How do you measure progress?

[User20205]

Its pretty simple I don't suck onto his every excuse and sob stories,when you set yourself up for a fall you have to take the flak if you fail.

I'll quote so homer can see this

Sorry but I don't agree. He's not elected into some kind of representative office. He maybe a rampant self publicist, but he doesn't have to take any flak. It may be irritating and far too tempting and easy to have a little dig, but we can chose just to ignore it.

I am slightly fascinated by homers approach. I keep no stats, my approach is diametrically opposed, but maybe I could benefit from more structure. I may start recording GIR if I can be arsed, this would be the most important indicator imo.

Another maybe 'a shots cost off the tee indicator' either lost, ob or being put in a non advantageous position. For me FIR tells me nothing.

 

[chrisd]

I'll quote so homer can see this

Sorry but I don't agree. He's not elected into some kind of representative office. He maybe a rampant self publicist, but he doesn't have to take any flak. It may be irritating and far too tempting and easy to have a little dig, but we can chose just to ignore it.

.

I think that sums up the situation pretty succinctly.i think Homer suffers from the same problem that eventually we all do - he's probably reached the edge of his ability level and without a real lightbulb moment or, some really serious improvement from a coach, he, like most of us will continue to play similar rounds week after week, messing up 3 or 4 holes per game but probably not the same ones and plateauing out his scores - I've been there for a while so know the feeling and, like him, suffered I'll health along the way

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Serious question Homer....
Is it always the last 3 or 4 holes where it goes tits up?
If it is, I can understand the logic of the health being an issue.
But if the bad holes come early on, or in the middle of the round it doesn't make much sense.
I know if I start feeling a bit "monkey" during a round it's impossible to turn it around.
Just asking.

Good question Smiffy.

Last year in particular it was definitely the rounds would definitely tail off. I'd usually make par at the easy par 5 15th, and then struggle off the tee on the tight 16th (OOB only 15 yards left of the tee running for about 180 yards, heavy rough and trees right). That would usually lead to bogey at best, usually a six though. I'd always go right last year off the 17th (220 yard par 3) and it would depend how left to whether it was the thick, shin deep stuff (usually lost ball in summer) or playable but either way would leave a tough pitch over sand to a green sloping away. On the last (uphill 520 yard par 5) it was invariably right into semi rough, another up the fairway leaving a choice between going for it from 160+ yards over water or laying up, pitching on and hoping for 6, net 5. Always took the latter in comps but then usually found a way to screw it from there.

That all said, there were times, before and while I was ill where I'd play well and then chuck two massive scores in from nowhere. Not the end of the world in stableford but proper card killers in a medal. Never the same hole twice (bar our 6th which has a real hold on me) and never the same mistake twice, so not always a tee shot to blame.

I've written a lot of 2016 off in my mind given what I had to contend with and start 2017 with a blank piece of paper. So far my golf has consisted of one lesson last weekend and one not very good round of golf a fortnight ago. Range time has been very limited too. It starts as of tonight when I get back to the range and work on the stuff from the weekend lesson and back on the course at the weekend, fog and frost permitting. I have a few ideas of what I want to try differently in my approach this year. to simplify it all when I play.