Worth the Wait and Better Than Work

I finally got out on the course. It was an awesome day. It had been pretty cold, for southern California. I had the day off, the kids were back in school and my wife was at work. The weather man said the next day the temperatures would drop again. So, I really wanted to get a round of golf in. Besides, I had got a new approach wedge that I was itching to try out. 

First, I went to Alondra Golf course because I thought it would be easiest to get on as a single. Sure enough, they were having a tournament. So, I went to Los Verdes Golf Course and put my name on the list. It was about nine when I got there. I got a small bucket of balls to warm up. Then I went to the putting green and tried to work on long puts and three footers. The thing about Los Verdes is that it's on a bit of a peninsula. Well, you know the saying that the ball will break toward the ocean. At Los Verdes the ocean is on three sides! Yes, putting can be an adventure.

Ten o'clock and eleven o'clock and everyone seemed to be showing up. I was about to go home when they finally called my name. Just before noon, I was finally on the first tee, trying not to slice the ball into the next zip code. 

I judge my round of golf by my Better Than Work score system. Although I was a little frustrated with my putting, it was a pretty good day on the links. I ended up with three very good parters. One was a lawyer who was representing a few guys earlier that morning. I guess he got done early. The other two gentlemen were retired and wanted to know why I wasn't at work. No one took themselves too seriously. That said, I'd have to say my playing partners score was a 3. The weather was just about perfect, so that's a 3. The course was in excellent condition so I go with a 3 there too. My total number of good shots was about 30. I didn't quite break 100 which is sort of my goal at this time, but, outside of one hole of chipping back and forth over the green and some putts that broke with a mind of their own, it was a very fun round. I parred the last hole as the sun was setting and darkness was closing in. It's always nice to end well. My total Better Than Work score was 39. Better than last time, and better than work. 

The view from the 18th after pulling my ball out of the cup for a par.

Partners: 3
The Weather: 3
The Course: 3
Total number of good shots: 30
Total Better Than Work Score: 39






The 19th hole: The only soar note of the day was that I locked my keys in the trunk of my car while talking with one of the fellas I golfed with. I had to wait for my wife to come with her key to my car so luckily I was only about 20 minutes from home. 

Review: Diamond Tour Golf Inazone Belly Putter

Inazone Belly Putter

I have wanted to try a long putter for quite awhile, so, when Diamond Tour Golf  had a great deal on a belly-putter I jumped on it. Normally their Inazone Belly Putter usually goes for $49.99, but it was on sale for $19.99. 

Colin the representative called me back after I placed the original order because the grip I had was a normal grip and would be too short. He recommended a Wynn long grip. He even ran down to the club maker's room and measured it for me. Absolutely outstanding service! 

When the putter was delivered, right on schedule, I tried it out around the house.  It was a little longer than I thought it would be, about three inches past my belly-button. But, I just hold the grip thumb up, resting it on my belly and use my right hand to swing the putter like a pendulum. I don't have to bend over at all, and on a true belly putter I would. Since I hurt my lower back many moons ago, bending over to putt eventually is just painful. No more bending over to putt for me.

Since I don't think I'll be turning pro any time soon so I am not worried about the no anchoring rule. I just want to enjoy playing golf.

Fresh Out of the Box!

Now, back to reviewing the putter. I played a game and it played better than I had hoped. Very good feel, feedback and playability. On the long putts I was able to hit consistent and smooth puts. On short putts it performed awesome. Being able to stand in the same position consistently, pain free, made it easier to hit better shots. My buddy said, "You're deadly from two, three feet!" I think I three putted twice all day. I holed one long putt, about twelve feet for a birdie. The rest were a lot of long putts to get it close and then bury it! 

The only putt that it didn't perform well on was putt just off the green. I wasn't able to manufacture a chipping swing with it. I still could hit it and hit it hard, just not with a chipping motion. 

I will give the Inazone Belly Putter five stars for looks, playability and value. If you are tired of bending over and adjusting your stance to deal with your back, this may the club for you. 

Here's a link to Diamond Tour Golf http://www.diamondtour.com/golf-sale/clone-golf-club-sale/golf-club-putter-sale/inazone-belly-putter.html.

Sand and Skylinks, Better Than Work

It was a beautiful day and a great day for golf. I had a new putter and some new irons that we're itching to be played. I met up with a buddy of mine from work at Skylinks Golf Course in Long Beach. We played the whites with another couple of fellas. 

Like the name of the blog implies, I am not a scratch golfer, so my goal was to break a hundred. I blew up the first hole with an seven on a par four so it didn't look good. The second hole, a par five got me for a triple bogie eight. I needed to calm down and just have some fun. I got into a rhythm and except for another triple on four  I shot a string of bogies, which is good for me, to end the front nine. 

I normally do ok getting out of the sand but that day I couldn't get out in less than four! So, four times in the bunker was a bit painful and tough on the old score card.

I am going to post reviews for my new putter and irons, so I will only say that I am very pleased with both. As my lovely wife likes to say,  I chose well.

Now let's get down to the Better Than Work score. http://notascratchgolfer.blogspot.com/2012_09_01_archive.html is the link to my original    Better Than Work post. It's short but explains the concept well. My partner was great even trying to steer me away from the bunkers I just couldn't seem to stay out of. And the twosome we played with took good natured ribbing and artful sarcasm to new levels. "Great shot! Nice par!" dripped with "sincerity". For partners I call it a three.

The weather was just shy of perfect, warm with a little breeze, I give it a three. For the course I'll throw down a three because it was well kept, challenging and not too crowded.

My total number of good shots was about 23, not bad. I think I need to do a better job of noting how many good shots I was able to pull off. So here goes...

Partners: 3
The Weather: 3
The Course: 3
Total number of good shots: 23
Total Better Than Work Score: 32

I can't wait to get out and play again, it's Better Than Work.

Farewell to the Shamrocks

It was about twenty years ago I decided it was time to move up from the entry level of clubs I had been using. I went to a place in Pasadena that I am not sure even still exists. I think it was called Shamrock golf. The staff was helpful and let me try several different iron sets.  I ended up with a set of their own set with graphite shafts. I used those "Shamrock cavity backed irons" up till today. I regripped them once with Ping whites.  They have served me well. But, it's time to pass them down to my son and buy some news ones for myself. 

My wife used to work at a medical equipment distributor in town and they had a little 3 par company tournament. I was paired with

the President of the company which made my wife nervous because she is never sure of what's going to come out of my mouth.  We ended up winning and I was closest to the hole on one of the prize holes and won a nice hat. It was a nine iron if my memory serves me right. 

After my youngest pair of kids were born I didn't get much golf in for a few years but every time I was able to get out the course those irons were there ready to take a shellacking as I hacked my way around the course. And as I have been able to get out on links and hook and slice my way around they just keep going. Now as my youngest son is able to go out with me on the smaller courses I think they will nurture him along.  

Sand, Geese and Still Better Than Work

My ability to turn a birdie into a bogie and a par into a double bogie       is nothing short of mediocre. I haven't been able to be out on the links for a few months, so I was happy to squeeze in a round. 

The weather was OK, in the high 60's, and a bit windy, and I was happy to take a whack at that little white dimpled ball. The greens were being aerated so there was a few alternate greens and sand all over the most of the others. It was a bit like putting on the beach with a few less dunes. I suppose I can use that as my excuse for turning so many opportunities for par putts into bogies and double bogies. 

The course is located next to a park that borders several holes on the back nine. Apparently a small flock of geese decided to make the park their home. I love nature and all, but, the sounds of geese honking while you are teeing off can be a bit annoying. Remarkably they seemed to honk just as I started on my back swing! I don't notice any rules prohibiting a gun in your bag...

I did decide to make a purchase after this little day on the beach. It wasn't a gun nor was it a shovel and I am happy with my current sand wedge. That will be another post.

Now for the Better Than Work Score ( http://notascratchgolfer.blogspot.com/2012/09/better-than-work-score.html ):

Partner(s): 3 ( Very nice gentlemen who played with a nice pace)

Course: 1

Weather: 2

Number of good shots: 12

Total = 18

Better Than Work

Yesterday was the first time I was able to get out and golf in way too long! The weather was awesome here in SoCal. My condolences to those of you who live in a climate where golfing would of required airfare. Which leads me to my playing partners, one of which was from the mid-west and getting in a round this time of year can involve many layers of clothing if the course is open.

I had just enough time to hit a half of bucket of balls, which was good because I was a bit rusty and no one likes to hit a worm burner on the first hole. So when I pulled it to the left and accidentally cut the dog leg out I was pretty happy. It's better to be lucky than good, right?

I had a modest goal of first playing under double bogey ball and second being breaking one hundred. As is my custom I had two blow up holes where I just could find the cup. I saw a great post with the Dos Equis most interesting man in the world. the caption was, "I don't always get on in two, but when I do I make sure and three putt." I kept to the creed and turned a few birdies into bogeys. In the end I played under double bogey ball but didn't quite break one hundred.

Now for the Better Than Work Score (see early post):
Partner(s):  3
Course:  3
Weather:  3
Number of good shots:  12
Total = 21

All and all it was a great day of golf!

FATHER AND SON TIME, BETTER THAN WORK OR SCHOOL

This my friends is what life is all about! I've been looking forward to this moment for awhile now. Yesterday, my youngest son and I went golfing and it was great! The day was beautiful, mid 70s and a slight ocean breeze. The Sea Aire Golf Course in Torrance is a short little pitch and putt that is good for young golfers who can take their time trying to figure things out and it is an excellent place to work on your short game.

I've been trying out the Callaway Warbird 2-piece golf balls. I tried them because I am not a scratch golfer and I don't need balls that will spin. The last thing I need is balls that will increase my slice or hook! I could use a little extra distance though. I normally hit about 50 some odd yards with my 56⁰ wedge. I tried to move my hands quicker through the middle of my swing and I hit it over the fence into somebodies house at least 80 yards. I can't wait to try it on a regulation course with my driver and 3-wood. 

Back to my son. A few years ago he participated in the LA County Junior Golf program. We bought him a set of clubs and he's only used them a few times so it was nice that they still fit him, especially since he's a lefty. The first few holes were a bit rough but he worked his way through it all and started to make a few good shots that he was really happy with. You know that feeling when you hit the ball just right? It sounds good, feels good and looks good. That's what make you come back for more. That's what I saw in his eyes and the little fist pump with a smile. 

Now for the Better Than Work Scores! For my son I will call it the Better Than School Score. 

My son: Better Than School Score

Partner:                                      3

Course:                                      2

Total number of good shots:     5

Weather:                                    2

Total Score =                           12

My Score: Better Than Work Score

Partner:                                      3

Course:                                      2

Total number of good shots:    10

Weather:                                    3

Total Score =                           18

All in all it was a great day on the little links.