Well the day started with alot of hope... and it ended with none whatsoever. I'm not sure what's wrong with my golf game but it's gone missing. I didn't get a par until the 12th hole and I ended the day with only two pars. 2 lost balls ($8.50 each.. ouch!). I finished off with a total score of 100... depressing! I don't think I've hit triple figures in years. So lets see how I did with some of my aims for the day.
• Shoot mid 80's: Not even close.
• Solve driver problems: I hit a few good drives... but it's still not up to scratch
• Iron Shots: Long irons were good. I hit one good mid iron... everything else was rubbish!
• To enjoy my day out: They say a bad day out playing golf is better than no golf at all. I think this is still true.... just :)
So after a shocker of a round I'm determined to take some time off golf rounds. I'll spend some time at the range trying to find my swing again and fix up my game.
PGA Tour: I think I must have jinxed Robert Allenby.. he's no longer among the leaders. But it's good to see Adam Scott in second place. Hope he does well over the weekend.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
Payback Time
The last time I played Glen Iris, I got owned by the course (See my 3 Putt Woes post). Well this weekend I'm heading back there with a good mate to give it another go. Time for payback. :)
The weather is looking good, it should be fairly cool with a slight breeze. My ideal conditions.
Some aims for tomorrows game:
• Shoot a round in the mid 80's
• Get rid of a slight cut creeping into my drives
• Hit some crisp iron shots again (especially the 3 and 4 irons)
• To enjoy my day out :)
PGA Tour: Good to see Robert Allenby doing well in the Players Championship. Apart from Stuart Appelby winning the Mercedes Championship each year we don't see many aussies doing too well in the PGA. Maybe this year is going to be different with Pampling winning last week.
The weather is looking good, it should be fairly cool with a slight breeze. My ideal conditions.
Some aims for tomorrows game:
• Shoot a round in the mid 80's
• Get rid of a slight cut creeping into my drives
• Hit some crisp iron shots again (especially the 3 and 4 irons)
• To enjoy my day out :)
PGA Tour: Good to see Robert Allenby doing well in the Players Championship. Apart from Stuart Appelby winning the Mercedes Championship each year we don't see many aussies doing too well in the PGA. Maybe this year is going to be different with Pampling winning last week.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Matchplay round 2
I arrived at the course with a shaky golf game, unsure about how my driving and putting would hold up. I also found that I'd be playing someone on a handicap of 26, that means I'll be giving up 11 shots over the round. I really hoped that I'd have some form to hold me up during the round.
The front 9 went fairly well for me and I built up a 3 hole advantage. It was 4 holes after the 11th and things were going well. That was until I had my mid round collapse. Over the next couple of holes my opponent managed to square up the match. I finally pulled my head out of my **** and played some good golf on the last two holes. We finished the match tied and were about to head to extra holes but I conceded the match because I knew that I wouldn't be playing next week.
Should I have conceded the match right at the start? Not sure if I should have but I would have towards the end of the round if it was going to look like a win.
Highlights: Smashing a 260m drive down the center of the hardest hole (398 m) on the course :)
Lowlights: Making a double bogey 6 on that hole :(
The front 9 went fairly well for me and I built up a 3 hole advantage. It was 4 holes after the 11th and things were going well. That was until I had my mid round collapse. Over the next couple of holes my opponent managed to square up the match. I finally pulled my head out of my **** and played some good golf on the last two holes. We finished the match tied and were about to head to extra holes but I conceded the match because I knew that I wouldn't be playing next week.
Should I have conceded the match right at the start? Not sure if I should have but I would have towards the end of the round if it was going to look like a win.
Highlights: Smashing a 260m drive down the center of the hardest hole (398 m) on the course :)
Lowlights: Making a double bogey 6 on that hole :(
Friday, March 10, 2006
3 Putt Woes
I was fortunate enough to get a day off work on Thursday to fit in a round of golf at Glen Iris. Midweek golf is always nice but it was also a chance to play a round with two buddies that I haven't played with in awhile. Now I wouldn't say Glen Iris is a difficult course, but when you 3 putt your first 4 holes you know you're in for a tough day.
I don't know if it was the bad putting that affected me but I think it put more pressure on me to hit the ball close to the hole. And this had a spiraling affect on the rest of my game.
I think playing at Collier has made me worse. Maybe I'm too familiar with that place and need to experience other greens and courses.
Anyway, I hope that I've got all my bad shots out of my system because I've got round 2 of my clubs matchplay tourney tomorrow. I'm hoping to start the day with a couple of good shots to get my confidence back up again.
I quite enjoy the matchplay format. It's just you against some other guy, and is probably the only time you can lay the smackdown on an opponent in golf. :)
Forecast for tomorrow:
light shower or two clearing early in the morning. A fine and mild day to follow. Moderate SW winds freshening in the afternoon -- Perfect conditions.. can't wait.
I don't know if it was the bad putting that affected me but I think it put more pressure on me to hit the ball close to the hole. And this had a spiraling affect on the rest of my game.
I think playing at Collier has made me worse. Maybe I'm too familiar with that place and need to experience other greens and courses.
Anyway, I hope that I've got all my bad shots out of my system because I've got round 2 of my clubs matchplay tourney tomorrow. I'm hoping to start the day with a couple of good shots to get my confidence back up again.
I quite enjoy the matchplay format. It's just you against some other guy, and is probably the only time you can lay the smackdown on an opponent in golf. :)
Forecast for tomorrow:
light shower or two clearing early in the morning. A fine and mild day to follow. Moderate SW winds freshening in the afternoon -- Perfect conditions.. can't wait.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Knockout Matchplay
Played my first matchplay competition today with the club. Let me tell you that golf during the hottest part of a 38° degree day is not fun. I think I might have some mild sun stroke. Oh well.. it was all worth it because I managed to win my match at the last hole.
I was on a handicap of 15 (up from 12) and up against a guy on 8. He had a funky Jim Furyk type of swing, unsual.. but it worked. I managed to get 4 up after 8 holes, but then he won 3 straight. I extended my lead again to two holes before he squared up the match with 3 holes to go. By this time the heat was really affecting me, but I was able to halve the next two. Went into the last hole with a shot on my opponent and par'd the last to win.
So I managed to scrape in and survive to next weeks match. Hopefully it wont be as hot. :)
Some good points: Started to hit my drive well again. Putted quite well.
Bad points: Made a meal of some tee shots and crumbled in the heat.
I was on a handicap of 15 (up from 12) and up against a guy on 8. He had a funky Jim Furyk type of swing, unsual.. but it worked. I managed to get 4 up after 8 holes, but then he won 3 straight. I extended my lead again to two holes before he squared up the match with 3 holes to go. By this time the heat was really affecting me, but I was able to halve the next two. Went into the last hole with a shot on my opponent and par'd the last to win.
So I managed to scrape in and survive to next weeks match. Hopefully it wont be as hot. :)
Some good points: Started to hit my drive well again. Putted quite well.
Bad points: Made a meal of some tee shots and crumbled in the heat.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Mizuno mp-60 .. new clubs??
I wish. These are a friend's new clubs. They look pretty sexy and apparently they "feel like butter".
Unfortunately he lives in Melbourne and I only get to play golf with him about once a year when he visits Perth.
My dad just got some new sticks too ... seems like everyone is doing it. But I'm happy to stick with my clubs for now. All they need are some new grips and maybe some re-grooving and they should be good as new. :)
Unfortunately he lives in Melbourne and I only get to play golf with him about once a year when he visits Perth.
My dad just got some new sticks too ... seems like everyone is doing it. But I'm happy to stick with my clubs for now. All they need are some new grips and maybe some re-grooving and they should be good as new. :)
New Shoes
These are the new shoes that my lovely wife got me for Valentines day.
Footjoys :)
They are so comfy compared to my old pair. My feet aren't killing me at the end of 18 holes anymore. They also look pretty cool. :)
Yes I do have some fine hairy legs there. I like to think of them as "quite masculine" :)
Footjoys :)
They are so comfy compared to my old pair. My feet aren't killing me at the end of 18 holes anymore. They also look pretty cool. :)
Yes I do have some fine hairy legs there. I like to think of them as "quite masculine" :)
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Do I feel like some punishment? 
Just checked out the weather forecast for this Saturday.
Fine and Hot 34 degrees.
It's been a few weeks since I've played with the club so I'm itching to have a round with them. But the problem is that they tee off at 10.30 every Saturday. That means that I'll be playing through the hottest part of the day. The sun can get pretty brutal here in Perth and I'm usually feeling the effects a day afterwards. I've been struggling with my drive over the last few weeks but I think I might have sorted out the problem last weekend. Eager to try it out in a comp. :)
My other option is to just rock up early Saturday and get slotted in with some random blokes.
Sure hope the forecast changes.
Fine and Hot 34 degrees.
It's been a few weeks since I've played with the club so I'm itching to have a round with them. But the problem is that they tee off at 10.30 every Saturday. That means that I'll be playing through the hottest part of the day. The sun can get pretty brutal here in Perth and I'm usually feeling the effects a day afterwards. I've been struggling with my drive over the last few weeks but I think I might have sorted out the problem last weekend. Eager to try it out in a comp. :)
My other option is to just rock up early Saturday and get slotted in with some random blokes.
Sure hope the forecast changes.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee
I received a little gem of an email from my wife this morning. Normally I wouldn't publish stuff like this, but I liked the message... and the emphasis on golf. :)
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes"
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls
are the important things---God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full."
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the
pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you."
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a
friend."
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes"
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls
are the important things---God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full."
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the
pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you."
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a
friend."
Monday, February 27, 2006
Tee-ing it up
Hello world. You've been lucky enough to stumble across my blog. Some introductions first. My name is Zan and I've set this blog up to detail my golfing journey / progress. I don't really have any grand plans of trying to make the PGA tour or anything like that ... maybe just a seniors tour somewhere in the world. :)
I live in sunny Perth, Australia. Pretty good place if you're a golf lover. Plenty of sunshine (sometimes too much) in summer and still golfable (??) in winter. I mainly frequent a course south of the river called Collier Park. It's one of the better public courses in Perth with 27 holes. Sometimes I think it's too easy a course and might give me a false sense of how good I really am. So one of my aims this year is to play on more different courses.
I've been playing the game now for 6 or so years, and never got myself an official handicap until a few weeks ago. I was expecting a 14-15 handicap but I got given a 12. That's better than what I expected, and against what everyone was telling me to do. "Aim for a 20 something handicap and then just beat everyone (get some trophies) as you slowly play to what you really are". Erm... maybe not.. I don't quite think that's fair on the others and it's just doesn't sit right with me.
So now my main golf goal for the year is to maybe reduce my hc down to 10 (or even single digits). Is that possible in one year? Perhaps. Who knows... I might even get worse :)
I live in sunny Perth, Australia. Pretty good place if you're a golf lover. Plenty of sunshine (sometimes too much) in summer and still golfable (??) in winter. I mainly frequent a course south of the river called Collier Park. It's one of the better public courses in Perth with 27 holes. Sometimes I think it's too easy a course and might give me a false sense of how good I really am. So one of my aims this year is to play on more different courses.
I've been playing the game now for 6 or so years, and never got myself an official handicap until a few weeks ago. I was expecting a 14-15 handicap but I got given a 12. That's better than what I expected, and against what everyone was telling me to do. "Aim for a 20 something handicap and then just beat everyone (get some trophies) as you slowly play to what you really are". Erm... maybe not.. I don't quite think that's fair on the others and it's just doesn't sit right with me.
So now my main golf goal for the year is to maybe reduce my hc down to 10 (or even single digits). Is that possible in one year? Perhaps. Who knows... I might even get worse :)
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