Golf preparation for 2016..... ok, lost our focus a bit, so we'll continue with playing and competing in 2016.

What I've recognized is that; in order to become a consistently good scoring golfer, we have to dedicate a significant amount of our time to practice and playing the game, almost, daily.  That's right, if we want to become a seriously effective golfer, we NEED to practice and play the game daily.

As you saw from my last post, I had improved my game immeasurably and my scoring as well.  I was now sporting a 5 handicap, but, over the past two weeks had been challenged to maintain the scoring consistency.  In fact, my ball striking, short game and putting has been quite consistent, especially as I practiced and performed, but, something different creeped into the game in the last two rounds; the BIG number.

My rounds had begun quite well each of the last two times I played 18, but, all at once, the BIG number happened.  Firstly, I had been playing very well, not scoring particularly well, but, remaining confident in my abilities.  The tee shot on #9 was quite easy, just a 3 wood out to the middle of the fairway and a wedge into the green, but, "Oh my!!!"  I almost shanked the shot dead right and lost outside of the hazard.  We looked and looked, but, no ball.  Back to the tee for a second tee shot, hitting 3, but, unexplainably, I topped the ball about 100 yards.  Had 182 yds over trees and hazard, but hit an incredible 4 iron.  Ended up in the front bunker with a very difficult shot that I left in the bunker, decent out next and two putts for an "8".  Yes, an 8.  BIG number, right? Now this is where we have to hunker down and maintain focus, but, there were 9 holes left. An innocuous performance on the back resulted in an 86. That's right. Fourteen over par!!

I won't get as specific about the other round, but, the BIG number was a 10 when another shanked tee shot ended up under a tree, unplayable in the woods and the ensuing horrors included hitting another tree, a dubbed chip and a missed 3 footer.  A TEN for goodness sakes and a resultant 88 for a total score.  How tough can this game be, especially when putting so much time into improving.

So, what do we do, quit??  Yes, that's an option, but, there is no way we're doin' that!!!!

Some soul searching.  Discussion with the wife, for sure.  What am I doing this for at 64 years of age??  

For ministry!

What?  That's right, for ministry.  As you're reading this post, you won't, necessarily, see the passion and motivation for this entire website and social posting, but, I believe I'm called to Give the Gospel thru Golf.  In order to have that opportunity, I have to work through this game and get better as well as engage with those I meet and play with/against in order to edify Christ in the game.

Whew, we'll continue.............

​By the way, new GHIN posting.  With those two rounds I'm now a "'5,8" handicap.

Thanks, in Him2.

​Bill

Ok, enough 2016 Golf Season Preparation ... let's go Play & Compete!!!

It's been a long series, I know, but, for each of us that want to become better I've tried to outline how we can become the golfer we want to be, regardless of the quality of player you desire to be.

What have I attained since beginning this process in November of 2015?  Well, you may have read my blog post from 6/2/2016 where I've definitely become a serious golfer again.  But, I've become even more serious since that posting because my swing, short game and scoring have significantly improved.

How do I know this?  Well, we have to be very honest with ourselves when we play the game after working and working to improve.  What do I mean?  We have to accurately and honestly record our scores on each hole.  If we hit it out of bounds, it's stroke and distance, not "Oh, I'll just drop one where it went out."  When we hit it into the rough and can barely see the ball, we have to "play it where it lies" not put your hands or clubhead on the ball and prop it up, ie, improve your lie.  The rules are the rules and when we don't play and practice according to the rules, we get an incorrect image of who we are as golfers.  But, if we count every stroke, every missed two footer and unplayable lie then our scores reflect who we really are as serious golfers.

So, my practice and play have been according to accepted practice sessions and official rules of the game.  I have posted them on the Tennessee Golf Association's GHIN connection and am now a "5" handicap. What??  Yes, a "5" handicap.  I've posted legitimate scores of .....
​

...which makes me a "5" handicap!

To me this is hard to believe, but, the way in which the USGA computes handicaps and my performance reflected above, it equates to a "5".

This makes me wonder about so many other of my golfing partners and golfer scores and handicaps in general.  Why?  Because I have played with alot of golfers over the years and the ignorance to the rules and freedom golfers exercise on 'gimmes', out of bounds, mulligans, etc. reflects no sense of reality relative to the 'true' scoring and actual abilities of the average golfer.  If we want to be serious golfers we have to know the rules, practice them and play the game recreation-ally as well as competitively as a true measure to our actual ability.

Next we'll talk about continuing to practice, play and perform.

Thanks

In Him2

Bill