Archive for April, 2007
Boomer’s Bag – Updated
So, due to the total lack of cooperation that I am getting from the BC in updating the contents of my golf bag, I thought I would take it upon myself to do so.
Still playing with the Purefit DC Tour 450 with an XS Accuflex Evolution Shaft – 8.8 degrees and 45″ long
3 Wood – Taylor Made V-Steel, S300 True Temper shaft, 15 degrees
5 Wood – Nike Sasquatch 19 degree with a Stiff shaft
Hybrid – 25 degree My Escape by Purefit with an Accuflex HL shaft in X Flex
Irons – 5-PW, Purefit MB1020 Tour Blades – 1 degree upright
Wedges – 51, 55 bent to a 56, 59 degree ID Raw by Purefit
Putter – Studio Design 1.5 by Scotty Cameron
I had a Never Compromise GM2 in my bag for a while, but have decided to go back to my Scotty. If my club guy ever gets the ID Raw Drivers in, then I will go to that with an Accuflex Creation 65 Silver shaft.
Other than that, I love my clubs, and actually like the Nike 5 wood that I am playing. I bought the 3 and 5 at Golftown one day because they were on sale, and kept the 5 and let the BC have the 3. He hit it very well on Sunday as a matter of fact.
Well, that’s what’s in the bag of this moment, but I am bidding on some things on Ebay that might change the complexion this week. Stay tuned GOLF fans.
Boomer
Back In The Saddle: Return To the Upper Course
Let it be known that on April 29th, 2007, with a 54-degree Cleveland wedge in hand and 27 yards to the hole, yours truly plopped a birdie chip directly into the cup on the 9th hole of the Upper Course at Remington Parkview. No roll, no bounce – just up and in, nothing but net. Probably never see that again, kids. At least I birdied the hole!
This is the same course that kicked my head in a week ago, and I walked out this week with a 94. My back nine was great, and for the most part – except for blowing up on a couple of holes – I stayed with Boom-Boom, who shot an 82. Amir came with a newuntested swing and new untested Taylor Made blades he bough from Kevin, and shot a 109, which is terrible for him. Dennis, in his first outing of the year, shot a 105.
The Pink Purse and The Valleywoods Cup return next week as we play Wooden Sticks in Uxbridge. Should be a gas.
- BC
Exorcising Demons
What a strange day.
The Upper Course at Remington Parkview [see Kevie's review by hitting the Croucher's Local Knowledge tag] utterly kicked my ass today. My second round of the year can only be deemed a dismal failure, with yours truly making the [correct] decision to pick up the ball at one point and walk off the green rather than to make a pressing group wait any longer… or suffer any more frustration at my own hands. Although I guess technically the round is scrubbed, I figure I was looking at a head-shaking 115 at the end of the day. Nothing came together simply because my head wasn’t in it: this was literally only the second beautiful day we’ve had this spring, and I was spending more time looking at the geese and red-winged blackbirds than thinking about my pre-shot routine. When my head isn’t in it my body tends to give up, and that’s all there is to it. I can report that my drives with the new Purefit D.C. V-Tour driver was straight and true, and is thus far the best driver I’ve ever owned. My putting was alright, but the irons and short game weren’t working. Kevin hit an 82; Luc “Aces” Israel hit a 95.
A frustrating round then over, Kev and I drove over to the Deer Creek Golf Academy to see their “Open House”. Liam takes lessons from Dave Hartmann, who teaches out of Deer Creek, and I took a look at some of their youth programs for him before hitting a couple of clubs. Titleist, Cobra and Nike tents were set up, and I whacked the Titleist 907D1 driver and the Nike Sumo2. The Titleist has a tapered, sleek look and was really nice to hit; K.J. Choi’s Sumo2 looks and sounds like a frying pan, but man, is it ever true when it hits. I hate the sound, I can’t quite get around the look, but it is a wild club when it comes to delivering the goods. Boom-Boom has a major hard on for the Cobra driver, which I’m sure he’ll tell you about.
After that we stopped by Seaton [look! My favourite golf course has a website now!] and decided to play 9 holes to exorcise my demons from earlier in the day. I’m happy to report that I hit a 45.
Yeah, it might be a good year after all.
- BC
Opening Round ‘07: Deer Creek South Course [Sapphire/Emerald]
When you love to golf but live in Canada, the winter is a harsh time of year.
One grows sick of indoor golf domes, and one has little to write about on one’s golf-related blog. But golf has returned, and G.O.L.F. with it, as my foursome prepares once again to wage battles over Cups and Pink Purses.
The 101 I hit at Deer Creek’s South Course last Sunday is generally par for the course [pun intended] for me, but at the same time makes me think that a winter spent practicing at the Markham Golf Dome might have been worthwhile after all. Here’s my rationale: the elements bore down on Kevin and I fairly consistently that morning, and while the wind and rain were distracting enough my hands were also freezing. If I can score a 101 in those conditions, I’m hopeful to be flirting with 90 consistently when the weather is fair. This year’s realistic goal, then, is to start shooting 90 [high 80's, low 90's, anyhow] consistently instead of 100 consistently.
One of the things I’m working on is keeping my lower body quiet during my swing. I’m doing well at this so far from what I can tell about my own swing, and it’s stopped a swaying motion that was throwing me off-balance. Liam’s teacher, Dave, also noted that I was breaking my wrist at the top of my backswing and thus having to come around faster to square the clubface. I’ve managed to stop that, and it’s helping.
I’ve also started a real set-up routine for the first time that starts with me setting the ball up along a line, stepping back to visualize where I want it to go, lining the club up properly, and stepping the rest of my body in afterwards. I’ve got a little waggle thereafter that I should probably lose, but I’m locking my feet down, tilting slightly, keeping my hands lower [I used to have them too high], and bringing the club back to shake hands with the guy behind me. My shots are more purely struck and are going further. I’ll have to correct distances soon – my clubs are graphite now, and I have to re-adjust – but it’s a small price to pay for an improved stroke.
My 53 on the South Course’s “Sapphire” Course for the front 9 included an unfortunate snowman on 3 that saw me banging it from one bunker to another. I’m alright out of the sand if I remember to follow through and keep my head down, but the Adams Golf SW I’m using is new and untested. I lost a few balls to water and forest that day, but knocked it down to 48 on the back nine’s “Emerald” Course, which is an easier 9 holes [there's less water or trouble]. My drives are blocking right sometimes but aren’t slicing, and the Purefit DCV driver I’ve now got is getting me significantly more yardage. Overall I think I see the improvement over last year already, and while there’s a lot to work on, that’s just part of the game. One final improvement: Boom-Boom and I are writing and signing each other’s scorecards. I’d like to enter tournaments someday, so we may as well get in the habit.
Incidentally, Deer Creek is beautiful, and so is their clubhouse. The breakfast special’s pretty good, too, and so is the coffee.
- BC
First round post mortem…
Yes, the first round of the season is overwith and done for. Cold, wet, windy and any other superlative you want to add to weather that defines it as shitty.
As mentioned, played the South course at Deer Creek today with the BC, but sans Lukie. Could of used his green painted boat today, but there you have it.
First shot in anger today was a fat 5 wood that drifted right, but recovered nicely with a solid 5 iron to about 21 yards.
the BC had a 101 today, and even if he isn’t happy with it, and let’s face it, why would you be? he played some very good shots today, and playing with his PureFit DC Tour 450 today for the first time outside, he, in my opinion, hit it solidly. He also had some very nice shots towards the latter part of the round with the Nike Sasquatch 3 Wood.
He, I feel, had a solid start to the season and can build on several things from today.
I, on the other hand, played ok, wasn’t overly great off the tee, but hit some good approach shots, and didn’t skink any wedges off to the right.
We had a GPS in the cart today, and that was nice as it gave you yardages right to the pin, whether front back or middle, but as it was cart paths today, you only could get a rough idea. We also put the SkyCaddie SG2 into play today which gave us on the spot yardages to both the targets, and to the center. Really liked this tool, and look forward to getting some more use out of it as the season progresses.
So, all in all, a good first outing, the crappy weather notwithstanding.
Till we meet again,
Windmills ho!!
Boom-boom
