Official Golf geeks gibber thread

[Bryson De Jambo]

Out the country at moment and decided to pickup a round. Got paired with a random.  

 

We did the usual introductions and boy states just back playing golf after giving up for 4/5 years. Anyway, I thought I would him pick the tee.

 

The boy responds blacks which is championship tees playing over 7500, reluctantly agreed I'm a 2 handicapper so thought WTF.

 

Boy stripes the ball 360 off the tee down the centre and I'm like WTAF I let myself in for. Three holes later the guy reveals ex Div1 college golfer and teammate of Scottir Scheffler 😂

 

Fortunately, after he revealed this I got my act together and played pretty well managing to win 2 and 1. However, **** me I felt inadequate off the tee. 

 

Nice guy in fairness and we bonded over a mutual hatred of something and someone. 

 

Anyway……,

 

Anyone playing in the Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance this winter? Going to play this year just wondered what it's like. 

 

Cheers in advance.

[Ray Gin]

On 10/10/2025 at 16:11, hmfc_liam06 said:

How’s folks seasons gone this year then?

 

Been a pretty successful one for me. 12.9 to 8.6. Won my first ever tournament, our B Championship and then a second come along not long at the back. Finished 2nd at Craigmillar Park open and played a few new courses including Turnberry 👌 

 

The good: equalled my course PB of 81 (last achieved several years ago), beat my previous record of of 8 sub-90 rounds in a row, new longest drive (327), finished the season with our group only 1 stroke behind the winning score in the scramble

 

The bad: only played 1 singles tournament all year so only a small cut to 18.2, had a horrible and demoralising spell of the shanks for a few weeks early in the summer, suffering with elbow pain and likely need to stop playing over the winter

[hmfc_liam06]

14 hours ago, Ray Gin said:

 

The good: equalled my course PB of 81 (last achieved several years ago), beat my previous record of of 8 sub-90 rounds in a row, new longest drive (327), finished the season with our group only 1 stroke behind the winning score in the scramble

 

The bad: only played 1 singles tournament all year so only a small cut to 18.2, had a horrible and demoralising spell of the shanks for a few weeks early in the summer, suffering with elbow pain and likely need to stop playing over the winter

They’re the worst! Just gets in your head more than anything.

[Statts1976uk]

Looking back at my season and the two big turning points was changing my irons and getting some lessons.

 

I had Homnas and they were amazing clubs but just far too good for my level so changed them to AI Smokes and feel a lot better. Lessons have also helped tremendously but tennis elbow has curtailed my progress.

 

What gets given in one hand is taken away in another!!!

[Bryson De Jambo]

23 hours ago, Ray Gin said:

had a horrible and demoralising spell of the shanks for a few weeks early in the summer,

if you want a cure for the shanks go to a range and try and hit a shank. 
 

As daft it sounds its almost impossible to do, you will quickly realise whats causing the issue

 

also get some foot spray on face of club when practicing to get a better awareness of face control. 
 

people get all technical about golf swing but if they practiced the face control most players improve dramatically. ✌️
 

 

[Ray Gin]

2 hours ago, Bryson De Jambo said:

if you want a cure for the shanks go to a range and try and hit a shank. 
 

As daft it sounds its almost impossible to do, you will quickly realise whats causing the issue

 

also get some foot spray on face of club when practicing to get a better awareness of face control. 
 

people get all technical about golf swing but if they practiced the face control most players improve dramatically. ✌️
 

 

 

Thankfully I've been shank-free for the last couple of months.

[Bryson De Jambo]

46 minutes ago, Ray Gin said:

 

Thankfully I've been shank-free for the last couple of months.

Nice one, as another poster its purely mental. Its the most difficult shot to hit in golf weirdly
 

hope injury clears up and your back out there enjoying yourself 👍

[Disser Pointon]

After some cajoling from the wife (yes, honestly, she's a good egg) I've thrown myself into Archerfield from 1 November. Just hope I can use it enough on top of my home club membership to justify the spend!

[kila]

31 minutes ago, Disser Pointon said:

After some cajoling from the wife (yes, honestly, she's a good egg) I've thrown myself into Archerfield from 1 November. Just hope I can use it enough on top of my home club membership to justify the spend!

 

£35k joining fee is it not?

 

[OBE]

42 minutes ago, Disser Pointon said:

After some cajoling from the wife (yes, honestly, she's a good egg) I've thrown myself into Archerfield from 1 November. Just hope I can use it enough on top of my home club membership to justify the spend!

 

Hiya, Pal...

[Disser Pointon]

30 minutes ago, kila said:

 

£35k joining fee is it not?

 

Nah, can pick up debentures for under 10k at the moment.

[hmfc_liam06]

Did someone say Kickback outing....

[Bigsmak]

7 hours ago, hmfc_liam06 said:

Did someone say Kickback outing....

 

We have had 3 over the years -  

 

 

 

[Bigsmak]

I was last off on the 10 min mark there - Drove the green - Short par 4 at Dalmahoy 

[hmfc_liam06]

Not at Archerfield we haven’t 😂

[Disser Pointon]

On 24/10/2025 at 15:08, hmfc_liam06 said:

Did someone say Kickback outing....

😜😂

[Samuel Camazzola]

LIV events shifting to 72 hole comps for 2026. This will help players gain OWG points.

 

A new brand name will be required... 😄

[OBE]

6 minutes ago, Samuel Camazzola said:

LIV events shifting to 72 hole comps for 2026. This will help players gain OWG points.

 

A new brand name will be required... 😄

 

Who? Never watched an event, wouldn't know where to start looking. Would rather watch the undercards on the European circuit. You get to see some topping, shanking, 3/4 putting and losing balls of the tee, no ball spotters...I can relate to some of that...

[Samuel Camazzola]

2 hours ago, OBE said:

 

Who? Never watched an event, wouldn't know where to start looking. Would rather watch the undercards on the European circuit. You get to see some topping, shanking, 3/4 putting and losing balls of the tee, no ball spotters...I can relate to some of that...

ITV have been broadcasting it in the UK this year.

 

Despite the polarising views, the events have been good. For attending, the appeal is there as there is a set start time with all groupings finishing within around 15 minutes of each other.

 

The team element of the events need a bit of tweaking but good to see a lot of the top names.

[Samuel Camazzola]

Should anyone be looking to sample some autumn golf away from their own track, I highly recommend The Dukes up by St Andrews.

 

I last played it around 10 years ago when it felt like a long slog and heavy under foot. They've spent in excess of £1.7m in the last couple of years on a drainage programme and the results are obvious. Despite the very wet conditions we've had of late, the fairways were superb. The greens were tined and cored at the end of October but were running really well. A couple of tees were from mats due to seasonal maintenance and a bunker or two was being re-filled with sand.

 

The two nines have been switched around since I last played, therefore you finish up on what was the 9th.

 

They are offering a Scottish resident rate of £45 for the rest of the year. Just keep an eye on the forecast and pick a good day. It was shorts and short sleeves for the round yesterday. 🌞

 

I'll definitely return before the frosts start to hit!

[Bigsmak]

3 hours ago, Samuel Camazzola said:

Should anyone be looking to sample some autumn golf away from their own track, I highly recommend The Dukes up by St Andrews.

 

I last pl....

 

I've played there 3 or 4 times, not for a few years now but every single time I've played it I've vowed to never play it again.  But work outings, the golf in Scotland events... And now you've popped up saying it's better. 

 

I'll think about it

[lost in space]

3 hours ago, Samuel Camazzola said:

Should anyone be looking to sample some autumn golf away from their own track, I highly recommend The Dukes up by St Andrews.

 

I last played it around 10 years ago when it felt like a long slog and heavy under foot. They've spent in excess of £1.7m in the last couple of years on a drainage programme and the results are obvious. Despite the very wet conditions we've had of late, the fairways were superb. The greens were tined and cored at the end of October but were running really well. A couple of tees were from mats due to seasonal maintenance and a bunker or two was being re-filled with sand.

 

The two nines have been switched around since I last played, therefore you finish up on what was the 9th.

 

They are offering a Scottish resident rate of £45 for the rest of the year. Just keep an eye on the forecast and pick a good day. It was shorts and short sleeves for the round yesterday. 🌞

 

I'll definitely return before the frosts start to hit!

Nice course but some long walks between holes. I always walk with trolley but wished I had taken a buggy. Think the 18th (then) was a long uphill hole - remember being knackered at the end.

Very nice clubhouse.

[Samuel Camazzola]

9 hours ago, Bigsmak said:

 

I've played there 3 or 4 times, not for a few years now but every single time I've played it I've vowed to never play it again.  But work outings, the golf in Scotland events... And now you've popped up saying it's better. 

 

I'll think about it

I can understand that. I had no desire to play there for years. After reading up on the programme of improvements and the residential rate offer, gave it a chance and was not disappointed.

 

Their website lists what seasonal maintenance is being planned for each week so you can schedule a visit to avoid any work which temporarily impact the playability of sections of the course.

[Samuel Camazzola]

8 hours ago, lost in space said:

Nice course but some long walks between holes. I always walk with trolley but wished I had taken a buggy. Think the 18th (then) was a long uphill hole - remember being knackered at the end.

Very nice clubhouse.

9 and 18 run side by side. The walk from either back to the clubhouse/carpark is on an uphill route that can't be avoided.

[hmfc_liam06]

On 08/11/2025 at 18:21, Samuel Camazzola said:

Should anyone be looking to sample some autumn golf away from their own track, I highly recommend The Dukes up by St Andrews.

 

I last played it around 10 years ago when it felt like a long slog and heavy under foot. They've spent in excess of £1.7m in the last couple of years on a drainage programme and the results are obvious. Despite the very wet conditions we've had of late, the fairways were superb. The greens were tined and cored at the end of October but were running really well. A couple of tees were from mats due to seasonal maintenance and a bunker or two was being re-filled with sand.

 

The two nines have been switched around since I last played, therefore you finish up on what was the 9th.

 

They are offering a Scottish resident rate of £45 for the rest of the year. Just keep an eye on the forecast and pick a good day. It was shorts and short sleeves for the round yesterday. 🌞

 

I'll definitely return before the frosts start to hit!

 

Not my favourite course in the world but might give it a go if the improvements are significant. 

[Samuel Camazzola]

24 minutes ago, hmfc_liam06 said:

 

Not my favourite course in the world but might give it a go if the improvements are significant. 

I enjoyed it and specifically chose a day when the forecast was favourable. 

 

Since I last played, the differences were huge.

[hmfc_liam06]

14 minutes ago, Samuel Camazzola said:

I enjoyed it and specifically chose a day when the forecast was favourable. 

 

Since I last played, the differences were huge.

 

To be fair I've never had a good experience the twice I've been.

First time I pulled a muscle in my back on the first tee (was literally straight off a long haul flight) and the second time the course shouldn't have even been open, was a white out and winter greens were on.

 

So. it can't get much worse for me

[Samuel Camazzola]

Tasty finish to the Tour Championship. Potential for half a dozen in a olay-off.

Edited Sunday at 11:44 by Samuel Camazzola

[Samuel Camazzola]

Two-man play-off it is. Rory with eagle on 18 to secure play-off with Fitz.

[OBE]

2 hours ago, Samuel Camazzola said:

Two-man play-off it is. Rory with eagle on 18 to secure play-off with Fitz.

 

Was wanting more, Aberg, Fleetwood & Canter on the range, Fitz birdie sent them packing. Eagle on last for Rory was brilliance. Season of two halves for Fitz.

 

Quality golf course, The Earth, G. Norman design. Only one gripe, does the 17th need to be so long?

 

Only £40 quid entry fee, gotta get there, digs & spenders mind. "DP World Tour" main sponsors for the next 10 years. Would be a very, very nice fortnight that in Dubai...er in doors is not convinced...yet, but she retires next year, so maybe...

Edited Sunday at 14:24 by OBE

[Samuel Camazzola]

7 hours ago, OBE said:

 

Was wanting more, Aberg, Fleetwood & Canter on the range, Fitz birdie sent them packing. Eagle on last for Rory was brilliance. Season of two halves for Fitz.

 

Quality golf course, The Earth, G. Norman design. Only one gripe, does the 17th need to be so long?

 

Only £40 quid entry fee, gotta get there, digs & spenders mind. "DP World Tour" main sponsors for the next 10 years. Would be a very, very nice fortnight that in Dubai...er in doors is not convinced...yet, but she retires next year, so maybe...

The last time I recall a multi-player play-off was around 6 years ago in Turkey. It had everything to be great - course floodlights were put on but it was let down by sending them out in two groups. 2nd group knew what was needed to win or stay in and all jeopardy was removed.

[Disser Pointon]

At least one space at Archerfield Friday morning if anyone fancies a knock, light drizzle forecast but next to no wind.