Hi all,

I've arranged a round for eight players (2 tee times) at the Belfry/P.G.A. NATIONAL for this Friday, and have 2 space's left.

Playing are:the munters Chris Perry & Myself, Tim Hawkins, David Ley, John Flood, Martyn Flemming.

Tee off is 10:50 & 11:00. the course is not busy so far so we should be off asap. Weather forecast so far predicts possible light rain showers in the afternoon.

I have some 2-fore-1, but if anyone as any please bring them as the round will only cost you £20.

REMEMBER THIS IS FOR 2 PLACES ONLY AT PRESENT( As that wuss Santo can't get the time off, i'm only joking Wayne...you'll be missed)SO I WILL OPERATE A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED POLICY. handicap of 24 or better is also a requirement.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CAN GET THE TIME OFF BEFORE COMMITING AS NOT TO DISAPPOINT

Regards Paul. 

I played the Brabzon a couple of weeks ago, and was told by the staff that only the PGA and the Derby are 2 fore 1?

Sorry guys Stuart is correct i've just rang them so i fully understand if any of you want to pull out... GUTTED.

Lads changed the booking to the P.G.A. National 10:50am need you all to confirm?

I'm good with that mate

me toooo.............I've left a msg with Kev Hewitt

Mr Hewitt is unavialable 

His loss.  I'll be there.  I'm hoping Mr Ley will be giving his usual teaching sessions. 

Back off Perry! I've already subscribed to the "David Ley/better" school of golf for this Friday.

The guy's are all committed for Friday, so there are 2 places left to play the P.G.A. National for £20 this Friday. Tee times are 10:50 & 11:00. If we get no newcomers we will go off as 2 three balls.

But this will be a great opportunity to get a round in on a decent course, with some like minded decent blokes and one or two half decent players( In that i mean David Ley, John Flood & next years north captain Tim Hawkins).

So your more than welcome to join us on what will a cracking day out!

Regards Paul.

To make it interesting how about we split the game like so: Of the two tee times we so far have three players for each tee time so 2 teams of 3, and combined highest stableford points wins,

Paul Williams 19hcp.

Chris Perry 21hcp

David Ley 7hcp

Martyn Flemming 5hcp

John Flood 15hcp

Tim Hawkins 21hcp.

Pick the teams on the day by pairing up the closest handicaps and heads or tails, or ones and two's in secret.

Losing team buys the first round!

Thoughts????

I want to be on the winning team Paul, don't care about the golf, just don't want to get my hand in my pocket at the bar!

Tim, you are on the winning side don't worry.

Good to see your adopting the northern trait of being "TIGHT ARSED" Tim!

Great example for us all to follow.... I too don't wish to be putting ones hand in ones pocket whilst at the bar!

Paul,

If money is involved then you need to get my handicap correct which is 15, not 14. This extra shot could make all the difference!!

As for teams why not just stick all the balls into a hat & pick 2 teams?

John.

John,

Handicap changed. I'm ok with how ever we pick em! Just thinking would it be better to have Martyn and David on opposite teams maybe!

Paul,

Don't think it really matters, that's what the handicaps are there for.

john.

Hold that thought until after you've seen Martyn play, even with our handicaps on Friday we couldn't get near him. I think we only won 4 holes in total.

His drives just got and go! Got to be 300+ and his short game is to die for! I'm just hoping for what ever reason he leaves his phone on as the distraction can affect his game and we might be in with a chance

Or just hope we're on the same side

Paul,

That can only mean that either you or Chris didn't play anywhere near your handicaps or Martyn played well below his??

John.

I would just like to say I was Martyn's partner and did win a few holes/halve a few, notably winning the 1st hole to start our team on a winning run and a putt off the green on the 18th to take double or nothing

I think its obvious both Chris and i didn't play anywhere near our handicaps. Martyn shot an 82 i think?

Darren, stop looking for glory! Decent putt though!

None of us played to our handicaps.  Difference was that Martin only shot 3 over net with an 8 over gross on the front and 3 over gross on the back.  He was closer to his handicap than we were. 

I'll be there around 07:30 to meet the supplier of my new irons

And if anyone touches them before I do, your knee's will be shot

Thought you couldn't make it Santo.  Or are you just collecting your shiny new sticks?

Wayne, I have just been informed by Dave L that he had to use the tour wrap grips, that he had ordered for me to put on your new clubs. So I feel that makes us even and we can be friends again. I hope you play well with them, I really do.

No bad feelings against you John in fact I've always said things happen for a reason and these new satin coated bats are going to be just brill

You watch my handicap start to tumble especially as I've booked some Pitching wedge lessons to get me sorted for the Algarve which incidently will be in 7 weeks time this saturday coming

So Wayne, Are you just collecting them? Or are you going to be tempted into joining us for the round to test them out?

By the way, they look absolutely stunning! You must be on Santa's "GOOD BOY LIST" this year. 

YOU LUCKY OLD SOD!

Can't join you, just picking them up. won't stay long either so you lot don't wind me up

You will no doubt wind yourself up by having to wait to use them??.... when do you play next.. Saturday? Just think of the fun you could be having with them on Friday round the P.G.A.

If your anything like me? I was virtually bursting to start using my new shiny's!

come on Wayne, you know you want to!!

throw a sicky or book yourself out on a meeting. It will be dangerous to drive away straight after getting your clubs cos you'll be day dreaming about them........CRASH

just think of all the stick you can give Mr Perry

John.

Wayne come on... giving Mr Perry a taste of his own medicine would be worth the green fee alone!

Come on Wayne, I want to be abused.  Hang on a bloody minute........

We'll send you out in the first group and if it starts getting dark your outfit will show us where to aim. 

Wayne,

You could witness Chris's attempt at keeping up with his new stat! B.I.R. (bunkers in regulation)

How many we got so far Paul?  Think Steve Hancox is interested. 

Six are confirmed mate, so two places are left. Steve is more than welcome to join us.

I'm lookig forward to friday and the forcast is good havn't played for ten days so i'm having a warm up here  www.pandkgolfclub.co.uk on Thursday. Why this isn't on the top 100 god knows.

 oops apparently it was on the list once..

Quick update David, tried the driver out today, first time my back has been up to it since I got it. It's going to take a bit of getting used to, the difference between the Aldila and the Graffaloy is amazing at impact, the Blue just feels softer somehow. Now all I've got to do is to hit it in the centre of the face....

Where was most impact Tim towards heel or toe?

Oh how I wish I could join you all at the PGA on Friday.

When you're fit and able John we'll do it again.  When are you allowed back on the course?  And that's when the doctors said; no rushing it!

Everywhere apart from the sweet spot in the middle David, which remains as virginal and unsullied as me....

Chris, I am hoping that I will be able to play when I get to the Algarve in Feb and meet he lads. Anything before willbe a bonus as far as I am concerned.

Well the £20 each with 2-fore-1 is available through til the end of March so use the Algarve as a warm up John and we'll have a game at the end of March to celebrate the clocks moving forward and giving us extra daylight for afternoon games. 

What a wonderful idea Chris.

Thats a cracking idea, I'll definitely be up for that, and an opportunity to play alongside John and watch a master at work. Count me in.

So last week in March it is.

I'll have a chat with them on Friday

Dave,

Are you taking your (dare I say it? ) GPS on Friday, I'd like to see one working??

Thanks,

John.

Yes John

Dave's only goes to 130 yards short of the game, he's crap from under that distance so it won't show the yardages

I can see those shiny new clubs being wrapped around your neck, Wayne.

If Dave had your short game John he would be on the pro tour.  I've never seen anyone get as frustrated as him when he realises he left himself a chip from around 20 yards.  It's like he's just missed a two footer!

Indeed he would, Chris, such a lovely striker and shaper of the golf ball. My thoughts are that he tends to stick with the same shot all the time and that just does not work on a regular basis. The short game is a game of imagination, invention and flair.

He should be a category 1 player and I am sure he will do it this year. 

It'll click for him I'm sure and the handicap will plummet again.  If I ever drew you pair in a Texas Scramble I'd concede without leaving the clubhouse!

Don't keep on putting yourself down, you are forgetting that I have seen you swing a club and there is not much that needs changing, I can assure you. The secret, initially, is in finding that half a shot a hole. When we play at the end of March you will see how easy it is to find that, if you pay attention.

Dave,

Just got to hope I'm in the same group as you then to actually see any advantages.

John.

John F, I doubt they are as accurate as they claim to be, so I would take the distances given as a rough guide only. Trust your eyesight and get a feeling for the type of shot you are planning on playing, then commit 100% to it.

John, you were in the same group as John P at Ombersley and that didn't help you

John,

I agree but I'm a bit of a gadget geek & would like to see one of these in action.

Hope your knees are OK.

John.

Knee is not showing any significant improvement at the moment, but I am not too worried as I feel the longer the rest the stronger it will be.

Chris... Has Steve Hancox confirmed for Friday? I have another member confirmed, Phillip Newton will be joining us.

So if Steve Hancox has confirmed thats all the places filled...

Paul

John Flood,

Chris tells me you have a friend interested, i've just spoke to Chris and he tells me Steve H as not confirmed so the last spot goes to your pal.

Can you confirm this please.

Paul.

Sorry Paul, No luck with my mate.

I've tried 2 others & no joy. Can't believe there's no other members on here that want to come along??

John.

Oh OK, Chris said he was desperate to play. never mind it only works out to an extra £3 each.

I too find it hard to believe we can't fill the remaining spot for Friday on p.g.a national for £20

Paul, he was desperate & in between me ringing Chris & then phoning him back his missus had told him he'd got to go Christmas shopping!!

Christmas shopping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry but my wife know's not to mess with "my" fridays, To the point where each friday she keeps her legs crossed extra tight!!!(Less than four weeks to birth date!)

I've tried 2 others & no joy. Can't believe there's no other members on here that want to come along??

John.

I'll bite - if you guys have a gap left I'll happily fill it with my scuffs & duffs.

Beware guys, he opened up with six straight pars at Wychwood recently and finished with a birdie.

OK Jonny, the last spot is yours mate. See you there.  Don't worry if you forget the scuffs and duffs, I'm sure I'll have plenty for everyone. 

Paul - maybe your wife should have kept her legs crossed 8 months ago....

You're joking Tim, he's only got to speak to her and she's up the duff again!  This is their fourth and Ladbrokes have stopped taking money on her being pregnant again by April Fools Day!  They need to get a telly......

Sorry guys, no sooner do I get to be free when something comes up.

I now have to shoot over to a client in Bedford at 4 so I am going to have to duck back out.

Gutted :

Enjoy guys.

would love the chance to play with you lot but too far this time of year for me. 

I played the PGA (and Brabazon) and really enjoyed both. I hit 14 bunkers on the PGA and out of each one 1st time, great soft sand, wish we had them like that on my course.

Also the man in the buggy selling tea was a godsend as it was a bit cold and windy that day

If you need my 2 fore 1 let me know and I'll post it. Runs out Dec 31st.

jonny,

are you sure you haven't been hit by the xmas shopping curse like my mate??

Haha, no way Jose.

Her indoors hates me going shoppig as I just moan.

Chris & Tim, i have shelled out today for a big spanking brand new telly in an attempt to stem the flow of the football team we are in the midst of producing.

So thats it then, just the 7 of us? Game on it is, my personal(realistic aim for tomorrow ) is mid 90's! Anything worse than that will be sole destroyed as WE know the course by now.

Must say though, i'm really looking forward to it, test the new shaft in the burner, bring on the rain as i have my Galvin's/sunderlands.Playing with some Golfshake legends!

Friday is going to be a fine day!!!! I feel it in my bones!!!!

Only a few hours to go been out today for a warm up at Pyle & Kenfig hope its not as windy tomorrow as I had it today. I will be there around 8 to meet Santo and give him his new bats he can't wait to hit the range. Looking forward to meeting a couple of new faces.

Likewise Mr Ley Likewise! I will be there around 10:00am as i have run out of my painkillers so have to pick up first(i wouldn't make the first tee otherwise!).

My mobile is 07530 795311 if you need to reach me before hand.

I have been up the range tonight with my irons only, and just re-iterated the fact i need to work on swing speed also.

Paul.

Have a great day tomorrow, guys, I am jealous.

Likewise.

If all goes well I'm going to try and get there early enough for a quick warm up on the range, try and avoid another first tee duffer.  See you there or in the bar (for a coffee) David?

John P, i sincerely wish you could join us tomorrow, but as your health comes first understand why you can't join us. Both Chris and myself have spoken with regards to the end of march and will be offering the attendees to join us on your" U.K. COME BACK TOUR OPENER" It's not going to be a large event as such yet, just on the same terms as tomorrow. But with how popular YOU ARE i can see it being a large event!

I look forward to shaking your hand in the flesh & and meeting an unsung great of our site and our game...Here's to the march event.

Regards Paul.

Well, here's the results.  A great day that started off in reasonably warm, dry weather with bright sunshine and little or no wind.  By the turn it was cold, the wind was getting up and for the home stretch (all into the wind) we were being robbed of distance and taking two extra clubs!  Couple it with the 5 minutes of light drizzle and the conditions could be described as "changeable and challenging".  A great day for golf though. 

Playing off 3/4 handicaps, we went for a pound in each with £2 for the front, £2 for the back and £3 for the round.

• Front 9 - Chris Perry, 16 points
• Back 9 - Dave Ley, 15 points
• Round -  Dave Ley, 28 points

Full results were: -

Obviously the weather conditions were not conducive to good scoring with a cold wind beating the ball down.

I see the cream rose to the top which is expected when the conditions are tough.

Pleased that you all enjoyed yourselves.

The wind really picked up after around 7 holes John, and don't forget those scores are off 3/4 handicap too.  I think you're right with the better players scoring best, the exception being Martin who plays off 8 but had an off-day.  There's only a couple of strokes between me, Paul, Tim and Phil. 

Shame you couldn't make it John, but check out the post I've just added re a game in March.

John,

The weather on the back 9 was testing. Hitting a 5iron to a 139yrd Par 3 says it all!!

The highlight for me was watching Dave hit a Driver out of the rough & sticking it pin high just off the green, classic!!

I have to admit his GPS unit was very impressive, came in handy as all the tee positions had been moved quite a lot forward. Didn't have to do any 'pacing' out either.

Came in handy for me on the 2nd Par5, my second shot was right by the 200yd disc & I was preparing to 'play it safe' but the GPS said I had 186 so I took my rescue, knocked in on, 2 putted & walked off with a par.

I know you probably won't agree but horses for courses

John.

And Mr Flood specifically requested being in Mr Ley's group so that he could witness the operation of his gadget.....

ohhhh yessss!! Well worth it!

I'm totally disappointed with my performance/game/effort today and to be fact of late. SHOCKING!!

Where is it all going wrong??? I have MAJOR CONFIDENCE ISSUES which need sorting out.

I think i managed to stop shaking after nine holes all because i was playing with someone new??? What the *#@+ is that all about???

Seriously today i have considered giving up, but the Boss says after the cash I've shelled out.. Well lets just say she won't be pleased!

Is there anyone else on here with confidence issues?? I seem to tense up, then feel i have to hit the best shot of my life(every shot) instead of playing within myself.....

What depresses me more so, is once i'm on my home track i can score well, play nice smooth shots and feel like there is a game inside of me....

I've been playing just over 12 months so maybe i'm asking to much.

Paul,

The key is don't take it too serious. The people you were playing with today didn't think any less of you if you hit a bad shot. The only time you should be shaking is if you've got a 3 footer for a million quid!

Don't give up, keep going. I downloaded a few of Bob Rottella's audio books which are great for setting targets, dealing with pressure & relaxing.

John...

John F, I thought a five iron for 139 yds is normal, is for me anyway.

Paul keep plugging away.  I've been playing just over two years and I've found that improvement comes like waves on a beach when the tides coming in.  You hit a new high point, consolidate for a bit and often drift backwards before the next surge forward.

If you're playing with new sticks and in less than ideal conditions just put it down to experience and keep trying, it will come.

Thanks guy's, i appreciate your comments.

You can be guilty of trying too hard Paul.  At your home track you are comfortable, know you can play it well, know what club to take and if you are playing someone new there you also know that you are likely to have the upper hand as you will know your way around it better.  Result - a relaxed Paul. 

When you are out of your comfort zone - either a new course, new playing partners or your worst nightmare of both - you worry about your performance because you don't want to let yourself down and you're worried the new people will judge you if you play badly.  Result - stress, pressure, lack of focus and a ratty swing that desends into a downwards spiral as your performance deteriorates further as you worry about it more and more. 

Let's be honest Paul, we played last week with someone who if they have a bad shot look outwards for excuses as they can't admit to themselves it was their fault.  If they have a couple of bad holes, they lose interest and may as well not be playing.  You are the exact opposite and if you hit a bad one you try to atone for it with the next one.  Consider my first drive today - 40 yards according Dave's GPS!  I didn't try to make up for it and go for the green with the next one, I accepted my cock up and made sure I put myself in a decent position to go for the green with my third.  You need to learn to do the same and stop putting yourself under pressure to make up for it.  Once you've swung your club, no amount of worrying, stressing or self-flagelating will change where the ball has (or hasn't!) gone.  All you can do is play the most appropriate shot from where the ball now lies, and that shot should be the one you would play if you hadn't cocked up the previous one. 

What it all comes down to is only one person's opinion matters on how good or bad your round is, and that's yours.  You will have good rounds when you're accused of being a bandit and others when you feel like a hacker.  That's the nature of golf.  Accept a bad shot or round as 'one of those things' and bringing you closer to your next good one.  And dont give a toss about what anyone else thinks; you've come through a lot and when you consider where you are and where you've been, does it matter if someone think you had a rubbish round of golf? 

Yes I studied psycology

Nice post, Chris, my sentiments exactly. We could have been vying for longest drive on the first then, Chris.

You would've beaten me with your wedge John.  It wasn't one to be proud of; I didn't even make the fairway!

Paul its just your hormones they are all over the place when your having a baby!!

And thanks for organiing the day matey I really enjoyed  it. Having a laugh with some like minded chaps is what it's really all about, didn't  enjoy the biting wind though,,,,,,,,,can you do summit about that for next time.

Will do my best Dave,

I been up the range this morning, and do you think i could reproduce the drives i was making yesterday.... no chance.... everything straight?????

After this mornings session i really like the driver and the shafts works well. I have took on what you mentioned to me and although i know i'm still a million miles away from we're I'd like to be, have seen better results this morning so confidence is slightly better than it was yesterday.

Paul, this is know as Murphy's Law and can happen to anyone, yes, even the Pros. The only difference being, that their bad rounds do not affect their handicap like an amateurs bad rounds do.

I can imagine how difficutl it must have been for you to watch David a hit ball knowing that you were going to be very hard pressed to emulate him. I have the same problem with all these guys who power it out of sight. I let them get on with it and I try and plot my way down the hole hoping for no worse than a bogey.

John,

After 6 depressing holes i realised there was no hope of me producing a decent shot with any of my woods and the confidence in them was diminished. I decided on either a 4 or 5 iron off the tee on the back nine and starting picking up points, and did start to get in the game, but buy then it was to late.

It was a pleasure to watch David Ley strike a ball, hear him speak about technique, stats, he's got a passion that I've not seen before and completely down to earth. A very like able fellow indeed. If in five years time i have half the game he has i will be happy.

Yes I studied psycology

Pity you didn't study how to spell it (psychology)

I studied what was inside the books, not the title on the cover Santo.  Though I do apologise for the slight error in my post. 

If anyone who played Friday wants to know their strokeplay to put on here, drop me a PM as I have both team cards at home. 

If you had set it up as an event Chris you could have put the scores in yourself

I didn't set it up mate, Mr Williams did.  He's rubbish at maths though so I had the cards to work out who won.....

Pipped at the post!!

It was surprising to see how far the average drives were going compared to how far people thought they were going.

Dave L hit a monster & it was downwind yet it was still only 241yrds!! Although the other one with Tim's driver went 265yrd!

you have to question these guys on here with high handicaps who claim to hit it 280+yrds??

You know I can hit it 300 yards, John, irrelevant that it takes me two shots to do it.

I couldnt get it over 200 hardly on saturday or sunday

Rubbish at maths! your the jockey who can't add ones card up correctly mate

Gets home and all of a sudden finds he can lose an extra 3 shots off the back nine?

To everyone who played friday, " looks like the knees are trembling" Hence reality check

Liked the throw away remark John:

"Dave L hit a monster & it was downwind yet it was still only 241yrds!! Although the other one with Tim's driver went 265yrd!"

My drive with my driver actually went 195yds straight in to the face of the fairway bunker!