Discussion
Happy new year golfers!
First 9 of the new year in the bag
As I was wide awake and I’m a complete lunatic. I thought I’d get out for some fresh air. And fresh it was. It was quite possibly the wildest conditions I’ve played in. It was fun until the rain started on 8. So I played the 9th and bailed to the clubhouse for breakfast.
Surprisingly, there are two others out there.
First 9 of the new year in the bag
As I was wide awake and I’m a complete lunatic. I thought I’d get out for some fresh air. And fresh it was. It was quite possibly the wildest conditions I’ve played in. It was fun until the rain started on 8. So I played the 9th and bailed to the clubhouse for breakfast.
Surprisingly, there are two others out there.
Edited by 48Valves on Wednesday 1st January 09:59
kentlad said:
HNY chaps! Goals for the year? I’m desperate to get into single figures! that and play more, though playing more might be difficult!
Dont its a trap lol that and play more, though playing more might be difficult!I want to hit and ideally break par a few more times this year, But more importantly, I want to make more time for Golf and to enjoy it
Happy New Year PH golfers.
Beautiful crisp, calm day on the south coast for my first round of the year. Just a friendly round but got off to a good start in 2025. Think my best ever round - a 74. 1 poor decision on the 16th - misread a lie and took the wrong club. Lost ball and a double. Other than that would be 1 over. 15 greens in reg but I still can’t putt. Just tried to focus on a good tempo and obviously hit the ball very well.
Goals for 2025. More like today! Aimed to get the hcp down to 7 last year and didn’t - but think I’m in a good position to achieve that this year. Play lots and as many new courses as I can.
Beautiful crisp, calm day on the south coast for my first round of the year. Just a friendly round but got off to a good start in 2025. Think my best ever round - a 74. 1 poor decision on the 16th - misread a lie and took the wrong club. Lost ball and a double. Other than that would be 1 over. 15 greens in reg but I still can’t putt. Just tried to focus on a good tempo and obviously hit the ball very well.
Goals for 2025. More like today! Aimed to get the hcp down to 7 last year and didn’t - but think I’m in a good position to achieve that this year. Play lots and as many new courses as I can.
Greenie said:
Happy New Year PH golfers.
Beautiful crisp, calm day on the south coast for my first round of the year. Just a friendly round but got off to a good start in 2025. Think my best ever round - a 74. 1 poor decision on the 16th - misread a lie and took the wrong club. Lost ball and a double. Other than that would be 1 over. 15 greens in reg but I still can’t putt. Just tried to focus on a good tempo and obviously hit the ball very well.
Goals for 2025. More like today! Aimed to get the hcp down to 7 last year and didn’t - but think I’m in a good position to achieve that this year. Play lots and as many new courses as I can.
Sounds like it’s time for a new putter! Beautiful crisp, calm day on the south coast for my first round of the year. Just a friendly round but got off to a good start in 2025. Think my best ever round - a 74. 1 poor decision on the 16th - misread a lie and took the wrong club. Lost ball and a double. Other than that would be 1 over. 15 greens in reg but I still can’t putt. Just tried to focus on a good tempo and obviously hit the ball very well.
Goals for 2025. More like today! Aimed to get the hcp down to 7 last year and didn’t - but think I’m in a good position to achieve that this year. Play lots and as many new courses as I can.
in all seriousness, that’s some properly good scoring. Chap I played with last weekend had a level par back 9. Looked effortless….we both play off of just over 10, so while I took a pasting, it was also encouraging to see someone of a similar skill level shoot par for 9 holes. Closest i’ve been this year, is 2 over for 9. Though it did also make me realise my putting is utterly crap, too!
kentlad said:
Sounds like it’s time for a new putter! in all seriousness, that’s some properly good scoring. Chap I played with last weekend had a level par back 9. Looked effortless….we both play off of just over 10, so while I took a pasting, it was also encouraging to see someone of a similar skill level shoot par for 9 holes. Closest i’ve been this year, is 2 over for 9.
Though it did also make me realise my putting is utterly crap, too!
I would agree but I already spent a fortune on one this year in all seriousness, that’s some properly good scoring. Chap I played with last weekend had a level par back 9. Looked effortless….we both play off of just over 10, so while I took a pasting, it was also encouraging to see someone of a similar skill level shoot par for 9 holes. Closest i’ve been this year, is 2 over for 9. Though it did also make me realise my putting is utterly crap, too!
Defo operator error - actually performance error as I putt well on the practice green. I’m also off 10. But regularly go a 1 or 2 over for 9, hence the confidence for this year.
Aim for this year is to carry on getting out as much as I can - hard with a toddler! - and to hopefully improve the current 5.9 index
Near-term is to shoot above 30 points for the remainder of my SA trip - managed 34 at St Francis Links, tomorrow is Fancourt, although think we've been bumped to the Montague (not the links), although it's still meant to be great
Near-term is to shoot above 30 points for the remainder of my SA trip - managed 34 at St Francis Links, tomorrow is Fancourt, although think we've been bumped to the Montague (not the links), although it's still meant to be great
Got an Xmas bonus so picked up a new 'secondhand' PXG Gen 5 driver. Gone from a regular to a stiff shaft and feels night and day. I am a higher handicapper, but faster swing speed and i can defiantly feel a difference with a stiffer shaft. Might be placebo but so far things are good.
Also played a scramble for the first time with a few mates who are 11 and 14 handicappers. Made such a difference to my game actually hitting from the fairway, and not having to hit out of the rough all the time. I should have a lower handicap, but often make stupid decisions when playing.
Certainly made me think that often just take your medicine, and play a little bit of boring golf, plot my way round the course and think more about what I am doing.
Also played a scramble for the first time with a few mates who are 11 and 14 handicappers. Made such a difference to my game actually hitting from the fairway, and not having to hit out of the rough all the time. I should have a lower handicap, but often make stupid decisions when playing.
Certainly made me think that often just take your medicine, and play a little bit of boring golf, plot my way round the course and think more about what I am doing.
Challo said:
Got an Xmas bonus so picked up a new 'secondhand' PXG Gen 5 driver. Gone from a regular to a stiff shaft and feels night and day. I am a higher handicapper, but faster swing speed and i can defiantly feel a difference with a stiffer shaft. Might be placebo but so far things are good.
Also played a scramble for the first time with a few mates who are 11 and 14 handicappers. Made such a difference to my game actually hitting from the fairway, and not having to hit out of the rough all the time. I should have a lower handicap, but often make stupid decisions when playing.
Certainly made me think that often just take your medicine, and play a little bit of boring golf, plot my way round the course and think more about what I am doing.
Get yourself some books by Dr Bob (Rotella) - should help! Golf’s not a game of perfect is a good place to start. Also played a scramble for the first time with a few mates who are 11 and 14 handicappers. Made such a difference to my game actually hitting from the fairway, and not having to hit out of the rough all the time. I should have a lower handicap, but often make stupid decisions when playing.
Certainly made me think that often just take your medicine, and play a little bit of boring golf, plot my way round the course and think more about what I am doing.
Challo said:
Got an Xmas bonus so picked up a new 'secondhand' PXG Gen 5 driver. Gone from a regular to a stiff shaft and feels night and day. I am a higher handicapper, but faster swing speed and i can defiantly feel a difference with a stiffer shaft. Might be placebo but so far things are good.
Also played a scramble for the first time with a few mates who are 11 and 14 handicappers. Made such a difference to my game actually hitting from the fairway, and not having to hit out of the rough all the time. I should have a lower handicap, but often make stupid decisions when playing.
Certainly made me think that often just take your medicine, and play a little bit of boring golf, plot my way round the course and think more about what I am doing.
Scramble is a lovely way to spend time on the course, always fun Also played a scramble for the first time with a few mates who are 11 and 14 handicappers. Made such a difference to my game actually hitting from the fairway, and not having to hit out of the rough all the time. I should have a lower handicap, but often make stupid decisions when playing.
Certainly made me think that often just take your medicine, and play a little bit of boring golf, plot my way round the course and think more about what I am doing.
Bob Rotella as mentioned above, I'd also recommend @GolfSidekick on YT, he is very good, and also entertaining.
DuncanM said:
Challo said:
Got an Xmas bonus so picked up a new 'secondhand' PXG Gen 5 driver. Gone from a regular to a stiff shaft and feels night and day. I am a higher handicapper, but faster swing speed and i can defiantly feel a difference with a stiffer shaft. Might be placebo but so far things are good.
Also played a scramble for the first time with a few mates who are 11 and 14 handicappers. Made such a difference to my game actually hitting from the fairway, and not having to hit out of the rough all the time. I should have a lower handicap, but often make stupid decisions when playing.
Certainly made me think that often just take your medicine, and play a little bit of boring golf, plot my way round the course and think more about what I am doing.
Scramble is a lovely way to spend time on the course, always fun Also played a scramble for the first time with a few mates who are 11 and 14 handicappers. Made such a difference to my game actually hitting from the fairway, and not having to hit out of the rough all the time. I should have a lower handicap, but often make stupid decisions when playing.
Certainly made me think that often just take your medicine, and play a little bit of boring golf, plot my way round the course and think more about what I am doing.
Bob Rotella as mentioned above, I'd also recommend @GolfSidekick on YT, he is very good, and also entertaining.
Challo said:
Thanks will take a look.
Having read and watched a lot of golf psychology stuff. Probably too much. The things I would highly recommend are The Four Foundations
https://amzn.eu/d/3rzTaW2
and as already mentioned, Golf Sidekick on YouTube. Start with the pre Covid videos.
I’d also recommend DECADE Foundations. It’s pricey but worth it. I’d spend the money on this over Rotella books any day of the week (just my opinion). It gets a bit deep at times, but you can take from it what you need.
I attempted my first golf of 2025, but sadly had to give up 3 holes in, I couldn't stand up very easily on the icy/slushy/wet ground, and trying to concentrate on standing up and hitting the ball at the same time was basically impossible. I'm rarely bothered about having no legs, but it was certainly a frustration this morning.
Ah well, onwards and upwards. At least I know for sure now that dry conditions are the only ones I can play golf in!
Without these issues it sure would have been a lovely day to be out. I feel bad for ShiftyDave, it was my suggestion we golf and then to abandon him and our mate three holes in felt a bit rubbish.
Ah well, onwards and upwards. At least I know for sure now that dry conditions are the only ones I can play golf in!
Without these issues it sure would have been a lovely day to be out. I feel bad for ShiftyDave, it was my suggestion we golf and then to abandon him and our mate three holes in felt a bit rubbish.
Edited by leglessAlex on Friday 3rd January 12:12
leglessAlex said:
I attempted my first golf of 2025, but sadly had to give up 3 holes in, I couldn't stand up very easily on the icy/slushy/wet ground, and trying to concentrate on standing up and hitting the ball at the same time was basically impossible. I'm rarely bothered about having no legs, but it was certainly a frustration this morning.
Ah well, onwards and upwards. At least I know for sure now that dry conditions are the only ones I can play golf in!
Without these issues it sure would have been a lovely day to be out. I feel bad for ShiftyDave, it was my suggestion we golf and then to abandon him and our mate three holes in felt a bit rubbish.
How is Sherfield holding up? Played the Waterloo before Christmas, and wasn't too bad considering the weather. Ah well, onwards and upwards. At least I know for sure now that dry conditions are the only ones I can play golf in!
Without these issues it sure would have been a lovely day to be out. I feel bad for ShiftyDave, it was my suggestion we golf and then to abandon him and our mate three holes in felt a bit rubbish.
Edited by leglessAlex on Friday 3rd January 12:12
Blows my mind they just let people out with trollies in all weathers.
Managed a couple of rounds between Christmas and NY.
Our course has been rated off the new "purple" winter tees so scores can continue to be submitted for handicap (subject to number of temps in play). It results in a 3 or 4 shot reduction depending on hcap as several of the holes are shortened - The SIs are also all different to those of the Yellows/Whites. Not sure how many cards I will put in off them, but it's nice to have the option.
All greens were in play last week and I birdied 8 and 11 (The purple SI 1) in the second round which made me pretty happy especially as I hadn't swung a club since November!
Christmas wise - I got a cheap redtiger range finder (handy for any temps), a skins golf glove (which looks nice) and a Sunday golf bag (for those winter carry days) as well as some swiftee tees which are clearly going to make my drives longer and straighter.
In terms of the carry bag - It meant taking a half set out with me for both rounds - First time I've ever really done so - (3W, 4H, 7, 8, 9, P, 58, putter) and it's a revelation - Didn't miss a single club tbh. Will definitely look to play with half a set and carry more throughout this year.
Our course has been rated off the new "purple" winter tees so scores can continue to be submitted for handicap (subject to number of temps in play). It results in a 3 or 4 shot reduction depending on hcap as several of the holes are shortened - The SIs are also all different to those of the Yellows/Whites. Not sure how many cards I will put in off them, but it's nice to have the option.
All greens were in play last week and I birdied 8 and 11 (The purple SI 1) in the second round which made me pretty happy especially as I hadn't swung a club since November!
Christmas wise - I got a cheap redtiger range finder (handy for any temps), a skins golf glove (which looks nice) and a Sunday golf bag (for those winter carry days) as well as some swiftee tees which are clearly going to make my drives longer and straighter.
In terms of the carry bag - It meant taking a half set out with me for both rounds - First time I've ever really done so - (3W, 4H, 7, 8, 9, P, 58, putter) and it's a revelation - Didn't miss a single club tbh. Will definitely look to play with half a set and carry more throughout this year.
Challo said:
How is Sherfield holding up? Played the Waterloo before Christmas, and wasn't too bad considering the weather.
Blows my mind they just let people out with trollies in all weathers.
I thought it was pretty good, what little of it I saw. I ‘played’ up to the third on the Wellington, and then walked back via the 17th and 18th.Blows my mind they just let people out with trollies in all weathers.
It’s going to be pretty soggy after today for sure.
Fat80b, I have the same bag! So does ShiftyDave I think. They’re absolutely great.
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