Driving range pains

machersjohn · Member Joined: 04 Dec 2004 Posts: 69

Ah Buksida don't dispair we'ev all been there. I tell everyone new to golf that they cannot do anything that has not been done before. Everyone new to golf gets embarassed and yes gets the piss ripped out of them but you can be assured even the very best golfers have hit the very worst shots.

I have even seen JW hitting shots he does'nt want to talk about, couple of changs and i 'll spill the beans.

Lomu you only have to give some form of id , i give my 2 year out of date international driving licence. Do not give something you cannot do without as these guys can lose it just crossing the the road.

Weekends are probsbly the worst time to go as the Thais play then, although my caddie tells me it is quiet because the powers at be now insist that the thais pay. Apparently the police and other government people just walked on without payment. The new man in charge insists on all paying and that has reduced the numbers playing weekends. I go early leaving Hua Hin around 6.00 am . I have two spare seats at that moment if you feel urge contact me, oh yes i'm a n suv driver!!

dr dave soul monsta · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:49 pm Post subject:

This occured a few weeks ago and i have to say it happened again the week after but not to me....
But Many thanks to

"Sake"

@ Hua Hin custom club makers for restoring Loumo's circa 1905 hulk hogan driver from this

back into a working item
fantastic job although the whole shop burst into laughter to see such a small head on such a big stick
_________________
"I don't often agree with the RSPCA as i believe it is an animals duty to be on my plate at supper time"

lomuamart · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 2:30 pm Post subject:

Was hitting it pretty well again today, Monsta, although as I said before, it's more of a substitute these days for my Taylor Made.
Buksida started well, but then complained of a TINY blister on one of his fingers, so went downhill quickly from there Wink

We'll put this Friday down to "sporting injuries".
_________________
"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

buksida · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 3:25 pm Post subject:

JW · Ace Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Posts: 1398 Location: hua hin

Hey Buksi,

Its tough to hit it 100 yards backwards!

JW · Ace Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Posts: 1398 Location: hua hin

machersjohn,

its a humbling experience for sure. My spectrum of shots is trully universal! I hit for sure some of the worst shots of anyone i have ever seen (last week played great on Tuesday, then played like a JCB on wednesday - couldnt play for over a week cause i bust my elbow! now thats pretty bad hittin), thats the beauty of the game, and the part that can drive you to insanity - then to ecstasy!

WE MUST BE MAD!

buksida · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:54 am Post subject:

It seemed to go better this week, the backswing is coming along and I don't have to think about it now. As soon as you get one bit right, theres something else to concentrate on!

I have been hitting them all off the mats but tried the T this time and what a difference! They actually went further than 80 yards! Have been told though that its not good practise to keep hitting balls off a T with an 8 iron!

Does anyone know where you can buy that astroturf stuff they use for the mats ... I want some in my garden Mr. Green

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Named must your fear be before banish it you can.

JW · Ace Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Posts: 1398 Location: hua hin

Buksi,

Practising off a tee peg is ok so long as its not too high. The astroturf is quite forgiving, if you hit behind the ball the club "bounces" and doesnt lose as much speed as it does from grass. It can be easy to injure yourself from astroturf because there is no give, has caused lots of cases of golfers elbow. Keep up the good work fellas, you will be ready for the course pretty soon i think.

machersjohn · Member Joined: 04 Dec 2004 Posts: 69

Take it to the course. I will treat you and a partner to one round at Tanarat transport included. Time ,well i think maybe 2.00pm tee off. best mon, tues But what suits you.

lomuamart · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 7:46 am Post subject:

Well, yesterday it finally happened.
Went with Buksida to Ao Manao in Prachaupkirikhan. After leaving the women and baby on the beach, we went to the army course there. A few hits on the driving range and we were ready.
Now we had been led to believe that it was a pitch and putt 9 hole course. Not a bit of it. 9 holes, yes, but it's proper length. two par 3's some good distance par 4s and two long par 5s. Greens were well watered and not in bad nick. The fairways were very patchy and sandy - almost like hitting out of a bunker a lot of the time. However for 100 baht (and I'm sure that was for two rounds of nine, we only did one) and 20 baht for a trolley - no caddies - what do you expect?
So, first tee. Buksida complaining of feeling nervous, although there was only one old lady watching us and it was his time to tee off. 120yd par three, over trees. He hit it on the green to between 12-15 ft. I was amazed. Even the old lady clapped. Reckon he thought he had it all sussed out as he settled over his birdie putt. Four putts later, he finished with a 5!!! Confused

Things weren't too bad after that although he had difficulty hitting off the fairways - so did I. He found a bit of water from time to time and his ball had radar turned on for the snake territory on a couple of occasions.
Overall, not a bad start. I marked his card, but am leaving it up to him to tell you all his score for the nine - if he wants to. I suppose that one positive way to look at it is that it can easily be improved upon next time Wink

An enjoyable day. 9 holes of golf, a few cold beers afterwards on the beach with some grub and a few games of cards. Back in HH around 8pm. We'll be doing it again.
_________________
"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

buksida · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:08 am Post subject:

I'll just remember that first T-shot, scores? Nobody is interested in scores Embarassed

At first I was expecting a small pitching area but its a full on course, only 9 holes though. Will definately be going again as now I have a big number to make smaller !!
_________________
Named must your fear be before banish it you can.

JW · Ace Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Posts: 1398 Location: hua hin

Well done guys,

Your best shot usually comes on the last hole, after playing crap all day, e you hit your best shot, the one which comes immediatlety after youve had a nightmare and cried that "ill never play this stupid f***** game again." All the golfers out there know this one!
I have a american friend, former pro (a very good player at one time), who has a great attitude to golf. He says that if he hits one shot in a round which is what he wanted, then his day has been a good one, he never gets angry (the worst he will do is the odd "god dammitt"). He is great to play with because he appreciated how lucky he is to be out on the course at all (he has broken his shoulder on 2 or 3 occasions, stopping him playing for long periods).
The great teacher Harvey Penick told a story about a young pro in his first year on tour -
I had just finished watching this young guy hit the ball as good as anyone can on the practise tee, i gave him some encouragement and he said "Ok Sir i HAVE to go and play now", i stopped him quick and said - "Hey son, remember this, you dont HAVE to go and play, you GET to go play, enjoy every god given second out there" - the young guy stopped for a second and said back "Golly Sir, your damm right - i do get to go play" he walked off purposefully humming a tune. He shot 65 that day. Followed by 80 in the 3rd round!! He never said who the young pro was, many think it may have been either Tom Kite or Ben Crenshaw - 2 of his greatest proteges.

Buksi -see if you can get a hold of Harvey Penicks "Little Red Book" it is full of very simple explanations folr helping your game. I had a copy in the uk but forgot to bring it. Its a great little handbook!

Next time you plan a trip to Ao Manao let me know, sounds like you had a perfect day.

Pundi64 · Member Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 90

I'll keep tabs on this post and after moving to HH later this year, I'll be in on the meeting on Wed. morning's to meet you all.

buksida · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:33 pm Post subject:

Well its been a while so I thought I'd update everyone on my golf progress ... I guess its the same as my IKTS progress ... in reverse.

Nobody told me you had to practise, like often ... took me an entire tray of balls just to get back into it today.

Now that high season is over the hoards of Swedes at the driving range have now been replaced with hoards of Thai kids with their swanky benz driving parents.

What makes matters worse is that most of them can hit the ball further than I can.

Golf ... its a f*&%$#@ frustrating game.
_________________
Named must your fear be before banish it you can.

Pundi64 · Member Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 90