I played my last round of the season in mid-November, but haven't blogged about it for whatever reason until now. November greens fees were so attractive at Burlington Springs that I returned for a third consecutive visit.
As I sat down to write this, I didn't remember much about the round. When I consulted my scorecard, it all came flooding back. Double-bogey after double-bogey after double-bogey - that was pretty much it. Whenever a rare bogey appeared, it was quickly followed by a triple, just to keep the average alive.
I was able to control my emotions despite the poor results, until the fifteenth hole. An embarrassing tee-shot came to rest at the edge of the woods on the left side of the fairway. I had to play a little chip shot, just to put the ball in a spot where I could take a full swing. I did exactly that on my next shot, only to lose the ball somewhere right of the green.
By the time I stepped up to the next tee, I was fuming. I decided to relieve my frustration by swinging at the ball as fast and as hard as I possibly could. And guess what? I hit my absolute best shot of the day - a low, long drive right along my chosen target line. I ended up in the center of the fairway, just 60 yards from the green. What happened next? I chunked the pitch shot 30 yards, took another one to reach the green, then three-putted for, you guessed it, double-bogey!
Aargh!
I finished the last two holes with a pair of solid bogeys, but it was no consolation.
Score: 106
Par: 72
Putts: 40
Fairways: 4
Greens: 2
December 28, 2006
November 11, 2006
Back-to-Back Goodness
They say there's more than one way to skin a cat, and if my latest round of golf is any indication, they're absolutely right. Returning to Burlington Springs for a rare back-to-back visit, I posted a final score of 96, one stroke better than the previous week. The course was the same and the score was nearly identical, but that's where the similarities end. This was a very different round from start to finish.
For starters, I played the first hole much better than I did a week earlier. A perfect drive put me in the middle of the fairway with 145 yards to the flag. Next, I hit a 7-iron a tad fat, leaving the ball a few yards short of the green. I made a decent chip, but my putt rolled just past the hole, forcing a tap-in for bogey.
The next three holes were shaky, but I managed to limit the damage to a trio of double-bogeys. The last of these, on the fourth hole, was extremely hard-earned. I pulled my drive to the left, clipping the top branches of some mature trees. The ball dropped straight down and came to rest in an impossible lie. I used my sand wedge just to pop the ball loose of the long grass. I topped my next shot before striking a 3-iron left of the green. The next two shots really saved me. Facing an extremely narrow green, I hit a fine flop shot, catching the front edge and rolling to a stop before reaching the other side. This gave me a chance to putt and I took full advantage with a nice ten footer.
My disaster (I'm glad to report there was only one) came on the fifth hole, a 470-yard par-5. I had a par on this hole a week earlier, but this time it was quadruple-bogey. My drive sailed left of target and after hitting a tree with my second shot I managed to steer the ball back to the fairway. My fourth shot was mis-hit and the ball barely advanced. The fifth was much better, but the ball landed in a greenside bunker. Playing out of the sand, the best I could do was reach the collar of the green. A final chip and two putts were needed to finish up.
From this point on, I had just a wonderful round, playing bogey golf for thirteen holes. The two holes that resulted in scores of nine a week earlier yielded scores of six this time. That's a savings of six strokes over two holes, making up for the double-bogeys I amassed early in my return. Once again, I finished up strong on the final four holes, going par, par, bogey, and par to eclipse my previous score by one shot.
Score: 96
Par: 72
Putts: 36
Fairways: 6
Greens: 2
For starters, I played the first hole much better than I did a week earlier. A perfect drive put me in the middle of the fairway with 145 yards to the flag. Next, I hit a 7-iron a tad fat, leaving the ball a few yards short of the green. I made a decent chip, but my putt rolled just past the hole, forcing a tap-in for bogey.
The next three holes were shaky, but I managed to limit the damage to a trio of double-bogeys. The last of these, on the fourth hole, was extremely hard-earned. I pulled my drive to the left, clipping the top branches of some mature trees. The ball dropped straight down and came to rest in an impossible lie. I used my sand wedge just to pop the ball loose of the long grass. I topped my next shot before striking a 3-iron left of the green. The next two shots really saved me. Facing an extremely narrow green, I hit a fine flop shot, catching the front edge and rolling to a stop before reaching the other side. This gave me a chance to putt and I took full advantage with a nice ten footer.
My disaster (I'm glad to report there was only one) came on the fifth hole, a 470-yard par-5. I had a par on this hole a week earlier, but this time it was quadruple-bogey. My drive sailed left of target and after hitting a tree with my second shot I managed to steer the ball back to the fairway. My fourth shot was mis-hit and the ball barely advanced. The fifth was much better, but the ball landed in a greenside bunker. Playing out of the sand, the best I could do was reach the collar of the green. A final chip and two putts were needed to finish up.
From this point on, I had just a wonderful round, playing bogey golf for thirteen holes. The two holes that resulted in scores of nine a week earlier yielded scores of six this time. That's a savings of six strokes over two holes, making up for the double-bogeys I amassed early in my return. Once again, I finished up strong on the final four holes, going par, par, bogey, and par to eclipse my previous score by one shot.
Score: 96
Par: 72
Putts: 36
Fairways: 6
Greens: 2
November 05, 2006
Mostly Solid at Burlington Springs
For Toronto area golfers intent on playing in November and December (fingers crossed), accurate weather forecasts are as good as gold. But just in case the forecasts are wrong, I make an effort to find good golf values at this time of year. In my view, a round of golf in bad weather isn't worth top dollar, no matter what the course.
My search for value recently took me to Burlington Springs Golf & Country Club, a course I haven't played in at least a couple of years. Located in Burlington, Ontario, the layout is open and flat, with many of the fairways crossed by an obviously man-made creek. What the course lacks in drama, it makes up for in conditioning - fairways and greens were in excellent shape.
After struggling terribly with my short game on the second hole - the longest of the course at 495 yards - I settled into one of my best stretches of the year. Over the next ten holes, I played better than bogey golf. The stretch included a double bogey on the sixth hole, thanks to a trio of putts. Fortunately, this was offset by a couple of pars - one on the fifth hole (a par-5) and another on the twelfth hole (a par-3). I had an equally good run on the last four holes of the course, finishing respectively with par, bogey, bogey, and par.
The problem on this day was my performance on the thirteenth and fourteenth holes. At 488 yards, the thirteenth fairway flanks the eastern boundary of the golf course. Out of bounds is not really a problem, since there is plenty of room to bail out on the opposite side of the fairway. My drive landed in the fairway, but I wasted the next two shots by topping the ball. When I finally made good contact, I ended up behind a tree near the green.
It was more of the same on the fourteenth hole, where some topped balls amounted to wasted shots. I also stumbled with my chipping near the green. The final result was a score of nine, same as the previous hole. When everything was said and done, I had a great round, apart from three horrible holes.
Score: 97
Par: 72
Putts: 34
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
My search for value recently took me to Burlington Springs Golf & Country Club, a course I haven't played in at least a couple of years. Located in Burlington, Ontario, the layout is open and flat, with many of the fairways crossed by an obviously man-made creek. What the course lacks in drama, it makes up for in conditioning - fairways and greens were in excellent shape.
After struggling terribly with my short game on the second hole - the longest of the course at 495 yards - I settled into one of my best stretches of the year. Over the next ten holes, I played better than bogey golf. The stretch included a double bogey on the sixth hole, thanks to a trio of putts. Fortunately, this was offset by a couple of pars - one on the fifth hole (a par-5) and another on the twelfth hole (a par-3). I had an equally good run on the last four holes of the course, finishing respectively with par, bogey, bogey, and par.
The problem on this day was my performance on the thirteenth and fourteenth holes. At 488 yards, the thirteenth fairway flanks the eastern boundary of the golf course. Out of bounds is not really a problem, since there is plenty of room to bail out on the opposite side of the fairway. My drive landed in the fairway, but I wasted the next two shots by topping the ball. When I finally made good contact, I ended up behind a tree near the green.
It was more of the same on the fourteenth hole, where some topped balls amounted to wasted shots. I also stumbled with my chipping near the green. The final result was a score of nine, same as the previous hole. When everything was said and done, I had a great round, apart from three horrible holes.
Score: 97
Par: 72
Putts: 34
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
November 01, 2006
Frustration at Hunters' Glen
The Championship Course at Hunters' Glen Golf Club is a fine test for almost any golfer. No slouch when it comes to distance, the course features a modest amount of water, but plenty of trees to make things interesting. Located in Kleinburg, just northwest of Toronto, it's a great spot for city golfers.
I took a day off work to take advantage of the club's fall weekday rates. On Mondays and Tuesdays, a round of golf costs just $18, which is unheard of in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a good thing I didn't spend a lot of money, since I had an extremely frustrating day. I have to thank my playing partners for their patience. They put up with my antics the entire round, which could not have been easy.
Things started poorly on the first hole, a 432-yard par-4. My tee shot came up short, landing in a large pool of standing water. Though my second shot was perfect, I still had 90 yards to the flag. Sure enough, my next shot was a duff, followed by a wild one that drifted way to the right. If that wasn't bad enough, I ended up at the base of a tree trunk and could not chip toward the flag. It took me two more shots to get on the green and two putts to hole out for a quadruple bogey.
Quadruple bogey was also the result on the fourth hole, a par-5 ranked as the toughest hole on the course. Getting to the green was an adventure, especially when a couple chip shots sailed right across the putting surface. It's fair to say that this is when I lost my cool. Though I limited the damage on the next three holes to bogey or double-bogey, I was not feeling very good at all. On the eighth hole, the frustration manifested itself in some poor decisions. I knew they were bad decisions, but didn't really care. At that point, I was looking forward to a fresh start on the back nine.
Unfortunately, my tee shot on the tenth hole, a 146-yard par-3 over water, was perhaps the worst shot of the day. After a nice practice swing, I sliced into the dirt well before the ball, rattling my right shoulder along with my nerves. The ball dribbled into the water, forcing me to add a penalty stroke. That pretty much eliminated any chance of finding my game on the back nine.
I played out the rest of the round in a stupor, robotically hitting one ball after another, just waiting for it all to end. I actually made a couple of pars on the fourteenth and sixteenth holes, but it was way too little, and way too late. For fun, I used my driver to putt on the eighteenth green. That's the kind of day it was.
Score: 118
Par: 72
Putts: 36
Fairways: 4
Greens: 2
I took a day off work to take advantage of the club's fall weekday rates. On Mondays and Tuesdays, a round of golf costs just $18, which is unheard of in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a good thing I didn't spend a lot of money, since I had an extremely frustrating day. I have to thank my playing partners for their patience. They put up with my antics the entire round, which could not have been easy.
Things started poorly on the first hole, a 432-yard par-4. My tee shot came up short, landing in a large pool of standing water. Though my second shot was perfect, I still had 90 yards to the flag. Sure enough, my next shot was a duff, followed by a wild one that drifted way to the right. If that wasn't bad enough, I ended up at the base of a tree trunk and could not chip toward the flag. It took me two more shots to get on the green and two putts to hole out for a quadruple bogey.
Quadruple bogey was also the result on the fourth hole, a par-5 ranked as the toughest hole on the course. Getting to the green was an adventure, especially when a couple chip shots sailed right across the putting surface. It's fair to say that this is when I lost my cool. Though I limited the damage on the next three holes to bogey or double-bogey, I was not feeling very good at all. On the eighth hole, the frustration manifested itself in some poor decisions. I knew they were bad decisions, but didn't really care. At that point, I was looking forward to a fresh start on the back nine.
Unfortunately, my tee shot on the tenth hole, a 146-yard par-3 over water, was perhaps the worst shot of the day. After a nice practice swing, I sliced into the dirt well before the ball, rattling my right shoulder along with my nerves. The ball dribbled into the water, forcing me to add a penalty stroke. That pretty much eliminated any chance of finding my game on the back nine.
I played out the rest of the round in a stupor, robotically hitting one ball after another, just waiting for it all to end. I actually made a couple of pars on the fourteenth and sixteenth holes, but it was way too little, and way too late. For fun, I used my driver to putt on the eighteenth green. That's the kind of day it was.
Score: 118
Par: 72
Putts: 36
Fairways: 4
Greens: 2
October 22, 2006
Saw-Whet Nailbiter
It's late October, which means golf season will soon be over here in southern Ontari-ari-ari-o. Sure, die-hards that brave the autumn chill can often extend the season to mid December, but opportunities for quality rounds are disappearing quickly. I've played a lot of golf this year, so I wouldn't feel bad if the season ended tomorrow. Having said that, I will definitely continue to play as long as the weather permits a decent golfing experience.
Round 40 of the season was played at Saw-Whet Golf Course, located in Oakville, Ontario. It's a course I've played often - one I should be able to take advantage of. I played reasonably well on the front nine, averaging bogey for all but one of the holes. The first half of that stretch featured some sketchy drives off the tee, but a few inspired iron shots kept me in the hunt.
On the seventh hole, a 331-yard par-4 that bends to the right, I finally gained control of the driver. Taking dead aim at the trees on the right side of the fairway, I launched a perfect shot. The ball sailed over the trees, landing safely in the fairway on the other side, a mere 90 yards to the green. My approach shot was a little long, so I needed a chip and two putts to hole out for bogey.
On the eighth hole, a 373-yard par-4, I drove the ball straight but not very far. The ball came to rest in the middle of the fairway, but I still had 170 yards to the flag. Using my trusty 5-iron, I smacked a wonderful shot that ended up pin-high on the collar of the green. After a great putt and an easy tap-in, I collected my only par of the day.
The back nine was fairly consistent, but I collected a few more double-bogeys than I did on the front. Driving was once again spotty, but I often recovered well. One example was the eleventh hole, where my second shot was played from behind a small pine tree. Trees further off in the distance prevented me from taking dead aim at the green, but I picked a spot on the left side of the fairway and hit a perfect 3-wood. From there, a simple chip and two putts earned a bogey.
Everything came down to the last two holes, a 144-yard par-3 and a 371-yard par-4. Standing on the seventeenth tee, I knew I needed no worse than two over par on the remaining holes to finish with a total score below 100. The seventeenth hole can be dangerous for right-handed pull-hitters, because the entire left side is out of bounds. I played it safe, missing the green to the right. The ball stayed out of the bunkers on that side, so I was able to chip and two-putt for a bogey.
On the eighteenth tee, I hit perhaps my best drive of the day, right to the 150-yard stick in the middle of the fairway. I got a little nervous when my subsequent shot came up well short of the green. Luckily, the ball stopped in an area with no impediments, from which I chipped safely onto the green. Next, I faced a lengthy putt, but my goal was just to put it close. I did precisely that and then tapped in for the required bogey.
It was the eighth time I broke 100 this season, fulfilling a goal I set at the start of the year. Throw in the two times I scored an even 100 and the total number of good rounds played (at least by my standards) this year is ten, representing 25% of rounds played. Next year, that number should be at least 50%.
Score: 99
Par: 71
Putts: 35
Fairways: 3
Greens: 1
Round 40 of the season was played at Saw-Whet Golf Course, located in Oakville, Ontario. It's a course I've played often - one I should be able to take advantage of. I played reasonably well on the front nine, averaging bogey for all but one of the holes. The first half of that stretch featured some sketchy drives off the tee, but a few inspired iron shots kept me in the hunt.
On the seventh hole, a 331-yard par-4 that bends to the right, I finally gained control of the driver. Taking dead aim at the trees on the right side of the fairway, I launched a perfect shot. The ball sailed over the trees, landing safely in the fairway on the other side, a mere 90 yards to the green. My approach shot was a little long, so I needed a chip and two putts to hole out for bogey.
On the eighth hole, a 373-yard par-4, I drove the ball straight but not very far. The ball came to rest in the middle of the fairway, but I still had 170 yards to the flag. Using my trusty 5-iron, I smacked a wonderful shot that ended up pin-high on the collar of the green. After a great putt and an easy tap-in, I collected my only par of the day.
The back nine was fairly consistent, but I collected a few more double-bogeys than I did on the front. Driving was once again spotty, but I often recovered well. One example was the eleventh hole, where my second shot was played from behind a small pine tree. Trees further off in the distance prevented me from taking dead aim at the green, but I picked a spot on the left side of the fairway and hit a perfect 3-wood. From there, a simple chip and two putts earned a bogey.
Everything came down to the last two holes, a 144-yard par-3 and a 371-yard par-4. Standing on the seventeenth tee, I knew I needed no worse than two over par on the remaining holes to finish with a total score below 100. The seventeenth hole can be dangerous for right-handed pull-hitters, because the entire left side is out of bounds. I played it safe, missing the green to the right. The ball stayed out of the bunkers on that side, so I was able to chip and two-putt for a bogey.
On the eighteenth tee, I hit perhaps my best drive of the day, right to the 150-yard stick in the middle of the fairway. I got a little nervous when my subsequent shot came up well short of the green. Luckily, the ball stopped in an area with no impediments, from which I chipped safely onto the green. Next, I faced a lengthy putt, but my goal was just to put it close. I did precisely that and then tapped in for the required bogey.
It was the eighth time I broke 100 this season, fulfilling a goal I set at the start of the year. Throw in the two times I scored an even 100 and the total number of good rounds played (at least by my standards) this year is ten, representing 25% of rounds played. Next year, that number should be at least 50%.
Score: 99
Par: 71
Putts: 35
Fairways: 3
Greens: 1
October 17, 2006
Tough Wind at Pheasant Run
With a freak snowstorm hitting areas as near as Fort Erie just a few days earlier, I was a little worried about the weather for my latest round of golf. The forecast called for a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius, with the wind chill making it feel like -1 degrees. As it turned out, temperature was not a problem, but wind certainly was.
This was my first visit ever to Pheasant Run Golf Club, located in Sharon, Ontario. Pheasant Run features three 9-hole courses, allowing for some interesting combinations. I played the Highlands and Midlands courses, which meander through thick woods and feature some pretty elevation changes. The Southern Uplands course is a little more subdued, with gently rolling terrain and fewer tree-lined holes.
The Highlands course features three par-5 holes, including the first hole, which is arguably the toughest of the bunch. Thick woods line the entire fairway and wrap around parts of the green, making this hole tough even when the weather is perfect. Add some wind and a little chill and things get downright nasty. I had trouble with many of the par-5 holes, mostly because of the plentiful trees. To be completely honest, my ball striking also left something to be desired.
I struck the ball much better on the Midlands course, but was unable to adapt my short game to the windy conditions. Shots with the pitching or sand wedge seemed to carry much further than usual and it was difficult to concentrate while chipping and putting. I also lost a few balls in the fallen leaves, which artificially inflated my score. Under summer conditions, those balls would easily be found.
Despite my final score, it was a very enjoyable round. Pheasant Run is quite a nice course -- one I will definitely return to next season.
Score: 118
Par: 73
Putts: 43
Fairways: 4
Greens: 2
This was my first visit ever to Pheasant Run Golf Club, located in Sharon, Ontario. Pheasant Run features three 9-hole courses, allowing for some interesting combinations. I played the Highlands and Midlands courses, which meander through thick woods and feature some pretty elevation changes. The Southern Uplands course is a little more subdued, with gently rolling terrain and fewer tree-lined holes.
The Highlands course features three par-5 holes, including the first hole, which is arguably the toughest of the bunch. Thick woods line the entire fairway and wrap around parts of the green, making this hole tough even when the weather is perfect. Add some wind and a little chill and things get downright nasty. I had trouble with many of the par-5 holes, mostly because of the plentiful trees. To be completely honest, my ball striking also left something to be desired.
I struck the ball much better on the Midlands course, but was unable to adapt my short game to the windy conditions. Shots with the pitching or sand wedge seemed to carry much further than usual and it was difficult to concentrate while chipping and putting. I also lost a few balls in the fallen leaves, which artificially inflated my score. Under summer conditions, those balls would easily be found.
Despite my final score, it was a very enjoyable round. Pheasant Run is quite a nice course -- one I will definitely return to next season.
Score: 118
Par: 73
Putts: 43
Fairways: 4
Greens: 2
October 16, 2006
Sizzling at Shawneeki
After being harassed by a course marshal there last year, I thought twice about returning to Shawneeki Golf Club, located in Sharon, Ontario. Since I was recently invited to play there, and since the location had already been set, I decided to give the club a chance at redemption. This time, I'm happy to say that service was good, as was my game.
The round began with four consecutive double-bogeys, as I see-sawed back and forth between good shots and bad shots. On the first hole, a 300-yard par-4, a decent 3-wood off the tee was followed by a wedge shot that came up short and some horrible chip attempts. A strong putt was required to salvage double-bogey. On the subsequent hole, a 447-yard par-5, two mis-hits with the 3-wood were followed by a good hit and solid approach to the green. Poor tee shots on the next two holes were followed by spectacular drives.
Fortunately, I began to play more consistently on the fifth hole, which I managed to par in textbook fashion. This was one of three pars I put together before beginning the back nine. The other two came on the eighth and ninth holes. The eighth hole, a 482-yard par-5, was particularly satisfying. I hit a 3-iron off the tee, laying up in front of a pond that bisects the fairway. It was 3-iron again for my second shot, but my line was off and the ball drifted right of the fairway. My third shot was a wonderful mid-iron poke that settled flag high, just off the green. After a near-perfect chip shot, I had an easy tap-in for par.
The back nine was a joy to play, and I ran into trouble only on the eleventh hole, a 467-yard par-5 with a strong left dogleg. After the dogleg, the hole is wide open, but getting there requires a straight shot through a narrow fairway flanked on both sides by thick woods. I found the woods on the left, but also visited the woods on the right when a punch shot carried further than I expected. It all led to a triple-bogey, but my spirits were not dampened.
I went on to close the round out with two pars, followed by five consecutive bogeys. The first par was on the twelfth hole, a picturesque par-3 from an elevated tee box. The second par was on the thirteenth hole, a fun par-4 on the corner of the property that features water, out-of-bounds, a dogleg fairway, and an elevated green. The string of bogeys was a result of safe and controlled play. I hit only one fairway and reached only one green in regulation during that stretch, but I made crisp contact with every shot and closed things out with good chipping and putting for my fourth-best score ever.
Score: 93
Par: 72
Putts: 33
Fairways: 2
Greens: 1
The round began with four consecutive double-bogeys, as I see-sawed back and forth between good shots and bad shots. On the first hole, a 300-yard par-4, a decent 3-wood off the tee was followed by a wedge shot that came up short and some horrible chip attempts. A strong putt was required to salvage double-bogey. On the subsequent hole, a 447-yard par-5, two mis-hits with the 3-wood were followed by a good hit and solid approach to the green. Poor tee shots on the next two holes were followed by spectacular drives.
Fortunately, I began to play more consistently on the fifth hole, which I managed to par in textbook fashion. This was one of three pars I put together before beginning the back nine. The other two came on the eighth and ninth holes. The eighth hole, a 482-yard par-5, was particularly satisfying. I hit a 3-iron off the tee, laying up in front of a pond that bisects the fairway. It was 3-iron again for my second shot, but my line was off and the ball drifted right of the fairway. My third shot was a wonderful mid-iron poke that settled flag high, just off the green. After a near-perfect chip shot, I had an easy tap-in for par.
The back nine was a joy to play, and I ran into trouble only on the eleventh hole, a 467-yard par-5 with a strong left dogleg. After the dogleg, the hole is wide open, but getting there requires a straight shot through a narrow fairway flanked on both sides by thick woods. I found the woods on the left, but also visited the woods on the right when a punch shot carried further than I expected. It all led to a triple-bogey, but my spirits were not dampened.
I went on to close the round out with two pars, followed by five consecutive bogeys. The first par was on the twelfth hole, a picturesque par-3 from an elevated tee box. The second par was on the thirteenth hole, a fun par-4 on the corner of the property that features water, out-of-bounds, a dogleg fairway, and an elevated green. The string of bogeys was a result of safe and controlled play. I hit only one fairway and reached only one green in regulation during that stretch, but I made crisp contact with every shot and closed things out with good chipping and putting for my fourth-best score ever.
Score: 93
Par: 72
Putts: 33
Fairways: 2
Greens: 1
October 15, 2006
Killer Greens at Tyandaga
With a couple of decent rounds under my belt, I was looking forward to playing at Tyandaga Municipal Golf Course, located in Burlington, Ontario. Tyandaga is not a particularly long course, measuring less than 5,800 yards from the back tees, but the hilly terrain and some tight fairways make it a formidable challenge.
I drove the ball poorly most of the day, hitting just three fairways. Two of those barely reached the fairway, as I struck ground before ball and was lucky to achieve any distance. When I managed good contact off the tee, I usually pulled the ball just left of target. On a few occasions, I pulled the ball severely into the woods or out of bounds.
My iron play was quite good, provided I was taking a full swing. I had good accuracy and distance with my low irons and found a fair number of greens with my pitching wedge. Chipping and putting was another story, as the Jeckyll & Hyde greens played tricks on my mind and wreaked havoc with my ego.
I three-putted nine of the holes played, racking up a total of 45 putts for the round. Sloping greens and a slick surface often conspired to inflate my scores. On numerous occasions, I tapped the ball ever so lightly only to watch it roll ten feet past the hole. When I made good putts, they either lipped out or stopped within a few inches. Absolutely nothing dropped.
I limped through the last two holes and was happy to get in the car and leave.
Score: 116
Par: 71
Putts: 45
Fairways: 3
Greens: 0
I drove the ball poorly most of the day, hitting just three fairways. Two of those barely reached the fairway, as I struck ground before ball and was lucky to achieve any distance. When I managed good contact off the tee, I usually pulled the ball just left of target. On a few occasions, I pulled the ball severely into the woods or out of bounds.
My iron play was quite good, provided I was taking a full swing. I had good accuracy and distance with my low irons and found a fair number of greens with my pitching wedge. Chipping and putting was another story, as the Jeckyll & Hyde greens played tricks on my mind and wreaked havoc with my ego.
I three-putted nine of the holes played, racking up a total of 45 putts for the round. Sloping greens and a slick surface often conspired to inflate my scores. On numerous occasions, I tapped the ball ever so lightly only to watch it roll ten feet past the hole. When I made good putts, they either lipped out or stopped within a few inches. Absolutely nothing dropped.
I limped through the last two holes and was happy to get in the car and leave.
Score: 116
Par: 71
Putts: 45
Fairways: 3
Greens: 0
October 09, 2006
Big Choke at Banty's Roost
After breaking out of a slump at The Highlands Golf Club, I felt confident going in to my next round at Banty's Roost Golf & Country Club. At the same time, I really had something to prove, since I let a sure sub-100 round turn into a 101 with a quadruple bogey on The Highlands' final hole. A similar collapse cost me a sub-100 round in the season opener, when a quintuple bogey on the final hole at Banty's Roost pushed my total score to 102.
The first seven holes were sheer magic, as I amassed a score that was merely five over par. In that stretch I hit just one fairway, but I was on the green in regulation three times, leading to three pars. Three bogeys and a double-bogey rounded out the run, the latter due to a couple of poorly hit 3-woods. Then the madness began.
On the eighth hole, a 348-yard par-4, my tee shot trickled into the woods right of the fairway. I was forced to take a drop and an accompanying penalty stroke. As my third shot bounced in front of the green, I thought I would escape relatively unharmed. Inexplicably however, the ball rolled on the green and continued rolling until it was two yards off the back. A poor chip shot didn't help matters, but what really killed me was the ensuing four-putt! This must have rattled me, because I found water on the next hole and missed an easy putt, ending with a triple-bogey.
I could have folded then and there, but I still had a good round going so I tried to regroup. The next five holes were once again magical. Playing with control and confidence, I strung together a par, three bogeys and a double-bogey, the latter courtesy of a short putt that did not drop. Then the stupidity began.
Three of the last four holes were disastrous. My tee shot on the first of these, a 189-yard par-3, was off the heel of the club and I found myself under a thick pine tree. It took a couple shots to emerge from this predicament and that bothered me. Poor chip shots ensued and I began to wonder if a sub-100 round could be salvaged. I actually started the next hole well, but an attempted chip shot from off the green found a lone tree trunk and a short putt was also missed.
On the tee at the last hole, a 548-yard par-5, I needed triple-bogey or better to shoot under 100. Easy, right? Well, not quite. I topped my second shot and that began a series of shots from terrible lies. One of these was with the ball well below my feet, while the others were with the ball well above. In the end, I earned a quadruple bogey and a total score of 100.
On the eighteenth green, one of my playing partners performed the Heimlich Manoeuvre on me, enabling me to walk off the course safely.
Score: 100
Par: 71
Putts: 38
Fairways: 4
Greens: 5
The first seven holes were sheer magic, as I amassed a score that was merely five over par. In that stretch I hit just one fairway, but I was on the green in regulation three times, leading to three pars. Three bogeys and a double-bogey rounded out the run, the latter due to a couple of poorly hit 3-woods. Then the madness began.
On the eighth hole, a 348-yard par-4, my tee shot trickled into the woods right of the fairway. I was forced to take a drop and an accompanying penalty stroke. As my third shot bounced in front of the green, I thought I would escape relatively unharmed. Inexplicably however, the ball rolled on the green and continued rolling until it was two yards off the back. A poor chip shot didn't help matters, but what really killed me was the ensuing four-putt! This must have rattled me, because I found water on the next hole and missed an easy putt, ending with a triple-bogey.
I could have folded then and there, but I still had a good round going so I tried to regroup. The next five holes were once again magical. Playing with control and confidence, I strung together a par, three bogeys and a double-bogey, the latter courtesy of a short putt that did not drop. Then the stupidity began.
Three of the last four holes were disastrous. My tee shot on the first of these, a 189-yard par-3, was off the heel of the club and I found myself under a thick pine tree. It took a couple shots to emerge from this predicament and that bothered me. Poor chip shots ensued and I began to wonder if a sub-100 round could be salvaged. I actually started the next hole well, but an attempted chip shot from off the green found a lone tree trunk and a short putt was also missed.
On the tee at the last hole, a 548-yard par-5, I needed triple-bogey or better to shoot under 100. Easy, right? Well, not quite. I topped my second shot and that began a series of shots from terrible lies. One of these was with the ball well below my feet, while the others were with the ball well above. In the end, I earned a quadruple bogey and a total score of 100.
On the eighteenth green, one of my playing partners performed the Heimlich Manoeuvre on me, enabling me to walk off the course safely.
Score: 100
Par: 71
Putts: 38
Fairways: 4
Greens: 5
September 24, 2006
Highlands Slumpbuster
With rain a distinct possibility for Sunday afternoon, I decided to book an early tee time and hope for the best. On short notice, I was able to land a 7:45 start at The Highlands Golf Club, located in Bradford, Ontario.
Things got off to a cracking start, as the Brits say, when I went bogey, par, bogey, par on the first four holes. The driver and irons were working reasonably well, but pitch shots were the real story, setting up one easy putt after another. Through four holes, I had just four putts. Through six holes, I had but seven.
I triple-bogeyed the fifth hole, a 517-yard par-5. From the middle of the fairway, I topped my second shot with a 3-wood, landing in a bunker. The next shot was not ideal, but I did emerge from the sand. Apart from those two shots, it was a well played hole. I also triple-bogeyed the ninth hole, a shorter par-5 measuring 446 yards. In the middle of the fairway, I topped my second shot again with the 3-wood. I learned my lesson and followed that shot with a beauty using the same club. It was not a problem the rest of the day.
The back nine began with a pretty good stretch, including three bogeys, a par and a birdie on holes ten through fifteen. One of those bogeys should have been par or better, as I reached the green in regulation, but faltered with the putter. The birdie was a near hole-in-one on the thirteenth hole, a 114-yard par-3 where golfers must carry water and sand to reach the green safely. My tee shot landed pin-high on the soft green, about 12 inches right of the target.
Going into the last hole, I had a score of 92. All I needed was double-bogey or better on the par-5 to break 100. Unfortunately, I sliced my drive into the fescue right of the fairway. Despite the error, I reached the green with five shots. At that point, a simple two-putt would have sufficed. The pressure must have gotten to me, as I proceeded to putt the ball right off the green! The subsequent chip shot did not go in, so I added a couple putts and settled for a final score of 101.
That's a decent result, good enough to classify this round as a slumpbuster.
Score: 101
Par: 72
Putts: 32
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
Things got off to a cracking start, as the Brits say, when I went bogey, par, bogey, par on the first four holes. The driver and irons were working reasonably well, but pitch shots were the real story, setting up one easy putt after another. Through four holes, I had just four putts. Through six holes, I had but seven.
I triple-bogeyed the fifth hole, a 517-yard par-5. From the middle of the fairway, I topped my second shot with a 3-wood, landing in a bunker. The next shot was not ideal, but I did emerge from the sand. Apart from those two shots, it was a well played hole. I also triple-bogeyed the ninth hole, a shorter par-5 measuring 446 yards. In the middle of the fairway, I topped my second shot again with the 3-wood. I learned my lesson and followed that shot with a beauty using the same club. It was not a problem the rest of the day.
The back nine began with a pretty good stretch, including three bogeys, a par and a birdie on holes ten through fifteen. One of those bogeys should have been par or better, as I reached the green in regulation, but faltered with the putter. The birdie was a near hole-in-one on the thirteenth hole, a 114-yard par-3 where golfers must carry water and sand to reach the green safely. My tee shot landed pin-high on the soft green, about 12 inches right of the target.
Going into the last hole, I had a score of 92. All I needed was double-bogey or better on the par-5 to break 100. Unfortunately, I sliced my drive into the fescue right of the fairway. Despite the error, I reached the green with five shots. At that point, a simple two-putt would have sufficed. The pressure must have gotten to me, as I proceeded to putt the ball right off the green! The subsequent chip shot did not go in, so I added a couple putts and settled for a final score of 101.
That's a decent result, good enough to classify this round as a slumpbuster.
Score: 101
Par: 72
Putts: 32
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
September 18, 2006
Marathon at Seaton
Four rounds of demoralizing golf apparently was not enough. The suffering extended to five consecutive rounds, courtesy of an afternoon outing at Seaton Golf & Country Club, located in Pickering, Ontario.
Had it been a quick and dirty round, I might have escaped with a shred of optimism intact, but this turned out to be a marathon event, lasting five hours and fifty minutes. I should have known better. Seaton is a fine course, but it seems to attract hordes of players that know very little about pace of play.
Things began poorly on the first hole, with a three-putt leading to double-bogey. I did well to bogey four of the next five holes, but the one I didn't bogey was truly disastrous. A straight hole measuring 300 yards and completely wide open, it should have been an easy par-4. Unfortunately, a horrible tee shot started a domino effect that resulted in a final score of ten. Yuck!
In the middle part of the round, penalty strokes inflated my score. I was not hitting the ball wildly, but I managed to trickle into the trees time after time. The thirteenth and fourteenth holes were especially troublesome, with multiple excursions into the woods lining the fairways.
The highlight and lowlight of the day came on the sixteenth hole, a 467-yard par-5. I drove the ball just left of the fairway, but it travelled a healthy 240 yards. Thinking I could not exceed about 200 yards with my second shot, I let loose with a 3-wood while the group ahead dallied on the right side of the fairway, a short distance in front of the green. I ended up hitting the ball more squarely and with more power than I ever have before, so much so that it rolled right past the group ahead. From my vantage point, I could not tell if the ball reached the green, but it was close at the very least.
I had never reached a par-5 in two shots before, so I was ecstatic, as you can imagine. Unfortunately, my joy was short-lived. As I began walking towards the green, I watched a woman from the group ahead walk to the location of my ball, bend down and pick something up. I wondered if she had just poached my ball, but thought nobody could possibly be that stupid. Well, apparently she was. When I got to the front of the green, my ball was nowhere in sight. The dingbat had actually taken it!
To make matters worse, she and her playing partners all claimed innocence. At this point in the round, they had joined up with the group in front of them and were actually playing as a group of eight! Can you believe that? No wonder the round took nearly six hours to complete!
The anger must have given me focus, because I went on to hit a couple of beautiful shots. The first was my drive off the tee on the seventeenth hole, a par-4. With the eight idiots wrapping up their approaches to the green, I smacked a laser beam right down the middle of the fairway a distance of 250 yards. It rolled up right behind them, so I had to keep my eye on it all the way.
The second great shot was my approach on the eighteenth hole, another par-4. I had messed up two previous shots, so I still had 240 yards to the green. Once again, I pulled out my 3-wood and absolutely smoked it! I saw this one all the way as it rolled and came to rest at the back of the green.
The way I swung that 3-wood for the last couple of holes was perfect. I really surprised myself with the distance I got out of it. It definitely helped take some of the sting out of a bad round.
Score: 114
Par: 70
Putts: 41
Fairways: 2
Greens: 2
Had it been a quick and dirty round, I might have escaped with a shred of optimism intact, but this turned out to be a marathon event, lasting five hours and fifty minutes. I should have known better. Seaton is a fine course, but it seems to attract hordes of players that know very little about pace of play.
Things began poorly on the first hole, with a three-putt leading to double-bogey. I did well to bogey four of the next five holes, but the one I didn't bogey was truly disastrous. A straight hole measuring 300 yards and completely wide open, it should have been an easy par-4. Unfortunately, a horrible tee shot started a domino effect that resulted in a final score of ten. Yuck!
In the middle part of the round, penalty strokes inflated my score. I was not hitting the ball wildly, but I managed to trickle into the trees time after time. The thirteenth and fourteenth holes were especially troublesome, with multiple excursions into the woods lining the fairways.
The highlight and lowlight of the day came on the sixteenth hole, a 467-yard par-5. I drove the ball just left of the fairway, but it travelled a healthy 240 yards. Thinking I could not exceed about 200 yards with my second shot, I let loose with a 3-wood while the group ahead dallied on the right side of the fairway, a short distance in front of the green. I ended up hitting the ball more squarely and with more power than I ever have before, so much so that it rolled right past the group ahead. From my vantage point, I could not tell if the ball reached the green, but it was close at the very least.
I had never reached a par-5 in two shots before, so I was ecstatic, as you can imagine. Unfortunately, my joy was short-lived. As I began walking towards the green, I watched a woman from the group ahead walk to the location of my ball, bend down and pick something up. I wondered if she had just poached my ball, but thought nobody could possibly be that stupid. Well, apparently she was. When I got to the front of the green, my ball was nowhere in sight. The dingbat had actually taken it!
To make matters worse, she and her playing partners all claimed innocence. At this point in the round, they had joined up with the group in front of them and were actually playing as a group of eight! Can you believe that? No wonder the round took nearly six hours to complete!
The anger must have given me focus, because I went on to hit a couple of beautiful shots. The first was my drive off the tee on the seventeenth hole, a par-4. With the eight idiots wrapping up their approaches to the green, I smacked a laser beam right down the middle of the fairway a distance of 250 yards. It rolled up right behind them, so I had to keep my eye on it all the way.
The second great shot was my approach on the eighteenth hole, another par-4. I had messed up two previous shots, so I still had 240 yards to the green. Once again, I pulled out my 3-wood and absolutely smoked it! I saw this one all the way as it rolled and came to rest at the back of the green.
The way I swung that 3-wood for the last couple of holes was perfect. I really surprised myself with the distance I got out of it. It definitely helped take some of the sting out of a bad round.
Score: 114
Par: 70
Putts: 41
Fairways: 2
Greens: 2
September 13, 2006
Willow Valley Blues
Last Sunday, while Jim Furyk, Bart Bryant, and other professional golfers were contesting the final round of the 2006 Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club, myself and a motley crew of amateurs were contesting the final round of the 2006 Deepwoods Golf Association Tour at Willow Valley Golf Course, just a stone's throw away.
Furyk moved to the top of the leaderboard, pocketing $900,000 for his effort, while I slid closer to the bottom, shelling out greens fees and gas money in the process. I'll save the discussion of golf economics for another day. For now, let's concentrate on what I did wrong at Willow Valley.
Bad Start. My first shot of the day was a complete mis-hit, pulled into the fescue bordering the tee box. I was forced to declare an unplayable lie and take the accompanying penalty stroke. This led to a quadruple-bogey. Try as I might, I could not erase the memory of that shot on subsequent holes.
Pulled Shots. After my round at Watson's Glen, I thought I knew why I was pulling the ball. Apparently, I was wrong or only partly right. I pulled the majority of my drives and as a result, found very few fairways all day.
Poor Sand Play. Willow Valley is rife with bunkers and I had trouble with them all day long. I expended thirteen shots getting out of ten different bunkers. My stroke was far too deep, taking an excessive amount of sand with each attempt.
Par-3 Meltdowns. Most of the par-3 holes at Willow Valley are tantalizingly short. These are precisely the holes that I often turn into disasters, perhaps because of a lapse in concentration. Short does not mean easy, especially when water and sand traps abound.
There were some good moments, including a birdie on the fifteenth hole, a 515-yard par-5. After a squarely hit drive and a poor second shot, I hit a wonderful 8-iron to within five feet of the hole. A single putt produced the bird. The best shot of the day was off the tee on the fourteenth hole, a 185-yard par-3. Gripping my 3-iron with an experimental interlocking grip, I hit a perfect little draw shot over a bunker and onto the green. Too bad it took three putts to hole out from just ten feet away.
Score: 114
Par: 72
Putts: 36
Fairways: 3
Greens: 2
Furyk moved to the top of the leaderboard, pocketing $900,000 for his effort, while I slid closer to the bottom, shelling out greens fees and gas money in the process. I'll save the discussion of golf economics for another day. For now, let's concentrate on what I did wrong at Willow Valley.
Bad Start. My first shot of the day was a complete mis-hit, pulled into the fescue bordering the tee box. I was forced to declare an unplayable lie and take the accompanying penalty stroke. This led to a quadruple-bogey. Try as I might, I could not erase the memory of that shot on subsequent holes.
Pulled Shots. After my round at Watson's Glen, I thought I knew why I was pulling the ball. Apparently, I was wrong or only partly right. I pulled the majority of my drives and as a result, found very few fairways all day.
Poor Sand Play. Willow Valley is rife with bunkers and I had trouble with them all day long. I expended thirteen shots getting out of ten different bunkers. My stroke was far too deep, taking an excessive amount of sand with each attempt.
Par-3 Meltdowns. Most of the par-3 holes at Willow Valley are tantalizingly short. These are precisely the holes that I often turn into disasters, perhaps because of a lapse in concentration. Short does not mean easy, especially when water and sand traps abound.
There were some good moments, including a birdie on the fifteenth hole, a 515-yard par-5. After a squarely hit drive and a poor second shot, I hit a wonderful 8-iron to within five feet of the hole. A single putt produced the bird. The best shot of the day was off the tee on the fourteenth hole, a 185-yard par-3. Gripping my 3-iron with an experimental interlocking grip, I hit a perfect little draw shot over a bunker and onto the green. Too bad it took three putts to hole out from just ten feet away.
Score: 114
Par: 72
Putts: 36
Fairways: 3
Greens: 2
September 09, 2006
Victory is Sweet
Normally, I use this blog to record stories about my individual golf performance. This particular post is different, since it describes the outcome of a team event that I recently took part in. Organized by some of my colleagues at work, the event is an annual golf tournament designed to raise money for charity. Teams comprised of four players compete in the popular "scramble" format to determine a winner.
This year, the event was held at Granite Ridge Golf Club, located in Milton, Ontario. The venue was the same as last year, when I first participated in this particular tournament. On both occasions, my team managed to compile a score of 61, or nine under par. Last year, this was one stroke more than the winning team had, but this year it was good enough for victory among 36 teams!
Three members of this year's team played together last year. The fourth suffered a back injury last year that prevented him from playing. The nice thing about our victory was that all members of the team contributed in one form or another. Sometimes it was a tricky putt or sand shot, while other times it was a precise approach shot or monstrous drive. (For the record, none of the monstrous drives were mine, though I did drive the ball well, enabling some of my team-mates to bomb away.)
It was a thoroughly enjoyable round and everyone had a good time. Hopefully, some of the good karma will now find its way into my individual game.
Thanks guys!
Score: 61
Par: 70
Putts: 25
Fairways: 9
Greens: 16
This year, the event was held at Granite Ridge Golf Club, located in Milton, Ontario. The venue was the same as last year, when I first participated in this particular tournament. On both occasions, my team managed to compile a score of 61, or nine under par. Last year, this was one stroke more than the winning team had, but this year it was good enough for victory among 36 teams!
Three members of this year's team played together last year. The fourth suffered a back injury last year that prevented him from playing. The nice thing about our victory was that all members of the team contributed in one form or another. Sometimes it was a tricky putt or sand shot, while other times it was a precise approach shot or monstrous drive. (For the record, none of the monstrous drives were mine, though I did drive the ball well, enabling some of my team-mates to bomb away.)
It was a thoroughly enjoyable round and everyone had a good time. Hopefully, some of the good karma will now find its way into my individual game.
Thanks guys!
Score: 61
Par: 70
Putts: 25
Fairways: 9
Greens: 16
September 08, 2006
Slumping at Watson's Glen
Last Sunday, I played at Watson's Glen Golf Course, located in Pickering, Ontario. The remnants of Hurricane Ernesto brought rain to Southern Ontario for most of the Labour Day weekend, so I was glad to squeeze a round in. Had I teed off in the early afternoon, conditions would have been acceptable. Since I teed off in the morning however, I had to endure moderate to light rainfall and strong wind for the first six holes.
Not surprisingly, my worst scores of the day were picked up during the rainfall. My biggest problem was a persistent pull, which directed a few balls into thick fescue or pesky sand traps. On a good weather day, the fescue is tough to handle. After a few days of rain, it is nearly impossible to deal with. Of course, the solution is to avoid the fescue in the first place, which I was unable to do.
On the fifth hole, I pulled my second shot from the centre of the fairway and the ball landed left of the green. I ended up with a bogey, instead of a par. On the eighth hole, a par-5, I pulled my third shot from the fairway and the ball landed in a greenside bunker. This caused all kinds of trouble and I ended up with a triple-bogey, instead of a par. On the eleventh hole, my second shot from the fairway was also pulled into a greenside bunker. Double-bogey was the outcome.
I'm sure you see the pattern, but allow me to offer a few more examples. On the seventeenth hole, a par-3, I pulled my tee shot and the ball came to rest five yards left of the green. As a result, I ended up with a bogey. On the eighteenth hole, a par-5, I pulled my second shot from the centre of the fairway and the ball ended up lost in some fescue.
The good news is that I analyzed my swing after the round and I think I figured out the cause of the pulled shots. We'll have to wait for the next round to see if I am correct.
Score: 117
Par: 72
Putts: 39
Fairways: 7
Greens: 2
Not surprisingly, my worst scores of the day were picked up during the rainfall. My biggest problem was a persistent pull, which directed a few balls into thick fescue or pesky sand traps. On a good weather day, the fescue is tough to handle. After a few days of rain, it is nearly impossible to deal with. Of course, the solution is to avoid the fescue in the first place, which I was unable to do.
On the fifth hole, I pulled my second shot from the centre of the fairway and the ball landed left of the green. I ended up with a bogey, instead of a par. On the eighth hole, a par-5, I pulled my third shot from the fairway and the ball landed in a greenside bunker. This caused all kinds of trouble and I ended up with a triple-bogey, instead of a par. On the eleventh hole, my second shot from the fairway was also pulled into a greenside bunker. Double-bogey was the outcome.
I'm sure you see the pattern, but allow me to offer a few more examples. On the seventeenth hole, a par-3, I pulled my tee shot and the ball came to rest five yards left of the green. As a result, I ended up with a bogey. On the eighteenth hole, a par-5, I pulled my second shot from the centre of the fairway and the ball ended up lost in some fescue.
The good news is that I analyzed my swing after the round and I think I figured out the cause of the pulled shots. We'll have to wait for the next round to see if I am correct.
Score: 117
Par: 72
Putts: 39
Fairways: 7
Greens: 2
September 02, 2006
How Much Have I Really Played?
To say that I was discouraged after my last two rounds would be an understatement. What bothered me most was the sobering thought that almost anyone could pick up a set of clubs, walk on to a golf course for the very first time and achieve similar scores - yet I've been playing for years!
Which begs the question, "How many years have I actually been playing?" I've been asked this question in the recent past and my answer has consistently been "five or six years." This was based on my best recollection, but memory is often imprecise, so I decided to find the definitive answer.
This turned out to be very easy, since I always pay for golf with a credit card, and also have at least a decade's worth of credit card statements neatly filed away. After about ten minutes, I had the information I was looking for. The results, presented next, were somewhat surprising.
Total Rounds by Year
1999: 3
2000: 0
2001: 2
2002: 13
2003: 13
2004: 18
2005: 30
2006: 31 (so far)
I knew that my first round ever was played in 1999 and that I played a couple more times that year. However, I was surprised to see that I did not play at all in 2000 and only twice in 2001. I would have guessed that I played about three rounds in 2000 and a dozen or more in 2001. In fact, I did not start playing regularly until mid-July of the following year (2002).
In actual time, that means I've been playing regularly for just over four years. You could also say I've been playing regularly for five seasons. Either way, that's somewhat less than I had imagined.
I was also surprised at the number of rounds played in 2002 and 2003. I would have guessed that I played closer to twenty rounds in each of those years. Perhaps the more vigorous golf schedule of the past two years skewed my memory of prior years.
Here are some other interesting tidbits that this little exercise revealed:
Start/End of Season by Year
1999: May 2 - May 30
2000: Not Applicable
2001: Jun 23 - Jun 30
2002: Jul 13 - Dec 22
2003: Apr 26 - Oct 5
2004: Apr 25 - Oct 10
2005: May 23 - Oct 29
2006: Apr 2 - ???
The December 22 end date in 2002 is not a typo. I remember that day very well. I was playing at Richview Golf & Country Club, located in Oakville, Ontario. The course no longer exists, but back then it was one of the few clubs that stayed open very late into the season. On the first hole, I hit a drive into the middle of the fairway. Next, I hit an iron to the front centre of the green. In the summer, it would have been perfect, but on that day it bounced about fifty feet into the air and continued bouncing right off the back of the green. It was literally like golfing on a hockey rink.
Total Rounds by Course
11: Bloomington Downs
7: Hornby Glen
7: Kedron Dells
7: Saw-Whet
5: Bushwood
5: Granite Ridge
4: Carrying Place
4: Rolling Hills
3: Banty's Roost
3: Cardinal
3: Highlands
3: Richview
3: Seaton
3: Tyandaga
3: Watson's Glen
2: Brookside
2: Deer Creek
2: Glen Cedars
2: Grey Silo
2: Hidden Lake
2: Hunters' Glen
2: Indian Wells
2: Lakeview
2: Oakville Executive
1: BraeBen
1: Burlington Springs
1: Carlisle
1: Century Pines
1: Copetown Woods
1: Glen Eagle
1: Guelph Lakes
1: Hockley Valley
1: Horseshoe Resort
1: International of Niagara
1: Kleinburg
1: Lowville
1: Maples of Ballantrae
1: Mayfield
1: Mill Run
1: Mystic
1: Peninsula Lakes
1: Royal Woodbine
1: Shawneeki
1: Tangle Creek
1: Unknown*
* Unable to remember the name of this course.
There were no surprises at the top of this list. I was surprised by some of the courses in the middle of the pack. Places like Tyandaga, Watson's Glen, Glen Cedars, and Hunters' Glen seem very familiar to me, yet I've only played them a couple of times each. Go figure.
Anyway, to sum it all up, I haven't played as much as I thought I have. However, I have still played enough that I should no longer be scoring in triple digits.
The 2006 season will soon wind down. Let's hope I end the season on a positive note.
Which begs the question, "How many years have I actually been playing?" I've been asked this question in the recent past and my answer has consistently been "five or six years." This was based on my best recollection, but memory is often imprecise, so I decided to find the definitive answer.
This turned out to be very easy, since I always pay for golf with a credit card, and also have at least a decade's worth of credit card statements neatly filed away. After about ten minutes, I had the information I was looking for. The results, presented next, were somewhat surprising.
Total Rounds by Year
1999: 3
2000: 0
2001: 2
2002: 13
2003: 13
2004: 18
2005: 30
2006: 31 (so far)
I knew that my first round ever was played in 1999 and that I played a couple more times that year. However, I was surprised to see that I did not play at all in 2000 and only twice in 2001. I would have guessed that I played about three rounds in 2000 and a dozen or more in 2001. In fact, I did not start playing regularly until mid-July of the following year (2002).
In actual time, that means I've been playing regularly for just over four years. You could also say I've been playing regularly for five seasons. Either way, that's somewhat less than I had imagined.
I was also surprised at the number of rounds played in 2002 and 2003. I would have guessed that I played closer to twenty rounds in each of those years. Perhaps the more vigorous golf schedule of the past two years skewed my memory of prior years.
Here are some other interesting tidbits that this little exercise revealed:
Start/End of Season by Year
1999: May 2 - May 30
2000: Not Applicable
2001: Jun 23 - Jun 30
2002: Jul 13 - Dec 22
2003: Apr 26 - Oct 5
2004: Apr 25 - Oct 10
2005: May 23 - Oct 29
2006: Apr 2 - ???
The December 22 end date in 2002 is not a typo. I remember that day very well. I was playing at Richview Golf & Country Club, located in Oakville, Ontario. The course no longer exists, but back then it was one of the few clubs that stayed open very late into the season. On the first hole, I hit a drive into the middle of the fairway. Next, I hit an iron to the front centre of the green. In the summer, it would have been perfect, but on that day it bounced about fifty feet into the air and continued bouncing right off the back of the green. It was literally like golfing on a hockey rink.
Total Rounds by Course
11: Bloomington Downs
7: Hornby Glen
7: Kedron Dells
7: Saw-Whet
5: Bushwood
5: Granite Ridge
4: Carrying Place
4: Rolling Hills
3: Banty's Roost
3: Cardinal
3: Highlands
3: Richview
3: Seaton
3: Tyandaga
3: Watson's Glen
2: Brookside
2: Deer Creek
2: Glen Cedars
2: Grey Silo
2: Hidden Lake
2: Hunters' Glen
2: Indian Wells
2: Lakeview
2: Oakville Executive
1: BraeBen
1: Burlington Springs
1: Carlisle
1: Century Pines
1: Copetown Woods
1: Glen Eagle
1: Guelph Lakes
1: Hockley Valley
1: Horseshoe Resort
1: International of Niagara
1: Kleinburg
1: Lowville
1: Maples of Ballantrae
1: Mayfield
1: Mill Run
1: Mystic
1: Peninsula Lakes
1: Royal Woodbine
1: Shawneeki
1: Tangle Creek
1: Unknown*
* Unable to remember the name of this course.
There were no surprises at the top of this list. I was surprised by some of the courses in the middle of the pack. Places like Tyandaga, Watson's Glen, Glen Cedars, and Hunters' Glen seem very familiar to me, yet I've only played them a couple of times each. Go figure.
Anyway, to sum it all up, I haven't played as much as I thought I have. However, I have still played enough that I should no longer be scoring in triple digits.
The 2006 season will soon wind down. Let's hope I end the season on a positive note.
September 01, 2006
Carrying Place Catastrophe
Yesterday, I made my second visit of the year to Carrying Place Golf and Country Club, located in Kettleby, Ontario.
Once again, it was a beautiful day, but my round was sheer rubbish. Stay tuned for details about my next round, which is sure to be utter refuse.
Score: 115
Par: 69
Putts: 44
Fairways: 2
Greens: 1
Once again, it was a beautiful day, but my round was sheer rubbish. Stay tuned for details about my next round, which is sure to be utter refuse.
Score: 115
Par: 69
Putts: 44
Fairways: 2
Greens: 1
August 31, 2006
Tangle Creek Debacle
I took some time off work and headed out for a rare weekday round at Tangle Creek Golf Club, located in Barrie, Ontario.
The course was nice and so was the weather, but my round was pure garbage. Frankly, it's not even worth commenting on.
Score: 121
Par: 72
Putts: 39
Fairways: 4
Greens: 0
The course was nice and so was the weather, but my round was pure garbage. Frankly, it's not even worth commenting on.
Score: 121
Par: 72
Putts: 39
Fairways: 4
Greens: 0
August 29, 2006
Finishing Strong at Glen Cedars
Fresh off some time at the practice green and driving range, I ventured out to Glen Cedars Golf Club, a charming course located in Claremont, Ontario. The course lies just outside Toronto, but it feels like a distant country retreat. Even the occasional train running alongside the eighteenth fairway is not enough to spoil the course's relaxed atmosphere.
The weather was overcast, but I managed to play the round with nary a hint of rain. Heat and humidity produced rather muggy conditions, but there was no wind to speak of. All of this suited me just fine, as I put together a very satisfying final score of 91, my third-lowest ever!
I shot 50 on the front nine holes, primarily via bogeys and double-bogeys. There was a triple-bogey on the fifth hole, a 128-yard par-3, which I made up for with a nice par on the second hole, a 323-yard par-4. On this dogleg right, golfers must drive the ball between 220 and 260 yards, in order to leave a good angle to the green. My drive was well placed and a subsequent 9-iron landed safely on the dance floor. Two putts later, par was the result.
The real story happened on the back nine holes, where I shot 41 thanks to a trio of birdies. On the tenth hole, a 460-yard par-5, I hit a decent drive just left of the fairway. Unfortunately, my second shot crossed the fairway entirely, landing under a tree on the right side of the fairway. My next shot was probably the best of the day. 100 yards away from the hole, I needed to thread a shot through a narrow opening between a bunker on the left and a cluster of trees on the right. I could not take an aerial route because of the tree I was underneath. With a half-swing, I punched a 3-iron through the gap and the ball settled about eight feet from the hole. After a terrific putt, I walked away with a birdie in hand.
The next birdie occurred on the fifteenth hole, a 310-yard par-4. This is a dogleg left, with golfers teeing off from a severely elevated tee box surrounded by woods. An easy 5-iron put me safely in the fairway, 130 yards away from the hole. Unfortunately, my second shot drifted right and settled about fifteen feet from the edge of the green. Next, I made a beautiful chip shot, landing the ball on the edge of the green and rolling it directly into the cup!
The third and final birdie came on the eighteenth hole, a 464-yard par-5. My tee shot was straight, but it popped into the air and travelled a mere 150 yards. A fabulous second shot got me back on track, when I struck a 3-wood solidly. I was left with 90 yards to the flag, which was located at the front of the green. I put the ball to within eight feet, then proceeded to hole out with a single putt.
I could get used to this.
Score: 91
Par: 72
Putts: 33
Fairways: 7
Greens: 5
The weather was overcast, but I managed to play the round with nary a hint of rain. Heat and humidity produced rather muggy conditions, but there was no wind to speak of. All of this suited me just fine, as I put together a very satisfying final score of 91, my third-lowest ever!
I shot 50 on the front nine holes, primarily via bogeys and double-bogeys. There was a triple-bogey on the fifth hole, a 128-yard par-3, which I made up for with a nice par on the second hole, a 323-yard par-4. On this dogleg right, golfers must drive the ball between 220 and 260 yards, in order to leave a good angle to the green. My drive was well placed and a subsequent 9-iron landed safely on the dance floor. Two putts later, par was the result.
The real story happened on the back nine holes, where I shot 41 thanks to a trio of birdies. On the tenth hole, a 460-yard par-5, I hit a decent drive just left of the fairway. Unfortunately, my second shot crossed the fairway entirely, landing under a tree on the right side of the fairway. My next shot was probably the best of the day. 100 yards away from the hole, I needed to thread a shot through a narrow opening between a bunker on the left and a cluster of trees on the right. I could not take an aerial route because of the tree I was underneath. With a half-swing, I punched a 3-iron through the gap and the ball settled about eight feet from the hole. After a terrific putt, I walked away with a birdie in hand.
The next birdie occurred on the fifteenth hole, a 310-yard par-4. This is a dogleg left, with golfers teeing off from a severely elevated tee box surrounded by woods. An easy 5-iron put me safely in the fairway, 130 yards away from the hole. Unfortunately, my second shot drifted right and settled about fifteen feet from the edge of the green. Next, I made a beautiful chip shot, landing the ball on the edge of the green and rolling it directly into the cup!
The third and final birdie came on the eighteenth hole, a 464-yard par-5. My tee shot was straight, but it popped into the air and travelled a mere 150 yards. A fabulous second shot got me back on track, when I struck a 3-wood solidly. I was left with 90 yards to the flag, which was located at the front of the green. I put the ball to within eight feet, then proceeded to hole out with a single putt.
I could get used to this.
Score: 91
Par: 72
Putts: 33
Fairways: 7
Greens: 5
August 28, 2006
Practice Never Hurts
I had such a hard time with the driver last time out, that I resolved to visit the driving range specifically to work on hitting that club. Bloomington Downs has a large driving range, along with a couple of chipping and puting areas, so that's where I went on Saturday morning.
Before working with the driver, I spent about an hour chipping balls onto the practice green at the north end of the property. One bucket at a time, I picked a spot near the green from which to chip. When the bucket was empty, I gathered the balls and repeated the drill from a different spot. I probably hit three hundred chip shots by the time I was done.
Next, I found a spot on the range itself and began limbering up by hitting a few irons. I worked my way through an 8-iron, 6-iron, and 4-iron, hitting about a dozen balls with each club. I experimented with my setup, leaving less space between my hands and my body. This seemed to keep my arms more relaxed and the results were quite good.
I continued with that setup when I switched over to the driver. I also concentrated on dropping the right shoulder slightly to encourage hitting the ball on the upward part of the swing. The combination of these two adjustments seemed to work. I hit about fifty balls this way, in order to burn the swing into my muscle memory.
With the driver problems seemingly fixed, I spent the remainder of my time putting balls on the practice green. Overall, it was time well spent.
Before working with the driver, I spent about an hour chipping balls onto the practice green at the north end of the property. One bucket at a time, I picked a spot near the green from which to chip. When the bucket was empty, I gathered the balls and repeated the drill from a different spot. I probably hit three hundred chip shots by the time I was done.
Next, I found a spot on the range itself and began limbering up by hitting a few irons. I worked my way through an 8-iron, 6-iron, and 4-iron, hitting about a dozen balls with each club. I experimented with my setup, leaving less space between my hands and my body. This seemed to keep my arms more relaxed and the results were quite good.
I continued with that setup when I switched over to the driver. I also concentrated on dropping the right shoulder slightly to encourage hitting the ball on the upward part of the swing. The combination of these two adjustments seemed to work. I hit about fifty balls this way, in order to burn the swing into my muscle memory.
With the driver problems seemingly fixed, I spent the remainder of my time putting balls on the practice green. Overall, it was time well spent.
August 25, 2006
Highs and Lows at Carlisle
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. These, of course, are the famous words Charles Dickens used at the beginning of his novel, A Tale of Two Cities. He was talking about conditions in London and Paris in the year 1775, but his words accurately describe the condition of my golf game in 2006. This was most apparent at Carlisle Golf & Country Club, the site of my most recent outing.
It was the best of times over the first four holes, where I registered a bogey, followed by a par, a birdie and another par. Aside from a poor second shot, which led to the bogey on the first hole, this stretch of golf was refreshingly error-free. On the third hole, a 310-yard par-4, my 4-iron off the tee landed safely in the fairway. This was followed by a picture-perfect 8-iron, which left a simple 2-foot putt for the rare birdie.
It was the worst of times over the remaining holes, particularly the fifth through the ninth, where I shot nineteen over par. The worst of these was the sixth hole, a 472-yard par-5. After launching two consecutive drives out of bounds into a farmer's field that hugs the left side of the fairway, I lost another ball in the woods on the right. My fourth shot from the tee also veered toward the woods, but fortunately I managed to find the ball. The rest of the hole was problem-free, but the damage was already done. I finished seven over par for that hole alone!
For the remainder of the round, I felt lost with the driver in my hands. On a few occasions, I opted to use a 4-iron off the tee and the results were better. When I went back to the driver, as I did on the final two holes, I promptly placed my tee shots into the water. Terrible driving was undoubtedly the story of the day.
Score: 108
Par: 72
Putts: 37
Fairways: 5
Greens: 1
It was the best of times over the first four holes, where I registered a bogey, followed by a par, a birdie and another par. Aside from a poor second shot, which led to the bogey on the first hole, this stretch of golf was refreshingly error-free. On the third hole, a 310-yard par-4, my 4-iron off the tee landed safely in the fairway. This was followed by a picture-perfect 8-iron, which left a simple 2-foot putt for the rare birdie.
It was the worst of times over the remaining holes, particularly the fifth through the ninth, where I shot nineteen over par. The worst of these was the sixth hole, a 472-yard par-5. After launching two consecutive drives out of bounds into a farmer's field that hugs the left side of the fairway, I lost another ball in the woods on the right. My fourth shot from the tee also veered toward the woods, but fortunately I managed to find the ball. The rest of the hole was problem-free, but the damage was already done. I finished seven over par for that hole alone!
For the remainder of the round, I felt lost with the driver in my hands. On a few occasions, I opted to use a 4-iron off the tee and the results were better. When I went back to the driver, as I did on the final two holes, I promptly placed my tee shots into the water. Terrible driving was undoubtedly the story of the day.
Score: 108
Par: 72
Putts: 37
Fairways: 5
Greens: 1
August 16, 2006
Kedron Dells a Real Nemesis
For some reason, Oshawa's Kedron Dells Golf Club has been a nemesis of mine over the last couple of years. No matter what I do, it seems I always walk off the eighteenth green with a disappointing score. Sometimes I fail to drive the ball adequately, while other times I struggle with chipping or putting. At times, the trees cause severe difficulty, while other times water is the problem.
Anxious to reverse this trend, I returned to Kedron Dells recently for the third time this year. After my previous visit, which produced a score of 107, I felt like I was on the verge of figuring the course out. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Five double-bogeys and four bogeys on the front nine were respectable, but horrible play on the tenth hole precipitated a collapse from which I could not recover. The final result was another score of 107.
When things went bad, it usually started with an errant or mised tee shot. A perfect example occurred on the twelfth hole, a 197-yard par-3. I teed off with a 3-wood, but topped the ball, which dribbled into the trees just left of the tee box. From there, I proceeded to hit the ball to the base of two more trees. After four shots, I was finally in the fairway, just short of the green. A chip and two putts later, I was shaking my head in disbelief at a quadruple-bogey.
There were moments of brilliance however, even amidst the collapse on the back nine. On the thirteenth hole, a 419-yard par-4, I hit a nice drive to the middle of the fairway and a fantastic 3-wood to just in front of the green. After a nice chip shot and a single putt, I holed out with a par. On the eighteenth hole, a 143-yard par-3, I hit a 6-iron flag-high to the back of the long green. I nailed the remaining 5-foot putt for birdie, only my fifth of the season.
Believe it or not, this was my best putting round of the season! I read the greens well and my putting weight was accurate all day, producing a mere 30 putts for the round.
Score: 107
Par: 71
Putts: 30
Fairways: 7
Greens: 2
Anxious to reverse this trend, I returned to Kedron Dells recently for the third time this year. After my previous visit, which produced a score of 107, I felt like I was on the verge of figuring the course out. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Five double-bogeys and four bogeys on the front nine were respectable, but horrible play on the tenth hole precipitated a collapse from which I could not recover. The final result was another score of 107.
When things went bad, it usually started with an errant or mised tee shot. A perfect example occurred on the twelfth hole, a 197-yard par-3. I teed off with a 3-wood, but topped the ball, which dribbled into the trees just left of the tee box. From there, I proceeded to hit the ball to the base of two more trees. After four shots, I was finally in the fairway, just short of the green. A chip and two putts later, I was shaking my head in disbelief at a quadruple-bogey.
There were moments of brilliance however, even amidst the collapse on the back nine. On the thirteenth hole, a 419-yard par-4, I hit a nice drive to the middle of the fairway and a fantastic 3-wood to just in front of the green. After a nice chip shot and a single putt, I holed out with a par. On the eighteenth hole, a 143-yard par-3, I hit a 6-iron flag-high to the back of the long green. I nailed the remaining 5-foot putt for birdie, only my fifth of the season.
Believe it or not, this was my best putting round of the season! I read the greens well and my putting weight was accurate all day, producing a mere 30 putts for the round.
Score: 107
Par: 71
Putts: 30
Fairways: 7
Greens: 2
August 14, 2006
Mediocre Results at Lowville
Golf rounds continue to pile up quickly, most recently with a trip to Lowville Golf Club, located in Burlington, Ontario. The terrain of this 18-hole course is dominated by the Niagara Escarpment, making for interesting elevation changes and some pretty vistas. In autumn, when the leaves change colour, I am told it is quite a treat.
The course is somewhat unusual in that it includes five par-5 holes and five par-3 holes. Three of each appear on the front nine, creating a refreshing sense of diversity. Varying hole lengths demand that golfers hit all the clubs in their bags. From the tees alone, golfers might use anything from a pitching wedge to a driver.
Were it not for bad tee shots on a couple of par-3 holes, I would have had a very solid front nine. One of those tee shots, coming off a 4-iron, ended up lost in the fescue. The other, coming off a pitching wedge, landed deep in a bunker. The quadruple-bogey and triple-bogey that ensued, effectively ruined the other seven holes, for which I averaged bogey.
I still had a chance to break 100 if I came up with some good play on the back nine, but two more troubling holes pushed my total score to 103. As I stated earlier this year, anything over 100 has to be considered a failure. My only solace is the fact that I continued to putt the ball very well, limiting myself to 33 putts. That makes four consecutive rounds of strong play on the greens.
If only I could reach those greens economically...
Score: 103
Par: 72
Putts: 33
Fairways: 5
Greens: 1
The course is somewhat unusual in that it includes five par-5 holes and five par-3 holes. Three of each appear on the front nine, creating a refreshing sense of diversity. Varying hole lengths demand that golfers hit all the clubs in their bags. From the tees alone, golfers might use anything from a pitching wedge to a driver.
Were it not for bad tee shots on a couple of par-3 holes, I would have had a very solid front nine. One of those tee shots, coming off a 4-iron, ended up lost in the fescue. The other, coming off a pitching wedge, landed deep in a bunker. The quadruple-bogey and triple-bogey that ensued, effectively ruined the other seven holes, for which I averaged bogey.
I still had a chance to break 100 if I came up with some good play on the back nine, but two more troubling holes pushed my total score to 103. As I stated earlier this year, anything over 100 has to be considered a failure. My only solace is the fact that I continued to putt the ball very well, limiting myself to 33 putts. That makes four consecutive rounds of strong play on the greens.
If only I could reach those greens economically...
Score: 103
Par: 72
Putts: 33
Fairways: 5
Greens: 1
August 13, 2006
Private Affair at Carrying Place
After The Great Golf Weekend, I managed to stay off the links for two days before returning for a much anticipated round at Carrying Place Golf and Country Club. Carrying Place is a private club located in Kettleby, Ontario, just a stone's throw away from Cardinal Golf Club, where I had an encouraging round earlier this year. My opportunity to indulge in the rarefied air of a private club came thanks to a work buddy that happens to be a member.
We played the back nine first, followed by the front nine. The first two holes felt a little rushed, but things got better when we allowed a twosome behind us to play through. From that point on, I played a rather steady game, shooting bogeys and double-bogeys with a few pars sprinkled here and there.
I enjoyed some success on par-3 holes, including the 122-yard thirteenth, and the 150-yard sixteenth. In both cases, an accurate short iron off the tee got me to the green in regulation. The only par-3 hole I played poorly was the 190-yard fifth. To be successful, players must carry almost the entire distance over water. Though my tee shot cleared the water, it hit a steep embankment and rolled back into some reeds by the water's edge. I was forced to take a penalty stroke en route to a double-bogey.
For the third round in a row, my putting was very consistent. A single 3-putt was the only blemish on my putting score, which totalled 33 after eighteen holes. Chipping in from off the green on the first hole also helped the cause. Unfortunately, my driver was not working as well as my putter. I hit only two fairways on the day, but that might be misleading, since some of the misses landed just feet from the fairway's edge and presented no problems on subsequent shots.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable round with a decent sub-100 result.
Score: 98
Par: 70
Putts: 33
Fairways: 2
Greens: 4
We played the back nine first, followed by the front nine. The first two holes felt a little rushed, but things got better when we allowed a twosome behind us to play through. From that point on, I played a rather steady game, shooting bogeys and double-bogeys with a few pars sprinkled here and there.
I enjoyed some success on par-3 holes, including the 122-yard thirteenth, and the 150-yard sixteenth. In both cases, an accurate short iron off the tee got me to the green in regulation. The only par-3 hole I played poorly was the 190-yard fifth. To be successful, players must carry almost the entire distance over water. Though my tee shot cleared the water, it hit a steep embankment and rolled back into some reeds by the water's edge. I was forced to take a penalty stroke en route to a double-bogey.
For the third round in a row, my putting was very consistent. A single 3-putt was the only blemish on my putting score, which totalled 33 after eighteen holes. Chipping in from off the green on the first hole also helped the cause. Unfortunately, my driver was not working as well as my putter. I hit only two fairways on the day, but that might be misleading, since some of the misses landed just feet from the fairway's edge and presented no problems on subsequent shots.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable round with a decent sub-100 result.
Score: 98
Par: 70
Putts: 33
Fairways: 2
Greens: 4
August 12, 2006
Great Golf Weekend - Part Three
Following a round at the familiar grounds of Hornby Glen came one at the unfamiliar territory of Century Pines Golf Club, located in Troy, Ontario. Though I enjoy playing new courses, it is always with some trepidation, since lack of course knowledge is a dictinct disadvantage. I felt some of that on the first tee, but it was balanced by a healthy dose of confidence, arising from a personal best set the day before.
Things got off to a shaky start with a trio of double-bogeys. On two of those holes, an inaccurate drive off the tee was the main culprit. In both cases, it took a sideways chip shot to find myself clear of trees and back in the fairway. Those two drives were also a sign of things to come, as I struggled with the driver for most of the round. An unwelcome slice has apparently crept back into my game.
Two holes on the front nine were particularly gruesome. One of these was the fourth hole, a 318-yard par-4 with woods on both sides of the fairway and a giant tree smack in the middle of it. 185 yards away from the green, I bent a lovely ball around the big tree with a 3-wood. Too bad it was my fourth shot, thanks to a couple of duffs and a penalty stroke. On the sixth hole, a 370-yard par-4, an errant approach shot and some poor chipping produced a quadruple-bogey.
Two more bad holes on the back nine sealed my fate. On the twelfth hole, a 312-yard par-4, a sliced drive found the trees and I never recovered. Triple-bogey was the result. On the course's signature sixteenth hole, a 343-yard par-4, a poor drive put me behind the eight-ball once again. This time however, I pulled the ball left of target and into the practice range. From left of the fairway, it is extremely difficult to see, never mind hit, the tiny green. After some close encounters with the nearby trees, I walked off with a quintuple-bogey.
Not all was bad. I had a good day putting, limiting my total to 34.
Score: 109
Par: 72
Putts: 34
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
Things got off to a shaky start with a trio of double-bogeys. On two of those holes, an inaccurate drive off the tee was the main culprit. In both cases, it took a sideways chip shot to find myself clear of trees and back in the fairway. Those two drives were also a sign of things to come, as I struggled with the driver for most of the round. An unwelcome slice has apparently crept back into my game.
Two holes on the front nine were particularly gruesome. One of these was the fourth hole, a 318-yard par-4 with woods on both sides of the fairway and a giant tree smack in the middle of it. 185 yards away from the green, I bent a lovely ball around the big tree with a 3-wood. Too bad it was my fourth shot, thanks to a couple of duffs and a penalty stroke. On the sixth hole, a 370-yard par-4, an errant approach shot and some poor chipping produced a quadruple-bogey.
Two more bad holes on the back nine sealed my fate. On the twelfth hole, a 312-yard par-4, a sliced drive found the trees and I never recovered. Triple-bogey was the result. On the course's signature sixteenth hole, a 343-yard par-4, a poor drive put me behind the eight-ball once again. This time however, I pulled the ball left of target and into the practice range. From left of the fairway, it is extremely difficult to see, never mind hit, the tiny green. After some close encounters with the nearby trees, I walked off with a quintuple-bogey.
Not all was bad. I had a good day putting, limiting my total to 34.
Score: 109
Par: 72
Putts: 34
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
August 09, 2006
Great Golf Weekend - Part Two
Round 23 was another return visit to a golf course, this time the familiar grounds of Hornby Glen Golf Course, where I played my second round of the season back in April. Looking back at my post for that early round, it appears woeful putting was largely responsible for a score of 103. Putting was once again a key factor, but this time it was very good and it led to a score of 88, a new personal best!
I had 32 putts for the entire round and did not three-putt any of the holes. One of the major reasons for this was my chipping. I did not skull a single chip shot, nor did I flub any. On every chip shot, I struck the ball cleanly, landing safely on the green. I wasn't right beside the pin on every occasion, but I was always close enough to hole out easily with no more than two putts. Excellent control of my putting distance also helped.
The rest of my game was not spectacular, but it was consistent. I only reached two greens in regulation, a 160-yard par-3 and a 385-yard par-4. The latter was the eighth hole, which is ranked most difficult according to the handicap index. After a 200-yard drive stopped midway up a sloped fairway, I hit a beautiful 3-wood right on to the green. The birdie putt missed, but it was one of seven pars made on the day. Generally speaking, the driver and irons were working well.
Above all, I was in the right frame of mind from start to finish. It is amazing what can happen when you feel relaxed and have some confidence.
Score: 88
Par: 72
Putts: 32
Fairways: 8
Greens: 2
I had 32 putts for the entire round and did not three-putt any of the holes. One of the major reasons for this was my chipping. I did not skull a single chip shot, nor did I flub any. On every chip shot, I struck the ball cleanly, landing safely on the green. I wasn't right beside the pin on every occasion, but I was always close enough to hole out easily with no more than two putts. Excellent control of my putting distance also helped.
The rest of my game was not spectacular, but it was consistent. I only reached two greens in regulation, a 160-yard par-3 and a 385-yard par-4. The latter was the eighth hole, which is ranked most difficult according to the handicap index. After a 200-yard drive stopped midway up a sloped fairway, I hit a beautiful 3-wood right on to the green. The birdie putt missed, but it was one of seven pars made on the day. Generally speaking, the driver and irons were working well.
Above all, I was in the right frame of mind from start to finish. It is amazing what can happen when you feel relaxed and have some confidence.
Score: 88
Par: 72
Putts: 32
Fairways: 8
Greens: 2
August 08, 2006
Great Golf Weekend - Part One
The long weekend is over and what a weekend it was for golf! Three rounds played brings my total for the season to twenty-four. At this pace, I may reach or surpass forty rounds by the time November rolls around and the season is all but done.
Round 22 was played on Saturday at Grey Silo Golf Course, the site of a visit earlier this year. Getting to the course proved to be problematic, as I was delayed first by road closures related to Toronto's Caribana parade, then by a couple of accidents on Highway 401. The second, involving an overturned tractor trailer, looked especially nasty.
Perhaps the prolonged trip affected my game, as I got off to a very poor start. The first five holes included three lost balls, a triple-bogey, quadruple-bogey, and quintuple-bogey. The "quint" came on the very first hole, thanks to some comedic chipping and putting that would make The Three Stooges proud.
It is impossible to produce a good score with that kind of start, so I really tried to focus on each individual hole thereafter. For the most part, I had decent results. From the tenth hole onward, I did not miss a single fairway with my tee shots. Hitting eight consecutive fairways brought my total in that category to nine for the day.
The only real blemish on the last two-thirds of the round came on the sixteenth hole, a 159-yard par-3, guarded on the right by water. After my tee shot went for a swim, I began another chipping and putting Stoogefest that ended with another quintuple-bogey.
Score: 106
Par: 71
Putts: 40
Fairways: 9
Greens: 3
Round 22 was played on Saturday at Grey Silo Golf Course, the site of a visit earlier this year. Getting to the course proved to be problematic, as I was delayed first by road closures related to Toronto's Caribana parade, then by a couple of accidents on Highway 401. The second, involving an overturned tractor trailer, looked especially nasty.
Perhaps the prolonged trip affected my game, as I got off to a very poor start. The first five holes included three lost balls, a triple-bogey, quadruple-bogey, and quintuple-bogey. The "quint" came on the very first hole, thanks to some comedic chipping and putting that would make The Three Stooges proud.
It is impossible to produce a good score with that kind of start, so I really tried to focus on each individual hole thereafter. For the most part, I had decent results. From the tenth hole onward, I did not miss a single fairway with my tee shots. Hitting eight consecutive fairways brought my total in that category to nine for the day.
The only real blemish on the last two-thirds of the round came on the sixteenth hole, a 159-yard par-3, guarded on the right by water. After my tee shot went for a swim, I began another chipping and putting Stoogefest that ended with another quintuple-bogey.
Score: 106
Par: 71
Putts: 40
Fairways: 9
Greens: 3
August 07, 2006
Coming Up Dry at Indian Wells
On the heels of a soggy round at Guelph Lakes, I ventured out to play at Indian Wells Golf Club, located at the foot of the Niagara Escarpment in Burlington, Ontario. Once again, weather was a factor, but this time conditions were dry and hot. I know these are the dog days of summer, but this day was a real pooch!
As hot as it was, my driver was even hotter. I hit a blistering ten of fourteen fairways, shattering the season's previous high of seven. I narrowed my stance ever so slightly and lightened my grip just a smidge, in order to prevent over-swinging. Lately, I had been putting a little extra mustard on my drives and the results were not so good.
With so many fairways hit, you might figure that I also hit my fair share of greens in regulation. Well, if that's what you think, you don't really know me or my golf game. You see, I hit a grand total of zero greens in regulation. It was as though all of my approach shots were repelled by some invisible force surrounding the greens.
To make matters worse, my chipping and putting were atrocious. Not a single chip shot landed in the vicinity of the pin. Some were short, others were long. By the end of the day, I had amassed 43 putts, tying my worst putting round of the season. In one stretch of eight holes, I managed seven three-putts.
During that stretch, I also allowed frustration to creep into my game. For the most part, I've managed to keep my emotions in check this year, even through some really horrible rounds. The good news is that I regained my composure over the last five holes. The last thing a golfer wants is for that negative energy to carry over into the next round.
Score: 107
Par: 71
Putts: 43
Fairways: 10
Greens: 0
As hot as it was, my driver was even hotter. I hit a blistering ten of fourteen fairways, shattering the season's previous high of seven. I narrowed my stance ever so slightly and lightened my grip just a smidge, in order to prevent over-swinging. Lately, I had been putting a little extra mustard on my drives and the results were not so good.
With so many fairways hit, you might figure that I also hit my fair share of greens in regulation. Well, if that's what you think, you don't really know me or my golf game. You see, I hit a grand total of zero greens in regulation. It was as though all of my approach shots were repelled by some invisible force surrounding the greens.
To make matters worse, my chipping and putting were atrocious. Not a single chip shot landed in the vicinity of the pin. Some were short, others were long. By the end of the day, I had amassed 43 putts, tying my worst putting round of the season. In one stretch of eight holes, I managed seven three-putts.
During that stretch, I also allowed frustration to creep into my game. For the most part, I've managed to keep my emotions in check this year, even through some really horrible rounds. The good news is that I regained my composure over the last five holes. The last thing a golfer wants is for that negative energy to carry over into the next round.
Score: 107
Par: 71
Putts: 43
Fairways: 10
Greens: 0
July 25, 2006
Guelph Lakes Deluge
Last Sunday, while Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, and a host of other professional golfers were contesting the final round of The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, in Hoylake, England, myself and a group of amateurs were contesting Round 3 of the 2006 Deepwoods Golf Association Tour, at Guelph Lakes Golf & Country Club, in Guelph, Ontario.
Conditions in Hoylake were dry, and judging by the parched Royal Liverpool fairways, must have been that way for some time prior to the tournament. Watching on television, it looked like the course could have used some of the rain that fell in Guelph. We certainly had plenty to go around, and that was really the story of the day.
Before the skies opened up, it was shaping up as a see-saw round. A near birdie on the par-3 second hole was bookended by a triple bogey on the first hole and a quintuple bogey on the third. Yes, that's right, I said quintuple. Two balls into a pond and an excursion into some long fescue produced that outcome.
The rain started on the fourth hole and was coming down hard when I teed off on the fifth. I should have known I was in trouble with the wind pushing my practice swing all over the place. I forged ahead and launched two balls out of bounds. By the time I holed out, I had recorded another quintuple bogey. Yes, that's right, I said it again.
At that point, we took shelter in the nearby snack hut and waited for a break in the deluge. When it came, I rattled off a stretch of four bogeys and a birdie. The respite was short, as the heavy rain soon returned. With it, came a stretch of two triple bogeys and a quintuple bogey. Yes, that's right, I said it again.
The rain eased up, but persisted in some form for the remainder of the round. In the lighter rain, I had a stretch that included three bogeys and a par. Clearly, I let the heavy rain bother me.
Looking back, it's amazing I escaped with a score of 106.
Score: 106
Par: 71
Putts: 40
Fairways: 2
Greens: 4
Conditions in Hoylake were dry, and judging by the parched Royal Liverpool fairways, must have been that way for some time prior to the tournament. Watching on television, it looked like the course could have used some of the rain that fell in Guelph. We certainly had plenty to go around, and that was really the story of the day.
Before the skies opened up, it was shaping up as a see-saw round. A near birdie on the par-3 second hole was bookended by a triple bogey on the first hole and a quintuple bogey on the third. Yes, that's right, I said quintuple. Two balls into a pond and an excursion into some long fescue produced that outcome.
The rain started on the fourth hole and was coming down hard when I teed off on the fifth. I should have known I was in trouble with the wind pushing my practice swing all over the place. I forged ahead and launched two balls out of bounds. By the time I holed out, I had recorded another quintuple bogey. Yes, that's right, I said it again.
At that point, we took shelter in the nearby snack hut and waited for a break in the deluge. When it came, I rattled off a stretch of four bogeys and a birdie. The respite was short, as the heavy rain soon returned. With it, came a stretch of two triple bogeys and a quintuple bogey. Yes, that's right, I said it again.
The rain eased up, but persisted in some form for the remainder of the round. In the lighter rain, I had a stretch that included three bogeys and a par. Clearly, I let the heavy rain bother me.
Looking back, it's amazing I escaped with a score of 106.
Score: 106
Par: 71
Putts: 40
Fairways: 2
Greens: 4
July 18, 2006
Personal Best at Deer Creek
Success in golf is a bit of a foreign concept to me, so I'm not entirely sure how to react following my latest round at Deer Creek Golf Club, located in Ajax, Ontario. Following most rounds, I usually have to dig deep for positive things to build on. This time, I don't have to look any further than my final score - 90!
That may not sound particularly impressive to a lot of golfers, but for one that has scored less than 100 only eight other times, it represents a massive accomplishment. The result is even more impressive when you consider that my previous best was a score of 95, set just three weeks earlier. To improve my personal best by five strokes over such a short period of time is infinitely rewarding.
Playing the Sapphire nine at Deer Creek, things got off to a good start. After opening up with three consecutive bogeys, followed by two pars, I could sense that the round might be special. I faltered somewhat on holes five through nine, but regained my composure and played inspired golf throughout the Emerald nine.
Driver, irons, chipping and putting were all working reasonably well. There were a few mistakes, but nothing terribly costly. If I could bottle up the ingredients that produced this result, I would save them for future rounds. Let's hope this is the first of many similar rounds to come.
WOOHOO!
Score: 90
Par: 71
Putts: 34
Fairways: 7
Greens: 5
That may not sound particularly impressive to a lot of golfers, but for one that has scored less than 100 only eight other times, it represents a massive accomplishment. The result is even more impressive when you consider that my previous best was a score of 95, set just three weeks earlier. To improve my personal best by five strokes over such a short period of time is infinitely rewarding.
Playing the Sapphire nine at Deer Creek, things got off to a good start. After opening up with three consecutive bogeys, followed by two pars, I could sense that the round might be special. I faltered somewhat on holes five through nine, but regained my composure and played inspired golf throughout the Emerald nine.
Driver, irons, chipping and putting were all working reasonably well. There were a few mistakes, but nothing terribly costly. If I could bottle up the ingredients that produced this result, I would save them for future rounds. Let's hope this is the first of many similar rounds to come.
WOOHOO!
Score: 90
Par: 71
Putts: 34
Fairways: 7
Greens: 5
July 12, 2006
Return to Kedron Dells
Last Sunday marked the date of my first repeat visit to a golf course this year. The scene was Kedron Dells Golf Club, which I last played in early June. My final score this time around was 107, an eleven stroke improvement over the previous visit. Still, I was less than satisfied. At this stage in my development, anything over 100 has to be considered a failure.
Much like my round the day before at Grey Silo Golf Course, it was a mix of good and bad. I made at least one nice shot on every hole. Unfortunately, I couldn't string three or four nice shots together on a consistent basis. The seventh hole, a 341-yard par-4, and the sixteenth hole, a 333-yard par-4, were the only ones that yielded a par.
My best hole may have been the eleventh, even though the result was bogey. At 557 yards, this par-5 is straight as an arrow, with out-of-bounds along the left side. A driver, followed by two 3-woods carried the ball to the green in regulation. Pin-high, but on the other side of the large green, it took three putts to hole out.
The gutsiest shot of the day was my second on the fifteenth hole, a 307-yard par-4 with a severe dogleg to the right. My tee shot travelled about 160 yards, landing in the right side of the fairway. Since the dogleg is so severe, that position did not allow me to go directly at the green, unless I shot over a meandering creek and some very tall trees. I wasn't in the mood for playing conservatively, so that is precisely what I tried. When the ball disappeared over the trees, it looked promising. Sure enough, the ball came to rest just a few feet in front of the green, which I discovered as I rounded the bend.
Kedron Dells has always been somewhat of a nemesis for me, but I feel like I'm on the verge of figuring it out. We'll see what happens next time.
Score: 107
Par: 71
Putts: 40
Fairways: 4
Greens: 2
Much like my round the day before at Grey Silo Golf Course, it was a mix of good and bad. I made at least one nice shot on every hole. Unfortunately, I couldn't string three or four nice shots together on a consistent basis. The seventh hole, a 341-yard par-4, and the sixteenth hole, a 333-yard par-4, were the only ones that yielded a par.
My best hole may have been the eleventh, even though the result was bogey. At 557 yards, this par-5 is straight as an arrow, with out-of-bounds along the left side. A driver, followed by two 3-woods carried the ball to the green in regulation. Pin-high, but on the other side of the large green, it took three putts to hole out.
The gutsiest shot of the day was my second on the fifteenth hole, a 307-yard par-4 with a severe dogleg to the right. My tee shot travelled about 160 yards, landing in the right side of the fairway. Since the dogleg is so severe, that position did not allow me to go directly at the green, unless I shot over a meandering creek and some very tall trees. I wasn't in the mood for playing conservatively, so that is precisely what I tried. When the ball disappeared over the trees, it looked promising. Sure enough, the ball came to rest just a few feet in front of the green, which I discovered as I rounded the bend.
Kedron Dells has always been somewhat of a nemesis for me, but I feel like I'm on the verge of figuring it out. We'll see what happens next time.
Score: 107
Par: 71
Putts: 40
Fairways: 4
Greens: 2
July 09, 2006
Streak Ends at Grey Silo
Back-to-back rounds of sub-100 golf hardly qualify as a streak, but given my struggles this year, I have no problem taking some descriptive license. This past Saturday, I quickly ended the streak with a final score of 107 at Grey Silo Golf Course, located in Waterloo, Ontario.
It was another first-time visit to a course, but I can no longer use that as an excuse for poor play. After all, my two best rounds this year were played at courses I had never visited before. Weather conditions were ideal and the course itself was immaculate. Kudos to the grounds staff for keeping it in great condition.
Out of eighteen holes, seven resulted in bogeys and seven more in double-bogeys. Two holes produced triple-bogeys, while one produced a quadruple-bogey. So, what about the remaining hole? If you're good at math, you've probably figured out that it wasn't a birdie or par. In fact, it was a disastrous six-over-par.
Since it would take too long to describe all eleven strokes taken on the 442-yard par-5, lets just say it included a drive pulled into the bushes, a penalty stroke, a few duffs, a greenside bunker shot that nearly made it back to Toronto, and some questionable chip shots.
As bad as that hole was, there were some excellent shots made throughout the day, mostly with the driver and 3-wood. That combination put me in great shape to reach the green in regulation on the fourth hole, a 496-yard par-5. Unfortunately, my sand wedge from 75 yards drifted left of target and it took a chip and two putts to walk away with bogey.
Generally speaking, short approach shots and poor chipping let me down all day. All too often, I wasted a great drive or second shot with a wayward approach from 75 to 100 yards away. Seven penalties on the day did not help either.
Score: 107
Par: 71
Putts: 37
Fairways: 7
Greens: 1
It was another first-time visit to a course, but I can no longer use that as an excuse for poor play. After all, my two best rounds this year were played at courses I had never visited before. Weather conditions were ideal and the course itself was immaculate. Kudos to the grounds staff for keeping it in great condition.
Out of eighteen holes, seven resulted in bogeys and seven more in double-bogeys. Two holes produced triple-bogeys, while one produced a quadruple-bogey. So, what about the remaining hole? If you're good at math, you've probably figured out that it wasn't a birdie or par. In fact, it was a disastrous six-over-par.
Since it would take too long to describe all eleven strokes taken on the 442-yard par-5, lets just say it included a drive pulled into the bushes, a penalty stroke, a few duffs, a greenside bunker shot that nearly made it back to Toronto, and some questionable chip shots.
As bad as that hole was, there were some excellent shots made throughout the day, mostly with the driver and 3-wood. That combination put me in great shape to reach the green in regulation on the fourth hole, a 496-yard par-5. Unfortunately, my sand wedge from 75 yards drifted left of target and it took a chip and two putts to walk away with bogey.
Generally speaking, short approach shots and poor chipping let me down all day. All too often, I wasted a great drive or second shot with a wayward approach from 75 to 100 yards away. Seven penalties on the day did not help either.
Score: 107
Par: 71
Putts: 37
Fairways: 7
Greens: 1
July 03, 2006
More Nineties at Ballantrae
Maples of Ballantrae, located in Stouffville, Ontario, was the scene of my most recent golfing exploits during the Canada Day long weekend. On the heels of a best ever 95 at BraeBen Golf Course, the positive streak continued with a 97, good enough to tie for my third best score ever.
The round got off to a lucky start on the first hole, a 323-yard par-4 that requires an opening drive over a pond to a narrow fairway cut through deep woods. My tee shot cleared the water, but drifted right to the wrong side of the trees. An opening in the trees presented a clear path back to the fairway, but I launched the ensuing pitching wedge clear across the short grass. Fortunately, I hit a tree trunk dead on, and the ball bounced straight back into the fairway. After a lovely pitching wedge to the green and a nice putt, I actually saved par.
The next hole of note was the twelfth, a 362-yard par-4. My drive off the tee was straight, but only travelled 185 yards, as it popped high into the air. However, my next two shots were things of beauty. Gripping my 4-iron, I stood over the ball and launched a perfect shot to the centre of the green, 177 yards away. Next, I rolled a 15-foot putt into the centre of the cup for a textbook birdie, only my third of the year.
The 16th hole, a 444-yard par-5, also featured a fabulous shot with the 4-iron. After popping another drive straight into the air and chunking a 3-wood, I was right of the fairway, 180 yards away from the green. Trees prevented me from taking dead aim at the center of the green, so I set my sights on the left edge. With the 4-iron in hand, I launched a shot right on target. The ball came to rest on the left fringe and two putts later, I had salvaged par.
The only adventures of the day occurred on the final two holes. The 17th hole, in my opinion, is the toughest on the course. Golfers have to make two perfect shots to reach the green in regulation, as the entire length of the fairway is lined by thick woods on both sides. I could not avoid the trees and finished with a quadruple bogey.
The 18th hole is a 162-yard par-3 over a large pond. Standing on the tee box, I could not help but think of my opening round of the year at Banty's Roost, where two consecutive shots into the water on the final hole turned a sure sub-100 round into a 102. It was a bad thought to have, as I proceeded to plunk one right into the drink. Luckily, my second attempt made it over. Though I finished with a triple bogey, I walked away with the real prize -- another round in the nineties.
Things are looking good.
Score: 97
Par: 72
Putts: 32
Fairways: 5
Greens: 1
The round got off to a lucky start on the first hole, a 323-yard par-4 that requires an opening drive over a pond to a narrow fairway cut through deep woods. My tee shot cleared the water, but drifted right to the wrong side of the trees. An opening in the trees presented a clear path back to the fairway, but I launched the ensuing pitching wedge clear across the short grass. Fortunately, I hit a tree trunk dead on, and the ball bounced straight back into the fairway. After a lovely pitching wedge to the green and a nice putt, I actually saved par.
The next hole of note was the twelfth, a 362-yard par-4. My drive off the tee was straight, but only travelled 185 yards, as it popped high into the air. However, my next two shots were things of beauty. Gripping my 4-iron, I stood over the ball and launched a perfect shot to the centre of the green, 177 yards away. Next, I rolled a 15-foot putt into the centre of the cup for a textbook birdie, only my third of the year.
The 16th hole, a 444-yard par-5, also featured a fabulous shot with the 4-iron. After popping another drive straight into the air and chunking a 3-wood, I was right of the fairway, 180 yards away from the green. Trees prevented me from taking dead aim at the center of the green, so I set my sights on the left edge. With the 4-iron in hand, I launched a shot right on target. The ball came to rest on the left fringe and two putts later, I had salvaged par.
The only adventures of the day occurred on the final two holes. The 17th hole, in my opinion, is the toughest on the course. Golfers have to make two perfect shots to reach the green in regulation, as the entire length of the fairway is lined by thick woods on both sides. I could not avoid the trees and finished with a quadruple bogey.
The 18th hole is a 162-yard par-3 over a large pond. Standing on the tee box, I could not help but think of my opening round of the year at Banty's Roost, where two consecutive shots into the water on the final hole turned a sure sub-100 round into a 102. It was a bad thought to have, as I proceeded to plunk one right into the drink. Luckily, my second attempt made it over. Though I finished with a triple bogey, I walked away with the real prize -- another round in the nineties.
Things are looking good.
Score: 97
Par: 72
Putts: 32
Fairways: 5
Greens: 1
June 28, 2006
Best Score Ever at BraeBen
My goal for the 2006 golf season was to score less than 100 on a more consistent basis. I did it twice in 2004 and four times in 2005, so I figured I was heading in the right direction. Doubling my number of sub-100 rounds from the previous year did not seem unreasonable.
After fourteen consecutive rounds resulting in a score of 100 or more, it was beginning to look like that goal was unachievable. A fantastic round at BraeBen Golf Course, located in Mississauga, Ontario has changed all that. Not only did I break 100, I also compiled my best score ever -- a very satisfying 95.
Prior to that, my best score ever was a 96 at Kleinburg Golf Club, located in Kleinburg, Ontario. I remember it well because I shot 51 on the front nine, followed by nine consecutive bogeys on the back. As far as consistency goes, it remains one of my best stretches.
So, what accounted for my success at BraeBen? If I really knew, I would probably have a lot more sub-100 rounds under my belt, but here are some theories. For the first time ever, I played a course entirely by myself. In addition, from the first tee to the 18th green, I did not encounter any groups, either ahead or behind me. Perhaps the absence of pressure, however slight, enabled me to play relaxed golf. Or, maybe I played well because I moved along entirely at my own pace. The fact is, I never stood around waiting for others to shoot, and I never felt rushed. Think about it.
Before I finish, I should mention a disclaimer of sorts. My round at BraeBen was played from the white tees, which measure a mere 5501 yards. From the gold tees, the course measures 6003 yards, which is comparable to the courses I typically play. I opted to play from the white tees because this was my first ever visit to BraeBen and because of the stiff winds that prevail on this links-style course, which was built on the site of a former landfill. If I go back to BraeBen, I will play from the gold, to find out how much of a difference the extra 500 yards really make.
Score: 95
Par: 72
Putts: 40
Fairways: 5
Greens: 4
After fourteen consecutive rounds resulting in a score of 100 or more, it was beginning to look like that goal was unachievable. A fantastic round at BraeBen Golf Course, located in Mississauga, Ontario has changed all that. Not only did I break 100, I also compiled my best score ever -- a very satisfying 95.
Prior to that, my best score ever was a 96 at Kleinburg Golf Club, located in Kleinburg, Ontario. I remember it well because I shot 51 on the front nine, followed by nine consecutive bogeys on the back. As far as consistency goes, it remains one of my best stretches.
So, what accounted for my success at BraeBen? If I really knew, I would probably have a lot more sub-100 rounds under my belt, but here are some theories. For the first time ever, I played a course entirely by myself. In addition, from the first tee to the 18th green, I did not encounter any groups, either ahead or behind me. Perhaps the absence of pressure, however slight, enabled me to play relaxed golf. Or, maybe I played well because I moved along entirely at my own pace. The fact is, I never stood around waiting for others to shoot, and I never felt rushed. Think about it.
Before I finish, I should mention a disclaimer of sorts. My round at BraeBen was played from the white tees, which measure a mere 5501 yards. From the gold tees, the course measures 6003 yards, which is comparable to the courses I typically play. I opted to play from the white tees because this was my first ever visit to BraeBen and because of the stiff winds that prevail on this links-style course, which was built on the site of a former landfill. If I go back to BraeBen, I will play from the gold, to find out how much of a difference the extra 500 yards really make.
Score: 95
Par: 72
Putts: 40
Fairways: 5
Greens: 4
June 27, 2006
Promise at Peninsula Lakes
Round Two of the 2006 Deepwoods Golf Association Tour was held last weekend at Peninsula Lakes Golf Club, located in Fenwick, right in the heart of Ontario's Niagara region. Round One at Copetown Woods was a debacle, so I was very anxious to turn things around. Coming off an encouraging round at Bushwood, I was in the right frame of mind to do so.
Prior to the round, I spent some time on the driving range loosening up. Based on the way I was hitting my irons, there was reason for concern. I was hitting too many shots "fat" and I could tell from my divots that my swing was following an outside-in path. I tried to make adjustments, then switched to my driver, which seemed to be working well.
It's a good thing I got the bad shots out of my system on the range. Out on the course, I had virtually none of the same problems. That's not to say that all my iron shots were perfect. The frequency of errors however, was reduced. Meanwhile, my driver shots remained solid.
What really helped me on the day was my short game. By far, this was my best chipping and putting round of the year. The two really go hand-in-hand, as good chip shots can really make putting a whole lot easier. With my chips stopping consistently in the vicinity of the hole, I managed to limit total putts to 34, including four one-putts. When my first putt missed, I was usually inches away from the hole for an easy tap-in.
Score: 102
Par: 71
Putts: 34
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
Prior to the round, I spent some time on the driving range loosening up. Based on the way I was hitting my irons, there was reason for concern. I was hitting too many shots "fat" and I could tell from my divots that my swing was following an outside-in path. I tried to make adjustments, then switched to my driver, which seemed to be working well.
It's a good thing I got the bad shots out of my system on the range. Out on the course, I had virtually none of the same problems. That's not to say that all my iron shots were perfect. The frequency of errors however, was reduced. Meanwhile, my driver shots remained solid.
What really helped me on the day was my short game. By far, this was my best chipping and putting round of the year. The two really go hand-in-hand, as good chip shots can really make putting a whole lot easier. With my chips stopping consistently in the vicinity of the hole, I managed to limit total putts to 34, including four one-putts. When my first putt missed, I was usually inches away from the hole for an easy tap-in.
Score: 102
Par: 71
Putts: 34
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
June 19, 2006
Signs of Hope at Bushwood
Of the dozen rounds of golf I've played so far this year, four were at courses I had never visited before. Not surprisingly, those courses accounted for some of my worst performances. A return to familiar territory was in order, so I headed out to Bushwood Golf Club, located in Markham, Ontario.
My final score was 107, which is better than some of my recent scores, but far from where I want to be at this stage in my development. Despite the score, I walked off the 18th green feeling pretty good about the round. Mixed in with the usual mistakes were a lot of positive things to build on.
For one thing, I regained control of my driver, hitting seven of fifteen fairways. I rattled off two great ones on the second and third holes. My approach shot on the second hole was a tad long, and that on the third a tad short. In both cases, the result was bogey, as I required a chip and two putts to hole out.
On the fourth hole, my driver failed me, but I made up for it with some pretty iron play. After topping the ball on my first shot, I hit a perfect 7-iron to the middle of the fairway, followed by a pitching wedge that landed safely beyond a bunker, right on the green. Two putts later, I had saved bogey.
It was a similar situation on the tenth hole. After a scary tee shot that pulled and hooked to the other side of kingdom come, I hit the same combination of 7-iron and pitching wedge, ending up pin-high, just off the green. A chip and a putt later, I was glad to salvage double-bogey.
Holes eleven and twelve were particularly fun and featured some great shots. Having popped my tee shot on eleven straight into the air, I faced a difficlut second shot. My target was a very narrow patch of fairway flanked by a pond on the left and out of bounds on the right. My 5-wood served me well, producing exactly the desired result. From there it was a chip and two putts to once again score bogey.
The twelfth hole was the only one that produced a par. It came after a laser-like drive to the center of the fairway and a pitching wedge that landed within ten feet of the hole. My birdie putt missed by inches, so I had to settle for a tap-in par.
Score: 107
Par: 72
Putts: 40
Fairways: 7
Greens: 1
My final score was 107, which is better than some of my recent scores, but far from where I want to be at this stage in my development. Despite the score, I walked off the 18th green feeling pretty good about the round. Mixed in with the usual mistakes were a lot of positive things to build on.
For one thing, I regained control of my driver, hitting seven of fifteen fairways. I rattled off two great ones on the second and third holes. My approach shot on the second hole was a tad long, and that on the third a tad short. In both cases, the result was bogey, as I required a chip and two putts to hole out.
On the fourth hole, my driver failed me, but I made up for it with some pretty iron play. After topping the ball on my first shot, I hit a perfect 7-iron to the middle of the fairway, followed by a pitching wedge that landed safely beyond a bunker, right on the green. Two putts later, I had saved bogey.
It was a similar situation on the tenth hole. After a scary tee shot that pulled and hooked to the other side of kingdom come, I hit the same combination of 7-iron and pitching wedge, ending up pin-high, just off the green. A chip and a putt later, I was glad to salvage double-bogey.
Holes eleven and twelve were particularly fun and featured some great shots. Having popped my tee shot on eleven straight into the air, I faced a difficlut second shot. My target was a very narrow patch of fairway flanked by a pond on the left and out of bounds on the right. My 5-wood served me well, producing exactly the desired result. From there it was a chip and two putts to once again score bogey.
The twelfth hole was the only one that produced a par. It came after a laser-like drive to the center of the fairway and a pitching wedge that landed within ten feet of the hole. My birdie putt missed by inches, so I had to settle for a tap-in par.
Score: 107
Par: 72
Putts: 40
Fairways: 7
Greens: 1
June 18, 2006
Taming Mystic's Hydra
In Greek mythology, the Hydra was a multi-headed monster that lived in the swamps near the ancient city of Lerna. In the second of his twelve labours, Heracles set out to kill the Hydra, which was easier said than done. Each time he severed one of the Hydra's heads, two would quickly grow in its place.
At Mystic Golf Club, located in Ancaster, Ontario, Hydra is the name given to the men's front set of tees. At 6,096 yards, playing from these tees is a respectable challenge. Golfers feeling particularly Herculean can try their luck from the Dragon tees (6,713 yards) or the Griffin tees (7365 yards), which demand accuracy as well as distance.
I played from the Hydra tees on Saturday and as it turned out, the name was very appropriate. Time after time, a single stroke turned into two on my scorecard, due to the addition of penalties. It happened fifteen times over eighteen holes, which pretty much sums up my round.
Most of those penalties occurred when I failed to carry the ball over brush-covered ravines. Course architect Tom Pearson either loves forced carries, or the property simply lends itself to them. Almost every hole features a forced carry or two, which easily intimidate the weekend hack.
It's a shame, because I spent about 45 minutes on the driving range prior to the round and hit some wonderful balls. I guess I need to work on the mental part of the game, as well as the mechanical.
Score: 119
Par: 72
Putts: 40
Fairways: 1
Greens: 3
At Mystic Golf Club, located in Ancaster, Ontario, Hydra is the name given to the men's front set of tees. At 6,096 yards, playing from these tees is a respectable challenge. Golfers feeling particularly Herculean can try their luck from the Dragon tees (6,713 yards) or the Griffin tees (7365 yards), which demand accuracy as well as distance.
I played from the Hydra tees on Saturday and as it turned out, the name was very appropriate. Time after time, a single stroke turned into two on my scorecard, due to the addition of penalties. It happened fifteen times over eighteen holes, which pretty much sums up my round.
Most of those penalties occurred when I failed to carry the ball over brush-covered ravines. Course architect Tom Pearson either loves forced carries, or the property simply lends itself to them. Almost every hole features a forced carry or two, which easily intimidate the weekend hack.
It's a shame, because I spent about 45 minutes on the driving range prior to the round and hit some wonderful balls. I guess I need to work on the mental part of the game, as well as the mechanical.
Score: 119
Par: 72
Putts: 40
Fairways: 1
Greens: 3
June 11, 2006
Par-3 Fun at Saw-Whet
It's a good thing I delayed my latest round of golf by one day. There was a chill in the air on Saturday and the wind was brisk at 35 km/hr, with gusts exceeding 55 km/hr. Twenty-four hours later, it was much warmer and the fierce wind had subsided.
Thankful that the weather became more favourable, I set out for an early morning round at Saw-Whet Golf Course, located in Oakville, Ontario. Saw-Whet is a nice course for beginners and bogey golfers, owing to its generous fairways, sparse hazzards and generally flat terrain. On this occasion, it was also in fine condition.
On the front nine, my putting was nothing to write home about. A four-putt on the first hole spoiled a good drive and approach shot that came to rest on the fringe at the back of the green. On the ninth hole, I completed the bookend with another ghastly four-putt. Pin placements contributed to my putting adventures, with most holes cut at the very front or very back of the green.
Aside from a couple of meltdowns on the par-5 ninth and tenth holes, I actually played respectable golf for most of the round. Most encouraging of all, was my play on par-3 holes, which produced two pars and two bogeys. The best of these was the 160-yard 15th, which plays across a pond by the entrance to the course. I hit a lovely shot into the wind that landed pin-high, ten feet from the hole. My birdie putt just missed, leaving an easy tap-in for par.
Score: 110
Par: 71
Putts: 42
Fairways: 3
Greens: 3
Thankful that the weather became more favourable, I set out for an early morning round at Saw-Whet Golf Course, located in Oakville, Ontario. Saw-Whet is a nice course for beginners and bogey golfers, owing to its generous fairways, sparse hazzards and generally flat terrain. On this occasion, it was also in fine condition.
On the front nine, my putting was nothing to write home about. A four-putt on the first hole spoiled a good drive and approach shot that came to rest on the fringe at the back of the green. On the ninth hole, I completed the bookend with another ghastly four-putt. Pin placements contributed to my putting adventures, with most holes cut at the very front or very back of the green.
Aside from a couple of meltdowns on the par-5 ninth and tenth holes, I actually played respectable golf for most of the round. Most encouraging of all, was my play on par-3 holes, which produced two pars and two bogeys. The best of these was the 160-yard 15th, which plays across a pond by the entrance to the course. I hit a lovely shot into the wind that landed pin-high, ten feet from the hole. My birdie putt just missed, leaving an easy tap-in for par.
Score: 110
Par: 71
Putts: 42
Fairways: 3
Greens: 3
June 09, 2006
Contrasts at Kedron Dells
A few days after my visit to the driving range, it was time to see if the practice would pay off, so I gathered my clubs and ventured out to Kedron Dells Golf Club, located in Oshawa, Ontario.
Kedron Dells is a study in contrasts. The front nine is long, but fairly wide open; the back nine is comparatively short, but demands greater precision. The contrast provides an enjoyable challenge, whether you're a bogey golfer or low handicapper.
Things started out fairly well on the first hole, which at 572 yards, is the longest on the course. My drive landed just left of the fairway, but my second shot landed right back in the heart of the good grass. I topped my third shot, so I required a fourth to get near the green. From there it was a chip and two putts for a double bogey. That's not great, but I've fared much worse on this hole when I've gotten into the trees on either side of the fairway.
That's exactly what happened on the sixth hole, a 493-yard par-5. My tee shot found the trees on the left side of the fairway and it took two chips just to get the ball back in the fairway. My fourth shot carried well, but this time found the trees on the right side of the fairway. It took a low punch shot just to get back in the open, en route to a quadruple bogey. Ouch!
Penalty strokes cost me dearly throughout the round. I lost a total of six balls, including four on the back nine. However, there were a few encouraging moments. I hit a beautiful drive on the 16th hole, leaving 120 yards to the green on my second shot. Though I faltered on the approach and then on a less-than-stellar pitch shot, I made up for it with a 40-foot putt for par. Sweet!
I also played the 17th hole, a 526-yard par-5, as well as I ever have. After two shots across the steeply banked fairway, I was merely 150 yards from the green. Unfortunately, that placed the ball on a steep downhill lie, which made it difficult to get the loft needed to clear a creek crossing in front of the green. My attempt to punch a 5-wood into the hill on the other side of the creek failed, but just barely. The error cost me a penalty stroke, but I was still happy to finish with a double bogey.
Score: 118
Par: 71
Putts: 35
Fairways: 5
Greens: 0
Kedron Dells is a study in contrasts. The front nine is long, but fairly wide open; the back nine is comparatively short, but demands greater precision. The contrast provides an enjoyable challenge, whether you're a bogey golfer or low handicapper.
Things started out fairly well on the first hole, which at 572 yards, is the longest on the course. My drive landed just left of the fairway, but my second shot landed right back in the heart of the good grass. I topped my third shot, so I required a fourth to get near the green. From there it was a chip and two putts for a double bogey. That's not great, but I've fared much worse on this hole when I've gotten into the trees on either side of the fairway.
That's exactly what happened on the sixth hole, a 493-yard par-5. My tee shot found the trees on the left side of the fairway and it took two chips just to get the ball back in the fairway. My fourth shot carried well, but this time found the trees on the right side of the fairway. It took a low punch shot just to get back in the open, en route to a quadruple bogey. Ouch!
Penalty strokes cost me dearly throughout the round. I lost a total of six balls, including four on the back nine. However, there were a few encouraging moments. I hit a beautiful drive on the 16th hole, leaving 120 yards to the green on my second shot. Though I faltered on the approach and then on a less-than-stellar pitch shot, I made up for it with a 40-foot putt for par. Sweet!
I also played the 17th hole, a 526-yard par-5, as well as I ever have. After two shots across the steeply banked fairway, I was merely 150 yards from the green. Unfortunately, that placed the ball on a steep downhill lie, which made it difficult to get the loft needed to clear a creek crossing in front of the green. My attempt to punch a 5-wood into the hill on the other side of the creek failed, but just barely. The error cost me a penalty stroke, but I was still happy to finish with a double bogey.
Score: 118
Par: 71
Putts: 35
Fairways: 5
Greens: 0
June 03, 2006
The Practice Tee Beckons
Here we are, two months into the 2006 golf season, and I have yet to post anything about my trips to the driving range. If I'm trying to inch closer to the elusive score of par, as the name of this blog suggests, you would think my practice trips deserve as much attention as rounds played, or perhaps even more. After all, the range is where you eliminate bad habits and develop good ones.
It's not that I've neglected to chronicle my experience at the driving range this season. The fact is, I haven't even been to the range, except for a pre-round warm-up when I played at Bloomington Downs. Incidentally, that was my best round of the season so far, which goes to show that time spent on the range really does pay dividends.
Two consecutive rounds of 124 reminded me that I should visit the driving range, so on Thursday evening I ventured out to The Practice Tee, a grass range located in Mississauga, Ontario.
I took up position alongside my fellow hacks and began with a pitching wedge. After about ten shots, a look at my divots revealed an interesting pattern. Not only were the divots deep, they were all angled toward the left. For a right-handed player such as myself, that means my swing was starting outside and moving inside at impact. No wonder the bulk of my missed shots in previous rounds were "fat" (i.e. where the clubhead strikes the ground before the ball).
The funny thing is, my practice swings were completely different. Looking down after each practice swing, I would see a very light divot, perfectly aligned with the target line. For some reason, I was not replicating this swing when a ball was introduced. I spent the rest of the evening trying to think of real shots as just another practice swing, which seemed to help.
Besides the pitching wedge, I worked on the same things with a 7-iron and 4-iron. When the sun went down and the mosquitoes came out, I hit a few balls with the 5-wood, then called it quits.
Bring on the next round!
It's not that I've neglected to chronicle my experience at the driving range this season. The fact is, I haven't even been to the range, except for a pre-round warm-up when I played at Bloomington Downs. Incidentally, that was my best round of the season so far, which goes to show that time spent on the range really does pay dividends.
Two consecutive rounds of 124 reminded me that I should visit the driving range, so on Thursday evening I ventured out to The Practice Tee, a grass range located in Mississauga, Ontario.
I took up position alongside my fellow hacks and began with a pitching wedge. After about ten shots, a look at my divots revealed an interesting pattern. Not only were the divots deep, they were all angled toward the left. For a right-handed player such as myself, that means my swing was starting outside and moving inside at impact. No wonder the bulk of my missed shots in previous rounds were "fat" (i.e. where the clubhead strikes the ground before the ball).
The funny thing is, my practice swings were completely different. Looking down after each practice swing, I would see a very light divot, perfectly aligned with the target line. For some reason, I was not replicating this swing when a ball was introduced. I spent the rest of the evening trying to think of real shots as just another practice swing, which seemed to help.
Besides the pitching wedge, I worked on the same things with a 7-iron and 4-iron. When the sun went down and the mosquitoes came out, I hit a few balls with the 5-wood, then called it quits.
Bring on the next round!
May 30, 2006
Coping at Copetown Woods
Consistency is something every golfer strives for. Following my latest round at Copetwon Woods Golf Club, you might say that I've played very consistently over the last couple of weeks. If you meant I was consistently bad, you'd be exactly right.
Located in Copetown, Ontario, Copetown Woods is a links style course featuring few trees, plenty of water and gigantic waste bunkers. On Sunday, it was the scene of the opening round for the 2006 Deepwoods golf tournament. It was also the scene of a horrible performance, courtesy of yours truly.
For the second week in a row, I compiled an embarassing score of 124. To put that into perspective, consider the fact that 124 is the kind of score I routinely compiled when I first took up golf five years ago. I don't know the exact number, but I've probably played more than 125 rounds since then. Apparently, that hasn't been enough to iron out the kinks. I will be visiting the driving range this week in an attempt to fix the problem.
If there is a silver lining to the story, it is the fact that my shoulder remained intact after the visit to Copetown Woods. Though I felt discomfort on certain shots, the shoulder felt much better than it did a week earlier at Hockley Valley. Heat treatments and extensive stretching seem to have helped.
Score: 124
Par: 72
Putts: 39
Fairways: 6
Greens: 1
Located in Copetown, Ontario, Copetown Woods is a links style course featuring few trees, plenty of water and gigantic waste bunkers. On Sunday, it was the scene of the opening round for the 2006 Deepwoods golf tournament. It was also the scene of a horrible performance, courtesy of yours truly.
For the second week in a row, I compiled an embarassing score of 124. To put that into perspective, consider the fact that 124 is the kind of score I routinely compiled when I first took up golf five years ago. I don't know the exact number, but I've probably played more than 125 rounds since then. Apparently, that hasn't been enough to iron out the kinks. I will be visiting the driving range this week in an attempt to fix the problem.
If there is a silver lining to the story, it is the fact that my shoulder remained intact after the visit to Copetown Woods. Though I felt discomfort on certain shots, the shoulder felt much better than it did a week earlier at Hockley Valley. Heat treatments and extensive stretching seem to have helped.
Score: 124
Par: 72
Putts: 39
Fairways: 6
Greens: 1
May 23, 2006
Hockley Valley Massacre
Tackling a golf course you've never played before is always tough, so I approached my latest round at Hockley Valley Resort with some trepidation. Located in Orangeville, Ontario, Hockley Valley features eighteen holes of golf, neatly carved from rugged terrain. Massive elevation changes offer dramatic vistas and tend to complicate club selection, especially in windy conditions. Thick vegetation conceals any balls that stray too far from the fairways.
Early on, I was a victim of inconsistent putting surfaces. The green on the first hole was the slowest I've experienced all season. By comparison, the green on the second hole was blazingly fast. I three-putted three of the first four holes en route to a 43-putt performance, my worst of the season.
Though my problems began with putting, they quickly spread to other parts of the game. I lost balls on the seventh, eighth and ninth holes, either through errant tee shots or wayward approaches. Penalty strokes piled up quickly and it became clear this was going to be one of those "character-building" rounds.
I hesitate to use it as an excuse, but one of the factors that contributed to my poor play from the sixth hole onward was a distinct pain in my right shoulder. I had been playing with the pain for at least a month, but prior to this round it was only a mild pain that did not affect my swing. The apparent deterioration of the shoulder is now a major concern. As someone who has battled ankle and knee injuries over the last few years, I know all too well that these things can linger.
The timing of the injury could not be worse, since the DeepWoods golf tournament, my first taste of competitive golf, kicks off next weekend. Five rounds are contested on the DeepWoods tour, all at courses I have never played before. Needless to say, an injury was the last thing I needed.
Score: 124
Par: 70
Putts: 43
Fairways: 0
Greens: 0
Early on, I was a victim of inconsistent putting surfaces. The green on the first hole was the slowest I've experienced all season. By comparison, the green on the second hole was blazingly fast. I three-putted three of the first four holes en route to a 43-putt performance, my worst of the season.
Though my problems began with putting, they quickly spread to other parts of the game. I lost balls on the seventh, eighth and ninth holes, either through errant tee shots or wayward approaches. Penalty strokes piled up quickly and it became clear this was going to be one of those "character-building" rounds.
I hesitate to use it as an excuse, but one of the factors that contributed to my poor play from the sixth hole onward was a distinct pain in my right shoulder. I had been playing with the pain for at least a month, but prior to this round it was only a mild pain that did not affect my swing. The apparent deterioration of the shoulder is now a major concern. As someone who has battled ankle and knee injuries over the last few years, I know all too well that these things can linger.
The timing of the injury could not be worse, since the DeepWoods golf tournament, my first taste of competitive golf, kicks off next weekend. Five rounds are contested on the DeepWoods tour, all at courses I have never played before. Needless to say, an injury was the last thing I needed.
Score: 124
Par: 70
Putts: 43
Fairways: 0
Greens: 0
May 13, 2006
Par-5 Fun at Cardinal Golf Club
Would you like to shave a few strokes off your golf score? Since I can't imagine a single person answering "no" to that question, allow me to make a simple suggestion. Try keeping a journal of your golf outings, especially if you play just once a week or less. Since I began documenting my golf performance on chasingpar.blogspot.com, I've noticed that I'm usually better prepared for upcoming rounds. A day or two before a game, I simply take a few minutes to review my previous posts, reminding myself what went right and what went wrong in previous weeks.
It definitely helped me today, playing at Cardinal Golf Club, located in Kettleby, Ontario. Cardinal boasts two 18-hole championship courses and a shorter, executive course. I played the East Course, which features significant elevation changes on the front nine, and some tree-lined fairways on the back nine. It may have been my best round of the season, even if it wasn't my best score.
Right off the bat, I paid particular attention to my driving, since I did not want to repeat the same mistakes I made a week earlier at Granite Ridge Golf Club. My backswing is always rather slow, but I slowed it down even more, being sure to draw the clubhead back low to the ground in order to maintain a wide arc. At the top of my backswing, I eased into the swing gradually, rather than jerking the club forward. As a result, I hit 6 of 14 fairways, with no drop-off in distance.
I also managed the game well, playing within my ability and making smart decisions, unlike I did two weeks ago at Hunters' Glen Golf Club. Consider what transpired at the sixteenth hole, a 321-yard, par-4 that doglegs left. My 3-wood off the tee popped straight into the air and landed left of the fairway behind a row of trees. Next, I could have punched a 3-iron through the trees in the direction of the green, but elected to punch the ball sideways into the open fairway. Still 180 yards away from the pin, I could have gone for the green, but that meant flirting with more trees on the left side of the fairway. Instead, I punched another low one to the right side of the fairway past the dogleg. From there it was a short pitch and two putts for a double bogey. That's not great, but it could have been a lot worse after the unlucky tee shot.
Overall, it was a satisfying round. Two quadruple bogeys and a triple bogey on three of the par-5 holes did not dampen my spirits. With the exception of the straightforward tenth, the par-5 holes at Cardinal's East Course are quite a challenge, even for the experienced golfer. There's no shame in succumbing to the elevated green on the first hole, a blind second shot on the eighth, or a tree-lined fairway on the twelfth.
Score: 102
Par: 72
Putts: 39
Fairways: 6
Greens: 3
It definitely helped me today, playing at Cardinal Golf Club, located in Kettleby, Ontario. Cardinal boasts two 18-hole championship courses and a shorter, executive course. I played the East Course, which features significant elevation changes on the front nine, and some tree-lined fairways on the back nine. It may have been my best round of the season, even if it wasn't my best score.
Right off the bat, I paid particular attention to my driving, since I did not want to repeat the same mistakes I made a week earlier at Granite Ridge Golf Club. My backswing is always rather slow, but I slowed it down even more, being sure to draw the clubhead back low to the ground in order to maintain a wide arc. At the top of my backswing, I eased into the swing gradually, rather than jerking the club forward. As a result, I hit 6 of 14 fairways, with no drop-off in distance.
I also managed the game well, playing within my ability and making smart decisions, unlike I did two weeks ago at Hunters' Glen Golf Club. Consider what transpired at the sixteenth hole, a 321-yard, par-4 that doglegs left. My 3-wood off the tee popped straight into the air and landed left of the fairway behind a row of trees. Next, I could have punched a 3-iron through the trees in the direction of the green, but elected to punch the ball sideways into the open fairway. Still 180 yards away from the pin, I could have gone for the green, but that meant flirting with more trees on the left side of the fairway. Instead, I punched another low one to the right side of the fairway past the dogleg. From there it was a short pitch and two putts for a double bogey. That's not great, but it could have been a lot worse after the unlucky tee shot.
Overall, it was a satisfying round. Two quadruple bogeys and a triple bogey on three of the par-5 holes did not dampen my spirits. With the exception of the straightforward tenth, the par-5 holes at Cardinal's East Course are quite a challenge, even for the experienced golfer. There's no shame in succumbing to the elevated green on the first hole, a blind second shot on the eighth, or a tree-lined fairway on the twelfth.
Score: 102
Par: 72
Putts: 39
Fairways: 6
Greens: 3
May 08, 2006
Deja Vu at Granite Ridge
My latest round of golf was played at Granite Ridge Golf Club, a 36-hole facility nestled at the foot of the Niagara Escarpment in Milton, Ontario. The Escarpment looms noticeably over the property, particularly over the Ruby course, which flanks its western boundary. At 6004 yards from the back tees, Ruby is not very long, but undulating greens and the odd hazard keep it challenging.
It's a familiar setting for me, as I usually get out to Granite Ridge a couple of times per season. On this particular occasion, more than the setting seemed familiar. I experienced a distinct sense of deja vu as I walked off the 18th green, having compiled a less-than-inspirational score of 104. Six rounds into the 2006 season and I have yet to score in double digits.
As I see it, three factors contributed to the inflated outcome. First and foremost was my driving ability. After some early season success with the TaylorMade r580 driver, I found it difficult to strike the ball consistently. My old driver produced an ugly but predictable slice, which I could compensate for by aiming left of the target. I have yet to learn the nuances of the new driver, so my tee shots varied wildly from dead straight to wicked pull.
Aside from horrible tee shots, I also had some difficulty with distance control on approach shots. More often than not, I landed the ball on the center or back of the green, only to watch it bounce or roll off the back edge. That wouldn't be terrible if I happened to be chipping well, but that part of my game was also hit and miss.
The highlight of the round was a 270-yard drive on the 14th hole, thanks to a paved cart path and a lucky first bounce.
Score: 104
Par: 70
Putts: 35
Fairways: 5
Greens: 1
It's a familiar setting for me, as I usually get out to Granite Ridge a couple of times per season. On this particular occasion, more than the setting seemed familiar. I experienced a distinct sense of deja vu as I walked off the 18th green, having compiled a less-than-inspirational score of 104. Six rounds into the 2006 season and I have yet to score in double digits.
As I see it, three factors contributed to the inflated outcome. First and foremost was my driving ability. After some early season success with the TaylorMade r580 driver, I found it difficult to strike the ball consistently. My old driver produced an ugly but predictable slice, which I could compensate for by aiming left of the target. I have yet to learn the nuances of the new driver, so my tee shots varied wildly from dead straight to wicked pull.
Aside from horrible tee shots, I also had some difficulty with distance control on approach shots. More often than not, I landed the ball on the center or back of the green, only to watch it bounce or roll off the back edge. That wouldn't be terrible if I happened to be chipping well, but that part of my game was also hit and miss.
The highlight of the round was a 270-yard drive on the 14th hole, thanks to a paved cart path and a lucky first bounce.
Score: 104
Par: 70
Putts: 35
Fairways: 5
Greens: 1
May 01, 2006
Tree Hugging at Hunters' Glen
A good golfer will tell you that managing the game is as important as making good shots. Knowing what shots to make and when to make them can keep you out of trouble and improve your performance. For some reason, this simple truth eluded me as I played the second round of a double-header at Hunters' Glen Golf course, located in Kleinburg, Ontario.
Though I compiled my worst score of the season, a lot of things went right. To begin with, my short game was better than it has been in a while. I felt very comfortable with the pitching wedge in my hands, whether approaching from 100 yards out, or chipping from just off the green. Putting was even better, as I had no difficulty judging speed or line.
My trouble on this occasion was really game management. Errant shots on a couple of holes put me behind some trees. With very little chance of advancing the ball, I should have punched some shots sideways into the open fairways. Instead, I tried to make up for the errant shots by attacking in the direction of the greens.
The penalty for my stubborness was considerable time spent in the trees, a pair of quadruple bogeys, and a quintuple bogey to top it all off! Let's just chalk it up as a learning experience and move on.
Score: 110
Par: 72
Putts: 38
Fairways: 1
Greens: 0
Though I compiled my worst score of the season, a lot of things went right. To begin with, my short game was better than it has been in a while. I felt very comfortable with the pitching wedge in my hands, whether approaching from 100 yards out, or chipping from just off the green. Putting was even better, as I had no difficulty judging speed or line.
My trouble on this occasion was really game management. Errant shots on a couple of holes put me behind some trees. With very little chance of advancing the ball, I should have punched some shots sideways into the open fairways. Instead, I tried to make up for the errant shots by attacking in the direction of the greens.
The penalty for my stubborness was considerable time spent in the trees, a pair of quadruple bogeys, and a quintuple bogey to top it all off! Let's just chalk it up as a learning experience and move on.
Score: 110
Par: 72
Putts: 38
Fairways: 1
Greens: 0
Renewal at Bloomington Downs
A weekend without golf always seems like a wasted opportunity and such was the case last week, when rain prevented me from hitting the links. This week, I managed to get that lost round back by playing a Sunday double-header, beginning with a morning round at Bloomington Downs Golf Club, located in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Described by Toronto Life magazine as "one of the most forgiving" golf courses in the Greater Toronto Area, Bloomington Downs is where a lot of local players go to restore confidence in their game. Owing to its modest length and wide-open fairways, that reputation is deserved, but I would stop short of calling it a cakewalk. Sand traps and water come into play on a number of holes, providing a reasonable challenge for the average golfer.
Water got the best of me on the second and seventh holes, leading to a pair of triple-bogeys. On the positive side, I managed a bogey on the difficult sixth hole, a 512-yard, par-5 that snakes through thick woods. The back nine was trouble-free, except for some shaky putting here and there.
When it was all said and done, I finished with a score of 100, including 40 putts. Once again, it seems that decent putting would have resulted in a sub-100 round.
Score: 100
Par: 72
Putts: 40
Fairways: 6
Greens: 3
Described by Toronto Life magazine as "one of the most forgiving" golf courses in the Greater Toronto Area, Bloomington Downs is where a lot of local players go to restore confidence in their game. Owing to its modest length and wide-open fairways, that reputation is deserved, but I would stop short of calling it a cakewalk. Sand traps and water come into play on a number of holes, providing a reasonable challenge for the average golfer.
Water got the best of me on the second and seventh holes, leading to a pair of triple-bogeys. On the positive side, I managed a bogey on the difficult sixth hole, a 512-yard, par-5 that snakes through thick woods. The back nine was trouble-free, except for some shaky putting here and there.
When it was all said and done, I finished with a score of 100, including 40 putts. Once again, it seems that decent putting would have resulted in a sub-100 round.
Score: 100
Par: 72
Putts: 40
Fairways: 6
Greens: 3
April 23, 2006
Golf Slideshow
2006 Open Championship
Slide is an application that turns photos into a streaming slide show. You can create slideshows using your own photos, or using photos available on the Internet. The Golf Slideshow displayed above uses an RSS feed from Flickr. Visit this space regularly for new slideshows!
Slide is an application that turns photos into a streaming slide show. You can create slideshows using your own photos, or using photos available on the Internet. The Golf Slideshow displayed above uses an RSS feed from Flickr. Visit this space regularly for new slideshows!
Golf Performance Charts
Golf Performance Charts provide a graphical view of my golf performance in 2006. Visit regularly to track my progress (or lack thereof) toward an even-par round. Charts are updated after every outing.
Results by Hole
90 holes have been played so far. The following pie chart shows what percentage of these resulted in birdies, pars, bogeys, etc.
Results by Round
5 rounds have been played so far. The following line chart shows how my scores have changed over time.
April 21, 2006
Chasing Par Calendar
The Chasing Par Calendar is a public Google Calendar you can use to keep track of my golfing rounds. If you have a Google account, you can subscribe to the calendar by clicking the button below.
April 17, 2006
Golf Course Locator
The Golf Course Locator uses Google Maps to track my golfing rounds. Use the available controls to zoom, pan, or change map type. Click on the markers for more information about each course and round played. The map is updated after every outing.
Setback at Hidden Lake
The last thing a golfer wants to do is repeat the same mistake, especially in consecutive rounds. A week ago, I put on a horrendous display of putting, so my objective was clear as I prepared for another round at Hidden Lake Golf Club, located in Burlington, Ontario. Above all else, I wanted keep the putts to a reasonable number.
Single-minded determination often produces results, and this was no exception. Playing the Old Course at Hidden Lake, one of two 18-hole courses available, I finished with my best putting round of the early 2006 season. Unfortunately, it was also my worst overall round. You might say I was so preoccupied with putting, that I neglected the rest of my game.
Weather conditions certainly didn't help. At the first tee, one of my playing partners made a comment to the starter about the gusting wind. With a straight face, the starter replied, "Don't worry, it's only blowing out on the New Course." The joke drew mild chuckles from those within earshot, including myself. In hindsight, I wish he had been telling the truth. Wind was definitely a distraction on many shot attempts.
On the positive side, I managed a birdie on the 373-yard, par-4 eleventh hole. My tee-shot on the intimidating 14th hole was also noteworthy. Considered by many to be the signature hole on the Old Course at Hidden Lake, this 160-yard, par-3 features a narrow green perched on the side of a steep embankment. A large bunker and dense trees spell disaster for anyone that carries their tee-shot to the right of the green.
Score: 108
Par: 71
Putts: 36
Fairways: 3
Greens: 3
Single-minded determination often produces results, and this was no exception. Playing the Old Course at Hidden Lake, one of two 18-hole courses available, I finished with my best putting round of the early 2006 season. Unfortunately, it was also my worst overall round. You might say I was so preoccupied with putting, that I neglected the rest of my game.
Weather conditions certainly didn't help. At the first tee, one of my playing partners made a comment to the starter about the gusting wind. With a straight face, the starter replied, "Don't worry, it's only blowing out on the New Course." The joke drew mild chuckles from those within earshot, including myself. In hindsight, I wish he had been telling the truth. Wind was definitely a distraction on many shot attempts.
On the positive side, I managed a birdie on the 373-yard, par-4 eleventh hole. My tee-shot on the intimidating 14th hole was also noteworthy. Considered by many to be the signature hole on the Old Course at Hidden Lake, this 160-yard, par-3 features a narrow green perched on the side of a steep embankment. A large bunker and dense trees spell disaster for anyone that carries their tee-shot to the right of the green.
Score: 108
Par: 71
Putts: 36
Fairways: 3
Greens: 3
April 16, 2006
Putting Woes at Hornby Glen
Putting is the part of my golf game I've always been most comfortable with, but that wasn't the case on April 9, 2006, when I played at Hornby Glen Golf Course, located near the Village of Hornby, Ontario.
Perhaps I should have seen the writing on the wall when I arrived at the golf course and found the practice green covered by a big blue tarp. Hornby Glen renovated its clubhouse in the off-season and is currently making improvements to the course itself. When I discovered the practice green was off-limits, I decided to hit some of my own balls in the driving area instead.
The practice seemed to pay off, as I had a surprisingly good round striking the ball with my driver, fairway woods, and irons. Unfortunately, the same could not be said of my putting stroke. I struggled on the greens throughout the round, leaving some putts far too short and others way too long.
In fact, my greatest success came when I didn't have to putt at all. After my drive landed right of the green on the 211-yard, par-3 fourth hole, I was forced to play a tricky second shot. My chip attempt bounced off a mound, slowing the ball just enough to roll into the cup. It was a birdie that required no putts!
With some average putting, this would have been a sub-100 round, so I'm encouraged for the future.
Score: 103
Par: 72
Putts: 42
Fairways: 6
Greens: 3
Perhaps I should have seen the writing on the wall when I arrived at the golf course and found the practice green covered by a big blue tarp. Hornby Glen renovated its clubhouse in the off-season and is currently making improvements to the course itself. When I discovered the practice green was off-limits, I decided to hit some of my own balls in the driving area instead.
The practice seemed to pay off, as I had a surprisingly good round striking the ball with my driver, fairway woods, and irons. Unfortunately, the same could not be said of my putting stroke. I struggled on the greens throughout the round, leaving some putts far too short and others way too long.
In fact, my greatest success came when I didn't have to putt at all. After my drive landed right of the green on the 211-yard, par-3 fourth hole, I was forced to play a tricky second shot. My chip attempt bounced off a mound, slowing the ball just enough to roll into the cup. It was a birdie that required no putts!
With some average putting, this would have been a sub-100 round, so I'm encouraged for the future.
Score: 103
Par: 72
Putts: 42
Fairways: 6
Greens: 3
Fresh Start at Banty's Roost
My 2005 golf season ended in late October with a disappointing round at Banty's Roost Golf & Country Club. Defeated in every sense of the word, my only consolation was a sweet red apple, plucked from one of the many apple trees that line the 27-hole course, located in Caledon, Ontario. Though the apple was fantastic, my performance was not. In fact, it left a bad taste in my mouth that lasted the entire off-season.
As a result, it was with great anticipation that I began the 2006 season in early April at Banty's Roost. What better way to exorcise the demons of the previous year than to return to the scene of the bloodletting? Off-season developments gave me reason for confidence, too. Back in December, I took advantage of a Boxing Week sale at the local Golf Town. I strode up to the first tee carrying a bag loaded with a new TaylorMade R580 driver and a fresh set of Callaway X-16 irons.
Playing the White and Blue courses at Banty's Roost, I got off to a shaky start, except for some textbook play on the par-3 third hole. Managing to turn things around on the eighth hole, I began a stretch of bogey-golf that lasted through the 17th. Going into the final hole, a 125-yard, par-3 over water, I had a score of 94. With a double-bogey or better, I would have broken 100, something I've only done six times in my golf career. Unfortunately, two consecutive shots into the water meant finishing with a familiar score of 102.
Despite choking at the final hole, it was a respectable start to the season.
Score: 102
Par: 71
Putts: 38
Fairways: 7
Greens: 3
As a result, it was with great anticipation that I began the 2006 season in early April at Banty's Roost. What better way to exorcise the demons of the previous year than to return to the scene of the bloodletting? Off-season developments gave me reason for confidence, too. Back in December, I took advantage of a Boxing Week sale at the local Golf Town. I strode up to the first tee carrying a bag loaded with a new TaylorMade R580 driver and a fresh set of Callaway X-16 irons.
Playing the White and Blue courses at Banty's Roost, I got off to a shaky start, except for some textbook play on the par-3 third hole. Managing to turn things around on the eighth hole, I began a stretch of bogey-golf that lasted through the 17th. Going into the final hole, a 125-yard, par-3 over water, I had a score of 94. With a double-bogey or better, I would have broken 100, something I've only done six times in my golf career. Unfortunately, two consecutive shots into the water meant finishing with a familiar score of 102.
Despite choking at the final hole, it was a respectable start to the season.
Score: 102
Par: 71
Putts: 38
Fairways: 7
Greens: 3
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)