Format: Medal
Venue: [Home course]
Score: 94
Handicap mark: 14
Themes in reply: Practising; warming-up.
Dear Colin,
Thanks for the message and the nudge to keep in touch.
Life has been very hectic, a seemingly continuous cold and not enough golf. I have, however, had some highlights, getting through to the semi-finals of the seniors K.O.
I have in fact had two good spells. At the end of May I played in a foursomes on Sunday and did quite well. Then on the Tuesday I played against St Pierre for the Seniors we won 5 & 4. Then I played my first match in the K.O. against a 7-handicapper and I won 6 & 4. To be fair he didn’t play well but I was one over after 10. I had some trouble closing the match but I prevailed.
In the seniors open I really struggled and got 19 points! The June medal I had a no-return and then I played much better in the seniors match against Dewstow. I lost 3 & 1 but a bit of bad fortune and bending of the rules didn’t help.
The seniors Jubilee match wasn’t very good and I really wasn’t feeling too good with this cold so I missed playing any golf until a seniors match at St Pierre last Tuesday. We halved the match but I managed 2 birdies and with any luck on the greens we would have won.
On the Thursday I played my K.O. against a 10-handicapper and won 4 & 3. Again I was very pleased with my play and again I didn’t drop many shots.
Yesterday I played in the Tredilion Cup and went around in 94-net 80! Actually there weren’t a great number of great scores but I find it hard to play 18 holes without throwing in some wobblies.
I started with a par. I pushed my tee shot to the right on the 2nd, was short with my chip, on for 3, just missed my putt for 5.
A good drive on the 3rd, an 8 iron just to left of green, good chip and a putt an inch short for 5.
A great drive up the 4th. Second short just to the left, a good chip on, 2 putts for 5.
On the 5th I scored 4 and then hit a pretty dismal push on the 6th. I scored 7.
I pushed my drive on the 7th, played back on to about 80 yards and hit a good utility wedge way over the pin and took 4 to get down – 7.
A good drive on the 8th gave me a good chance but I missed a putt for 6.
On the 9th I think it was 5 after a very ordinary drive.
The 10th gave me a 4 and then I hit a good drive on the 11th put my second over to the left and struggled with some punitive grass for a 6.
2nd July 2012
Dear Matthew,
Many thanks for your e-mail. I’m sorry to hear about the persistence of your minor illnesses and the insistence of your minor relatives: historically, neither have had reputations for sweetening swings!
Practising –I need to clear a few things up about my attitude to practising.
- I think it is a bad idea for you to practise because it reinforces your strong belief that your swing can be improved through repetition and analysis.
- To practise playing golf one needs to play golf, which you do. This is because playing golf successfully depends on you locating your “timing” and then carrying that “rhythm” from shot to shot through the round. (By “shot to shot” I mean consecutive shots, not from one 7-iron to the next time you have to play a 7-iron.). This is only possible out on the course, preferably in a competitive situation. Only on the course inside a competition is it possible to replicate the conditions that affect a golfer’s ability to hit successful shots. Practising on a range only improves your ability to practise on a range.
- I think that what you benefit from is “warming-up”. I think warming-up is a very good idea because of the propensity it has to hasten relaxed muscles. If warming-up is undertaken with the express purpose of starting that day’s search for the elusive “timing” then so much the better. My suggestion is that you warm up by hitting 20 balls. Randomise your choice of club for each shot so that the exercise mimics real golf. Aim to simply locate your “timing” and, when you find it, to take the rhythm to the next shot. Stop after 20 balls and move to the practice green and hit 20 putts with the “rhythm” you have located on the range. Avoid getting attached to the outcome of the shots – particularly the putts – and simply concentrate on rekindling the memory of the rhythm (pendulumic) of the last perfectly timed shot you can remember.
- Only go on the range in order to warm up for that day’s golf. Do not go there any other time. If you really feel the urge to practise then play a few holes but play them completely differently to how you would normally play them. For example, take a 3-iron off all the par 3 tees.
Results – It is very pleasing to read about your victories, especially because they are in the match-play format, which I believe is the proper test of a golfer.
Please keep writing.
Regards,
Colin
A poorish, high 4 wood on the 12th, again wet grass and a 5.
A very good drive on the 13th , a slight push with my second. a pitch and 2 putts.
A pushed 4 iron on the 14th and an eventual 4.
I had a good drive on the 15th and finished with a 5.
16th – I hit a very good 4 wood and chipped to 6 ins for a 3.
A goodish drive on the 17th gave me a 5 but then I hit my drive on the 18th o.o.b. and finished with an 8.
This should all add up to 94 and I know I can do better.
Again I know you disagree but I do like to practice and also warm-up before I play. The good rounds I have played have been after either or both of these.
I am playing tomorrow for the seniors at St Mellons so I`ll be in touch afterwards.
Best wishes,
Matthew
