The Golf Thread

[Molehill]

I need to be playing more now while I can still swing it normally. I was just talking to an old golf mate (and ex high school teacher of mine) yesterday about this while I was down in my hometown, and he was saying that I should be playing more before I get to an age where you can't swing it like you used to. Will have to make sure I am getting out more.

I'm playing a lot now with a mate who was scratch at 18 but then all but packed it in for 30 odd years, only playing occasionally. He came back as a 9 handicap and in a year is down to 4. He goes for an occasional lesson just to tinker with his swing when he knows something isn't right and gets instant results it seems. But it's so frustrating watching his swing, he's so loose and the same age as me, I just wish I'd learnt properly as a kid instead of at 40. I think if your body is used to it, then you should be ok.

 

[social]

Minjee Lee wins first PGA Tour event

Very talented player and beat a good field

Shame that it came on such a terrible course but has to start somewhere

 

[Son Of Coco]

Minjee Lee wins first PGA Tour event

Very talented player and beat a good field

Shame that it came on such a terrible course but has to start somewhere

Min Woo?

Although it would be incredibly impressive if Minjee Lee won the Houston Open!

 

[Son Of Coco]

I'm playing a lot now with a mate who was scratch at 18 but then all but packed it in for 30 odd years, only playing occasionally. He came back as a 9 handicap and in a year is down to 4. He goes for an occasional lesson just to tinker with his swing when he knows something isn't right and gets instant results it seems. But it's so frustrating watching his swing, he's so loose and the same age as me, I just wish I'd learnt properly as a kid instead of at 40. I think if your body is used to it, then you should be ok.

It's amazing how guys who were really good at a young age can come back to it and seemingly start playing well again with little effort. I feel like I can play pretty decently with a little bit of time at the range as I kind of know where I need to be with my swing (this will be challenged on my next visit to the range - I haven't hit balls for about 3 months), but some of my mates who played to scratch or better are ridiculously good after long breaks of not playing much at all.

One mate who was at the golf school at Kooralbyn with Adam Scott can come out and shoot par or very close having not played for ages. Another who went to the AIS for golf can do the same. A guy I played junior golf with spent many years in Korea teaching English, and while I assume he was also playing a fair bit of screen golf there, wouldn't have played a lot on courses. He came back and was off +2, having shot under par his first few rounds.

It would be nice.

 

[Molehill]

Minjee Lee wins first PGA Tour event

Very talented player and beat a good field

Shame that it came on such a terrible course but has to start somewhere

A terrible course but it sure played to his strengths. Apparently, he's just the 3rd player since they started recording these things to win a tournament by having more birdies than hitting fairways. The rough was virtually non existent and allowed him to spray it all over without much penalty. Good to see another International win though, he always comes across as a nice fella, the US are really struggling this season.

Interesting to see Scheffler and McIlroy lurking, but was very different how they did it. Rory's ball striking was excellent but a very cold putter on the first couple of days did for his tournament. He looks in a good place to have a run at Augusta. Scottie though was not hitting like he can (and hasn't been really), but an insane putting round on Friday (gained 7 shots on the field) propelled him to the lead. It's tough to defend at Augusta, and winning 3 in 4 there is virtually unheard of.

 

[Molehill]

It's amazing how guys who were really good at a young age can come back to it and seemingly start playing well again with little effort. I feel like I can play pretty decently with a little bit of time at the range as I kind of know where I need to be with my swing (this will be challenged on my next visit to the range - I haven't hit balls for about 3 months), but some of my mates who played to scratch or better are ridiculously good after long breaks of not playing much at all.

One mate who was at the golf school at Kooralbyn with Adam Scott can come out and shoot par or very close having not played for ages. Another who went to the AIS for golf can do the same. A guy I played junior golf with spent many years in Korea teaching English, and while I assume he was also playing a fair bit of screen golf there, wouldn't have played a lot on courses. He came back and was off +2, having shot under par his first few rounds.

It would be nice.

What was your lowest handicap?

Our club champion (for last 5 years) is the same, he tried to turn pro early 20's but wasn't good enough. Gave it up for 20 years and became a very good club runner (one of those really annoying talented at everything blokes). He came back early 40's and is now +3 having recently turned 50 and playing the best golf of his life. He's good fun to play with too, one of those who can totally switch off between shots and talk utter rubbish as opposed to those who bore you with their swing thoughts (as so many good golfers can).

 

[Son Of Coco]

What was your lowest handicap?

Our club champion (for last 5 years) is the same, he tried to turn pro early 20's but wasn't good enough. Gave it up for 20 years and became a very good club runner (one of those really annoying talented at everything blokes). He came back early 40's and is now +3 having recently turned 50 and playing the best golf of his life. He's good fun to play with too, one of those who can totally switch off between shots and talk utter rubbish as opposed to those who bore you with their swing thoughts (as so many good golfers can).

I got down to 3. I practiced for about 9 months one year while I was having a year off uni and went out one day and shot 3 under (was 5 under after 10 holes) to go from 5 down to 3. This was about 3 days after that lesson I mentioned above where the coach asked if I concentrate. Apparently the answer had previously been 'no'.

I didn't have the head for it when I was younger though. I would get too annoyed if I was playing badly. I reckon I swing it more consistently now, but I never get to practice putting and chipping, so that's a problem. I am going to have to start putting a bit more time aside for it.

 

[social]

I got down to 3. I practiced for about 9 months one year while I was having a year off uni and went out one day and shot 3 under (was 5 under after 10 holes) to go from 5 down to 3. This was about 3 days after that lesson I mentioned above where the coach asked if I concentrate. Apparently the answer had previously been 'no'.

I didn't have the head for it when I was younger though. I would get too annoyed if I was playing badly. I reckon I swing it more consistently now, but I never get to practice putting and chipping, so that's a problem. I am going to have to start putting a bit more time aside for it.

My old man played pennants when younger before giving it up for about 20 years

Joined a top club in his 50s and got down to 3 within 2 years

Virtually never practiced but was blessed with a beautiful natural swing and was the best pitcher & putter I’ve ever seen up close plus he was really smart

He beat me off the stick when nearly 70, playing with a 5 iron, SW & putter and I was on 9

****

 

[Molehill]

Rory up to his old tricks again, absolutely cruising round and then one slightly unfortunate shot on 15 followed by a brain fade on 17. Still not convinced by Scheffler, he had an obscene putting round in Houston and didn't get the job done, holing two big ones yesterday (one of which was sailing miles past) suggests he's still not relying on his normal strengths.

18 of the last 19 winners were within 4 of the lead after Round 1, that doesn't leave many. But the two who tick all the stats are Aberg and Hatton. No doubt at the prices, Hatton looks value, especially when you remember that a number of players have won both Dubai and the Masters in the same season.

 

[social]

I am no swing expert but this looks bad

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1910569976664097025

 

[Molehill]

And then he went 19 shots better!

It’s a cracking leaderboard, shaping up to be a superb weekend. Rory or Bryson for me, I think their length is going to be a huge advantage.

 

[Son Of Coco]

I am no swing expert but this looks bad

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1910569976664097025

It looks horrific.

To be fair to him though, his arms and everything else are in pretty good positions, and when you watch his swing slowed down, the dip of the head happens mostly after contact.

 

[Tom Flint]

Brooks didn't make the cut but hovland 40/1 had been lurking around the places throughout. He doesn't get much tv or bbc coverage so hard to know how he is playing.

 

[ripper868]

-5 through 6 is a decent way to start a round .

 

[Son Of Coco]

McIlroy on fire in the 3rd round too, although I say this tentatively with 1 hole to play.

He would almost be out of sight without that implosion in the last 4 holes in the first round.

 

[Molehill]

McIlroy on fire in the 3rd round too, although I say this tentatively with 1 hole to play.

He would almost be out of sight without that implosion in the last 4 holes in the first round.

Yeah, this would've been done and dusted. Mind you, you could say the same if Bryson wasn't holing random bunker shots and crazy long putts. But no surprise it'll be between the two longest and most consistent drivers of the ball. Fingers crossed for Rory....

 

[Ali TT]

****ing mare of a start from Rory. Lost his 2 shot lead on 1 and hit a bunker on 2 from the tee while Happy Gilmore makes the green in 2.

 

[Ali TT]

And then on 3 Rory gets a birdie and Happy bogeys, flips back around

 

[Ali TT]

Rory now texting ahead - 4 up, 9 to play. Rose and Åberg pushing in second as DeShambles struggles.

 

[Ali TT]

Was about to go to bed with Rory way up then he hacks one into the creek from 80 yards and Rose 8 feet out for a birdie. Wtf Rory