Diary of a Comeback

Sit down Tiger it's time for me to make a comeback (LOL).

It has been seven years since I have played golf anymore than 2 times a year ( sounds like confession eh). This year I am vowing to get back to where I once was.

Here's a little bio of my life as a golfer.

I started playing golf 37 years ago at the tender age of 11, the first time I picked up a golf club I knew it was the game for me. I remember the first year as being in awe of such an inspiring game, and quickly picked it up to the point that by the end of that year I broke 90. The kids that I played with were all pretty good and we played as much as 54 holes a day. ($50.00 for a yearly pass).

Within a few years I was a single digit handicap breaking 80 on a regular basis When I turned 28 I became a club professional at the same club I grew up at, what a dream job, played with the same group of 8 or 9 guys who also all turned club professionals, some of which are still involved in the local golf scene and one is still at the same club as Director of Golf.

Back about 1996 I met my what is now my wife, who worked at the driving range I taught at. I was playing some really good golf, breaking par on a regular basis, played in a Canadian Assistants event, finishing in the top 25 and even qualified as an alternate for 2 Canadian tour events (never did get to play as the numbers just did not get to my position).

Well along came the kids and I thought great, I got myself a caddie, and then another came along, threesome now, and then another, right on there's the fourth. Much to my chagrin it was'nt that simple, pay as an assistant at that time was bad, bills had to be paid, diapers had to be changed and so on and so on. That was it, I gave up the game that had taken me right from the first time I ever teed up a ball and had to go to work for real. As for now, 2012, I'm starting over. To date this year I have played 10 games broke 80 twice (78 both times). The last few games though it seems to be getting progessively better, just not the score, I have shot 81 4 times in a row, to me thats brutal, although I keep telling myself its got to be baby steps. The golf swing still seems OK, but the mental part is not there, yet.

Hopefully tommorrow I can get to the range, if it does'nt rain all day and I will post a video of my swing.

Stay tuned as I will post on a regular basis, much like a diary. (PS, sorry for the odd punctuation at the end as I cannot seem to get my computer to return, weird )

Winger

Glad to hear you are playing again. My situation is somewhat similar to yours however I have never been very good.

My first individual round in about six years is tomorrow and I cant wait to see how it goes.  Good luck.

Congrats on your recent return Bean, good luck.

I did get to the range today and worked out one of the many issues in my set-up, seems my hips were a little to far towards the ball at address, so small compensation seems to help with the impact position. My swing has been posted under member swings if you want to have a look. Range again tommorrow followed by a putting session, Hopefully I will be able to play on Monday night.

Cheers

Another day at the range and a little more improvement. As I was looking at my videos I noticed a sliding motion with the upper body. Did some slow motion swings and then a few 50% swings with ball contact with some encouraging results. I will see haw it stands up to competition as we have interclub on thursday night.

Cheers

Yesterday I had a great practise session before play, yes before I played. Went to the putting green about 5 hrs before tee time and spent about 1.5 hours practising 20 to 50 foot putts. Then I went to the short game area for an hour to practise lob shots and bunker play.

This session, I believe, made a huge impact on my short game play during my round.

Left the course for  about an hour or so, came back hit a few putts, went to the range for a warm up session (1/2 hour) then teed off. Had a decent round hitting 9 fairways, 10 greens and had 30 putts, ended up shooting 76.

This was a match play competition against a rival club. My partner and I were 3 down with 4 to play and I thought we were done, low and behold, two birdies and 3 holes later we were tied going to 18, game ended tied, cruel for them, sweet for us. Lesson learned once again, NEVER GIVE UP UNTIL FINISHED.

Cheers