Hey everyone! Happy Easter!!
I've been in Vietnam the past week playing at the Dalat 1200 Golf Club. It's one of the most unique courses I've ever seen or played. It's set in the mountains of Vietnam and at some points you get to 1200m above sea level.
The views are spectacular, but make getting the yardage correct quite tricky.
Being in Asia is always a bit difficult, firstly because of the language barrier. The first day I arrived at the course I had someone come up to me and take my golf bag, they were from the caddy shed but it was the first practice day and I didn't require a caddy because we weren't allowed on the golf course, only the Korean players who were in the pro am could play. I tried to say I didn't need a caddy today but my bag was now no where in sight. After about half an hour of looking and trying to ask the caddies for my bag I finally found my bag at the range which was about 500m from where we were originally.
Lesson learnt don't let anyone take your bag!!
Another interesting observation in Asia is how unorganised they can be. We played at the Dalat Golf Club which only opened in September. Registration requires $130 US Dollars, passport and a few other details. Registration opened on Wednesday so I went in with all my documents but they weren't ready yet. Come back in an hour I was told, no worries so I went and did some practice then came back about two hours later. Come back tomorrow I was told.
No worries. Next I go to get a yardage book, remember we are in Vietnam so I have Vietnamese Dong to pay for things. Yardage books are $20US only.
I had to remind myself where I was I nearly thought I was in the US. In Australia we pay for most things in Australian Dollars, not here though next time I will have some Yen, some Pound, some NZ dollars just so the bases are covered.
It's just another world, little things like getting some wifi connection so I can tell Melitta and my family I am safe are hard to get, you send one message and then it cuts out.
I think it's something that takes time to play well in Asia, you really need to get accustomed to the way things work not just on the golf course but off it even more so.
After two days of playing I missed the cut, the first day was a real struggle for me.
I hit 3 poor tee shots and missed 4/5 putts from within 5 feet. The round took 6 hours 15 minutes.
I thought about it at the end of the day and I had played ok for 14 holes and 4 were just crap. At this level if you want to win or be in contention you have to have the ability to stay focused for the duration of 6-7 hours. Obviously not all of that time you need to be switched on but I realise I did well at this for 3/4 of the time and I lost focus the other 1/4 but that's all it takes to go from being within reach to way off the pace.
The second day I was 7 shots better, I was calmer and was able to remain focused without having lapses of concentration. I realise to get where I want to go this needs to be a real focus going forward.
My main goals from here in are to keep working harder in the gym, the fitter I can be the easier it will be to stay focused for long periods of time and to really build confidence in my driver.
7 times out of 10 my drives are fine but it's the 3 where I either lose focus or get a bit quick that are costing me shots.
I know in order to get my tour card in December this is something il need to be on top of.
Overall all is not lost, I know my areas for improvement and I am committed to do my best to get the better of my current weaknesses. It's another bit of experience under my belt and although not the outcome I had wished for it's really showing me just how hard the road is and how with the exception of a few it takes time.
Happy Easter and good golfing!
I've been in Vietnam the past week playing at the Dalat 1200 Golf Club. It's one of the most unique courses I've ever seen or played. It's set in the mountains of Vietnam and at some points you get to 1200m above sea level.
The views are spectacular, but make getting the yardage correct quite tricky.
Being in Asia is always a bit difficult, firstly because of the language barrier. The first day I arrived at the course I had someone come up to me and take my golf bag, they were from the caddy shed but it was the first practice day and I didn't require a caddy because we weren't allowed on the golf course, only the Korean players who were in the pro am could play. I tried to say I didn't need a caddy today but my bag was now no where in sight. After about half an hour of looking and trying to ask the caddies for my bag I finally found my bag at the range which was about 500m from where we were originally.
Lesson learnt don't let anyone take your bag!!
Another interesting observation in Asia is how unorganised they can be. We played at the Dalat Golf Club which only opened in September. Registration requires $130 US Dollars, passport and a few other details. Registration opened on Wednesday so I went in with all my documents but they weren't ready yet. Come back in an hour I was told, no worries so I went and did some practice then came back about two hours later. Come back tomorrow I was told.
No worries. Next I go to get a yardage book, remember we are in Vietnam so I have Vietnamese Dong to pay for things. Yardage books are $20US only.
I had to remind myself where I was I nearly thought I was in the US. In Australia we pay for most things in Australian Dollars, not here though next time I will have some Yen, some Pound, some NZ dollars just so the bases are covered.
It's just another world, little things like getting some wifi connection so I can tell Melitta and my family I am safe are hard to get, you send one message and then it cuts out.
I think it's something that takes time to play well in Asia, you really need to get accustomed to the way things work not just on the golf course but off it even more so.
After two days of playing I missed the cut, the first day was a real struggle for me.
I hit 3 poor tee shots and missed 4/5 putts from within 5 feet. The round took 6 hours 15 minutes.
I thought about it at the end of the day and I had played ok for 14 holes and 4 were just crap. At this level if you want to win or be in contention you have to have the ability to stay focused for the duration of 6-7 hours. Obviously not all of that time you need to be switched on but I realise I did well at this for 3/4 of the time and I lost focus the other 1/4 but that's all it takes to go from being within reach to way off the pace.
The second day I was 7 shots better, I was calmer and was able to remain focused without having lapses of concentration. I realise to get where I want to go this needs to be a real focus going forward.
My main goals from here in are to keep working harder in the gym, the fitter I can be the easier it will be to stay focused for long periods of time and to really build confidence in my driver.
7 times out of 10 my drives are fine but it's the 3 where I either lose focus or get a bit quick that are costing me shots.
I know in order to get my tour card in December this is something il need to be on top of.
Overall all is not lost, I know my areas for improvement and I am committed to do my best to get the better of my current weaknesses. It's another bit of experience under my belt and although not the outcome I had wished for it's really showing me just how hard the road is and how with the exception of a few it takes time.
Happy Easter and good golfing!
