The Golf Thread

[Spurs_Bear]

Do any of you use any shot trackers?

I've just won a new Shot Scope V3 GPS watch and shot tracker system and can't wait to try it on the course to see if it can help me reduce my handicap. More likely I'll just see how far my average shot into the trees is and how long I spend there but do any of you use them and have any tips etc?

I've got a Garmin S60 and to be honest I'd feel lost without one now, always use it for yardage and it works like a scorecard and spits out all your stats at the end like fairways hit, GIR and number of putts etc.

 

[spurs mental]

Do any of you use any shot trackers?

I've just won a new Shot Scope V3 GPS watch and shot tracker system and can't wait to try it on the course to see if it can help me reduce my handicap. More likely I'll just see how far my average shot into the trees is and how long I spend there but do any of you use them and have any tips etc?

I've got a Shot Scope v2. I love it and I've only used it twice now.

Shows where my misses are left and right so I gear my practice round that info. It's great on the course for distance info too but if you can get the use out of the post round info it will help massively.

 

[jazz15c]

All about putting practice for me right now. I'm shooting anywhere between 78 and 84 on a regular basis for the last 2 months, but there is always at least 34 putts in there, sometimes 38 or 40...which is ridiculous. It's lag putting that is getting me, I'll leave myself 15 feet away after the 1st putt, then it's the dreaded 3 putt...!

However, I did manage to put it all together last Tuesday at Bungay GC on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and shot 71 gross, 2 over par. 28 putts. Ridiculous round, genuinely felt like I couldn't miss a shot.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

All about putting practice for me right now. I'm shooting anywhere between 78 and 84 on a regular basis for the last 2 months, but there is always at least 34 putts in there, sometimes 38 or 40...which is ridiculous. It's lag putting that is getting me, I'll leave myself 15 feet away after the 1st putt, then it's the dreaded 3 putt...!

However, I did manage to put it all together last Tuesday at Bungay GC on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and shot 71 gross, 2 over par. 28 putts. Ridiculous round, genuinely felt like I couldn't miss a shot.

Yeah 34 putts for someone shooting those scores regularly is very ordinary. Reckon you must 3 putt 3/4 times a round?

I’m shooting virtually exactly the same scores and have about 30-32 putts per round

Shot a very solid 75 today at Epsom GC which is quite a quirky little course with really tricky greens

Came home in level par, which is always nice

 

[spurs mental]

All these great scores being posted and here I am playing my worst round for 2 years. 27 points.

Lacked any energy going out on the course and just couldnt muster anything. Still hit a few nice shots but just one of those days where I didn't want to be on the course.

 

[Danny1]

So after the lockdown was eased & the golf courses opened up I joined the local 9 hole membership only course and have played in the evenings 3 / 4 times a week. It's really quiet at that time and I tend to go out in a 2 ball only and can finish up really quickly. I did it to primarily bring my handicap down as I was playing off 12 and was struggling to get it any lower.

So since 25th May I have played there 36 times and have played 5 other 18 hole rounds and I have finally achieved my single figure handicap. Currently 8.6 and improving solidly. It's amazing how much better I have become by simply playing more. I played last night and shot a 2 over 9 hole and just felt comfortable the whole way round. It's a tight course and I've realised that if I dont hit the fairways then Im having a bad round and that has helped massively when I play the other courses that are more forgiving.

 

[jazz15c]

So after the lockdown was eased & the golf courses opened up I joined the local 9 hole membership only course and have played in the evenings 3 / 4 times a week. It's really quiet at that time and I tend to go out in a 2 ball only and can finish up really quickly. I did it to primarily bring my handicap down as I was playing off 12 and was struggling to get it any lower.

So since 25th May I have played there 36 times and have played 5 other 18 hole rounds and I have finally achieved my single figure handicap. Currently 8.6 and improving solidly. It's amazing how much better I have become by simply playing more. I played last night and shot a 2 over 9 hole and just felt comfortable the whole way round. It's a tight course and I've realised that if I dont hit the fairways then Im having a bad round and that has helped massively when I play the other courses that are more forgiving.

Single figure hcap...the stuff of dreams! Well played sir

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Single figure hcap...the stuff of dreams! Well played sir

How do you get to single figures?

 

[spurs mental]

How do you get to single figures?

Good course management is key. One hole at a time, and keeping a solid mentality is important too, not to lose the head and when you have a bad hole or 2 on the spin. And circa 25-30 putts max per round.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Good course management is key. One hole at a time, and keeping a solid mentality is important too, not to lose the head and when you have a bad hole or 2 on the spin. And circa 25-30 putts max per round.

That’s all well and good but the correct answer is Practice! ?

 

[Teemu]

Good course management is key. One hole at a time, and keeping a solid mentality is important too, not to lose the head and when you have a bad hole or 2 on the spin. And circa 25-30 putts max per round.

I went round in +21 today but had 42 putts Tee to green I’ve never hit it better. So frustrating

 

[spurs mental]

I went round in +21 today but had 42 putts Tee to green I’ve never hit it better. So frustrating

7-10 putts less and you're close to breaking 80.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

I went round in +21 today but had 42 putts Tee to green I’ve never hit it better. So frustrating

42 actual putts on the green or did you count a few that you putted from around and just off the green?

42 sounds like a hell of a lot as I’d image you didn’t hit most of the greens in regulation

Out of interest how many greens did you hit in regulation?

 

[jazz15c]

I won my 1st ever comp yesterday. Played at a new course (Bowood GC, North Cornwall), shot 84, 12 over par (playing off 18 hcap). 42 points.

Tough conditions (WIND!!!), course was a lot longer than I'm used to, and the greens were massive but very fast. Adapted really well, very pleased with my progress, hard work paying off!

I have a comp at my home course on Saturday AM, and would like a hcap cut after that, as it's getting a bit embarassing now...

 

[southlondonyiddo]

I won my 1st ever comp yesterday. Played at a new course (Bowood GC, North Cornwall), shot 84, 12 over par (playing off 18 hcap). 42 points.

Tough conditions (WIND!!!), course was a lot longer than I'm used to, and the greens were massive but very fast. Adapted really well, very pleased with my progress, hard work paying off!

I have a comp at my home course on Saturday AM, and would like a hcap cut after that, as it's getting a bit embarassing now...

Absolute Bandit

How long has it been a bit embarrassing for you? ?

You’ve obviously been playing well under an 18 hcp for some time. Why would you not want to get a lower handicap as quickly as possible and play off the correct ballpark figure hcp

I know it’s nice to win comps but it’s even nicer to win comps off your correct handicap against other players all off their correct handicaps

Well done but go and cut yourself at least 5 shots and/or hand in 3 cards ASAP

If you are regularly getting 40+ stapleford points you need to be cut 5 minimum. Probably more

I reckon on average the correct number of stapleford points for the correct handicap is 32/33 points

 

[jazz15c]

Absolute Bandit

How long has it been a bit embarrassing for you? ?

I moved clubs about a month ago, and I was well worth the 18 shots at the old club, but the new place suits me, as the emphasis is on accuracy rather than length. So I'd say it's only been an issue for about 2/3 weeks, and there have been no comps in that time, nor do I know any members that I can go around with and sign my card.

Like I said though, I have a comp this weekend, and will happily take a cut. 14/15 is about right for me tbh.

 

[Teemu]

7-10 putts less and you're close to breaking 80.

I know! Was so happy with my game and just threw away a really good score. But still pretty satisfying nonetheless.

42 actual putts on the green or did you count a few that you putted from around and just off the green?

42 sounds like a hell of a lot as I’d image you didn’t hit most of the greens in regulation

Out of interest how many greens did you hit in regulation?

I had one three-putt from the fringe and one from absolutely miles away, but had four others where I was either GIR or GIR+1 within 25 feet and made a three-putt. Was GIR on 8 holes and made 6 pars - didn't have a single one-putt!

Played two more rounds over the weekend where my irons were far worse but thankfully chipped and putted a lot better.

As someone who’s pretty new to playing seriously, I was surprised to learn that handicaps weren’t so much of an average but more of an aspiration based on your best round - I’d always assumed that scoring 36 was “expected”!

 

[jazz15c]

As someone who’s pretty new to playing seriously, I was surprised to learn that handicaps weren’t so much of an average but more of an aspiration based on your best round - I’d always assumed that scoring 36 was “expected”!

I'm the same, my experience of comps is limited (think i've played about 3 in the 18 months of playing the game) so I always assumed that everyone gets 36 points. Apparently not...

 

[spurs mental]

Played Sunday just gone, 34 points with two blanks but overall 10 over gross. 26 putts and 3 hole outs from just off the green (1 from a bunker).

Those chip ins were in large part thanks to my proximity to the hole when I was just off the green. Game coming together nicely now.

Hitting almost 60% of fairways and most of my misses are to the left(I've always been a drawer of the ball so fighting a bit of a pull still, only missing to the right 8% of the time.

Who we fancying for the Tour Championship?

 

[jazz15c]

Played Sunday just gone, 34 points with two blanks but overall 10 over gross. 26 putts and 3 hole outs from just off the green (1 from a bunker).

Who we fancying for the Tour Championship?

26 putts would be wet dream stuff for me! Outstanding work.

Hard to look past DJ with a 5 shot lead in the form he is in. Schauffele seems to have the measure of the greens though.