Course - Eisenhower Red
Playing Partners - Larry, Steve
Weather conditions -
The snapshot of The Weather Channel does not do it justice. It was cool, breezy, and "almost" rainy. Just a continuation of the week's NY weather.
My regular playing partners had other plans for this Saturday, so I had gotten several playing partners from my GolfMatch app. Unfortunately, a series of unforeseen issues had each one drop out.
No big deal - the course was empty. I opted not to warm up at the range due to the poor weather, and figured I'd do some putting/chipping at the putting green by the first hole.
Unfortunately, the starter said I was going right out with a twosome - Steve and Larry. Two nice enough guys who were also "Saturday Morning Eisenhower" regulars.
So, after the last two weeks fiasco's on the course, my angst was high, not knowing which game would show up.
The weather in NY sucked the whole week, so I did not get a chance to hit the range, or putt or chip. I did get to the PGA Superstore to hit for a half hour, but as I've said before - it's just not the same thing as hitting outside.
So, I get up to the first tee. If you've never had the pleasure of playing with me, you don't know that my ball flight is a draw (ball moves right to left in an arc). If the ball goes left to right (fade), then I've done something wrong. My ball starts out a bit right and moves to the center.
The first tee was lined up very right. If my ball would head a bit right, it would hit one of 4-5 trees lining the side of the fairway.
You just gotta love these golf gods. My game is in bad enough shape, but they have to make it worse with this crap.
So, I get up and hit a wonderful straight ball.
As a matter of fact, the first hole played great. I was on the green in regulation and 2-putted for par (one of the few times that day, but more on that later).
The 2nd hole was also decent. I didn't hit the ball far enough on the dog-leg left par-4, so I had to try to hit a hard draw around a tree - and again the ball went straight. Chip, and 2-putt (again) and I bogeyed.
The third hole was much the same, as I parred the hole.
Not bad - one over after 3 holes - all seemed cool with the world.
That's when I turned into the "Little Engine that Could". The rest of the day was Putt Putt Putt on each hole (almost). I was almost like Ernie Els - clueless with the putter!!!
SERIOUSLY - my putter has long been the most consistent part of my game. Today, I had no touch, no feel, and no view of the correct line.
I three putted holes 4 through 7, 10, 12, and 13.
43 putts for the round. (Putt Putt Putt Putt Putt).
Before I go into my putting problems, let me review the improvements over the past two weeks.
First note that I was working hard at the gym to strengthen my glutes (ass!), lower back, and wrists. I hit the treadmill or elliptical machine daily. And, I stretched EVERY DAY!!
And, it paid off. My shoulder turn was no longer a point of fear for me - wondering if my back would hold up.
I walked 18 holes without an pain or discomfort. This with pushing my cart on soft mushy fairways (freshly mowed, I might add).
My drives were mostly good. I say mostly. I did wickedly slice one drive, and topped one other (yes, it did make it past the ladies tee, so I didn't need to drop my pants!)
My woods were solid.
My hybrids were much improved, which unfortunately doesn't say much since just making contact would be an improvement over last week.
Irons - were solid.
Even my pitching was solid.
However, my putting was BAD BAD BAD BAD!!
I'd line up my 8 foot putt, and my ball would go sailing by the hole and I'd be left with a 6 foot. Or, I'd wind up 4 feet short.
And, of course I'd miss the 2nd putt, too.
A blind monkey would have hit more putts than me.
I wound up shooting a 94. If I simply 2-putted on each hole, I'd have shot an 87.
As I walked off the 18th hole, I knew I needed some putting work. And, despite the weather still being NASTY, I dropped 4 balls on the practice putting green and putted for about 20 minutes.
So, where does this leave me?
Either I hire a blind monkey to caddie for me,
or I spend time fixing my issues.
The weather this week looks pretty good, so I believe I can get out to work on some of my issues.
The weather report also predicts rain all next weekend - so I might even get 2 weeks of practice before my next round.
Lord knows I need it!!!
And, of course - I'll keep up the gym work. Stretching, and working the key muscle groups.
So, until the next round -
Keep it in the Short Hairs
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