MGS VCT - SOLO SCRAMBLE CHALLENGE

[Alf. S]

4 hours ago, ILMgolfnut said:

Getting to Campbeltown was an adventure. So was getting from Ardrossan to EDI, for the same reason: Weird GPS from Arnold Clark. Heading south, it sent me down a C road which was closed for construction,  but by the time I realized it, it was 25 miles back to an alternate route. I wound up over at Oban, which is right on the A816 south to Kintyre, but GPS STILL wanted me to go back down that closed road. What should have been a 3.5 hour drive wound up taking 6 hours. Then after I got off the ferry at Ardrossan, I was trying to get to the M8, when GPS suddenly commanded me to take an immediate left. Unfortunately, I complied The road it put me on was a single-lane cattle path, completely mud after Storm Ciaran, which near its end was blocked by a cattle gate. If I had gotten stuck in the mud, or if that gate had been locked, I would have been screwed. Fortunately, neither one happened, I got back on an actual road and finally got to Edinburgh.

 

GPS?? I think Google Maps is now better. The road from Glasgow to Campbeltown should be down the A83 (aka Rest and Be Thankful") but I know they have had loads of landslide and are planning to build a tunnel to avoid road closures, Even with it open it is still a long road. 

As for Ardrossan to Edinburgh, just wow. Why it would take you there, it is 10 minutes from the M77 then 25 minutes to the M8. I grew up just North of Ardrossan and played quite a few course down that way.

Edited March 5 by Alf. S

[Subdiver1]

Sounds like fun.  If only the weather here was more March and less January.

 

[USMCSnyper]

Date	03/04/2024
Course Name	Orchard Vali
Gross Score	91
Course Handicap	0
Gross Strokes over/under par	20
Net Score to Par	20
Net Score	91
Net Birdies or better	0
Longest Drive	212
TYPE OF ROUND	SOLO SCRAMBLE

I decided to take my first shot if it was good enough. Why risk losing a ball? LOL This is a great idea!

[Josh Parker]

Date	03/06/2024
Course Name	Lago Vista Golf Course
Gross Score	66
Course Handicap	0
Gross Strokes over/under par	-6
Net Score to Par	-6
Net Score	66
Net Birdies or better	6
Longest Drive	298
TYPE OF ROUND	SOLO SCRAMBLE

Had a great time doing the scramble.  I tried to play ball one as much as possible and had a few holes at the beginning where I was only able to play one ball because I was passing people.  Overall player 2 made 4 of the 6 birdies.  I used player 2's drive 4 times and only twice on approach shots. 

[Javs]

Date	03/06/2024
Course Name	Sun City Golf Club Cowan Creek
Gross Score	64
Course Handicap	0
Gross Strokes over/under par	-8
Net Score to Par	-8
Net Score	64
Net Birdies or better	8
Longest Drive	335
TYPE OF ROUND	SOLO SCRAMBLE

Ok to get this in I had to play solo and was fortunately not behind slow groups. Playing two balls was fun especially on a good ball striking day. It gave me the chance to get very aggressive if the first shot was safe and in decent position. I believe this shows what your real potential could be on a course. Lastly, I played the Odin and the Callaway balls shot for shot. I still love the Odin, but I am losing about 6 to 8 yards off the tee. 

[Randall Robbins]

Date	03/06/2024
Course Name	Bent Creek GC
Gross Score	66
Course Handicap	0
Gross Strokes over/under par	-5
Net Score to Par	-5
Net Score	66
Net Birdies or better	5
Longest Drive	232
TYPE OF ROUND	SOLO SCRAMBLE

[Javs]

4 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

Date	03/06/2024
Course Name	Lago Vista Golf Course
Gross Score	66
Course Handicap	0
Gross Strokes over/under par	-6
Net Score to Par	-6
Net Score	66
Net Birdies or better	6
Longest Drive	298
TYPE OF ROUND	SOLO SCRAMBLE

Had a great time doing the scramble.  I tried to play ball one as much as possible and had a few holes at the beginning where I was only able to play one ball because I was passing people.  Overall player 2 made 4 of the 6 birdies.  I used player 2's drive 4 times and only twice on approach shots. 

Great round!

32 minutes ago, Randall Robbins said:

Date	03/06/2024
Course Name	Bent Creek GC
Gross Score	66
Course Handicap	0
Gross Strokes over/under par	-5
Net Score to Par	-5
Net Score	66
Net Birdies or better	5
Longest Drive	232
TYPE OF ROUND	SOLO SCRAMBLE

Well played round!

[Josh Parker]

1 minute ago, Javs said:

Great round!

Well played round!

I'm hoping to get in one more. I agree with your statement of it showing the potential.  The putts my second ball made for birdies counted for 4 of the six and I didn't miss the first by much. 

[Javs]

12 minutes ago, Josh Parker said:

I'm hoping to get in one more. I agree with your statement of it showing the potential.  The putts my second ball made for birdies counted for 4 of the six and I didn't miss the first by much. 

Yes and I played my normal avoid trouble game on the first ball. That freed me up to be super aggressive on the second shot. I was swinging well today so, pulled most of the shots off. Also, when you know you have one in play it frees you up. Having a second ball led to an eagle and negated three bogies. Putts gained was 4 which was huge!

Have fun if you get another one in. I won’t as it’s too hard to do a solo here. Plus, I have money games Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Edited March 6 by Javs

[Josh Parker]

19 minutes ago, Javs said:

Yes and I played my normal avoid trouble game on the first ball. That freed me up to be super aggressive on the second shot. I was swinging well today so, pulled most of the shots off. Also, when you know you have one in play it frees you up. Having a second ball led to an eagle and negated three bogies. Putts gained was 4 which was huge!

Have fun if you get another one in. I won’t as it’s too hard to do a solo here. Plus, I have money games Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Yeah it will be tough to get one in as we have some weekend plans that may prevent golf but we shall see. 

I never count it out. Ha. 

[Randall Robbins]

1 hour ago, Javs said:

Great round!

Well played round!

Thanks!  With this format, I w hope you could get a result like that or like yours - you know, the " B" team player always comes through for you when you need him!

[Javs]

1 hour ago, Randall Robbins said:

Thanks!  With this format, I w hope you could get a result like that or like yours - you know, the " B" team player always comes through for you when you need him!

You are 100 percent correct. It took me from a round that would have been around par maybe 1 under to 8 under! Amazing drill really!!

[ZJeb67]

Date	03/06/2024
Course Name	Aviara
Gross Score	70
Course Handicap	0
Gross Strokes over/under par	-2
Net Score to Par	-2
Net Score	70
Net Birdies or better	6
Longest Drive	228
TYPE OF ROUND	SOLO SCRAMBLE - SIM

[ILMgolfnut]

On 3/5/2024 at 4:45 PM, Alf. S said:

GPS?? I think Google Maps is now better.

I agree, but my phone was stolen from my car outside the Eden Clubhouse in St. Andrews on the second day of the trip and thus I had to rely on the GPS in Arnold's little Hyundai. Which most of the time was okay, but on those two occasions...

Alas, no solo scramble today. Too much rain and too much work. More so the work; I wouldn't have been able to play regardless of the weather.

Edited March 7 by ILMgolfnut

[Javs]

This drill was great for my game! I actually took what I learned from the two ball and inserted it today. Result: I just shot the course record at White Wing from our tees. A solid 66! Come on March Madness!

[Josh Parker]

1 minute ago, Javs said:

This drill was great for my game! I actually took what I learned from the two ball and inserted it today. Result: I just shot the course record at White Wing from our tees. A solid 66! Come on March Madness!

Well done sir!  Hell of a round!  

[Randall Robbins]

3 minutes ago, Javs said:

This drill was great for my game! I actually took what I learned from the two ball and inserted it today. Result: I just shot the course record at White Wing from our tees. A solid 66! Come on March Madness!

Excellent!

[Javs]

5 minutes ago, Josh Parker said:

Well done sir!  Hell of a round!  

So getting my scorecard and name framed in the clubhouse. Two others courses to get after!

[Josh Parker]

3 minutes ago, Javs said:

So getting my scorecard and name framed in the clubhouse. Two others courses to get after!

You got it!  

I figured you were going to say next stop PGA Champions Tour

[Javs]

12 minutes ago, Josh Parker said:

You got it!  

I figured you were going to say next stop PGA Champions Tour

I might try to qualify for the Senior Amateur 

[Josh Parker]

10 minutes ago, Javs said:

I might try to qualify for the Senior Amateur 

You absolutely should. 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

11 minutes ago, Javs said:

I might try to qualify for the Senior Amateur 

I’ve had similar thoughts, plus I still have 5 years to practice and work on my game before I am eligible. 

[daviddvm]

Date	03/07/2024
Course Name	Timber Creek (Pines/Creekside)
Gross Score	75
Course Handicap	0
Gross Strokes over/under par	4
Net Score to Par	4
Net Score	75
Net Birdies or better	0
Longest Drive	267
TYPE OF ROUND	SOLO SCRAMBLE

That solo scramble is a lot of swings! I'm tired and I'm going to the Houston Rodeo tonight to watch Luke Bryan in concert. 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Got 9 in with my daughter today. She is home on spring break from college. We got done just in time for the community call.

Very interesting playing a one man two ball scramble. I played my normal game on the first ball and took chances on the second ball. Some worked some didn’t but overall this was fun. Always nice to have a second putt.  So far I am four under with the front 9 complete. 

[jbern]

1 hour ago, Javs said:

This drill was great for my game! I actually took what I learned from the two ball and inserted it today. Result: I just shot the course record at White Wing from our tees. A solid 66! Come on March Madness!

Congrats on the course record! Incredible stuff! 

[jbern]

I don’t think I’m going to be able to give the one a go this time. I had two days this week that I thought I could get out, but both days basically blew up in my face and it didn’t work out. Some great scores so far!

[Mr. Mushball]

On 3/5/2024 at 4:46 PM, Subdiver1 said:

Sounds like fun.  If only the weather here was more March and less January.

 

Well, it's like that down here as well, but nice if the sun comes out.  As long as the wind stays under 10mph I keep pretty warm, though I'm layered up.  Probably only have a few more years left before this kind of weather is too annoying to get out.  Scoring is hard though as things aren't really flying yet and the ground is still soft. 

That's the PNW for you.

 

 

[Javs]

43 minutes ago, jbern said:

Congrats on the course record! Incredible stuff! 

Thanks!

[Javs]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_BEN said:

I’ve had similar thoughts, plus I still have 5 years to practice and work on my game before I am eligible. 

Go for it Sir! I am seriously thinking about it.

[Mr. Mushball]

I had a round scheduled today for the purpose of the solo scramble. Picked a more challenging course than my regular venue just to push myself and see how much better I could do with a second chance.  This place is full of bunkers, and has some troublesome water on the back 9.  The white tees are also longer and higher rated than the blue tees at Glendoveer East, the harder course at my home club.

Got interrupted on the hole 7 green saying the youngest needed to be picked up from daycare.  Boo.  Finished the 9, but can't post a score with that.  Scorecard to follow.  I do have a regular round at my home course on Sunday that if the cards are right I'll get a full scramble round in.

Not a wasted day though.  I agree with @Javs, this is a great drill and has taught me a few things about my game.  Even though I came in at 50 for the half, this is clearly better than my previous PR on this particular 9 of 58, and that was when the weather and ground were good in September.  The ball wasn't rolling today, so was getting true carry distances.  It was cold, low 40's, but sunny so I wasn't cold. No warm up, just a few practice swings before starting.  Most balls off the tee were pretty good, though I didn't always take the longest ball.  Some were better positioned, or I got a ball that didn't go off as expected and landed on a worse lie, though the second ball here was a help as sometimes my tee shot is fat.  Still only 4W as longest from the tee, moved up to a 6-iron for my longest fairway club.  

Where I feel this exercise really helped me is in the short game.  I got up and down a few more times than usual, and my putts dropped to an amazing 15 for the half.  Usually it's 20+.  I only saved myself from an extra putt with the second ball once.  I attribute the improved putting to better ball positioning.  I also got to work on targeting a bit more and learned a few things here.

Anyway, you can read the card.  I like where I ended up with my handicap calculation, not that it matters here.  However, I'm pretty confident that I could hit bogey on my home course in a scramble.  Like I said before, bogey for me is like par for real.