Chipping probably being the area where I drop most shots by not getting near enough to the flag (or sometimes even the green!), I took my 12 new longest-drive Srixons (you know, the ones that should have been Chris Perry’s) to the practice chipping and putting green on Saturday night and did what Dr Bob said. Chipped with wedge, 9, 7 and 5 to different holes, and counted how many times out of 60 I managed to get up and down in one. Result: 41, with three chips going straight in the hole…and one thinned wedge flying low into the ornamental thick heathery stuff that graces the path by the first tee, never to be found again (was too embarrassed to hunt for it, because there was a wedding reception going on at the time and people were looking). Am I the only idiot to have lost a ball on the practice putting green?!

Stuart I believe you are mate!

David Marshall will be feeding off this for a good few weeks yet Me thinks

Stuart,

I can't believe you've came out & told us

In a word..Probably

Actually Stu, I have done similar.

The practice area at the Forest of Arden has a green with varying degrees of rough around it and two bunkers.  I was practicing the longer chips by aiming to get out of the rough, over the green and into the bunker at the far side (I'd then practice my bunker play from wherever they landed).  I thinned one straight over the bunker and into the bushes and was too embarassed to go looking for it. 

Fortunately it was only a range ball. 

Thinking of starting a Stuart's Balls thread.

60 chips, 11 Srixons left...

Or would Dave sue me for infringement of intellectual property rights?

"Stuarts balls", I dont think this is something that should be dicussed in the open forum. . Put me right off the idea of lunch now!

Your doing better than I thought you would Stu,lol. I doubt (edited) Srixon will be ringing you to endorse their products though.

Perry, doesn't suprise me one bit ,you Munter..he..he.

Sorry, that should be 60 chips, 23 Srixons left. In case you all forgot, I won the nearest the pin AND the longest drive. Or have I mentioned that before?

Govan..

I give up with you.

http://everything2.com/title/blithering%2520idiot 

Thank you, it takes skill. Took about 50 good shots before I mastered the thin. Was hoping to emulate you and do it with my first shot 

Well Stuart.That is most kind of you. Very kind indeed.

As the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Unfortunately, however, I can't find it in my heart to reciprocate.

After all, taking a driver to get nearest the pin on a par 3 isn't in my repertoire. You deserved winning some balls for doing that. Infact, it takes balls to even admit you had to take a driver in order to reach the green in the first place. It takes even more balls to admit to losing a ball on a putting green. And it takes even more balls to turn up in the Algarve, without any balls at all, then to have the bloody cheek to try and blag some cause you wouldn't be able to get to the discount store before we played the next day as you were too tight to pay golf club prices.

And then to get lost on the way to the golf course and try ringing me up to get directions. And you wonder why I didn't answer the phone!!

Dave GOT IT ALL TO GO THROUGH AGAIN NEXT YEAR

Has he paid his deposit?

If he has..REFUND HIM...I emplore you

I don't blame him for not playing golf club prices...I was there last month and it was 5 euro for a pro v1x....and that was with a 20% "discount"!!  I'd have been better off getting them here and paying excess baggage!

Marshall, think about it. If you ban me from coming to Portugal there will be no-one to come last, and the honour will fall to you. It probably will anyway.

Let it be known the reason we had to phone was because the leader of the party, your good self, tore out of the hotel like a bat out of hell when you were supposed to be showing us the way! And the reason I didn't pay the golf club prices is because you told me to go to that disount shop. Brilliant plan, pity it was closed on the Sunday, you fool. 

David, didn't someone also turn up on the first day in the A;garve with their padlock still on the flight case as well? 

Yes Tim, it's called security, useful little trick when you travel. Then when I got to my room I calmly unlocked the padlock with the key, which was on my keyring the whole time.

Don't blame me Paul mate, I can't even remember what Tim is talking about!

Back on topic, if the weather is too bad to play tonight I shall be taking to the practice green again to make in-roads into my 23 balls

Andrew. Take your golf balls and shoes in hand luggage and anything heavy. That's what I do, never ever had a problem doing that.

Govan.  Save a dozen balls to take next year. Remember the shop is shut on Sundays. And next time, keep up.

Wayne  has posted our tee times, and they are the same as the times we had this year