Week May 11 (18 week)

Weight: 254 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 27

Mon: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 12 resist; 400 cal)
Tues:
Wed:
Thurs: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 12 resist; 410 cal)
Fri: Driving range. Hit a bucket and 20 minutes chipping practice
Sat:
Sun: Riverbend Golf Course: 94, a personal best. Front 9: 42 also a person best.


Overall Comments:

Best round of golf to date. Very good short game, kept putts and inside 150 to two for much of the front 9. Driver was very poor. Often in the woods or worse. In spite of this, I played well. The front 9 was very nice -- 42. One triple bogey, 1 double bogey, 2 bogeys, 5 par. Got the job done all sorts of ways -- one chip in for par, good recoveries from off the fairway, good chips and pitches with a one putt.

Even 10 was nice. Errant drive. Tried to get to the hole with a 7i. Caught the top of a tree with ball landing back in the adjacent fairway a little closer to the hole. Used the 8i to attempt the same shot -- and ended up within 2 feet of the pin for a tap in par.

The rest of the back nine was not too good. Driver performed badly -- all over the place and/or short. Was able to recover after a while. But not bad.

There is a glimmer of hope that I can produce a good round of golf. That front 9 indicates I can get the job done. May some it had to do with the pace of play. We were waiting on the people in front and the twosome that Doug and I were playing with were not particularly good. So lots of time to think about the shot, lots of time to rest prior to the shot.

Time will tell.

Week May 4

Weight: 255 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 27

Mon: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 12 resist; 400 cal)
Tues:
Wed:

Thurs: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 12 resist; 410 cal)

Fri:

Sat:
Sun:

Overall Comments:

No golf this week again. Again working on the house.

Week April 27

Weight: 255 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 27

Mon: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 12 resist; 400 cal)
Tues:
Wed:

Thurs: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 12 resist; 410 cal)

Fri:

Sat:
Sun:

Overall Comments:

No golf this week. Working on the house/yard. Lifting and hauling and repairing a deck.

Week April 20

Weight: 254 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 27

Mon: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 12 resist; 400 cal)
Tues:25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 12 resist; 400 cal)

Wed:

Thurs: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 12 resist; 400 cal)
Fri:

Sat:

Sun: Round of golf at Chambers Bay, University Place, WA (score: 98)

Overall Comments:

Broke 100!!! A good day of golfing. Chambers Bay was really quite nice. The weather was very friendly -- no wind, very warm for end of April, sunny, almost cloudless. The course was very interesting. A links style course, a single tree, and lots of sand. One hole had a unmarked temporary green: 230 yd from 400 yds. I believe the issue was the green was extremely difficult to hold an approach, so they were re-grading it.

Drives were turning out well -- 190 to 250, mostly straight. Hit 10 of 14 fairways. I had variable success off the tee with shorter clubs, especially the par 3. I hit a couple of hybrids well. They actually went straight -- but that aiming thing got in the way. Need to make that work better.

Overall, a nice day. Best holes: 18th. Long drive 250 in fairway. 7i to within 100 yds of pin. My approach (9i) was within 15 feet of the pin. 2 putted. 14th: Par three, downhill. Hit 9i which landed on green and rolled off into rear bunker. SW to close pin position. Made 8 ft putt for par.

Still need work on pitching, especially short one; sand shots; hitting irons; aiming any shot.

Week April 13

Weight: 256 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 27

Mon:
Tues: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 12 resist; 400 cal)
Wed:
Thurs:

Fri: 27 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 12 resist; 470 cal)
Sat:
Sun: Round of golf at Sumner Meadows 116

Overall Comments:

First round at Sumner Meadows and a typical low(high?) score for the first round at this course. I got to the course late due, so no warm up. The front nine was a disaster. I started by hitting a reasonable drive and then leaving a 9i right into the pond by the green. I thought 6i, wanted a 6i, but grabbed the 9i. Several holes on the front nine, my club selection was good, but my distance was way short. And my pitching was really quite bad. Bladed a lot of wedges with real disastrous results.

Back nine was slightly better -- 51. Granted the back nine is easier, wider holes, etc. In addition, was made better contact and started to get the correct distance from my clubs. My aim is off -- sending ball right and left of my intended target.

Overall, I am showing signs of improvement. My driving distance is going up. And the drives are straighter. I am getting better with my irons -- straighter flights, better distance. I am playing smarter. Those 240 yard distances are now 6i/PW or 7i/9i with better approaches. So playing smarter. I need more practice on pitching. And a lot more practice on playing on up or down slopes.

Week April 6

Weight: 255 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 27

Mon:

Tues:
Wed: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 12 resist; 400 cal)

Thurs: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 12 resist; 400 cal)

Fri: Round at Jefferson Golf Course 101

Sat:

Sun:

Overall Comments:

Weight continues to drop. A slow, steady 1 lb per week. It is hard to image keeping it up for a whole year to lose 50 pounds.

Another round (3rd of year). Score: 101. Played in 3 hr 50 minutes on Friday afternoon. The weather was slightly overcast, in the low 50's. I had a nice round overall. Except for one 9, all 6's and less. 9 bogeys, 6 double bogeys, 3 triple plus.

My driver is returning -- at least I am starting to get some distance with it. Still losing it right and left. Hybrids and long irons are still iffy -- both in direction and distance. Most of the time, they are short in the 150-160 range. For all the good they are doing, I would be much better off using my 6i.

I am getting better on getting to the green. Most of my first putts are in the 15 foot range or shorter. I am having the most trouble with 50-100 yds to green. I still mishit that shot the most. Eleven(11) holes starting under 15 feet.

The "Putts plus 150 yds and in hits" is still too high. Lots of 4's rather than 3's or less. Ideally this should be 2's. Practically, 3's would be great eg a missed short approach plus a chip/pitch to green plus a single putt.

Week Mar 30

Weight: 256 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 27

Mon:
Tues: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 150-160 s/min; 12 resist; 500 cal) plus 5 upper body and 1 core weight machines.
Wed:
Thurs:25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 150-160 s/min; 12 resist; 450 cal)
Fri:
Sat: 1 bucket at the driving range
Sun: Round at Riverbend Golf Course: 108

Overall Comments:

Workouts are coming along. I am feeling stronger and able to push the exercises a bit more. My endurance is still a little low. I seem to fade after about 20 minutes.

Another round of golf (2nd). Sunny, temperatures in the 70's. Score and play was very much like the start of 2008. Today was 108.

My driver completely abandoned me -- very short ( about 150 yds) and all over the place, but never in the fairway. Unfortunately, this was very similar to last year, too similar. My distance and accuracy was as bad. So much for changing the year.

My attempts at hitting a hybrid was pretty marginal. Good balls were very low trajectory. I did hit two reasonable ones -- to a 190 par3 and an approach on 18. Both sliced -- one ended up on the green due to a bad start.

My shorter irons are improving. When I make good contact, the ball is traveling well -- straight and as long as I have ever hit them. By no means perfect. But much better than last year -- less skulls and duffs. I do sometimes hit it shorter than expected. I am thinking too far forward in the stance.

I must admit, I was tired and sore at the end of the round especially ankles and left knee. Could be from a number of factors including not eating enough (only a bagel in the morning until 630PM), not drinking enough -- 3 bottles of water(?) and/or not taking my drugs. Really need to be better prepared or attentive to these needs.

Overall, 1 birdie, 1 par, 4 bogeys, 8 doubles, 4 triples plus. Actually, not a bad outing except for the triples. Front nine was good through 8. Nineth was a 9! for a par 4. Just could not advance the ball.

Week Mar 23

Weight: 257 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 26

Mon:
Tues: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 400 cal) plus 5 upper body and 1 core weight machines.

Wed:
Thurs: colonoscopy: no workout.
Fri: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 450 cal)
Sat: Driving range 2 buckets. All clubs.
Sun:First round of the year!! Maplewood Golf Course, 108 (white)

Overall Comments:

Driving range practice is getting better. My swing is improving. I am getting a higher percentage of shots to be struck well. Distance is also getting better. I think that my improved swing with a more complete finish -- squaring up the hips and finishing up on the left foot.

First round of the year. Played Maplewood. Course was wet, muddy and the greens were just punched. Score: 108. Overall not a bad effort for the first outing. Driver never really worked. Lots of slices, and not very close to the fairway. I hit lots of fairways, just not the fairway that I was aiming at. My longer clubs were a disaster -- especially my hybrids. Never really hit the ball well at all. So much for translation of range to course.

For a good points, I had 4 or so good holes. Lots of good short irons and wedges. Actually placing the ball on the green near the hole. Several nice 6i. Putting was very good except for a couple of hits.

Week Mar 16

Weight: 258 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 26

Mon:
Tues: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 400 cal)

Wed:
Thurs: 27 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 430 cal)
Fri: Driving range 2 buckets -- a little of everything.
Sat:
Sun:

Overall Comments:

Weight continues to drop. This is a good thing. Basically, it appears given the exercise and reducing the amount of snacks and attempting to distribute eating, I am losing slowly.

Practice continues to improve. I am more consistent with the shorter irons and wedges. The longer irons, hybrid and 3W are improving. More consistent hits, less pulls. Still not that great though.

As a side note, I was attempting to hit a intentional draw or fade. I did some swings. The ball is not yet reliably fading or drawing on demand. I would like to add this to my swing abilities. My GI clubs definitely allow for hitting draws and fades.

I am looking forward to possibly playing a round of golf next weekend. The weather is attempting to warm. Currently alternating between frost in the mornings. In addition, getting into the mid 50s some days.

Week Mar 9

Weight: 259 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 26

Mon:
Tues: 22 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 300 cal) + 5 upper body weight machines.

Wed:
Thurs: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 400 cal)
Fri:
Sat: Golf Show
Sun: Driving Range 2 buckets.

Overall Comments:

The weather has turned cold here in the Northwest. Light snow covers the ground. The start of golf season is going to be delayed.

Working on getting back to things after the trip to England. Obviously ones age has something to do with the recovery periods and adjusting to lack of practice. Definitely need to go to the gym at least 3 times a week.

I went to the golf show in Seattle. The show is getting smaller, the vendors sparser. Even places like Las Vegas are fewer in number. There were only a couple of destination places present, a few of the local Indian casinos, and a smaller number of the Canada sites. Less equipment etc. I suppose some of this is due to making most of the purchases in the last year, so nothing much that I was looking to buy. I did pick up a couple of items for my Clicgear cart.

I did try out the Z-factor putting aid. Based on (1) 5 minutes with the machine and (2) an irritating salesman, I really cannot say it is good. First, no matter my position, I could not seem to get a swing that was comfortable. Now the salesman was saying I have an Utley swing -- inspite of 5 years of Pelz based swing. I could make the putt. But it felt wrong. It just goes to show that you can make a putt no matter what your swing looks like.

Driving range practice was a bit hit and miss (pun intended) due to the long time off ( 2 weeks). I really need to spend time practicing more often. I should be aiming for the every other day scheme. The only good note was the wind ( 20+ miles per hour) was causing everything to fly right, so it was difficult to evaluate ball flight. I did have a slice -- have to remember to aim to the right at the top of the swing. I tried the Hogan suggestion of a waggle, and surprisingly, my swing improved. Something about swinging with your wrists improves the way you swing or relieves tension or something. Need to do this more.

I am improving in my pitching swing. I have a fast swing even for the short back swing. Again, fairly consistent -- but not particularly close on average.

Week Mar 2

Weight: 259 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 26

Mon:30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 500 cal) + 5 upper body weight machines.
Tues:

Wed - Sun: Traveling To England/Back for Crufts Dog Show

Overall Comments:

A week away. Traveling to Crufts in Birmingham, Great Britain. Lots of walking and traveling about. No real organized exercise or golf.

Week Feb 23

Weight: 260 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 26

Mon:30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 480 cal) + 5 upper body weight machines.
Tues: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 490 cal)

Wed:
Thurs: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 400 cal)

Fri:

Sat: Driving Range: 2 buckets Working on all clubs.
Sun:

Overall Comments:

Continued aerobic training. Physically stronger. I am better able to exert myself. The aerobic workouts are getting to be strenuous. I will have to consider extending them in duration.

The swing practice is getting better also. I am starting to show some consistency in making good contact with all my clubs. The 3 wood off the deck is definitely the worst of the bunch, with the teed 3 wood being the next worst. Most of the courses I play have one or two holes where hitting the tee shot more than 230 will be bad. And 200 is a bit short. So the 3 wood, 15* or 17* hybrids are my choices.

I am really making good/better contact with all my long clubs -- 5i and up. Nice to see long ball flights. Some slicing, some pulling. I am not really able to see the distance -- either I cannot determine where it is landing or I am not seeing the landing spot. Much over 160 is pretty hard for me. Eventually I will need to measure the distances. I have some issues with the back swing. I am still sliding back rather than just rotating my spine/hips/shoulders. It turns into a reverse pivot at times. Not as bad as it used to be, but still not right.

Wedges swing is improving -- crisper, higher velocity, faster tempo swing with high follow thru. Definitely causing a high arching ball flight. I am hearing a different sound when hitting the wedges. I hope it is that I am hitting down on the ball, and getting spin. Hard to tell at the range as the surface is soft from all the rain/winter conditions. The ball is definitely stopping. Only mishits are getting any roll.

My shorter irons are going well also. Again, the sound of contact is different -- more like the club hitting the ball first, then the mat. Ball flight is high and straight. However, I am hitting the ball both right and left of the center line. I am not sure of the cause (open or closed face, ball too far forward or back in stance?). In any case, the flight is straight, just the destination is right or left 5-10 yds. Same issue with back swing as above. It is a bit different as I am less upright. But still there. Also noticing being too close to the ball such that I cannot get my arms inside. I am almost blocking my own swing path. Luckily this is not with all the swings and a good warm up swing typically causes me to realize I am setup wrong.

Maybe movies? Not yet.

Week Feb 16

Weight: 261 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 26

Mon:30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 480 cal)
Tues: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 490 cal)

Wed:
Thurs: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 480 cal)

Fri:

Sat: Driving Range: 2 buckets Working on all clubs.
Sun:

Overall Comments:
Experimented with the p3proswing analyzer. Very interesting observations. More to follow.

Swing practice is improving. Short irons are actually flying better by moving the ball into the center of my stance. Due to my vision, the ball looks behind the center. But the ball is flying better, both in terms of distance and path. The 6i is moved forward a bit. 4i and higher still farther forward. Still inconsistent with 3h up.

Week Feb 9

Weight: 262 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 26

Mon:
Tues: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 10 resist; 470 cal)
Wed: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 430 cal)
Thurs: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 11 resist; 500 cal)
Fri:
Sat:
Sun:

Overall Comments:

Workouts are feeling better, getting in the time with less and less effort to reach the end of the program. Maybe time to increase the time interval. Need to get back to working with the trainer -- old trainer left; need new one.

No golfing practice. Need to clean out barn and set up practice area.

Week Feb 2

Weight: 264 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 26

Mon: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 10 resist; 470 cal)

Tues: 27 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 10 resist; 420 cal)
Wed:

Thurs: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 10 resist; 470 cal)
Fri:
Sat: Driving Range: 2 buckets Working on 3w/1h/3h/4 and some 9i/7i and pw

Sun:

Overall Comments:

Continued improvement in cardio area. Much strong -- able to hold performance over the entire time interval. Tried treadmill. Knees did not like it.

Continued working on the long clubs. Improving but still inconsistent. Noticed with the driver, I properly shift my weight. With irons and 3w, I am not. This is definitely an area to work on. While working the 9i, I noticed that I am not putting the ball in the center of my stance. By making sure, I am in the middle, the ball travels better. If I forget to shift my weight, the ball goes right.

Riverbend Golf Course (Kent, WA) Remodel Map

I am including images of the Riverbend course remodel. Last year there was extensive changes to the edge of the course directly impacting 3 hole ( 4,5,6). The course has been modified including the moving of 3 greens, changing of several tees and addition of bunkers on several holes. Click on the image to view at larger scale.

Week Jan 26, 2009

Weight: 265 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 26

Mon: 1 hour strength (weight machines) workout with trainer

Tues: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 130-150 s/min; 10 resist; 390 cal)
Wed:

Thurs:
Fri: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-160 s/min; 10 resist; 470 cal)
Sat: Driving Range: 2 buckets Working on 3w/1h/3h/4/5

Sun:

Overall Comments:

Aerobic strength is improving -- I can get heart rate up into 150+ bpm.

Range practice is improving. Better hits with all clubs. Still very inconsistent, althought it appears to be along the lines of setup. Some work with wedges show some accuracy. I am getting the swing speed up.

Week Jan 19, 2009

Weight: 265 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 26

Mon: 1 hour strength (weight machines) workout with trainer

Tues:
Wed: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-155 s/min; 9 resist; 435 cal)

Thurs: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-155 s/min; 10 resist; 470 cal)
Fri:
Sat: Driving Range: 2 buckets Working on 3w/1h/3h/4/5

Sun:

Overall Comments:

Work outs are getting easier. Now doing 30 minutes is not that hard. Getting to the 450+ calories per workout. Less issues with stiff joints.

At driving range, worked on getting ball position correct, especially for the longer irons and hybrids. Moved ball about 1-2 inches forward of center. Changed swing slightly, making sure (1) left arm is straight, (2) swing goes to top of possible back swing, and (3) a pause at the top. Appears to be correcting the tendency to pull for all of my clubs. In addition, open the face slightly versus what I believe is correct. Both changes appear to deliver straighter and longer carry more on target.

However, hitting 2 buckets does leave my back and left knee a bit sore.

Week Jan 12, 2009

Weight: 265 lbs Height 6' 0" Handicap 26

Mon: 1 hour strength (weight machines) workout with trainer

Tues: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-155 s/min; 10 resist)
Wed:

Thurs: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-150 s/min; 10 resist)
Fri:
Sat: 27 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-155 s/min; 10 resist, 430cal)

Driving Range: Hit a bucket (85balls) Worked on 1h, 3h, and 3W. About 30% straight, 30%pull, 33%push/slice/fat

Sun: 30 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-155 s/min; 10 resist, 430cal)

Overall Comments:

Lots more exercise this week. I am starting to feel some strength/endurance on the elliptical trainer.

First time hitting balls since mid-November. Actually felt good. My body is stiff; not turning as well as desired but not that bad. The new nickent 3DX DC 3h (1h) is really nice to hit and has good distance. When contact is good, the ball really flies well.

Week Jan 5, 2009

Weight: 268 lbs Height 6' 0"

Mon: 1 hour strength (weight machines) workout with trainer
Wed: 20 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-150 s/min; 9 resist)
Thurs: 25 min elliptical trainer workout ( 140-150 s/min; 10 resist)