How'd you play?

[cksurfdude]

On 11/6/2021 at 9:46 PM, sirchunksalot said:

You're right, I need to learn to relax a bit more out on the course. I think that's what had me so frustrated, not that I was hitting the ball bad, it's that I let the mental game lapse.

I need to find a good golf psychology book and get the mind straight because I've developed a case of nerves over the ball when I'm on the course. 

Golf is very much a confidence game!

But a few things I try to remind myself of when I'm out there:
#1. You are going to hit some "not so good" (don't use the "b" word ) shots. Everybody does during a round.
#2. Look at #1 as an opportunity to make an awesome follow-up shot.
#3. It's you against you out there - let the cool, calm, collected, suave and debonair Sir Chunks come out on top!
..and...
4. Really, what's the worst that can happen? You lose a golf ball. And in the grand scheme of things that's pretty minor (there's always another birthday or holiday coming to ask for more ).

[chisag]

On 3/26/2022 at 10:15 AM, cksurfdude said:

Golf is very much a confidence game!

But a few things I try to remind myself of when I'm out there:
#1. You are going to hit some "not so good" (don't use the "b" word ) shots. Everybody does during a round.
#2. Look at #1 as an opportunity to make an awesome follow-up shot.
#3. It's you against you out there - let the cool, calm, collected, suave and debonair Sir Chunks come out on top!
..and...
4. Really, what's the worst that can happen? You lose a golf ball. And in the grand scheme of things that's pretty minor (there's always another birthday or holiday coming to ask for more ).

 

... Yup great stuff right there! I always try and tell those struggling that the "secret" is not caring about results. We can walk a painted line in a parking lot that is 6" wide without ever missing a step but try and walk a 6 inch wide wall that is 40 stories high and the results of a misstep make that insanely more difficult. Hard not to concentrate on the results but in the end it is exactly the same, just our mental approach that makes it different and of course we cannot fall to our death playing golf. If you can focus on the process and not the results it can be so much easier. Executing a chip from just off the green could not be easier if you concentrate on making clean contact because with such a short stroke it is almost impossible to mess up. You may not get it close but you certainly won't chunk or blade your chip. Trepidation about getting it close can cause a myriad of problems from looking up to moving your entire body as well as lifting or dipping or yipping and a horrendous shot can follow. 

... Concerning #1 and #2 above. I hit a really bad drive yesterday on the longest dogleg left par 4 that demands a drive down the left side that catches a slope and can add 40-50+ yds to you tee shot. I had a mental lapse and tried to guide the bal to the left side resulting in a slightly open face and a whopping high push/slice into the other fairway.   Instead of the normal 170-140 approach I had an approach of 245 yds for my second shot. I hit my 17* Super Hybrid as good as I could hit it concentrating on the swing and not the results, hoping for a short chip from somewhere in front of the green. One of my best shots of the day after my worst shot of the day that just crept on to the front of the green leaving me an 8 footer I made for birdie. "An opportunity to make an awesome follow-up shot"  and although I did not try and reach the green just making an awesome follow up shot to the correct position just short resulted in a better than I anticipated result. 

... Ben Hogan once told two young guys on the range that asked him which shot was most important, a tee shot or a putt and his reply was "the most important shot in golf is the shot you have right now." 

[LeftyMatt89]

51 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... Yup great stuff right there! I always try and tell those struggling that the "secret" is not caring about results. We can walk a painted line in a parking lot that is 6' wide without ever missing a step but try and walk a 6 inch wide wall that is 40 stories high and the results of a misstep make that insanely more difficult. Hard not to concentrate on the results but in the end it is exactly the same, just our mental approach that makes it different and of course we cannot fall to our death playing golf. If you can focus on the process and not the results it can be so much easier. Executing a chip from just off the green could not be easier if you concentrate on making clean contact because with such a short stroke it is almost impossible to mess up. You may not get it close but you certainly won't chunk or blade your chip. Trepidation about getting it close can cause a myriad of problems from looking up to moving your entire body as well as lifting or dipping or yipping and a horrendous shot can follow. 

... Concerning #1 and #2 above. I hit a really bad drive yesterday on the longest dogleg left par 4 that demands a drive down the left side that catches a slope and can add 40-50+ yds to you tee shot. I had a mental lapse and tried to guide the bal to the left side resulting in a slightly open face and a whopping high push/slice into the other fairway.   Instead of the normal 170-140 approach I had an approach of 245 yds for my second shot. I hit my 17* Super Hybrid as good as I could hit it concentrating on the swing and not the results, hoping for a short chip from somewhere in front of the green. One of my best shots of the day after my worst shot of the day that just crept on to the front of the green leaving me an 8 footer I made for birdie. "An opportunity to make an awesome follow-up shot"  and although I did not try and reach the green just making an awesome follow up shot to the correct position just short resulted in a better than I anticipated result. 

... Ben Hogan once told two young guys on the range that asked him which shot was most important, a tee shot or a putt and his reply was "the most important shot in golf is the shot you have right now." 

What a great Hogan quote. Tucking that one away for the course. 
 

Today I hit some good and some bad but an 83 with three doubles and no birdies means there is potential to keep it going lower. Trending in the right direction headed into peak season. 
 

one disappointing hole on par 5 I was only 200 out and hit a cut that did not cut and ended up in a hazard by green and did not get up and down for par. 

[CarlH]

I'm tired of commenting on my bad rounds and I'm sure you're tired of hearing about them, so I'm just going to wave hello to everyone today!    

[yungkory]

24 minutes ago, CarlH said:

I'm tired of commenting on my bad rounds and I'm sure you're tired of hearing about them, so I'm just going to wave hello to everyone today!    

[Paul Hedrick]

Stunningly beautiful day on the course today; blue skies so blue it could hurt your eyes.  No clouds, and a slight breeze!  Is it ok we do not talk about my score?  LOL.  I am hopeful tomorrow will be better.

[sirchunksalot]

4 hours ago, cksurfdude said:

Golf is very much a confidence game!

But a few things I try to remind myself of when I'm out there:
#1. You are going to hit some "not so good" (don't use the "b" word ) shots. Everybody does during a round.
#2. Look at #1 as an opportunity to make an awesome follow-up shot.
#3. It's you against you out there - let the cool, calm, collected, suave and debonair Sir Chunks come out on top!
..and...
4. Really, what's the worst that can happen? You lose a golf ball. And in the grand scheme of things that's pretty minor (there's always another birthday or holiday coming to ask for more ).

Thanks for the kind words and sound advice, Chuck! I had to screenshot this as a reminder when I'm out there on the course. I especially like #2, I've had a few holes where I've told myself that and haven't been able to keep that thought more than a few times. 

My confidence isn't the highest right now. In fact, I'm back to SuperSpeed training just to get over being locked down over the ball and trying to just get back in the habit of pulling the trigger. 

It doesn't help that the only range in town is shut down right now due to a change in ownership and it always seems too windy to get the net out. We're having 20+ mph winds right now, but tomorrow looks good. Plus, it's been crazy around the house and those priorities take precedence over golf. Hopefully it'll settle down soon. 

Thanks again, my friend. Your words of encouragement and those of our fellow members always mean a lot. 

[Kenny B]

On 3/25/2022 at 11:59 AM, chisag said:

 

... Maybe you can tell me what the he!! this is for? 

I see you are prepared for the few T-Storms where it rains an inch in 10 minutes. 

[Kenny B]

On 3/25/2022 at 4:30 PM, 2puttbogey said:

It was a major let down. The things I practice the most doesn’t seem to make a difference. It’s very disheartening, and somewhat depressing to not see improvement.

And the next round will be just the opposite.  That's golf... that's what all the people say....

[Kenny B]

10 hours ago, cksurfdude said:

Golf is very much a confidence game!

But a few things I try to remind myself of when I'm out there:
#1. You are going to hit some "not so good" (don't use the "b" word ) shots. Everybody does during a round.
#2. Look at #1 as an opportunity to make an awesome follow-up shot.
#3. It's you against you out there - let the cool, calm, collected, suave and debonair Sir Chunks come out on top!
..and...
4. Really, what's the worst that can happen? You lose a golf ball. And in the grand scheme of things that's pretty minor (there's always another birthday or holiday coming to ask for more ).

Chuck...  posting his notes from the Nancy Lopez clinic.  amiright?

BTW, I hate losing a golf ball.

[Kenny B]

Beautiful sunny day; chilly 47º when we teed off at 9am, but warmed up quickly to a polo shirt swing by the 5th hole and 71º when we finished at 12:45.  I wore long pants but shorts tomorrow when it's supposed to be 77º.

My wife and I played with a new couple; he's a member of the same Rotary group that my wife joined.  Had a good time, but my game was just so-so... 84 with two doubles.  Putting is getting much better... just in time for the aerating greens and tees starting tomorrow afternoon and all day Monday.  

Highlight was hitting my second shot on the par 4 #14 into the bunker .  Now I had a 15-yard carry bunker shot for my 3rd... got it out but not to the green and the ball rolled back into the bunker ; freshly mowed fringe.  My 4th shot from the bunker close to the lip landed softly on the green and rolled into the cup .  Tipped my hat... #toursauce.  

[PMookie]

I was finally able to play yesterday, first time in weeks! As usual, I hit the ball great warming-up on the range pre-round. Once I got on the course it was a different story. There’s a lot going-on at home and I spent the whole front 9 angry about it, so I grabbed 2 beers at the turn and settled down enough to shoot even on the back finishing birdie, eagle! Driver was very good on the back nine today! I hit some more on the range after the round to take advantage of some good mojo, and to stay away from the house a little longer, enjoying the beautiful weather, and the peace-and-quiet. I may try to play again today.

[Sluggo42]

They’ve been plugging the fairways with the big plug machine, so they’re a mess. Greens next week, so we have to play the same 9 twice. Maybe we’ll switch the tee boxes to make ‘em different

[Micah T]

Windy today but a gorgeous, 77 degree spring day. Also, I shot 77: 7/14 Fir 10/18 gir 2/7 up & down 34 putts.

[cksurfdude]

On 3/24/2022 at 7:06 PM, sirchunksalot said:

You win the start of the golf season 2022! It's awesome you got to play a bucket list destination like Ireland to kick off your season. I hope your wife is feeling better and you have a safe trip home. 

Ha thx .. yeah it was just a great feeling playing over there (especially on a nice day)! And, yes, thx she's just a little sore in one shoulder and one hip but recovering quickly 

 

On 3/24/2022 at 8:51 PM, Grand Stranded said:

I haven’t even read your post yet, but hey… Welcome back stranger!

Thank you, Sir! Yeah loooong coooold winter but looks like we're getting closer and closer to actual nice weather! Plan to get out more often this year 

[cksurfdude]

Sub-50 degrees, overcast and windy but my wife and I got our first 9 in at a new club we joined (has all the fancy country club amenities including a pretty nice fitness room, plus reciprocity with many other private clubs around the country!, and it's closer to home and easier to get to vs the spot we'd tried last year). Course is a nice layout, very walkable and seems very playable while retaining some challenging spots.

Started off GREAT - first tee shot down the left center and short of the fairway bunker crossing the left half of the fairway; second shot pulled slightly left but high and solid and onto the left side of the green (wow!!) - FIR + GIR on the same hole .. who does that s***??  But then, even after putting on the practice green a little bit, found that the greens were firmer and faster than expected so ran the first putt well by the hole and didn't sink the second putt, so 3-putt bogey.

Oh well .. happy with the ball striking and we'll just putt more carefully going forward. 

On the second hole I very quickly got my ball-striking comeuppance  .. weak tee shot, followed by a poor second where I had to take relief from the curb of the road (sheeesh...), then not a good third left me still short, but a  decent chip on with good distance but pushed right a ways; first putt gave the speed a little too much "respect" and left it way short but did make the second this time.

Kinda got it together after that and started mixing in some good shots to offset those not-so-good/needs-more-work ones ... a few times I'd just swing and make nice, solid contact and a few times I'd swing and chunk/fat the ball to nowhere... 

Chipping / pitching were generally solid and putting was mostly ok .. on-line but do need to get the speed under better control.

Overall 4 (ouch!) doubles and 5 bogies for a 48/+13 .. a reasonable enough early season, new course round I think .. something to build on!

[CarlH]

Played a couple's Shamble today.  Finally striking the ball well and shot a 77, although several drives were not mine, so it doesn't really count officially on my handicap postings.  Just felt good to be able to make solid contact, probably because I was more relaxed with the format.  I did make one slight change to my setup today, flaring both feet out a bit more than I usually do and felt that it contributed quite a bit to making a better turn back and a better turn thru.  Probably also stabilized me better over the ball thru the swing.  

[fixyurdivot]

A 40/41 at Las Barancas today with two DB's and two birdies.  This concludes my 2021/22 winter golf season in AZ as we'll be heading back home mid week.  It's been a really fun season and I'm thrilled that the new irons are working well, that composite shafts have dramatically reduced shoulder and elbow soreness,  and that I've managed to get my index into single digits (barely ).  Next report from Montana... stay tuned .

[chisag]

8 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

It's been a really fun season and I'm thrilled that the new irons are working well, that composite shafts have dramatically reduced shoulder and elbow soreness,  and that I've managed to get my index into single digits

 

... Great news on both fronts and have a good trip back! 

[Grand Stranded]

On 3/26/2022 at 4:38 PM, CarlH said:

I'm tired of commenting on my bad rounds and I'm sure you're tired of hearing about them, so I'm just going to wave hello to everyone today!    

I feel you Carl.

There’s a reason I haven’t posted in this thread all week. Hello everyone!

[DStar]

Played my 1st ever Texas Scramble on Saturday. That's a fun format!

On the whole the team did OK but I played really well. Used 6 of my tee shots (4 each required) including 3 big drives and 2 par-3's (one tap in from 3 feet). Quite a few of my 2nd shots used as well. Didn't putt great but we've had greens maintainance week so they were'nt great. 

Hottest day of the year here in the UK so far so shorts & short sleeved shirt, got a bit of a tan too. Love topping up the vit D

Edited March 28, 2022 by DStar

[fozcycle]

Finally, our Spring Blitz two day tourney arrived this past weekend.  My anxiety level was high as I was now returning from 9 weeks of rehab after shoulder surgery.  We had 37 contestants. Day 1, is hot 44/46: 90. No birdies and my driver was not cooperating.  Still, that placed me in 8th place at +1 for my points.  My points were 17, down drastically from 27 last Fall, mostly due to my injured rotator cup from the July auto accident.  Day 2 both my driver and putter showed up to play, shooting 42/42: 84 and taking 3rd place with +8.  First place was tied at +12.  I was very proud as my putter was knocking them down from 8 - 15 feet to save par or bogey.  Just possibly my game is turning around…..

 

[cnosil]

59 minutes ago, fozcycle said:

Finally, our Spring Blitz two day tourney arrived this past weekend.  My anxiety level was high as I was now returning from 9 weeks of rehab after shoulder surgery.  We had 37 contestants. Day 1, is hot 44/46: 90. No birdies and my driver was not cooperating.  Still, that placed me in 8th place at +1 for my points.  My points were 17, down drastically from 27 last Fall, mostly due to my injured rotator cup from the July auto accident.  Day 2 both my driver and putter showed up to play, shooting 42/42: 84 and taking 3rd place with +8.  First place was tied at +12.  I was very proud as my putter was knocking them down from 8 - 15 feet to save par or bogey.  Just possibly my game is turning around…..

 

Glad you hear you are back out on the course.  Hope the shoulder continues to do well. 

[JFish350]

Didn't think I was going to be able to get for a couple weeks. Got the taxes done and few chores so the wife and I played 9 with our neighbor couple. The ladies called it after 9 so my bud and I finished out the round. Started out rough with a quad on #1, bog on 2 dbl on 3, see where I'm going. I did have 1 bird and 2 pars on the front for a 46. Back 9 went 2 dbls, 1 bog and 6 pars for a 41 on 9 holes I've never played, tot 87. I'm good with that after a few rough holes. Driver was erratic but when it was on it was a thing of beauty. been working on getting rid  the dreaded over top move and things are coming back nicely. 

 

Hitting up Sub 70 location for a proper fitting of my 699 pro's. Could be a few weeks before I get out again. If needed I'll use the old set and see what happens. Hopefully I get the 699's back before my trip to AZ but that would be pushing it I think for that quick of a turn around time. 

 

remember a shot is a shot no matter where it's at on the course. It doesn't know what the shot before did, Move forward and leave the past in the past but learn from it. 

[CarlH]

Played a course that I hadn't played before.  Although I didn't score particularly well, my driver behaved well and my ball striking was very solid.  Putting was good, but my greens reading skills on Bermuda grain needs some more experience.  My 3 bad holes all were when I choked with a short wedge shot.  Drives me crazy that I can hit crisp chips/pitches on the practice greens but totally chip without confidence and choke when on the course.  Hole of the day was a short par 4 with water on the left.  Pulled my drive and hit it into the water.  Took a drop at 68 yards to the pin and hit my LW to a foot from the pin for a tap in par.

[THEZIPR23]

Thursday 71 5 birdies 4 bogeys

Saturday 82 1 birdie 7 bogeys 2 doubles

Sunday 74 3 birdies 5 bogeys

Same course, same guy, same weather, different results. Love this game!

[chisag]

... What a bizarre Phenix round of golf yesterday. Started off cloudy and windy around 75* with 15mph winds. A "storm" blew in around hole #5 with droplets of water which I wouldn't even call a sprinkle but sandy gusts up to 40mph. The sand storm got so bad on the approach to the par five 5th, we could not see the green from 100yds out!?! Hard to stand still to putt. At least the 9th was straight downwind and I hit a 340 yd drive LOL. It carried to the downslope, something I am not capable of even with normal winds. But stopping a wedge was impossible and landed on the front to a back pin and still rolled onto the back fringe. #10 is a birdie more often than not par 5 but into that 40mph wind it took driver, 17* super hybrid and a knock down 5 iron to just short of the green with a front pin. 

... By the 14th hole the wind was completely gone, the sky turned partly cloudy with sun and blue patches and the last 5 holes were ideal conditions. 

[fixyurdivot]

19 minutes ago, chisag said:

... What a bizarre Phenix round of golf yesterday. Started off cloudy and windy around 75* with 15mph winds. A "storm" blew in around hole #5 with droplets of water which I wouldn't even call a sprinkle but sandy gusts up to 40mph. The sand storm got so bad on the approach to the par five 5th, we could not see the green from 100yds out!?! Hard to stand still to putt. At least the 9th was straight downwind and I hit a 340 yd drive LOL. It carried to the downslope, something I am not capable of even with normal winds. But stopping a wedge was impossible and landed on the front to a back pin and still rolled onto the back fringe. #10 is a birdie more often than not par 5 but into that 40mph wind it Tok driver, 17* super hybrid and a knock down 5 iron to just short of the green with a front pin. 

... By the 14th hole the wind was completely gone, the sky turned partly cloudy with sun and blue patches and the last 5 holes were ideal conditions. 

Yea, we had heavy winds here in Yuma all day and into the evening.  We also had some pretty heavy rain for about a 2 hour period.  The car (just washed last week) looked like a specked dirt paint job ... back over to the car wash early before the hordes showed up.  Rain storms that coincide with dust storms = no Bueno... unless you own a car wash .

[yungkory]

57 minutes ago, THEZIPR23 said:

Thursday 71 5 birdies 4 bogeys

Saturday 82 1 birdie 7 bogeys 2 doubles

Sunday 74 3 birdies 5 bogeys

Same course, same guy, same weather, different results. Love this game!

One of my clients invited me to play in a scramble fundraiser on Wednesday and the way I carried the team I was feeling myself going into my round on Sunday.

Then Sunday came and it was like I'd never played golf before.

Hate love this game!

[chisag]

15 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

Yea, we had heavy winds here in Yuma all day and into the evening.  We also had some pretty heavy rain for about a 2 hour period. 

 

... Good for Yuma. We need rain desperately here in Phoenix. Supposedly the Monsoon season will be average to above average rainfall so here's hoping they are correct.