The past month has seen mixed results with my game. I played at Links Kennedy Bay on 16 April 2010 and hit 103. I just could not get the putts in. The course was not as pretty as I hope as you could not even see the ocean.
On 18 April 2010 I played with Jazton at Seaview Golf Club. It is a beautiful course although it only has 9 holes. I hit 93 while Jazton hit 96.
On 23 April 2010, I played at Collier Park and hit 95 while playing with my son and his friend Jack. Jazton shot 95 too and is becoming very consistent.
The worse game of the month was at Kwinana Golf Club. I played to 109 with just 1 par and the rest being really bad putts and approach shots. The course was great and comparable to Royal Fremantle Golf Club.
Jazton hit 99 and even beat Bambang. He is now really a force to be reckoned with.
On 2 May 2010, father and son went to the Marangaroo Golf Course and I hit 102 while Jazton hit 91 which was his personal best. He is now beating me consistently.
Played at Glen Iris on 7 May 2010 with Stevie and Henry. Hit 94 with 3 pars. Got my mojo back.
However, the most memorable game goes to the game I played at Cocos Island Golf Club called the Donga. They play every Thursday and have a Scrounger's Day. The game is best 4 ball and everyone plays in teams. It is the only course that have players walking across an airport runway.
The golf course is beautiful as the course fringes the ocean.
The best part though was how relaxed everyone was. They even play barefoot and or with sandals. No stuffy club attire rules apply here. The start of the game has everyone showing how much alcohol they have brought with them.
I managed to help my team win with a few good chips. By the time we get to the club house, I can assure you everyone was very merry. The golfers are friendly and rib each other with gusto. Here's to their continued success. Maybe golf should be played this way.
I was doing so well reducing my handicap to 21 by using my 3 wood.
I then decided that to get to the next level, I needed to progress to a driver. So, I got myself a new driver. The last one I had was the Callaway FT IQ and it was never stable or my swing was never stable with it. The FT IQ was seldom used.
I have been hitting well with the Callaway Hyper X woods and hybrids. So I thought progressing to the Hyper X driver 11 degrees should bring my handicap down.
Well, I bought the driver in late March and my games in April has been a dismay since.
The company is always good, playing and inspiring my son Jazton is also great. But, but , but, what the hell is happening to my drives.
My game has gone to bits with my drives slicing to the bushes so many times.
2 April 2010 Meadow Springs : Played to 105 and Jaz played to 101.
Jaz, has suddenly clicked and found the way to cut his score. He is becoming a challenge to me???
Proud as a father can be that his son is playing well, the morale takes a dip.
Royal Fremantle, 5 April 2010
Played with Bambang, Ed and Jaz. I played to 103 and Jaz played to 96. He just lost to Bambang by 1 stroke. Jaz has become a force to be reckoned with. Even Bambang feels the threat and he has been playing for years. Bambang has been a great golfing accomplice. He has been generous in sharing his skills and inspiring Jaz and myself.
Bambang, Jaz and myself at the hole 17 Par 3 Royal Fremantle
Bambang, Jaz and Eddie.
10 April 2010: Collier Park.
This is the school holidays. Decided to play with Jaz 9 holes at Collier. I played to 47 and he plays to 48. He wants to play another 9 to beat me but we have a badminton game with Tyz and the guys. It is getting tough beating Jaz. Maybe I have been saved from being beaten by Jaz?
11 April 2010, Joondalup Golf Course
Myself, Tyz and Jaz at Joondalup Golf Course. It was great that Tyz was with us as my caddie and driver. He has great potential and every time I managed to get him on the course, I hope it inspires him.
Fofo, Bambang , myself and Jaz at Joondalup
Yeah, I played gin rummy till 2 am and then woke up at 540 am to get Jaz and Tyz ready for the game. My 1st hole is a par but the rest of the game descends into chaos with my driver. Jaz hits 99 beating Bambang by 1 stroke. I am blown out of the water and cannot even compete. What is wrong with my driver???.
I decided tonight to throw away my driver and stick to my 3 woods. Let's hope the rest of the month sees some semblance of improvement for myself. Jazton is improving in leaps and bounds. I cannot even break 100 for the last 4 games when I should be reducing my handicap to 18. What a crazy game.
I once told my wife that you can have bucketloads of money but no talent. That is exactly how I feel. Hopefully when I next update this blog, my score will have improved.
It has been a hectic 2 mths and I just realised the last time I updated the blog was at the end of Jan 2010.
Well, there has been lots of games since, some good, some bad.
The Thursday group has not been going well as some of the players have been tied up. The weather for summer has been crazy too. With temperatures above 40 degrees, lots of players have chickened out.
The most regular and the craziest has been Henry Pua and myself.
Here's some pictures of some of the games during the last 2 mths:
Golfing at Burswood 18 Feb 2010
Stevie, Myself, Sally, Poon and Michael. It was a dismal day and Sally beat me. I played to 102.
Secret Harbour 7 March 2010 Jazton, Henry and Harris. That was a great day. The weather was beautiful and I played to 93.
Harris was visiting from Singapore and we both managed to escape our wives to play a game at Secret Harbour. We both have to limit our games so as to keep our wives happy.
Jazton hit 104 which is not bad for a new player. He has great potential and has outdriven me on a few occasions.
8 March 2010. This was a great day. Henry had friends from Penang. They were Johny, Kiang and Guang. These visitors were single handicappers and they inspired me to play a 96.
Well, in between, I have hit below 100 and above 100. It is a crazy game. There is no consistency.
Today, 21 March 2010, Henry, Stevie Jaz and myself played at Maylands. I hit 102 after messing up all my par 3s. Jaz hit 98 and I am proud of him. This is the 2nd time he has broken 100. He is well on his way to reducing his handicap.
I just wish my son Tyzton was interested in the game. As usual after the game, I had to go for a cycle with Tyzton so that I spend time with him. God, was I tired.
I have been breaking 100 regularly at Collier Park. However, I need to hit below 90 again to reduce my handicap.
It has been a long school holiday for my son Jazton. He has been waking me up at 7 am to play 9 holes before I get to work during his Xmas break.
Of course the fact that most of my golfing friends are away on holidays made it reasonable for me to wake up earlier during a work week to play golf with my son.
I have also been playing with golf my wife Annie and Jaz for 2 Thursdays while the guys were away.
Anyway, my son Jaz has only been playing 9 holes the last 4 months. He had played 18 holes on a number of occasions but found walking 18 holes a challenge.
This Sunday, he woke me up at 9 am instead of his usual 7 am for a game.
We went to Collier Park and paid for 9 holes. I was not ready to play 18 holes as I had a late Sat night.
I did tell him that if he played at below 53 for the 1st nine, I would play a 2nd nine with him.
He played 52 on the first nine and I played 46.
He begged me to play another 9 holes. The guys at the club were helpful and put us to the Pines 9 holes.
My 2nd nine was not that great but Jaz hit 3 pars and finally ended with a 46 which was much better than my 2nd nine.
So, he broke 100 and hit 98 on his last day of the school holidays after having woken me up on numerous week days to play golf before my office works beckoned.
I am proud of him and know he will do much more in golf than I ever did.
In the evening, Annie, Jaz and Tyz my youngest son went for golf tuition at Burswood. Yes, we are a serious golfing family although Tyz is still unsure. I am sure he will see the beauty of the game and how it will keep the family occupied as a family.
2010 did not start off very auspiciously. I had a terrible game at Joondalup on the 3rd day of Jan 2010. I am too embarrassed to post the score as it was well above 100.
The Pua brothers have all gone on holidays and many of the other players are also away.
In their absence, I have been getting my son Jazton and my wife Annie excited about the game.
Annie , Jazton and I played at Burswood last Thursday instead of having my usual game with the boys. It was pleasant enough to play 18 holes with my son and wife on a Thursday. Jaz hit 100 while I played to 97. This was the 1st 18 holes for the missus and her score was of course quite high. However, I know her tenacity when she wants to improve in a game. That's one of the biggest reason why I love her so much.
I am getting new clubs for the missus as she definitely does not fit the current ones which was bought for her by myself to surprise her. Of course it was all an elaborate plan to get her involved in my addiction. I think it is working. Ha ha ha ( evil laugh).
My eldest son Jazton is totally hooked and will drag me out of bed in the morning to play 9 holes irregardless of the weather. He has dreams of turning pro. I have showed him articles about how much pros earn when they do not play well. He has the potential but who knows.
I just wish I can persuade my youngest son Tyzton to get interested. That way, I get a 4 ball going and am still with the family. He has so much talent but refuses to get involved.
During the Xmas break there was lots of golfing and the biggest concern was to adjust family time with golf. I am sure Harris understands what I am talking about.
Will be playing with my son Jaz and my wife again this Thursday till all the guys come back to Perth. My son has to break 100. He played to 100 last week and shocked me with some drives that were further than mine.
Players were Bambang, Frank, myself, Henry, Stevie and Harris in this photo.
Jack , from Korea is in the left of the photo.
The Cut is rated one of the top 10 courses in Australia. It was a long drive to Port Bouvard. It is an even longer drive when you miss the Mandurah exit and nearly end up at Harvey. Jack, from Korea did one better when he reached Bunbury and had to drive back.
Harris and I did make it in time even though we had travelled an extra 100 kms. It was well worth the drive.
The course was perfect and challenging. Some of the holes overlook the ocean and on a 40 degrees day, the breeze is a welcome relief.
Score card attached.
The Cut Golf Course
Blue Tees 0.0 / 0
December 28, 2009
EAGLE
BIRDIE
PAR
BOGEY
2BOGEY+
RAY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
OUT
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
IN
TOTAL
BLUE
344
325
291
156
480
314
339
421
370
3039
394
296
381
177
390
472
130
281
516
3038
6077
HANDICAP
PAR
4
4
4
3
5
4
4
4
4
36
4
4
4
3
4
5
3
4
5
36
72
SCORE
5
4
6
2
6
6
7
6
5
47
6
8
6
3
5
6
3
4
7
48
95
ROUND SCORE
+1
+1
+3
+2
+3
+5
+8
+10
+11
+11
+13
+17
+19
+19
+20
+21
+21
+21
+23
+23
+23
NET SCORE
5
4
6
2
6
6
7
6
5
47
6
8
6
3
5
6
3
4
7
48
95
TEE CLUB
1W
1W
1W
7i
1W
1W
1W
1W
1W
1W
1W
1W
2Hy
1W
1W
7i
1W
1W
FAIRWAYS
100%
100%
100%
GIR
22%
33%
28%
PUTTS
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
17
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
18
1.9/35
SAND SHOTS
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
PENALTIES
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
FRIENDS' SCORES
BAMBANG
5
6
4
3
5
5
6
4
6
44
7
5
5
3
7
8
4
5
5
49
93
NET SCORE
5
6
4
3
5
5
6
4
6
44
7
5
5
3
7
8
4
5
5
49
93
PUA
4
4
4
3
9
5
7
5
4
45
5
4
4
4
5
7
3
7
5
44
89
NET SCORE
4
4
4
3
9
5
7
5
4
45
5
4
4
4
5
7
3
7
5
44
89
HARRIS
6
6
4
4
6
4
4
5
5
44
7
4
5
5
8
7
6
4
6
52
96
NET SCORE
6
6
4
4
6
4
4
5
5
44
7
4
5
5
8
7
6
4
6
52
96
With 4 pars and a birdie, I was well pleased with my score of 95. Harris scored 95 too and we both felt we had redeemed ourselves after the bad day at the Vines.
Bambang had 6 pars and scored 93.
Henry had 9 pars and scored 89. Harris had 5 pars and scored 95.
It was particularly pleasing as we were playing off the blue tees.
I have now set myself a target to reach a 18 handicap in 2 mths time.
My biggest weakness is my putting and I have set myself a task of improving my putting as a priority.
Here's an article from the Golf Today website which readers may find useful. The author is Nick Dougherty, a professional.
Seven Ways to Hole More Putts
1. Start reading putts before you reach a green
My green-reading routine starts once I am within 10 yards or so of the green itself- sometimes earlier.
Very often, greens are slightly elevated from the fairway and you can get a better view from a slightly lower angle as you approach the putting surface.
You also get a better perspective of the overall lie of the land and the contours on the green.
It can be very difficult to spot subtle slopes when you are standing right on top of them.
I always make a point of getting down low to look at my putts since I believe that the closer you can get your eyes to the level of the ball on the green, the more chance you have of spotting those little breaks that can make the difference between a missed or holed putt.
2. Thumbs straight down the grip keep your hands passive
I've changed my putting grip several times
during the past year or so, but one aspect of my grip that has remained consistent throughout my career is the positioning of my thumbs on top of the shaft. I like to see them placed on top of the grip and pointing straight down the shaft of the putter.
Why? Because that sets both hands in a 'neutral' position where neither can dominate the stroke and manipulate the putter-face through impact.
3. Visualise the line and keep that image fixed in your mind
One thing that never ceases to amaze me about amateur golfers is how little attention they pay to the line of the putt. If you watch any top professional preparing to strike a putt, you'll notice that they constantly look at the line as they go through their pre-putt routine. Most amateur golfers have a brief look at the line from behind the hole, quickly aim their putter in what they think is roughly the right direction, then never glance at their intended line again. Remember, the more information you can give your brain at address, the better chance you have of actually setting the ball rolling on your intended line.
4. Finish with a high elbow for a better roll
I don't have too many technical putting thoughts, since I believe that this part of the game is pretty much instinct and feel, but I do have a couple of set-up keys to keep my stroke on track.
First, I like a nice, wide stance - my feet spread a little more than shoulder-width apart - to give me some stability as I stand over the ball.
Second, I like the ball pretty much central in my stance with my hands directly above it address. I believe that this gives me the best chance of striking the putt at the base of the stroke so that the full face of my putter makes contact with the ball for a pure roll.
Finally, I like to keep the putter face fairly low to the ground in the course of making the backstroke and then finish with my left elbow fairly high in my through-stroke. This ensures that I accelerate the putter through impact and encourages me to strike the ball with an ever so slight upward sweeping motion to impart top-spin on the ball for a positive roll.
5. Align putter shaft with forearms to hole more short putts
I don't have too many technical putting thoughts, but I do believe that it is very important to hold the putter in such a way that the forearms and the shaft of the club form a straight line. This sets the hands in a more arched position at address and gives you a piston-like action that will enable the club, hands and arms to work more as a unit for more consistency. This is particularly important on short putts, where you want the putter to travel straight back and through on a square-to-square path.
6. Why you can be more relaxed over those six footers
The statistics show that even the tour pros hole only about 20-30% of putts between six and
ten feet. So if guys who spend several hours every day on the practice green honing their
strokes have only a very slim chance of making putts of this length, there's not a great deal of hope for the average amateur. But that's good news for you. Now that the weight of
expectation is off your shoulders, you can go ahead and make a positive stroke.
Most amateurs miss putts of this makeable length because they get nervous about missing a putt that they think they should hole. Once they get anxious, they either tighten their grip on the putter and make a tense and jabby stroke, or they become too hesitant and fail to get the ball running positively towards the hole. Now that you know that you've got nothing to lose, you can eliminate the fear of failure.
7. Watch the ball roll past the hole
Finally, make sure that you pay full attention to what the ball is doing all the way to the end of its journey. If you hole the putt - great. You can watch it fall into the hole. )ob done. But it's even more important that you pay attention when you know the ball is going to miss, so that you can get a perfect read on the putt back. Most amateur golfers switch off as soon as they can see that the putt is going to miss. If you do that, you're missing out on vital information that will help you hole the next one. So follow the roll all the way to the hole and beyond...
I hope you get some inspiration from the article.
Come Sun, Harris and I will be taking on Joondalup with Bambang and Harris. The 1st game for the year. Should be interesting.
