It's been a week without a lot of high and lows. I've been scoring pretty well, but still fighting the long stick.
It became clear on the 17th hole that my shoulder turn was lacking. Why, o great gods of the golfing realm does it take so long in the round to become apparent?
That led to a spectacular up and down on the 17th and a simple par 5 with birdie possibilities on the 18th.
A drive down past the traps, a simple hybrid to 100 yards and a smooth wedge to 12 feet or so. Left the putt a bit short - which was my miss on the day and wrapped up a 77 while only hitting two solid drives all day.
The weather has been cold for a couple of weeks, but today I saw the sun rise on the way to the course. The high has returned and heat will soon follow.
We've been playing early in the morning with tee times about 7:30. Temperatures in the high 50s, with low 80s when completed. The grass is wet and greens not mowed for the day, but a nice time to play. The play goes pretty quickly then too, so a 4 hour round is not much of an issue.
My use of the tour tempo for the putting continues to do wonders for my putting. My lines are a lot better and distance control is very good, even on the long ones. For those who may have joined the blog later, I'm trying to swing into the ball twice as fast as I took the putter back. I'm giving it a bit of a hit. The short putts have become trivial.
Played with a couple of strangers on Thursday with Ted. They were really loose about the rules and improved lies and conceded lots of 3 footers. Tom said that who wants to watch someone grind over it to make it? Just pick it up and keep going. It led to a more relaxed and entertainment oriented session than trying to "be a golf pro."
Along those same lines, I played with a threesome who were in a tournament where all putts had to be putted out. I swear that if they made a rule conceding all three putts, they would spreed up play by 20 minutes a round. Watching bad putters grinding over their 4th putt is not worth the time.
That's about all of it. I'll try to remember to take a huge back turn the next time I play. I'm going to invent the driver that allows you to write notes on it with chalk - useful for slippery minded aged golfer.
Play well my friends.
Friday, August 25, 2017
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
And It Was Going So Well
And it was through 13 holes.
I took yesterday off as I have a couple of sore toes. I seem to lift my foot with just my second toe. It gets banged a lot and eventually bruises under the nail. Then fluid collects, the nail comes off and grows back in again. This happens with both feet - "foolish consistency" and all of that. So shoes are critical to my foot happiness.
So I limp onto the course and hit some ropy hook on the first hole. Sling a utility to get close then a delicate up and down for a par.
Second hole is even easier. My drive is a pull, but not a hook! This hole is a par 5. Then a utility to about 130, an iron that comes up short of the green by about a foot. I chip this in to get to one under par.
I par the next two with GIRs and two putts.
The 5th is a tough hole for me as the drive is critical. I top the drive and it goes a full 40 yards. Utility to 120, 9 iron to the green, but I can't make the 5 footer. So I'm back to even.
Par 6 and 7 with GIRs. Then on the par 3 8th, 145 over a pond, I hit a sweet 6 iron which I spin back to about 4 feet. This goes in and I'm one under.
The 9th is usually a bogey hole as it requires a good drive. I forget to try to kill it and manage to get it down the middle. This leaves me 150 to a back pin behind the bunker. Good old 6 iron to the rescue and I hit it to 6 feet. I leave the putt short on line! I'm despondent, but then realize that it was a birdie putt and I've gotten through the front nine one under.
The 10th is usually not too tough. I hit a 3 wood, but it comes out low, hits the top of the rise and goes down towards the flat, which is 150 out. I find myself with a down hill lie and 150 to go. Out comes Mr. Six Iron and I'm 3 feet from the pin. That putt goes down. Two under for the round.
Then pars through 13, all GIR and two putts, and then it gets ugly! Well, not too bad, I par all holes but 14, 16 and 18, but go triple, double, bogey on them. Very sad.
The putting was really good. I got it up and down every time. I'm still using the tempo stuff from the last post for that. I'm finding the short popping hit keeps it on line much better than the old style, which probably caused a longer swing in both directions and that allowed me pull and push frequently.
Ok, maybe next time! I'm looking into New Balance shoes, but I'd like to look at them before I buy. I stopped at Dick's to see what they had, but they don't stock NBs! The search goes on.
But it was fun to play well. Controlling shots and hitting them where you want is gratifying and rewarding. I hope no one ever steals the 6 iron.
My shot length is shorter than I'd like it to be, but I can't argue with the direction control. Now if I can ever get relaxed over the driver....
I took yesterday off as I have a couple of sore toes. I seem to lift my foot with just my second toe. It gets banged a lot and eventually bruises under the nail. Then fluid collects, the nail comes off and grows back in again. This happens with both feet - "foolish consistency" and all of that. So shoes are critical to my foot happiness.
So I limp onto the course and hit some ropy hook on the first hole. Sling a utility to get close then a delicate up and down for a par.
Second hole is even easier. My drive is a pull, but not a hook! This hole is a par 5. Then a utility to about 130, an iron that comes up short of the green by about a foot. I chip this in to get to one under par.
I par the next two with GIRs and two putts.
The 5th is a tough hole for me as the drive is critical. I top the drive and it goes a full 40 yards. Utility to 120, 9 iron to the green, but I can't make the 5 footer. So I'm back to even.
Par 6 and 7 with GIRs. Then on the par 3 8th, 145 over a pond, I hit a sweet 6 iron which I spin back to about 4 feet. This goes in and I'm one under.
The 9th is usually a bogey hole as it requires a good drive. I forget to try to kill it and manage to get it down the middle. This leaves me 150 to a back pin behind the bunker. Good old 6 iron to the rescue and I hit it to 6 feet. I leave the putt short on line! I'm despondent, but then realize that it was a birdie putt and I've gotten through the front nine one under.
The 10th is usually not too tough. I hit a 3 wood, but it comes out low, hits the top of the rise and goes down towards the flat, which is 150 out. I find myself with a down hill lie and 150 to go. Out comes Mr. Six Iron and I'm 3 feet from the pin. That putt goes down. Two under for the round.
Then pars through 13, all GIR and two putts, and then it gets ugly! Well, not too bad, I par all holes but 14, 16 and 18, but go triple, double, bogey on them. Very sad.
The putting was really good. I got it up and down every time. I'm still using the tempo stuff from the last post for that. I'm finding the short popping hit keeps it on line much better than the old style, which probably caused a longer swing in both directions and that allowed me pull and push frequently.
Ok, maybe next time! I'm looking into New Balance shoes, but I'd like to look at them before I buy. I stopped at Dick's to see what they had, but they don't stock NBs! The search goes on.
But it was fun to play well. Controlling shots and hitting them where you want is gratifying and rewarding. I hope no one ever steals the 6 iron.
My shot length is shorter than I'd like it to be, but I can't argue with the direction control. Now if I can ever get relaxed over the driver....
Monday, August 14, 2017
Tour Tempo Part 3
The jury is still out on the long game tour tempo.
I topped a lot of shots and didn't hit a reasonable drive until the 18th. Sadly, all things work at the range and it seems, not much on the course. Towards the end I was letting my hands and arms be tension and effort free. That seemed to allow my lower body to do what it was supposed to. The last 2 and a half holes were pretty smooth.
However, there was a bright spot.
Part of this tour tempo is in re putting. The pros take the putter back at 1/2 the speed of the forward swing -- if you can call putting, swinging!
I found this to be quite useful. My distance control was wonderful and I canned 4 birdies. The other guys in the group were starting to make comments. I was three over after the first two holes and ended the day at two over.
I knocked in some long ones and made almost all of the shorter ones. It felt like a pop or hit to me, which is strange. But, I cannot argue with its effectiveness!
There is a pro who does not use this 2 to 1 tempo and he is Jordan Spieth, who is a one to one guy and arguably the best putter on the tour these days. So it may still be more of an art than a science...
I topped a lot of shots and didn't hit a reasonable drive until the 18th. Sadly, all things work at the range and it seems, not much on the course. Towards the end I was letting my hands and arms be tension and effort free. That seemed to allow my lower body to do what it was supposed to. The last 2 and a half holes were pretty smooth.
However, there was a bright spot.
Part of this tour tempo is in re putting. The pros take the putter back at 1/2 the speed of the forward swing -- if you can call putting, swinging!
I found this to be quite useful. My distance control was wonderful and I canned 4 birdies. The other guys in the group were starting to make comments. I was three over after the first two holes and ended the day at two over.
I knocked in some long ones and made almost all of the shorter ones. It felt like a pop or hit to me, which is strange. But, I cannot argue with its effectiveness!
There is a pro who does not use this 2 to 1 tempo and he is Jordan Spieth, who is a one to one guy and arguably the best putter on the tour these days. So it may still be more of an art than a science...
Sunday, August 13, 2017
About that Tour Tempo
I am not sure I was clear enough on Luczak's remarks in the previous post. His line was that you want to swing fast and to do that, you need a fast backswing.
I went off to the range today with my club head speedometer to see what I could see.
I found that trying to take a faster backswing increased my club head speed by about 5 mph. I was consistently in the upper 90s instead of 92 +-.
"But, how was the hit?" Yes, without solid contact we don't want to go faster. I found that it was as good as my slower swings.
"How about lower versus upper body, Mr. Hume, you were working on that?" Excellent question dear reader. I found that in trying to hit the ball faster, I was using the lower body pretty well. All the misses were off to the right, but they were all up in the air.
Bobby Lopez predicted that if you just threw the club (or a ball) you'd do it all naturally and start with the lower body. Since I was reacting to a fast backswing and trying to get back to the ball, there wasn't a lot of time to think about anything. I just swung.
I'll give this a go on the course tomorrow. What I'll lose in accuracy will be made up in the additional distance.
I went off to the range today with my club head speedometer to see what I could see.
I found that trying to take a faster backswing increased my club head speed by about 5 mph. I was consistently in the upper 90s instead of 92 +-.
"But, how was the hit?" Yes, without solid contact we don't want to go faster. I found that it was as good as my slower swings.
"How about lower versus upper body, Mr. Hume, you were working on that?" Excellent question dear reader. I found that in trying to hit the ball faster, I was using the lower body pretty well. All the misses were off to the right, but they were all up in the air.
Bobby Lopez predicted that if you just threw the club (or a ball) you'd do it all naturally and start with the lower body. Since I was reacting to a fast backswing and trying to get back to the ball, there wasn't a lot of time to think about anything. I just swung.
I'll give this a go on the course tomorrow. What I'll lose in accuracy will be made up in the additional distance.
Saturday, August 12, 2017
Tour Tempo
I had some range time today. I'm working on the usual things, with an emphasis on getting the lower body to move first and keep the upper body relaxed until the end of the swing.
This was suggested in a comment in a YouTube video, that when you activate the arms/hands, then that will cause the trunk and lower body to slow or stop to provide the resistance required to move the upper body.
Ok, I say to myself, I can do that. The guy also had some numbers that the use of the hands should only be done in the last 40 milliseconds of the swing. Ok, but that's 4/10ths of a second and I would suggest that the swing ain't that long and 4/10ths might be earlier than the common golfer would think.
Now I see a video today about "Tour Tempo." The guy measured all the tour pros and found that there is a 3 to 1 tempo in the swing of elite golfers. Back swing takes 3 times longer than the downswing. Want to swing faster? Then speed up the tempo!
There's an app for that!
There is the official app, Tour Tempo golf for $24.99, and we have various metronome apps starting at free - with ads, at least one of them is golf oriented.
I also ran across Tony Luczak's video about speeding up the swing. This is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dxjv3ygwO0
He has three parts to his plan and swinging faster is one of them. That led me to a comment on the video that led to tour tempo. There are YT videos from them too.
I tried some of this at the range today. I don't remember how I remembered to try this. I saw the above videos after the range session.
So tomorrow, while Barb goes off and sews I'll try to swing faster with tempo!
Results will be reported later. I hope I remember to take my club head speedometer!
This was suggested in a comment in a YouTube video, that when you activate the arms/hands, then that will cause the trunk and lower body to slow or stop to provide the resistance required to move the upper body.
Ok, I say to myself, I can do that. The guy also had some numbers that the use of the hands should only be done in the last 40 milliseconds of the swing. Ok, but that's 4/10ths of a second and I would suggest that the swing ain't that long and 4/10ths might be earlier than the common golfer would think.
Now I see a video today about "Tour Tempo." The guy measured all the tour pros and found that there is a 3 to 1 tempo in the swing of elite golfers. Back swing takes 3 times longer than the downswing. Want to swing faster? Then speed up the tempo!
There's an app for that!
There is the official app, Tour Tempo golf for $24.99, and we have various metronome apps starting at free - with ads, at least one of them is golf oriented.
I also ran across Tony Luczak's video about speeding up the swing. This is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dxjv3ygwO0
He has three parts to his plan and swinging faster is one of them. That led me to a comment on the video that led to tour tempo. There are YT videos from them too.
I tried some of this at the range today. I don't remember how I remembered to try this. I saw the above videos after the range session.
So tomorrow, while Barb goes off and sews I'll try to swing faster with tempo!
Results will be reported later. I hope I remember to take my club head speedometer!
Monday, August 7, 2017
Equiptment Review VPro500S TecTecTec range finder
I think I have the model number right.
This unit is from a French company, who make various range finders and some optical stuff too.
What sets this guy apart is that it's less than $200. It has three modes and will do slope calculations, scan mode for checking out a bunch of stuff and a non-slope mode for tournament play.
My old unit was a Bushnell Medalist. Cost about $250. It's about 5 years old. It didn't do slope.
The market is made up of a few big names, Bushnell, Leupold, Nikon, and some other guys. I'd not heard of Tec^3 until I wandered over to Amazon. The name brands with slope can run you up to $500. That is more than I wanted to spend.
There are a couple of reasons I bought this. I wanted a finder with slope as I was curious about it. It seems my course is totally flat! But there are others that I play on occasion that do and I wanted to gather some numbers.
Also, while the old finder does a nice job on the flag sticks I play on, the sticks have reflectors built into them. The Bushnell has a lot of trouble picking out the stick without the reflectors. Even with them, the readings don't lock in quickly or at all. It was occasionally tough to use.
The new guy is lightening fast to get a number and never missed. I was impressed with its ability to find the sticks.
It's smaller than my old one and lighter too. The carrying case is just ok. I want to hang it on my carry bag and it's really setup for a belt loop. I ran a carabiner through the belt loop and used it that way. I may alter this setup. The case is zipper closed, but also has an elastic band that attaches to a stud to keep it closed. So you get a quick access mode and also a secure zipper mode. Well thought out. Also, even when fully open the case, which is padded and stiffened, has straps to keep it from falling open and spilling the finder.
Update: I've run a flat stainless loop under the belt loop of the case. I then used another tiny S shaped locking carabiner from REI to connect to a key ring. The key ring was large enough to go through a "hole" in the top of my golf bag (Sun Mountain Sports 3.5 III). I'm happy with this. The case does not bounce around nor change position and is about as secure as I can make it.
Looks to be a solid units, works well and I'm happy for now. Only real draw back is that it takes a strange 3 volt battery. But they are supposed to be easy to find and will last about a season.
Update, I managed to drop the unit while playing and it survived it's trip to the fairway just fine. :-)
This unit is from a French company, who make various range finders and some optical stuff too.
What sets this guy apart is that it's less than $200. It has three modes and will do slope calculations, scan mode for checking out a bunch of stuff and a non-slope mode for tournament play.
My old unit was a Bushnell Medalist. Cost about $250. It's about 5 years old. It didn't do slope.
The market is made up of a few big names, Bushnell, Leupold, Nikon, and some other guys. I'd not heard of Tec^3 until I wandered over to Amazon. The name brands with slope can run you up to $500. That is more than I wanted to spend.
There are a couple of reasons I bought this. I wanted a finder with slope as I was curious about it. It seems my course is totally flat! But there are others that I play on occasion that do and I wanted to gather some numbers.
Also, while the old finder does a nice job on the flag sticks I play on, the sticks have reflectors built into them. The Bushnell has a lot of trouble picking out the stick without the reflectors. Even with them, the readings don't lock in quickly or at all. It was occasionally tough to use.
The new guy is lightening fast to get a number and never missed. I was impressed with its ability to find the sticks.
It's smaller than my old one and lighter too. The carrying case is just ok. I want to hang it on my carry bag and it's really setup for a belt loop. I ran a carabiner through the belt loop and used it that way. I may alter this setup. The case is zipper closed, but also has an elastic band that attaches to a stud to keep it closed. So you get a quick access mode and also a secure zipper mode. Well thought out. Also, even when fully open the case, which is padded and stiffened, has straps to keep it from falling open and spilling the finder.
Update: I've run a flat stainless loop under the belt loop of the case. I then used another tiny S shaped locking carabiner from REI to connect to a key ring. The key ring was large enough to go through a "hole" in the top of my golf bag (Sun Mountain Sports 3.5 III). I'm happy with this. The case does not bounce around nor change position and is about as secure as I can make it.
Looks to be a solid units, works well and I'm happy for now. Only real draw back is that it takes a strange 3 volt battery. But they are supposed to be easy to find and will last about a season.
Update, I managed to drop the unit while playing and it survived it's trip to the fairway just fine. :-)
Monday, Monday
I was looking forward to playing today. There were things that worked well at the driving range and I was oping they would carry over to the course.
Bottom line is that some did and some didn't. On the whole, nothing got worse and irons and short game got better.
I was able to once again prove that a good drive is not required to par a hole. I only hit one and still shot 77.
It is even clearer to me that a short game is more vital than anything. Sure it's nice to hit irons like "frickin' lazer beams," but pitching to 3 feet is wonderful stuff.
I putted well today. Though I did hit a couple fat.
Can I insert a grid? Let me try... Well, it seems not. U/D is up/down, i.e., a chip or pitch to the green. GIR is green in regulation.
Hole Par GIR U/D Score
1 4 Y Y 3 Topped drive, Up and down from 160 yards
2 5 y 5 Topped tee shot!
3 4 y 4 Topped drive, ran out ok
4 3 n y 3
5 4 n n 5 Missed 4 footer for par
6 5 y 5
7 4 y 4
8 3 y 3
9 4 6 Topped a drive into the weeds - nasty
10 4 n y 4
11 3 y 3
12 4 y 4
13 5 n 6 Bunkered drive, hit the lip on the way out. U/D from 100 yds
14 4 y 4 Got it u/d from 80 yds
15 3 y 3
16 4 y 4 First good drive of the day
17 4 y 4
18 5 y 6 Only 3 putt on the day.
So I scored pretty well, but the tee shots make for hard work. Up and down 7 times out of 9. 30 putts. 9 one putts.
I think I get off plane on the driver. I don't remember to do that until the 15th hole or so.
Bottom line is that some did and some didn't. On the whole, nothing got worse and irons and short game got better.
I was able to once again prove that a good drive is not required to par a hole. I only hit one and still shot 77.
It is even clearer to me that a short game is more vital than anything. Sure it's nice to hit irons like "frickin' lazer beams," but pitching to 3 feet is wonderful stuff.
I putted well today. Though I did hit a couple fat.
Can I insert a grid? Let me try... Well, it seems not. U/D is up/down, i.e., a chip or pitch to the green. GIR is green in regulation.
Hole Par GIR U/D Score
1 4 Y Y 3 Topped drive, Up and down from 160 yards
2 5 y 5 Topped tee shot!
3 4 y 4 Topped drive, ran out ok
4 3 n y 3
5 4 n n 5 Missed 4 footer for par
6 5 y 5
7 4 y 4
8 3 y 3
9 4 6 Topped a drive into the weeds - nasty
10 4 n y 4
11 3 y 3
12 4 y 4
13 5 n 6 Bunkered drive, hit the lip on the way out. U/D from 100 yds
14 4 y 4 Got it u/d from 80 yds
15 3 y 3
16 4 y 4 First good drive of the day
17 4 y 4
18 5 y 6 Only 3 putt on the day.
So I scored pretty well, but the tee shots make for hard work. Up and down 7 times out of 9. 30 putts. 9 one putts.
I think I get off plane on the driver. I don't remember to do that until the 15th hole or so.
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Fundimental Errors
The problem with golf, if you can't "just do it," is keeping track of all the stuff you're trying to do.
I watched a video the other day about the driver. One of the things mentioned is to keep the right hand below the left. In other words, we do not want a rapid roll of the wrists any where near the hitting area.
I've not sure I've heard it expressed in that way before. But at this point I'm a willin' to try just about anything.
Now I feel a bit like Zack Johnson when I swing. He has a problem with his left elbow and can't roll his arms over. I felt that I was holding off the roll of the wrists. It felt strange, but I could not argue with the impacts.
On more tidbit was the setup a la Mo Norman, who liked to put his driver about 10 inches behind the ball. This kept him from getting leaned to the left at setup and keep behind the ball during the hit. Since the drive is hit on an upward path, this "offset" seems a solid and useful tool.
This was mentioned by a pro, who will do this when he is having driver problems on the course.
So, golf tomorrow. More later! Also I purchased a new range finder, so I'll have some comments on that.
I watched a video the other day about the driver. One of the things mentioned is to keep the right hand below the left. In other words, we do not want a rapid roll of the wrists any where near the hitting area.
I've not sure I've heard it expressed in that way before. But at this point I'm a willin' to try just about anything.
Now I feel a bit like Zack Johnson when I swing. He has a problem with his left elbow and can't roll his arms over. I felt that I was holding off the roll of the wrists. It felt strange, but I could not argue with the impacts.
On more tidbit was the setup a la Mo Norman, who liked to put his driver about 10 inches behind the ball. This kept him from getting leaned to the left at setup and keep behind the ball during the hit. Since the drive is hit on an upward path, this "offset" seems a solid and useful tool.
This was mentioned by a pro, who will do this when he is having driver problems on the course.
So, golf tomorrow. More later! Also I purchased a new range finder, so I'll have some comments on that.
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Ode to a Golf Swing
I went to the concert in the park today. It's a normal Friday activity.
The band, Tommy and the Four Speeds, sang older rock and roll songs. They seemed to pick the songs that lamented love gone bad. It seemed to be a minor chord type of evening. But I knew all the songs and found them enjoyable to listen to (with ear plugs, of course!).
So I'm thinking because of the music of love gone awry and it led me back to my golf swing.
I played 18 holes on the executive course today, followed by 120 balls at the range and then off to Costco for lunch.
There was also a YouTube video on why golf lessons are a waste of time. It all got me to thinking that I ought to write an ode or two to the mercurial golf swing.
Now, I've not written any odes, but quite a few limericks. I may start there just to get it all going.
I've also stumbled across a number of titles for golf books. How about "Chip, Chip, Putt, Putt, Putt" as a title for a short game book?
I once knew a swing for a week
I climbed to quite a nice peak.
Then the magic left,
Leaving me so bereft,
And off for another to seek.
The band, Tommy and the Four Speeds, sang older rock and roll songs. They seemed to pick the songs that lamented love gone bad. It seemed to be a minor chord type of evening. But I knew all the songs and found them enjoyable to listen to (with ear plugs, of course!).
So I'm thinking because of the music of love gone awry and it led me back to my golf swing.
I played 18 holes on the executive course today, followed by 120 balls at the range and then off to Costco for lunch.
There was also a YouTube video on why golf lessons are a waste of time. It all got me to thinking that I ought to write an ode or two to the mercurial golf swing.
Now, I've not written any odes, but quite a few limericks. I may start there just to get it all going.
I've also stumbled across a number of titles for golf books. How about "Chip, Chip, Putt, Putt, Putt" as a title for a short game book?
I once knew a swing for a week
I climbed to quite a nice peak.
Then the magic left,
Leaving me so bereft,
And off for another to seek.
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Catching up, or Mother requests a new post!
As far as I know my mother is my sole loyal reader. Uncle Bill, are you still out there?
Mom wants to know what is happening with the golf. So, let me fill you in.
It's been a pretty good week for golf, though the course has been "bought" out by some union for all of tomorrow, which is Friday and normally a looked forward to golf day. (I asked if union toughs would be around as enforcers. I was told they would not. But they have not bought out the executive course, so Rich II and myself will journey forth tomorrow.)
But I'll be happy to talk about today. It's been hot this week and I usually wear some of the fancy new ultra athletic shirts. They wick and are great in hot weather as long as you have a breeze. If it's calm, they are hot.
It was overcast today. Had I been in Chicago, I would have expected rain. But not in northern California.
The front nine is crowded on Thursdays. The ladies have it from 8 to 10 and then the old guys are 10 to some thing. So Rich II and I went off the back.
While I always feel I owe the many gods thanks whenever I am on a golf course (that's all dad's and grandpa's fault), today was magic. There was no one in front of us and no one behind. We banged along at our usual pace and had a great time.
Rich II and don't have much in the way of preshot routines and like to get up there and hit it. So we hit and go and repeat.
We both walk and probably went around in an hour and something. We don't talk too little nor too much. "The company of like minded men," as my father has noted a time or two.
I played well and was just banging along and not thinking about much. This is the mode in which I play pretty well. My irons were hot, my driver was better than usual, but still a problem. A couple of birdies and some crud got me around in 38 -- two over.
We made the turn and lo and behold no one but Wayne on the tee. Wayne is part of the gang of 7 who play on Monday mornings. They have been kind enough to include me in their group and it's been a pleasure to play with them.
We join Wayne and off we go. Another magic nine, we play with no waiting until the 8th hole.
I manage another birdie on 6, getting it up and down from 150 yards. Mess up 9 when I try to fade a utility in from 185 and push then fade it. I tried to flop it over bunkers to a tight pin. That goes long and I chip long and two putt. There was only one other bogey to go with this and if you are keeping track, the front is done in 38 also for a grand total of 76. A good round and I was happy with my striking for the most part. The driver excepted of course...
The sun comes out and it gets steamy. I'm sweating through my shirt and feel a soggy mess. I would have done 27, but I'm still looking for shoes that won't hurt my feet.
Speaking of golf shoes. I usually wear running shoes, but if they are not water proof the goose leavings and reclaimed water make them a smelly mess after a while. The Men's club provides a nice station to clean shoes with compressed air. This is great and welcome, but the air tends to separate the layers off the bottom of the shoes, hastening their demise.
So I bought some Walter Hagen shoes. These are very inexpensive, about $40. The uppers are water proof and very soft. The bottoms a single piece of extruded rubber with modest spikes. That's good since I don't like to change shoes and I can wear these off the course after the rounds.
My only problem with them is the padding under foot is a bit thin. I've got a tendon or something that runs under the ball of my right foot and if it's not protected with some nice soft foam, it can be painful for long sloughs. A round is about 5 miles on soft terrain and that's about my limit.
I added some padding, but it's not the best. I think I'll try some new balance golf shoes next. They tend to fit me well and I see them on sale on occasion.
Then off to Costco for a Polish sausage. Some around the house stuff and now for a nice nap!
Mom wants to know what is happening with the golf. So, let me fill you in.
It's been a pretty good week for golf, though the course has been "bought" out by some union for all of tomorrow, which is Friday and normally a looked forward to golf day. (I asked if union toughs would be around as enforcers. I was told they would not. But they have not bought out the executive course, so Rich II and myself will journey forth tomorrow.)
But I'll be happy to talk about today. It's been hot this week and I usually wear some of the fancy new ultra athletic shirts. They wick and are great in hot weather as long as you have a breeze. If it's calm, they are hot.
It was overcast today. Had I been in Chicago, I would have expected rain. But not in northern California.
The front nine is crowded on Thursdays. The ladies have it from 8 to 10 and then the old guys are 10 to some thing. So Rich II and I went off the back.
While I always feel I owe the many gods thanks whenever I am on a golf course (that's all dad's and grandpa's fault), today was magic. There was no one in front of us and no one behind. We banged along at our usual pace and had a great time.
Rich II and don't have much in the way of preshot routines and like to get up there and hit it. So we hit and go and repeat.
We both walk and probably went around in an hour and something. We don't talk too little nor too much. "The company of like minded men," as my father has noted a time or two.
I played well and was just banging along and not thinking about much. This is the mode in which I play pretty well. My irons were hot, my driver was better than usual, but still a problem. A couple of birdies and some crud got me around in 38 -- two over.
We made the turn and lo and behold no one but Wayne on the tee. Wayne is part of the gang of 7 who play on Monday mornings. They have been kind enough to include me in their group and it's been a pleasure to play with them.
We join Wayne and off we go. Another magic nine, we play with no waiting until the 8th hole.
I manage another birdie on 6, getting it up and down from 150 yards. Mess up 9 when I try to fade a utility in from 185 and push then fade it. I tried to flop it over bunkers to a tight pin. That goes long and I chip long and two putt. There was only one other bogey to go with this and if you are keeping track, the front is done in 38 also for a grand total of 76. A good round and I was happy with my striking for the most part. The driver excepted of course...
The sun comes out and it gets steamy. I'm sweating through my shirt and feel a soggy mess. I would have done 27, but I'm still looking for shoes that won't hurt my feet.
Speaking of golf shoes. I usually wear running shoes, but if they are not water proof the goose leavings and reclaimed water make them a smelly mess after a while. The Men's club provides a nice station to clean shoes with compressed air. This is great and welcome, but the air tends to separate the layers off the bottom of the shoes, hastening their demise.
So I bought some Walter Hagen shoes. These are very inexpensive, about $40. The uppers are water proof and very soft. The bottoms a single piece of extruded rubber with modest spikes. That's good since I don't like to change shoes and I can wear these off the course after the rounds.
My only problem with them is the padding under foot is a bit thin. I've got a tendon or something that runs under the ball of my right foot and if it's not protected with some nice soft foam, it can be painful for long sloughs. A round is about 5 miles on soft terrain and that's about my limit.
I added some padding, but it's not the best. I think I'll try some new balance golf shoes next. They tend to fit me well and I see them on sale on occasion.
Then off to Costco for a Polish sausage. Some around the house stuff and now for a nice nap!
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