Hua Hin Golf Gossip

[big jimmy]

Dear Golfers,
Its come to the stage where I need to ask for advice and guidance from those that can actually play this game. I've been learning golf for almost six months now and am finding it more frustrating (and less enjoyable) every time I play - it just never seems to improve, and often gets worse which is even more infuriating. My game seems no better now than when I started and it doesn't help when Mrs buksi beats me regularly.

My regular 'home' course is a local par 34 nine hole, its not in the best of condition but I'm not using that as an excuse as others can play on it far better than I do. My average score around that is mid to high 50's and I try to play it twice a week. Now I'm naturally pretty competitive so do get angry when I start screwing up shots - which of course then writes off the rest of the round.

Now some will already be saying 'get yourself to the range and have a lesson with the pro', well I've done that too (several times) and he sets me right in 30 seconds where I can fire off reasonably consistent iron shots - those mats are great. I just can't carry that knowledge and swing to the course, my driving is about as consistent as Hua Hin immigration's policies, my four year old son could play a better short game, and as for putting ... its coin flipping time.

So how did all you guys that can now play golf get over these initial hurdles? The way I look at things now I have 3 options:

1) Put the clubs on the classifieds and take up kitesurfing.
2) Accept that I'm crap at this and enjoy the walk.
3) Carry on in the hope that I meet an incarnation of Buddha on the course who can bless me with the ability to play golf.

Answers on a postcard please.
Yours,
Desperately frustrated golfer.

It will always be a frustrating game and there is only so much you can do physically ,improving technique will always be a challenge but all good golfers have an ability to see the shot before they hit it. Visualisation is so important..before they hit the shot they can see the themselves lining up, swinging, see the trajectory of the shot and see the ball landing.

Think of a darts player, they don't think about the act of bending their arm back and through or releasing the dart with their fingers, they focus on the target..or a bowler, his focus is on where he wants to put the ball not the action of throwing the ball. All golfers end up with paralaysis by analysis, you think about the action you have to make to hit the ball (eg..keep your head down,turn your hips ) and end up in a mess.

Next time out forget about getting your technique perfect..think about the flight of the ball..see it inside your head...visualize it all before you hit the ball...

Bob Rotella has written several books about this so check it out...and good luck !

[lomuamart]

buksida,
I've played golf with you loads of times and the advice that "big jimmy" has given you is spot on.
As a beginner and until this day, as I walk up to my ball I'm thinking about the next shot and trying to visualise it. It dosn't matter where the ball is, it's the next shot that counts. AND don't try a Tiger Wood's shot. You're simply not good enough - nor is anyone else.
Sorry to hear that your missus beat you again today but, mind you, she's a natural. All us mere mortals have to work hard at the game.
Chok dii

PS - I'll have those irons off you for 2,000 Baht if you eventually give up.

[JW]

Buksi,

No matter how good you get its a bloody frustrating game!!!!

Remember - BALL - TARGET - HIT IT!!! Dont over complicate the matter and overthink things - or even try a few beers before you play.

Bottom line is that when you get it right its the best thing in the world!

Cheers!!!

[hhfarang]

Buksi, here's the best golf advice:

ONLY A TRUE GOLFER WILL UNDERSTAND THIS:

Don't buy a putter until you've had a chance to throw it.

Never try to keep more than 300 separate thoughts in your mind during your swing.

When your shot has to carry over a water hazard, you can either hit one more club or two more balls.

If you're afraid a full shot might reach the green while the foursome ahead of you is still putting out, you have two options: you can immediately shank a lay-up or you can wait until the green is clear and top a ball halfway there..

The less skilled the player, the more likely he is to share his ideas about the golf swing.

No matter how bad you are playing, it is always possible to play worse.

The inevitable result of any golf lesson is the instant elimination of the one critical unconscious motion that allowed you to compensate for all of your many other errors.

Everyone replaces his divot after a perfect approach shot.

A golf match is a test of your skill against your opponents' luck.

It is surprisingly easy to hole a fifty foot putt . For a 10.

Counting on your opponent to inform you when he breaks a rule is like expecting him to make fun of his own haircut.

Nonchalant putts count the same as chalant putts.

It's not a gimme if you're still away.

The shortest distance between any two points on a golf course is a straight line that passes directly through the center of a very large tree.

You can hit a two acre fairway 10% of the time and a two inch tree branch 90% of the time.

If you really want to get better at golf, go back and take it up at a much earlier age.

Since bad shots come in groups of three, a fourth bad shot is actually the beginning of the next group of three.

When you look up, causing an awful shot, you will always look down again at exactly the moment when you ought to start watching the ball if you ever want to see it again.

Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe.

If you want to hit a 7 iron as far as Tiger Woods does, simply try to lay up just short of a water hazard.

To calculate the speed of a player's downswing, multiply the speed of his back-swing by his handicap; I.e., back-swing 20 mph, handicap 15, downswing = 300 mph.

There are two things you can learn by stopping your back-swing at the top and checking the position of your hands: how many hands you have, and which one is wearing the glove.

Hazards attract; fairways repel.

A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is not yours.

If there is a ball on the fringe and a ball in the bunker, your ball is in the bunker. If both balls are in the bunker, yours is in the footprint.

It's easier to get up at 6:00 AM to play golf than at 10:00 to mow the yard.

A good drive on the 18th hole has stopped many a golfer from giving up the game.

Golf is the perfect thing to do on Sunday because you always end up having to pray a lot.

A good golf partner is one who's always slightly worse than you are....that's why I get so many calls to play with friends.

If there's a storm rolling in, you'll be having the game of your life.

Golf balls are like eggs. They're white. They're sold by the dozen. And you need to buy fresh ones each week.

It's amazing how a golfer who never helps out around the house will replace his divots, repair his ball marks, and rake his sand traps.

If your opponent has trouble remembering whether he shot a six or a seven, he probably shot an eight (or worse).

It takes longer to learn to be a good golfer than it does to become a brain surgeon. On the other hand, you don't get to ride around on a cart, drink beer, and fart if you are performing Brain Surgery !!!!

[JW]

hhfarang,

Like it!

[Jim]

buksida,
As a beginner and until this day, as I walk up to my ball I'm thinking about the next shot and trying to visualise it. It dosn't matter where the ball is, it's the next shot that counts. AND don't try a Tiger Wood's shot.

I try this every time I stand on the 2nd tee on the C at Springfield. Ignore the water, just look to the green and imagine a solid drive straight down the huge fairway.

What happens?

OB kwah every ******* time. And on the re-load too.

[nanyang]

Buksi,

No matter how good you get its a bloody frustrating game!!!!

Remember - BALL - TARGET - HIT IT!!! Dont over complicate the matter and overthink things - or even try a few beers before you play.

Bottom line is that when you get it right its the best thing in the world!

Cheers!!!

JW - you've been married too long.

The best thing in the world is when it's coming up the pipe you wish the pipe was a mile long!

[buksida]

hhfarang, oh yes - I can relate to pretty much all of those.

I reckon I'll carry on and take the 'enjoy the walk' option - its all in the mind this game!

[flyfifer]

Buksi
Try this


Works for me when I,m looking for a quick tip

[richard]

I'm with JW on this

When I played regular golf I used to just put the ball down, clear my mind and smack it

If I started thinking about my backswing, my last shot,my club selection or hazards up front I used to flunk it

Just smack it and keep you head down. My father used to give me shit as he said you never watch where your ball has gone. I used to reply 'well I'm keeping my head down'. Surely that's the caddies function anyway!!!

I got down to 8 handicap without doing too much thinking (not a lot of braincells left anyway)

Nicky Price gave me some advice once when I played a round with him at the Royal Harare GC. He said 'clear your mind when walking down the fairway (or the rough ), then 30 seconds before your next shot do a limited amount of thinking and then clear your mind and smack it

Seemed to work for me

[JW]

I couldnt handle a lesson with that guy!

Check out Moe Norman on You tube - he is a real legend, often called teh greatest ball striker ever!

[richard]

JW

It was not a lesson just a word on the way round (to coin a phrase) He said to me 'You're too old for lessons so adapt knowing your limitations'

My game was always lifted when playing with pro's

It's all in the head You will never beat the course, only your opponent

Mind over matter

AND if you don't MIND it doesn't MATTER

[Jay101]

I am in Hua Hin for another day and just wondering if there are any organized (formally or informally) groups that go play together. I know in Pattaya, it seems a group leaves from a different bar (or bars) every morning of the week to play at various places, just wondering if HH has such a thing?

I am in town, but have no transportation and never played in the area, and I'm looking to possibly get out tomorrow morning (Tuesday).

Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.

[JW]

There is some sort of roll up everyday here - Hua Hin Golf Society run a competition on Tuesdays - go to Bernie Bar in the bazaar area (close to the Hilton) and see what happening.

Hope u get a knock!

[Jay101]

There is some sort of roll up everyday here - Hua Hin Golf Society run a competition on Tuesdays - go to Bernie Bar in the bazaar area (close to the Hilton) and see what happening.

Hope u get a knock!

Ok, I'll stop into Bernie Bar later this afternoon. Thanks.