Sherfield Oaks Monday 18th May 11o'clock

If anybody is interested we have a space for 2 more players.

The cost is £16

It's just a friendly game. Probably put a £1 in, and winner takes all.

Warning...James Marshall will be playing

Should be fun David.

Looking forward to it.

David,

I would have loved to have joined you guys but I will be sunning myself in Turkey.

What will James be playing off 24?

Come on John, I know you are only jesting but really - hasnt James had enough stick over that round at Wokefield?

This is true Paul.

and I also remember that being said

Shall I remind him when I see him there?

Jonny P,

It would be a shame to see people leave that have been here sometime and historically have been nothing but good humoured and light hearted banter. When people are saying that they are leaving, there is little anyone can do to change this.

Regarding my post above:

I did state that I knew it was only banter, and I know David himself alluded to this from his post. I wasnt pointing it out as a mod, I merely dont want people to feel bad. EVEN IF THEY ARE BANDITS 

Lately on here there have been posts, replies that are nothing short of personal attacks. Often the medium of online forums mean that the way the message is intended is misinterpreted which I feel is the case here. I will send you PM to apologise as well if this was the case.

Moderation of this forum was well overdue and I know of people that stopped posting for fear of attack from others so we cant win either way!

I think now that some of us are Mods, we cant post anything without people feeling they are getting told off - this is not the case and warnings will / should be issued via PM's and usually through Darren.

I hope this explains things somewhat. 

I'll attend if I can but it depends on my work situation at the time.  I can't commit until closer to the date. 

And I refuse to put money in the pot unless Marshall Junior is playing off +4 (I'm not worried about Marshall Senior, he's rubbish)........

Dennis,

I was merely bouncing off Marshall Snr's light hearted banter. James know's I didn't mean any 'personal attack' & I explained all that in my PM's to him & I felt justified in asking the questions I did at the time.

If anything you making that post has made more of an impact than my post!?!?!?

I enjoy the banter on this site & will continue to do so as I wouldn't say anything on here I wouldn't say to anyone's face (& I'm a lover, not a fighter!!)

Anything for coming last?

Just shame and embarassment Dennis.  I came in with 34 points on the course yesterday and it was the first time I'd played it.  I'd definitely play it differently now. 

Chris,

I thought you'd played there with John P previous??

Played the Waterloo last time, played the Wellington this time (think that's the right way round ).  Two very different courses. 

Be good if we could play one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, but that may take it's toll on the body for the carriers. 

The Wellington is the longer of the two courses. Both very different in the way to play them.

Scoring 34 points on the Wellington is no mean feat!

I am this Sunday!

Would love to play but will will be at work on that Monday : (

Still got a space left David?  May make it easier and just send you the money....

Indeed Paul,

Determined to let my form on the range show on the course. If I can, I should get in below 180 for the day!!

PS - Still on topic a I am in that day and I am talking about the venue

Think there will be 16 of us.

Not sure about which course / tees we're off, David can you answer that one?

 David,

Would you be willing to share the answers?

As David appears to be rather reticent in informing you all of what the arrangements are for this day at my club, I am pleased to inform you all that currently I have booked three tee times, with the first at 1104.

I hope that if the numbers are likely to swell, that David will give me the time to book additional starting times.

We will be playing the "Wellington" which is a bit longer than the Waterloo is a lot more open to the eye, but still has plenty of rough to keep you all occupied should you stray offline.

Many thanks John!

Just ignore me then you silly old fool

You are most welcome, Tim.

I will also request that we play off the whites as I know you are all keen to play the course at ts longest.

This is of course to my advantage as it will give me a much better chance against you power hitters.

Well I'm knackered then! Better play off the whites on Sunday!!

You are powerful enough to cope with the whites, Dennis. I am just trying to level the playing field in my favour.

Off the yellows you will only get into trouble with your power, just ask Chris what he did on the first when we played last. He ran out fairway.

As I struggle to reach the greens in regulation off the yelllows, it is no hardship for me to play off the whites and it will make it more difficult for you power hitters to hit the greens in regulation. I was seven over par for the par 5's, that shows you how difficult they are for me.

I was in complete command with, I believe a six shot lead when I dropped 10 shots in three holes, which got him rather excited as it brought us all square. Suffice to say that with the pressure now on I did the necessary. It was avery enjoyable game though. I played the same course last week and came back in 41. What a funny old game this is.

I'm going to have to stop faffing and say no I'm afraid.  I have a job offer and they want me to start on the day of the the game.  I have a second interview tomorrow and if I got offerred and took that job they wouldn't want me to start until June so I could make it then, but I won't know until much closer the time. 

Good luck with the job interviews, Chris, and hope that somehow you can make it. Keep us informed please.

Thanks John, I will do.  The job I have on offer (I actually have two offers but I already know which I prefer) is the one I had the interview for in Newbury just before I played you at Sherfield last week.  The interview tomorrow afternoon is in High Wycombe. 

How are we doing with numbers for this event, David?

I'm looking forward to the round.

Played yesterday, some shakey holes. Lipped out least 4 long putts. Oh and the highlight, driving the 336yards Par 4 12th, and carding a birdie. Chipping still iffy.

According to google earth about a 309 yard drive.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/branty1uk/bigdrive.jpg" border="0" width="675" height="664" />

If you drive the greens, Danny, there is no need to chip. I think we will have to re think your handicap after this information.

Thats my plan of attack John. My putting was pretty solid yesterday. If I can eliminate the need to chip, I'll be in the single figures buy the end of the summer.

There are three holes on the Wellington that the very long hitters have a go at, but very few ever make it.

Are we playing the same course as before John?

No, Danny we are playing the longer one, which is more open to the eye but presents itsown problems. We are also playing off the white tees, which will hopefully negate any advantage you thought you might have with your power. The four par fioves are very testing and though you have the power they are not that easy, I can assure you.

You will be playing with me so I will put you right.

I look forward to it John.

I won't be attending I'm afraid; I start the new job that day.  Frustratingly, it's 25 minutes up the road in Newbury. 

Hope you all have a good one. 

Me.thee and Kev I believe David is this correct??

Nice one ,. as long as you have it under "control" I'll be happy and not like them other munters!!

Any idea who I am playing with David? (and if you do, please share )

I nearly cancelled but then carded an okay round for me (finally) yesterday so thought 'what the hell'!

We now have a full complement, as I have found two more players.

First Group will be the All stars:

David Marshall (With remote trolley)

David Ley

Kevin Hewitt

Darren Atkinson

Second group will be the bandits:

Dennis Visser

Lee Butler

James Marshall

Mike Hobden

Bringing up the rear will be the also rans:

Paul Williams

Danny Brant

Stuart Govan

John Pettitt

As the green fee is so cheap then I suggest that we all put in a fiver so that we can give decent prizes to those who play well. Nearest the pin on one hole and a longest drive.

I am good to you, David, show them what you are made of.

Not a bad idea Kevin, would possibly give everyone a chance of winning some dosh.

It's the old silver Fox you need to worry about in his own backyard........

Come on Wayne, it will be good to see you.

Seeing as Wayne has decided to grace us with his presence, always welcome of course, I have now managed to get another tee time. This now leaves spaces for another three players who might wish to join us.

So how about it guys, you know you want to.

In order to accommodate our great friend Wayne I have managed to get another tee time and I have altered the groupings as follows.

The All stars will go off first to show the way and will be a three ball:

Darren Atkinson, David Ley, Kevin Hewiit

Dennis Visser, Lee Butler, Mike Hobden

David Marshall, James Marshall, Wayne Santorini

Stuart Govan, Danny Brant, Paul Williams, John Pettitt.

Have a great day y'all.  Gutted to be missing out, especially as it's only work commitments stopping me attending.  I have got the following week off though for a couple of rounds and to go and watch the European Opean so not all bad.... (also broke 90 for first time last week, shooting an 84 - happy days!)

Look forward to hearing the results and antics.  Just one word of warning, don't let Lee Butler drive a buggy!!

Also pleeeeeeeasssse don't allow him to win "nearest the pin" again, we'll never hear the last of it!

Have fun.....

Nice round of golf, Jim, I knew you had that kind of score within you. Keep it up.

I am picking a difficult hole for the nearest the pin.

Perhaps we should have it on 12 hey John.

That is a par four, David, behave yourself.

It's only a 3 iron for some of us................

Nothing wrong with my buggy driving, don't be such a tart!

Nearest the pin was lucky last time, but I'll do my best to win it again!

A three iron cranked down to a 1 iron. I know all your tricks, Mr Ley.

I think the winners coming out of the last group.

Anything is possible, Danny.

I'd say legend is a bit much, but thanks all the same Paul.

I played the Wellington today in the Club Mid-week Stableford, managed 33 points off the whites after a terrible start  with three off the tee on both the second and third holes. The rough is pretty tough as it was wet grass but the course is playing fine and the greens are putting true, so should be a good competition on Monday.

I will be smithing after my 3&2 loss tonight in a team match to a 13yr old who shot 74 on my home course thankfully the team won 4&1 but I did get a lot of stick off the guys from both teams.

You're getting old mate, face the facts.

Agree John.as they say in Scooby Doo " Them pesky kids",a great little player ,I didn't do much wrong myself to be honest .

Paul, Danny is very similar to you in that he has too much power for his own good and I am disappointed that he has not moved his handicap down since we last played together some time ago now.

He is looking for a few pointers and I promised him that I would try and sort him out.

It is amazing how one can hit great shots with irons from the fairway yet cannot find a green on a short hole. I too can suffer with this but in my opinion it is all down to tension due to the target being made smaller with a tendency to try and steer as opposed to a natural release.

In the case of the five iron off a tee at the short hole I find that, like you I hit a better shot off the deck. There will be many others who will disagree with this by saying that the opportunity to tee the ball up for a perfect lie should always be take. I do not subscribe to this theory, but then we all have our little idiosyncrasies and thoughts as to how we wish to play. There are no set rules.

I fear you may be disappointed when we play as what I play at the moment cannot possibly be classed as golf and I am nowhere near the striker that you or Danny are, just that I have learned how to get round a golf course with my limited abilities.

Your flaws are, and always have been, between your ears Paul.  When you play well you believe in yourself, your confidence is high and you continue to play well.  You have a couple of bad shots, the confidence goes and your game goes downhill.  This is particularly apparent on the green as if you miss a couple of makeable putts you tense up and stop believing you will sink them which just makes it worse. 

You are the same as me in that you are better than your handicap suggests.  My problem is consistency, yours is self-belief. 

You will witness how I plot my way round and it will provide amusement, I am sure. Driving is m bugbear and quite honestly I should not be allowed to own a driver let alone use one.

Your course management will be far different to mine, as you have capabilies that I no longer possess. The secret is to know your limitations and then decide whether glory or score is the most important. When marking a card I very rarely gamble these days as I know what the consequences could be.

Playing within oneself is always a good thing but that is not course management.

Regarding the flat stick, I feel Chris has got that wrong, as my stats show that I am averaging 34 putts a round for the last 16 rounds and that is pretty poor.

Standing tall when putting gives a far better and more accuate view of the line than crouching.

To have a flaw between the ears has the subject have to have something there first..........

As for putting Mr Perry the rest of us have no chance as we have not undergone "shotgun firing" training as you have..............

I think Paul hit the nail on the head with you JP.  You have played to a high standard and still measure your golf by those standards.  Unfortunately the body will not allow you to meet the high standards you set for yourself which means you feel you can no longer play.  You still play very well, it's just that you are no longer a scratch golfer. 

Perhaps you should reassess the standards by which you measure your game.  You still consistently go round the course in less than bogey golf, something which I cannot yet do, so you are still playing better than many golfers will ever achieve.  Accept that time marches on and you are still playing as well as many of us aspire to. 

Oh, and by the way, stop trying to convince us you can't play.  We all know better and your mind games won't wash with us!

Firing training took on a new standard yesterday Dave.  They were setting off flares on the airport to scare off the birds while I was trying to chip!

You are probably right, Chris, but how do you tell a brain that knows how it should be done to get the body to do what it is told. I still cannot get it through my head that I need to radically change the way I think and find a method that will just bop it down the fairway.

We have proved that it is not the clubs, as every one I try does the same thing, so it is an inbuilt psychological problem that I have to overcome.

The problem you have John is that the brain is getting bossy and telling the body what to do, but it's not listening when the body says "I can't".  There's nothing wrong with the way you are playing the game given your current physical ability, you just need to accept that it's where you are now. 

You are right, Chris, all of my golfing friends tell me the same thing. I still feel that I should be capable of shooting under 80, but perhaps I am dreaming too much.

It is always nice though to see others playing well and making the most of their talent.

There's plenty of empty storage area up there to keep it in Paul..........

I will give you a sleeve, Stuart.

I've been hitting a nice little fade lately.

So you have stopped swinging correctly then, Danny.

I stand corrected Paulie I am now really impressed that you spelt I.Q. correctly.Lol.

"I read books as well"

My aresnal, you'd never heard of it until Tom Hanks appearred in it!  Angels & Demons was a better book anyway. 

You like the CV then?

Paul,post it I dare you!

There's another shock for you Lamb Lover, I read books as well

Carefull you will have the PC brigade onto you.

Thanks, 73  last sunday medal comp finished third.

I'm loving the weather chart all that wind I might make the par 5's in 3 nowl

Why is that chart displaying my waist size and inside leg measurement?????

John I never knew that I ever swung it correctly.

When I say fade, I mean a tough left to right.

As you were.

Gave my mum the old puppy dog eyes. She's gonna re-arrange, and pick the kids up. I will have to leave fairly sharpish tomorrow.

Danny

I cant believe this fellas.

I have just been called in to work tomorrow at midday! Im gonna have to cancel tomorrow (and at this late stage too).

I'm so sorry, but needs must.... 

Well, half an hour to go until my meeting - hope you guys are having a good time and the weather holds up!

Gutted to have missed this today, but started the new job. 

How did it go?  Did Marshall Jnr run off with all the money again?  Did Marshall Snr bury Stu Govan behind the 14th tee?  Did John P complain about being too old and unable to play and then come in with 37 points (again)?

It was quite tough, wind was up quite a bit.  We had 5 prizes on offer: Best Front 9, Best Back 9, Best Overall, Nearest the pin and longest drive.

David Ley took best back 9 and best overall.. I believe Paul Williams took nearest the pin and the longest drive and Marshall Jnr won best front 9.

With 60 quid in the pot, each prize was worth £12.

I played pants (21 points) which is in keeping with my recent poor form and even managed to produce an air shot! (can't remember the last time I did that!) That prompted Mr Ley to take the p*ss and I duly obliged by changing my club to a 6 iron and shanking it at him in his direction! Then picked up! Blobbed 8 holes in total, so yeah, a great day!

Thanks to David L, Kevin H and Darren A for being great company!

All I can say is, 'what a place to put a pond'!

Good game always good value watching john play shots like the 8 iron onto the 9th. Pure class.

Scored 21 points myself, going through crazy form, flashes of good stuff, and plenty of poor stuff. I managed to birdie the 16th, 5 wood, gap wedge, 3 foot putt. Why can't it all be that easy?

Stuart...

I hope to be available for the next one - even if I book A/L to be safe!

Thanks for setting up DM, as usual an enjoyable day out even though the weather tried to dampen the day. The course was presented really well but I recommend a trim not that I was ever looking for my ball in the rough(not through the lack of trying to put it there though!!) Great company as usual with Darren and Kev, and a pleasure to play with Lee for the first time.Nice to meet up with you other guys too,looking forward to our next meet........................