How'd you play?

[GVetter]

Played Prairie Falls today shot a 103 (definitely could have been better). Lost a few balls OB the driver wasn’t wanting to behave and I couldn’t tell myself to leave it on the bag. Heading out to Qualchan on Monday. 

[Big moose]

There was only 5 of us today so we just played skins. Shot 45,  7 bogeys, one double and one par. No skins for me. Always have fun with these guys and that's what it's all about. Have a great one everyone. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

14 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... It has been an amazing phenomenon with these Cobra challenges producing low scores. I think the added focus and imagination required is just different than using a full bag. Low expectations can be another factor. Great Round and glad you could join the competition!  


* More often than not the culprit is trying to lift your short irons, and it can be a subconscious effort. Next time you are at the range, take two more clubs than needed and drive the shot in low not worrying if it goes long. Not a 3/4 knockdown shot but a full swing with the intention of flighting it low. After several shots switch the the proper yardage club but try and use the same swing, driving it in low. It has been my experience that many of these problems are not so much physical swing issues as much as they are mental errors and just changing your approach can fix the issue. Hopefully this helps. 

You're right it is really cool to see the lower scores in this 4 club challenge. I can remember last time I did it I shot 76? I had a bad double on a par 5 trying to get greedy and it didnt pay off. 

The biggest difference for me this last round was 1) with 3 wood I had no penalties. My Driver has been much better as of late, but I still had the tendency to loose 1 or 2 golf balls which just inflates the score too easily. 2) I did play from the one ups as mentioned. The one ups so normal mens tees and not the backs is still a good length. Has a Course Rating of 71.3 on par 72 and Slope of 134 and is 6500 yards. 

I will say I got a bit unlucky with the pin positions. There are a few setups that at least in my eyes are a lot easier and this was for me the toughest of the bunch being in pin position 4. The challenge with this course mainly is the greens are all really well protected. It isnt often you can run a ball up and the bunkers are ... awful... sand is often mud in the mornings and yeah not a fan of them. 

A few quick examples of the tougher pins are 1/2 a back left pin tucked and the further right you go on the tee shot the more you can get blocked out from trees. Hole 2 the green is just tough even in positions 5/6, but anything short is in a grassy hollow which isnt fun. 3, was acccessible, 4 was decent. 5 is again another par 5 and position 4 mean anything long goes into that back bunker and I did pinch myself having played the right side leading in. Left side would have opened up the green a lot more. 6, again you can see a nice tucked pin again and same for 1, the further right you go the more trouble you bring into play. Hole 7 that is a great pin, best of the bunch I would say. 8 is the toughest hole on the course with water hazard all in front and dog leg left to the green. A good 230 tee shot is required (hazard all left side) to even sniff the green. Having a front pin means birdie is almost off the cards and just playing to the middle is better. 9, back pin tucked again makes this par 3 2 clubs longer, but does bring the water hazard out of play... or should. Hole 10 that is a good pin, but 11 is a birdie or even eagle chance if it is in 5/6. Back pin is just a no go zone and need a good 3rd shot to have a bridie chance. 12 is okay, but prefer back pin here as it helps take the bunker out of play. 13/14 are similar in the greens arent that difficult, but the the hole themselves arent the easierst. 15 that is just a mean pin again. Anything left side plays a full shot easier. 16 is the same a back pin make it play nearly a full shot harder, while 17 is better birdie spot. Finally 18... well just look. Enough said. 

Sorry for the long ramble, but to me is is interesting how much this course changes depending on pin position. 5/6 pin locations are so much easier. Probably to the tune of 3 or even 4 shots. 1 is usually better than 2, but both have some that are better than others. and 3 is much closer to 4 than the others imo. 

[Shlax]

Played this nice semi-private course for the first time. I had the first tee time of the day and played under steady rain the whole round. I started off with a birdie on the 1st hole (see picture for birdie putt) so I knew that the round to come would be an odd one! Score: 86 (+14).

I had everything: A top, a shank, a chunk, slices, darts that landed 1’ from holing out, birdie putts hitting cups from 40’, etc.

I was in advance on the groundskeeping crew so I had 6 or 7 holes where the pin wasn’t placed in the cup once I got on the tee as the cup guy left it out while waiting for the employee mowing the greens to catch up. I knew where the cup had to be placed per the rotation of the previous hole so I went blindly for the center on the portion of the green where the cup should be. I don’t think that it impacted my score really.

Front-9 stats: 0/7 fairway, 3/9 GIR, 18 putts (2x3-putt): 43 (+7)

Back-9 stats: 1/6 fairway, 4/9 GIR, 18 putts (3x3-putt): 43 (+7)

Once again, I can’t drive to save my life.

 

Edited July 22, 2023 by Shlax
Photo

[chisag]

8 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Sorry for the long ramble, but to me is is interesting how much this course changes depending on pin position. 5/6 pin locations are so much easier. Probably to the tune of 3 or even 4 shots. 1 is usually better than 2, but both have some that are better than others. and 3 is much closer to 4 than the others imo. 

 

... Oh I feel your anguish. True for any round, but especially true when you don't have your full arsenal of clubs. You are going to miss greens with only 4 clubs and not having all your wedges means limited options. Not bad if you have a clear bump and run but if pins are in difficult positions it makes for a really tough round. I would add for my round using only 4 clubs, the pins were in the best rotation for limited short game options so I got really lucky. 

[funkyjudge]

I shot 85 (adjusted score of 84 thanks to an 8 on one hole) in my statewide matchplay league this week, and won all three available match points. This brings me up to 17th place (out of 309 golfers) in player of the year standings, and I am definitely in reach of the guys at the top, as I am only a few percentage points behind the guy who is at position #1. In the 10 matches that I have played in this league in 2023, I have only dropped 3.5 points, and I have won 9 of 10 matches and tied the other one 1.5 to 1.5.

The strange thing about my 85 on Wednesday was that I had (4) double bogeys and one triple (that’s the hole that required adjusting prior to posting in the GHIN system).  Usually when I shoot in the high 70s to low-mid 80s, it is because I limit the damage to no worse than bogeys, with a very few doubles thrown in. In addition, I generally score very well on par 5 holes, but on Wednesday three of my horrendous holes were on par 5s (two double bogeys and that hideous triple, where I hit my tee shot in a water hazard and followed that up with a pulled hybrid into thick rough about 35-40 yards short and left of a green with a pin that was tucked on the left-rear of the green just over a deep bunker). The wayward tee shot was the result of trying to “steer” the ball with my driver, and the next shot was a matter of poor course management, where I could easily have laid-up in the fairway to within wedge distance by choosing to hit a 7 iron rather than trying to hammer a 3 hybrid from the drop zone by the water hazard where I had dumped my tee shot.

 I’m not terribly unhappy with the 85 and my match victory. However, the knowledge that the score could have been 80 or lower is certainly unsettling.

Edited July 22, 2023 by funkyjudge

[BallsLeon]

Had a real stinker today, regressed quite a bit. Almost ran out of balls, probably lost one every other hole. Played Tomahawk Hills from the whites, and shot a 112 (68.5/115).

Course was super backed up, and people started getting pissy. I got hit into 4 or 5 times, and they were all close. Didn’t hear a single fore. Pretty frustrating when I’m already playing bad. 

Need to regroup, and spend sometime with my irons and wedges dialing in my distances and striking. Lost most of my balls on approach. 

[Ben_Howell34]

Played Highland Park yesterday in Birmingham. Fun course in great condition, just very old and in the city so it is shorter than normal at around 5800 from the tips. However it has very tricky greens, lots of elevation changes, and tight fairways with thick rough and hazards to make up for it. 
 

Shot a new PR of 73 (par 70) and got my first eagle! Had not played the course in a few years and I was very impressed with the conditions. 

[russtopherb]

45 minutes ago, Ben_Howell34 said:

Played Highland Park yesterday in Birmingham. Fun course in great condition, just very old and in the city so it is shorter than normal at around 5800 from the tips. However it has very tricky greens, lots of elevation changes, and tight fairways with thick rough and hazards to make up for it. 
 

Shot a new PR of 73 (par 70) and got my first eagle! Had not played the course in a few years and I was very impressed with the conditions. 

Congrats on the eagle!!!

[Todd K.]

Played 9 (par 35)

shot 48

hit 4/9 GIR - so good for me (19 HCP). Driver was working and approach distance was very good. 
 

Putting was well below average.  Which I should be able to remedy.  Haven’t worked much on putting all season as I have focused efforts on driver and approach shots (reducing sway with driver takeaway and coordination of transition with my iron play).  Also making an effort to manage the course better and aim to center of green for the most part. 
 

Poor putting was a bit of a surprise.  But man, what a great feeling to see some results from practice. 
 

Overall progress.  
Taking a family vacation next week with no planned golf.  Will play again first full weekend in august 

[Girldad18]

Played today. Best round of the year for me. The swing changes are starting to feel better and feel more normal. 
 

Birdied two of the first four holes. Then bogeyed 5 and 9 to shoot even on the front. 
Back nine I hit all 9 greens in regulation, including being on in two on two of the three par fives. Birdied one par four to shoot -3 on the back and 68 overall. 
 

Shorter course for me but you still have to hit the shots. Hitting all 9 greens on the back is something I hadn’t done in a long time.  And the putter felt good. 
Keep plugging away everyone!

[cksurfdude]

17 hours ago, Ben_Howell34 said:

Shot a new PR of 73 (par 70) and got my first eagle!

CONGRATS!!! on both those achievements .. and in the same round!

[cksurfdude]

Golf. Amiright?

Played 9 yesterday afternoon and thought I was playing a little worse than usual, but ended up a few strokes better vs recent rounds...

Doubles on the first and last, two pars in the middle and the rest bogeys.

Was not getting off the tee well but otoh my short game was on again! Made a few up and downs and just missed a few others, literally by a few inches or less.

Had to use the LW twice when I missed greens and was stuck in deep, thick grass with the putting surface elevated from where the ball was - and thanks to Monte clinic and practice pulled off the lob shot both times. Yeah!

[Bucky CC]

79-79 in a two day member tournament this weekend.  It could have been much worse but the putter kept things respectable.

I need to figure out what I want from this maddening game.  The last five years my scoring average has been:

2019: 79.1
2020: 78.4
2021: 78.4
2022: 78.9
2023: 78.1

I should be happy to be able to shoot in the 70's, but it's also frustrating staying the exact same year after year.

[mikeanthony]

Was selected as a tester for Lamkin’s UTX grips … took all 13 clubs to have them re-gripped, however they weren’t ready by this morning’s round. So onto the Forged Tec one lengths it was, while also using my buddy’s 3W and 56°. 

Very happy with an 89, as my tee game was all over the place and my approaches with the PW or GW were difficult to get dialed in. 

Having just 29 putts definitely saved the day as I tried the claw grip that Fleetwood uses and what a difference maker it is. Rolled in b2b birdies and had a few others just burn the edge of the cup. Huge confidence builder. 

Already geeked up for the wknd to get here and to get my gamers back.  

[DoubleBogeyDad]

Played with some coworkers in a fundraiser on Friday. Only one other regular golfer, the other two were pretty casual. We did okay, got off the tee fine, but only hit about 4 approaches inside 15 feet. Finished -4.

Highlight of the day was my new wedges. Apparently 10 year old grooves are not great for your short game . Hit a couple of short sided 50 yard pitches that would normally roll out a bit and end up 15 feet by. They hit and just stuck, 2 feet tap ins. Very exciting!

[GaryF]

Played 9 yesterday and 9 today and felt I played very respectably. Had oral surgery Tuesday and got off the pain meds starting Thurs but really was dragging Friday and yesterday.  Yesterday shot 42 (par 37) but faded at the end.  Shot 42 (par 36) today and high 80s but very humid.  Again faded with 2 double bogies on last 2 holes.  

New woods arrived day after my surgery and only time I hit my 7w and 5h was during warmup.  Had some really good 7w shots but so-so with the hybrid.  Haven’t touched my 4w. I’m still missing 2 clubs that hurt both days, a 52* and 56* and tried with poor results improvising with my 48* GW.  Felt I lost 2-3 strokes as a result.  Drives have been great with 12/14 FIRs, 10/18 GIRs which is a big improvement.  

I think as I get accustomed to my new clubs including the new wedges, I can get my hdcp to 10 or below.  I’ve got woods that I’ve never had before and fill gaps below my driver.  Only club I haven’t replaced is my Callaway Fusion driver which is a fantastic club. 
 

[Hobert]

I played 9 Friday and 9 this afternoon. My swing changes are feeling more natural as well and generally leading to better results, but the changes have messed with my yardages (hitting mid and short irons longer) putting me over the green on well-struck approach shots multiple times over the two rounds. As such, my scores haven't improved much, but how I am getting to the same scores looks and feels much better 

[DoubleBogeyDad]

@Hobert I feel you. Locking in with some new irons and missed three greens long on Friday with perfectly struck shots. Can't even be mad about it when it feels so good.

[ruliz]

Played yesterday shot 88 (41-47) 31 putts, ball strinking was pook, short game saved me a lot since it left me with some 1 putters. Still managed to three putt 3 times and didnt have a lot or GIRs this round.

 

Played today shot 85 (42-43) with 41 putts. Putting has been really inconsisten on my game. As I can shoot as low as 27-28 putts on day up to low 40s. Felt like I struck the ball well today as compared to yesterday but my scored didnt improved by much because of the amount of putts. I three-putted 5 times. I am going to focus on improving that part of my game and making it consistent. I didnt belive in the putting yips but I guess I have it. Really feel more comfortable trying to hit long putts as opposed when I am inside 10 feet. Even inside 5 feet and sometimes 3 footers. I mean, I dont expect to make a lot of putts longer than 10 feet but when I leave myself a second putt thats longer than 3 feet I have been missing those a ton. 

My course and slope ratings are 71.2 / 129 from the blue tees which is 6520 yards.

[rkj427]

Played this afternoon but had a 45-minute storm interruption after hitting the tee shots on number 6. Big storm rolled through, with heavy rain, we made it back to the clubhouse, and saw many leave the course although the forecast was for weather to pass within the hour.

After the rain delay, went back out to complete the round, although the course was saturated, and standing water was another obstacle to avoid if possible.

Made the last holes play long, and it was all carry, no roll at all.

Longest drive of the day was 258 on the front nine.

Shot 38 on the front, hitting 5 0f 7 fairways, and 7 of 9 greens. If I missed the green, it was long, and led to a bogey.

Back 9 I used a "new to me" Callaway Para\Dym driver and only hit 3 of 7 fairways but did manage to hit 5 of 9 greens. Misses were all left, and it may have to do with the lie angle of the driver being a little too upright for me? had a birdie on a par 4 and shot 39 on the back nine for a 77 total.

Hoping to get back out again at the end of the upcoming week, and next weekend.

[Kenny B]

Not a great day… 84.  Contrary to popular belief, digging in the yard for three days and packing bags of mulch doesn’t help the golf swing.  Front nine 45 with 3 doubles, but back nine 39 made me feel like my swing was starting to come around.  

[Bang60]

1 hour ago, Kenny B said:

Not a great day… 84.  Contrary to popular belief, digging in the yard for three days and packing bags of mulch doesn’t help the golf swing.  Front nine 45 with 3 doubles, but back nine 39 made me feel like my swing was starting to come around.  

Now I'd be happy with your numbers

[JerryB]

Seven of us met up at Marengo Ridge on Saturday for a round.  We split off into Owen and a few buddies from work (the younger ones), and me, Kevin and Tim as the older guys.  

It wasn't a great round for any of the three of us.  I started decent and slowly fell apart while the other two never really got it going.  As we headed to the back nine with our scores all north of 50, the sky started getting dark, and by 13 it started raining.  

By this point the mood had gone sour but we all trudged on.  Wound up with a par on 17 on what by then was a downpour but otherwise we were happy when it was over.  Of course the young guns behind us were having a blast, lol.  Shot a (+33) 105 and was happy for the heated seats for the ride home!

[FallenSaber]

Shot like complete garbage for most of the half-round this morning. I'm partly blaming my carbon monoxide alarm that went off twice at 2 and 245am. Or the fact that my 4 year old didn't go to sleep til 1045, and myself falling asleep at 1130. But this is why I do the early back 9s. My son didn't wake up til after I was home. The one redeeming factor to the round was that I missed a birdie opportunity from 15 feet out by mere centimeters as the ball rimmed out.

[berkeleybob]

4 hours ago, Kenny B said:

Not a great day… 84.  Contrary to popular belief, digging in the yard for three days and packing bags of mulch doesn’t help the golf swing.  Front nine 45 with 3 doubles, but back nine 39 made me feel like my swing was starting to come around.  

Agreed. Yardwork and golf just aren’t compatible. To be fair, chunking my 7-iron does feel a little like yardwork.

[Kenny B]

6 hours ago, berkeleybob said:

Agreed. Yardwork and golf just aren’t compatible. To be fair, chunking my 7-iron does feel a little like yardwork.

My chunked 9i felt nothing like yard work!!  Maybe if I used my 7i, the chunked shot might have carried the pond.  

[cnosil]

Not great.   42/43:85.   10 FW, 6 GIR, 34 putts.  
 

hit some good shots and hit some bad ones but overall while I didn’t play great I am not that unhappy with the round.  

[BMart519]

Played with a guy who's approx 2 index and I am a 9. We both hit 12 GIR. He shot a 74 with 4-5 birdies, I shot a 83 with 0 birdies and 2 triples. 30 vs 37 putts. 8x 1 putts vs 1x 1 putt. 

[edingc]

Spent most of last week on vacation so actually haven't played a ton recently. I did manage to get out on the way up north and tried out Eldorado (named after the Cadillac) in Cadillac, MI. Right off the freeway so it was an easy stop. Fairly forgiving course but the greens gave me fits. 42 putts worth as I could not read them or judge speed on them at all. Beautiful and otherwise fair/forgiving course though. I unfortunately hit two low-left screamers into hazards and flailed a six iron into another off the tee. Combined with the abhorrent putting that led to a 92, by far my worst score of the year.