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Old 19-02-2016, 15:31
Toby LaRhone
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Bah. Fair weather golfer are ya?



Me and my buddy do our damnedest to play all year round. This is the first year we've struggled a bit and it's been because of the waterlogged courses rather than our determination. We're at the lovely Feldon Valley this sunday. Possible the most attractive course in the area.
We get a Greenkeepers update at 7.30 every morning (phone in).
For weeks it's been the equivalent of "The course is open but fairly waterlogged and treacherous in parts"
I try and play three times a week.
I've played twice in about 6 weeks.
We do have a state of the art simulator for hundreds of courses.
You can play a full round indoors.
I just don't get the same feeling from it.
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Old 19-02-2016, 16:31
Andrue
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For weeks it's been the equivalent of "The course is open but fairly waterlogged and treacherous in parts"
Annoying, ain't it? In all other respects it's been great for winter golf. Fairly warm and no fog. Around here my club is the only one that has managed to keep all holes open. I'm a bit surprised actually as last winter the greens seemed to develop puddles at the slightest provocation. I haven't noticed any major drainage work going on.

But I did find a bad spot on the 17th (probably my fault since I approached it from the 16th tee ). I just had to wedge a shot over the dividing trees. I took the swing, felt myself sinking a bit and my clubhead went into the ground, under the ball and back out. The ball didn't move. I called that a practice swing followed by "GUR" and a free drop
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Old 19-02-2016, 18:22
blueisthecolour
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So, to give an update (i'm sure you're all waiting ).

Popped into my local American Golf today to see if I could use their simulator and then buy some clubs online. I was the only one in store and the guy was extremely helpful in going through all my choices and showing me the result of my swings. After a few different clubs we found that actually the TaylorMade RSi were the best option, but the version for high handicap rather than medium ones (which is the set I highlighted earlier).

I was about to do the old 'ok thanks, i'll have a think about it' when he mentioned that he would price match anything I could google in store. I couldn't really argue with that so I found the cheapest online price, he matched it and I now have a new set of irons. . . . . . well I will have a new set of irons once they've been ordered.

I also got the 3 wood that i'd been looking at online yesterday (price match again), a new bag at a very reasonable cost and a few other bits and pieces.

I considered asking about a wedge but i've actually never used one so I'm going to wait until i've started my lessons and then talk ot the pro about it.

Overall i'm pretty happy. Lets see how it goes on the course . . . . .
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Old 19-02-2016, 18:53
Hugh Jboobs
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Glad you got sorted OP. Let us know how you fare on the course!

As another talking point - what does anyone prefer in terms of parkland or links courses? Traditionally I believe parkland courses are supposed to be easier. But its funny, I've always found I do much better on a links course. Maybe it's cos there are fewer trees!

There's links and parkland courses close to me. If I ever get round to joining one, it'd be a links.
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Old 19-02-2016, 19:05
Andrue
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As another talking point - what does anyone prefer in terms of parkland or links courses?
Parkland. Not got any links courses around here but from what I read they require accuracy and that's not really where I'm at. Only good point about my game is that I struggle to launch the ball up so I tend not to have to worry about the wind
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Old 19-02-2016, 19:40
Hugh Jboobs
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Parkland. Not got any links courses around here but from what I read they require accuracy and that's not really where I'm at. Only good point about my game is that I struggle to launch the ball up so I tend not to have to worry about the wind
You'd probably fare pretty well on links then!
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Old 19-02-2016, 23:36
blueisthecolour
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It only just occurred to me that he didn't mention anything about fitting the clubs.

I assume then that he didn't think it was necessary . . . .
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Old 20-02-2016, 04:08
mimik1uk
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Glad you got sorted OP. Let us know how you fare on the course!

As another talking point - what does anyone prefer in terms of parkland or links courses? Traditionally I believe parkland courses are supposed to be easier. But its funny, I've always found I do much better on a links course. Maybe it's cos there are fewer trees!

There's links and parkland courses close to me. If I ever get round to joining one, it'd be a links.
probably be heresy here from someone who was born and brought up in fife with all the great links courses up the fife coast but i always struggled a little with the lack of definition compared to parkland courses and my home course was a parkland course as well so thats what i was used to
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Old 20-02-2016, 11:32
azalea
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It only just occurred to me that he didn't mention anything about fitting the clubs.

I assume then that he didn't think it was necessary . . . .
They must have done at least the basics? Lie angle.. Did they put a sticker on the bottom of the club and get you to hit of a little board?
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Old 20-02-2016, 12:24
Andrue
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They must have done at least the basics? Lie angle.. Did they put a sticker on the bottom of the club and get you to hit of a little board?
Mine didn't. The simulator had a laser and it can measure spin rate and launch angle. I don't think there's any need to bother with a proper fitting unless you are unusually tall or short. Or possibly if you're a professional. For an amateur of average height and build I think an off the shelf club should be fine.
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Old 20-02-2016, 13:10
azalea
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[quote=Andrue;81575182]Mine didn't. The simulator had a laser and it can measure spin rate and launch angle. I don't think there's any need to bother with a proper fitting unless you are unusually tall or short. Or possibly if you're a professional. For an amateur of average height and build I think an off the shelf club should be fine.[/QUOTE

I guess it all depends what you want from it, but if I was paying for high end like taylormade I would want what suits me. Beginner or not. It's like going into a opticians and asking for off the shelf, everyone is slightly different. I'm of average height and have 2flat because of the way I set up to and swing. Like you say spin rate and launch angle can be picked up by simulators nowadays , but a good fit would have looked at these figures and then maybe helped to improve on them by offering a few shafts to try.
I'm guessing they would have also explained taylormades notoriously strong lofts and advised on gapping the scoring clubs appropriately.
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Old 20-02-2016, 16:38
Toby LaRhone
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probably be heresy here from someone who was born and brought up in fife with all the great links courses up the fife coast but i always struggled a little with the lack of definition compared to parkland courses and my home course was a parkland course as well so thats what i was used to
I would totally agree.
Almost every fairway on our parkland course is tree lined both sides.
If you slice or hook you're in trouble.
Accuracy is more critical than distance.
I've played on highly rated courses that are "wide open" where you can see maybe several greens in the distance.
I'm almost disappointed to find that a wildly errant drive isn't really penalised as a second shot fairway recovery is easily managed.

Maybe I'm being a bit general?
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Old 20-02-2016, 16:59
Toby LaRhone
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Digressing slightly, I use a very good "chat" forum for golfers
Google "Golf Monthly forums".
It has a very informative "Rules of Golf" section with answers from very knowledgeable members. I've had lots of "disputes" resolved on there where even my Pro's have been a bit vague.
It also has "Ask the experts" where questions about equipment, swing problems etc get debated.
Just register and get asking.
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Old 20-02-2016, 22:42
blueisthecolour
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They must have done at least the basics? Lie angle.. Did they put a sticker on the bottom of the club and get you to hit of a little board?
Well yeah, I hit a few different clubs and then we used the simulator to work out which ones I was best with.

But he didn't take any measurements or anything.
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Old 21-02-2016, 08:58
Toby LaRhone
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I was supposed to tee off 30 minutes ago.
I'm lying in bed watching the fine rain swirling around in the gale.
I was actually relieved the course is closed.
Mind you I had to ring in at 7.30 to find out - I had my fingers crossed
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Old 22-02-2016, 09:04
Amelia Field
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One more question for golfers, where do you guys go for a community chat? I mean is there any golf forum or community where can help newbies to learn the ABCs of golf?
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Old 22-02-2016, 10:30
Hugh Jboobs
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One more question for golfers, where do you guys go for a community chat? I mean is there any golf forum or community where can help newbies to learn the ABCs of golf?
As Toby said above...

Digressing slightly, I use a very good "chat" forum for golfers
Google "Golf Monthly forums".
It has a very informative "Rules of Golf" section with answers from very knowledgeable members. I've had lots of "disputes" resolved on there where even my Pro's have been a bit vague.
It also has "Ask the experts" where questions about equipment, swing problems etc get debated.
Just register and get asking.
I'm not a member there, but have been having a browse. Looks pretty good, might sign up myself.
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Old 22-02-2016, 10:37
Andrue
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I was supposed to tee off 30 minutes ago.
I had quite a pleasant day at Feldon Valley. It stayed dry and the high winds added a frisson of excitement. We even had some sunny spells which Mr Met Office never told us about. I eventually 'finished' on 91. I put that in quotes because I couldn't score one hole due to an annoying lost ball. One of those stupid ones where everyone watching (well - both of us) saw the flight and knew it was 'some where over there, possibly in the light rough'. Bloody irritating for me because it was a nice rescue from the rough, over a hedge and in the general direction of the green. I struck it better than expected which is why we assumed it went in the rough on the far side of the green.

But we couldn't find it and I wasn't going to walk 150 yards back to take it again

Other than that it was a curious mix of double bogies and several pars. I parred every par three which is really bizarre including getting one ball out of a ditch alongside the green.

Sadly my buddy was having a bad day and ended up on 115. He was just random across the board. Long, short, putting. A total lottery for him
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Old 22-02-2016, 11:09
Hugh Jboobs
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I had quite a pleasant day at Feldon Valley. It stayed dry and the high winds added a frisson of excitement. We even had some sunny spells which Mr Met Office never told us about. I eventually 'finished' on 91.
Do you have an official handicap Andrue?

I play off 25, but that's just something that's been bestowed upon me by friends!
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Old 22-02-2016, 12:30
Andrue
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Do you have an official handicap Andrue?
No. I keep promising that I will get one if I can be sure it will be in the teens and low 90s is not quite there. It might happen at the end of this summer, though. My target is to be playing mostly in the 80s by end of summer.
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Old 22-02-2016, 12:58
Hugh Jboobs
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No. I keep promising that I will get one if I can be sure it will be in the teens and low 90s is not quite there. It might happen at the end of this summer, though. My target is to be playing mostly in the 80s by end of summer.
So what sort of handicap are you hoping for?

Most people I know who have handicaps don't actually play to them all that regularly!

ETA Sorry I didn't read your post properly, you said teens.
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Old 22-02-2016, 13:28
blueisthecolour
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So what sort of handicap are you hoping for?

Most people I know who have handicaps don't actually play to them all that regularly!

ETA Sorry I didn't read your post properly, you said teens.
I found it really depressing that when I was playing regularly that I wasn't scoring well enough to get even a 28 handicap. What other sport has that kind of bar?
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Old 22-02-2016, 13:56
Andrue
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I found it really depressing that when I was playing regularly that I wasn't scoring well enough to get even a 28 handicap. What other sport has that kind of bar?
Not entirely true. Men who don't have an official handicap are 28 by default (women are 36). It doesn't bar you from much except official tournaments and possibly the chance of winning any competitions you enter.

To clarify that: I don't think an official tournament would allow an unhandicapped player to participate but your typical club comp would (unless it was a snooty club). I think the only time my club doesn't allow it is for regular fixtures like Captain's Cup, or Season Opener. For the rest it's just up to the other players to agree what handicap to give you.

Now because your effective handicap is higher than 28 you would not get your full allowance of shots so you'd be at a disadvantage. Then again a local club comp might agree to let you have an unofficial handicap. The rules for handing out the credit shots are pretty simple. As long as everyone in the comp agrees to it you can have a handicap of 100.

And here's where golf's handicap comes very much to its aid. If you did enter a comp with a handicap of 100 you would stand just as much chance of winning as anyone else. In what other sport can a keen amateur play against a top professional in a competition and have a reasonable chance of winning?

And for the record assuming my maths is correct a handicap of 100 means:

5 free shots on every hole except for the hardest ten holes where you get 6 free shots
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Old 22-02-2016, 14:09
Hugh Jboobs
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Not entirely true. Men who don't have an official handicap are 28 by default (women are 36).
Yeah when I first started playing I just used a handicap of 28. I was very inconsistent and was just plodding along, not really improving.

Then one weekend I suddenly played really well and have kept that up for a while. I never play stroke play when I go golfing. It's always Matchplay, Stableford or Skins.

To be honest I'm still not sure I'd finish 28 over or less if I did play stroke play for a whole round - mainly because I always tend to get at least one truly awful hole. But I believe there's some very complicated way of working out someone's handicap and you'd often end up with less than you perhaps expected if you did turn in three cards.
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Old 22-02-2016, 14:32
Andrue
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To be honest I'm still not sure I'd finish 28 over or less if I did play stroke play for a whole round - mainly because I always tend to get at least one truly awful hole. But I believe there's some very complicated way of working out someone's handicap and you'd often end up with less than you perhaps expected if you did turn in three cards.
Yeah working out a handicap can be quite complicated and when all's said and done it usually goes before the committee and they tweak it a bit anyway. Oh and they don't usually stop counting after a certain number of strokes so that ten stroke disaster hole is actually only an eight

One guy on one round got a bit annoyed because most of his mistakes occurred on easy holes whereas my partner (26 hcp) made his mistakes where he was supposed to on the harder holes. There was a particular par 3 where my partner parred it but the other guy double bogied it. And it was an SI 7 so my partner got two free strokes. But..basically fair's fair. My partner played the hole way above his level and the other guy played it way below his level.
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