The Year That Was 2014.

FixdePitchmark · 21-10-2014 09:31PM #1

Ok lads,

We did this last two 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

Now that - I understand the golf season a little better - I've stuck it up earlier - so it is fresh in your mind.

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 2015.
Anyway lads - good year weather wise (AGAIN) - best of luck in 2015.

Your highlights or low lights

Atlantic coast challenge - legend few days of golf - yes you can't go to win it - but pure messing and like minded men and children on a 3 day golf binge on top links - a once off.

Playing Royal County Down twice and the few days I had up there - a great experience. Having a few pints with members there and being asked to play bridge :P:D

And playing well in Mount Juilet and then Ryder Jug when my game seemed to be slipping away.

Getting 5 cuts - was a sort of achievement - but never got a full handle on my handicap - was getting there towards end of season sadly

Your goals you achieved or failed

Got my lowest ever handicap 6 - so happy to say I got there at one stage in my life

.

It was a massive psychological adjustment - that I struggled with but steadied the ship eventually.

Felt I had a near par round in me this year - but only got to 3 over. But I was struggling for most of the summer.

Your great shots your worst

Almost got a hole in one at 17 in Corballis on top green level - would have loved that one. Got 3 birdies on 3 in Corballis - a sort of miracle there.

Had 3 eagles on my home course - always a treat.

Worst - hard one that , I have had so many fat wedges from 100 yards or less - normally from perfect positions - I need to get rid of this - this is just one thing I could target next year - could lose 2 or 3 shots off handicap.

Your best day on the course , you worst.

Mount Juilet this year was class - made a balls of some of my best ever golf - but the night after and craic was something else.

Enniscrone again this year in ACC - just loved it. Great company / weather / laugh.

Worst - wasn't too many at all - yes had days in low 20 odd points - but at the end of the day you are a gown man out playing a game - get over yourself.

Next

Definitely row back a bit - won't see another year of golf like that.
Get the young lad on the course
Maybe play a bit more medal stuff and try a new type of challenge.
Work on core - definitely felt stuff in body never felt before this year

Have a par round. If all the stars align.
Continue to enjoy it - it is only a bit of craic after all.

PARlance · 21-10-2014 09:46PM

Mid-Oct Fix, mid FN October!!!!

You're worse than Brown Thomaseseseses!

FixdePitchmark · 21-10-2014 09:48PM

PARlance wrote: »

Mid-Oct Fix, mid FN October!!!!
You're worse than Brown Thomaseseseses!

well I'd say - 90 % of peoples' seasons are well over.

I wanted to catch the summer golfers - then hanging up me own shoes next month meself.

PARlance · 21-10-2014 09:51PM

Only messing

I'm just trying to cling onto the season.

FixdePitchmark · 21-10-2014 09:52PM

PARlance wrote: »

Only messing I'm just trying to cling onto the season.

I know - you'd go to Norway for a qualifying comp. In real life the season is done. Fresh in mind

FixdePitchmark · 21-10-2014 10:14PM

Yes PARlance burning up Handicap thread - give us lads our shallow victories.

Next year when you are single figures

ForeRight · 21-10-2014 10:34PM

Highlights

Shooting a 70 in very comfortable fashion out of nowhere when I wasn't even scoring in the up coming weeks

Lowlights

Still shiver when I think of a 9 I had on a par 4 in a senior cup qualifier when I was going along very well

Goals

I wanted to go from 6 to 4 and got to 4.5 but drifted back to 4.8 now but still happy with that

Best shot

In a foursomes I had 190 to the pin out of the rough with a tree about 50 yards ahead. We were hitting our 4th. Took 4iron and somehow launched it high, long and straight to 3feet and a par. Still take joy in that

Bad shots

Loads

What's next

Enjoy my rounds and time out with pals or my dad. I'm not setting a single goal handicap wise for next year. Couldn't care less.

FixdePitchmark · 21-10-2014 10:48PM

ForeRight - you've a class attitude to the game.

Rikand · 21-10-2014 10:55PM

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I know - you'd go to Norway for a qualifying comp. In real life the season is done. Fresh in mind

I actually did that once

http://kongsberg-golfbane.no/

Was visiting a friend and he told me to bring my clubs. Stunning place to play golf! It's a ski resort in the winter time

I'll make a real contribution to the thread at a later date

ForeRight · 21-10-2014 10:56PM

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

ForeRight - you've a class attitude to the game.

I've a reason to be very grateful to even be able to walk around playing golf. 4-5 years ago I spent best part of 18mts unable to do anything physical and was under the knife 9 times in a year.

I'll never take golf for anything other than a great hobby after that

Benicetomonty · 21-10-2014 11:25PM

Highlights/lowlights: All tinged with regret Im sorry to say. Shooting a 70 in the 2nd round of the Lucan Senior Scratch Cup to finish 3rd overall - but blown away by the winner.
Representing my club in the Senior Cup - but played v average and match was only all square when it was called in; shouldve been at least 2 or 3 up. Promptly dropped and then we lost in the next round.
Qualifying for and reaching the club foursomes final with my younger bro. Losing that one on 18 was really sickening.

A bizarre year in that Ive lost count of how many comps Ive missed out on prizes by a single point or a shot, in multiple formats. Obviously shouldnt be the reason you tee it up but hard to swallow at times.

Combined with a very poor finish to the season over the last month, I feel it's been a disappointing 2014. Handicap has increased- not by much but enough to question whether or not Ive hit the wall. Had a few lessons over the summer but beginning to think a very strict campaign over the winter will be needed if Im to make real progress in the game.

Did get engaged mind you, so wasnt all bad!

PARlance · 21-10-2014 11:31PM

Better contribute before Fix gets in a huff!

Highlights

So many this year. Won't have a year of golf like it I'd say.
I've had 11 cuts this year, most of them small enough (that were wiped away with 0.1s) but a few biggies that has seen me go from a high of 18 to 12 now (season still not over

)
I only managed one cut before that and it came at the end of a fairly frustrating initial year of club golf, so the contrast is immense.
Played some cracking courses, played with some cracking people and feel like I've learned an awful lot.

Lowlights

Not a real low light, was having too much fun at the time (during ACC) but I got a dose of the dreaded sh* nks for a round and a half.

Goals

Said I wanted to get to 13 this year. The original goal was single figures in 2 years but last year didn't go to plan. Next year hopefully.

Best shot

Had a hybrid into the wind into the 16th green at Corballis. From the moment I hit it I had a feeling it could go in. The sound and sight of the ball will stay forever. Ended up a foot away from the hole. Was nearly shaking after hitting it, still brings a smile.

Bad shots

A round and a half down west at the ACC were everything was bad.

What's next

Hopefully single figures for next year. Hope I can start enjoying an odd casual round too

definitely went into overdrive this year, it was enjoyable but a bit intense

Domo1982 · 22-10-2014 09:39AM

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Ok lads,

Had 3 eagles on my home course - always a treat.

Jesus Fix, I always thought you were just a bit of a crazy aul loon but underneath you're actually a great golfer....as well!:)

mike12 · 22-10-2014 09:59AM

Highlights.
Having a 2 on the Par 5 16th in Enniscrone during the ACC also shot of the year. Playing the ACC and the great north links Challange. Ballyliffin, Portrush and Portstewart for €175 is super value.

Low lights.
Handicap still creeping up mainly due to a terriable short game. Thinking of moving to a links course so i don't have to chip:).

Goal was just to maintain Handicap at 12 gone to 13 and 14 is just 2 .1's away.

Nozebleed · 22-10-2014 10:08AM

2014 was a great year for me..very steady golf all year. Cut from 8.9 to 4.3.

The highlight: Had my first under par round ever (-2) in a comp.

Low Points: Didn,t perform very well in the club medals. Although I played to within a shot of my handicap in many.

Best shot: Eagled 590 yard par 5 on captains day. Missed the albatross by 12". Even got a round of applause from the lads walking from the green.

Worst shot: Loads to be honest,still hit the odd duff with the lob wedge,drives me mad.

Goal for 2015 is to maintain my handicap of 4.

m r c · 22-10-2014 10:20AM

I had the best year possible all things considered

I got cut from 24.3(i think) to 16.9 from March to June.

We had our 3rd baby in August and from mid July until now almost late October i haven't hardly hit a ball but played a practice 10 holes in the ladt couple of days and my irons are flying awesome.

I was very suprised by that. In my time away I had spent a lot of time on why my range swing was so much better than my course swing(all in my head) and discovered that with a small attitude adjustment I can bring it to the course.

Next year I guess I want to go lower, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want to 1 day be single figures. But I still see under par rounds a possibility too. Weird thing is, I still haven't seen why not yet. Its just about putting the time in i think.

m r c · 22-10-2014 10:22AM

Oh another big highlight was meeting fix parlance and scuba too. I'd love to play with ye anytime guys.

the lawman · 22-10-2014 11:03AM

Highlights

The whole year has been a highlight. I light-bulbed a few things in my game that led to some great results. In fact it’s been so good that I’m not sure I will ever match it.

Won the Scratch Cup in my club Rathcore
Won June Medal
Second in September Medal
Two other top five places in Medals
Finishing 5th in GOY

The most pleasing was making it to single figures this year. The target was getting one shot of the handicap to 11.4 but just got on a roll and kept going.

Also getting to the bottom of some niggling injuries and sorting them out.

Played The Island and The European Club which is always a pleasure. Playing golf in Brazil was another amazing experience.

Lowlights

Didn’t show up for the captains prize at all even though I was in great form.

Goals

Wanted to drop one shot as I worked on my game over the year but ended up surpassing and making it to 8.6

Best shot

Was playing the Par 5 last hole in the June medal and after a good drive I topped a hybrid. I knew I was on a good score and my top had me 170 yards out and having to carry 155 over water. Into wind so I took out a 6 and hit the sweetest iron of the year with a nice little divot to about 15 feet. Two putts for the par and a nett 67.

Bad shots

Playing the Presidents Prize I hit four provisional’s into the exact same spot of gorse on the left hand side of the third hole in my club. The same exact hook was repeated four times. Joke stuff.

What's next

My second daughter is just a week old now so I will take it easy for the rest of the year working on the range and keeping up my fitness. In Jan I’ll start back working to get to 6 or 7 next year. Loads of scope for improvement so excited. I’ll be doing well to match this year but I’ll give it a bash.

Surfing_Xboxer · 22-10-2014 11:10AM

highlights :

Getting down to 12 - getting picked to play for some of my club teams - winning my 1st singles - golfing in Orlando on some epic courses - Breaking 80

low lights :

not playing more golf !!

goals achieved or failed :

Got to 12 handicap

Your best day on the course : everyday on the course is a good one

FixdePitchmark · 22-10-2014 03:50PM

Class mike - on albatross.

We all got word up there on it - we were made up it was a boards lad.

mike12 · 22-10-2014 04:04PM

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Class mike - on albatross.

We all got word up there on it - we were made up it was a boards lad.

Have had a hole in 1 on the 4th in Corballis but that was much better. 2 brothers pulled the pi55 a bit they saw it go in i thought it had gone in but was 200 yards away and you often think that and the ball is in a dip on the green. Walking up they then told me it had rolled over the back of the green and left me looking in the rough while they chipped on.

FixdePitchmark · 22-10-2014 04:10PM

mike12 wrote: »

Have had a hole in 1 on the 4th in Corballis but that was much better. 2 brothers pulled the pi55 a bit they saw it go in i thought it had gone in but was 200 yards away and you often think that and the ball is in a dip on the green. Walking up they then told me it had rolled over the back of the green and left me looking in the rough while they chipped on.

The wind was behind obviously ? - great hole to do it on.

FixdePitchmark · 13-12-2014 06:48PM

Lads - PARlance was right that I posted this way too early.

See some lads had some great golf end of November and in December too. fair play.

Anyone else got a summary of 2014.

Kingswood Rover · 13-12-2014 09:57PM

Highlights..... Breaking 80 a number of times during the year and getting to 12 dead handicap wise, holing a a monster putt in front of the large crowd in Highfield gc at the pierce purcell to have our clubs lowest score on the day. Playing 36 holes in a day, 78 gross on the 1st round and won our club 4 ball matchplay on the 17th on my 2nd 18 all in glorious weather,mmmmmmm that was "such a perfect day"
Lowlights, won diddley squat of any importance,

dan_ep82 · 13-12-2014 11:09PM

Your highlights or low lights

The golf I played for the few weeks following some lessons and winning a comp, even if a team event. Low lights, too many tbh

Your goals you achieved or failed
Failed to get down into the teens but finally playing the shape I want. It was a small goal but to me I feel like I can control the ball better if I can control the shape.

Your best day on the course , you worst.

Best day on the course was shooting in the low eighties in a casual in Headfort New, didn't even feel I played that well. Worst was during the open in corballis.

Your great shots your worst
Funnily enough my best hole this year was Corballis on the second playthrough. The only par 5 and I had a monster drive for me, then a 22° to the back of the green. Missed the 50ft eagle put but made birdie. Just felt so good after such a disaster round.

Worst shot, so so many. Missing a 1ft put in a comp for birdie? Shanking,topping off a tee? Or maybe in Corballis when I swung, missed the ball and buried it deeper.

Whats Next?
More comps and a lot more opens, really want to play more course next year. If my HC comes down great, if it doesn't I just hope I can still enjoy the day out.

FixdePitchmark · 13-12-2014 11:33PM

Love that Dan.

Sums up Corballis - best and worst shot in the one course.

I remember it - it was 12 , I was ahead , you had to wait a while for green to clear , and you know when you hear that sound when a fairway wood / hydrid connects , great shot.

dan_ep82 · 14-12-2014 12:47AM

That was Dar, I went out again when you's left on my own. still made a lot of mistakes but not on that on. pity the only ones to see it were some randomers lol.

FixdePitchmark · 14-12-2014 12:51AM

dan_ep82 wrote: »

That was Dar, I went out again when you's left on my own. still made a lot of mistakes but not on that on. pity the only ones to see it were some randomers lol.

Lol,

It was in my dreams so - you posted you went again - did you play a full round Dan - now that is hardcore

dan_ep82 · 14-12-2014 11:44AM

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Lol,

It was in my dreams so - you posted you went again - did you play a full round Dan - now that is hardcore

Maybe it was a prediction lol

No ,just played the twelve. Just as I got to the car it started lashing so it was a good choice ha

galwaylad14 · 14-12-2014 03:42PM

I got from 10 to 5 last year but between a combination of things I didn't play as much competitive golf this year until September and October time but I did play some good golf.

Highlights:

A +1 and 2 level par rounds in September/October. Got a lesson in September and hit a great patch of form after it. Managed to record my 3 best ever rounds in those months which was a huge highlight. They got me a few nice cuts aswell (although it's heartbreaking only losing .1 for every stroke better than CSS!) Got a gross prize and first prize from them also.

Lowlights:
Strange one but the second level par round was a lowlight in it's own way as I was -3 through 12 holes and was well on the road to a under par round and maybe even a chance to break 70 but played the last 6 in +3 which was a killer. Obviously there were lots of bad rounds mixed in there too which are always a lowlight!

Goals: Wanted to get from 5 to 3 but ultimately fell just short but I'm not far away now.

Best shot:
I'm going to say the shots I hit on the range towards the end of my lesson in September, prior to the lesson I had been hitting weak pushy sort of shots, by the end of that lesson i was hitting real towering, powerful iron shots with a hint of a draw. I've been repeating it with varying degrees of consistency since but it's hard to beat the feeling of hitting those sort of shots a few times in a row after a period of a few weeks of weak ball striking.

Worst:

Played Adare Manor during the year and didn't play great but one shot stands out, can't remember the hole but its towards the end, maybe the 15 or 16th, it's a par 3 over water but it's a handy hole, it's just a 9 iron or a wedge to a huge green. Don't know how but just totally topped the ball with a 9 iron I think straight into the water. A beginner would have been embarrassed. I actually think I birdied the last 2 then if I remember rightly, definitley birdied the 18th anyway, funny old game.

What's next:

Currently in the middle of a bit of a winter break but planning 2 or 3 lessons in January and try build from there. My goal for the year is to get to 2. Don't care if I win any competitions or not on the way there but I presume if I do manage it I'll pick up a gross prize or 2 at the very least.

I want to play in a few senior Scratch Cups aswell, just for the experience of playing with very good golfers I suppose.

The ultimate goal I suppose is to get to scratch but it would be a bit of a stretch to think that could happen in 2015! Maybe 2016!

slave1 · 14-12-2014 04:07PM

Your highlights or low lights

Highlights included getting on the Golf Digest reviewer panel and the great excuse to play loads of new courses.
Played Adare and Dromoland on a cracking day in August and that was a great day out.
Lowlight was getting a horrible case of thinning my chips around May timeframe, came from nowhere as I'd never did it before, lasted just over a month and then disappeared, frustrating series of 0.1's and I don't think I entered a comp really after that because it all seemed to be falling apart.

Your goals you achieved or failed

Handicap is lower than when I started the year but only in decimal places, still lower is good. Always like to play different course so played 27 courses this year.

Your great shots, your worst

Eagle hole out from around 158yards in Moate for a 2, I went straight for the flag, it shot off my club, landed halfway up the green and straight into the hole, I saw it the whole way, nobody else did but I don't care.

Worst, easy one this, Birr, 1st tee, rakes of lads watching and it's a ****in rotten opening shot if you don't know the layout of the hole, I topped a hybrid about 60yards and hacked the next too for good measure, never so glad to get out of sight!

Your best day on the course , you worst.

Shot a 8 over, very happy with that, no bad days as any day golfing is a good day.

Next

Settle in on some new clubs, continue to work on turning my arms over and let everything else happen as a by product.

The Year That Was 2014.

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