Season's over -how did you get on?

[birdieman]

October tomorrow, dress it up how you like but let's be honest the competitive golf season is now over.
My season never got started, back injury in early April, didn't play competitively until June, had a wee purple patch late June early July then all went downhill and last competitive game I played was on August the 2nd, it was so bad I just stopped playing.

2008 season-
starting handicap 5.0
end handicap 5.2.
Number of qualifying rounds played = 17 made up as- handicap cut 3 rounds, buffer zone 4 rounds and 0.1 increase 10 rounds

A season to quickly forget. Oh well, at least there's next year?...maybe

 

[krokodil]

Been cut two shots, but my aim at the start of the year was single figures so I haven't achieved that. I'm hoping that some hard work over the winter will help me reach that goal by next summer.

 

[USER1999]

It is not over yet Birdieman. We have our last big comp on sunday. Last chance to get cut, last chance to win my annual side bet too. Unfortunately I need to finish in the top ten for that, so need to get my playing hat on.

Other than that, I have won nothing this year in terms of trophies, and have started the year on 11.7, and look to be finishing it on 11.6 (if I don't buffer on Sunday).

There is at least one more medal after that, but I am not sure I will bother as they will have tined the greens by then. They have already scarified the fairways (before finals day too, which is a bit odd).

I feel I am swinging better, but as yet no advances. Maybe the problem is between the ears.

On the bright side, the xmas review should leave me alone, and I haven't gone up. something to be grateful for I suppose.

I will continue to play through the winter as always, which means I will be starting next season with the same niggling back problems that have beset this one. The sheets for the foursomes and greensomes winter knockouts are already up. Foursomes is with your own partner, greensomes is drawn high/low.

The temps are prepped. Bring on the snow.

 

[Dodger]

Yearly report from Start of Oct 2007 reads....

Oct 01 2007 Hcp 2.8
Oct 01 2008 Hcp 2.8!!!
28 qualifying comps
7 cuts in Hcp
10 up 0.1's
11 buffers.

Fairly steady stuff.Never bothered to look at this but I read into that that if I could smarten up just 1 area of my game I think I could get down to maybe 2.0 to 2.2 by turning those buffer rounds into cuts in Hcp??
Won a couple of things,1 individual and 3 pairs comps so an okay season,looking forward to the winter and next season already!

 

[HTL]

My first real season as a golfer and I have loved it, met some great folks on here for a game and other when walking around courses (also some nutter OAPs having a fight).

My game has been consistently bad / average but I have loved every moment. Started at a 30ish handicap and now playing about 25.

 

[brendy]

couple of 0.4s 0.2's etc this year but enough .1's back to put me exactly where I started this year also. I see this as ultimately a failure but at the same time I had been on a declining spiral for the previous 2 years gaining 3 strokes. So not great but also no worse which is something, heres to a better 2009, i did well last winter season so hopefully can do the same this year.

 

[John_Findlay]

Cracking year so far as some of the golf is concerned but not the handicap.

Started the year off 8.8 and now it's 9.0. Only played in 4 medals I think.

Highlights;-

Playing the GM days at the Jubilee, Rosemount and the Glen and meeting many staff and forumers. Great guys one and all.

Scoring a personal best 67

Reaching my 100th course at the Old Course and shooting a 74.

Winning our League of Gentlemen Trophy and our annual Nairn Golf Trip trophy.

Being told my reader article is gonna appear in the December issue.

All in all pretty chuffed...apart from the weather!

 

[TWM]

I had hoped to be playing to my club H/C of 26 but became ill in February and, although I am almost clear of this, my golf has just got worse.
Last senior medal of the year on Thursday and I hope to be in there trying.

 

[birdieman]

I did manage to win 2 singles cups somehow but pretty minor ones with small fields. Still £30 in vouchers coming my way = 3 packs of proV1's....Good days!!!

 

[medwayjon]

Finished the season at 26.8 due to a lack of comps as my business affairs, family and wedding plans have interrupted things.

Highlights of this season;
1) Breaking 90 with an 85 and then beating that with an 82
2) Making my 1st eagle and then having 2 more
3) Getting several verifiable 300+yd drives, one was with a 3-wood.
4) Playing (and winning) the GM Zane Scotland day at Princes
5) Joining a great society and making many new chums.
6) The GM Forum meets this year, thanks guys, was a pleasure to meet you all.

 

[DCB]

Started the year at 10.8 managed to get down to 10.6 and a few buffer zones followed before mediocrity set in. Last four comps have seen me go up 0.1 every time. Off 11.2 now, felt the last four were not reflecting my play as the monsoon conditions of Aug into Sept turned our course into a quagmire in places. Compared with last three seasons this one has not been too bad though. Playing the final of the mixed foursomes this weekend so there may well be hope yet!

 

[viscount17]

Started 24.0 (initial h/cap), currently 24.3 but one more medal to go.

played some new courses, met some great guys, started watching live golf, got a GM event to go to - even if I stay up 0.3 it's still a winner.

 

[Cernunnos]

For those who live & breath club comps, then maybe the season is over or nearly over, but for those who have a bit of wanderlust in their FJ's then the season is just begining its the start of winter rates at many courses & many more in november & the chance to try pastures new at a reasonable price with your mates....

... The season is just starting.

 

[flandango]

I dusted off my clubs after an 14 year absence, then had a complete bag overhaul with just a few things left to change.

Shot a 81 at my club which I joined only 4 months ago and have been consistantly around this figure.

My aim before christmas was to get the clubs I need to be able to perform to my max potential, then from december to march practice, practice, practice.

By end of 2009 I want to be in a position to drop to single figures in 2010!!! I'M HITTING THE PRACTICE GREEN AND RANGE WITH AVENGANCE!!

Setting myself goals and targets gives me a focus in the winter months!

It would also be nice to have the chance to play with a few of you guys!

 

[Imurg]

What's a buffer zone??

I've been so erratic this season I don't think I've had one yet - either been cut or gone up 0.1

Started the year at 13 and have got down to 11 with another couple of chances to get down further. Overall I'm quite happy but would be happier if I could consistently break 80 and not go 75,93,76,89,79,100,76 etc.

 

[EchtLoon]

Great season. Started at 8.8, my highest for about ten years.

Decided it was time for a change, and got new fitted Mizuno irons. Have been on form almost right from the off, winning a couple of stableford comps, plus the handicap Club Championship, and also winning a 36 holer trophy back at my Aberdeenshire club as well.

Now 6.2, only 0.2 off my all time low, but also expect an end of season adjustment cut, as even my non-cut rounds tended to be in or very close to the buffer. Worst round was 6 over Css, and not a single NR all year.

 

[DCB]

EchtLoon,

That's some going in a year where we've had really poor weather. Where do you play in Aberdeenshire ?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think my targets and failures have been pretty well documented on here over the course of the season. I started at 13 and wanted to get to 10 but have gone to 15 instead.

I can't really put my finger on exactly why it all went wrong. I guess my pro moving to a club some 45 minutes away and having to change didn't help but to be fair to my club pro he has taught me well and I understood what he wanted me to do and for a while could do it. Despite what it may have seemed like, I have actually kept a fairly settled bag for the most part so I can't blame the equipment.

I thought I had a sensible practice regime that focussed on all aspects but included at least an hour a week on putting and a session a week on just chipping and shots from <50 yards instead of down the range every night hitting ball after ball. That said my range sessions were on the whole solid and I would inevitably leave thinking my swing was in good shape. Until I stepped onto the course. I even tried not practicing at all and just playing twice at weekends to no avail.

Now the shorter nights are here the range is little use to me. My eyesight at the best of times isn't good and frankly anything over an 8 iron down the range goes into the yonder and I just cant see or follow the ball rendering the whole process fruitless. However the good news is that my original coach has moved to a club only a short twenty minute drive away and I have a lesson booked for next Thursday.

I am not planning to make any hard and fast plans for the winter other than accepting that in the harder conditions I am not going to play sparkling golf all of the time and accept that my practice time will be limited and ensure that I make the most of it and practice only good things and don't bring too many bad habits into 2009. After that I'll reassess come the spring

 

[Ken_A]

Started this year at 28.0 (and could not play to it)
Ended at 24.5 - quite piffed off as my last 3 comps where I should have put in a good score I have ended up with NR's. Pity as I was aiming fo 22 by the end of the season.

Ooh well I suppose there is always next year.

 

[EchtLoon]

EchtLoon,

That's some going in a year where we've had really poor weather. Where do you play in Aberdeenshire ?

Dunecht House. But I play my golf mainly at Walton Hall in Warrington. And thanks