Single figures at last

[TonyN]

Well done, Tony. That was fast

Thanks for kind words all.

Wasn't really that fast though, I've been playing 10 years. And for about 6 of them people have often told me thats where I should be. I just never settled at a club long enough to play regularly to get down low enough.

One thing I have learnt, is not being naturally good at golf means I HAVE to practice regularly to keep things going. And living 20 mins drive from the club means I dont get there enough. I can see winter being a slog.

 

[Curls]

Hi Tony,

First off congrats, enjoy the moment and don't worry about what's ahead. I made single figures around this time last year and was sure the next stop was Cat 1. I more or less took the winter off, save for a few lessons which changed my swing quite a bit. I then got new bats and have chopped and changed putters a bit for the first time this year too. The result? Inconsistency. But I feel like if I stayed doing what I did to get me to single figures it wouldn't have got me much lower. I might have made 7 or 8 in time but I certainly wasn't better than that.

I do feel like I'm a better golfer now. I strike the ball better, I’ve hit shots this year that I could have only dreamt of shooting last year. However the numbers don't show it, I've been on a steady rise and Sunday saw me back to 10.5. It's been frustrating to say the least. I could have played fewer competitions while the rough was long, winds were up and my game was in transition, but I prefer to get out there and test myself against tough conditions to see where I really am. It's close, I just have to relax a bit more and stop trying to force it to happen, I think that's been one of the biggest things in my way this season.
The moral of the story? Do what you feel will give you the most enjoyment from the game. Winter should not be a slog. Play socially or work on something but don’t feel like it’s a job, that won’t make you feel any better about yourself or your game. You are justifiably made up about making single figures, for many it’s a lifelong pursuit, so soak it up and enjoy your golf for now. If you do want to get lower and know there are things to work on, my advice would be to change one thing at a time. The consistency of your current game should not be underestimated, you won’t know how consistent you were until you aren’t! For example if you work on bunker play while keeping the rest of your game the same then yes it’ll take longer but you will get better and I reckon that’s the way forward, change everything and you are in for a torrid time. Your bats are good (mine weren’t fit for purpose) so don’t change them in the hope of cutting a shot, that ain’t how it works! If you’re genuinely doing something different with the ball than you have been, then you may need a different club in your hands, but for the most part the fewer parts you can change the better for your enjoyment going forward.

Again, well done, you made it, good man.

 

[TonyN]

Hi Tony,

First off congrats, enjoy the moment and don't worry about what's ahead. I made single figures around this time last year and was sure the next stop was Cat 1. I more or less took the winter off, save for a few lessons which changed my swing quite a bit. I then got new bats and have chopped and changed putters a bit for the first time this year too. The result? Inconsistency. But I feel like if I stayed doing what I did to get me to single figures it wouldn't have got me much lower. I might have made 7 or 8 in time but I certainly wasn't better than that.

I do feel like I'm a better golfer now. I strike the ball better, I’ve hit shots this year that I could have only dreamt of shooting last year. However the numbers don't show it, I've been on a steady rise and Sunday saw me back to 10.5. It's been frustrating to say the least. I could have played fewer competitions while the rough was long, winds were up and my game was in transition, but I prefer to get out there and test myself against tough conditions to see where I really am. It's close, I just have to relax a bit more and stop trying to force it to happen, I think that's been one of the biggest things in my way this season.
The moral of the story? Do what you feel will give you the most enjoyment from the game. Winter should not be a slog. Play socially or work on something but don’t feel like it’s a job, that won’t make you feel any better about yourself or your game. You are justifiably made up about making single figures, for many it’s a lifelong pursuit, so soak it up and enjoy your golf for now. If you do want to get lower and know there are things to work on, my advice would be to change one thing at a time. The consistency of your current game should not be underestimated, you won’t know how consistent you were until you aren’t! For example if you work on bunker play while keeping the rest of your game the same then yes it’ll take longer but you will get better and I reckon that’s the way forward, change everything and you are in for a torrid time. Your bats are good (mine weren’t fit for purpose) so don’t change them in the hope of cutting a shot, that ain’t how it works! If you’re genuinely doing something different with the ball than you have been, then you may need a different club in your hands, but for the most part the fewer parts you can change the better for your enjoyment going forward.

Again, well done, you made it, good man.

Thanks Curls, Interesting read.

I am really enjoying my golf at the moment. What I have enjoyed most, is being at a friendly, well equipped club. Having the facilities to practice which brings everything together. For me at least, this is vital. Unless you are super gifted, getting down there without regular practice is always going to be tough.
Our course isn't somewhere you can play well with one shot shape. Genuinely, to play well you need to be either super accurate, or be able to move the ball both ways. Having been a draw hitter for most of my years, it destroyed me when I joined. I was hitting draws into fairways that sloped left and finding trouble. Practising the fade is ultimately what has helped the scores come down. I'm not trying to paint the picture I can hit what I want at will, but generally, I can get it there or there about on a good day and it helps.

I also feel that my old kit is holding me back slightly too. I haven't bought anything for years, and as the kit was all fit for my old swing I think I could rid some inconsistency by finding the right kit for the swing I currently have. And I know most will say it seems to be working fine, but one example I would give, is my driver and 3 wood go almost the same distance. The only reason I use the driver, is because its easier to shape. I won't buy kit without seeing actual improved results so wont waste money buying for the sake of it.

The winter slog I was referring to, was because I'm going try take more lessons and use the winter to strengthen my swing, improve my weak areas. It's not necessarily a bad thing. I do enjoy a good slog as long as I'm having fun doing so.

 

[Curls]

Thanks Curls, Interesting read.

I am really enjoying my golf at the moment. What I have enjoyed most, is being at a friendly, well equipped club. Having the facilities to practice which brings everything together. For me at least, this is vital. Unless you are super gifted, getting down there without regular practice is always going to be tough.
Our course isn't somewhere you can play well with one shot shape. Genuinely, to play well you need to be either super accurate, or be able to move the ball both ways. Having been a draw hitter for most of my years, it destroyed me when I joined. I was hitting draws into fairways that sloped left and finding trouble. Practising the fade is ultimately what has helped the scores come down. I'm not trying to paint the picture I can hit what I want at will, but generally, I can get it there or there about on a good day and it helps.

I also feel that my old kit is holding me back slightly too. I haven't bought anything for years, and as the kit was all fit for my old swing I think I could rid some inconsistency by finding the right kit for the swing I currently have. And I know most will say it seems to be working fine, but one example I would give, is my driver and 3 wood go almost the same distance. The only reason I use the driver, is because its easier to shape. I won't buy kit without seeing actual improved results so wont waste money buying for the sake of it.

The winter slog I was referring to, was because I'm going try take more lessons and use the winter to strengthen my swing, improve my weak areas. It's not necessarily a bad thing. I do enjoy a good slog as long as I'm having fun doing so.

Good stuff, well if the kit is old and not performing then you deserve to treat yourself, working on stuff over the winter is certainly prefferable to the summer - and don't forget to change your sig!!!

 

[TonyN]

Good stuff, well if the kit is old and not performing then you deserve to treat yourself, working on stuff over the winter is certainly prefferable to the summer - and don't forget to change your sig!!!

Noted!

 

[tincup]

Nice one Tony
About time too!

 

[FairwayDodger]

Congratulations...... Now go lower!

 

[teetime75]

Well done. knew you had it in you when we played Fishwick
all those yrs. ago.
Correct me if i`m wrong,but didn`t you start out playing left hand.

 

[TonyN]

Well done. knew you had it in you when we played Fishwick
all those yrs. ago.
Correct me if i`m wrong,but didn`t you start out playing left hand.

Wow, fishwick, my first forum meet.

Not left handed, but cack handed. Very impressed you remember that. I had always picked up a club cack handed as a kid,( pitch and putt etc) but was convinced by the first pro I had to change as I'd only been playing that way properly for about 6 months or so.

Best change I've ever made.

 

[Siren]

Congrats !!