Kevin04

As a Scot, I am quite happy to see Andrew Coltart, Chris Doak, Davie Dyrsdale & Callum Macaulay to join the European Tour this season. Our game has been in the doldrums a bit recently but with the World Cup win last year and our amateur team won a similar event in Australia last month, I've not seen Macaulay but heard impressive things about him. Just hope the Scottish Golf press don't put too much pressure on him in his debut season.

I like playing them all but I'd probably say a Par 4 of around 320-400 yards. Nothing better than a decent drive of maybe 260 yards, then depending on the hole a 8 Iron or so onto the green and then 2 puts. Par 3s are great fun but If I have a disaster on a certain hole that I play often, it tends to stay with me but there's nothing better than getting on the green and maybe being 20 feet away with the chance of a birdie if not a safe par. Par 5s, My driving was awful near the end of the summer when I realised that my driver heel has a huge dunt in it, hopefully santa will bring me a new one but last few rounds I've been teeing off with a Hybrid off the tee so been losing some distance but managed on a 540 hole to get a par 5 from the 3 Hybrid and a 3 Wood, was very delighted with that. I think they are all great fun in different ways, if I manage a Par on a long hole, I often look back at it with the joy of my scrambling and usually if over 550 I'd be doing that to make par, A Par 4, I like the idea of being able to play different shots and hitting well, if I had a good drive then depending on the hole length either chipping/pitching on or going with a 6-7 Iron for that green. Par 3s, as a High Handicaper it's a great chance to get another GIR on the list.

78 on a 68 course. I still think about it, 3 months after it happened. What a day it was!

I'm originally from Alba, Scotland, Caledonia. Whatever we are called these days.

JD is playing the round of his life today, He's on the 14th hole and -7, sitting in tied 9th position but the leaders are yet to go out.

Well done there, It's a fantastic feeling eh? Keep up the good work and you'll be soon hitting those mid 90s. I know exactly how you feel, this is what is amazing about this crazy game. I bet you feel amazing for a few more days, thinking back to some of the highlights of your round.

I did pretty good, I'd say out of my 5 goals, I cracked 3.5 of them but added 1 new goal onto my 09. I've began to play pretty consistent with my Irons and aiming for at least half G.I.R which are happening quite reguarly, my putting has improved and my mental attitude is getting better, I'd always dwell on a bad shot and think it over but now I'm beginning to move away from that and concentrate on the next shots ahead of me. I've improved my handicap dramatically, My goal was to get down to the late teens, unfortunately, I couldn't not make that but I'm at 21 and pretty happy. I was 29 at the start of the summer and 37 last year, all progress Trouble is, I'm working abroad at the moment and have no clubs with me and in a country where the golf has closed for the season, heading back to Bonnie Scotland for Christmas time and although the weather won't be great, I'm hitting the range here with some borrowed clubs next week, Just hope all my good work hasn't gone from the 5 weeks off. My driving has gone off the boil though or it was last few weeks I was playing back home, I'd end up last few games I played hitting Hybrid off the tee or 3wood, I'm going to work hard on my driving (as it was best part of my game in 07) this winter at the range to try get it back to some type of service. Next year, although this should be on another thread - I'm going for consistent putting, pitching and working on my distance and G.I.R work. Overall, very satisfied with 2008. I only played for a few months this year but worked hard on my game to improve, just wish, I lived where I could get out 12months of the year.. Maybe someday, Good luck to everyone with their goals for 2008 and 2009, this truly is a fantastic site and I love reading everyone's posts from the high cappers to the 0.5's - so interesting to read how this game can get to us all

Imagine a golfing continent world cup, it could be a hit. Europe, North America, South America, Oceania, Asia and Africa. I think we have enough pro golfers to represent the 6 areas and it would be a really interesting event but with the Presidents Cup, Walker Cup, Ryder Cup, World Cup of Golf etc maybe there is no market for this. Could turn into a 7 day event or so with a 2 groups of 3, and the winners meeting the final, the runners up for 3rd place and the bottom 3 for the wooden spoon. Similar to the Ryder Cup, possibly fourballs then singles after, played over 1 day though. It would be also interesting for Europeans and The US to play other teams and a chance to see Els, Scott, Romero & Choi.

Well done to the USA from a European. The Americans were brilliant, let's not kid ourselves by blaming Faldo, he could have sent Westwood, Pádraig out earlier but they probably would have lost, The US fancied it bigtime, Zinger wanted it more so than his love-hate rival Faldo and they simply played the better golf. It gives the tournament a bit more excitment coming into Wales 2010 that America has won it, a chance for a new captain and fresh ideas from the Europeans.

The nights are fair coming in as they say in Scotland and It's already mid September, not long until Winter Tees and dark days and nights. What do you do in the winter? I've only played winter golf from the mats twice and it was ok but it depresses me a bit knowing that I cannot hit a ball from the fairway until at least March, do you guys play all through winter or just spring-summer? Usually I just end up not playing golf at all and my only form of exercise is indoor football/soccer practise through the months I'm abroad until Christmas so I doubt I'll get a game but there is a driving range nearby where I can borrow a few clubs and fire a few balls. Really need to book a winter break to a California or Canary Isles just to get hitting those clubs. It must be quite nice living in Florida and California, getting golf all year round.

I'm actually tipping the Yanks to win this one, I don't know if it's because of Faldo or that America hasn't won in what seems ages. Round one to the U.S - Faldo called Soren Hasen, Thomas Björn.

First round for 2 weeks, been on holiday abroad to a wedding but played excellent and I think scored my best round to date. 85 on a 66 course, started off with 4 out of 5 pars, a few missed putts as well which really let me down on 2 holes of par. Overall very happy, in the process of updating my Handicap and really hope/dream that I can get into the late teens by the end of the year. Everything went reasonably well apart from my driving which seems awol although hitting a hybrid or a 3wood from the tee is going great.

What do you guys think? Maybe because it's fresh in the head but I have to say the PGA Championship was my favourite and a great kick in the groin for the doubters who call it a minor major. There was alot of talk going into the PGA about this tournament being the worst major etc from some of the press & media. Overall, I thought all four majors were very exciting and different in so many ways but for some reason - this one sticks out for me, maybe because it was Padraig - Sergio all over again. Masters - Always great to see this as it's the 'start' of the golfing season for many part-time golfer, especially if you live in a cold part of Europe where winter tees rule the roost, it's the start of the golf season. Immelman was brilliant throughout the whole tournament and desereved his win, although it was not very close - it was great seeing him win esp after his treatment in december for a tumour. US Open - Rocco-Tiger, Tiger's 18ft putt to secure the playoff, all very dramatic and the excitement of a monday. Tiger with is injury and Rocco just coming across as exciting and fresh even at the age of 44 or what not and Tiger claiming the prize before hitting the bench for 2008. Open Championship - Greg Norman, 3 rounds of magic from the shark and especially when he was planning on it being a warmup for the Senior Opens and cutting his honeymoon short to compete. A very nice final day of viewing with Padraig digging in and coming from a few shots off to claim the prize. PGA - low scoring similar to the Open, Sergio v Padraig part II - Padraig grinds it out again with outstanding golf, this was the major for me, maybe because living in Europe and there is something very nice about watching golf until 1am with a bar filled with golf fantatics but it had sergio's errors, padraigs putting and ben curtis putting in a shift. great tournament and i think i'll remember this tournament the most from 08 how about yourselves?

Well done on that prediction, did you get any money from the bookmakers? I had Villegas on e/way so very happy too. You have to feel for Sergio though, his putt ( can't remember the hole) but it was so so similar to Carnoustie clipping the left . Hope Serg can win a major next year.

Camillo looks more consistant overall but I love watching them both, Villegas when he scored -5 or so on day 2 of the Open Championship when everyone was struggling to make even par was fantastic viewing. Romero is great fun to watch and he is my favourite golfer, I love his attitude to the game and shots he hits- he maybe throws the course management book out the window and goes for shots but his rounds are always exciting filled with birdies and bogeys. I met Romero last year in Carnoustie, I met him in a local pub with his caddie and few argentine press. Although Romero spoke very very limited english, he truly was a nice guy, Nobody really bothered him but my friend decided to go over and say well done to him on his round and his caddie translated they then invited us to sit with them and have a beer, We ended up spending 2hrs with them and speaking mostly to his caddie and Romero who was so gracious and down to earth just to even be competing in the championship.

He's fantastic. Look at all his major wins, he's been sitting a few shots from the lead but is just simply magnificent on the day where it all falls apart for so many. His recovery shots and putting today were unbeliveable. Well done to Padraig, he comes across well in the media as a good guy. Bob Torrance was saying he's the hardest working player he has ever worked with.

from the weekend Played another 9 holes on saturday and shot a 39 from 33 - everything worked - 1 birdie, 4 pars, a few mishaps as expected but was quite happy overall. Played a 9 hole course twice today in the morning and the afternoon, shot 51 from 34 in the morning - really struggled with the wind and misjudging my GIR shots, either too far past the green or not enough. 47 in the afternoon on the same course, I lost my putter on Friday, Gutting stuff so using a kids putter haha but no excuse too many 3 putts and misreads plus lack of judgement with irons. 18 holes on the 66 links course tomorrow, if the weather stays and hope to improve my game from todays round.

Cheers for the info.

Par 4 - 380 Yards on the 17th - been struggling with the driver so decided to hit a Hybrid 3 from the tee which goes around 255 or so, bring out 8 iron and it pings over the green on a hill 40 ft from the green - the PW comes out and 4ft from the pin. that was my best shot of the week -

Good luck to Ben on the forum here and gangja if you decide your house an wait. What does your handicap have to be to join? Although I'm miles off scratch just curious to find out, or is there no handicap?

I got my first par 5 tonight, so small steps are good I have came close to getting an eagle on a Par 4 which is 308 yards - drove to the edge of the green, hit a wee bump and run which landed 2ft from the hole and knocked in for Birdie.

Played Kingennie a new 9 hole course which duplicates into a 18 and played 18 holes, shot a 89 par 68. Delighted and scored my first ever Par 5 tonight. Even better that the first 9 I forgot my putter so was putting in using a 3 wood but managed to make it to the clubhouse to borrow a putter for the last 18, my putting was pretty bad with or without the 3 wood on the first 9. Driving - was horrible, kept hooking left so switched to the Hybrid from the tee after 5 and used driver on the par 5 - delib aiming 45 degrees to the right, although it worked - I'd rather be able to driver correctly like i was able to do last year. Overall delighted, I'm working on my handicap at the moment and last 3 rounds my handicap has shot done by a huge margin. - from my practise this summer and better management skills.

Hi Folks, Thanks very much for your input and information. I am going to continue working away with these clubs I have at present for a few months and possibly if my handicap is coming down, will get fitted for a decent pair of clubs. cheers

I have only been playing for around a year or so but it's going well so far, My bag is mixed to say the least with very budget priced golf clubs which do me well for a high handicap (which i'm working on) and if I get into the teens by the end of the year, I might have a look at a nicer more modern set of clubs. I thought about buying last year as a few parts of my game were not working but I opted to work hard at my swing which I am so glad I did, instead of taking an easy way out and realising that it was my mechanics not the clubs What my big question is do newer clubs make any difference to your game? My driver is a Dunlop which cost me 20 Euros and although when I'm driving well, I can drive around 270 and my irons are a friends old Pinseekers from around 7 years ago or so. I'm not going to rush into anything and will finish this year working with these clubs as they are working well at the moment My main question is before I began rambling, did buying a certain type of clubs improve your game in anyway? thanks in advance folks

Congratulations on the great score. It's amazing when one of your goals come into place and I only broke 100 early this year but remember how great it felt, although I am no scratch golfer. I am working hard on my golf and currently updating my handicap at the moment but will get it sitting at 28 right now incase my next few rounds are nightmare 110s or so For me breaking 100 was a real mental break through, I remember I once scored a 102 and it was all down to a triple bogey on a par 3 but it fired me on. It's always amazing to make your goals Hope your continue to enjoy your golf.