Bag Complete

It's been a hectic few days golf wise one way or another.

On Saturday, I managed to complete my bag with a new G20 Driver and 5-wood. I also picked up a new stand bag and a pair of Adidas golf shoes which I'd had my eye on.

Thanks, once again, to Trevor who took me through the fitting for the driver. I feel very comfortable with it and I'm now starting to swing so much more fluently.

After the fitting, I grabbed some balls for a swing but the range was infested with out of control kids which really hampered  my session. I returned on Sunday morning and had a real "off day".

After being informed that I was going to be without a couple of members of staff at work the following week, I missed Monday at the range as I was completely buggered and stressed out. I was in for 6 in the morning on Tuesday so finished a little bit early on the Tuesday and, despite being knackered, I popped home to change and headed back to the range.

I surprised myself by hitting probably the best 100 balls I'd ever hit. My accuracy from 130 yards in is now getting very good. I went through the gears as normal, this time incorporating my new clubs, and all went very smoothly.

I then headed back to the range on Wednesday for a 60 ball lunchtime strike which again went very well. I'm probably spending 65% of my time on my short game as this really should be the key to pars over bogeys and birdies over pars when I get on to the course more often.

Down To Business......... And Oh, So Close!!!

I finally got to play at Oakridge this week. I took three days holiday from work to get some quality time in to get to know the course but, my first impression was "Bloody Hell, it's wet and windy here!"

For my first round, which was on Wednesday, I'd booked a tee time at 08:48 and arrived to see that I was first off. There are a few winter tees around at the moment but all the greens are in use and well presented. Trollies are also allowed so full marks to the greenkeepers for getting the course in as good a position as it currently is.

The wind was already blowing well and, with the forecast set to worsen as the day went on, I knew I would be up against it to get a full 18 in. As it turned out, I managed to get 10 holes in before I called it a day and, I was pleasantly surprised at how well I actually played. I parred several of the holes and hit the ball fairly well.

It wasn't until yesterday (Thursday) where I managed to get a full round in which was a round of ups and downs. Again, I was first on the tee and got away shortly before 8 o'clock. I had decided that I wasn't going to score either of the first two rounds as  I didn't want to place any added pressure on myself during the familiaristion rounds.

I was extremely impressed with my iron play but my wood and hybrid play led to a bit of anxiety which worsened as the round progressed. As I said, my iron work was excellent and, on the par 3 14th, I came the closest I had ever come to an "ace" with the ball bang on line and finishing only a putter length from the hole.

Considering it was the first time I'd played the back nine, I actually played extremely well and, save for a couple of silly shots where I either under clubbed or took on a risky shot, I played very sensibly.

On my third day's holiday (Friday), I've actually gone back to the range for 100 balls. My iron play is now getting better by the day and the mechanics thoughts have pretty much all disappeared while I'm hitting which I am extremely relieved about. I still hit a few poor shots but nowhere near as many as I was doing a month ago.

I need to book a lesson with Trevor to try and get my woods back on course but I've now gained more confidence in myself. My course management is pretty good and, with a couple more practice rounds, I think I'll be ready to score a few and get my first handicap.

A Quiet Week

It's been a week since I last posted and, I have to say, it's been a relatively quiet 7 days.

I am still waiting to play at Oakridge but my duck should be broken this week as I have Wednesday to Friday off work and I have a couple of tee times booked for the first two days.

In the past week, I have been to the range a few times and have tried to use the time not just as a chance to thrash balls but also, to work on my hip rotation and also a pre-shot routine. I've also purchased a Ping G20 3 Wood so I nearly have all the clubs I'm looking to acquire to get me out onto the course.

I've been reading quite a bit of Dr Bob over the past week and this, together with my swing aid which I'm using at work is gradually getting me to trust my swing more easily and just hit the ball without thinking about mechanics all of the time.

I'll keep you posted on my progress at Oakridge later in the week.

Happy Swinging!

Decision Made

I finally took the plunge today and became a member of Oakridge Golf Club. First impressions are that it's a really friendly club. Unfortunately, the course was closed today due to adverse weather following the weekend's snow and heavy frost.

If you're interested, you can check them out at Oakridge Golf Club It's a reasonable website and you can also check them out on Twitter @OakridgeGC if there are any Tweeters amongst you.

I also popped to the range earlier and hit probably the best 100 balls I've struck for a long, long time. I didn't think about my swing, I just hit the balls going up through the even gears and down through the odd ones and everything felt good.

Next purchase will probably be a 3 wood as I'm not carrying any woods in my practice bag at present. I'll need to give Trev a call so he can sort me one out for a quick trial knock. I'll probably then look to take a 5 wood and finish off with a driver as the G2 driver I currently have in my bag is still relatively good.

I also need to get on with Dr Bob as I haven't started reading the new books yet.

Finally, congratulations to "Lefty" on not choking down the stretch to win The AT & T at Pebble Beach yesterday. Good to see him polishing Tiger and others off and pulling away to lift the title. Couldn't happen to a nicer chap who appreciates the value of life.

Home, Home On The Range

Had a very productive last couple of days.

Rachel had a demo near Bedford yesterday so I took the time to do a bit of shopping in Milton Keynes. I have been trying to get a few more Bob Rotella books after Amazon let me down at Christmas but to no avail. I actually managed to find three more at Milton Keynes so I've got a bit more reading now.

I am trying very hard not to read or listen to too many different people during my quest and have decided that, when it comes to lessons, Trev is the man but when it comes to the psyche, Dr Bob is the only man for me. It seems totally stupid to be brainwashed by lots of different people all with differing opinions on one thing and another which can only lead to confusion.

The temperature at MK yesterday was -12 degrees centigrade so I decided not to seek out a driving range after my last visit in the cold. However, I woke up this morning to find that the temperature had risen overnight and it was hovering around the 5 degree mark. With this sudden tropical weather, I popped up the range and hit a quick 100 balls, surprisingly after my lay off, very well.

Recently, I have been struggling with my irons, even my wedges. I decided today to clear all swing thoughts and just concentrate on slowing my swing down and keeping my head low as I hit through my shot. Everything slotted into place as it had three months ago prior to my rib problems.

Tomorrow, I plan on going to Oakridge and, if I am happy with everything, I'll sign on the dotted line for 12 months. With the onset of Summer hopefully only just around the corner, my aim is to pop up there and get as many holes as possible in at least one night a week - if not two together with a full day on my fortnightly day off.

I then need to get some cards marked and get my first official handicap for the best part of 20 years. I am very confident that I can reach my goal on this challenge. I know it's not going to be easy but I am also highly aware that, as in any sport, you have to believe in yourself and have the confidence and strength to believe that you can rise above adversity and reach your goal.

And Just When You Think Winter Is Over.....

February arrives and so does the cold weather which really is the worst possible news.

I'd just started to master the new clubs and was feeling a lot better in myself when this all comes and puts an end to it for the time being. Even the range has closed due to the snowfall. To be honest, even if the snow wasn't falling, I doubt if I would be up there at present. I went to the range after work last week and it was that cold that I actually came home and sat in the house with my gloves on.

On the positive side, I'm now 99% certain that I'm joining Oakridge Golf Club. I'm off on Monday and plan to use the day to pop up there, ask a few questions and, if I'm happy, sign on the dotted line. I know the course from 8 years ago so won't be hitting it as an unknown.

I've also spoken with a couple of mates from 25 - 30 years ago and we're going to have a "Jolly Boys' Outing" in a couple of weeks time and play 18 holes at Brandon unless I can get joined at Oakridge and maybe we can play there.

Either way, I'm looking forward to it.

Well, that's about it for tonight apart from to say how touched I was after reading John Feinstein's book "Caddy For Life" based on the life of Tom Watson's caddy, Bruce Edwards, who was diagnosed and eventually died of ALS. It kind of puts our trials and tribulations into perspective when you read something like that. I also discovered what a truly wonderful man, Tom Watson is and how he dedicated so much to Bruce. God Bless Buddy - I never knew you but your grit and determination has had a profound effect on me.