Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
Nice score. Congrats!! Someone better buy you one.
Nice score. Congrats!! Someone better buy you one.
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2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
- Thread starter joecct
- Start date
Proud2baLaker
Master of Science
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
So here is how my round went. I started off with a great drive on the 1st and hit the green in reg. 2 putt par. Par on the par 5 2nd. Par on the next hole. Didnt hit fairway or green in reg on 2 or 3 but didnt miss by enough to have it be a negative thing. Then went par, par, par before bogey on 7 and then par, par. Had a few good birdie chances that I missed by as little as an inch or two in one case. Felt really really good after the first 9. A one over 37 was my best 9 ever. Started bogey, par, bogey par on the back. Was feeling a little less good as I was losing consistency. Then monster drive on 14 leaves me 20 yards short and I pitch it up to 3 feet and get the bird. Went bogey bogey on 15 and 16 (two tough holes on this course) before a nice par on the 17th (par 3 that I left a birdie put about 5 inches short on). Big drive on 18. In the fairway but had a tree to contend with. Tried a punch but miss hit it short. Pitched it up to about 6 feet and drained the par putt. Did a big fist pump and kept saying "yes, yes" to myself. Unfortunately I played this round alone, though I honestly did not take any mulligans or anything. Had a huge smile on my face when I walked off. Called my dad on the drive home to tell him all about it (he plays golf ~5x a week)4
The guy I usually golf with has promised a drink the next time we are out.
Hope I can play at least close to this good on Saturday during the golf outing I am taking part in (a scramble). Will need it as I think the people I am being thrown in with dont play golf much if at all!
So here is how my round went. I started off with a great drive on the 1st and hit the green in reg. 2 putt par. Par on the par 5 2nd. Par on the next hole. Didnt hit fairway or green in reg on 2 or 3 but didnt miss by enough to have it be a negative thing. Then went par, par, par before bogey on 7 and then par, par. Had a few good birdie chances that I missed by as little as an inch or two in one case. Felt really really good after the first 9. A one over 37 was my best 9 ever. Started bogey, par, bogey par on the back. Was feeling a little less good as I was losing consistency. Then monster drive on 14 leaves me 20 yards short and I pitch it up to 3 feet and get the bird. Went bogey bogey on 15 and 16 (two tough holes on this course) before a nice par on the 17th (par 3 that I left a birdie put about 5 inches short on). Big drive on 18. In the fairway but had a tree to contend with. Tried a punch but miss hit it short. Pitched it up to about 6 feet and drained the par putt. Did a big fist pump and kept saying "yes, yes" to myself. Unfortunately I played this round alone, though I honestly did not take any mulligans or anything. Had a huge smile on my face when I walked off. Called my dad on the drive home to tell him all about it (he plays golf ~5x a week)4
The guy I usually golf with has promised a drink the next time we are out.
Hope I can play at least close to this good on Saturday during the golf outing I am taking part in (a scramble). Will need it as I think the people I am being thrown in with dont play golf much if at all!
MavHockey14
New member
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
Shot 79 yesterday with three doubles. Frustrating, to say the least.
Shot 79 yesterday with three doubles. Frustrating, to say the least.
Fighting Sioux 23
New member
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
I hear you. On Tuesday I played at Fossil Trace. Started Triple, Double, Double, Quad on the first four holes (+11), losing 5 balls in the process. I just about quit, but decided to just relax and try to enjoy the rest of the round, even if I shot well over 100. Hit 13 of the next 14 GIR, and shot an 84 (+12). Hopefully next time out I can keep that streak together and try to break par for the first time ever.
I hear you. On Tuesday I played at Fossil Trace. Started Triple, Double, Double, Quad on the first four holes (+11), losing 5 balls in the process. I just about quit, but decided to just relax and try to enjoy the rest of the round, even if I shot well over 100. Hit 13 of the next 14 GIR, and shot an 84 (+12). Hopefully next time out I can keep that streak together and try to break par for the first time ever.
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
I'm so frustrated with my game this year. Two years ago, my scores were getting close to the 70s - now I'm lucky if I'm scoring in double digits. A nagging golfer's elbow isn't helping either.
I have the same problem as Fighting Sioux - start with a couple of bad holes and I have a hard time putting it behind me and focusing on the next shot.
I'm so frustrated with my game this year. Two years ago, my scores were getting close to the 70s - now I'm lucky if I'm scoring in double digits. A nagging golfer's elbow isn't helping either.
I have the same problem as Fighting Sioux - start with a couple of bad holes and I have a hard time putting it behind me and focusing on the next shot.
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
I found I went through a time when I was so concerned about having a good score the game became frustrating. 2 bad holes and I was convinced the round was a waste.
Have you considered a playing lesson? Your bad holes are either bad swings or bad decisions...playing 9 holes with a pro, they will be able to identify swing issues and chat with you about the decisions before you take the shot. I found that most of my double/triple problems were one bad shot compounded by bad decisions.
Since we all have the potential to fall back into bad habits etc, I'd set up 3 lessons with a pro...1-2 at the range for them to get to know your swing and work on some things and then a 9 hole playing lesson where they can assess your mental game: your decisions on tough shots, what your strategy is for each hole, why you used a wedge instead of chipping with an 8 iron and why you didn't just take what the hole/green gave you instead of trying the harder shot etc.
I find myself much more confident, more likely to know what I did wrong and more likely to play smart golf...and then the score comes.
I'm so frustrated with my game this year. Two years ago, my scores were getting close to the 70s - now I'm lucky if I'm scoring in double digits. A nagging golfer's elbow isn't helping either.
I have the same problem as Fighting Sioux - start with a couple of bad holes and I have a hard time putting it behind me and focusing on the next shot.
I found I went through a time when I was so concerned about having a good score the game became frustrating. 2 bad holes and I was convinced the round was a waste.
Have you considered a playing lesson? Your bad holes are either bad swings or bad decisions...playing 9 holes with a pro, they will be able to identify swing issues and chat with you about the decisions before you take the shot. I found that most of my double/triple problems were one bad shot compounded by bad decisions.
Since we all have the potential to fall back into bad habits etc, I'd set up 3 lessons with a pro...1-2 at the range for them to get to know your swing and work on some things and then a 9 hole playing lesson where they can assess your mental game: your decisions on tough shots, what your strategy is for each hole, why you used a wedge instead of chipping with an 8 iron and why you didn't just take what the hole/green gave you instead of trying the harder shot etc.
I find myself much more confident, more likely to know what I did wrong and more likely to play smart golf...and then the score comes.
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
It's so true that we often play the shot thinking of where we should be rather than where we are.
It's so true that we often play the shot thinking of where we should be rather than where we are.
manurespreader
Still upright
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
I'm totally on board with the lesson recommendations. I think a lot of getting below around 80 is in course management and decisions on how to make it easier by club selection and learning to work the ball.
Not that I'm good enough to do that because I'm not.
I'm totally on board with the lesson recommendations. I think a lot of getting below around 80 is in course management and decisions on how to make it easier by club selection and learning to work the ball.
Not that I'm good enough to do that because I'm not.
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
When you think about it, 80 allows a lot of bogeys. It's the multiple doubles and triples that run the score up, and they are often from lack of patience. Patience in the swing and the strategy.
This game is so easy to figure out off the course.
When you think about it, 80 allows a lot of bogeys. It's the multiple doubles and triples that run the score up, and they are often from lack of patience. Patience in the swing and the strategy.
This game is so easy to figure out off the course.
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
Actually spoke to our GM/Head Pro this week about just that. We're trying to find time on our schedules.
Actually spoke to our GM/Head Pro this week about just that. We're trying to find time on our schedules.
Fighting Sioux 23
New member
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
Very true. One of the problems I have is that I often make the "right" decision (ex. lay up from thick rough instead of trying to kill myself trying to get the ball on the green when it would take a near perfect shot to get there), but that I lose focus when making the "easy" shot. Then, I get frustrated when I get "punished" for making a good decision, that I start making bad decisions. Often, it's when I "give up" on my score, that I start playing better. For example, I played yesterday at Saddle Rock. I really wanted to shoot a good score, and I started off well on the first hole, then I really struggled around the green the rest of the front 9. I hit 6 of the 7 fairways on the front, but couldn't hit many greens and couldn't do squat putting. That led to a 47 on the front, despite hitting the ball relatively well. Instead of trying to keep up with that and focusing on my short game, I blew up on 10-13, and shot a +9 on the first four holes of the back nine. At +20, I pretty much quit caring about my round, and wound up parring each of the last 5 holes, and had 3-4 decent chances at birdie (read: 12 feet or closer) that I just didn't cash in on.
As you said...off the course, it's so easy.
Very true. One of the problems I have is that I often make the "right" decision (ex. lay up from thick rough instead of trying to kill myself trying to get the ball on the green when it would take a near perfect shot to get there), but that I lose focus when making the "easy" shot. Then, I get frustrated when I get "punished" for making a good decision, that I start making bad decisions. Often, it's when I "give up" on my score, that I start playing better. For example, I played yesterday at Saddle Rock. I really wanted to shoot a good score, and I started off well on the first hole, then I really struggled around the green the rest of the front 9. I hit 6 of the 7 fairways on the front, but couldn't hit many greens and couldn't do squat putting. That led to a 47 on the front, despite hitting the ball relatively well. Instead of trying to keep up with that and focusing on my short game, I blew up on 10-13, and shot a +9 on the first four holes of the back nine. At +20, I pretty much quit caring about my round, and wound up parring each of the last 5 holes, and had 3-4 decent chances at birdie (read: 12 feet or closer) that I just didn't cash in on.
As you said...off the course, it's so easy.
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
Played the local 9 again. Could not putt to save my round. 50 with 25 putts.
On the plus side, the pull is gone from the irons and mostly gone from the woods. Hit the irons real well.
So I am optimistic for my 2 rounds in FL next week.
Played the local 9 again. Could not putt to save my round. 50 with 25 putts.
On the plus side, the pull is gone from the irons and mostly gone from the woods. Hit the irons real well.
So I am optimistic for my 2 rounds in FL next week.
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
Golf is a game of inches.....the toughest four are between the ears. —Arnold Palmer
Truer words have never been spoken.
The fire in Black Forest causing problems for your game? Getting too close to the Springs and where we used to live.
Golf is a game of inches.....the toughest four are between the ears. —Arnold Palmer
Truer words have never been spoken.
The fire in Black Forest causing problems for your game? Getting too close to the Springs and where we used to live.
Fighting Sioux 23
New member
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
The fire didn't start until after we started, but it was awful windy and hot yesterday. As for yesterday, my chipping really hurt me, and my putting failed to bail me out. That's a combination that turns a lot of pars into bogeys and bogeys into doubles. I suppose the fix there is that I needed to be more accurate with my approach shots. I was in the fairway most of the day, but my wedges were not as accurate as I needed them to be. For example, the second hole. It's a par-4, 375 yards, with a dogleg left. I hit a beautiful drive that draws perfectly, and I cut the corner so to speak. I'm left with about 75 yards, slightly uphill, to the green. I hit an approach wedge that is right online with the flagstick, but I hit it just a tad too long with no spin, and it rolls through the green into the bunker. I have plenty of green to work with and a decent lie from the sand, but I catch it fat, and it barely gets out of the bunker to the fringe. Okay, I can still get up and down for bogey and move on to the next hole. Well, my approach shot lands far too soft, and I'm left with about a 12 foot downhill putt, that I pull and leave short. I tap in what is left, but I still take a double bogey on a hole that I should have done no worse than bogey, probably should have made par, and at least had a chance at birdie. Rinse and repeat for the rest of the front nine.
I was planning on playing today and tomorrow as well, but the smoke is a bit much at the moment to play an enjoyable round. I should be able to get out next week for a couple of rounds, so hopefully I can work on my short game more then.
Golf is a game of inches.....the toughest four are between the ears. —Arnold Palmer
Truer words have never been spoken.
The fire in Black Forest causing problems for your game? Getting too close to the Springs and where we used to live.
The fire didn't start until after we started, but it was awful windy and hot yesterday. As for yesterday, my chipping really hurt me, and my putting failed to bail me out. That's a combination that turns a lot of pars into bogeys and bogeys into doubles. I suppose the fix there is that I needed to be more accurate with my approach shots. I was in the fairway most of the day, but my wedges were not as accurate as I needed them to be. For example, the second hole. It's a par-4, 375 yards, with a dogleg left. I hit a beautiful drive that draws perfectly, and I cut the corner so to speak. I'm left with about 75 yards, slightly uphill, to the green. I hit an approach wedge that is right online with the flagstick, but I hit it just a tad too long with no spin, and it rolls through the green into the bunker. I have plenty of green to work with and a decent lie from the sand, but I catch it fat, and it barely gets out of the bunker to the fringe. Okay, I can still get up and down for bogey and move on to the next hole. Well, my approach shot lands far too soft, and I'm left with about a 12 foot downhill putt, that I pull and leave short. I tap in what is left, but I still take a double bogey on a hole that I should have done no worse than bogey, probably should have made par, and at least had a chance at birdie. Rinse and repeat for the rest of the front nine.
I was planning on playing today and tomorrow as well, but the smoke is a bit much at the moment to play an enjoyable round. I should be able to get out next week for a couple of rounds, so hopefully I can work on my short game more then.
I hate the 50-70 yard approach shot over a trap or water etc. if I can play direct then I have practiced that shot enough to get in on the green. If I have to carry something, well, it gets interesting. I try my best to recreate that scenario on the range although there are rarely greens that close on the range. I often will play my previous shot to 90-100 yards because I'm more confident in a full swing with a sand wedge will get me that distance. Taking something off the swing but still getting maximum height is a 40% probability for me. In those instances, I usually just take the fat part of the green and figure I'm better off 2 putting than trying to do something with lower probability. The odds I stick it over a trap in 2 and make the birdie putt are far less than taking what the shot gives me and two putting for par.
My round will have some bogeys, a hole in which I put myself in the wrong position for an approach and won't be on in regulation is a bogey hole...but I try not to turn it into a double or triple bogey hole.
Proud2baLaker
Master of Science
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
looking at the radar it looks like round 1 at Merion could be interrupted. That said, while I plan on watching as much as I can, I am not as excited to see what happens. It looks like this course will allow lower scores and when it comes to the US Open I have always been a fan of when the winner is maybe only a few strokes under par at the end, if even that. I dont mind low scores in other tournamanets but to me the US Open should just be a grueling challenge.
looking at the radar it looks like round 1 at Merion could be interrupted. That said, while I plan on watching as much as I can, I am not as excited to see what happens. It looks like this course will allow lower scores and when it comes to the US Open I have always been a fan of when the winner is maybe only a few strokes under par at the end, if even that. I dont mind low scores in other tournamanets but to me the US Open should just be a grueling challenge.
Proud2baLaker
Master of Science
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
And....weather delay. Most likely not the only one we will have today. Expect this one to be an hour or more. 11 players or so under par and several at even. Looks like the back 9 is playing a bit easier than the front as most of those under par started on 11. The layout could still make things interesting but with greens already being a bit soft and more rain falling, it is unlikely we will see them firm up allowing for some aggressivness. Hope we can get most of the the 1st round finished today.
And....weather delay. Most likely not the only one we will have today. Expect this one to be an hour or more. 11 players or so under par and several at even. Looks like the back 9 is playing a bit easier than the front as most of those under par started on 11. The layout could still make things interesting but with greens already being a bit soft and more rain falling, it is unlikely we will see them firm up allowing for some aggressivness. Hope we can get most of the the 1st round finished today.
hockeyplayer1015
Capt
On twitter, the current golf pro at hazeltine, who used to be 1st asst golf pro at Merion, has been giving some excellent insight. Several players are predicting the winner being "around" even par by the time all is said and done. He also mentioned that yesterdays practice round things had noticeably firmed up from the previous days rain/wet course. So with good weather through the weekend, things could become nasty yet.
That and about 6" rough doesn't sound fun to play out of. Could change things pretty quickly.
Proud2baLaker
Master of Science
Re: 2013 Golf Season - Does it leave you scratching?
The rough may be the savior. But the greens looked soft this morning and more rain is on the way. Of course not a lot of golf has been played but there were more shots than I expected being put really close. Going to really depend on the weather I think. We'll see. I hope I am wrong but so far I just don't have that menancing feeling like Bethpage Black, Oakmont, Winged Foot or Pinehurst. Looking back its kind of interesting though. You see a course where -12 wins and then a few years later E wins (Pebble Beach) or go the other way from higher to lower (Congressional)It has been a while since Merion was last played and that was won with -7 which isnt too bad.
Edit: If I keep my hopes low and expect low scores, I will be more excited when/if things get tough. Haha.
The rough may be the savior. But the greens looked soft this morning and more rain is on the way. Of course not a lot of golf has been played but there were more shots than I expected being put really close. Going to really depend on the weather I think. We'll see. I hope I am wrong but so far I just don't have that menancing feeling like Bethpage Black, Oakmont, Winged Foot or Pinehurst. Looking back its kind of interesting though. You see a course where -12 wins and then a few years later E wins (Pebble Beach) or go the other way from higher to lower (Congressional)It has been a while since Merion was last played and that was won with -7 which isnt too bad.
Edit: If I keep my hopes low and expect low scores, I will be more excited when/if things get tough. Haha.