Golf

[Smashing-Pumpkin]

9 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

 

The beautiful thing about golf is the handicap system though. You give me 19 shots and it might be a close game on the day 

 

It's like 11 of us turning up to play our beloved football team and them starting on -8.

 

If we defended well, we might get a draw! 

Ive often said in discussions of such kind that if you took say a Coalville Town type footballer and you put him in the Leicester City team, he would stand out. Youd know who he was and youd see he would be worse than the guys on his side. But he would do enough to get by, he could make up for his deficiencies in effort, work rate, etc etc to an extent.

 

Its how you see lower teams regularly beat good teams in cup competitions. The quality gap is relatively small.

 

You put a club pro, or even the best player at your club whos probably off +1 or +2. Stick him on the first tee at Augusta, or on the first tee of the Open Championship when set up with rough, and he would struggle to get round in 90.

 

Its poles apart.

[tom27111]

3 minutes ago, Smashing-Pumpkin said:

Ive often said in discussions of such kind that if you took say a Coalville Town type footballer and you put him in the Leicester City team, he would stand out. Youd know who he was and youd see he would be worse than the guys on his side. But he would do enough to get by, he could make up for his deficiencies in effort, work rate, etc etc to an extent.

 

Its how you see lower teams regularly beat good teams in cup competitions. The quality gap is relatively small.

 

You put a club pro, or even the best player at your club whos probably off +1 or +2. Stick him on the first tee at Augusta, or on the first tee of the Open Championship when set up with rough, and he would struggle to get round in 90.

 

Its poles apart.

 

Before my hiatus, I could shoot low 80's, even broke 80 twice!

 

It's about putting it all together. I used to play Western Park. Up to 5 times a week. I've birdied most holes there, I've certainly parred them all many times.

 

The problem is doing that all in the same round!

 

I know I'm capable of doing it, but not to the consistency of someone like yourself.

 

And then the pro's take it to an absolute different level on top of people who play off single figure handicaps. It's unreal.

 

Hardest game in the world. Millions watch and love darts nowadays and play down the pub or at club level...darts has no variables. You're the same distance, hitting the same target. It's still incredibly difficult, even for pro's.

 

That kind of puts in to perspective how difficult golf is.

[Mike Oxlong]

2 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

 

Before my hiatus, I could shoot low 80's, even broke 80 twice!

 

It's about putting it all together. I used to play Western Park. Up to 5 times a week. I've birdied most holes there, I've certainly parred them all many times.

 

The problem is doing that all in the same round!

 

I know I'm capable of doing it, but not to the consistency of someone like yourself.

 

And then the pro's take it to an absolute different level on top of people who play off single figure handicaps. It's unreal.

 

Hardest game in the world. Millions watch and love darts nowadays and play down the pub or at club level...darts has no variables. You're the same distance, hitting the same target. It's still incredibly difficult, even for pro's.

 

That kind of puts in to perspective how difficult golf is.

I remember when they had a burnt out car on one of the greens. Not sure whether it came from New Parks or Braunstone but they never used to get that sort of problem on the Wentworth estate 

[tom27111]

2 minutes ago, Mike Oxlong said:

I remember when they had a burnt out car on one of the greens. Not sure whether it came from New Parks or Braunstone but they never used to get that sort of problem on the Wentworth estate 

 

[Smashing-Pumpkin]

6 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

 

Before my hiatus, I could shoot low 80's, even broke 80 twice!

 

It's about putting it all together. I used to play Western Park. Up to 5 times a week. I've birdied most holes there, I've certainly parred them all many times.

 

The problem is doing that all in the same round!

 

I know I'm capable of doing it, but not to the consistency of someone like yourself.

 

And then the pro's take it to an absolute different level on top of people who play off single figure handicaps. It's unreal.

 

Hardest game in the world. Millions watch and love darts nowadays and play down the pub or at club level...darts has no variables. You're the same distance, hitting the same target. It's still incredibly difficult, even for pro's.

 

That kind of puts in to perspective how difficult golf is.

Ive got fond memories of Western Park.

 

Obviously, you wouldnt expect the condition to be good. But I remember some of the holes were actually really good. Cant remember which hole it was but the par 4 down the hill on the back nine, then the par 5 sweeping round the corner, drivable par 4 to follow, it was not bad at all.

 

And then i remember taking aim at the par 3 at the end and ready to pull the trigger, just as two kids went across the green on their bikes! unbelieveable. But always good times

 

 

[tom27111]

Just now, Smashing-Pumpkin said:

Ive got fond memories of Western Park.

 

Obviously, you wouldnt expect the condition to be good. But I remember some of the holes were actually really good. Cant remember which hole it was but the par 4 down the hill on the back nine, then the par 5 sweeping round the corner, drivable par 4 to follow, it was not bad at all.

 

And then i remember taking aim at the par 3 at the end and ready to pull the trigger, just as two kids went across the green on their bikes! unbelieveable. But always good times

 

 

Crushed a few drives up the 9th, only for 2 kids on bikes to ride across the fairway and nick my ball 

 

I think the 12th was the par 5, then the 13th was about 315 yards, all downhill. Catch the slope nicely and you're in the middle of the green putting for eagle. 

 

Cheap and cheerful. If the bunkers had proper sand in, you'd have happily paid 40 quid a round! 

[Mike Oxlong]

Western Park was a course where your ball could easily get smeared in dog shit but that didn’t matter as it stopped the kids nicking them 

Edited 10 April 2022 by Mike Oxlong

[tom27111]

Humberstone was the twin course. Is that still there? I loved their driving range with the automatic tees.

 

We'd go down there about half an hour before it closed, just to hit a few stingers at the guy driving around in the ball collecting car 

[tom27111]

Wow. The Masters champion putts like me 

 

We all love a 4 putt 

[spacemunky]

Good Sheffler finally holed that 

[tom27111]

5 minutes ago, spacemunky said:

Good Sheffler finally holed that 

My attachment didn't work.

 

Not a euphemism.

Edited 10 April 2022 by tom27111

[kingfox]

Finishing with a double bogey 

[tom27111]

4 minutes ago, spacemunky said:

Good Sheffler finally holed that 

 

[goody2028]

To be fair to him I’d struggle to hold the club in that situation never mind 4 putt  

[Smashing-Pumpkin]

Around the time he won the Phoenix Open, I stupidly questionned whether Scheffler was THAT good.

 

He had played in the Ryder Cup but I saw him as being a bit one dimensional and the sort of player that needed a certain type of course to win, one that was basically suited to bomb and gouge golf.

 

But then he won Bay Hill and battled against very difficult conditions and that said he was in control of his ball flight.

 

Then to win today, particularly after the start he made, with the short game touch he showed was incredible. His chipping and pitching all week was incredible.

 

A worthy winner.

 

 

 

[tom27111]

1 minute ago, Smashing-Pumpkin said:

Around the time he won the Phoenix Open, I stupidly questionned whether Scheffler was THAT good.

 

He had played in the Ryder Cup but I saw him as being a bit one dimensional and the sort of player that needed a certain type of course to win, one that was basically suited to bomb and gouge golf.

 

But then he won Bay Hill and battled against very difficult conditions and that said he was in control of his ball flight.

 

Then to win today, particularly after the start he made, with the short game touch he showed was incredible. His chipping and pitching all week was incredible.

 

A worthy winner.

 

 

 

His climb to world number 1 is ridiculous. I believe it was something like 8 weeks from 1st tournament win, to number 1 ranked player in the world. Might have even been shorter.

 

But with what he's won lately, it's pretty justified.

 

Spectacular golf. Blew everyone away. Won it yesterday really, did what he had to do today with his course management.

 

Not the most exciting tournament to watch, but does Scottie care? No.

 

Tiger was the master at doing what you have to do.

 

[tom27111]

Nice to see an interview with the caddy. 

 

The vast majority think they're just there to carry the bag, but they really are are a team.

[tom27111]

Dame Laura Davies loving the Sky Sports make-up and hair department. 

 

She's basically what Amy Winehouse would've looked like if she made it to 60 

[The Year Of The Fox]

Got back from The Vale last night so missed the climax to The Masters

 

The Vale in South Wales is great. Played the Lakes course Friday afternoon and the Welsh National Saturday and Sunday. The latter being the better of the two courses I think. The greens weren’t upto much at all though. I’ve hacked my way around 3 days on the trot. I’ve absolutely no idea why, but I can’t hit an iron for the life of me. I’m sure having to use fairway mats at Longcliffe has ruined my game for a bit 
 

Playing at Birstall this afternoon in the last round of Winter Pairs

[KingsX]

17 hours ago, Izzy said:

Rory in the zone and on a charge is one of the finest sights in golf. Sadly too little too late this time.

 

The Telegraph had a cynical take on that.  Do you agree with them?

 

The buzz that vibrated across Augusta National when Rory McIlroy eagled the par-five 13th to move to six-under for his final round, five shots off Scott Scheffler’s lead, was visceral. By the time the Northern Irishman holed out from a greenside bunker on 18 to sign for an eight-under-par 64, one shot off the course record, Rae’s Creek was positively fizzing.

 

Tiger Woods may still be golf's golden goose, its No 1 box office attraction. But there is nothing like Rory McIlroy in full flight. That swing, that form. Golfing perfection.

 

It did not take long, though, for a certain cynicism to puncture the mood, at least on social media. Tweets along the lines of: ‘Yep, seen this before. Death, taxes, and ‘backdoor top 10s’ at the Masters for Rory McIlroy.’

 

Harsh, yes. But also fair.

 

For all that McIlroy’s final round on Sunday was glorious, for all that it gave the crowd something to cheer as the wheels came off Cameron Smith’s round, we had indeed seen this movie before. A slow start, followed by a sprint finish. No one better than McIlroy when the pressure is off.

 

The pattern since he began chasing that career grand slam eight years ago is well established; the evidence there in black and white.

[Izzy]

11 minutes ago, KingsX said:

 

The Telegraph had a cynical take on that.  Do you agree with them?

 

The buzz that vibrated across Augusta National when Rory McIlroy eagled the par-five 13th to move to six-under for his final round, five shots off Scott Scheffler’s lead, was visceral. By the time the Northern Irishman holed out from a greenside bunker on 18 to sign for an eight-under-par 64, one shot off the course record, Rae’s Creek was positively fizzing.

 

Tiger Woods may still be golf's golden goose, its No 1 box office attraction. But there is nothing like Rory McIlroy in full flight. That swing, that form. Golfing perfection.

 

It did not take long, though, for a certain cynicism to puncture the mood, at least on social media. Tweets along the lines of: ‘Yep, seen this before. Death, taxes, and ‘backdoor top 10s’ at the Masters for Rory McIlroy.’

 

Harsh, yes. But also fair.

 

For all that McIlroy’s final round on Sunday was glorious, for all that it gave the crowd something to cheer as the wheels came off Cameron Smith’s round, we had indeed seen this movie before. A slow start, followed by a sprint finish. No one better than McIlroy when the pressure is off.

 

The pattern since he began chasing that career grand slam eight years ago is well established; the evidence there in black and white.

I think that’s a bit harsh tbh

 

Rory probably puts himself under more pressure than anyone and I’d say his downfall has been trying too hard and getting in his own way

 

No doubt he was so far back that he could free wheel in the final round but it’s not as if he’s looking for ‘back door top 10’s’. They don’t interest him in the slightest 

 

All Rory needs to do is start well. We’ve seen he’s a good front runner but it’s all mental with Rory I reckon. Technically there’s no issues apart from when he tinkers with what comes naturally.

 

He is a conundrum and certainly should have won more majors but the competition has never been tougher.

 

Still my favourite golfer to watch when he’s really on it.

 

[Jordan]

Yeah, of course Rory wants to win another major, but a top 10 finish at the Masters is just about always very good and a top 2 finish is superb. The easier thing for Rory to do would be to play out the string after making the cut. 
 

I don’t know if social media buzz really captures the overall mood of golf fans, either. I would think most fans would be happy for Rory and entertained by his fantastic Sunday performance.

[Smashing-Pumpkin]

3 hours ago, KingsX said:

 

The Telegraph had a cynical take on that.  Do you agree with them?

 

The buzz that vibrated across Augusta National when Rory McIlroy eagled the par-five 13th to move to six-under for his final round, five shots off Scott Scheffler’s lead, was visceral. By the time the Northern Irishman holed out from a greenside bunker on 18 to sign for an eight-under-par 64, one shot off the course record, Rae’s Creek was positively fizzing.

 

Tiger Woods may still be golf's golden goose, its No 1 box office attraction. But there is nothing like Rory McIlroy in full flight. That swing, that form. Golfing perfection.

 

It did not take long, though, for a certain cynicism to puncture the mood, at least on social media. Tweets along the lines of: ‘Yep, seen this before. Death, taxes, and ‘backdoor top 10s’ at the Masters for Rory McIlroy.’

 

Harsh, yes. But also fair.

 

For all that McIlroy’s final round on Sunday was glorious, for all that it gave the crowd something to cheer as the wheels came off Cameron Smith’s round, we had indeed seen this movie before. A slow start, followed by a sprint finish. No one better than McIlroy when the pressure is off.

 

The pattern since he began chasing that career grand slam eight years ago is well established; the evidence there in black and white.

I just dont understand the perspective of the journalist. Or the twitter trolls who almost certainly dont represent the golfing population.

 

Rory beat every player but one at Augusta and shot -7 for 72 holes. He cant control what anyone else shoots.

 

Would the same people be lauding the play of Cam Smith despite the fact he finished behind Rory? Are you a back door top 10 merchant if you dont open up every major with a 67?

 

Ive no idea why people feel the need to take to twitter or write this kind of stuff in newspapers. Like people hang their own happiness on someone else winning a golf tournament they arent a part of and never will be. Its weird.

 

[Smashing-Pumpkin]

10 hours ago, The Year Of The Fox said:

Got back from The Vale last night so missed the climax to The Masters

 

The Vale in South Wales is great. Played the Lakes course Friday afternoon and the Welsh National Saturday and Sunday. The latter being the better of the two courses I think. The greens weren’t upto much at all though. I’ve hacked my way around 3 days on the trot. I’ve absolutely no idea why, but I can’t hit an iron for the life of me. I’m sure having to use fairway mats at Longcliffe has ruined my game for a bit 
 

Playing at Birstall this afternoon in the last round of Winter Pairs

This COULD be true but its hard to say.

 

If you are someone that tends to catch irons a little heavy, then playing off a mat is a more forgiving surface, because the club can ricochet off the mat into the ball and youll get a semi decent result. Its a bit like why its often easier to hit a 3 wood off the deck at the driving range. Its a perfect lie on a very firm surface.

 

Id suspect what also may have happened is, playing off the mat has raised the ball off the ground maybe a centimetre. So effectively, its shifted the lie angle of your club a little bit, the sole of the club is now sitting a little more toe-up off the mat, rather than more flush off the turf.

 

You may have compensated for this a little bit. It only takes a very small change to have big consequences, particularly as you increase the loft, the effect of lie angle becomes more pronounced, ie youre tilting the loft more.

[Jimothy]

1 hour ago, Jordan said:

Yeah, of course Rory wants to win another major, but a top 10 finish at the Masters is just about always very good and a top 2 finish is superb. The easier thing for Rory to do would be to play out the string after making the cut. 
 

I don’t know if social media buzz really captures the overall mood of golf fans, either. I would think most fans would be happy for Rory and entertained by his fantastic Sunday performance.

Surely it's the fact the Masters is the one that keeps getting away for Rory and he needs it to complete a career slam that must be the most frustrating part for him. He's finished 2nd numerous times now, and it's not just another major, it's the major. It's career defining and puts him in a small group of players.