Sun 15 Sep 2013 7 Holes before breakfast.. then 18 more at Chichester

Early start so that we could get in some of the par 3 to make the most of our privilege cards. The weather was well nice, sunshine and everything. There was a bit of morning mist and we were first on the par 3. We arrived at the same time as the groundsman who was doing a great job on the greens. (First time I have seen a green lawnmower in action.. impressive). The greens were full of dew which gave us some interesting putting tracks!

The plan was to get breakfast at the clubhouse. I can recommend this as a great way to start the day. In the end we had time for some putting practice before the main 18 hole game. As it happens M won the par 3 and the putting. Not the best start for me!

The round was great fun as usual although we were both knackered as it took us 4.5 hours, much longer than usual. The main cause of the slow round was the 2 young lads who were off just before us. I think they were both good .. only... one of them took an age to hit the ball, (more than a minute...). I have never seen this before and found it frustrating, so much so that when we were caught by 2 in a buggy we let them through so that we did not have to watch. Never mind it did not spoil the fun and every one has the right to enjoy it in their own way.

We started off looking like experts as we both pared the first. With M's handicap he was well up on holes at the end of the first 9 and was hitting his 3w like an expert. As usual he did spend at least 3 holes on the wrong fairway but he scrambles well. I got into the bunker at the 4th which cost a shot or two. I was a bit disappointed as I got over the water ok at the 5th and then hit into the fairway bunker for no good reason. At the end of the first 9 I had dropped 5 from my handicap and I did the same on the back 9, I didn't play or score terrible but my putting was slightly worse than average and I ended up short and did not chip well enough. We both made a mess of the 16th losing balls (and finding some of them with the help of intrepid ball retriever: A). We also both lost balls on the 17th but scrambled to get 7's (we have done much worse in the past). So in the end M won by loads of holes and beat me on a straight scoring match, and, as a reward, I deduct 1 handicap point to 31. My score is here.

Mist on the par 3

Off to breakfast.

Waiting on the 4th

Looking back to the 3rd green 

Waiting at the dreaded 5th

Looking back at the 4th green

The 6th fairway

Waiting to tee off on the 7th.

Sat 14 Sep 2013 18 Holes on Saturday afternoon at Chichester

With M at start of 2 day golfing fest.

Started off with several holes in a random order from the 9 hole par 3. There were several groups of 4 having fun and taking their time so we just played holes where no one was waiting.

Then we set off on the 18 hole at about  3 o'clock. The weather was overcast but fine. as we played twice this weekend I have forgotten who was in front or behind but I can remember no one. Oh I remember now there was a single golfer that we let through on the dreaded 5th and then we found his 3 wood cover on the 6th.

I played well enough to get under 100 which is always good for me, but it was not good enough to beat a on form M. Our part time caddy (A) turned up at the 6th which made a nice change as he is very good at helping out in a general way, finding balls and raking bunkers etc.

M played well even though he does spend some time on the wrong fairways, but, Chichester is fairly forgiving on that score. In the end it was an easy victory.

I scored nicely except on the 9th and 10th where despite keeping on the fairway I managed to drop some points by being short of the green instead of on it. This seems to be a theme for me at the moment and it would be worth several points if I could get there in 1 shot less. I seem to have found a solution to the problem of the 5th by taking a 7i and aiming at the ladies tee. I do however struggle with the 16th at the moment losing a ball into the hedge left (not yet resolved). In the past I have struggled over the 17th but that was fine today. , My score is here.

M prepares the tee shot on the 12th

A stands by for action

Looking back at the 11th green

Searching in the long grass on the 14th.

Tue 10th Sep 2013 18 Holes at Paultons

With R after work. 4 O'clock tee no one since 3 and we saw no one after us. Can't get better than that and we were finished in 3.5 hours with hardly any rough or looking for balls.

I was there in plenty time to practice putting and perhaps it helped as my putting saved the day for me.

The weather was great, a bit of sun and warm enough for shirt sleeves, perhaps the last before winter?
The greens were in great shape and the tees were well back, most were almost with the white tee's. The fairways were a bit softer than the week before.

 R did not get the best start perhaps due to no warm up. I set off well on the first 9 only dropping a shot against my handicap on the 9th. I may even have beaten R on actual score for first 9. Then it all changed and I played a few holes badly. On the 11th I went down the right behind the trees and hit a tree trying to chip onto the green, should have been 1 less. On the 13th I played ok getting a nice layup in front of the ditch and then ended up going over the green (twice), should have been 2 less. I got into the green side bunker on the 14th (due to the sun), perhaps 1 less. I can't get over the pond any more as the tee is too far back, so thats another lost ball and my only 3 putt (should be 2 less).

On the back 9 R made a comeback and he could have drawn the match on the last hole, however I kept my cool and won the last hole. My score is here.

My ball was closest at the 6th.. rare!

Looking into the sun at the 16th

Nice sky approaching 17th

Sun spotlight on 17th green

Trees at the 18th.

Tue 3rd Sep 2013 18 Holes at Paultons

With R after work. We had been avoiding Paultons since the school holidays as it tends to be busy. We mistakenly thought school holidays were over.. we were wrong.

The weather was hot and sunny, we set off at about 4:15 and finished just after 8. It turned out to be a slow round. We quickly caught the 2 in front who let us through at the 8th and as usual we messed up a bit here. We were pressured by a fast 3 ball all the way. On the 10th we were following a fast 2 ball who were stuck behind a slow 4 ball. It was no problem but there was a bit of waiting and it was almost dark by the time we finished.

I played off  25 which was a bit optimistic as I played off 28 a few weeks ago. We played match play and R won by 1 hole although I could have drawn on the last hole if I had not 3 putted. I made some stupid mistakes but managed to keep below 110 so thats a relief. It was tough because the fairways were super hard and very short grass.. like hitting off a mat. This had the advantage/disadvantage that the balls were keen to roll.

Looking at my scores I lost at least 4 shots with poor putting, although I had 4 or more close misses for 1 putts. I messed up the 3rd by getting in the trees from the tee. I should have taken a penalty for a better score. I needed my mulligan trying too hard on the long 7th. I messed up the 11th by hitting the trees twice on the left and then doing a terrible chip that went way right. I had a bit of bad luck on the par 3 across the lake losing a ball (only just). I played the 16th well but got into the green side bunker and took 2 to get out and then 3 putt. So I feel it could have been quite a bit better. Definitely a harder course than Quindell. My scores are here.

Great fun as usual!

I am on the green at the 2nd Yippee.

Sun through trees at 12th

Waiting on the 13th

Busy on the 16th into the sun

Always nice to get a sunset pic