Sat 23rd May 2015 - 18 Holes at Dummer - private golf course

With M. I was dropped off by family and we had a tee time of 2:00pm. The course was empty. No one in front of behind for the whole round. A real privilege!

The weather was kind. Mainly sunny but with a significant wind that helped on some holes and hindered on others. The course was in great shape, the fairways were dry, the bunkers had proper sand in. We had a bit of problem with the greens early on as they had a few spike holes and were very fast.

We set off pretty even drawing the first 2 holes, both struggling with the speed of the greens. On the 3rd the wind helped me down to the green and gave me the first hole. On the 4th M went a long way left and gave me another. On the 4th I was very pleased to get to the back of the green from the tee while M took a dip in the pond. So I was 3 up after 5. The 6th was odd as the wind helped but I landed in the left-hand bunker again!. I must remember that over to the right there is no bunker, this has caught me out several times. In the end we drew this with a pair of 8's. On the next 2 par 4's M switched from 3W to 4i and the change was impressive. We both ended up with 5's on holes 7 and 8. On the 9th I went left into deep grass and duffed my way out and M got a hole back. So after 9 I was 2 up.

On the 10th M had a duff from the tee but still managed to get a draw with a 6. On the 11th I hit my best tee shot ever on this hole and managed a rare par and I was 3 up again. We drew the 12th despite a duff from the tee for me. On the13th I hit another nice tee shot and M went well right. Ms 2nd shot was good enough to end with a 5 where I went down death valley on the right and dropped a shot. I was just 2 up again. The cross wind on the next par 3 across the bunker helped me onto the green for a par while M dropped a shot coming out of the bunker. Back to 3 up. So with 4 to play I was 3 up. On the 15th we both played better than usual not worrying about the left hand bunkers, M went over them and I went right. My 2nd was a nice lay up for the green while M went way over to the right, however I chipped short and M landed on the green and I was down to 2 up with 3 to play. From the 16th tee M almost made it to the green with just a 4i. I went right and was lucky to find my ball, M made a par and I was 1 up with 2 to play. My tee shot at the 17th was one of my best but it was 2 feet short of the green and landed in the bunker. M went well right and we were both in trouble. I got out in one but went over, M got onto the green and I was in trouble. A poor chip from the hill fell short of the green and M made another par making it all square. I had lost my 3 shot lead in 3 holes.

On the last hole M had the only extra handicap shot of the day so I had to win the hole just to draw. Still anything can happen on this hole and its not unusual for either for both to take a dip in the pond.
M's tee shot with his 4i went as far as he has been before quite close to the lake. My tee shot was in a nice central position perhaps 40yds from the lake. My 2nd just made it over the lake to the left. Ms 2nd followed but was a little closer to the green. From 150 to go 1 gave it a good shot with my 4i but landed left of the green close to the clubhouse. M also went for the green but gave me a chance, landing in the green side bunker with an awkward lay. This was my best chance for a draw as we both have a tendency to duff our way out of bunkers.  His shot came out well but landed short of the green, I did similar with my chip and we finished with a rare 6 each and a win for M. The Geller trophy goes back North.

This was the best combined 9 holes we have ever played with both less than 50. Makes us think that we are getting a bit better. Great fun and so close. I had better be careful that losing on the last holes does not become a habit! My score is click here.

My putting owed me 1 including 3, 3 putts but this was the quick greens. I had several edge chances to get a 1 putt that I failed to convert. I had 9 proper golf scores including 2 pars. My 2 messed holes were both due to bunkers.

Nice day for golf!

Me from the 4th tee

M getting over the dip

M on the 14th tee for the 10th green?

Looked like rain but it never did!

Wed 21st May 2015 - 18 at Paultons repeat 7i

With R after work. After playing well last week we adjusted my handicap to have 1 extra on the par 5s and played with all sticks less that a 7i.

I set off well with a nice par but R quickly replied with a par on the long 2nd. I was going OK but landed in the bunker on my 3rd shot. It was all even until I went in the bunker for no good reason on the 5th and it cost me 2. I struggled as usual on the par 3, 8th and hit a few duffs on the 9th up the hill. After 9 R was 1 up and we were not playing as well as the week before.

On the 10th I took one back and took another on the 13th where we were called through a very slow 3 ball with buggies. On the par 3 over the lake I did a duff and lost a ball and the hole and it was all square. It remained like this until the 18th. My 2nd shot went in the bunker and it cost me the match by 1 hole. Very close!

As I said we were not playing as well as the week before and this was probably due to trying a bit harder and therefore making more mistakes. Still  more fairways then usual so it says something! My score is click here.

My putting was 2 to the good so thats nice with just 1, 3 putt. 8 proper golf scores with a par on the 1st and short par 3 12th. I only messed up 1 hole the 9th with a duff from the tee and then 2 more and landed in the long grass and then 3 putt... grr. I should have saved 2 by avoiding the bunker on the 5th, 1 on the 7th where I landed in the trees, at least 2 on the 9th and perhaps 1 by avoiding the lake on the 15th. That would have been a very good score! Still 7i still gives me hope!

Sun 17th May 2015 - 18 Holes at Chichester after breakfast

Met M at 9 for 9:18 tee time. I had just time to make my self breakfast and almost arrived late. No problem the weather was kind (a bit windy again), the fairways and greens good and I did not get stuck in any bunkers so can't be bad. Can't remember who we followed or who followed us...

I had a duff from the tee and then went in the bunker where M was almost on the green. Funny game golf, M over hit his putt and I won with a 5 (should never happen). The 2nd and 3rd felt easy and they were my holes. On the 4th I hit my 7i straight out of bounds left an then lost a ball right while M got a par. M then took the next hole and I was just 1 up. We drew a couple and on the 8th M got another to make it all square (with a tee shot into the bunker next to the green - unlucky!). The 9th was mine by 1 due to a duff by M.

On the 10th M had an extra point but just missed out and we drew then next few. I was 1 up with 6 to play but that was enough and the trophy stays South. My score is click here.

My putting was even with 1, 3 putt and 1, 1 putt. I only managed 6 proper golf scores with a par on the 3rd over the lake. I only messed one hole up thats the 4th due to my new 7i shot that goes much further that it used to. I was a bit disappointed on the 17th where a nice tee shot went left into the ditch, M found the ball but it was unplayable. So should have saved 1 shot on the 1st, 2 on the 4th and 1 on the 17th and 1 putt. Still I was very pleased..

It was a nice day

M taking an alternative route

Wed 13th May 2015 - 18 Hole 7 Iron Challenge at Paultons

With R after work. This is our annual 7 Iron challenge. This year for the first time I played off the same handicap as R with the same sticks. So we both had 7i, pw, sw and putter.

16 quid as usual. We were following a 3 ball who had a slow 4 ball in front of them. There was a buggy behind and we let them through after 2. We eventually got called through the 4 ball on the 9th and we got stuck a bit behind the 2 in the buggy till the end. Hey ho...

We both set off with poorish tee shots and R went 1 up with a 5. On the 2nd I had a poor tee shot and a duff and R again won with a 6. The pattern was repeated on the 3rd and R was 3 up. Then things changed. On the 4th I made a 20 ft putt to get 4 and got one back. I repeated a 4 on the 5th (very unusual). I was starting to hit my 7i a similar distance to R and this became the standard. I managed a par on the long par 5, 7th and ended the 1st 9 with an identical number of points (44) and 3 holes each. This is by far my best front 9 ever.

We both had a bit of a blip on the 10th I had to hit my 2nd out of a ditch an we both went over the back for a pair of 7s. I recovered on the 10th but R lost a ball from the tee. We both ended up in the bunker in 3 on the 13th and R got out one sooner than I did. All square again. I was VERY pleased to get over the lake with my 7i (I have trouble with a 4i). A poor chip on the 16th gave R one hole and I took one back on the 17th. At this point we were still equal on points and holes. My tee shot went right just making it over the trees. Rs tee shot went into the trees. R did a great chip out and I continued right as the pin was on the right. R was forced to go for the green on his 3rd making it but over to the left. My 3rd got to the edge of the green and I had a small chance of a 4. R did an average put followed by a great put and I had 1 chance to win. I missed and managed a draw. Identical points and holes with identical sticks!

My score was my 2nd best ever at Paultons and I am wondering if I should just stick to using my 7i. My score is click here.

I managed 11 proper scores including 4 pars. My putting was 4 under and even playing of a handicap of 23 I only messed up 2 holes. The 10th with going over the back of the green instead of a simple chip onto the green. The 13th was 2 bunkers and a 3 putt. This could easily have been green and 2. I think the most significant stats is 21 shots on fairways (compare to my best score which only had 13 fairway shots). I was very pleased to be able to match R shot for shot on most holes, there was a lot of social golf!

Golden shot of Pond (after 4 each)

Sun 10th May 2015 - 9 Holes at Swanmoor Golf Centre

On an unusual Sunday evening everyone was out so I decided to go and check out a local 9 hole that we had passed on the bikes a few weeks ago. I rang to make sure they were still open and arrived just after 6, paid 10 pound something and set off. The weather was pleasant, warm with a light breeze.

I saw a couple of golfers near the end of their round as I set off then no one else.

As this is the first time:

The first is a longish par 3 with trees to the left. The 2nd is right round the back of the driving range, the tee is at the top of a hill, this is another longish par 3 over a ditch with trees. The 3rd is to the right, a very short par 3 protected at the rear by trees to keep people on the 4th tee safe. The 4th is the first long hole up the hill. The 5th tee is across the road and is another short par 3. The 6th is a nice open long hole down hill across a small ditch to the green. The 7th is a par 3 uphill. The 8th is back towards the start with a sloping fairway. The 9th is a nice par 3 through the trees.

The fairways needed a bit of a cut but the greens were well maintained and a bit small so tough to get the ball to stick. There are plenty places to get into trouble!

I played OK despite making a few errors on a new course. I made the worst mess on the very short par 3 and lets say it was a good job there was no one one the 4th tee. My score is click here.

As it was a short 9 hole I gave myself a 9 handicap and only messed 2 holes up. The 3rd by going over the trees and the 4th with a couple of duffs and a 3 putt. I was pleased with a par on the last par 3 getting onto the green in 1.

Definitely a nice course to visit if time is limited and short game practice is required. A bit tricky despite its shortness.

The 2nd Green

The 6th from the tee

Mon 4th May - 10 Holes before breakfast at Tattershall

With M. Setting off at 7am it time to get back before the rest woke up. I set off well and won the first 4 holes while M lost a few balls. Then on the 5th I put one in the ditch and followed it with another and a bit of confidence disappeared. I put another one in a ditch on the 7th. I had won 4 drawn 2 and M won 2. On the last 2 M lost a few more balls and we were glad to get back for breakfast.

The weather was glorious and still very windy! Great fun.

Nice Morning!

View from the "Lodge"

Sun 3rd May 2015 - 18+10 Holes at Tattershall

With M at 1pm after a rainy windy morning. We walked to the office to pay 10 quid each but they were so disorganised that they had no scorecards and let us have 2 for the price of 1. Then it was a walk back to the 1st tee.

As its the first time:

The 1st was across the mud. The 2nd was back across the mud again. The 3rd was across the edge of the lake. The 4th was a long one into the wind. The 5th was off to the left by the dyke. The 6th was a par 3 to the closest of the pair of greens. The 7th was a nightmare par 3 with a dyke. The 8th was a long one across a ditch. The 9th was back parallel to the 8th to the other close green. The 10th was a blind shot right then over the hedge. The 11th was a par 3 across the lake. The 12th was across a hedge. The 13th was back down parallel to the 4th. The 14th is a very odd dogleg right round the lake. The 15th goes away from the lake across a small ditch. The 16th is a par 3 protected by trees and a small hill. The 17th is elevated with a fairway on the left and over a hedge to the green. The 18th is a par 3 over some bushes.

We set off well with a pair of 4s on the first. We both struggled on the 2nd over the mud and M hit the only tree to bounce back. This was 1 up for me. Over the lake we had no idea how to play it. I went into the bush for a penalty and M was short but no balls lost and a draw. The 4th was a disaster for M with lost balls and a load of duffs for me. The wind was very strong against!. But I was the least worst. We had a long pause before starting the 5th as we were unsure. It was left along the dyke. M had trouble and went well right. On the par 3 6th M won his first hole and I was just 2 up. On the nasty par 3 over the dyke we both lost balls from the tee. It should have been easy using 2*PW. On the long 8th M had more trouble than me and I went 3 up followed by another on the 9th. This was the start of my longest run of 4s ever. I had a lucky break on the blind 10th. We both managed to get safely over the lake on the 11th (something we would have struggled with n the past). On the 11th I had another lucky 4 and was 5 ahead. On the long 12th with the wind behind M beat me due to a poor tee shot. On the 13th I had no idea where the hole was but got a lucky break onto the green in 3 and with an audience I holed a long put (feeling pretty pleased with myself). This was my last win as we drew the remaining 4 holes. On the 15th we struggled from the tee going right. On the par 3 right we both got stuck on the hill for 5s. On the elevated 17th we both got 4 with a nice fairway. On the 18th M managed to get over the trees and I did a feeble right round the trees but it was a draw in the end.

So 18 holes completed and we returned for food and drink. After a while we wondered if we could create a 9 hole starting near our lodge. M drew a map and we had time to test it before sunset. The order was 15, 16, 12, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 17 and 18. Which we later realised was 10. It was fun to play with no competition and we both improved a bit on our earlier performance. On the 18th we were challenged by the security guard and luckily M had the tickets so all was deemed to be OK.

M in the Bad Lands

Danger deep water!

Me

Preparing for the par 3 across the pond (both made it!)

Sat 2nd May 2015 - 18 Holes at Sleaford with giant greens

With M. A was part time bunker rake and flag holder.

We arrived at 2:30 and the price was 40 quid each. We waited till 3 and the price was 20 quid each. The weather was overcast and a little chilly and very windy. We were following a 2 ball that were quicker than us and were followed by a 4 ball that were slower so the pace was perfect. It had been 2 years since our last match here and we were hoping to see some improvement. Last time I had been frustrated by my inability to reach the fairways from the tee.

M started off right with a lost ball and I did ok until a 3 putt on the giant green. So it was 1 to me. On the 2nd I messed up the tee shot short and left and continued left in the rough to give M an easy win for 1 each. The 3rd was M's but on the 4th I managed to get straight back with a lucky 5 on the most difficult hole.. The par 3 5th was mine due to Ms duff tee shot and I was 1 up. On the 6th and 7th across the road M had 2 pars and he went 1 up. The first 7 holes had the wind behind, on the turn into the wind on the 8th I got more difficult! M had no trouble from the tee but mine was weak and a flukey hole from the edge saved a bad score. M was 2 up. Back across the road M lost a ball left and I managed to pull one back, So after 9 M was 1 up.

On the back 9 we were both struggling into the wind but I managed to keep my ball in sight and M got into some trouble. This meant I won 3 in a row, going 2 up. I was pleased to get over the par 3 tree hole with an 8i. On the 13th we had caught a slow 4 ball and had to wait to tee off. I went left and M went right but we both ended up with 6 the first drawn hole. Into the wind on the every long par 5 we were called through. M went right and I made a good shot that got stuck in the wind. We made painful progress to the green where M lost a ball under pressure which we ignored due to pressure of being called through. In the end the hole was mine and  was 3 up. The long par 3 had wind behind, I went a poor right and M went long into the trees at the back of the green. I was 4 up with 3 to play. On the 16th back into the wind M got 5 to recover 1 hole but lost a ball on the 17th and I was 4 up again. We both did poor tee shots from the18th but looks respectable in front of the clubhouse with 5 each including nice pitches to the green. Lucky for me that I won as the trophy was back at home.

Hanging around to avoid paying loads o money

M took an artistic shot of a bridge

The train is coming on the 18th

Fri 1st May 2015 - 5 night time holes at Tatershall Lakes.

With M on family trip up North.

We arrived late after a c%^p journey but managed to save the day by playing 5 holes for free from the tee just outside our lodge. On the first M played blinder and had a par 4 and repeated it on the next. There was some confusion over which pin was in play for the next par 3 which we drew (I think). Then it was getting dark and I lost track of the scoring. I even used my glow in the dark ball (which did not feel like a golf ball more like a stone!) The golf course had no good comments from the internet but I would say that it would be worth playing 10 quid to play all 18 holes. If this was a trophy match I think M would be the winner!

No style - buts its dark and the moon is out!

Sun 26th April 2015 - 18 Holes at Dummer

I am completing this blog over a week late and with a couple of other games in-between so the detail may be a bit sketchy we shall see. It was with M and I think A was there too.

It set off with a mulligan for M as we had no warm up. I went left and then more left into the thick grass. A found the ball which was lucky but the error cost me the hole. However then things got better for me and I did not mess up another hole until the last. We drew the 2nd despite me going into the bunker again. I managed to win the 3rd and we drew the 4th so it was all square. I can't remember how but I managed to win the next 5 in a row making it 5 up after 9. We drew the 10th and M pulled 1 back o the 11th. The rest of the back 9 was 3 each and a couple of draws leaving me with a comfortable win.  On the par 3 across the bunker M got a 2 and I got a 3, looks like we can play golf sometimes! Not very usual for Dummer. My score is click here.

My putting was -2 which is a good trend, with just 2*3 putt. I managed 8 proper scores including 2 par 3s and 2 par 4s. I only messed 2 holes up, the first with my left shots and the last by hitting my 3rd shot out of bounds. Still one of my few sub 100 rounds at Dummer. Not sure how I managed the good score especially on the back 9 where I missed most fairways from the tee. Keep that trophy down South!