DATE: 07/31/2008 10:32:32 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2008080508_digs30.html Iwonder what mr. Mahan was thinking, and if he really means it. On another forum the thought was entertained that if the American team had more recent wins in these matches we wouldn't be hearing these remarks. Or, that Mr. Mahan does not play in these matches in the future. Or, maybe he's right. Opinions? FHs
DATE: 07/30/2008 17:40:42 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
I have been playing a lot of golf lately. 3-4 rounds a week, I have also thrown in a few hours of practice between rounds. My scores have all been with in 4 strokes of each other per round, and I have been breaking 80 a little more often. So I have to guess that consistent play. and practice breeds consistent scoring. Not big news, as we all know the more we play/practice the better our golf game becomes. I read that the pros put in many hours every day either practicing, or playing. Someone posted that VJ puts in many 12 hour days working on his game. Tiger says he (when healthy) works on a specific part of his game every day his personal or non golf working schedule permits. I once asked Tom Watson how much he practices. He told me that in his younger days he devoted 50-60 hours a week to his game. So what are your opinions on how well a person can learn to play while playing 1 or 2 rounds a week, with say 2 hours of practice time thrown in between rounds? What about the golfer who only plays once a month. What should he, or she expect out of their game? I am going on a road trip to Wyoming next week, and plan on playing 3 rounds of golf on 3 courses I have not seen before. Since I am playing pretty well right now, it will be fun to get on an unknown track to see just how well I can play. FHs
DATE: 07/18/2008 15:25:35 / MOOD: can't wait for it to cool down
On another forum I frequent alot is being posted about Beem, and Lyle quitting during day one of the Open. The big issue is two playing spots were wasted that two alternates could have used. I posted a cure for this 'wasted spot" scenario which is this. In any given tournament, let the first 5 alternates play behind the scheduled field for the first two days. When a scheduled field player drops out for any reason, the low alternate would slide into the field of scheduled players. The alternate would already have an 18, or 36 hole score. If after replacing a player, the low alternate's score misses the cut, then so be it. If no one withdraws from the tournament, and the low alternates score is lowest score, including the field after 36 holes, then too bad for the alternate, as he/she moves on to the next week's tournament. Most other sports have a wild card, so why not golf? FHs
DATE: 07/04/2008 20:31:05 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
Yesterday I encountered something I have never seen or heard of on a golf course. I was in Hawthorn Nevada where there is a 9 hole course on the Army Depot. They have an extra set of tee boxes so that you can play 18 holes with a some what different look from each tee box. I went in and told the guy I wanted to play 18 with a cart. He told me he could only charge me for 9 holes if I was using a cart. With that I paid for only 9 holes. When I was done I had to return the cart key to the counter guy. I ask him why he could only rent me a cart for 9 holes when I wanted to play 18? His reply was some what of a classic. "Well, did you see anyone else out there on the course today? "No I did not" I replied. "If I was to rent you a cart for 18 holes, that would mean I would have to stay here for an extra two hours waiting for you to finish the second nine holes. When I am not busy I close early". I can't fault his reasoning, but it was only 2:30PM when I finsished the 9 holes.
Today was different. I started earlier in the day and got in 18 holes........with a cart. BTW, this course has some of the best greens I have ever played on.
DATE: 06/25/2008 14:48:16 / MOOD: can't wait for it to cool down
It's official. If you are planning a golf vacation to Las Vegas, NV, then you need to bring your own shade. Actually every where in the desert south west is pretty warm. Triple digit heat has set in for the long run. What ever the weather person says, add 5-10 degrees to his forecast. Of course it still cools down at night to the mid to high 80s.
Alot of the golf courses have gone to their summer rates to entice folks to brave this heat. I am golfing for less than $25 after 10AM. Problem is some of the lower end courses are showing alot of damage to their fairways. Why they water in the middle of the day I have know idea. Browned out fairways should not be a surprise.
Of course I lke the heat since the courses are less crowded in the afternoons. FHs
DATE: 05/18/2008 18:08:37 / MOOD: can't wait for it to cool down
Summer must be here for some of us. We golfed in 105F+ degrees today, and expect the same for the next few days. The weather folks will say it was 105+/-, but we had three car thermometers reading 110+, while moving, and my out door stuff at home were all in the same range. No matter, it was hot. Good thing was the humidity was low. The old saying "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" does not apply to weather. You eastern folks will see your version of this heat wave in a few days.
As for the golf it was good. The four of us all shot in the mid-low 80s. Did not have much trouble warming up. We made use of the shade trees, and the beverage cart while waiting our turn to hit. Fast greens made fools of us a few times, but we were able to adjust towards the end of our round.
As always, with the hotter temps, remember to plan a head, and stay hydrated.
DATE: 04/26/2008 12:29:42 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
My wife dragged me to local yard sale to look at some antiques. While we were on this quest, I came across a golf club called a "Super Stick". At first I thought it was multi weighted club, with a training grip on it. I asked how much, the lady said $2.00, I said sold, and paid for it. When I got it home and looked at it a little closer, I found it was one club that could be adjusted to be used as a driving iron all the way down to putter. A full set of clubs all in one club. Such a deal. I had to try it out. Back yard swing into a net were not making it for me. So I go to my local golf course to give this critter a try out under real course conditions.
The first few holes the problem was learning the adjustment proceedure. Basically you loosen a screw, and then adjust the club head to what ever lofted club you might need. The hard part for me was matching up the various notches for the correct lofted club. Then I notice the directions on the upper part of the shaft, which made things easier. I don't think the lie angle ever changed. Of course I had to take time out to answer some questions from other golfers, and a course marshall, since I was walking a course with only one club in my hands. As a driving iron, I had a tough time with it. Same when it was in the putting position. But from a 4i thru the wedges it played well for me. My wedge distances were longer since the club is a set length, and longer than my regular short irons. I wound up carding a 46 for 9 holes. The bright spot was I played the last 3 holes at par. I played very poorly for the first 3 holes at a +8. It is fun little club, but I don't think it will replace my regular clubs anytime in the future, but to horse around with on the driving range will be a viable option
So if you can find one for $2.00 grab it....LOL FHs
DATE: 04/01/2008 18:04:42 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
First off to all you Texans on this site. I love Texas, and some of your golf courses around the Ft Worth area pretty nice. I played Iron Horse today. Very nice track, and I shot a 79. I will be going back there before I return to Vegas. I played a par 3, 9 hole course this past weekend called Westdale Hills, in Euless, Texas. Very poorly kepted up. Won't be going back there till my next life....if at all. Shot a 64 there. Saw some pretty ugly, pure muddy black, water turtles there also. Now as for your Texas weather. I have seen snow, hail, wind, rain, sunshine, more wind, high humidity, more wind, stars at night, more wind, and even a possible tornado warning the other night. Did I mention the non-ending south wind? 80 degree days follow by, by high 50 degree days. All of this in span of two weeks. You folks have it all in this state. The other day I am at a golf course (Willow Springs?) hitting range balls in dry weather. When I get back to my brother's home about 12 miles away, the place is soaked with flood like conditions. When I get back to Vegas I will have a pretty good knock down shot, and know how to play in very damp conditions. All this said I might take my brother's advice and move here I need to get back to my mountains.
DATE: 03/11/2008 18:54:37 / MOOD: can't wait for it to cool down
I am not a big fan of golf’s world ranking in it’s present form. I understand why they do it this way, but I don’t much care for it. I am more of a “what have you done lately” type of guy. Also using the present world ranking system, if you play fantasy golf will hurt more than it will help. So here is my own 2008 top 10 rankings. My ranking are based on the points earned by the players. Since January 1st, 2008. Also, some of the players’ spots change from week to week.
(1) Woods 186.00 (1) No surprise here.
(2) Mickleson 118.62 (2) Ditto
(3) Stenson 90.88 (12)
(4) Cink 84.94 (15)
(5) KJ Choi 81.36 (5) Stays the same
(6) Kaymer 76.00 (21) ?
(7) Els 71.86 (3) Will drop next week due to fatigue
(8) Leonard 69.94 (32
(9) Donald 63.95 (13)
(10) Stricker 61.50 (4)
(11) Sabbatini 61.34 (9)
The number after the player’s point total is where they are listed in the world golf rankings. I threw Sabbs in there at number 11 just because of his belt buckle……LOL FHs
DATE: 01/26/2008 17:17:19 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
I have always thought that there was Tiger Woods, and then there were the "I am playing for second place" rest of the PGA tour. Well someone has stats on this. Check the link out, and read on. Maybe there is something to his on course intimidation. FHs
DATE: 01/16/2008 09:38:18 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
According to the National Golf Foundation (2004) for all the golfers in the world, the averages for 18 hole scoring breaks down as such;
For men, their average score is 95. For women, their average score is 106.
Players whos break 80 on a consistant basis comprise the top 8% of the world's golfers. You spend alot of time on your game.
Players who score between 80-89 comprise another 20% of the world's better golfers. Play, practice on a consistant basis.
Those who score between 90-99 are in the 31% bracket, and are average. You have potential.
If you are scoring between 100-119 you make up another 30%, and are below average. You probably play just for the fun of it.
Scoring 120+ for 18 holes? You are in the bottom 11%, and probably only play a very few times a year, with no practice what so ever.
So there you have it. Now you know where you stand in the world with regards to your own golf .
Me, I am in the upper 20%, who can some times play with some of those 8% on a really good day. As for professionals, and scratch players, those folks comprise the 1%-2% of the worlds's best golfers.
DATE: 12/20/2007 09:07:51 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
You read so much about how much money sports phenoms make. How some of them waste vast amounts of cash on frivolous items, while others are very respectful of what they have, and spend wisely.
I am so glad that Tiger Woods respects what he has. "Giving Back" is very important to him, and one of the reasons he is such a fine champion of his sport. However I don"t have any problem when a sports figure does indulge his/her self in a little bit of expensive fun.
Here is Tiger's newest play thing...His new yacht;
DATE: 12/10/2007 15:04:04 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
With the 2008 pga/usga season just around the corner, I was wondering if this website had enough interested members for a fantasy golf league. We had a league at my former golf forum stomping grounds, but they have closed their doors due to a non posting membership issue. What we did over there was pick pga players on a weekly basis from the the golf world ranknings, and each tournament's list of players attending. Picks would consist of 5 pro players, and two alternates. The alternates were just in case a picked player decided not to show, or had to with draw from the tournamnet. Alternates could not replace a player that had been DQ'd due to rules infraction, or players who missed the cut.
To make the member picks more interesting, there were mulitpliers added to the pga pros scores, based on the world rankings. PGA pros ranked 1-10 had a multiplier of 1. 11-20 had a multiplier of 1.25. 21-30 had multiplier of 1.50. 31-40 had multiplier of 1.75. 41 and above had a multiplier of 2.00. This multiplier system was instituted to keep the playing members from picking from the top 5 every week. A risk/reward scenario if you wish.
We ran 4 individual rounds that usually included a major, and 8-10 weekly events for each round. The four individual rounds were devised so that playing members could start over fresh.
Scoring was kept in relation to par that the picked pga players racked up during weekly, and full round. Weekly winning scores were usually in 20+ under par range. Majors were usually in the plus 20 range. The winning member was the person who had the lowest scor in relation to par for the entire round. 200+/- under par usually won an individual round.
Some times we would stir things up, and go with a "5 Tour Challenge" where each member would pick a pga/lpga pro from the 5 tours (PGA, European, LPGA, Seniors, and Nationwide tours) There were no alternates allowed in the 5 Tour Challenge week.
As for prizes, the website being so small, and run by an individual with limited funding, there were no prizes. Just bragging rights so to speak. It was more for fun, and for members to follow their favorite pro players on a weekly basis. However, there were a member or two who would donate prizes for the winners of each round.
Like I said I was just wondering, and I added what we did in the last league I played in just as an example. Any questions? Support? Thanks, FHs
DATE: 12/05/2007 13:12:27 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
I played Desert Rose today in some windy, some what cooler weather. It was an early morning, walking round. Shot a really decent 80. I am not sure if I played well under these conditions, or if I just had better bad shots. Better bad shots? With 9 pars, and 9 bogies it is hard to tell. I didn't lose a single ball which is a good thing since there are peoples back yards on just about every hole. There are also water hazards of one form or another located on 13, or 14 holes. Only hit 6 or 7 greens in regulation, but had a few up, and downs. Missed quite a few fairways off the tee, but not by much. All my bad shots were either pushes, or pulls that like I said did not miss by much. No banana slices, or duck hooks. Most of my good shots came via my short game, with me and my putter pretty much on the same page.
All in all I would have to say it was a round of "better" bad shots instead of "more" good shots. So, the moral of this blog is to work on "better" bad shots to help your scoring.
DATE: 11/25/2007 17:08:38 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
Howdy Folks. Been away for a while. I recently retired at the end of October, and have spent most of November in Texas visiting my older brother. Back home in sunny Las Vegas now. After few hundred miles of snow/ice on the road, the desert is a welcome sight.
While in Texas I learned a new trick from another golfer that deals with putting and trying to figure out the break of a not so straight putt. He would look in the hole before he set up to putt. I finally asked him why he did that, and he told me he was reading the break near the hole. What he was looking at was the top rim of the plactic insert that was in the hole. If the distance from the top of the green to the top of the insert was equal completely 360* around the top of the insert, there was little or no break. If there was more dirt showing between the top of the insert, and the top of the green, on part of the hole, then this was the high side of the hole.
It's a little bit of info that could help. He did hole alot of putts, and I did notice that on some holes there actually was a difference in the amount of dirt showing around the circumference of the insert, and the top of the green.
Obviously it depends on how the greens keeper cuts the hole, and if the insert is actually touching the bottom of the hole. I asked him how he discovered this tid bit of information, and he told me he read about it in the book titled "Short Game For Dummies". I got a bit of a grin on my face on that answer, but then again, as I stated before, he did hole a lot of putts. Might be something to it.
DATE: 10/30/2007 00:11:44 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
I played in a tournament this past weekend. First one in few years. I decided to play to put my game under some pressure to see how it would stand up. For 16 holes I was cruising right along with a 69, even with some poor putting. Not happy with that, as putting is one of my very strong points. On 17, I screwed the pooch on a 3 footer for a bogey 5 by reading a break that was not there. Still Ok, with a dog leg right par 5 waiting for me. With a par, I am looking at a 79. Then the poor decisions took over.
I had been hitting my 3w, and driver really well, keeping the ball in play. I also had a sizable lead over the rest of our foursome. So I figure if I can hit a fade, I can turn the corner, and be looking at a 3w to a reachable green. Two or less putts, and I have had a very good round of golf. Hitting the fade was my first bad decision. At the dogleg there is bunker, and a pond. Poor decision two by not respecting the hazards. I miss flying the bunker by a couple of inches which left me on the beach, with a high lip, and pond of water between me and the geen. The safe play would have been to hit out of the bunker on the low lip side, and get back into the fairway. Poor decisison 3 is when I think I can clear the lip, and the pond with my 5w, while neglecting the safe play. I hit the lip, and ball winds up wet. After dropping 3, and hitting four, and I am still a ways from the green. Poor decision 4 was not reading the pin placement correctly. I am on the green in 5, but have left myself a long 30 footer, from the lower tier. By not reading the pin placement correctly, I under clubbed myself. 3 putts later, I am writing a snowman 8 on my card for an 82.
Best shot of the day was on a 202 yard par 3 where I just missed an ace by a few inches, and settled for a nice tap in birdie.
Overall, the 82 was a good score since it was under tournament conditions, and on a course I had never played before. Problem was I don't get many chances to break 80 that often, and my poor judgement cost me a great chance to do so. Hopefully I will never forget the importance of par again.
DATE: 10/14/2007 14:02:28 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
I learned something few years ago that has helped me with my overall game, and how to get more out of my practice routines. Most golfers have a handicap number assigned to their game, but this number covers their entire game. Off the tee, long/short approach shots for a “GIR“ percentage, short game chips, pitch shots, sand saves, and of course putting. It is not a new idea, and certainly not mine, but what if you were to break down the various parts of your game, and assign each part it’s own handicap? Would not that handicap number give you a point of reference to focus on during you practice sessions? Also, when keeping these handicap numbers, would you not see the improvement in those various areas?
This is what I have been doing that works well for me. I play on a course most of the time that has four par 3, eleven par 4s, and three par 5s. Below is an example, and can be changed to anyone’s personal needs.
There are 14 holes that require a tee shot that is supposed to land in the fairway. These same 14 holes require approach shots that are supposed to land on the green. The other four par 3 holes (from the tee box) require me to hit the green in one shot.
Just pulling numbers out of the air here.
14 tee shots, and I miss 6 fairways which cause me to have shots where I can’t reach the green in regulation. That would give a tee box handicap of 6.
Now I have 8 fairway shots to reach the greens in regulation . Of those 8 shots I miss the green 4 times, which means I have to take 4 extra shots to get on the green. This gives me a “GIR” handicap of 4.
Those 4 extra shots become part of my up & down game, which in a perfect world would be 4 chips, sand shots, or pitch shots and a 1 putt for par. If I only get two of these approach shots close enough where I one putt for par that leaves me an approach (U&D) handicap of 2. (This would be the same scenario for all par 3s when the green is missed from the tee box.)
Once on the green I have two putts or less to hole out. If I have a 40 total putts for the 18 holes, then I have a putting handicap of 4.
To recap;
Tee to fairway handicap…………………..6
Approach shots (GIRs) handicap…………4
U & D handicap…………………………..2
Par 3 U & D handicap…………………….2
Putting handicap………………………….4
Total handicap……………………………18
What this tells me is that I am weak off the tee, and my putting is in the toilet. The easier of the two to work on is putting. If I get my putts down to 32 putts per round, my putting handicap will be -4, with an over all handicap reduction of 10. A big improvement just by working on the easiest part of the game.
Now if I work on my off the tee game, and let’s say I improve from a 6 to 4 missed fairways, this will also reduce my GIR handicap since I playing from more favorable lies, more often. With my GIR handicap lower, this will also help lower my U & D handicap since I am hitting more greens in regulation. Lets say from these three aspects of my game I improve by 2 strokes, then my over all handicap will improve from a 10 to an 8. I know from doing this for several months that this overall 8 handicap will equal out to about a 12 handicap on the course.
The one key point to all of this is to use the numbers you obtain while playing an actual round of golf. Then use those numbers as a focal point as to the part of your game you need to practice on. You still need to practice on all the various aspects of your game, but with these numbers you will know where you need the most practice, which will benefit your game the most.
Hope this is of some help to your golf game. ....FHs
DATE: 10/04/2007 19:05:14 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
Now that first Fed-Ex is over, and done with, I am still wondering why they needed all the points races, and qualifiers. It seems to me that all the qualifiers were already in place. Those qualifiers being the four majors. If they had selected the top 40 money winners (and ties) for the four majors, and put those players in the Fed-Ex tournament, that would have solved most, if not all the problems that have been discussed for this years Fed'Ex. At least all the players would have played every event leading up to the $10 mil final. Another plus would have been that the majors would have grown in stature, not that they needed the extra recognition. JMHO, and of course I am sure I don't have all the info as to why, and what for that the decisions were made for the first event.
DATE: 09/25/2007 12:19:43 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
I thought I would post a blog on my home town which is Las Vegas, Nevada. I am actually a true native, being born and raised here. In fact the house I was born in is still around, and just down the hill from I now live. Like most big cities we have both good, and bad things going on around the area. Since we are a major tourist destination we get all types of folks visiting from many different countries. I am not part of the tourist industry, but I do run into some very interesting visitors on the golf course. I once bought a set of "Liguid Metal" golf clubs from a Korean gentleman. He flew into Vegas, purchased the clubs, used them twice, and ask me if I wanted them for $50, since he did not want to take back home to Korea. Still have them, out in the garage some where I think. They are probably worth alot less than $50 now.
I have provided a link to the history of the LV area. Also a link listing the many golf courses in, and around the LV area. Over the years I have golfed at all those listed, (except for few private ones) some even before they opened for business.
