that works for me

[Coming back soon.]

Looks awful but a great result after fighting with a chainsaw. Not often that you get that much damage without a lot more. Chainsaw amputated fingers also don’t go back on very well so you’ve done well not to lose any. Make sure you follow your rehab if needed