Jeffrey71

Due to financial constraints I can only play one 18 hole round per week. Where I live there are only 2 courses and both are 9 hole. I try to switch between them every week or so as to not get used to one or the other. A friend of mine has a theory that if a course is laid out in a clockwise pattern it is more right handed friendly than a counter clockwise pattern. I don't know about that....Someone in another thread had the suggestion of thinking in terms of 3-6 holes at a time. I'm planning on playing about 36 holes this Friday and giving this mental aspect a try. Back to the original question, I believe we're talking greatly about the mental aspect and how we "memorize" what we do...just my opinion.

What is the Higgs Boson particle, and what does it have to do with?

GREAT SUGGESTION !!!! I've noticed that after about 6 holes I start to diminish, and it's because in the back of my mind I'm thinking of all 18 holes. Example, About 3 weeks ago I stood on the 6th tee box 1 over par with no bogeys. When I realized what I was doing I fell apart thinking too much. By the way I've carded a 13 on a par 4, it was a lesson in hitting over a pond.

on our scorecards there are a total of 6 lines for names. I keep my own scorecard and on the top line is my score for the hole, then underneath on the next line is "fairways", GIR, putts, U&D;, and penalties.

This might not make sense when you look at my handicap, but I've always had the ability to drive the ball long. I realize "long" is a relative term. I played in a 2 man best ball tournament a few weeks ago. First tee shot from the back tees drove the green. According to the card it was 330 yards, and I'm sure I got a lot of roll. Still was an awesome feeling. I mostly work on my short game and putting, that's where I blow it.

Played with a guy this past weekend, who constantly moved his ball from a dirt spot in the fairway to grass. AT the end he claimed he shot a 95. I had 6 penalty strokes and shot 92. Still wondering if I want to play with him again????

IMO something else to consider is, does the "average weekend golfer" play the same course over and over. Where I play, there are guys that boast of shooting 1 over, but I"m sure if they went to another course things would be quite different...

I had this happen once to me. When I addressed the ball my putter touched it and it "oscilated" but didn't change position. I counted a penalty stroke and when I got home consulted the rules website. To my understanding of what I read, a penalty stroke is incurred if the position of the ball changes then it's a 1 stroke penalty, but if it "oscilates", no penalty.

I have a question and don't really know, but I was thinking of starting a thread on it - HOW do you "practice"? I bring this up due to my present situation which is: I have a weekly $25-$30 to put towards golf, usually this comes in the form of 1 round(18) w/ cart or 2 rounds walking. Out of the 2 courses in my town, 1 has a driving range, but you have to call before you go to see if they have balls to hit. I have about 7 dozen used balls that I've collected in a bucket along with some of those wiffle ball things. I have seen through playing the 2 courses in my town that after my tee shot I will have about 120 into the green. So what I'll do when I "practice" is I'll step off various yardages (usually 60,80,100 yards) and set markers in a big field near my house, then practice distance control. At the same time I'll be focusing on accuracy and ball striking (ball then divot). In my back yard I have 10, 20, 30 yard markers and I'll do the same thing. I usually use my 52*, but sometimes I'll switch to my 48* or 8 or 9 iron. What do you do? Any suggestions....Thanks

Since getting back into golf in February of this year my best score was an 87. I remember just writing down how many strokes I had on each hole, not even adding them up until I finished 18. I finished with the same ball I started with, played the ball right where it laid every time. When I added up the score at the end my first thought was that I added wrong so I added again, and again, reviewed each hole in my mind and yep 87. Good for me....

Has anyone sent a video into the Golf Channel "swing fix" ?

I started playing regularly again back in February. Since then I've played about 20- 25 rounds(18 holes) and taken 6 strokes off my handicap. Before February I might have played 15 times in 25 years. I had forgotten how much I liked this game. My wife says I'm obsessed. My dad introduced me to this game(sport, lifestyle, addiction, obsession or whatever you want to call it) when I was 12 or 13 and I played high school golf. I was, and still am, serious about getting better. I asked a guy I work with, who I've played golf with before, if he wanted to partner up and play in a local 2 man, 2 course, 2 day 36 hole best ball tournament. He said sure. We got together to play our practice rounds and form some sort of strategy. Now, I have a 20.4 handicap according to GHIN. If he were to log scores in a handicap system he would probably be a 30- 40. He says to me, " I want to shoot 10 under for the tournament.." I wondered who he thought he was playing with. I would have been happy with even par for 36 holes. Multiple times during the tournament I would hit a good shot then he wouldn't even hit a ball. HE DIDN'T EVEN TRY!!!!!! This went on for 2 days and we scored a 3 over. I played with him this past weekend and decided in 2 weeks we are planning a golf outing to a really nice course out of town and after that I will never play with him again. His pride is keeping him from asking anyone for help. When I go out to "play" I am putting to use what I practice. I understand about those who don't care.

I've just started playing again (4 months now) after not playing for 25 years. I live in a town with two courses (glorified cow pastures). Playing on a decent course is a real treat for me since the closest one is an hour drive away. The lowest I've shot in 4 months is 87, then I'll shoot a 93. I keep telling myself just keep practicing and playing, most of all to have a good time.

Went out to play 18, but only played 9. A storm was rolling in. Somewhere around my approach shot to the 6th green and tee shot on the 7th, I strained a muscle in my right shoulder. AAHHH the fresh smell of Icy Hot.....Anyways shot a 46 . Triple bogey on the first hole...I remember being in a hurry to tee off due to a couple groups that regularly show up on Sundays. Being rushed and not warming up properly don't make a good combo.

That's my rooster. His name is "Cogburn".

Funny you say that, The "clock" analogy is exactly what I think about when practicing.

You get a 6. Kinda creeps me out.....

I see it's been a few days since anyone has posted here. I've been practicing keeping my head down - Accuracy - Distance control - Smooth backswing

In the town I live in (rural Oklahoma) there are 2 courses. One has a driving range that MIGHT have balls to hit. Both courses are very different which I enjoy, but at their nature they are both glorified cow pastures with very small greens. I don't know ALL the rules of this game, but I do know "play the ball as it lies." If I have a question about "relief" I go ahead and take the penalty stroke or 2, then after my round refer to the USGA website for clarification. Then I can change the scorecard if needed. It's easier for me to hit the ball off a nicely manicured, plush fairway, but what helps me save strokes is learning how to hit a low, punch from under the tree branches while resting on roots. In 4 months I have gone from a 26 handicap to a 20. I have played with guys who will do gimmies or move their ball to a better lye and at the end of the round say they shot one thing, but in actuality they broke the rules. When I was young my dad joined the Druid Hills GC in Atlanta, GA. That's where I learned to play. When I say "learned to play" I don't mean "learned to swing the golf club". I learned the basic rules of the game, that's how you play. If you want a better score, swing better.

I prefer to play by myself. I've had to start playing in scrambles to get over the nerves of people watching me in the competitive spirit. The first scramble I ever played in was a 3 months ago. I lost 6 balls in the first 4 holes because I was so nervous and jumpy. I kept telling my team that I normally didn't shoot like this. After I settled down, 75% of the shots we used (best-ball) were mine. Felt great, good confidence builder.

1) To play as much as possible (at least once a week) 2) To practice at least 3 times a week hitting at least 75 balls 3) Get handicap to less than 10 4) Play more competitive golf (stroke play tournaments, scrambles) Just got back into the game after being out of it for 25 years. I'm seeing that golf is a lifestyle that includes diet and exercise.

Shot a 92 today. Didn't get to practice this week. Part of the over 90 was due to trying to play through a legitimate low blood sugar attack which resulted in triple bogey, double bogey, bogey. I usually eat something about 30 minutes before I play and I always bring almonds and/ or a protein bar with me. I decided today to not play with these guys ever again; their attitudes were horrible. They didn't care. Yes, I get down on myself sometimes and even sling a curse word form time to time, but I would like to get better. They just want to whack a ball and say they're playing golf. They don't even play the ball as it lies?!?

I am new to this site as well. Tried to get back into playing a couple years ago after not playing for about 25 years, but money got tight. Things are better now and I try to play at least once a week and practice a few times a week. Got to play 72 holes last week! It was great. I'd like to start carding some lower scores to lower my handicap because I want to play in the State Amateur next year and you have to be a 7 or less handicap. I have been playing in scrambles so as to get comfortable with people watching me. Can't say I really like the whole "best ball" format but whatever. Played in a 2 man scramble last week, my partner's attitude went down the tubes badly. I would hit a good shot, so he just figured we would play mine so he didn't even try. I won't be playing with him again. I think the biggest thing I work on is the 6 inches between the ears - the mental aspect. I can put myself in the middle of the fairway with 100 yards to the pin, and then double bogey. (happened today) I feel a lot of variables are coming together and my game is gonna take a really good turn as long as keep practicing and playing consistent. Good to be here