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MonkeyGolfer99

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Everything posted by MonkeyGolfer99

  1. Rory for me but a very tough call. He is the complete player, imo, and has the ability to rip courses and the field apart. Spieth's putting is as good as I've seen (up there with Tiger in his pomp) and that will always leave him with a chance. Wouldn't like to put much of a wager on it though ;) Exciting golf times, and as Newtogolf says, there's more than just those two who can challenge.
  2. I hear that IntheHole (I tried to reply directly to your post but it would seem it didn't work!) I mentioned on another thread (how long . . . to break 80) - I've had a few very good rounds, for me, recently and got cut to 11. I followed this happy occurrence with a 104 in the club Champs!! It would seem that although I know the ability is there (as it is in most golfers I see - we all hit good shots, make putts etc, at times) being consistent is what is so elusive. That seems to be very personal to each golfer but for me consistently getting my hips through, with good posture and striking ball first on every shot seem to be the biggest factors. I expect another plateau now but really hope to keep progressing. That said, getting a lower HC from here will take some doing . . . Have to agree with BuckeyeNut as well - I'v been able to play 2 -3 times a week these last few months but if that was reduced to once a week I think it would become a lot harder.
  3. I'd played golf a wee bit in my teens and early 30s but started playing 'seriously' (i.e. trying to improve play by full rules etc) just under a year ago. I broke 80 a few months back off winter tees (78) and had a couple of 78's over the following months. Over the last fortnight I had 4 sub 80' rounds including a 74, bogeyed 17 & 18, damn!! (par 71) and a 76 - getting me cut to 11. Oh boy did it feel good but then . . . Club Champs this Sat gone and out of nowhere I shot 104!! (inc. 2 11s and a 9) Played today and shot 91! Just when you think you have this game it gives you a massive wet fish style slap around the chops ;) Back to the grind and working on the basics required - in all fairness I think I got a bit over confident which is not a good mindset to have for golf!
  4. I like him, in the main! Not too fussed about club reviews etc as I think unless you're being fitted, or have them in your hands, you really can't ascertain too much use from them. He doesn't appear too biased to me, as some have suggested, and seeing the data gives you a bit of an idea I suppose. Better than the usual magazine reviews, mind. I do like his vlogs though. Some very good play at times and some . . . well . . . but at least they are honest and you get a sense that they are usually having a good laugh out there. Far too many golfers I know/play with take it soooooooo seriously and are usually fed up after 3 holes! I think the 'bants' is hammed up a bit for the filming - I doubt he would be as irksome, shall we say, in a proper comp. I've been watching him for about a year now and you can see he has 'grown into' the persona; but fair play to him for finding and exploiting the niche. It's free viewing and good entertainment for people that play/watch golf imo. I also like his explanations - the draw/fade lesson was very helpful and when I watched that it really clicked for me. He explains things simply and effectively. A little heavy on the stats but I've never used a GC2 etc but i'd reckon a teaching pro would find a valid use for them; he does do his best to show you why they are relevant. I am a northener by birth and find myself in the SW currently - which is where I have learned to play this amazing game! So would love to see a Shiels/Finch v Lockey or Buzza/Crossfield match. Think i'd be a bit torn!! If you ever read this Mark, come on lad, make it happen - Shiels is chomping at the bit ;)
  5. Fair play! I'm guessing the competition element helped you focus? I was hesitant about getting lessons, one of the reasons being what you say there. To be fair the guy was on the European tour for around 6 years and , I think, had a top 20 finish at the Open once so he certainly knows how to play the game! I'm open minded really; just felt that for me to make quick progress, or move on, a lesson or 2 could help. I'm quite proud of what I have been able to achieve by myself but am beginning to get impatient;)!
  6. Thanks, that's helpful:) I totally agree about playing with better players and I would say that applies to any other sport as well, from my experience. I think, in golf terms, playing with lower hcp players has shown me the direction(s) I need to go in (sadly, there are many!) but also, I think it makes you realise it is possible. Did you have lessons whilst progressing? And if so, how helpful to you were they? Just had my first and worked on basics like grip, posture and the 'release'. I was surprised how 'chicken wingy' I was on the follow through - he compared my swing (by graphic illustration) to a young Mr Mcllroy . . . ha ha! Don't think Rory will be getting nervous any time soon Kudos on the hcp btw:) Don't often get the chance to roll 'kudos' out!
  7. From what I have seen of other players at my club I would say most are between 12 and 16 hcp's which kind of supports that view. There also doesn't seem that much difference between 12 to around 18 hcp's. They can all strike the ball pretty well and are reasonable around the green. Consistency seems to be the biggest factor. In my first medal comp last month I played with the current club champ (off 5, and was off 2 I believe, not too long ago) and a 10 hcp player. The difference in ball striking in particular was quite eye-opening for me, and as you say, 3 putts were very rare. Just when I thought I was getting 'good' I realised I had a very long way to go . . . ;) How have people managed to 'break the barrier''?!
  8. It's funny, that post you quote was what really got me thinking about it! I guess in golf you have to expect these plateaus and persevere until you see some signs of progress? I think with a more consistent short game and less 'blow-up' holes I can maybe get down a stroke or 2 but still think getting under 10 would require a signification change of swing/mentality?!
  9. Great thread Ladies and Gents:) My first post so here goes . . . I've played golf for years on and off but only in a very casual way. Being English I grew up with football, no one in my family played or really cared about golf, but it was something I enjoyed and really wanted to play more. Got into martial arts in my 20's and that basically took up all my time and energy sports wise. Didn't touch a golf club for over a decade . . . Anyways, long story short, in August last year (2014) I was fortunate to be able to play lots of golf due to teaching holidays and having moved to a new city and close to a golf course! I got the bug big time and have played at least once (usually twice) a week since then and made 1 - 2 trips to the range/practice area. I joined the club in October and got my first official handicap of 18 in November, which I was extremely pleased with. My lowest score to that point had been 90 (par 72) when I was still in school! I broke 90 for the first time in September 2014 (an 84, and yes, I was beaming for weeks!!) At the start of August I was happy if I broke 100 (on a reasonably challenging course) now I get a bit sulky if I don't break 90 I've won a few 'Sunday League' games (and pocketed some cash!! - Bandit has been a term thrown at me;) I won my first 'proper' club competition a few weeks ago, scoring 44 points using stable-ford rules. My total number of shots was 82. As a result my handicap went down to 16:) I had my first lesson last week which seems to have set me back a bit, which I expected, but feel that I need this input now as I have basically stalled over the last few months having average scores of 87. FWIW - I would put my progress down to honestly evaluating my rounds and identifying my weaker areas. Yes, putting and chipping!! And then focusing my practice on these. Also, as others have mentioned, I played a more 'percentage' game and aimed for the 'safer' shot rather than trying to blast every par 5 in 2 or lay up instead of trying to make a 200 yard approach to a well protected pin. I also used to have a 'Sha . . . .k' as a bad shot that would pop out every now and then (it still can, mind!!) so I spent lots of my range time working out why this was happening and then trying to adjust for it. Mirrors really helped! You tube teachers like Mark Crossfield, MTI and Me and my Golf I also found to have lots of useful drills and good explanations on swing fundamentals in the absence of a personal PGA pro instructor . . . I feel ecstatic with my progress to be honest. I would say I have gone from a +26 HC to a 16 HC in about 6 months. The reason I looked at this thread though was because it seems a general consensus that getting from around 16 to single figures (which is my aim currently and to break 80) will take a lot more perseverance. How did people find reducing from a 16 down to single figures, how long did it take and how did you do it? Sorry for the long post but I hope you fellow golfers can sense the buzz and excitement i have for this game at the moment! Cheers:)
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