Results matching “golf”

The great thing about golf is that no matter how well you are playing, there is always some new personal record to be made. After hitting a couple of buckets on the driving range, and then chipping a bit, I head on up to the putting green. A bit drizzly and cold, but good climate for honing my short game. The goal is to complete one round of nine holes without a single three putt before being able to go home. Sometimes I make it through two rounds or two rounds and a bit before that disastrous three putt ends my dream of perfection. This afternoon was different, totally unexpected. Not two but three rounds without a single three putt, and a new world record to boot. When you think about it, that's quite a worthy accomplishment to feel proud about. Three times nine is twenty-seven holes times three balls per hole equals eighty-one attempts with only two putts and more often than not one putts. I didn't keep track of all of the one putts so not sure how many under I was but it was alot.

Where it all happened, the new world record.

The yearly Jong tegen Oud (young versus old) tournament took place for the second year. We the old fart golfers proved that we could beat those young whipper snappers.

My handicap has reached a new low of 4.1 despite a terrible score of 86 on Sunday after shooting an 81 and 77 on Saturday during the sixth Rijnmond Open.

I chose my 52-degree wedge, took the usual practice swings, and then I hit the ball crisply right on the sweet spot. The ball flew straight as an arrow with a nice high arc falling down wind directly at the flag. Right down the smoke stack as we used to say. Not sure how it missed the hole. Looking at the direct line between the ball mark at the front of the green and the ending position of the ball right behind the flag, it doesn't seem possible. Oh well, better luck next time.

The 14th hole at Liemeer

Rumor has it that a golfing maniac has escaped and is wreaking havoc on random golf courses.

Have you seen this person? If so then proceed with caution as he is armed with a sand wedge and dangerous.

Hurrah, I've qualified to play in the 3e NGF Maandbeker this Sunday at the Golfclub Cromstrijen. My lousy handicap has been slowly increasing so it's high time that I shoot another low score in order to bring my current handicap (4.6) down a couple of notches where it belongs.

Startlijst - 3e NGF Maandbeker op Cromstrijen
Aantal deelnemers - 55

Complete list.

Sunday, July 19
As it turns out, I had a stellar round with three birdies and no double-bogies and finished with a 75 which was 10th place. Not bad against all those youthful whippersnappers who can hit the ball a mile. I was by far the oldest one there, at least twice as old as the average player, and one of the players in my flight was nineteen years old believe it or not. Still a golfer who is young at heart.

Uitslag voor Heren - 3e NGF Maandbeker

Complete results.

Last week Friday afternoon it was an honor and a pleasure being able to play on De Pan which is one of the most prestigious golf courses in Holland.

Since I will be playing next week in the International Dutch Senior Open, I qualify for one free practice round. Normally the green fee is one hundred euros and you can only play if you are invited by one of the members.

Thirteenth hole par four at De Pan.

Hopefully next week I will play better than I have recently (pull my iron shots badly to the left or drive duck hooks off of the tee), but most importantly I will take the next few days to relax and prepare myself mentally.

This is how it all started, little did I realize the consequences of my carelessness.

Last week Thursday, I was late for the train home and ran as quickly as I could to try and catch it. Normally a brisk fifteen minute walk, I dashed at full speed and covered the same distance in half that time. This turned out not to be a very great idea. Carrying my heavy leather bag dangling from the right shoulder didn't help things out either. At the last possible moment when the train doors started to slide shut I hurled myself through the opening. My back was jerked out of place in a split-second forceful thud of gravity as my left foot landed inside. Oops and ouch.

Not being able to get out of bed is a bizarre and slightly frightful experience. Fortunately, I have a fantastic nurse for a wife who knows all the ins and outs of patient care, including the helping hands pulling me out of bed as well as the administration of the proper types and doses of pain killers.

Of course I was in complete denial. I'm alright just a little stiff is all. You see, all year long I had been looking forward so much to playing in this famous Rotterdam Open Golf Tournament. I was even entertaining exotic fantasies that I could very well win this thing, and was not about to let some stupid back problem get in my way.

Little did I know then that I'd never finish because of stupid back problems.

Didn't play that great, but considering the situation (could only swing with my arms with severely limited back rotation) I managed to make the cut by shooting a conservative 39+37=76 (one double bogie but no birdies).

That evening proved to be fairly unbearable, and even my macho brain had to give in to the pain. After all, you need to listen to your body's warning system and accept things once in awhile. Or not?

In the end, it was very hard for me to give in but I was forced to cancel the round with tears in my eyes. Let another happy and healthier soul from the reserve list take my place and appreciate it.

Next weekend is the second most important golf tournament of my golf club, and I do not want to risk missing that because of my being too hard-headed and stubborn.

Hopefully I can get out of bed tomorrow morning and make it to work.

Looks like I've qualified to be able to play in the International Dutch Senior Open this year.

The tournament will take place July 9 - 11 at the prestigious De Pan golfclub, one of the nicest golf courses in The Netherlands.

Here's the email invitation I received today:

Dear players,

Hereby you receive the participation list for the International Dutch Senior Open 2015 at Utrechtse Golfclub de Pan.

http://archief.ngf.nl/static/uploads/2015ngfwedstrijden/idsodeelnemers2015.pdf

We are looking forward to a great tournament!
Met vriendelijke groeten,
NEDERLANDSE GOLF FEDERATIE

Can't wait to play.

For some unknown and crazy reason, I have been unable to putt anymore. This has lasted a few months now, and no matter what I try I cannot shake it off. On average I miss two to four putts per round within just a couple feet. This is driving me crazy and I am desperate to discover what the root cause is. Yes I've got the putting yips and would give anything to find the cure. More than likely there is something loose in my head, some kind of mental block and nothing more. No matter how many extra hours I train on the practice green, it doesn't help at all. C'mon, just loosen up and relax. Stroke the ball confidently straight into the hole in one smooth pendulum-like motion. Do not doubt, just do stand up and address the ball like a man and do it. Time to fill my mind not with what I do not want the ball to do but what I want the ball to do.

Mantra: straight back, straight through and roll it into the middle of the hole.

Looks like it's back to getting up early again, well actually not that early. It's a great feeling having work and a new purpose in life. Much better than sleeping late and having nothing to do all day but golfing and hanging around the house. Tons of new stuff to learn, but like I always say proudly: I am never too old to learn new stuff.

Waiting for the train.

The total travel time is: 10 minutes by bike, 5 minutes wait for train, 40 minutes in the train plus 15 minute walk to the office equals 70 minutes, 40 minutes of which I can relax and read a book in the train, so not that bad I guess.

Walking from the train station to work.

Being so busy the whole day takes some getting used to, but I can really appreciate my free time now like enjoying the evenings and playing golf in the weekend. My golf game is suffering but let's stop taking this sport so seriously and enjoy it as an extra form of entertainment.

This is the building where I work.

Lately I am trying really hard to resist becoming too negative about my bad golfing days which is not always that easy.

Nowadays when someone asks me how it went, I answer politely that it went "een beetje moeizaam" rather than complaining that I played really lousy.

In the wonderful world of golf, it is important to keep your cool and not to let a bad day on the links get you down.

The trick is to remain as positive as possible, just like it is in real life. Try it and it will make you feel better.

This is what I saw through the windshield when I got into my car to head off to an early morning round of golf.

I was so struck by the beauty of the colors and the way the sunshine danced across the thin layer of ice that I had to take a picture of it.

One could almost say that it's a true masterpiece of art and sell the painting for millions of dollars.

However, we all know that the beauty of nature is priceless and no amount of money can ever do it justice. Just appreciate the fleeting moment while we can.

This weekend while rummaging through my old stuff which I saved all these years, I happened to come across a yellowing vanilla envelope in which I found this picture from the distant past. See if you recognize anyone in it.

Salinas High Golf Team 1974.

Those were the days my friend, and back then I had a blast playing the wonderful sport of golf with my friends. We were a pretty strong team and played well against the other posh high schools who thought they were so great.

This is my desk where I spent much of my life fiddling around behind my computer when I am not working or not on the golf course.

I cherish these golden tees and save them for very special moments. For example, an important golf tournament or a difficult and important tee shot on a par three.

Here are a number of very valuable tips that Chris (PGA Professional from Scotland) gave me during my golf lesson this morning. They worked so well that I will write them down now while they are fresh in my mind before I forget.

When addressing the ball:

• Ball a bit more forward
• Stance slightly open
• Posture straight up (not slouched over)
• Club face perpendicular and flat to the ground (not with heel)

When hitting the ball:

• On back swing drag club as low as possible
• Slide down through the ball from high and slightly outside
• Snap wrists at last possible moment before ball impact
• (Do not hit down on the ball but through it)
• After impact continue swing inside and upwards
• Complete with a high finish

"The reason for Tiger's fall is his ill-fated mythical quest for perfection..."

"There is a linear beauty to numbers that is simple and indisputable, and to someone as talented and as malleable and as addicted to perfection as Tiger, irresistible..."

"But the problem is, golf is not like that. It's not linear, it's abstract. It's not beautiful, it's messy."

"The mathematical-perfection trend in this game, which has Tiger by the throat and teachers in a tizzy, requires vigilant attention to swing mechanics, and that is not what this game is about. We need all of our sense to corroborate what we see and the imagination thrives on that information to help us create. That is the highest form of this game and is, perhaps above all else, what is beautiful about golf and sad about Tiger."

See: Woods' quest for perfection causing his downfall

For me golf is mostly mental and much less physical, meaning that a good player can overcome the bio-mechanical restrictions using the power of the mind. I am not only some mechanical contraption, there's a mind inside that thinks and plans and controls the future. Sure it's important to have a sound technical basis, but in the long run it is the mental game that will come through and lead to success. Just like in life.

Prijzen en winnaars van 2014

Tijdens de nieuwjaarsreceptie zijn er diverse prijzen uitgereikt op basis van behaalde resultaten in 2014. 

Nogmaals van harte proficiat aan al deze winnaars! 

Golfster en Golfer van het jaar 2014
* De winnaars zijn Lotte Hoekstra en Kiffin Gish. Zij ontvingen volgens traditie een greenfee van Serge Ray.

Birdie klassement 2014 
* De winnaars zijn Annemiek de Langen en Kiffin Gish.

Hans Kruis Bokaal 2014 
* De grootste verlaging in handicap is gerealiseerd door Lotte Hoekstra.

Over a period of nearly six months, consisting of several visits to the family doctor, some X-rays followed by more tests and an MRI scan, the results are finally official.

When I arrived at the doctor's office, he smiled and asked me if I was nervous. I answered no, but I was a bit afraid that after so much research they hadn't found anything. That perhaps it was all in my mind.

Don't worry he said, we definitely found something. That's when I started to get nervous. In the back of my mind, I feared that my golfing career was over. I'd have to relearn the sport from a wheelchair, and it would be frustrating.

Turns out that the diagnosis is a so-called a bone bruise. Like a normal bruise to the skin which turns black and blue, but this takes place inside of the bone tissue.

This is exactly what it looked like in the scan picture.

He showed me the pictures of the MRI scan, and indeed I could perceive quite clearly a whitish blob. Quite large I would say, as the pain was pretty much localized to a smaller almost pinpoint area. Unlike a normal skin bruise, this type of bruising is more painful and takes much longer to heal, up to six months or even a year. Excess fluid fills up within the bone tissue, and the body has to work extra hard drying to dissolve and remove this minor blood spill.

So I guess that's positive news. Just have to be patient and let nature take its normal course of healing slowly but surely. Now that it's winter, I do not need to play that much golf, maybe just hit balls on the driving range once in awhile and putt around. Trying to swing a club from a wheelchair would not have been easy.

I've been staring at this screen all day, it was supposed to be my day off. Trying to learn new stuff is really addictive sometimes. Especially when it's cold and raining outside, and I cannot play any golf.

This morning I had my appointment at Medinova Clinic which specializes in knee injuries in addition to a whole plethora of other sport-related problems.

They took several x-rays of my left knee: front, back, lying down, standing up, bent slightly. I wasn't that nervous until the female assistant asked me if I had been operated on before. Fortunately Marlies was there at my side and gave me comfort afterwards while we sat in the waiting room.

After nearly an hour, the orthopedic surgeon asked me into his office. He seemed like a nice guy and wanted to speak English to me (he thought I came from the UK). Turns out that there's 0.0% trace (nul comma nul) of any wear and tear. He showed me the x-rays and my bones looked perfectly sharp and smoothly formed, as if they had been created by a loving and perfect God only minutes before. What a relief.

He felt around my knee and made me move it around in various directions. Does this hurt? And this? How about if I do this? He was very quick and figured it out in no time. I think he had a very strong suspicion but was careful to give me the facts before there was proof.

Next step is to get an MRI scan done since the x-rays had not shown anything visible. It is more than likely an issue with the outside of my meniscus, some slight injury there which refuses to recover fully.

So what's the prognosis? The doctor couldn't say and needed more data from the scan. Probably arthroscopic surgery to repair the meniscus if possible. Something loose, a minute tear, who knows what.

This is what Diclofenac looks like

For the time being, my daily dosage of Diclofenac will keep me going. It's a miracle drug which nearly kills off all pain completely.

Next week the MRI scan and the week after that the doctor's conclusion. Fortunately it's winter and freezing cold, so if I need to take a break from golf for a couple weeks it won't be such a sacrifice.

This is the manly tale of those four fine souls who in search of some form of immortality spent the day at The Dutch fighting it out for LAST PLACE. Who could have ever predicted what would happen?!

The two Future-Famous-Americans (Michael and Kiffin) took up arms and made battle with the Double-Dutchies (Onno and Patrick). Nothing could have been more exciting. On the first tee, these golfing warriors were primed up to plug it out to the very end. To be remembered in the annals of golfing history, next to Ben Hogan and the rest.

After the first two holes it was all square just buddies with buddies, but after that all hell broke loose. Highlighted by an amazing birdie putt by Mike on the sixth hole, the streak of excellence put the American heroes at no less than six up after eight holes, and then five up at the turn. No problem though, just coasting along.

That's when Patrick started using those mental/abusive vocal tactics that have made him a notorious player in the past. He opened his mouth (again) and started rambling endlessly, on and on about the Zwarte Piet controversy which occupies Dutch newspapers and radio shows, how it's a fine tradition ad infinitum.

It has absolutely nothing to do with golf, I know. But seeing how emotional and irritated Kiffin had become (strongly against Zwarte Piet which is a colonial hangover that needs to be abolished immediately just like the royal family), Patrick kept saying it's okay to be racial by dressing blacked-faced idiots in crazy slave outfits, it's all in good taste for the kids so that's alright.

During important shots or difficult putts that Kiffin was put under pressure to make, Patrick blabbed out something like: it's just a children's game, they get black from chimney ash, it has nothing to do with slavery, in America they shoot blacks on the street, etc. Yes, his strategy was starting to work on the opponents who were unraveling. This Patrick guy is sneaky but clever!

By the fifteenth hole the Double-Dutchies had slowly but surely made an amazing comeback. They were all square with the (now) El-Sucko Americans. All dormie with only three holes to go, what were the chances? I mean really?! Hope Patrick doesn't mention Zwarte Piet again, he seems to have forgotten. The Dutchies win on sixteen and then they do the same on seventeen, getting pretty exciting. Dormie with only one more hole to go.

Last hole for the symbolic last stretch. Everyone pulls the ball left except for Kiffin who as "always" splits the fairway in half with an amazing drive heard round the world, 250 meters give or take. Michael then also knocks a sweet hybrid down the middle. Onno and Patrick hack and fumble their way forward from rough to sandtrap to rough again. Things do not look good for them at all. Like taking candy from a baby.

Ho hum, history is quite unpredictable in more ways than one. Forget about the annals of golfing history. Camera zooms in and the public is silent. Kiffin hits a five iron into the water, then Michael fluffs an easy wedge into the water again. Two measly looking splashes and they are on the green in seven. Patrick and Onno are on the green in five end up winning the hole with a double-bogie which is no match for the quadruple bogie.

All in all we are happy to announce that there is no absolute loser anymore, there never was and there never will be. We pulled off the impossible and are tied at 1-1. We proudly cherish our single point which no one can take away from us anymore!

From left to right: Onno, Kiffin, Michael and Patrick.

Hitting my hybrid on the driving range during evening practice.

A wooden bench where you can rest and prepare yourself mentally before hitting your drive on the most difficult twelfth hole of the golf course (how very appropriate I would think).

I'm honored and privileged to be part of this fine group of top-notch golfers again. We have a challenging golf season ahead of us. We will practice hard and put our utmost into being the best of the best winning as many matches as possible. The upcoming golf season will be a fun and exciting at the same time.

Inspirational words hanging on the men's restroom wall at The Dutch.

With three lousy double bogies on the front nine, any hopes I might have had for winning this prestigious tournament went straight down the drain.

Not that I was playing that poorly. My ball striking was pretty good most of the time. Unfortunately, I had some bad luck at the worst possible moments on some of the easiest holes, ironically enough. The most difficult holes I parred. No birdies though. That's what golf is all about.

I ended up shooting: 45 + 38 = 83. I was 19th out of 55, better luck next year.

In a previous post I complained about knee problems. Since then it has only been getting worse and worse. Now I limp around like an old man, and the pain is becoming so unbearable that I am starting to have serious concerns.

Rather than walk up the stairs I have to climb up each step by lifting myself with my arms. Going down the stairs is even more difficult, only possible one small step at a time.

Tomorrow morning I will go to the doctor and let him have a look. Curious what he has to say. Hope I don't have to go to the hospital for an examination.

There are still three golf tournaments left this year that I would really like to play in. Not to mention the few times I'm invited to play with others. Out of precaution I bailed out of a fun tournament for this weekend.

Maybe I just need some rest, but it's difficult for me being weak and giving up. I'm worried that by not practicing enough my game will go down the tube. Putting and chipping shouldn't be a problem though.

I was putting really great the previous two weeks. However, when I saw Sergio Garcia on television shoot a 27 for nine holes with his fancy new Super Stroke grip, I had to get one too.

This was done on a stupid whim. I saw it in the drawer when the pro opened it. Why take the risk of changing when my putting had been amazingly good? I was regularly sinking ten meter plus putts and within four feet I never missed. I agree that twenty-two euros is a bit much for a piece of rubbery plastic, but what the heck. It looked good too.

My new putting grip.

So it turns out that although I was all excited to try it out the next day, my putting was abominable. Not even close, I felt handicapped and I had lost all of my confidence. It was like I was yielding a baseball bat wearing thick woolen winter gloves, that's how much touch I had lost.

By nature I persevere and kept trying no matter what. If Sergio could do it then I could do it also. Day after day but no luck. My putting sucked.

Then I remembered something I had done when I was a young golfer. Back then I also had a ping putter, one of the originals. Once during a dry spell I was desperate for anything no matter how superstitious. I took some black tape and right at the center of gravity I wrapped a single turn of black tape around the shaft. Right where I could see it during every putt. It gave me focus and when I started sinking putts again I regained confidence.

Black tape at the center of gravity.

That's what I did again. And believe it or not it works. My putting is back and I can strike the ball pure, sending it dead straight right into the hole. Not quite at the level I was before I put on the new grip, but I am getting there.