The_LHC
Head Pro
Some of you may remember my rantings the other week about the course I'm playing at most weeks and whether or not I was going to join, the main issue being that, despite being a 14 handicapper I've never broken 90 at this course, in fact I haven't done at any course this year.
I have now, played Willingcott Valley yesterday, lovely day, quite a stiff breeze, as the name suggests the course makes its way across both sides of a valley but it's a much gentler set of slopes than Portmore, where I usually play. It's also a lot softer (it retains a lot of water, it was a bit boggy underfoot yesterday and it hasn't rained much this week), on the greens particularly, which are very receptive.
Anyway, I played ok, hit some nice drives, some not so nice, the putting was up and down, had three 3-putts in four holes on the front 9 (including one that started off as a putt for eagle!) but had 7 pars and 2 birdies and walked off with 84, two under handicap. Funny thing was I didn't think I played any better than average and neither myself or my partner thought we got the hang of the greens at all (but he was over-hitting everything, I was leaving eveything short), what I did do was hit some very solid irons, everything from 4 to 8 was pretty decent. Anyway it at least proved to me that I can play to 14 still.
So, much buoyed, I made the mistake of playing back at Portmore today, arguably drove better, definitely putted better (apart from the 13th, which seemed to be twice as quick as every other green, I hate that), again hit some great irons, didn't lose one ball on the back 9 (front 9? don't ask), finished with 31 points and shot... 92.
I REALLY hate that course and I definitely won't be joining, especially as it becomes virtually unplayable over winter from what some of the members were saying today. Unfortunately Willingcott isn't playable either and neither is Libbaton according to what they were telling us when we were there the other week. Which doesn't leave too many options really, RND and Saunton will be playable it's just a shame about the distance, not sure about Ilfracombe, I'd have thought it should drain out being on such a slope but it's difficult to tell really. Evidentally High Bullen does remain playable but my playing partner today said the greens were rubbish when they were there a few weeks ago, something about some disease that has got into them but they've just been taking over, so maybe something will get sorted soon, might try to get up there for a round at some point.
I have now, played Willingcott Valley yesterday, lovely day, quite a stiff breeze, as the name suggests the course makes its way across both sides of a valley but it's a much gentler set of slopes than Portmore, where I usually play. It's also a lot softer (it retains a lot of water, it was a bit boggy underfoot yesterday and it hasn't rained much this week), on the greens particularly, which are very receptive.
Anyway, I played ok, hit some nice drives, some not so nice, the putting was up and down, had three 3-putts in four holes on the front 9 (including one that started off as a putt for eagle!) but had 7 pars and 2 birdies and walked off with 84, two under handicap. Funny thing was I didn't think I played any better than average and neither myself or my partner thought we got the hang of the greens at all (but he was over-hitting everything, I was leaving eveything short), what I did do was hit some very solid irons, everything from 4 to 8 was pretty decent. Anyway it at least proved to me that I can play to 14 still.
So, much buoyed, I made the mistake of playing back at Portmore today, arguably drove better, definitely putted better (apart from the 13th, which seemed to be twice as quick as every other green, I hate that), again hit some great irons, didn't lose one ball on the back 9 (front 9? don't ask), finished with 31 points and shot... 92.
I REALLY hate that course and I definitely won't be joining, especially as it becomes virtually unplayable over winter from what some of the members were saying today. Unfortunately Willingcott isn't playable either and neither is Libbaton according to what they were telling us when we were there the other week. Which doesn't leave too many options really, RND and Saunton will be playable it's just a shame about the distance, not sure about Ilfracombe, I'd have thought it should drain out being on such a slope but it's difficult to tell really. Evidentally High Bullen does remain playable but my playing partner today said the greens were rubbish when they were there a few weeks ago, something about some disease that has got into them but they've just been taking over, so maybe something will get sorted soon, might try to get up there for a round at some point.