Golf Thread: Discussion, News & Reviews

[Creag]

I need a thread where I can post snippets, news, rule changes and some chat about golf. Feel free to post anything you find, your current handicap or a new course you enjoyed.

About me:

I play off a dastardly 21 ... used to be a 12 when I played more regularly.

I started playing in Pietermaritzburg and know most of the courses around there. For a time I was part of a group called Pugs. Played one Saturday a month with prizes, fines and all the usual epic moments you'd expect. We played an unofficial 2 day compo down the KZN South Coast. Those weekends were epic getaways

I have been playing for some time. In recent times just a few rounds a year, which is why it's dropped as has. I still smoke the odd 300+ drive (great when you can do it on the shorter par 4s), rustle the odd birdie and generally enjoy every moment I get on the shorter cut stuff.

Anyhow... feel free to post. If you don't... I will gaan maar aan

 

[Creag]

I follow Dale Hayes in his weekly newsletter. He provides a wrap up of the weekend's results, some reviews, commentaries and whatnot.

His recent letter (30 January 2017) included some rule changes that might be coming through in the future:

It looks as if the USGA and R&A have some more rules changes on the cards which could come into effect in 2019, these ones aimed at making the game easier and faster to play.

The changes include: -

• Being allowed to repair spike marks on the greens – this is a change that is long overdue!
• Removing the club length as a measurement of taking relief – Not sure what they have in mind here, we’ll have to wait and see!
• Reducing the amount of time players can search for lost balls from five minutes to three – brilliant but they should add that only the player that has lost his ball is able to search for it…
• Making use of yellow stakes in some hazard areas while placing more emphasis on using red stakes for water hazards – simplifying the hazard rules is a plus and will speed up play.
• Allowing players to drop a ball from any height they so choose when taking relief instead of the standard shoulder-height – not sure what they have in mind here…

We'll see what all of this means in due course. Anything that can be done to speed up play in my books is fantastic.

 

[Hemi300c]

I love the game and my highlight was a hole in one at Wingate CC on the 5th hole.

Used to play every week and was a 2 h/c for a while, but now maybe once a month maybe twice.

 

[Creag]

I love the game and my highlight was a hole in one at Wingate CC on the 5th hole.

Used to play every week and was a 2 h/c for a while, but now maybe once a month maybe twice.

I still dream of a hole in one. I can only imagine how proud you must have felt

Closest has been just outside of 2 foot, I reckon. The shorter the hole the more I struggle.

Got close-ish in December when I put my drive on the short 18th at Drakensberg Gardens (319m). I missed the putt and had to settle for a 3 and that would have been my most epic moment, especially as my daughter was accompanying me.

 

[Hemi300c]

Ha ha ha, often happens just to put you back in your place. As soon as you think easy pezy the game kicks you in the gonads.
PS close doesn't count.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Ah, finally a golf thread! I was considering starting one but wasn't sure of the interest on the forum. I'm also a weekend warrior when it comes to golf; happy with anything below 90 but usually sit in the 93 - 96 range. Not going to change any time soon as I only play about once a month. Never had a hole in one (closest I came was about 3 feet at Rondebosch once) and still waiting for that first eagle. I'm playing at de Zalze this Sunday. 36 holes for my society's annual club champs. Can't wait

 

[Zyraz]

Handicap : Golf itself
(Completely a social golfer and don`t take things too seriously.)
I do play some really good shots on occasion but due to lack of regular play , my game is very inconsistent.
90 - 100

Had the privilege of a Hole-In-One ... Its was on a par 3 course (Mashy) quite a couple of years ago .

 

[Creag]

PS close doesn't count.

Ah, finally a golf thread! I was considering starting one but wasn't sure of the interest on the forum. I'm also a weekend warrior when it comes to golf; happy with anything below 90 but usually sit in the 93 - 96 range. Not going to change any time soon as I only play about once a month. Never had a hole in one (closest I came was about 3 feet at Rondebosch once) and still waiting for that first eagle. I'm playing at de Zalze this Sunday. 36 holes for my society's annual club champs. Can't wait

Glad to oblige. Like you, esteemed Agent, I wasn't sure if there'd be interest.

Anything below 90 was around many moons ago. I shot an 84 once in 2-day competition off a 15 handicap. Southbroom (KZN South Coast). Right now I am aiming to break 100 consistently before I target anything less

I haven't played many Cape Town courses, although I do recall playing Rondebosch with my brother in law. Played in Robertson and Bonnievale. That's about it for that part of the world. Plenty I would put on my bucket list. Just haven't had opportunity.

Let us know how de Zalze fares

Handicap : Golf itself
(Completely a social golfer and don`t take things too seriously.)
I do play some really good shots on occasion but due to lack of regular play , my game is very inconsistent.
90 - 100

Had the privilege of a Hole-In-One ... Its was on a par 3 course (Mashy) quite a couple of years ago .

Hole-in-One! Wow! Matters not where it happened. The joy of making it inside the cup with one swing is sufficient enough

 

[Creag]

I will also add this. My brother in law (Saffer born) left our shores quite some time back. Settled in London for 8 years before heading to Scotland. 6 years in Scotland. Back in SA for 4 years and they're back in a town called Auchterarder, Scotland.

In the 6 years sandwiched between London and SA, they lived on the Gleneagles Hotel Estate. For a wee while their front garden was one of the fairways. He's played there and travelled most of Scotland playing golf, including an outing to St Andrews. Needless to say, I love to hear of his golf adventures... even though it is always with much envy.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the go at the moment (Day 1) and like a lot of people, I'm mostly interested to see how Tiger Woods is progressing. Well, if you're hoping to see him at the top of the leaderboard, be prepared to be disappointed. He's 8 shots back at 3 over through 10. Leaderboard here

 

[Hemi300c]

Handicap : Golf itself
(Completely a social golfer and don`t take things too seriously.)
I do play some really good shots on occasion but due to lack of regular play , my game is very inconsistent.
90 - 100

Had the privilege of a Hole-In-One ... Its was on a par 3 course (Mashy) quite a couple of years ago .

Unfortunately that doesn't count as it needs to be on a registered and rated course in order to be recognized, sorry mate.

 

[Agent_Smith]

From Supersport.com

Woods withdraws from Dubai Desert Classic

Former world No 1 Tiger Woods has pulled out of the Dubai Desert Classic ahead of his second round because of a back spasm, the European Tour said on Friday.

The American 14-times major champion, now ranked 666th after his long injury layoff due to a series of back issues, shot a miserable five-over 77 on Thursday, a round in which he failed to record a single birdie in perfect conditions.

Woods' agent Mark Steinberg said the player started to feel pain on Thursday night and regretted having to pull out.

"He went into a spasm in his lower back very late last night after dinner," Steinberg told reporters. "We tried to work it out last night (but) really didn't get worked out.

"We had treatment starting very early this morning for the past three, three and half hours, but can't get the back spasm to calm down. He feels terrible."

Steinberg said the problem was not the same nerve pain that caused Woods' lengthy absence from the sport.

Appearing for the eighth time in Dubai, where he has won twice before, the 41-year-old Woods looked out of sorts in his opening round as he continued his comeback at the European Tour event.

His chances of avoiding another early exit looked slim on Thursday, however, with the American appearing to be in some discomfort as he struggled to find a rhythm.

After his round, Woods said he had not felt any pain on the course but failed to even make it to the practice range on Friday, withdrawing from the event a distant 12 shots behind overnight leader Sergio Garcia.

Woods had also looked rusty when he played his first full-field PGA Tour event in 17 months a week ago after being sidelined by back pain and spine surgery, comfortably missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

The latest setback could put Woods' participation in his next scheduled event in doubt with the American due to tee off at the PGA Tour Genesis Open at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California on February 16.

Woods is then scheduled to play in the Honda Classic in Florida a week later.

Think the body has just had enough...

 

[Creag]

Unfortunately that doesn't count as it needs to be on a registered and rated course in order to be recognized, sorry mate.

Hey there! let him enjoy and savour it, even if it ain't legit rated course style

Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the go at the moment (Day 1) and like a lot of people, I'm mostly interested to see how Tiger Woods is progressing. Well, if you're hoping to see him at the top of the leaderboard, be prepared to be disappointed. He's 8 shots back at 3 over through 10. Leaderboard here

Thank you for posting this ^ I see our lad, George Coetzee, is currently in numero uno. Holding thumbs that he has a good weekend.

Such a pity about Tiger. He really makes a tournament a stellar event. He's like a Jack Nicklaus in the US PGA Tour.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Fantastic day out at de Zalze yesterday. 36 holes of laughs, curses, great shots and complete howlers! Some snaps of the day.

Looking out from the 18th tee box


2nd shot into the par 5 8th of one of my playing partners. 30cm from an albatross :wtf:


Looking back from the 18th tee to some of the other holes


View from the club house

 

[Creag]

It looks like a stunning course. Thanks for the snaps. Did you walk all 36?

That near miss for albatross must have been some shot. Hope he got his eagle?

 

[Agent_Smith]

It looks like a stunning course. Thanks for the snaps. Did you walk all 36?

That near miss for albatross must have been some shot. Hope he got his eagle?

It is stunning and fortunately we had carts for all 36. One of the signature courses in Cape Town, along with Pearl Valley and Arabella. Haha, yeah he got his eagle, although we didn't make it easy. A lot of chirps while he was over it

 

[Creag]

It is stunning and fortunately we had carts for all 36. One of the signature courses in Cape Town, along with Pearl Valley and Arabella. Haha, yeah he got his eagle, although we didn't make it easy. A lot of chirps while he was over it

I have done 36 in a day where I carted the first 18 and walked the last 18. That was also 2 different courses / clubs. Needed to drive between the two. Have walked 27 in a day many moons ago. Couldn't imagine doing 36 without carts. Just wouldn't be as much fun. Glad you had a great time.

 

[CHURCHILL]

Handicap: 9
Membership status: Only PlayMoreGolf member now (membership in JHB north is very expensive)
Course: play mostly at Eagle Canyon and Jackyl Creek.
Weapons of choice: Taylormade Irons and Fairway woods, Ping Driver.
Rounds: I play every second weekend, however i do frequent the local driving range about once a week.


We should think of organizing a fourball and play around of golf for those keen.

 

[Creag]

Handicap: 9
Membership status: Only PlayMoreGolf member now (membership in JHB north is very expensive)
Course: play mostly at Eagle Canyon and Jackyl Creek.
Weapons of choice: Taylormade Irons and Fairway woods, Ping Driver.
Rounds: I play every second weekend, however i do frequent the local driving range about once a week.


We should think of organizing a fourball and play around of golf for those keen.

Hey there, CHURCHILL. I'm chuffed to even you in this thread. 9 handicap is a way above (or is that below) my game play at the moment. But yes, if you could handle my odd hack interjected with rare moments of brilliance, I'll second this notion.

Eagle Canyon is a course I quite like. Can be quite a challenge. But do they let non members in on a weekend? Never been to Jackal Creek. That's off Malibongwe somewhere?

 

[Creag]

Weekend results

Hideki Matsuyama wins the Phoenix Open at the TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, USA PGA. Louis Oosthuizen finished in 3rd alone.

Hideki Matsuyama continues to impress. He had his fifth win in his last nine worldwide starts, with his title defense in the Waste Management Phoenix Open at the TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. His fourth PGA Tour title (the most by any Japanese player) came courtesy of a 4-hole play-off win against Webb Simpson, and it has taken him to the top of the FedEx Cup standings. He shot a 5-under 66, while Simpson shot a 7-under 64 (which included three birdies in the last four holes) to tie at the top on 17-under 267. Matsuyama won with a birdie on the fourth hole. Louis Oosthuizen seemed to love his first visit to this event. He finished solo third, just one short of the play-off. Rickie Fowler and JJ Spaun tied for 4th on 15-under.

Sergio Garcia wins at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, European Tour. George Coetzee fell off the pace in the final round.

A superb Sergio Garcia won his 12th European Tour title at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. He had a wire-to-wire win with rounds of 65-67-68-69 at the Emirates GC, notching up his first European Tour win since 2014 on 19-under 269 and beating Henrik Stenson by three shots. Tyrrell Hatton and Lasse Jensen tied for 3rd on 14-under. George Coetzee sadly bogeyed the 13th & 14th to fall out of contention, while Brandon Stone shot a 5-under 68. They tied for 7th on 11-under.

Source: http://online.retailtribe.co.za/client/onlineeditor/EMV.aspx?n=6786414&r=188