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The Year That Was 2015
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01-11-2015 9:31pm#1We did this last few years and was a bit of a laugh. Well, an opportunity to be happy about what you achieved - and nice to have a moan too in a supportive environment
In a few of the other threads - people are wrapping up their seasons and putting the clubs away - wanted to catch people before this place dies.
Coming to the end of the year. Give a small , review of your golfing year, or anything you want to say
Your highlights or low lights
Your goals you achieved or failed
Your great shots your worst
Your best day on the course , you worst.
Your plans and goals for 2016.
Anyway lads - was an unusual year of weather, very good spring - but way too much wind and not the best summer ever. Nice end to season now,
Best of luck in 2016.
I'l post after a few other.3
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After years of not really getting anywhere this was the first year I actually improved. I had probably improved last year already, but this year it showed in results, too. My handicap dropped by four shots and I feel a better player now. A little bit anyway.
And until about a couple of weeks ago I would have said I even have another big score in me before the end of the season. Which would bring me down to 11 or 12 or so. But it looks like that might not happen now. Winter golf has set in, my last few rounds weren't all that great and job duties will deny me any golf for the next 3 or 4 weeks. I shouldn't get greedy.
But I had a really good year. I had a win, a couple of second and a third place. I won and had a second place with the society. Most importantly I played better golf and I enjoyed playing it and I enjoyed how it feels to get better.
I know where I need to improve to take the next step.
Swing: My swing has improved but still needs work. Yet I must continue to trust it. If I don't there'll be no hope of better timing, better rhythm. I must continue to concentrate on the basics. Alignment still needs attention all the time.
Short Game: My short game is passable but only that. For the second half of the year it wasn't costing me any shots. Thats the best I can say about it. Putting is so friggin' important.
Mental side: I need to find a way to control my mind better during a competition round. I need to find a way of continuing to play well after the realisation that I'm playing well today. A way to not get protective or overly confident or begin to think of scores.0 -
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Your highlights or lowlights
Well, there were so many highs – it was a blast.
Last year on this thread about 2014 – I said, I would never see another one like it – but from November to March – I put in a savage amount of work – changed Irons, putter and entered the new season, with a totally new game.
I worked a little on the mental side and improved amount of short game work.
And it paid off – started in March with a total freak of a practice round, of 3 under – was crazy stuff – will never forget that round, even if people said it didn't count – I didn't care, as I had never even had a par round before that day. It was a freak – as basically everything went in – I even lipped out for 2 more Birds and had a total of 6 in the round. Mad stuff.
Then, I did do it with a card and with a hole in 1.
I then had a couple of best competition rounds (1 over, 2 over and 4 over) got me to my lowest ever handicap of 4.5.
Low Lights
At the wrong time in the season my putter gave up on me and then I lost so much confidence in all my game – This was midsummer, I was struggling mentally with new handicap and had a 90 in my first ever medal – that was my worst day on a course in years – didn’t even think I had a 90 in me. The one bit of pride was, that I actually did play well on way in to even get that score.
Your goals you achieved
I honestly did feel unlucky not to get a hole in one in 2014, so was delighted to get one this year.
I got to sub 5 and that was my big goal – I didn’t feel I had a great competition season – but had a few wins and a few big cuts.
But to be honest – I’ve not got too much experience of what a bad season or good season is. I guess I will find out. I guess I may have ridiculous expectations.
Failed
I failed to get on a club team – to be honest, not sure I was mentally ready.
I failed to improve my swing and sort of lived with the flaws in it. I just learned how to live with my bad shots and have a better way of managing my bad shots. My mechanics are very very poor still and makes me fairly unpredictable for my handicap.
I failed to sort out my putting and short game to the level it should be at – it did improve by say 10 to 15 %, I almost have to double that effort again in 2016.
I never won a boards outing, did want to win one, but I never turned up with my full game in good order – I played very good golf at times , but not for 18.
I’m still a fairly limited parkland player and 36 points for me is a very good day away, on a parkland.
Your great shots your worst
Well must be, the hole in one, - but the shots I enjoyed most were a few 3 woods that I have managed to bring into my game – this was very hard for me to improve here, due to swing type , but worked very very hard, to have a flatter approach to ball and keep loft on club.
This resulted, in a couple of 3 woods in 250 to 260 yard range and hitting greens – this was crazy stuff for me, resulting in more eagle chances and easy Birds on par 5s, also gave me a new option off tee on shorter par 4s.
Worst
Couple of very bad shots – like topped 5 irons, very very short missed putts – 3 putts from 12 feet, I almost missed a ball with a hybrid (lol:p) after topping a driver from the first in competition.
These are fine and part of hacker amateur golf, but found it more embarrassing, as supposed to be a low handicap player now.
Your best day on the course, you worst.
Hard one this – in relation to playing, the day of 68 was a bizarre, maybe an unrepeatable event and day.
Hole in one day was class, as I also kept the round going too – was a little disappointed that I missed a sub par or par round that day
Unreal fun days at a couple of society events – Boards and my own one, that I won in Kenmare.
Had a blast with lads in winter links event – and we played The Island, first time I played well there. We had great fun and all improved as golfers as a result. The weather was from the sublime to sub 0. I'll never forget a perfect shot from dar - bouncing off solid ice - to 15 feet past pin.
Met great lads at that event like - The Big- Ryaner - PARlance - Golfgraffix - Pcasso -
Loved the days in Fota – Cork Golf Club and Druids Glen – they are top of my parklands so far. Just love the feel and Hotel at Druids.
Worst
Got hammered in mini winter event by Golfgraffix – that was a nightmare. As had won against him in build-up.
And then got hammered in Jug –, "hammered" harsh - but, just nothing went right, but also turned up, with my putting in very poor order. I was sort of hiding this a little.
The 90 was a real flash back to the old golfer in me, and a reminder that there are still real poor dynamics and a game there – I sometimes struggle to veneer over.
Your plans and goals for 2016.
Want to widen my Links courses played – need to head – West / North / South. I’m now finished East.
1/2 thinking I need to play in UK or Spain in 2016 - but know no one else who wants to yet.
Want to get to 2.5 or lower in the year. (going to be very very hard as going up at present).
Want a few level par rounds early in 2016.
Want to practice about 2 to 5 hours every week on short game and putting.
Want to make a big call on swing and shoulder turn – decide if this is going to limit my progress or not.
Want a short game coach/pro.
Want to be a little fitter/better shape.
Want to improve away, and have 36 to 38 pts, a bit more when on parkland courses.
After all that
It is just a bloody game !?
When I posted that in another navel gazing thread - I loved Rikands reply - that , "no it is important".
Only reason, we are on here - is that we know we have the support of other nut heads - Yes I write more about it. But, every Boards lad I meet , the conversation is so easy , as ye are mostly nuts about this game.
This game I find very very hard - nothing like it, improvement is so hard to see and so difficult to achieve , even worse , the game never tells you when you are doing the right thing.
So - when you are at a low, doubt the significance of what you are at - Post here and help is online.0 -
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Your highlights or low lights
I had my personal best round of 86, week before season started (unfortunately). First time to break 90. Came second in clubs open week.
Came 6th in Presidents prize should of won it nerves got the better of me.
Got first ever Eagle.
Joining the Boards society
First ever round with 2 birdies in Portmarnock in boards outing. The second one was a low index around 7th or 8th hole Par 4 about 220 yds out hit my shot of the year with my rescue dropped before green rolled up the hole to a foot! Still Picture it as clear as day
Broke 90 again Sat gone for an 88.
First year to ever be cut.
Finally after a long time searching & a lot of money spent I finally found a really good Pro!.
LOW LIGHTS
Set a Target of 12 a bit to unrealistic imo, but my former Pro taught it was. Starting the season on 22 and had never had a cut before.
Working all winter with a Pro believing in it and for it not to work.
Timing of a lot of competitions as I had a lot weddings, shag's, mates birthdays etc but still managed to play (poorly) which was bad for confidence & handicap.
Your goals you achieved or failed
Getting cut
Breaking 90 (twice)
Having a round with no scratches
Fail to hit Target but it was a very unrealistic one.
Your great shots your worst
The rescue in Portmarnock for birdie.
Had a couple of putts of 30ft+
And put a few pitches to a ft or 2 from 60 yards out.
Your best day on the course , you worst.
Both times breaking 90
Worse was taking a half day in work to play Tues comp before season ends having a few pints the night before and shooting 25 pts! My worse game of the year!
I CAN'T PLAY GOLF HUNG OVER.
Your plans and goals for 2016.
Set a realistic target of 14 or 15 & try and achieve it.
Work on my short game more as I can see the improvements.
Make the Jug team in the Boards society
Win a comp at my club
Get Fit & keep up with regular lessons
I feel with my new Pro that:
1. I believe in him (which is a big deal for me as I have been to way to many)
2. If I put the work in next year I will achieve all my goals!!0 -
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Your highlights or low lights
Joining a new club & some very enjoyable days out with welcoming new members
Making the Ryder Jug Team & winning my match out with Recycled
Re-finding the Driver. I'm by no means 100% with it, but its great to have the option back in the bag.
Your goals you achieved or failed
Handicap went sideways this year. When I joined the club, the Committee member who gave me the intro tour told me I'd likely go backwards in year one, as it would take me a while to find my way round the course & the greens (he was right). So maybe I'll take a sideways year as a success
Didn't have a single 2 on the new course this year
Didn't win any Boards outings or make the Jug Team on Merit (thanks Captain)
Your great shots, your worst
In the jug match, on the par 3 8th in Druids Glen. Both the opponents had stuck in shots onto the green & had safe pars in the bag. Both of us hit the bunker tight to flag with a sharp break. Splashed my bunker shot out to 2ft & made the par putt for a half...the groan from the opposition really made it feel like a win.
Playing in my home course, requiring a birdie on 18 to make buffer. Crunching a big drive out to clear the corner of the long par 5 & hitting a hybrid on to the green to about 15 feet. Safe 2 putts for a birdie finish was very satisfying.
Worst, sitting on 37 points coming off 16 at the home course & coming in with 2 net bogeys to finish on 39 points. I know 39 points is a result, but the end was very disappointing.
Duffing my opening drive in the last medal of the year. About a 30 yard pull into heavy stuff...after a night on the heavy stuff (lesson learnt...drinking & "Driving" don't work for me
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Your best day on the course , you worst
See above...winning the match in the Ryder Jug with Recycled. We kept each other going all day, really positive stuff, and a match played in great spirits.
Didn't play terrible golf all year, just didn't play enough really good golf, so no one round stands out as a worst
Your plans and goals for 2016.
Work on Swing over winter (particularly driver)
Tighten up short game (putter is solid, but not getting close enough to make a lot of up & downs
Try push for single figure handicap0 -
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Your highlights or low lights
Highlights: Joining a club and getting my first handicap.
Winnning a society event in strandhill (some course)
Joining Boards Society
Playing so many courses (almost 20)
Lowlights:
Game went to pieces after joining a club
Not joining a club until August
Your goals you achieved or failed
Having moved from Mayo to Dublin just joining a club and getting a handicap is a goal achieved, however didn't manage to get cut.
Your great shots :
Every shot in Strandhill
your worst:
Too many to remember
Your best day on the course:
Played Strandhill in February, didn't hit a bad shot.
your worst.
Probably The Heritage in a society. 20 points in the wind and rain.
Your plans and goals for 2016.
Properly start my golfing career and get my handicap down. Possibly change club. Maybe get fitted. Break 14 over. Get a few lessons.Free Palestine 🇵🇸
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Your highlights or low lights
Highlights: 3 outright wins, incorporating the very first and very last competitions I played in my home club. It's hard to win, especially off a lowish handicap...that's the first year in a while I've managed more than one.
Winning the gross aggregate (the best 4 gross scores from the 6 medals) in my place. Thanks in large part to better players under-performing and the remaining threat having a baby and not managing to play the requisite 4 events. I'll take it!
Playing 3 matches in the Senior Cup. Only won one but didn't play terribly in any and managed to take Jack Hume down the last in one of 'em. Not too shabby.
Finishing the year well. Again, don't remember coming off a year with any kind of optimism for quite a while but feel like I've made some progress, and very much looking forward to the next season.
Your goals you achieved or failed
Managed to reduce my handicap slightly (a high 2 to a slightly lower 2) but with the amount of events I play, I do feel it's representative of decent progress.
Genuinely feel like I've sorted my chipping out. This time last year I was suffering from a flat out case of the chipping yips, and it took a lot of practice and persistence to recover somewhat. It's still below average of course, but at least I feel I can swing at the ball now!
Consistency has gotten better; outside of one blowout (in Royal County Down of all places), I haven't shot too many scores worse than 77 or 78. I've really tried like hell in every round no matter how bad things are going, and the results are encouraging. Was also delighted to play Macreddin and shoot a decent number on my first time around the place, which is a good indicator of how you're grinding it out.
Re: goals I've failed, I didn't really contend in any big events, either at home or elsewhere, which was a disappointment. I really try to give myself every chance in the medals, the scratch cups and the majors by warming up before hand, taking it easier the night before...etc, but to no avail this year. Didn't even qualify for the Scratch Cup Matchplay (rained off to be fair) or the foursomes with younger bro having gotten to the final last year. That was disappointing.
Your best day on the course , you worst.
Enjoyed some great days on the course as always. Royal County Down 2 days before I got married with a few relatives and a good mate was pretty nice. Great day as well, up until the last 2 holes where it bucketed down!
Played in Tralee and Ballybunion with dad, uncle and bro in August, hugely enjoyable, especially as the weather finally behaved for two days in a row after 3 years playing the event in question. Making a comeback 8 footer in Tralee for my lone birdie of the day, under huge pressure from playing partners who had already secured the bird! Dinner was on me if I'd missed. Coming second with the ol' fella in a fourball in September. And any other day where myself or a player partner had a decent score.
Your great shots your worst
Didn't really contend in enough significant events to have that many shots that stand out, good or bad...with the exception of one! The June medal, I stood on the 7th tee at -5 for the round. All sorts of thoughts going through my mind, and proceeded to absolutely pure a six iron towards the back left pin. I was a club big though, and left myself an impossible shot, from where a bogey was an inevitability. To go long was a bad mistake but it was a great swing at the very least. A host of bogeys followed but the only truly horrible shot I remember hitting was on 14, a pathetic rope hook into the water after a good drive on the index 1. Ended up with a 75, a sickening result. Anyway, that round contained arguably my best and my worst shot of the year.
Your plans and goals for 2016.
Try to keep track of my scoring average, and hopefully improve on this year's effort. Continue to try my best on as many shots as possible and hopefully the handicap will drop by one or (lifelong ambition) 2! 0 -
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Your highlights or low lights
Shooting under par in a competition off medal tees for the first time
Losing a shot (5 to 4)
3 wins and one best gross at my club
GOY in my society
Your goals you achieved or failed
Getting to and holding on 4 handicap
Your great shots your worst
None stand out
Your best day on the course , you worst.
Both on the same day
Had the best score in a 36 hole JSC only to be disqualified for not signing my card for the first 18
Your plans and goals for 2016.
Holding onto 4 would be enough
Play more new courses0 -
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