July statistics

In a week's time it will be two years since I started playing golf and pyschologically I needed a boost before that anniversary. Any sign that things were headed in the right direction would be gratefully embraced and thankfully my statistics and recent play have done just that.A change of scenery and expert advice at Thetford has rejuvenated my game, improved my outlook and refreshed my enthusiasm. With a driver going into the bag next month, there is a degree of uncertaintly as to the potential benefits but all things considered things are definitely looking up.

Practice
Not as much practice this month but it is pleasing to see that by spending three times as much time working on my putting I have brough my PPR down by two strokes per round. That statistic also includes the challenging visit to the unfamiliar greens of Thetford. Take that round out of the equation and the PPR stat drops by another shot to 32.82. The challenge next month is to keep a balance of all elements of my game as none is a priority area but all need continued development. Visiting the range with my new embrace the fade mindset will be an interesting experience that's for sure. I can't wait to get to grips with the driver and will also be spending some time trying to get the hybrid to work. If I can't do that I might look at investing in a matching 5 wood as the 3 wood is performing quite nicely right now!

Distance	Time (minutes)	% of practice time
Driver	0	0%
Other Woods	60	8%
200 - 250 yards	40	5%
150 – 200 yards	60	8%
100 – 150 yards	5	1%
Short Approach	305	41%
Bunker Play	55	7%
Putting	222	30%
Total	747	100%

Rounds
A collection of scorecards on/around handicap and then boom a monster score this weekend. Interestingly, it is in putting and penalties that have seen the two most drastic leaps as birdie conversion is invariably significantly affected by one or two that drop. Although FIR remains consistent it is important to note that this is with an increased use of the 3 wood rather than reliance on the trusty 4 iron. Those extra yards off the tee really do make all the difference. My aim next month is to get those scramble statistics higher, my touch is improving around the greens and its time to capitalise.

Statistic	Performance	SS2 Handicap level
Fairways in Regulation	32% (32%)	20 (20)
Greens in Regulation	14% (10%)	17 (21)
Putts per Round	33.91 (36.00)	15 (19)
Birdie Conversion	10% (0%)	22 (28+)
Par Scrambles	7% (3%)	28+ (28+)
Sand Saves	11% (0%)	15 (28+)
Penalties per Round	1.30 (2.14)	14 (28+)

The SS2 handicap level is a calculation made indicating your performance on different facets of your game.

Good progress but time to cut out the blobs, kick on and get that handicap heading south.

Breakthrough

Eureka! Finally, practice, persistance and perspiration has paid off. Went out today and played the best front nine ever. A dodgy wedge shot on the 5th cost me and dropped me to a double bogey but I hit the green on 6 to get that shot back with a par. Then on the 8th I hit my tee shot off the toe and got a nasty bounce. 180 yards and with trees blocking my approach...

...up until this point I had been following the advice that Bob McArthur had given me at Thetford. Embrace your fade and play for it. Apart from my first tee shot it had been working beautifully...

So back to the 8th and I set up as normal and then opened my stance slightly. I saw the shot, pulled the trigger and it curved beautifully around the trees and onto the green. From a position from which I'd normally have chipped sideways I'd made the green and scored par. Despite a double bogey on the 9th I finished the front nine with 23 points.

Now things didn't quite go to plan on the back nine. Worst tee shot of the day on 10 led to a woeful 7: ouch. Missed a short putt for par on 11 but then got up and down on 12 for a sand save and a par. Fast forward to the 14th and I've got a chance to break 90 for the first time. Tight narrow green so do I play it safe from 180 yards or do I go for it? Of course I went for it and I have no regrets. Missed left and hit my provisional into the gorse for two lost balls and a blob. If it was a medal I'd have played it differently but this was a friendly knock and I was going for my shots. The attitude paid dividends on the 15th which I parred for the first time ever. This was a great moment for me as I've now scored par on every hole on the course. Another blob on 17 when my drive went left and very, very long leaving me a tricky shot over trees that I lost in the foliage, but a par on the last meant I'd finished the back nine with 18 points despite three blobs.

So 41 points in total and potential to score much, much better. Really felt in control of the ball for long periods today and my short game was much improved (18% scramble conversion). I missed a great chance to break 90 but I have no regrets. If I can build on today I feel it may well happen in next week's medal and that's when it really matters.

78 (63)
4(3), 6(5), 4(3), 5(4), 7(5), 3(3), 6(5), 4(4), 6(4), 7(4), 4(3), 5(5), 6(4), -(4), 4(4), 4(4) -(4), 3(3)

Lost my bottle

Well that didn't go to plan. Played nine holes this evening...well attempted to play. Was asked by our assistant pro to join his three ball. Warren's a top lad and really wants to help me transform potential into performance. Unfortunately, I hadn't warmed up or even hit a few putts and in the group was Steve, cracking low handicap and reigning club champ. Unpeturbed (well at least at first) I saw it as a great opportunity to play with better golfers. We all pulled our tee shots left and then it all went wrong.

I thought I'd found my ball up by the 9th green (our course layout sees end of 9th finish at top of 10th fairway). Srixon 2 yup that's my ball. Struck it cleanly hut a little wayward, when one of the group playing the 9th who must have hit a helluva drive says is my ball around here. What are you playing I ask. Srixon 2. Oh shhhhhhhite. I run over retrieve his ball, he finds mine about five yards away in the rough and stuck behind a tree I duff it in a bunker. Already I am looking like a prize cock and I'm not talking chicken! So I pick up etch the guys hole their putts and move onto our tiny 11th.

Now at just over 100 yards this is a great place to get my mojo back. No it isn't. I duff my first one into the pond. Warren tries to get me to relax, retrieves my ball and sets me up on the side. Duff back in the pond. Poultry in motion. So I say to him you press on and I'll drop in behind. As they depart I stick my tee shot on the green and two putt for par. But as I wait on the 12th tee the group, whose game I attempted to sabotage on 9 have caught up. This is the stuff of nightmares. I ask them to go in front but they decline and I set off down the fairway to play my second shot (did I mention I'd hit a lovely tee shot witha bit of fade?)

So now I am stuck in an embarrassment sandwich and after scoring a bogey six on 12 it all goes wrong as shots are affected by my perception that I'm holding up the group behind or being watched by the group in front. I eventually rejoined Warren and co on 16 and played some more crap golf and to be honest was glad to get in the car and drive home. To be fair the lads were top blokes and gave me some good natured and fair ribbing when I found the 1st tee with my tee shot on 18. Just going to write it off as one of those days. Just hope next time, if indeed there is a next time, I play with those guys I do myself justice

Teddy Bear's Picnic: Thetford GC

The opening hole at Thetford GC

If you go down to the woods today you might be a little bit miffed, if you go down to the woods today just don't miss it right or left. 'Cos every tree that ever there was, will block your path to the green because, today's the day we decided to play at Thetford!

The picture opposite kind of sums up Thetford GC: a stunning course carved out of Breckland Forest with undulating fairways, tricky greens and lovely soft, sandy bunkers. Without doubt the most enjoyable course I have ever played. A really stern examination with a number of long par 4s that will really test your mettle.

But there is a lot of fun to be had and apart from brief interludes where you cross the road (twice) or the local RAF base launch an aircraft, the tranquillity is absorbing. You feel lost amongst nature and will only cross the paths of fellow golfers on a few occasions as you are immersed in a world that wouldn't be out of place in a Disney remake of Bambi. Hares, squirrels, muntjac deer are just some of the wildlife that will peer inquisitively at you from the woodland.

Starting off a memorable round

There are some very challenging holes most notably the long par 4 18th that is in my opinion one of the toughest holes on the course yet has a measly stroke index of just 6. There are attractive and deceptive holes like the par 3 16th that resembles an island on a stormy day. The sea transplanted by thick rough and gorse, leading up to a beach in the shape of a curved stepped bunker, with the emerald island of green awaiting accurate hitters. 

It is important to spend some quality time on the practice putting green before your round as the greens pose a tough challenge with speed markedly affected by the grain. 

My favourite hole on the day was the 8th. Everyone likes to hit a long drive, and the sweeping, downhill, slight dog leg right will give almost every golfer's ego a therapeutic massage. A fantastic course that I will most certainly be visiting again!

And I'm spent...

Yesterday has to go down as one of the best golfing experiences I've ever had. I never realised that participating in a Golf Monthly forum meet would have been so enjoyable, but my effervescent enthusiasm and incessant jabbering when I returned home threatened to make the missus boil over. That lasted about an hour until reality bit. My brain and body just said that's it, we are knackered and, as the adrenaline ebbed away, I was overcome by fatigue and weariness. I was in bed by 2130 and struggled to drag myself out of bed this morning.

Thetford is just an hours drive away and I realised that my ability to play 36 holes further afield would be extremely limited. Sadly for me it has meant pulling out of the Sunningdale meet, which was an absolute killer as I was looking forward to that even more after playing Thetford. But such is life and potentially compromising long term health for a day of golf just isn't worth it. Hopefully, I will get another chance in the future.

But it is not all doom and gloom. I met some fantastic people, made new friends and had some great laughs. Yesterday's round has given me a new found confidence in my long clubs. It has taught me to embrace and love my natural fade, seeing it as a strength not a weakness. I have a greater appreciation of the technique to play short pitch shots. I understand the tweaks I need to make to improve my grip. I feel in control of my game and capable of finally starting to realise my potential. Exciting times ahead and maybe, just maybe, a sizeable cut is on it's way as an early birthday present in the August medal. Until then I might need more than a little shut eye.

What a day...

...the backswing was smooth and not too hurried. In fact it was a complete contract to how I had been all morning. Half the forumers had arrived at the venue before me and after wolfing down an incredibly generous bacon bap, I was dashing around desperately trying not to forget anything. I'd managed just five practice putts and though flarkey hadn't stuck it on the green, it rolled through, it was still an authoratative strike. Thankfully, I kept my head down and didn't peek early (my primary swing thought for much of the day. I struck it well but just missed the green to the left. A chip, two putts and I breathed a hug sigh of relief.

Thetford is a fabulous course and tomorrow I will do a proper review but what I will say is I highly reommend a visit. ALthough my course experience is limited, this is without doubt my favourite course of all those I have played. But I digress...

bobmac is a bit of a Golf Monthly stalwart. Provider of free advice and inventor and purveyor of the legendary V-Easy. Watching him strike the ball was quite breathtaking at times and despite claims of not being the longest player, he mustered up enough extra welly to snaffle the longest drive. My effort found the first cut but today something special happened. A whisper in the ear from Bob and I hit a lot of great 3 Wood drives, keeping up with the distance he and flarkey were generating with their Drivers. On the 8th, a long downhill par 4 I smashed it past them both racking up a jaw dropping 298 yards. Can't wait to get my hands on the HiBore!!!

In the end I had too many blobs and too many thrown away shots. Three blobs and three occasions when I wasted a large number of shots close to the green. Chipping and putting were poor today but you can't have it all. In the end I was pipped into second (with 35 pts) by Mike who shot a stellar 36 points. As a result of his victory he was the first player crowned with the "Sombrero of Success". Hopefully, that 'trophy' will be up for grabs in the near future. I'm absolutely knackered, but what a day!

103 (72)

4(3), 5(4), 4(3), 8(4), 6(4), 10(5), 5(4), 5(4), 5(4), 6(5), 5(3), 5(4), 7(5), 5(4), 4(4), 4(3), 6(5), 9(4) 

Squatter's Dinner party...

I'm excited, nervous, full of expectation, anticipation and trepidation. Organising your first proper Golf Monthly Forum meet is one thing, doing it at a course where you are not a member is another. So I thought I'd go for a third completely insane option: host it a course you've never played before! So far things are slotting into place. Playing order predetermined, proposed prizes purchased, paraphernalia packed, lack of precipitation preordered, putting practice performed, playing strategy planned and preposterous prose punched in.

Ready for the off and once everyone has arrived, scoffed bacon rolls and swooped coffee the most nerve wracking moment will be minutes away. The opening tee shot. It could have been worse, I could have been showing the way. Then Flarkey swooped in like an angel to my rescue as a local to lead the way. But now on the eve of the game I think that this saving grace may turn into the stuff of nightmares.

I can picture the scene now. The tight avenue of trees line the tightly mown grass before opening up to reveal the heavily bunker guarded green. But Flarkey has seen it all before and reaches confidently into his bag plucking the club he knows to be perfect for the shot. His ball is caressed sweetly from the tee and arcs through the warm summer air before dropping gracefully onto the green like a butterfly with sore feet. A couple of hops and it stops dead in its tracks fifteen foot from the cup and a chance for an opening birdie. The calls of "good shot", "well played", "I'm glad I'm not up next" are punctuated by a deathly silence as I stride to the tee.

Two years of typing, blogging and sharing have come down to this moment. I feel their eyes bore into my back. I'm trying to forget they are there but my mind is swimming with nerves, fear and swing thoughts. A couple of practice swings and then I'm standing at address. Willing the tension away, concentrating on my target, only my target and then I start my backswing...

Team golf...



Played today in the Walker Cup, a Texas Scramble format honours board competition. I have to say that I love team golf and currently find it more fun than solo golf. Whether it is foursomes, greensomes, texas scramble it matters not: playing golf in a team is brilliant. Maybe it's becase I've always been a team sport player from a young age but the pulling together and the shared delight when you get success is brilliant. I drained a twelve footer today for birdie and it was a magic moment, I only hope I get more opportunities to play team golf in the future.

I had the pleasure of Malcolm, Tommy and Andy's company today and it was a very enjoyable round. We struggled to get close with our approach shots and with two birdies, 15 pars and a bogey on the last we came home with net 62.2 way off the pace with the winners bagging 57 point something. What was a nice touch was that a large cross section of the club were present as it was a shotgun start. Consequently, the committee had planned to do all the presentations for the past four month's competitions. That was a great idea and it was nice to see the winners of past competitions celebrated in front of a large crowd. It also spurred me on to get my own silverware, if I wasn't inspired enough before, I certainly was after the presentations. Andy who I played with today had snagged two awards, one in a medal and one in an honours board competition. Funnily enough he had said to me that  should sign up with him for the next medal and he'll help me manage my temperament as he believes I have the game to win.

Hit some good shots today and a fair few of the ones that were not so good were a direct result of pushing the envelope and being more aggressive because of the format. All in all an enjoyable days golf with a highlight being almost taking over as leader on the longest drive using my 3 wood. Can't wait till the driver gets here so I can take on the big hitters...

Cleveland HiBore XLS

So here it is, the driver I am intending on getting. Now it may look like it's been inadvertently stood on by a rogue elephant, but worry not those are stabilising fins. Apparently they are designed to reduce twisting and keep flight arrow straight. But all I care about is having my very own big dog that I can practice thwacking and the extra yards I can enjoy when I get it straight: this could be the start of something wonderful.

Obviously I'll whack up a review when we become acquainted and will update the in the bag section. For now I am looking forward to tomorrow's team competition. I'm playing with three guys I've not played with before and it's always nice to meet new golfers. It's strange but I think I've reached a point where I just want to enjoy my golf, maybe my days of technical obsession are finally oveer now the bag is complete.

Pearls of wisdom

The best thing about golf is the camaraderie. People will offer you advice and guidance and genuinely want to help you make the best decisions and perhaps learn from some of the mistakes they may have made. As you well know I made my mind up that a 910 D2 driver was the way to go, the sage and wise members of the Golf Monthly forum have helped me see sense. To be honest I was always a little apprehensive about spending that much money but thought it was the right thing to do. So rather than a brand spanking new, state of the art investment I'll be looking to get a top drawer second hand model instead. Maybe in the future I'll treat myself but for now I'm going to go back to the grindstone to try and get better at this frustrating game.

Just a few days away from the Thetford meet and the one outstanding great unanswered question has finally been put to bed. I'll be saving my money for a rainy day, most probably when my spikes give up the ghost and need replacing. Strangely it feels like a weight has been lifted, I'm happy with the decision I have reached even though it isn't what I expected. So now that dilemma is sorted I can just get on with enjoying my golf. This could well be an enjoyable long weekend.

No it's not...

Well after yesterday's optimism and can categorically state that despite positive progress with the irons I still thrash my woods like a possessed giraffe in a washing machine spin cycle. Big slice followed by massive pull followed by low slice, followed by fade, fade, fade, huge f*** off pull where the hell did that come from, pull hook, for the love of ch... and then I'll cream one straight down the middle. This game drives me to f&*%$£" distraction!

Patience is required as the amount of time I have spent hitting my woods is significantly less than the amount of time spent striking my irons and it shows. It will be my birthday in a couple of weeks and I have begged for cash to invest in a driver. I was looking forward to a fitting a Titleist but I think that may well have to wait until September/October. Some people have suggested I buy a second hand club but that doesn't wash with me. I need a stick with a shaft that I know works for my swing speed. I believe fundamentally in getting fitted. I don't plan on chopping and changing, I'm planning on buying, sticking, learning and improving. Maybe, just maybe I'll find the big dog easier to hit than it's little brother but at the moment puppy dog is holding me back. That extra 20 - 30 yards off the tee means I can take a couple of clubs less on my approaches. Hitting wedge instead of 8 irons, and 8 irons instead of 6 irons.

Maybe a change of scenery at Thetford will help. Possibly Saturday's lower pressure format of better ball will make a difference. They key thing is if it's naughty do I persever or do what I always do and keep into in the bag where it can do minimal damage?

Is it really coming together?

Are the pieces of my golf jigsaw finally coming together?

So many false dawns, false alarms and false hopes. But today things felt like maybe, just maybe they are about to come together. The weather last weekend was horrendous and I had to scrap for every point. Went out today and though the rain curtailed my practice things looked like they were coming together.

Fourteen out of 22 160 yard approaches found the green. Of the eight that missed:

• One found the greenside bunker
• One rolled off the green to the left
• Three rolled off the green to the right and
• Three missed the green right

All were playable and were chipped to within eight feet. I then did my usual chipping practice, some high, some low, some with roll some to a tight pin. Into the horrible, wet compacted bunker and again things were much better. A whistle stop tour of the practice facilities finished with a few solid putts before the heavens opened and I dashed for cover.

Nothing spectacular you might think but for me it was a big step forward. Mainly because I was so relaxed and was feeling my shots. Sun in my eyes on approaches but I knew where they would land and shielding my eyes saw them drop exactly where I expected them to. Head down on chips but knew instinctively if they were short long or pin high. I feel more in control and I can feel when my swing is working and when it is not. Progress till now has been slow but if my ball striking at the range tomorrow morning follows suit things will indeed be looking up.

The new epicentre of golf

A year ago when Graeme McDowell, clad in the warrior colour of salmon pink, held his putter aloft I did not realise it was a rallying cry to his countrymen. But the leader from Portrush was signalling a revolution and the men of Norn Iron flocked to the cause. Rory McIlroy's meteoric rise was to a degree expected, Darren Clarke's arrival on golf's top table less so. Though headlines were euphoric about young Rory's performance at Congressional, I hope the praise of Clarke will be as lavish.

As the stellar field was dismantled by the elements and the brutal Kent course, there were a host of high profile casualties as Donald, Westwood, McDowell and Poulter all missed the cut. But while our attention was drawn to those who had fallen, I failed to observe fully the exploits of a smiling Irishman who had navigated each of the opening three rounds under par.

Whilst some battled bravely for two or even three rounds, Royal St George eventually claimed victim after victim. Poor Miguel Angel Jimenez suffering severely on the final day, with an outside chance of supplanting Old Tom Morris in the history books within his grasp. But amid the howling wind and lashing rain the broad smile on Darren Clarke's face never wavered, his form never faltered and lady luck played its part saving him from the sand whilst simultaneously halting big Phil Mickelson's charge in its tracks.

I found the four days compelling, enthralling and mesmerising. The only downside is that it reawakened my fear of links courses: when the elements bare their teeth it can be a brutal affair. Darren Clarke well played sir. I do not partake very often but last night I was compelled to toast your success with a pint (or two) of the black stuff.

Nice weather for kite flying ducks...

Well I am soaked through but satisfied. The forecast for today was never going to be good and, while things weren't as tough as at Royal St Georges, it was still hard going. So much so that on my return to the clubhouse of the 20 players in the bar wringing out their socks, the highest score logged on the HowDidIDo machine was 35 points.

Things didn't start well. I sclaffed (this is a new word I've made up for a slappy, toey slice) my opening tee shot. Wedged sideways and wedge two putt for an opening five on our long par 3. Still got two points though, sometimes you feel criminal being a high handicapper. So onto the second hole and after a fat tee shot I hit my second beautifully crisp. It arced through the air, was caught by the wind and landed on the road,bouncing some 30 feet in the air. First thought was did that hit a car I bloody hope not. Fortunately, there was no traffic carnage caused, but somewhat unnerved I pulled my second shot into the gorse. My next attempt was pretty crap as well. Blob. Oh dear it was going to be one of those days.

Fast forward to the 4th hole and for the first time in my life I made par. My tempo was starting to get better and two stonking iron shots put me on the fringe of the green. I just my putt well and had a simple tap in. We'll pretend the 6th didn't happen and the 13th for that matter. Other than those holes I was striking the ball pretty well in tough conditions and putting well. The best moment of the day came on the 16th. Tee shot found the middle of the fairway, approach found the green and twenty foot putt found the middle of the cup. The players leaving the adjacent green must have though I was a tad barmy as I let out a huge roar of "Get in" accompanied by some enthusiastic fist pumping. I didn't care, that four pointer eradicated my blob on 13 and help me come back in 18 points. So a total of 36 points and the lead on count back from my playing partner.

Dampened kit, clobber and clothing but not spirits. Very happy with how things are going and am also in a team for next weekends Walker Cup. Playing off the whites is good for me!

90 (65)
5(3), -(5), 4(3), 4(4), 6(5), 7(3), 6(5), 5(4), 5(4), 5(4), 4(3), 7(5), 8(4), 6(4), 5(4), 3(4) 5(4), 5(3)

Preparing for the Tempest

Spare towel? Check. Spare gloves? Check. Umbrella? Check. Monsoon forecast? Check. Having seen the professionals struggle on the links on Thursday I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the howling storm forecast for this weekend doesn't ruin the spectacle of the Open and destroy my card tomorrow. Plan is to swing slow, be patient, play the percentages and putt positively. Having watched the pros over the last couple of days I have been impressed with the tempo and laid back approach. Miguel Jimenez doing stretches whilst puffing a cigar being a case in point.

Tom Lewis announced himself in stunning fashion with an amazing opening gambit of 65. Though he struggled today he'll enter the weekend brimming with confidence and on course to secure the silver medal. I hope he can enthral us as Justin Rose did all those years ago. Thomas Bjorn exorcising his 2003 demons was also a cockle warming story. McIlroy may not have set the championship on fire yet but he's right in contention as is Sergio Garcia who I didn't think had the temperament to stay with it in a Major. Tom Watson's ace on the 6th today was as magical as it gets and there are still a host of potential fairytales for Sunday.

One thing is for certain there is definitely not a career beckoning for me as a tipster. Lee Westwood...what a shame.

Salivating

Lee Westwood: my tip to win The Open

Well what a weekend I have in store. The Open with three British players hotly tipped to take the title. McIlroy the bookmakers favourite, Donald the purists favourite and Lee Westwood my favourite. There has been so little focus on teh jovial chap from Worksop in the build up that I think that will be in his favour. Everyone is talking about the young lad from Norn Iron and I think this is Westwood's time to shine. Have I learnt my lesson from my US Open tip and chucked some money on him? Of course not but here's hoping I am kicking myself come Sunday.

The Open will provide a backdrop to a weekend that will include another Honours Board competition. I'm teeing off at 8am with great company but unfortunately the weather looks dicey. The rain is fine but the wind could cause me a few problems. After scoring bang on CSS last time out, sneaking under and getting a cut would be wonderful or else I'll be drifting back to 28. With the Forum meet at Thetford on the horizon I'd love to get a solid competitive round under my belt. My visit to the range this morning suggests that my struggles with the 3 wood are far from over...

McIlroy's Manner / Manor...

It wasn't an inspired prediction showing amazing foresight, but I did call young Rory to win the US Open (well kind of). Back in June I did feel that the trophy would remain stateside but if a plucky European would win the Major that I felt it would be McIlroy (click here to read). Having recorded his BBC Northern Ireland documentary earlier this week, I finally got the chance to watch it today. The programme confirmed that his Unicef visit to Haiti had indeed had a profound effect on him and it also confirmed two things that I already knew about the young superstar.

The first was his manner. Affable, good-natured, grounded, intelligent, focused, mature the list of superlatives to describe him is endless. I was so impressed by how he handled himself after Augusta, in the follow up to his triumph at Congressional and how he treated his sponsor the day after. Booked to make an appearance at a sponsor event the day after the US Open, McIlroy powered through his obvious fatigue to honour the commitment.

The second was the quality of his practice facility at his home. Four tee boxes, four greens with the two types of grass he'll encounter on tour, different types of rough, a replica of the road hole bunker and bunkers with three types of sand, one full time greenkeeper and one part time whose responsibilities include matching the stimpmeter green speed of his practice facility with the competition he is set to play the next week. He wants to be the best and this investment will enable him to arrive at future events in perfect condition.

I have a new golf hero and his name is Rory McIlroy...

David Gower has a lot to answer for...

1988 was the year that I really got into cricket. My Dad was a big cricket fan and the all conquering West Indian side that had dominated the decade came to England. With two Jamaican parents, I knew in no uncertain terms where my loyalties needed to lie that summer. To be fair the Windies team made it easy, they dominated the five match series and every game I remember England seemed to appoint a new captain. That summer down the park I was Viv Richards or Jeffrey Dujon carving the hopeless England attack all over the field.

The following year at school I was going to demonstrate my heritage by carting the other kids over the boundary. Thing is when you play down the park you don't have eleven pairs of hands, a leather ball and someone standing at the other end with an itchy trigger finger. As I played across the line, attempting to pull pitched up deliveries I soon discovered that my West Indian cricket heroes were more than a little bit talented. That season I learnt a lot of phrases such as "thick top edge", "plum lbw" and the names of all the fielding positions on the leg side as I dished out catching practice.

I needed a new plan. Taking the West Indian approach to the offside didn't work either. My attempts at playing those back foot cavalier cut shots frequently turned into wafts outside off stump or clunking edges to the slip cordon. I needed more control. Some of the kids at school had a lot of finesse and they were the ones who scored the most runs. They also seemed to hit the ball on the floor a lot. I needed to do that and as a result David Gower became my role model. It took me eight years before I could actually play a decent cover drive, the Caribbean tendencies to cleave the ball in the air remained strong. However, all of that work has resulted in a fundamental golf flaw. I can't rotate effectively through the ball. Another lesson today and another half hour spent retreading old ground. I hope that the message has finally gotten through.

I know what I am capable of and today gave me a reminder. Back in the pro shop and a sift through old competition vouchers and I belated collected my winnings from the April medal. I didn't realise I got anything for coming third in my division but a £13.84 credit note was sitting there with my name on it. That day I had gone out in 54 but played solidly coming in and scored a 43 for the back nine (+8). I'm now off to the garden to do my daily drills, the effect I'm looking for is a crisp on drive back past the bowler for four runs. Here's hoping I'm not out for a duck...

Synchronising

I'm sorry but in my humble opinion this is impossible

There is an aquatic phenomenon that will re-surface in London next year. A school of slender women with unfeasibly long legs and a lung capacity that would rival a freediver will take to the pool. Once immersed in the water they will proceed to gracefully 'dance' whilst partially submerged and upside down. They will do this perfectly synchronised until a miserable collection of plump judges will inexplicably dock them points. Where is this rambling prose heading you ask? Well it is linked to a visit to the range I made this morning.

Working from home on a Friday has its perks. Firstly, it means that when the day is done the weekend starts immediately. Secondly, and more importantly, the missus doesn't work on a Friday. This means that first thing I can go to the range before work. Today's visit was a positive step forward. Still working on the 3 wood, connection was good but I was still pulling a few. I think it is because my hips, shoulders and hands are not synchronised but I'll be chatting to my pro about it tomorrow at my lesson. If I could just get that club working I think I could comfortably knock 10 shots off my handicap. I think that the only sensible solution would be to spend some time in the company of an Olympic Synchronised Swimming team. Shadowing their every move I may well learn a thing or two and if it turns out to be a fruitless endeavour, at least I'll be able to enjoy the view.

One of those weeks...

Well apologies for the lack of updates but work has consumed me this week. We had an amazing response to an evaluation contract we put out to tender and shedloads of reading and assessments was followed by a lot of unsuccessful letters and an induction meeting. Throw a staff away day in the mix that I was facilitating and I've had scarcely room to breathe let alone golf.

I recorded the Rory McIlroy programme earlier in the week but have not had a chance to watch it yet. I'm sure I'll be posting my thoughts once I've had a chance to soak it up. A brief flirtation with TigerWoods 12, a foray to the heath for 50 minutes today and some time in the garden with my littl'un has been the sum of my golfing exposure this week.

Happily my Golf Monthly Centenary merchandise arrived today and it is great quality kit. I'm especially pleased with the brolly and with the recent inclement weather it may get used sooner rather than later. With two children's birthday parties this weekend I'll be hard pressed to get much golf in but am looking forward to my lesson on Saturday.

Still not got the official results yet but word is that CSS was 69 for last week's medal so no cut but a positive step in the right direction scoring wise. Just need to get the 3 wood firing and I'm cooking on gas...

Advanced Systematic Golf: Book review

Advanced Systematic Golf, Mike Palmer (Hamlyn, 1995)

A week ago I made a confession, an apology and a promise. I am ashamed to report that this was only a momentary incident: a few grains of sand in the hourglass of life. Later that Saturday morning a book that I had ordered, following a tip from the now (in)famous timgolfy (for more information on timgolfy please visit the Golf Monthly forum), dropped through the letterbox.

Advanced Systematic Golf attempts to break down the elements of the game into bite size, two side tutorials. After my first flick through I made two small tweaks: putting grip and club grip. The result? Holing more short putts thanks to the former and a straighter ball flight thanks to the latter. Books will never be a replacement for regular teaching instruction, but they can help those with shallow pockets identify and remedy minor weaknesses in their game.

However, there are issues with this publication, principally the fact that it is fifteen years old. It's age is brutally exposed in the equipment section, but talk of wound balls does not devalue the instructional advice. In many ways it is similar to The Encyclopedia of Golf but I believe it has a little more depth, particularly in dealing with the more troublesome parts of the game. And given it's age, it is a princely bargain at just 62p from Abe Books. I've not devoured it cover to cover or delved beneath the green hardback exterior since that initial sift, but it is definitely a valuable addition to my golfing library.

My rating: 79%

ISBN 13: 9780600584117

To buy click here

The second best day of my life...

The Masters kiddies clubs are built really well

Obviously, without doubt the best day was the day I became a Dad. I still vividly remember the moment when he first gripped my finger with his tiny fist. Today was the second best day, it was the day that father and son ventured out to play golf for the first time. Now my nipper is just over two and a half and up till now has made do with plastic golf clubs. However, he has steadfastly rejected any kiddie golf. He won't play with plastic golf balls and the Gator from Gator Golf is redundant as he refuses to embrace a silly plastic crocodile mush preferring to see his ball drop in a hole.

Having saved plenty of pocket money (well the change he fleeces from us when we foolishly leave it lying around) he invested in his first proper golf equipment today. He bought a Masters wedge and a putter and had spent a wonderful hour at the club, flitting from chipping green to practice bunkers to putting green to driving net. He loved watching the members practicing their putting or teeing off on the 1st and he learnt a little bit of golf etiquette (though his understanding of being quiet involves a normal level voice with a whispering tone.

He had so much fun and that is exactly as I want to keep it. Perhaps in time I'll be able to practice a little alongside him, but for now it is all about his enjoyment. His hand eye co-ordination is not bad and he instinctively choked down on the wedge and putter. Still trying to wean him off the habit of placing his ball an inch from the hole, the boy just loves making putts and has worked out its easier from that range.

Anyway, as long as keeping you up with the trials and tribulations of my own game I'll periodically keep you updated on how Tiger jnr is getting on. At this rate it won't be long before we go the the driving range together. Any quips in the comments about his handicap getting cut faster than mine will be given short shrift ;)

Promising signs

Went to bed last night very tired. It had been a long and tough week at work and to be perfectly honest the last thing I wanted to do was roll out of bed at 7am to play in the medal. However, once I had rubbed the sleep from my eyes, pulled on some clothes and jumped in the car things had changed. I was just looking forward to playing a round of golf with friends, I hadn't done that for quite a while.

The early signs weren't bad. Despite a bad tee shot on the first, I rescued the situation with a good chip over gorse and  went on to play the opening three holes bogey, bogey, bogey. Disaster struck on the 4th, bad tee shot, poor recovery, unlucky approach etc, etc, etc, cleared the green, found a bunker yadda, yadda, yadda, chipped through the green then putted back over it, blinking nora, blah, blah, blah one putt, NINE. Bugger. Bogey, double bogey, triple bogey, PAR woo hoo, back in the game. Nice.

Back nine was better than the front and in all I finished with 3 pars, 8 bogeys, 5 doubles and two bad holes. 38 points in stableford money, a net 70 (-1) in joyous stroke play medal currency. Whatever way you look at it I'm still off 27, and my main problem has been identified. More time to be spent down the range working on the long game and once my confidence and consistency is sorted I'll be cooking on gas. So I didn't set the world alight with my scoring but I made great progress today. Matched my best ever score off the whites, things are on the up...

97 (71)
4(3), 6(5), 4(3), 9(4), 6(5), 5(3), 8(5), 4(4), 5(4), 6(4), 4(3), 7(5), 4(4), 6(4), 6(4), 4(4), 5(4), 4(3)

June statistics

Softly, softly catchy monkey. Getting there, slowly. Swing is much improved, well it is when I relax, control is improving, short game is vastly better. It's just a shame I didn't get as much of an opportunity to play this month. Playing solo is not conducive to improving and I need to start playing regularly with the guys in the swindle again as that was really helpful. So a medal this weekend and an upcoming Golf Monthly meet at Thetford at the end of the month. Hopefully, this month will continue in the same vein.

Practice
Once again a large amount of practice, just over 17 hours, and a return to the range. Following a conversation with my teaching pro I'm going to try and visit once a week to help improve my consistency with the longer clubs. The short game work has definitely made a massive difference as my chipping is significantly better. A bit more time on the putting green will hopefully enable me to convert more of the one putt chances I am creating. All in all pleased with my progress and hope I can keep up the effort next month.

Distance	Time (minutes)	% of practice time
Driver	20	2%
Other Woods	70	7%
200 - 250 yards	30	3%
150 – 200 yards	145	14%
100 – 150 yards	155	15%
Short Approach	510	49%
Bunker Play	30	3%
Putting	75	7%
Total	1035	100%

Rounds
So the fireworks never happened but patience is a virtue. I'm sure a good score is brewing but it is much more likely to appear when the pressure is off in the weekly swindle rather than a medal or honours board competition. I do need to be better at taking my chances for birdie or scrambled pars. But more than anything I need to be hitting more GIR. Do that and I'll be cooking on gas.

Statistic	Performance	SS2 Handicap level
Fairways in Regulation	32% (33%)	20 (20)
Greens in Regulation	10% (15%)	21 (16)
Putts per Round	36.00 (35.79)	19 (19)
Birdie Conversion	0% (8%)	28+ (25)
Par Scrambles	3% (8%)	28+ (27)
Sand Saves	0% (0%)	28+ (28+)
Penalties per Round	2.14 (3.93)	28+ (28+)

The SS2 handicap level is a calculation made indicating your performance on different facets of your game.

So another month and seemingly little progress. My god this game is tough!