Rattling The Chains

Disc golf drill card

2011-08-12T19:51:00.001-07:00

I played a game of disc golf Wednesday at El Dorado Park in Long Beach. It was a fun game with friends but frustrating for me. I missed 7 putts from 20 to 30 feet. I finally made 2 putts from 25 feet near the end of the game. It was too late to help my score. The real kick in the teeth was hole 12. I had a chance to par on the second longest pin placement. I’ve never done it before. I bounced off the basked low from 25 feet away. I was so close too. It’s the only hole on the course that I have not conquered.

My misses were frustrating. There were no clear misses except for a flubbed 10 footer. I hit the chains or the bucket on each shot. One of my friends asked me how I was so accurate. I told him that I practice and then explained my system.

I shoot at least 100 putts every session. I use a drill card (show above). An “X” marks a made putt. An “O” marks a miss. An “O!” is a bounce out. An “O>” is a miss right. The arrows mark the direction of my miss. My goal is 90%. If I make 90%, I call the session a success. If I don’t, I make another 100 putts.

It’s really helped my game. I’m a good putter. I feel like I can make anything up to about 40 feet every time I step up to a putt. Practice builds confidence.

Technorati Tags: Disc Golf Tips

Hole 1 at the Redwood Curtain

2011-07-21T19:37:00.001-07:00

I played a round of disc golf in norcal at the Redwood Curtain in Arcata, California. It was beautiful and terrible at the same time. I think it’s the best course I’ve ever played.

Technorati Tags: Disc Golf,Arcata,Redwood Curtain

I’m play the Redwood Curtain in a week

2011-06-27T11:04:00.001-07:00

My wife did not realize it at the time, but she booked our summer vacation into a disc golf paradise. The Redwood Curtain is within walking distance of where we are staying. It looks really friggen hard. There are 5 or 6 other course nearby. It’s going to be our best vacation ever. I wonder what my family will be doing?

Technorati Tags: Disc Golf

A new personal best!

2011-05-11T20:50:00.000-07:00

Some of you know I’m an avid disc golfer. I’ve played on and off since I was 15 – that’s a long time. I hit a personal best this afternoon at La Mirada’s lakeside course. I shot a two over 56 which is two better than I’ve ever played the game. I shot two birdies on the front nine. Hole three was a drop-in for a birdie. Hole nine was a 20 foot putt that I drained.

I screwed up a few holes, which is normal. If I had known the game would play out like it did, I would have been much more upset at myself for blowing my tee shot on the first hole. It was embarrassing, So was the overshot on my recovery. I turned an easy par into a hard bogey. But then, maybe it was my poor play on the first hole that loosened me up for what was to come. I don’t know – but I am happy tonight. It feels good to break a barrier and hit a personal best; real good.

In other news – I’ve dropped 30 pounds since March 9th. I played the course today in better form than I have ever managed before. I was winded at the end, but I walked off feeling pretty damn good. Heck, I even managed a workout when I got home. 50 is not so bad…

Technorati Tags: Disc Golf,Weight Loss

Summer night golf and BBQ

2011-05-01T13:45:00.001-07:00

The Southern California Disc Golf Meetup group is hosting an round of night golf and a BBQ on May 28, 2011. The event starts at 5:00.

What: Return of the Summer Night Golf and BBQ!!
When: Saturday, May 28, 2011 5:00 PM

Where: La Mirada Regional Park
13701 Adelfa Dr
La Mirada, CA 90638

For those of you who have patiently waited for it, here it finally is! We'll meet and start barbecuing at 5pm, and we'll tee off as soon as the sun goes down. I'll bring the charcoal and the BBQ tools, you bring your food. If you bring a few extra burgers or dogs, I'm sure there'll be a few hungry disc-golfers that will appreciate it. If you're not hungry, or don't like to BBQ, feel free to come and just hang out!

The sun is expected to set at about 8pm this night, so at about 7-7:30pm, we start cleaning up, and just before we tee of we'll play a little Ring of Fire and some of you a prize disc of two to use!

Don't forget your lights, and water-resistant shoes!! The sprinklers had the tendency to come on halfway through the round last year, so wear good shoes, just in case. And if you need lights, the Pro Shop at La Mirada does carry them, or if you show up a little early, you can head over to Discovering the World (an amazing disc golf shop about 15 minutes from the course). For more info on them, go to: www.DTWorld.com. If you can't make it around to pick up lights, don't worry about it. I should have a few lights to lend out.

Putting practice 20110116

2011-01-16T16:57:00.001-08:00

I had a good round of disc golf putting practice today. I shot 97 out of 100 at 16’. I only missed one of the last 70 shots. I’m feeling good enough to move back to 17’. I hope this reflects in my next score for the next round of disc golf.

My goal is 95% or better for each foot away from the basket. I can shoot at 100% out to 11’. At 12’ I start to miss, usually throwing slightly right of the target when I throw with too much snap.

Technorati Tags: Disc Golf,Putting

Putting practice 20110113

2011-01-13T21:07:00.001-08:00

I did not feel it today. I did not really get home for the day until 9:00 pm so disc golf practice was the last thing I wanted to do. But I did it. I shot 90 out of 100 for 90%. I only 2 out of my last 50 so the first 50 was not so good. After I calmed down and focused my rhythm came back and I found my accuracy increased.

My longest streak was 27. My practice range was 16 feet.

Technorati Tags: Disc Golf

Putting practice 20110112

2011-01-12T21:28:00.001-08:00

I took a long time off for various reasons. Mostly… I was just busy. I started putting practice again in preparation for spring and it was good. I shot 100 shots in groups of 5 from 16 feet.

I shot 87% on 100 shots. My longest streak was 30 in a row, followed by another streak of 24. I found that if I focused on a spot high on the pole I rarely missed. Note to self – remember to focus.

Technorati Tags: Disc Golf

A 53 at El Dorado

2010-10-08T09:38:00.001-07:00

I played El Dorado Park in Long Beach this morning at 7:30 am. It was grass cutting day. I’ll be sneezing the rest of the day. I played by myself and the park was empty until I reached the back nine. A couple of noobs pushed me along for the last 5 holes.

I shot a 53. My scorecard is posted here.

I putted well but my drive was short and off. I hit trees and went nuts on two consecutive bad throws on 9 & 18.

Daily Putting Practice 4

2010-10-07T20:31:00.001-07:00

Disk Golf Drill: One hundred 15 foot putts in groups of 5+5 with a two minute break between each group of 50
The Goal: 100% 3 days in a row

9,9,9,9,10 = 46
8,9,10,9,10 = 46

92 out of 100 with 3perfect 10s. The same as yesterday.

Daily Putting Practice 3

2010-10-06T20:31:00.001-07:00

Disk Golf Drill: One hundred 15 foot putts in groups of 5+5 with a two minute break between each group of 50
The Goal: 100% 3 days in a row

8,9,9,8,10 = 44
10,10,9,10,9 = 48

92 out of 100 with 4 perfect 10s. Getting Better! I need to focus in the early rounds.

Daily putting practice 2

2010-10-05T16:36:00.001-07:00

Disk Golf Drill: One hundred 15 foot putts in groups of 5+5 with a two minute break between each group of 50

The Goal: 100% 3 days in a row

8,10,7,7,8 = 40
9,10,10,9,9 = 47

87 out of 100 with 3 perfect 10s. Sloppy, but a small improvement.

Daily putting practice 1

2010-10-04T19:15:00.001-07:00

Disk Golf Drill: One hundred 15 foot putts in groups of 5+5 with a two minute break between each group of 50.

The Goal: 100% 3 days in a row.

8,7,10,6,9 = 40
9,9,10,9,8 = 45

85 out of 100 with two perfect 10s. Very sloppy.

A game with the boss

2009-04-14T21:06:00.001-07:00

I play disc golf with a lot of people. Some work for me, some work with me, and one is my boss. We don’t get to play many games together as he live in Chicago and I live in LA, but on occasion, we get to throw the disc around. Like today, I played with my boss Brian, and two co-workers, Mark and Michael. It was a cold day, and windy too, but I enjoyed the game.

Brian shot a +24 (or something), Michael shot a +18. John shot a +14 (or something), and I shot a +1.

Front Nine
-1,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,1 = 1

Back Nine
-1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1 = 0

The highlight of the game for me was a birdie on 10. I threw 40 feet short of the hole and then lofted in my putt. I did not expect to make it, I was just trying to limit the flight of the disc because of the wind. I was hoping to land within 10 feet or an easy par, but the wind took it and dropped in the chains.

Michael threw a 300 foot drive using an old Sidewinder. It was good to see him do it after having such a hard time on most of the other holes.

Brian went from throwing the disc like a beach Frisbee to throwing it like a disc golf disc over the course of about 14 holes. By the end he was getting some very good distance.

Technorati tags: Disc Golf

Easter Sunrise at Eldo

2009-04-12T09:48:00.001-07:00

I played a practice round with Mark at Sunrise on Easter. I birdied hole number 3 and 13. Mark got a par on 12 in the second longest setting. He made a 50 foot putt without even moving the chains. I was impressed. My par shot missed to the left by 5 feet.

It was an easy game, I enjoyed myself. I think I shot a 2 over. Let me check…

Front Nine:
0,0,-1,0,0,0,0,1,0 = o

Back Nine:
0,0,1,-1,1,0,0,1,0 = 2

Yep… A +2.

It’s funny too. I shot the photo above and then called a birdie. I figured I had a good chance of hitting the basket, but I hit the tree on the right and bounced wide. My 15 foot put for par bounced off the header. I was so pissed….

The course was empty but the park was full of picnickers getting ready to celebrate Easter with a little family hamfest. I rather play disc golf.

Technorati tags: Disc Golf, Long Beach

A Good Friday disaster at Huntington

2009-04-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

Shoot.... I lost a game to Brad. What is the world coming to? I played at Huntington Beach with Pastor Brad and John. I could not buy a putt. I missed from 5 feet, from 10, from 15 and everything in between. My only sure putt was a drop it. Brad shot a 7, I shot a 9 and John shot a 20. I felt like giving up the game.

My best shot of the round was on 11. I threw up the fence line and curved right in the trees on a big s turn. I came back around and bounced 20 feet short of hole for an easy par. It was the only good shot of the day for me. I really need a good round at Huntington Beach. I tend to suck hard at HB.

27 par holes at eldo

2009-04-09T21:20:00.000-07:00

I played 27 holes of disc golf of Eldo in Long Beach with Brad and Mark. My game was right on the money. I putted well, I threw accurately, and I nailed my approach shots. I left feeling like I was ready for the show. I should have known it would not last.

A good round at eldo

2009-04-07T21:55:00.000-07:00

I played at round with John, Michael, Miguel, and Brad after work today. I shot a +2 on a very windy day. I shot a +3 on the front and a -1 on the back. Most of the others were in double digits because of the wind. Miguel shot a +8.

Putting was a bitch, but my short game was strong, so I did not have any puts longer than 15 feet. Brad could not make any of his puts.

Michael played worse today than in his first round Sunday. His natural roller was being blown all over the place, so he did a lot of walking.

John threw a roller that went 100 feet forward and then 200 feet to the right. He was throwing toward the left. The wind took his disc and did some very bad things to it.

The shot of the day came from Michael on 10. He threaded the trees on the left to land at the foot of the basket. He ended up with a boogie because he cannot put.

Disc golf on Twitter

2009-04-03T08:53:00.001-07:00

Several disc golf resources are on Twitter. I follow Innova, Millennium, the PDGA, and Hurricane Disc Sports. It’s a nice way to keep up with what is happening in the disc golf world. Hurricane sent me a 10% discount after I started following them, so I even saved a little money.

I post a short note to twitter about most of my games too. Here is a sample.

Twitter is…

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent messages. People write short updates, often called "tweets" of 140 characters or fewer. These messages are posted to your profile or your blog, sent to your followers, and are searchable on Twitter search.

Twitter is free, so sign up if you are interested.

Technorati tags: Disc Golf, Twitter

Solo round at Eldo

2009-03-31T21:57:00.001-07:00

I played a 7:30 round of disc golf by myself at El Dorado Park in Long Beach this morning. I played well after taking a few days off because of some pain in my wrist. I drove well, in part because of a firm grip on the disc. I've moved back to the power grip. It seems to help with my snap. I shot a par game. Three birdies, three bogeys. Ironically, it was three birdies on the front nine, and three bogeys on the back nine.

A group round at Eldo

2009-03-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

I played a round at El Dorado Park with John, Kenny, Miguel and Brad. It was my second round of the day, and my third within the last 24 hours. I was dead tired by the fourth hole, and it went downhill from there. I played poorly, but had a few good shots. For some reason, I kept bouncing out of the chains.

Kenny was ripping his shots. It was quite impressive for an old dude who had not played in a six months. John continued to impress with his big spinning drives. But Miguel was killing his drives. He birdied 12, which is always hard to do.

I made a couple of long putts and few good drives, but I had three double bogeys. I mean, what the hell?

A windy round at HB

2009-03-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

I took a vacation day today so Huntington Beach was on the menu. I had fun but played like crap. Brad and I tried the course early. The wind was a steady 20 mph blowing from the ocean. It made every shot difficult. I don't know what my final score was, I would guess at least 15 over, perhaps higher.

It was Brad's first round at HB. He left with a healthy respect for the course. He'll be back.

Practice, practice, practice

2009-03-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

I played a rolling and overhand practice round at El Dorado Park after work on Wednesday. I did well. I was able to get a roller that worked about half the time, and my overhand hit a grove that worked well, especially on my approach shots. Unfortunately, my arm fills like rubber. I hope it passes soon.

Rain out at Eldo

2009-03-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

I showed up at El Dorado Park at 6:45 to meet Mark for our regular Sunday morning game. We managed to get in five holes before it started to rain. By the time I got back to my car, I was soaked. So, no disc golf today.

Nine holes at Liberty

2009-03-21T15:05:00.001-07:00

My wife and I stopped in for a quick bowl of curry in Cerritos. After, lunch we played nine holes at Liberty Park . It had been about three years since I last played there. It felt like I had returned the grade school. The park is so small and the tee pads are tiny. I played the marked course. I shot a –6 for nine holes. I could have shot a –9.

Front Nine:

-1,-1,0,0,-1,-1,-1,0,-1 = -6

A game of firsts

2009-03-21T09:42:00.001-07:00

I played a round of Disc Golf at La Mirada with Mark and Big Al. We teed off at 6:45 AM. I can only describe this round as a game of firsts. It started with Big Al making an impossible putt through the crotch of a tree. He was about 15 feet behind a big birch on the 4th hole. His only path to the basket was over a branch. I sized it up and threw without hesitation. It landed in the basket without hitting the chains. Mark and I both tried to repeat his shot, we did not come close.

On the 5th hole Mark threw an impressive drive right at the pin. He landed about 80 feet short and slightly downhill. He threw a sidearm approach shot that was locked on the chains from the moment it left his hand. It was an amazing shot, even more so because none of us have ever come close to a birdie on this hole before. Ironically, I played this hole for par with two outstanding shots. For me, It was my a perfect hole.

On the 6th hole Mark threw a shot that sailed into the street to the left of the pin placement. Nobody I’ve played with has ever thrown this hole that far. It was impressive.

On the 8th hole, Mark did it again. We all threw short and left. Big Al threw his short wide right from 65 feet. Mark followed with another sidearm. I commented with, “That looks good.” as it left his hand. It sailed right into the hole. We all slapped hands. I missed my approach wide right.

On the 9th hole it was my turn. I threw a Innova Sidewinder around a pine tree thinking I would land in the open grassy area for an easy approach. The trees on 9 give me no end of grief, so throwing around seemed like a good option. I watched as my disc sailed around the tree and right at the pin. It hit the ground and skipped bouncing off the basket. I had missed a hole in one by inches.

Our luck continued until on the back nine. We had several close calls, but nothing as spectacular as the front nine. Big Al pared hole 10. It was my first bogie of the day. I pared hole 11 with an uphill 25 foot putt. On 12 I threw a great drive right through the trees into the open for an easy par. On 14 Mark threw a drive that hit the building but still managed to travel 40 feet farther than my good attempt.

I ended up with a +2 for the day, which is a new personal best. I missed a 25 foot putt on 17 and took a bogie. I had tried to play safe on my approach but caught an edge and rolled away from the hole. I was so close!

Front Nine 0

0,+1,0,0,0,0,0,0,-1 = 0

Back Nine +2

0,+1,0,0,0,0,0,+1,0 = 0

My drives were nice. I’ve backed off my run up in favor of focusing on my pull and release. I throw farther if I do it right. I’m much more accurate. My putting was solid. I missed three. A 40 foot on 2, a 30 foot on 11, and a 25 foot on 17.

I posted the wrong score to twitter. Oh well.

A very good round at Eldo

2009-03-19T21:56:00.000-07:00

I played a 4:30 PM round of disc golf at El Dorado Park in Long Beach. I played with Mark, John, Brad and Miguel. I shot a -2 round to stomp the group. I putted well.

Front Nine: -3
0,0,-1,-1,0,-1,0,0,0

Back Nine: +1
0,0,0,0,+1,0,0,0,0

I only missed one putt. I made several 20 footers. It was one of the best games I've ever played.

Sunrise at Eldo

2009-03-15T22:19:00.001-07:00

I played a practice round with Mark and Brad this morning at Eldo in Long Beach. I'm a little sick. My game sucked. I threw at about 60% of normal. I putted ok. I'll put the game at about a +4 or 5.

Mark and Brad played a second round. I went home to get some rest. I'll give it another try after work Monday.

Misty round at La Mirada

2009-03-14T09:19:00.000-07:00

I played a 6:45 AM start at La Mirada this morning with Big Al and Mark. I shot a +3, which is a good score for me at this course.

I felt like crap today, everything ached and my feet were sore. I backed off my normal run up, but threw just as far as normal, but I was way more accurate. Go figure.

Mark hit every tree on the course. But on a few holes.... geez he can throw far. I'm guessing he move it up to a solid 350 feet now. It is amazing to watch.

Big Al was hit and miss. The joke was that he should just walk 20 feet from the tee box and stand behind the tree. His second shots were perfect.

I only blew one shot today. On 15 I threw 100 feet forward and 200 feet to the left it what must have been one of the ugliest throw of the year (so far). I could not even see the hole from where I was standing on my second shot. I recovered well to par the hole. That's always nice.

Sidearm practice at lunch

2009-03-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

I practiced sidearm throws at Callas park in Carson at lunch on Friday with John and Brad. As usual, Brad was able to whip it out farther than I could. I threw four discs at a time. Near the end of practice, I could get 220 from each disc and put them all in the same general target zone. I need to work on this, that is for sure, 220 is nothing...

A great end to the week

2009-03-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

I played at Eldo after work in on Friday with Brad and Mark. We enjoyed a game in the 80 degree heat after a long week of audits and budgets. I played well, but finished poorly. My score was a 3 over. With a two coming on the front nine and two coming on the back nine, plus one birdie on hole 3. I drove well, and putted well, but made a few dumb mistakes. It was not a serious round anyway, so I was not too concerned.

My boss called during the back nine. I think it distracted me. They guys were OK about the call, but I could not get it off my mind. I ended up blowing the hole badly.

I learned that throwing sidearm cause discs that normally curve on me, to go dead straight. I need to find some other way to handle a left to right hook shot. I've marked it down as a practice item.

The curse continued

2009-03-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

I played a early morning round of disc golf at Eldo in Long Beach on Sunday with Mark and Scott. For some reason I could not buy a putt. I threw the disc well, but could not seem to make it the last 15 feet. I finished at 5 over. It was my worst game in a very long time.

This game is cursed!

2009-03-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

I played a sunrise game at La Mirada with Al, Brad and Marc. My wife had cursed my game because I made fun of her large forehead (it's not really, she just thinks it is). The curse worked. I missed putt after putt. I'm going to guess on my score here. I was +2 on the front nine, and +4 on the back. I'm recording the game as a +6, which is horrible for me. I still won the round, so that's something, right?

I birdied one hole. I could have birdied two, but I totally choked on a 7 foot put. I birdied 6 with an 80 foot putt which I called. Brad and Mark has missed their putts long and ended up in the street. I calmly stated that my plan was to miss the street by throwing into the hole, and the threw it right in. I should do that more often.

I'm schedule for another game tomorrow. Hopefully the curse will have worn off.

Putting Practice 16

2009-02-22T21:23:00.000-08:00

I took two week off putting practice because of a very sore wrist. It feels back to normal now, so I'm back at practice. I threw 300 shots tonight. My make percentage was 92%. I was 100 for 100 at 10 feet, 98 for 100 at 15 feet, and 79 for 100 at 20 feet. My longer range shots suffered from fatigue. I was all over the place with my aim, it showed in some of my misses.

I'll try to do another round tomorrow.

A practice round at Eldo

2009-02-22T09:07:00.000-08:00

I played a practice round at El Dorado Park in Long beach this morning. I don't really know what I scored. I had no birdies and quite a few bogeys, so it can't be pretty. My back hurt this morning, so my drives were stiff and way off target.

I played with Mark, Brad, and Scott. We all did poorly. Mark had some of the best drives of the day. He was murdering the disc. I think he finally got a handle on his big fade left. On several holes he threw pin high. It was impressive.

We played horse after the game. Brad won. At one point Scott threw two disc at a time from 25 feet, making one. Brad stepped up and threw both right in the hole. It was amazing. I ended the game tied with Mark. Our putting game was pretty weak.

A morning round at La Mirada

2009-02-21T09:36:00.000-08:00

Big Al and Mark joined me for a 7:00 am round at the ever challenging La Mirada disc golf course. I shot a +4. My game was not as good as normal. I blew a few shots and missed a few easy putts. Big Al played well. A few of his shots were impressive. Mark struggled with his game, he kept throwing his drives wide left.

Front Nine:
0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,1 = +2

Back Nine:
0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0 = +2

Big Al gave me two Zino Platinum cigars for my birthday. I smoked a shorty on the course. It was a mistake. I need my lungs at La Mirada. There are a bunch of hills to climb.

The most memorable shot of the game was Big Al's par on 17. He nailed a 25 foot putt that I had missed just seconds before. He also threw an amazing upshot on 13. I nailed a few long putts, so I was pretty happy, including my putt on the 18th hole, a 20 footer for par. Mark almost hit an ace twice on the same hole. We played three holes before Al showed up and then started over. On the third hole Mark flew over the hole at 3 feet, the second time his disc flew by level with the hole but slightly left. Either shot could have went in.

A quick after work round at Eldo

2009-02-20T17:26:00.000-08:00

I played a quick game after work Friday afternoon at Eldo. I played with Brad who shot a +9, I shot a +3. I did not play well, although I putted better than ever. I had one birdie two bogeys, and one double bogey. We played quickly because we started late and needed to finish before the sun went down. We manged to get a a game of horse in too, Brad won.

I continued to work my XL and Surge. The results were encouraging.

My first Ace

2009-02-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

I played a second game of disc golf at El Dorado Park this morning. I aced hole 13. It was set short. I threw a Discraft Surge high and to the right. I caught a few leaves and then kicked left to float into the hole. It was amazing.

I birdied hole 1, hole 3, and hole 6 on the front nine, and hole 11 on the back nine. I bogeyed hole 7 and hole 10. I finished with a -4, a new personal best and course record.

A morning round at Huntington Beach

2009-02-19T20:25:00.000-08:00

I took the day off to play disc golf. It was a great day for disc golf at Huntington Beach, I parred the course. I birdied hole 1 with a perfect drive from the parking lot. It landed in front of the hole and bounced off the pin for an easy birdie. I lost it on hole 4, too many trees between me and the hole, and a hill. Did I mention the hill? I finished the front nine with a bad drive, but my upshot was amazing. I threw 200 feet to land under the hole for an easy par.

The back nine was a little harder. I birdied 10 with a 40 foot putt. Parred 11 with an amazing shot through the trees and a long putt. Everything else was easy, except for 17. I threw into the bushes for a penalty stroke. 18 was an easy par.

So... I parred the course. I'm pretty damn happy with myself.

A morning round at Eldo

2009-02-15T10:16:00.000-08:00

I played at 7:30 am round of disc golf with Mark and Scott at El Dorado Park in Long Beach this morning. I played ok. I hit two birdies for a +4 for the day. One of my birdies was a 125 foot long upshot on 15. It was amazing. I drilled it. I also drilled a 35 foot putt for bogey on 6. I had hit the damn building on my first shot, hit a tree on my second and third shots, and then nailed the putt from behind a tree. I also had a close call on 18. I shot a 5o footer around a tree and through the chains for a miss.

I'm calling the game a practice round. I try to work with new discs and throwing styles on Sundays. today was more work with the roller, my Surge, and my XL. I did ok with most, but my roller sucked as usuall. Mark was able to nail his roller both time he tried it.

Mark had two epic misses. On twelve he threw his second shot along the length of the path into the street. On 17 he threw hard left into the fence for the golf course. Come to think of it, he did the same thing on 16, but hit the tennis court instead. Scott almost holed out on 18. His throw missed by a few feet.

It was a good day for disc golf. I think we are due for a few days of rain.

A wet round at Eldo

2009-02-14T10:31:00.000-08:00

I canceled my normal Saturday morning round at La Mirada out of a concern about rain. When my phone rang at 6:30 am this morning, I found it sunny and cold, so I played a round at El Dorado Park in Long Beach instead. Sorry Al...

Brad and I played a wet and cold round. Brad played like hell, after the front nine he was +8. I think he finished with a +16, or maybe higher. His approach shots were right on, but everything else sucked. We officially called it a practice round by the 5th whole. I shot a +3.

My putts were tight. I hit some long putts, and all my short putts. I tried a roller on several holes, it still blows. I throw it like a girl. Wait... I throw it like a girl who does not know how to play disc golf. I've seen a few women chuck it way farther than me.

We played two games of horse too. I won both rounds. Brad was having a very off day.

A windy round at Eldo

2009-02-12T20:14:00.000-08:00

I played a round of disc golf with Brad at El Dorado Park in Long Beach. It was windy today and my game blew. I'm not sure what I shot. My guess is I shot about a +5 or 6. But is does not matter, I was practicing with my hard to throw discs. My results were mixed, it showed in the score.

I putted well, but had a lot of pain in my wrist during the round. I need to back off practice for a little while. I think I've injured myself.

I take little joy in beating Brad... Ok, I take a lot of joy in beating Brad. It was even fun beating him at a game of horse. Hopefully, I'll feel better for the weekend games.

A Sunday Practice Round at Eldo

2009-02-08T09:27:00.000-08:00

I played a practice round at El Dorado Park in Long Beach with Brad and Mark. It was a wet day, it had rained the night before. It sprinkled some during the game, but not enough to hurt our game. Brad hit three birdies in a row to start the game. It was amazing. At one point he had a 5 stroke lead on me, I eventually caught him. I ended with a sloppy +2 for the day. Brad had a +4. Mark had a +10.

I had three birdies today, one was a 50 foot putt. It felt good. My putting was mixed today. I made some long putts, but missed some short one. And to my shame, I lost a game of horse to Brad who was putting like a demon.

I threw a roller twice today. Both did not work well. My first did not turn over, so it hooked shot. The second was a weak throw into a tree.

I worked with my Discraft Surge most of the day. I threw it well on a couple of holes. I'm getting better with it. I only messed up once. Not bad for a disc I normally hard left.

Putting Practice 15

2009-02-06T21:04:00.000-08:00

It is amazing to me how sore my arm is now. Everything from my fingertips up to my shoulder hurts. I have a dull throb in my wrist that is most annoying. I'm sure it has something to do with 16 rounds of disc golf putting practice. Let's see, I've thrown at least 5,000 putts since I've started this experiment. I had better make some puts on my next round!

I shot 100 for 100 at 10 feet, 97 for 100 at 15 feet, and 86 for 100 at 20 feet. My shot percentage was 94%.

Putting Practice 14

2009-02-05T22:09:00.001-08:00

I keep pressing on with putting practice. Today was slightly better than yesterday. I'm sneaking up on 80% from 20 to 25 feet. Give me a few more weeks of this and I should be able to nail most of the puts I usually miss.

I was 100 for 100 at 10 feet, 96 for 100 at 15 feet, and 82 for 100 at 20 feet. My shot percentage was 93%.

It amazes me that missing just a few shots feels like I'm doing poorly. The impression I had after practice today was that it was not so good. Yet, the numbers tell otherwise. I like that I'm growing in confidence. We'll see if this moves with me out to the course.

Throwing a roller

2009-02-04T19:23:00.000-08:00

I took a lesson on throwing a roller today. I think I finally cracked the code. I was able to throw a roller at least 300 feet. I figure with some practice I will be able to get it our even farther. Unfortunately, Brad also cracked the code. He can already roll it 350.

Putting Practice 13

2009-02-04T19:20:00.000-08:00

I did my practice round back to back today. I wanted to see if being tired made a difference. Towards the end of the 20 foot round I could notice it, but my score did not suffer. I shot100 for 100 at 10 feet, 97 for 100 at 15 feet. and, 82 for 100 at 20 feet. My make percentage was 93%.

My dog Thor figured out that he could sit on the edge of a couch so that I would pet him each time I picked my discs out of the hole. He's awful trusting.

Putting Practice 12

2009-02-03T22:26:00.000-08:00

I can always tell when I'm not concentrating because I find the task boring. I've hit that wall with putting practice. I am bored. I had to force myself to step up today. This showed up in the results, my performance weak.

I missed 2 at 10 feet. I was 98 for 100. I missed 4 at 15 feet. I was 96 for 100. At 20 feet, I missed 23. I was 77 for 100. My shot percentage fell to 90%.

Putting Practice 11

2009-02-02T19:56:00.000-08:00

My arm feels like crap today. Too much disc golf I think.

Image by mojoey via Flickr

I threw 300 putts in this session. I was 100 for 100 at 10 feet, 98 for 100 at 15 feet, and 82 for 100 at 20 feet. My shot percentage was 94%. I feel like I'm making progress. But it's very hard to stay focused on doing this each day. I"m going to stick it out. I need to stick it out if I'm going to make my goal of paring La Mirada.

I did two rounds of 1 foot drills too. These are solid until I hit about 18 feet, and then I start to miss.

Putting Practice 10

2009-02-01T21:40:00.000-08:00

I had a breakthrough on putting thanks to my friend Brad. I started doing 1 foot drills. I start at 10 feet and throw 4 discs. If I make them all, I move back a foot. I must make all 4 discs in a group to move back. I move from ten feet to 18 feet without a problem. I was able to move back to the 22 feet marker before making all 4 discs became a problem. In the process I started throwing harder and with more spin. This resulted in a flat straight flight path. I had been using an arching putt style. It felt better, and it turned out to be much more accurate.

When I started my normal 300 disc drill, I only missed one of the first 200 discs. I shot 100 for 100 at ten feet, 99 for 100 at 15 feet, and 79 for 100 at 20 feet. My overall shot percentage rose to 92%. I'm pretty happy with my performance. Although if I miss, it will be long.

El Dorado 2/1/09

2009-02-01T11:07:00.000-08:00

I played a great early morning game of disc golf at El Dorado Park in Long Beach. I shot a par game. it was my second par or better game in a row. I played with Brad, but ran into early morning regular Scott too. Brad shot a +6 (I think). My putting has improved with practice. Go figure.

Front Nine - Par
-1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0 = 0

Back Nine- Par
0,0,0,-1,0,+1,0,0,0 = 0

I started the game with a 20 foot birdie putt on hole 1. I threw wide left on hole 2, but recovered well with a decent upshot for an easy par. Hole 3 was a great drive for a 20 foot putt that I missed, but it was deliberate. I tried to drop it in instead of throwing it hard at the hole. The hole was set with a downhill drop off behind it, so I opted for an easy par. I threw poorly and wide left on hole 4. My upshot left a 15 foot that I made for par. I did the same thing on hole 5 and 6. Wide left with good approach shots for easy pars. Hole 7 was nice. I lofted a shot wide right for a perfect s curve through the trees. It left me with an easy 100 foot approach shot and par. Hole 8 was my only real mistake on the front nine. I threw under the trees for a nice 100 foot approach shot. I threw a Innova Cobra to the right of the trees that were between me an the hole. I can usually throw curve shot like this reliably, but not today. I threw long and skipped across the path behind the hole for a 40 foot putt, which I missed. Hole nine was sweet. I good drive followed by a good upshot that ended up leaning against the pole. It was a nice way to end the front nine.

The back nine was easy. I played well. My drives were more reliable. Hole 10 was a long drive for an 80 foot putt attempt. I missed. Hole 11 was a long drive for 30 foot birdie attempt. I missed. Hole 12 was a short drive for on the longest hole of the course. My upshot was perfect. I had a drop in for par. 13 was a nice drive with a Discraft Surge for an 25 foot birdie putt which I nailed. Hole 14 was an odd one. I threw wide right but needed a 100 foot shot around some trees to get close. I almost landed in the hole. I always have trouble on 15. I threw short again, but then missed my upshot by 25 feet right and ten feet long. I missed the putt. I hit a tree on 16, my upshot went 20 long. I hit the putt. I had a nice drive on 17, but threw the upshot wide left 15 feet. I hit the par putt. I blew the drive on 18, but recovered for an easy par.

Brad had some trouble in the game, he double bogied a couple of holes on the front nine, but his putts were much better. He bought a portable hole and started to practice too. He has an interesting practice technique. He starts at five feet. If he throws two sets of for discs into the hole, he moves back a foot. He's been able to keep this up until he reaches 18 feet. I'm impressed. He should get much better.

Putting practice has taken four shots off my game. I'm hitting anything within 20 feet every time I step up. It is almost automatic. I'm going to keep up the practice until I hit 30 rounds. Then I'm change my setup and work on the 20 to 30 foot range.

Putting Practice 9

2009-01-31T18:31:00.000-08:00

I threw 300 putts this afternoon. I hit 100 of 100 at 10 feet. I hit 95 of 100 at 15 feet. At 20 feet I did not do as well as I would have liked. I shot 72 out of 100. My make percentage increased one point to 89%

My back hurts today. I'm not sure why. I think it caused my throwing to be a little stiff. Some of my misses were big.

La Mirada 1/31/09

2009-01-31T09:25:00.000-08:00

I played a practice round of disc golf with Al at La Mirada today. I play OK. I did not keep score. I experienced my worst hole in a long time, followed by my worst hole in a very long time. It was epic.
Hole 12 - I threw into the tree at the base of the hill to the right. My next shot hit the tree on at the top of the hill. My next shot hit the tree near the hole. My fourth shot hit the grass near the hole. My fifth shot went in the hole, but almost bounced out. It was nasty.

Hole 13 - I three a perfect drive. 280 and under the trees for a nice 80 foot hook shot around the palm trees to the hole. Only my second shot caught an edge and rolled all the way to the lake. I had a 160 foot uphill upshot which I shot wide right. I made the 20 foot putt for a bogey.

My putting is better. The practice helps.

Putting Practice 8

2009-01-30T20:37:00.001-08:00

This round was solid. I was 10o for 100 at 10 feet. I was 94 for 100 at 15 feet. And, I was 72 of 100 at 20 feet. That puts me at 88% for the session.

Practice helps. My putts in today's game were much better than normal. I'm will keep this up.

El Dorado 1/30/09

2009-01-30T17:14:00.000-08:00

I played a round of disc golf at El Dorado park in Long Beach this afternoon. Mark and Brad played with me. I had good game. I scored a -1 for round. Brad shot a +4. Mark did not keep score as he was breaking in a bunch of new discs (and trees).

Front Nine: Par
0,0,0,-1,0,0,0,0,1 = 0

Back Nine: -1
0,0,0,-1,0,0,0,0,0 = -1

My putting is much better thanks to all the practice. I am hitting my short putts much more often. Hole 1 was a botched drive into a tee followed by a decent upshot. I made a 15 foot putt for par. Hole 2 was a botched drive to the left, followed by a perfect upshot for a drop in par. Hole 3 was a good drive for a 25 foot birdie putt that I missed high because of the wind. I made the 10 foot par putt. Hole 4 was a nice drive for a 20 foot birdie. On 6 I missed wide left of the drive but made a perfect upshot for another drop in. On seven I missed the drive wide left for a 60 foot putt. I missed, but had an easy putt for par. Hole 7 was perfect. A good drive followed by a good upshot and a drop in 3 foot putt. I hit a tree on 8 but was able to show my upshot to within 15 feet of the hole. I drilled the putt. I had a good solid drive on 9. The pin was set high, so my 150 upshot should have been easy. I missed long by 25 feet. I missed the come back putt.

The back nine was fun. I threw a good drive on 10 but missed a 50 foot putt for birdie. 11 was my worst shot of the day. I threw wide right with a Innova Roadrunner. I was pin high but 100 feet from the hole with a large tree in the way. I made a good upshot but was left with a 20 foot put for par. I drilled it. 12 was a bad drive left. My 150 upshot left me under the hole for an easy par. On 13 I threw a Surge high into the wind. It landed pin high but 35 feet to the right. I drilled the birdie put. Hole 14 was an easy par after I hit the 15 foot putt. On 15 my upshot landed under the hole for an easy par. 17 was fun. I threw a good drive and follow up with an upshot around a tree. I landed under the hole again. 18 was an easy par.

Putting Practice 7

2009-01-29T21:38:00.000-08:00

This was a tired round of practice putts. It's been a long day. I was 100 for 100 at 10 feet, 88 for 100 at 15 feet, and 73 for 100 at 20 feet. That puts me at 87% for the session.

I saw improvement in my real game putts today. Anything inside of 15 feet was automatic... except the one I missed!

El Dorado 1/29/09

2009-01-29T18:07:00.000-08:00

I played a game with Brad today at 4:00 pm. El Dorado was lightly stacked with twosomes. We played in just over an hour. I shot a three over par.

Front Nine: Par!
0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 = 0

Back Nine:
1,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0 = +3

Putting practice paid off. I hit all but one of my short putts. I had two long putts, both were close.

The front nine was an easy par round. I threw well and had only short putts for par. I had a couple of looks at a birdie, but nothing close.

The back nine was a little harder. I blew my upshot on 10, and the missed a 15 foot recovery putt. I missed a long birdie on 11. 12 was a short drive on a long hole, but my upshot hit the pin. 13 was trouble. I hit a tree. I made a good recover for par. 14 was a long drive but it left me behind three trees with no look at the hole. I hit a tree and then missed a 80 foot for putt for par. 15 was another bogey. I had a nice drive but my upshot when wide right. I missed a 30 foot putt for par by inches. 15 was an easy par.17 was my best hole. I threw 300 feet to the back of the trees for an upshot that hit the chains. I looked like I knew what I was doing. I finished with an easy par on 18.

Putting Practice 6

2009-01-28T21:54:00.000-08:00

Putting practice today was 100 shots at each station. I shot 100 out of 100 at 10 feet, 92 out of 100 at 15 feet, and 72 out of 100 at 2e0 feet. My shot percentage was 88%. I am getting better. My confidence is improving. Each time I step up it feels like I can make it. In fact, my true misses, where I did not hit the hole at all, were under ten. Most misses were bounce outs.

Practice takes less than 40 minutes. Yet I feel like I'm improving with every session. I plan to sneak in a game tomorrow if I can. Hopefully, my efforts will yield some results.

Putting Practice 5

2009-01-27T21:34:00.000-08:00

Putting practice today was double sized. I shot 99 out of 100 at 10 feet, 92 out of 100 at 15 feet, and 98 out of 150 at 20 feet. My shot percentage was 83%.

I continue to feel like my shots are becoming more automatic. I am less likely to miss when close. 20 foot shots are starting to feel shorter and in reach..

Putting Practice 4

2009-01-26T21:51:00.000-08:00

I shot 150 practice putts today. My stats were 50 for 50 at 10 feet, 43 for 50 at 15 feet, and 31 for 50 at 20 feet. I'm shooting 82%. It could have been higher, but I missed 8 in a row on my first set of 10 at 20 feet.

10 feet is automatic. 15 feet is becoming automatic. If I miss, I miss low. 20 feet is harder. I need to focus. 25 feet, which I'm not ready to start counting stats on yet, is pretty bad. To do it right, I need to set that practice setting up outside. There are too many breakable things in my path at 25 feet.

Putting Practice 3

2009-01-25T20:40:00.001-08:00

I shot 200 practice putts in this afternoon’s session. I was 50 for 50 at 10 feet, 44 for 50 at 15 feet, and 70 for 100 at 20 feet. My total percentage was 82%. I’m starting to develop a feel for the 20 foot puts. It’s more of a gentle loft with strong momentum that hits the chains hard, or misses long.

El Dorado 1/25/09

2009-01-25T10:24:00.001-08:00

I played a round of disc golf at El Dorado Park in Long Beach today with John and Scott. I played well, but Scott played better with a –2. I shot a +3. My putting practice is already starting to show results. I made all of my short range putts. I came close on a few long range putts too.

Front Nine:

0,0,0,0,1,-1,0,1,0 = +1

Back Nine:

0,0,1,0,1,0,0,0,0 = +2

The front nine was a problem. I arrived late and did not have time to warm up, my first three drives were bad. I hit trees and fell short of the pin each time. My upshots helped. Hole 4 was a missed 30 foot birdie putt for an easy par. Hole 5 was a problem. I drove well, but landed to the right behind a tree. I flubbed the upshot to leave a 30 foot putt, which I missed by a wide margin. I made it up on 6 with a drive right to the pin for a 10 foot birdie. My tee shot on 7 was short, but my up shot hit the pin for an easy par. I blew 8. I threw under the trees well but my disc did not hook right. I through my upshot long and to the left for a 40 foot come back putt… I missed. Hole 9 was an easy par after missing a 60 foot birdie attempt.

The back nine was harder. I did not throw as well as I normally do. Scott hit some amazing drives. It was fun to watch. I missed a long birdie attempt on 10 by inches when my disc bounced off the top rim. I threw short on 11, but made a nice upshot to save par. 12 was set to the second farthest position. Scott pared it, Mark had a triple bogie after a huge upshot that flew across the street. I drove short (290) with a Discraft Surge and then flubbed my upshot short and left. I missed a 60 foot par attempt by inches. 13 was my best drive of the day on the long flat drive to within 50 feet of the hole at its longest position. I missed the long birdie for an easy par. 15 was a botched drive that ended well. I hit a tree but still go 275 out of the disc. Of course, I blew my upshot and missed my par putt. The rest of the holes were easy pars. Number 18 was a fun hole. I was able to throw a high flying spike around a tree to land inches from the hole. It felt great.

The shot of the day was Mark on 14. He threw a long drive to a spot behind three trees. He had 75 feet to make a birdie. He drilled it.

Putting Practice 2

2009-01-24T20:42:00.000-08:00

I was 49 for 50 at 10 feet, 36 for 50 at 15 feet, and 39 for 50 at 20 feet. My wrist is a little sore from all the work over the last two days. I am developing a feel for the loft required to carry the disc to the basket using a push put. Plus I've learned that I do not need to snap my wrist as hard as I think I do. I slight snap will carry the disc into the hole.

Well... this is day two. I've got 28 more to go.

La Mirada 1/24/08

2009-01-24T10:39:00.001-08:00

I played a round of Disc golf with Brad at La Mirada. It was a warm morning, but wet from the nights rain. I played well. Brad played poorly. My trend toward throwing farther continued. I hit high marks on several holes. Plus, discs that I have trouble throwing are performing better. I threw a Discraft Surge dead straight about 300 feet. It would normally take a hard left.

Front Nine

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0 = +1

Back Nine

0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,1 = +2

The theme of this game is putting. I putted well on some holes, and not so well on others.

I missed a 40 foot birdie putt on 1. I missed a 25 foot birdie putt on 3. I made par on 4 with a 15 foot putt, but missed par on 5 on with a 15 foot putt from behind a tree. I made a long 25 foot put on 7. but missed a long 25 putt on 8. 9 was an easy 5 footer.

The back nine started with a easy par on 10 and 11. 12 was a missed 20 foot putt on a bad lie. 13 was my best putt, a 60 footer to save par. 14 was a a long drive for an easy par, so was 15. 16 was was an easy par after a bad drive. 17 was an 15 foot shaky putt. I almost missed. I blew 18. I made a good drive, but my approach was poor. I need to make a 15 foot putt to make a new course record. I hit the chains but slide off to the left. I choked.

The most memorable moment of the game came on 17. Brad threw a Innova Sidewinder. It rolled over towards the right on a path for the lake. It started to roll, but hit a duck to stop short of the water. It was one of the worst throws I’ve ever seen him make.

Putting Practice 1

2009-01-23T17:39:00.000-08:00

I set my portable disc golf hole up in my living room and fired off 100 puts at 10 and 15 feet. The results were better than expected. At 10 feet, I hit 50 of 50 for 100%. At 15 feet, I hit 41 of 50 for 82%. My practice round percentage was 91%, which is 50% higher than my game scores.

I added 100 putts at 20 feet. This time I hit 60%.

I use a Spike Grip Line as a putter. I love it.

El Dorado 1/18/09

2009-01-18T10:43:00.001-08:00

I played a solo round of disc golf at El Dorado Park in Long Beach this morning at 8:00 am. It was a practice round so I did not keep score. If I had to guess, I would say a +6. I tried new discs and new throwing techniques. I played poorly, but it was worthwhile experience.

It was clear and warm. My guess is that it was 70 degrees when I started, and much warmer when I finished. The round took a little under an hour.

The course only had a few groups out. Most were slow players out having fun in the sunshine. I recognized one group from last Sunday. They were new players, but doing well.

My putting sucked. I switch over to a new style a few games back. My accuracy is off on short putts. I’ll have to work on it in the weeks ahead if I am to start paring the course.

Hole 12 killed me. I shot a double bogie. My drive was short and ugly. My second shot was against the fence so I had to play a safety to an open spot on the fairway. It was a bad hole.

The Santa Ana winds kicked up as I left. It will be hard day for disc golfers if it keeps up.

Technorati tags: Disc Golf

La Mirada 1/17/09

2009-01-17T09:17:00.001-08:00

I played a 7:15 am round of disc golf at La Mirada with my buds Mark and Al. It was not a good game. I played some shots poorly. The day was clear and warm. I know it's hard to believe, but in I played in shorts and a t-shirt in mid-January. It must have been 70 degrees. I think I won the round, but it really did not matter because we declared the game a practice round after three holes. I played a +5

Front Nine:

0,+1,0,+1,0,0,+1,0,0 = +3

Back Nine:

0,+1,+1,0,0,0,0,0,0 = +2

I continued to throw farther . Hole 1 was a good example. I landed 40 feet from the hole on my best shot ever. I missed the birdie putt. Number 2 was the same story, but a blew the upshot by hitting a tree. I missed a birdie putt on 3. Hole 4 was a mess. A bad tee shot, followed by an aggressive upshot left me behind a tree for par. I missed it. Holes 5 and 6 were long drives, but too far away for a putt. Hole 8 was a long drive for a 30 foot birdie put. I missed it. And hole nine… crap. I threw a Innova Valkyrie around some trees but it faded right instead of turning left. I missed the hole by 70 past and wide right. I ended up with a par.

The back nine started off with a long shot and a good up shot for an easy par. 11 was the same same story. I cleared the hill, but hit a tree on my upshot and missed a long putt. I played 12 well. I had a fly by the hole on my upshot, but missed my putt (there is a theme to this game). 13 was a easy par, so was 15, 16 was a nice long drive for a 30 foot birdie putt… I missed it. I finished off 17, 18, and 19 with easy pars.

Al threw a disc into the lake on hole 1. I disc scrounger fished it out for him. On the back nine, Al threw a disc into the street on 13, his upshot was pin high but curved to the tee pad on 14. He made an amazing 60 foot putt to save bogie. It was the highlight of the game.

El Dorado 1/16/09

2009-01-16T21:19:00.001-08:00

I played a round of disc golf at El Dorado Park in Long Beach this afternoon. This was a big game for me. I threw farther that ever before on almost all the holes. I did not score better, it seems I threw farther on my upshots too. I missed some holes by 40 feet. I’ll have to back off a bit to pull my score in.

I played with Brad. We skipped out on work early to catch a game before the end of the day. The park was crowded. I estimate 50 people on the course. We played the back nine first because there was two large slow groups playing the front nine. I won the round. Brad shot a +7.

Front Nine:

0,0,+1,0,0,+1,0,+1,0 = +3

Back Nine:

0,0,+1,0,0,+1,0,0,0 = + 2

I blew my tee shot on 1 by hitting a tree short. I recovered well for an easy put. I did the same thing on 3, but missed my upshot by 25 feet long and then missed the putt. The big news was a spectacular par on 7. I hit a tree on my upshot leaving me 70 feet from the hole. I drilled the long put. It felt great. Brad had the best tee shot on 7 even ever seen, not counting a few rollers. He threw pin high on the first placement. I hit a tree on 8 (so did Brad), and then threw 40 feet past the hole on my upshot. I missed the putt (but not by much).

The back nine was fun. 9 and 10 were bad tee shots but great upshots for easy drop in putts. 11 was set to 700+. I missed 20 foot par putt for a bogie (sooo close!). Brand and I both missed long birdie putts on 14. I missed my upshot on 15 for a 50 foot shot at par but missed. 16 was an outstanding for long birdie putts for both of us. We’ve never had such a good position at this hole. Of course, we moth missed. We both threw for long birdie puts on 17, but missed. 18 was a good hole for me. I threw long, but ended behind a tree. My upshot was nice. I made an easy putt for par. A +5 is not a good score for me. However, I threw several holes 75 to 100 feet longer than before, so I count it a win.

The big news today was implementing an adjustment on my long putts. It causes a long flat glide which took me right at the hole from as far as 100 feet away. I need to practice more. However, the long putt on 7 was good for my ego, so I’m going to stick with it.

El Dorado 1/11/09

2009-01-11T09:28:00.001-08:00

I played a round of disc golf at El Dorado Park in Long Beach this morning. It was clear and warm, another Santa Anna winds day. There was a slight stead breeze. I played the front nine with Scott and Mark. I played the back nine with Mark. I played well. I made just five bad mistakes, two of which cost me a stroke each on the back nine. I had three birdie attempts. I missed them all.

Front Nine: PAR!

o,o,o,o,o,o,o,o,o = 0!

Back Nine:

0,0,0,0,+1,0,0,+1,0 = +2

I tied the front nine with Scott who had a two birdie, two bogie round. I won the back nine and the match with Mark, who played poorly (for him) at about a +7.

I tripped on tee shot for hole #1, but my upshot was within 5 feet of the hole. We played the asphalt tee placement on three, which makes the hole much harder. I managed a par with a 15 foot put. I missed a birdie on 4 and on 5. I was within birdie distance (40 feet) on 6, but behind a tree, so I laid up for a par. Hole 7 was a good long drive past the trees for an easy par. Scott birdied this hole with an amazing rolling shot that took him to within 10 feet of the hole. I missed a birdie on 8. Hole nine was saved by a 15 foot put.

The back nine was more of a problem. My tee shot on 10 went way right. I threw an Innova Sidewinder into a left to right breeze hoping for a straight shot. The disc went way right. My recovery was perfect, so I saved par. I missed a birdie on 11. Hole 12 was in the short placement. I played to the tree line and laid up for a par. I blew my tee shot on 14. The shot went high into the trees. I recovered for an easy par. I blew me tee shot on15. It hooked left. I had an impossible left to right shot threw the trees to get close, but I missed high and left. I blew the 30 foot put for a bogie. Hole 16 was long and easy for a par, the same for 17. I blew my upshot on 18 and missed the long par putt for a bogie. 18 was an easy par.

El Dorado 1/10/09

2009-01-10T17:14:00.001-08:00

I played a round of disc golf with Brad at El Dorado Park in Long Beach. It was clear and warm. The park was full of noobs. There must have been 50 people playing. I played a +3. My game was OK. I putted poorly, which cost me one birdie.

Front Nine:

0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,+1 = +1

Back Nine:

0,0,0,0,+1,+1,0,0,0 = +2

I rimmed out on a 15 foot birdie on #1. I had great tee shot of five, but missed a 25 foot birdie. I hit the building on 6 but recovered well for a par. I threw right up the pipe on 7 for my best drive on that hole. I made an easy par. I screwed up my up shot on nine and then missed a 20 foot put. I could have pared the front nine.

The back nine was a little harder. I really blew my up shot on 14 after a perfect drive. I missed the recovery putt too. 15 was nuts. I threw an Innova Roadrunner wide right into a tree at about 230 feet. My upshot flew 50 feet past the hole, and my putt did not even come close. I hate it when I lose my concentration.

We picked up a father and son for the last three holes. I like it when I meet new people. Especially when the new people are nice and really want to learn.

La Mirada 1/10/09

2009-01-10T09:20:00.001-08:00

Played a round of disc golf with Mark and Al. It was a cold clear Santa Ana winds kind of morning. I played a +3, which ties my personal best. I posted a +2 on twitter, but in retrospect, I forgot about my dropped putt on nine.

Front Nine:

0,0,-1,+1,0,0,+1,0,+1 = +2

Back Nine:

0,0,0,+1,+1,0,0,-1,0 = +1

I’ve put an extra 30 feet on my drives. It feels good to get it out there, although I’m a little less accurate.

The highlights from my game today were a near hole-in-one on 2, and a 30 foot putt on 17 for a birdie. My tee shot on 17 was a perfect S curve. It felt great.

Thanksgiving day match

2007-11-22T10:41:00.001-08:00

I played El Dorado Park this morning at 7:00 am. I played a +3 front nine and a +3 back nine for a dismal +6. I shot for birdie on five holes, I missed them all. It was not a good outing. It was great fun.

I played with three of my co-workers. and two of their family members. Most had never really played. I gave lessons along they way. Everyone improved. By the end of the course, two people were out driving me by 50 feet.

I do not understand why I cannot get more distance. I watch these two noobs throw, they just stand there and chuck it. No real technique is involved. Yet it flies a lot farther than my best throws. I think I need to start over.

Technorati tags: El Dorado Park, Disc Golf

Eldo #1 - a practice round

2007-11-17T09:34:00.001-08:00

I played El Dorado this morning at 7:00 am with my friend Mark. We did not keep score. If I had to guess, I would say a 2 over. I had one birdie, a bunch of pars, and at least two meltdowns.

I used an 174 gram Innova Champion Orc this morning on most of the holes. It is the new disc in my bag. I had trouble with it at first because it tended to turn over in flight with no glide. My first few shots did not go beyond 200 feet. I plan to work with it again this afternoon.

I birdied hole #9 with a 170 gram Innova Champion Sidewinder, The pin was set to about 260 feet. I threw a flat straight shot two the right of the whole. I hit the pin at ground level and bounced off. I shot for birdies on five other holes. I missed them all.

I started throwing at the whole on long puts instead of trying for a safe up. The results were encouraging. I hit two long puts and had a chance at two more.

Technorati tags: El Dorado Park, Champion Orc, Champion Sidewinder, Innova, Disc Golf

First Post

2007-11-17T09:02:00.001-08:00

Hi. I am a longtime blogger. I have started this new blog to chronicle my love for the game of disc golf. I've played the game on and off since 1975. I started playing again this year in a big way. I estimate I've played 100 rounds so far this year.

I am using disc golf as a tool to help in my effort to lose weight. I have a lot of weight to lose too. A good walk in the park while playing is my "hour-a-day" of physical activity. It is harder in the dark months because I can only play on the weekends. But I manage to keep my activity level up on the off days to make up for it.

I am an average disc golfer. I can par my home course, El Dorado Park in Long Beach, on most days. I play most other courses to about 4 over. I recently played a +2 at Aquatic Park in Berkeley, and last Friday played a +2 at La Mirada.

I've broke par a few times. It is cause for celebration when I do. My best game ever is a -3 at El Dorado when the pins were all set short a few weeks ago. Once the move #11 out to 700+ feet, all hope of a below par day fades.

I throw a 260 to 300 foot drive backhand drive. It is accurate and repeatable. I cannot seem to throw past 300 feet. My approach shots are dead on. Any situation up to 150 feet puts me within about fifteen feet of the hole. My putting sucks. Beyond 15 feet is a 50/50 proposition.

One of the reasons I started this blog is to chronicle my efforts to improve. I want to throw 300 to 400 feet on a drive. I want to put from 50 or 60 feet with accuracy. My goal is to cut 5 strokes off my game in 2008, along with 100 pounds of excess weight. I also plan to start playing tournaments.

Comments are welcome.