Tue 30 Jul 2013 18 Holes at Quindell

With R after work. Car in garage so needed lift.

10 quid each.. a bargain.

A quick warm up, putting on the artificial green and a few duffs with a sand wedge to see if I could chip and run with it. (I can't!)

No one in front when we set off but we had caught a 3 ball by the 6th. They called us through and then we had the course to ourselves. When we set off there were a couple of young lads following, we never saw them after the first tee.

Started off poor dropping one shot on the 1st and then compounded it with my first 10 for several weeks on the 2nd. I did a poor tee shot then not far enough to get over ditch on 3rd. Penalty, over green and 3 putt. Grr! Still I recovered almost all my dropped shots on the next few holes and only had a minor nightmare on the 8th with a few duffs and a dropped one on the 9th. 3 over on the way out. We both played well when we were called through so that was nice!

On the way back I was getting into the swing again. I dropped a shot with an unplayable ball on the 11th after a good tee shot. But then played pretty well on the rest. I was pleased to do the 16th in 5 and the18th in 6. Thats as good as I have managed before.

Must remember the chip and run position as it seems to take a few holes to find it again...!

In he end I won by a couple of holes. My score is here.

Both on the Green in 1 on 14th.

Ready for the 16th.

Made it to the 16th green in 3 Yippee!

Sun 28 July 18 Holes at Dummer

With M. We paid for our own. We had a tee time just after 1 and we were there just about 12 so we had time to share a couple of quids worth of balls on the range and hit some balls at the practice green and do 5 minutes putting. The forecast had threatened rain but we only had a couple of minutes of rain altogether. The wind was a problem (as it often is here). It seemed to be against us for most of the long holes.

We were following a 2 ball who just kept ahead of us and went quicker than we did over the last 4 holes. We were followed by a buggy with 2 young people, which is normally bad but perhaps they were having a lesson or just having problems finding balls as they never caught us.

M had decided to try irons from the tee and as far as I can tell the outcome was more reliable.

I made good progress until I go to the 5th par 3 over the lake. It was directly into the wind and my 3W just fell short and was lost. I went over and then 3 putt. I normally do better on this hole so 2 shots dropped. On the 9th I hit a poor tee shot into the big ditch just to the right of the tee. I took a shot to the top and still was not as far as a normal tee shot I also landed in the bunker and took 2 shots out so thats 2 shots dropped here.

M had a it of extreme bad luck on the 8th where he hit a great tee shot that hit the 150 marker and bounced right into the deep rough. We laughed and luckily managed to find the ball, he ended up winning the hole anyway.

On the back 9 I did not really make any bad mistakes and had a lucky escape on the 18th as my second shot headed towards the pond but stopped on the grass. Despite going in the 18th bunker, I got out in 1 onto the green and then holed a 30ft putt to gain applause from the clubhouse... never happened before!!

This round had a few notable features. It is the first time I had plated at Dummer with my new swing (chip n run). I had recently lost to M more times that I had won at Dummer. So I was pleased to win with my lowest score at Dummer. I feel that I was lucky with my putting as I had 9 1 puts and only 3 3 putts (more luck than skill). I never took a mulligan and only lost 1 ball. Could have been 4 shots better perhaps. My score is here. As I have won 2 in a row I will drop by handicap by 1.

We finished in about 3 and half hours and as usual it was great fun.

Clubhouse door.

View from 4th Tee 

M ready for the 16th.

A rare shot of me.

The clubhouse at the 18th.

Fri 26 July 2013 6+18 Holes at Chichester

Friday golf .. one of my favourites! With M while he was on holiday.

I got there early so got a couple of quids worth of balls and hit them from the range. The range was mostly full so I used the outside ones. This did not go very well as the tees were very high and the mats very hard. Hey ho.

When M arrived we did a few holes on the 9 hole par 3. It was busy so we ended up playing 2 balls each while waiting. Anyway I started with a couple of 3's and then its was 4s on the rest. M did 4s on every hole. We gave up at the 6th as it was time to go play the 18 hole. Great fun and also great practice.. must be able to get mainly 3's and an odd 2 from 80 to 100 yds. Keep practicing!

This was twilight golf at 10 quid each (we payed for our own to avoid complications!). A bargain!!! We were following a 3 ball with 1 good, 1 ok and 1 guy who was having trouble. After the first few holes they managed to keep ahead of us. Not the fastest round but not too bad either. We were followed by a couple of women golfers but they never caught us.

I set off with a bunker but managed to get out in 1. I also got into bunkers at the 11th and 12th and got out in 1 (could never have done this last year). May have been helped by the quality of the bunkers. As usual I set off using my 4r from the tee on the longer holes and as usual I mainly went right. This is ok but I almost always end up in a bit of trouble from the tee, not good. As the round went on I replaced the 4r with my 4i and found the results were much better the fairways were much easier to hit. Hope this is a new trend (I have not even put my 4i in my bag since I have been chipping and running).

On the 3rd I was lucky to get on the green with my 5i and then had the most luck and 1 put for a birdy from 30 feet. Yippee!

On the 5th which is always a problem for me I just got over the lake with my 3W and managed a 6 as one of my best scores on this hole. Things were going well.

On the dog leg 7th I managed to almost get a view of the green from the tee (using my 4i), this has never happened before.

So on the front 9 I had scored 44, a world record for me by quite a way.

M had problems on the 5th and 7th but managed a par on the 6th. Rare for either of us. This was the first of 4 pars for M he also pared the 10th, 14th and 15th. If he was more consistent I would be in trouble!

On the back 9 I dropped a couple of shots on the 10th getting to the edge of the green in 3 then taking 4 more to get it in the hole. I also dropped a shot on the 11th by getting in the bunker rather than the green.

On the long par 5 coming back to the clubhouse I managed to keep on the fairway (rare for me) but landed in the bunker. This was ok as a 7 is as good as I can do on this long hole. It was hot and we had run out of drinks so while M finished off the 12th I ran to the clubhouse and got supplies of water for both. It was HOT!

I dropped a shot on the par 3 14th with a 3 put that should have been 2. The sun was directly into our eyes on the 16th by the lake. I lost my 1st in the water and took my mulligan. Its always hard when you cant look for your ball due to the sun being low. The mulligan rule is one of ours but I suspect that we should not use it after the first few holes.. maybe next year!

We let a lone golfer through on the 16th but the 3 in front of us didn't let him through so it didn't do him much good.

The 17th can be a nightmare but today my trusty 4i got me past the tree on the fairway and I got just short of the green in 3 and in the hole in 5. My best score on this hole. M hit a straight right and lost one.

I won today and I was pleased with my final score, another sub-100 and with a bit of luck it could have been a few less. My score is here.

Just before my lucky birdy on the 3rd.

I liked this tree before the 7th.

Nice sky from the 15th fairway.

An unusual appearance by myself on the 17th fairway.

Tue 24th July 2013 18 Holes at Quindell

With R after work. Another late tee time just before 5. Again a bargain at 10 quid each.

A quick bit of putting practice and we were off.

A 3 ball in front who we never was after the 2nd. and a 3 ball behind that never caught us. So its like our private golf course... nice!

I set off ok with a par on the first. On the 2nd I hit one left into trouble from the tee. I took my mulligan and lost the ball even farther left. So I played the 1st ball from the rough saving my mulligan. I failed to get out in 1 but recovered with a bogey. On the 3rd I did a perfect lay up and then hit my ball into the pond. This caused a double bogey. Not a great start. However as I settled down I got all 3 dropped shots back over the next few holes. At the end of 9 I was 1 shot over my handicap. On the back 9 I was not quite so reliable dropping a further 5 shots. Going to the bottom of the hill on the 12th is working well. I had a bit of bad luck on the 14th when I was just short and lost my ball  in the pond. It was a great line. I took my mulligan on the 18th as I lost a ball right from a bad bounce. Wy worst hole was the 18th where I got into trouble on the left of the hill in among the trees. I could have done at least 5 shots better with a little more care/luck! The handicapping is working well as it was a draw. My scores are here.

There were no temporary greens today (except the 9th). The course was very dry giving us some problems with bouncing (right for me). Also there was a bit of wind.

Strange clouds looking back from the 7th. 

THe clubhouse from the 17th tee.

Parched earth at the 7th.

More parched earth!

Nice houses near the 2nd green.

Sun 21 Jul 2013 2*9 Holes at Sudbrook Moor Golf Club Lincolnshire

With M an early morning start as it was a family birthday later in the day.

Had breakfast at the hotel .. very so so. Managed to forget my hat and jumper so had to drive back a mile or so. Must be getting old!

The golf course was busy as there was a competition in progress. We paid in the golf shop, 14 quid each for all day. I paid for both.

We had 2 quids worth of practice balls between us in a very nice practice facility. They look after Sudbrook Moor, they do.

We were following a 3 ball who were following a slow 4 ball.

As this is the first time here I will describe the course as I remember it.

1st lap use yellow flags, 2nd lap use red flags. Some greens just have 2 flags some have joined greens and some have 2 greens.

1. The flag is over the hill. Any shot close to the crest of the hill will get a good view of the flag.
2. Looks inviting to have a go but there are trees on the left and a ditch at about 130yds. Over the ditch there is a reasonably wide fairway. 1st green is left 2nd green is right.
3. A par 3 with the flag on he left green. Take care not to go too far or its a lost ball in the dense trees. (2nd time its the right green)
4. A short par 4 with a green protected by a large bunker.
5. A longer par 4 with a dog leg right and then left to the green.
6. A par 3 with scrub land before the green (right hand green first)
7. A par 2 with a lake protecting the farthest green. First green is left second is right.
8. A par 4 with a narrow start and then a green protected by a big bunker.
9. A par 4 with a dogleg left then right back to he clubhouse.

After a really hot couple of weeks the weather was a little damp not rain just damp. I needed my thin jumper on and M was cold at the end.

The 2*9 is a great use of any golf course but there were 2 major log jams at the 2nd/10th and 7th/16th where 2 (4) tees collide. We did a lot of waiting about. For the first time in my golfing career I watched the competition in front if us and thought maybe I could beat at least one of them.

I played quite consistently and was pleased to get my lowest score to date. This was due in part to the shorter course and the lower par, but who cares. M played well on the front 9 but collapsed on the back 9. My score is here.

Waiting for the off at the 1st

The 4th looks longer in the photo

Waiting at the 11th

Waiting at the 15th

Tue 16 July 2013 18 holes at Quindell another hot one!

With R after work. A bit later today to make the most of the light summer evenings. After last week I played off 25 which turned out to be a bit optimistic. Back to 26 next week I suspect.

10 quid again another bargain. We had a quick warm up in the nets and then waited for 2 lads to tee off. They were quick as we never saw them after the 2nd.

Started off ok with a par 4. Hit a poor tee shot from 2nd tee that skipped right into the long stuff so was forced to play safe back onto the fairway. That was one shot lost. The temporary green did not help but we played limit of 2 putts on c$%p temp greens (there were a few).

From the 3rd tee I hit straight left into the trees/rough. Ball lost and mulligan required.

On the 4th I was lucky to avoid the ditch it was on the edge, must remember to play short.

On the 6th I did the exact same shot as on Sunday and hit my 3W left into the long grass and lost the ball with a penalty. Must take a lesser club or don't try too hard... easy to say.

On the 8th I went left into the long stuff and found it unplayable so that was my 2nd penalty.

So on the first 9 I could/should have saved at least 3 shots.

On the 10th I went well right of the green into the undergrowth and on the 11th I went left into the long grass from the tee.

On the 12th I applied my new strategy of laying up from the tee at the bottom of the hill. If I had my mulligan left I would have gone for it as we had a backwind.

On the par3 14th I opted to use my 4r instead of my 3W and paid the price with a lost ball in the pond. This was my 3rd penalty.

Played my best shot on the par 3 17th with a 5i onto the green. R had already ht the green and had rolled toward the hole. So that was a joint good hole (2 pars).

The 18th was on a temporary green.

So I should have saved at least another 3 shots on the back 9. If so I would have been under 100 instead of over. Getting a bit better makes you more fussy?

I think I was trying a bit harder from the tee with a bit of extra confidence and ended up in quite a lot of trouble from the tee. Must try less hard in future and get on more fairways.

Today R won easily and my score is here.

The scorched fairways

If you zoom in you can see the 2 shots on the 17th

Sun going down on the 18th Temporary green!

Sun 14 July 2013 18 Holes at Quindell It aint half hot!

With M starting at 3 on a 15 quid. ( I payed for both).

It was very very hot. We just had a bloke with his other half driving a buggy behind on the first, we let them through and they finished the 18th as we finished the 9th. The heat did not help.

Started off as normal with me going to the right just past the 150 and M going way right perhaps onto the 4th fairway. I hit my ball and saw it to the green and went to help M find his ball. No luck. When I got to the green my ball was no where to be seen. I was most miffed but assumed it had rolled away somewhere as the course was very very dry. I took a penalty and chipped a ball onto the green and then as M lifted the flag out popped my ball. My first hole in 2 on a par 4. I do not expect it to be repeated anytime soon.

On the 2nd I managed to go right and just scrape across the ditch on my 2nd. M was having trouble on the 4th fairway and eventually onto the 3rd before getting to the green. I was pleased to get on the green in 4 then 4 put! What a twit!

I seem to be in the habit of getting in the ditch on the 4th on my second shot. Must learn to avoid this!

I had a bit of trouble on the 6th hitting it straight left and lost a ball in the long grass. I followed this with a duff into the big rough before getting on the green. I also had trouble on the 8th hitting my tee into the long grass left and taking my mulligan. I like to save this for the 12th.

I almost failed to find my ball from the tee on the par 3 14th, I saw it hit the green but I had almost given up when I found it under a tree. Used my 3W for this again so must remember to continue this trend.

Today was a bit of bunker practice at the par 3 7th, the fairway bunker on the 10th and the fairway bunker on the 13th. I got out of each in 1!

We finished at about 7pm and we were knackered but we had the course to ourselves.

It was my turn to win again so M gets another handicap point or I take one off? Probably I will play off 27 with M next time. My score is here.

View towards 12th green

M did a good drive into the rough on the 12th 

M missing the bunker 

The bunker on the 18 was 1 too far!

Tue 9 July 2013 18 Holes at Quindell - Wow its Hot!

Very hot. Also very cheap 10 quid for twilight golf after 4 pm, a bargin!

With R after work. No one in front or behind. Started off well with a par, was going well on the 2nd but unluckily the 2nd shot  went in the ditch. On the 3rd I went left into the rough by the trees and had 2 shots in the rough before getting onto the green. I did have a bit of luck just missing ditches and bunkers and settled into a nice round at about par for my handicap. (Which had been reduced to 26!).

I won or drew every hole until the 17th so something was going well. I saved my mulligan until the dreaded 12th. I hit it into the trees and took an easy chip down the hill. Will be doing this in future. I used my 3W on the 14th to get on the green. I had some bad luck on the 16th where the ball skipped into the heavy rough and was lost from the tee. Also on the 17th I lost a ball in some rough left of the green.

R never won a hole until the 17th. So it was my day another round under 100. My score is here.

The 5th across the road!

The 11th Green

Up the dreaded hill to the 16th

View from 18th tee

Tue 2nd July 2013 18 Holes at Paultons

After work with R.

Weather dull with light showers but warm enough. Not many people playing no one waiting behind us but we caught a serious pair of golfers on the 16th and had to wait in the trees to avoid being called through.

I started off very average with a 6 and an 8. The 6 was a 3 putt so should have been a 5 and the 8 should have been a 6 or 7, I went in the rough and did a duff on the way to the green. I messed up the short par 3 again by getting in the bunker. This is quite picky as I scored points on every hole today, thats a first perhaps. Also I lost no balls and had no mulligan.

We both played to handicap on the front nine but R messed up a couple on the way back. So it was my turn to win. My scores are here.

Looking back on the 12th and the blinkin bunker

Looking down the 16th