An education...

[Tiger]

I had the pleasure of playing a skins round with two aspiring professional golfers based at my club on Wednesday. I've been ill since so not been able to post but that round has given me so much insight. We halved the game taking six skins each but in order to win skins I was having to make gross par or birdie and relying on my shots as I played off 23.

What impressed me most was their driving and putting. On more than one occasion I buckled under pressure and three putted to half or lose the hole. It has compelled me to get the V-Easy out and work on my technique (what a great bit of kit it is I need to use it regularly rather than when I'm having a bad patch).

It also forced me to think differently playing the percentages to give myself a chance rather than trying to match their shot making. They also gave me some useful tips, plenty of encouragement and the now obligatory "28 handicap, huh" said with disbelief and disdain

The final thing I learnt was to keep my mind clear. Just one swing thought all day (eye on the ball). I took more time over my set up just like they were and the results were promising. Had hoped to play this weekend but being ill has knocked the stuffing out of me so will have to wait till next weeks medal.

All in all the whole experience was a fantastic golfing education...roll on 2012

 

[bobmac]

Get well soon

 

[pbrown7582]

Sounds great fun, well played to win 6 skins.

 

[chrisd]

Must have been great fun Tiger and glad that you are on the mend.

What especially, about thier driving and putting did you see? was it the care and attention to the shot?

Chris

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Always great to play with better players and see how they craft a score. Sounds like you did alright though. I read your tweet about the illness - hope it was just a scare

 

[Hobbit]

GWS Tiger.

Quite often you'll learn more from watching a good guy recover than from just watching them hit fairway/green, fairway/green. And well played too.

 

[Achilles]

Glad to hear you're well enough to be playing, Tiger. Nothing better than a round with better players - always seems to make me raise my game - just wish we could bottle the effect and take it away for next time. As Hobbit pointed out, it's often the recovery shots that are the ones you learn from. Good luck in the next medal and here's to a great 2012!

 

[Tiger]

Must have been great fun Tiger and glad that you are on the mend.

What especially, about their driving and putting did you see? was it the care and attention to the shot?

Yes just a scare fortunately, looks like flu/tonsilitis but the elevated temperature brought back all my MS symptoms and an illness can trigger a relapse because it elevates your white blood cell count. Thankfully when I got the temperature under control everything started to go back to normal.

With their driving they were shaping it both ways depending on the hazards on the course and putting it into position A so often it was scary. But they didn't just whack their driver they varied between their driver, fairway and hybrid depending on where they wanted to finish. With their putting it was the time they spent preparing and the fact that they were on the money for pace 90% of the time and when they got it wrong they stroked home the tricky second putt without batting an eyelid.

Hobbit you are right about recovery shots. On our 6th I teed off last. Warren went first and was short and right about 12 yards from the pin, on a bare lie and needing to clear a bunker. Ash finished on the fringe so I clubbed up and hit the green in regulation. Warren then hit a lob wedge as if he was playing a bunker shot and stopped it three foot from the pin. One of the best shots I have ever seen! He did give me a dirty look when I stroked in the birdie putt claiming he'd nearly broken his wrists for absolutely no gain! Their course management was awesome as well.

It was a great match and I've taken lots of positives from it. Ash was upset at the half way point as he didn't win his first skin till the 9th hole and needed an eagle to do it. Warren's off to Asian Tour Q-School in the New Year, really hoping he gets his card as he is a top lad.