Golf

[The Bear]

1 hour ago, The Year Of The Fox said:

I had a collapse of my own yesterday- well on the way to breaking 90 for the second time ever. Then I shot an 11 on the 17th 🤣

Ouch! Hard luck. 

[Izzy]

Love him or hate him, fair play to Bryson for coming second in the World Long Drive competition.

 

 

[tom27111]

Does anyone on here have any recommendations for a club I can join in Northamptonshire?

 

I've played a few courses in the area, but nothing has really jumped out at me, apart from Collingtree.

 

Collingtree is really well looked after, fantastic greens and a very reasonable member rate and joining fee, but there have been some problems with the houses that surround the course. Tees have been moved/closed and temporary holes created, which is putting me off slightly. They've also sold off a lot of land and no longer have a range.

 

Farthingstone is a great course, not in the best condition, but it's closing at the end of the year, permanently. 

 

Brampton has too many members and you struggle to get a tee time.

 

Harlestone (The Northampton), would be perfect as it's 10 minutes drive from me, but I simply refuse to pay £1500 joining fee.

 

I wasn't a fan of Overstone, just didn't get a good impression of the place.

 

I'm playing Staverton Park tomorrow, near Daventry. See how that is.

 

Hoping I play as well as I did last week eh @Izzy @Milo

 

[Izzy]

7 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

Does anyone on here have any recommendations for a club I can join in Northamptonshire?

 

I've played a few courses in the area, but nothing has really jumped out at me, apart from Collingtree.

 

Collingtree is really well looked after, fantastic greens and a very reasonable member rate and joining fee, but there have been some problems with the houses that surround the course. Tees have been moved/closed and temporary holes created, which is putting me off slightly. They've also sold off a lot of land and no longer have a range.

 

Farthingstone is a great course, not in the best condition, but it's closing at the end of the year, permanently. 

 

Brampton has too many members and you struggle to get a tee time.

 

Harlestone (The Northampton), would be perfect as it's 10 minutes drive from me, but I simply refuse to pay £1500 joining fee.

 

I wasn't a fan of Overstone, just didn't get a good impression of the place.

 

I'm playing Staverton Park tomorrow, near Daventry. See how that is.

 

Hoping I play as well as I did last week eh @Izzy @Milo

 

Did I mention Hellidon Lakes near Daventry mate?

 

Not sure how far from you and think it may be more geared towards corporate golf and the hotel, but might be worth checking out?

 

https://hellidonlakeshotel.co.uk/golf/

[tom27111]

16 minutes ago, Izzy said:

Did I mention Hellidon Lakes near Daventry mate?

 

Not sure how far from you and think it may be more geared towards corporate golf and the hotel, but might be worth checking out?

 

https://hellidonlakeshotel.co.uk/golf/

Yeah, I actually considered there tomorrow. It's definitely on the list to play in the next couple of weeks.

 

Daventry and Towcester are probably better for me as I'm right near the A5. Only about 20 minutes away. Even considering Silverstone, but no idea what it's like. Green fees are pretty cheap.

 

Whittlebury Park is the other one I need to play soon to rule in or out too.

Edited 5 October 2022 by tom27111

[tom27111]

Well, as I've been away a while, I'll bore you and update you with my goal of making the seniors tour (I have 7 and a half years before I qualify)

 

Went up to Scotland and played the courses with the most incredible views imaginable. Dunbar, North Berwick and Winterfield.

 

Just wow. 

 

Links is like playing a totally different game. 

 

I was up there a few weeks after the heatwave, but we hadn't had much rain. I was driving about 300 yards! Carrying about 220, if I hit one straight, but they rolled forever!

 

On the downside, I had 1 hole where I was in a swale below a green, about 30 feet above me. Too much, you hit a pot bunker over the green. Not enough, it rolls back to your feet...it rolled back to my feet 5 times before I nailed it.

 

I usually get quite pissed off on the course if I do something stupid, but not up there, you just look up and it is fvcking stunning.

 

Bought some new irons too whilst I was up there. Had my eye on some and ironically, I was in a pub in North Berwick, called the Golfers Rest, had an email saying FLASH SALE! 

 

I bought some TaylorMade P790's for £500. They are fvcking awesome!!!!

 

A couple of people on here might back me up on that!

 

If only I had consistency off the tee.

 

There's one pic I took of the view, yes, the tees were battered, but it was down to the hot weather. 

 

I've got a fantastic video, but too big to post! 

[tom27111]

Anyone remember these?!

 

Just found 3 of them in my father in laws bag.

 

Pretty sure they're older than me 

[tom27111]

I'm going to give myself a shameless plug.

 

Couldn't find the perfect club to join in Northamptonshire (see above).

 

Joined PlayMoreGolf which seems to make sense.

 

If anyone else is thinking about it...

 

https://refer.playmore.golf/812325451

 

There you go. We'll both get points 

 

Edit...Oh my god, my club is so posh. And I'm such a scumbag rocking up in my 16 plate BMW. Genuinely, I'm so out of place there. 

Edited 10 October 2022 by tom27111

[Izzy]

Get in there Rory!

 

PGA win number 23 and back on top of the world.

 

Keep playing freely and you'll get your Masters next April.

[Super_horns]

12 hours ago, Izzy said:

Get in there Rory!

 

PGA win number 23 and back on top of the world.

 

Keep playing freely and you'll get your Masters next April.

He’ll be in contention but have one bad round probably .

[tom27111]

On 23/10/2022 at 22:52, Izzy said:

Get in there Rory!

 

PGA win number 23 and back on top of the world.

 

Keep playing freely and you'll get your Masters next April.

 

It's all down to that driver he's using 

 

I'm so close to booking a fitting to buy one. The Mrs will actually kill me though 

[tom27111]

Played again this morning. Shite. 

 

I'm really struggling off the tee, Driver, 3 wood, hybrid, just so inconsistent. 

 

Hitting my irons really well and my short game is great, as is my putting.

 

I just don't know what's happening every time I step on to the tee. Its really taking the enjoyment out of it for me at the minute.

 

I don't expect to nail it every time, but I'm hitting 2 or 3 good ones a round. That's it.

 

I used to be able to just go to the 3 wood and hit it nearly as far as a driver, even that isn't working right now! 

 

What makes it more frustrating is that I don't even know what I'm doing differently. 

 

I used to hit a big slice off the tee, got it down to a nice fade (ish), now, on occasions I'm hitting a pull and double crossing myself when I'm aiming a bit left.

 

I've never pulled a driver or 3 wood in my life.

 

 

 

[The Bear]

Have you double checked your setup at address? You could be slightly open with your shoulders/hips and are pulling it left to compensate and stop your swing path being too out-to-in. 

 

Always worth checking the simple things first. Try videoing your swing too, see if you can spot anything. 

Edited 29 October 2022 by The Bear

[tom27111]

Just now, The Bear said:

Have you double checked your setup at address? You could be a lightly open shoulders/hips and are pulling it left to compensate and stop your swing path being too out-to-in. 

 

Always worth checking the simple things first. Try videoing your swing too, see if you can spot anything. 

 

It's at the stage that I'm dreading it and over thinking, making it worse.

 

I've heard of the yips with a putter, but not with a driver!

 

I'm struggling to get range time in now the days are getting shorter and I'm at work, then I expect to get 18 in and magically solve it, so it's my own fault.

 

Just so bloody annoying.

 

As I've only started playing again this year after about a 10 year hiatus, I initially got together a set of clubs from wherever I could.

 

My driver and 3 wood were bought cheaply off a mate who'd just upgraded, and I'm pretty sure a stiff shaft doesn't suit me. I don't have the fastest swing speed.

 

I'm going to keep playing through the winter and get a driver fitted in the new year. I reckon a regular shaft, maybe cut down an inch or 2 will help. 

 

I know a new club won't solve everything, practice and a few lessons are needed too.

 

I'm about 5ft 10, so I definitely think a shorter shaft would help. 

[The Bear]

I'm 5ft 7 and cut my driver down to 44 inches from 45.75. It definitely helped. It's pretty easy to do yourself with a small hacksaw, as long as you can re-grip a club.

 

Im also not the fastest swinger, around 90-95mph. I play a regular shaft which is a Japanese spec lightweight Mizuno shaft which is only 39g. Same shaft is in my 3W too, which is probably my favourite club to hit, especially off the tee. I average about 210-215 yards with it. 

[Izzy]

11 hours ago, tom27111 said:

 

I know a new club won't solve everything, practice and a few lessons are needed too.

 

I'm about 5ft 10, so I definitely think a shorter shaft would help. 

I had my first lesson last week. He set me up on GSQuad & filmed my swing.

 

Absolutely horrific to watch and bloody obvious what I'm doing wrong.

 

My club head speed is pathetic which surprise, surprise, means my distance is poor.

 

Got a few things to work on down the range and another six lessons to have over the winter.

 

Hopefully be in better shape come the start of next season 

[tom27111]

6 hours ago, Izzy said:

Hopefully be in better shape come the start of next season 

 

No offence, but hopefully you won't 

 

I'm off tomorrow, I should really spend a couple of hours at the range and hit an absolute ton of balls, but I'll probably get 18 in instead, because I want to use my new wedges and start the rusting process on the face.

 

I really don't help myself do I?

 

Ah well, I've got 7 years and 29 days to make the seniors tour. 

Edited 30 October 2022 by tom27111

[The Bear]

If you're playing 18 then use it as a bona-fide practice round. Don't score and use any gaps behind you to hit two or three balls off the tee. 

 

Grinding away hitting ball after ball at the range doesn't always help any way, unless you structure it properly with targets or drills planned out. 

[tom27111]

On 30/10/2022 at 21:24, The Bear said:

If you're playing 18 then use it as a bona-fide practice round. Don't score and use any gaps behind you to hit two or three balls off the tee. 

 

Grinding away hitting ball after ball at the range doesn't always help any way, unless you structure it properly with targets or drills planned out. 

 

Yeah, I've done that a few times in the last couple of months.

 

Didn't get out at all yesterday, the Mrs has got covid and I woke up with a sore throat, so stayed home.

 

Tested negative, thankfully, and was back at work today.

 

I'll get out next Monday.

 

Maybe a week off will help. The longer I go between rounds, the better my driving is 

 

Edit...I'm thinking of spending a bit of time at the simulator in Milton Keynes. I'll do 18 at St Andrews, but the info you get from the simulator is mind blowing. Swing speeds, ball speeds, club face angle at impact...

 

It's quite good fun and they have a bar!

Edited 1 November 2022 by tom27111

[The Year Of The Fox]

Yesterday I won tickets in the ballot for the Sunday of the Ryder Cup in Rome next year 

 

Absolutely buzzing 🇪🇺

[tom27111]

1 hour ago, The Year Of The Fox said:

Yesterday I won tickets in the ballot for the Sunday of the Ryder Cup in Rome next year 

 

Absolutely buzzing 🇪🇺

Bugger. I've not had an email, so I take it I've missed out!

 

Enjoy it 

[tom27111]

Playing tomorrow morning at 9.57

 

Bloody need it after the last couple of weeks we've had.

 

Just hope the back holds up for 18!

 

Hit 60 balls at the range earlier and definitely aggravated my spine! 

 

My outlook is that I'll probably hit a ball hard 50 times in a full 18, the other 40/50 will be short approaches and putts.

 

Got some confidence back on the tee. Nailing them at the range.

 

Also had a swing with one of the TaylorMade Stealth drivers, fvck me, it’s light. Like, ridiculously light. Swing speed will be off the scale. (Well, for me anyway)

 

Getting fitted for one in a couple of weeks, an Xmas present to myself.

 

Look out @Milo and @Izzy

 

Although I did OK last time, when I couldn't drive 

[tom27111]

I hit an 87 on Monday.

 

Quite happy with that to be honest.

 

Wet fairways always add a few, but then again, it makes greens more receptive, so swings and roundabouts.

 

Hit a lovely bump and run with a 7 iron on the 18th to hole out!

 

I was hoping I'd get some cheers from the overlooking hotel, sadly not. I took my cap off and gave them a wave though, just in case anyone was watching 

 

Guy in the clubshop said I need 2 more cards to get my handicap and members card.

 

Might shoot a 120 next time, I don't want the handicap too low 

 

And believe it or not, my spine, which appears to be made of toilet paper, doesn't actually hurt much when I'm golfing.

 

Yeah, my Mrs doesn't believe that either 

Edited 1 December 2022 by tom27111

[Ric Flair]

On 06/10/2022 at 20:16, tom27111 said:

Well, as I've been away a while, I'll bore you and update you with my goal of making the seniors tour (I have 7 and a half years before I qualify)

 

Went up to Scotland and played the courses with the most incredible views imaginable. Dunbar, North Berwick and Winterfield.

 

Just wow. 

 

Links is like playing a totally different game. 

 

I was up there a few weeks after the heatwave, but we hadn't had much rain. I was driving about 300 yards! Carrying about 220, if I hit one straight, but they rolled forever!

 

On the downside, I had 1 hole where I was in a swale below a green, about 30 feet above me. Too much, you hit a pot bunker over the green. Not enough, it rolls back to your feet...it rolled back to my feet 5 times before I nailed it.

 

I usually get quite pissed off on the course if I do something stupid, but not up there, you just look up and it is fvcking stunning.

 

Bought some new irons too whilst I was up there. Had my eye on some and ironically, I was in a pub in North Berwick, called the Golfers Rest, had an email saying FLASH SALE! 

 

I bought some TaylorMade P790's for £500. They are fvcking awesome!!!!

 

A couple of people on here might back me up on that!

 

If only I had consistency off the tee.

 

There's one pic I took of the view, yes, the tees were battered, but it was down to the hot weather. 

 

I've got a fantastic video, but too big to post! 

North Berwick is an amazing place. Love that boozer, was in there a lot when I was up there at Muirfield for The Open in 2013. 

[Izzy]

11 hours ago, tom27111 said:

I hit an 87 on Monday.

 

Quite happy with that to be honest.

 

Wet fairways always add a few, but then again, it makes greens more receptive, so swings and roundabouts.

 

Hit a lovely bump and run with a 7 iron on the 18th to hole out!

 

I was hoping I'd get some cheers from the overlooking hotel, sadly not. I took my cap off and gave them a wave though, just in case anyone was watching 

 

Guy in the clubshop said I need 2 more cards to get my handicap and members card.

 

Might shoot a 120 next time, I don't want the handicap too low 

 

And believe it or not, my spine, which appears to be made of toilet paper, doesn't actually hurt much when I'm golfing.

 

Yeah, my Mrs doesn't believe that either 

Get your cards in mate. Always good to get an 'official' handicap.

 

I'm in the process of putting in cards since rejoining my club after a 5 year absence. I like this new handicap system which takes the average of your best 8 scores from 20 rounds (I think) which seems fairer than the old system.

 

So far I've put 10 cards in and it's counted the best 4 which currently puts me on 8.7 handicap. 

 

We got called in yesterday after 9 holes because of heavy fog. The joys of winter golf!