2011 missed opportunities/ 2012 Bring It On

[Tiger]

I've learnt a lot about my game this year. I've grown in confidence with my woods. I've learnt that in some cases being cautious on a hole causes me more problems than attacking it. I'm hopeful that my new wedges will be a little more responsive around the greens. I think getting down to 18/19 next year is achievable BUT my aim will remain to go out, have fun and see what happens.

My plan for my improvement is simple:

Work on my pre shot routine and make it an engrained habit (when I use it I play much better)
Slow down my tempo
Practice my putting getting my eyes over the ball all the time
Practice my short game as much as possible
Be more patient on the course, letting bad shots go and not following an error with another error
Keeping a big fat smile slapped all over my Chevy Chase as much as possible
Engaging in lots of banter
And playing as many new courses as I can

 

[PhilTheFragger]

What's the plan?
How are you going to do it ?

Well Uncle Bob, Thanks to the marvelous V-easy, my putting has improved out of all proportion to the rest of my game, so there is not so much scope for improvement there.

Chipping has also got a lot better, but im still leaving it 12 feet from the pin or it rolls 12 ft past, so I need to work on my chipping definately and this will, in itself mean less 2 putts. (in theory)

Pitching from 60 to 150 yards isnt too much of an issue

Driving has to be a big area for improvement, used the driver on 11 holes today, probably had 3 or 4 that went OK, many ploughed into the grass about a foot in front of the tee and trickled down towards the ladies tee, some even passed it, Fortunately my recovery shots have been pretty good and im able to recover,and mostly get to the green in Reg +1 followed by 2 putts.

So if I could stop knobbing (technical term) my drives, follow that with a good second shot to around the green or within 150 on a par 5 and i'll be set up

So I think I shall seek out my Pro. Kevin Hughes at Berkhamsted Golf Range

Fragger, Onwards & Upwards

 

[Aztecs27]

I had no problems playing with you Jon, apart from the ball I found over the back of the green at the first in the afternoon being yours from the morning. Still think you hit a 6 thinking it was a 9.

I still have no idea what I did. I would have also bet my mortgage on finding the ball at least 30 or 40 feet to the right of where you found it. That first hole did not suit my eye at all!!

Definitely one of the more enjoyable rounds of golf I've ever had. Ian's 7 iron duff on the 18th still makes me smile to this day.

 

[One Planer]

I still have no idea what I did. I would have also bet my mortgage on finding the ball at least 30 or 40 feet to the right of where you found it. That first hole did not suit my eye at all!!

Definitely one of the more enjoyable rounds of golf I've ever had. Ian's 7 iron duff on the 18th still makes me smile to this day.

Didn't his next 7 iron leave his a sub-6ft putt though?

 

[richart]

Definitely one of the more enjoyable rounds of golf I've ever had. Ian's 7 iron duff on the 18th still makes me smile to this day.

You are a cruel man, but it means I don't feel so bad about laughing at your shanked drive.:rofl: I honestly didn't realise Ian had a duff up 18, and he didn't seem keen to talk me through it.

 

[Aztecs27]

Didn't his next 7 iron leave his a sub-6ft putt though?

No, IIRC he did cream it, but it ended up near or just on the green. I could be wrong though, I was too busy looking for my approach shot which had gone in the cabbage

Still doesn't stop his first attempt being a memorable one though!

 

[Aztecs27]

You are a cruel man, but it means I don't feel so bad about laughing at your shanked drive.:rofl: I honestly didn't realise Ian had a duff up 18, and he didn't seem keen to talk me through it.

As Gareth said, he DID nail his second attempt at it, in all fairness.

My shanked drive was planned I'll have you know! Gave me a better shot in!

 

[Imurg]

No, IIRC he did cream it, but it ended up near or just on the green. I could be wrong though, I was too busy looking for my approach shot which had gone in the cabbage

Still doesn't stop his first attempt being a memorable one though!

You are correct JonBoy - a carved drive onto the adjacent fairway followed by a 7 iron that I'm not convinced I actually made contact with (hit about 8 inches behind the ball - shows you how well I was playing), followed by a decent 7 iron to just short of the green - chip'n'a putt for a 5 - one of my better holes.............

Still, at least I didn't need a shovel-full of divot mixture on the 9th in the morning.......

 

[richart]

Good job you had that strong finish Ian, and saved your score.

 

[Aztecs27]

You are correct JonBoy - a carved drive onto the adjacent fairway followed by a 7 iron that I'm not convinced I actually made contact with (hit about 8 inches behind the ball - shows you how well I was playing), followed by a decent 7 iron to just short of the green - chip'n'a putt for a 5 - one of my better holes.............

Still, at least I didn't need a shovel-full of divot mixture on the 9th in the morning.......

*Ahem* I think as you'll recall, despite TXL's assumption before I'd addressed the ball, the divot mixture wasn't needed as I plonked my tee shot on the green about 15 feet from the pin with ease (then missed the putt for birdie )

 

[full_throttle]

Quick review of My Golf Year as I approach my 50th Birthday (27th Dec)

Its been mixed

Started the year on 22.3 and steadily gone up to 22.9....Not so good

Putting has improved loads, regularly post 33 or 34 putts a round, virtually eliminated the dreaded 3 putt, but still puts in the odd appearance.

im now settled with the new stance, grip etc that ive been working on all year

Ive found a 5 wood (Cobra Rail Baffler) that I can hit

My Biggest problem is that I try to hit the ball too hard, this leads to duffs and increased the pressure on the next shot. which then stands a higher chance of another duff.

I still have never hit a Blob free Round
My Best score was 89 and my worst 100, average 94

Today was a typical round 97 shots, 32 points, 2 Proper Birdies,2 net birdies, 2 pars, 4 net pars,4 bogeys, 4 blobs Those 4 blobs totaled 30 shots ( should have been 20 shots)

Moments of really good golf, combined with rubbish

So its been a mixed year....So what does 2012 bring

I have a few aims

1 To Record a Blob Free round
2 Stop throwing away silly shots
3 Get my handicap down towards 18

To do this all I need to do is knock 6 or 7 shots off my score on a regular basis

Simples

Fragger

Phil cut that out and your soon be back down aagain. I am getting plenty of blob free rounds, just need to stop having so many 1 pointers.

 

[Brookesy]

Too much work to be done this winter before making targets, just going to see how the work on my swing and short game looks around jan/feb and then ill make targets

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Been a bit of a Heinz year for me too. Winning at St Pierre and FoA were obvious highlights. Won a monthly stableford at the club too. Had a personal best around RA in a roll up which was nice. Went to a few forum meets and had a real good time at both Camberley and Blackmoor and enjoyed meeting everyone.

On the downside the handicap has gone the wrong way. My short game has disintegrated and is arguably the single biggest problem I'm left to solve. Never competitive enough in club comps and was usually out of contention by the turn.

All I really want from 2012 is to continue to play with as much enjoyment, good or bad as I did on 2011. I want to play a few more courses, meet more forum members and maybe, just maybe, find a swing I can use and trust. Give me a short game I can use and I'll be sorted and happy. Play well and the handicap will take care of itself. If not, I'll have to enjoy using the extra shots on the rare good days.

 

[mc73]

Switched clubs in 2011 and have failed to play to my handicap in medal play despite several bounce games where I've did it with plenty to spare, aiming to get to single figures from 14.5 and feel its achievable but recognise coaching and proper practice are required which is happening now.

Can't wait till spring for medals to begin again

 

[Slicer30]

I ended the year a little frustrated not to have shaved some more off the handicap, but on reflection its been a pretty good effort. First year of competitive golf returned 4 comp wins and 4 2nd places out of 11(I think).

Handicap down from 22.5 to 19.6.

Start of the year I dreaded goin out in a group of new faces in a comp, but really enjoyed it and got to meet a load of members.

Looking forward to next year and hope to play in more comps, set myself an ambitious target of 15 for next year! My problem tends to change every week, If I play the irons well, I will work on the driver on the range. So then the driving will be good and the irons will be keek. Only had a few rounds this year where Driver, irons and short game came together.

 

[NWJocko]

Had a great year really.

First full year of playing since hanging up the footy boots. Handicap came down from 11.6 to 6.5, played more than I thought I would and met a load of great people up at the club I didn't know from Adam before this year.

Played some nice courses along the way aswell so thoroughly enjoyed 2011.

Through a combination of house move (hopefully), maybe another kid, possible job change I am unlikely to get to play as much in 2012 so my main target is to play a few more away days and different courses.

Fully expect my handicap to creep up next year but hey ho

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Quick review of My Golf Year as I approach my 50th Birthday (27th Dec)

I have a few aims

1 To Record a Blob Free round
2 Stop throwing away silly shots
3 Get my handicap down towards 18

To do this all I need to do is knock 6 or 7 shots off my score on a regular basis

Simples

Fragger

My aims:

First year as a senior, so must desist from chucking toys out of pram
First year as a senior, so must accept no longer 20 years old
First year as a senior, so must learn to work on what I've got
First year as a senior, so must not look longingly at spats or plus 4's
First year as a senior, so must retain competitive spirit
First year as a senior, so must cultivate a younger look
First year as a senior, so must look to improve

Where did all the years go???