First day of summer? The weather was glorious the car said 21 degrees. Just a polo shirt required.
In the pro shop I suggested that I would like to swap my latest carry bag for a bigger one. The chap in the shop was not impressed. Never mind will have to try to sell 2 bags and buy one.
Today was a repeat of the annual 7 iron challenge. This year we had a variation. I used a 7 and 9 iron and R used an 8 and a pw. Before we played I was hoping that I would be better but as the round progressed I realised that this was probably a bad score day. Funny because it seemed quite an easy round. I only lost 1 ball in the pond on the 15th. I hit more fairways than usual and did some nice golf shots.
Somewhere around the 9th/10th I lost my putter cover and it played on my mind for a couple of holes and caused a 10 on the 11th. I think that it came down to the last hole and R won by 1 point. I never found it and it had not been handed in. So no more putter cover for me (one less thing to think about).
The fairways were in great condition but the greens were a bit lumpy and there were still a few wooden tees.
We started off following a 2 ball but they stopped to wait for friends after 9. One lone golfer was following but did not want to be called through he was having too much fun in the sunshine.
The only trouble we had was hitting balls into the sun. This is always a problem at Paultons in the evening.
todays score .. nothing to write home about
Sun 21 Apr 2013 18 Holes Dummer
Hey its Summer? This is the first time this year (In England) that it has felt like a nice Summers Day.
First game with M since Arran!
We had time for a quids worth of balls before setting off at 12:26 but we were forced to pay 2 quid each thats a 100% increase. Perhaps its because that now have new yellow range balls. Anyway we had missed a warm up in Scotland so here was chance to prove it is useful.
Personally it didn't help much but M was playing like an expert for the first few holes (at least).
The course was in very good condition except perhaps the greens had lots of holes, this is good for the future I expect. Even the bunkers had san (as I found out.. grr).
For a change I took my 3W and foud it worked quite well, I even managed to hit some fairways. M took his driver which got used to good advantage.
On the 5th M decided he had lost a club cover. I jogged back to to the 4th tee only to find nothing. It was in his bag..... :-o.
At the end of the first 9 we were drawing but at the end of the day M won by at 3 holes a real thrashing.
First game with M since Arran!
We had time for a quids worth of balls before setting off at 12:26 but we were forced to pay 2 quid each thats a 100% increase. Perhaps its because that now have new yellow range balls. Anyway we had missed a warm up in Scotland so here was chance to prove it is useful.
Personally it didn't help much but M was playing like an expert for the first few holes (at least).
The course was in very good condition except perhaps the greens had lots of holes, this is good for the future I expect. Even the bunkers had san (as I found out.. grr).
For a change I took my 3W and foud it worked quite well, I even managed to hit some fairways. M took his driver which got used to good advantage.
On the 5th M decided he had lost a club cover. I jogged back to to the 4th tee only to find nothing. It was in his bag..... :-o.
At the end of the first 9 we were drawing but at the end of the day M won by at 3 holes a real thrashing.
Fri 19 Apr 2013 Practice 100+ Balls
So last week I was playing every day. So try to keep the momentum and keep hitting balls.
I did my usual 9i, pw, sw, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4r, 5w, 3w progression and everything was great. If anything I would say I had a slight left tendency. I can't hit my wedge for toffee.
So near the end I did an imaginary game at Paultons and (just as in real life). I was not nearly as good off the tee.
What was the problem...? Trying too hard.... grr.
Still fun!
I did my usual 9i, pw, sw, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4r, 5w, 3w progression and everything was great. If anything I would say I had a slight left tendency. I can't hit my wedge for toffee.
So near the end I did an imaginary game at Paultons and (just as in real life). I was not nearly as good off the tee.
What was the problem...? Trying too hard.... grr.
Still fun!
Wed 17 Apr 2013 Practice 100+ Balls
In my mind I decide that I needed to check out a few ideas that had occurred to me while playing golf every day on Arran and also to figure out why I had trouble at Paultons Park yesterday.
I think the difference between Paultons and our Scottish adventure was the length of the holes. Paultons is quite a bit longer. So what happens? I try too hard.
Today at practice I made sure that my extra swish at the end of my back swing is still working. I am sure this gives me at least 10 yards extra which is good.
As usual I started with my low irons chipping and worked up to my 3W. No real problems although I was hitting more left than usual (not sure why).
By the end I had got back into he relax "strawberry mouse" back swing and as usual I was surprised how little effort is required to hit the ball a nice distance.
For the first time today I experimented with a low tee for my 4r and it was working very well. Something to try on the weekend!
I think the difference between Paultons and our Scottish adventure was the length of the holes. Paultons is quite a bit longer. So what happens? I try too hard.
Today at practice I made sure that my extra swish at the end of my back swing is still working. I am sure this gives me at least 10 yards extra which is good.
As usual I started with my low irons chipping and worked up to my 3W. No real problems although I was hitting more left than usual (not sure why).
By the end I had got back into he relax "strawberry mouse" back swing and as usual I was surprised how little effort is required to hit the ball a nice distance.
For the first time today I experimented with a low tee for my 4r and it was working very well. Something to try on the weekend!
Tue 16 Apr 2013 18 Holes at Paultons Park
OK first day playing golf after Arran... Really looking forward to it!
With R starting about 4pm ish. No one in front and a lone golfer behind. We let him through at hole 7.
The weather was great the first spring day of golf at Paultons this year. The bunkers had been given a good rake and the fairways were quite dry. (If only I could hit them!). There were some holes that had mats instead of tees which is always disappointing these days.
I had forgotten my towel to clean balls and clubs also there is a lack of ball cleaners on the first 9. This was not good as balls and clubs collected mud and grass at an alarming rate. The funny thing is I would not have noticed last year... Is that improvement?
I managed to putt well on the first 9 with no 3s and one 1. This drifted on the back 9 with four 3 putts. My new motto is "think 2 putt" hey ho thats golf.
Today I had reduced my handicap to 28 and played the worst I have for a while.. So it was Rs turn to win... A thrashing.
Still the weather was amazing and fun was had!
My scores.
With R starting about 4pm ish. No one in front and a lone golfer behind. We let him through at hole 7.
The weather was great the first spring day of golf at Paultons this year. The bunkers had been given a good rake and the fairways were quite dry. (If only I could hit them!). There were some holes that had mats instead of tees which is always disappointing these days.
I had forgotten my towel to clean balls and clubs also there is a lack of ball cleaners on the first 9. This was not good as balls and clubs collected mud and grass at an alarming rate. The funny thing is I would not have noticed last year... Is that improvement?
I managed to putt well on the first 9 with no 3s and one 1. This drifted on the back 9 with four 3 putts. My new motto is "think 2 putt" hey ho thats golf.
Today I had reduced my handicap to 28 and played the worst I have for a while.. So it was Rs turn to win... A thrashing.
Still the weather was amazing and fun was had!
My scores.
Fri 12 Apr 2013 12 Holes at Shiskine OR Chocolate for Breakfast!
The last day of the Arran Challenge!
Another early start but neither of us were rushing to leave the house, it was pouring. But it was the last day and M needed to win by more than 8 holes to complete a great comeback. So there was no way we would miss it.
The local Lamlash bakery was closed and there was a note on the door saying back in 10. We opted to get to the golf course and see if we could get a breakfast butty there.
Shiskine is over the other side of the Island so it was up to Brodick and turn left across the string road. As we drove, the rain turned to snow, heavy snow at the top, we were forced to slow down. Golf did not look very likely. Soon over the top and the snow turned to rain and the rain gradually eased.
By the time we parked to get our card stamped the rain had stopped... very lucky! Now for the bad news, breakfast was not possible at the club until the restaurant opened in 20 mins. So we were forced to eat Fruit and Nut chocolate bars for breakfast. It was the nearest thing to a breakfast that was available in the pro shop! We were told that there was 2 people already playing and some were booked to follow us.
So with a bar of chocolate for breakfast off we went.
I had played this course last year so I had some advantage. The course is so good that I had played it over in my mind many times since, hence now I remember it in great detail.
First hole I hit the fairway with a very average shot and M went right. I continued down the fairway with poor shots until reaching the green and 2 putting. M went over the mountains to the right. (This turned out to be part of the 11th hole).
2nd hole was a bit better and I made steady progress to the hole. M went right again.
3rd hole is the signature onto the cliff hole. I managed to get over the hill onto the edge and M got 90% up the hill. We completed this hole with no trouble. Is that what happens when you practice for a week?
4th hole down from the cliff. M hit a good one just off the green. My first attempt went right and I assumed it was lost. I took a provisional which was also lost so I took my mulligan and hit one short. Luckily for me I found my first ball on a nice ledge. So all was well if not a bit lucky! And perhaps cheating?
5th hole was down to the seashore. I did a nice shot to the right and M had a bit of trouble off the tee and ended up under a bench.
We waited a bit for the 2 people behind in a buggy to catch up but they were so slow we carried on and ended up finishing a long way in front. No idea how!
6th hole is along the sea heading for a sunken green infront of the hill. Played this well and got a par.
7th hole is over the hill. This year I remembered that you can go right if you are happy with at least 4.
I was happy with my 4. The direct way to the green is over the Himalayas!
8th hole is back to he sea. Black cat crossed both our paths (unusual or lucky!). I got to the green in 2 I think and another par.
9th hole is the long one over the hill then over the burn then up onto the green. I managed to stick to the fairway and avoided the water (unlike last year).
10th hole is down across some heather to par 3. I ht a nice 4r just short of the green. By this time M was flagging with the start of cold/flu and a long week of golf!
11th hole is across the mountains that M had crossed on hole 1. I hit my 5W and it went right but was perched up so that I had a great view of the hole. M went onto the first fairway...
12th is easy par 3 if you can avoid going over the back. I pitched short but 1 putt for another par.
This was my best round of golf ever... hence the long blog.
And it also sealed my title of Arran Challenge winner 2013. Roll on 2014!
The restaurant was open and we had a great breakfast... M was convinced that if breakfast had been before the game then things would have been different.
But thats not all... on return to the cottage we had a couple of hours chipping practice while inventing a game of football that relied on hitting a golf ball at a football and trying to get it into the goal. We had to give this up after about 3/4 hour as only minimal progress. Don't expect to see this as an olympic sport anytime soon.
Another early start but neither of us were rushing to leave the house, it was pouring. But it was the last day and M needed to win by more than 8 holes to complete a great comeback. So there was no way we would miss it.
The local Lamlash bakery was closed and there was a note on the door saying back in 10. We opted to get to the golf course and see if we could get a breakfast butty there.
Shiskine is over the other side of the Island so it was up to Brodick and turn left across the string road. As we drove, the rain turned to snow, heavy snow at the top, we were forced to slow down. Golf did not look very likely. Soon over the top and the snow turned to rain and the rain gradually eased.
 |
| Proof of the snow! |
By the time we parked to get our card stamped the rain had stopped... very lucky! Now for the bad news, breakfast was not possible at the club until the restaurant opened in 20 mins. So we were forced to eat Fruit and Nut chocolate bars for breakfast. It was the nearest thing to a breakfast that was available in the pro shop! We were told that there was 2 people already playing and some were booked to follow us.
So with a bar of chocolate for breakfast off we went.
I had played this course last year so I had some advantage. The course is so good that I had played it over in my mind many times since, hence now I remember it in great detail.
First hole I hit the fairway with a very average shot and M went right. I continued down the fairway with poor shots until reaching the green and 2 putting. M went over the mountains to the right. (This turned out to be part of the 11th hole).
2nd hole was a bit better and I made steady progress to the hole. M went right again.
3rd hole is the signature onto the cliff hole. I managed to get over the hill onto the edge and M got 90% up the hill. We completed this hole with no trouble. Is that what happens when you practice for a week?
4th hole down from the cliff. M hit a good one just off the green. My first attempt went right and I assumed it was lost. I took a provisional which was also lost so I took my mulligan and hit one short. Luckily for me I found my first ball on a nice ledge. So all was well if not a bit lucky! And perhaps cheating?
5th hole was down to the seashore. I did a nice shot to the right and M had a bit of trouble off the tee and ended up under a bench.
We waited a bit for the 2 people behind in a buggy to catch up but they were so slow we carried on and ended up finishing a long way in front. No idea how!
6th hole is along the sea heading for a sunken green infront of the hill. Played this well and got a par.
7th hole is over the hill. This year I remembered that you can go right if you are happy with at least 4.
I was happy with my 4. The direct way to the green is over the Himalayas!
8th hole is back to he sea. Black cat crossed both our paths (unusual or lucky!). I got to the green in 2 I think and another par.
9th hole is the long one over the hill then over the burn then up onto the green. I managed to stick to the fairway and avoided the water (unlike last year).
10th hole is down across some heather to par 3. I ht a nice 4r just short of the green. By this time M was flagging with the start of cold/flu and a long week of golf!
11th hole is across the mountains that M had crossed on hole 1. I hit my 5W and it went right but was perched up so that I had a great view of the hole. M went onto the first fairway...
12th is easy par 3 if you can avoid going over the back. I pitched short but 1 putt for another par.
This was my best round of golf ever... hence the long blog.
And it also sealed my title of Arran Challenge winner 2013. Roll on 2014!
 |
| M getting to the green on the 2nd. |
 |
| Looks like an awkward lie? |
 |
| Change your club then. |
 |
| Not the only ones here there are 2 more. |
 |
| Down the cliff! |
 |
| M got here in 1. |
 |
| Putting into the sea. |
 |
| Putt cam practice. |
 |
| Bag forgotten? |
 |
| Tee cam. |
 |
| Long chip. |
 |
| Looks like me. |
 |
| M over the hills. |
 |
| Its wasn't warm. |
 |
| Tee cam practice. |
 |
| Nice shot to the green. |
 |
| Last shot. |
 |
| Close up! |
The restaurant was open and we had a great breakfast... M was convinced that if breakfast had been before the game then things would have been different.
 |
| Butty Cam. |
But thats not all... on return to the cottage we had a couple of hours chipping practice while inventing a game of football that relied on hitting a golf ball at a football and trying to get it into the goal. We had to give this up after about 3/4 hour as only minimal progress. Don't expect to see this as an olympic sport anytime soon.
 |
| Hit the football with the golf ball..? Why would you do that? |
Thu 11 Apr 2013 9 Wet + 9 Dry holes at Lochranza
This day was meant to include a walk on Holy Isle but the morning rain put us off.
Instead we waited until the afternoon to trip over to Lochranza Golf course for out penultimate Arran Challenge. We arrived at about 3:15 and probably started playing about 3:30 perhaps a bit later. As usual there was no one around to pay. We picked up a Mars bar each from the local restaurant (mental note to return here for meal sometime).
On the first tee we were greeted by the owner. She signed our card and explained how the sheep were struggling since the terrible snow of a couple of weeks before. We were concerned as there were sheep on the first fairway.
This golf course was very different to others on the island. I would describe it as moorland with streams and trees and rivers and an occasional green and bunker. There were plenty of opportunities to lose balls and we did. The rain was not heavy but it was steady and the icy wind made the first 9 uncomfortable. So bad the M almost decided to call it a day after 8. The second 9 however were dry and we almost warmed up...
This is what I can remember of each hole. The first is towards the river, cross if you can and go left to a green. The second is up towards the white house in the distance (keep left). The third is across the road to the left. This is a long par 3 but with no space to go over the back. The fourth is a short par 3 across a couple of small streams or maybe ditches. The fifth is a nightmare go left first a long way then turn right on a sharp dogleg to find the hole. The sixth is back across the road again. This is along one down back towards the campsite crossing the stream again. The seventh is back across the stream then a short distance to green protected by a pond (M liked this hole for some reason). The eighth is again up towards the white house this time take the right green. As we approached the first time the green was surrounded by deer! The ninth is towards the campsites again, cross the river and back towards the first tee.
I would say we found this to be the most difficult course that we played. First it was cold, second the fairways were struggling after the deep snow in recent weeks. This made it soft and therefore needed better contact. Third on the first 9 we had no real idea where any of the holes were. Fourth we were a bit miffed about the change in weather!
In terms of results I played better on the first 9 and M made a charge on the last 9.
The result ended up with 10 holes to M and 6 to Me. So improving his position by 4 holes. A good job he didn't give up after 8.
My total = 39+6=45
M total = 27+10=37
Me +8
Instead we waited until the afternoon to trip over to Lochranza Golf course for out penultimate Arran Challenge. We arrived at about 3:15 and probably started playing about 3:30 perhaps a bit later. As usual there was no one around to pay. We picked up a Mars bar each from the local restaurant (mental note to return here for meal sometime).
On the first tee we were greeted by the owner. She signed our card and explained how the sheep were struggling since the terrible snow of a couple of weeks before. We were concerned as there were sheep on the first fairway.
This golf course was very different to others on the island. I would describe it as moorland with streams and trees and rivers and an occasional green and bunker. There were plenty of opportunities to lose balls and we did. The rain was not heavy but it was steady and the icy wind made the first 9 uncomfortable. So bad the M almost decided to call it a day after 8. The second 9 however were dry and we almost warmed up...
This is what I can remember of each hole. The first is towards the river, cross if you can and go left to a green. The second is up towards the white house in the distance (keep left). The third is across the road to the left. This is a long par 3 but with no space to go over the back. The fourth is a short par 3 across a couple of small streams or maybe ditches. The fifth is a nightmare go left first a long way then turn right on a sharp dogleg to find the hole. The sixth is back across the road again. This is along one down back towards the campsite crossing the stream again. The seventh is back across the stream then a short distance to green protected by a pond (M liked this hole for some reason). The eighth is again up towards the white house this time take the right green. As we approached the first time the green was surrounded by deer! The ninth is towards the campsites again, cross the river and back towards the first tee.
I would say we found this to be the most difficult course that we played. First it was cold, second the fairways were struggling after the deep snow in recent weeks. This made it soft and therefore needed better contact. Third on the first 9 we had no real idea where any of the holes were. Fourth we were a bit miffed about the change in weather!
In terms of results I played better on the first 9 and M made a charge on the last 9.
The result ended up with 10 holes to M and 6 to Me. So improving his position by 4 holes. A good job he didn't give up after 8.
My total = 39+6=45
M total = 27+10=37
Me +8
 |
| We come here twice. |
 |
| Adding up the score. |
 |
| Deer in the distance. |
 |
| Deer in the distance. Havn't they got homes to go to? |
 |
| Looks like I got click happy. |
 |
| Again. |
 |
| Oops its me in action. |
 |
| Hold the pose!? |
 |
| This is us arriving. No one else here! |
 |
| Its also a camp site. |
 |
| Its still cold and now its wet too. |
 |
| M is still simling. |
 |
| There are deer on the Green (Zoom) |
 |
| Wonder if M will get to the green in 1? |
 |
| More deer. They don't seem bothered by us. |
 |
| Those pesky deer again! |
 |
| One round done. Go home yet.. Not likely! |
Wed 10 Apr 2013 Machrie Bay 2*9 Holes by the sea
We arrived at Machrie Bay golf course in the early afternoon. We checked in at the Coffee shop to get our cards stamped.
The weather was fine and warm and as usual we hardly saw another golfer.
The first hole was over the road along the sea front. Luckily for us no one was watching but I bet on a nice summers day you may have a few unwelcome spectators. As usual for me I set off with a coupe of duff shots although they were in the right general direction. M started a bit better.
The 2nd was down the road and turn left into a field. This shortish par 3 is a bit daunting first time as the green is not visible. The idea is to hit over the mound in the distance and hope for the best. First time M went left and I went short. When we did get over the mound we found plenty of space and we both cleared the mound on the 2nd 9.
The 3rd was across the field diagonal to the right hand corner. A long ish but not too long open fairway.
The 4th seems tough as the ground between tee and flag is rough and the fairway is to the left.
Also once over the initial rough the ground was boggy due to recent bad snow on Arran.
The 5th is again across an open fiend to the right hand corner near the road and cattle grid. I hit a great shot 2nd time round on this one.
The 6th is down the right quite long and not too wide.
The 7th comes back parallel to the 6th. On the second round I managed to get to the green in 2 after a nice fairway from the tee.
The 8th is over a bit of a dip/marsh land back towards the 6th green. M went right both times here. I managed the fairway.
The 9th we both found tricky is towards the main road then over the road to he green near the first tee.
M played this hole well first time and I played it well second time.
On the first round M was leading comfortably and as the course went round left handed his style of drawing the ball was better suited. By the 14th hole M had won 6 and I had won 2. However half way round the second 9 I figured out how to aim left and let my right leaning shots work well. As a result I won the last 4 holes. and we ended up with 6 each so a draw!
We both lost balls on the 9th Me on the first round in the sea and M on the second in the river.
My total 33+6=39
M total 21+6=27
Me +12
The weather was fine and warm and as usual we hardly saw another golfer.
The first hole was over the road along the sea front. Luckily for us no one was watching but I bet on a nice summers day you may have a few unwelcome spectators. As usual for me I set off with a coupe of duff shots although they were in the right general direction. M started a bit better.
The 2nd was down the road and turn left into a field. This shortish par 3 is a bit daunting first time as the green is not visible. The idea is to hit over the mound in the distance and hope for the best. First time M went left and I went short. When we did get over the mound we found plenty of space and we both cleared the mound on the 2nd 9.
The 3rd was across the field diagonal to the right hand corner. A long ish but not too long open fairway.
The 4th seems tough as the ground between tee and flag is rough and the fairway is to the left.
Also once over the initial rough the ground was boggy due to recent bad snow on Arran.
The 5th is again across an open fiend to the right hand corner near the road and cattle grid. I hit a great shot 2nd time round on this one.
The 6th is down the right quite long and not too wide.
The 7th comes back parallel to the 6th. On the second round I managed to get to the green in 2 after a nice fairway from the tee.
The 8th is over a bit of a dip/marsh land back towards the 6th green. M went right both times here. I managed the fairway.
The 9th we both found tricky is towards the main road then over the road to he green near the first tee.
M played this hole well first time and I played it well second time.
On the first round M was leading comfortably and as the course went round left handed his style of drawing the ball was better suited. By the 14th hole M had won 6 and I had won 2. However half way round the second 9 I figured out how to aim left and let my right leaning shots work well. As a result I won the last 4 holes. and we ended up with 6 each so a draw!
We both lost balls on the 9th Me on the first round in the sea and M on the second in the river.
My total 33+6=39
M total 21+6=27
Me +12
 |
| Flat here but there are still mountains (and snow). |
 |
| No one else playing. |
 |
| Experimental Putt Cam. |
 |
| There is a beach and Sea. |
 |
| Wide open space should make it easy? |
 |
| Waiting. |
 |
| Tee off by the sea. |
 |
| M looking happy! |
 |
| Preparation. |
 |
| Over there somewhere. |
 |
| Just one more! |
 |
| Oops. |
 |
| The first tee and last hole. |
 |
| Last shot. |
 |
| More Putt Cam. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)