Playing in 30-40 kph gusty NW winds wasn’t much fun. The course is drying out at last, so that is an improvement, but there is still very little roll of the ball unless the shot has a very low trajectory. I had spent some time practicing my Driver shots the day before and felt more confident. I managed to hit 8/14 fairways with my tee shots. I did lose a lot of distance into the wind, but managed to pull two tee shots into the weeds and had the wind catch another shot and push it into the trees on the right of the fairway. I was trying to ” swing easy” but I think my pull shots were the result of trying too hard. My intended line down the left side of the pines on hole 7 to allow for the wind was a great plan. In execution however, I managed to clip the edge of the trees and the ball stopped dead into a pile of pine needles, my least favourite lie!

OTS 91; 5 pars, 8 bogeys, 5 doubles. All of the doubles were on holes that my tee shots were poor. I was having a struggle with my longer approach shots (outside 8 iron range) I hit about 5 fat and had the dreaded double pitch/chip shots to reach the green. In the end I changed strategy and rolled more of my shorter shots onto the green, keeping the ball low. My 7 iron-hybrid head came loose during the game too. Most disconcerting to feel it waggle at the top of the backswing!

Stats in case anyone is remotely interested; 4 GIR, 2 up and down. 35 putts. 31 points.
Two Steps
1) My Driver was better although I missed a few fairways. I did hit my 7 Wood and 4 wood to effect
2) The low short game shots worked. I three putted a few times, but the first one was very long ( 3 putt territory)

One step back
1) Strike on my 6,7 iron-hybrids was fat. Maybe I should put the single length 6&7 irons back in the bag?

A window of opportunity is what I would call the break in the atrocious weather pattern. Adriano and I braved the elements and avoided getting bogged on the course after the deluge of rain we had last night. The purpose of the practice was to see if I could play 18 holes and try out a another driver and a 4 Wood. The Driver was a Tour Edge HL3 ( their budget / non -adjustable) 10.5 loft. I hit it OK but Adriano is having a fit of the horrors again. He can still get an acceptable power fade with my HiBore driver about 40% of the time. The HL3 was no good to him. I also wanted to try a Ping G20 4 Wood that I borrowed from my neighbour .
I was hoping that it would be better off the tee on an uphill par 4 hole, but in reality my Cobra SZ out performed it. I guess it should being considerably more modern. I did a few good shots with the Ping though. I managed he 18 holes.

Spring has arrived at last! Adriano and I started at 7 a.m. Sunday, meeting for a 9 hole practice round. Typically for me I hit two horrible shots off the tee , but the third shot was beauty. I need to hit a few shots before I play.

Tee shots are hitting the fairway. I am drawing the ball well, using the baseball grip. I have confidence in the shot now.
Fairway shots are reliable with 7W and 3 hybrid.
Approach shots from 120-135 m I am getting them pin high, but lateral dispersion is a bit wide.
I hit the green with full shots with my GW and SW .
Putting was good today with speed control ( not missing long ones by much)

It poured rain and hail this morning. Any thoughts about playing the competition this morning were squashed.
Later as the rain abated I went out for a practice. Whom should I meet there , but Adriano. He was working on hitting his Driver. He has a G425Max that he struggles with, hitting the ball low on the face and struggles to get a decent launch angle. He has reverted to using a 13 degree Cobra max. He asked if he could try my old Cleveland HiBore 10.5 Driver ( I had taken my travel half set ) and we were both surprised when he smashed the ball high and down the centre of the practice area. Go figure!

We decided to play the practice loop; holes 1,2,3, 8 & 9. I walked for my daily exercise quota. Adriano hit his tee shots very well with my $90 Driver. It took me a few shots to get any performance out of the Ping ( stiff shaft). It sounded sort of dull/ hollow. I hit a few good shots and scored two pars. It was fun and my confidence is restored.

Can break 80 wrote:

xrman wrote:

I heard an expression, ” Those who cannot do; teach”. Maybe it applies to my caddie experience with Adriano last weekend. I gave him a 5 point plan to follow, which is just course management 101 really. He started using the Driver for 5 holes, then put it away to use his 22 Hybrid off the tee instead. Things took an upturn and he ended up with 37 points to come second on the day. I basked in his reflected glory, but maybe seeing he did it again next day without my help, I should say briefly basked instead.

I drove myself to the course yesterday and played 9 holes, from 40 m out that is. I chipped on from the areas I usually come up short. Just for practice I used my LW only and putted trying to get down in 3. Mostly it worked, but I did hit a horrible thin shot on hole 4 and lost the ball. I think the ball was a tad too far forward in my stance.

did you putt with LW,? try it its really good practice and you can really roll ball very well.

Actually I did a few times when I was getting tired and didn’t want to walk back to my cart to get my putter. I am heading put again in the morning for the back 9, doing the same exercise 20–40 yard pitch shots and putting.

One more week to go and I can drive again. I even mowed the grass yesterday.
I went out for a practice session with Adriano again last night. We are working on his course management skills. With me watching, he feels pressure. I explain that is is simulating a game situation. Like many golfers he plays better when solo. At present he is playing off 21, but with his length of shot, he could be close to single figures if he could control the shots better, attempt less hero shots.
Just for fun I used a putter with a Kotahi grip ( BJM) . I saw a video from BJM explaining how to best use this grip. Wonders! It worked so much better when I followed the instructions.

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Can break 80