You know... you all got me to thinking... so today I actually counted off my backswing. (It's sometimes advised you can use a "count," to sort of pace your tempo.) For example: 1... start swing, 2... into the backswing, 3... forward swing!!!... Well.., I decided today to try this, so I began my swing, and began counting............. 1, 2., 3.., 4.., 5.... (top of backswing...) 6... forward swing, 7/8... finish, (9,10,11... pose for pictures...) Anyway, it takes me a looong time from start to finish; that's just plain undeniable. If I was better able to multi-task, I could also bring a book...

Today met a buddy for 9 at Roosevelt in the afternoon. We hit range balls, played 9, had 4 beers, and played again. We finished our discount twilight round before dark (well, complete dark, at least.) After the sun sets... it definately becomes more a game of "feel." I played mostly bogey golf today, missed one par putt after another... Only a fortunate few went in, and I really really really really really really really really really really hate missing short putts.

I think short putt's are so difficult, because the closer we get to the hole... the closer we get to the actual space between our ears... which can become increasingly immense, with the concept of "relativity of space," as Euclid, Poincare, or Einstein would agree; having ever faced a short putt, or not.

Dunno, Wade, maybe your new book, "Wackadoo," should be a philosophy of golf book rather than a technique manual.

Watch out though. That Wackadoo book counting might be a little different: 1-2, buckle my shoe... 3-4, shut the door... 5-6, pick up sticks...

I LOVE IT! DocT, that was stellar.

Wade, you need a short memory on short putts...unless you make them...just see the hole, commit to a line and stroke it. If it goes, it goes. If not learn from it.

That's at least what I'm trying to train myself to do. They don't always fall but when they start, man it's a great feeling.

"Late breaking news..." today I played in the Roosevelt tournament, and scored well enough to WIN the A-Flight (I won low net score in the A-group which is lowest handicaps); and though not up to my personal standard's, it was good enough for today! Shot 39/+6 over par... but w/ handicap of 6 it means... I shot par 33, and won by 2 strokes. I also won fewest putt's, with 14. One of my group was 2nd place, and he dbl'd the last hole...so I may have skated from a play-off... And the icing on the cake, when I arrived to check in, I was told they still owed me money for 2nd place last month... so, that covered my entree fee today!

I dbl bogey'd the 8th hole/which is also the most difficult handicap hole of all Southern CA municipals, when the tee's are back... as they are for our tournaments, unfortunately. It's a killer. Imagine a very long narrow tree-lined escape (then cut that in HALF...) and your target is 220yds uphill (after you clear the trees) for a blind dog-leg right, to a downhill, heavily bunkered green. If you go long or left-- you're doomed. I tee'd off with my 16* hybrid, and almost cleared all the tree's... but it faded into some far one's on the hill. So I hit a provisional... but found the 1st ball. Facing a low punch approx. 130yds under tree's to have a clear approach. Clipped a limb... dropped. Had to now just chip over the hill/bushes for position; and now hitting 4... so, 125 yds to flag-- I land in the sand... but hit a great sand shot out for an easy putt... but for 6 on par 4... At least made par on 9, and they served us lunch. So I won A-Flight low net, and fewest putts. Very happy indeed.

And I needed it, because yesterday was difficult. Played 18 @ Wilson with my friend from last week, and our WIND ROUND FROM HELL.... well, what luck... we had another day FULL of high winds and strong gusts; sometimes our ball would move on the green before we putted. It just wreaked havic on our round. The wind fools with my mind too, so it becomes head-game as well as head-winds... Anyway, I scored 91... but it felt even worse, and it was the kind of day where I found myself thinking, ("maybe I'm not quite as good as I thought I was...???") But I knew wind was a factor, and it was my 2nd round in 2 wks in such crazy winds. SO I was "kinda" hoping for today's tournament that it would be very WINDY, so I'd already be primed! Well, it was sunny and calm... (and I'm not complaining,) and it's probably why I played fairly well today; everything just felt "easier." I have to say, after the battle with yesterday's winds, today felt rather effortless. So either way, it worked out. So far since joining last year I've placed 6 times, with (2) 1st's, (2) 2nd, and (2) 3rd. It really feels good to see your practice come to fruit.

Congrats, Wade! But then, I already knew you won since you called me at work today with the good news.

Keep it up, and give me a 4-stroke/hole handicap next time we play.

BTW everyone, hot dogs on Wade! I believe he also said, "All you can eat!"

mmmm... I would love to be covered with hot-dogs! So if that's what you mean-- let it rain, let it pour!!! Otherwise, "Nah..., wat's up Doc..?"

I did finally have a hot-dog yesterday (and a Sapporo) at the turn. It was just the boost and balm I needed to battle the winds into the back-9. Today I had nothing but raisins (and Monster) before the tournament. I was so hungry coming in from the round, that I felt light-headed for a moment. Then I had chicken, pasta salad, slaw, fruit-salad, lemon-bread, and beer(s.) Felt much better. Stopped at Los Feliz for a quick 9 on my way home, but that's all for now... I'm a little tired. So I feel satisfied, fully fed on golf for now, *at least* until tomorrow... (meeting an old friend at Los Feliz...)

Awesome, Wade!

Wade, you're playing today? Weather forcast is for t-storms lasting several hours! Don't forget your rain gear!

Ok, here in the Carolina's it was a beautiful day....too bad I got stuck at work. Did make it out to the range tonight with my daughter. Being the first time I've picked up a club since the drubbing I got last weekend, I can't complain. Hit some really good wedges and worked on tempo and making a full shoulder turn. i keep coming back to the fact that I get lazy and don't fully turn. Something I HAVE to keep working on . Also started to experiment with the bump and run with a 9I around the green. Still have much more confidence with my wedges but I have an idea of how far the 9I goes when I use it, which helps. And did some practice with hitting a wedge lefthanded as if I was up against a tree. That worked ok too I must say. So all and all I must say it was a good trip.

My daughter had a big time too hitting some balls, drinking the soda, playing in the sand trap...So all and all it was a good experience. I'd love to play this weekend but I'm working all weekend...so Wade, I'll be living vicariously through you again.....

Invited by a friend to round out the fouresome today, 10am tee, Scholl Canyon. Yesterday was rain, and tomorrow another system blows in. Today was nice, a little cool, some wind; but good golf weather.

My friend and I stayed to play another 18, for $10. w/cart... so out again we went. It's a par 60 course, in the mountains, and it's fun and challenging. 1st round: 70 (+10) / 2nd round: 69 (+9) Only lost 2 balls all day, not bad for 36 holes at Scholl Canyon... so we had a great time. My friend, Matt, shot his best rounds ever. He's coming on strong, and has such a natural looking swing (his dad is a 5 handicap) but he's only been serious for a couple years. He shot 77/72, so he was only 10 strokes off from me.

I had 5 birdies, 3 dbl's, and 2 triple's (lost balls) in 36 holes, so that ain't so bad. Plus, we were kind of kick'n back, sipp'n sud's; and the green's have been recently aerated, so putt's were bumpy hit & miss, and rather slow, (which actually helped offset the severe slopes sometimes...) This is the course/club where Jason Gore's coach teaches. Vast city views, and you can hit from grass at the range.

Finally took time to play some golf today. Played Querencia

http://www.loscabosquerencia.com

Hit the ball fairly well today. Can't tell you my score. It's a secret. I'm tuning up for GRR in Denver.
But I can tell you this, Querencia is a great Tom Fazio design and it's a tough course to score on. Under 90 is good. Under 80 really good and under 75 is rockin'.

I know all of you are into finesse wedges and putting and don't care about hitting great tee shots, but I hit a 321 yd. par four off the tee today. When you get to be my age, that's Pure Smoke.

Playing Cabo del Sol tomorrow AM. http://www.cabodelsol.com/content/golf_ocean.html

I'm hoping I can get ready for you all by Sept.

Uh! GGR

Dang, that's impressive!

Not to take any credit from the Indian, just curious: did you use the same driver you used the last time you reported a 300+ drive?

Mom and I played scramble against Dad yesterday. I could usually outdistance her, and she's got a good short game, so it was fun.

Always use the same clubs (until I replace them). Meaning, I never experiment with different clubs unless I intend to replace something. So, yes, it's the same driver, a 905R Titleist, 9.5 degree, with a stiff UST 75gr. V2 shaft. In fact, I was with Don and Wade when I purchased the driver. Have used the same irons and wedges for the last 5 years.
Every once in awhile, I have a moment when I can't feel the pain and the ball flies off the clubhead. Most of the time I feel fortunate if my ball flies past 200 yds. off the tee.

Bill, what do you mean "have a moment when I can't feel the pain?" And BTW, nice on the Pure Smoke Drive! Maybe I should demo a 905R?

Yesterday at Scholl Canyon, I didn't even take my driver. Longest hole is 289 yds, but you don't go for the green, at least with your "new ball..," because it's uphill dog-leg right "over a canyon" to an elevated green. I did drive one 259 yd green-fringe, with my 3w, for an easy up & down birdie. But I'm looking for a new driver now, and will be trying several in the next few weeks. Have enjoyed my Cobra 414 Comp, 9 degree, Aldila NV 65-Stiff for over 3 years now, but curious about MacTec NVG2, and maybe now Titleist 905R... Also need new golf shoes that will hold cleats... how can you set up to smoke one/wack-a-doo, if you're afraid your feet might slip???

I played Cabo Real today and hit the ball fairly decent, again. Can't tell you what I shot because I'm still getting ready for you at GGR. Won a hotdog, BTW.

Played in 3 hours this AM so time passed by quickly. But as I said before, "time flys like an arrow and Fruit Flies like bananas."

Missed a couple of shots today. Strangely, on those shots I missed, I noticed I was thinking about hitting 4 inches past the ball, what strategy to use on the hole, my tempo, not lunging, my left arm, my swing plane, rather or not to ground my club at address, should I bump and run it to the hole and how to let the ball get in my way, er I mean in the way of my swing.
I can't believe, with all those great thought patterns in my head, I missed those shots. GO FIGURE!

Ode to Bill and his secrets: 'We dance round in a ring and suppose, while the secret sits in the middle and knows.' --Robert Frost, The Secret Sits

Bill may or may not be kidding about those swing thoughts... may or may not... may, or... may not. Well, what I mean is, he may, or may not, be kidding.

In any case, for you excessive swing thinker's out there...

"Stop thinking and your problems will disappear." -- Lao Tzu

"Start drinking and your problems will disappear." --Lush As Shih Tzu

Bill, that's an awesome drive....was it downhill and windy on a hard dry course? Thats about the only way I'd get one that long.

Yes it was windy.
...In my face....
Soft, heavy dew..
.....uphill......

I'm kidding.

Look at the 7th hole on the Querencia website.
No wind BTW.

YOU DA MAN BILL!!!!! I'm kidding...

Windy front 9 today, as we played Harding. The wind died down the back 9, and it was sunny and cool. Nothing new about my wind-play today, not enough learning from my recent 2 windy rounds... So I sent a few to the mercy of the wind, and it's indeed a cruel master. Not going to tell you what I scored;
we can keep secrets now, ask Bill. Unless you want another topic like "How Was Your secret Round?"
But until then, my secret's in the wind.

81 - 74

jokes, hoax, coax... word's that rhyme with STROKES