Wow, has it really been a fortnight since I last posted???
I've been really busy at work and spent a few nights away which has really restricted my practice time. I think I've only been to the range 3 or 4 times in the last 2 weeks. Yesterday was the first time in a week that I'd had any chance to practice and, even then, it was only a quick 60 balls at lunchtime.
I have to say that the break may have done me good as I hit excellently. I had to get some sort of striking in as I was due to play at Oakridge today. I was originally meant to play on my own but, as I was walking off the range yesterday, my old mate Richard called to ask if he could join me.
We teed off at 8 this morning and it was very damp and misty but, all things considered, we both played reasonably well. In a matchplay format, we had a ding dong battle until 14 where he went 3 up on me. However, I took 16 and 17 to keep the match alive walking to the last tee where I bombed a drive straight down the middle and he pushed his into the right hand rough. His second landed just short of an Out of Bounds ditch on the left giving me a chance. Unfortunately, despite hitting a wonderful attacking hybrid, I just caught a tree just off centre of the fairway and my ball ricocheted into the bloody OOB ditch. I replayed the shot which landed in a greenside bunker and the game was effectively over.
There were a lot of positive signs for us both and I continue to believe I can complete my challenge. The clocks go forward this weekend which will mean I can play a few holes after work in the evening from now on - when I'm not away with work. Now the pressure is really on, it's time for the tough to get going!!!
Friday, 23 March 2012
Friday, 9 March 2012
What Might Have Been
After a couple of weeks away from the course for differing reasons, I managed to get back to Oakridge this morning and it really was a case of what might have been. It also highlighted the one part of the game which I have sadly neglected up to now........ putting!!
I started off very well by parring the first two holes but the remaining seven holes on the front nine were, to put it mildly, very poor and I completed the nine at 11 over par and with at least four 3 putts on the card where I should have done much better.
The second nine was a different story and after going through holes 15 - 18 par, par, bogey, par, I finished the back nine at 7 over par giving me an 89 for the round. Pleasingly, I actually one putted on the back nine on more than one occasion.
I was very tentative with my putting which is partly understandable as I'm still getting to grips with the pace of the greens but I really must give myself a chance by letting the ball have enough pace to hit the back of the cup.
With the encouragement of the back nine in my head, I feel I still have a chance of reaching my goal but I need to get on to practice greens as often as possible to improve my chances.
I started off very well by parring the first two holes but the remaining seven holes on the front nine were, to put it mildly, very poor and I completed the nine at 11 over par and with at least four 3 putts on the card where I should have done much better.
The second nine was a different story and after going through holes 15 - 18 par, par, bogey, par, I finished the back nine at 7 over par giving me an 89 for the round. Pleasingly, I actually one putted on the back nine on more than one occasion.
I was very tentative with my putting which is partly understandable as I'm still getting to grips with the pace of the greens but I really must give myself a chance by letting the ball have enough pace to hit the back of the cup.
With the encouragement of the back nine in my head, I feel I still have a chance of reaching my goal but I need to get on to practice greens as often as possible to improve my chances.
Monday, 5 March 2012
Another British Number One... But It's A Bit Slack Golf Wise
Firstly, congratulations to Rory McIlroy on dislodging Ian Poulter from the world's number 1 spot.
Rory won the Honda Classic in The States to become the third Brit in 12 months to take the top spot. He's such a prodigious talent and I only hope that the 22 year old's massive success isn't spoiled by over exuberance (a la Tiger). I'm sure that those around him will keep his feet where they belong - on terra firma.
From my own perspective, I'm going through that frustrating stage where all I have been able to do is hit balls at the range as I physically haven't been able to get on the course. I am at least trying to make the practice as worthwhile as possible and not just "Ball Bash" as this defeats the object of the practice.
I've been to the range every day except today (I'm stuck in a bloody hotel room with work again), but I'm also acutely aware that I need rest days to keep me fresh and avoid any staleness. I'm just praying for the clocks to go forward in less than a month so I can get a few holes in after work during the lighter evenings.
On Saturday, my wife had a craft demonstration day at Carterton in Oxfordshire. I dropped her off at 9.30 and headed for Bicester Outlet Village for a bit of a shop. The weather was horrendous in the morning, but as it brightened up around lunch time, I headed for a course I'd sounded out on the internet the previous day.
Kirtlington Golf Club is a relatively new course - approximately 15 years of age - and is still going through puberty. However, the staff and members are extremely friendly and made me feel welcome on my arrival. They have a small 8 bay covered range ( the mats are pretty basic and could do with updating) but it served its purpose and I cleared 100 balls hitting them extremely well.
After I'd finished on the range, I returned to the shop for a chat. Rachel has another Carterton demo in July and I wondered if there was any chance that I could play a round on my next visit. The lady in the shop was very pleasant and informed me that there would be no problem in playing 18 holes. Prices are a little high at £32 for a weekend round but I haven't played the course yet so I'll reserve judgement until July.
More to follow in due course.
I'm currently reading a book called "Preferred Lies" by the Scottish author, Andrew Greig. It's quite a moving and emotive book based around Greig playing 20 or so of the more obscure courses around his native Scotland. The book has got me thinking that I would like to try something similar at some juncture of my journey. I would recommend the book if you are looking for a golfing read.
On a more positive note, I've got a tee time booked for early on Friday morning and I'm due to play with an old cricketing friend who I haven't seen for over 20 years so it should bring back a few good memories.
Oh well, that's passed half an hour in my boring Luton Premier Inn. I guess I'll watch the news and turn in.
Night all.
Rory won the Honda Classic in The States to become the third Brit in 12 months to take the top spot. He's such a prodigious talent and I only hope that the 22 year old's massive success isn't spoiled by over exuberance (a la Tiger). I'm sure that those around him will keep his feet where they belong - on terra firma.
From my own perspective, I'm going through that frustrating stage where all I have been able to do is hit balls at the range as I physically haven't been able to get on the course. I am at least trying to make the practice as worthwhile as possible and not just "Ball Bash" as this defeats the object of the practice.
I've been to the range every day except today (I'm stuck in a bloody hotel room with work again), but I'm also acutely aware that I need rest days to keep me fresh and avoid any staleness. I'm just praying for the clocks to go forward in less than a month so I can get a few holes in after work during the lighter evenings.
On Saturday, my wife had a craft demonstration day at Carterton in Oxfordshire. I dropped her off at 9.30 and headed for Bicester Outlet Village for a bit of a shop. The weather was horrendous in the morning, but as it brightened up around lunch time, I headed for a course I'd sounded out on the internet the previous day.
Kirtlington Golf Club is a relatively new course - approximately 15 years of age - and is still going through puberty. However, the staff and members are extremely friendly and made me feel welcome on my arrival. They have a small 8 bay covered range ( the mats are pretty basic and could do with updating) but it served its purpose and I cleared 100 balls hitting them extremely well.
After I'd finished on the range, I returned to the shop for a chat. Rachel has another Carterton demo in July and I wondered if there was any chance that I could play a round on my next visit. The lady in the shop was very pleasant and informed me that there would be no problem in playing 18 holes. Prices are a little high at £32 for a weekend round but I haven't played the course yet so I'll reserve judgement until July.
More to follow in due course.
I'm currently reading a book called "Preferred Lies" by the Scottish author, Andrew Greig. It's quite a moving and emotive book based around Greig playing 20 or so of the more obscure courses around his native Scotland. The book has got me thinking that I would like to try something similar at some juncture of my journey. I would recommend the book if you are looking for a golfing read.
On a more positive note, I've got a tee time booked for early on Friday morning and I'm due to play with an old cricketing friend who I haven't seen for over 20 years so it should bring back a few good memories.
Oh well, that's passed half an hour in my boring Luton Premier Inn. I guess I'll watch the news and turn in.
Night all.
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