Crazy golf and Haigh Hall

Posted by Mike Price on July 31, 2007 8:23 AM

I went to Haigh hall this weekend with the family. It was a slightly double edged suggestion by myself as I wanted to check out the golf course and get some information. Thankfully it was a nice day so Jennie and the girls came along and we had a great day out. We even managed to play a round of crazy golf. Asha is very competitive and Francesca played 'properly' for the first time.

Asha plays crazy golf, she is getting interested in the real game

Jennie who is a master at crazy golf and who has said I am rubbish was left eating her words as my new found prowess in putting and golf helped me to win her for the first time ever.

Francesca plays golf

Not one to brag, though. I thought I would add it to the blog.

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Third time Lucky???

Posted by Mike Price on July 23, 2007 8:25 PM

With working odd shifts this week I took the opportunity to get another game in. Dad and I went to where it all began( well for me) Bowring Park on Monday 23rd July 2007. We arrived at 6.30am to get an early start. The same sort of playing conditions, wet on the ground and sodden in the bunkers. I managed to play some decent shots off the tee (driving well over 170 yards on some) and my fairway, when on it, shots were OK. I played most shots on the fairway with the 6 iron and managed to play quite long shots. Some even straightish. I seemed to get on the green with in a two put of more than half of the holes.

My putting is getting better but I have a problem getting lined up on the hole. This is costing me precious shots.

I had a good round but I am now seeing that I can do better, even after three games. Compare my cards from the first game to now.

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Golf, the addictive game.

Posted by Mike Price on July 19, 2007 6:38 AM

I have just played my second round of golf. It was at Kirkby Golf course and it was with Dad and his usual partner of thirty years Tommy Fowler. We only managed 16 holes as two not playable.
This course was quite hard and amazingly my putting was improved no end this week. I even managed to putt in off the green for the first time. That is one memory to save for a bad day. The good thing at Kirkby is they have a practice putting green, as Dad was late it gave me about twenty minutes to practice.
The first nine holes I played ok. I managed to bogey a couple of holes. Problems this time where my teeing off was not as good as it could have been and my fairway shots left a lot to do. Excuse time, it was very wet and quite hard to get out of the rough. The grass was very long and sodden.
The second nine was much better, I managed a couple more bogeys and when dad worked out the scores, the back nine was under sixty. The score card will appear soon. All in all it now seems that the bug has bitten and I will attempt to play whenever I can feasibly fit it in. I should be able to get another game in next week also, so three games in three weeks is not bad, for a beginner.

Any tips and advice much needed.

Mike

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First game of golf

Posted by Mike Price on July 10, 2007 7:26 AM

I awoke with nervous excitement as the impending time of my first tee off was looming. It was 6.00am and I was due to meet my partner, trainer and Dad (all the same bloke) at Kirkby Golf course at 6.30am. Quick wash and flask of coffee and out I ran to the car. I drove quickly, but within the speed limit, to the course and found myself parked up all on my own. Panic stricken thoughts started to spring around my head, did Dad remember? Is he on his way?, and numerous others. Like a birdwatcher I watched the road hoping to see my quarry. Hurrah Dad arrived went past me and down to a sign I hadn't noticed.

Kirkby golf course was closed.

I was deflated, all the work I had put in and now I would have to wait again.

Sometimes you realise why you admire and love your parents and when Dad suggested we try Bowring Park my enthusiasm leapt again and off we went. It seems appropriate that I should have played my first round of golf at the first municipal course in England.

We got there and people where on the course, great we could play. We got ourselves together and the first tee came ever closer. I placed the ball on the tee and whack, I managed to hit it. See the video of me teeing off below. Any criticism of style, stance or anything is appreciated.

The first nine holes was pleasant and I only lost two balls, but Dad found three so we where doing ok. I got slightly frustrated that I ‘topped’ quite a few balls but Dad said not to worry about it. The back nine was slightly better and I even managed some bunker shots and did ok with them.

We played all 18 holes and I was ok on the teeing off moving from the Driving Iron to the driving wood without noticing and probably playing better for it in the back nine. All the work I put in getting to the green was wasted by my lack of putting practice. I took between three and four putts to hole on every green.

I really enjoyed my day of golf and will be back soon. I am starting to see why so many men and women throughout the world enjoy this game.

I think the next goal of this blog is to learn to putt.

Here is my first score card, of which I am proud.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think I should do about putting.

thanks

Mike

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Managed to get to driving range

Posted by Mike Price on July 5, 2007 6:43 AM

I managed to get to the driving range last night and tried out a different grip on the clubs. It was one where you lock the little finger of the right hand into the top two fingers of the left hand. I think it will take a bit of time to get it right but eventually after balls flying dangerously about, I decided to switch back to normal.
Thankfully I can still hit the ball about 200 yards and resonably straight. This was the last practice session before my first game on Monday 9th July. I hope it's not waterlogged as it could be some time before I can go again. I took my daughter Asha along and she seems to be interested in having a go. Can I see another fledgling golfer??

Any tips please.

cheers

Mike

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Why does it always rain on me?

Posted by Mike Price on July 2, 2007 8:46 AM

Everytime I went into the garden this weekend, I got two or three swings then, rain. What a horrid weekend. The family was busy with Charlie and the Chocolate factory which the girls where appearing in. This left little time to practice, but I tried without much success. Must get some indoor training aids.
Any ideas how I can practice indoors without smashing furniture or glassware????

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