The Penguin Hunter Golf Diaries

Back to the Future - New Irons

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 08:33:00 +0000

No golfing this past weekend. After the chiropractic treatment on Friday and the remarkable effect that had discretion was the sensible path to chose. Once again the focus was upon my hip and groin problems and that has led to me standing taller with immediate effect. The follow up appointment with the doctor today was good with regard to my back and the long term injury effects. Yes it is a fact there is deterioration, yes it is a fact that I am in less pain than I was twenty years ago before the deterioration began to take effect. Further X-ray are not needed the Hip/Groin problems is part of the Right adductor tendonosis identified in a 2014 Ultra Sound. I would appreciate an Ultra Scan of my left hip but that was not approved, just have to deal with that decision in my own time and way. "Adductor tendonitis is a condition characterized by tissue damage and sometimes swelling to the adductor tendon at its attachment to the pelvis resulting in groin pain. Most patients with adductor tendonitis heal well with appropriate physiotherapy and return to normal function in a number of weeks. Tendinosis is a noninflammatory degenerative condition that is characterised by collagen degeneration in the tendon due to repetitive overloading. These tendinopathies, therefore, do not respond well to anti-inflammatory treatments and are best treated with functional rehabilitation. The best results occur with early diagnosis and intervention. Occasionally, rehabilitation can take significantly longer and may take many months in those who have had their condition for a long period of time." Of course due to late identification and lack of defined treatment details offered or supplied it is up to me to follow this up. Yes dear readers that is a fact of life when it comes to medical service. When it comes to golf nothing is left out in my search for improvement. Today was a new adventure after a casual six holes in the morning. I am going to pay with a little stiffness tonight following a 60 ball range session this afternoon. This was brought on by a new set of irons. The Taylor Made RSi 2 set are fine make no doubt. For a bit of a change as I relax I have been hitting my Powerbilt Scotchblade set. Enjoy the extra distance these deliver but they take a bit more work to play well with. A mate of mine has just added a set of Nike Vapor combo pro irons to his bag dropping out a barely used set of blades. Always enjoy a hit with different clubs and these have been a pleasure. So much so it was a trip back to the future, in 2009 I won my first of three club handicap championships. Playing off a high to mid 20's hcp I think, hitting a three iron off the tee. Did not even carry a driver then dear readers. Hitting the 6 and 5 irons on the range I just had an urge to use the three iron in the set. I have not even carried this iron for years most sets stop at a four iron and hybrids are in golfers bags. Twenty balls later and the distance was good and the accuracy was great only four trckled off the fairway into the rough. Distance obviously was varied max 180 metres, most 170 metre mark, it is summer and a lot more run so I an keen on gaming the three iron. I have a mate who won a few championships in his day (2 hcp) and used a 2 iron off the tee. With my improved golfing ability seven years later I am going to explore this direction over summer. Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Club Champion in 2017, I did it!

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 07:33:00 +0000

Dear Readers, May the 7th 2017 was the 36 hole match play club championship which I won 4 up with 2 to play. It has taken 30 years to win a club championship. The most awesome of experiences, at the end I was slightly overcome and then bounced back to a numbness that got me through the past couple of hours. Then to home showered and feeling the pleasure of this success. I had a plan, be 6 up after 27 holes and I was in with a chance. Had to get a doctors certificate to play in a cart, club rule for championships. Fact is, I would not have played 9 holes well if walking and game lost by mid twenties. Damn it I made the target 6 up after 27 with a 75 on the first 18 holes. Not bad golfing for man who has slipped out to 11 hcp in the past nine months. The injuries the golf were all fading on the last nine losing 4 in succession. Then on the 14th hole my practise and concentration delivered a birdie chip in back to 3 up with 4 to go, then a halved hole on the 15th followed by a win on the 16th and I am the 2017 club champion. Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Published Robe SA App

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 08:52:00 +0000

Robe SA App was released in a test version a couple of weeks ago. It is available free download in The ITunes Store - iphone https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/robe-sa/id1141418584 The Android version is available in the Google store link- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.p3570JA The Windows Phone version is currently being listed and should be available for download in 2-3 days.

Giving an accessible place of Robe recognition and personalising the user experience were the driving factors behind the Robe App. Setting up an online data base supplying local information, covering as much as possible ie sports club programs, accommodation, shopping, action adventures, things to see and do. All in a visually engaging presentation with ease of use and supply to the user in a first person manner. After 4 years of front of house with my guests from all over the world travelling through the design and development of the app has been a long process to achieve the result. Simply the answers to all of their questions is in the hand of travelers when they walk out the door onto the next stage of the holiday. Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Golf the game that makes life a bonus...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 23:57:00 +0000

Dear readers, Time flies when you're having fun. The third and final round of Southern Ports was a battle, after a week of accuracy off the tee it disappeared as the dodo have from the planet. The one course where all you need is to put the ball on the fairway and the game is yours, was where the extinction accuracy decided to happen. Even so my game was not too shabby and I scraped together a passable score from regions of a golf course that are less visited by humans than the moon. The end result is of course all delivered at the presentation of the weeks trophies. In the over all tally finished a credible 7th place in the A grade nett score after the three rounds. the grand total of 6 strokes too many dear readers, quite simply two strokes too many on each day. There was definitely a period of reflection, mourning and analysis after coming so close once again. On the upside, there always is in golf for the second year in a row I won the Youngs Menswear trophy which is no easy task. Being a progressive nearest the pin for all three grades on one par three. Yes dear readers that was the epitome of my accuracy which was the linchpin of my game for two of the three days. It was only the absence off the tee on the third day which brought me undone. Moving on has been a gradual process since the first week of March, was simply golfed out in many aspects. and the hunger and passion to play was lacking. Even so I have ambled around for a couple of mediocre rounds and gradually returned to the practise areas to hone my game.As always the cycle resumes and success with it. Yesterday was a trip to Millicent a course which in my early days playing off high 20's handicaps destroyed my golfing game. Interesting experience with the past round knowledge. The accuracy off he tee is back and yet hitting the ball so well it was often going long off the fairway into minor trouble. It was then I recalled a couple of previous rounds at the Millicent Open playing with +1 golfers who used other clubs besides drivers off the tee. Golf is about a consistent routine and at times that can become a rut. Every course is different and the awareness of the difference can be buried in the myriad of other attention grabbers. It is one of the main reasons why I play other courses, it forces me to look at how I play golf in relation to a location instead of a generalised set of actions for the game. There is that moment of surprise still when i realise I can play the shots required to be a good golfer. The turning point for me was last Sunday battling around the course, that led to yesterdays success. It was with 4-5 holes to go the comment passed over my lips, "today is not so bad, hell only 3 years ago this would have been a good score for me!" Yesterday playing off a 9 handicap I scored 81 gross for a nett 72 par for the course. It took good shots with every aspect of my game, off the tee, off the fairway, out of bunkers and putting. Golf, it beats the crap outa reality. Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Regional Golf Championship challenge a success...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 23:21:00 +0000

Final golfing weekend before commencing the 54 hole Southern Ports Golf Week tournament on the 29th of February. Had a specific plan for the weekend and it worked. Beginning with the Friday Nine hole chicken Run at Robe. I cruised around the course finishing with 19 points and satisfied with the game played. Ticking all the boxes of Accuracy off the tee, consistent putting and reliable shots at the green and chipping.

Saturday was the true test, I had decided to throw caution to the wind and play the game which is not safe secure and reliable. It cost me a good score but I had to play a competition round outside of my proven method. Hitting the maximum distance off the tee had the expected result. missing fairways and playing sots from behind trees and in the rough. Finished with -6 in a Par round. Yes dear readers I was satisfied with that result in preparation for the round that counted the next day. Sunday was the regional Champions Event which was an event all the club champions for 2014/15. A superb golf day weather wise and all I had to do was turn up and play my 'A' game. Which I did. finished 12th in a field of 70 plus, scoring 81 gross for a Nett 72. Hitting the fairway and greens all day, did miss all of my birdie putts unfortunately. Yes there is room for improvement and to be 2 months into the year my game is at a peak and well prepared for the week long 54 hole championship starting on the 29th of February. GA Handicap at the lowest ever on 8.7 at the minute. Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Handicapping discrepancy..

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 08:04:00 +0000

My golfing has never really been influenced by the GA handicapping system too much I believed. Until this weekend. Our course is being redeveloped and a composite course has been set up and rated. Interestingly the same layout has been rated twice one at 113 slope and the other 111 slope. Playing exactly the same course the influence of the lower slope rating this weekend has a marked effect on my result. Playing off a 9 handicap I scored 37 stableford points with 77 off the stick (Nett 68) which is the course scratch rating DSR is 66, Par is 69 which results in a Played to Handicap of 11. Followed on to my Caddie Challenge score being rated at 34 Points! Which means instead of winning $30+ I lose $10 on top of the gob smacking score derived. Have been in touch with the captain and after further analysis of my past scores found another that is not flagged with a 79 off the stick with 38 points and a played to Handicap of 12.2. The lower slope rating makes it completely pointless in me playing the course when it is in place.As I have to play to 2-3 under my handicap just to match it. The real issue is why the same course is rated with two slop ratings of 111 and 113. In fact the reality of my handicap is basically pointless it is either GA of 9 as it stands or if the two scores highlighted are adjusted approx GA 8.8 or less. Thankyou for your time and attention. , Geoff

Three Sub par rounds in a row...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 09:02:00 +0000

A lengthy discussion with the voices in my head today on whether to play or not. It was a close run yes in the end and for all the right reasons. This made it three 18 hole comp stroke rounds in four days and with the Southern Ports Golf week tournament coming up in first week of March, that was the deciding factor. Today was another success 77 off the stick (37 points) and a nett 68 to consolidate the single digit with at least 6 rounds to play and get a few more A Game scores. The work with the gym program is still first then on the range is still dedicated to chipping and putting. With the addition of more Tee shot driving workouts. Next weekend is the regional Champions Tournament all club champions play in a comp. and I am down for that on the Sunday. The game focus is on playing serious competition at the minute an pushing myself to the limit. Thankyou for your time and attention. Geoff

Single digit at last...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 08:51:00 +0000

The past weekend was tiring on the track, busy with work and not in the best condition at the end of the weekends two rounds. Frustration in the first day 32 points and had the game by the scruff of the neck. Made the same mistake four times hitting 100 metre shots to the green fat and short. on Saturday. Sunday the same erratic shots to the greens killed the challenge to break the handicap and finished with 31 points. Made a decision to revert to the Cobra Fly Z irons simply because of the variety of wedges this set has and the results were immediate. Two days of playing six holes in the afternoon had my pars and birdie scores racking up. Thursday afternoon headed to Kingston and played 18 holes and finished with 79 off the stick, 39 points and a net 69. Woo Hoo played to 8 hcp and slope of 7.7, what ever that means. With four three putts the room for improvement is there still. This score got me to 9.1 GA handicap. With a 10.1 dropping off on the next round will be out to consolidate the handicap this weekend. Saturday was back at Kingston and an all or nothing round with a 10 hcp round dropping off. Was highlighted with playing partner scoring an ace on the 17th hole. Struggled my way around the front nine playing cautious and hesitant too often with glimpses of perfect form. With 44 and 15 points the back nine was all or nothing and it took nothing much more to do hat was needed. Finished with 39 and 21 points for gross 83 Nett 73 and 36 points. The crunch was this round had a flagged 10 hcp score dropping off and it has been replaced with one the same. With six rounds to play before another flagged round is up I am on 9.2 at least for a while. The practise of past weeks has been short game and putting and has paid off. These two game facets saved par several times and are backed up with improving greens in regulation and driving stats. Fitness is still the key pushing myself is out of the question, the crest of the initial effort has been crossed. I must admit that I have established a very aggressive game compared to the one I was playing 12 months ago. Whilst the mental decision was made then it has taken some time to be physically capable in playing the game I want. It is great fun and that is without doubt the best thing about playing golf at this ability level. Would like to get out again tomorrow and will make the final call mid morning. May be better off going to the gym, but would rather play golf. Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Season 2016 starting well...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 23:22:00 +0000

Game day and in this Australian summer watching the rain fall at 7am then abate to an overcast breezy day was no distraction. I just wanted to get out and play some competition Golf. Managed to get some chipping practise in the back yard and no time for a warm up with any long clubs. A few putts on the practice green and it was game time. End result was 39 Stableford points and 75 off the stick. The score was good make no doubt about that. A few errors that would have destroyed the card on the nearby course at Kingston. Which is irrelevant to what actually happened, my pleasure of doing well is not being influenced with optimistic delusion. All I took out of the day was once again the fitness training and practising as little as is being done is setting up my golf to achieve the targets of season 2016. The distractions of the requirements to run a business and live in the real world and maintain the harmony to include a golfing commitment is a major consideration. I have always been aware of that not only from my own position but from socialising with and observations of other golfers. It is a major requirement to be a success as a golfer and for average players like me it takes a lot more effort.

Managed to play at Kingston SE on Saturday the 9th in the club par round. My first hit over 18 holes for season 2016 was a success. Finished in 2nd place with a +2 score. Faltered on the last two holes and missed out on a +5 score. No complaints for me this has been the first time in two years I have been able to play competitive golf before mid February. All thanks to the last seven seasons of getting fitter and doing the exercising along the way. Now the first three months of a six month gym program have been completed and the set up for season 2016 is well in advance of any previous time. Not doing much range work at all instead choosing to enjoy playing golf and the gym routines as a package. Playing 6-9 holes first thing in the morning two to three days a week and working on the golf technique and game without the bucket of balls approach. Getting in some chipping and putting is all that is being done with any hint of practising. Thank you for your time and attention. The preparations are all going well for my annual Southern Ports Golf Week tournament. Three rounds in the week at three clubs. Aiming for a better finish than fourth place in A Grade 2015. The challenge of playing three stroke rounds and maintaining the consistency, concentration and winning is great fun. Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

BAck on the winners list...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 23:53:00 +0000

Last weekend was the first serious golf round I have played since starting the gym training and I won the Stroke round competition on the day with a nett 66 (78 0ff the stick) It was a very trying day on the course with a strong wind. It has been a period of moderation for my golfing since playing the championship series. Not through lack of desire, more so using the knowledge of the past five seasons. Knowing that my body needs a rest from the effort put into competition since February, it was time to play and practise less. The new Championship Trophy has joined the family, 2009 and back to back 2014 and 2015.

There has not been a lessening of effort, with now having spent four week in the gym beginning a specific golf orientated training routine for the next 12 months.This has been a gradual realisation of being able to do this. The past two years especially have had more fitness activity included as part of my golf practise. Remarkable to feel the effects of four weeks of light gym work influence my game so effectively. The wind is a major aspect of my home track. The training over the past seasons has not been about increasing strength, it has been to improve my stamina to be able to hit the ball consistently and not play bad strokes through tiredness. In two weeks is our club open and I am looking forward to one more hurrah for the year of golfing. Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Back to back Handicap Championship defence...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 05:59:00 +0000

Golfing is at a very comfortable level for me at the minute.This weekend I won the Handicap Championship semi final and that has me through to the final play-off for the championship in a couple of weeks. It is a repeat of last season with the same opponent except his handicap is a lot less that a year ago. To win on Sunday had me play at my best capability to win 2 up with 1 to play after giving 16 strokes to the opponent. Scoring a 77 off the stick and playing to an 8 handicap which is my best score reached a few times in the past season. Very satisfied with the win and that I can play to an 8 handicap every 4-6 weeks. The improvement in my game is supported with fitness. Currently 3 kg in weight lost and another 5 kg to go at the minute. There are still moments of frustration that pass as always. The continued effort to improve at golf is a major benefit to my life in general. There is no way I could maintain the motivation for fitness and improving my physical being with out the outlet of playing golf. Thank you for your time and attention Geoff

Winning score and long drives at last...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 07:36:00 +0000

The recent break has refreshed my golf on both physical and mental levels. The improved weather has been a major assistance in playing better also. the last weeks I played it was a battle against the elements, then the effort needed to hit the ball being added.

The weekend past almost by accident without any dedicated decision to make it happen another improvement settled into my game. Every now and then I would take a full back-swing in practise and never in any serious mind set to add to my golf. This was a definite no go area for me mentally and physically to ensure no more damage or pain added to long term injury. My ongoing conversation about training and improving fitness revolves around improving my health from an accident many years ago. The golf is an added bonus which benefits from the effort and is also a sensational benchmark. It has been obvious for some time that my flexibility, movement and strength in all the right places has been improved. During Saturday's round I was hitting the ball well, having fun and enjoying the fine weather. As the day progressed it became obvious that my drives were only 2-3 metres behind one of the big hitting playing partners. Whilst it was noticed my mind was on the game being played and not one aspect. Until the last hole a par 5 and we were desperate for units. I deliberately got up to hit a bomb on the tee. Which I did, still not good enough to win the unit, the big hitting was noticed by the rest of the group and that was the reason I took particular note of it. Sunday's round I did set out with the full knowledge that on the tee I was going to be taking the bigger back swing all day. Even now it is a surprise that is sinking in that I did it all day with accuracy and consistent long distance. What really hit home was how easy it felt, effortless in fact. The ball just flew so much further with out any noticeable addition on my behalf. To be able to espouse satisfaction and enjoyment at the observation of a game improvement is one thing. To have played and won on the day is what give it credence.I relied upon my ability on the day to play consistent and winning golf. Thank you for your time and attention Geoff

Good scores and good fitness go hand in hand

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 03:16:00 +0000

Have been off the golf course for the past few weeks and refreshing my fitness in fact. I believe that golf is a game that does suit people who are not athletes 100%. In my own situation every time I improve my fitness my golf improves s well. Since returning to the game in 2009 my fitness has probably improved 100% plus. I still have limitations from injuries and that is part of the motivation to improve physically. Without doubt that has happened because of golf that is from my GP and the physical therapists I use to keep in tune. Footy fitness would be terrific in my case to achieve but I could not do that level of training without various part breaking down. At the minute I am in reasonable condition. Played the first 18 hole comp. round in a fortnight and finished with 80 gross and square in a par round. Physically I was tiring towards the end though and that cost me a better score. A few weeks ago I realised that it was time to stop. Was loving playing golf bu could not maintain the effort consistently. Surprisingly after a few Chiro and Bowen treatments the cause was one that had been a goal for some years. I have improved myself physically in movement and flexibility to the stage that I am now able to move and use bits that have been stagnant for 20 odd years. In the competition round Sunday my drives were all on the 220 metre mark and yes there were a couple even longer. That 220m is usually my maximum, not my average and was done effortlessly. The freedom of being able to swing and my hips move through the shot has added the distance to all clubs, WOW is still the reaction to the drives. Now that I am back playing it is the less is more program again. Play a couple of 9 hole rounds and one 18 hole round each week will be the plan or this settling in period. Back on the diet plan as well with 1.5kg dropped in the past 2 weeks so far. Walking 40 minutes every morning except golf days. At this stage last season, I was barely functioning with so many sore bits. This year even though I needed to have a two week break I am travelling 80% better. Working on my fitness is the key combined with the weight loss is the foundation for season 2016 already begun. In 2014 I was so broken down that I could not pick up a golf club from November to February. That will not be the case this year and I am going to be very cautious and stick to my tried and proven plan that has developed in the past six years. Reason is that I have crept out to 10,9 hcp in the past two months after getting to 9.8. The only ambition for the rest of the season is to consolidate the single digit handicap. Thankyou for your time and attention Geoff

Fitter, stronger, better...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 02:13:00 +0000

The past fortnights and more of golfing have been fun yet the scores terrible and rounds tiring. A combination of winter weather, adjusting to the new swing and fitness were the cause. Not a single moment of not enjoying being out in the weather, a times a struggle to stay upright in the winds. My game could not maintain consistency in these conditions. That was accepted by me very quickly and I still got out and kept playing as this is the only way to adjust to the changes. Importantly the fitness issue was identified early by myself and in the past two weeks that has countered a lot of the issue with struggling to play with the changed swing. Never would I have expected to make a note of my game in the same light as Tiger Woods. yet today I am. In the past week I came across an article on Tigers game and his swing changes. My changes began a few months ago and still I am struggling to play consistently and not fall back to the previous less effective and efficient swing. There are regular moments of erratic golf which astound me in past weeks while playing. Hitting several irons consistently and well and then hitting the same club so well it flies another 20 metres over a green. This eats away at confidence and has been a major influence on recent very poor scores. Again the weather has made it difficult to get out on the course practise area and hit balls and that has contributed a lot to the struggle. Then the fitness, it is not one thing which makes playing golf entertaining, and engrossing. The regular walking each morning had been a good thing, the omission of my regular strengthening exercises was not even noted. Until I started doing them again and the difference in my game play was literally immediate. Straight away my chipping returned to the previous accurate effectiveness around the green. The consistency with the full swing also had an immediate improvement. Doing strength building exercises makes it possible for my arms and body to maintain the new movement and body actions. Thankyou for your time and attention Geoff

Winter golf tough conditions, good for your golf...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 00:52:00 +0000

The grand total of 24 points had me in 4th place. Only 8 ofthe 18 in the field finished the day Lightning it was on the tough side of hard, well worth the effort. A crap score in tough conditions and all I got out of the round was bonuses. The swing settled into the improved groove from the past weeks practise. Putter was on target and the ball went in the hole as I wanted. The game problem was once again not used to playing confidently with the improve capability. It feels strange to be saying this, it has been the problem that has been apparent for several weeks. Usually I pick up a golfing game point and work on it. This is a mental matter though and takes a lot more attention. All it causes is me 'pulling' shots. Not hitting through the ball and finishing the swing correctly. Incredibly irritating on game days as I lack the concentration coherence to do this well at the minute. Time is not the issue and for many there is that self imposed need to get results fast. My approach is not down that path. All that is needed is getting the result right an that takes patience. Today there is more clarity and a better capability to not make the same amount of the same error in the competition this afternoon. Thankyou for your time and attention Geoff

Attacking golf, a change in play...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 23:55:00 +0000

The changes to my golfing are still in motion and getting nearer to settled. It has been a good weekend of rounds following the unsettled frustration on the previous fortnight. Briefly as reader of my posts are aware my game has been based on playing to handicap for the first 15 holes and depending on my game state at that point either go for a sub par round or play to par at best. Long established and effective in scoring well for several seasons this has now been targeted for change. One of my golfing foundations is that the game pays for itself, either through winning vouchers or balls etc. in competitions or major club trophy events. This has been lessening over the past two seasons, still wining major club seasonal trophies, which are good for a couple of hundred dollars in vouchers. The weekly voucher wins though have significantly reduced. Winning more second and third placing than firsts now, simply because I do not get those massive 4 to 5 under handicap scores as my playing handicap has lowered. Whilst this has not been a big influence on my game and enjoyment of golf there is an awareness of the scarcity of wins. With the current availability of amateur golf , 'back yourself to win' options I have decided to add this to my golf spend. This is no spur of the moment decision, already well aware of how much in front I would be if this had been started in March 2015. It has taken until now to get more important golf aspects settled without adding a distraction. Instead I can now incorporate this to my game as a reward for the effort put in. Simply every competition I play is now valued added for myself. There is another more active reasoning behind this also. I need to have an incentive to make me follow the new game that is settling into place. Fact is my golf has never been particularly attacking ectept for putting. Generally it is hit the ball forward sometimes get a green in regulation, My GIR 28.36% B Grade 31.37% PGA 64.70% Mostly chip then try for 1 putt up and down pars. Hence my daily 50 chip 50 putt practise session. The past fortnight has seen the addition to this of 100 (minimum) long iron shots #5,6,7,8,9,PW each day to targets fro 100 to 150 metres to the range. I am never going to get the goal and hold it unless I add a minimum of 20% more to my Greens in Regulation average. Adding $20 per round to my weekly competition spend which gives a minimum of $80 in vouchers if playing less than my handicap is well worth the price. The prize is the bonus which makes putting n all the effort worthwhile. It is an incentive to play my best golf all the time and make changes to improve performance. Thankyou for your time and attention Geoff

Winning round and back on target...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 01:53:00 +0000

Satisfaction, justification, and flaming exhaustion all the good things which came from winning yesterdays club competition and playing to the new handicap for the first time since reaching it two weeks ago. Now sitting on GA 9.6 down .3 from Saturday, with a couple of weeks of hard dedicated effort in training, practise and competition to come and consolidate the number. There was one particular aspect of note from yesterdays result, my fitness is well off the required level needed to achieve my goals for this season. At the half way mark of 2015 and my handicap has dropped from GA 11.1 (Playing handicap 12) since January 4th which considering the injury affected playing condition until mid February is a fair effort. It is only now that I can practise 5 days a weeks and do it in comfort and no risk of a regression. What is noticed in the past 20 results is the regularity of breaking 80 has gone from once a year to every two to four weeks. In the past six weeks four sub 80 gross scores. The good scoring is from consistent golfing capability, not once every now and then results when the moon is aligned with Mars and Uranus. The satisfaction from this is great and so is the realisation that I am nearing my golfing goal. Way back in 2012 I was playing a social round and met up with a guy on holidays out having a whack whilst his wife was out shopping. Ambled around talking golf for a few holes and his story was one had an aspect relevant to my game now. He was once on 4 and playing golf with that driven dedication before love came along. He shared his experience to get from 10 to single figures and the workman like golfing to drop each of those digits off down to four. It was pure god fortune to meet up with an eloquent guy reveling in having a social whack when i was still playing off 18 handicap. That knowledge is part of why I am getting the results needed and I am geared to go lower myself. This is seen as a 100% obsession in some (non golfer) eyes and a 100% commitment to those of us who are golfers. My entire logic is that of a competition playing golfer who wants to win, certainly not an academic or technically opined golfer who may have a more varied golf focus. On my part there is a care factor of zero in how little grace or technically correct my swing is. As long as the ball gets in the hole with as few shots possible and less than my competition partners, I am in rapture. Yesterday it took a dedicated commitment to play. It was a sensational day weather wise to be out doors. Yet I sat at the desk working in the morning and seriously considering not playing. I was tired sore and feeling drained from the past fortnight of golfing. This was not a random musing there was a listing of the why's and why not's to playing. Even with the win there was the glorious observation that I can easliy drop two shots off the gross score and five less is not far off in total. Reaching a GA Handicap of 4-5 in 2015 would be great. My target is lower and is really stretching my capability, if I fail and only reach 4-5 that is a very good result. Again back to the chance meeting and the guys comments. Is was not about refining his swing or improving his stance or grip to play better. Getting his handicap down to 4 came from grinding away and playing competitions and knocking of 1-2 strokes a round week in week out. Thankyou for your time and attention Geoff

Return to Keith GC Open 2015

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 10:49:00 +0000

A little sluggish at the minute. Completed the 300 km round trip to and from Keith and played 18 holes in their Open Event today. Finished in 5th place with 86 (33 points) not a great round but good enough. Was under a bit of self imposed pressure and was well aware of that. The three missed birdie putts and three duffed chip shots were the main problems to the score. Keith is a course not played in a couple of years and one that I set as a benchmark for my golf game. Could have very easily pulled out of this round in deference to playing at Kingston SE and the familiar surroundings. Which is the total antithesis of my golf ambition. If I was not feeling the pressure I would have charged a bit more instead of putting up the shutters and playing a controlled game. Would have been great to break my handicap at this track and I did have a fair dinkum crack at it too. Putting up the shutters is a tad excessive in truth to describe how I played. It was more a case of percentage shots and no stupid 1 in 100 efforts. The unfamiliar fairways ad lie of the land did create some problems but never did I feel the game was getting away from me. Tomorrow is the home club monthly medal round. This is a no holds barred round and the game is going to be played with every essence of my focus on low scoring. This is a very important game change on my part and is happening now as the target (single digit) handicap is based on this and the future of the season. The aggression is not unrestrained, it is all centered on the golf capability that has been developed through practise this season and competition playing. Thankyou for your time and attention Geoff

Under double digit handicap again...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 21:08:00 +0000

The past fortnight has been a disjointed golfing period. Winning the first matchplay on the Saturday then losing the next day to be out of the club championships. Not too perturbed played well enough and enjoyed the games. Was always a month underdone to play my best and no excuse except not good enough. Last weekend managed to get out on the Saturday and play comp and with 28 points the lowest score in more than six months. Still not bothered it was all about getting on a golf course and having a social hit and explore my golf game limits. Today after working on some physical problems with Bowen and clearing the head of baggage went out and played very well. Getting 40 points, 79 off the stick and now with a GA of 9.9. Almost back to the 9.8 GA of last September before the shoulder collapsed. On target for the goal of the season and all from never wavering and working consistently on my golf game. Thank you for your time and attention Geoff

Just get the Ball in the hole...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Wed, 27 May 2015 01:39:00 +0000

Just get the ball in the hole 22 May 2015 by Paul Skinner What do you think would happen if your club took the flags off its greens in Saturday’s competition? Not the holes, just the flags. Well, after the mayhem and initial confusion, I can tell you what would happen. You’d shoot a lower score. I almost guarantee it. The proof comes from statistical evidence – and from the wisdom of some of our game’s greatest players. Jack Nicklaus once said: “I only ever hit it close if I pushed or pulled it.” Greg Norman once said: “If I hit a great 5-iron, it goes to 25 feet.” Essentially, two legendary golfers were aiming away from the flag, often simply to the centre of the greens. Which goes right back to my club competition theory. If you aimed exclusively at the middle of greens, with no other target in mind, you’d find yourself putting a lot more than you otherwise might, especially if you regularly aim at “sucker pins”. Here’s how I know this. As an eight-year-old I was lucky enough to meet Peter Fowler, who quickly became a mentor and the reason I pursued golf as a career. I practised every day and in 2000 earned my Australasian Tour card – my dream achieved. Or was it? I battled for years with limited success. I hit more balls on the range than anyone, trying in vain to perfect my swing. During this time I would caddie for Peter during gaps in my limited schedule, even working on the European Tour for a while. Peter is known as one of the hardest workers on tour and for his meticulous preparation and course management skills. One of the sport’s greatest short-game exponents, he’d consistently amaze his peers with the scores he churned out, even while playing less than his best. In all this time watching Peter, you’d think I’d have learnt my lesson. He was trying to teach me how to play golf; I was trying to play golf swings. Golf is a game of misses. What defines golfers is the quality of their play when things aren’t going quite right; when their so-called “perfect swing” isn’t quite perfect. I once asked Peter to tell me of the better rounds he had through his career and without a moment’s thought, he answered: “I shot 74 in the third round of the Scandinavian Masters back in ’89. Mate, I could not have had one less!” And this from someone who has shot a 63 to win on the European Tour! So I finally learnt the lesson. Even now the best golfer in the world might win three times a year, so there are going to be a lot of weeks on tour that will be a battle. So it’s meticulous course management and preparation when things aren’t quite working that helps us to score. Three years ago, my good friend and Victorian Institute of Sport coach Marty Joyce asked me to present a talk on course management and preparation to Golf Australia’s national squad at a training camp. I’ve since had the privilege of working with Golf Australia as a coaching consultant and they’ve been some of the best times I have had in golf. The kids are incredibly talented and, trust me, are truly the best this country has to offer. And it’s incredibly fulfilling that they are now taking towards having that scoring focus, not just honing that perfect swing. We now have access to myriad statistical data. One we study religiously is proximity to hole – essentially how close Tour players hit the ball, on average, from any given distance. We are using this data to challenge our players to think more about clubs they’re hitting off the tee and, in particularly, approach shots. We use terms “in position” and “out of position” and hopefully getting them to understand that top tour professionals fire away from a lot of pins. One of the theories we pose is that if a top-10 player in the world hits a 7-iron to 25 feet (sorry, the data isn’t metric), if there is any trouble within that radius, we need to aim elsewhere. An example of this for those who know Royal Melbourne is a pin within eight feet of the back left of the second on the East Course. If you go just 10 feet past, you’re dead and cannot get up and down – an automatic bogey at best. Playing into that green with a 7-iron, knowing our likely proximity to the hole is 25 feet, the pin I am playing to is short right of and taking two putts all day long. To hit it close to that pin is a mistake -- which is why I am so determined to make these kids get it! Is this a conservative approach? A lot of people have challenged me on this in the past few years – and the answer is simple. No, it’s not. It’s simply playing to statistical data that cannot be argued. Bernhard Langer used to have a “seven out of 10” rule. He would say, “I need to know I can hit this shot seven out of 10 times today, else it’s a different shot or a different club”. Peter, when asked why his short game was so good, said “a lot of it has to do with where I am chipping and putting from”. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for repeatable technique. I coach it every day. But I think among our elite young athletes, we are starting to get the balance right between good technique and actually playing the imperfect game that is golf. That culture is starting to shift. To have kids the calibre of Ryan Ruffels and Lucas Herbert go to Japan spending nine hours creating their own yardage book; to start hearing them talk about “being in position” and “out of position”; to see them warming up on the range hitting all the required shots for the day; checking pin sheets and weather conditions pre-round; is really cool to me. And I’m pretty sure it will pay off for Australian golf. Paul Skinner is a member of GA’s high performance staff and consults to the VIS, Golf Victoria and state associations. He can be contacted at Martin Joyce Paul Skinner Golf, located at Spring Valley Golf Club. E: pskinner@pgamember.org.au M: 0433 122437 Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Championship playoffs this weekend...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Tue, 26 May 2015 07:25:00 +0000

Good weekend of golfing just past. My match play rounds are all on the coming weekend, first up the Semi final which I should win on Saturday. Play through that hurdle and it is the Quarter final against the defending club champion on Sunday. The rounds played on the past weekend were all club competition and whilst not too shabby the improvement from Saturday to Sunday was marked. Off the tee was again an issue on the first nine holes and added too many strokes to the score Saturday. Sunday I took the time to get out and warm up and the driver off the tee as back on target. Being a Par competition if it was not for a contact lens malfunction on the 17th hole I would have finished +2. Being +1 at the end of 18 holes was good enough. Same score as the club champion except he plays off 3 hcp and I am off 10 hcp. Fortunately I have this week settled to practise on my game, tuning up a few aspects that will give me a better foundation for the coming matches. Nothing special and no routine for "miracle improvement". Simply putting, chipping, driver and longer irons. The routine is well established the only addition is a routine to lessen the pulls to the left. It is great to play competition if, not the motivation to do the improvement practise would be lacking. With a reliable consistent swing established there is no need for hours of work. Common sense dictate how I practise, focused on targets derived from game results and the physical capability of myself. Thankyou for your time and attention Geoff

Qualified for Club Championships

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:30:00 +0000

The final qualifying round for club championships yesterday and the club captain put together a very interesting group that I played in. Including the reigning club champion, the current highest qualifier myself and a visiting 9 handicap golfer. The round was played in perfect weather and make no mistake the game was played in the best of sporting spirit. Best summed up by the vising golfer at presentations when he complimented us on or golfing etiquette and ability. It was perhaps the most I have ever been in the zone while playing a club competition. The results had the qualifying leader post a 75 gross, club champion a 76 and myself a 77 off the stick. I was keeping the champs card and our round within a round soon became an unofficial match play game. Considering he is a 3 handicap and myself 10.7 on the day the end result was gold for me. After 18 holes we were all square, this was the best possible boost that could be in my corner with the first playoff rounds starting next week.The draw has been made and I will not meet the current champion until the final if I win through. Besides the mental confidence booster there has been another major improvement for me course wise. Due to the new development and selling off some current golf land, a par 5 and par four have been taken out of play. Replaced with two par three holes this has been a significant aid to my golf capability. In the 24 hours between rounds Saturday and Sunday, the tee shots and approach shots all settled as desired. The putting even improved with one practise session prior to Sundays round. The foundation has been laid for a red hot tilt at the club championship this season. Thankyou for your time and attention , Geoff

Playing in carts not for me yet...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Wed, 06 May 2015 04:24:00 +0000

Not as successful on the Heywood Golf Course on the second trip over Saturday. No complaints game wise, did not putt or chip as well yet much better off the tee. The big change was playing in a cart. Not something I usually do and it had a significant effect on my game. Where I am usually chatting with players in the group in between shots walking to the ball, in the cart the company is in your face all the time. I could not settle on my short game and putting all day and shot selection was erratic. No great problem as I won the raffle for a dozen beers and the other mate in the car claimed second so 18 bottles started the trip home in the booty chest. This weekend is a working one so apart from playing the 9 hole Friday comp. it may be an enforced golfing break. No complaints as any added rest is a bonus and the driving range at home is getting a good work out. Happy to work on the long iron technique and overall ball striking, with chipping and putting at the club for the week. Thankyou for your time and attention , Geoff

Win at the 2015 Heywood Autumn Open

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 02:14:00 +0000

Took the drive across the border to Heywood GC on Wednesday, two and a half hours in the car did have me consider how much it would affect my round. Fortunately I misread the start time and arrived 90 mins before tee off and that gave plenty of time to loosen up. A session in the hitting nets and the chipping and putting practise area were good value.

The round obviously with the prizes was good enough 36 points with a wipe and a few single pointers. The course has wide fairways and that is something that suits my game, the tall gums don't but that is a fair trade off. The short game was the key to the good score, did improve on GIR after Saturday's Kingston round. Even so the number of miss hit second shots was too many, although the progress in practise the past week improved a lot. Off the tee the driver was a power house, again the upgrade has proved it's value. Did have a series of tee block failures though and that came from teeing the ball too low and being a little stiff in the hips. The travel up was not that well suited to me physically. No real complaints though as a win is all the proof needed to endorse the golf being played. My mind is working on the next steps of training in May to reach the single figure goal, currently on 10.7 GA handicap. Thankyou for your time and attention Geoff

Right time, get the right equipment...

noreply@blogger.com (geoff) — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Dear readers, a long week in golf is the best description for what has past so far. Sunday was a -2 finish in the par round and I charged for the win all day.To no effect with the same problem all day, 'inconsistency'. Nothing would stay steady. A couple of missed putts here, a wayward drive there, with a below average chip or shot for the green. It was not pressure at all it was a fun day on the course it was just not reliable golfing. To follow on as the week progressed I was browsing for a second driver. The Callaway Optiforce has been excellent since 2014. The shaft change to a stiffer flex from the Project X 5.5 had been effective also. Travelling through the week I had a few hours spare and hit the pro shop to trial few drivers, Callaway Big Bertha and Cobra Fly Z alongside my Optiforce. Gobsmacked is the only description. I know my capability I do not have a fantasy of a big drive in the tank, any more than one or two hits a round above my steady 200-220m distance. The Big Bertha threw that out the window. This is nothing more than the result of having a reliable swing. Even so what and amazing result, swinging easy and boom, 10-20m more off the tee. Next day at home using the Optiforce and Big Bertha I had the same result. Then I switched shafts, the Optiforce gained a couple of extra metres and the Big Bertha was on the same length. Fact is the Big Bertha Clubhead with a stiffer shaft has a 10-20m lead over the Optiforce. This is all from my practise with the Dreamswing and establishing a consistent swing. Technology from the manufacturer supplies the equipment and that is in line with my capability. Four or even three years ago this would have been a total waste of resources to use a Big Bertha. This may be the antithesis of what equipment manufacturers want said. Here it is, if you are an 20 plus golfer and improving don't upgrade equipment. Do the golfing practise. I have purchased many golf sets and woods etc in the past but b\never the lats\est best thing. I have got a feel for many different club types. I have a reliable swing developed and established. I have bought two the top of the line equipment in the past four months because I am good enough to use it well. Winning is the proof, Penola Open A Grade Nett is the most recent major win. Caddie Challenge last 20 round @ $10 per round $200 = $347 in Vouchers. Get the game right through practise and then get the equipment and win. Thankyou for your time and attention , Geoff