The flu and not a lot else......

Since my last entry I have quite literally been knocked out by flu although now I am feeling much better. The doctor said I also have laryngitis which is also now thankfully subsiding. I very rarely get ill to the point where I cant get out of bed but this has certainly been the case this week. Nevermind, it's over now - onward and upward.

I have decided that I am going to do my playing test at Clandon Regis on May 11th instead of Bishops Stortford. I decided this finally after a lengthy discussion with my boss who I must say has been very helpful with his advice on my golf. I can certainly rely on a 'honest no-holds-barred' opinion with him and this is great because it forces me to be decisive about things.
Clandon is the chosen venue mainly because it is the first date of the year I can do. Waiting for the Bishops Stortford test would be 2 weeks longer, which is not an appealing thought as I just want to get this thing over and done with as quickly as possible. It's a slightly more forgiving course that I have played 2 very good rounds on last year. All I have to do is put them together on the same day and it'll 'happy days' for me. Its a little bit wider from the tee too, which actually now isnt that important to me as I'm hitting it much straighter anyway. The focus has got to be building on my chipping, pitching and putting as the greens are for want of a stronger word 'tricky', so I'm gonna have to be in tip-top shape for them.

My golf right now, in terms of swing and ball striking is probably at B/B+ if I had to quantify it. This is great as I consider last year at best to have been around C-. In other words, I am vastly improved, but know that I have a lot more to improve on too. The main thing now is that I have an understanding of my swing which could aid in me fixing problems on the course if they occur.

I have begun dedicating some time to working on my pitching and trying to build up some reliability and versatility in my yardages. This area is what seperates good players from great players and to quantify this, I am probably on about a C grade with that at the moment (good at times but not consistent enough. This will improve by one way and one way only - practise, practise, practise!!!!
Its only just over two months till the test now which is quite scary as it feels that it is creeping up on me. I hate to blame weather again but its so bloody horrible. I haven't been able to get out there for more than one day at a time and now I am on a bit of time limit I desperately need mother nature to do me a favour. Otherwise, i'm gonna have to force myself out there in all my waterproofs and risk getting flu again - not something I particularly want to do.

At the weekend, the Mid Sussex Davies and Tate team have a practise match against the Sussex County Boys Under 16's. I cant wait to play in this, as I think it is great opportunity to see where exactly my golf is, as I havent played a competition for ages now. Can't wait for that.

Stay tuned.....