Lazarus

Aim is Cat 1 - 5.0 or lower Some goals along the way are to hit 9 under par (missed at the last hole on Monday), 18 at par, 18 under par and still chasing that elusive first eagle but expect a lot of opportunities this season. I don't spend much time on short game at all but definitely need to tidy up the chipping game.

So not bad, got from 12 to 8.0 - broke 80 again bunch of times (7), twice on new courses. - no eagles! Had about 6/7 opportunities from 20-30 feet but couldn't get one to drop. - 9 holes at par twice and broke par for 9 holes - not that close to breaking par overall (77 lowest) but played 13 holes in a round at par or better so making progress. Swing plane I improved definitely in summer but have since slipped back a little. Really solid, enjoyable year.

I have shaved 3-4 strokes off my hcap each of the the last two seasons and 90% of my practice and instruction is full swing. I just tend to warm up 50/50 on the short game area before a round and do specific drills if I feel I'm well off.

Love the guy. Gives us all a running update as to what's going on in his head and with his game. He's relaxed but operating on the edge mentally and that's what works for him, talk it out, move on, execute. We've got enough calm, collected types who give nothing away as the round goes so I enjoy the difference, living those masters meltdowns and his inevitable recoveries. He won't need to write a book as we get the picture already.

I thought the delay was a great part of the drama, demonstrating Spieth's insatiable desire to get the ball in the hole. Others would have dropped nearer the bottom of the hill and probably blown their chance. I don't see any issue with that timeout.

My goal this year was to reach single figures (e.g. 8.9) and hit some firsts along the way: - break 80 again, and on some other courses - hit some eagles - 9 holes/18 holes at par - 9/18 break par The plan was to reroute my swing plane, maximise my distance and strengthen my chipping/scrambling game. Into the season, I've been working solid and am on track with the plan and the results are slowly starting to emerge. Swing plane is much more from the inside - lower body rotation, weight shift and impact position is much better. Club distances have gone up with my driver ,fairways and longer irons (still getting used to my new numbers). Results-wise HC is at 9.4, hit a handful of 78s and 79s, one at another course, broke par for 9, still no eagles although having regular med-long putt attempts (one will surely drop!). New goal is 7 by Nov, lofty (started the year at 12) but hey, what are goals for?

Took up the game 5 odd years ago and started shooting 120-125s. My mates spotting me a shot a hole, occasionally more than 1 (still wasn't fair). Didn't enjoy that so took lessons every month and played and practised when I could and got to 100 or so about 6-8 months later. Basically the difference was learning that you swing a club, not hit out at ball hard (smooth not wild), make sure you get out of the bunker even if its 1 yard (or a thinned 110 yard wedge), avoid the water, OOB as much as possible. (Now I spot those same mates 6-10 strokes and got my money back a while ago.)

78, 43 out and a blistering 35 (1 under) coming home. Driver cost me 2 doubles but then made me some shots. Only ever hit a 38 once before. Weirdly amazing. Golf is odd, you practice a ton but progress isn't always linear. Shot a wild 90 last week and then out pops a round or two which shows you what you're capable of.

A bit like this for me. Tried the clock idea, worked okay at times but it messes up my rhythm and feel. I play in a fair bit of wind and most of the year round so I just know my maximums (80% swing) and short pitch shot swing distance. Anything else is less precise (or maybe just familiar). I change club choice based on what flight i need to get it there. I like lower flight wedges most of the time but finding it better just being positive and getting solid contact.

Isn't the best wedge player on tour an average of about 25ft from the flag from about 130 yards out. if we want to be realistic we need to understand what the upper limit is.

I've had this happen recently on 2 clubs. They sit back on okay as thr separation is clean but come off again with use so I was thinking of glueing them back on (carefully).

Isn't the smash factor as you mention, a little suspect? It's hard to quantify perceived gains if that isn't on the money (maybe its all relative across all swings but even so). I'd also want to get the shaft right first, try a few different shafts and then hone in on what works. Chose the head and play with the settings once you havr the best shaft for you.

Unless I am missing something, playing from the gold tees I'd probably take a 3 wood and try and land the ball between the two left bunkers. if the left rough is bad though I'd hit a 4 iron or hybrid at the right fairway.

They said during the Pro-Am that Jordan's ratio is like 1:1 ,vs the 2:1 that is typically encouraged.

Do others track total distance putted vs putts taken? I started doing that and found that my good and bad (average feet per putt) were not so far apart even if total putts varied (largely due to NGIR vs GIR)

I'm in favour of the do everything approach. Swing/long game with a coach, short game practice, get fit for clubs, learn to play smart, play, putting distance control, read and line. I made yards and came down about 5 this year but relatively neglected the short game apart from a couple of sessions. Hopefully that means I've got a couple of shots just sitting there for me to pick up.

Broke 80 for the first time at my home course, 78 with no doubles. I'd toiled away all season practising regularly since Jan. I had been working on some changes and I felt like a much better player but my scores weren't coming down below 85. Then I just clicked and shot 85, then 82, then 80, then 78. Accuracy off the tee felt like the biggest move. I made good distance and gave nothing away really and only had to battle about 3/4 approach shots from the rough and got them on or near the green. Still had 31 putts I think, but golf felt simple. Yet to back it up but made a couple of minor changes over winter and now getting tidied up for the season ahead.

The fitter did try and rush some steps a little but thanks to your helpful post on what to expect I slowed him down and made sure we tested a few more times, moved the testing site further away from wall etc. - thumbs up!

As opposed to the chrome shaft? It was an upgrade. Yes. I went with black lines (3) as that's what I was fitted with. Q - is the centre line always in the middle of the sweet spot? I believe that with some putters it isn't always. I am aware that the sweet spot is obviously bigger with an Edel.

Got my order in the system last week. I didn't get too fussed about customisation colours etc but pretty excited about it. Having said that I did get the matching platinum shaft.

I play with a couple of guys who are 5/6 years younger and stronger than I am. They are tidy drivers of the ball around 230/40 yards but I can see them picking up 25-30 yards no problem if they went through the necessary process. I guess unless they have to play from the tips in club/tournament they can do perfectly fine with what they have and understandably feel happyish with that side of the game.

I still feel on the youthful side (feel may not be real) for the time being so I've actively chased distance but am waiting for the side effects. Unsurprisingly however, my recent extra yardage gains have come largely from better technique and less tension, the right equipment and no doubt a bit from being a little more flexible/using golf muscles. Occasionally I feel the wear and tear but not quite ready to stop trying to get more distance (that time will surely come!).

As someone who took to the game a touch late (40) 4 years ago, the idea of a whole lifetime of a golfer trying to maximise his/her abilities becomes a bit of a challenge. What do we do, find a solid swing as quickly as possible, live with that limit (distance wise), make it tidy, make small improvements, learn to score and see how low (HCI) you can get to? Or push everything, strive to simply swing faster like a junior, and then refine the outcome so you know you're maximising your distance and ability (and no doubt score a bit more erratically for a while until the technique catches up), all the while hoping that the body can handle it .

Play and enjoy more golf. Get my Hcap down to 8. Play 9 holes at even par (then 18). Hit my first eagle. How (mini goals): Develop my approach play accuracy and pitching and chipping accuracy Practice at my optimum/preferred frequency (3 times a week for 1 hour at a time, + 2 evenings for 45 mins followed by 9 holes).