My Life (Sub 2.5)

Was a strange time to start a challenge like this. Getting darker and colder and time and light are diminishing by the day.

But in reality, it is a year long challenge. I like that the challenge is difficult now, at this time - the course is changing - the temperature is changing - the clubs are changing (PW 115 yards today).

I made a big mistake last time out, of not controlling the pace of change - this time around - I'm more ready.

Have had much on in relation, to real work.
House work,
Golf Stuff,
Family Stuff,
Sport Stuff (Rugby and Football).

All a bit crazy and not sure how I am fitting it all in.

But - I'm enjoying it.

The weather we have had for the last few weeks has been amazing, Just getting out and playing say 6 in the hour I've had - has been a joy.

I can't believe I'm loving this game so much - still , when do you hit that wall - I'm not looking forward to that. The one positive of my golfing journey so far has been the enjoyment.

The people
The places
The opportunities
The courses
The days
The nights
The memories

I was also thinking about all that golfing goals we see here that seem to fade away.

I was also thinking about the flaws of my rotation and swing plane - the inconsistency of my ball striking , the weakness of my short stuff.

The 9 holes I have played - I'm just stuck - 2 to 3 over , lots of GIR , poor driving - not making much on greens (but pole forked).

But - I hit a 3 wood today 245 yards - that there is not a chance I could of dreamed of hitting 2 years ago.

If only we could replicate that feeling on demand. For some strange reason you have these moments , you see the shot , you have a plan , it hits the middle , the power is not forced.

This game is still a mystery - it is the dream that you will some day get that the secret to unravel that mystery - that drives us all on.

Next year is a leap year - I've one extra day.


But - for the moment , I'm enjoying the weather , the reality that it is just a game. But just so bloody enjoyable.

Well that is the most frustrating round I've had in a long long time.
79 (8 over).

FIR 72%
GIR 56 %
Putts 31 (1 3 putt)

1 month ago - I had my lowest handicap - my first hole in one and couldn't miss a putt and was winning stuff.

1 month later - I've lost my driver - my handicap is going up and I can't hole anything or win anything.

But that is the problem with me and my game - the ups are too up and the downs are too down.

Was listening to Rotella in the car the other day , he was talking about creating a more moderate reaction to performance. This is a serious weakness in me. But your personality has to play some part in it too ?

But it is horrendously frustrating when on a day like today I had - a birdie putt on 1,2,3, 4, 5, 6 ,8 ,11,13,14,15,17,18

I made zero - no Birde in 13 efforts.

Of these 6 were good chance - 2 gilt-edged.

Of these most were on edge, but not exactly hitting cup.

Now - greens are almost recovered from pole forking are a bit too slow, it is nearly winter conditions - but still , very very very annoying.

But the positives - Not sure I will hit the ball much better - two bad holes were just irons that I creamed and got in bad trouble.

I do know my wedges are miles better than last year , but hit the odd thin one and they can improve much much more again, that would make some of the above birdie putts closer.

My 3 wood and Hybrid is a total new dimension to my game and - it is nice to have clubs in the 230 to 260 range that I never had, I have managed to flatten these clubs at impact and I'm loving this new part of the game.

It has been a lovely end of season (except greens) - still to gentle conditions the course is playing easy for the time of year.

It is a long process I have committed to and winter work is on the way.

I just know somewhere there is a day like today , where I will score a hatful of brides.

But, more work needed on game and mind.

Boskowski wrote: »

Well thats golf for you. A friend of mine says no matter how well you play remember you only have a lend of it.

I'm beginning to think there is some weird truth in that.
I mean, I've gone around in 2 to 5 over playing way way worse .

So you got to just ride out storms like this.

I guess If I was banging ball all over course it would be far more worrying.

What a mental week of golf – I am fully committed to the fact the thread will be calmer this time and will be taking a break for a few weeks with kids off etc, no harm an odd break, even if I love the ups and downs of the challenge.

So have been squeezing in as much as possible over the last week, firstly coming up to the jug. But also you can see late afternoon golf is going, going, gone.

I wanted to end season having a true feel of where my golf is, so have been recording stats too for a change. I guess your golf is where your handicap is – isn’t it? Well it is, but I’m in a period of a new low handicap and that is always a big transition for many golfers.

3 hours came free today, looked out and said, is cold, but would love to get a round in to get yesterday out of my system.

The day started on another major positive, with Boss Hole in One watch arriving- daughter wants to keep it . Got to listen to Rottella again and got great support on here for what is ahead.

Got to the course – only 7 people in sight, very end of ladies day – had 2 hr 30 m to sunset and set off with the intention to record stats and play as many holes as fast as possible, without impacting on score. It has been covered here also the risk with stats , particularly putting – when a missed GIR can leave you a very easy 1 putt on the way – this is a particular feature of links courses were a pin can be next to an apron, that is as good as a putting surface.

The great thing about playing half decent golf, is how much faster it can be – Drive – green – putt (with me 2nd putt) – but got 6th hole finished in 45 mins. Mental, but very enjoyable and actually a bit of a work out. You are going at such speed, you don’t have time to overthink, the hole, your swing, the hazards – you go into a zone. It is metronomic.

The greens again had been heavily sanded, so not a day to be even thinking about putting – funny enough, the sand keeps the ball straighter, but very hard to judge pace. I got some great lines from the laddies’ day marks earlier in the day.

I would have loved to have had perfect greens today – because again, basically hitting the ball as well as I think I will ever hit it. Hitting GIR (or just off green) seemed just easy, was cold and a noticeable distance of a club loss on most shots – 2 clubs lost into the wind. There is still a mental battle to hit a 6 iron when you were hitting an 8 to a hole in one only a month ago. Did I mention hole in one again ( :D)

On 10 a par 3, I hit a 6 iron, my best shot of the day – it was just the perfect club, perfect flight, very powerful into the wind to 7 feet – missed putt :rolleyes: – but was thinking at the time , everything about that shot was at a level I could only have dreamt of 2 years ago. Missing the putt was painful. I know, I know, 7 feet, sanded greens, pro stats, move on………………………… But – it deserved more.

Again – on about 13 I was thinking of what a few people have said on here, unrealistic expectations of golfers. I started to realise that 4/5/6 over on poor greens in near winter conditions is very very good golf. But at the same time, if I want to get to my goal – I am going to need to have an expectation of easy par rounds. The truth is, there is a big difference in par rounds and mid low handicap rounds. A big difference, bigger than the pure numerics.

I can still see the problems in my game – 80 to 50 yards I’m poor – thin or short, lacking any confidence and unsure on bounce, ball position and swing, is sad, as I end up in this place a good bit - and on every par 5 I’m in that zone. If I do hit a good one, it is 10 feet if good and it makes that putt that bit harder.

But today – I putted better – I has hitting at cup, lip or in. And on 5 after 48 holes of golf, got a bloody bird – thank feck, was actually a remarkable period of golf, easily had 20 chances (10 good).

I loved today and was going so fast, I seen I was going to get a full round in, again it was going to be another round, around 5 over – but one that could easily be par.

But – you can also fool yourself – 4/5 over is a long way from par.
It is better wedges, a little better on the greens.

On 18 I played my worse hole, awful OTT drive into deep right rough, was a poor enough lie , decided to swing all out and try a runner onto the green with 7 iron, creamed it to 45 foot.

The 45 footer, never looked like it as going anywhere else.
The worst hole I played – a bird (Lol)

Holes like that make this game the mystery we love.

Happy with my lot – a Reserve Rioja tonight – a qualifying comp in am. I'm a very lucky man.

Score 75 (4 over)

FIR 43 %
GIR 39 % (NB 72% yesterday ) (many on edge)
Srambling 45 %

Putting
29 Putts
1.61 per hole
1.71 per GIR

Unusual stat of day – Round time 2hr15min – Hilarious.

Thanks again to all - back in a few weeks - unless a dramatic cut or something.

So have had much stuff on - House work, work, real life and a U2 gig in the mix too - what a concert.

Still, have used whatever time I had, to hit range and play between 10 to 14 holes when I've got the time.

Played in Boards outing at weekend and was swinging like a "gorilla" as one of the lads said :D. Still had 31 pts, but was most inconsistent striking I have had in a year or so. Went from Thin , to fat, to OTT , to hook to slice. :eek::D

Got it together for last few and played them well enough, except on drive that was so out of time and path , I almost missed ball. :eek:

I can only put this down to the work I have been doing at range, I'm working on my width and rotation - I was looking at the club position at top of backswing and is so steep it is unreal



I would basically be on the right hand side of these 4 pictures.
So at range I'm working on more rotation and less arms. It is a major change for me - and feels very unnatural .

But - there is no doubting, I will struggle to be consistent with my current golf swing , so at another point, where I have to decide to work with what I have , or go for a big push at this over next 3 months.

I'll be honest and admit - it has been remarkable the scores I got and handicap I got to , with such poor fundamentals. I'm basically using my hands and arms all disconnected.

So played my own place 2 days this week. Was a strong cross wind and an empty course - basically 2 hours of light both days and was very very enjoyable.

It seems funny that with a cross wind - I can commit to one side of the course, this seems to get me working more from the inside and the ball even leaves the path heading right, rather than an ugly low pull.

On the first day I was 1 over for 10 holes - basically couldn't play any better,
On the second day I was 5 over for 14 holes - with another awful OTT swing.

So - I can live with the swing I have , but it is the uncertainty it threatens me with, is the real fear - because when I get into a run of disconnected OTT swings, anything - I mean anything, can happen.

So some thinking ahead - loved every minute of the golf I played this week.
But - I know there are choices ahead.

A qualifying competition this Friday - will be interesting , as CSS will be low.

But, off to get another U2 ticket first.

“About a 5 when everything goes very well!”

There was almost a request for forgiveness in the weather today. There was a stillness and warmth felt, that has not been, in what feels like months. The sea was loud and angry from the weeks of unrest, a mist was floating over Dublin Bay – stunning.

Maybe because conditions were too good – I birdied the first, then I start thinking about how easy this game is, then I hooked a 3 wood into water on 2 and the little man in the head, started talking to me about …………………… “you’re not really up to this ? ” , “are you ?”,…………. “go away little man”, “go away”………”you’re right little man”…………..

So a very strange piece of psychology to actually not have to deal with wind – jumping a 3 club change at once, in one day, is a welcome challenge, and to actually aim at the pin, is a new feeling.

It has been bits and pieces, but somehow managed to win a competition a few weeks ago, with just pure ignorance in awful wind. Again, a different sport to real golf – but a sort of strength I have. I’m not sure the ability to play in that wind is of that much value in the overall picture. My goal is to get to 2.5, not be good mid-winter, against a field struggling play in high winds.

In that last month ,I think I have come around to realising, that I will have to live with the flaws in my swing that are there - I can sort of play off 6 to 9 comfortably, with what I have. I know I will have days it falls apart due to my swing path issues. So, will never be a very steady low handicap player.

As my clubs get shorter – the steepness becomes more and more pronounced, My short cubs can be just powered through the turf , or can end being fat / thin. This then places me in two minds – is this going to be too steep, then I try be a little shallower and I hit them thin.

It just doesn’t sound like a player who could ever dream of getting down to 3.
So – I don’t need a total revamp – I can get the ball to good positions from very far away, I just have rounds were I can have 4/5 bad shots from 140 to 60 yards. It is horrible in a way – As I can play a round of perfect long game and walk away with an 80, or worse.

So people always give me the lecture on the short game – of course they are right, but there can be other fundamental flaws in your swing , that have nothing to do with the short game – yes the short game can get you up and down , I’m always thinking of the wedge that put me 20 yards away from 100 yards.

Considering the weather, the light, and considerable work I have on. I’ve done well to keep everything going. My main swing thoughts is get wide, drop and approach inside to ball if I can. If get inside too quick at the start, I’m normally OTT or sometimes I can be too much inside and a good bit of hook. So to sum up, inconsistent – but in the course in play / left of green (typically).
So – accepting your flaws, is a big part of this game too – I know I can put work into short game and putting – and made massive progress last season. But behind this, I fear that the fundamental flaws in my swing are my real limitation – I fear this limitation could place me at my current limits (about a 5) with hard hard work.

That is why I always struggle with accepting the game I have, I know the limitations of it. Yes there is power / distance, but there is very little finesse. There is limitations in ball flight, inconsistent strike.

But, “Jaysus” – I’m only an improving hacker having a bit of fun, I love playing golf – there is no point worrying too much about all that.
So a thoughtful day, have a sort of plan in my head – and will have a short game coach in January.

Joined up with 2 gents (about 70) for last 4 holes and had 4 pars with the dark descending. One of them turned to me and asked me am I off 3 or 4 – sometimes a little compliment like that is important in the head of an insecure low handicap player. Anything that helps that little man in your head have answers – when he inevitably comes back.

“you’re not up to this are you?” – “ I am, you ****er” .

Benny - 86 is a great score in golf (fair play), In fact anyone breaking 90 for the first time is doing something you should never forget. I think if you have hit a wall, record your stats, over a few round and work out exactly what is going wrong.
We tend to not take on the weak parts of the game , and hide at ranges banging balls. I fell into this trap , it paid off in ball striking, but I ended up with injuries and had to ban myself from the range for a few months.

I think a big issue with consistency is being consistent with what you do. There is a time for change of swing , change of equipment - but there is also a point you accept your game , understand what your game is and then make tiny improvements slowly. I think as amateurs we make the mistake of making big changes too often and at the wrong time.

I go to The Irish Amateur Open every year in Royal Dublin, it is a terribly difficult event, in horrible conditions and most golfers are at +1 to +4 of a handicap , yes, another planet of golf. It is effectively their full time effort. It is a full time job for some. I remember being a bit saddened at how many were just going through the motions. It wasn't fun. It just made me curious about that edge you get to when the game is not fun, you are at a limit of your ability. I haven't got there yet , but an area that I am interested in. The limits of our ability.

The other strange thing is, do we know what our limits are ? do we know when we are there ?

Anyway , that is all a bit abstract.

At our level, easier to say, I haven't practiced my putting or short game in 3 weeks, I should maybe go out and do 3 hours this week and the next 2 after that. Then like some sort of magic - you putt and chip better, it is as simple as you want it to be too.

Another one is the weather is too bad to do anything - if you want to get better , forget the weather.
There is the range, there is indoor putting etc.
If you have time set aside for golf - do something to do with golf.

My driving has been poor and inconsistent the last while. In fairness, not a great time to be thinking too much about your game – or is that an excuse?
Lads are posting rounds in low 70s in “how did you score thread”. So clearly guys are playing great golf this time of year – I congratulate them.

Was listening and watching a good bit around the time of Christy O’Connor’s passing – genuinely a guy who seemed a part of my golfing life. Not being overly glib there – between the clinics, the Opens the exhibitions the courses I played. The first top courses I played were Christy O’Connor courses, Glasson and Mount Wolseley. I’ve been very lucky to play some of the best courses in Ireland now – but you never forget the first time out on a top course – that almost childlike excitement is still there today– I genuinely look forward to playing golf in Kerry and Donegal for example, I look at pictures of course in far off places that I would love to play, but never will.

Anyway – there was one piece where Christy explained the backswing - he said the club has to stop at some stage , so there is no point in being too fast – there was also a great piece 4 minutes into this You Tube how he shows transition – this sums up where many problems in this game are.




I’m just in too much of a rush – now I’m 100 miles an hour in everything I do, this is a major advantage in most things – and there is nothing wrong with swing speed, if gives me great distance etc. But the problem is the speed is all over the swing, resulting in over swing and disconnection before I ever get a chance to hit the ball well. It is all too big and lose and fast and OTT and uncontrolled.

I’ve watched a good few low players now – none of them are like that, they are far more within themselves, control, timed and power and speed at the right time. So either they are wrong or I am wrong – the answer is in my face.

I’ve tried to slow it down – but it seems to knock everything out of synch, you could almost say my natural swing, is just too fast. There is nothing wrong with that most of the time – but it makes things very very unpredictable.

Today at the range – I just said – a little, tiny bit, slower (now would be still fast for most), but just give yourself a chance , to get wide , a little shorter, a little more connected a little more controlled – was absolutely nailing it, it is all in the head isn’t it .

I’ve been reading about this monkey in the head, that the sports psychologist Steve Peter’s goes on about it – Padraig goes on about it, Steve Gerrard goes on about it in his Autobiography. I don’t think the monkey would last with the inner me – he couldn’t handle it.

Anyway – out in the morning (looks unplayable), even the inner self wouldn’t go out in that.