Tag Archives: TaylorMade Spider Mini

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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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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Being Fickle?

22 Sep

For my upcoming golf game, I have decided to bring two putters! Why? The last golf game was horrid as I had three three-putts in a row for the first three holes; it spoiled the mood and outing.

Could it be due to the greens being sandy and inconsistent? I struggled and was so frustrated with the TaylorMade Spider Mini because I couldn’t find the right balance to putt well.

So, to avoid the horrors again, the Mini is giving way to the Scotty Cameron, along with the Peanut Putter. The Peanut Putter has not seen much action lately because I have been alternating between the other two. Maybe it will see some action this time?

But I hope I don’t have to swap putters for every putt. It is probably not the wisest thing to do, but my rhythm’s lost, and I need to rediscover it. With two putters in hand, I can fix my putting woes immediately; when one does not work, there is another. I don’t think I am being fickled-minded, and I hope this works. Fingers crossed.

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A Good Change

12 Sep

It was a good decision to change my putter to recalibrate my putting. The TaylorMade Spider Mini did its magic, making seven one-putt this morning. From seven three-putts in the previous game to this, it did wonders for the mindset. Overall, I recorded 30 putts.

There was one three-putt blemish because I rushed to hole out as the flight in front allowed us to bypass them. So I’m not too irked by this little flaw. I’m happy with the outcome, and things will remain as is until a new putting disaster comes around! Golf, especially putting, is so unpredictable.

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Time to Change Again

8 Sep

You know it is time to change the putter again when putts go left and right instead of into the cup. Yes, my Scotty Cameron has been very erratic of late. For the last few games, there were several three-putts. But I brushed the stats aside because they did not bother me so much.

However, when several missed putts resulted in seven three-putts for the most recent game, I was ready to switch the putter! On one of the Par 3 – my ball landed and rolled to stop at two feet from the cup. A chance for another birdie! Alas, the putting was a letdown again! The ball rolled past the hole to the right, then left, and before finally third time lucky for a bogey.

This frustrating scenario repeated itself seven times throughout the game. Seven times, unbelievable! I scored a ‘hat-trick’ three-putt on three Par 5s, being on the green on four but three-putted to hole out. Grrr!

Why is putting so hard? Is it me or the putter? Perhaps it is the green speed or the terrain? Well, I have decided to switch my putter to recalibrate myself again.

So, out with the Scotty, and in its place will be the TaylorMade Spider Mini for my next game. Sometimes, a change and a refresh in equipment can build back the mental prowess to confident putting.

On a brighter note, my tee-offs were good, the woods and irons were also commendable, and the short game was sharp: a small consolation for myself here. It is the putting that needs to be better. So, I hope the Spider Mini will fare better from here on.

We will find out, as I have a game later today.

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Day 2: Jakarta

7 Aug

Last night, we had dinner at PIK2, a new development with a lot of dining choices, as well as tourist attractions. The place was just so happening! So much to see, so much to eat.

People were dancing and enjoying themselves

After a simple meal, it was time to head back to the hotel and rest for golf the next day.

It was 4.45 am when the morning call woke me up. Goodness, such an ungodly hour, but then again, the time is about right because of the time difference. Jakarta is an hour behind KL.

My personal passport at RJGC
Very scenic
The only aircraft I managed to capture

Royale Jakarta Golf Club was an enjoyable course situated next to the airport. Now and then, we could hear the roar of an aircraft’s engine in the background. I was trying hard to capture an image of an airplane descending with my iPhone whenever the sound came about. Not easy when it was rather smoggy in the air. I could only manage a helicopter instead!

Everyone had a caddy each, so a flight of four players had four caddies! For the record, I did 39 putts. Horrid is the only word to describe my efforts, but I enjoyed the outing and the company thoroughly. A good day to remember fondly.

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Weekend Interclub Games, Part 2

4 Aug

The trip to Johore for Interclub games was fun but tiring because of the ungodly wake-up hours and the return journey. Once the second game and luncheon concluded, we left for KL. The weekend traffic jam along the Plus highway contributed to a longer-than-usual trip back.

The second Interclub game on Sunday was against Ponderosa Golf & Country Club, half an hour from our hotel. A morning game this time around, the course challenges were very different from the first day’s outing. However, both days had the same strong wind external factor, creating challenging conditions to play.

The four-seater buggy

Hubby and I had an unusual four-person buggy instead of the typical two-person buggy. A first for us to be using this for a tournament! It took a while to get used to being in the four-seater with the opponents to move along the golf course.

Although hubby and I won against our opponents, my putting was terrible. I made 37 putts, with two 3-putts and TWO 4-putts! It was so demoralizing to have such horrid putting stats.

Being a Matchplay format again, our side lost by a substantial margin to our host this time, 9.5 points versus 20.5 points. But everyone was happy and enjoyed the hospitality and outing tremendously!

Sometimes it is not the outcome but the moment that matters most – the fellowship, the fun, and the experience. The memories are stored away but reminisced fondly again with time passing.

We will sign up for the next away Interclub outing without hesitation, should the next one appear on the club calendar again!

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Back and Forth

18 Jul

The golf game has been up and down for various reasons. I had a fungal infection on my fingers two weeks ago, affecting my nerves; it was not a pleasant sensation. I could not feel anything on my index and third fingers of my left hand.

The infection stems from my moist golf gloves because I hardly wash them after my games. How could I when I had so many games lined up? Well, now I know I should clean the gloves of unwanted yucks.

So the putting and gripping of all my clubs were affected by my medical problem. Thankfully, I had some antibiotic cream to apply, and resolved the predicament. These days, I don’t wear my gloves to golf as I can do without them just fine, thus reducing the chances of another infection.

In the meantime, I reverted to my TaylorMade Spider Mini putter because the Scotty was making too many errors. When I did 37 putts, I knew it was time to change. And thus, the back and forth with the putters. When will I master the skill of putting? Sigh.

My fingers are recovering, and the last two golf outing results were much better, as is putting. Another lesson learned here: always air the golf gloves or wash and rotate them more often; otherwise, you may face the problem I encountered with icky gloves.

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Scotty on a Roll

30 Jun

My putting has improved recently with my Scotty Cameron putter, switching from the TaylorMade Spider Mini. I believe the decision to change the putter grip made all the difference.

I recorded another eight one-putts and 30 putts altogether for my recent game but had two three-putts. It is the second game with the same stats. The three putts occurred when the ball landed in front of the green, and the pin was at the other far end. So for these instances to eliminate the three-putt scenario, the short game has to be sharper.

Separately, I am keeping the replacement driver as it feels better than my old driver. And it shows with the distances gained. With Scotty on a roll here, I am on track to continue to improve with impressive one-putts to reduce the strokes. Yay.

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