Golfstat, Tracking Your Game – Part I

On By Menno ZachariasIn ScoringLeave a comment

It’s unfortunate but here in southern Manitoba our golf season is nearing the end.

I’m thinking perhaps another ten games or so before the courses close.

There is however one thing I’m looking forward to.

As mentioned in a previous post it was my intention to record some basic stats relative to my game using the Golf Canada Game Tracker.

This past season I entered every game I played using the hole by hole input screen and enhanced the data input slightly by using the ‘stats’ feature.  I did not record all the statistical categories available, just some of the basics like putts and fairways hit.

Entering such basic information provides you with a wealth of data as calculated by the statistical program.  It provides your average putts per round, putts per hole, average putts on a given hole, average score on a given hole, fairways in regulation, greens in regulation, scrambling and bounce backs.

Once the season is officially over I intend to review the data and write one or more posts that provide a breakdown of how the year went, and hopefully how the data generated can be used to identify potential areas for improvement.

An offer they could not refuse

On By Menno ZachariasIn Playing the GameLeave a comment

At this time of the year, when all the competitions are concluded golfers at times need an incentive to spice up their games or just to keep their interest up.

In my case I’m now north of 110 games played for the season and unless there is something on the line my interest tends to wane and at times I suffer from lapses of concentration on the course.

Playing for something (money) no matter how small the amount can get everyone back in the game.

On the first tee this morning I made my three golf partners and offer the could not refuse.  I proposed that we play my ball against their best ball.  My handicap is 4 and they are all in the 10-12 range, and pretty solid players.  Needless to say they accepted the proposal.

Things did not start out well for me.  I bogied the first hole and lost the next two to birdies.  By the time we got to the 9th hole I was four down, so naturally I used my front nine press and was fortunate to win the 9th hole with a par to cut my front nine losses.

I played better on the back nine and managed several clutch putts to par holes for ties on the back nine.  The long and the short of it was that when we reached 18, I was two up on the back.  Now it was their opportunity to press and they did.  We tied 18 with pars so the press was a tie.

It ended up they won the front and the 18, I won the front nine press and the back nine so no money changed hands.  However, all of us were invested in the game and the outcome for all 18 holes and if was an enjoyable and challenging match.

I’m hoping we do this again.  I fully understand my odds of winning are not great but it was an enjoyable challenge.

You have got to play Quarry Oaks

On By Menno ZachariasIn Golf Courses1 Comment

mark-quarry-oaks

A couple of days ago a message popped up in my promotions tab with a great offer from Quarry Oaks.  The offer was the twilight rate ($42.50) with cart but starting at 1230 in the afternoon.

I sent out a message to some fellow golfers and was quickly able to get a foursome together.

We played yesterday (2016-08-24) with a tee off of 12:38.

I’ve played Quarry Oaks many times over the years and every time I do I lament that fact that it’s located east of Steinbach, and I live in Winnipeg.  It’s the type of course that were it closer to a major population center would attract a high volume of golfers.  It is the type of course (if it were closer to where I live) I would be a member of.

Why you ask, what so good about Quarry Oaks?  Here are but a few reasons:

  1.  Variety.  Three very distinctive 9’s that offer significantly different views and challenges.
  2. Well conditioned tee boxes, fairways and greens.
  3. Interesting carries over waste areas and water.
  4. Undulating greens that are challenging yet fair (if you put the ball in the right spots).
  5. Friendly staff and superb service.

There are many more reasons but you probably get the drift.

I’ve often said to golfing friends from Ontario:  if Quarry Oaks were located in Ontario people from Toronto would gladly drive 1 or two hours and pay well over $100.00 to play a round of golf on a course that provided the experience Quarry Oaks offers.

If you have never played the course, or have not played it recently you need to get out there.  It’s the type of layout you need to play several times a year even if you don’t live in the immediate area.  It’s that good!