2014 handicap watch

First topic message reminder :

Seeing as it proved fairly popular last year...

Another geeky thread for all wannabe handicap busters to share our adjustments with tales of woe and of extreme banditry   


Starting Exact Handicap: 4.9
2013 high and low 5.5, 4.6
Target: Handicap - 3.9, Qualify for knockout stages of Club Champs, break my pb medal score at home course (73)
Approximate no. planned hcp counting comps in 2014: 20
First counting comp planned: 2/4/14

Can't wait for the season to arrive. It has been a splendid winter in Edinburgh and course looks like it is going to be in terrific shape again this year.

Sand, where do you play?

super_realist wrote:Sand, where do you play?

Newmachar

My competitive rounds this year have been a tale of mediocrity, started the year at 12.0, now up to 12.2. I think I might have the full swing yips. If my play doesn't improve in the next month I will try to adopt a radically different swing, in order to create new neural pathways in the brain.

Sand wrote:

super_realist wrote:Sand, where do you play?

Newmachar

I've heard it's good Sand. I played Hazelhead 1 the other week, outstanding layout but dismal condition.
Hope you enjoy Carnoustie, in my top 3 of courses.

super_realist wrote:

Sand wrote:

super_realist wrote:Sand, where do you play?

Newmachar

I've heard it's good Sand. I played Hazelhead 1 the other week, outstanding layout but dismal condition.
Hope you enjoy Carnoustie, in my top 3 of courses.

Yeah its a good course, with you staying in Aberdeen you should play it sometime. Hazelhead 1 is a great course, its such a waste. Being designed by Alastair McKenzie, you would think the council would try and keep it in better condition but they just don't have the money unfortunately, to give it the treatment it deserves. There has been talk of it being privately bought for years but its came to nothing each time.

Have played Carnoustie five or six times, couple of games just with mates but have been lucky enough to play in this interclub match the last few years. I love the course too and would put it in my top 3 as well. Getting the opportunity to play a major championship quality course for nought, its a no brainer putting your name down for that match.

On the brink of a slide up to 6   

Contrived to drop 5 shots between holes 13-16 on Wednesday after a steady opening +2 for 12 holes, finished +7.

Played poorly at Lundin on Saturday - putting was solid holing out well from inside 8 feet, but swing was as bad as it has been this year. Scored better on the final 6 holes, with 5 pars and a dropped shot on the last.

Putting is really the only area of my game which feels strong right now.

8. 31 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t79/147__+0.1 = 5.4 (away score)
7. 28 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t12/89____0.0 = 5.3
6. 17 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t20/110___0.0 = 5.3
5. 14 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t88/142__+0.1 = 5.3
4. 30 APR___81n76___CSS/73___(5)+3___t25/87___+0.1 = 5.2
3. 26 APR___82n77___CSS/70___(5)+7___t38/67___+0.1 = 5.1 (away score)
2. 02 APR___83n78___CSS/73___(5)+5___t36/93___+0.1 = 5.0
1. 29 MAR___78n73___SSS/72___(5)+1___t21/130___0.0 = 4.9 (NQ)
Starting 4.9

3/6 - Midweek Stableford 35 points

Hadn't played for 10 days since shooting level par in the previous medal. Kept it steady at the start, opened with 4 easy pars but short sided myself on the par 3 5th and missed a 10footer.
1st Driver of the day on 6, creamed it a mile down the middle leaving myself only 100ish to the green but didn't threaten the flag with my approach.
Feeling confident with the driver after that I ignore my usual game plan of 3wood/2iron off the next 3 holes. Hooked drive on 7 left me with no shot, penalty drop bogey. Hooked drive again on 8 into the fairway bunker, should have taken my medicine and wedged out to try and get up and down for par but went for it with a 7iron and caught the lip - ended up in a bunker 60 yards short of the green (which in ten years I don't think iv been in) and came up short, chipped and putted for bogey. Misclubbed it into 9 and went out of bounds over the back - had 170 but the wind seemed into so I hit a 6iron, not a touch of wind and lost over the back, hit a 7 iron 2nd shot to 20feet and 2 putted for double.
Turned in +5 (15points)
3 wood 3 wood to the front edge of 10, chipped and putted for birdie. few regulation pars then again deviated from my usual game plan on 14 and hit a driver to try and get on in 2. pull hooked into the trees had to come out sideways and made bogey. parred 15-17 then hit a lazy swing on the last into the front bunker, made a good effort out of the sand and holed from 5 feet for par.
Came back in level (20points) for 35 - buffer zone. realistically it would have been 37/38 if I had left the driver in the bag.

I know a bad workman blames his tools but I think I need a new driver quick! My usual shot is a cut - especially off the tee with a 3 wood or 2 iron - its very reliable for me but as soon as I get a driver in my hand the ball tends to start moving left quickly... new shaft possibly? any suggestions welcome. Whilst I can get round in close to par without a driver I really need to be able to drive it well to get my handicap falling back down to where I was a few years back.

Club champs are just 3 weeks away now - don't plan on playing and comps between now and then but I do have a scratch team fixture which im looking forward to!

2014:

33points = 5.5
74 net 68 = 5.0
79 net 74 = 5.0
78 net 73 = 5.0
77 net 72 = 5.0
72 net 67 = 4.4 (SS went up to 73 for the first time in a while)
35points = 4.4

Having a break this weekend. Better last weekend, +1 through 11 with a couple of good up and downs a couple of birdies. Had a severe wobble on 12 and 13 with a double and then a triple bogey to drop to +6. Another silly double on 16, but birdied 14 and 17 to finish +6. -1 for 15 holes, +7 for 3 silly holes...got to stop switching off and losing focus. 4 birdies in all, and a few good chances missed, so slightly more positive. Another couple of 2s too. Club champ qualifiers next weekend - hopefully will have a chance to play a few holes before then.

9. 07 JUN___78n73___CSS/72___(5)+1___t18/131___0.0 = 5.4
8. 31 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t79/147__+0.1 = 5.4 (away score)
7. 28 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t12/89____0.0 = 5.3
6. 17 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t20/110___0.0 = 5.3
5. 14 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t88/142__+0.1 = 5.3
4. 30 APR___81n76___CSS/73___(5)+3___t25/87___+0.1 = 5.2
3. 26 APR___82n77___CSS/70___(5)+7___t38/67___+0.1 = 5.1 (away score)
2. 02 APR___83n78___CSS/73___(5)+5___t36/93___+0.1 = 5.0
1. 29 MAR___78n73___SSS/72___(5)+1___t21/130___0.0 = 4.9 (NQ)
Starting 4.9

Can't believe it's mid June before I hit my first buffer of the season (have had 2 cuts and 6 x 0.1s).

So... started at 6.1, got down as low as 5.2 currently 5.6. Next qualifier, 36 hole Club championship a week on Saturday.

Really hammered putting on the practice green last week (about 5 hours over the week) wen't out and missed a 2 footer on the first which set up a very nervy first few greens. Putted much better on the back 9 but nothing dropped. 36 putts in the end which is shocking for a 6 handicap. Taking the positives, 12 greens in reg is pretty decent. Hopeful that the putting practice will eventually come through...it would be nice if it did while my tee to green game is still the way it is.

First round of the club championships today. Posted my fourth consecuitive round of one shot over handicap to keep the slide to Cat 2 at bay for at least another day...

7 pars on the front nine, with a double on the 3rd and a bogey on the 7th to turn at +3. Included a good save on the first, up and down from 70 yards to save par, and some narrowly missed birdie chances on 4, 5, 8 and 9.

Back nine started poorly - failed to get up and down on 10, then blocked my tee shot on 11 into trouble - lucky to find it, dropped out and made a 'good' double. Good birdie chances missed on 12, 13 and 14 (silly three putt on 13). Finally knocked one in on 15 from 20 feet, but followed it up with a poor drive on 16 and another bogey. Hit a superb drive down 17 and my 4iron approach kicked right into a greenside bunker. Hit a lovely shot, using the contours well, but left a tricky 2 foot slider down the slope for a bird which i duly missed. Another excellent drive down 18 and wedge to 15 feet - another narrowly missed birdie chance - card signed for a 79.

Through to the 2nd round tomorrow - top 32 and ties scrap it out for 16 knockout places. I'm a couple of strokes back from making the 16 as it stands, so have an outside chance of making it despite the poor first round score. Scoring in general wasn't great - 72 was the lowest gross, though remarkably the golfer in question finished his round birdie, birdie, par, ALBATROSS, birdie - astonishing!!

10. 21 JUN___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t30/118___0.0 = 5.4  
 9. 07 JUN___78n73___CSS/72___(5)+1___t18/131___0.0 = 5.4
 8. 31 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t79/147__+0.1 = 5.4 (away score)
 7. 28 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t12/89____0.0 = 5.3
 6. 17 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t20/110___0.0 = 5.3
 5. 14 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t88/142__+0.1 = 5.3
 4. 30 APR___81n76___CSS/73___(5)+3___t25/87___+0.1 = 5.2
 3. 26 APR___82n77___CSS/70___(5)+7___t38/67___+0.1 = 5.1 (away score)
 2. 02 APR___83n78___CSS/73___(5)+5___t36/93___+0.1 = 5.0
 1. 29 MAR___78n73___SSS/72___(5)+1___t21/130___0.0 = 4.9 (NQ)
Starting 4.9

Today's hole by hole summary -


inevitably back up to 6. time to re-evaluate my targets for this year

barragan wrote:
Starting Exact Handicap: 4.9
2013 high and low 5.5, 4.6
Target: Handicap - 4.9. 3.9 seems unrealistic given current form - getting back to cat 1 would be acceptable,
Qualify for knockout stages of Club Champsfail, made it to the 2nd round but failed to progress to knockout,
break my pb medal score at home course (73) - no where near it right now!

11. 22 JUN___82n77___CSS/72___(5)+5___t19/33___+0.1= 5.5
10. 21 JUN___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t30/118___0.0 = 5.4
9. 07 JUN___78n73___CSS/72___(5)+1___t18/131___0.0 = 5.4
8. 31 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t79/147__+0.1 = 5.4 (away score)
7. 28 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t12/89____0.0 = 5.3
6. 17 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t20/110___0.0 = 5.3
5. 14 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t88/142__+0.1 = 5.3
4. 30 APR___81n76___CSS/73___(5)+3___t25/87___+0.1 = 5.2
3. 26 APR___82n77___CSS/70___(5)+7___t38/67___+0.1 = 5.1 (away score)
2. 02 APR___83n78___CSS/73___(5)+5___t36/93___+0.1 = 5.0
1. 29 MAR___78n73___SSS/72___(5)+1___t21/130___0.0 = 4.9 (NQ)
Starting 4.9

After saying that my next qualifier would be the club Champs next weekend, decided to play in Saturday's medal. Glad I did..
76 net 70 with a nasty triple on 16. CSS 71 so a cut from 5.6 to 5.3.
4 birdies and a couple of longish par save putts. Just the kind of boost required before next weekend. In saying that the calamity thrown in on 16 is a concern (and a frustration considering that net 68 won).

Disappointing club Champs, 80 morning & 79 afternoon CSS was 71 both so back up to 5.5. Actually played quite well. A 4 putt on 4 and a big hook out of town on 16 th tee cost me the buffer in the morning.
In the afternoon I started with a 3putt double bogey, repeated on 2 before settling down. Completely lost concentration & doubled last. In between though was pretty decent with no real breaks.

Having scored gross 81 & 86 (off 13 so net 68 & 73) in our club championship a couple of weeks back I managed to finish tied 3rd in the net comp and 9th in the gross. More pleased with the 9th as I am definitely not the 9th lowest handicap entered so beat some players considerably better than me.

Managed to follow that up this Saturday with a gross 79, net 66, in the medal and got cut down to 12.1 so am now Cat 2. Not good enough to win the medal mind you!

Just to top that off, played the semi final of our Losers Plate (you know, the knockout that those who lose in the first round of the proper singles get entered into) as part of the medal. No gimmies obviously. Managed to win that 1 up so am now in my first matchplay final.

I’m catching you Cat 1 types up............... Hmm

Sorry to have to tell you this mpb but you should be disqualified from the medal and the match result is null and void. It's against the rules to play matchplay and strokeplay at the same time. Rule 33.1 http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-of-Golf.aspx#/rules/?ruleNum=33&subRuleNum=1

The link you attached doesn't show this SJ, but that's interesting as happens all the time at our club.
I will investigate. Can't see why it should a be problem?

SJ, rule 33-1, you are right.
Thanks for this. As I say, happens all the time at my club so will be interesting to see what the response is.

Still don't see why it should be a problem mind you

The reason given is as follows;

The Committee must establish the conditions under which a competition is to be played.
The Committee has no power to waive a Rule of Golf.
Certain specific Rules governing stroke play are so substantially different from those governing match play that combining the two forms of play is not practicable and is not permitted. The result of a match played in these circumstances is null and void and, in the stroke play competition, the competitors are disqualified.
In stroke play, the Committee may limit a referee’s duties.

Basically, where the penalty in strokeplay for a rule infringement might be 2 strokes, the corresponding penalty in matchplay is often loss of hole. As such, you could win a hole in a match with a 10, if your opponent hits the flag with his putt from on the green for a 3.

The penalties are different indeed SJ and i suppose things like order of play etc being important differences.

I have read one or two articles where people have said their club allows matches in a strokeplay comp by amending the rules of the matchplay comp to allow the tie to be settled in 'another way', ie toss of coin, or indeed playing together in a medal and using the best net score to determine who would go through. Not quite the same as straight match play but not far off i guess.
All a bit contrived........

Indeed, I've done the same myself. We played the strokeplay comp together, 4bbb, and agreed beforehand that the team that came higher in the comp would go through in the matchplay. We scraped through by the odd point, but in theory would have won the match 5&4.

Was the Spring Shield at our place today. Quite a big comp at the club. I couldn't play until 10.30 (comp tee times usually go up to 11) but because of low entries numbers they cut the latest time back to 10.12 which meant I couldn't play.
Instead me and another member in the same boat signed up to put in a supplementary card and went out at 11. I managed a gross 73 (4 over). My 12.1 should I think become 10.5! Target for the year (to get my 14 down to 11) exceeded already.
Only disappointment..... I would have walked the Spring Shield with that score and have my name on a board. Oh well

And lo, the slide continueth apace.

2 qualies this weekend, 34 points and 31 points. 0.2 to 6.5 = 7 (pretty much solidly up each time since a sneaky cut to 4.8 at the beginning of the season).

No confidence, only sporadic glimpses of ability (although there's some good stuff in there each week but the dross is utterly appalling) and most importantly enjoyment is going down too. I think I'm caught in between swings (was sliding hips through ball and am now trying to pull the left side clear rotationally but think I'm doing both). Result, can't hit anything and don't know where it's going. A fairly consistent fade (with occasional catastrophic slice or double cross pull) is now anything at anytime between catastrophic slice and catastrophic hook). Anyhow, have (for the first time) decided to go and get looked at by a pro and will probably have a few lessons off the back of that.

Probably be off 9 by the end of the season!!!

Late update:
Club Champs 2 weeks ago.
71 (net 67)
78  (net 74)    4th place finish overall

Led by one after the first round. Played pretty terrible tee to green but my short game was out of this world.

Holed a long Birdie put on the 1st, up and down on 2&3 then birdied 4&5 after holing 15 footers. bogeyed 8 after a semi shank off the tee but got up and down from the bunker on 9 to get round in -2.
Back 9 was playing easyish (tough holes downwind) but my game off the tee didn't really give me a chance to attack, 1 bogeyed the 17th after finding a fairway bunker but holed a good 10footer on the last for par to finish -1 gross.
Only hit 8 greens but holed everything l looked at and chipped in on the 15th for a great par save.

Was one clear going into 2nd round but with 5 players on level,+1,+2 so I knew id need no worse than 73 to challenge.
Got off to a bad start with 2 bogeys but steadied the ship with a birdie on 4.
was +1 on the 9th tee and misclubbed for the 2nd day in a row to go in the front bunker. Ball was barley visable it pulgged so badly and I played it backward in the bunker to give me a chance - made double to turn in +2 for the tournament and was then 2 behind.
birdie putts on 10/11/12 lipped out but was only 1or2 behind stood in the 15th fairway.
got too cute with my approach and came up short, made bogey to the leaders birdie to fall 3 behind with 3 to play.
Bogeyed 16 & 17 after a huge blocks off the tee. and parred the last for 78 (+6) and a +5 total for 2 rounds.
Winner shot 72-70 for -2 and I finished 4th overall.
Was pleased to still be challenging with 3 to go as the others in my group were off +1 & 1 to my 4 handicap.

Winner actually finished 3,3,3,3,3,3 - 5under for his last 6!!! was fantastic too watch such great golf!

Anyway - edging closer to a 3 handicap now, just need to try and squeeze a few more comps in.

2014:

33points = 5.5
74 net 68 = 5.0
79 net 74 = 5.0
78 net 73 = 5.0
77 net 72 = 5.0
72 net 67 = 4.4
35points = 4.4
71 net 67 = 3.9
78 net 74 = 3.9

Roller_Coaster wrote:And lo, the slide continueth apace.

2 qualies this weekend, 34 points and 31 points. 0.2 to 6.5 = 7 (pretty much solidly up each time since a sneaky cut to 4.8 at the beginning of the season).

No confidence, only sporadic glimpses of ability (although there's some good stuff in there each week but the dross is utterly appalling) and most importantly enjoyment is going down too. I think I'm caught in between swings (was sliding hips through ball and am now trying to pull the left side clear rotationally but think I'm doing both). Result, can't hit anything and don't know where it's going. A fairly consistent fade (with occasional catastrophic slice or double cross pull) is now anything at anytime between catastrophic slice and catastrophic hook). Anyhow, have (for the first time) decided to go and get looked at by a pro and will probably have a few lessons off the back of that.

Probably be off 9 by the end of the season!!!

I'm in a very similar boat, another appalling round last night for my 10th straight .1 increase since a board win last September. That got me down from 9.4 to 7.8, I'll now be back to 8.7 and that's only because they lost one of my cards! The annoying thing is I scored 40 points in a non-qualifier on Saturday, and although it was very windy last night 26 points was a terrible turnaround. I've not once even got close to buffer this year, it's really quite depressing.

Count me in the same boat... Having a completely nightmare this season. Came down twice this year, few buffers but mostly up .1. Started at 3.5 and now up to 4.1 and no light at end of tunnel. Having said that my ball striking has been awful for weeks and been so bad its effecting my confidence in my whole game. Then again as I said to my mates last night there is no point moaning about it when im not practising at all at the moment and just going from medal to medal pretty much. Its not going to improve is it!! Going to Dublin next week for a few rounds with a few mates, need to get practising so I can stop the slide and take home the bragging rights and more importantly the money!!

At least I'm not alone...

Hope you turn it round. And me to be fair!

Midweek Medal yesterday.

Hadnt touched a club since my valiant effort in the club champs 2 weeks before so wasn't expecting too much....

I actually shot the best 77 of my life (+5)

Hit a steery 3 wood into trees on the first, out sideways, layed up 100 short pitched to 5 feet holed the putt for a well scrambled 5.
Then decided after seeing my playing partner (a 12 handicapper) boom a drive about 30 yards short of the 2nd green that I would have a go at it.
its a 350ish par 4 with 5 bunkers surrounding the green, trouble left and out of bounds right & long. Iv never hit anything other than a 2/3 iron or very rarely a 3 wood but thought id have a go for the fun of it.
Block out of bounds.... fine il knock this one up there and chip and put for bogey..... block out of bounds.... wheres my 3 iron? Made 9 with my 5 off the tee to be +5 after 2.
Decided id cure my block on the course by having another lash at 3... block into jungle, wedge out short, 3 to get down and im 6 over.
Pars up until 10 where I hit 3wd 2iron to the front and holed for eagle to get back to +4
Parred 11/12/13 then decided to try and get up 14 in 2 when there is out of bounds right and im blocking my driver....... A massive anti right swing resulted in a pull hook and lost ball, par with 3 off the tee. +6. parred 15,16 (holed a monster on 16 for par after catching my bunker shot a bit thin) then hit a gorgeous wedge from 140 to about 2 feet on 17.
Simple par up the last and I finish with 77 + 5.

Havent seen my handicap change as the comp result is not on howdidido yet but I am guessing I will probably go down a point or 2 because of a quintuple bogey 9.

Apart from that I really enjoyed the round. My playing parter and good friend shot his career best score of 77 but I still managed to take money off him with 2 sand saves, all 4 par 3s, an eagle and a birdie... it broke his heart to give me a couple of quid after shooting his best number.

Comp sunday morning, scratch match following week then 36 local open following week, so I will get down the range and work on trying to driver the ball in the same county now!!!

Some signs of improvement in the ball striking, but no better scoring wise. Saturday hitting some great shots. Playing partner nobbed it round in +4 without looking like he'd make a birdie. I was inside him on nearly every hole but couldn't buy a putt. Had 3 disaster holes and finished +9 somehow despite some good iron play.
Today, again striking it well - punished badly with the poor shots. Kept a double off my card... until the last following a trip to the burn... Some good tee shots. Some excellent approach shots. Lots of average putting. Holed out well from inside 4 feet, but didn't do much else apart from an 8 footer for a 2 on the 14th. +6 after 13, birdie on 14 kickstarted some better stuff, good drives and approaches on 15-17. Missed birdie chances - a 10 footer on 15, a 6 footer on 16 and a 3 footer on 17 after playing the hole nice and safe (2H, 5I, gap wedge). Then worst swing of the day off 18 sclaffed hybrid. Heavy contact with 8I and dropping out of the water and carded a double - not 10mins earlier i was thinking to myself birdie, birdie finish and you'll have a nice 0.4 cut... lesson hopefully learnt - stop getting ahead of myself...typical.
seventh cash earning 2 of the year should bring the prize money tally up to £150 for this year, despite no place finishes in the home comps - not a bad haul considering.

13. 23 JUL___79n73___CSS/72___(6)+1___t21/136____0.0= 5.6
12. 19 JUL___81n75___CSS/72___(6)+3___t43/129___+0.1= 5.6
11. 22 JUN___82n77___CSS/72___(5)+5___t19/33___+0.1= 5.5
10. 21 JUN___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t30/118___0.0 = 5.4
9. 07 JUN___78n73___CSS/72___(5)+1___t18/131___0.0 = 5.4
8. 31 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t79/147__+0.1 = 5.4 (away score)
7. 28 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t12/89____0.0 = 5.3
6. 17 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t20/110___0.0 = 5.3
5. 14 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t88/142__+0.1 = 5.3
4. 30 APR___81n76___CSS/73___(5)+3___t25/87___+0.1 = 5.2
3. 26 APR___82n77___CSS/70___(5)+7___t38/67___+0.1 = 5.1 (away score)
2. 02 APR___83n78___CSS/73___(5)+5___t36/93___+0.1 = 5.0
1. 29 MAR___78n73___SSS/72___(5)+1___t21/130___0.0 = 4.9 (NQ)
Starting 4.9

Roller_Coaster wrote:Starting Exact Handicap: 5.1
2013 high and low: 5.3 - 4.3
Target: Handicap - 4.4 and hold at least once unlike last year. Want to post red and hopefully beat my best of -1.
Approximate no. planned hcp counting comps in 2014: Average 1 p/w from now on.
First counting comp Last saturday - disaster (23 points but reductions only)
Second counting comp Last Sunday - +3 and a cheeky reduction to 4.8.

After a huge prolonged slide from 4.8 almost non-stop to 6.5 a borderline miraculous (probably one-off) turnaraound (see game today thread). Posted -2 (PB and a tick for one aim) for a -9 net (7 better than CSS)which nabbed me an unexpected win and a 1.3 cut from 6.5 to 5.2 almost back to my starting point.

H/cap target same but now adjust the bold and want to beat -2 and have a second red number in the same season. Difficult to get a cut and hold it when consistency is a problem (always has been) and CSS is -2 each week. What's most likely on form so far is a finish of 6, but we'll give it a go.

14. 26 JUL___75n68*__CSS/70___(6)-2_____t7/55____-0.3= 5.3 (away score)
13. 23 JUL___79n73___CSS/72___(6)+1___t21/136____0.0= 5.6
12. 19 JUL___81n75___CSS/72___(6)+3___t43/129___+0.1= 5.6
11. 22 JUN___82n77___CSS/72___(5)+5___t19/33___+0.1= 5.5
10. 21 JUN___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t30/118___0.0 = 5.4
9. 07 JUN___78n73___CSS/72___(5)+1___t18/131___0.0 = 5.4
8. 31 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t79/147__+0.1 = 5.4 (away score)
7. 28 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t12/89____0.0 = 5.3
6. 17 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t20/110___0.0 = 5.3
5. 14 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t88/142__+0.1 = 5.3
4. 30 APR___81n76___CSS/73___(5)+3___t25/87___+0.1 = 5.2
3. 26 APR___82n77___CSS/70___(5)+7___t38/67___+0.1 = 5.1 (away score)
2. 02 APR___83n78___CSS/73___(5)+5___t36/93___+0.1 = 5.0
1. 29 MAR___78n73___SSS/72___(5)+1___t21/130___0.0 = 4.9 (NQ)
Starting 4.9

Gradually reducing Barra. Good going.

That's actually his first reduction for a while, Super, his most recent score is on top.

Well done, Barra, nice round.

Ah, was reading it the wrong way up.

Cheers-best round in ages not without incident though.
Home for a few days and hoping to play a couple more comps this week.

Started saturday nicely.
Good up and down from 40 yards to save par on the first.
Ripped a 4 iron 230 to the front edge on two after a heaby tee shot. Missed a ten footer on 3 after a nice pitch. Solid par on 4, then wedged to ten feet on 5 and sunk it for a bird.
Bunker off the tee on 6 but recovered nicely - solid pitch from 90y to 10ft but missed the bird. Nice up nd down on 7 to stay -1.
Great 3-wood up 8 but dumped my approach in th sand. Plugged lie against the rake near the back lip (thanks whoever left it there...) attempt ended up against the front lip.hacked out to 30 and holed out to save bogey.
Major cockup on 9. Shortsided but went for a glory shot limped off with a triple. Could have chipped sideways 
Bounced back with a pair of birds after pitching it stone dead inside 2ft on 10 and 11. Bogey 12. Missed another 10 footer on 13. Then brain fart on 14 - whins... drop out, escape with bogey.
Missed another 10 footer on 15 then a good up and down on 16. Lost ball off tee on 17 doh...saved bogey with the second ball. Good par up the last.
Pleased with the cut. Not too disapointedd at what could ave been. 6 shots gone to big unforced errors. A few putts that could have dropped, and a few that did. Finished just 3 behind the winner, if I pitch and putt like that the rest of this week and cut out the errors I'd hope to go lower and grab another cut before returning to Edinburgh.

Getting ready for one of my favourite Comps this weekend The 36 hole Open at Saunton. I can go there with a bit of confidence after the 1.1 cut at Easter. A bit disappointed I haven't kicked on from that weekend to be honest, got down to 5.2 that day and spent the last 3 and a bit months drifting back up (currently 5.6).
Both courses at Saunton clearly suit me and whilst another good score and cut would be nice, my expectations and modest at best. The English Amateur Championship is there this week so I expect the greens to be like lightning and the fairways to be much narrower than usual, we'll see. It'll be great to play it in proper Championship condition

Less said about Wednesday's medal the better. Tough conditions- strong breeze. Good fun but didn't have my scoring boots on and dropped many needless shots. Did have a stretch of 9 pars in 11 holes - but that was as good as it got - played the last 3 holes like a beginner.

Friday's stableford, and put up a disappointing performance in defence of my title. Shotgun start and started with 3 bogeys. Parred the next 6, but 3 putted the next and then followed up with another 3 bogeys to drop to +7 and well out of contention. The most disappointing thing was my ball-striking. I chunked just about every shot and afterwards reckoned I only hit 5-6 shots that were even close to reasonable connections. It was however a beautiful evening - playing the course off the new back tees (7 holes extended) and very enjoyable. Witnessed my playing partner break 70 for the first time, and lose on countback to a fantastic young golfer who equalled his course record from earlier this year of 63.

Back in Edinburgh today and played late in the medal. A 3-putt from distance on the 1st set the tone for the early holes - 2 more followed on 3 and 4. But the real disaster occurred on the 2nd - a topped 7iron out of nowhere into the burn spiralled into a needless triple bogey.
+6 after 4, and I rallied somewhat, parring 5,6,7 and 8. Slightly dissapointed with a missed 6 foot birdie putt on 6 after a super 4 iron into the breeze. Then great approach into 9 but another needless shot gone - 3 putt from 8 feet turning a birdie chance into a dropped shot. So, +7 at the turn despite hitting 8of 9 greens in regulation...only me!

Started back well, a 5iron to 15 feet on 10 narrowly missed birdie. Solid drive and 4 iron into 11 - straightforward par. Then finally - a decent drive followed by a 6 iron over the pin on 12 and curled in a ten footer for birdie. Dropped shots at the next 2 after missing both GIR. The rain which had intervened with unpleasant frequency earlier in the round was now teaming down and the rain gloves were in use. Slightly chunked hybrid off 15 followed by a poor 9 iron which took a great hop up onto the front of the green was followed by a unexpected bird - tidy 30 footer. Good drive up 16 and 9iron to 6 feet - missed over the lip. 17 was playing into the breeze and as per my recently devised strategy for such a situation, I went with hybrid off the tee, followed by 4 iron into position for a 80 yard pitch. Came up short on the front of the green with the pitch but popped in another 30 footer for bird! Final hole - boomed driver down the middle - came up short again with the gap wedge and spun it back off the front of the green. No problem - 40 footer from the fringe - straight in to finish +5 and with the adjustment to the triple on 2 and the CSS going up 1, a nice 0.4 cut to follow. Very pleased with that even though there was plenty of good fortune thrown in i still hit 15 out of 18 GIR so must be doing something right (and a few things really really wrong!).


17. 02 AUG__77n70*__CSS/73___(6)-3_____t8/106____-0.4= 5.1
16. 01 AUG__78n73___CSS/70___(5)+3_____t9/30____+0.1= 5.5 (away score)
15. 30 JUL___NRn81*__CSS/70___(5)+11___t30/47____+0.1= 5.4 (away score)

14. 26 JUL___75n68*__CSS/70___(6)-2_____t7/55____-0.3= 5.3 (away score)
13. 23 JUL___79n73___CSS/72___(6)+1___t21/136____0.0= 5.6
12. 19 JUL___81n75___CSS/72___(6)+3___t43/129___+0.1= 5.6
11. 22 JUN___82n77___CSS/72___(5)+5___t19/33___+0.1= 5.5
10. 21 JUN___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t30/118___0.0 = 5.4
9. 07 JUN____78n73___CSS/72___(5)+1___t18/131___0.0 = 5.4
8. 31 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t79/147__+0.1 = 5.4 (away score)
7. 28 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t12/89____0.0 = 5.3
6. 17 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t20/110___0.0 = 5.3
5. 14 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t88/142__+0.1 = 5.3
4. 30 APR___81n76___CSS/73___(5)+3___t25/87___+0.1 = 5.2
3. 26 APR___82n77___CSS/70___(5)+7___t38/67___+0.1 = 5.1 (away score)
2. 02 APR___83n78___CSS/73___(5)+5___t36/93___+0.1 = 5.0
1. 29 MAR___78n73___SSS/72___(5)+1___t21/130___0.0 = 4.9 (NQ)
Starting 4.9

Another away cut and back to Cat 1 for the 3rd time this season, Entered the weekend at 5.6

Sun 3rd Saunton West Gross 89 Net 83 SSS 72 Visitors CSS 75 +0.1
Sun 3rd Saunton East Gross 81 Net 75 SSS 74 Visitors CSS 77 =0.6 (the 81 included a quadruple at a non stroke hole)

So 5.1 Hopefuly I can now hold Cat 1 and kick on now

Never cease to amaze myself that I can play to a standard that can get me a cut on tough courses in tough conditions away from home yet at home, where I should be ripping it up, I've had one home cut this year compared to 3 cuts in 4 attempts at Saunton...wtf is that all about??

Finally managed a buffer as a Cat 1 for the first time.

76 net 71 CSS projecting at 71 when I left, it certainly won't go down from that and theres a slight chance it might tick up to 72.

Game of 3 3rds. First 6 holes I hit 2 decent shots (tee shots at par 3s) but scrambled like nobody's business to be +1. Next 6 holes were 6 greens in reg spoiled by a 3 putt on 10 for +1. The final 6 were about hanging on, bogey from the bunker on 13. bogey on 14 after missing left, flopped over a bunker and a bank, releasing lovely to the hole and it hit a partners ball 10 feet short, missed the putt...grrr!! Then 3 putted 17. Both 3 putts were downhill downwind, the one on 10 left short and almost inevitably on 17 raced it 5 foot past :-( Still, pleased to make buffer, hopefully I'll kick on from that.

2 comps since I last posted on here.

1st was a sunday medal few weeks back.
course was burnt out and the ball was running a mile (as tends to happen in the summer months at our place!)
Started.. 2 putt birdie, birdie, par, par, par, birdie, par, par, par. out in -3 which really could have been -5/6. ball was running so far I was hitting 2 iron wedge where I would usually hit driver mid iron.
Driver 7 iron to 5 feet on 10 and holed for eagle.... now im REALLY thinking about the course record.... and that's where it went down hill.
3 putt bogey from about 40feet on 11, par 12 then went for the green on 13 - should have hit 2 iron wedge but got greedy went for the green, lost a ball, made double. par 14 par 15 then played 16 sensibly.... 2iron, 8 iron left me 150 on the button. Hit a 9 iron and blocked it into the greenside bunker short side, no up and down - bogey, par 17 still left me stood on the 18th tee at -1, hit a great 6 iron all over the flag but it was the wrong club and came up on the front (pin back left) superb chip to a tap in range for my 2nd sub par of the season!! 0.5 cut to get me to 3.4.

Local scratch open Thursday (36 holes)
Hadnt played the course since my junior golf days 10-15 years ago but found my way round great in the morning. No spectacular play but stuck with using the driver minimally to get round in a pleasing 74 (+3), birided the last.
Was well off the pace (-4 was leading) going into the afternoon, wind had kicked up quite a bit and im not used to playing 36 in a day. putted really well but a few tired swings and lapses in concentration left me with no chance of going low. finished with 3 bogeys after lazy over the top swings and shot 78 (+7) for a 152 + 10 for the day
waiting for cards to come back but I would guess my handicap wont change or may go down a point for that.

Playing partners were a good laugh and class golfers as well.
one of them shot 71,71 32 pars 2 bogeys 2 birdies and never looked like missing a shot.
Other lad had recently got his amateur status back after a stint on lower tours. he shot 68 in the morning which was about the worst he could have done and in the afternoon had 2 eagles in a 70.

Learned there is a big difference between being a great golfer at my home course and being able to compete scratch standard in the region!!!
enjoying golf at the moment though and have found some real consistency over the past few months!

33points = 5.5
74 net 68 = 5.0
79 net 74 = 5.0
78 net 73 = 5.0
77 net 72 = 5.0
72 net 67 = 4.4
35points = 4.4
71 net 67 = 3.9
78 net 74 = 3.9
77 net 73 = 3.6 - 0.3 cut because of a 9 on a par 4
71 net 67 = 3.1
74 net 71 = 3.0
78 net 75 = 3.1

Midweek stableford yesterday.

Teed off at 4.45 and thought we would be fine to get round. WRONG. there was a society out ahead of us and after it took us nearly 5 hours to play 13 holes we walked in, there was no way we would have been able to see playing the last few holes (15-18 at my place are in thick woods and the light was almost gone by then anyway)

Dissappointed I had to NR as its .1 back and will make getting down to 2 this season very difficult now.

Round itself was going well. I had a bit of a wobble on 11,12 - stood on 11 at -1 but steered it right into the bunker - plugged in wet sand, left it in there weak shot out, 2 putts - double. Then hit a semi shank into 12 when I got too quick and tried to wallop the ball (note to self - go with the little 8 instead of the big 9!!!) ball stopped on the upslope of a bank, had to chip over a bunker to a green running away from me, no hope of getting it close without a big mickelsonesque flop. opened the face, swung hard..... moved it about 3 feet into the bunker (more grass under the ball than I had realised) splash out 2 putts, double.
Birdied 13 after larruping a drive up near the green - waiting 10 minutes on the tee box had meant that tee shot would always be getting some!
Decided to walk back in after 13 as it is the nearest point to the club house on the back 9 except 18. Shame really as although I wasn't shooting the lights out I was playing well enough to nick a point or 2 off my handicap.
My playing partner was +3 after 13 (11 handicap) so was glad to walk in as he will protect his handicap for the money games he has with pals.... despicable!

33points = 5.5
74 net 68 = 5.0
79 net 74 = 5.0
78 net 73 = 5.0
77 net 72 = 5.0
72 net 67 = 4.4
35points = 4.4
71 net 67 = 3.9
78 net 74 = 3.9
77 net 73 = 3.6 - 0.3 cut because of a 9 on a par 4
71 net 67 = 3.1
74 net 71 = 3.0
78 net 75 = 3.1
NR net NR = 3.2

First level handicap round of the season..
Started nicely, wedge to 5 feet on the 1st, rolled in the bird. Up and down out of the greenside bunker on 2 for par. The heavens opened and we were subjected to 20 minutes of torrential rain. The brolley came down on the 4th green. Dropped a shot on 3. Then, on in 2 on the par 5 4th only to 3 putt. Followed up with 3 putts on 5 and 6. Bounced back with a birdie on 7 and parred 8 and 9 to turn at +1.
Dropped shots at 10,11 and 12. Narrowly missed a birdie chance on 13, then holed out on 14 for a 2 after a nice punched 8 iron to 20 feet. Narrowly missed a birdie chance on 15, before finding a fairway bunker on 16. Very low lip, but contrived to thin it straight into the face. First double of the round and now i needed to birdie at least one of the closing 2 holes to get a cut that had looked likely after 14...lipped out from 15 feet on 17, then was fortunate to save par on 18 after a poor drive. Found the green but left my first long range putt 6 feet short - holed out to finish on +5.
Dissapointing not to have finished a couple better, but some positives to take from the round, my driving is on the whole pretty solid, my iron play is looking a little more solid, and my putting is excellent - barring 4,5and6, which were more a consequence of the torrential rain slowing up the greens. Chipping isn't costing me as much this season though it still needs work. No time to practice though so not worth beating myself up about!

18. 23 AUG__77n72___CSS/72___(5)+0_____t13/134_____0.0= 5.1

17. 02 AUG__77n70*__CSS/73___(6)-3_____t8/106____-0.4= 5.1
16. 01 AUG__78n73___CSS/70___(5)+3_____t9/30____+0.1= 5.5 (away score)
15. 30 JUL___NRn81*__CSS/70___(5)+11___t30/47____+0.1= 5.4 (away score)
14. 26 JUL___75n68*__CSS/70___(6)-2_____t7/55____-0.3= 5.3 (away score)
13. 23 JUL___79n73___CSS/72___(6)+1___t21/136____0.0= 5.6
12. 19 JUL___81n75___CSS/72___(6)+3___t43/129___+0.1= 5.6
11. 22 JUN___82n77___CSS/72___(5)+5___t19/33___+0.1= 5.5
10. 21 JUN___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t30/118___0.0 = 5.4
9. 07 JUN____78n73___CSS/72___(5)+1___t18/131___0.0 = 5.4
8. 31 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t79/147__+0.1 = 5.4 (away score)
7. 28 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t12/89____0.0 = 5.3
6. 17 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t20/110___0.0 = 5.3
5. 14 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t88/142__+0.1 = 5.3
4. 30 APR___81n76___CSS/73___(5)+3___t25/87___+0.1 = 5.2
3. 26 APR___82n77___CSS/70___(5)+7___t38/67___+0.1 = 5.1 (away score)
2. 02 APR___83n78___CSS/73___(5)+5___t36/93___+0.1 = 5.0
1. 29 MAR___78n73___SSS/72___(5)+1___t21/130___0.0 = 4.9 (NQ)
Starting 4.9

Finally nailed that elusive Par round on my home track, didn't promising after a careless bogey on three, a double on 5 (stone in bunker didn't help) and a tug left on 11. So 4 over with 7 to play and our last 6-7 holes a notorious for wrecking a card. Can honestly say those last 7 were the best stretch of golf I think I've ever played, Just didn't make a mistake infect my worst shot on the closing stretch was racing the birdie putt on 15 4 foot past. After a safe par on the into the wind 600 yard 12th I finished Par, Birdie, par, Birdie, Birdie, Birdie. for a Level Par 71 Net 66, CSS was 71 so a nice 0.5 cut to 4.7 (my lowest ever) and the Trophy (it was a big drawn event). The perfect warm up for Carnoustie next week.

I've hit buffer more times this year then I can ever remember, still on the same starting handicap as the year started.

Gross 78 net 75

A round in which I played better than the score would suggest, there was a 2 club wind which seemed to be either into or down on every hole making it very difficult to club. Putting has been great for the last couple of months but deserted me completely yesterday (34 putts total!)
Started with 4 regulation pars, missed the green long and right, hit a good chip to 6 feet and missed.
3 putt bogeys on 6,7 then hit a great 9iron from a fairway bunker on 8 to 5 feet and of course missed. holed a good bogey putt on 9 after shortsiding myself in the trap.
Started the back 9well with my usual birdie on par 5 10th (only a drive & 7 iron with the wind yesterday)
Couple of pars then totally misclubbed into 13, went long into jungle rough and pitched back through the green (had to hit it so hard to make sure I didn't have the same shot again) made 6 to be +5, another misclub into 14 & didn't get up and down.
Could have let the round really get away from me there as I was very frustrated with the wind & my putting but put together 3 solid pars and made a good sand save on the last for 78 (+6)
when I left the club there was only 1 player under handicap so I imagine I will be buffer zone. Was pleased with my commitment and mindset to close out with a respectable number. God knows what happened with my putting...
Couldn't get the pace right on anything outside 10feet. I had a 20footer for birdie on 6 which I hit 12 feet past, then (obviously) left my 30 footer on 7 10 feet short. didn't miss anything terribly short apart from a 6footer on 5 but il need to put in some putting practice this week as I am at the Grove on Wednesday.

scores this season now...
33points = 5.5
74 net 68 = 5.0
79 net 74 = 5.0
78 net 73 = 5.0
77 net 72 = 5.0
72 net 67 = 4.4
35points = 4.4
71 net 67 = 3.9
78 net 74 = 3.9
77 net 73 = 3.6 - 0.3 cut because of a 9 on a par 4
71 net 67 = 3.1
74 net 71 = 3.0
78 net 75 = 3.1
NR net NR = 3.2
78 net 75 = 3.2 (likely to buffer but not confirmed)

Away competition on Sunday. (scratch open)
74 (+2) net 71
77 (+5) net 74
7th place finish gross (although nowhere near top 3 who were all under par for 36)

Some really good golf in rounds that could have been a lot lower.
opened with 2 bogeys but birdied the reachable par 5 3rd and holed a good par putt on the 4th. Par golf until the 16th when i chose the wrong club off the tee, (3wood down the left on a right to left dogleg) blocked myself out and foolishly tried a bubba Watson 90degree hook with a 9 iron and put it in the lake - drop 3 playing 4 on, 2 putts for double. Bounced straight back with a birdie on 17 after driving onto the apron. Laid up on par 5 last after a dodgy drive and made par for a solid +2.
Fatigue got the better of me in the afternoon. Started better and was level through 10, Doubled the long 11th after finding a fairway bunker with my tee shot (bit unlucky as the bunker was out of range in the morning)
Dropped another on 12 after misclubbing it and going long (holed a good 8 footer for bogey.) couple more pars then pulled my tee shot on 16, despite taking a 3iron this time, laid up and pitched on - ball landed about 6feet away and appeared to stop dead but then decided to trickle all the way down the sloped to about 50ft!! 3 putts for another double (bloody hole!!!)
Parred 17 then hit a monster drive down the last, a superb rescue from 230 to about 6feet above the hole - had a putt to shoot 75, bad read, 4 feet past and carelessly missed coming back for 77 (+5)

All in all i was pleased with my golf - 16 cost me 4 shots and putting wasn't up to scratch - could have been level for the day if i had putted well or aimed miles right on 16! but pleased with a +7 for the day.

2 more comps to go before the end of Oct (and maybe another midweek medal if i can sneak off work) so hopefully i can finish the season at 2.something.

Standard scratch was 73 both rounds so i managed a .2 cut on the day.
The old irony of golf though - when i was striking it porly in june july i was putting great, now im hitting it well my putting has deserted me a bit!!

Iv stagnated a bit over the past 2 months - shooting between +2 & +6 each week - annoyed i haven't converted one of those rounds into a sub 70 or at least a sub par!
On the plus side - i checked our order of merit last night on the computer and barring a couple of people finishing the season with rounds in the low 70s i think i have it sewn up.


scores this season now...
33points = 5.5
74 net 68 = 5.0
79 net 74 = 5.0
78 net 73 = 5.0
77 net 72 = 5.0
72 net 67 = 4.4
35points = 4.4
71 net 67 = 3.9
78 net 74 = 3.9
77 net 73 = 3.6 - 0.3 cut because of a 9 on a par 4
71 net 67 = 3.1
74 net 71 = 3.0
78 net 75 = 3.1
NR net NR = 3.2
78 net 75 = 3.2
74 net 71 = 3.0
77 net 74 = 3.0

Havent posted on here for a while, as generally the season has been garbage.
Anyway somehow managed to play an ok round which got me down .1 and a really good round off the black tees for 76 less 4 for 72 when CSS was 76.

Now 3.8 which after looking like I was going to 5 very soon have turned it round a bit.

Although Im disappointed the season is almost over at the same time, Im quite chuffed as got a few lessons booked for the off season. This season has been so poor Im severely lacking in confidence.

Weekend off this week in a way, just a Texas scramble tomorrow for a bit of fun.

Autumn Meetin Friday (didn't know it was on but a mate text me Thursday to see if I was playing as someone had dropped out of his 3 ball) managed to "work from home" in the afternoon to get out and play.

74 (+2) net 71

Green keepers had the great idea of hollotining the greens and then not cutting them 2 days before so it was like putting on cabbage - a lot of complaints were made and I expect them to be like augusta for next Sundays medal after the abuse the GK got!!

As for the round - I played really well. but the same old story of not converting many chances (not my fault this time though with the greens as poor as they were)

Opened with 3 solid pars then short sided myself on 4 and lipped out from 10feet, misclubbed on 5 and again lipped out from 8feet.
Played 6&7 well - 2 good drives and hit a Wedge and a GW to 6&2 feet respectively and holed the putts (by smashing them straight at the hole!) Parred 8 and then 3 putted 9 from 20feet to turn in 27 (+1)
Back 9 then became very eventful!!!!
10 was into the wind but after a solid drive I hit a 3wd from 257 to the front edge and made a good 2 putt for birdie.
Hit a 4i 30fet above the hole on 11 and 3 putted (1st putt spent more time in the air than on the ground) 12 - hit a nice 3i off the tee and a lovley wedge to 15feet below the hole..... 1st putt went 4 feet past and 2nd putt lipped out. kept composed though as I kept telling myself I cant do anything about the greens.
parred 13,14 then again missed from 5 feet for par on 15.
16 played downwind for the first time in years, hit 2 rescue clubs to the front and chipped stone dead for birdie to get back to +2.
regulation pars to finish.

74 net 71 with the standard scratch at 74 meant I got cut 0.3.
Was bitterly disappointed though - I know we can always make excuses about the course but the greens were an absolute embarrassment - so much so that they close the course Saturday morning. Had the greens been even half decent im confident I would have been under par but putting inside 10feet was a lottery - the ball would jump around or hit a "tram line" from the hollotining and bugger off.
Still it was another solid round which edges me into the 2s (seasons goal was to get down to 2)

On another note - I had bought a new driver (X2hot) during the week and the 6 time I hit it I found the fairway and further than my old taylor made would have gone.
Set it up with an extra degree of loft and a draw setting. My bad shot is usually a big block and come out of the toe - even though I caught the drives down 6&8 a bit toey it still went 280ish down the middle. Wish id invested in it earlier in the season!

scores this season now...
33points = 5.5
74 net 68 = 5.0
79 net 74 = 5.0
78 net 73 = 5.0
77 net 72 = 5.0
72 net 67 = 4.4
35points = 4.4
71 net 67 = 3.9
78 net 74 = 3.9
77 net 73 = 3.6 - 0.3 cut because of a 9 on a par 4
71 net 67 = 3.1
74 net 71 = 3.0
78 net 75 = 3.1
NR net NR = 3.2
78 net 75 = 3.2
74 net 71 = 3.0
77 net 74 = 3.0
74 net 71 = 2.7

Roller_Coaster wrote:

Roller_Coaster wrote:Starting Exact Handicap: 5.1
2013 high and low: 5.3 - 4.3
Target: Handicap - 4.4 and hold at least once unlike last year. Want to post red and hopefully beat my best of -1.
Approximate no. planned hcp counting comps in 2014: Average 1 p/w from now on.
First counting comp Last saturday - disaster (23 points but reductions only)
Second counting comp Last Sunday - +3 and a cheeky reduction to 4.8.

After a huge prolonged slide from 4.8 almost non-stop to 6.5 a borderline miraculous (probably one-off) turnaraound (see game today thread). Posted -2 (PB and a tick for one aim) for a -9 net (7 better than CSS)which nabbed me an unexpected win and a 1.3 cut from 6.5 to 5.2 almost back to my starting point.

H/cap target same but now adjust the bold and want to beat -2 and have a second red number in the same season. Difficult to get a cut and hold it when consistency is a problem (always has been) and CSS is -2 each week. What's most likely on form so far is a finish of 6, but we'll give it a go.

As you were.

After about 6 weeks of feeling OK on the course (after a mostly terrid season) I feel almost there or thereabouts and I seem to have hit some form with a bit of consistency thrown in. Recent slide back to 6 (5.5 or 5.6) then a few point 1's either way sneaking back and forth before firing a level par to get me the point 3 to go down to 5.0 on Saturday. Followed up with a point 1 on Sunday and am now back at 5.1, where I started the year.

Changes following the lesson (flatten out swing, focus on keeping inside with swinging round rather than up and down) not 100% bedded in yet but confidence back. Main thing alongside is an improvement in holing putts (trying to stay down over the ball longer and not follow club with head on the follow through) which has seen some streaks of not missing that I never used to get. Now keen for Vilamoura (go Thursday) whereas I'd have been dreading it (well the golf) 2 months ago.

Bizarre round on Saturday. Not golfed much of late and it showed. Played one of my worst rounds of the year - totally out of control, driver low left (miss is normally alway right) and rest of the game in tatters. With one exception. Pitching was 1st class. 105 yard pitch on 4th landed on the edge of the cup and cracked off the stick to 10 feet. Landed another 100 yarder 2 feet short on 5, kick in bogey Another great pitch on 8 and another gimmie on 9. Somehow made the turn at +3 despite a catalogue of errors elsewhere. Knocked in a 40 footer to save bogey on 7 also. Back nine started well with a straighforward par 3. Some sloppy play, reached the 17th tee needing to finish birdie birdie to make buffer. Great birdie on 17, good drive, unlucky 3 wood found greenside bunker, nearly holed it (30 yarder) and tapped in. Massive block of 18, in trouble, in more trouble, made double. CSS went up 1, so a par would have been enough - silly boy, should have played safe off the tee rather than trying to smash it. Still, clinging onto 4-5 shots which would have fitted onto my season highlight reel - trying to forget about the rest!

19. 20 SEP__81n76___CSS/73___(5)+3_____t45/148____+0.1= 5.2

18. 23 AUG__77n72___CSS/72___(5)+0_____t13/134_____0.0= 5.1
17. 02 AUG__77n70*__CSS/73___(6)-3_____t8/106____-0.4= 5.1
16. 01 AUG__78n73___CSS/70___(5)+3_____t9/30____+0.1= 5.5 (away score)
15. 30 JUL___NRn81*__CSS/70___(5)+11___t30/47____+0.1= 5.4 (away score)
14. 26 JUL___75n68*__CSS/70___(6)-2_____t7/55____-0.3= 5.3 (away score)
13. 23 JUL___79n73___CSS/72___(6)+1___t21/136____0.0= 5.6
12. 19 JUL___81n75___CSS/72___(6)+3___t43/129___+0.1= 5.6
11. 22 JUN___82n77___CSS/72___(5)+5___t19/33___+0.1= 5.5
10. 21 JUN___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t30/118___0.0 = 5.4
9. 07 JUN____78n73___CSS/72___(5)+1___t18/131___0.0 = 5.4
8. 31 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t79/147__+0.1 = 5.4 (away score)
7. 28 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t12/89____0.0 = 5.3
6. 17 MAY___79n74___CSS/73___(5)+1___t20/110___0.0 = 5.3
5. 14 MAY___84n79___CSS/72___(5)+7___t88/142__+0.1 = 5.3
4. 30 APR___81n76___CSS/73___(5)+3___t25/87___+0.1 = 5.2
3. 26 APR___82n77___CSS/70___(5)+7___t38/67___+0.1 = 5.1 (away score)
2. 02 APR___83n78___CSS/73___(5)+5___t36/93___+0.1 = 5.0
1. 29 MAR___78n73___SSS/72___(5)+1___t21/130___0.0 = 4.9 (NQ)
Starting 4.9

JAS wrote:Finally nailed that elusive Par round on my home track, didn't promising after a careless bogey on three, a double on 5 (stone in bunker didn't help) and a tug left on 11. So 4 over with 7 to play and our last 6-7 holes a notorious for wrecking a card. Can honestly say those last 7 were the best stretch of golf I think I've ever played, Just didn't make a mistake infect my worst shot on the closing stretch was racing the birdie putt on 15 4 foot past. After a safe par on the into the wind 600 yard 12th I finished Par, Birdie, par, Birdie, Birdie, Birdie. for a Level Par 71 Net 66, CSS was 71 so a nice 0.5 cut to 4.7 (my lowest ever) and the Trophy (it was a big drawn event). The perfect warm up for Carnoustie next week.

Forgot to update post Carnoustie...

8/9 Carnoustie Burnside 69 Net 64 Par 68 CSS 69 0.5 cut to 4.2 (new lowest ever)
9/9 Carnoustie Champ 84 Net 79(80) Par 70 CSS 74 up 0.1 to 4.3
21/9 Home 75 Net 71 Par 71 CSS 71 Buffer

After being seemingly unable to hold on to 5 earlier in the year I'm actually feeling more comfortable at 4. Not enough qualifiers left this year for me not to finish as a Cat 1. I knew it was there and that it would eventually come out, I'm just a tad (pleasantly) surprised that it has come out during my Captaincy and to be honest most of the cuts have come on difficult away courses (Saunton East twice, Saunton West and Carnoustie Burnside).

Started 6.1
Highest 6.3
Lowest 4.2
Current 4.3