Season 2 - Week 3 MGS Forum Member Weekly Virtual Championsip Tour

[Mr. Mushball]

2 hours ago, Golfspy_TCB said:

I started with a baseball grip as well (more years ago than I can count at this point haha).  And transitioned to interlock.  I'm not against the 5 finger grip... I think there are some advantages to it... I just feel more connected to the club face by interlocking.  (I have tried overlap, but my fingers are too short  . 

As far as my recent swing changes, I have a nasty habit of creating turn by cocking in my left knee - which then makes it "easy" to start my downswing by an over the top first move (HATE IT).  So I'm working first on getting my left knee bend on the back swing more over my left foot, rather than it moving toward the right foot.  I have noticed a huge difference in ball contact, a more crisp strike, and less glancing due to improved path into the ball... so that has helped my distance a bit as well.  I am still out of position at the top, so that is my next hill to climb... but I think starting with a good beginning base and working systematically through the swing is better than trying to fix the end of the swing, trying to work back to front.  At least that is my current approach.

All of this!  Why then if I'm making these same corrections am I still a 30+ handicap instead of being closer to 3 as you are?  Maybe my out of position is a bit more severe and variable...

[Randall Robbins]

Date	04/19/2023
Course Name	Bent Creek GC
Gross Score	72
Course Handicap	5
Gross Strokes over/under par	1
Net Score to Par	-4
Net Score	67
Net Birdies or better	5
Longest Drive	245

Keep this up and my course handicap is going to drop!

3 net birds plus one eagle in the round (#1 handicap hole).

[GolfSpy TCB]

Date	04/19/2023
Course Name	Willow Fork CC
Gross Score	77
Course Handicap	4
Gross Strokes over/under par	5
Net Score to Par	1
Net Score	73
Net Birdies or better	2
Longest Drive	281

Felt like I was struggling a bit with my swing today. But I had several nice up and down saves.  I talked about my new 56* in the "bought lately" thread... it has been everything I hoped and more.  Just a quick review, I added a 14* bounce 56* SW a week ago, as I have been struggling out of the sand with my 10* bounce 54* SW.  I am 2 for 3 so far on sand saves, and my control out if the sand was immediately evident.  My concern was tight lies in the 50 - 80 yard range, but I had 3 up and downs today that were a direct result of hop and stop pitches with the 56.  So far. All good!!

[PeterHenric]

Date	04/19/2023
Course Name	Arroyo GC
Gross Score	97
Course Handicap	26
Gross Strokes over/under par	25
Net Score to Par	-1
Net Score	71
Net Birdies or better	6
Longest Drive	230

Driver wasn’t cooperating. Irons and putter were pretty good  

[RoverRick]

Date	04/19/2023
Course Name	Sulphur Springs Country Club
Gross Score	89
Course Handicap	10
Gross Strokes over/under par	17
Net Score to Par	7
Net Score	79
Net Birdies or better	5
Longest Drive	324

I did not have a good ball striking day. 30+ mph wind. Poor ball striking and strong winds are not good combination. I only 4 GIR and did make 4 birdies and a net birdie. 
 

My long drive, 324 yards, was straight down wind. I set up for a high draw to ride the wind, teed it a bit higher, took maximum backswing, and unleashed a mighty rip at the ball and …..

….almost missed the ball. I struck it on the low heel of the club. It never got above 10’ high but crossed the lake and bounded down the cart path at least 20 hops, actually a couple of the hops were OB but it continued on and ended up in the rough back in bounds. Ultimately, it was a flier lie and of course sailed over the green and into the hazard.
 

I did hit some great shots, and didn’t hit terrible shots. But you better make solid contact in the wind. Not an excuse, but a reason was that my right wrist was sore today. My overall ball flight was lower with less spin than normal. I missed lots of fairways and was hitting from the rough so even less spin. 

[GolfSpy SAM]

Date	04/17/2023
Course Name	Rustic Canyon Golf Course
Gross Score	97
Course Handicap	13
Gross Strokes over/under par	25
Net Score to Par	12
Net Score	84
Net Birdies or better	5
Longest Drive	280

Welcome to Jekyll/Hyde's round!! Played the back 9 first, add shot +21, lol. Played the front 9 (our back 9) in +4, including a double on the first. Something clicked after 10, and suddenly I was playing the golf I've been accustomed to since last year. Oh well - amazing day with  awesome buddies. 

Round highlight: drove the green on a "308" (per card, but played closer to 280) par 4, and managed a natural birdie. Then lipped out (baaaaad) on the next, which would've been my first birdie-birdie stretch ever. Life goals

(Average lie on my first 9)

(I really love this course. Just gorgeous.)

[GolfSpy SAM]

Date	04/18/2023
Course Name	Soule Park
Gross Score	94
Course Handicap	13
Gross Strokes over/under par	22
Net Score to Par	9
Net Score	81
Net Birdies or better	4
Longest Drive	275

Oh man. So many great opportunities that I just let slip through my fingers. 

This might be my favorite course in my area, and I think I WANTED it so bad, I let some bad habits creep back in. Some KILLER drives ruined by 2nd shots, some killer approaches ruined by not giving the putts my full attention, etc. Not as Jekyll/Hyde as yesterday, but not good by any means. 

That being said, it was a PERFECT day, with two great friends, on my birthday, so I'm not complaining any more  

Here's a shot I stumbled upon after hitting an absolute peach of a drive - bird hiding a nut for the winter in the side of a tree - so cool to see!

And here's me and my buddies, graciously taken by our fourth. I'm the doofus in the middle

 

 

[GregB135]

Date	04/20/2023
Course Name	Mac Dill AFB Bay Palms South
Gross Score	88
Course Handicap	12
Gross Strokes over/under par	16
Net Score to Par	4
Net Score	76
Net Birdies or better	6
Longest Drive	245

Jekyll and Hyde-ed my way to 48-40. All my scoring was on second nine.

[RoverRick]

3 hours ago, RoverRick said:

Date	04/19/2023
Course Name	Sulphur Springs Country Club
Gross Score	89
Course Handicap	10
Gross Strokes over/under par	17
Net Score to Par	7
Net Score	79
Net Birdies or better	5
Longest Drive	324

I did not have a good ball striking day. 30+ mph wind. Poor ball striking and strong winds are not good combination. I only 4 GIR and did make 4 birdies and a net birdie. 
 

My long drive, 324 yards, was straight down wind. I set up for a high draw to ride the wind, teed it a bit higher, took maximum backswing, and unleashed a mighty rip at the ball and …..

….almost missed the ball. I struck it on the low heel of the club. It never got above 10’ high but crossed the lake and bounded down the cart path at least 20 hops, actually a couple of the hops were OB but it continued on and ended up in the rough back in bounds. Ultimately, it was a flier lie and of course sailed over the green and into the hazard.
 

I did hit some great shots, and didn’t hit terrible shots. But you better make solid contact in the wind. Not an excuse, but a reason was that my right wrist was sore today. My overall ball flight was lower with less spin than normal. I missed lots of fairways and was hitting from the rough so even less spin. 

I’m going to add to my story of this round. I hit a nice drive on 1 dead into the wind. Clubbed up 2 clubs into the wind, hit the shot too low and it never got up into the wind and landed short of the green, rolled within a foot of the hole, but all the way off the back and on a hill. My chip was now, downhill, down grain, down wind and unsurprisingly it went 15’ passed the hole for a 2 putt bogey. 

Second hole, I didn’t make the corner into the wind, laid up to 100 yards and hit a 100 yard shot 100 yards, but too high and the wind took it left, where it hit the mogul and bounced OB, and I made a double. 

Third hole. 3 great low shots and a 2’ birdie. 

Fourth Hole. Par 3 perfect distance, but blew into the green side bunker. Missed the par putt. 

5th hole down wind par 5 and made par.

6th hole great drive downwind that was headed down the middle but somehow ended up in the trees left. I hit a 126 yard bump and run shot that I have hit from that same location many times and usually end up short or on the green and the wind took it over the back. I then bladed a downhill over a hill shot into the water and made another double. I was 4 over par and had hit 1 bad shot. 

Fast forward to the number 9 tee box. I’m standing there on the dam on the tee box looking at the island green 135 yards away. Sucker pin on the thin outcropping with water within 15-20’ short, long, and left of the hole. I had to remove my hat because the wind was too strong to keep it on my head. At that point I was 7 over through 8 holes and had hit just 2 bad shots, one on 6 another on 8. The others had been decent shots that had just not worked out. While waiting for the green to clear, we were talking about how foolish it was to go for that pin position with the wind. I said, “You know, it’s not like going into the water will ruin a good round today.” So I grabbed a 7 iron choked down on it and took dead aim. I hit a low shot that took 1 hop and stopped 2’ from the flag and made birdie. 
 

I also took an aggressive approach on the next hole and made another birdie. Did the same on the next hole although it was a sloppy drive, tolled 3 wood, 9 iron flier and a lucky pitch in from 30 yards past the flag that would have been off the green if it hadn’t hit the flag and gone in. And made net birdie on the next hole after my approach shot hit a tree and stayed in bounds 47.8 yards short and left of the flag.

Sadly, the aggressive approach did not work out for me the the rest of the day. I had really only hit a hand full of good shots for the day and sloppy ball striking and windy conditions and a sprinkling of bad shots took its toll. I got back 3 strokes, but then proceeded to make singles and doubles on the last 4 holes. However, there were 13 of us and I came in 4th. Which paid $0. 

[snicerz]

Nados and hail today, so no golf for me 

 

[BKervin]

Great job everyone who's been posting.  Hopefully will be getting a round in this week to get back on here!!

[GolfSpy_APH]

Date	04/20/2023
Course Name	Otelfingen
Gross Score	82
Course Handicap	10
Gross Strokes over/under par	10
Net Score to Par	0
Net Score	72
Net Birdies or better	4
Longest Drive	0

Much better day. Lots to talk about and much of which will be explained in other threads!

[dback]

Date	04/20/2023
Course Name	Gracewil Country Club
Gross Score	89
Course Handicap	13
Gross Strokes over/under par	17
Net Score to Par	4
Net Score	76
Net Birdies or better	6
Longest Drive	260

Weird round, started hot, completely lost my driver (no FH with driver for a 10 hole stretch), finished well. Hit my irons great but far too many "take my medicine" second shots. I did manage to hole out a birdie from 65 yards which was pretty awesome.

[Caddie1966]

Date	04/20/2023
Course Name	Denton Country Club
Gross Score	85
Course Handicap	10
Gross Strokes over/under par	14
Net Score to Par	4
Net Score	75
Net Birdies or better	5
Longest Drive	298

Beautiful morning to play.  75-80 partly sunny and 15 MPH winds.

Another day, another poor short iron performance.  I left 11 shots out on the course in my round today.  I had 29 putts as my Chipping and pitching were great.  However, I needed that to happen as I seem to be very quick on short irons on the downswing and flat missed almost every shot from 150 and in from the fairway or rough.
 

I was the proverbial Ranger Rick pre round, not missing a single swing.  I left the range this morning thinking I had a chance to break par.  Then my short irons become Quick Rick and I couldn’t seem to swing them smoothly.  
 

No issues like that with 5,6,7 iron or Driver,, 3wood or hybrids. I need to get my head straight soon or my handicap is going way up.

 

I have a golf trip to South Carolina in two weeks where three friends and I will play our 2nd annual tournament.  Gotta get this under control before I leave so I can bring home some hardware and bragging rights for a year.

 

 

 

 

[richk9holes]

Date	04/20/2023
Course Name	Hanover GC
Gross Score	86
Course Handicap	10
Gross Strokes over/under par	15
Net Score to Par	5
Net Score	76
Net Birdies or better	2
Longest Drive	245

2nd time playing after shooting 83 last time. We'll call it "Hangover Golf Club" because this was a struggle to get around this time.

Started on #10. This threw me, as I had made notes of how I was going to manage the course holes 1-5 I had visualized prior to starting. Had to scramble to change holes on my GPS and flip the card over, where I had no notes for #10 besides targeting the right side FW. Scrambled for par on 10, 11 through trees for double, bogey par bogey par on 12-15. Back to back doubles on 16-17 I had some bad club selection and bad luck. Par putt lipped out on the hardest handicap hole 18.

6 bogey, 3 par on the back 9 (front 9), 44-42 for 86 is good, but I know where I could've saved 7 strokes and felt amazing about today.

Only 34 putts on bumpy aerated greens 2 I made were wedges to tap in range, another 2 I actually got to drop from 6' and 14'. Lagged everything well all day.

Hit driver A/A+ most of the day, but missed half the FW I thought I hit because of big bounces, extra distance, hard patches, sloping FW, etc. 12/14 drives I wrote down a positive note on the teebox and got to it in the rough 6 of those.  

[BKervin]

38 minutes ago, Caddie1966 said:

Date	04/20/2023
Course Name	Denton Country Club
Gross Score	85
Course Handicap	10
Gross Strokes over/under par	14
Net Score to Par	4
Net Score	75
Net Birdies or better	5
Longest Drive	298

Beautiful morning to play.  75-80 partly sunny and 15 MPH winds.

Another day, another poor short iron performance.  I left 11 shots out on the course in my round today.  I had 29 putts as my Chipping and pitching were great.  However, I needed that to happen as I seem to be very quick on short irons on the downswing and flat missed almost every shot from 150 and in from the fairway or rough.
 

I was the proverbial Ranger Rick pre round, not missing a single swing.  I left the range this morning thinking I had a chance to break par.  Then my short irons become Quick Rick and I couldn’t seem to swing them smoothly.  
 

No issues like that with 5,6,7 iron or Driver,, 3wood or hybrids. I need to get my head straight soon or my handicap is going way up.

 

I have a golf trip to South Carolina in two weeks where three friends and I will play our 2nd annual tournament.  Gotta get this under control before I leave so I can bring home some hardware and bragging rights for a year.

 

 

 

 

Maybe just saving up the good for the competition?!

[Caddie1966]

1 hour ago, BKervin said:

Maybe just saving up the good for the competition?!

I wish it were true and that I am just sandbagging but it’s been a rough year so far and I have a chronic case of bad approach shots.  If I can get that dialed in and hone the sand game a bit I’ll be ready to take home the hardware.

[Louis "John " Gavazza]

Date	04/20/2023
Course Name	Port Royal - Barony
Gross Score	89
Course Handicap	11
Gross Strokes over/under par	17
Net Score to Par	6
Net Score	78
Net Birdies or better	6
Longest Drive	255

We played at Port Royal - Barony course on Hilton Head Island. The course was in good shape and the green were smooth and rolled true. One thing about this course is the size of the greens are small to the point that I had only 25 putts and still shot 89. The greens are well protected by sand traps and water. Fairway were generous in size. Overall the course was fun.

[Bucky CC]

Date	04/20/2023
Course Name	Western Lakes GC
Gross Score	80
Course Handicap	3
Gross Strokes over/under par	8
Net Score to Par	5
Net Score	77
Net Birdies or better	1
Longest Drive	279

Happy with an 80 after I took a triple bogey 8 on the 2nd hole of the day.  Also finished bogey-bogey-bogey after heavy rain moved into the area and made the last three holes miserable.

 

[jaz29]

Date	04/20/2023
Course Name	Baypointe Golf Club
Gross Score	86
Course Handicap	10
Gross Strokes over/under par	15
Net Score to Par	5
Net Score	76
Net Birdies or better	6
Longest Drive	0

[RoverRick]

Date	04/21/2023
Course Name	Sulphur Springs Country Club
Gross Score	86
Course Handicap	10
Gross Strokes over/under par	14
Net Score to Par	4
Net Score	76
Net Birdies or better	5
Longest Drive	257

I made some extraordinary recovery shots today. A bump and run chip with a gap wedge 30 yards from in the bushes with a restricted backswing on 2 to 8’. Another with a 4 hybrid from the woods 145 yards to 1 foot and a net eagle. Another on 15 from the 5th fairway under the trees 168 yards to 12’ and net eagle.  
 

Other than that I made a few good shots, a lot of mediocre shots, and a couple of really bad shots. But it beat going to the dentist. 

[BKervin]

Date	04/22/2023
Course Name	Pennhills Club
Gross Score	114
Course Handicap	34
Gross Strokes over/under par	43
Net Score to Par	9
Net Score	80
Net Birdies or better	0
Longest Drive	120

Well today was challenging to say the least! Back in Northwest Pennsylvania and we have thick grass in the second cut. The balls don't roll like they do in South Carolina. Putting was tough on the slower greens. I didn't give up and finished out the 18 but boy did I need a nice cold beverage when I was done.  Hopefully my swing remembers how to play out of grass rather than the sand.

[GolfSpy TCB]

On 4/20/2023 at 5:48 PM, richk9holes said:

Date	04/20/2023
Course Name	Hanover GC
Gross Score	86
Course Handicap	10
Gross Strokes over/under par	15
Net Score to Par	5
Net Score	76
Net Birdies or better	2
Longest Drive	245

2nd time playing after shooting 83 last time. We'll call it "Hangover Golf Club" because this was a struggle to get around this time.

Started on #10. This threw me, as I had made notes of how I was going to manage the course holes 1-5 I had visualized prior to starting. Had to scramble to change holes on my GPS and flip the card over, where I had no notes for #10 besides targeting the right side FW. Scrambled for par on 10, 11 through trees for double, bogey par bogey par on 12-15. Back to back doubles on 16-17 I had some bad club selection and bad luck. Par putt lipped out on the hardest handicap hole 18.

6 bogey, 3 par on the back 9 (front 9), 44-42 for 86 is good, but I know where I could've saved 7 strokes and felt amazing about today.

Only 34 putts on bumpy aerated greens 2 I made were wedges to tap in range, another 2 I actually got to drop from 6' and 14'. Lagged everything well all day.

Hit driver A/A+ most of the day, but missed half the FW I thought I hit because of big bounces, extra distance, hard patches, sloping FW, etc. 12/14 drives I wrote down a positive note on the teebox and got to it in the rough 6 of those.  

Is that a flowering dogwood I see??

[GolfSpy TCB]

1 hour ago, BKervin said:

Date	04/22/2023
Course Name	Pennhills Club
Gross Score	114
Course Handicap	34
Gross Strokes over/under par	43
Net Score to Par	9
Net Score	80
Net Birdies or better	0
Longest Drive	120

Well today was challenging to say the least! Back in Northwest Pennsylvania and we have thick grass in the second cut. The balls don't roll like they do in South Carolina. Putting was tough on the slower greens. I didn't give up and finished out the 18 but boy did I need a nice cold beverage when I was done.  Hopefully my swing remembers how to play out of grass rather than the sand.

Did that frosty beverage have a little kick BK?

[GolfSpy TCB]

On 4/20/2023 at 7:46 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

Date	04/20/2023
Course Name	Otelfingen
Gross Score	82
Course Handicap	10
Gross Strokes over/under par	10
Net Score to Par	0
Net Score	72
Net Birdies or better	4
Longest Drive	0

Much better day. Lots to talk about and much of which will be explained in other threads!

I will have to stalk your posts to find out more about this round... Like are you still bagging the P790's??  

[snicerz]

Date	04/21/2023
Course Name	Surrey Hills
Gross Score	75
Course Handicap	-1
Gross Strokes over/under par	4
Net Score to Par	5
Net Score	76
Net Birdies or better	1
Longest Drive	334

Killed it today - the ball that is. Everything was a bit long. I guess I was just swinging fast. 2 birdies on the back to salvage the round with all those bogeys. #17, in the pic below was pretty much the theme for the day. Great drive, 2nd shot goes long or rolls out way too much, forced to try to save the hole with putting. The warm weather is definitely helping me though. Glad to be out of winter golf mode.

[Mr. Mushball]

Date	04/22/2023
Course Name	Glendoveer G&TC East Course
Gross Score	102
Course Handicap	36
Gross Strokes over/under par	29
Net Score to Par	-7
Net Score	66
Net Birdies or better	12
Longest Drive	257

Some days just come together.  Wasn't even expecting much as I booked this afternoons round on a whim.  Weather was supposed to be decent after a few weeks of rain, contractor wasn't coming by, all of my clients were quiet and had ordered what I needed for the next year of travel gigs.  Was playing as a single, and was only a tiny bit annoyed at the group in front of me as I was trying to finish in about 3 hours to get back home.  I didn't make it btw, it was more like 3:45 and left half an hour later than I had hoped.

But, some days you don't do too bad on the front, then it doesn't get worse.  That was today.  Nothing felt very special.  I thought my putting stunk, and if you look at the first half it did.  Way too many backward Es.  I was hitting fairly well off the tees.  Not too far, but relatively straight and far enough.  Nothing was hitting the fairways, but misses were off just a yard or two.  Some weren't misses so much as they were a bit long for the angle they took, only because I was expecting them to go right and they didn't and the curve of the layout caught me.  This wound up being an advantage as the ground was still mush from all the rain and the center was a mud pit.  It was fine where the grass was longer and the roots were healthier and less trod upon.  

I was pleasantly surprised to check my score at the end of the round and see that I had beat my previous best on this course.  Now I'm all warmed up for my Sunday round on the same side.

Humble brag about the birdie on number nine.  I hit it a bit short and left it half a foot from the edge of the green.  I nailed a 60' uphill putt for a very welcome two stroke 3.

First round with my new Shot Scope X5, another reason I wanted to shirk duties and get outside.  Needed some play time with it to figure some things out.  Wasn't the smoothest ride.  It didn't let me collect pins on one hole (#11) and then couldn't enter the score.  I couldn't figure out how to get to pin collect mode, it wasn't in the Game Menu.  Then it just quit after #13.  I had to start the round again.  Somehow it kept the scorecard consistent, but the rounds are separated and I'll need to contact support.  Also, once it's in pin collect mode you apparently can't move the pin position, which somewhat makes sense as it's more for approach distance.  Overall I think it's a good upgrade.  However, it means I have no photos to upload today.  Everyone has been sharing wonderful spring pics of their courses, thanks!

I didn't upload this score for a handicap as I was a single.  I did have someone join me for a few holes on the back 9, but only 4-5.  It certainly would drop me a point had it been a non practice round.

Also, I think this puts me at the top with a -7 and a bunch of net birdies.  This should be a fun summer.

 

[Mr. Mushball]

6 minutes ago, Mr. Mushball said:

Date	04/22/2023
Course Name	Glendoveer G&TC East Course
Gross Score	102
Course Handicap	36
Gross Strokes over/under par	29
Net Score to Par	-7
Net Score	66
Net Birdies or better	12
Longest Drive	257

 

@Golfspy_TCB please delete this post.  It didn't auto merge with the previous post as expected.  I've edited my original post to include the screen caps I wanted to add but spaced.  Also, image editing doesn't seem to be working for me on Post Score posts.

 

 

Edited April 22, 2023 by Mr. Mushball

[Mr. Mushball]

On 4/20/2023 at 4:09 PM, BKervin said:

Maybe just saving up the good for the competition?!

I'm usually at the bottom of the list, but today showed that anything can happen.  It's in you, just waiting to let loose!

[Peaksy68]

Date	04/22/2023
Course Name	Curlewis
Gross Score	78
Course Handicap	7
Gross Strokes over/under par	7
Net Score to Par	0
Net Score	71
Net Birdies or better	4
Longest Drive	275

Strange round today. The good was very good, the rest not great. Managed to score okay despite some less than stellar play