MD/DC/VA Golfers - This One Goes to Eleven

[vtnerf]

Belgium over England in the Final.

[willboyrd]

FAbb, I get what you're saying to a degree, but the pros get so many 'byproduct' benefits from being pros that I'm hesitant to add more into the mix.

 

He tried to take benefit of the immovable obstruction (grandstands) by hitting it into them with FULL knowledge that hitting a small golf ball into a giant irregularly shaped pile of metal could elicit any number of different outcomes. Yes, he undoubtedly got the worst 1% (maybe even less) of possible outcomes, but that's golf.

 

I would even go a step further to say I feel much less bad about this due to his original intention of hitting it into a place where shouldn't be trying to hit it, than if he were trying to wack it at the green and it hit a sprinkler head (ala HBD at Rattlewood on 18) and careened into a horrible spot. He tried to take advantage of the situation by hitting a ball where it's not really supposed to be hit, and he got a bad result.

[vtnerf]

CJ:

[FAbb]

I didn't give my full attention when I was watching, so maybe I missed something. Did he say he was trying to hit the ball into the grandstands? That sounds insane.

[vtnerf]

Bingo Spaghet. In a round where there aren't any stands, NO chance he hits it there. He tried to benefit from them, and got burned. No way I ever agree to a drop where the ball enters the stands.

[TheCityGame]

In that deadspin write up, he casually writes, "But Lukaku could see Japan’s last defender hugging towards him as he centered his run, and knew that Nacer Chadli would be free near the back post as a result."

 

"could see Japan's last defender hugging towards him. . .and knew Chadli would be free".

 

"could see. . .knew".

 

Well, that's the gist of it, yah? Like sometimes LeBron just sees and knows where guys are going to be. There are probably other players who could make that run away from the corner to create the space, but the rest of it is still what they call "Court Vision" in the NBA, and some guys seem to have it. I'd like to hear Lukaku break down the play, see what he was thinking.

[dcmidnight]

In that deadspin write up, he casually writes, "But Lukaku could see Japan’s last defender hugging towards him as he centered his run, and knew that Nacer Chadli would be free near the back post as a result."

 

"could see Japan's last defender hugging towards him. . .and knew Chadli would be free".

 

"could see. . .knew".

 

Well, that's the gist of it, yah? Like sometimes LeBron just sees and knows where guys are going to be. There are probably other players who could make that run away from the corner to create the space, but the rest of it is still what they call "Court Vision" in the NBA, and some guys seem to have it. I'd like to hear Lukaku break down the play, see what he was thinking.

 

Its genius really, when you watch that last defender suck over to him and leave a wide open trailer.

 

The other unsung part of that play was the goalie short rolling the ball to start the break. Most (?) goalies in that situation - and we've seen that in this WC already - are trying to fire the ball downfield as far as possible in one shot.

[eagle1997]

In that deadspin write up, he casually writes, "But Lukaku could see Japan’s last defender hugging towards him as he centered his run, and knew that Nacer Chadli would be free near the back post as a result."

 

"could see Japan's last defender hugging towards him. . .and knew Chadli would be free".

 

"could see. . .knew".

 

Well, that's the gist of it, yah? Like sometimes LeBron just sees and knows where guys are going to be. There are probably other players who could make that run away from the corner to create the space, but the rest of it is still what they call "Court Vision" in the NBA, and some guys seem to have it. I'd like to hear Lukaku break down the play, see what he was thinking.

 

i couldn't believe he passed up the shot. it was obviously the correct play, but damn. less than zero chance that ronaldo or neymar let that go thru. messi, probably, unless he was in the IDGAF mode (which he seemed to be in during the whole WC, which was sad to see).

 

 

Belgium over England in the Final.

 

more than a few, me included, are predicting this. which is why we'll probably have france/croatia.

[Kent01putt]

Fox broadcast live. FS1 and FS2 show replays during the day and evening everyday. That is how I have been watching so may games.

[GoTime]

Can anyone offer any sage words of wisdom on avoiding blow up holes that start from the tee? I find myself going back and forth between feast and famine off the tee. If I'm good off the tee, I score well (for me). If I don't feel like I have any game off the tee, the rest of my game follows suit (which is certainly a mental weakness in it's own right.) I don't feel like I place any undue pressure on myself with tee shots, but once the snowball starts rolling I don't seem to be able to stop it unless I'm trying to hit a driveable green...at which point I seem to always be within 10 yards on either side of my desired line :/

[ceejay81]

CJ:

 

Me hating on soccer is a tradition unlike any other. It's just funny because people are so sensitive about it. I don't hate it as much as I lead on. But I'm gonna bust balls in the process.

 

If the US was in it, I'd be watching and paying attention. But I grew up playing baseball. Baseball and soccer season were always in the spring, so of course the athletes played baseball and the rest played soccer.

[ceejay81]

I didn't give my full attention when I was watching, so maybe I missed something. Did he say he was trying to hit the ball into the grandstands? That sounds insane.

 

There is OB like 15 steps left and long of the green, so he was pretty much aiming towards the bunker to the right of the green. If he pushes it right, it goes into the stands, if he tugs it a little, he's on the green. That is very sound strategery there, seriously. He's not making anything above a 6 if his ball deflects differently. If he hits the bunker or the green, he's a winner.

[vtnerf]

Can anyone offer any sage words of wisdom on avoiding blow up holes that start from the tee? I find myself going back and forth between feast and famine off the tee. If I'm good off the tee, I score well (for me). If I don't feel like I have any game off the tee, the rest of my game follows suit (which is certainly a mental weakness in it's own right.) I don't feel like I place any undue pressure on myself with tee shots, but once the snowball starts rolling I don't seem to be able to stop it unless I'm trying to hit a driveable green...at which point I seem to always be within 10 yards on either side of my desired line :/

Just take your medicine. Add one to the par, and shoot for that score. Try and make 5 on a 4...limit the extra junk on the same hole. Don't turn it into a 9.

Hit your next shot to where your drive should end up, and play it from there.

[thechief16]

As somebody who doesn't care about it, there just seems to be less cramming it down everyones throats this year.

 

This.

[TheCityGame]

Can anyone offer any sage words of wisdom on avoiding blow up holes that start from the tee?

If you go to a range, make sure you're really focused on picking a fairway and honestly scoring yourself X/10 on fairway's hit. When in doubt, you didn't hit it. Get X up to 6 or 7.

 

On the course, ask yourself if #Go_Time_Bro_Time makes sense on that hole, or you really need to put one in play. Holes 1/3 at Waverly. . .get one out there. PQ will hit 3 iron off hole 1 sometimes. Holes 2/4 it's #Go_Time_Bro_Time. You might not always have control over whether you miss it left or right, but one thing you can control is starting it on a good line. Make sure you're doing that every time.

 

But, it's not always easy to just "get one out there". I have a pretty decent 225 driver yard bunt worked out that I bust out on holes like 1/3/6 at WW. Maybe you feel good about a smashing a hybrid there and keeping it in play. But, that driver bunt, I've put in a lot of time.

[eagle1997]

Can anyone offer any sage words of wisdom on avoiding blow up holes that start from the tee?

Just take your medicine.

 

this is correct, but it is so much easier to type than to actually do. it also limits the awesome factor. after a sucky pull-hook tee shot, i had a terrible lie/stance on hole 2 at hWC. left of the bunkers, closer to 17 fairway than 2's, the ball about knee high with overhanging evergreens blocking my path to the green. the smart play is a simple pitch back to the fairway. NOPE. i hit a 40 yard punch rope hook that would have made bubba proud. bounced up to the front fringe. shot of the day for me. endless saw it up close and was impressed. :D

 

[eagle1997]

sidenote: the pins at hWC were in some different spots, e.g. up front on #2. i enjoyed that. seems like every time i play there, it's virtually the same pins. had some variety on sunday, which was great.

[vtnerf]

Can anyone offer any sage words of wisdom on avoiding blow up holes that start from the tee?

Just take your medicine.

 

this is correct, but it is so much easier to type than to actually do. it also limits the awesome factor. after a sucky pull-hook tee shot, i had a terrible lie/stance on hole 2 at hWC. left of the bunkers, closer to 17 fairway than 2's, the ball about knee high with overhanging evergreens blocking my path to the green. the smart play is a simple pitch back to the fairway. NOPE. i hit a 40 yard punch rope hook that would have made bubba proud. bounced up to the front fringe. shot of the day for me. endless saw it up close and was impressed. :D

 

In a funso round, this all day.

[FAbb]

Can anyone offer any sage words of wisdom on avoiding blow up holes that start from the tee?

Just take your medicine.

this is correct, but it is so much easier to type than to actually do. it also limits the awesome factor. after a sucky pull-hook tee shot, i had a terrible lie/stance on hole 2 at hWC. left of the bunkers, closer to 17 fairway than 2's, the ball about knee high with overhanging evergreens blocking my path to the green. the smart play is a simple pitch back to the fairway. NOPE. i hit a 40 yard punch rope hook that would have made bubba proud. bounced up to the front fringe. shot of the day for me. endless saw it up close and was impressed. :D

 

For a player as good as you, I disagree. I've said this before - as with basically every other skill/shot, you need to get better at them if you want to improve as a player. For John Doe 15-capper, the smart play may well be to just pitch it straight out over the bunkers to the fairway. For a skilled player like yourself, you've got to own the shot you elected to play. It's not going to come off perfectly every time, but you're easily picking up half a stroke by at least advancing it down to the vicinity of the green instead of chipping out sideways.

[GoTime]

Can anyone offer any sage words of wisdom on avoiding blow up holes that start from the tee?

If you go to a range, make sure you're really focused on picking a fairway and honestly scoring yourself X/10 on fairway's hit. When in doubt, you didn't hit it. Get X up to 6 or 7.

 

On the course, ask yourself if #Go_Time_Bro_Time makes sense on that hole, or you really need to put one in play. Holes 1/3 at Waverly. . .get one out there. PQ will hit 3 iron off hole 1 sometimes. Holes 2/4 it's #Go_Time_Bro_Time. You might not always have control over whether you miss it left or right, but one thing you can control is starting it on a good line. Make sure you're doing that every time.

 

But, it's not always easy to just "get one out there". I have a pretty decent 225 driver yard bunt worked out that I bust out on holes like 1/3/6 at WW. Maybe you feel good about a smashing a hybrid there and keeping it in play. But, that driver bunt, I've put in a lot of time.

 

Good points...I've started being more diligent in playing the shortest club I can that still leaves me a confident approach shot distance. It has certainly helped and I find myself hitting driver less often. However, on bad days (like this past Saturday) it doesn't seem to matter what I hit off the tee, I'm spraying. A week or two earlier I could not miss with hybrid of 3-wood...and even this past Saturday morning on the range I couldn't miss. Hit a few good tee-shots early on and then boom goes the dynamite.

 

Of course the underlying issue is fix my swing or become more consistent, which leads me to your driving range point. I will sometimes tell people the reason I get so frustrated is because I can do all of these things on the driving range consistently during practice. I can and do put in the time, and while it has paid off and I understand that real lasting progress is a slow journey, it seems like the gap between driving range Go_Time and on-course Go_Time is enormous and far larger and it should be. I mean the delta between my normal good and bad rounds is nearly 20 strokes. Cripes.

 

A little ramble-y but hopefully that makes sense. Just need to vent I guess.

[FAbb]

Just on the mental side of it, adjust your expectations of yourself. Chances are you drive it exactly as consistently as you're skilled to do. We pretty much all think we're better than we actually are. You're not going to drive it far and true from hole to hole, and from day to day. Focus less on the result, and more on what you're doing. Be mindful of your shot selection, focus on the pre-shot-routine and what you're trying to go, and let the chips fall where they may. Sometimes you'll succeed, and sometimes you'll spray one. Either way, you make sure you did all the things right before you hit the shot, and then move on. All easier said than done, but that's the idea.

[eagle1997]

Dunno about you guys, but i am really enjoying Fabb as the thread strokes-gained guru. No sarcasm. It’s an interesting way of dissecting certain shots/rounds.

 

 

[SullGolf]

Whats all this mumbo jumbo about focus? If you want to get better, just hit the ball straight on the first hole.

 

#tex

#lookatthebaby

[FAbb]

Let's gloss over the fact that I'm claiming everything fractional as half a stroke gain or loss lol.

[misplacedtexan83]

Whats all this mumbo jumbo about focus? If you want to get better, just hit the ball straight on the first hole.

 

#tex

#lookatthebaby

 

It is really that easy

[GoTime]

Just on the mental side of it, adjust your expectations of yourself. Chances are you drive it exactly as consistently as you're skilled to do. We pretty much all think we're better than we actually are. You're not going to drive it far and true from hole to hole, and from day to day. Focus less on the result, and more on what you're doing. Be mindful of your shot selection, focus on the pre-shot-routine and what you're trying to go, and let the chips fall where they may. Sometimes you'll succeed, and sometimes you'll spray one. Either way, you make sure you did all the things right before you hit the shot, and then move on. All easier said than done, but that's the idea.

 

But if I can hit say 4/5 imaginary fairways during practice, and miss the 5th by a reasonable amount, is it then unreasonable to expect similar or close to it during a round? I guess if I don't set expectations by the progress I make during practice I'm not sure how else to derive them.

[eagle1997]

Let's gloss over the fact that I'm claiming everything fractional as half a stroke gain or loss lol.

 

if you used 1/3s or less... i'd say you were trolling.

 

i actually think that recovery shot was worth a full stroke or more. had a good look at birdie, bogey was basically off the table. plus i got to post a graphic in the thread that displayed my shotmaking abilities, and that's friggin priceless. ;)

[misplacedtexan83]

Oh and eat halo ice cream..

[eagle1997]

But if I can hit say 4/5 imaginary fairways during practice, and miss the 5th by a reasonable amount, is it then unreasonable to expect similar or close to it during a round? I guess if I don't set expectations by the progress I make during practice I'm not sure how else to derive them.

 

unless you are playing out holes on the range (except for putting), going thru your whole routine with each club... then yes, it is slightly unreasonable. we all can get in a groove on the range. the way a hole appears from the tee can have a huge impact on us as well. after warming up at the range, try variable practice (change targets, change clubs after each shot) and see if that helps.

 

having goals/tracking progress is key to improving as well, sounds like you are already doing that tho.

[SullGolf]

Tex is missing out on a good "straight" double entendre about tug boats service.