Tags: Golf, Gods, Graphite, Irons, Competition
Well, hi folks I hope you are all fit & well. It's been some time since I last appeared and have been rather busy while away.
I have continued to play in the club competitions both mid-week & at weekends.
I managed to earn myself a place in the Mackay Final by qualifying at the 1st attempt.  Then I entered the 2nd qualifier as there was a serious ammount of cash in the Sweep.  I was in the qualifying group again but unfortunately not the winner.  My place was given to the guy who finished behind me as I was already through.
I did win a mid-week medal comp on the 14th after count back. 
Then the Infamous Golf Gods made their move, I put 2 balls into the jungle off the 14th tee forcing me to non-return.  I was really not impressed with their antics. 
I am currently trying out a set of Graphite Irons, they feel well enough & giving me great ball flight.  However I have not grown enough courage to play with them in competition, yet!
My handicap has gone out to 18.9 much to the discust of my companions.  They are boardering on calling me a bandit (sand-bagger) and refuse to give me the correct allocation of strokes when we play. Even though I only play in Comps & return every card to be scrutinised by the Handicap Committee.  I am finding difficult to be consistant with my short irons which is costing me shots and committing the ultimate sin of 3-putting more time than I should.
Any way, I am on holiday for 2 weeks now and will be on the course every day (if I can escape the wifes orders) so long as the weather holds out. 

Here's to the next time.

Update:-  I played in the Mid-week comp last evening and finished 9th in a field of 31.  Not bad when you consider I was not happy with my game, again I had a poor short game.  Stableford format points ---34.

Tag: Golf

It’s OFFICIAL;the golf season is now truly here.  Atleast in my neck of the woods.

On Saturday we held “Captain’s Day”, theopening day for our little club over here in Cumbria,NW England. As ritual dictates we had the customary photo shoot with the ClubCaptain Teeing Off the 1st ball. We made a book on where he was going to land it (small valley on theright of the fairway); he was still in the open which is a supposed omen forthe coming season.

Vic, my ever-present golf pal, placed ournames down for the opening comp.  Wearrived at the Clubhouse at 9.00 am only to find we were outat 12.50.  The comp was a 4 ball, betterball, between the Captain & vice Captains teams.  We were drawn in the VC’s team, rather ominousgiven the quality of the players selected for the Captain.  We decided to stay and catch up with thelocal gossip/news to be had in the bar. Needless to say there is only so much coffee you can drink before the “TopShelf” begins to beckon to you!  The daybegan with the weather being fine with a fairly strong breeze.  But, by the time we got to the 1stTee it had changed to Heavy Rain & Gusts to 45mph.  Our opponents are very capable players (off 9& 11) but were showing signs of regret towards the weather approaching fromthe Irish Sea.  Lots of grumbling &moaning directed seaward.  We dideventually complete the match with Vic & I emerging victorious with a 2& 1 win.  Being soaked through to theskin, I took time to change my clothes after putting the clubs in the car. Wewent into the clubhouse to be greeted by a crescendo of applause from thegathered throng.  Did we beat the Captain’sTeam? As I look down the list of match results, I was amazed to find we won theONLY match for the VC’s team.

Sitting here now with a healthy glass of myfavourite tipple (Glayva, for those who didn’t know), all in all it was a goodday with the “Golf Gods” smiling brightly upon me.  I played some very good golf considering theconditions, and my previously sore rib held up with out a pang of pain. 

Here’s to the Summer and a chance to playsome real golf.  I hope your winter endsalso, or your winter never comes.

(Glayva is a liqueur from Leith, Scotland.It is made from a blend of aged Scotch whiskies, anise, clove, herbs, heatherhoney, tangerine, other citrus fruits, and almonds. It has a deep gold color.
The name is an anglified spelling of Glè Mhath, which means"very good" in Scottish Gaelic.
It is produced by Whyte and Mackay Ltd of Glasgow, Scotland.)

http://www.glayva.com/

Tags: Round, Golf, Handicap, Course, Prizes, Committee.
It has been some time since my last edition, and there have been some advances in my game.
I played in a club comp on Saturday gone and managed to finish in 4th position.  The Handicap Committee made a reduction to my handicap of 3.5 strokes.  This is a reflection on how my game has progressed over the past mnth or so.  I played again on Sunday, the end result was a 7th place finish which showed the reduction was correct.  Our H/C committee are very astute in their approach and can be heard sharpening their knives on a Friday night in anticipation of the coming weekend.
While I constantly strive towards a lower score, there are those who will do anything to protect their handicap.  These are the fellows who usually play within their own circle of friends and play for small purses.  They know who they are, every club has them in their ranks.  They then come out and play in tournaments where there are big prizes.  I think the term is "Sand-bagging".  Deservidly, this is frowned upon by decent golfers.

I believe a TRUE golfer is one who aims to perfect his game and acheive all he can by regularly entering the weekly comps & monthly medals.

In all I am well pleased with myself and my game. 

Tags: Links, Golf, Round, Score

Today (Saturday) was the Christmas CompFinal & I had been told I was to be1st Reserve, so should anyone scratch I would take their place. 
The evening before, I was abusing my liver with Vic, imbibing off our usual tipple (Glayva).  We had managed to remove the contents from one bottle and begin to start on the next when Vic decided it was time to go home (he won a place in the above comp).  As he walked home he resembled a sailor struggling to find his footing after losing his "Sea-legs".  I thought it only prudent to retire to bed and the comforting arms of my dearwife.

Along came this morning and as I looked out the window I understood what theWeather Girl had said "Very Windy with intervals of Rain from theWest".  It didn't look inviting at all. 
The 1st group were due to go off at 10.30 so I phoned the club to ask if I was playing, no one scratched.  I was surprised considering the forecast.  I had decided to go along at 10.15 just in case.  I could always sit in the clubhouse bar (with a coffee) and see the lads off.  On my arrival, I was told I would be in the group leaving at 11.30.  That would give me time for a hearty breakfast.  I looked on the Match board and found I would be playing with Vic & another guy.  I phoned him to break the news onlyto find he has also scratched saying he was feeling a bit unwell. Despite what you might think, I didn’t knobble him. 

I made myself known to James my partner forthe comp and we duly marched over to the 1st Tee.  We both had that many layers of clothing on that we looked to have gained 20 pounds in an hour.  Such was the weather.  Our course is links and as such is right on the coast (one of the longest bunkers is the shore to the left of the fairway, runs from the 1st to the 3rd hole) and is open fully to the elements.  We made the customary pleasantries of wishing each other well and then spent the next 3 holes griping about the conditions.  Then again, they are the same for everyone on the day. 

I made a steady start and was very pleased with myself until I came to the 6th, then the “Golf Gods” took their pound of flesh, I carded a 9 after blasting my tee shot out of bounds, my game became regimental, Left Right Left Right. Eventually I putted out and began cursing the weather, light, ground,clubs, even the local wildlife.   

This was my card:

Hole          1   2   3   4   5   6  7   8   9   10   11  12   13   14   15   16   17   18   Total
Par            4   4   4  4   3   4   4   3   4     4     4    4     4     3     4     4     3     4       68
Score        5   4   5   5   4   9  5   5   4     5     5    5     5     4     5     5     4     3       87

 With my handicap of 20, my score was a Net67.  The winner carded a Net 64, second had a Net67, I finished 3rd on count-back and was well pleased.

Not bad as I was only 1st reserve,  I thought it only proper to thank the “GolfGods” for their understanding, one shabby hole I can put up with if I get such a good result.

Tags: Golf, Round, Play, Carnoustie, Course, Championship, Scotland, Stableford, Birdie
As I write this edition, my mates & I have just finished booking 3 days play at Carnoustie (Scotland) in May 2008.  This is in the form of a package deal with the Burnside on the 3rd, Buddon Links on the 4th, finishing on the 5th with a round on the Championship course.  Caddies are a must for the whole experience.  (we are also getting older, bag getting heavier).  The cost to each of us is a staggering £145.00 ($299) Cheap as chips! 
I hear tell if you manage to play to your handicap (stroke play) on the Championship course you are presented with a medal in celebration of the achievement.
http://www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk/ind ex.php

A £1 coin & a Pro V1
I played with a friend on Wednesday, he insisted we play Stableford.   He is reluctant to give any shots if he can help it.  It started out as a frosty morning, cold but no breeze.  Wrapped up against the weather, I tee'd up on the first, pulling the shot to the left.  Second shot went straight into the heart of a collection of gorse (ball gone) I was not looking for that one.  From then on it was all good.
My card.
Hole           1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18    Total
Par             4   4   4   4   3   5   3   4   4    5     3     4     4     4     4     4     3     4       70
Score         7   4   4   5   4   5   4   5   3    6     6     5     4     5     5     5     4     3       84
Points        0   4   3   2   2   3   2   2   4    2     0     2     3     2     3     2     2     4       42

To cut a long story short, he won the £1 for overall points (beat me by 1), but I took his Pro v1 with my birdie on the last.

Tags: Bogey, Birdie, Round, Lob wedge, Golf, Putt, Tee, Green.
Yesterday (Sunday) I went down to the club for our weekly dose of self-abuse (was at a football match on Saturday). 
As we walked into the clubhouse to register for the Comp, we spied the notice board. It read "Winter Tees now in Play, Preferred lies on all fairways (mats = horrible immitation grass strips).  We were filled with shock & awe. 
Our Greenkeeping staff have managed the course in a fantastic way this year with one exception (I feel).  They didn't roll the tee boxes during last winter.  Hopefully they will take advantage this year.  They have prepared Teeing areas in front of or beside the normal boxes, but they are still very uneven for the most part. As a result we are either standing above or below the lie of the ball.  We can take great consolation in the fact that we still play the normal greens.
The comp was an "Enter on Arrival" played to "Bogey" format.  Easy enough for the brain cells, it's a + for birdie, 0 for par, and - for bogey.  It dosen't take a lot to keep track of the scores.  My playing partners play off 7 & 16, while I am still off 20 (age & medical condition dictates), they were not very amused with the format, at least in stableford they have a chance to score at every hole even when they aren't playing so well.
I played a steady round, but only managed to return a score of +1, but they were feeling totally dejected after carding - 6 & - 9 respectively. 
Back in the club house we performed our usual autopsy on the round, and much to my delight I found I hit 12 out of 15 fairways from the Tee & 10 greens in regulation.  My Putting was a bit haphazard in places, but my chipping around the green was very good.  I was only in one bunker from which I was up & down.
65nlovenit gave me some great advice for using my lob wedge on this site (big thanks & respect) which has helped me immensely.
All in all it was not a bad day, with the only real downside being having to play off the mats on the fairway.  I do make some poor iron shots from them.  I do play very good F/way woods from them though. 
At least I have gotten over my recent injury (thanks to all who showed concern) and can now fully enjoy the game again.  My days off work fall mid-week so I will be back!

Tags: Instruction, golf, Friend, course, swing, putt, chip, pitch, Glayva
As I post this latest addition to my blog, Vic & I are demolishing a bottle of Glayva (sorry for any future  spelling mistakes).  We are venturing out to the course tomorrow (Saturday) and he is picking elements of my game in need of redevelopment. (all of it he says) 
He has identified several key areas where I could "easily" shave strokes from my handicap.
1) When chipping/pitching, I have a tendancy to be 'handsy' (his words) instead of turning though with my body towards the target, I flick my wrists over causing inconsistancy in my distance/direction control.
2) We agreed I have not been positioning the ball directly below my eyeline at address when putting & am positioning the ball slightly behind centre of my stance. 
3) I am not completing the follow through and am finishing my swing short. This is due to me not turning fully towards the target with my belt buckle facing just to the left. As a result I am pushing the ball to the right.

I have now found that so long as he is keeping the Glayva flowing, I will listen to every word of his advice.
He has just told me it will be evident in my game tomorrow, remembering that the 1st Tee shot is over a burn.

Vic is currently playing off 7 and is a sincere playing partner who would only inpart sound advice if it were truly required to enable me to reduce my current handicap towards its former status. (he is sitting beside me at present)

I will update this blog upon my return.  If he is as wise a sage as his years predict, then I shall be in line for a drastic cut to bring me down to size.  If I remember what he told me!

Tags: Injury, Golf, Wife, Fall
While at work last week, I tripped and fell onto a concrete step.  I was in pain for 2 days (still working) then thought nothing more of it.  Then the pain came back even worse than before.  It appears I have pulled Tendons in my foot and will not be able to play for about 3 - 4 weeks. Just when I feel I am progressing with my game, another set-back comes along.  The only consolation I can take from this is the joy of getting under the wifes feet while I am off work. (I know not to look there for sympathy)   

Tags: Medal, Round, Tourny, Comp, Golf, Score, Course, Prize, Partner
After playing golf every day last week, and very well I might add, THE GOLF GODS took their pound of flesh.
On Saturday gone, I played in the Major Club Medal.  There was £500.00 worth of prizes up for grabs, with the main prize being a Flat Screen TV.  I won't go into each hole but will say I returned a net 72 after recording 2 x 8's & a 9 on my card.  I cannot blame the weather, I cannot blame the course even though they have top-dressed them.  It was the same for everyone.  I just blew out on three holes.  The only consolation was that my usual playing partner Vic, won the TV with a net score of  67.  I was still  on the prize table in the end. 
I did predict they would take it back but in the middle of the major competition, so malicous.

Tags: Stableford, Par, Birdie, Bogey, Golf, Course, Card, Round, Score, Points
Today I arranged to play with a couple of friends who had time off work.  We made the 1st Tee at 09.00am with great weather, no wind, none of the predicted rain, broken sunshine.  We decided to play Stableford format.  Now this is something to my advantage as I am currently playing off 20 while they are off 10 & 16 respectively.
My drive off the 1st was ugly, in the light rough to the left of the Fairway.  I thought the Golf Gods were going to take their revenge for my previous outing, but I managed to scrape a bogey for it.  From then on all went well and I finished with a very impressive 44 points.  However, we were all square on points on the 17th when John pulled off an incredible Chip-in for Birdie.  I thought OKay, I am the only one of the group to have a shot on the 18th and usually not far away, so might pull off the draw.  Sadly it was not to be as John again pulled out another Birdie.  I ended up losing a £1 coin & my Pro V1 to him as did Gary our other companion.  John carded 47 points & Gary had 39.  All in all, it was a very good mornings golf.

My card.
Hole           1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18    Total
Par             4   4   4   4   3   5   3   4   4    5     3     4     4     4     4     4     3     4       70
Score         5   4   5   5   3   5   3   5   3    6     4     5     6     4     5     6     4     5       83
Points         2   3   2   2   3   3   3   2   4    3     2     2     1     3     3     1     3     2       44

Tags: Golf, Round, Score, Putt, Par, Birdie, Bogey, Swing, Hole
I am currently on a weeks holiday (vacation) from work.  I am getting in as much golf as possible (wife permitting).  Over the past 4 days I have played 1x9 holes & 3x18 holes.  I have played in one tournament (the Bogey) and the rest have been Bounce games off the Yellow Tees.  Yesterday (Monday) I played out of my skin and went round 10 below handicap. 

Hole  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18   Out   In    Tot

Par    4  4  4  4  3  5  3  4  4   5    3    4    4    4    4    4    3     4     35   35    70

Score 6  5  4  4  3  6  4  4  4  6    4    4    5    5    5    4    3     4     40    40    80


My swing was consistant, my putting near perfect, my mindset was clear of any negativity.  The weather was very mild for our time of year, with no wind & some sunshine.  I could almost see every shot I intended to make.  My playing partner didn't fare so well and my game seemed to have an effect on his.
Who knows when the Golf Gods will exact their revenge.  usually when you least need it.

Tags: Golf, Round, Score, Par, Birdie, Bogey, Coffee, Handicap
Being a Sunday, our club holds an "Enter on Arrival" comp for its members. 
Todays format was 'Bogey', that is to say you record a + for a Birdie, 0 for a Par, - for a Bogey.  (handicap adjusted)
I played to front nine reasonably well and had a score of +4, then I began the homeward stretch.  Try as I might, I could not improve my score and was getting annoyed with myself (I tend to mumble a lot to myself or go really quiet) so much that my playing companions actually commented on it (sorry lads).  I played holes 10 - 15 to par and then "the worm turned".  I Bogied the 16th & 17th to drop two points.  The 18th loomed ahead, I pulled out my driver, determined not to leave my self anywhere short.  My tee shot finished about 20yds in front of the Green, I chipped on only to see my ball run 20+ft past.  I then 3 putted to finish on +2 for the round.  I shook hands with the lads and walked silently back to the car.  I was constantly looking around for a dog to kick (no such luck).   My companions recorded scores of +5 & +7.  They both played very well and steadily through out which with hindsight is amazing given my demeanour towards the end of the day.

The only ray of sunshine in my day was that I didn't have to pay for the Coffees & Bacon Rolls.

Tags: Card, Score, Result, Round, Play, Birdie, Par, Bogey. Course, Golf
Todays  (Sat) Card
Hole         1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12   13  14  15  16  17  18
Total Par  4  4  4  4  3  5  3  4  4    5    3    4    4    4    4    4    3    4    70
Score       5  4  5  4  3  7  4  5  4    7    4    3    4    5    5    5    4    4    83
I came off feeling I could have done a lot better.  2 x 7's which are card busters, plus 9 other bogies. 
I did have 1 birdie and felt good for a while.  Golf is the cruelest of sports.
My Drives were all on the fairway but my short game & putting really let me down. 
I was either lifting up or rushing through the swing. 
To cap it all off, I had to buy the Bacon Rolls but not the coffee (we play farthest  from the pin with 2nd shot on the 18th pays), that was down to Vic this time. 
The weather was Sunny, a warm 14*, slight SE breeze. 

No game on Sunday as the Ladies Section are holding their annual Open.  But I will go down to give moral support.  Some very talented female golfers in our club & have a fair following.

Mid-week Medal on Wednesday to look forward to.

Tags: Round, Score, Shot, Par, Bogie, Birdie, Course, Golf
Well here it is, Todays round.  The weather was very good, sunny with no wind.
I played with 2 other guys one of whom brought a new twist to the game.  He explained that when he plays with his usual squad, they play for the ball on the 18th.  I had never heard of this before, it was either beers, coffee, or lunch, even a quid.  I noticed he teed up with a different ball when we got there.  But he won the lot any way.

Hole    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18   Total
Par      4  4  4  4  3  5  3  4  4    5    3    4    4    4    4    4    3    4     70
Score   6  5  5  5  3  5  4  5  4   7    3    4    5    6    4    5    3    6     85

It's a strange game!

Tags: Round, Result, Score, Course, Card, Golf
Looking back on the weekend, it has been a time of mixed fortunes. 
On Saturday, with the exception of the the 1st hole, I had a great round.  Playing off the yellows, I carded a round total of 81.  It seemed I was able to see all the shots in my mind before I played them.  My club selection was very accurate for a change.  My putting was good also.  So finished in a very happy mood.
Then along came Sunday.  We played in a Stableford comp.  All seemed well going along scoring on all holes (either 1, 2, or 3 points) to have 21 at the turn.  Then the course took its revenge for the day before.  I carded 10 points on the back nine for a total of 31.  My companions were 43 & 45 respectively.  needless to say I was very quiet over my Pie & Pint.  It's is a cunning game we play.  We have high expectations of how our game is developing only to be brought back to earth with a resounding crash.  The plus side was the weather, Dry Warm & light cloud.