01/02/2008 19:43:28

Well; did Santa bring you a new putter or is the search still on? Mrs. Claus was very good to me. She let me purchase a new square head driver from "Diamond Tour Golf". I took delivery of this fine piece of equipment after Christmas and had to go to the closest driving range (which is 40 min. away), and try this baby out. Even though the temp was below30 and the radiant heaters a t the range were not working, I felt real positive about how the club felt and played. Hope you have good luck with your game this year.

12/10/2007 07:03:23

Hi my new friend ! Welcome to the 19th hole. Any questions please feel free to ask. You do seem like you like to have a "rockin" good time on the course and that is what it is all about. Too many people think they are going to be a pro and take it too serious. I have been close many times and now that I like to just have fun I play a lot better. Keep smiling

11/10/2007 22:04:00

Don't forget, you've only got until November 15 to enter your favorite golf videos in our contest.

Visit the ContestPage for details.

Prizes include a MacGregor putter, a golf bag from Birdie Girl, headcovers from Daphne's and ButtHead Covers, and ladies fashion from GGBlue.

11/03/2007 09:38:34

Thanks for the compliment!

10/18/2007 07:17:34

Thanks for the comment.  I have posted the entry on the great practice drills group for all to see.  If you havn't looked there lately froghairs added some good stuff also....check it out!

SemperFi

10/18/2007 05:22:26

I think it's pretty cool that the photo is doing so great, but I wish that my team could have brought the trophy home. Everyone at our outing had fun and I have to keep telling myself that having fun is what this outing is all about.(It does get my competitive spirt going though).

09/05/2007 10:18:24

Hey Ace Girl, good to hear from you!

Your blog sounds like you've finally come to the same decision I did at the end of last year.  I like driving, and I love a well formed second shot, but if I'm going to feel good about my score I've got to get this short game under control.  I'll give you some advice an eccentric, but very good instructor gave me.  Successful putting is not about making one putts, it's about setting yourself up to guarantee you make the second putt.  NOW...this may leave you scratching your head for a minute, but think about it.  We continuously kick ourselves because we leave a birdie putt short when we know that if the ball never makes the distance to the hole it can't go in!  Mentally we either make ourselves either hit the first putt too hard, to get it there, or we hit it too soft afraid it will run away.  I had to re-train my brain!  I forced myself not to care about whether it was a birdie, par, or even a bogie putt.  I have one concern and one concern only....to stop the ball within 18 inches of the hole!  If it is this close I can guarantee,  that I will make the second putt.  This entire year I've only had five 3putts!!!!!  So...how do we go about making these changes?  It's not easy but here's how.   Get you a string 4 feet long and mark it every foot with a black marker,  and a second string about 30 to 40 feet long marking it at 18 inches, 7 feet, and then every 3 feet after that. 

Go to your putting green and place the 4 foot string on a hole, one end in the hole and stretch it out.  Place several balls (10) at the one foot mark and put them in.  Move back to the two foot mark and so on.  Make sure you pay attention to the break as you move back each time.  Once you've gone out to the four foot mark, move around the hole 4 to 6 inches and do it again.  Keep this up until you've gone all the way around the hole.  As I'm aiming at the hole I tell myself that this hole is big enough I can drive a truck into, so getting this ball in there is a piece of cake.  Do just this drill in one practice session because it will get pretty taxing.  After doing this 3 or 4 times a week for 2 weeks you will have your short stuff down so now it is time to get to the lag putting. 

Lag putting is all about distance and break.  Notice I didn't say speed.....speed determins what happens when you hit the break, whether the ball goes through it or breaks away.  The ball speed changes with every green, with the moisture of the green, and whether your putting with or against the grain.  So..instead of worrying about speed we concentrate on distance (speed will come automatically).  This is where the 18 inch rule comes in....If I give myself 18 inches all around the hole to stop the ball in,  I have a 3 foot circle that I need to get the ball to.  Thats the size of a hula-hoop!!!!  Once your in this circle ....you've already mastered the next shot!   So..how do we learn to get it into this circle on a regular basis?  Start by locating the levelest run on your putting green from the first cut edge towards the center of the green.  We don't want any holes in the way...just grass.  Now take the second string you made and lay it out putting the 18 inch mark on the first cut and the length of the string towards the center of the green.  Place the 10 balls at the 7 foot mark.  Putt them towards the first cut trying to stop them as close to the cut but staying within 18 inches of it, either short or past.  After you hit all ten balls  move back to the next mark and so on.  We start this drill on the first cut instead of a hole to take away the distractions.  If your looking at a hole, you will concentrate on the hole instead of concentrating on distance.  We will put the hole in play a little later.  After a couple of sessions on the flats start laying your string on uneven ground to put some break action into the distance putting.  This helps you learn to read breaks and judge how hard to hit the ball to maintain the distance you need, still concentrating on stopping inside the circle.  After you start getting comfortable with this, move the string to a hole....don't move this drill to a hole to quick or you won't have time to break your habit of concentrating on the hole.  If you work hard at this you will find that most putts of 10 feet or less that you don't make will either be lip-outs or very near misses.  I never get upset with a lip-out or near-miss, because it re-affirms that I am improving.....because I used to miss by a mile!

Sorry this was so long but it's very worth while if you can stomach it!

Semper fi!

08/20/2007 10:15:17

Well...we let them hit plastic balls out in the backyard and that kind of thing. They are fairly hyper little boys and I don't want them interrupting someone's game by being loud or running around on the course. We have taken them several times during the late afternoon hours in the past when it wasn't so busy.

Thank you for the suggestion though..lol.

How's your game going?

07/10/2007 16:20:42

Hi Acegirl just read your profile, sounds like you're a fun person to know...yr new friend

06/27/2007 09:27:05

How's it going AG?  Haven't heard from you lately.  How's your game?  Still in a slump or are you coming along.  I hope the air cushions helped in your balance.

Semper Fi

06/07/2007 13:05:13

Thank you for the comment AG!

Being new to the game and shooting an 85...that's pretty impressive!  Well below the national average!  Goodonya!!

 

06/01/2007 17:55:18

I hope you have had time to enjoy and work on your game. My game is finally starting to come around but there is always room for improvement. Can't wait for vacation so I'll have more time to get out and play. Just wish I had the funds to travel and play a little farther away from home. Damn gas prices.

05/29/2007 20:59:22

If u ever find yourself in Tulsa (maybe PGA this Aug stalking Tiger?-LOL) look me up and I'll treat ya to the local golf scene.  Nightlife, too, if you want because I'm also a DJ at a bar here.  KIT

05/25/2007 11:13:53

Don't forget the Live Golf Chat, this Sunday night at 9:00 pm CDT. Discuss golf. Discuss your weekend. Discuss the woes of going back to work the next morning...whatever you like. The floor is open and you have a microphone (well, actually a keyboard) to let the world know what you think. Just click Live Chat at the very top of any page. I hope to see you there.

05/15/2007 20:09:52

Remember, a bad day on the golf course is always better than a good day in the office, or my personal favorite, better than a day of spring cleaning! (Although I frequently say..."and to think, I could be cleaning my house instead of putting myself through this torture!") What is it about this game?

05/15/2007 08:50:17

Hey AceGirl

Just thought I would stop by and say HI

05/14/2007 13:58:06

How's the game coming?  Last I've heard from you you were fighting the double bogie blues.  Hope things are running straight and narrow!

05/07/2007 16:31:08

Hi Acegirl; Just figured I would drop a line. I was able to get in some golf this weekend and boy do I need to knock off the winter rust. (or something). I tend to get a little upset when a shot that should be just what I set up for; and then chunk it. One of my shots Sunday was just that and then I followed it up with a really nice shot. My Son-in-law told me I just need to get mad before I hit the first ball. I hope your game is going well and that it is improving on the path that you have set for yourself. My game right know could use about a 15 stroke reduction just to get back on track. Good hitting.

05/03/2007 11:46:43

Hi Acegirl.  Just had to tell you about my round this morning.  Shot an 81 with an Eagle on hole #8, an uphill par 5.  Was 100 yards out for my 3rd shot.....it hit the green about 15 feet in front of the pin and rolled right in the hole.  What was good about it was that i had 4 witnesses. lol  3 playing partners and a worker on the green.  Those are few and far between, but it sure feels good when you get lucky enough to get one.

04/15/2007 01:37:04

Keoni has no putting tips other than extreme luck.  He just talks crazy sometimes when I sink the 65-footers.  Your 25 handicap makes him look sick so never take a golf tip from the guy.  I think his handicap is around a 173.

04/12/2007 19:39:18

Hey it is good, though i prefer the sunny weather down south.  Favorite now is Alderra Country Club.  How about you?