Mini Tour Play

[Titleist Man]

I can only dream of getting that good

[bogeyhitter25]

Thanks. That's good thinking on your part though. I'm working without a net over here. This has

No worry's man. You'll have that one break-through year and bang-o you'll be kickin' back in a big ol' mansion.

[Ben]

Well, it was almost my day on Monday. Played a Golden State Tour event at

Twin Oaks GC . Kinda stunk it up on the front, was 4 over after five holes. Had a lovely OB on the 5th. Ended up 5 over on the front, but, caught fire on the back, had 3 birdies, one stupid bogey. So, the game is coming around. Good news is, I'm playing this same course again on Friday, SoCal PGA is putting on pre-qualifying for the PGA Tour's Buick Invitational. I'm going to need to shoot 4 under, if not 5 to make it to Monday Qualifying. I got that in me.

No worry's man. You'll have that one break-through year and bang-o you'll be kickin' back in a big ol' mansion.

Heck yeah, maybe this year... A boy can dre~eam.

[Ben]

I've really got to learn how to putt. Shot a 2 over 74 at Buick Invitational Pre-Qualifying. Had three 3-putts. Missed two eagle putts that were no more than 8 feet. Missed two 4 foot birdie putts, although those were kinda tricky. And missed a couple other 8 foot birdie putts.

4 under 68 made it to Monday Qualifying. I should have easily been there. Stinkin putting, sheesh!

[Puttin4Bird]

Keep on trying Ben, whatever you do just take something out of it and come back stronger next time! When is the next event you're playing- I know I rather enjoy keeping up with your venture, keep us posted!

[Ben]

Keep on trying Ben time! When is the next event you're playing- I know I rather enjoy keeping up with your venture, keep us posted!

Thanks man! I'm definitely going to keep plugging away.

The good side of today: I got to watch the two other dudes in my group both shoot 5 under. The only difference between me and them today, putts, of course. I was as long as them, hit it to the greens as close as them. They just cashed in on their putts. Up next. Golden State Tour event on Monday the 2nd. Then Northern Trust Pre-Qualifying on the 12th of Feb. May play a two-day GS Tour event on the 5th and 6th in between those two. Gotta see how I do on Monday. Sheesh, just figured my stats for today. 10/14 Fairway 14/18 GIR 35 Putts 4 birdies 2/5 up and down 1/2 sand save

[bogeyhitter25]

Good luck monday, Ben!

[Shindig]

14/18 GIR

How many holes today?

In any case, this should just show you that you're all the more likely to make it to Riviera which, of the two, is the one I think you'd rather play in.

[Ben]

How many holes today?

Yeah, my criteria for getting up and down may be a little different than most. I also count the shots where I may not be right off the green, but I'm hitting a pitch or chip type shot from 50 yards or so. Approach shots on par 5s or short par 4s. I expect to get those up and down and count them as such.

And my thoughts exactly on rather playing at The Riv as opposed to Torrey Pines.

[Garbag3 Man]

So how did you do on Monday at the GST event???

[Ben]

More garbage putting from me. Man, I'm in a slump with this. Its really starting to wear on me. Weather permiting I am playing in a 2-day event starting tomorrow. Been practicing and practicing and practicing my putting to get this worked out... We'll see.

Thanks for asking though!

[Garbag3 Man]

More garbage putting from me. Man, I'm in a slump with this. Its really starting to wear on me. Weather permiting I am playing in a 2-day event starting tomorrow. Been practicing and practicing and practicing my putting to get this worked out... We'll see.

Yeah man no problem, hope you get that putter to start working for you tomorrow, good luck.

[Chris5573]

More garbage putting from me. Man, I'm in a slump with this. Its really starting to wear on me. Weather permiting I am playing in a 2-day event starting tomorrow. Been practicing and practicing and practicing my putting to get this worked out... We'll see.

I don't want to give bad advice...but, when you are struggling w/putting, do you ever switch up your putter to something different, just to get a fresh feel? I am a 7hdcp, so it's not like I know everything...but for me, I have a Seemore and a 2-Ball. I play the Seemore all the time, when I struggle I switch it up for a few rounds. Just having a different look helps me get back on track. Whatever you end up doing, good luck dude.

[Jay-Bird]

More garbage putting from me.

I'm no pro, but when I'm slumping I try to remember to listen for the ball to rattle in rather than try to watch it go in. It helps stabilize everything if you're thinking about the end result - - keeping your head down to listen for the putt to drop.

Good luck!

[Titleist Man]

Try the ladder drill. The one where you put tees i the ground at 3,6,9, and 15 ish feet. Put 3 balls at each except just put 1 at the 15 ft mark. Then roll them to the cup and repeat. Try to get them all in I can only get 8 or 9.

[Ben]

Thanks for the putting concerns, and I do use the techniques and switches mentioned.

Today however, I have good news. Played in a Pepsi Tour event at Empire Lakes in Rancho Cucamonga [which used to hold a Nationwide Tour Event]. Shot 1-under, won the event! Go me!

The fix... Put the clubs away and didn't even think about golf whole day Saturday. Then partied until 3:30am last night at my friend's new place in Downtown L.A.

[Shindig]

Today however, I have good news. Played in a Pepsi Tour event at Empire Lakes in Rancho Cucamonga [which used to hold a Nationwide Tour Event]. Shot 1-under, won the event! Go me!

Congratulations on the win! I need to go back and play Empire Lakes again - I had a great round last time I played there, except for an 8 on the second hole. I impressed the you-know-what out of a friend I hadn't played with since a few weeks after I picked up golf.

I hope this means I'll be in your gallery in Pacific Palisades before too long. It isn't quite a mini-tour event, though I miss the NWT event at Empire Lakes - it was every bit as fun as the CWC or the Riviera tournament, but the crowds were much smaller, so I could observe players more closely. I gained very much by watching Ricky Barnes play there back in '07.

[RC]

Shot 1-under, won the event! Go me!

Way to Go !!! Congrats.