Frank F

So, here poses an interesting (to me anyway) insight. We all see to be focusing on "time", or at least the majority here are. You and I seem to have similar handicap indexes. So here's the question: In a round, what are your average fairways hit? How many greens in regulation do you hit? How many penalties do you accrue? What is your average putts per green? (I'm not expecting an answer, just suggesting food for thought) I ask because for someone of say, a handicap index of 5 or better I would imagine that for one stat, their GIR's are probably North of 70%. Sure, they may have fewer fairways hit but probably are better recovery players and their misses are making the first cut more than being lost balls, That same group probably has zero penalties and is putting at about 1.5 or less per green. Why do I bring this up? Because the majority of weekend warriors (unless they are a rare exception) who complain constantly about pace of play are focusing on time and people lining up putts to an extent that they find unacceptable. And yet, they take mulligans, use the foot wedge to improve their lie, basically, I don't know what they play out there but, it isn't golf. For me, I play better at a faster pace. I play my best golf with one partner of similar or better handicap or alone. But, in modern golf course management that is going to be a rarity especially on the weekends. Even here at my club, if I don't form a foursome from members, we'll pick up a partner or two from the public. That's what courses do to make money. And forcing us to push each other on the course is in line with that same business model. The course benefits from a sub four hour round 100% of the time. Because if the starter can launch foursomes off the tee boxes like sorties from an aircraft carrier in wartime they will do it. But, we don't necessarily benefit as much as they do and honestly, they don't care about your game as much as they do your money (which they already have). Instead of "time" ("I play faster that you, therefore I am a better golfer" mentality), we could all do better to keep our ball in play and work on our GIR stats. Certainly myself included. Personally, I could do less with the chatty, distracting golfer who has to bitch about every shot he misses, who walks around the green talking to himself and others while people are trying to putt, who refuses to putt out after playing "hockey" or "shuffleboard" with his ball four times and then says "put me down for a double" on a par 4. The former actually frustrates and slows down a foursome more than people realize. We're all working on our game. I'm never satisfied with any score I record because at my level I have so much more work to do. I'm addicted. But in the end, we're probably all talking less about time and more about etiquette. I just believe that for people who can't hit the green more than 30% of the time in 18 holes or who are averaging more that 2 putts per green, we really could focus more on our own game instead of what everyone else is doing or not doing. I find it laughable that people actually think that a 4.25 hour round on a Saturday at the local Muni is such a big deal. I spent 32 years in service to my country and behind a badge. I could spend 5 hours on a golf course and think that I was in Heaven in comparison to what I have witnessed and been through in my life. Maybe I'm wrong (I probably am). And it's all good all right because this is my life and that is yours. We don't have to think alike, we just need to remember to be patient and kind to one another on and off the golf course. Etiquette is the key in my opinion, from both sides of this discussion and from tee to green all the way up to the 19th hole.

Absolutely! It's expected here and not really considered being "sneaky".

I shot 87 today with only 4 GIR (ugh!), 10/14 fairways hit and 34 putts.

Day 11 (3/27/21): I spent 30 minutes prior to my round today working on my wedges around the green as well as putting with the PuttOut training aid on the putting green. I hit about 20 balls with various irons, hybrids and my driver.

I guess it's probably just because I'm retired and live on a golf course. So, I confess that I'm probably spoiled now after playing munis and various other courses in the last 30 years (to include 3 years in Scotland). I don't work anymore, I look out my back window and see the 17th green, spend entirely too much money on golf, too much time thinking about golf and too much time practicing my game. I don't have to drive 30-90 minutes anymore to the courses that I play, unload my clubs, worry about getting to the 19th hole in time for Happy Hour, driving home sober and worrying about my wife bitching at me for being away too long. So I plead guilty for being insensitive here. Forgive me.

^^^^^ This sums it up for me.

Day 10 (3/26/21): I worked with the PuttOut Pressure putt training aid at the house for about 10 minutes.

Day 9 (3/25/21): Before going to the course, I worked with the PuttOut Pressure putt training aid at the house for about 10 minutes. I played 18 this morning. Shot 87 with 37 putts, 33% GIR and 87% fairways hit. I decided to make several putting changes on the course today, not smart!

Day 8 (3/24/21): Received my PuttOut putting mat today and worked on putting with the PuttOut Pressure putt training aid on the mat for about 30 minutes tonight,

Day 7 (3/23/21): Worked on short game today at the range again. Just an abbreviated version of yesterday's wedge work. I wanted to work with the PuttOut training on the practice green to compare my experience from yesterday in the house to real turf. I was impressed with just how many more quality reps I can get with just 4 foot putts. And using it outside on a putting green allows me to use it on different slopes.

Day 6 (3/22/21): I received my new PuttOut pressure putt trainer today. I worked with that for probably about 15 minutes. Still waiting on the accompanying golf mat. So, today I had to use a stretch of carpet that we have in the entrance of our home. Certainly not the same and I am looking forward to combining both of those items together. I also plan to bring the trainer to the golf course later this week and try it out on real turf. So far I really like it.

Day 5 (3/21/21): Morning session. Two sessions on most off days. If I'm not playing, I'll spend off days at the short game practice area at our Club for an hour and then putt for about 30 minutes followed by 20 range balls total (4 balls each with 5 clubs). This morning, I'm working on wedges, wedges and wedges. Short chips and flops from around the green with the 60 degree. I vary my practice with open and neutral faces of the wedge. Working on landing the ball in a spot where it rolls to the hole or, sticks very close on a flop. With the 56 degree, working on longer distances with chips from 5 yards to maybe 10 yards off the green. If things are too busy here with guests playing, I may back up to 20-30 yards and pitch to the greens.

Played 18 today. Shot 87 with 8 GIR, 10/14 fairways hit and 35 putts.

Day 4 (3/20/21): Played 18 today. Shot 87 with 8 GIR, 10/14 fairways hit and 35 putts.

Played 18 again today. Shot 80 with 8 GIR, 11/14 fairways hit and 33 putts.

Day 3 (3/19/21): Played 18 again today. Shot 80 with 8 GIR, 11/14 fairways hit and 33 putts.

As a recent transplant from Michigan to Florida (since 2019), I understand what you are going through personally. I've been there in the early spring with the course so wet that I needed flippers and a snorkel to play. I've also been there in the Autumn where I personally think, the world's most amazing color palette is on full display. Hang in there, it's just around the corner.

Having never played with you, I find it interesting that you could take exception with anything that I wrote. What I conveyed was how I personally witness guys who love to brag about playing fast (is it really a race to the 19th hole or to a lower handicap?) and yet, they are the same guys that either can't putt from 3 feet when when it counts in match play or in Club events mainly because they constantly give themselves and others 6 footers as a "gimme". I don't know about you, but I live on a golf course. When I tee it up at 8 a.m., that is my day. I'm there to try to shoot my lowest score every day. As long as I am keeping pace, that's all anyone can expect to be honest. Some guys here who are retired seem to be in a great hurry to a. Not putt out. b. Brag about a 3.5 hour round c. Run home to take a shower and a nap. I don't walk around the hole from all sides (although I am entitled to having paid my fees) nor, do I pretend that every putt is for a million bucks. However, how do you know that what you might be witnessing is someone who just may be shooting his/her lowest round of their life? In my opinion, having a 3.5 hour round is less important than reducing your handicap. As long as the latter doesn't impede others. We all pay our greens fees and I don't pay mine to play at a faster pace just because the guys behind me aren't putting out or who may be playing a scramble, I adhere to Rule 21.2 when it applies to speed up play and also allow faster players (3 ball or twosomes) to play though. Anything else requires just a bit of patience on others' part. You sound like a player who putts well, and for that I congratulate you. May we all aspire to reach that level of play with the flat stick. Cheers!

Having played golf for 30 years now and finally coming into my own after retirement, like everyone else my goals have changed each year. Last year I accomplished something that I thought I would never be able to do and that is to win a championship at my club as a first year member. I was able to weather the brackets and win our Club Men's Match play Championship. Doing so reminded me that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. So this year my goals for 2021 are as follows: Reduce my handicap to at least 9.0 And maintain that or better throughout this year. I’m currently on the cusp of going back up to an 11 handicap after some recent setbacks in my personal game. For the last two years I have attempted to make our club Challenge Cup team and failed to do so. So this year I would like to make our team so as to represent my club against another club in the area.

A single birdie today on our #6, par 5 today thanks to a wonderful Lob wedge leaving me 4 feet from the hole.

I shot 88 today with one birdie on our #6, par 5. Great wedge from only 3 yards off the green from about 20 yards away from pin into the wind left me only a 4 footer for birdie. My putting left lots to be desired.

Day 2 (3/18/21): Played 18 today and carded an 88 with one birdie on #6 (par 5). Didn't putt well today. Fairways and Greens, Frank

Added my hat to the ring. Filled in my line on the spread sheet. Hopefully I didn't screw things up! Fairways and Greens, Frank

Day 1 (3/17/21) 🍀: Worked for an hour on putting and short game. In particular proper eyes over the ball alignment, taking the putter head away on a controlled and straight line. Worked on flop shots over a bunker from tighter lies than usual. Fairways and Greens, Frank

Amen to that. And I'll add that I really like when Matchplay season at our Club comes around. Because these same "fast players" who love to brag about their 3.5 hour rounds are the same guys who cannot putt. They love to play so fast that their gimmes on the green have gone from leather length to length of the flagstick. I putt everything out, everyday, every round. (Rule 21.2 maximum score notwithstanding of course). Fairways and Greens, Frank