How’s your golf going this year?

[jvincent]

> @NoTalentLefty said:

> Since this old body is heading for another hip replacement , I can’t golf yet. Please give me some details about your game so I can dream what the game is like and forget my pain for awhile?

 

Too bad about the hip. Do your rehab!

 

My game this year is about a trillion times better than last year. Last year I fought a giant two way miss with driver because I didn't realize that a change I had made to my swing had switched me from being a natural push-drawer to a natural pull-fader. Tried to hit draws with an out to in path for 3.5 months before I figured it out. I lost at least 6 dozen golf balls in that time. Once I accepted the fade it took me another month to figure out where to aim. Then the season ended.

 

This year I went to Alabama and Ireland before our season started and hit the ball really well. Had a blast in both places. We had a late start to the year here because of the bad winter but have been hitting it solid. I didn't break 80 once last year and have already broken it once and shot 80 on the number a few times.

 

The rate of golf ball loss is now measured in rounds per ball compared to holes per ball of last season.

[platgof]

Today the fairways are like brick so I ended up with some of my longest drives ever. I was hitting my irons well(thanks Johnny,) and sinking putts. I really like my putter, and quit looking for another, weird. My biggest mistake was not hitting the longer irons as I was hitting irons well. Shot 42 on nine holes, and had a blast!

[Socrates]

Played Thurs and Fri this week. Thurs I hit some really good shots, but punctuated the round with some really awful ones that defied belief. Putted horribly. The really good shots were stupid good and just what I've been working on for the last couple of years. There was hope.

 

Friday's round was nearly flawless. Took those shots that were good on Thurs and made almost every swing a carbon copy of the those. There were a couple where I tried to get more out of the shot than I should've, but I wasn't fatally wounded by them. Weather was perfect with almost no wind and so was the golf. Even made 3 birdies in a row. WTF was that all about? Number 17 is a short Par 4 with a ~~water hazard~~ (penalty area) you have to lay up short or short and left of. I did neither. Missed the Par putt. 18 is Par 4 with water left and crapola right. Pumped a driver right in the middle of the fairway. Green is very elevated from the fairway and the pin was right at the back and the green slopes big time back to front. Hit a beautiful wedge to 5ft below the hole. Tried the putt 6 times and never made it once!! 2 broke left and 4 went straight (I read it going left). Tap in for par.

 

That would have been for even par - 72, but it was just 73. No glory. Just a heavy sigh and some satisfaction that I've still got it. Now, we will see if I can find it next week.

[jonnymc44]

I love this thread. I use it as a weekly update where I can talk about my post-tourney rounds and the people reading it can relate/appreciate. So, following up on my win a couple of weeks ago (last week's tourney was rained off), I shot a +5 today (7hcp). Finished in 5th position out of 149. I had two 3 putts in there as well so I'm very happy with where my game is at the moment. We've had a lot of rain recently so the greens were very slow. They're rolling well just not quick, which is what I'm putting the 3 putts down to. Liking where my 2019 is going.

I'm putting my recent good scoring down to two things: I bought a new driver this year. I'm driving it longer and straighter, which has allowed me to hit more GIR. And secondly, I changed my putting grip at the start of the season and I'm putting better than I ever have. Coupled with the GIR I'm scoring well.

[lonscicles]

Eh, took 5-6 years off from the game, and still trying to get things back to where they once were. Everything is a bit errant and inconsistent still. If I’m honest, probably time for a lesson or two to see everything and have something to measure progress on.

[GolfChannel]

> @lonscicles said:

> Eh, took 5-6 years off from the game, and still trying to get things back to where they once were. Everything is a bit errant and inconsistent still. If I’m honest, probably time for a lesson or two to see everything and have something to measure progress on.

 

Same as me, took 5 years off was a +1.8 and after a year of getting things back in order sitting at a 1.8 on the opposite side trying to get back to scratch.

 

Lessons are a huge must to get going again. Second just build a home on your chipping and putting area of your favorite course. Last download a video analysis app so you can monitor the progress of your swing because your end product might not always show the actual progress you are making (I use Coaches Eye) which if you didn’t know it you might bandaid a swing and negate any progress you are actually making.

[USCHawks31]

I hadn't picked up a club in 11 months until yesterday, easily the longest break I've taken in the 15 years I've been playing. A friend of mine was coming to town so we get a tee time. Show up about 90 minutes before to hit a bucket of balls and it's ugly, can't stay down on the ball and everything is thin. Wedges were s***, irons were s***, 3 wood was s***. Maybe hit 5 OK shots through all of that. Take out the driver for the last handful of balls and manage to make a few decent swings.

 

Shot 78 (+6), three shots off my best round ever. Didn't lose a ball, didn't have a single three putt, and missed three birdie putts from 4-5 feet. Not sure what happened but once I was out on course everything just came together.

[vbb]

Better than this time last year. Did my first ever club fitting, and got my first ever custom set of irons fit to my specs. I'm still getting used to them, but my misses are straighter and my good shots are longer and higher. Even more than the irons though, my driver game has much improved. I hit a ton of different driver heads and shafts and ended up really liking my 3+ year old setup the best. Additionally, due to having a better setup I'm making great contact. All of this combined has resulted in a 2 stroke better average this year compared to last and I'm trending in the right direction. My goal this year is to get my handicap index to a 9.9 or better and I'm on my way.

[Oufcfan]

I managed to get my form back and was feeling pretty confident heading in to the Club Championship weekend (18 holes on Saturday, 18 on Sunday, strokeplay) until my final practice round 2 days before. Then, like an idiot, I bent down to get the ball out of the hole awkwardly whilst trying not to stand on other players lines, and managed to tear my medial meniscus in my left knee!

I hobbled around the course both days although i knew after the 2nd shot on the first hole that my chances of performing were over.

 

Cut to today, 7 weeks later and Having seen a physio, a GP and a specialist (but no scans) I’m still waiting to see if it will heal at all. Getting increasingly frustrated at not being able to play and rather selfishly hoping there’s a bad winter, just so I don’t have to hear how my usual playing partners are getting on!!

[MaineMariner]

> @MaineMariner said:

> I made some big swing changes over the winter and haven't had much time to get outside to hit balls off grass. I also haven't had a chance to practice my short game outside of carpet putting. My 4 rounds this year have been amazingly consistent: 91, 91, 92, 89. Usually at this time of the year I'm shooting in the mid/high 90's, even low 100's with some disaster rounds, and getting into the mid 80's by the middle of summer.

>

> I've made some silly mistakes (including hitting a couple shots that I shouldn't have hit just because I wanted to try out a new club), gotten a little lazy and lost my mental focus late in the round, and have had to deal with aerated greens, so all in all I'm very pleased with my scores.

>

> I hate to jinx myself, but I feel confident that I'm going to break 80 for the first time this year. My swing changes have me feeling really solid, plus I just feel more aware of my body now. Scoring in the 80's with barely any practice time is a good sign for me.

 

And with the year winding down, I'm happy to say that I did end up breaking 80 two weeks ago. Also with two 83's mixed in this summer, which would have been my low scores until I shot a 79. Scoring average for the year is about 88 and handicap

dropped something like 8 strokes from around 20 to 11.8.

 

Credit mostly goes to YouTube and Instagram. Seriously! Not only for swing instruction, but also course management and fitness. Instagram sold me on Stick Mobility, which I absolutley love.

 

 

[Brunchz0r]

Was stuck at 4.5 index through some swing changes, in Europe you have to play tournaments (official) to break through 4.5.

 

Point is I was stuck, furthermore I had significant problems with my back which resulted in a larger surgery August 2018. This year has been about finding my way back to playing and improving at the same time. I have been able to play without pain from around June, and since then my average round has dropped to mid 70's from low 80's. Now the index is 3.8 and I'm quite proud of that. This winter it's about improving my physical condition through fitness - hopefully I can take this form into next year.

 

Short game is wastly improved

Iron play is consistent.

Off the tee and putting I would like to improve a bit.

[mtcowdog]

Late start. Did zero golf until August. But going well. Game is improving nicely just in time for winter! Most happy with short game improvement.

[RainShadow]

After a terrible start to the year and not being able to finish rounds ( lots of personal loss affecting my mental state, I think ) things are improving.

Index trending downward, currently 9.6.

My last few rounds have had better GIT stats, which was an area holding me back as well as poor bunker play. ( play mostly public courses with horrid, inconsistent sand, or lack there of.

Went a few months w/o having more than one birdie in a round and not really holing any putts inside 15ft. Just burning edges. That trend seems to reversed itself as of late.

Last 6 rounds have been: 77, 84, 81, 73, 84, 81, 75. Had my first under par back nine in about 2 years ( since we got rear ended )

Since I live in the desert, I don't really have a season, per se. I play a lot all year, generally about 6-7 rounds a month and a little range time 1x per week.

Usually 2 of those rounds are "practice" playing a few select shots several times on some of my nemesis holes at some of my regular courses, or trying out new gear experiments.

BTW, the Ping G400/ HZRDUS Yellow combo has been game changer from the tee. Best driver I've ever had.

[GolfChannel]

Standard HS golf season rising of the handicap (1.8 to 4.5). Ironically, the part of the year which gets me on the course the most leads to my handicap skyrocketing, because I play but don’t follow my own routines since I am focused on my players. I have gotten in the habit of now turning season into the part of the year I work on any improvements I want to make so once season is complete I can hit the ground running as I work back towards scratch.

 

I did pop something in my shoulder at one practice which occasionally hurts if I hit on mats to long, but it isn’t constant so I should really see a doctor. It has got me contemplating refitting my iBlades with graphite.

[Frisco Kid]

Broke 80 twice this season when all facets of the game were on...most rounds are low to mid 80s(just once last year) with a few low 90s sprinkled in. My driving and putting has been great but if I’m struggling, it’s usually with my approach shots from 200 in. Nothing more demoralizing than striping a drive then tanking a 150 approach ?

[jak77]

My swing is in shambles right now haha. Working with a new coach and we've made some changes to get my consistency up. Also drastically changed my grip and its taking some getting used to. I'm too stubborn to not play on the weekends and focus on practicing. I should probably practice more (still practice at least once/twice a week) to groove the new swing before I take it out on the course. Problem is that I enjoy being on the course too much, so as a result my scores have suffered recently. Hopefully once I get this swing down I'll be posting better scores. We'll see! Putting and chipping are pretty decent, however I'm struggling off the tees and with my mid/long irons.

[CougarRed]

Came back to the game about 18 months ago after ~15 years of less than 5 rounds per year (and some years none).

 

Current handicap index 5.9.

 

Been working on bending more at the hips and trying to swing one plane, i.e. flatter. As a kid, I was heavily influenced by Nicklaus "reach for the sky" and was a definite 2-planer with quite a bit of lateral movement.

 

Finding it easier to be consistent with the one plane, inside takeaway and a quieter head. Also, the Cobra one length irons have really helped my consistency.

 

Putting and short game feel have been the last things to come back. Putted great last time out with an innovative grip, so hope springs eternal...

[NoTalentLefty]

> @NoTalentLefty said:

> Since this old body is heading for another hip replacement , I can’t golf yet. Please give me some details about your game so I can dream what the game is like and forget my pain for awhile?

 

After getting back from the hip replacement in August, and seeing the HCI climb, had a very good back nine where I really thought the my game was coming around last week. This week? Heading to the Dr. again with my hip radiating pain when walking. Hanging the clubs up this year .

[rwc356]

> @NoTalentLefty said:

> > @NoTalentLefty said:

> > Since this old body is heading for another hip replacement , I can’t golf yet. Please give me some details about your game so I can dream what the game is like and forget my pain for awhile?

>

> After getting back from the hip replacement in August, and seeing the HCI climb, had a very good back nine where I really thought the my game was coming around last week. This week? Heading to the Dr. again with my hip radiating pain when walking. Hanging the clubs up this year .

 

Good luck with the hip. Hopefully its something that therapy and rest can cure. I've been battling increasing arthritis issues this summer / fall - coming winter in Chicago may actually be a blessing for me although I will be golf crazy within a few weeks of not playing.

[Joelsim]

Regularly shooting in the late 70s at my home courses now. Was playing off 22 just eighteen months ago. Driving and putting have improved, still work to be done on all aspects though.

[Jkasm88]

Great, love it! just got back into golf after 10+ years and now a lot of my friends are getting into too. Also just got a hole in one recently!

[jvincent]

End of season update to this thread.

 

Happy to report that the index is down to a 6.2 after some fairly decent play in the last month or so. Shot a season best 75 last weekend.

 

Most importantly confidence in the driver is now back to 100%. After last year's fiasco that is a welcome change. Who'd have thought it would be easier to score when you hit your driver in play?

[Joelsim]

Had a poor first 12 holes today, yet still came away with an 80, 10 over. Also please to report that I’ve worked out a problem in my stance that was causing me to block shots left 20 degrees fairly regularly. My hips have been pointing left, by straightening them up just by 5 degrees I get a much nicer ball flight with a slight draw and almost no blocks.

 

Had been doing this for the last few rounds to great effect, but for some reason I simply forgot for 12 holes today. ?

[ThinkingPlus]

It has been a pretty good year. Index continues to hover around +1 (women's) which is very good for me. Also have shot the most under par rounds this year than ever before (8). Would like to pick up a couple more before the end of the year.

[rxk9fan]

It has been a good year. For someone who has a demanding job, I have been blessed to play a lot of golf this year. My HC had stalled mid year, but has now hit the lowest number for this year (7.1) and my last rounds have been the best of the year. I know a 7.1 does not compare to many here, but many of my rounds are played with guys in there mid twenties(I turn 61 before year end). We have played multiple 7000+ yard courses with slope ratings 130 plus, and our home course is 6,785 with a 121 slope so my HC is a pretty legit 7.1 for an old guy :-).

[Hogan9]

All in all I had a pretty good year. After two years of struggling with some physical ailments, 2019 was pain free for the most part. I also played better. As I approach 70 years old (late Jan.) I'm still able to score in the 80s and I had a half dozen rounds in the mid to high 70s. My lack of distance off the tee is always a problem, but my short game and putting usually save me. I've been playing tees that are 6250 and even had a few rounds from 6600 this summer when the course was hard and fast. I'm thinking of dropping back to 6000 yards this Winter when it's cold and wet. Right now my index is 8.5, but it always seems to go up in December, January, and February. There'a a 75 that will come off with my next round and I understand the new World Handicap System will rely on fewer more recent round. While I wish I still had that single digit game I had for decades; I'm happy to still be out there swinging.

Everyone have a great Thanksgiving!

[No5somes]

Hmmm, let's see. Went to Myrtle beach; found that it has become a strip mall. Played the TPC course (where DJ has a golf school) w/ 2 other singles. One, a 65 yr old doctor, who was hitting his driver 270 yards, but his 7 iron 140 yds. The other, a guy who claimed to be on the Golf channel amateur golf tour in the 12-16 handicap division. He shot a 72. Talk about an odd experience. Turned out that the Doctor had a shaved face driver. As to the other guy, no comment. Anyway, that pretty much sums up how my game's been this year.

[Pulledabill]

Had double carpal tunel surgery last January and then aftee my 1st round Back in March I fell and broke a thumb. Finally got going again mid April and handicap went from 6 to 12ish. Came back too early.

Playe some May and June tournaments and started playing bettet and eventually got back down to a 6 late August early September.

Played 10 new to me courses and made a few more golf friends.

[deadon500]

I have had a great year . My home course is 36-36 avg. 38.4 played 80 rounds in my assoc. best score 34 and 69 bad score 42 and 79 .....

[jimb6golf]

Game started coming around after a swing change, but fell apart in the fall and couldn't even hit the ball solidly. Back to the drawing board (and lessons).