Real Neglect

It's been 6 weeks since my last post- a long time in golfing terms. Since then I have consolidated my position in the GOY in 3rd but not any closer to the runaway leaders due to a poor performance in the last major.

I have won twice, but only been cut .3, keeping my handicap for the winter at the 20 mark. Winning the BUFS final was a highlight, and this past weekend winning the first Christmas hamper of the season.

Most recently I enjoyed my best run of eclectic scoring, with 3 birdies in my last round.

I have a lesson bbooked in two weeks time to have a look at my putting, hopefully to shave some more shots and get closer to that 85 mark.

I will post my season so far stats shortly.

Major Tom

Having only played Majors since Ed's win on the 5th, my rise up the Golfer of the Year standings continued - with an 8th place finish in the Vice Presidents and a 3rd in yesterdays August Medal.

Elements of my game are starting to click a bit better - in yesterdays round I only had 1 score higher than a 6 and in strokeplay that is imperative. I had 8 pars and even still know I missed a number of makeable putts - something that I want to get to work on immediately - I am going to try a new putter and see how I fair. I also had the usual rush of blood to the head, sticking 2 out of bounds(or so I though) on the 6th, only to find some intervention by the woodlands had kept my first in play. Capitalise I did not, reaching the green for a 6 foot par putt which turned into a 6.

But it was also the first time that I broke 90 - an 89 meant I have improved my game by 10 strokes sinces my first competitive round back in early June. I can see the areas that need to improve(my drive and my putting are my main points) but can also see what has improved(my ball striking and short game)

Only one major left in next weekends September Medal but with 5 more qualifying competitions I can stabilise my position in the top 3 or 4 golfers at the club this year.

Ever Ready Eddie

Ed broke his weekend competition duck this past weekend, and when I say he broke it, I really mean he picked it up, turned it on its head, and smashed the living fuck out of it. And I dont say that lightly.

He drove well, approached brilliantly and made so many putts on the way to his 43 point haul. Numerous birdies littered his card and for his efforts he has been cut 2.2 shots to his new playing handicap of 18. He would tell you himself that he hasnt played well of late and it all came together for him but realistically it could have been more, which is frightening.

I myself didnt fare too badly, although at the time you may have thought otherwise. Doing stupid things that I thought I had expelled from my game - duffing shots, missing gimmes, wild swings at the ball and a shit attitude about it too. You could be forgiven for me trying to be a bit of a perfectionist, after all its been nearly 2 months since the last time I scratched 2 holes in stableford - let alone 2 consecutive holes.

Anyway I ended up with 35 and was dissapointed(cant believe I am saying that) as I 3 putted on no less than 10 occassions, including an Eagle attempt on 3 and birdie attempts on 4 and on 5. Thinking I was way down the order was wrong though, as I finished 3rd overall to stay in the prizes for a 3rd week running.

The practice element of my game is coming together - hitting the green and driving bay prior to round is really helping get the head straight and the arms loose prior to tee-time. I am scheduled to play 3 times this week so hopefully I can take some positives from it and maybe get down to a 19 handicap in time for next weeks Vice Presidents Prize. I may need to invest in a new putter between now and then, at least as a back-up for when I throw my current one into the trees.......

To Do List

I am a fucker for making lists. I probably spend more time making lists and organising things than actually executing them. So I have a to do list for my upcoming golf calendar. I hope to stick to it...

Remaining Qualifying Competitions(Barring Good Winter/Bad Autumn Weather) : 11 (3 Majors, 8 Standard Stableford) -

Current Handicap: 20.4

Potential Cuts = .4 * 11 = 4.4

Potential Handicap: 15.6

End of Season Handicap Ambition: 18

How to achieve this:

1) Practice, Play,Practice Play.

Continue to play Sunday competition and Friday 9 hole BUFS to blow out the cobwebs. Add in at least 1, possibly 2 range sessions at lunchtime. Use this time not only to work on hitting my irons but on my short game. Weeks where Friday is inconvenient play at least  6 holes on Monday/Wednessay

2) Preparation

Spend at least 30 minutes pre-round on the putting green at the course. Not only for putting but close to the green chipping. Also complete 5 minutes in the practice bay. Be prepared and not arrive 10 minutes to teetime unlike my buddy Ed :)

3) New Putter and Wedge for the Bag

2nd one is key here, I have a sand wedge but would like something for more control from closer in. I have nothing in my bag with higher loft/bounce.My putter has worked well for me but maybe it is time to invest in something that will help me be more consistent. Some weeks I can putt like a trojan, others like a horse.

4) Lesson...

Not wanting to work into much else until I get down through the 18 barrier EXCEPT bunker play. It has cost me a number of times in recent weeks.

Hopefully If I can put and keep this plan in action it will maximise my chances of being successful... 

El Presidente

With Ed away and our new golfing buddy Tom Cullen in the group behind, I had the pleasure of playing with Jim and Phil in the weekends presidents prize. Although in the strokes format I didnt have many pars, my lack of treble bogeys kept me in the hunt. I should have left the putter at home and used a shovel instead - 3 putting the first 4 greens(lucky I was on in or under regulation)

Hada a lovely days weather, considering the showers the came on Saturday and finished with a Nett par - 72. Having being told leaving the clubhouse that their was already a 68 carded, I went home thinking I had done respectably and thats that. The ensuing text from Gerry, our competition secretary, was to the contrary - I had come in the prizes and to present myself at the prizegiving in the club. My score had pushed me to a tie for 8th - 6th overall on countback and a nice Catergory 2 runner-up prize.

No cut for me as the SSS was 69, but also no .1 back as I was in the buffer zone. This weekend sees the standard stableford competition and 2 weeks to Vice-President Dermots prize, something I would love to have a good crack at.

"Medal"lion man

Last Sundays Medal was a nice golfing experience for me - I got to play with my regular playing partner in a major - luck of the draw.

I played well to card a nett 71 and finish 3rd overall, with my handicap getting cut again to 20.4 only a small step away from being a teen handicapper!!

BUFfy the Friday Slayer

Not letting my golfing buddy Ed be alone in this one, I joined him in the ranks of 9 hole Friday competition winners at the weekend. A haul of 20 points won it for me after an enjoyable round with Ed, Dr.Pat and Aidan. Nice bottle of wine as the prize to boot- and a nice tune up before the July Medal.