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The Year That was 2016
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06-12-2016 9:10pm#1The time of year we reflect on the season and start thinking about the next. I'm very goal centric myself - but this year was a year that all went out the window for me due to a few things off the course.
Can't wait for 2017 and feel mentally ready to take on Category 1 in a serious way.
Please post your review of your year
Your highlights or lowlights
Got to my lowest ever handicap of 4 - so in theory it should be a brilliant year.
Entered the season in great form after serious winter work and had a few quick wins in tough conditions.
Not sure if it just got to me being that low, took the foot of the pedal, or was my off course problems - but game went , head went and then got the shanks, was comical stuff. Ended up struggling to break 90 at times. And playing well, I was finding it hard to get under 85 - never mind 80.
Ended the season well and looked like an actual golfer at times - plenty of work to go - but nice to turn a corner.
Your goals you achieved or failed
Got to my lowest handicap - failed to get to 2.5.
Your great shots your worst
When a season is so poor you forget the great shots, but towards the end of season started hitting intentional draws on certain par 3s - and getting them close. I consider these my best shots - because to hit a shape intentionally is to me another level of golf - a level I couldn't have imagined 3 years ago - a fade is harder work for me , but have played them too.
worst
Shanks - serious stuff.
Your best day on the course , you worst.
Had a bad year - so again, interesting how your days on the course can be less memorable - but golf at times can be a great escape - had lovely days out in Corballis - Baltray - Portmarnock Links - very enjoyable day out in Rosslare teaching the father in law golf - played golf in the caribbean and that is nice to be on the list of done that. A couple of the boards outings were great fun and I loved a society outing I had in Tipperary - more the craic and company that one.
Worst
Definitely the day I realised I had the shanks for the first time - I had also just got to my lowest handicap so was incredibly embarrassing- but I stuck it out and never lost the head - so can be proud of something .
Your plans and goals for 2017.
Well in 2016 - I seen that Cat 1 golf is another planet - (0.1) and small buffer , I also experienced that the jump from 6 to 4 is big and players below 4 are another level again.
So I guess that naivety I had up to this point, is gone.
I have lots of plans to get a bit fitter this year.
But a big plan for me is to have a few par rounds in competition - I haven't done that yet. I've been very close (+1,+2,+3) - I've broken par in practice - but all them times - I am playing totally out of my skin. So I am not going to underestimate the task. I have a greater respect for par now. If you have weak aspects of your game over 18 holes you are typically found out 3/4 times - this can be enough to have you 6 over par and chasing your tail.
I can play golf well at times , but not well for long times.
Anything Else
I learnt in 2016 - that you as a person off the course has a big impact on it. I would have laughed at that 4 or 5 years ago. But I learnt the hard way this year.
I am in a far better position to improve now - I know more about the game and am lucky to have a fantastic network of friends in the game now - some of these are top players and even know a few pros that get me and the head too.
I know more about the game and about the swing - I have everything I need location wise , equipment wise and support wise. There is no excuses really.
Looking forward to 2017 and embracing a little more, the so many positive things I have going for me inside and outside the game.
2016 - "Annus Horribilis".
2017 - "Annus Mirabilis" .
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Highlights
Playing the Barton Shield for the first time and not humiliating myself. My partner played great and we managed to shoot a very respectable score, always an achievment in foursomes strokes! Also threw in a good performance at the Senior Cup in late June. Won my 1st match well and on the verge of winning my 2nd before a very bizarre conclusion led to a half match being declared! Hardly missed a long shot over the 2 matches, so even with a cold putter, it was an encouraging couple of days.
Finishing 3rd in the Captains Prize. Always doubted my ability to compete in this as a low (ish) man but only lost by 3 in the end. Maybe some day
Winning the POY and the Gross Aggregate in my club. With scores from all the counting comps now being uploaded, I was able to track how I was getting on and since I was behind in the former with 2 events to go, it was a real thrill to shoot a couple of respectable numbers to sneak in!
Equalling my best score ever twice during the year. Although only once off the back tees..
Lowlights
Losing in the final of the Scratch cup. Was happy for my opponent who had never won the event before but very disappointed with how poorly I played.
Getting beaten up again by Royal County Down. Not good enough to play that place
A disaster of a 2nd round at the Luttrellstown Scratch Cup. Humiliating not an overstatement.
Goals
Only real goal was to think I got better. Handicap down fractionally and chipping much improved from last couple of years. Il take it.
Best shots and worst
Remember a couple of decent shots but not the most consequential so will go for a couple that were produced that had significance. First was a 6 foot putt for par on the 4th hole in the Barton Shield. Downhill, lightning fast and came after a very poor tee shot from me. Partner hit a good chip and I knocked it in. A real nerve settler, played and putted solid thereafter
Also, a 25 footer on 17 at the Senior Cup to go 1up. Had putted pretty awful all day but had gotten it to 3 up after 12 in spite of this. Then opponent won 13 14 and 16 to square the match so was starting to lose momentum. Hit two really good shots on to the green and poured it in to grab it back. A great feeling
Worst shot harder to pinpoint. It took me 5 shots to extricate myself from a fairway bunker on the 7th at Luttrellstown on my way to a 10. Level par to plus 8. Maybe one of those.
Best day on course
Annual excursions to Ballybunion, Tralee and Royal County Down with bros, dad and uncle. Golf was awful but craic mighty. Also shooting 67 gross on day 2 of the Captains to come 3rd.
Worst day
Luttrellstown rd 2. Uch.
Goals 2017
First nipper on the way so have to be realistic. Hoping to strike a balance between her and maintaining the ridiculous amount of golf Im accustomed to. Could happen.
Anything else
Just to keep trying on every shot and see where it gets me. Have a couple of scratch cups Ive my eye on so looking forward to doing a bit better in those than in recent years.0 -
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Your highlights or low lights
Hightlight was winning captains day at my club, won it with the lowest gross score for the two days, so that just made it that bit sweeter.
Had my first every eagle on day 2 of captains also.
Lowlight was losing my Ulster Cup match, didn't even realise mine was the pivotal match and I could have and should have done better.
Your goals you achieved or failed
My goal for 2015 was to get to single figures and I didn't achieve it. my goal for 2016 was just to play like a steady 11/12 handicapper.
Well I done that and got to 8, it wasn't the goal I set, but I'll take it.
Your great shots your worst
Best shot was on the 16th of a singles match, we were level and I had 165yards to an elevated green from the left semi with a tree between me and the pin.
Played the most perfect draw around the edge of the tree and landed about 6ft right of the pin.
It helped that both captains and a few team members were standing behind the green and it even got a clap from them.
Worst was one of my many many s***ks
Your best day on the course , you worst.
Played a society outing to Ballyliffin old course in February, it was like a summers day, just a great days golf and great craic too.
Worst, anyday playing golf is a good day.
Your plans and goals for 2017.
My goal should be to get my handicap lower, but I only play once a week and I never practice now, so my goal is just to stay in single figures.
Anything Else
Work is starting a new society in 2017, so will be joining that and maybe it will help the networking, I'm fairly new to the company (starting at the bottom) and its huge, so maybe golf will help my career
That's what I'm telling my wife anyway!!0 -
Your highlights or low lights
Won twice this year, Sunday singles and a Medal. The Medal is obviously better than the Sunday singles but for me the latter was more enjoyable as I had the best round I have ever played even in practice 2 over gross (44 pts).
I don't really have a low point as it was a good year, maybe it was around mid summer when my putting went to sh1te altogether, triggered by missing a few easy putts but it really shattered my putting confidence for ages and it's one part of my game that when I have a bad shot I find it hard to recover from.
Your goals you achieved or failed
I only joined a club in April this year at 14 HC and my goal was to get to single figures and I finished the year at 6 HC so really happy with that although some days I find it really tough and difficult to compete but it's still enjoyable.
Your great shots your worst
Too many bad ones but the ones that really hurt looking back are the ones where I played the wrong shot and they didn't come off when a more straight forward shot was by far the correct one.
Best shot wasn't anything too brilliant but probably most memorable. I was playing into a driving gale with about 180 yard left. Took out my 18 Hybrid, went down the shaft and hit the sweetest straight low shot to about 8 feet, I missed the putt but we won't go into that
Your best day on the course , your worst.
Best: As above, winning the Sunday singles with best ever gross.
Worst: Probably the week after the above comp. Had a right few scoops the night before and shot a miserable 17 pts :eek:
Your plans and goals for 2017.
To get down to 5 and to stay down there as I'm not very consistent as a golfer at the moment. I can burn up the course or not but I'm not having as many off days as I used to so I am getting more consistent.
I already practice a fair bit but when the brighter evenings come back I'm really gonna put in the time and effort into practice especially more short putting.0 -
Your highlights or lowlights
Big year being a daddy for first time! But being a member for first time, and playing *most* weekends for the first time too, has helped my game.
Lowlights
continued bad putting.
Your goals you achieved or failed
No HC at year start. Set target at 11.0 and got to 11.6 at lowest. So close to playing off 11
Drifted to 12.1 now.
Your great shots your worst
Nearly made ace on a short par3 last weekend. Hit some nice long irons and hybrid to green over the year. Some better chipping this year too.
worst
On par5 17th, 1down in a club match, just off green in two with 30y chip left. Shank. Lost hole and match. That stayed with me and helped me improve chipping.
Putting off the green on the 17th in jug match to loose the hole and the match.
Your best day on the course , you worst.
Won strokes medal. Enjoyed boards games immensely. The jug was fantastic.
Worst
Bad run of +1's.
Your plans and goals for 2017
Single figures is the goal. Have a set of gear that works well for me now. As a daddy, time is now more precious then ever before, this is not a bad thing as it means every moment I get on the course is a special treat.0 -
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The weirdest golf year for me since I started playing this game...
Put a lot of practise in over the winter months with a new Pro (again probably my 10th over the years)
Highlights
Went away in April on a golfing holiday down to Cork, With 2 societys combined that go away every year mainly to Spain & Portugal but this year they decided on Home soil.
The venue
Fota Island both courses then Cork GC then back to Fota the championship course.. Best 3 scores out of the 4 rounds is crowned the winner of a mini ryder jug (but still big) about €200 and some prises etc.. If you win 1 day your cut 4 shots, 3 for second, 2 for 3th, 1 for 4th..
About 20 lads some seriously golfers and I won it!! I lead from second day on playing off 17 then 14 then 12 finished with 11... Not only was winning a big deal but scoring with these Handicaps was better for me as I'm off 20 in my club! and scored in the 30's each round apart from Cork (had 16pts 26 won it) but everyone was bad, as its a course you really have to know.. but had a best score of 34 pts off 14 in fota with seriously pressure on... and "didnt bottle it".. It was like an out of body experience ha! Had an eagle which I meant no luck involved and a bird in that round too...
Best Shot
A few stand out my eagle was a thing of beauty in Fota 5th hole (I think) creamed my driver with a lovely draw centre of fairway.. Said I chance my 3 wood as have been practicing hard with it and my Pro reckons there's no reason I shouldnt be hitting it of the deck...nailed it.. middle of green 10 ft from pin.. bit of a right to left putt bam get in My confidence was high..
My best shot was probably on the last day my nearest rival was closing in.. I was playing steady considering the pressure on me (these lads are way better golfers than me) needed 4 points to win the whole comp.. Over hit my drive into some trees on 17.. but was about 60/70 yards from green.. visualised to punch a 9I out, bouncing a couple of feet in front of green and rolling on.. Picture perfect!! 2 putt par..(lipped out for a birdie..) plus my ball was lying on hard muck in the trees!! After that the nearest challenger fell apart and boogied the hole from fairway...
Worst
Sadly not long after that I hurt my elbow in training and didnt play for most the summer...Missing most boards outings as well.. Really was disheartening considering I was playing the best golf since taking up the game...
2017
Started lessons again.. Didnt take me long to pick up where I left off since I hadn't hit a ball in months.. few tweaks.. I understand my bad shots now and what Im doing wrong..
So 2017
I just want my handicap down as I know Its just in my head as Fota proved and that is a Championship course as you all well know.. not going with a number just want it to drop by few shots.... Plus as lads said when you can't play you really appreciate when you do play even the bads days.. I think this may be one of the best things I have learned playing this beautiful game...
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