Twelve days of golf...

So the countdown begins. In twelve days time I'll be stepping out on a full size course to complete my first full round of golf. I'm a little bit nervous but hope that the mental and management preparation will hold me in good stead. I've also been practising a lot and with my new golf game plan I'm planning to trust the swing and play within my capabilities.

So how will I be passing the twelve days of golf as I build up to this milestone?

Day 1: Reading Bob Rotella and my short game training tips
Day 2: Pitching & Chipping practice
Day 3: Putting practice
Day 4: Pitching, Putting & Chipping practice
Day 5: Review of Pelz
Day 6: Pitching, Putting & Chipping practice
Day 7: Putting practice
Day 8: bored of putting my kingdom for the range...
Day 9: Driving range
Day 10: Chipping lesson and Par 3 course
Day 11: Pitching, Chipping & Putting practice
Day 12: Course management plan for my round
Game on...

As you can see my practice sessions mainly focus on the short game. This links to my plans for improving from 100 yards and in.

One other thing. Back in Jan I set myself a series of mini milestones to achieve by end of Feb. This round will be my one and only chance to tackle them. They were:
Par a hole
Birdie a hole
Beat my mate
Break 100

I'm applying no pressure to achieve any of these but a couple of pars and a sub 100 round would make me a very happy man. My mate plays of 18 so beating him gross would be a tall order, net on the other hand could be on the cards.

So the scene is set as I gear up for the twelve days of golf, culminating in a round at Hintlesham Golf Club courtesy of the Green Free voucher in this months Golf Monthly.

Comments:

Homer
A number of points. Its all very well practicing hard but I’d be worried about over practicing and being stale especially as the longer game won’t be getting a look in.

I wouldn’t get too hung up on scores, personal milestones or any of that gumph as it’ll put way too much pressure on your game. Its the first time out on a proper 18 anyway so its going to be tough enough. If you add more pressure then the long game will go, putting more pressure on the short game which may not stand up to the task.

I wouldn’t even bother with a course management plan the day before. I’d wait and see what the weather and conditions were like before even thinking about how I was going to play the course. I’d refine my plan again dependant on how I was hitting in warm up and what the predominant shape of shot I was hitting.

Not trying to rain on your parade but just offering a pragmatic view

Tiger
Really interesting Reading the various perspectives on the blog and on the GM forum. Sorry Homer but have to disagree on this one. I love my short game practice, it’s great fun. I use different clubs, set ups and challenges to keep it fresh and competitive against myself. I also have the freedom to experiment and know what shots I feel confident taking onto the course and what ones I don’t. Unfortunately, with a littl’un toddling about I get at most an hours practice in a day except for the weekend when I might get two hours dedicated practice on a Saturday or Sunday.

I can’t see how I can go stale, if anything I should be playing more golf! The time spent on the full swing is a challenge but at the end of the day the upcoming game is more about how I perform on and around the greens. It’s a learning experience the numbers are a secondary consideration. Keep the ball in play off the tee and try and get to the scoring zone in as few shots as my game will allow. Then let the fun commence!

Homer
I think we’ll have to disagree. HTL (from the forum) and I were talking about you this morning and we both think that because you haven’t worked enough on the longer swing and won’t be using woods off the tee there is going to be way too much pressure on your game on any hole over 300 yards.

You’ll going to have to hit a decent tee shot which with a 4 iron may go 170 or so. On a long par 4 that’s still 200 yards to cover before you can get close to the scoring zone you’ve been working on and thats presuming you hit a good one.

I hope you prove me wrong but I think its going to be such a struggle to get to the scoring zone that it’l be too much for the short game and it’ll crumble. Also, real greens will be much bigger than pitch and putt ones so there is more emphasis on lag putting and getting chips close.

As I say I hope you prove me wrong and whatever the outcome I look forward to reading about it.

Tiger
Hi Homer, I suppose in terms of my game there’s a fair few things you won’t know. I’ve had nine lessons so far seven of which have focussed on the full swing. My practice time Is limited but I spend about 1.5 hours a week on the range practising the full swing. Due to my physique and previous sporting background I can generate a fair amount of distance, currently I hit my 6 iron between 170-180 yards. The plan is to leave my second shot 120 yards from the flag on all par 4s & 5s. The only exception will be short par 4s where I can leave a 7 iron/8 iron to the green. I know things will be different on full size courses but that’s one of the main things I want to learn.

The way I see it most people start playing the game. My first year is all about learning it. I suppose time will tell which of us, if any, is right.

Deke
Hi Tiger,thought i would offer my 2 cents wor th.One thing you fail to consider about your first full round is taking shots on slopes(up and down).The reason i mention this is because it really affected me the second round i played and is hard to practice.Hitting a 6 iron 180 is not easy at the best of times on a flat lie,but slopes can make a mockery of the finest swings! I am 6ft 2,and 16 stone and i can only hit a 6 iron 165 on a good day,methinks 170-180 is a crazy distance to hit,are you sure you can do this every shot? Also i do think you should invest in at least 1 other long club.It will not affect the quality of your iron striking and as Homer says you really need something longer on par 4s over 300 and most par 5s! I have had a great time with my short game recently and just went round my 9hole par 3 in 2 under! Good luck on your first round!

Tiger
Hi Deke, Based on the post before this it seems as the majority of readers think there is madness in my method. I’m just not that hung up on distance. If it takes me four shots to get to around green on a long par 4 and I get up and down in two for a double so be it. On a course I do have issues with fat shots but I’m getting there…slowly! Congrats on the improvements in your short game, that more than anything else makes me think I’ll be sending you some balls in the post!

Deke
Cheers mate,im sure u will do us beginners proud with your first round score!

Swinger
Can’t see anything wrong with getting your short game into a good place before concering yourself with bigger sticks.
170 – 180 for a 6 iron is a fair distance so when you do get round to getting some longer clubs in the bag I’m sure distance will not be a problem for you. Remember to have fun out there and don’t worry if everything doesn’t go to plan. You’ll be learning a out out there so give yourself a chance to take it all in. This challenge would be boring if you shot 73 first time out so don’t go too low. Best of luck.

Tiger
If the weather is like it is today I will definitely have fun, gorgeous sunny spring day today! I think taking away the pressure and thinking that at the moment I am learning has been a really good mindset to get into – but doing it on the course will be tricky especially as I try to reign in competitive Tiger! My playing partner for the day is very laid back so I’m hoping that will help.

If I shoot a 73 I’ll just change the challenge to Project Q-School ;0) that or have a heart attack!