WEEK 6 - Virtual MGS Forum Member Weekly Championship Tour

[Golf2Much]

I survived another Key West Fantasy Fest (if you don't know what it is, I'd encourage you to look it up) and put a solid week of golf in the books.  

My best round:  Course:  Key West Golf Club (par 70), gross score:  83, course handicap 13, net score:  80, net even par, 4 net birdies and longest drive 194.  

A couple of things stood out for me on this round.  First, my fairways hit percentage was down to 64% versus my average the last 4 months being around 74%.  That being said, my missed fairways were mostly just off the fairway and easily playable.  On the plus side, I actually hit three drives over 190 yards.  That doesn't sound like something most golfers here would think as something that should standing out.  However, my performance average over since I've been tracking with my Shot Scope H4 is 178 yards.   I'm attributing it to my switch to OnCore Vero X1 ball (firmer than I typically play) and course conditions.  I hope moving forward is that any drive distance improvement is maintained!  Also, my GIR were almost 2.5X my normal performance (11% to 28%).  The corresponding result was that my number of putts increased (up about 4 from my last 20 posted scores) to 32 and my "up and downs" were cut in half to 2.  Another data point that suggests number of putts may not be the most reliable statistic for predicting overall scoring success.  

[fozcycle]

Played a neighboring course, Silverado today as PLantation Palms had a big tournament.  I had 44 players (11 groups) and set up with tee times with me pulling up the rear.  My Course Handicap was only 8 as we played a shorter course (Gold Tees for Seniors), Par 71.  So, I shot a 37/39:76 less Course Handicap of 8 = 68 versus Par 71 = -3.  I had 2 birdies plus 5 net birdies for a total of 7 net birdies. One of my birdies was on a handicap hole so that makes it a net Eagle. I also had a 210 yard Longest Drive.  My best round of the year also garnered a tie for 1st Place with +11 points! And moolah!
 

 

[GolfSpy TCB]

3 hours ago, fozcycle said:

Played a neighboring course, Silverado today as PLantation Palms had a big tournament.  I had 44 players (11 groups) and set up with tee times with me pulling up the rear.  My Course Handicap was only 8 as we played a shorter course (Gold Tees for Seniors), Par 71.  So, I shot a 37/39:76 less Course Handicap of 8 = 68 versus Par 71 = -3.  I had 2 birdies plus 5 net birdies for a total of 7 net birdies. I also had a 210 yard Longest Drive.  My best round of the year also garnered a tie for 1st Place with +11 points! And moolah!
 

 

You are on FIRE Foz!!  Nice round... !

[GolfSpy TCB]

I had a pretty tough day on the course today... my swing was definitely not clicking.  And gave away a few strokes with poor putting.  I scrambled my way around to a 39/40 = 79.  Based on my recent rounds posted, my course handicap dropped to a 3... so I gave away plenty of strokes to par today.  

• Course: Willow Fork CC
• Course Handicap: 3
• Gross Score: 79
• Net Score: 76
• Net Strokes to Par: +4
• Net Birdies or better: 3
• Longest Drive: 278

[GolfSpy TCB]

5 hours ago, Golf2Much said:

I survived another Key West Fantasy Fest (if you don't know what it is, I'd encourage you to look it up) and put a solid week of golf in the books.  

My best round:  Course:  Key West Golf Club (par 70), gross score:  83, course handicap 13, net score:  80, net even par, 4 net birdies and longest drive 194.  

A couple of things stood out for me on this round.  First, my fairways hit percentage was down to 64% versus my average the last 4 months being around 74%.  That being said, my missed fairways were mostly just off the fairway and easily playable.  On the plus side, I actually hit three drives over 190 yards.  That doesn't sound like something most golfers here would think as something that should standing out.  However, my performance average over since I've been tracking with my Shot Scope H4 is 178 yards.   I'm attributing it to my switch to OnCore Vero X1 ball (firmer than I typically play) and course conditions.  I hope moving forward is that any drive distance improvement is maintained!  Also, my GIR were almost 2.5X my normal performance (11% to 28%).  The corresponding result was that my number of putts increased (up about 4 from my last 20 posted scores) to 32 and my "up and downs" were cut in half to 2.  Another data point that suggests number of putts may not be the most reliable statistic for predicting overall scoring success.  

Great round G2M.  That GIR improvement was stellar!!  I think you are spot on about total putts as a metric.  When you are hitting more greens, the chances to be farther from the hole is greater than when you are chipping up and down.  Total putts is "A" data point, but not the be all end all.  One of the things I like about the shot tracking devices like Shot Scope is it can also measure putts from distance ranges... and I think that is more reliable data point to compare and discover what to work on.  Of course you have to remember to tap the H4 on the greens... which is sometimes difficult for me   

[Golf2Much]

I did play two additional rounds this week on top of the one posted above.  Thursday's....I'd rather forget!   Tuesday however was a pedestrian 84.

Tuesday's round:  Course:  Key West Golf Club (par 70), gross score:  84, course handicap 12 (index dropped 0.1 and dropped me a stroke only for that day), net score:  82, net +2, 4 net birdies and longest drive 199. 

I didn't realize the 199 yard drive until I was preparing to post this.  For the first time in quite a while, I had two rounds where I had multiple mid to high 190 yard drives and one round with multiple mid-180 yard drives.  I did however hit one-third less fairways in regulation (50% versus my typical 75%).  my up and downs were consistent with 4 completed successfully and the resulting total putts was 29.  I won't bother everyone with the graphics as it wasn't my best round of the week.

I will not be posting any scores next Tuesday as I will be performing my civic duty serving as a Monroe County (Florida) poll worker.  Though we rotate jobs (validating voters, handing out ballots to those eligible to vote and helping them scan their ballot so it's counted), my primary job will be validating voters.  If you haven't already, please head to your local voting location on Tuesday and exercise your right to vote.  

[Golf2Much]

@Golfspy_TCB, having used the H4 for about four months, my typical golf partners all know I manually mark my putts and pin placements.   Now, if I start to walk away or turn my back to the pin without tagging the locations, they will remind me that I forgot.  I think of it as a self-help group.

Regarding your comment minimizing the importance (in many cases) of number of putts, here are a few numbers I pulled out from the two rounds mentioned above:

The lower score required 10% more putts in that round.  My higher greens in regulation meant more often than not I was putting from farther distances.  That's also shows up in the higher first putt distance and average approach proximity numbers.  Hitting more greens in regulation meant less chipping close and one putting (half the number of up and downs with the lower score and almost half the number of one putts).  

It's funny that numbers alone don't always represent how you feel about a round.  Even though I had a higher number of putts with today's 83, I felt I putted better than I did with the 84.  My distance control was much better as I putted from longer distances and didn't have any three putts.  I also got every reasonable length putt past the hole.  

 

Edited November 6, 2022 by Golf2Much

[Kenny B]

I wasn't sure I would post a round this week.  The wind storm that hit our area yesterday and last night took out power and we lost a bunch of trees and branches; a few pics in the How'd you play thread.

My wife wanted to play and the ladies weren't, so I "volunteered" to play.  Only 46º at tee off with mild winds of 18-25 with gusts to 30mph.  Played the front nine in +5 and the back at EVEN par.  Not bad for a chilly, breezy day!!

Course: Columbia Point GC  Par 72

Course Handicap: 4 but could be higher due to weather conditions

Gross Score: 77

Net Score: 73

Net Strokes to Par: +5

Net Birdies or better: 2

Longest Drive: 240y down wind; solid, straight drive into the wind 155y 

[snicerz]

Forgot to post my round yesterday so here's my catch up post

My Thursday round:
Shot 76 from the tips for a net of 69 (-2)

Long drive: yeah about that. . . Driver just wasn't there. My longest drive involved many dead worms, a cart path, and a large/steep hill. 260 iirc

Instead, my best shot was the par 3 #16 below. Dropped it about a foot short of the hole. Closest I've ever been to a hole in 1. 

5 birdies (4 net, 1 natural) and 1 net eagle!!!

 

Today's round:

Very windy and cold. . . Great for long drives but terrible for hitting targets.

Shot 78 from the Whites for net 74 (+3) - stupid wind

Long drive: 327 yds (thank you wind)

3 birdies (1 net, 2 natural)

 

[Alf. S]

only one round for me this week at West Lothian Kinglass course

gross 70 (+6)

net 63 (-1)

4 net birdies

longest drive 285 yds

Was hitting the ball really well, so well in fact that I hit my 9i (usually 140 yds) 160 at the 18th right over the boundary wall, never to be seen again and a double bogey to finish.

Picture from earlier this year showing aforementioned wall.

Edited November 6, 2022 by Alf. S

[Blueberry_Squishie]

Managed to get a second round in for the week. Got back to the recent form. Got pipped by a 74 from an 8 handicapper for the daily course winner.

 

Werribee Park GC

Gross: 75

Course Handicap: 7 (after this round it's finally dropped for next round)

3 Over Gross

Nett Score: 68 (-4)

Nett birdies: 7 (5 real birdies really helps)

Longest Drive: 292 (sun's been out a few days and the course is drying up)

 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Lets get the word out and see how many we can get involved!

[GolfSpy TCB]

2 hours ago, Blueberry_Squishie said:

Managed to get a second round in for the week. Got back to the recent form. Got pipped by a 74 from an 8 handicapper for the daily course winner.

 

Werribee Park GC

Gross: 75

Course Handicap: 7 (after this round it's finally dropped for next round)

3 Over Gross

Nett Score: 68 (-4)

Nett birdies: 7 (5 real birdies really helps)

Longest Drive: 292 (sun's been out a few days and the course is drying up)

 

3 under after 4 holes... that is a heater!!!

[GolfSpy TCB]

Finished my 2nd nine for the nine I played earlier in the week.  Yesterday just wasn't my day... 

First nine: one birdie one bogey = even par 36

2nd nine: 4 bogeys = +4... 40

Total gross score: 76 less handicap (3) = net score 73

Net Birdies 3 / longest drive 276

I have a round scheduled today, I'm hoping to figure out my inconsistent swing from yesterday.  Should be a beautiful day for golf in Houston... Highs in the low 80's. 

 

[Mr. Mushball]

14 hours ago, Kenny B said:

My wife wanted to play and the ladies weren't, so I "volunteered" to play.  Only 46º at tee off with mild winds of 18-25 with gusts to 30mph.  Played the front nine in +5 and the back at EVEN par.  Not bad for a chilly, breezy day!!

...

Longest Drive: 240y down wind; solid, straight drive into the wind 155y 

The Gorge can be brutal, especially from now until April.  Looking forward to the February Freeze.

[cnosil]

• Course:  Newport News Golf Club - Deer Run
• Gross: 80
• Course Handicap: 3
• Over/Under: 8
• Net Score to Par: +5
• Net Score: 77
• Net Birdies: 1 eagle, 2 Birdies:  Is that counted as 3 or 4?
• Long Drive: 311

[Mr. Mushball]

I guess I should post the actual score from Friday's round.

I felt like I did terrible, falling in line with a lot of those who played this week, but looking at the numbers it wasn't too bad all things given.  Brand new course, not used to the type of grass used, rental clubs, greens that were mystifyingly slow, stiff from a week's work in strange furniture... blah blah blah.

Overall, things actually look good, especially once I found a groove and a brand new feel that helped my back 9 a ton compared to the front.  I managed to avoid the sand completely and found a few fairways.  Putting was the big drain on strokes.  Between not being able to adjust for the green speed, being fooled into think the breaks were there and hating the feel of the rental putter I suffered the most here.  Normally would have been 12 stroke less in putting.  Three 4 putts and nine 3 putts hurts way too much!

The nuts and bolts:

Course: Kona Country Club (par 72)
Gross Score: 125
Course Handicap: 39
Net Score: 86
Strokes to Par: +14
Longest Drive: 180
Net Birdies: 5

Ignore the accuracy, I wasn't tracking it well.  Probably closer to 34% FIR.

[vandyland]

Got out today, played like crap but still fun to try to post something. Played our toughest muni where I am a 5 course hdcp and shot 79 for a net 74. Made one natural birdie and three net birdies. Long drive of 297 yds.

 

 

[GolfSpy TCB]

6 hours ago, Golfspy_TCB said:

I have a round scheduled today, I'm hoping to figure out my inconsistent swing from yesterday.  Should be a beautiful day for golf in Houston... Highs in the low 80's. 

^^^ 

Did I figure out my inconsistent swing?  Sort of.

Was it a beautiful day?   Yes... a brief sprinkle, but it passed by quickly and the sun came back out.  

How did I play?   well... I evidently left my putter at home (even though there was one in my bad that looked a lot like my gamer putter... but it definitely didn't putt the same as the other one today...  ).  

I shot 38/41 = 79.  I played a lot better than that, having several really good looks for birdie that I just couldn't convert and a self inflicted double bogey (come to think of it... all of them are self inflicted).  But really it was about the putter today.  If I would have putted even average - I would have shot my handicap (75).  One net birdie and longest drive of 274.

Looking forward to starting up sessions with my swing coach again this coming week.. it has been 6 weeks since our regular meetings... he will have his hands full this week!!  haha. 

 

[GolfSpy TCB]

1 hour ago, cnosil said:

• Course:  Newport News Golf Club - Deer Run
• Gross: 80
• Course Handicap: 3
• Over/Under: 8
• Net Score to Par: +5
• Net Score: 77
• Net Birdies: 1 eagle, 2 Birdies:  Is that counted as 3 or 4?
• Long Drive: 311

That is a good question cnosil.  I have been counting an Eagle as 1 net birdie or better, but you make a good argument!!

[GolfSpy TCB]

28 minutes ago, vandyland said:

Got out today, played like crap but still fun to try to post something. Played our toughest muni where I am a 5 course hdcp and shot 79 for a net 74. Made one natural birdie and three net birdies. Long drive of 297 yds.

 

 

I have been hearing about the courses around Nashville... I was partnered today that was raving about a trip he recently took to Gaylord Springs Resort outside Nashville. I just looked up Harpeth Hills and it looks good too - especially for a public play course.  !!

Looks like you got things going on the back nine there vandy!

 

[cnosil]

13 minutes ago, Golfspy_TCB said:

That is a good question cnosil.  I have been counting an Eagle as 1 net birdie or better, but you make a good argument!!

When you Birdie the #1 handicap hole, you should get some kind of bonus

 

[Blueberry_Squishie]

8 hours ago, Golfspy_TCB said:

3 under after 4 holes... that is a heater!!!

Leaving the 4th green I had my tour membership form 3/4 filled out.

[GolfSpy TCB]

1 hour ago, cnosil said:

When you Birdie the #1 handicap hole, you should get some kind of bonus

 

I don't disagree.   4 it is

[GolfSpy TCB]

2 minutes ago, Golfspy_TCB said:

I don't disagree.   4 it is

Hey all, if you birdied a hole you get a stroke on this week (or more than one), Let me know so I can update your net birdies or better.  To add a little more reward for good play, we can count net eagles as 2 instead of one .  

This may change some of the net birdie leaders this week like @snicerz @Blueberry_Squishie @fozcycleand @MGoBlue100 so take a look at your cards, and let me know if there should be additional points added for your net eagles!

 

[fozcycle]

My 2 birdies on my 76 score were on handicap 7 and 12, so with a CH of 8, I get an extra net birdie as I had a net eagle! Woo Hoo!

[GolfSpy TCB]

29 minutes ago, Golfspy_TCB said:

Hey all, if you birdied a hole you get a stroke on this week (or more than one), Let me know so I can update your net birdies or better.  To add a little more reward for good play, we can count net eagles as 2 instead of one .  

This may change some of the net birdie leaders this week like @snicerz @Blueberry_Squishie @fozcycleand @MGoBlue100 so take a look at your cards, and let me know if there should be additional points added for your net eagles!

 

forgot to add @mikeanthonyas one of the net birdie leaders...

[Mr. Mushball]

36 minutes ago, Golfspy_TCB said:

Hey all, if you birdied a hole you get a stroke on this week (or more than one), Let me know so I can update your net birdies or better.  To add a little more reward for good play, we can count net eagles as 2 instead of one .  

This may change some of the net birdie leaders this week like @snicerz @Blueberry_Squishie @fozcycleand @MGoBlue100 so take a look at your cards, and let me know if there should be additional points added for your net eagles!

 

I did have a net eagle on my #13, so that would put me up to a total of 6.  Not quite at the top, but closer.

 

[ChitownM2]

Got out for a round with my dad today and played well, but the finish absolutely killed me....bogey, double, triple 

Shot an 85 with my 15 course HDCP for a net 70 which was -1.  Not a good day with the driver but I managed one good onne...long drive was 273.  

Edit: had a net eagle on #1, hit my approach to about 6 in.  If that counts as 2, then I think I had 8 net birdies but I could be screwing that up.  

 

[EasyPutter]

Golf is still on in WNY but getting more tenuous as the daylight gets shorter and worse, the hour just went on so what would have been twilight golf last week will be after dark this week, ergo no golf.

Week 6 entry of best rounds:
 

with unchanged handicap because of rounds more like my average at 26.1 makes the 97 total a Net 71 for -1 and longest drive this week was 179 yards with the driver and longest fairway hybrid hit was and insane 209 layup.  I honestly don't understand the net birdies thing so will look for where that falls out in the Week 6 results.  

Really enjoyed my week with the Black Jacket and wish this week's winner all the best for the win!