Course – Eisenhower Red
Playing partners – Pete, Rich, Alex
The weather today was MAHVELOUS!! No humidity, only a light breeze, and not too hot. Really a pleasant day for any outdoor activity – including a round of golf.
Our tee time was at 8:44am. At the range I only hit 3-4 wedges, as I read an article in the Global Golf Post that hitting off mats at the range is not goo for your elbow! Especially with wedges!!
http://digitalmag.globalgolfpost.com/20150831/ROW/30/0?token=B45H3F74887HTPX5
So, I hit 15-20 balls and just loosened up.
This was Pete's first round with us since walking off a few weeks ago, due to a sight issue. He played OK, and has no effects left on his sight (well, mostly).
As for me? Today, I was driving the ball incredible. I think there is something in the words "September Golf" and "October Golf" that clicks in my head.
For the most part, all my drives (except one) were long and straight.
It was my long irons and hybrids that failed me today. Not so much a failure, as a bit of a PULL, and hitting LONG!!
I've also come to the conclusion that I hate sprinklers. They come on at the worst times, make the rough and bunkers impossible to play, and make a hard game, even harder.
But, enough wining…
I started the first hole with a par. I pulled my layup shot to 60 yards out, and in the rough. Then I flew my pitch just over the green. My chip was to 1 foot, and I saved my par.
On the front 9, I had three double bogeys. The back 9 had two. And, many of the reasons were my own fault – getting distracted. What had happened was that we fell "behind" in time. We were a shot or two behind the group in front. So, in order to keep things moving along, I started to hit out of sequence.
Normally, the player farthest from the green hits. However, as Richie and Alex were in a cart, and not playing "cart golf", Pete and I started to play "ready golf". The only issue with this is that you have to make sure that the players behind you don't distract you.
Whether it be driving the cart, calling out to each other, etc. So, several of my poorer shots were "distracted" shots, where something caught my eye/ear in my downswing.
My own fault.
My two best holes were the 8th, and 15th, both of which I had monster drives on (for me).
The 8th hole is is a 350 yard par 4. Normally, I'd be left with an 8 or 9 iron into the green. Today, I had 100 to the pin. For me, that's a gap wedge. I hit a great shot to 4 feet. Luckily Alex hit his shot to 1 inch outside me, so he had to putt first. Seeing his line (he missed his putt), I made the birdie putt!
The 15th hole is one of the hardest on the course. It plays 410 yards, with the 2nd shot over water. Normally, I'd be left with 180 yards on the 2nd shot. Today, My drive left me at 160 yards out! My 6 iron pulled a bit left, and pin high. I was able to chip and putt to save par.
I only had 2 disappointing shots – where I wish I had them to do over.
The 12th hole, a short par 5 – was one of only holes where my drive was not great. Maybe 190 into the left rough. Trying to layup, I used my 6-iron. It was an awful swing. My club got caught in the rough (not so deep), and I bogey'd the hole.
The other shot was a putt. The 16h hole, the 150 yard par 3. My 7 iron left me 10 feet from the cup.
My birdie putt attempt was awful. I made the par, but I always at least LIKE TO BE CLOSE ON THE BIRDIE ATTEMPT!!
I ended the day with an 88. 44 on both sides. For a day when I wasn't putting great (34 putts) and had problems with my mid-irons, I can't complain.
This is the first of 3 rounds in 3 days for Labor Day weekend.
Tomorrow I'll be playing Blue Hill, with the little woman, and another couple.
Monday will be Ike-Red again, with Vak. I have two openings in this round (which I posted on the GolfMatchApp). So, if anyone want's to join, let me know.
Until then,
Keep it in the Short HairsOriginal Article