While my wife finished her shopping on Christmas Eve day, I took advantage of the almost nice weather and played golf. Last week the weather was in the 50's and nice. The eve before Christmas was a different story.
It was only about 45' and very windy. I had the course to myself again (go figure) but I not get a cart to ride as the course was going to close for the holiday before I got done so I had to walk. Oh, well, some of the golfing experience is to get some exercise, right? Man, my knees were killing me when I got done. Having to walk prevented me from playing two balls as I did last week so I just slugged one ball around this time. And I mean slugged.
Last week I played very well, but this time around I was not quite so "sharp". My back was tight as a spring and I was having a tough time turning. I really did not keep score, but I think I shot about 42. I miss hit a lot of my irons, but did manage to stiff one 7 iron on a par 4. It was uphill, into the wind from about 130 + and I hit it to about 6 feet. It actually landed about 4 feet from the pin, but it spun back to about 6.
The parking lot was empty when I got done except for the guy in the proshop. I would have like to have played better but hey, once again, it is the end of December in western NY, what should I expect?
PS: my wife bought me a new driver for X-mas/my birthday. Its a Taylor Made R5 XD with 10.5 degree loft. The sales guy talked her into the 10.5 stating that I would not be able to get the 9.5 into the air. I have been playing with a 9.5 degree 360-ti for five years and have little trouble getting it into the air. I am trading the 10.5 for the 9.5 and upgrading to the next level of R5 at the same time. I had been watching the price fall on the club as the season wound down. I will be getting a great deal on the new one...$199 marked down from over $300. Is it Spring yet?
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Sunday, December 17, 2006
December golf
Well, I have retrieved my clubs from the basement after storing them the other day. I took Friday, 12/15 as a vacation day many weeks ago. As luck would have it it was 55' and nice enought to play golf!!
I had the back nine on the south course to myself and decided to play two balls. A Calloway and a Titliest and have a match between the two.
The course really was mine to explore although I did see one guy on the 8th hole as I moved up my first hole. The Calloway started out par, par and the Titliest went bogie, bogie. I birdied the 3rd hole with the Titliest to cut the lead to one stroke. I really was not trying to favor one ball or the other.
The two traded pars until the 7th hole when I birdied with the Calloway. A fine birdie on a tough hole. I hit an up hill, into the wind, 160 yard 3 iron to about 20 feet and canned the putt to get to one-under with the Calloway.
Through 7 holes the Calloway was one under and the Titliest was one over. Not bad considering how late it is in the season.
In the end, C bogied #8 and parred #9 for a even par 36 and T bogied #9 to get to two over, 38. Nice round. Can I call that a 74?
I had the back nine on the south course to myself and decided to play two balls. A Calloway and a Titliest and have a match between the two.
The course really was mine to explore although I did see one guy on the 8th hole as I moved up my first hole. The Calloway started out par, par and the Titliest went bogie, bogie. I birdied the 3rd hole with the Titliest to cut the lead to one stroke. I really was not trying to favor one ball or the other.
The two traded pars until the 7th hole when I birdied with the Calloway. A fine birdie on a tough hole. I hit an up hill, into the wind, 160 yard 3 iron to about 20 feet and canned the putt to get to one-under with the Calloway.
Through 7 holes the Calloway was one under and the Titliest was one over. Not bad considering how late it is in the season.
In the end, C bogied #8 and parred #9 for a even par 36 and T bogied #9 to get to two over, 38. Nice round. Can I call that a 74?
Sunday, December 03, 2006
That sad day has arrived
Yesterday I put my clubs in the basement, December 2nd. Although, right up to this past Thursday I could have played any of the past several days. It was nearly 70 on Wed. and Thurs. The courses were pretty busy as one might expect. This late into the year it is a treat to get out that "one last time". I may play yet again this season, but I am not holding my breath.
As it is, my last round was a very solid, two over, 74. I can live with that as a season ending score.
As it is, my last round was a very solid, two over, 74. I can live with that as a season ending score.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Winter (?) golf?
Well, here it is the day after Thanksgiving in Western NY and it the sun is shining and the temps have hit the mid 60"s!!!! I played Victor Hills North today with "the boys" and had something to prove. The last time we played I played like a pig and shot 86. Needless to say I was not too pleased with that mess.
Today was a totally different story. After parring the first two holes, I hit three horrible tee shots...a duck slice and a duck hook and another lovely duck slice... in a row. However, I managed to make bogey on the first two and made a 15 footer for par on the third. After a two putt birdie on the 6th hole and bogey on #8 I carded a pretty solid 38 on the front.
I finally got my back to loosen up on the 6th hole and from then on I hit the driver pretty damn well. I don't think that I missed another fairway until our 16th hole.
We were playing for quarters and the 17th was worth a bundle after a bunch of carry overs. I missed the green on the par three but knocked in a 6 footer for par to net a ton of quarters from the boys. I usually do not do very well in the money department, but today I netted $13 from my playing partners. So, the $8 it cost me to play ended up being free plus $5. Nice.
I left two birdie butts right on the edge on the back, made a miraculous par on our 16th hole, and one putted the last three holes for an even par 36 on the back.
A 74 this late in the year is pretty darn good. The greens are beginning to freeze and are pretty hard. I actually slipped hitting my drive on one hole due to the nearly frozen turf on the tee box. Other than that hole however, the course was pretty good and very playable.
If I don't get out again this season I finished with a very strong 74 after that nasty 86 a few weeks ago. My handicap sits at 5.1, the lowest it has ever been. I am pleased.
Today was a totally different story. After parring the first two holes, I hit three horrible tee shots...a duck slice and a duck hook and another lovely duck slice... in a row. However, I managed to make bogey on the first two and made a 15 footer for par on the third. After a two putt birdie on the 6th hole and bogey on #8 I carded a pretty solid 38 on the front.
I finally got my back to loosen up on the 6th hole and from then on I hit the driver pretty damn well. I don't think that I missed another fairway until our 16th hole.
We were playing for quarters and the 17th was worth a bundle after a bunch of carry overs. I missed the green on the par three but knocked in a 6 footer for par to net a ton of quarters from the boys. I usually do not do very well in the money department, but today I netted $13 from my playing partners. So, the $8 it cost me to play ended up being free plus $5. Nice.
I left two birdie butts right on the edge on the back, made a miraculous par on our 16th hole, and one putted the last three holes for an even par 36 on the back.
A 74 this late in the year is pretty darn good. The greens are beginning to freeze and are pretty hard. I actually slipped hitting my drive on one hole due to the nearly frozen turf on the tee box. Other than that hole however, the course was pretty good and very playable.
If I don't get out again this season I finished with a very strong 74 after that nasty 86 a few weeks ago. My handicap sits at 5.1, the lowest it has ever been. I am pleased.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
A fall golf date with my golfer chick
My wife is my favorite golfing partner. Period. I enjoy her company and her game on the course. I enjoy our handicapped match play contests that amount to nothing more than a source of entertainment during the round. Most often it comes down to the last hole before things are decided however if I play my best she cannot beat me and vice versa. My 5 handicap vs. her 23 gives her the perfect one stroke per hole to keep it close most of the times.
Last Friday we played some late season golf on a Veteran's Day work holiday. This late in the season afternoon rounds are dependent upon how late you tee off and how many people are in front of you holding you up. We play very quickly and this day we ran into the dreaded wall of slow players on the 4th hole of the South Course so we doubled back and played holes 2, 3 and 4 a second time which gave us a cushion again.
We caught the masses again on the 12th hole and decided that the daylight was not going to last if we stayed behind the back up so we skipped to the 4th on the North Course and played #4 and 5 before catching up to another group. We decided to bag it and head on in.
We had fun trying to find a solution to the waning sunlight. In the end we played a full 17 holes after zipping to and fro trying to escape the groups ahead of us. Its too bad because for the official 12 holes that we played I was only 3 over and Joanie, while having not played in about 3 weeks, was also playing well.
If we don't get out together again this year it will be too bad, but we did have fun last week.
Last Friday we played some late season golf on a Veteran's Day work holiday. This late in the season afternoon rounds are dependent upon how late you tee off and how many people are in front of you holding you up. We play very quickly and this day we ran into the dreaded wall of slow players on the 4th hole of the South Course so we doubled back and played holes 2, 3 and 4 a second time which gave us a cushion again.
We caught the masses again on the 12th hole and decided that the daylight was not going to last if we stayed behind the back up so we skipped to the 4th on the North Course and played #4 and 5 before catching up to another group. We decided to bag it and head on in.
We had fun trying to find a solution to the waning sunlight. In the end we played a full 17 holes after zipping to and fro trying to escape the groups ahead of us. Its too bad because for the official 12 holes that we played I was only 3 over and Joanie, while having not played in about 3 weeks, was also playing well.
If we don't get out together again this year it will be too bad, but we did have fun last week.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Halloween golf, 10/30/06
Yesterday promised 55 degree temps and lots of sunshine. When I got to work I made the decision to take the afternoon off to hit the links for some bonus Fall golf. The weather here has been terrible and this past weekend we had 50 mph winds and lots of rain. I figured that with the wind the leaves would have been taken care of and some of the surface water would be gone as well. The course was quite playable dispite the recent weather.
I met up with a guy named Chris who had the same idea as I did and off we went on the South Course at Victor Hills. I thought that I had hooked up with a solid stick when after the first three holes we were both even. I was putting up a storm, in fact I one putted the first four holes, all for pars, but one putts none the less. I bogied the par 5 sixth hole and then finished birdie, par, birdie to make the turn at 1-under.
I had heard a tip on the TV about keeping good rhythm during all shots to ensure a smooth swing and I was trying to incorporate that in this late season round and it seemed to be working.
I killed my drive on #10 and was just short with my 3 wood and narrowly missed another birdie. Again I nearly birdied the par 3 11th and then made a stupid bogie on both 12 and 13. Solid pars on 14, 15 and 16 left at one over par for the day.
My driver had been very kind to me all day. I had only missed 2 fairways so far. So naturally, I tried to kill my drive on the 17th only to pull it behind a big tree. This left me with a punch out to about 215 from the green on the par 5. I hit five wood and should have hit 3 as I left it short of the green. After a two putt bogie I trudged on to the 203 yard par three 18th.
Lately, I have hit 4 iron, 3 iron, 5 and 3 woods into this down hill finishing hole. I failed to recognize how much wind there was and how mild it was and airmailed the green into the pond behind the green. The shot was a slight draw and was heading right at the pin. When I did not see it land on the green I knew that I had flown the green. Sure enough I could not find the ball and dropped a fresh one and then canned a 6 footer for bogie.
35 / 40 = 75 in my book. That was about the best round I had played all year and certainly the best one as of late. I missed 3 fairways and only had 29 putts.
My playing partner played well on the front, but could not make a putt to save his life. I think he had about 10 three putts. He blew up on the back and probably shot close to 90. He had a great swing but began hitting it way right just about the time that he told me he had been hitting it way right a lot as of late. I think that once he mentioned it and did it the first time he simple forgot how well he hit it for the first several holes.
I met up with a guy named Chris who had the same idea as I did and off we went on the South Course at Victor Hills. I thought that I had hooked up with a solid stick when after the first three holes we were both even. I was putting up a storm, in fact I one putted the first four holes, all for pars, but one putts none the less. I bogied the par 5 sixth hole and then finished birdie, par, birdie to make the turn at 1-under.
I had heard a tip on the TV about keeping good rhythm during all shots to ensure a smooth swing and I was trying to incorporate that in this late season round and it seemed to be working.
I killed my drive on #10 and was just short with my 3 wood and narrowly missed another birdie. Again I nearly birdied the par 3 11th and then made a stupid bogie on both 12 and 13. Solid pars on 14, 15 and 16 left at one over par for the day.
My driver had been very kind to me all day. I had only missed 2 fairways so far. So naturally, I tried to kill my drive on the 17th only to pull it behind a big tree. This left me with a punch out to about 215 from the green on the par 5. I hit five wood and should have hit 3 as I left it short of the green. After a two putt bogie I trudged on to the 203 yard par three 18th.
Lately, I have hit 4 iron, 3 iron, 5 and 3 woods into this down hill finishing hole. I failed to recognize how much wind there was and how mild it was and airmailed the green into the pond behind the green. The shot was a slight draw and was heading right at the pin. When I did not see it land on the green I knew that I had flown the green. Sure enough I could not find the ball and dropped a fresh one and then canned a 6 footer for bogie.
35 / 40 = 75 in my book. That was about the best round I had played all year and certainly the best one as of late. I missed 3 fairways and only had 29 putts.
My playing partner played well on the front, but could not make a putt to save his life. I think he had about 10 three putts. He blew up on the back and probably shot close to 90. He had a great swing but began hitting it way right just about the time that he told me he had been hitting it way right a lot as of late. I think that once he mentioned it and did it the first time he simple forgot how well he hit it for the first several holes.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
What a comeback!!
My buddy Ron and I played last weekend at Victor Hills South course. I have had Ron's number for some time now and while we don't play for any money our matches are always for some sort of bragging rights or something like that.
We both doubled the first hole (nice) and he took a two shot lead after parring the 2nd and 3rd holes. Again we both doubled the 4th hole (things were not going my way) and after a very ugly snowman/8 on the short par five 6th hole, I was in a deep hole at 5 down. We tied the 8 and 9 and headed to the 10th tee.
Ron was pretty high on his current 5 shot lead as we made the turn and rightfully so. I had really done nothing to challenge him so far. I could see it in his body english and hear it in his voice that he was really enjoying the butt kicking he had just laid on me on the front.
It wasn't until #12 that I finally cut into the lead. A nice par from the back of the green cut the lead to 4. Hey I had to start somewhere and after 15 holes I had cut it to down to 3 shots.
I hammered my tee shot down the middle on the par 5 17th and Ron missed the fairway to the left. His second shot hit a tree and his third was hampered by a tree branch. I split the fairway with my second shot and he missed the green short with his 4th. After two putting for par to his double I had gotten the deficit to one stroke with one to go.
I was really just trying to catch and tie him on the last hole and that would have been a moral victory at least.
NOTE: Earlier, as we met up in the parking lot prior to the match, I had decided to walk and took my 3 and 4 irons out of the bag to make it lighter for the long day. However, he said that was going to ride, so I caved and paid for my half of the cart. I also put the 3 and 4 irons back in the bag. And it was a good thing too.
The 18th was playing 203 and without the 3 iron I would have had to bunt a 3 or 5 wood to get to the green. Because of the decision to ride I was able to tee up my 3 iron and proceded to lace it right at the pin. It landed about 3 feet dead short of the pin and ended up about 15 feet or so directly behind the pin. I knew at that point that I had a chance to catch Ron for the tie. Then, to my surprise, Ron totally chunked his tee shot and then left his second shot short of the green. My rally was looking really good at this point. We each two putted and at that point I had completed one hell of a comeback. I finished par/par and he finished double/double.
I had turned five down at the turn into a one shot victory. How? Slow and steady wins the race I guess. I shot 46-39. Somehow I was able to maintain my composure (something I am not very good at) and reel it in on the back to overcome some very ugly golf on the front nine. Ron did give away the last two holes with his collapse, but I was able to par them both myself.
We both doubled the first hole (nice) and he took a two shot lead after parring the 2nd and 3rd holes. Again we both doubled the 4th hole (things were not going my way) and after a very ugly snowman/8 on the short par five 6th hole, I was in a deep hole at 5 down. We tied the 8 and 9 and headed to the 10th tee.
Ron was pretty high on his current 5 shot lead as we made the turn and rightfully so. I had really done nothing to challenge him so far. I could see it in his body english and hear it in his voice that he was really enjoying the butt kicking he had just laid on me on the front.
It wasn't until #12 that I finally cut into the lead. A nice par from the back of the green cut the lead to 4. Hey I had to start somewhere and after 15 holes I had cut it to down to 3 shots.
I hammered my tee shot down the middle on the par 5 17th and Ron missed the fairway to the left. His second shot hit a tree and his third was hampered by a tree branch. I split the fairway with my second shot and he missed the green short with his 4th. After two putting for par to his double I had gotten the deficit to one stroke with one to go.
I was really just trying to catch and tie him on the last hole and that would have been a moral victory at least.
NOTE: Earlier, as we met up in the parking lot prior to the match, I had decided to walk and took my 3 and 4 irons out of the bag to make it lighter for the long day. However, he said that was going to ride, so I caved and paid for my half of the cart. I also put the 3 and 4 irons back in the bag. And it was a good thing too.
The 18th was playing 203 and without the 3 iron I would have had to bunt a 3 or 5 wood to get to the green. Because of the decision to ride I was able to tee up my 3 iron and proceded to lace it right at the pin. It landed about 3 feet dead short of the pin and ended up about 15 feet or so directly behind the pin. I knew at that point that I had a chance to catch Ron for the tie. Then, to my surprise, Ron totally chunked his tee shot and then left his second shot short of the green. My rally was looking really good at this point. We each two putted and at that point I had completed one hell of a comeback. I finished par/par and he finished double/double.
I had turned five down at the turn into a one shot victory. How? Slow and steady wins the race I guess. I shot 46-39. Somehow I was able to maintain my composure (something I am not very good at) and reel it in on the back to overcome some very ugly golf on the front nine. Ron did give away the last two holes with his collapse, but I was able to par them both myself.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
gotta love fall golf
As I have said in the past, October is one of my favorite times of the year to play golf. The crowds are down, the courses are soft again and the foliage makes the scenery spectacular. With that in mind, the weather has been fabulous since last Thursday. I took both Thursday and Friday afternoons off and hit the links.
On Thursday I played with some guy, I never even got his name, and shot a very fine 77 on the South at Victor Hills. I stuck the ball very well and only missed 2 fairways. If made a few more putts (I missed about 3 inside five feet) I could easily been even par. Oh, well, that is the way that it goes.
Friday's round was only nine holes and was much less attractive. I hit the ball great off the tee once again, but hit my irons rather poorly and made a mess of that nine. Oh, well, it was bonus golf.
Sunday was another disaterous round on the East course. Two triples and a double put me at 83 for the day on the shortest, but tightest of the three courses at Victor Hills.
I had Also taken Monday off (Columbus Day) and played the North course. Again, I hit the tee ball great and made a couple of dumb bogies on the front to shoot 40. I tore up the back and shot one over with two birdies and an unfortunate bogie on the last hole. My approach ended up above the hole, in the fringe about 20 feet away. The pin was set on the edge of a cliff and if my putt roled a foot past the hole it would have tumbled down the hill and maybe off the green again. I lagged my birdie putt from the fringe to about 8 feet (nice) and narrowly missed my par, then kicked it in for a bogie. A very solid 77 in the end.
The weather for those days was brilliantly sunny and between 55 and 75 degrees. Stunning. Unfortunately, the weather this week and towards the weekend is not going to be that good. Maybe even some wet snow (gasp). At this point in the season my handicap according to Yahoo Sports is at 4.5; just up a bit from a career best, 4.0, just a few weeks ago. All in all, it is still lower than it has ever been. Yee Ha!!
On Thursday I played with some guy, I never even got his name, and shot a very fine 77 on the South at Victor Hills. I stuck the ball very well and only missed 2 fairways. If made a few more putts (I missed about 3 inside five feet) I could easily been even par. Oh, well, that is the way that it goes.
Friday's round was only nine holes and was much less attractive. I hit the ball great off the tee once again, but hit my irons rather poorly and made a mess of that nine. Oh, well, it was bonus golf.
Sunday was another disaterous round on the East course. Two triples and a double put me at 83 for the day on the shortest, but tightest of the three courses at Victor Hills.
I had Also taken Monday off (Columbus Day) and played the North course. Again, I hit the tee ball great and made a couple of dumb bogies on the front to shoot 40. I tore up the back and shot one over with two birdies and an unfortunate bogie on the last hole. My approach ended up above the hole, in the fringe about 20 feet away. The pin was set on the edge of a cliff and if my putt roled a foot past the hole it would have tumbled down the hill and maybe off the green again. I lagged my birdie putt from the fringe to about 8 feet (nice) and narrowly missed my par, then kicked it in for a bogie. A very solid 77 in the end.
The weather for those days was brilliantly sunny and between 55 and 75 degrees. Stunning. Unfortunately, the weather this week and towards the weekend is not going to be that good. Maybe even some wet snow (gasp). At this point in the season my handicap according to Yahoo Sports is at 4.5; just up a bit from a career best, 4.0, just a few weeks ago. All in all, it is still lower than it has ever been. Yee Ha!!
Monday, September 18, 2006
what a come back!
We played the East course at VH yesterday under perfect conditions and I lit it up. From the white tees the course is pretty easy, but you still have to put the ball in play or many "others" will be posted. The pace of play was so slow that we played the back-to-back par threes on the front twice and we still waited to tee off on #6. The putter was working this day and other than a double bogie on #7 caused by an unplayable lie I posted a solid 37 (par is 34 on the front).
After a slight delay in teeing off on the back (we met some friends for the second half of the round) I parred the tough par 4 tenth hole and the very difficult eleventh.
On #12 I left my tee shot in a spot that required a big slicy banana ball around a tree to have any chance at getting home in two. I hit a seven iron but pushed it instead of slicing it. I panicked as I saw my ball headed right at the tree. But, the miracle of miracles happened and somehow the ball managed to fly right through the 6 inch gap in the tree's main branches and end up on the green about 25 feet from the hole. By all rights I should have been in deep doo doo, but I caught a major break and proceded to hole the putt for a birdie!!! All I could do was shrug it off and sheepishly tell my wife that I had birdied the hole.
I also birdied #13 and nearly #14 as well. At two under after 5 holes on the back I was looking pretty good. A poor chip on the par three 15th and a left handed shot on #16 carded two bogies to get back to reality. I parred 17 and rolled in a 4 footer for birdie on 18 and posted an excellent 72 for the day.
For the most part the East course is driver-wedge course but you still have to hit the shots and I did just that yesterday. Playing from the blues on this course is another issue altogether as some of the tee shots are much more difficult. But from any tee box you choose, 2 over is 2 over.
After a slight delay in teeing off on the back (we met some friends for the second half of the round) I parred the tough par 4 tenth hole and the very difficult eleventh.
On #12 I left my tee shot in a spot that required a big slicy banana ball around a tree to have any chance at getting home in two. I hit a seven iron but pushed it instead of slicing it. I panicked as I saw my ball headed right at the tree. But, the miracle of miracles happened and somehow the ball managed to fly right through the 6 inch gap in the tree's main branches and end up on the green about 25 feet from the hole. By all rights I should have been in deep doo doo, but I caught a major break and proceded to hole the putt for a birdie!!! All I could do was shrug it off and sheepishly tell my wife that I had birdied the hole.
I also birdied #13 and nearly #14 as well. At two under after 5 holes on the back I was looking pretty good. A poor chip on the par three 15th and a left handed shot on #16 carded two bogies to get back to reality. I parred 17 and rolled in a 4 footer for birdie on 18 and posted an excellent 72 for the day.
For the most part the East course is driver-wedge course but you still have to hit the shots and I did just that yesterday. Playing from the blues on this course is another issue altogether as some of the tee shots are much more difficult. But from any tee box you choose, 2 over is 2 over.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Scratching my head, and blowing my nose
Ok, so today Joan and I took advantage of the end what seems like 3 straight weeks of rain. The weather has just sucked here lately. We woke to find thick fog and very wet grass, but by 9:30 the fog had cleared and it was apparent that it was not going to rain, so off we went.
Joan had not played in two weeks and I have been battling a cold for the past few days.
My round started with a solid triple on the first hole. I can attribute the poor start to distractions on the tee from the tournament crowd milling about behind the tee, stiffness in my back from the cold and various other excuses. I hit two trees on the way to my fine snowman and off we went to the second hole. After a bogie there, I hit two more trees on the next hole and carded my second triple in three holes. Yikes.
I parred #4 and 5 and thought that maybe I had righted the ship, but no way. After snapping my next tee shot down to the bottom of a steep hill I managed to card a solid double and just shook my head. After lipping out for birdie on #7 I limped home with back to back bogies. The number 47 looked pretty ugly on the card as we headed to the 10th tee.
I kind of wrote off the front nine to my cold, the very wet conditions and the horrendously slow pace of play.
After parring 10, 11 and 12, I bladed a wedge over the green on 13 and made a really dumb bogie, oh well my round sucked anyways so no big deal. I nailed my drive on 14 and canned a 10 footer for birdie to wipe out the stupidity on the last hole. Pars on 15 and 16 kept me at even par on the back.
I tried to drive the green on 17 and left if just short and ended up in the wet rough. I chipped to about 10 feet and when Joan had the same putt that I did I got a good read on it and drained my birdie put to get to one under on the back!
A big drive and a five wood to about 20 feet on the par five 18th left me with an eagle putt for a 33 on the back. I hit a good putt, but missed on the high side and kicked it in for a birdie.
A two-under 34 on the back after a really ugly 47 on the front meant an 81 with two triples and a double. In the end not a bad score if you don't look too deep. Go figure: clueless on the front and on fire on the back. My nails are worn down from scratching my head trying to understand this goofy game.
Joan had not played in two weeks and I have been battling a cold for the past few days.
My round started with a solid triple on the first hole. I can attribute the poor start to distractions on the tee from the tournament crowd milling about behind the tee, stiffness in my back from the cold and various other excuses. I hit two trees on the way to my fine snowman and off we went to the second hole. After a bogie there, I hit two more trees on the next hole and carded my second triple in three holes. Yikes.
I parred #4 and 5 and thought that maybe I had righted the ship, but no way. After snapping my next tee shot down to the bottom of a steep hill I managed to card a solid double and just shook my head. After lipping out for birdie on #7 I limped home with back to back bogies. The number 47 looked pretty ugly on the card as we headed to the 10th tee.
I kind of wrote off the front nine to my cold, the very wet conditions and the horrendously slow pace of play.
After parring 10, 11 and 12, I bladed a wedge over the green on 13 and made a really dumb bogie, oh well my round sucked anyways so no big deal. I nailed my drive on 14 and canned a 10 footer for birdie to wipe out the stupidity on the last hole. Pars on 15 and 16 kept me at even par on the back.
I tried to drive the green on 17 and left if just short and ended up in the wet rough. I chipped to about 10 feet and when Joan had the same putt that I did I got a good read on it and drained my birdie put to get to one under on the back!
A big drive and a five wood to about 20 feet on the par five 18th left me with an eagle putt for a 33 on the back. I hit a good putt, but missed on the high side and kicked it in for a birdie.
A two-under 34 on the back after a really ugly 47 on the front meant an 81 with two triples and a double. In the end not a bad score if you don't look too deep. Go figure: clueless on the front and on fire on the back. My nails are worn down from scratching my head trying to understand this goofy game.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
A change is in the air...
There is some evidence of Fall in the air these days. Some of the trees have a bit of color, and football is on TV and my Cincinnatti Reds are in a tailspin. Once the NFL season starts the golf courses clear out a bit as the Sunday afternoon arm-chair quarterbacks and deer hunters move on to other things. I love Fall golf...cooler temps, smaller crowds, softer course conditions and brilliant foliage to look at.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Summer of golf
yeah baby!!!
I have spent the summer playing golf, hosting weddings, playing golf, and travelling to play golf. I have played the following courses outside of NY this summer, in this order:
Cinnamon Hill - Jamaica - 79 (right on the ocean, two putt birdie on 18)
White Witch - Jamaica - 83 and 82 (fabulous course at the Ritz Carlton, had too many "others")
Legend Trail - Scottsdale, AZ - 73 (not in great shape, a nice course)
TPC Desert course - Scottsdale - 76 (the best conditions we played on all summer)
TPC Stadium course - Scottsdale - 82 (too easy for the FBR Open and tour players)
We Ko Pa - Fort McDowell, AZ - 76 (fabulous layout, great views, FBR Open should be here)
These scores and some pretty good ones at home have helped get my handicap down to its lowest ever --- 4.2
I have spent the summer playing golf, hosting weddings, playing golf, and travelling to play golf. I have played the following courses outside of NY this summer, in this order:
Cinnamon Hill - Jamaica - 79 (right on the ocean, two putt birdie on 18)
White Witch - Jamaica - 83 and 82 (fabulous course at the Ritz Carlton, had too many "others")
Legend Trail - Scottsdale, AZ - 73 (not in great shape, a nice course)
TPC Desert course - Scottsdale - 76 (the best conditions we played on all summer)
TPC Stadium course - Scottsdale - 82 (too easy for the FBR Open and tour players)
We Ko Pa - Fort McDowell, AZ - 76 (fabulous layout, great views, FBR Open should be here)
These scores and some pretty good ones at home have helped get my handicap down to its lowest ever --- 4.2
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Maybe, just maybe...
The run of positive, good scores continued on the 4th of July. Dave and I played Ravenwood. I took him out for a round as a retirement gift and as a small payback for the many years of his/Jeremiah's paying for tournament golf for me.
After doubling the first hole and bogeying that damn water-lined 3rd hole (dropped yet another tee-shot in the drink there) I reeled it in and shot a respectable 41 on the front which included a kick-in birdie on the par five 6th hole and a really stupid bogey on #9.
We grabbed a dog and a beer at the turn and off we went on the back. I once again bogeyed the par five 12th hole after blowing a 7-iron over the green, the rough and the cart path behind the green. That approach shot kills me. It is such a deceiving distance. You just cannot see the putting surface from the fairway.
The wind grabbed my approach shot on the 13th and I managed to chip close and par that one. I stiffed a 9 iron on the par three 14th over the water and rolled in the 2 footer for another birdie. The 15th is a tough driving hole for me since my natural ball flight is left to right and there is a line of Titliest-swallowing trees to the left, just off the tee box. I kept it in play but down the left side of the hole. My wedge home just missed the putting surface and I chipped close for a nice par.
The uphill 16th was right into the wind but after popping my second shot to about 30 ft, I curled one in for a birdie! The cute beer chick gave me a round of applause as she waited just behind the green and saw me sink the putt.
My tee-shot on the par three 17 th dribbled into the water and after taking a drop, I canned my bogie putt from the fringe.
I pretty much butchered the 18th after hitting my drive into the fairway bunker on the right. One day I will realize that I have to hit 3 wood off that tee to take the bunkers out of play. I narrowly missed dumping my bunker shot into a creek and then missed the green from about 135 yards. I chipped to about 6 feet and proceded to wimp out on my par putt and made bogey. I had not missed anything inside 6 feet all day so that miss was troublesome.
In the end, I shot one over 37 on the back for a pretty fine 78. I made a lot of good chip shots, putted well and carded 3 birdies. The greens were slower than usual and I did not find the fairways to be in very good shape, but Ravenwood is a pretty good test for any golfer. The greens are well guarded and fairly small.
After doubling the first hole and bogeying that damn water-lined 3rd hole (dropped yet another tee-shot in the drink there) I reeled it in and shot a respectable 41 on the front which included a kick-in birdie on the par five 6th hole and a really stupid bogey on #9.
We grabbed a dog and a beer at the turn and off we went on the back. I once again bogeyed the par five 12th hole after blowing a 7-iron over the green, the rough and the cart path behind the green. That approach shot kills me. It is such a deceiving distance. You just cannot see the putting surface from the fairway.
The wind grabbed my approach shot on the 13th and I managed to chip close and par that one. I stiffed a 9 iron on the par three 14th over the water and rolled in the 2 footer for another birdie. The 15th is a tough driving hole for me since my natural ball flight is left to right and there is a line of Titliest-swallowing trees to the left, just off the tee box. I kept it in play but down the left side of the hole. My wedge home just missed the putting surface and I chipped close for a nice par.
The uphill 16th was right into the wind but after popping my second shot to about 30 ft, I curled one in for a birdie! The cute beer chick gave me a round of applause as she waited just behind the green and saw me sink the putt.
My tee-shot on the par three 17 th dribbled into the water and after taking a drop, I canned my bogie putt from the fringe.
I pretty much butchered the 18th after hitting my drive into the fairway bunker on the right. One day I will realize that I have to hit 3 wood off that tee to take the bunkers out of play. I narrowly missed dumping my bunker shot into a creek and then missed the green from about 135 yards. I chipped to about 6 feet and proceded to wimp out on my par putt and made bogey. I had not missed anything inside 6 feet all day so that miss was troublesome.
In the end, I shot one over 37 on the back for a pretty fine 78. I made a lot of good chip shots, putted well and carded 3 birdies. The greens were slower than usual and I did not find the fairways to be in very good shape, but Ravenwood is a pretty good test for any golfer. The greens are well guarded and fairly small.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Psycho golf
The saga continues...
The other day my wife and I hit the links on the North course at Victor Hills. It was pretty windy and made the poor decision to play the back tees. I should have stayed home.
After hitting no fewer than 4 trees (two on one shot) on the first hole, I cruised to a four double-bogey 49 on the front nine. I was clueless. I was pissy and I was not a happy man. Joanie was playing well so there was no way that I could bail out on the back nine. After hitting the bar at the turn I moved up to the white tees and off we went.
Somehow I managed to calm down enough to par a couple of holes and my mind got back into the game. Those couple of pars became several in a row and after a near hole-in-one on #16 (kick-in birdie) I had managed to get around the back in fine, one-over par, fashion. Nice 86 goof-ball.
The very next day, we played just nine holes and I stayed on course (get it?) and shot a one over 35 on the east course. That made it 2 over for my last 18 holes after being 13 over on my previous nine.
Then, just yesterday, we played the South course and the hot streak continued. I bogied 2 of the last three holes to shoot a very solid, 3 over, 75. That was one of the best rounds that I have played this summer. That round finished off a 36 hole total of 5 over par.
I have found that the key is my balance at address. I seemed to have gotten into the bad habit of leaning out over the ball on my toes rather than staying balanced on my feet. This seems to cause either a dead pull/hook or a big ugly slice. Maybe, just maybe, I can carry that thought process into today's round at Ravenwood. That is if it does not rain as predicted.
The other day my wife and I hit the links on the North course at Victor Hills. It was pretty windy and made the poor decision to play the back tees. I should have stayed home.
After hitting no fewer than 4 trees (two on one shot) on the first hole, I cruised to a four double-bogey 49 on the front nine. I was clueless. I was pissy and I was not a happy man. Joanie was playing well so there was no way that I could bail out on the back nine. After hitting the bar at the turn I moved up to the white tees and off we went.
Somehow I managed to calm down enough to par a couple of holes and my mind got back into the game. Those couple of pars became several in a row and after a near hole-in-one on #16 (kick-in birdie) I had managed to get around the back in fine, one-over par, fashion. Nice 86 goof-ball.
The very next day, we played just nine holes and I stayed on course (get it?) and shot a one over 35 on the east course. That made it 2 over for my last 18 holes after being 13 over on my previous nine.
Then, just yesterday, we played the South course and the hot streak continued. I bogied 2 of the last three holes to shoot a very solid, 3 over, 75. That was one of the best rounds that I have played this summer. That round finished off a 36 hole total of 5 over par.
I have found that the key is my balance at address. I seemed to have gotten into the bad habit of leaning out over the ball on my toes rather than staying balanced on my feet. This seems to cause either a dead pull/hook or a big ugly slice. Maybe, just maybe, I can carry that thought process into today's round at Ravenwood. That is if it does not rain as predicted.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Nine holes, twice around
This past Tuesday I played Riverton CC in Scottsville for the first time in a while. This is a semi-private course that has only 9 holes. You play one set of tees on the front and the other on the back. It has some pretty good holes, especially the first, a par five that doglegs left for about 3,000 yards or so. It just keeps bending and bending to the left. For a player like myself, who cuts the ball, this hole can play pretty tough. Oh, yes, then there is the big pond on the right that you cannot see from the tee.
The first time around I sunk a 6 footer for par on #1, a 30 footer on # 2 for par and a 15 footer for birdie on #3. Not a bad start. I doubled #4 and came back to reality after a poor drive and a worse approach from about 60 yards.
The 8th is a tough par 5 with a pond protecting the right side all the way in from about 250 off the tee. I stuffed a wedge to about 18 inches on my approach and birdied that one to get back to one over. A par on #9 ended the front at 37. Very nice.
After a beer at the turn, we hit the return trip around this 9 holer. I made a lucky par on #10 after my second shot hit a tree and bounced into the middle of the fairway instead of dead left into the Genesee River. Bogied #11 and parred 12. I managed to avoid another double on the second time around on #13 but had to settle for a bogey after 3 consectutive swings involving trees. After parring #14 and 15 I birdied #16 and finished up with two more pars for a 39.
That would be 76 on a pretty tough layout. It was about as good a round as I have played this year so far. Even though you play essentially the same 9 twice here it is a pretty good test of golf. They have talked about adding the second nine here for years now, but I guess that has pretty much been discarded.
I never think to play Riverton but when I do make it out there I find it to be in good shape (even though the traps are pretty bad) and fairly priced.
The first time around I sunk a 6 footer for par on #1, a 30 footer on # 2 for par and a 15 footer for birdie on #3. Not a bad start. I doubled #4 and came back to reality after a poor drive and a worse approach from about 60 yards.
The 8th is a tough par 5 with a pond protecting the right side all the way in from about 250 off the tee. I stuffed a wedge to about 18 inches on my approach and birdied that one to get back to one over. A par on #9 ended the front at 37. Very nice.
After a beer at the turn, we hit the return trip around this 9 holer. I made a lucky par on #10 after my second shot hit a tree and bounced into the middle of the fairway instead of dead left into the Genesee River. Bogied #11 and parred 12. I managed to avoid another double on the second time around on #13 but had to settle for a bogey after 3 consectutive swings involving trees. After parring #14 and 15 I birdied #16 and finished up with two more pars for a 39.
That would be 76 on a pretty tough layout. It was about as good a round as I have played this year so far. Even though you play essentially the same 9 twice here it is a pretty good test of golf. They have talked about adding the second nine here for years now, but I guess that has pretty much been discarded.
I never think to play Riverton but when I do make it out there I find it to be in good shape (even though the traps are pretty bad) and fairly priced.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Ahhhhhh....
Last night I subbed with my brother at Greystone in the league that we were partners in for five years. I was a bit apprehensive about it as I have not been playing that well and my history with that league is such that I have always carried one of the best, if not the best scoring averages in the history of that league.
Dave and his new partner were at 3-0-2 for the season going into last night. They are now 4-0-2 after last night.
I finally played well and shot less than my weight for 9 holes. I made a 6 footer for par on the first hole and my confidence level got a much needed boost. However on #2 I three jacked for bogey after my first putt sputtered dreadfully short of the hole and I then lipped out for par from about 6 feet. Ouch.
On #3 I hit a very good 6 iron to about 20 feet and two putted for par.
#4 is one of the hardest driving holes around and I killed my drive down the left side and had only a wedge into the green and canned about a 12 footer for birdie!!!! (is my putting coming around?).
#5 presented a brutal pin placement and I lipped out from about 8 feet for par after a rather poor chip shot.
On the par three 6th hole I nearly canned my wedge for an ace and proceded to tap in from about 2 feet for birdie (hmmmmm).
The up hill 7th present the option of driver (risky) or 3 wood or less off the tee. It was into the wind so I hit driver and nailed it right down the middle. After a 9 iron to the green I two putted for par.
I made a mess of the drivable 8th after hitting it into the greenside bunker off the tee and failed to get up and down after blasting out. The bogey got me back to one over.
I tapped in for par on the 9th and carded a solid 37. This was the best 9 holes that I have played in several weeks. I hit the ball well and putted far better than I have been. It will be a much needed confidence boost as I go back to Greystone Tuesday for a scramble event. Bring it on!!!
Dave and his new partner were at 3-0-2 for the season going into last night. They are now 4-0-2 after last night.
I finally played well and shot less than my weight for 9 holes. I made a 6 footer for par on the first hole and my confidence level got a much needed boost. However on #2 I three jacked for bogey after my first putt sputtered dreadfully short of the hole and I then lipped out for par from about 6 feet. Ouch.
On #3 I hit a very good 6 iron to about 20 feet and two putted for par.
#4 is one of the hardest driving holes around and I killed my drive down the left side and had only a wedge into the green and canned about a 12 footer for birdie!!!! (is my putting coming around?).
#5 presented a brutal pin placement and I lipped out from about 8 feet for par after a rather poor chip shot.
On the par three 6th hole I nearly canned my wedge for an ace and proceded to tap in from about 2 feet for birdie (hmmmmm).
The up hill 7th present the option of driver (risky) or 3 wood or less off the tee. It was into the wind so I hit driver and nailed it right down the middle. After a 9 iron to the green I two putted for par.
I made a mess of the drivable 8th after hitting it into the greenside bunker off the tee and failed to get up and down after blasting out. The bogey got me back to one over.
I tapped in for par on the 9th and carded a solid 37. This was the best 9 holes that I have played in several weeks. I hit the ball well and putted far better than I have been. It will be a much needed confidence boost as I go back to Greystone Tuesday for a scramble event. Bring it on!!!
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Frustration on the course
It looks like this is going to be one of those frustrating years on the golf course. One good round followed by a poor one. I am trying to figure out how to get my putting stroke back. I have been having way, way too many three putts as of late. It is so hard to keep from letting the putts woes get to you. I have been playing quite a bit lately and maybe I need to play a little less and re-focus.
I did play pretty well at Ontario last week. I had 81 with 3 three putts (ugh) and a double on the last hole. The par fives have been killing me lately. You just cannot score when you bogey 3 of the 4 par fives and that has been happening too much.
I will be playing in a couple tournaments next week, both scrambles. One at Greystone and the other at Deerfield. I have not played in a scramble at Deerfield in many years, if ever. That is the course that I grew up playing, in fact that is where I had "my ace" on what is now the 12th hole.
I did play pretty well at Ontario last week. I had 81 with 3 three putts (ugh) and a double on the last hole. The par fives have been killing me lately. You just cannot score when you bogey 3 of the 4 par fives and that has been happening too much.
I will be playing in a couple tournaments next week, both scrambles. One at Greystone and the other at Deerfield. I have not played in a scramble at Deerfield in many years, if ever. That is the course that I grew up playing, in fact that is where I had "my ace" on what is now the 12th hole.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Take the good with the bad...
Earlier this week I posted a blog that reviewed one of the finest 9 hole rounds that I have ever played and now it is time to review one of the worst 9 hole rounds that I have played in many years.
Subbing in yet another league at Webster East, I three putted the first hole, after taking relief from a creek, for a solid triple bogie "snow-man". Ok, stuff happens, I did not hit a single good shot all the way from tee to green so I deserved what I got.
On the par 3 second hole I hit a loopy hook and ended up behind a huge tree with no shot at the pin. So, I chipped a 7 iron over a sandtrap and onto the green. I felt pretty good about executing that difficult shot. Well, three putts later I carded a double bogie. Nice choke job.
The next hole is one of the most difficult par 4's around. It demands a tee shot in the fairway and of course I missed left and ended up with a crappy lie in the rough some 200 yards out. Since the lie sucked I opted to lay up for fear of dumping it into the pond in front of the green. A good decision as I then knocked a solid 7 iron onto the green some 20+ feet from the pin. Cool, an easy five on a tough par four. Nope. I three putted yet again for another double. Remarkably I was still sane after three putting the first three holes.
On the par five 4th hole I hammered my tee shot but missed the fairway by inches. No biggie. I had a decent enough lie and blasted a 3 wood to about 60 yards from the green. My pitching wedge from that spot ended up some 25+ feet beyond the green so I had a tough downhill birdie putt which I left short and then missed my 4 footer for par, another 3 putt!!
On #5 I hit a big drive and left my wedge just short, but not in a bad spot. I used a putter to roll it to about 5 ft and calmly missed my par putt. Another three-jam if you count the one from the fringe.
On #6 I told my buddies that I was going to try to drive the green and let out a loud grunt as I hoisted my drive. It was too windy to drive the green but I ended up with about 65 yards to the green. I then knocked a wedge on the green and 3 putted yet again (do you see a pattern here?)
#7 is another hole that can be driven, but was into the wind. I killed my drive dead center to about 50 yards from the green. I over hit another wedge well beyond the pin and of course three putted one more time.
As we approached the 8th hole, a par three, I realized that I had 3 putted every hole so far. The wind was blowing pretty hard from right to left so I took dead aim at a target on the right edge thinking that the wind would blow it to the middle of the green. I laced my 7 iron directly at my target and the wind did not move it an inch. It landed on the right fringe and spun left and back to the front of the green. If the wind had pushed it, I think that it would have been pretty tight. Anyhow...guess what happened next? Why, I three jammed again. Eight straight three putts. This was crazy.
The last hole is a great finishing hole and of course I missed the fairway and the green and then chipped to about 15 ft. One last try at that elusive two putt. Hey, it was even a makable one. I somehow managed to roll it to about a foot and after plumb-bobbing the remaining 12 inches to make sure I had the break properly determined I deftly tapped in for a bogie. The one and only two putt in the entire 9 hole round.
My playing partners wanted to give me that last one-footer, but I said that I am going to make that stinking putt if it killed me. I gathered my thoughts and mustered all of my golf experience and sank that last putt with skill and determination. This putting exhibition lead to the worst nine hole score that I have had an many years -- 49. Ouch.
Yes, I am playing again tonight...
Subbing in yet another league at Webster East, I three putted the first hole, after taking relief from a creek, for a solid triple bogie "snow-man". Ok, stuff happens, I did not hit a single good shot all the way from tee to green so I deserved what I got.
On the par 3 second hole I hit a loopy hook and ended up behind a huge tree with no shot at the pin. So, I chipped a 7 iron over a sandtrap and onto the green. I felt pretty good about executing that difficult shot. Well, three putts later I carded a double bogie. Nice choke job.
The next hole is one of the most difficult par 4's around. It demands a tee shot in the fairway and of course I missed left and ended up with a crappy lie in the rough some 200 yards out. Since the lie sucked I opted to lay up for fear of dumping it into the pond in front of the green. A good decision as I then knocked a solid 7 iron onto the green some 20+ feet from the pin. Cool, an easy five on a tough par four. Nope. I three putted yet again for another double. Remarkably I was still sane after three putting the first three holes.
On the par five 4th hole I hammered my tee shot but missed the fairway by inches. No biggie. I had a decent enough lie and blasted a 3 wood to about 60 yards from the green. My pitching wedge from that spot ended up some 25+ feet beyond the green so I had a tough downhill birdie putt which I left short and then missed my 4 footer for par, another 3 putt!!
On #5 I hit a big drive and left my wedge just short, but not in a bad spot. I used a putter to roll it to about 5 ft and calmly missed my par putt. Another three-jam if you count the one from the fringe.
On #6 I told my buddies that I was going to try to drive the green and let out a loud grunt as I hoisted my drive. It was too windy to drive the green but I ended up with about 65 yards to the green. I then knocked a wedge on the green and 3 putted yet again (do you see a pattern here?)
#7 is another hole that can be driven, but was into the wind. I killed my drive dead center to about 50 yards from the green. I over hit another wedge well beyond the pin and of course three putted one more time.
As we approached the 8th hole, a par three, I realized that I had 3 putted every hole so far. The wind was blowing pretty hard from right to left so I took dead aim at a target on the right edge thinking that the wind would blow it to the middle of the green. I laced my 7 iron directly at my target and the wind did not move it an inch. It landed on the right fringe and spun left and back to the front of the green. If the wind had pushed it, I think that it would have been pretty tight. Anyhow...guess what happened next? Why, I three jammed again. Eight straight three putts. This was crazy.
The last hole is a great finishing hole and of course I missed the fairway and the green and then chipped to about 15 ft. One last try at that elusive two putt. Hey, it was even a makable one. I somehow managed to roll it to about a foot and after plumb-bobbing the remaining 12 inches to make sure I had the break properly determined I deftly tapped in for a bogie. The one and only two putt in the entire 9 hole round.
My playing partners wanted to give me that last one-footer, but I said that I am going to make that stinking putt if it killed me. I gathered my thoughts and mustered all of my golf experience and sank that last putt with skill and determination. This putting exhibition lead to the worst nine hole score that I have had an many years -- 49. Ouch.
Yes, I am playing again tonight...
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Fun? On the golf course?
Yes, it can be done!
On Mother's Day my wife and I played her favorite course at Victor Hills, the East Course.
I ageed that since it was her day I would play from the ladies tees and leave my woods in the bag. I also agreed that when she hit driver off the tee I would hit 3 iron and no matter what she hit from there on in to the green, I would match clubs with her. This meant that her 6 iron from 120 yards would be a 6 iron (normally a 160+ yard club) for me as well, and so forth.
What great fun we had! I had to manufacture shots on just about every hole: 4 iron from 110 (normally a 175+ plus club), up a steep hill (I hit it 3 feet from the cup and made birdie), 8 iron from 80 yards up a hill, etc.
I accepted my fate and made the round a lesson in love and worked on hitting odd shots from odd places with odd clubs. A good practice session for any golfer. For the most part it worked well. I did manage to have a triple bogie on a par four where I yanked my 3 iron dead left into oblivion and a couple of doubles when I hit very poor chipshots.
In the end I had shot an 80 to her 105. My round was actually three shots more that I had the day before from the blue tees on the same course. More importantly, my wife and I had a great time, laughing at and with each other as we made our way around the course. When all was said and done, I won our handicapped match ended and then we kissed an went home for dinner.
As hard as I try to have fun on the course it is difficult for me as my obsession takes over and I get all serious, but this day was for my wife and I did indeed have a great deal of fun.
PS: don't tell her, but I tried really hard to play well under the rules of the day.
On Mother's Day my wife and I played her favorite course at Victor Hills, the East Course.
I ageed that since it was her day I would play from the ladies tees and leave my woods in the bag. I also agreed that when she hit driver off the tee I would hit 3 iron and no matter what she hit from there on in to the green, I would match clubs with her. This meant that her 6 iron from 120 yards would be a 6 iron (normally a 160+ yard club) for me as well, and so forth.
What great fun we had! I had to manufacture shots on just about every hole: 4 iron from 110 (normally a 175+ plus club), up a steep hill (I hit it 3 feet from the cup and made birdie), 8 iron from 80 yards up a hill, etc.
I accepted my fate and made the round a lesson in love and worked on hitting odd shots from odd places with odd clubs. A good practice session for any golfer. For the most part it worked well. I did manage to have a triple bogie on a par four where I yanked my 3 iron dead left into oblivion and a couple of doubles when I hit very poor chipshots.
In the end I had shot an 80 to her 105. My round was actually three shots more that I had the day before from the blue tees on the same course. More importantly, my wife and I had a great time, laughing at and with each other as we made our way around the course. When all was said and done, I won our handicapped match ended and then we kissed an went home for dinner.
As hard as I try to have fun on the course it is difficult for me as my obsession takes over and I get all serious, but this day was for my wife and I did indeed have a great deal of fun.
PS: don't tell her, but I tried really hard to play well under the rules of the day.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
One of those nights...
Last night my wife and I subbed in a league at Shadow Pines. This is a couples thing and many of the people are tennis friends of ours. Shadow Pines is not the easiest course around and I have to bring my A game in order to play well. Last night I had the A game working until the final hole...one of the toughest par 3's around.
I will now bore you all with the details:
- I narrowly missed birdie on the first hole
- birdied #2
- lipped out for birdie on #3
- rolled an improbable putt from off green from about 50 feet right in the center of the cup for
another birdie on #4
- lipped out again for birdie on the fifth hole
- slipped up a bit and three putted for bogie on #6 (still one under par however)
- parred the 7th
- hit an eight iron from about 145 yards to within 6 inches of the cup for another birdie to get back to -2.
Now for the painful part and why most of us don't play golf on TV.
The 9th is probably one of the hardest par 3's in the area. Its up hill so the 165 yards to the pin and last night played like 180...at least. There is a pond right in front of the tee and some pretty nasty sand traps at the green. No problem. I am swinging well and feel confident and comfortable as I carefully chose my weapon.
Moments later, after pulling my shot way left of the green, between two bunkers, on the wrong side of the green, I had to somehow chip over a mound and get that evil ball to stop on a cool, damp green somewhere near a pin that is cut just about 10 feet from the edge of the green. No problem. My chip missed being a very good one by about 2 feet as it landed just a bit too far beyond my intended landing zone. As it rolled and rolled across the green and on to the fringe on the far side of the green I began to think "just make four, just make four".
Well, I didn't. After I tapped in for a double bogie I kicked myself for finishing like that and then smiled because I had played 8 magnificent holes that night and for one fleeting moment in time I felt like one of those guys on TV whom we watch stick shot after shot close to the hole and roll them in the hole like nobody's business.
And probably the best part about it was that Joanie and I were playing golf together, it was beautiful.
Gotta go now, I have a tee time...thanks for listening.
I will now bore you all with the details:
- I narrowly missed birdie on the first hole
- birdied #2
- lipped out for birdie on #3
- rolled an improbable putt from off green from about 50 feet right in the center of the cup for
another birdie on #4
- lipped out again for birdie on the fifth hole
- slipped up a bit and three putted for bogie on #6 (still one under par however)
- parred the 7th
- hit an eight iron from about 145 yards to within 6 inches of the cup for another birdie to get back to -2.
Now for the painful part and why most of us don't play golf on TV.
The 9th is probably one of the hardest par 3's in the area. Its up hill so the 165 yards to the pin and last night played like 180...at least. There is a pond right in front of the tee and some pretty nasty sand traps at the green. No problem. I am swinging well and feel confident and comfortable as I carefully chose my weapon.
Moments later, after pulling my shot way left of the green, between two bunkers, on the wrong side of the green, I had to somehow chip over a mound and get that evil ball to stop on a cool, damp green somewhere near a pin that is cut just about 10 feet from the edge of the green. No problem. My chip missed being a very good one by about 2 feet as it landed just a bit too far beyond my intended landing zone. As it rolled and rolled across the green and on to the fringe on the far side of the green I began to think "just make four, just make four".
Well, I didn't. After I tapped in for a double bogie I kicked myself for finishing like that and then smiled because I had played 8 magnificent holes that night and for one fleeting moment in time I felt like one of those guys on TV whom we watch stick shot after shot close to the hole and roll them in the hole like nobody's business.
And probably the best part about it was that Joanie and I were playing golf together, it was beautiful.
Gotta go now, I have a tee time...thanks for listening.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Golf milestones
I mentioned earlier that I have now played golf in all 12 months of the calendar year here at home in western NY.
Other golf milestones that I have accomplished:
Met a woman (and married) that loves to play golf as much (almost) as I do.
I had a hole-in-one in 1996.
I have shot even par twice (both times missing putts inside 10 feet to remain at 1 under...damn.
Played golf as an adult at a world class golf course (Oak Hill) and played my best (77). I am probably more proud of that than any other of my golf accomplishments.
I may think of more to add to this list...
Other golf milestones that I have accomplished:
Met a woman (and married) that loves to play golf as much (almost) as I do.
I had a hole-in-one in 1996.
I have shot even par twice (both times missing putts inside 10 feet to remain at 1 under...damn.
Played golf as an adult at a world class golf course (Oak Hill) and played my best (77). I am probably more proud of that than any other of my golf accomplishments.
I may think of more to add to this list...
Silly golf milestones
We all have them, yet we hate to admit to some of them. They are golf milestones. I completed one on Saturday. I have now played golf in Rochester in all 12 months of the year. I covered January a year or so ago and as of this past Saturday I have now played in February.
Mind you, we played in the wind and cold rain. But we did it. Saturday morning brought us sun and clouds and nearly 50 degrees. So I called my buddy and agreed to meet at 2 PM to play nine holes. Unfortunately as we started out it started to rain. Now, we could have quit, but we plugged along and made it through a quagmire of mud and rain.
When I played a few weeks ago the ground was dry and the course was very playable. Saturday was another thing all together... a muddy mess. Oh, well, we had a great time. I did not play as well this time around, but had about as much fun.
My guess is that we won't be playing again until April as we are bound to get the winter weather we have missed so far. That being said, we got 3 inches of snow overnight and the golf courses are again unplayable.
Mind you, we played in the wind and cold rain. But we did it. Saturday morning brought us sun and clouds and nearly 50 degrees. So I called my buddy and agreed to meet at 2 PM to play nine holes. Unfortunately as we started out it started to rain. Now, we could have quit, but we plugged along and made it through a quagmire of mud and rain.
When I played a few weeks ago the ground was dry and the course was very playable. Saturday was another thing all together... a muddy mess. Oh, well, we had a great time. I did not play as well this time around, but had about as much fun.
My guess is that we won't be playing again until April as we are bound to get the winter weather we have missed so far. That being said, we got 3 inches of snow overnight and the golf courses are again unplayable.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Winter golf...a nice treat
On Wednesday January 11, 2006 the normal temperature for this time of the year in Rochester, NY is about 25-35. Well that day (as well as the 12th and 13th) the temperature was at or around 60 freakin' degrees.
I talked my boss into letting me take off from work at about 1:30 and I headed for the golf course. Yes, the golf course. Remember what I said about the temperature? My course, Victor Hills, was open and I walked on at about 2:30.
Mind you I had not hit a ball since early November so I sat on the tee and hit a few 7 irons down the fairway to aquaint myself with the swing once more. After about 4 decent shots I proceded to grab the big stick and tee one up. I hit a loopy hook down the left side that bounced off of a pine tree and back towards the fairway. Not bad. I hoisted my bag and off I went. I retrieved the 7 iron shots and plodded on the to my "real" drive.
In true obsessive golfer fashion I assessed the remaining 140 or so yards to the green and managed to launch a 7 iron onto the green. I chuckled as I walked: hell, it was the middle of January and on my first hole I am on in regulation. Expecting the greens to be pretty slow and mushy I hammered my 15 footer towards the hole and VIOLA! I canned a birdie putt on my first hole, on January 11th in Rochester, NY. I was all smiles.
Off I went to the next hole, a par 3. I knocked it on the green and proceded to 3-putt from about 30 feet. Oh, well, its January 11th in Rocheser, NY. I was all smiles.
On the third hole my second shot flew the green from a side hill lie and it came to rest on some muddy grass, down a hill about 20 yards beyond the green. There was only about 15 ft. of green to work with so I just tried to run a 7 iron up the hill and hope it would find the green. It ended up about 10 ft. from the hole. I calmly ran in the putt for rather miraculous par. I chuckled, said "nice four" and headed to the next hole.
After hammering my drive down the left side on #13, I left my wedge just short of the green. Oh, well, that is not the first time that had happened here. My chip lipped out and I kicked in my par putt and off I went to the next hole. I was all smiles, it was January 11th in Rochester. (even par after 4 holes...)
I made a terrific two putt on #14 after pulling my approach shot long and left, but on the green. Number 15 is a very reachable par 5 in the summer months, but I did not expect much roll so I just swung away off the tee. I hit a BOMB! I could not reach the green from where I ended up because I was just a bit too far left so I tried to just draw a 3 iron up near the right front of the green. I managed to do just that and after chipping to about 15 ft. I two putted for my par. I smiled and chugged up the hill to the next tee.
I nearly hit it stiff on the par 3, 16th hole. It just did not carry far enough and trickled back down the hill and sat about 15 ft. below the hole. I stubbed my putter on the downswing and 3 putted the second of the two par 3's on the nine. I smiled, bitched about the 3 jamb for about one second and headed to #17. I laughed and said, its January 11th in Rochester, NY.
They were playing the more difficult of the two greens on the next hole and when faced with that, par is a good score. I blasted my drive right at the reachable green, but in January the ball does not really carry all that well and I ended up right under the green, dead short. I chipped up and snaked in a two putt and ran off this dasterdly green.
Number 18 is a par five and is very reachable in two... in the summer. Again, I killed my drive but ended up on a side hill. Now, in the summer, the 200 yard 3 wood from a side hill lie is tough enough, but in January it becomes a hit and hope shot. Well, I hit it, and then I hoped it would at least carry about 50 yards. I took one of those monster divots and the ball just floated just inside the 150 marker. Damn. I smiled. It was January. I was left with an uphill 140 yard shot. Using my golf brain, I chose to hammer a 7 iron, rather than risk flying the green with a 6 and stiffed one about 8 feet from the pin. My birdie putt missed, but after tapping for a par, I smiled and said nice 37!!! I smiled all the way to the car and wished that I had time to play the other nine holes. But it was getting dark.
I went home and calmly put the clubs back in their hole down in the basement. I smiled and said, "I played golf on January 11th in Rochester, NY". What a rush!! By the way, some guy had a hole-in-one the next day at Oak Hill CC. Nice golf story there, huh?
I talked my boss into letting me take off from work at about 1:30 and I headed for the golf course. Yes, the golf course. Remember what I said about the temperature? My course, Victor Hills, was open and I walked on at about 2:30.
Mind you I had not hit a ball since early November so I sat on the tee and hit a few 7 irons down the fairway to aquaint myself with the swing once more. After about 4 decent shots I proceded to grab the big stick and tee one up. I hit a loopy hook down the left side that bounced off of a pine tree and back towards the fairway. Not bad. I hoisted my bag and off I went. I retrieved the 7 iron shots and plodded on the to my "real" drive.
In true obsessive golfer fashion I assessed the remaining 140 or so yards to the green and managed to launch a 7 iron onto the green. I chuckled as I walked: hell, it was the middle of January and on my first hole I am on in regulation. Expecting the greens to be pretty slow and mushy I hammered my 15 footer towards the hole and VIOLA! I canned a birdie putt on my first hole, on January 11th in Rochester, NY. I was all smiles.
Off I went to the next hole, a par 3. I knocked it on the green and proceded to 3-putt from about 30 feet. Oh, well, its January 11th in Rocheser, NY. I was all smiles.
On the third hole my second shot flew the green from a side hill lie and it came to rest on some muddy grass, down a hill about 20 yards beyond the green. There was only about 15 ft. of green to work with so I just tried to run a 7 iron up the hill and hope it would find the green. It ended up about 10 ft. from the hole. I calmly ran in the putt for rather miraculous par. I chuckled, said "nice four" and headed to the next hole.
After hammering my drive down the left side on #13, I left my wedge just short of the green. Oh, well, that is not the first time that had happened here. My chip lipped out and I kicked in my par putt and off I went to the next hole. I was all smiles, it was January 11th in Rochester. (even par after 4 holes...)
I made a terrific two putt on #14 after pulling my approach shot long and left, but on the green. Number 15 is a very reachable par 5 in the summer months, but I did not expect much roll so I just swung away off the tee. I hit a BOMB! I could not reach the green from where I ended up because I was just a bit too far left so I tried to just draw a 3 iron up near the right front of the green. I managed to do just that and after chipping to about 15 ft. I two putted for my par. I smiled and chugged up the hill to the next tee.
I nearly hit it stiff on the par 3, 16th hole. It just did not carry far enough and trickled back down the hill and sat about 15 ft. below the hole. I stubbed my putter on the downswing and 3 putted the second of the two par 3's on the nine. I smiled, bitched about the 3 jamb for about one second and headed to #17. I laughed and said, its January 11th in Rochester, NY.
They were playing the more difficult of the two greens on the next hole and when faced with that, par is a good score. I blasted my drive right at the reachable green, but in January the ball does not really carry all that well and I ended up right under the green, dead short. I chipped up and snaked in a two putt and ran off this dasterdly green.
Number 18 is a par five and is very reachable in two... in the summer. Again, I killed my drive but ended up on a side hill. Now, in the summer, the 200 yard 3 wood from a side hill lie is tough enough, but in January it becomes a hit and hope shot. Well, I hit it, and then I hoped it would at least carry about 50 yards. I took one of those monster divots and the ball just floated just inside the 150 marker. Damn. I smiled. It was January. I was left with an uphill 140 yard shot. Using my golf brain, I chose to hammer a 7 iron, rather than risk flying the green with a 6 and stiffed one about 8 feet from the pin. My birdie putt missed, but after tapping for a par, I smiled and said nice 37!!! I smiled all the way to the car and wished that I had time to play the other nine holes. But it was getting dark.
I went home and calmly put the clubs back in their hole down in the basement. I smiled and said, "I played golf on January 11th in Rochester, NY". What a rush!! By the way, some guy had a hole-in-one the next day at Oak Hill CC. Nice golf story there, huh?
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