2016 - Round 4 - Eisenhower park

Course - Eisenhower Park - Red

Playing Partners - Vak, Richie, Peter

Weather - Rainy, windy, cloudy, sunny

OK - so what's worse than rainy golf?

Windy golf!

And, what's worse than rainy and windy golf?

Rainy, Windy, Chilly golf!

And - What's worse than Rainy, Windy. Chilly golf?

Rainy, Windy, Chilly, BAD Golf!!

It was a bad day at the course, my friends.  UGLY golf!

The weather men predicted the rain would move off around 10am.  As we had a 9:48 tee time, we figured it would be good to play. 

WRONG!!!

Mike and I were at the range around 9am.  What was a light drizzle turned into a hard, steady rain.

Still, we hit a few balls and went to the course.  There was no backup on the tee (6 cancellations so far that day) and we teed off on time.

My problems started on the first hole.  Par 5, I laid up to 75 yards.  Being that the green was elevated, and the air was thick with rain water, I opted for my sand wedge - a solid 90 yard shot.
Well, the ball carried the green, and I ended it with a double bogey.  Ugh!!

The 2nd hole? My tee shot was a bit right, but still solid. However, my 9 iron into the green went way right - Bogey!

It was bad golf until the 4th hole - that's where it got downright horrible. My drive sailed off to the right and wound up nestled in tree roots.

I had to take an unplayable, and took a drop.  Then had to chip out.  Then laid up.
Then hit to the green and two putted.
If you do the math, that's 7!  Triple bogey.

As was pointed out to me by my "friends" - not one aspect of my game worked.

Putting (I 3-putted twice), chipping, sand, drives, woods, irons and hybrids.  It became downright dangerous for my partners, unless they were directly behind me.

Although, I have to say, no one played well.  All four of us were in the triple digits.  

Let's review the worst of the day.

Sand - the sand was soaked, hard, and soaked.  Until the sun came out and dried out the sand, it always took me two to get out.

Drives - I had no clue where these balls were going. Right, left, popped up, line drives.

Hybrids and Irons - Look out. I was foul tipping balls!!!!! FTFFFF

If I was another person, I'd have broken each of my clubs and tossed them!!

So, I ended with a 105 - worst round in at least 10 years.  It's a good thing I don't take this game seriously (HA!).

After a few Xanax, I reflected on my round.
Then I threw up!

So, I'll get to the range this week and make sure I hit some balls.

And I'll make sure there's no one near me at the range - for their own safety.

So - until next week

Keep it in the Short Hairs

2016 - Round 3 - Eisenhower Park

Course - Eisenhower White

Playing Partner - Vak, Rich, Peter

Weather - Windy, mild

Although this was really the third round of 2016, it was really the first round of the season.  First of all, in New York, only scores between April 1 and October 30 can count towards your handicap.

Second - rounds in the winter suck, and you play just to get out and not kill yourself.

So, although the title is ROUND 3, it's really ROUND 1.

We had a 10:20 tee time on the white course.  This is because the prior Saturday night, when the bell tolled 8pm (when I should be calling for a tee time), I was drinking scotch and not thinking about golf.

So - 10:20 was not so bad, especially when I woke up and it was 39 degrees.

This round's objective was to get through the day without getting injured.  I say this because 4 weeks ago I could not walk.  My back had seized up so bad, I could not walk.  Agonizing pain.  Well, if anyone wants a chiropractor, I can recommend one - highly.
So, my back is still slightly tender.  But, I've hit some balls at the PGA Super Store without issue.  But, today I was playing 18 holes, and walking.

The morning was great.  The air was crisp.  Sun was out, and the starter was on time.  

My first drive was pushed to the right, but I recovered nicely to get on in three. I bogeyed the hole.

The second drive wound up in a fairway bunker, and I was again on in three - but this time I one putted for par.  I thought this was going to be a decent round.

I was wrong

I proceeded to play bogey golf, right up until the 8th hole - a par 3 that they are completely rebuilding.  For those unaware, the course's par 3 holes are all twins.  There are two of the same holes side-by-side. This is supposed to speed up play.  Supposed to, anyway.

One of the holes is closed today as they are building new bunkers, rebuilding the green, etc.
My tee shot came up short and landed in the bunker. As I approach it I see that the bunker looks like the beach at Jones Beach. Millions of footprints.
Rather than raking and replacing my ball, I attempt to hit it - and skull the ball to the right.  What occurred next was no worse that Jordan Spieth at the 12th hole of the Masters. I triple bogeyed the hole.  FML

I finished the front 9 with a 46.  Not horrible, but could have been terribly worse.

That happened on the back nine.

1 Triple bogey, 4 doubles, and the rest bogeys.  It was UGLEE!!

Here's what happened.  At the 10th tee, I sat down.  After walking 9 holes I was a bit tired.  

At that point my ass started to cramp up!!  Well, not my ass per-se, but my glutes.  You see, after my October surgery I've been taking it easy at the gym.  Then, after my back issues - I REALLY took it easy.  So, I am in the worst shape I've been in, in quite a while.

So now when I swung, my hips would not come around and open up.  This caused me to pull almost every fucking shot.  This was B-A-D.

I finished the back 9 with a 51.  A 97 overall.

But, the good news is, I didn't get hurt.  I was able to play 18 and not get carried off on a stretcher.

So, what did I take away from today's god-awful round.

a - I need to get myself to the gym and kick my ass (literally, kick my glutes).  And abs.

b - Start getting to the range again.  Your swing doesn't just hang around in the off season.  You need to work it.

c - My back can hold up to 18 holes!!!!

d - It was great to get out again with the regular foursome.  Rich brought some cigars to celebrate the first outing of the year.  And the were great! 

This week I'll share some of my exercise regimens that I follow to keep this old body in some type of golf-shape.
I hope to have some improvement for next Saturday.

Until then,

Keep it in the Short Hairs

2016 - Round 2 - Eisenhower Park

Course - Eisenhower White

Playing Partner - Vak

Weather - cold and windy


Vak and I got to the park around 9am for a 9:56 tee time.  The girl checking us in noted that they expected temperatures near 60.  Wind was supposed to be around 10 mph.
We were thrilled.


However, we turned out to be severely disappointed, as the temps felt in the 30's, and probably didn't get past 50 until almost the end of the round.

After hitting a few balls to warm up, we got to the starter at 9:30.  The starter was a kid that looked to be around 16.  As were were on "double deck", we just started to chat.  That's when there was a bit of an argument at the starters booth.  It seems that a single that was to be in the 9:32 tee time was never called.  The kid/starter forgot to call him, and that group went out as a 3-some.  So, this single, was put with us - and he demanded to go right off - which we did.

So, we teed off with Harry at around 9:50.  My first hole was memorable - in a way that a boil on your ass is memorable.  Painful and sore.
I won't go into too many details, but let's just say it was an ugly triple-bogey.

The first four holes went Triple-Bogey, Double-Bogey, Bogey, Par.

At the fifth hole, Vak and Harry broke rule USGA 25.6.
Though shalt not discuss politics while playing a round with strangers.

I don't need to go into details, but one was left, one was right.
I played Switzerland and kept my mouth shut.  I didn't want politics to ruin my round.

I let the wind and cold temperatures do that!!!

Although I pulled out a par on the 4th hole, the only hole I played really well in that front 8 was the par-3 8th.  The temporary tee box was 140 yards out, into a stiff wind.
I opted to go FOUR CLUBS UP, and hit my 4-hybrid.

The ball was hit perfectly (if I must say so myself), and soared (and soared and soared).  The damn ball just kept rising and rising.  I had no way to know if it was short, in the bunker - or long over the back.  But, it dropped in the middle of the green, after which I two putted for par.

I finished the front 9 with a 49, and was already exhausted.

The political narrative ended after the 9th hole. Not because either party decided to move to the center - but because Harry had to leave.

So, Vak and I took to the back 9 as a twosome.   By this time, the sun had shown itself from behind the clouds, and we warmed up.  We both took off the outer layer (leaving 3 more) and played on.

The back nine (for me) was played as "one club fuck up" - meaning on each hole (except one or two), I had one club that I really fucked up.
The only exception to that was the 12th hole, par 5 - and the 18th, par 5.
The 12th hole I actually played well, and was on the green in 3, and two putted.
As a matter of fact, both Vak and I parred that hole.

The 18th?  Well, despite fucking up 3 shots, I still only got a bogey-6.
My drive was so far right, even Marco Rubio would have laughed me off (keeping up with the political tone of the blog entry).

It was so far right, that the group coming up on the 10th hole picked it up, thinking that there was no way someone could hit a shot that far right.  They gave me the ball, and I recovered beautifully with a 4 wood to 120 yards out.  I then completely miss hit an 8 iron (I overswung thinking I didn't have enough club for the wind).  So now I'm 40 yards out, laying 3.
Ready to play my 60 yard pitch, I fucked another shot up and pushed it right to the upslope of the green.  Luckily, I got up and down for a bogey 6.

I finished with a 94.

This is the type of round I would have expected last week after having been off for 3 months.  But, after the 87 last week, I had high expectations for this round.

Never ever ever have high expectations about a golf round.  You will more often than not be disappointed.

You see, I went to hit balls at the PGA Tour Superstore yesterday, to work on my mid-irons. If you recall from last week, I could not hit my 6 or 7 irons worth a damn.
Well, that progressed through my practice at the PGATSS.  I came home from that pretty depressed.

But, today (amazingly) I hit some solid 6 and 7 irons!  Go figure.

There was no rhyme or reason to today's round (except maybe the wind).  I probably fucked up at least one shot with every club in my bag.  There was no exception.  Driver, woods, hybrids, irons and wedges.  Well, the exception was my putter.  I didn't 3 putt all day!

Well, who gives a shit.  I played two round in February!!!!  I know (for those of you not in the northern parts of the country) you might not get this - but golfers up here usually expect their first round to be sometime at the end of March or early April.

This was awesome.

So, until the next Winter round

Keep it in the Short Hairs

2016 - Round 1 - Eisenhower Park

Course - Eisenhower White

Playing partners - Ken, Glen, Dave
Weather - mid 50's and windy

It's February 20, and I played golf.   What a day.  It was 43 degrees when I woke at 6am.  I got to the course at 9:45 and they gave me a 10:20am tee time.  It's much easier as a SINGLE to get out quick.

Unfortunately, I took my time getting getting my bag and cart ready, and got to the course at 10:10.  They had already given my slot away, so they put me in with the next group.

Turned out to be great luck, because the 3 guys they grouped me with were great.

It was Dave's 60th birthday, and they were out playing golf in celebration.  They had cigars, a bottle of Glenlevet 15, and some other assorted party additions.  I was the recipient of some shots of the scotch, and a nice Honduran cigar.  It was like we were old buddies.

The course was in great shape.  They had temporary tees, but the greens were open.  They did have two holes on each green, so that once you putted, you replaced the pin in the other hole - this helped the greens stay in shape.

Dave had gone out last night and purchased the new TaylorMade M2 driver.  He didn't try it out, or have them adjust it or anything.  Just picked it up, and bought it.

His first drive was a MONSTER.  I'd say 280 yards.
He was in love.
I almost felt like cheating on my R7, and asking him to hit it.  But, it was a stiff shaft, and I knew that would get into my head.
Plus, cheating on my R7, I'd feel dirty the rest of the round.
(However, I do plan to get to the PGA Superstore to try it out)

I started unspectacularly - with a bogey on the Par 4 1st.  My drive was off to the right, and my 4 hybrid came up short. But, my chip landed me 6 inches from the pin.

The second hole was spectacular.  After reaching the green in regulation, I had a 30 foot putt for birdie.

NAILED IT!!

My putting today would be excellent.  I had 2 three putts (one on each side) on holes where the pin position was ridiculous - and wound up with 33 putts.
My chipping saved my ass all day.  I didn't hit too many greens in reg, but my up and downs were great.  On the 13th hole, I hit into the green side bunker - and hit an awful sand shot to the rough - then I chipped in for par.  

I wound up shooting an 87 (43/44) and was THRILLED!!  33 putts.  

My biggest problem was my mid irons.  7/6 and hybrids - they were horrible for most of the day.  But, my wedge play was great, and my driver/woods were pretty damn good.

What was most amazing was the snow on the course.  The driving range had piles of snow.

The course had snow in the bunkers.

I was lucky enough to miss the snow when I hit into the bunkers.

We finished the round in under 4 hours.  We never waited for the guys in front of us, and I don't believe the group behind us waited much either.  

So - what do I take away from this.

First - I plan to get to the golf store to check out the TaylorMade M2 driver. I have $150 of gift certificates calling it's name.  

Second - nothing.  This was a "freebee" golf.  I shot an 87 in February.  Who the fuck cares what I did, or didn't do.  

My worst shot of the day was a skulled sand wedge that that embedded in the bunker.  (Took me 2 to get out.  )

Shit Happens.

With a bit of luck, I'll be out again tomorrow.

Or not.

Either way,

Keep it in the Short Hairs

December 13 - Round 37

Course - Eisenhower Blue
Playing Partner - Vak

When you get a day like this in mid-December, you don't DARE complain about ANYTHING with your game.  The Golf G-ds were kind enough to throw us a bone, and you don't bite the hand that feeds you.

So, this blog entry will try NOT to analyze my game.  It will merely share my enjoyment of the day, and this great game.

Let me start off by saying it's been close to 9 weeks since I've swung a club.  Two surgeries, and some recouping time - and I'm back.  I had assumed that my next round would be during some yet-unplanned winter trip, or in the spring.

But, we all lucked out.
I went to the range yesterday to make sure I didn't lose the game.  I hit well enough to know I'd be ok.

We had a 10:04 tee time, and got to the course early.  I opted for a cart, since I'm thinking my first round back should be "eased" into the game.

Weatherwise - this day was incredible.  I haven't looked at the weather reports yet, but I was playing in short sleeves and should have worn shorts.

Vak and I had an awesome day.  I three-putted twice, 1-putted 7 times.  That's 31 putts.
Which is what saved my ass for the final score of 89.

My drives were WAY off - sometimes in the opposing fairways.
Sometimes just past the lady's tees.

Se la vie

Thank goodness my woods were working well.
I had lots of bogies, quite a few double-bogies, some pars and a birdie.

My short game was spot on - which was amazing since that usually requires practice.
And, as I stated above, my putting was damn good.

So, no complaints from me.  Shot an 89 - and felt like I cheated.  This is like calling in sick to work, and playing golf.  Except I can blog about it on-line.

If you didn't get out to enjoy a round today, or maybe bike ride or some outdoor activity - you missed a wonderful spring day in December.  We don't get many of these.
I would guess that last year I was shoveling.....

I'm including a video of my 4-wood shot from under a pine-tree on straw.  Worked out well.
The lie was a result of a poor drive (of course).

Hope you had a good one.

And, as always

Keep it in the Short Hairs

October 11th - Round 36

Course - Eisenhower Blue

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.

The one thing about today was the lack of wind.  Saturday's weather had a 10-20 mph winds.  Today, it was calm.  After the warm up, I got to the 1st tee at 7:55.
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

October 10th - Round 35

Course - Eisenhower Red
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