Come & have a wander round Kings Acre for free, gents.

John_Findlay

John_Findlay

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DCB recently told me that I was obviously getting cabin fever and that I needed to get out more. It was his polite way of telling me I was sad. That's ok, Dave. I know already

So my project for the week, come hell or high water (it turned out to be the latter, actually) was to get up to my home course for a game.The forecast for Wednesday was light rain in the morning followed by "sunny spells" We all know what that means.

So here is the result, all in glorious HD. Hopefully it will inform those who've not played the course. For best viewing click the 720p HD and the expand buttons-

Half by way of a review of my home course for the forum and half to test out my new pocket camcorder in poor light I've put together these three videos of Kings Acre Golf Course in the drizzle.

Shot by shot review of the first 14 holes. Come round with me and see what you make of it. All comments, good or bad, are appreciated. It's a shame I didn't get the last 4 holes. They're the most fun, in my opinion, particularly the 15th which is probably the signature hole and a bit mental. Another day, maybe.

Holes 1-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAQbWGt69_w

Holes 5-9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyX5_suMHXU

Holes 10-14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTDv9jvp5Do

There's also a video of the driving range where they have the Titleist National Fitting Centre. It's the best range I've been to so it's worth a look ;-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhCou0W2UKo


It's a pay and play course but one of the better ones I've played and popular with societies. Not too hard, not too easy and very pretty in the sunshine. Par 70, CSS 69. 5800 yards from the front tees.

I gave up on the 14th and wandered down the 18th as my grips were like slippery butter by then and I was soaked through to my pants.

The entertainment and encouragement comes from being able to have a bloody good laugh at my woeful short game. All comments gratefully received. I'm opening myself up to a bit of ribbing on this one. I'm afraid these are my typical shots! I think I'm needing to get up to the range with Tommo, short game maestro, who'll give me a bit of a talking to. "Give up", might be sound advice.
 
Good start!! a pushed drive, a thin, a shank.... did you 3-putt as well? :)

Great effort with the video. Have often thought about taking a video record of my round... do you use some kind of tripod or wedge the camera on the top of your bag?
 
Aahhh there's no shot I can't play!

Actually the putting was ok that day. I wasn't holing out on many holes just for sake of speed but it was nice to be back on greens I know after those seven 3 putts at the Glen last week.

Yeah, used a camera tripod. Resting it on the bag never works.
 
Pretty good vids there JF.I'm always telling people how good the course is but it's usually met with a look of 'you are feckin mental'.It's still pretty soggy and drainage could be better ( the dip infront of the 1st green/9th tee and the 17th tee) but generally it's stood up pretty well to the crappy weather.

You look a much better golfer than me, but I'd suggest 3/4 iron off the 1st tee (yellows) I reckon the closer you get to the bottom of the dip the harder that holes becomes.

Nice shot on the 4th btw!
 
...I reckon the closer you get to the bottom of the dip the harder that holes becomes.
Click to expand...

It certainly does when you've got a short game like mine!!!

Yeah, I often just hit an iron off the first, hoping to leave about 125-135 into the green from the flat area near that bunker. But it's a tricky one to get the distance right to the green cos' it always looks further than the yardage reads. Optical illusion.

And as you say, the course is usually always playable when other inland courses nearby are closed. Drainage is pretty excellent generally.
 
Why don't you start telling yourself your a dam fine pitcher of the ball and chipping is great fun???


Change your whole mental approach and stop worrying and fretting about the short irons.

I wouldn't mind comming through east for a knock in April time or later once it heats up a bit, nice looking course.
 
You're right, Crawford. I know you are. But my short game's been like this since I took the game up again 9 years ago though so it's tough to erase all the bad memories. My last good chip was 2 years ago. I remember it well. Gullane 2. 18th hole, cack handed, lipped out for eagle. One day, eh?

The one good thing about the video is that at least it has shown me the major technical fault. Long backswing, short follow through. Deceleration. Flipping. Duh!!! In my mind I'm taking it back half the distance I actually am. I'll be working on that at the range.

You're always welcome to come over for a knock anytime. I think you'd enjoy it, especially in the good weather. The last 4 holes are great fun. Reckon you'd make mincemeat of it, mate.
 
You're right, Crawford. I know you are. But my short game's been like this since I took the game up again 9 years ago though so it's tough to erase all the bad memories. My last good chip was 2 years ago. I remember it well. Gullane 2. 18th hole, cack handed, lipped out for eagle. One day, eh?

The one good thing about the video is that at least it has shown me the major technical fault. Long backswing, short follow through. Deceleration. Flipping. Duh!!! In my mind I'm taking it back half the distance I actually am. I'll be working on that at the range.

You're always welcome to come over for a knock anytime. I think you'd enjoy it, especially in the good weather. The last 4 holes are great fun. Reckon you'd make mincemeat of it, mate.
Click to expand...

Go and see Matt @ KA, he'll sort you out.The wee private short game area they have is excellent.
 
We'll get a wee forum outing arranged when the good weather arrives then Steve. Now you know where the trouble is, eh?

Adi, you still a member now you're joining the Glen? Care to sign some of the boys on, too? Would be a laugh.
 
We'll get a wee forum outing arranged when the good weather arrives then Steve. Now you know where the trouble is, eh?

Adi, you still a member now you're joining the Glen? Care to sign some of the boys on, too? Would be a laugh.
Click to expand...

Sounds good John i'd look forward to that,the way i played yesterday i'll bring my chainsaw it will be that far in
:)
 
Nice effort with the video mate.
Much better than just photos as you get to see the contours of the course as well.

A repeat performance in the summer would be even better and show the course beautifully in all its' glory.

I'm impressed.
 
What was your score after the 14 holes then?
Click to expand...

+4 for the first 9 thanks to those beautiful chips.

Bogied 10, bad chip
Parred 11
Birdied 12, off camera, with a one handed putt, honest, though
Lost that ball on 13
Didn't play the 14th. Played 18 in par.

:D

Somewhere between my C and B game, Owen. Rusty.
 
This is going to sound TERRIBLE especially from a hacker but from those first two chips, you don't look like a 6 handicapper!


Going to watch this all the way through, fascinating to see your mindset.
 
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