How'd you play?

[Jim Shaw]

10 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

40/39 at Granite Falls South.  Four more (<10') birdie chances left out on the greens... the 3 footer on #18 really pissed me off.  I know we've chatted, shared data, and moral support on this topic but it's got me in a cranky mood the past few weeks.  Too many great approach shots not getting cashed in. Come on you Celestial Masters of the game... throw a guy a bone.

ahh, putting, have you tried listening for the ball to drop in the hole ie. keeping your head still for a long period of time? It takes time but it has worked for me, takes the stress out of making the putt.

[fixyurdivot]

9 minutes ago, Vegan_Golfer_PNW said:

sounds like you need a L.A.B.

I have a lab, his name is River and he can't putt for $hit. 

[Jim Shaw]

Ingteresting day today, making sure my grip is correct, ie the V;s are in line, and taking the club back a bit more "outside" causes anxiety while trying to score. 

Doubled the 1st. hole, bogeyed the 4th then birdied the 5th and 7th par par so was 1 over at the turn, played the back at 2 under so finished with a good score.

Seeing some positive results but have a long way to go...

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

4 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

I have a lab, his name is River and he can't putt for $hit. 

Serious though, do the online fitting, find a putter close to your specs here and go. Best decision I made right behind lessons. I am never changing putters unless I acquire another lab. 

[fixyurdivot]

1 minute ago, Jim Shaw said:

ahh, putting, have you tried listening for the ball to drop in the hole ie. keeping your head still for a long period of time? It takes time but it has worked for me, takes the stress out of making the putt.

No.  I think I'm lost between that technique and my buddy @Kenny Bwho doesn't even look at the ball .  I have started banging short (< 2') into the back of the cup, and that has really improved those yippy misses.  But I'll try holding my head and eye on the ball longer and see if that helps.

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

5 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

No.  I think I'm lost between that technique and my buddy @Kenny Bwho doesn't even look at the ball .  I have started banging short (< 2') into the back of the cup, and that has really improved those yippy misses.  But I'll try holding my head and eye on the ball longer and see if that helps.

i will say I used to look at the hole like @Kenny B but now I don't. I look at it as I go through my pre-shot routine and try to feel the distance. Then one last look and go. Also switched to Left hand Low

[Jim Shaw]

5 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

No.  I think I'm lost between that technique and my buddy @Kenny Bwho doesn't even look at the ball .  I have started banging short (< 2') into the back of the cup, and that has really improved those yippy misses.  But I'll try holding my head and eye on the ball longer and see if that helps.

a constant series of adjustments, a good time to work on it during the winter

[fixyurdivot]

1 minute ago, Vegan_Golfer_PNW said:

i will say I used to look at the hole like @Kenny B but now I don't. I look at it as I go through my pre-shot routine and try to feel the distance. Then one last look and go.

When we first met and played together I thought "what the heck"... halfway through the round I was thinking "what the heck" .

[Kenny B]

11 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

I have a lab, his name is River and he can't putt for $hit. 

Yeah but... River is really good at grabbing your arm!  

[chisag]

27 minutes ago, Jim Shaw said:

ahh, putting, have you tried listening for the ball to drop in the hole ie. keeping your head still for a long period of time? It takes time but it has worked for me, takes the stress out of making the putt.

 

... I like where your head is (pun intended) but I am gonna nit pick just a little because I am always a little leery of this advice. While you did say "keeping your head still" and not "keeping your head down"  some will still think they are basically the same. I have always preferred to tell my students to keep their eyes down and allow their head to move naturally. You can keep your head pretty still on short putts but longer ones will need some head movement. Granted it is minimal but it is more about not locking anything into place which causes tension, which some will most definitely do when they try and keep their head down or still. 

[fixyurdivot]

2 minutes ago, Kenny B said:

Yeah but... River is really good at grabbing your arm!  

He misses his "Kenny Chew Toy" 

[Kenny B]

1 minute ago, fixyurdivot said:

When we first met and played together I thought "what the heck"... halfway through the round I was thinking "what the heck" .

Do whatever works for you.  I struggled for years with distance control (seemed like I forgot how far to hit the ball when I focused on the ball when I hit it), so I took that variable out of my putting equation.  Works for some; doesn't for others.  

[Jim Shaw]

14 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... I like where your head is (pun intended) but I am gonna nit pick just a little because I am always a little leery of this advice. While you did say "keeping your head still" and not "keeping your head down"  some will still think they are basically the same. I have always preferred to tell my students to keep their eyes down and allow their head to move naturally. You can keep your head pretty still on short putts but longer ones will need some head movement. Granted it is minimal but it is more about not locking anything into place which causes tension, which some will most definitely do when they try and keep their head down or still. 

you are absolutely right (did I say that out loud?) lol... the old adage of "keep your head down and your left arm straight" is obsolete and not natural, when it comes to putting, and I know you are a 100% feel guy, do you follow your putts to the hole? 

[chisag]

5 minutes ago, Jim Shaw said:

you are absolutely right (did I say that out loud?) lol... the old adage of "keep your head down and your left arm straight" is obsolete and not natural, when it comes to putting, and I know you are a 100% feel guy, do you follow your putts to the hole? 

 

... I keep my eyes down for a very short period before allowing them to slowly swivel to follow the ball so I miss the first 3 or 4 feet but pick it up after that. 

[Jim Shaw]

2 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... I keep my eyes down for a very short period before allowing them to slowly swivel to follow the ball so I miss the first 3 or 4 feet but pick it up after that. 

yes, I have seen that many times by many great putters

[Kenny B]

57 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

40/39 at Granite Falls South.  Four more (<10') birdie chances left out on the greens... the 3 footer on #18 really pissed me off.  I know we've chatted, shared data, and moral support on this topic but it's got me in a cranky mood the past few weeks.  Too many great approach shots not getting cashed in. Come on you Celestial Masters of the game... throw a guy a bone.

It's been 9 months since we played together, and honestly I thought you putted pretty well on those new-to-you greens after your move from Montana.  However, I'll throw a bone out there and hope that River doesn't intercept it.  

Not saying it's a problem for you, but...  What have you done to check lower body movement during you stroke?  On long putts it's not as critical as it is on short putts, but it's easy for me to rotate the hips a little... similar to a full swing or even a short pitch shot.  It's a natural golf motion that even with only a slight motion can lead to bad results when putting.  It can lead to pulls, and then I will unconsciously compensate and push putts.

My first putts on the practice green before a round is to check my ability to hit a straight 4-5' putt focusing on keeping my lead hip motionless.  I put my lead hand on my lead hip and putt with my right hand only (Tiger did that).  When my hip moves, I can feel it.  However, I know you putt lead-hand-low so I don't know what you would do that's similar.  I try to minimize any rotation by setting weight into my lead side.  I tend to miss more short putts when my stance is centered and evenly balanced.  Monte pointed out my lower body movement at one of his clinics.

[BallsLeon]

Played 9 holes after work tonight at Falcon Valley. It's a really well put together 9 hole course, and this was my fourth time playing. I managed to string together a PB score beating my previous best by 5 strokes (50 previous).
The first 4 holes were an absolute roller coaster, and then I managed to adjust and finish out pretty solid.
This course doesn't have any range, and starts out with a pretty tricky par 5; so you never know what you're going to get. Today, I went with a 275yd fade (crushed for me) with a tremendous bounce and roll out into the water right. Got on to the green from my drop but three putted from there to set the tone. Recovered with a par on a par 3 only to triple bogey a par 4 and double bogey a par 5.
Highlight of the night would be hole 6. Had a nice drive but left it out right a bit about 65yds back of the green in the rough. Skulled my approach shot with the 60° to land in the tall grass behind the green. Managed a great recovery shot from the tall grass, landed before the hole and nearly went in but I managed about 7-8ft putt to close out par.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

9 minutes ago, BallsLeon said:

Played 9 holes after work tonight at Falcon Valley. It's a really well put together 9 hole course, and this was my fourth time playing. I managed to string together a PB score beating my previous best by 5 strokes (50 previous).
The first 4 holes were an absolute roller coaster, and then I managed to adjust and finish out pretty solid.
This course doesn't have any range, and starts out with a pretty tricky par 5; so you never know what you're going to get. Today, I went with a 275yd fade (crushed for me) with a tremendous bounce and roll out into the water right. Got on to the green from my drop but three putted from there to set the tone. Recovered with a par on a par 3 only to triple bogey a par 4 and double bogey a par 5.
Highlight of the night would be hole 6. Had a nice drive but left it out right a bit about 65yds back of the green in the rough. Skulled my approach shot with the 60° to land in the tall grass behind the green. Managed a great recovery shot from the tall grass, landed before the hole and nearly went in but I managed about 7-8ft putt to close out par.

Congrats on the PB!

[BallsLeon]

1 hour ago, Ben Joest said:

Congrats on the PB!

[Jim Shaw]

44 years married to this beauty, note the "Bob Hope Desert Classic" glasses from 1982... 

[fixyurdivot]

1 hour ago, BallsLeon said:

Played 9 holes after work tonight at Falcon Valley. It's a really well put together 9 hole course, and this was my fourth time playing. I managed to string together a PB score beating my previous best by 5 strokes (50 previous).
The first 4 holes were an absolute roller coaster, and then I managed to adjust and finish out pretty solid.
This course doesn't have any range, and starts out with a pretty tricky par 5; so you never know what you're going to get. Today, I went with a 275yd fade (crushed for me) with a tremendous bounce and roll out into the water right. Got on to the green from my drop but three putted from there to set the tone. Recovered with a par on a par 3 only to triple bogey a par 4 and double bogey a par 5.
Highlight of the night would be hole 6. Had a nice drive but left it out right a bit about 65yds back of the green in the rough. Skulled my approach shot with the 60° to land in the tall grass behind the green. Managed a great recovery shot from the tall grass, landed before the hole and nearly went in but I managed about 7-8ft putt to close out par.

Congratulations on the PB!!   

[fixyurdivot]

5 minutes ago, Jim Shaw said:

44 years married to this beauty, note the "Bob Hope Desert Classic" glasses from 1982... 

Congratulations on the #44.  I ran the math and don't have to even ask if this is your PB 

[fixyurdivot]

38/39 this morning at Granite Falls South.  I love my lightweight, non-spike FJ's but they aren't too good in the early morning damp grass.  I slipped on two drives that cost me some yardage.  This happened a couple of weeks ago as well.  My only spiked shoes are Puma black leather which are way too hot for this weather. Pretty steady play over the past couple of months - really liking where my game is now.  Next ceiling to bust through is an even par 72 round and the "Broke 70" badge.  I want to get mine before @cnosildoes .

[Byrnzee]

Was able to get out early this morning for a quick round. Was actually really cool to see the sunrise in my rearview mirror as I was driving out to the west Chicago suburbs.

The course I played today was Glendale Lakes  - a short, park course that was actually in pretty good condition. From tee boxes to fairways to greens, I think it was a great value for the price.

Unfortunately, my round got off to a rough start. There was no driving range and my first few swings were pretty ugly. I was striking the ball well on the driving range last night and made the mistake of trying to implement some new swing thoughts at the beginning of the round.

I learned pretty quickly I should've stuck with my previous swing thoughts and swung easy. My putting was also abysmal today. I have been trying to eliminate forward press in my putting stroke as I believe it was resulting in inconsistent contact off the putter face. However, this new feel of a more vertical putter stroke resulted in struggling to get the speeds right.

I ended up shooting 85 at this course (42-43). I'm typically not too upset about low to mid 80 scores, but this was a short course (<6,000 yards) that should've been very scoreable with where my game has been.

Lesson learned, don't try too many new things on the course! Save the new stuff for practicing on the range and make sure you are fully comfortable before transitioning to the course.

Anyways, glad to get out there this morning. Who knows how many nice weekends we'll have in the midwest before winter comes...

Until next time!

[GolfSpy_APH]

Registered for my first tournament in years. A little nervous truthfully. It's on a tricky course (but one I do really like) and is stableford which I have actually never played. 

It's only 18 holes, but should be a great Challenge and put the bag setup to the test!

[GolfSpy_KFT]

Played yesterday and was truly awful. Got stuck behind/in between an outing and pace was bad, waiting around on tee boxes and then approach shots, just couldn’t get any rhythm. That being said, ball striking was just not there. Hoping to sneak 9 in somewhere tomorrow to see if I can work some of it out of my system but overall just a bad round. Swing just felt off all day and was missing crazy far off the toe which I haven’t done in a long time either. Can’t get much worse which is the only positive lol

[JerryB]

Played Settlers Hill in Batavia yesterday with Owen and our friend Tim.  None of us had been there before but we'll definitely be back.  A lot of the course is perched up a bit so you get some nice views.  Lots of undulations and some really pretty holes.

They had shut down for about a year and a half and made some alterations so my Shot Scope watch wasn't too helpful.  Hole 1 is now hole 18.  Fairways and greens were beat up a little because of the lack of rain this year.  

I was pretty awful with my long clubs today.  If I wasn't topping it I pushed it right.  Had it somewhat worked out by the end of the round, but the penalties really killed me today.  Shame because I was actually putting really well for once.

Tim had similar driver issues but not nearly as bad and wasn't putting well but he put together a decent round and almost had an ace.

Owen played great; a few birdies including two back to back.  He was on pace to finally break 80 until he added up his score before the last couple holes.

[cksurfdude]

1 hour ago, JerryB said:

They had shut down for about a year and a half and made some alterations so my Shot Scope watch wasn't too helpful.  Hole 1 is now hole 18. 

If you haven't already, send their support an email requesting they re-map the course.

[cksurfdude]

Played 18 yesterday and would like to say it went really well...

The front 9 alternated between good holes - eg. two pars and two "almost" pars where I pushed or pulled a short par putt and grazed the edge of the cup; along with two sloppy doubles and three "others" where it took me *multiple* tries to use a wedge to get the ball onto the green...

The back 9 I settled down a bit (was playing with friends and we stopped for a snack and a beer ) - with one par, a bunch of "easy" bogies and two doubles .. one again due to poor wedge play and the other a lost ball penalty off the tee (OB) followed by a less than stellar recovery...

But despite all that I did manage to hit more driver shots off the tee that were either good or playable .. 10/14!! .. but then two that required a punchout, one in a fairway bunker and one lost OB. Interestingly 3/4 of those driver misses were left (vs my usual slice right)

Putting was mostly ok .. had a few fairly lengthy 1-putts .. but otoh ended my no 3-putt streak of about 36 holes

So overall some good, some not so good. GOLF!!

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Had a decent nine today. If not for holes with penalties (2 high high holes) I played well). Tried hitting softer nines in not greens instead of full wedges and it was hit and miss. Was pully and it cost me. Shotscope died for last three holes, so was playing blind for distance and had to judge with my instincts  

Edited September 17, 2023 by Vegan_Golfer_PNW
Edited Shotscope to best of my ability