My quest to break 80

[rhh7]

Have not done it in 40 years!

My goal for this season is to break 80, which I have not done in 40 years.

This is my first season as a senior, age 65, so I got to play 18 holes today for $36.50 at my local municipal course.

Since I only carry my 5-iron 150 yards, play-it-forward says my ideal course is 5400 yards. My local course is
5503 yards, from the ladies tees! So that's where I am playing, until I break 80. Then I will go to the senior's
tees, which are 5779 yards.

Today I shot 92, with 37 putts. I hit 7/13 fairways, using my 3W from the tee. I hit 5 greens in regulation. I had
5 pars.

I was actually very encouraged by my iron play, and my fairway woods, which have been a lifetime weakness.
I hit several excellent 5W & 7W shots...in fact, did not miss a single one. On a 441 yard par 5, I hit 3W, 7W, SW,
for a routine par 5. First time I ever made par on this hole!

On the way home, I stopped at the liquor store, and at the library.

I got an 8-pack of Molson Canadian beer.

For my reading I got the following:

The Secret of Hogan's Swing, by Tom Bertrand

The Laws of the Golf Swing, by Mike Adams, T.J. Tomasi, & Jim Suttie

Your Perfect Swing, by Jim Suttie

The Stack and Tilt Swing. by Michael Bennett and Andy Plummer.

Thanks to Geoff Jones, I have hit several thousand short SW shots this past year. This has really
helped to improve my ball striking. I realize that severe arthritis in my back
and hips will not permit me to master the rotary swing.

I have got to improve my putting! And if necessary, next week I will use my 5W from the tee. I am
determined to hit at least 10 of 13 fairways!!

[Ironmaster Oddities]

Take the books back to the library, drink the Molson's and life is good. Get your putts at 30 or lower and you are most of the way there. That is where you will realize your fastest improvement.
Improve your putting by using a sand iron to practice putting. Sounds crazy; but it works.

Go to the practice green and take along a few balls, a sand wedge with a fairly straight leading edge, your putter and some of the Molson's. Using your putting grip, hold the sole of the SW slightly above the grass and practice bellying/blading the ball. It will keep you centered, slow, and steady. You can't do it correctly if you are interrupting the stroke or flipping your hands. 10-15 minutes with the SW and 5 with the putter. Repeat that a couple of times and you will be amazed.

Of course, at your age (and Mine, almost), the lower back may not tolerate the work out. But that's why you brought the Beer. Good luck. Hope you shoot 78 from the senior tees by September. I am rooting for you. I am out for the season with a broken foot. Keep us posted on this thread.

Uncle Bob

[Blade Junkie]

Good luck! I think you'll do it.

[rhh7]

Thanks!

Will definitely try the sand wedge on the putting green.

[rhh7]

Today I went to mobilegolfstats.com. I entered my course & my shots, they give me a Handicap Index of 19.7.

In my first round of the year:

Score = 92
Par 3 avg = 3.4
Par 4 avg = 5.29
Par 5 avg = 6.33
Pars = 6
Bogeys = 7
Doubles = 3
Triples = 2
Drives in Fairway = 53.8%
Greens in Regulation = 33.33%

My iron play was very good. My biggest weaknesses were the tee shots, and putting.

I used a 3W for all of my tee shots. Next round, I will use a 5W, in order to hit more fairways.

Of course, I am practicing my putting!

[rhh7]

Today was my second round of the year:

I shot 95 with 45 putts. I only hit 6 of 13 fairways, but I used my driver, busted a few really long ones, fun!!

I hit 6 greens in regulation, had only one par. My putting was extremely bad, laugh out loud funny.

[rhh7]

Today my assault on 80 continues.

I am bagging 3W-5W-7W, and then 5-PW + SW + putter, a total of 11 clubs.

The 3W will be my "driver" today. It is a 41.5" TaylorMade V Steel, 15* loft, with a Dynamic Gold X-100 shaft.

As a hooker, I hope to take the left side out of play, and hit more than 50% of the fairways.

My 5W & 7W are Maltby Distance Master Pro Steel, with Dynamic Gold R300 shafts.

My 5-PW are Hogan Edge GS, with Apex 4 shafts. SW is a Wilson Staff Tour Blade.

Putter is a Tommy Armour EFT Model 4.

My tee time is 6:30 a.m. Drinking my 2nd cup of coffee at 4:20 a.m., and man, I am excited!

[rhh7]

So much for Dynamic Gold X-100!

I only hit 5 of 13 fairways, lots of hooks.

Shot 47-47=94, with 36 putts.

Four GIR, par on 18 for the first time ever!

Not discouraged, really think I can do better, putting was improved.

[rhh7]

Well, I had a great round today, I am really encouraged!

For the first time in many years, I had a set of blades in my bag, Wilson Staff FG-51 Tour blades, 3-PW & SW.

I also had some Maltby Distance Master Pro Steel stainless steel woods: 3W, 5W, 7W.

I did not use a driver, had my Tommy Armour EFT Model 4 putter.

I think playing blades may be like riding a bike, if you grow up on them, you never forget.

I rediscovered my swing today, actually felt like a player.

My score was 90, with 36 putts, 6 GIR, 8/13 fairways hit, no penalty strokes.

I had 4 3-putts, offset by 4 1-putts.

Most encouraging of all, I ended the round with 4 consecutive pars!

Six days ago I shot 99 on the same course. Improvement of 9 strokes.

Eleven strokes to go, 79 is in sight!!!

[guisician]

[quote name='rhh7' timestamp='1342302939' post='5275924']
Well, I had a great round today, I am really encouraged!

For the first time in many years, I had a set of blades in my bag, Wilson Staff FG-51 Tour blades, 3-PW & SW.

I also had some Maltby Distance Master Pro Steel stainless steel woods: 3W, 5W, 7W.

I did not use a driver, had my Tommy Armour EFT Model 4 putter.

I think playing blades may be like riding a bike, if you grow up on them, you never forget.

I rediscovered my swing today, actually felt like a player.

My score was 90, with 36 putts, 6 GIR, 8/13 fairways hit, no penalty strokes.

I had 4 3-putts, offset by 4 1-putts.

Most encouraging of all, I ended the round with 4 consecutive pars!

Six days ago I shot 99 on the same course. Improvement of 9 strokes.

Eleven strokes to go, 79 is in sight!!!
[/quote]

Sounds like you're revisiting something sweet with the blades back in the bag. Keep it up!

Pete S

[rhh7]

On number 7, a par 4, I had 160 yards uphill to the front of the green, with the pin all the way at the rear, huge sand trap on the right front and side of the green.

I hit 4-iron, aiming at the edge of the trap, the shot was a bullet, slight draw, cleared the trap, and wound up pin-high.

Routine 2-putt for a par 4, my first ever on this hole.

I knew at that moment, that I would break 80 again!

[weten2]

[quote name='rhh7' timestamp='1342375209' post='5280068']
On number 7, a par 4, I had 160 yards uphill to the front of the green, with the pin all the way at the rear, huge sand trap on the right front and side of the green.

I hit 4-iron, aiming at the edge of the trap, the shot was a bullet, slight draw, cleared the trap, and wound up pin-high.

Routine 2-putt for a par 4, my first ever on this hole.

I knew at that moment, that I would break 80 again!
[/quote]
RH
Any updates? I'm 63 and looking for to retirement and fasinated by your journey.
I thing came to my mind. Have you tried graphite shafts in all your clubs? It will give you more distance and maybe more control once you adjust. I just bought a TEE cgx5 3 wood with a 43 gram shaft. I'm hitting further off the deck and use this instead of the driver on tight and short par 4's and par 5's.
Keep us informed of your journey and good luck.
PS. the lighter (graphite) clubs are also easier on the body due to more shock resistance and lighter weight. It will allow you to play or practice more often.

[rhh7]

I am still playing Dynamic Gold R300, in my woods and in my irons.

Reality knocks, seriously considering going to A-flex on my next set of irons.

If I go to graphite in my woods, it will have to be something 80 grams or heavier.

My last two rounds were 94 & 93, with 38 putts and 35 putts.

My ballstriking is much improved, hit 10 of 13 fairways my last round.

Will really hit the chipping and putting practice.

Have not given up on breaking 90, still hope to break 80 before the first snowfall!

[weten2]

[quote name='rhh7' timestamp='1346110641' post='5545443']
I am still playing Dynamic Gold R300, in my woods and in my irons.

Reality knocks, seriously considering going to A-flex on my next set of irons.

If I go to graphite in my woods, it will have to be something 80 grams or heavier.

My last two rounds were 94 & 93, with 38 putts and 35 putts.

My ballstriking is much improved, hit 10 of 13 fairways my last round.

Will really hit the chipping and putting practice.

Have not given up on breaking 90, still hope to break 80 before the first snowfall!
[/quote]

I should have added my graphite irpn shafts are Aerotech Steel Fiber. They are available in several weights including 75, 85, 95 110 g and heavier. Unlike most graphite shafts many people think they have a better feel and tighter dispersion. They are currently being played by Brandt Snedeker and Matt Kuchar in the 95 g model.

[BigOgolfer]

this is great. my advice is to take short game lessons til you break 80, then take full swing lessons. short game lessons take hold quicker - i find - and so not only will you naturally see the results quicker with that but it sounds like it'syour weakest area anyway. should see even greater, faster improvement

[Tarkata]

You know, OP...I would really just forget about that breaking 80 business. Not because you cant do it, but given the physical problems that confront you, I'd advise an entirely different approach to the game whereby appreciation can be had without feeling like you are coming up short. The breaking of an arbitrary score (70,80,90, whatever) is misguided when it becomes a focal point. I see so many guys unhappy because of their scores. Drives me nuts.

But it isn't like I dont understand it, the quest.
I was playing with a gent of 85, he has nerve damage in his right hand and admitted his touch was lost due to it. He hit from the yellows. We played as a pair and while he lamented that he played bogey golf, I had to admit to him that I thought he was a marvel to behold.
He asked if I played college golf in my youth because "you really hit the ball well, I mean, you put it wherever you want!" It was nice to hear, but I tell ya, we both had a great time though our scores where world's apart, the pleasure of the game was not lost because of scoring concerns. WE both just wanted to hit the ball well, and enjoy our afternoon playing a maddeningly difficult game.

Bogey golf at 85? if I care about the scores by then, I'd be peachy thrilled shooting that with the rate my body is breaking down these days.

So, try to find joy not in some arbitrary score, but maybe in playing bogey golf. Maybe the game will become even more fun!