Playing partner - solo round
After the lackluster round on Saturday, I decided to get up and get my ass out and play again - I needed more torture.
I had made an 8:20 tee time on the Blue course the night before, and got to the course at 7:20 to check in, and warm up. The cashier said she could move me up - to 8:04, and I said that would be great.
In the back of my mind, I actually thought that waiting an extra 21 minutes might let the air warm up a few degrees more. Then I realized that was such an stupid idea - and I took the 8:04 slot.
I took some extra time warming up. Taking it VERY slow, as the air was cooler than Saturday's round.
A twosome was teeing off, and I joined them.
NO WAIT!!!
The pair was George and Shane. Two very nice guys and two very bad golfers. They hit the ball a mile, but it was at 45 degree angles.
George's swing was bad. Over rotating, bending his left elbow around his head.
Shane had a backswing that was short - and fast as lightning.
The place was empty. There was no group in front of us, and no one waiting behind us.
I simply walked up, made the introductions - and teed off. I drew it off the the left, just off the fairway.
As I walked up the fairway, I realized my first mistake.
I wore my Footjoy Ultralights - NOT WATERPROOF!
By the time I got to my ball, my feet were wet and cold.
It was also brutal trying to track the flight of your ball. The sun was sitting just over the trees, and the glare was a killer.
My ball was sitting in the deep rough, which was wet and gnarly. I opted for my 4 Hybrid, which I thought I hit well, but the ball sailed across the fairway - to perch directly behind a tree.
For a moment, I actually considered trying to hit my 9 iron AROUND the tree with a hard draw.
Then I came back to my senses, and I simply pitched out and took my medicine.
Bogey 6 on the first hole.
By this time, the temps had risen to a balmy 50 degrees - but the sun was strong - so I peeled off the vest.
By the 2nd hole, my swing hit that point where it became a simple routine. It was effortless, and the ball was (BASICALLY) doing what I wanted.
I parred the 2nd hole, and proceeded to finish with a front nine of 41.
I had hit 6 of the 7 fairways (only missing on the first hole).
My only disappointment was how I played the par 3's. I didn't hit either green and bogey'd both.
(this will get worse on the back nine).
I also was putting well. This despite the fact that the greens were aerated.
The back nine started off great. I had a great drive (on the fairway again) leaving me 140 to the flag. My 8 iron made it to the front of the green, leaving me a 15 foot putt.
As I said earlier, I was putting well.
I drained the putt for a birdie.
After a par on 11, I screwed up the 12th - double bogeying. My drive was off the fairway on the right, and my 7 iron got caught up in the grass. Amazing how staying on the fairway makes SUCH a difference.
My next hole of not was the 15th hole - par 3 at 160 yards. As the green was elevated, I pulled my 4 hybrid (170 yard club). Feeling a bit of wind in my face, I (of course) tried to overswing, and topped the ball - 100 yards up.
I then proceeded to chunk two short wedges and was on the green in 4.
Luckily, I sunk a 20 foot putt to SAVE DOUBLE BOGEY!!!
That, my friends, is like "Whip Cream on SHIT!" Great shot, but the hole sucked big time. I finished the round out well.
Bogeying the 16th (#1 handicap hole), parring the 17th par 3 and parring the 18th par 5.
The 18th hole was my worst drive of the day. Trying to give the ball some UMPH, I pushed it right of the dogleg, and was in the rough.
Rather than try to make up my shot, I simply hit a hybrid, and had 150 yards to the pin. My 7 iron put me on the green, and I was able to 2-putt for par.
I ended the back nine with another 41 - 82 overall.
Considering I double bogey'd two holes, that was a damn good score on the back 9.
Reviewing the round, my only criticism was how I played the par 3's. I was 4 over par on those 4 holes, with one double bogey. I think I need to loosen up on those, and not try for the HOLE-IN-ONE each time I was up there.
As I try to analyze why THIS round was so good, I can come up with one major difference.
PACE OF PLAY.
We played the round in under 4 hours. We never waited on any hole. I'd say with two other golfers (that shot under 120) we could have finished 15-20 minutes faster. When you are playing well, and don't need to stop and wait 2-3 minutes (or more) between shots - you're body gets into the groove.
But, that's a problem I'll have to deal with...
This, my friends, was my last round of the 2015 golf season. Unfortunately, I'm having a medical procedure this week that will sideline me anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks - before I get clearance to play golf or exercise.
And, as the "official" golf season in the Northeast ends on November 1, the season is over.
That's not to say I won't get a round or two in when some warm November/December days roll in. Last year I got in 4 rounds between late November and December.
I'll post an entry in the next few days, critiquing my overall season, and what my thoughts are on how to improve caliber of game, and how to enjoy this wonderful game - whatever level of golfer you are.
So - for now, remember that in golf, as in life - you should....
Keep it in the Short Hairs
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