Tag Archives: Scotty Cameron

Goodbye 2023

29 Dec

We have two days left of 2023 before we bid the year goodbye. It has been another eventful year for me. As we count down to the New Year, I reflect upon the past 12 months, and here are some highlights of the good times and not-so-good moments.

The biggest highlight would be the two weddings in the family! My only sibling’s twins got hitched within three months of each other. It was a very happy occasion for the family.

Before the weddings, I started 2023 with a bang, getting myself hospitalized for kidney stones. I thought I pulled a back muscle from gardening, but it was more than that. I can laugh about it now!

After that scare, my diet changed to one that is low-oxalate. It took a while to adjust, but I have gotten used to it now. It is always best to stay healthy than to have a recurrence.

The year also saw me having a constant battle with putting. I suffered putting yips every so often with the many rounds of golf I played this year. The musical chair with my Peanut Putter, Scotty Cameron Squareback, and TaylorMade Spider Mini putter choices was a regular practice. Towards the end of the year, I had to retire my Peanut Putter because the grip was disintegrating. Boo hoo hoo. For now, the Mini is in the bag.

There were no family holidays this year as both girls are working, but I’m okay with this. Instead, hubby and I made several golfing trips with friends, locally and abroad. As a result of the constant golfing, my craft work suffered. I slowed down building miniatures, and the latest DIY project, number #32, is incomplete and collecting dust at my workstation. Sigh. Perhaps I can revive it at the beginning of the new year. We shall see.

2023 was not all fun and happy or frustrating. There have been scary moments that I wish not to be repeated. We experienced two spine-chilling episodes with friends after golf, but quick thinking and action saved them. However, no amount of action could save the loss of others due to other issues. Unexpected and untimely, this is the cycle of life, and we have to accept it. I avoid elaborating much on these occasions because I feel it’s best to remember these people in happier times than upon their deaths. Peace be upon their souls.

What will the new year bring for me? It would be materialistic to wish for this and that. I will be practical and say better health more than anything else. With each year passing, the body cannot take the strain regardless of what I do. This dinosaur is getting old!

Well, 2023 has been happy and sad all rolled into one, to sum it up in one sentence. Goodbye 2023, thanks for the memories, and a toast to the year, now stored away as I await the New Year with an open mind.

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The Peanut Putter Retires!

10 Nov

I was horrified to discover the grip of my Peanut Putter shedding when we were away for the last two games! It was fine just last week before the trip. I don’t know how or what happened, but I am dismayed by the unexpected deteriorating condition.

My heart breaks
Hurts to see the grip like this. Sniffle.

So, during the two games, I was extra careful not to aggravate the shedding any further each time I was putting. I have to say my Peanut Putter has been giving me some fantastic statistics lately. My putting confidence has grown with it in the bag for this recalibration effort in place of the other two putters.

Distances between one and four feet are very accurate. The putter does not wobble, and the ball-striking has been firm. And anything from four to 20 feet is mostly two putts to save the score.

Occasionally, there were some three-putts, but not as many as six or seven three-putts in a game like my other two putters’ erratic performances. The blemish is mostly misreads of the putting line and not the putter’s performance.

I would certainly like to continue using my Peanut Putter, precious as it is. However, with its condition like this, I have no choice but to retire it to prevent further deterioration. It is unfortunate and untimely when I am doing so well with it.

Perhaps I can find another from Amazon? I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Until then, the TaylorMade Spider Mini is in the bag, and I hope it will serve me well.

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Putting Progress

31 Oct

There seems to be progress in my putting with the Peanut Putter. I have forgotten how light the putter is, but in the last two games, I found it very comfortable to use.

The feel and momentum were so much better without any swaying upon impact. And I can feel my confidence in putting is coming back. I hope to continue with the impressive stats because putting is paramount.

Then again, it is a separate entity if one breaks down the game to analyze it more deeply. One putt too many, and the score will balloon up! Remember all my three-putt horrors?

Who knows? Maybe the Peanut will stay in the bag for a while. We shall see. I have to stay focused!

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An LPGA-inspired Game

30 Oct

So I played golf on Saturday, and boy, was I LPGA-inspired after that Thursday’s outing to watch the LPGA tournament at KLGCC! I thought I would have lost my muscle memory and swing after laying off for ten days, but nope, I did okay.

The ball striking with my irons was so beautiful – the sound and the trajectory of the ball flight. And my putting, gosh, it was beyond good. The decision to use my Peanut Putter instead of the TaylorMade Spider Mini was wise after my last disastrous game with my Scotty Cameron putter. There were no three-putts, and I recorded 15 putts on the front nine. Nice.

However, good as it was, it did not last when we crossed over. The pace suddenly slowed, and we had to wait at every hole. Then the sun came out, and hunger got to me, and I could not focus.

I then just went through the motions mindlessly to complete the round quickly. Oh well. In my opinion, a good nine outing is always more comforting and encouraging than a mediocre round of 18 holes.

I take comfort that after watching the LPGA players in action, it did wonders for my approach and mental strength. I hope I can retain this each time I play golf. Watch and learn, play, and excel!

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LPGA Action in Malaysia

27 Oct

The LPGA Tour returns to Malaysia after a six-year absence, and I’m excited about it! Right in our backyard instead of on TV in another continent far away. Yesterday, hubby and I joined many golfing enthusiasts to watch the Day One of the tournament at KLGCC. What an experience!

However, I have to admit that the day did not start well. We opted to take public transport instead of driving directly to the venue for the tournament. Unfortunately, we waited for quite some time for the courtesy van. There was no proper pick-up point signage at the MRT stop. We ended up hailing a ride instead. But being at the venue made up for this little cumbersome detail.

A delight to see Rose Zhang at the Par 3, Hole 15

It was surreal to see all the LPGA players in person, although not quite as close but enough. We stayed at the Par 4, Hole 14, and Par 3, Hole 15 most of the time because they were side by side and had a great view. Separately, it was too hot to venture to the other holes. It was weird to see a call-on situation for a Par 4. Hole 14 was 364 yards (333 meters) but reachable for these pros.

The Par 4, Hole 14 was crowded with two flights for the call-on situation

Typically, a call-on would be on a Par 3, where the flight in front would step aside to allow the flight behind to tee off because of the short distance. But this was a Par 4, 364 yards, no less. Yet, several times, the call-on was initiated because these ladies could put their balls on the green! Some even flew past the green.

Atthaya Thitikul assessing her tee-off plugged ball several feet off the green at Hole 14.

We saw many birdies made on that hole, and it was very entertaining. But when they landed their balls in the rough, it wasn’t an issue. They were able to recover and make par. I learned a new thing or two from watching their approach strategy.

The thing that amazed me most was their putting. Every single player that I saw made putting so easy. I wish I could do the same, or at least half of their ability. My putting is, ugh, a constant battle.

Nellie Korda was all smiles with her one putt for a birdie on Hole 14.

Sadly, I did not attend Day Two of the tournament this morning, and on Saturday, I have a game lined up. I hope I have been inspired enough by the LPGA pro ladies to play a good round of golf or return with some good putting stats.

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Putting is So Difficult

17 Oct

Lately, I can’t get my putting right when my ball lands on the green. In the last few games, putting was my biggest challenge. I have no issues with my tee-off, second shots, or short game, but putting. I have been consistently inconsistent. Is it me or the putter?

I can do 30 putts in one game, but then for the next game, return with 38 putts. Last week, I had a 32-putt game, followed by my second 38-putts this morning. All within a week. There was even an appalling four-putt today on a Par 3! Four putts!!! Horrors. Where have I gone wrong along the way? My Scotty is failing me!

Looks like a refresh is necessary all over again to rid myself of such horrible putting stats. So, out goes my Scotty, and the TaylorMade Spider Mini will finally see some action. I hope my fortunes will be for the better with the change. We will find out at my next game. Fingers crossed.

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Time to Rest

3 Oct

I think I am playing too much golf, raking up three games in a row last week. It’s tiring. There do not seem to be any improvements in my ability to play well. The putting gets to me, the roller coaster scores upon completion irked me, and I feel piqued to sacrifice all those balls that cannot cross the ponds and lakes. The list can go on! Sigh.

Thankfully, I have conquered my fear of the sand bunker and can escape without adding additional strokes to the score. I will take a short break to let my tired body recover and focus on building my miniatures to keep busy.

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A Horrendous Record

2 Oct

I have been keeping track of my putting stats for some time now whenever I golf. Three putts are, of course, the biggest bane for me. And I’m sure for most golfers as well. The average two putts are good, while a one-putt is revered.

Yesterday, I played in my club’s Monthly Medal tournament, and as always, the putting was something I was more conscious of than my other shots. I was doing okay until one hole – it was disastrous beyond words.

Whenever the flagstick is at the back of the green, doubt would creep in. What do I do? How do I play the shot? Unfortunately, I tend to make the wrong decision on what clubs to use to approach the green.

It’s as if I never learn from past experiences and repeat the same mistakes whenever I’m in this situation. All the time! Why? Yesterday was no different.

I approached the green and left myself short on the front for a long putt. Or what I call a three-putt zone. Uh-oh, danger lights were flickering wildly for the impending three-putt.

But did I three-putt? No! I did not. Instead, I five-putted. Yes, you read that right! I landed on the green front on three and did a five-putt! I was beyond peeved. Was it bad putting? I certainly erred in my line reading.

When I missed the third putt, I lost my focus. Whatever it was, it was a record, albeit a horrid one, for me to do a five-putt. I hope this will be the first and last time.

The lesson learned here is perhaps not to approach the green short on the front whenever there is the blue flagstick. Either play it short for a chip-and-run approach or take a club or two longer to land the ball closer to the cup.

This theory may or may not work, and I will only know the next time I golf and find myself in this situation again. I hope I can remember this theory to save the blushes and no more repeat of the horrendous five-putt record.

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Not Being Fickle, Part 2

26 Sep

I stuck to my Scotty Cameron putter for today’s game. I did 32 putts in total despite making a couple of three-putts. When I stay focused and allow the putter to do the work, the results show. It is when I lose my focus that errors occur.

The first three-putt on the easy hole came about because I did not take my time and commit to the putt. Oh well, at least I know where my mistake was. The second three-putt was a pure mistake on my line reading.

All in all, I am pleased with my putting for today. I hope I can maintain or fare better for my next game!

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Not Being Fickle

25 Sep

The good intention to bring two putters for a round of golf did not pan out well last Friday, partly because the green was inconsistent and unpredictable. I could not get the feel and rhythm of both putters. Sometimes, one putter worked, then it didn’t after that. The situation confused me even more!

I was alternating between the Peanut and Scotty at the start of the game but, towards the end, stayed with the Scotty. I made 37 putts again that afternoon. Sigh.

To resolve my putting woes, I must trust the putter more and allow the weight of the putter head to do the work. I should not be aiding anymore with my strength when putting. And with this mindset, the Saturday game yielded a much better result: 30 putts! Yay.

I should not be fickle – maintain just one putter and trust its ability. With this decision, the Peanut will be retired, and for now, my Scotty Cameron remains in the bag.

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