Playing partners - Pete, Jason, Anne
Weather - chilly
We had an 8:44am tee time this morning. At that time, it was a cool 51 degrees.
However, the breeze made it feel like 40! Brrrrrrr.
The trick to keeping warm is layers. I have my standard layering that I go with.
First, I have an Under Armor long sleeve Cold Gear shirt.
Really a must of a golfer who plans to play through some chilly weather.
Over that I have a standard golf shirt.
Over that I have my Under Armor flannel vest.
And, over that I have a flannel jacket.
I also wore pants, and my Addidas Golf Shoes (As opposed to my Foot Joy Ultra lights) as they are waterproof.
During warmups at the range, I keep the jacket on until I start to loosen up and I peel it off.
Today, I didn't peeled it off until the 3rd hole - as the wind was a killer.
I also have a pair of Hand Warmers. These are little bags that you open up and shake - they turn into mini-heaters. I keep these in my pants pockets, and it gives some warmth.
Jason is a new playing partner that I met on Golf Match App. He's 23 and works for the U.S. Open. Hit's the ball a mile.
Our foursome completed when Ann was put into our group. She was a solid golfer,
At tee time, the temperature was soaring to around 53. I took off the jacket, but was still stiff from standing around at the first tee. I hit a nice drive, and a good layup to 60 yards. However, my pitch was long and I ended up with a double bogey - the first of two on the front nine (four for the day).
After parring the par 4 second hole, and bogeying the par 5 fifth hole, I realized that the day would be about scrambling.
After finishing the front nine (with a par on the 9th hole), I assumed the score was BAD. I looked at my scorecard (on the Garmin) and saw 49 - I was not surprised.
My drives were inconsistent, and I was scrambling to recover from them all day.
Ann made a comment that I was pretty much in the bunkers all day. This was true, and many of the bunkers were lakes, with the heavy rains from the night before
I felt I played better on the back nine. Even though I double bogey'd the long par 3 - by skipping my ball over the pond to around 60 yards - and then mis-clubbing when I need to lob one from 80 yards - leaving me in the big bunker.
I had thought I pulled my Pitching Wedge, but had inadvertently pulled the Gap Wedge.
This is one of those mental mistakes that are pretty much unforgivable.
I then wanted to get out of the trap and get the ball all the way back to the pin - and I put too much UMPH into it, and went over the green.
By the time I got to the 18th, I was tired. It's tough when you play poor golf. A lot more walking then usual!
I hit a nice drive, and layed up to 60 yards. A pitch and two putts and I was in for bogey.
So, I checked my scorecard - and saw 90!!
I looked over the score, and realized that (without my glasses), I had read the front nine wrong and had a 45.
So, I shot a 45/45.
It was still, kind of disappointing as the season is coming to a close, and by this time of year - I am normally in a groove.
I still needed to look at my round and determine what I could do to improve. Today, was just "off". And, I need to stay focused mentally - hard to do when you are cold. But, as it was the first cold round of the year, I'll take it as a just getting accustomed to Fall Golf.
I've already decided to get up early on Sunday and play again. Maybe Bethpage.
Until then,
Keep it in the Short Hairs
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