A tale of two 18s

ScienceBoy

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As you all know I am not playing as much golf as I used to and nowhere near as much as I would like. Content with regular range time and the odd 18 for some time I set out to break the habit in this warmer weather.

With the longer cheaper courses still probably fairly wet I ventured once again (for only the third time) to Ampfield Par 3 , 2300 yards of 70 to 180 tranquil wooded short holes. In summary a Par 54 with SSS of 53.

Having been decent on the range I had piled much expectation on Monday evenings outing. Despite two birdies I could only turn in a return a 71, 17 over par. Not bad considering I was 6 over after 3 holes! I did quickly realise I had gone back to my old bad habits and finished off with some consistent bogey golf with the odd lower score chucked in.

I enjoyed the outing on the tiddler of a course so much that I went back tonight, Boy am I glad I did! An unspectacular front 9 of +3 gross with one birdie (on the SI 1 no less) was then coupled with a +1 gross back 9 with three birdies (two were back to back). I was peppering almost every pin and a +4 round of 58 gross was the result!

13 shots different between two days, coincidentally the number of shots over par my previous best was (67).

I was happy with a 17 over with my lack of course time recently in addition to the slopey greens with tight pin placement and bunkering. But to then go and better it by such a margin was beyond belief. I am still sitting here in a slight state of shock!

I can claim in my defence that the previous days round pretty much helped me dial in all my yardages from 140 yards and in, add to that Bobs recent advice which has rid me of my strong draw as well as making all my chips and putts far more consistent.

So thanks to bobmac wherever he is... Long live the V-Easy!
 
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I'm feeling a bit picky tonight as I played pretty well tee to green today but only staggered into buffer with 32 points due to CSS going up 1.

Picky number 1 - CONGU states that no course under 3,000 yards shall be allocated a Standard Scratch Score yet Amfield does appear on the Golf Central pages of EnglandGolf as having SSS 53. Why?

Picky number 2 - From your posts, Scienceboy, you come across as a really nice, knowledgeable, friendly guy who is a real asset to the forum. Why do you say you have an inactive handicap when you are not a member of a club?

Please don't take that the wrong way - I'm just pee'd off that my short game is shocking at the moment and somebody has to pay.
 
I'm feeling a bit picky tonight as I played pretty well tee to green today but only staggered into buffer with 32 points due to CSS going up 1..

Picky number 1 - CONGU states that no course under 3,000 yards shall be allocated a Standard Scratch Score yet Amfield does appear on the Golf Central pages of EnglandGolf as having SSS 53. Why?

No idea, I guess it might be because off the white tees its long enough for some special dispensation, no idea and its such a lovely course I am glad the members get a chance to hold a proper handicap. It might be because of the history or something like that.

Picky number 2 - From your posts, Scienceboy, you come across as a really nice, knowledgeable, friendly guy who is a real asset to the forum. Why do you say you have an inactive handicap when you are not a member of a club?

Couldn't think of a better way of putting it, I was a member at a proper 18 hole course last year until august but had to leave the club as I was made redundant. Thanfully got offered a new post at the same company but only on a short contract that has been extended twice. I could say my handicap is on hold, or hiatus or something... I just couldn't think of a better way of describing it as I have not played any competitive rounds for over a year.

Chin up on your chipping, watch BobMac's vids and maybe grab a V-Easy, both those improved my short game and keep bringing it back when I loose it.
 
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Chin up on your chipping, watch BobMac's vids and maybe grab a V-Easy, both those improved my short game and keep bringing it back when I loose it.

Thanks for the encouragement. Now I've got my short game woes off my chest, I feel a lot better - and I may think about the v-easy.

I know Chandlers Ford is a long way from the East Midlands but drop in for a game here if you're up this way.
 
Thanks for the encouragement. Now I've got my short game woes off my chest, I feel a lot better - and I may think about the v-easy.

I know Chandlers Ford is a long way from the East Midlands but drop in for a game here if you're up this way.

Sometimes we need to blow of some steam, Notts is not far from my homeland of Lincolnshire, used to edge into the county to play school rugby matches. Ran in four tries against a school from Newark once :D

If I ever base myself in Cambridge (will happen if I loose this job), where the wife currently lives, I will take you up on that offer!

EDIT:
you come across as a really nice, knowledgeable, friendly guy who is a real asset to the forum
The total opposite to how I see myself :)
 
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