Rain, Rain go away

Posted by Mike Price on June 29, 2007 8:00 AM

I need to practice and at the moment I have no chance. My daughters are appearing in a production over the weekend and this week has got steadily worse, both at home and with the weather. It seems that when I have a free moment then it is raining.
Oh well, I will try to get to the driving range one day next week and get in some practice.
Forgot to say, I had a good fathers day because the girls bought me some golf shoes, glove and a new coat for me to practice in. The shoes are Dunlop ones and very comfy with good grips. The coat will keep out all the weather can throw at me and the glove will help with my grip. All I need now are some clubs and I might be able to class myself as a golfer. Okay, lets not get carried away.

Let me know if you are reading by leaving a comment.

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I have a game coming up

Posted by Mike Price on June 28, 2007 10:56 AM

I will be making my debut on Kirkby golf course on the 9th July 2007 at 6.30am in the morning. Thankfully I am usually well up by this time as I start work early so I am looking forward to it. This is my Dads' usual course and the last time I was here I was caddying for him when I was about 14 so it must be nearly 22 years ago. I am starting to feel confident in my swings but I must try and get back to the driving range to whack a few balls.
I should be playing off the top handicap for useless people like me which is 28, this will give me 16 shots on dad so I might win him. I doubt it though. I might start a sweep on how many balls I lose. Send your guesses to me through the comments.

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Practice makes perfect

Posted by Mike Price on June 27, 2007 9:41 AM

I have some training aids in my garden which I use when I can. They are a chipping net, which I have yet to chip into successfully, and a ball on a string. The ball hangs down from a metal spike and you hit it, very simple but good with getting my technique right. My Dad suggested putting some coins in a straight line to try and help me guide the club to the ball. Seems to work. I might feel moved to progress on to my other training aid, but I will save that for next time. Any tips any one???

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Welcome to my blog

Posted by Mike Price on June 26, 2007 10:55 AM

Welcome to my blog. My name is Mike Price and I am hoping to get ideas and help from the wibbly wobbly web people with my aim to play a decent round of golf. I am 36 years old and have never played proper golf. I have dabbled with crazy golf and such like and feel like time to play the real thing.

I will try and keep this blog upto date on my progress and also if you offer any tips how effective they have been. My 'trainer' is my dad who has played golf for over 35 years. I also have a cousin called Paul Williams who is from Wales and he plays off scratch. I want to try and beat both of them in a game of golf. Don't laugh it might happen.

My trainer and Dad Mike Price and me

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First steps in golf

Posted by Mike Price on June 26, 2007 7:19 AM

Golf, what an easy game to learn. Or so I thought. How hard can it be to swing a club and hit a little ball? These are just a couple of the many questions I asked myself when I decided to take up golf. Thankfully my Dad, Mike, has been playing for over 35 years and plays off 12 now but has been down to 9 before. With his advice and help it should be a doddle. We went to Hurleston Hall driving range so I could get some pointers and advice off my Dad on grip and swinging the clubs. Suddenly the going got tough.

Me getting ready to swing a club at Hurlston Hall driving range

There is so much to remember. After 80 balls I could get the ball about 200 yards and relatively straight with a driving iron. As long as I find a relatively straight hole to play, I should do OK. Another 80 balls and I felt good. My dad warned me that I might feel a bit stiff in the morning, and I thought nothing of it. Next day I was in agony: my arms hurt, my back ached and my legs were like lead. Golf uses muscles I didn't even know I had and they all throbbed. Two days later the aches wore off, but the practice carried on.
I have purchased a couple of training aids and now practice every spare moment I have. At least my wife knows where to find me now - in the garden with my 'ball on a string'. Slowly I am gaining in confidence with my driving skills, limited though they are and soon I will be going back to the driving range to practice chipping and floor shots. Hopefully I won't be as stiff and sore after this session. I have yet to buy any equipment other than for training at home. Next time I will be pondering the shoes to wear, soft or hard? I have no idea.

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