SEASON 2 - WEEK 38 MYGOLFSPY FORUM MEMBER WEEKLY VIRTUAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR (VCT)

[GolfSpy_BEN]

 

 

Season 2 - Week 38

Virtual Championship Tour

is now open for scoring!!!

Photo Credit: @GolfSpy SAM 

[Golf2Much]

Date	12/19/2023
Course Name	Key West Golf Club
Gross Score	84
Course Handicap	14
Gross Strokes over/under par	14
Net Score to Par	0
Net Score	70
Net Birdies or better	3
Longest Drive	181
SIM Round?

After a weekend of heavy rain and wind in South Florida, we all got to play again.  After 3-4 inches of rain on Saturday, we were surprised that it wasn't cart path only today.  It was sunny, but in the mid 60's (and dropping) at 7AM with 20-25 constant (28 mph gusts).  With all of that, I actually played pretty well.

After missing the first fairway (in the bunker), I missed only one more fairway all day (and that was by a couple of feet).  More importantly, I've got my smooth swing back and have picked up 8-10 yards on my drives.  Enough of a change that my playing partners have noticed and commented.

My greens in regulation still are not something to be proud of at only one this round.  However, I had a good day of up and down chips (5 for par and a few more chip and one putt for critical bogeys).  My putting is getting better as well.  My misses were all ended within a few feet of the cup.

For the balance of the week, temperatures will be in the high 60's/low 70's with winds remaining at 20 mph.  I know, there's a ton of you up North that would kill for that forecast.  As a transplant from Western New York I know.  But after 16 years in Key West, that Northern blood tends to thin out.  

[Cfhandyman]

Date	12/18/2023
Course Name	Lofoten links - Norway
Gross Score	77
Course Handicap	0
Gross Strokes over/under par	5
Net Score to Par	5
Net Score	77
Net Birdies or better	1
Longest Drive	267
SIM Round?	SIM

This weeks SIM course is another top 100 in the world course, Lofoten links off the coast of Norway, north of the Arctic circle. Visually stunning and oh yes difficult too. Not for the faint of heart, so lots of scrambling. Very happy with this score. 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Date	12/20/2023
Course Name	Old MacDonald - Bandon Resort
Gross Score	73
Course Handicap	0
Gross Strokes over/under par	2
Net Score to Par	2
Net Score	73
Net Birdies or better	4
Longest Drive	243
SIM Round?	SIM

Played a round at Old MacDonald on the Rapsodo, now that the update has been released. The SIM function is greatly improved with the addition of elevation and the graphics are better than the previous iteration. 
 

[Alf. S]

I'm really struggling to post any scores at the moment. In and out of Hospital most of November, UK being battered by storms and course closed and when I do get out I struggle to complete. Saturday only managed 13, yesterday only 7. Saw this by Max Homa

So thought I would post a picture of my MVP from yesterday .

[Josh Parker]

Date	12/20/2023
Course Name	Lago Vista
Gross Score	78
Course Handicap	5
Gross Strokes over/under par	6
Net Score to Par	1
Net Score	73
Net Birdies or better	2
Longest Drive	291
SIM Round?

Swing changes are creating some interesting rounds.  Putting and wedges keep my scores low right now but I am seeing some positive things in my iron shots.  

My driver swing is coming along and I feel like I am getting closer to a more consistent ball flight but I am going to some big misses while making these changes.  

Overall, I had a nice round and was able to get done before a busy day of work-related responsibilities.  

[Golf2Much]

7 hours ago, Alf. S said:

I'm really struggling to post any scores at the moment. In and out of Hospital most of November, UK being battered by storms and course closed and when I do get out I struggle to complete. Saturday only managed 13, yesterday only 7. Saw this by Max Homa

So thought I would post a picture of my MVP from yesterday .

@Alf. S, get well soon!  I'll try send some of our Key West's weather over so you get a chance or two to get out before the new year!  

Nice picture.  Having spent too much time recovering from an illness, injury or other physical aliment, it's great to have someone there supporting you all the way!  Happy Holidays to both of you!

[LBC]

Date	12/20/2023
Course Name	Providence GolCourse
Gross Score	89
Course Handicap	16
Gross Strokes over/under par	18
Net Score to Par	2
Net Score	73
Net Birdies or better	0
Longest Drive	165
SIM Round?

28 degrees at tee time so we had one hour/forty-five minute freeze delay.  It was cold but a few of us played.  My biggest issue with golf in this weather is cold hands.  I wear a medium glove so I purchased xxl fingerless mittens and crush a couple hand warmers inside each and I am able to slide my hands in and out with ease- keeps my hands warm.

 

[RoverRick]

Date	12/20/2023
Course Name	Sulphur Springs Country Club
Gross Score	81
Course Handicap	9
Gross Strokes over/under par	9
Net Score to Par	0
Net Score	72
Net Birdies or better	6
Longest Drive	237
SIM Round?

I moved back a set of tees today so while my course handicap went down, it also went back up. My problem today was I made some horrible swings today and cost myself strokes needlessly. 4 times I went from an easy par opportunity to a really tough bogey putt and only made 1. 

[Alf. S]

10 hours ago, Golf2Much said:

@Alf. S, get well soon!  I'll try send some of our Key West's weather over so you get a chance or two to get out before the new year!  

Nice picture.  Having spent too much time recovering from an illness, injury or other physical aliment, it's great to have someone there supporting you all the way!  Happy Holidays to both of you!

Another storm coming in today 80mph winds so I need the Key West weather. But I've got Tenerife in the Canaries to look forward to in 3 weeks, clubs booked, checked in yesterday raring to go.

[Golf2Much]

Date	12/21/2023
Course Name	Key West Golf Club
Gross Score	83
Course Handicap	13
Gross Strokes over/under par	13
Net Score to Par	0
Net Score	70
Net Birdies or better	3
Longest Drive	177
SIM Round?

Today's round was similar to Tuesday's.  A shot better, but very pedestrian.  

I only hit 50% of the fairways, but as in past weeks, many of my misses were within five or six feet from the fairways.  My only double was on our second hole (first hole on the course as we have shot gun starts).  I drove it into the hole's only fairway bunker.  The high lip was significant enough to try and hit it high.  However, that just made me hit the very top if the lip and it fell back into the trap.  

As on Tuesday, I had five up and downs and three more chip and one putt for bogey (to fight off the dreaded double).  On my two putts, they were all pretty close to going in.   I've gotten to the point to when I'm just off the green, I'd rather chip the ball than try and putt through the fringe.  This is (a) I'm a fairly good (and creative) chipper and (b) I have a hard time accurately judging how the fringe will actually impact the putt's speed.  It never ceases to amaze my playing partners that I can be two feet off the green and I reach for a wedge.  That's why the most common thing I hear is "good chip" than "F@*king Norm!"

My 6% GIR doesn't look to good (and it isn't), but a bounce or two and it would have been in the teens.  Moving to the senior golf tees has been good for me so far.  On par 4's, I feel I can at least get closer to the green in two.  The par 3's are now all iron-reachable.   Suddenly, the game is much more fun as I don't have to hit every shot perfect to score.  

I seem to be playing better overall.  I'm out of GHIN soft cap hell and trending in the right direction.  Let's just hope that I continue the tend into 2024!

[Randall Robbins]

Date	12/22/2023
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	6
Longest Drive	230
SIM Round?

Only round this week due to rain ( 7 inches ), wet grounds, and cold weather - couldn't get anyone to go out with me!  Anyway, layoff seemed to smooth out everything, as ball striking was very good.  

[Golf2Much]

Date	12/23/2023
Course Name	Key West Golf Club
Gross Score	84
Course Handicap	13
Gross Strokes over/under par	14
Net Score to Par	1
Net Score	71
Net Birdies or better	5
Longest Drive	178
SIM Round?

Today was an interesting round.  

The front nine was a mixture of good and bad holes.  I doubled 2, 4, 6 and 9.  In between I had a birdie and two pars (including a rare sandy par).  My doubles were a result of poor chip or sand shots.  The back nine I had four pars but what made it different was that I had only 10 putts with only one 2 putt.  It also included another sandy par.  

My fairways hit was up to 86% (only missed two and one of them was only about 6 inches into the rough).  My GIR was my "normal" at 11%.  On at least three holes just off the green on the right or left (which is a positive as I'm typically short).  The five up and down pars is typical for me.  I also had five up and downs for bogey that helped keep my score in check.  

Lately, my game has been much more consistent, and I feel I may be on the verge of turning a corner.  This summer my game was not in a great place.   I got a lesson (the pro has since left), fought through it and started chipping and putting better.  I've got my fingers crossed that the decent play rolls into 2024!

[EasyPutter]

Date	12/22/2023
Course Name	Stryker Golf Course
Gross Score	104
Course Handicap	17
Gross Strokes over/under par	32
Net Score to Par	15
Net Score	87
Net Birdies or better	0
Longest Drive	168
SIM Round?

Cold day with frost delay that lifted by 9:30am, had a 10:30 tee time but was out on the course at 10:00.  Played with my brother and had a spectacular day that had nothing to do with the final score or anything silly like having a par.  Golf in December on the Solstice, that alone is awesome 

[BKervin]

3 hours ago, EasyPutter said:

Date	12/22/2023
Course Name	Stryker Golf Course
Gross Score	104
Course Handicap	17
Gross Strokes over/under par	32
Net Score to Par	15
Net Score	87
Net Birdies or better	0
Longest Drive	168
SIM Round?

Cold day with frost delay that lifted by 9:30am, had a 10:30 tee time but was out on the course at 10:00.  Played with my brother and had a spectacular day that had nothing to do with the final score or anything silly like having a par.  Golf in December on the Solstice, that alone is awesome 

Our course still has snow but it has melted in areas.  I'm jealous. But we do leave for SC in a week so I'll cheer your opportunity to play.  Glad you had great company!

[Alf. S]

Still no score to post but managed to walk round 18 holes yesterday! Had 29 stableford points which equates to +14. Had 3 holes on front 8 which were no returns due to a lost ball, the first one at the 4th which was straight up the middle, lost sight of it and it must of plugged never to be found.  Very windy 45-50mph, 48'F with drizzle turning to sleet in places, the course is standing up well, unlike me. 

 

Merry Christmas Everyone

[Alan Scalzi]

Date	12/23/2023
Course Name	Hodge Park
Gross Score	90
Course Handicap	14
Gross Strokes over/under par	19
Net Score to Par	5
Net Score	76
Net Birdies or better	0
Longest Drive	220
SIM Round?

[Golf2Much]

15 hours ago, EasyPutter said:

Date	Cold day with frost delay that lifted by 9:30am, had a 10:30 tee time but was out on the course at 10:00.  Played with my brother and had a spectacular day that had nothing to do with the final score or anything silly like having a par.  Golf in December on the Solstice, that alone is awesome

Coming from Western New York, I know how special those November/December bonus golf days are.  The first time I ever broke 80 was on a course in my hometown of Rochester, New York on an unusually warm day late November 1994.   Luckily it stayed warm another week or so and I broke 80 again on a different local course.  A Christmas miracle?  Maybe.   I don't think I wanted Spring to come faster than that Winter so I could get back on the courses and see if I could do it again!

Now I live in Key West and get cold when it's 65 degrees out.  

[RoverRick]

Date	12/23/2023
Course Name	Sulphur Springs Country Club
Gross Score	79
Course Handicap	7
Gross Strokes over/under par	7
Net Score to Par	0
Net Score	72
Net Birdies or better	8
Longest Drive	223
SIM Round?

My par 3 scoring is atrocious. That’s because my iron play is erratic. Luckily Santa (specifically Mrs. Santa) gave me a Precision Mpact Wrist Training Aid for Christmas. She gave it to me early so I could get started, but this will be my last round without it. Right now, it is painfully obvious that my distance off the tee and poor iron play, make that full swings, are hurting me. If it wasn’t for my short game I’d be shooting in the 90’s everyday. 

I decided I didn’t need to spend 15 minutes on the range and take my “new swing” to the course (for a change). Instead I tried to focus on making good shots with the old swing and give me a baseline.

She also gave me a Swing Speed Radar. Unsurprisingly, I learned I have lost about 16 mph off the driver and my Swat Factor (not good enough to be an actual Smash Factor) is in the 1.32 area. 
 

I have plenty of data with the old swing and have started chipping and up to half swings with the new swing today. But just a few. It’s raining all day so I’ll get started in earnest tomorrow - Tuesday. I’ll probably post a thread documenting it and reviewing this product. 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

   Week 38 Final Recap

With the holidays in full swing on the back end of this week, we had 12 rounds posted this week.

 

Low Net & Gross Score

      

By virtue of posting a 1 over 72 net 67, @Randall Robbins takes home the black jacket and lowest gross badges this week. Nice round!

Most Net Birdies

   

With 8 net birdies @RoverRick keeps the most net birdies badge for another week. Well played.

Longest Drive

   

A 291 yard drive was enough to lock up @Josh Parker's first long drive badge. Congratulations!

 

SIM Round Honor Roll (Sub80)

@GolfSpy_BEN - 73

@Cfhandyman - 77

 

Enjoy the holidays and we will see you all here next week, as we usher in a new year!    

[IndyBonzo]

Date	12/24/2023
Course Name	Bluff Creek
Gross Score	77
Course Handicap	8
Gross Strokes over/under par	5
Net Score to Par	-3
Net Score	69
Net Birdies or better	6
Longest Drive	284
SIM Round?

*Personal Best* 77