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That’s because it is Marcus Edblad.
Thanks Commish.
People say that nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.
No championships worth mentioning in recent years.
Progress is man's ability to complicate simplicity.Adriano and I decided to re – kindle the Mummbannar Masters this morning at 9 a.m. but extended the comp to 18 holes. The was a break in the weather and we got to play in still conditions, not a bit of wind.
I didn’t start out that well, pulling my tee shot into the weeds left side. I punched out with my SL 19 Hybrid, then put a LW onto the green+ 2 putts for a bogey. A bogey start isn’t all that bad. Hole two was one of those holes where nothing was terrible , but the score keeps going up. The drive start line was too far right , so I was blocked out from a straight shot at the green. I mishit the 4Hybrid fade attempt, but it was O.K. position wise. I tried a SW shot at the green, but chunked it short. Chipped it on and 2 putted for 6. I hit a par on the par 5 third. The rest was bogey golf, except the 8th where I three putted for a second double bogey. I finished the front 9 with a par.
The back none had two more double bogeys and 3 pars. Both the doubles were the result of poor iron shots in the mud. I am thinking that I should go up and club and swing easy to see if that works any better. I am hitting the dirt and the club goes too deep into the soft ground.
90 OTS : 5/18 GIR, 2 up and downs, 35 putts. 11/18 tee shots in play.
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Another D grade game in the wind and slop at Portland.
I started poorly with a triple bogey and really struggled until hole 16 when I finally hit a par on the par five. I used my 3 Hybrid 12 times, ten of them punch shots out of trouble I mishit SW shots three times inside 70 m. Full shots just seem to be not working when I hit the soft ground. I missed three very short putts. I was too timid and the slope took control and they rolled past the rim of the hole. Then my cart battery was too low, so I walked the last 9 holes with tight golf shoes on. Sore toes now!
Two steps
Holes 16 worked; nice draw shape off the tee, good 4W second shot, 6 H just missed the green, chip and putt for a par.One Step back
Holes 1-15, 17-18 were not pretty1 user liked this post.
I thought Marcus Edblad had fixed your game. Have you forgotten it all?
I’ve watched a number of his videos – it all makes sense.People say that nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.
No championships worth mentioning in recent years.
Progress is man's ability to complicate simplicity.Possibly it is working too well and my shots are drawing too much. I did hit a ripper on Hole 16 though.
I have not spent much time working on the method as yet on the range. I will try to get out an give it a go between rain and squalls.
One thought I had was perhaps my heel weighting may no longer be necessary. In reality I think I am aiming done the centre and the ball is running off the left side. Lack of confidence that it will draw? Bad Habits? I will get back to you later.1 user liked this post.
Later: After spending an hour or so maintaining the Great Southwest Walk, I then went to the 12th and cut out more Sweet Pittosporum. I am beginning to hate this invasive weed, that someone decided would make a great ornamental plant in their garden about 20 years ago. Now it has spread though our National Parks ( they have not done a thing a bout it) and most road verges and it is turning the 12 th into a jungle. It grow prolifically in some soil types and forms a canopy, killing everything beneath it. So far cutting it downs and Roundup 100% on the cut stump is all that seems to kill it. Once it is cut down you need to clear and burn the debris , other wise it sprouts up underneath the felled trees again.
When I finished the battery power, I went back over to the practice are to work on my Driver. It was still full! Darn, so I slipped over to the10th and hit about 5 balls off the tee. I aimed right rough and let it rip, then slightly less right etc. It turns put that I was just aiming too central yesterday. I picked up 4/5 balls ( one went into the mud) and took a short cut to the 16th and repeated the process. First on went too far right, second one just right. I repeated again at the landing zone , using a tee. Lined it up and it worked. I repeated again using the old cracked ball I found and lined up a tree behind the green and let it fly at it. Yep that worked. It worked on the 17th with he ball coming back to centre fairway. I took the opportunity to hit my 5 Hybrid (my 145m club) that I had altered to 24.5 degrees setting, and hit one from just inside the 150 m to just short of the green ( measure 147m)
I was having trouble with that club feeling too closed at 25, but it is probably just that, feeling. I hit a few fade shots with Driver off the 18th tee ( 175m par 3) and even managed to get one to stay on the green. I chipped the balls on with the sand wedge from all around the green, even sunk one! Much better outcome today with the SW.Maybe I will play again tomorrow and see if it all works better?
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Today I had a much better effort, even though the wind was a strong SW and the course was wet after last night’s downpour. I was signed up for a 9:30 tee off time, with one other bloke who didn’t arrive. So I could not take part in the” non- competition”. Rather than trail slowly behind the groups ahead I chose to hit off at 10.
On #10 I hit into the wind and into the slop when it hit the ground. I managed 160m. The 7W approach shot off the slop was short and right, but my PW chip went 2.3m from the hole. I missed it.
I hit a 4W into the wind on the par 3 #11 hole and luckily hit a tree left side of the fairway and stopped it pin high. Thinking that i would need a bit of run to get the ball onto the green I chipped with my 9 i. It went through the green, so I chipped it back on with the SL hybrid for a double bogey. Bother!
On the tee at #12 I channeled Marcus Edblad and hit a draw off the tee , with the wind moving it just a bit more left than ideal. It went 206m (thank you Marcus) I hit the 5H at the green 140m away and it made it. That 1/2 degree loft adjustment perhaps?
I two putted from 5.3m out. Par.Hole #13 started with a 193m draw, then a 158m 7W to the corner ( wind got it and pushed it right) , then my GW approach hit the green with wind assist from behind ( good club selection guess) and 2 putts from 10.4 m for a par.
Hole #14 over the dam, I didn’t really strike the ball well, but the ball was in play. I hit a 6H at the green but the wind pushed the ball left and short (I under clubbed) . I bumped it on with the SL Hybrid to 3 m out, but missed again. Bogey.
On Hole #15 I tried to keep the tee shot low out of the wind and it sort of worked. The ball made it to the corner and my 7W was just right of the green, short sided though. I chipped on with my 60 degree wedge and the ball was 1.5 m from the pin. I got it! Par! This hole is still very wet and soft.
Across the road with the wind coming over my right shoulder I did the channeling thing again and got a 204m drive ( yes!), then a 178m 4W shot that put me 126 m out with the wind at my back. I hit a 9i but it was 14m too long, so another SL hybrid bump and run got the ball within 2.2m. I missed!. Bogey.
Hole #17 back into the wind I managed to get the tee shot 173m to the corner, then a well hit 4W got me to 14m out, but short sided again. The 60 degree worked to get the ball onto the green, and I 2 putted from 4.2 m. Bogey.
Hole #18 with the wind at my back I tried a fade 7W, but it missed the green right side. I hit the SL hybrid 19 m to within 1.5 m and made par.
By now there were others playing the front 9 so I slotted in behind a group of three players and slowly finished my round.
I tried an alternate strategy on the dog leg #1 hole. I hit off the tee with the 4W to get to the corner, then faded a 7W onto the green and two putted for par from 4.2m. Efficient!On hole #2 I tried a draw off the tee and it ended up left rough thanks to the wind. Same with the 4W approach shot fade. It didn’t fade with the wind pushing it left. Mental note aim at the pin. Bogey.
The tee shot on #3 went well ( 200m) but ended up right side ( wind again) . I was lucky with the fade SL hybrid shot just missing the branches. My 8i approach shot landed on the green and a 2 putt from 7.1m for par.
The 4W tee shot on #4 wasn’t long, but well positioned. I thinned the 6H approach shot over the crest and the ball ended up just past the green. I used the SL hybrid again ( poorly this time/ too short) and two putted from 14.8m Happy for a bogey on this hole.
Hole #5 was similar, except I judged the SL Hybrid shot strength better. Bogey.
I made par on 6. Very workman like performance! Tee shot to corner, iron on the green and 2 putts.
The #7 hole tee shot was a ripper 219m ( wind assisted) then a slightly ugly 172m 4W shot, followed by the shot of the day. The lie wasn’t great but a a partial GW put the ball 4.6 m out and I didn’t miss for once. Birdie. I made par on 8&9 too, due to a couple of good irons shots that I didn’t pull left.
In some ways it felt a bit of a waste of time today, but I did manage to get better off the tee and improved my iron shots eventually. That would have to be the two steps forward. Possibly an honourable mention for the SL hybrid too, a very versatile weapon.
One step back? My short putts are still not as reliable as I would like, though I missed fewer of them today. I tried to roll the ball through the pin, rather than being tentative.
I used The Golf Doctor’s 70% rule today. I didn’t try and hit the cover off the ball into the wind= less time with recovery shots.
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I don’t usually start out on the front 9 all that well. I have tried warming up prior to the game and starting without a warm up and the results were not all that different. Today I had a hit with my mate Tony. He was delayed by a domestic issue so I tried a different strategy. I teed off with my 4W , working on the idea that even with my best shot and wind assist ( as it was today) , My best shot won’t run through the dog leg and the worst one will still make the inside corner, leaving me with a 150 m approach shot. I hit four balls off the tee before Tony arrived ( there was no-one else around) and it showed there was some benefit using the 4W.
When Tony arrived I hit off and proved the idea that my worst shot would still be playable. It ended up in the left rough inside corner 150 m out. I punched it out with my trusty SL 3H but it finished short. Using my 60 degree with a Dave Pelz technique I put the ball on the green, and then managed a 3 putt from 5.5m out.
My attempted fades off the tee on holes 2,5 and 6 all ended up left rough, but i scrambled back into paly and scored bogeys on 2,3,4&5. I had a tee shot on play from the left rough on 6 and managed to par the hole. My tee shot on 7 was poorly struck, but I hit a reasonable 7W second shot ,then a great fade 6H near the pin for another par. My tee shot on the par 3 8th hole went right, but a good PW chip got me to 1.5 m but the putt slid by the hole. On hole 9 I aimed a little further right and placed a fade shot to a good position ( It took all game to work out the aim) I should have allowed more for the wind on the 7 i approach. it was 10 m short, but I two putted form 14.2 m for a third par.
OTS 43; Fairways hit 4/7, GIR 2/9 up and downs 1/6 putts 18; A lovely sunny morning with light winds
Two steps
1) My faded tee shots really are not fading much/ if at all, so I need to aim more right for the straight shot to stay in the fairway.
2) Short game was working. It was fun using the LW, something I don’t do muchOne Step Back
I think I still revert back to swinging around my body too soon, rather than along my swing plane and finishing higher.Tomorrow I only have time to play 9 holes again, but I am looking forward to see if i can reduce my errors when under pressure.
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Well my mind was not on task on Tuesday and the results over 9 holes were the worst I have returned for ages. Erratic and poor decisions.
Today i did a 9 hole practice session. After a warm up using my launch monitor ( PRGR) I tested Driver swing speed with and without the heel weight I have been playing with for 12 months.. I put the heel weight on when I was struggling to close the club face in time, but lately my drives have been going too far left. I still retained control without the weight and gained a few mph.
I hit a few pars and one birdie on the front 9. Confidence restored, I went home as the thunderstorm approached the town area.
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Blustery weather is common in Portland in Spring time. Today started out wet ( how unusual) but a break in the weather saw Tony and I tee off for a quick 9 holes.
My tee shot on the first hole hooked into the trees, but I escaped well with a 3 H punch shot, then a short PW chip and 2 putts for a Bogey.
My tee shot into the wind on hole 2 was better but still ended up left rough, opening up the hole. I struck the 4W well, but it was 30 m shorter than average. PW and 2 putts for another bogey.
Hole three I pulled the tee shot into the trees left side, but it ricocheted out into the fairway. My attempted 7W fade clipped another tree. A 170m 3H got me 54m out. A partial SW and 2 putts for Bogey.
At least my attempted fade off the tee on the 4th. faded, but it went a bit too far right. I had no direct shot and my attempted fade around the tree didn’t fade. So I had a LW shot over another tree/ bunker to then 2 putt for a Bogey ( four in a row).
Hole 5 fade off the tee didn’t, a 3H punch shot got me onto the green and 2 putts for a bogey ( 5 in a row) .
Hole 6 my drive hit the middle of the fairway. Yes! I had a 98 m metre shot to the front of the green. My PW shot went 95m! I bump a 3H shot to 1.5 m from the hole and missed it with a round the world rim out putt. so near, yet….! Bogey.
I pushed the tee shot on 7 out right, hoping the wind would bring it back in. Nope. Another punch shot 3H from under the pine trees. My 7W approach didn’t reach the green, neither did my LW shot ( need to hit this club harder). Bogey again .
Hole 8 into the wind I thought maybe a choked down 6H will reach. Well it would of, had I hit it well. 8i chip on and 2 putts for a Bogey.
I tried draw shape shot and hit ts well off the 9th tee. Had that tree not been there/ or had I aimed better it would have been a great shot. I bumped a 3H out onto the fairway, then over drew a 7 i shot to left of the green. It was a poor lie and my PW chip only just made the green. Never fear I sunk, a 17 m putt for a bogey ( again)
After that effort, I think I can rename myself ” the true bogey golfer” ( Sorry Geoff) .
Moral of the round:It only takes one good shot to salvage a hole. Putting well helps!
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I played at 8 a.m. with a good bunch of players. We had fun despite the wind and drizzle.
My game was a tale of two halves. I score 42 on the front 9 ( before the drizzle) and 50 on the soggy back nine. I had a slump in form on holes 10-13 (including one OOB tee shot) and then got a fit of the pull shots and stuck in the mud on 18. I pulled my tee shot into the slop, then could not get out. I just missed my first putt and missed a sitter second putt by not following through. It was time to stop!
3 pars, 11 bogeys, 4 doubles = 92 OTS./ 32 points
I need to practice my tee shots ( aim line and follow through along my swing path) I pulled too many left and sent a few attempted fades not far enough left. I hit 6/14 fairways ( TSIP on the front nine 6/9, on the back nine 4/9), A lot of my approach shots I pulled left but distance was good. ( 1/18 GIR) and my chipping was poorly aimed. Judgement with putting was less than great ( 35 putts)
Overall not my worst game of late, but plenty of room for improvement.
The wind dropped late in the day, so I went out for a practice. I bumped into Adriano, so we played 10 holes together.
I hit more fairways ( 4/8) , made 2 GIR and 4/7 up and downs. Short game and putting ( 17) went better. Since I took the heel weight off the driver I have to aim further left for fade shape tee shots and make a bit more effort to close the face for draws, to avoid the push out right shots.
I used my LW a few times for short chips to good effect, getting closer and on line to the pin ( tried to aim better). On hole 3 I pulled my Drive into t trees, needing a punch out. I hit a really good 7 i onto the green to save bogey, proving it only take one good shot to salvage a hole. I over faded the tee shot on #4, but hit a ripper 5H shot onto the verge of the green. The 3H chipoin hole #5 was the saving shot, ending 1,5 m from the pin. The 30 m LW chip out of the rough was about 2m from the pin. I rolled a 3H chip 1.5 m form the hole on hole 9.
So 5 pars, 5 bogeys. 45 OTS. Only the 10th fairway was boggy, but I managed to avoid landing in thr slop for once.
I played in the local “non-competition” this morning starting at 8 a.m. It was cold, windy and light drizzle conditions, just as it has been for weeks. I played with three single figure handicap players, all great blokes and very sociable.
I can do the two steps/ one step thing easily today. Just like the other day when I played 10 holes, I scored 5 pars and 5 bogeys, but today I added a record 8 doubles. OTS 93.
Two Steps forward
1) My tee shots mostly hit the fairway and had some distance. A couple hit the fairway but rolled off, so I had a few punch out shots.
2) My approach shots from 140-160 m were on song todayOne step back
1) Chipping and putting. My chips were too short, often just reaching the green. In the softer slow conditions I should have been clubbing up one club to get some roll. My first putts were not too bad speed wise. but I missed about 4 short putts. I wasn’t following through. I did 10 minutes on the putting green practice after the game doing the 3 foot circle drill.
When I stick to my pre- shot routine I play better. I lack discipline!!!I forgot to add that at about hole 14 the sun came out. Spring at last!
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Weather permitting, I am hoping to play at Stawell and the Halls Gap 9 hole course over the next few days.
It will a cross training exercise, because I will be using my Wife’s clubs ( Cleveland hybrid-irons, a mini Driver, 5 W and 7W ladies flex, chipper and 64 wedge). I left my travel 1/2 set ( Tour Edge hybrid- irons and a 5W $90 the lot including the bag) in Adelaide. My wife’s irons are stronger lofted than my SL irons and the 1/2 set by about one club number. That is, if I use a 6 iron for a distance, I need to use a 7 iron in her set for the same distance.I have just finished reading a copy of the book, ” Honesty Box Golf Courses of Western Victoria”, by Henry and Hugh Peters.
It is a coffee table hard copy style book with great photographs of the small country courses where you can play golf for very low cost and place your cash into a box at the course when you rock up. Some courses out here are using the web site Bookatee. com.au for booking a tee time, but many courses no-one mans the office. They have only volunteer labour and do a really great job.If you want a copy contact info@underthecard.com for details.
It covers ;
1) Peterborough ( Otways coast/ stunning scenery)
2) Apollo Bay ( as above)
3) Grampians ( near Dunkeld- fitness test uphills)
4) Halls Gap ( more scenery)
5) East Framlingham ( Warrnambool area)
6) Timboon ( think cheeses/ whisky inland form the Otways)
7) Heywood ( wildlife all over the place/ great design/ roughs are rough)
8) Casterton ( another good design)
9) Winchelsea ( just past Geelong)
10) Birregurra ( cafes/ pretty/ near Geelong.)It would be a great holiday to go west and golf all of these over a few weeks. Of course there are the more established clubs too, such as Colac, Terang, Warrnambool, Pt Fairy, Portland, Hamilton, Stawell and Horsham to play as well.
They all have their challenges and none are more than 4 hours from Melbourne. Warning: the roads are shit past Geelong, getting worse, nearly dangerous near Portland / B Double truck capital of Victoria. You will work out why no-one out here owns low slung sports cars with low profile tyres very quickly.1 user liked this post.
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