Life on other tours

[Forged4ever]

My stats show (via shotstohole.com) that if I can increase my driving distance by 20 yards I will see a drop of around 1.5 shots per round,while I realise this is a long term project I have been trying to hit the ball higher via work with my coach.the life of a small tour pro can be tough I am currently trying to source financing for my trip to Africa which is mid April,not being able to plan more than a couple of moths ahead takes its toll as you are always feeling like you need a result now to pay for next week,this makes it that much harder to put changes in play as you don't really feel you have the time for these changes to bed in,as you need to be winning money every time you tee it

Hey Bro, thanks for starting this thread. We've gotta a few threads going and that's great that you can share from that neck of the woods. As my SS was in your area(107-108) in 2012, my last in the game, I know from Playing the backs at 7000+ and throwing 3-6i's in greens when my FC's were firing 6i-9i's and in a few cases PW's, well it's a grind when you're basically playing for par and they're giving themselves legit birdie looks, especially at your level. They make a mistake or miss and they get par, you make a mistake and you're looking at bogie. Are you currently working on the mechanical/physical side of your game while you're tryin to cash a check? That's a tough tough road to hoe Bro, very tough. I'm not tellin you anything that you don't know. These guys are stepping onto a tee visualizing and thinking about goin low and have all the confidence in the world that it's comin, and you're stepping into he tee hoping that ya got the swing to squeeze out 5-10 more yards? You're at the dance and ya gotta dance with who ya brought. For better or worse, take the swing you've got, swing, and hopefully you Play your a** off and cash a few checks and make a little noise!! You know the feeling. You've been there done it before-

 

THAT'S What you've gotta have goin through your mind-

 

Discipline and Focus Bro, Discipline and Focus!!!

 

Regarding money, or lack there of, you're Playin scared-

 

I don't necessarily mean literally, though you've probably got a mental calculator and a mental calendar and you're computing dollars into days and what you got left and what you need to do and how much you need to make to keep this show on the road-

 

Just like thinkin about mechanics and Playin Tourney golf, and I don't give a s*** what level of golf, NOONE wins or Plays well with that stuff in their head. Not under pressure. And Bro, you're facing some pressure before you even plant the tee.

 

I've been there, different activity and arena, but I had enough money to either get a hotel for the night OR enough to take a prospective surgeon(my first orthopedic implant distributorship, hip/knees) to lunch. I slept in my car, went into the surgeons lounge in the morning to shower, shave and get dressed and I did what I had to do. Just like you can't Play scared, no surgeon likes takin a desperate individual into the OR with em.

 

You've got to somehow focus and block out your reality and think, swing and Play like you have at the BEST periods of your life-

 

You've got to "let go" and literally, not give a s***, and swing and Play as though you've got a million in the bank and a Tour card in your pocket.

 

If you don't, you're gonna join the other great Players who fell short-

 

For some reason I believe in you-

 

Your honesty and openness~

 

Your humility~

 

You're desire to succeed~

 

Believe me, if you can't summon the mental where with all NOW to Play your best golf when you need it most, havin money in the bank ain't gonna make a difference~

 

Why?

 

Because there's a kid out there in Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada and the good ole US of A that is in the same situation as you and they're gonna put it together, grab the ring, and not let go-

 

Grab the ring Bro, have fun and Play your a** off!!

 

I wish you the very Best and Please keep us in the loop :)

 

Fairways & Greens, Pins & Cups My Friend,

Richard

[Forged4ever]

As you can imagine traveling through Africa playing can be a different experience,we are lucky to go to some of the most amazing places,leopard creek playing on the edge of Kruger national park is an unbelievable place,how ever my most entertaing story is probably flying from the uk via Ethiopia to play in the Zambia open near kitwie,I had played in Zambia before but not in this area.

I flew from the uk to Ethiopia (around a 6 hour flight I think)I waited there for 4 hours to get my connecting flight to Zambia,went through the gate and boarded a coach to my plane sat on there for 5 hours got off went to passport control,I was where my papers were?having been to a different area of Zambia before I told the lady I didn't have any papers,she then asked what I was there to do?Ia m here to play golf.GOLF she replied very surprised!being very tired after around 15 hours of traveling I replied yes golf,I am playing the Zambia open!

She replied ZAMBIA

I replied yes Zambia

She replied saying this is Gabon

GABON I replied is that country or an area

It's acountry she replied we will escort you back to the plane.

I then had a similar conversation with the pilot.

It turned out the coaches outside the gate we're going to different flights(no separation between the two coaches) luckily the plane was going straight back to Ethiopia which the issued me a free ticket for and I made the 5 hour flight back to Ethiopia spent the night there,had to call the tour to say I wouldn't be able to make the pro am the next day as I had boarded the wrong flight and had traveled 5 hours in the wrong direction.the tour secretary replied by saying this is the worst excuse she had ever heard for missing a pro am(not believing I was telling the truth)after a night in Ethiopia I made my flight to Zambia arriving at the course around 49 hours after leaving home and with a 14 hour journey taking 40 odd hours,I played the course blind stayed in the worst hotel I have ever stayed in shot two rounds of 77 stayed in the safety of my hotel room for the weekend to then fly back to the uk

 

Was a good way for everyone on the tour to become friends with me tho as my Tavel story was the talk of the tour for that week

LMAO, I don't care if you're Tiger frickin Woods, the fact that ya even Planted the tee tells anyone all they need to know about your desire, lol.

 

That's a great story for the grandkids some day and no one will ever beat that for missin a Pro-Am, lmao

 

Stay Well My Friend,

RP

[ssurrygpro]

My stats show (via shotstohole.com) that if I can increase my driving distance by 20 yards I will see a drop of around 1.5 shots per round,while I realise this is a long term project I have been trying to hit the ball higher via work with my coach.the life of a small tour pro can be tough I am currently trying to source financing for my trip to Africa which is mid April,not being able to plan more than a couple of moths ahead takes its toll as you are always feeling like you need a result now to pay for next week,this makes it that much harder to put changes in play as you don't really feel you have the time for these changes to bed in,as you need to be winning money every time you tee it

Hey Bro, thanks for starting this thread. We've gotta a few threads going and that's great that you can share from that neck of the woods. As my SS was in your area(107-108) in 2012, my last in the game, I know from Playing the backs at 7000+ and throwing 3-6i's in greens when my FC's were firing 6i-9i's and in a few cases PW's, well it's a grind when you're basically playing for par and they're giving themselves legit birdie looks, especially at your level. They make a mistake or miss and they get par, you make a mistake and you're looking at bogie. Are you currently working on the mechanical/physical side of your game while you're tryin to cash a check? That's a tough tough road to hoe Bro, very tough. I'm not tellin you anything that you don't know. These guys are stepping onto a tee visualizing and thinking about goin low and have all the confidence in the world that it's comin, and you're stepping into he tee hoping that ya got the swing to squeeze out 5-10 more yards? You're at the dance and ya gotta dance with who ya brought. For better or worse, take the swing you've got, swing, and hopefully you Play your a** off and cash a few checks and make a little noise!! You know the feeling. You've been there done it before-

 

THAT'S What you've gotta have goin through your mind-

 

Discipline and Focus Bro, Discipline and Focus!!!

 

Regarding money, or lack there of, you're Playin scared-

 

I don't necessarily mean literally, though you've probably got a mental calculator and a mental calendar and you're computing dollars into days and what you got left and what you need to do and how much you need to make to keep this show on the road-

 

Just like thinkin about mechanics and Playin Tourney golf, and I don't give a s*** what level of golf, NOONE wins or Plays well with that stuff in their head. Not under pressure. And Bro, you're facing some pressure before you even plant the tee.

 

I've been there, different activity and arena, but I had enough money to either get a hotel for the night OR enough to take a prospective surgeon(my first orthopedic implant distributorship, hip/knees) to lunch. I slept in my car, went into the surgeons lounge in the morning to shower, shave and get dressed and I did what I had to do. Just like you can't Play scared, no surgeon likes takin a desperate individual into the OR with em.

 

You've got to somehow focus and block out your reality and think, swing and Play like you have at the BEST periods of your life-

 

You've got to "let go" and literally, not give a s***, and swing and Play as though you've got a million in the bank and a Tour card in your pocket.

 

If you don't, you're gonna join the other great Players who fell short-

 

For some reason I believe in you-

 

Your honesty and openness~

 

Your humility~

 

You're desire to succeed~

 

Believe me, if you can't summon the mental where with all NOW to Play your best golf when you need it most, havin money in the bank ain't gonna make a difference~

 

Why?

 

Because there's a kid out there in Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada and the good ole US of A that is in the same situation as you and they're gonna put it together, grab the ring, and not let go-

 

Grab the ring Bro, have fun and Play your a** off!!

 

I wish you the very Best and Please keep us in the loop :)

 

Fairways & Greens, Pins & Cups My Friend,

Richard

Thanks I am not trying to increase distance while playing I know this will come with work and time,think one of mates dean burmister is playing Puerto rico this week,he flat out bombs is so hoping he has a good week,it's his first pga tour start but he's awesome,won 4 times on sunshine tour this year.i know I have the game to compete as have hand 5 top tens on challenge tour 3second places on sunshine tour and was going well in British open after first round once(second round not so good)just need to improve on what I have got

[Forged4ever]

My stats show (via shotstohole.com) that if I can increase my driving distance by 20 yards I will see a drop of around 1.5 shots per round,while I realise this is a long term project I have been trying to hit the ball higher via work with my coach.the life of a small tour pro can be tough I am currently trying to source financing for my trip to Africa which is mid April,not being able to plan more than a couple of moths ahead takes its toll as you are always feeling like you need a result now to pay for next week,this makes it that much harder to put changes in play as you don't really feel you have the time for these changes to bed in,as you need to be winning money every time you tee it

Hey Bro, thanks for starting this thread. We've gotta a few threads going and that's great that you can share from that neck of the woods. As my SS was in your area(107-108) in 2012, my last in the game, I know from Playing the backs at 7000+ and throwing 3-6i's in greens when my FC's were firing 6i-9i's and in a few cases PW's, well it's a grind when you're basically playing for par and they're giving themselves legit birdie looks, especially at your level. They make a mistake or miss and they get par, you make a mistake and you're looking at bogie. Are you currently working on the mechanical/physical side of your game while you're tryin to cash a check? That's a tough tough road to hoe Bro, very tough. I'm not tellin you anything that you don't know. These guys are stepping onto a tee visualizing and thinking about goin low and have all the confidence in the world that it's comin, and you're stepping into he tee hoping that ya got the swing to squeeze out 5-10 more yards? You're at the dance and ya gotta dance with who ya brought. For better or worse, take the swing you've got, swing, and hopefully you Play your a** off and cash a few checks and make a little noise!! You know the feeling. You've been there done it before-

 

THAT'S What you've gotta have goin through your mind-

 

Discipline and Focus Bro, Discipline and Focus!!!

 

Regarding money, or lack there of, you're Playin scared-

 

I don't necessarily mean literally, though you've probably got a mental calculator and a mental calendar and you're computing dollars into days and what you got left and what you need to do and how much you need to make to keep this show on the road-

 

Just like thinkin about mechanics and Playin Tourney golf, and I don't give a s*** what level of golf, NOONE wins or Plays well with that stuff in their head. Not under pressure. And Bro, you're facing some pressure before you even plant the tee.

 

I've been there, different activity and arena, but I had enough money to either get a hotel for the night OR enough to take a prospective surgeon(my first orthopedic implant distributorship, hip/knees) to lunch. I slept in my car, went into the surgeons lounge in the morning to shower, shave and get dressed and I did what I had to do. Just like you can't Play scared, no surgeon likes takin a desperate individual into the OR with em.

 

You've got to somehow focus and block out your reality and think, swing and Play like you have at the BEST periods of your life-

 

You've got to "let go" and literally, not give a s***, and swing and Play as though you've got a million in the bank and a Tour card in your pocket.

 

If you don't, you're gonna join the other great Players who fell short-

 

For some reason I believe in you-

 

Your honesty and openness~

 

Your humility~

 

You're desire to succeed~

 

Believe me, if you can't summon the mental where with all NOW to Play your best golf when you need it most, havin money in the bank ain't gonna make a difference~

 

Why?

 

Because there's a kid out there in Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada and the good ole US of A that is in the same situation as you and they're gonna put it together, grab the ring, and not let go-

 

Grab the ring Bro, have fun and Play your a** off!!

 

I wish you the very Best and Please keep us in the loop :)

 

Fairways & Greens, Pins & Cups My Friend,

Richard

Thanks I am not trying to increase distance while playing I know this will come with work and time,think one of maws dean burmister is playing Puerto rico this week,he flat out bombs is so hoping he has a good week,it's his first pga tour start but he's awesome,won 4 times on sunshine tour this year.i know I have the game to compete as have hand 5 top tens on challenge tour 3second places on sunshine tour and washing well in British open after first round once(second round not so good)just need to improve on what I have got

You've got more than enough game to compete!!

 

Golfingly Yours,

Richard

[ssurrygpro]

If anyone wants see me play here is highlights from a comp up my home course Cumberwell park

Lost by a shot :-(

[carn9698]

Thanks Steve, We will all be very interested to watch your progress. I know its a tough school, but you are living our dream. I wish you the best of luck and hope us guys on here can give you a boost in morale every now and then when you need it.

 

Matt Nixon is best from my area, but even he finds the Euro tour though at times.

 

Keep believing and let it happen.

[ssurrygpro]

Hi guys just a little update been in London this week,was lucky enough to practice/play at west hill golf club great Heath land course with good practice facility's,someone asked about what I do in practice so here is what I did over the two days.

Arrive at 9.30 breakfast as it was an hour from my girlfriends house,luckily I met a member in the bar who was playing with a friend so joined them to play 18 holes,quick drink and lunch then went out and played 18 holes on my own working on swing machinics but in a playing environment I find this a great way to practice and build trust in what you are working on.followed by an hours short game practice.

Day two arrived at 9 went to range hit 160 balls constructively working on swing,trying to shallow my plane with arms working infront of me on way down as I tend to pull arms straight down starting downswing,I then tend to get the club a touch steep on way down,after this I joined euro pro players jack Colgate and George Parker and challenge tour player Gary king for 14 holes,after playing had lunch then did some short game with Gary and jack helping Gary with his bunker play,then I did an hour in nets working on swing as it was dark.

I am currently waiting to hear if I have secured enough funding to play Zimbabwe and Zambia,I've had a couple of days off to see my girlfriend who I had only seen around 5 times in 5 months due to traveling,I am pleased with how swing is coming on and will try and post some pics if anyone is interested

Many thanks

Steve

[LHgolfer]

Great thread and good luck.

[ssurrygpro]

Hi guys just a little update having played zim open I shot 69 72 67 but had75 in last round to finish tied 10thwas disappointing o have a bad final round but a good start to my trip,last week I compoeted in Zambia on a par73 course in Lusaka,rounds of 71 72-71-68 left me in 6th place and moved me upto 525th in world just outside the top 500 which means just miss out on chane to enter us open qualifying in uk,today I competed in qualifying for the Mauritius open but a 73 left me 5shots off the mark,I have a week off now and will be competing in Swaziland next week

[isaacbm]

Best of luck and thanks for sharing your experiences!!

[s1mZ]

Hi Steve

 

Thanks for sharing & all the best for the future.

I was born in Harare (Zimbabwe) but live in Johannesburg now. So i would keen to follow you on the Sunshine Tour.

- What did you think of Royal Harare Golf Course & Harare as a whole? My beloved country has been through hell & back but there are signs we are bouncing back.

- When are you next events on the Sunshine Tour? I will try catch some

 

Cheers

[carn9698]

Some lovely rounds in the 60s. Great to hear your progress. Keep grinding and enjoying the process.

 

What are you working on technically currently? Or are just out there competing like heck?

 

The level is so high worldwide. I admire guys out there giving it their best shot to see what they can do.

 

My limit was the NW England amateur tour late 90s for 2 seasons and that was too hot a kitchen for my limited abilities!

[stuway]

Awesome thread, thanks Steve. Best of luck on all your endeavors. Really appreciate you taking the time to keep us updated. Great reading and learning material. Look forward to following your progress. Play well brother.

 

Thanks-Stuart

[ssurrygpro]

Hi Steve

 

Thanks for sharing & all the best for the future.

I was born in Harare (Zimbabwe) but live in Johannesburg now. So i would keen to follow you on the Sunshine Tour.

- What did you think of Royal Harare Golf Course & Harare as a whole? My beloved country has been through hell & back but there are signs we are bouncing back.

- When are you next events on the Sunshine Tour? I will try catch some

 

Cheers

Royal is one of my favourite course greens were awesome,what course do u play in joburg?

[ssurrygpro]

Some lovely rounds in the 60s. Great to hear your progress. Keep grinding and enjoying the process.

 

What are you working on technically currently? Or are just out there competing like heck?

 

The level is so high worldwide. I admire guys out there giving it their best shot to see what they can do.

 

My limit was the NW England amateur tour late 90s for 2 seasons and that was too hot a kitchen for my limited abilities!

Hiya a bit of swing work but just trying to score as just played 6 weeks in a row so hard to get much swing work in

[carn9698]

Some lovely rounds in the 60s. Great to hear your progress. Keep grinding and enjoying the process.

 

What are you working on technically currently? Or are just out there competing like heck?

 

The level is so high worldwide. I admire guys out there giving it their best shot to see what they can do.

 

My limit was the NW England amateur tour late 90s for 2 seasons and that was too hot a kitchen for my limited abilities!

Hiya a bit of swing work but just trying to score as just played 6 weeks in a row so hard to get much swing work in

I understand that. Scoring mode high season for us all. Then rethink/tweak in the winter(for me at least). Keep on trucking pal. We watch with interest and a little envy.

[MoaningM]

Steve,

 

Enjoyed reading the thread, always enjoy wtaching the europro tour, seen you quite a few times over the years, didnt you win last year was it? a mate of mine plays on the europro, he has had a bit of a shocker this year untill a few weeks back up at hawkstone where he finished 4th after a 62 in the 2nd round, which seems to have put an extra step in his stride. I'd played with him the week before and never saw that coming, goes to show what a fickle game it is.

 

Are you playing this week, isnt this the last week before,the desert springs?

 

Keep plugging away, you never quite sure what lies around the corner. Good luck

[thecraw]

Good luck, dream never dies, keep chasing it.

[ssurrygpro]

Steve,

 

Enjoyed reading the thread, always enjoy wtaching the europro tour, seen you quite a few times over the years, didnt you win last year was it? a mate of mine plays on the europro, he has had a bit of a shocker this year untill a few weeks back up at hawkstone where he finished 4th after a 62 in the 2nd round, which seems to have put an extra step in his stride. I'd played with him the week before and never saw that coming, goes to show what a fickle game it is.

 

Are you playing this week, isnt this the last week before,the desert springs?

 

Keep plugging away, you never quite sure what lies around the corner. Good luck

 

Hi sorry didn't see this,I didn't play desert springs as was playing sunshine tour in South Africa that week

[ssurrygpro]

Just a little update on progress,finished the sunshine tour season in 85th place on money list,played some good golf last few months but not got the results,qualified for two European tour events in Sa the joburg open and tshwane open shooting 69 and 67 in qualifying,the joburg open was a bit of a mare due to the weather,qualifying wasn't played till weds so no practice round on either course for joburg open(have played courses before)a shocking start +4 through ten hole on the tougher course,battle back to shoot 74 knowing the cut would be around -4 lots of work to do.a good start to round two -4 for round -2 tournament as play was called off Friday night,bogeying first hole in restart and only one birdie meant a second round 67 and a missed cut.

Tshwane open was very disappointing as was a short tight course with thick rough which should suit,my game was poor and another poor start +7 after 12 holes I finished up shooting 76 74 to Miss cut,am currently working hard to get some sponsors on board to help getting me out for the start of the sunshine tour season in mid April