The golf thread - 2019

[Grobag]

The clocks have gone forward and the season is starting, so time for a new thread! What are the thoughts on the Kuchar/Garcia incident at the weekend? I reckon a big part of it is whether the match official called it or whether Kuchar prompted him. If the ref called it then fair enough, if Kuchar nudged him knowing what the outcome would be then it's a cheap shot. In the end of the day it's Sergio's fault though, despite being a great player, when it's not happening for him he gets wound up and does a brainfart. Isn't the first time, won't be the last.

[Rosscow]

Agree with the above. Sergio is a petulant tt sometimes but if Kuchar called it, then that is very poor form by him.

Kuchar's good guy image has certainly taken a hit over the last couple of months. I for one do not like him.

[Andy 308GTB]

Rosscow said:

Agree with the above. Sergio is a petulant tt sometimes but if Kuchar called it, then that is very poor form by him.

Kuchar's good guy image has certainly taken a hit over the last couple of months. I for one do not like him.

I am 99% certain Kuchar called it.
Sergio was OK with this but was pissed because Kuchar could have balanced it out at the next hole - but chose not to. (Sergio once gave Rickie Fowler an 18' putt to address a similar issue).
However, given Sergio's behaviour this year, there is some Karma floating about. Had another player been the victim, I would have felt differently.
Kuchar's PR gene has deserted him.

[Office_Monkey]

Don't watch the game often, but the first game went ok (Was a Texas scramble) .Playing a proper one on Saturday, hopefully will have some better distances, not bringing the driver out to do it though!

[Noodle1982]

Continuing with my Cobra One Length journey i have ordered the One Length black Utility iron.

should be here in the next few days. Will report back with findings.

[roboxm3]

I've had fleeting input to the previous golf threads in-line with my own opportunities to play regularly but I've always dipped in for a read.

Now however, I have a trial membership (a route in without going on the waiting list) at my local club, with the intention of making the most of it!

First job is to get three cards in and see what the magic (it won't be magic) number is and then start chipping away at it. Lesson #1 is booked for Monday 15th and I've told the pro that if he can get me to single figures (9.9 and under counts), I'll buy a full bag of bats from him.

[Grobag]

roboxm3 said:

I've had fleeting input to the previous golf threads in-line with my own opportunities to play regularly but I've always dipped in for a read.

Now however, I have a trial membership (a route in without going on the waiting list) at my local club, with the intention of making the most of it!

First job is to get three cards in and see what the magic (it won't be magic) number is and then start chipping away at it. Lesson #1 is booked for Monday 15th and I've told the pro that if he can get me to single figures (9.9 and under counts), I'll buy a full bag of bats from him.

Sounds like a good way to spend the summer!! Going by the scores you've got up to now, what do you expect your starting handicap to be roughly, and then what's the timescale for dropping however many shots you need to get to single figures!?

[roboxm3]

Grobag said:

roboxm3 said:

I've had fleeting input to the previous golf threads in-line with my own opportunities to play regularly but I've always dipped in for a read.

Now however, I have a trial membership (a route in without going on the waiting list) at my local club, with the intention of making the most of it!

First job is to get three cards in and see what the magic (it won't be magic) number is and then start chipping away at it. Lesson #1 is booked for Monday 15th and I've told the pro that if he can get me to single figures (9.9 and under counts), I'll buy a full bag of bats from him.

Sounds like a good way to spend the summer!! Going by the scores you've got up to now, what do you expect your starting handicap to be roughly, and then what's the timescale for dropping however many shots you need to get to single figures!?

Well last weekend I scored 36 points playing off 18 with a pretty awful front 9 (21 points on the back 9), so I’d take a stab at 15ish!?
I’d like to see what I could do in 6 months but I’m not going to be disappointed if that doesn’t happen, as long as I’m improving I’ll be happy.
I’m not sure whether it’s a good or bad thing that I really need to improve in all aspects of the game or whether it’d be easier to just fix one thing that I was really bad at!?

[bodhi]

roboxm3 said:

Well last weekend I scored 36 points playing off 18 with a pretty awful front 9 (21 points on the back 9), so I’d take a stab at 15ish!?
I’d like to see what I could do in 6 months but I’m not going to be disappointed if that doesn’t happen, as long as I’m improving I’ll be happy.
I’m not sure whether it’s a good or bad thing that I really need to improve in all aspects of the game or whether it’d be easier to just fix one thing that I was really bad at!?

If you want to get to single figures I'd say the best area to focus on is from 100 yards and in, so Wedges, chips, bunkers etc, and of course putting. I've gone through many phases where I struggle to hit the fairway next to the one we are playing, yet I've managed to hover around 8 or 9 as my short game has got me out of a lot sticky situations. I also find hitting wedge shots good for getting used to swing changes, as the slower rate gives you more chance to process what you were told on the last lesson.

Enjoy and make sure you keep us updated.

[Noodle1982]

Noodle1982 said:

Continuing with my Cobra One Length journey i have ordered the One Length black Utility iron.

should be here in the next few days. Will report back with findings.

Played a round with it today. Didn't get on with it. Off to Golfbidder it goes.

I've got to stop tinkering with my clubs!

[Grobag]

Noodle1982 said:

Played a round with it today. Didn't get on with it. Off to Golfbidder it goes.

I've got to stop tinkering with my clubs!

Binning it off after just one round is a bit harsh!!
Gotta be worth giving it a couple more run-outs surely! Or maybe a bit of time on the range? Have you got space in the bag for it, or have you swapped something out to fit it in?

[Grobag]

bodhi said:

roboxm3 said:

Well last weekend I scored 36 points playing off 18 with a pretty awful front 9 (21 points on the back 9), so I’d take a stab at 15ish!?
I’d like to see what I could do in 6 months but I’m not going to be disappointed if that doesn’t happen, as long as I’m improving I’ll be happy.
I’m not sure whether it’s a good or bad thing that I really need to improve in all aspects of the game or whether it’d be easier to just fix one thing that I was really bad at!?

If you want to get to single figures I'd say the best area to focus on is from 100 yards and in, so Wedges, chips, bunkers etc, and of course putting. I've gone through many phases where I struggle to hit the fairway next to the one we are playing, yet I've managed to hover around 8 or 9 as my short game has got me out of a lot sticky situations. I also find hitting wedge shots good for getting used to swing changes, as the slower rate gives you more chance to process what you were told on the last lesson.

Enjoy and make sure you keep us updated.

Yep agree with that, hitting the green consistently from 100yds in makes a big difference. Couple of other thoughts, always the percentage shot..... things like if you duff a tee shot, don't automatically reach for the 3wood just to try and still make the green in regulation. Lay it up with whatever club that your comfy with, and take your chances on an up n down. Chances are it might be a shot hole, so better to use it n move on rather than dropping 2 or 3.
And for your shot into the green, always play for the middle of the green rather than getting sucked into chasing the flag!
And the best bit of advice I got when I got stuck around 11 was 'if you don't change things, things'll never change'. I had the normal outside to inside swing path, sometimes with quiet hands which gave a fadey shape down the right, then every now n again my hands would release and give a straight pull way left. The inconsistency meant I'd always have a couple of doubles on the card which held me back, so I worked on making changes to get a better line thru the ball and it's paid dividends.
To get to single figures you've gotta be pretty straight, so if you're not when you start out, work on changing it. Good luck, it's gonna be rewarding at times and frustrating at others, but enjoy it!!

[Challo]

Noodle1982 said:

Noodle1982 said:

Continuing with my Cobra One Length journey i have ordered the One Length black Utility iron.

should be here in the next few days. Will report back with findings.

Played a round with it today. Didn't get on with it. Off to Golfbidder it goes.

I've got to stop tinkering with my clubs!

How come you have given up? Always wanted to try the one length approach and I always struggle with my irons.

What was the issue?

[Noodle1982]

Challo said:

Noodle1982 said:

Noodle1982 said:

Continuing with my Cobra One Length journey i have ordered the One Length black Utility iron.

should be here in the next few days. Will report back with findings.

Played a round with it today. Didn't get on with it. Off to Golfbidder it goes.

I've got to stop tinkering with my clubs!

How come you have given up? Always wanted to try the one length approach and I always struggle with my irons.

What was the issue?

I'm only giving up the utility iron. All the other irons are staying.

The feel of the utility iron is completely different to the irons, as expected really, and just couldn't get on with it.

As for the other irons (currently 6iron - SW) I can't praise then enough. They are performing absolutely fantastic and will be staying in the bag for a long time!


I had a similar situation with the sand wedge. I couldnt find an F7 one length sand wedge so bought a Cobra Versatile One length sand wedge. Almost identical specs to my irons but the feel was so different. So much so almost every shot resulted in a shank. I just could not hit it. I finally tracked down an F7 one length sand wedge (they are quite rare apparently) and the difference in feel between it and the Versatile wedge is crazy, its like night and day yet the specs are almost identical.

I'm still amazed at the prices F7 one lengths are going for on eBay considering you can buy a brand new set for £280.

[Noodle1982]

Grobag said:

Noodle1982 said:

Played a round with it today. Didn't get on with it. Off to Golfbidder it goes.

I've got to stop tinkering with my clubs!

Binning it off after just one round is a bit harsh!!
Gotta be worth giving it a couple more run-outs surely! Or maybe a bit of time on the range? Have you got space in the bag for it, or have you swapped something out to fit it in?

It just didn't feel right.

All my irons have a nice centered strike mark on them. This thing had strike marks all over it. It's the same bloody length as all my other clubs

I was posting a load of clubs off to golfbidder today anyway so got a quick quote and it was what I paid for it so off it's gone.

As for room in my bag I usually only carry 9 or 10 clubs. I tend to get my best scores when I simplify things. My home course is 6500yrds and I can get around there low 80s to high 70s with just driver, 4 hybrid, a few irons and a putter.


......the main reason I only carry so few clubs is that I wanted an excuse to buy a Cobra Sunday bag that took my fancy

[Challo]

Noodle1982 said:

I'm only giving up the utility iron. All the other irons are staying.

The feel of the utility iron is completely different to the irons, as expected really, and just couldn't get on with it.

As for the other irons (currently 6iron - SW) I can't praise then enough. They are performing absolutely fantastic and will be staying in the bag for a long time!


I had a similar situation with the sand wedge. I couldnt find an F7 one length sand wedge so bought a Cobra Versatile One length sand wedge. Almost identical specs to my irons but the feel was so different. So much so almost every shot resulted in a shank. I just could not hit it. I finally tracked down an F7 one length sand wedge (they are quite rare apparently) and the difference in feel between it and the Versatile wedge is crazy, its like night and day yet the specs are almost identical.

I'm still amazed at the prices F7 one lengths are going for on eBay considering you can buy a brand new set for £280.

Reading it back I realised you meant the UT club

They do seem to be holding their price on eBay and Golfbidder. I think I might have to sniff out a cheap set, as really want to try before I buy.

[HaplessBoyLard]

Third full round of the year. First two were close to hcp of 9. Then I go and shoot my lowest score ever. Level par gross and first ever 9 holes under par. Three putted from 20 ft on the 15th and left a birdie putt 4 inches short from about 12ft on 18. Obviously I’m really chuffed to have shot level, but it could have been under par!

Played at Minchinhampton golf club, an open qualifying venue. Well worth a visit if you’re ever near Cirencester/Stroud.

[Office_Monkey]

Did the 9 holes in Esher, scored 68 on a par 33. Was my second time on a course, happy I got a par (very nearly a birdie!!). Am definitely getting hooked, going to try to get out a lot more

[kiethton]

Didn’t play well to start but didn’t lose a ball - 27 points playing 6’s with a couple of friends so not ideal.

Guy who won was on fire however; 3 birdies and an eagle (dunked a 9 iron on the fly from 140yds). Main focus point is likely my irons/putting but still tempted by a fitting, seeing as my 913 D3 is getting on somewhat now

[Grobag]

Good work haplessboylard I've managed level 9's a few times but never strung it together for the full 18! Played both days this weekend, Stableford Saturday, 9 pts after 3 holes was a good start, then the wheels fell off a bit and I came in with 26!! Medal today, out in 40 which is bang on target, but then threw an 8 in on the 13th and came back in 45! D'oh!! So 0.2 to show for the weekend, need to find some consistency!