Discussion
Playing my first round of Golf of 2023 tomorrow, just a quick 9 holes at my local course.
Shot a 45 (11 over) last week after having eye surgery so there were a few mis
ts on longer shots, my vision is a lot better this week so a 9 over or better would be welcome tomorrow 
.
Last year I set myself the goal of achieving a sub 20 handicap, and I hit that in the summer with my lowest being 19.4 back in September, now sitting at 19.6.
My goal this year is to finish 18 holes with 17 shots over or better. I'm definitely going to need some lessons with the Driver this year too, I'm terrible with it at the moment and am having to settle with taking irons from the tee most of the time to keep my score respectable, making long holes incredibly difficult.
Shot a 45 (11 over) last week after having eye surgery so there were a few mis
ts on longer shots, my vision is a lot better this week so a 9 over or better would be welcome tomorrow .Last year I set myself the goal of achieving a sub 20 handicap, and I hit that in the summer with my lowest being 19.4 back in September, now sitting at 19.6.
My goal this year is to finish 18 holes with 17 shots over or better. I'm definitely going to need some lessons with the Driver this year too, I'm terrible with it at the moment and am having to settle with taking irons from the tee most of the time to keep my score respectable, making long holes incredibly difficult.
Well my goal for 2022 was to get to sub-20 h/c, and getting 39 points in the final comp of the year yesterday was enough to get me cut to 19.9 today. Which I am going to call job done.
2023? Targeting 15, but more specifically I need to focus on my putting. Currently averaging 4-5 3 putts per round which is killing me so bringing that down to 1 or even 2 would pretty much get me to where I want to be.
2023? Targeting 15, but more specifically I need to focus on my putting. Currently averaging 4-5 3 putts per round which is killing me so bringing that down to 1 or even 2 would pretty much get me to where I want to be.
My first round of the year could have gone better. We got to the course to find out it was closed!
Ended up with us ringing around various local courses from the car park to try and find some availability somewhere, settled on another course 30 mins away but they were on all temp greens!
Oh well, hopefully get a better round in at the weekend.
Ended up with us ringing around various local courses from the car park to try and find some availability somewhere, settled on another course 30 mins away but they were on all temp greens!
Oh well, hopefully get a better round in at the weekend.
First round of the year and shot 2 over gross.
Not as great as it sounds as most tees were off the ladies and we played pick and place everywhere (needed to as very boggy and every shot had large lumps of mud on the ball) so it won't be included as a handicap round.
Happy to have the consistency though and hope to continue it when the course conditions return to a properly playable level.
Achieved a hcp low of 4.0 in Oct/Nov last year and currently sit at 4.6, so hoping to keep at this level. Not sure I can get it much lower without adding distance to all of my game but will be trying to get stronger at the gym over the coming months and see if this converts to better golf.
Not as great as it sounds as most tees were off the ladies and we played pick and place everywhere (needed to as very boggy and every shot had large lumps of mud on the ball) so it won't be included as a handicap round.
Happy to have the consistency though and hope to continue it when the course conditions return to a properly playable level.
Achieved a hcp low of 4.0 in Oct/Nov last year and currently sit at 4.6, so hoping to keep at this level. Not sure I can get it much lower without adding distance to all of my game but will be trying to get stronger at the gym over the coming months and see if this converts to better golf.
Welcome to a new year!
First round of the year booked in for the monthly stableford this Sunday, with me working on the house (plasterboarding) most evenings and all Saturday I'm not too hopeful but after doing the same a few weeks ago I shot a 72 so who knows.....
Aim for the year is a little more difficult, first child due in March so reckon that it'll limit my golf somewhat but still want to get my index below 5 or even better would be 4 (I'm 5.5 currently!) although sods law means i'll do this in many small steps and win nothing....
First round of the year booked in for the monthly stableford this Sunday, with me working on the house (plasterboarding) most evenings and all Saturday I'm not too hopeful but after doing the same a few weeks ago I shot a 72 so who knows.....
Aim for the year is a little more difficult, first child due in March so reckon that it'll limit my golf somewhat but still want to get my index below 5 or even better would be 4 (I'm 5.5 currently!) although sods law means i'll do this in many small steps and win nothing....
A belated Happy New Year to my fellow nutters who play the stupidest (but greatest) game in the world. Thanks to getting slightly carried away after a couple of shandies in the 19th towards the end of last season, I seem to have got myself into a wager with one of my usual fourballs. £20 in each, lowest handicap at the end of the season takes all.
So it appears I've wagered against someone off 4.5, another off 4.8 and one off 5.4 that I would have a lower handicap than them by the end of 2023. Considering I'm off 8.4 I suspect the old ego has written an interesting cheque, but then I do like a challenge. In fairness I've also been hovering between 7 and 10 for about 20 years now, so seemed a good excuse to try to go lower.
Main thing that will get me there is consistency - at my best I've beaten all of them with no handicap allowance, but at my worst it ain't pretty, so that's my focus for the off season. Been working with a new coach who's focusing on my set up and takeaway - basically my swing is pretty good, but I spend most of it trying to recover from horrendous positions at the start.
So far so good at the range, as my dispersion has narrowed massively, and beat my current handicap during a very cold and windy round just before NYE - still got a bit to do though. Also being 42, I actually might have to do some exercise to keep my flexibility and ability to swing properly, so lots to do on boring conference calls!
So it appears I've wagered against someone off 4.5, another off 4.8 and one off 5.4 that I would have a lower handicap than them by the end of 2023. Considering I'm off 8.4 I suspect the old ego has written an interesting cheque, but then I do like a challenge. In fairness I've also been hovering between 7 and 10 for about 20 years now, so seemed a good excuse to try to go lower.
Main thing that will get me there is consistency - at my best I've beaten all of them with no handicap allowance, but at my worst it ain't pretty, so that's my focus for the off season. Been working with a new coach who's focusing on my set up and takeaway - basically my swing is pretty good, but I spend most of it trying to recover from horrendous positions at the start.
So far so good at the range, as my dispersion has narrowed massively, and beat my current handicap during a very cold and windy round just before NYE - still got a bit to do though. Also being 42, I actually might have to do some exercise to keep my flexibility and ability to swing properly, so lots to do on boring conference calls!
bodhi said:
A belated Happy New Year to my fellow nutters who play the stupidest (but greatest) game in the world. Thanks to getting slightly carried away after a couple of shandies in the 19th towards the end of last season, I seem to have got myself into a wager with one of my usual fourballs. £20 in each, lowest handicap at the end of the season takes all.
So it appears I've wagered against someone off 4.5, another off 4.8 and one off 5.4 that I would have a lower handicap than them by the end of 2023. Considering I'm off 8.4 I suspect the old ego has written an interesting cheque, but then I do like a challenge. In fairness I've also been hovering between 7 and 10 for about 20 years now, so seemed a good excuse to try to go lower.
Main thing that will get me there is consistency - at my best I've beaten all of them with no handicap allowance, but at my worst it ain't pretty, so that's my focus for the off season. Been working with a new coach who's focusing on my set up and takeaway - basically my swing is pretty good, but I spend most of it trying to recover from horrendous positions at the start.
So far so good at the range, as my dispersion has narrowed massively, and beat my current handicap during a very cold and windy round just before NYE - still got a bit to do though. Also being 42, I actually might have to do some exercise to keep my flexibility and ability to swing properly, so lots to do on boring conference calls!
I train with a local PT who, whilst being a normal gym PT also specialises in golf PT.So it appears I've wagered against someone off 4.5, another off 4.8 and one off 5.4 that I would have a lower handicap than them by the end of 2023. Considering I'm off 8.4 I suspect the old ego has written an interesting cheque, but then I do like a challenge. In fairness I've also been hovering between 7 and 10 for about 20 years now, so seemed a good excuse to try to go lower.
Main thing that will get me there is consistency - at my best I've beaten all of them with no handicap allowance, but at my worst it ain't pretty, so that's my focus for the off season. Been working with a new coach who's focusing on my set up and takeaway - basically my swing is pretty good, but I spend most of it trying to recover from horrendous positions at the start.
So far so good at the range, as my dispersion has narrowed massively, and beat my current handicap during a very cold and windy round just before NYE - still got a bit to do though. Also being 42, I actually might have to do some exercise to keep my flexibility and ability to swing properly, so lots to do on boring conference calls!
Since seeing him (i go to him once a week) & have just started back in the gym doing the routine he's set me up with, i can see a huge difference in my flexibility/mobility.
I am a touch younger than you, however have always struggled with a tight lower back/glutes/legs from having an office job.
I'd highly recommend.
theguvernor15 said:
I train with a local PT who, whilst being a normal gym PT also specialises in golf PT.
Since seeing him (i go to him once a week) & have just started back in the gym doing the routine he's set me up with, i can see a huge difference in my flexibility/mobility.
I am a touch younger than you, however have always struggled with a tight lower back/glutes/legs from having an office job.
I'd highly recommend.
Interesting - the chap I get my lessons off currently is also a bit of a gym bunny so my plan was to ask for recommendations for workouts etc I can do at home. I've found a couple online, and spend planty of time on my Balance Board which is great for - well, balance - but also keeping the thighs/glutes etc working, but will be interested to see if he has anything else I can try. Since seeing him (i go to him once a week) & have just started back in the gym doing the routine he's set me up with, i can see a huge difference in my flexibility/mobility.
I am a touch younger than you, however have always struggled with a tight lower back/glutes/legs from having an office job.
I'd highly recommend.
theguvernor15 said:
I train with a local PT who, whilst being a normal gym PT also specialises in golf PT.
Since seeing him (i go to him once a week) & have just started back in the gym doing the routine he's set me up with, i can see a huge difference in my flexibility/mobility.
I am a touch younger than you, however have always struggled with a tight lower back/glutes/legs from having an office job.
I'd highly recommend.
Would you mind sharing the routine at all, please? Since seeing him (i go to him once a week) & have just started back in the gym doing the routine he's set me up with, i can see a huge difference in my flexibility/mobility.
I am a touch younger than you, however have always struggled with a tight lower back/glutes/legs from having an office job.
I'd highly recommend.
toasty said:
Happy new year all.
This year I'm going to concentrate on getting my driver working consistently.
I said that last year.
That is my focus for this year, or at least having a club I can find fairways with. Never going to get better if I keep having to chip out of the rough or lose balls out of bounds. This year I'm going to concentrate on getting my driver working consistently.
I said that last year.
Challo said:
toasty said:
Happy new year all.
This year I'm going to concentrate on getting my driver working consistently.
I said that last year.
That is my focus for this year, or at least having a club I can find fairways with. Never going to get better if I keep having to chip out of the rough or lose balls out of bounds. This year I'm going to concentrate on getting my driver working consistently.
I said that last year.
Rojibo said:
Have you considered a 5wood or even a 7wood? A couple of my playing partners switched to them as their tee club of choice and it’s been transformative to their game.
I have a 4 wood, which is better than my driver but can still be hit and miss. I might look at a 7 wood or similar as an alternative as never really get on with hybrids. bodhi said:
A belated Happy New Year to my fellow nutters who play the stupidest (but greatest) game in the world. Thanks to getting slightly carried away after a couple of shandies in the 19th towards the end of last season, I seem to have got myself into a wager with one of my usual fourballs. £20 in each, lowest handicap at the end of the season takes all.
So it appears I've wagered against someone off 4.5, another off 4.8 and one off 5.4 that I would have a lower handicap than them by the end of 2023. Considering I'm off 8.4 I suspect the old ego has written an interesting cheque, but then I do like a challenge. In fairness I've also been hovering between 7 and 10 for about 20 years now, so seemed a good excuse to try to go lower.
Main thing that will get me there is consistency - at my best I've beaten all of them with no handicap allowance, but at my worst it ain't pretty, so that's my focus for the off season. Been working with a new coach who's focusing on my set up and takeaway - basically my swing is pretty good, but I spend most of it trying to recover from horrendous positions at the start.
So far so good at the range, as my dispersion has narrowed massively, and beat my current handicap during a very cold and windy round just before NYE - still got a bit to do though. Also being 42, I actually might have to do some exercise to keep my flexibility and ability to swing properly, so lots to do on boring conference calls!
HNY! Good luck with the bet!So it appears I've wagered against someone off 4.5, another off 4.8 and one off 5.4 that I would have a lower handicap than them by the end of 2023. Considering I'm off 8.4 I suspect the old ego has written an interesting cheque, but then I do like a challenge. In fairness I've also been hovering between 7 and 10 for about 20 years now, so seemed a good excuse to try to go lower.
Main thing that will get me there is consistency - at my best I've beaten all of them with no handicap allowance, but at my worst it ain't pretty, so that's my focus for the off season. Been working with a new coach who's focusing on my set up and takeaway - basically my swing is pretty good, but I spend most of it trying to recover from horrendous positions at the start.
So far so good at the range, as my dispersion has narrowed massively, and beat my current handicap during a very cold and windy round just before NYE - still got a bit to do though. Also being 42, I actually might have to do some exercise to keep my flexibility and ability to swing properly, so lots to do on boring conference calls!
We're very similar - I'm 40 and I've just managed to cut off 0.6 so back down to 9.0 but still up from 9 months ago at 7.3.
Like you I'm also starting to think golf stretching/exercise is becoming more important. Although had a few hours on a Trackman simulator last week and still getting the driver up to 108mph and irons around the 90mph mark.
I would love to get back to 7.0 by the end of the year, which I think is doable if I make sure I play and practice every week!
Rosscow said:
HNY! Good luck with the bet!
We're very similar - I'm 40 and I've just managed to cut off 0.6 so back down to 9.0 but still up from 9 months ago at 7.3.
Like you I'm also starting to think golf stretching/exercise is becoming more important. Although had a few hours on a Trackman simulator last week and still getting the driver up to 108mph and irons around the 90mph mark.
I would love to get back to 7.0 by the end of the year, which I think is doable if I make sure I play and practice every week!
Played comp against a guy in his 70's last year....he'd retired at 22, band manager and cool stories.....his quote...pilates, stretching and yoga! I'm beginning to believe him.....poor fella has a house in St chistophe Austria for the winter and another in South Africa when it was crap in the UK...stretch people!!!We're very similar - I'm 40 and I've just managed to cut off 0.6 so back down to 9.0 but still up from 9 months ago at 7.3.
Like you I'm also starting to think golf stretching/exercise is becoming more important. Although had a few hours on a Trackman simulator last week and still getting the driver up to 108mph and irons around the 90mph mark.
I would love to get back to 7.0 by the end of the year, which I think is doable if I make sure I play and practice every week!
Rosscow said:
HNY! Good luck with the bet!
We're very similar - I'm 40 and I've just managed to cut off 0.6 so back down to 9.0 but still up from 9 months ago at 7.3.
Like you I'm also starting to think golf stretching/exercise is becoming more important. Although had a few hours on a Trackman simulator last week and still getting the driver up to 108mph and irons around the 90mph mark.
I would love to get back to 7.0 by the end of the year, which I think is doable if I make sure I play and practice every week!
Aye I'm very much the same - haven't lost any distance yet that I can tell. Haven't been on Trackman for a while but according to TopTracer at the range I usually use I'm still about 160 mph (adjusted) with the Driver. I just have days where it feels like my legs are made of lead and I can't turn and shift my weight properly, usually resulting in all sorts of unpleasant blocks/hooks. We're very similar - I'm 40 and I've just managed to cut off 0.6 so back down to 9.0 but still up from 9 months ago at 7.3.
Like you I'm also starting to think golf stretching/exercise is becoming more important. Although had a few hours on a Trackman simulator last week and still getting the driver up to 108mph and irons around the 90mph mark.
I would love to get back to 7.0 by the end of the year, which I think is doable if I make sure I play and practice every week!
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