Learning golf - day 2
Day 1.
This was not a fluke. I am able to competently pitch and chip from approximately 5-6 feet close to perhaps 40 or 50 feet. I can pretty much walk up to any ball and strike it with reasonable accuracy and loft towards my intended target. I came away laughing to myself at the simplicity of it all.

I am almost fuming at every "golf coach" right now. Currently I am watching a popular youtuber with a low handicap (perhaps around 4) receiving a lesson in "pitching" its an absolute fucking joke. To put it into context it is the equivalent of a grown man teaching another grown man how to throw a stone - or catch a ball.

Imagine actually describing the physics of movement to somebody instead of letting them naturally throw, or catch a ball. I am not talking about honing these skills to a fine degree and understand that practice makes any hand to eye skill improve. But the point still stands. Essentially golf is "hitting a ball with a stick" and instead of concentrating on what really matters. Hitting the stick towards the target = accurate shots. Simple. You get the following.

The art of throwing a stone like a pro.

The grip.
A good grip is a fundamental part of a good stone throw. Without a good grip the stone is not going to go where you aim. I will guide you through the basics of "Holding a stone" in the following guide. Make sure you have a good grip on the stone, fold your first 2 fingers on your lead trail hand (right if you are right handed) and hold the stone firmly but not too tight. You dont want to be tense. Now make sure your thumb is at the backside of the rock, slightly underside, perhaps 45 below. Cup the palm loosely around the stone. *You can get a complete 2 hour guide to my professional stone gripping technique by subscribing to my full zen stone throwing coaching school*

Foot positioning.
One of the great stone throwers of all time Rocky McRockchucker is quoted as saying, "footwork is paramount in good stone throwing" and who would know better than 6 time world stone throwing champion Rocky! - Now this is not a full guide. To cover the many aspects of the importance of feet and legs in a good stone throw would fill an encyclopedia! But I will try to give some great tips on improving your footwork and a few drills to help you improve. A more detailed guide and video is available on our website for a small fee.

Hopefully that total bullshit has made my point. This is how you are taught to hit a ball with a stick. Via micro assessment of every little detail -it is a complete con. Not only that it confuses everybody to the point we have all been conned or herded into believing it is hard. It is absolutely ridiculous. Of course it is logical. The coaches are not lying. Adjusting your shoulders or doing this or that might help your "hope" golf but you have been duped by these idiots. Just hit the ball and let your body "toss or throw" the ball towards the target.

Have you ever seen a guide on swinging a cricket bat? or a tennis racket? Maybe to improve technique. But not the basic fucking physics. Rant over. Im off to pitch 50 balls to within 10 feet of each other.

The issue with learning Golf

The issue with learning golf.

There is so much coaching, opinion and bullshit in the sport of golf it is almost impossible to navigate which is "correct" for you as an amateur player. Having taken up the sport recently I was enthused at the idea of learning and possibly "mastering" it.
At first I was a typically bad new golfer, often my shots would go left or right or I would top or thin them, usual stuff. However doing things "naturally" meant it was simply hitting a ball with a stick best I could muster.
I have decent hand to eye co-ordination and am a reasonably skilled footballer - as a youth I also played a few racket sports which although not being particularly "good" at, I felt competent enough striking the ball in most sports and could easily co-ordinate my limbs to make shots "naturally".
With a little bit of thought off the course and range I realised my "swing" was based loosely on what I have observed golfers doing during my lifetime. On television etcetera - the classic heel turning golf swing right?

Honestly my first round of golf was probably better than the subsequent rounds. Thinking I would use the "internet" to get some tips and hints brought me to watching various youtube channels and guides on all aspects of golf, swing improvement, positioning etcetera. All of which made me much worse. Over analysing my own game gave me too many thoughts and my swing became erratic and inconsistent to the point I injured myself trying to "hit the ball 45 degrees downwards, like a nail - to get that perfect divot".
Having spent almost every day practising and trying to improve, all with negative effects I was now injured to the point I could no longer play and needed to rest up for at least 10 days.

What did I do with my time? Besides the usual every day stuff a bloke has to do I carried on researching golf coaching and training. Absorbing Youtube guides and watching established pros past and present videos. Again so much information.
This lead me to an understanding of "swing thoughts" - which I will go into later. During my time spent perusing the many golf guides and content on the internet I stumbled across a now dead golf professional called "Moe Norman" - I had never heard the name before and briefly wondered if he was any relation to Greg. Of course he was not.

Now I won't go into huge detail about Moes' career or his character but I was interested by his "odd" style of hitting the ball and watched a little more. Having researched the man some more I realise now that the "natural" golf movement is at least somewhat inspired by Moe Norman. From my understanding within the golf world this is called the single plane swing. But that does not concern us. Having thought and watched more Moe over the next few days one thing stuck with me. Moe was completely self taught and had disdain for the general way golf was played, primarily the swing. I think he called it "hope" golf.
Now this could be controversial but this is my conclusion and opinion.

I believe the standard golf technique taught makes 95% of us never able to achieve a "good" golf game and that even the professionals are playing to an extent "hope" golf.
The established technique is extremely complicated requiring precise positioning and many different physical accomplishments to achieve the perfect swing. When all is lined up and working properly the ball will go approximately where required (with good players using fade or draw if required).

I think the established system of coaching, the entire "swing" is bullshit. I have decided to teach myself to play golf using 2 simple swing thoughts. The first one is the obvious and the most basic one.
1) HIT THE BALL. - sounds so basic right? Well, "turn your shoulders" "pivot your hips" "keep your wrists forward" are bullshit. Swing thoughts like that will simply destroy your game. The first swing thought should be simple. This is what you do when you "throw a stone" or "catch a ball" - your body and brain are amazing things and they are more capable naturally than you give them credit. Complicated physical swing thoughts will just confuse your brain. Just hit the ball.
2) TOSS THE BALL UNDERHANDED TO MY TARGET - This i personally believe is the most valid swing thought you can ever have. Even a bad strike of the ball will be relatively good if the follow through with the club and body is that of a "tossing" motion. Just visualise the ball like you would a toss and let it happen.

The most valuable piece of instruction the numerous golf content on the internet gave me was from Moe Norman. Known as the best ball striker of all time he had a reputation as being a freakishly accurate player. I watched his swing and listened to him talk for hours and he basically puts his hands towards the ball path he desires and the ball goes there. Simple. He talks of "lifting the pin from the cup" as he strikes.
Of course there is some physics behind this. not that I am expert or in any position to analyse Moes swing versus established greats like Nicklaus by my own judgement all the best established players are not as accurate as Moe was or as consistent and most importantly seem to be trying so much harder. They honestly look like they are still playing "hope" golf to a skill level that is out of this world.


I believe I can improve my game to a sub 10 handicap in less than a year from being a complete rank amateur using these 2 swing thoughts.

I understand there is more physics and improvements to be made on "hitting the ball" and "tossing it to the target" but fundamentally in my brief practice sessions using these thoughts my game has improved 100% in 2 days. By experimenting with club speed, ball position, amount of back-swing I am learning things I never thought possible in a way I can understand.

Wish me luck, I will be hopefully posting progress here soon.

Airbrushing miniatures and when it can be bad. A rant about warhammer, painting and stuff.

So I was painting these figures again back in 2014. I have painted miniatures for most of my adult life with large breaks.

The stuff I painted in 2014 was airbrush  heavy. I had just got into painting again and in retrospect I was so enamored with the way the airbrush applied highlights and shade I couldn't really be arsed to use a brush at all. My miniatures look nice on display, bright colours and are acceptable "good" paint jobs. In the flesh under the human eye....
 Now as soon as you look through a magnifying lens or photograph they are total fucking garbage. Like washes running all over, missing paint, Missed details... My miniatures are 5/10 at best.

I realize now either my eyes are fucked OR I had been doing something seriously wrong..

Too much tech.
Airbrush, clear paints, texture paints, washes, application sponges, thinners, mediums, brushes, palettes, More paints, smaller nozzles, special paints.. The list goes on.

I have never really been creatively artistic. I can follow guides and "paint" by numbers as such but have always felt a need to express creativity - figure painting was something that fitted the bill.
 That being said - there is an issue therein. I have never been taught or read any of the "basics" any painter should be aware of.

COLOUR THEORY...
I kinda knew this was a thing but being a lazy sod I never bothered to read anything about it until very very recently.
You can paint a model as neat as a boss but if you pick red and green its going to clash like a bitch. A little understanding of colour theory is essential if you want to create good paint schemes.
I had no idea - I would look at average painted models and think "THAT LOOKS FUCKING ACE" and then think.. But mine are neater, with better highlights.... WHY IS THAT BETTER?

Colour theory is the answer.

I have perhaps 100 - 150 pots of paint. I have maybe 50 brushes... I have THOUSANDS of unpainted and often rare miniatures. The ones I have painted I often strip as I am not satisfied with the paint job....

I have HAD too much shit.

I have stored most of the paints and models away. I have a selection of basic paints and if I need a certain colour I will check my stash and get it and add it to my current selection.
This helps me be organized and remember exactly what shades I am using.
I have 3 brushes and invested in 1 Newton & Winsor series 7 size 2. I use the airbrush for undercoats, and zenithal highlighting NOT for every job I can. The airbrush is a great tool but overusing it makes for shit paint jobs in all honesty.

Back to Basics.
With my kit being stripped to basics I took my style back to basics. I would often spend hours highlighting, washing, layering standard rank and file models using so much different technique it all became lost and honestly a fucking jumbled up mess.
I have found my models look better with a super solid base coat chosen from the colour wheel using a basic complimentary colour scheme. The face requires more attention with the eyes being the focus of the entire model.
I know the above is basic shit to the accomplished painter, but I only wish someone would have told me that a few years ago!
To be updated soon with some basic but hopefully better models.

It has been awhile... Been on hiatus from painting but thought I would share these Sons Of Medusa Space Marines - Rogue Trader era pewter (white metal) models. Just a squad of 5.

Space Hulk - Heroes of the Imperium

Heroes of the 1st Company

Sergeant Lorenzo

Over six hundred and fifty years old, Sergeant Lorenzo is a veteran of more wars than any other Terminator in the 1st company. Despite his achievements one day of failure haunts Lorenzo. As a Space Marine in a squad of the 3rd Company, Lorenzo was one of only fifty warriors to escape the disastrous boarding action six hundred years ago. His battle-brothers were butchered around him and though absolved of all responsibility, he continues to question his own courage and commitment. Every day Lorenzo is haunted by these thoughts, and every night for six centuries he has prayed for a chance to redeem himself. Now he must seize that chance.

Brother Valencio

The scouring of the Sin of Damnation is Brother Valencios first combat action since his induction into the 1st company. Having served the Blood Angels for less than one hundred years, Valencio is young by the standards of the Terminators, but has earned his place amongst them with his forthright, courageous actions in a dozen wars. To the other members of squad Lorenzo he is still an untested youth, desperate to impress Lorenzo ever since the Sergeant saved Valencio's life during the Threxian Cataclysm. Even for one of the Blood Angels Valencio is eager, some would say foolhardy, but his valour is beyond question.

Brother Goriel

In his former life on the irradiated planet of Baal, Goriel was the leader of a vicious gang of brawlers known only as the Murder Elite. Though his morals were questionable, the psycho-conditioning process of the Adeptus Astartes have fused his natural ferocity with the discipline of a true Space Marine. He earnt great honours as an Assault Marine, once serving with dedication in the Honour Guard of Captain Raphael. Since joining the 1st Company twenty years ago he has become a highly valued member of Squad Lorenzo.

Brother Zael

Zael has communed with the Emperor every day of his life since he was an infant on the red-trails of Baal's dust sea. He rarely smiles, but within his breast burns the fire of hope. His own transformation from a scavenging mongrel to one of the emperors own chosen is proof that the Blood Angels can overcome all obstacles. Zael carries the squads heavy flamer, which he uses to bring purifying flame to the wretches who oppose the Imperium. Zael knows that Humanity is destined to rule the stars. In fact, he intends to make sure of it. His self belief and unshakeable courage make him a reliable and reassuring presence within Squad Lorenzo.

Brother Deino

Brother Deino has fought alongside Sergeant Lorenzo for the best part of a century. He has been awarded the Chapter Marksmanship award many times over the years, displaying an almost supernatural accuracy on the firing range and in battle. Like his fellow Blood Angels, Deino prides himself in the pursuit of perfection and has raised marksmanship to the state of the art. As well as his Badge of the Marksman, he carries the customised storm bolter that earned him such reward. Deino combines quick reactions with nerves of steel, and his battle-brothers take great pride and comfort from his calm and effective shooting.

Sergeant Gideon

Sergeant Gideon is considered to be something of a maverick individual, happy to flaunt doctrine and tradition if need arises. This is no more evident than his choice of weaponry. Gideon was once a member of a Terminator Assault Squad, but upon being promoted to Sergeant replaced his thunder hammer and storm shield with the customary storm bolter and power sword. In the next battle his armour seized up after being hit by a round from an Ork gun and Gideon declared that it's machine spirit had been offended by the change of armament. Ever since, he has refused to relinquish his beloved thunder hammer and storm shield again.

Brother Noctis

Bearer of the title of Castellan of the Black Tower, Brother Noctis is as solid and dependable as a rock. Sergeant Gideon has come to rely on Noctis' clear head and immovable patience over the years. Though Noctis is jokingly criticised for being boring, having little imagination and obeying all of his orders to the letter, sometimes those are the exact qualities a commander needs most. If a rusted grate or dank tunnel needs guarding, then by the Emperor, Brother Noctis will guard it to the best of his ability or die in the attempt.

Brother Omnio

Amongst the aesthetically-minded Blood Angels, Omnio is something of an oddity; he is driven by logic and intellectual curiosity. He is analytical, distant even, a quality that sometimes raises suspicions amongst his battle-brothers but also ensures that in the heart of a fight he is clear headed and can be relied upon for vital tactical analysis. Gideon once joked that Omnio was a servitor who had been promoted to the 1st company by mistake. Unsurprisingly, Omnio didn't see what was funny about that.

Brother Scipio

Brother Scipio is a fast acting warrior who thinks on his feet and adapts to new situations with astonishing speed. He has been marked out as potential Terminator Sergeant material, but his lack of communication has held him back. Scipio is just as likely to set off on his own initiative as to pass on his insights to other members of the squad. However, Scipio's resourcefulness has extricated the squad from certain death on more than one occasion.

Brother Leon 

Brother Leon doesn't say much, but his devastating assault cannon is eloquent enough for the both of them. For Leon, there's only one thing that matters in battle: kill ratio. The more targets presented by the foe, the happier Leon is. When not fighting, Leon fastidiously maintains his weapons and armour, making small adjustments, adding his own litanies and benedictions to their machine spirits. This has caused some controversy with the Techmarines of the Chapter, who have repeatedly requested that Gideon bans Leon from the armoury when unaccompanied by one of their order.

Lexicanium Calistarius

One of the battle-psykers of the Blood Angels Librarium, Calistarius is an honorary member of the 1st company for the Sin of Damnation boarding. The Librarian's powerful mind and supernatural abilities set him apart from his battle-brothers, an isolation he seems to encourage. Calistarius has faced the horrors of the warp and daily wrestles with damnation and temptation. As a result Calistarius finds it difficult to look upon his fellow Space Marines with any empathy. In truth, he inhabits an entirely different sphere of existence, but his precognitive powers and devastating psychic blasts are a priceless asset to Captain Raphael.

Into the Warp!

 Brother Claudio

A warrior in Terminator Assault Squad Leodinus, Claudio is skilled at close-quarters combat. His preferred armaments are a pair of deadly lightning claws. Thousands of foes have fallen beneath Claudio's blades over the centuries and he is lauded amongst his battle-brothers for his unflinching dedication to his brothers. Aboard the Sin of Damnation Claudio's fellow squad members were slain by a surprise genestealer attack and now he is filled with cold fury and bloodthirsty desire for vengeance.

The dead marine and the CAT

This Terminator is deceased.. he is no more.
Cyber-Altered Task units ("CATs") are mechanical constructs designed to perform simple tasks, like inorganic servitors Programmed with a set of very simple instructions, they are occasionally used by the Adeptus Mechanicus and some chapters of the Adeptus Astartes as remote probes and retrieval units^.
As of M41, CATs had been in service with both bodies for several centuries, or even millenia, although the Mechanicum and the Astartes prefer the versatility and expertise of a servitor or a Scout, respectively. Nevertheless, constructing CATs is a popular hobby for Mechanicus Adepts and Techmarines, who claim that the activity is a useful meditative exercise, and CATs are frequently underfoot at any shrine to the Omnissiah.
In fact, some suspicious members of the Inquisition have observed that their creators seem to treat their CATs almost like pets, though the Mechanicum claims to be above such emotional attachments.

CATs were deployed by the exploratory team sent from the Reclaimers Space Marines aboard the space hulk Spawn of Damnation.

Space Hulk 2014 WIP

Almost finished the top notch Space Hulk Terminators - a pleasure to paint and i think they have ultimately come out ok.