Nick goes zzzz in Anguilla - life happens!

Been 3 weeks since the last blog - been to NYC and Anguilla on vacation - so there goes the golf and physical training....back a few steps but maybe ahead quite a few??? Let me explain.....

I played the only course on Anguilla - Cuisenart (was called Temenos until they went bust in 2009)...played it twice on a free account with Thomson Reuters CEO circle - thanks my wife!!

Anyway I won longest drive with a hit of 285yards - nice shot into a strong right to left wind on the 18th hole...

The course is tough but the scramble format allows our 3 ball to shot a 66 and be counted out to 3rd place. Took in $375 in spa vouchers  -- nice...very nice - got enough sun protection for next 2 years!!

So back home in South Africa now and really appreciating South African golf course prices - Cusineart is $300 which includes $60 golfclub hire...ouch...R2400 a game is really out there.

So the plan for April is to get to a 2 handicap by end of April and these are the goals:

1. Play 5 rounds which knock out all the 77 and higher rounds - need 3 X 74 or better to get into this zone - focus will be on GIR target 12 to 14 greens and putting stats to average 30 or lower.
2. Stregthen core and back and do all the biokenetic exercises for shoulder knee and ankles.
3. Picked up 2kgs living on Pyrat rum and 5 meals a day - time to break 80 in this category! Current weight 82.6kg - target 79.0kg
4. take care of business - Target one global golf training aid supplier and create a distribution relationship for SA. To do list - import duties to be researched - get demo of product - research patents and sart storing list for future.
5. Practise putting on my own putting green! - 3 hours a week.
6. Use system54 - think box to play box
7. Analyse each round and grade each shot - identify what shots are hurting me score wise and grind them out!

Last comment - attitude dictates altitude - try harder, be smarter and network better

The road may be unknown and bumpy......aka bandaids on bandaids

So the Telkom PGA Pro Am is washed out (we played 15 holes though) and sadly I was kind of happy not to return a score in the low 80's today.

The good:

>>Darren Fichard our Pro was awesome solid and should have a great week ahead - all the best for the Euro efforts from March onwards. The straightest ball I have seen hit in some time!
>>Telkom Business event was immaculate and thanks goes out to all the people behind the scenes to run a large golf day - Well done.
>> Johannesburg Country Club - A long track in great condition given the heavy rains in Joburg of late - need to keep to the short stuff to ensure par or better this week.
>> Prize giving - unlucky draw for me and partners but enjoyed @DanNicholl for his usual wit
>> My driver swingspeed was definitely over 110mph today, however very inconsistent striking led to many dropped shots.
>>Range routine went great and hit all shots solid - PW, 6I, 3W, DR need to carry this feel onto course

The bad:

>>4 double drops - simple bad mistakes of hitting the wrong bad shot at the wrong time - not focused on task, bit nervous i guess.
>> Range of mistakes pulls, slightly fat irons and some pushes all for a mixed bag hard to place bandaids on bandaids and get a consistent flight pattern today.
>> Lacked playbox focus
>> Lacked drive to grind it out when i made mistakes
>> Recovery shots not close enough
>> Course Management - hit driver off 14 driving holes - think more positioning off tee

The Ugly:

2 fat shots and shank (i think was a patridge in a pear tree was next!)

Week 1 focus now on:

>>Overall routine into the shot - more feel and visualization less technical thoughts
>> Chipping with PW SW LW - need to build confidence from rough and tight lies
>> Protip today - right foot turned in too much restricting turn - fan out right foot for better turn and timing thru the ball
>> Putting - work on distance control over 20 foot putts
>>Irons - strike more consistently after the ball - find the bottom of the swing and manage head position awareness.
>> READING: Play your best golf ever Club 54 system

I am dedicated to getting back to scratch by end of May and today was a lesson in patience and the need for a quiet mind to focus on my game/every shot 100% regardless of where or whom I play with.

PS physical side - working with Biokinetist for strengthening ankles, clicking knee and tight shoulder rotator cuffs on left side.

Week 1 - Play with a pro and pick his brain

Very lucky to be drawn to play with Darren Fichard tomorrow at the Telkom PGA proam tournament courtesy of a previous Proam alliance win last year at Centurion Country Club.

Playing off a 4 handicap tomorrow at 10-45am.

Target stats for tomorrow (remember course is set up for a Pro tourney event from Thursday and the rain we have recently will make it a long track....

Greens In reg 12
Putts              29
Score            74
Fairways         6

Will report back on the event in 48 hours time.....looking forward to a great day.

PS Doing 40 press ups at gym - 20 regular 10 close grip, 10 alternating grip - target 60 by week 2

The 90 golf day challenge Part 1 - from 4 to scratch handicap

Welcome to 4toplus4 - a great place to find like minded golf fans who can play at a sub 80 level and want to break into the sub 70/ break par VIP club.

So the objective for Phase 1 is to:

 3 months to drop 4 strokes

- sounds easy to say a 18 handicapper who just needs to stop 3 putting to achieve this result......

BUT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

low handicappers know that it takes focus and dedication to shave off even 1 shot a round - this blog will take you through my golf journey here in Sunny South Africa to becoming a consistent ball striker, putter, short game wizard and gorilla off the back tees which are all required to achieve a subpar handicap.

So join the blogger page, email me and lets get this train on its way.

Project name: Phase 1: Handicap 4 down to Scratch

IMPORTANT STARTING STATS:

Startdate: 21 february 2012
Starting handicap: 4
Age: 38
Swingspeed driver: 104mph
Swingspeed 6iron: 88mph
Weight: 82kg
Time allocated to goal per week - 10 hours

Next week's post...........what to work on first - identify strengths and weaknesses and what to work on for maximum results in week 1 of 12

Love to hear your thoughts and how you would approach this rewarding life goal......lets chat.