Kevin04

I am not really sure, but I have a Pitching Wedge in my bag by Wilson which I dearly love (My Dad had it in his 'spare' Golf Bag, for any relatives/guests that come and fancy a round) and it's fantastic. It must be from the mid 80's, I'd guess, but I love it. I have a mixed bag set, old pinseeker clubs(mid 90s) from my friend who bought a new set of clubs in 07, a Dunlop Driver which cost around $10 in US money, 'The' Pitching Wedge , a putter from a charity shop. I would love to go all out and buy a great set, but I am going to wait until my handicap is down a bit before going for a new set.

40/41 through 34 - 9 Holes. 40/41 is because, I'm unsure if one shot was played from out of bounds or not. So, I'll go with 41 - fantastic stuff, after a double bogey, and bogey on my first two holes. It's getting there... It's getting there.. I just feel that I am a few shots away from a storming round, I'll take this round and continue to work away.. who knows what the next round brings, mind you..

Played 2 Games of 9 on my local which is a 34. First game, I played with a friend from School that I met and hadn't seen in a long time. He hadn't played in Golf in years, so it was a leisure fun round and a chance just to chat away and catch up. He did not bad for his first round, eventually shooting a few double bogeys. I didn't keep score, but scored a Birdie two. He left, and I took a break then went out with scorecard in hand to keep score. Almost perfect condition with a light breeze. I scored 41 and was delighted, my best score so far. I am excited at the progress that I am making in hitting GIRs! Before, as in a few months, that seem a real distant dream, but the past 3/4 rounds, I've been pretty consistent and hitting at least 3/4 in a round of 9. My only downer has to be, the holes that I am not getting GIRs, I am fluffing a shot (I'm thinking this could be the mental part of the game, e.g. too eager to hit the ball! thinking about scorecards etc). At least twice today, I fluffed or duffed a shot, but would save bogey by getting on for Par, and then my two putt par. Again, Begger's cannot be choosers! to be hitting the ball reasonably good, having pretty decent accuracy, and two putting, I am delighted. With scoring well these past few days, I can keep trying to focus on playing my game and try not worry about the scorecard! Hoping to get out tomorrow, but it is saturday and the course might be fully booked. If so, I might even avoid a nightout drinking and go play on the course at 6pm when it is quiet!

My local Par 9 - which is a 35 and shot a 44. Ok, this was on Wednesday, but I never got a chance to come online to post. Again, some great shots followed by some really poor ones ;?. Played the Par 4 - 440 Yards, on in two, but 3 putted for a Bogey. 2nd hole - par 5, messed up a bit on this with a Double Bogey. Overall, very happy with the progress. A lot of GIRs and delighted with Recovery Shots. Bad points, include general mis-hits. I occasionally top it or fluff it, and it brings me down because on 2 holes I did this where I managed to save Bogey, and you are left thinking.. But, on the plus side. Certainly a lot of progress. Back out tomorrow, might play 18 or just 9, but want to build on my decent form from Wed. happy golfing folks

Played at my dad's course today, which is quite small, and a 66. 33 in and 33 out. Very windy, around 35mph according to the weather reports. I struggled a lot on my first 9, and seemed to be too keen to get my shots away. Scored 51 through the first 9! But, on the last 9. I shot a 38 which was only 5over including 4 pars, 1 birdie, and nailing the 190 yard Par 3 green which has rough, heather, water, sand, all around it. I'm getting there in quite small steps, but If I can focus more so on a solid motion, stop rushing and thinking back about bad shots (My first few scores were par, plus 4, triple bogey, double bogey) and kept thinking back to my good round yesterday, and why I couldn't hit the ball as sweet as before. After the turn, I told myself to forget about it, and just have fun. I did and I scored my greatest back 9 to date. The crazy thing is, it makes you want to go out again and get working on your demons, which I will on Friday.

My 9 hole course which is 36, I scored 44. Played pretty well, but a few too many basic errors. Playing well, but need to sort out the basic mistakes, I made. Highlight has to be, 3 Pars and a Birdie, with the lowlight being a 9 on a par 4.

A better round today, my 2nd round of 2009 and shot a 88 on a par 66 course. I'm aiming for making great bounds this year , but I am delighted with the score in the very tough conditions. Links Course with 21mph winds. Stepping onto a Par 5 520 yard hole into the wind, to make a 6 was certainly a highlight of the round after my tee ball sking to the left.

Played my first 09 round today on a 9 Hole course. With 23mph winds, it was a real struggle out there and it was a really mishap of shots, mixed in with a few decent ones. Highlights of the round include, getting on a Par 5 in 3 but 3 putting for a Bogey. Funniest part of my round had to be hitting a 6Iron onto a Par 3, 145yard whole and missing by 10 yards off the green. Either the wind was that strong, or I really am struggling for power.. Out tomorrow and hopefully some improvements, or less wind at least. :) Overall, the shots are almost there, almost but I need to be able to play in strong winds and not choke or worry about hitting into a par 5 with galeforce winds.

I remember when it was on TV back home that I used to play soccer when it came on but ended up getting the box set on the 'chance' that I might like it as I liked Sopranos and the reviews it received. Amazing program, really past few days, I cannot stop thinking about this program and I'm 26 years old. Glad there is another fan on the forum

Although it was on TV a few years back, I never got round to watch it but I finally have just finished watching Six Feet Under and wow! what an ending. A cracking ending to one of the greatest tv shows ever made. It's got me thinking of TV shows with fantastic endings..

Very interesting thread and all the best to you Ben, in your quest to get on tour. I really hope the Japanese Q-School goes very well for you this year. As a curious spectator, how does their Q School work out? Is it 4 rounds and the best 50 are given tour cards? and how is the Japanese tour schedule? All the best and if you need a caddy, give me a PM ;) I might be unemployed in April ;) Seriously, all the best with your golfing dreams.

If the R & A would be so kind and let me play in the first two rounds of the Open Championship, I'm sure I could brake that record Sounds horrific stuff from Gronberg today, he must have been really unwell

Hi, Thanks for your tips. We are still decide on where to go but thanks for your input and advice.

I'm from Scotland and my local you can have the option of the cart or walking and I'd say that 95% of the members walk around the course, although it's quite hilly and with a few humps and bumps, some of the older generation prefer to take a cart. Part of the attraction to golf for me is the exercise element that comes with a 3hr round lumping your clubs on your bag. I've played from Carts before and never really felt the rhythm of the game doing it, I end up hitting a shot and then not really thinking about the next one, when you walk, I feel that you can think a lot more about your next shot and what type of approach you are going to do and you can also look around the course spotting traps, etc and feeling how the turf feels.

Casey's been magnificent the whole week, really playing well and some great golf. I think the final should be a cracker and really looking forward to it. Ogilvy seems to take it up a notch as well in matchplay, really enjoy watching him play. Does anyone know why there is two rounds today in the final?

My dad is a huge fan of Els and that has kinda worn off on me but I'm curious to see what you guys here think of the big man and if he can win a Major or even a few tournaments this year? He has not started the year that well, I think he's only missed one cut he seems to be hanging around the mid 20-30s in finishing spots in this years tournaments. Would love to see big Ern get a Major, would be quite funny seeing Trevor give him the jacket and speaking Afrikaans probably with him or another US Open.. C´mon Ern!

I love matchplay golf and the competition aspect and knockout phase of it. I think this type of tournament might be too grueling for Tiger to come back to as his first tournaments as he might have to play 36holes in one day but it is Tiger so who knows, he could well go on and win it.

Hello Folks, was wondering if anyone had any experience of golfing in either S.A or Portugal? My 2 golfing friends and I are looking at taking a golf holiday later in the year and thinking possibly about one of these countries. South Africa looks really appealing, Stellenbosch, Cape Town area looks fantastic and also some beautiful sites outside the golf course to experience, how dangerous is the place which is the only main concern. Portugal would be ace too as it's only 2-3Hrs plane ride from Scotland, decent value for money and some nice coastal courses. anyone got advice or been to any of these places? thanks

I voted for Scotland mainly as it's my home country and I know there are tons of magnificent courses all across the country. I'm from the middle region of Scotland and in a radius of 1hr's drive we have Carnoustie, St Andrews, Kingsbarns, Downfield, Gleneagles and that new thing Trump, Plus many more. There is a great mixture of parkland, links and open courses and winds to test even the steadiest golfer's nerves. Ireland is a great country and has some fantastic courses too. If you have enough money and making the trip across, why not try and do both countries? You can pick up cheap flights from Scotland or Ireland, and many airlines fly all over both places. If you do decide to come, I'm sure you'll be treated to a warm Celtic holiday no matter which country you choose :)

I don't really dislike anyone's swing, I actually quite enjoy watching the odd swings and it makes the game more interesting, that people can play really well with some swings that look like they should not work. Miguel Angel Jimenez has a fantastic swing, the way his body and hips turns. It's one of my favourites, love watching him on a Par 3 with a mid Iron. Looks like no effort or hassle to him. Jeev Mikla Singh has a very interesting swing, always have a wee smile when I see his swing.

After a wee break from playing for a few months, I went home for Christmas and had a few games and played quite well. So hope to continue my recent latter 2008 form into 09. -Sort out my Drives - at Christmas, from the few games that I played, I seemed to be hitting them quite sweet, so focus on hitting good drives, aiming for at least 10 out of 18 fairways on a regular round. -Short Game - continue to work on the short game, the 50-80 yards from the green, I want to be getting on that green from there. I want to be consistent from this area. -Putting - commit to every putt, don't flap around it or fear of hitting it too short/powerful/little, look at the breaks and go for it. No dillydallying. -Handicap - having only started in June 07, and only playing summer golf. I'm delighted at my current handicap but I feel with more practise(another goal) that I can get it down further, but practise, practise and practise to do this.

Hi Misty, I'm Scottish and that's the way I understand things, It was the plus and minus thing that was confusing me. I was confused by people mentioning +5 as at first, I thought it was them being five over but I understand exactly. Thank you to Eereyck as well for your explination.

Please excuse my ignorance but, what does a (+5) handicap mean? that they are literally 5 under? If I shoot a 85 on a 71, I would be +14 for the day. Does the + and - change after you get beyond scratch level? I'm a bit confused, I only started playing in 07 so go easy but I thought once someone had a handicap of say Scratch/0 and improved by 2 over the next few months their handicap would be (-2) or would it be (+2) ? Thanks in advance,

Hi Folks, I was quite curious to find out other people's opinions on Shoes, Does anyone not wear Golf Shoes? I am quite new to the game, started playing in August 2007, I'd swung a club before and played pitch-putt and putting so I wasn't a complete beginner. As I'm becoming more and more obsessed with this wonderful game, I am considering Shoes. Is there a real benefit? I have a pair of rubber gripped slacks which I usually wear and they do ok for me but would be interested to hear what you guys wear and if anyone does not wear shoes? Also a issue involving clubs, I'm using my friend's old clubs that he gave to me and I bought a Wilson Hybrid and a cheap Dunlop Driver, They seem to be working quite decent for me in the summer on the links courses and the grips are fine, but can clubs get too old? They are around 8-9 years old and fairly well used, have always thought about buying a set of decent clubs in 09 or is it more 'if it's not broke, don't try to fix it?' Sorry if this seems like a silly question, I'm a bit of novice when it comes to technical things in Golf mucho cheers in advance,

I really should buy or wish for a pair of proper golf clubs, I'm using my friend's old clubs from a few years back. My driver that is now broke cost $18. The clubs are ok right now but once I get some money, I'm going to go for a fitting and get a decent pair. I don't think my girlfriend or parents will buy me a full set so either I'd possibly like maybe a new baseball cap, a driver and a pair of shoes.