How'd you play?

[Tom the Golf Nut]

My scores are coming around, but that is mainly due to my short game. GIR's need work. These mounded greens just suck the ball into the face without any bounce forward. The greens are very small, so you almost want to be slightly on the short side. Thirteen of fourteen tee shots were dead center of the fairway. The one that wasn't was due to my own greed getting in the way. Tried to go over a tree to cut some of the dog leg out. Like they say missed it by that much". 90% air my butt. Dropped like a rock.  Punched out a 7 iron, then dropped a gap wedge within 5 feet and made the putt. I got my first birdie of the season. Somehow on the hole that is tough for me. 384 yard dogleg left, 5 wood off the tee and 5 hybrid to within 5 feet. I did get 1 bogie on the 18th hole. Dam par 5 with the green surrounded by a deep stream 428 yards. Good drive leaving me 200 in. Layed up to 100 yards, then gap wedge into the green but pulled it a little into the bunker. Out in one but 2 putted for the bogie. My second even par round of the season.

The highlight and blunder of the day was another par 5. 439 yards. Killed my tee shot (for me anyway) leaving 199 into the green and hit my 5 wood up to the green but it bounced right rolled into the bunker. Unfortunately a short sided pin and a steep out. Landed up top but rolled back in again. Second shot out left me a 4 foot putt and made it for par. It went from looking like a eagle to a par pretty quickly. 

Front 9 all pars. Back 9, 1 bird and 1 bogie. 72 A beautiful day out in the sunshine. 

[Bang60]

2 hours ago, chisag said:

. Which feels best and/or makes the most sense to you. Instruction can get very confusing, especially from those that think their way is the only way. So you can only find that out through practice, and trial and error ! 

Oh yeah you’ve reading my mind…

Friday I had a beer with my friend wine and whilst chatting we were watching some players Teeing off and everyone had a different swing some good lots more fugly but all having Fun  

[Jim Shaw]

interesting day today, 10 fairways, 9 greens, 27 putts, all added up to a  74. probably the best score I could have shot today, not happy at all with my approach shots, not happy with my GIR or fairways, just had the grind going... scored well, played poorly... playing monday, will try and get it figures out

 

[chisag]

12 minutes ago, Jim Shaw said:

interesting day today, 10 fairways, 9 greens, 27 putts, all added up to a  74. probably the best score I could have shot today, not happy at all with my approach shots, not happy with my GIR or fairways, just had the grind going... scored well, played poorly... playing monday, will try and get it figures out

 

... Every day is an adventure ain't it? As someone that now plays 4 to 5 times a week I ceased to be amazed after my first year here how different I can play on any given day. I would have thought I could find a groove and maintain it but found out that is never the case. Vision 54 loosely says the same thing ... everyday is different depending on what you ate, how you slept, the weather, what is on your mind away from golf. etc. Accept and adapt. 

... So now I enjoy the seemingly effortless days when everything seems to be working and grind it out on the days when everything is just a little off. I tried a little too hard in the past on those off days and now I just accept them. Granted it is a little easier when I know I will be playin tomorrow instead of next week but the concept is the same.  

[Josh Ross]

20 hours ago, mikeanthony said:

How did I play? I played like complete and utter crap! 13 strokes worse than the last time out, to be exact.

Have been doing golf specific kettlebell workouts over the past 2-3 months and it’s extremely rewarding the distance gains I’m seeing with my driver off the tee … and it’s the lone positive takeaway from today’s round. 

But playing my childhood course in Miami on spring break with these two made it all worthwhile.

That's a great picture! I'm about to start some golf specific exercises and workouts, hoping to see some flexibility, distance, and endurance improvements.

[richk9holes]

@chisag not even day to day. Today I hit the ball about my average consistency all day. Played 9 with 2 beginners scored 50 from white tees. Played the same 9 alone afterwards in fog from blue tees and scored 39.

No lost balls, everything pin high most of the day. On the "back 9" I managed more 4s and 5s and less 6s and 7s. The bad luck happened the first 6 holes the good luck on 6-9 the 2nd time.

[Jim Shaw]

16 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... Every day is an adventure ain't it? As someone that now plays 4 to 5 times a week I ceased to be amazed after my first year here how different I can play on any given day. I would have thought I could find a groove and maintain it but found out that is never the case. Vision 54 loosely says the same thing ... everyday is different depending on what you ate, how you slept, the weather, what is on your mind away from golf. etc. Accept and adapt. 

... So now I enjoy the seemingly effortless days when everything seems to be working and grind it out on the days when everything is just a little off. I tried a little too hard in the past on those off days and now I just accept them. Granted it is a little easier when I know I will be playin tomorrow instead of next week but the concept is the same.  

for sure, great post, everyday is different for sure, now that I have had a chance to digest my round I feel good that I scrapped out a decent round, and it was in "breakfast club" so a little bit like a competitive round. I am playing in a best ball tournament april 22-23 so am trying to "peak" at the right time....

[fozcycle]

First day of 2 day points tournament is in the books. I had not played at Plantation Palms since December when I retired from running the Saturday Game. Ball striking was exceptional but putting under 6’ needs a lot of work. That said, I shot a 42/43:85 with +3 points finishing tied for 2nd out of 41 players. 

[mikeanthony]

44 minutes ago, Josh Ross said:

That's a great picture! I'm about to start some golf specific exercises and workouts, hoping to see some flexibility, distance, and endurance improvements.

Appreciate it JR!

And yes, if you’re on IG, I highly recommended giving Cody Wescott a follow. Have gotten a lot of my workouts from him and they’ve been working for me. There’s a ton of kettlebell IG dudes with really good workout routines as well. There’s just something the about pendulum swinging of kettlebells, via pulling or pushing, that just goes hand in hand with golf. 

Honestly, I cannot recommend them enough (had my first over 300 yard drive two outings ago) … I’m sure they’ll help you win your next Member-Guest tournament at your club  

Have always had an athletic frame, but really made a commitment to just getting stronger. My godfather in the photo was equally impressed with my drives since the last time we played together back in the summer of ‘20. 

[cnosil]

On 4/14/2023 at 1:07 PM, chisag said:

 

... This shot should be a staple in everyones repertoire. 

Interesting perspective;  watched a video from the ShortGameChef and he indicated that this shot isn't being used as much as it used to.  The new vogue shot is the check, check, release pitch shot.  

[Josh Ross]

40 minutes ago, mikeanthony said:

Appreciate it JR!

And yes, if you’re on IG, I highly recommended giving Cody Wescott a follow. Have gotten a lot of my workouts from him and they’ve been working for me. There’s a ton of kettlebell IG dudes with really good workout routines as well. There’s just something the about pendulum swinging of kettlebells, via pulling or pushing, that just goes hand in hand with golf. 

Honestly, I cannot recommend them enough (had my first over 300 yard drive two outings ago) … I’m sure they’ll help you win your next Member-Guest tournament at your club  

Have always had an athletic frame, but really made a commitment to just getting stronger. My godfather in the photo was equally impressed with my drives since the last time we played together back in the summer of ‘20. 

Thanks, I just gave him a follow! I'm a long hitter but would like to get a little more distance. Really hoping to see better endurance more than anything, I want to get back to playing near scratch and competing in state amateur tournaments. My last few rounds have always been great for 12-13 holes and then fatigue sets in. Time to get to work!

[richk9holes]

Another thing, after a rough 9 holes where I was over analytical and devoted to all my OCD ticks with horrible scoring I decided to scrap it all. Wash, rinse reset.

2nd 9 I decided no swing thoughts besides "no swing thoughts." Alignment line on the ball, forgotten. Glove off to read a putt, half the time but the other half left it on. Also took half my close wedge shots with no glove against my normal routine.

Tee'd drives higher than normal and "floated" the head at address rather than my stock tap behind the ball and rest on the ground at address. No practice swings on 80% of my strokes, ditching a pattern of weeks always feeling the lie with soft swings prior to the money shot.

Used less than 1/2 power PW in spots I would always grab 52°. Putted a couple I would normally attempt to flop.

All this led to much better scoring, being present in the moment and assessing what I was doing specifically in that task rather than checking a bunch of boxes that is a mental game in itself.

My goal is to be able to play well regardless of any factors, not lean on psychological crutches or habitual superstition to play my best but be able to summon it by force of will.

[IndyBonzo]

6 minutes ago, richk9holes said:

Another thing, after a rough 9 holes where I was over analytical and devoted to all my OCD ticks with horrible scoring I decided to scrap it all. Wash, rinse reset.

2nd 9 I decided no swing thoughts besides "no swing thoughts." Alignment line on the ball, forgotten. Glove off to read a putt, half the time but the other half left it on. Also took half my close wedge shots with no glove against my normal routine.

Tee'd drives higher than normal and "floated" the head at address rather than my stock tap behind the ball and rest on the ground at address. No practice swings on 80% of my strokes, ditching a pattern of weeks always feeling the lie with soft swings prior to the money shot.

Used less than 1/2 power PW in spots I would always grab 52°. Putted a couple I would normally attempt to flop.

All this led to much better scoring, being present in the moment and assessing what I was doing specifically in that task rather than checking a bunch of boxes that is a mental game in itself.

My goal is to be able to play well regardless of any factors, not lean on psychological crutches or habitual superstition to play my best but be able to summon it by force of will.

So - there is something to be said for getting out of our heads and just being an athlete, eh?   I may adopt that mantra tomorrow.  It’s time to just play during my last Florida round.  Good work @richk9holes  

[Kenny B]

Decent day with no wind; started a little chilly with a frost delay of 45 minutes.  My wife and I played behind the Men's Club Chapman tournament.  Our pro was in the last group and we got to watch every shot... seemed slow but we finished in just over 4 hours.  

Shot 41/39 for an 80 with one double and one birdie.  Driver has been pretty good, but it's been difficult to make normally makable putts for birdie or par.  GHIN Index went up today mostly because of our crap greens.

[sirchunksalot]

Got out to the range...whoops this is the how did you play thread...haven't been here in a minute.

I got a chance to play today with my buddy Shadoe today along with his wife, Heather and his brother, Doug. He invited me down to play Indian Trace in Chatsworth GA. This is becoming a favorite course of mine although it's a little over 30 minutes away. We actually got to play on the back, which I had never seen and I've got to say the back is much more diabolical than the front. 

We went to play 18, but with Shadoe having recently diagnosed with vertigo we couldn't play all the holes due to bouts of nausea. That didn't bother me, his health is more important than playing every hole.

For the nine we did finish completely, I shot 62. I hit driver exceptionally well for me today but kept putting it in places I had to hit recoveries from. My irons were better than usual, but I still need to learn ball then turf contact more often than not. Chipping was pretty decent and putting was about average for me.

I had a couple of penalties on tee shots that really hurt me, but one into a yard OB and one into a lake on a par 3. 

Speaking of par 3's, the 11th takes some inspiration from #12 at Augusta with a sloping backdrop behind the green and instead of a creek, there was a pond fronting the green. I think this might be one of my favorite holes I have ever played. We just won't talk about the 4 chips it took to get on the green.

I could not hit a fairway wood or my hybrid to save my life until 13. I made an adjustment to my ball position and started hitting them clean. 

I didn't score well, we played 15 holes and I shot 110 on those holes. I had way too many blow ups that I'll have to work to reduce. I'm not stressing about it like I would have in the past, I had fun with friends and that is the important thing. I saw a lot of positives I can build around and work toward playing better as the year goes on. 

[Josh Ross]

25 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

Got out to the range...whoops this is the how did you play thread...haven't been here in a minute.

I got a chance to play today with my buddy Shadoe today along with his wife, Heather and his brother, Doug. He invited me down to play Indian Trace in Chatsworth GA. This is becoming a favorite course of mine although it's a little over 30 minutes away. We actually got to play on the back, which I had never seen and I've got to say the back is much more diabolical than the front. 

We went to play 18, but with Shadoe having recently diagnosed with vertigo we couldn't play all the holes due to bouts of nausea. That didn't bother me, his health is more important than playing every hole.

For the nine we did finish completely, I shot 62. I hit driver exceptionally well for me today but kept putting it in places I had to hit recoveries from. My irons were better than usual, but I still need to learn ball then turf contact more often than not. Chipping was pretty decent and putting was about average for me.

I had a couple of penalties on tee shots that really hurt me, but one into a yard OB and one into a lake on a par 3. 

Speaking of par 3's, the 11th takes some inspiration from #12 at Augusta with a sloping backdrop behind the green and instead of a creek, there was a pond fronting the green. I think this might be one of my favorite holes I have ever played. We just won't talk about the 4 chips it took to get on the green.

I could not hit a fairway wood or my hybrid to save my life until 13. I made an adjustment to my ball position and started hitting them clean. 

I didn't score well, we played 15 holes and I shot 110 on those holes. I had way too many blow ups that I'll have to work to reduce. I'm not stressing about it like I would have in the past, I had fun with friends and that is the important thing. I saw a lot of positives I can build around and work toward playing better as the year goes on. 

As I was reading that I was already planning on asking how you liked hole 11, then I saw the picture. Indian Trace is a fun track, I'll meet ya there one day soon if you want to get a round in! It's about half an hour for me as well, I play there a couple times a year.

[sirchunksalot]

7 minutes ago, Josh Ross said:

As I was reading that I was already planning on asking how you liked hole 11, then I saw the picture. Indian Trace is a fun track, I'll meet ya there one day soon if you want to get a round in! It's about half an hour for me as well, I play there a couple times a year.

That sounds good! I really enjoyed 11 and overall love the course. We'll definitely have to get together and play it. 

[EasyPutter]

37 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

Got out to the range...whoops this is the how did you play thread...haven't been here in a minute.

I got a chance to play today with my buddy Shadoe today along with his wife, Heather and his brother, Doug. He invited me down to play Indian Trace in Chatsworth GA. This is becoming a favorite course of mine although it's a little over 30 minutes away. We actually got to play on the back, which I had never seen and I've got to say the back is much more diabolical than the front. 

We went to play 18, but with Shadoe having recently diagnosed with vertigo we couldn't play all the holes due to bouts of nausea. That didn't bother me, his health is more important than playing every hole.

For the nine we did finish completely, I shot 62. I hit driver exceptionally well for me today but kept putting it in places I had to hit recoveries from. My irons were better than usual, but I still need to learn ball then turf contact more often than not. Chipping was pretty decent and putting was about average for me.

I had a couple of penalties on tee shots that really hurt me, but one into a yard OB and one into a lake on a par 3. 

Speaking of par 3's, the 11th takes some inspiration from #12 at Augusta with a sloping backdrop behind the green and instead of a creek, there was a pond fronting the green. I think this might be one of my favorite holes I have ever played. We just won't talk about the 4 chips it took to get on the green.

I could not hit a fairway wood or my hybrid to save my life until 13. I made an adjustment to my ball position and started hitting them clean. 

I didn't score well, we played 15 holes and I shot 110 on those holes. I had way too many blow ups that I'll have to work to reduce. I'm not stressing about it like I would have in the past, I had fun with friends and that is the important thing. I saw a lot of positives I can build around and work toward playing better as the year goes on. 

In spite of all the things that were not how you would prefer them to be (just like my first round of the year and how the 3rd round mocked the good things that happened in the 2nd round) it looks like you had a great weather day with great people to enjoy this sport we love and will never master.  Great also how moving so the ball position changed solved a hitting problem 

[GolfSpy_KFT]

57 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

Got out to the range...whoops this is the how did you play thread...haven't been here in a minute.

I got a chance to play today with my buddy Shadoe today along with his wife, Heather and his brother, Doug. He invited me down to play Indian Trace in Chatsworth GA. This is becoming a favorite course of mine although it's a little over 30 minutes away. We actually got to play on the back, which I had never seen and I've got to say the back is much more diabolical than the front. 

We went to play 18, but with Shadoe having recently diagnosed with vertigo we couldn't play all the holes due to bouts of nausea. That didn't bother me, his health is more important than playing every hole.

For the nine we did finish completely, I shot 62. I hit driver exceptionally well for me today but kept putting it in places I had to hit recoveries from. My irons were better than usual, but I still need to learn ball then turf contact more often than not. Chipping was pretty decent and putting was about average for me.

I had a couple of penalties on tee shots that really hurt me, but one into a yard OB and one into a lake on a par 3. 

Speaking of par 3's, the 11th takes some inspiration from #12 at Augusta with a sloping backdrop behind the green and instead of a creek, there was a pond fronting the green. I think this might be one of my favorite holes I have ever played. We just won't talk about the 4 chips it took to get on the green.

I could not hit a fairway wood or my hybrid to save my life until 13. I made an adjustment to my ball position and started hitting them clean. 

I didn't score well, we played 15 holes and I shot 110 on those holes. I had way too many blow ups that I'll have to work to reduce. I'm not stressing about it like I would have in the past, I had fun with friends and that is the important thing. I saw a lot of positives I can build around and work toward playing better as the year goes on. 

Although the score wasn't where I'm sure you wanted it to be, looks like it was an absolutely beautiful day spent with great company playing a game we all love. It's so nice to be able to just shake it off when things aren't going well, knowing you're ultimately out there to relax, have fun, and enjoy time with friends. Glad you had a great day, Jason!

[ZackS]

Went out late and got 13 holes in. Another windy day. Glad I was planning on it being practice. Since it was busy the first bit I was just playing a single ball and was not to pretty. But after I got out in front a bit got to start hitting multiple shots. I do think I might have figured something out with punch shots which have always been a pain point for me so that’s good. Was on a course I have never been to before and had to share this. 

Nothing like working a punch shots on a 220 yard par 3 into a 20 mph wind. 

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

7 hours ago, sirchunksalot said:

Got out to the range...whoops this is the how did you play thread...haven't been here in a minute.

I got a chance to play today with my buddy Shadoe today along with his wife, Heather and his brother, Doug. He invited me down to play Indian Trace in Chatsworth GA. This is becoming a favorite course of mine although it's a little over 30 minutes away. We actually got to play on the back, which I had never seen and I've got to say the back is much more diabolical than the front. 

We went to play 18, but with Shadoe having recently diagnosed with vertigo we couldn't play all the holes due to bouts of nausea. That didn't bother me, his health is more important than playing every hole.

For the nine we did finish completely, I shot 62. I hit driver exceptionally well for me today but kept putting it in places I had to hit recoveries from. My irons were better than usual, but I still need to learn ball then turf contact more often than not. Chipping was pretty decent and putting was about average for me.

I had a couple of penalties on tee shots that really hurt me, but one into a yard OB and one into a lake on a par 3. 

Speaking of par 3's, the 11th takes some inspiration from #12 at Augusta with a sloping backdrop behind the green and instead of a creek, there was a pond fronting the green. I think this might be one of my favorite holes I have ever played. We just won't talk about the 4 chips it took to get on the green.

I could not hit a fairway wood or my hybrid to save my life until 13. I made an adjustment to my ball position and started hitting them clean. 

I didn't score well, we played 15 holes and I shot 110 on those holes. I had way too many blow ups that I'll have to work to reduce. I'm not stressing about it like I would have in the past, I had fun with friends and that is the important thing. I saw a lot of positives I can build around and work toward playing better as the year goes on. 

Golfing with friends is time we’ll spent!

that’s a heck of a-lot of water on #11!

[sirchunksalot]

3 hours ago, Lacassem said:

Golfing with friends is time we’ll spent!

that’s a heck of a-lot of water on #11!

It's quite the intimidating tee shot, I got a 6 iron planning to play to the back of the green and feel like I caught it off the leading edge. I barely made it over the water and left myself with an uphill chip that came up short and rolled back down. Then I duffed a couple after that. 

Here's a picture of holes 10, 11, and 18 that we played (we skipped 15, 16, and 17), and you'll see water is in play on all 3. 

On 10 I played away from the lake and ended up with a punch shot from under the trees that I could only play out sideways. I hit 5 wood on the 170 yard 18th because I would rather be long than wet and hit on the back of the green leaving about 50 feet downhill to the front pin. 

 

[pozzit]

Got to take a quick 2 days of tons of golf with my dad. 36 Thur and 45 Friday. A little all over the place low 9 of 37 high 9 of 50. I believe 11 balls lost and 7 birdies. Hoping to get out Monday but weather looks terrible.  36* 23mph wind real feel of 23*.

My dad beat me on the very first round which only happens once a year and he is sure proud it happend first round.

[JerryB]

1 hour ago, pozzit said:

My dad beat me on the very first round which only happens once a year and he is sure proud it happend first round.

That's the same with my son and I.  When we started a couple years ago I shot 122 while he neared 140.  By the end of the season he had broken 90 before I broke 100.  I've narrowed the gap but he's still generally better than me.  This year he struggled to start while I just about picked up from last year so I've been winning, and crowing about it just a bit .  

[Bogey_Maika]

Got my first round of the year in at East Potomac Golf Links on Friday and started the season with a new low score (90)! 

[richk9holes]

2 minutes ago, JerryB said:

That's the same with my son and I.  When we started a couple years ago I shot 122 while he neared 140.  By the end of the season he had broken 90 before I broke 100.  I've narrowed the gap but he's still generally better than me.  This year he struggled to start while I just about picked up from last year so I've been winning, and crowing about it just a bit .  

My Dad and I had a similar story. He picked clubs back up after a decade when I was learning golf at 11 years old. We were both bad at first, then I got better than him for a few years. 

Fast forward to his retirement about 25 years later, he spends 8-10 months a year in Florida and when he comes back to NJ I can hardly ever beat him.

[pozzit]

34 minutes ago, richk9holes said:

My Dad and I had a similar story. He picked clubs back up after a decade when I was learning golf at 11 years old. We were both bad at first, then I got better than him for a few years. 

Fast forward to his retirement about 25 years later, he spends 8-10 months a year in Florida and when he comes back to NJ I can hardly ever beat him.

Yea my dad started about 10 years before me he had a good 5 years of beating me as I learned in my teens. We obviously hit a point of my flexibility and strength greatly over powered him not 15 years later him being retired and me with kids has slowed me down and he has dropped a few stokes in the mean time.

[richk9holes]

@pozzit Whenever I call him "shot 83 today" this is the guy who used to get 100 at the executive course if I kept his score close.

I think him and his regular crew of retirees are generous with the scoring, but bless their hearts it's amazing they're all still out there at 73, 77, 80, etc years old

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Got out with my BIL for a wet 9. Shot a 45 for my first official 9 of the reporting season. 4 pars, 3 bogies, two triples.  My putting was on fire. Pitching game was hit and miss depending on lie. Hit some super nice chips that saved me. The hard work is paying off. If not for back to back triples, I could have broken 40. One was due to thinning an iron tee shot into the water and sloppy grounds for pitching. The other hole if I would have gotten my third shot on the green, shoulda hit a soft pw, then I would have easily bogied that hole. 
highlights
No two putts (lab was really great). Chipping was great. Driver stayed in play. Most iron approach shots were decently struck (still had some thin shots). 

[edingc]

21 hours ago, edingc said:

First nine of the year this morning. Didn't have super high expectations, but I did have a great range session yesterday so thought I might start the year strong.

Really solid par to start the round, going hybrid, 58 wedge to 12 feet for an easy two putt. Tee shots after that were an adventure, lots of low draws/hooks that got me in trouble on 11, 12, 13 and 18. Even threw in two stone cold tops trying to recover. Got caught between a couple of swing thoughts and just couldn't get it going.

All that being said, I hit my irons extremely well, my short game was fantastic and my putting was pretty good until it wasn't on 18. Despite walking a lot this offseason, I really was feeling it by 17, and I finished with a double and triple as I ran out of gas.

44/43 adjusted.

My "peak" season starts in about two weeks, feeling good about my irons and short game. Confident I'll get the long game figured out.

Unanticipated second nine this morning as the rain in the forecast mostly missed us. Second go around the back nine ended with a 42, and I cost myself two strokes on the last two holes with misjudged wedges from the fairway. Seems I've gained 1/2 club or so in my irons and need to account for that.

Irons were amazing again, great around and on the green as well. Wedge approaches hurt me a little and my tee game still hurt me.

I did finally connect with one on No. 17 and plunked it 285 yards out in the middle of the fairway. Can't wait to see more of that.