Had a mare but I'm happy...

[Tiger]

Two major issues with my game today and a score of 109 on my first medal. Hit 4 GIR today and then took 12 putts to get the ball in the hole, including a four putt. It should have been a maximum of 7 putts. Just put a but if unnecessary pressure on myself because...

...my performance off the tees was poor. 3 Wood needs loads of work. Thing is once I got it to about 160/170 yards I played really well (with the exception of the dodgy putting above). When I missed the green I chipped really well and putted well when the pressure was off. Seven penalties to add to my misery.

But I'm happy because I feel that although my scores aren't improving I am much more consistent. In the past I've dropped shots everywhere, whereas now it's all mainly off the tee. Oh well one card down two to go.

 

[BushFinder]

Well done Tiger, glad you got the first medal out of the way.
I remember how nervous I was, club comps just get easier the more you play them.
I'm sure you left a lot of shots out on the course, that will soon be gone from your game!

BushFinder

 

[birdieman]

Well done.

Project scratch is now formally underway!!

Bit to go but you're on your way!

 

[richy]

Im sort of in the same boat as you as I think we started about the same time. I just wanted to say well done for taking the plunge and entering. I still havent got the bottle to do it. YET!!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Well done. Now you've done the hard bit and played in a medal it'll get easier. Look at where the shots are going and work on those areas. I know you are in a transitional stage with your teaching pro at the moment (looking for a new one) but I think tee shots must be the next step. Getting the ball in play (ideally a decent distance too) will save a handful of shots before you start.

 

[Leftie]

Eradicate the 7 penalties and the 3/4 putts and you will be down to the mid teens h/cap in no time

 

[Spinn77]

Well done Tiger, get the first one out of the way.

The Tee shots should be the easiest full shots, think in terms of what you can influence - the tee peg hieght, your level stance, move the ball accross the teeing area till your comfy and can see the shot you want to hit, and so on. Every other shot will depend on some more random factors.

Try to deal with the tee shot issue positively and i think you'll see good progress. As mentioned, once your getting the ball safely in play, even if it's 'just 200 yards', your handicap will tumble. penalty drops/shots are the things you can quickly avoid.

well done again and keep at it

 

[Tiger]

Thanks guys. Yes just a smidgeon to go Birdieman, should be done by Xmas

Feel much less worried about them now in fact can't wait for the next one! Definitely, having a lesson on Saturday and then playing Stapleford Abbots with my brother on Sunday which will be a timely change of scenery.

Richy I wouldn't worry about it. I bottled it last month but now I regret not doing it sooner.

You guys have already picked up on it that the reason I'm happy is because I think my two main problem areas will be the 'easiest' to fix. I had been most worried about my approach shots and chipping but have a lot more confidence now. I compared my stats with the disaster round I had when I played my brother and my performance off the tee in the medal was worse! At least it shows my scrambling has improved!

 

[Leftie]

Just a thought Tiger, et al.

If you think about it, apart from the par 3's, the tee shot is the only shot you play without a specific real target to aim at (i.e. flag). All most of us higher h/cappers are trying to do is hit the ball as far as we can in a general direction i.e. maybe left/right hand side of fairway, tree in the distance, etc.

This was brought home to me a few years ago when on one particular hole there was a small area in the middle of the fairway at driving distance where the grass was far darker than the surrounding area. Having a specific spot on the fairway to aim at worked wonders for my driving on that hole while the dark patch lasted. From memory (OK, I'm an old geezer so my memory may be somewhat suspect ) I probably hit 80/90% of my drives on that hole within a few yards of that line.

How often has someone said something like "your line is that bird/marker/whatever on the fairway" and you hit the line?

Note to self.....

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Well done Tiger, good to get your 1st medal out of the way and to start playing under the pressure of having a card in your hand.

 

[Tiger]

Just a thought Tiger, et al.

If you think about it, apart from the par 3's, the tee shot is the only shot you play without a specific real target to aim at (i.e. flag). All most of us higher h/cappers are trying to do is hit the ball as far as we can in a general direction i.e. maybe left/right hand side of fairway, tree in the distance, etc.

Blinking nora Leftie, you may have just cracked it. Teeing off after a single figure H/C on our 2nd and seeing him hit a 5 iron made me feel much more relaxed about choice of club focus on my target and hey presto on the fairway. Replaying my problem holes in my head and on all the poor shots I had no specific target from the tee. Having read as much Rotella as i have you'd have thought that lesson would have stuck!!!!

Will employ that on the weekend and let you know how I get on. Thanks Leftie

 

[Leftie]

Hope it works for you mate.