Enjoyable

[HomerJSimpson]

Managed to get out and play 18 holes this morning after all my recent tribulations. Not having practiced very much (or at least very constructively) and having had a few shanks on the practice ground I wasn't overly excited. Ended up with 31 points including two holes I didn't score on and taking 36 putts so it was better than it could have been.

The ball striking itself wasn't great and I couldn't find the centre of the club all day but had one of those rounds where you manage to somehow get it round. I did manage a birdie 2 at the 8th and a sand save for par at the last. My driver was really strange and I couldn't seem to get it much above head height all round except for two that I came out of early and carved way right which annoyingly sailed at a reasonable trajectory and height.

I guess all things considered I'm happy and it was good to get out. I think because I hadn't played and wasn't hitting it great in warm up that I maybe got a little swing focussed (as I use to) rather than just enjoying it. I'm tempted to get out onto the grass practice area before going to my mum at first light for an hour as I'm sure I'll get more from hitting "for real" and can try and find my timing etc better.

 

[sawtooth]

Hi Homer hope you dont mind me asking what sort of grass practice area are you referring to and where is it? I am trying to find a place that I can hit range balls of grass instead of mats. I know you are local so it cant be far from me. Oh and by the way is it private or open to all? I am never too sure if ranges on most courses are for members only or for anyone to rock up. Sandmartins for example seem to be forever on mats even though they have grass bays.

 

[kid2]

Homer mate i cant speak for you but if i knock it round in more than 30 points im happy....Even though i get 0.1 back as far as 33 points its a good round.....

Im out in the morning and i have been doing some work on my swing so im not expecting alot....Just cant wait to get out and knock it round in the rain

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Hi Homer hope you dont mind me asking what sort of grass practice area are you referring to and where is it? I am trying to find a place that I can hit range balls of grass instead of mats. I know you are local so it cant be far from me. Oh and by the way is it private or open to all? I am never too sure if ranges on most courses are for members only or for anyone to rock up. Sandmartins for example seem to be forever on mats even though they have grass bays.

It's the clubs practice ground. Basic but functional and about 220 yards long so you can get up to hitting woods and I can get away with driver too as it is usually into the wind. It's members only. It also has a pretty decent bunker but the short game area is crap (hence why I use the one at Sand Martins) although we can practice chipping onto the main butting green (chip and runs only though). Sand Martins have been using the grass area in front of the mats on their range all summer but have gone back to mats only for the winter

The only place I know of that has a grass short game area that isn't members only (Sand Martins is too but I get couresy because of HID) is Wexham Park in Slough. As for grass practice areas, I'm struggling to think of anywhere. The only place that sprang to mind was the one in the middle of Sandown Park

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Managed to get to the range today as well to finally work on the lesson I had 10 days ago. I'll post a video up later but was trying to feel the hips remaining level and turning and not sliding to try and feel more on top of the ball with my chest.

I have to say all in all it was a pretty successful session and I felt like I made some real progress. I haven't stopped my "lift" through impact but I've drastically reduced it and I finally feel as though I'm compressing the ball at impact.

To be honest I really enjoyed the two hours. It was great to focus on something else completely and I can see where the bad shots yesterday came from. Much more worthwhile than playing in the heavy rain we've had most of the day.

 

[Alex1975]

As the thread is called “enjoyable” I thought I would chime in with my joy for the day. I had a nice slow range session today, lots of balls and no rushing. I hit my first three balls along the ground but that did not bother me at all as it’s not something I have a problem with and it just focused me. After that I hit the seven iron for 25 or 30 balls then made my way up to the five all the way to driver. Apart from the driver I hit the ball so nicely and it really was a feeling of pure joy. I was able to really get to the ball today and the more I did the more I could. I feel in recent times I have had a small issue that knocked my confidence in a huge way and that lead to me bottling out of all my shots, the whole thing sent me in a spiral but today I took from the game and the game did not take from me. I left the range with a big grin and it’s still on my face now.

 

[richart]

Hey some of us had to play their first Winter League match today ! It started raining on the first tee, and didn't stop until we just finished our match.

Why do i enter each year ?

Oh i know because we won 3 and 2, and i was under handicap when we finished on the 16th Back to back birdies helped, and more importantly my second round without any back problems. Dare i think it is a thing of the past ?

 

[feary]

Try my round, 9 over front. Block followed by block and so on for 9 holes. All of a sudden on the 10th tee absolutely nail one and from their one played awesome. I had suddenly rediscovered my swing and everything seemed to drop. 4 under for the back nine including 2 birdies in the last 3. For 36 points. A game of 2 halves