Conference 7.286::golf

    
    
    	Well, I played horrible all year probably played to my handicap
    
    	once. Pitifull.
    
    	Took a month off now I'm ready for a good summer with new metal
    
     	woods that have put 40 metres onto my drives and go straight.
    
    	Looking forward to some long courses.
    
    
    
    
    	Luke

    
    
    Well, we are done.  Got to take advantage of the great week end and
    got in one more round.
    
    I had a great year!!!!!!!!
    
    Broke 100 for the first time ever!!!!  94
    
    I had 10 straight 9 hole rounds of under 50, low was 44.
    
    Time to polish them up and start dreaming of spring.
    
    Shane
    

this year was good to me...

accomplished my two major goals which were:

	1) not to shoot myself out of the club championship division
	   as I had last year...

	2) get to the finals of the club championship....


On qualifying day I shot 75 which was good enough to place me into the

third slot in the club championships...goal #1 accomplished...



In the match play playoffs, I needed some luck and got it....






	First match went 19 holes and I won even though I hadn't played
	well enough to deserve it.



	Second match I closed out in 13 holes.





	Third match everyone at the club assumed my opponent would win going

	away and had picked him and last years champ as the finalist. I

	went out and won the first two holes, missed a 2' put on the third

	which would have put me three up after three. After that confidence

	booster I never looked back, the chances I gave him to get back

	into the match he never took advantage of. 



	The finals I went into as a learning experience, no illusions about

	winning as I'd never been there before and the guy I'm playing has

	been champion 9 times in the last 12 years. Was satisfied that I could

	play at his level and even gave him a scare a couple of times when I

	had good rallies taking two holes in a row from him while down by

	four but my inexperience showed and I could not keep it going.

	Runner-up isn't bad...but like the RED SOXs say "wait til next year"





Next years goals:

	1) improve my putting over the winter...

	2) get back to club championship finals 

	3) win club championship...

     Nice job ! What club do you belong to ?
    
    --Jack

    Rockingham Country Club
    Newmarket,N.H.
    
    small 9 holer but suits my game well....
    

    A schizophrenic golf season.
    
    During June and July I played my best golf ever. Dropped my PR from
    85 to 80 at Stow Acres. Shot lots of 83s and 84s, even on off days.
    I broke 40 for 9 holes probably a dozen times. Put together 7 straight
    pars and a birdie for 9 once (at Marlboro), and broke 80 for the
    1st time ever!!! (also Marlboro)
    
    Then came August, work went off the scope, and I've played on average
    once every 4 weeks since July. The season ended  very early thanks
    to work, contracting disposal income, and six stitches in my left
    index finger. <sigh>  Next year will not be a good situation for
    golf. We have a second child on the way, one income disappearing,
    and of course, Massachusetts bills to pay. 
    
    But I did achieve my major goals this year, and learned something
    valuable in the process. The big change in my game is that I can
    bogey from just about anywhere now. If things aren't going well,
    if my swing is off, I can slip back into this kind of defensive
    bogey mode, and make the random par to stay competitive. I think
    I've passed the point where an entire round can come off the rails
    and be beyond redeeming. I've learned to keep my head in it, assess
    what's wrong, and bring it back. I had a couple of rounds that were
    of the 51-39, or 50-40 variety. Despite the lousy final score, it
    was great to be able to reel things back in.
    
    I think the mental gains this year were far more important than
    the physical gains. So, a good season that ended too soon.

    
    Well for starters, Ben Hogan says "improvement" is the fun part
    of golf....so I guess I didn't have much fun!!
    
    It was a "Dukakis" type of season..
    THE USGA/MGA handicap stayed at 11.7 , though played in DEC
    league at 7 ( 7 for nine.) The game was ugly, lost distance for the first
    time ,took a lesson for the first time in 15 years, and really did not
    accomplish much . Still have the bunker "woes", BUT
    I have 3 good excuses my doctor said I could use..(he's a 13)
    
    Rotator cup,(left) tendonitis,left shoulder, and pulled muscle,
    ALL in same area. It went away by Sept, but TOO LATE !
    
    DID have a 79 on North, and a 78 on South in a mem-gue at Stow,
    but that's it. DEC league was worse, and Walta deserves a RED
    CROSS medal for carrying me, but it was good watching him play
    and  a lot of other good players in the DEC league.
    
    And the DEC league is always fun, and well run. 
    
    Action Items:* Get better hip, leg turns, better turn all around.
                 * Lose weight, strengthen up, learn to relax on bad
    shots!  (Lost a good driver with one "fling")
                 * Bunker shots !! 
                 * Master 60 degree wedge: first 4 times I used it this year
    (bought in late Oct) it cost me 10 strokes! BUT Sunday it got me
                  two birds cause it comes down AND STAYS !!
    
    You can really attack from 20, 30 , 40, yds at the pin and you'll have
    a 4 to 6 footer! A new weapon for next year.
                
    Still aiming for a single digit USGA , next summer,  but I want it
    solid , not just on a couple of rounds ! 
    
                                   ..wait till next year !!
                                                        Ang
                                   
    
    
                                      
                                                                                       
                                    
    
     
    

Tied my all-time low of 78 at Trull Brook.  The DEC league handicap went
down to a 12 from a 16. 

Didn't play to expectations after taking lessons for the first time.
In general, I guess I played the easy courses faily well.  I had many 
rounds in the low-eighties, but had too many disappointing rounds in the 
nineties.  My scores were wildly inconsistent this year.  In 13 or so 
tournaments I played quite poorly, probably worse than ever.

For sure, I was humbled quite a bit by Foxborough and Sky Meadow.  Shot in 
the 100's both times.  Experiencing golf burn-out at the moment.  Just 
bought a 19' speedboat to try something else...

    
    I am very satisfied with this year's golfing. It could have been
    better, but .......
    
    This is a summary of my achievement:
    
               ( OK YOU LOW HDCPRS; PLS DON"T LAUGH )
    
    - Reduced my 1989 MGA HDCP by 3 strokes (from 28 to 25).
      MY IMPROVEMENT STARTED RIGHT AFTER I was fitted with NEW CLUBS BY
      OUR MODERATOR - Thanks Gene
    - Reduced my 1990 MGA HDCP by another 3 strokes (from 25 to 22)
    - Broke 90 on Father's Day (89)
    - My lowest score ever recorded in two competition rounds (87)
      (CLUB SWEEPS     &     MEMBER-MEMBER Tournament)
    - Earned enough money to buy a rain suit, a EZ pull cart, two 
      shirts, a golf skirt for my wife, etc... with less than $30
      contribution
    - Made the top 25 most improved golfer's list two years in a row
    - Gained some extra yardage on my shots
    
    My 1991 goals are:
    
    - Shed at least two strokes from my HDCP
    - Learn how to hit the long irons
    - Make a consitent fuller turn (for more distance)
    - Follow up everytime to reduce my fades and my occasional slices
    - Reach more greens in regulation (1/3 to 1/2)  
      
    In the mean time, I will keep on playing at CRANBERRY VALLEY almost 
    every weekends during the winter, snow permitting.
    
    HAPPY GOLFING

    
    HI,
    	I had a good season, winning a couple tournaments against  tough
    	opponents. Played in my first Pro-Am and opened the front nine with 	
    	a career low 2 under, then shot 7 over on th back, yeck ! Ended up
    	winning more money than loosing, which helps in the marriage dept.
    	;) . 
    
    	Learned a lot about the golf swing, which caused some changes that
    	I hope will get my game a lot smoother and easier. Found a putter
    	that I really like and trust. 
    
    	I failed to get my handicap to "0" which was my goal at the start.
    	Ending up with a USGA 4.0 . So I still have a ways to go !
    
    	Best part is Eunhwa's game has really improved , which makes for
        some fun matches ! This was our first year joining Monoosnock CC
        which turned out to be great, met a ton of new friends...
    
    	The Challenge Cup was better than last year thanks to Rick and
    	others. CHallenge Cup III is really going to miss you Rick :( .
    	
    	See you all down the Cape !
    
    	Walta
    	
    	

    Ah yes, seasonal summary..
    
    Let's see;
    
    Good Points:
    
    	- Lowered handicap at my home course from a 28 to a 22.
    	- Won closest to the pin at the Digital League Tournament.
    	- Won President's Cup at my home course.
    	- Broke 90 (87) once. I consistantly played below 95.
    	- Won money for low net's and fewest putts at the Mountain Tour.
    	- Putting average was about 2. 
    	- FIXED MY SLICE.. Now I actually can draw the ball at will.
    	- I got very consistant with most irons.
    	- Won several sleeves of balls in league play at my home course.
    
    Needs Work:
    
    	- Stopped using my woods. Corrected the slice and gave me
    	  consistant scores, but loooonnngggg holes are a real pain.
    	- Bought a 60 degree wedge. At first I was fairly consistant with
    	  it. In late August, lost confidence in it..Really hurt me in
    	  September.
    	
    
    Goals for next year:
    
    	- Get my handicap down at least 20%.
    	- Learn to hit my woods.
    	- Play MORE consistantly.
    	- Play MORE.
    
    
    It's tough to accept the season is over...But it is...Oh well.
    
    Jim
    

  
    It was a good year overall.   My handicap went down 7 strokes for 18
  due to a change in my putting style.  Overcame a horrible chipping 
  problem (probably related to the putting woes) at the beginning of the
  year, and actually became almost a threat around the greens.

    Because of the above, I was able to fairly well in league play this
  year. Of course, there has to be disappointments.  I didn't play 
  particularly well in a few tournaments, the DEC league tournament in
  the spring and my league tournament at the end of the year come to 
  mind. Played well at the Challenge Cup, which was nice though.

    Best of all, was the opportunity to meet new people and make new 
  golfing friends this year.  The folks in my league and the people who
  play in the noter's tournaments are great.  It is a real joy to be able
  to participate in these events, because of the people that play in them.
  
    The memories from this year will be enough to get me through the dark, 
  cold winter that lies ahead. I'm also planning on doing some exercising
  during the off-season.  Also asked Santa for a 7 degree tour burner,
  Taylor Made metal driver for Christmas, so I'll be able to compete with
  Mooks, Kelleys, Lenehans etal off the tee next year.  I figure that will
  be good enough for about 10 - 15 more yards.  ;^)

-rick

 ps. Thanks Walta for the kind words about the CC!
    

    Ah well, a disappointing year. I took a relo to NYC which didn't suit
    well to getting in a lot this year.....maybe next.
    
    Highlight (only one with the lack of play) shooting 36-37 at Eagle's
    Nest in N.C. while on a trip.
    
    Lowlight: Missing the tournament with Walta and Ang this year at Stow.
              Next year's a DEFINITE, guys.
    
    Second Lowlight: Not being able to watch Ang's son Mark really turn
                     into a player this year. We're all correct Ang. Mark
                     is definitely not related to you!!
    
    Next year's gotta be better.
    
    Ted

        The season rolls on !! 
    Started 1990 with an index of 25.9 and as of October had got it
    down to 21.3. November will be lower based on the scores I posted
    but am really holding out for December !!. Posted many sub 90
    scores in the last two weeks of Oct. but they won't show up till
    then.
       My putting improved greatly this year when I gave up trying
    to "pop" the ball and started stroking it. I still have a major
    slice with my driver but the ADX keeps it in the fairway most of
    the time. Also, after a lot of work, I have the beginnings of a
    short game.
      Shot my lowest 9 ever, a 37 for two over. Shot my lowest 18, an 86
    for 15 over. (wasn't able to play 18 the night I shot 37)
       We play year-round here with a tournament every month so I hope
    this trend of lower scores continues. With the short days though, I
    only play on the weekends so hopefully I just won't get worse over
    the winter.
      Have played fairly well in league events this year with a 1st, 2nd,
    and two 3rds in ten tourneys. I would like to win the last two events 
    of the year and maybe win Golfer-of-the-Year but it will take some
    luck for that to happen.
      Enjoyed playing Crumpin-Fox with some of my fellow noters while doing
    time at the Bedford training facility. Some course you have there Jack!
      Plan on taking a series of lessons this winter with emphasis on
    getting rid of the BANANA ball. 
    
        Mad Hacker
    

It was a good year.

I continued my marriage with the game again after a separation of seven years. 
(luckily I never filed for divorce!)  I played less than five rounds a year for
that lay-off period after practically living at the course as a junior golfer. 
I learned a very valuable lesson in the process, but that's another story.

This year I finally became a better player than I was at seventeen, and I'm
very happy with my game. It was all do to some major soul searching, and some
dedicated swing rebuilding with the help of an excellent teaching professional.

I'm new to the northeast, and this conference, as of about a month ago. I don't
have an established index, it would probably be around a 4 or 5 right now. I've
broken 80 eight of my ten rounds since arriving in Mass, with the stroke ave.
of my best five at 75.6.  All of these rounds were at Wachusett and Stow North. 
I didn't play many full rounds before I arrived here because I was living in
Los Angeles were publinks over-crowding is a joke. (I refuse to be tortured by
6+ hour rounds).  I also didn't have a regular pairing to play with.  (I'm
hoping to find some playing partners for next spring through this conference.)

As for next year, its short game time.  The seven year lay-off played havick
with my short game, and it was by no means exceptional to begin with.  I
achieved my present scoreing ability soley by improving my full swing control
to a level that is hitting better than 75% of the fairways and 60% of the
greens.  Next spring I plan on spending most of my practice time at Stow's
short game area.  

I also plan to play in as many individual, stroke play or match play, gross
score tournaments as time and budget will allow next spring.  I've already
targeted USGA Publinks, Mid-Amateur, and Amateur Qualifiers, as well as Mass
Am, and Worcester County Am tournements.

I'll post a note next year to let you guys suggest pairings for fun or
tournaments.  I've enjoyed monitoring your conference. 

Keep it in the short grass,

Rick 

    Sounds like everyone had a profitable year. Glad to hear the Yonex is
    treating you well, Coop - I'd be lost without mine. Welcome to the
    NorthEast, Rick. I think you'll like some of the courses, but
    unfortunately slow play exists here too.
     As for me, the year was pretty good, but not great. I didn't play much
    for the first part of it because I spent parts of all the weekends with
    my Mother in Connecticut. She was terminally ill, and nothing takes
    your mind off your own concerns more than things of that nature.
    Anyway, for a while I just lost interest and played lousy. My hcp at
    the Fox went to 11, and I really couldn't play to it. I bounced back
    after awhile, and now I'm 8 at The Fox and 6.9 elsewhere (Yeah, right !
    Guys are sending limos for me so they can fleece me !). At least the
    hcp card looks good...
     I'm off to Texas for Thanksgiving and plan to play either Champions,
    The Woodlands or Houston C.C. I gues the latter is really tough to get
    on, but a great track. The highlight of my year was getting the chance
    to play two courses that I've targeted for years, Merion and Pine
    Valley. Pine Valley has HUGE fairways, but if you don't hit the tee
    ball 200 yards in the air you are cooked. I liked the course and the
    ambience. Merion was a different case. Other than Royal County Down, it
    is the best course I have ever played - best in the U.S., for sure !
    Shot 84 at Pine Valley, pull hooking my irons like crazy, and 82 at
    Merion with no success on the greens. Still, if I had one round of golf
    left in my life, it would be at Merion. I may change my mind next year
    if on our annual trip we get to play L.A. North, San Francisco Golf
    Club, Olympic (Lake) and Cypress Point. They're all supposed to be
    terrific, but my network out West isn't as good as I'd like it.
     Great job this past year, guys ! Keep on "whackin' whitey !"
    
    --Jack
    

    This turned out to be one of my most enjoyed golf seasons.  It all
    started last March with a week full of golf and sun in Orlando which
    included The International, Deer Run South, Something Creek, and the
    Marriot.  I found I was striking the ball well but not scoring, but I
    guess that was to be expected for March.  I got to play in a number of
    tournaments including one run by Gene out in Keene which my partner and
    I won (he said modestly).  I even played a few inner club tournaments
    and Green Meadow including the Club Championship at which I won Low
    Net.  Not a bad year for a duffer (27 handi-cap).  I hope to really
    improve my game next year as first prize for the club championship was
    a years free golf (= a lot of practice next year).  Maybe with all this
    practice my partner and I might be able to actually contend next year
    in the CCIII.
    
    Note:  I still have not retired my clubs for the year.  I refuse to
    until the ground is actually covered.
    
    See you on the links.
    
    Stuart,

    Here's my up and down year,
    
    Decided to go for a set of custom made clubs after getting rid of my
    Mcgregors. I think the computer that measured me up screwed up in some
    way as I lost 30-40 yards on every club. I struggled on with the lack
    of distance and finally broke the 80 with a stunning 75 for a 9 over
    par. 
    
    Things then went up and down for most of the season with another sub 80
    round thrown in to keep my interest going. I must be the worlds worst
    putter as I worked my average out to being something like 3.3 a real
    shame because I was getting on in regulation more often than not.
    
    The season finally ended on a high by me winning the Club "Closed
    Championship" but ended on a low when my biggest fan died.
    
    NEXT SEASON.
    
    I have cast aside the computer aided design lumps of metal and invested
    in a set of the new "PING EYE 2 PLUS" and already see the benefit. I
    have decided to invest in a "Gene Kelley" ADX 200 clone to replace my
    Taylor made burner. I have aquired a putter which I purchased from
    Edwin Watts for $18 which is brilliant. So all in all i am looking
    forward to retaining my title and adding some more silverware to my
    trophy cabinet.
    
    Yours in GOLF 
    
    Steve. 

    I still have 6 more weeks left here in Dallas, but my season have been 
    very frustrating. If I can just keep my head out from my rear-end
    I can get back to my old game. 
    
    This weekend was another perfect example of what I mean. Yesterday I
    started with my head in my rear and was 4-over after 3rd hole.
    That's when I got my head out and played next 15 holes 2-over for total
    of 6-over par. And this morning, Hit only 2 greens on regulation in
    front 9 and had to really scramble for 39 then all of a sudden hit all 
    9 green on the back.
    
    Well, I know if I can do exactly what I wanted to do I'll be a pro but
    at the same time there's no excuse for plain STUPID shots that I can
    see it coming and still hit them.(like trying to hit 150yd shot between
    an opening in a tree, keep it low then fade it around a lake)
    
    Oh well I guess that's golf.

    
     I had a none season. I started with a six usga and ended with a six
    usga. I felt like I hit the same shots I hit last year. Scored the same
    putted the same. I need to change something. I am a member of a course
    up here and play the same course over and over over. I can tell you
    what club I need for a second shot after the ball is only 100 yds off
    the tee. Well it's not that bad. I really learned to hit my long irons
    well and thought I putted better. So why am I still a six?  

    Pete,
     Did you do much charting of your rounds this last season ? I do
    and it helps me focus on the weakest areas of my game. Also, how
    about lessons ? A companion that I play with regularly has had
    an index of 8-9 for the last three years. He took a series of
    lessons this year and has now started to play at 1-2 !! 
      One last thought, how do you shoot away from your home course ?
    Maybe by playing so many rounds at home you start to expect to get
    certain scores on certain holes . I have found that I can talk my
    self into almost any score on a particular hole before I even tee
    up the ball. Well, take some solace in the fact that many of us
    would love to have your index !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Mad Hacker