Suppose you paid $72 at a golf course for 18 holes, but you were only able to play 8 holes due to rain. Suppose furthermore, that you were given a 9-hole rain check to be used on your next visit. After returning to the course and presenting the rain-check, how much would you expect to pay to play 18 holes?
a) $0
b) $36
c) $50
d) $72
It doesn't take a genius to understand that the correct answer is b) $36. Someone should explain this to the people running the course I played at earlier today. By some perverted sense of logic, they seem to believe the correct answer is c) $50. I won't mention the course by name, since it has already embarrassed itself plenty. I just hope they enjoy the extra fourteen dollars - they are likely the last of mine they will ever get.
Lest anyone decide to insinuate that I am cheap, as some are wont to do, let me remind you of something. Every cent I earn is for me, and me alone, to save, spend, or otherwise do with as I see fit. Do with your own money whatever you please, but mind your own business when it comes to mine.
As far as the round itself, there were a couple of distractions that led to a poor start. The greens fee shenanigans added to the fact that I was feeling rushed on the first tee. This was in spite of the fact that I was within a 5-minute drive of the course a full three hours before my tee time.
I had a golf lesson at a nearby location, which went well. After the lesson, I practiced on the range for about an hour. I left the range 45 minutes before my tee time at the other course, planning to pay for my lesson on the way out. Of course, the cashier's computer system crashed, and I spent over ten minutes waiting for it to re-boot. It never did, so I was told to go pay at the pro shop. When I arrived, there was nothing but a huge lineup and one very slow attendant. It took an additional ten minutes to settle up and get out of there.
I managed to arrive at the other course 15 minutes before my scheduled tee time, but my playing partners were eager to get going, so the end result was that I felt rushed. My first shot was a duff that splashed in a pond immediately in front of the tee box. Just like that, two strokes went down the drain. Once those strokes are gone, they're gone. Period. End of story. Even if I shot par the rest of the way, it wouldn't matter. My score would be two over par.
I hacked my way to a quadruple-bogey on hole #1, followed by two decent bogeys, before encountering more difficulty on hole #4. In a greenside bunker after two shots, I blasted my next one over the green and down a steep slope. The ball was unplayable in some deep fescue, so I was forced to take some relief at the cost of a penalty stroke. I pitched nicely onto the green and two-putted for a senseless triple-bogey.
In spite of the score on hole #4, I felt like I had settled into my normal rhythm at this point in the round. I made par on the fifth hole, which is the hardest the course has to offer. This was followed by four bogeys and two double-bogeys, which is a pretty good stretch for me.
On hole #12, I hit a series of terrible shots en route to another triple-bogey. Frustration, understandably, kicked in. Think about it. Are you pleased with yourself after you make a bad shot? I don't think so. Do you celebrate after taking four putts on a green? That would be ridiculous. Do you break out in song and dance a jig after making triple-bogey? Of course not. The reason you don't do any of these things is that you're human. Congratulations, so am I.
Thankfully, the poor play was just temporary. On the last six holes, I regained the consistency I had demonstrated on holes 5 through 11. The stretch included two pars, two bogeys, and two double-bogeys. It was good enough for a final score of 96.
That's not bad, but it's also not good. Some people might think I expect too much of myself, but I'm just not satisfied with scores in the mid or even low nineties.
To hell with mediocrity! The title of this blog is Chasing Par, not Chasing 96!
Score: 96
Par: 70
Putts: 35
Fairways: 3
Greens: 4
September 27, 2008
September 22, 2008
End of the Duffer's Dream Tour
The final round of the 2008 Duffer's Dream Tour was played today at Crosswinds Golf & Country Club. To be honest, I'm glad it's finished. Over the last few rounds, it became apparent that the players on this tour are not completely interested in adhering to the rules of golf. Various deviations from the rules have been adopted, purportedly to keep up the pace of play.
I get the feeling it has more to do with guys liking to say they scored in the eighties, rather than the nineties. Frankly, I don't understand it. What satisfaction do you get from marking an 87 on your scorecard, when you know your real score is more like 93? Now, I am not a great golfer by any stretch of the imagination, but at least I judge myself against the rules.
I was not sure whether I would play the Duffer's Dream Tour Championship, to be held September 27 & 28 at Legends on the Niagara. I haven't played Legends before (and I want to) but the round at Crosswinds reminded me how I dislike playing with these lax rules. The worst of them all is the one that treats just about everything off the fairway as a lateral hazard, including fescue, a group of trees, etc. So, I think I will take a pass on the Tour Championship and perhaps head out to Legends on my own. Fall rates are in effect beginning September 29, so the round will be cheaper than what the Duffer's Tour is charging anyway.
As for next year, I doubt I'll be back on the Duffer's Tour. I will stick to leagues where the players are a little more concerned about the rules of golf, and where wayward balls are not found with such remarkable frequency. :)
Oh yeah, as for my game, it was so-so. My driving was pretty good, though I did duff a couple, coming from the outside in and topping the ball. My iron play was also pretty good, though I did catch a couple fat. My play around the greens is what really let me down. I made too many poor chip shots. I was in a lot of bunkers too. I got out of them all very clean, but usually carried the ball too far past the hole. My putting was not good, as I recorded six 3-putts.
Score: 100
Par: 72
Putts: 40
Fairways: 8
Greens: 2
I get the feeling it has more to do with guys liking to say they scored in the eighties, rather than the nineties. Frankly, I don't understand it. What satisfaction do you get from marking an 87 on your scorecard, when you know your real score is more like 93? Now, I am not a great golfer by any stretch of the imagination, but at least I judge myself against the rules.
I was not sure whether I would play the Duffer's Dream Tour Championship, to be held September 27 & 28 at Legends on the Niagara. I haven't played Legends before (and I want to) but the round at Crosswinds reminded me how I dislike playing with these lax rules. The worst of them all is the one that treats just about everything off the fairway as a lateral hazard, including fescue, a group of trees, etc. So, I think I will take a pass on the Tour Championship and perhaps head out to Legends on my own. Fall rates are in effect beginning September 29, so the round will be cheaper than what the Duffer's Tour is charging anyway.
As for next year, I doubt I'll be back on the Duffer's Tour. I will stick to leagues where the players are a little more concerned about the rules of golf, and where wayward balls are not found with such remarkable frequency. :)
Oh yeah, as for my game, it was so-so. My driving was pretty good, though I did duff a couple, coming from the outside in and topping the ball. My iron play was also pretty good, though I did catch a couple fat. My play around the greens is what really let me down. I made too many poor chip shots. I was in a lot of bunkers too. I got out of them all very clean, but usually carried the ball too far past the hole. My putting was not good, as I recorded six 3-putts.
Score: 100
Par: 72
Putts: 40
Fairways: 8
Greens: 2
September 21, 2008
Dos and Don'ts of Playing with Strangers
I went to a couple of golf courses as a single this week and was paired up with another single on both occasions. The contrast between the two experiences was so immense, that it inspired me to write this handy guide for playing with strangers.
The don'ts were inspired partly by the fellow I played with at Kedron Dells Golf Club. Sorry buddy, but you really messed up my game.
Don'ts
1. Talk too much. It's impossible to talk too little when you are paired up with a stranger. If all you did was introduce yourself at the beginning of the round, and thank your partner at the end of the round, most players would be perfectly content. However, it is definitely possible to talk too much. Four and a half hours is a long time to listen to your boring stories, flawed opinions, and mindless rants. Bite your tongue and just play the game.
2. Offer golf advice. You are not a scratch golfer, or even a low handicapper. Even if you are, that doesn't mean you are qualified to provide golf instruction. Leave that to the pros who are paid to do it. Just because you saw an instructor on The Golf Channel tell someone to line up their feet or keep their head down, doesn't mean it applies to your newfound partner. Remember, your name is not Hank Haney, Butch Harmon, David Leadbetter, or Jim McLean.
3. Boast about your game. Honestly, nobody cares that you were driving the ball 330 yards at the range the other day. Did you realize that the driving range was 150 yards wide, and that the wind behind you was steady at 30 km/hr? That's not even mentioning the fact that it likely happened once in 50 attempts. Why not boast about the 49 other shots? Also, don't carry on when you make a nice par - especially if your partner has just made a triple-bogey.
4. Make inappropriate comments. Do not make racist, sexist, or otherwise inappropriate comments of any kind. Your playing partner may not share your particular social, moral, political, or religious beliefs. The golf course is not the place to debate these issues. If you do not enjoy playing a course frequented by ball-hunting enthusiasts who shield themselves from the sun with umbrellas mounted on their pull carts, go play somewhere else.
5. Crack jokes or horse around. Golf may be nothing more to you than an excuse to drink beer and horse around with your buddies, but keep in mind that some people take the game a little more seriously. Have some respect for those who view the game as a personal challenge or as a way to better themselves. If you want to act like a juvenile and chug beer with your pals, do it in your living room while watching the football game.
If you insist on following the don'ts, your unfortunate playing partner may experience something like this:
Score: 119
Par: 71
Putts: 37
Fairways: 2
Greens: 0
The do's were inspired partly by the gentleman I played with at Crosswinds Golf & Country Club. Thank you sir, it was a pleasure.
Dos
1. Exchange small talk. Nobody says you have to take a vow of silence when playing with strangers. A little small talk can actually be quite pleasant. It's okay to ask your partner where they are from, how often they play, and where. You might hear about some good golf courses that way. Later on in the round, you might even ask what your partner does for a living. Of course, the weather is always a good topic for discussion. Just keep it light and not too personal.
2. Focus on your own game. You came to the course to play golf, so worry about your own shots rather than those of your partner. Pick out your targets, judge your distances, evaluate your lies, stay loose, read your putts, and monitor your mental state. Let your partner do all of these things for himself. It's okay to congratulate your partner on a good shot, but don't overdo it. Provide tips or advice only if your partner asks you to.
3. Behave modestly after nice shots. Golf is an emotional game. There are plenty of bad moments, so nobody will fault you for celebrating the good ones. Just keep it at a reasonable level and be conscious of what has happened to your playing partner during the round. If your partner is stringing together a series of triple-bogeys, there's no need to engage in excessive fist-pumping, knee-slapping, or other boisterous hooting and hollering after you make par.
4. Be polite towards other golfers. Have some respect for everyone else who is using the golf course. Be quiet when they are teeing off or taking a shot in the opposite fairway. Help them locate wayward balls if they happen to veer your way. Let players through if they are on a faster pace. Don't run the ball up on players ahead of you or get confrontational. Your partner came to the course to play golf, not to get into a fight because of your antics.
5. Play courteous and ready golf. Tee off first when you have the honour. Keep an eye on your partner's shots and help him/her find any wayward balls. Adhere to the cart rules for the day. Replace your divots. Rake sand traps and repair any ball marks. Pull out the flag and replace it when you finish putting. Pick up your partner's wedge or remind them to get it before they leave the green area. Keep the pace of play moving. Be serious while having fun.
If you do all of these things, your playing partner will be pleased and may experience something like this:
Score: 92
Par: 72
Putts: 34
Fairways: 3
Greens: 4
The don'ts were inspired partly by the fellow I played with at Kedron Dells Golf Club. Sorry buddy, but you really messed up my game.
Don'ts
1. Talk too much. It's impossible to talk too little when you are paired up with a stranger. If all you did was introduce yourself at the beginning of the round, and thank your partner at the end of the round, most players would be perfectly content. However, it is definitely possible to talk too much. Four and a half hours is a long time to listen to your boring stories, flawed opinions, and mindless rants. Bite your tongue and just play the game.
2. Offer golf advice. You are not a scratch golfer, or even a low handicapper. Even if you are, that doesn't mean you are qualified to provide golf instruction. Leave that to the pros who are paid to do it. Just because you saw an instructor on The Golf Channel tell someone to line up their feet or keep their head down, doesn't mean it applies to your newfound partner. Remember, your name is not Hank Haney, Butch Harmon, David Leadbetter, or Jim McLean.
3. Boast about your game. Honestly, nobody cares that you were driving the ball 330 yards at the range the other day. Did you realize that the driving range was 150 yards wide, and that the wind behind you was steady at 30 km/hr? That's not even mentioning the fact that it likely happened once in 50 attempts. Why not boast about the 49 other shots? Also, don't carry on when you make a nice par - especially if your partner has just made a triple-bogey.
4. Make inappropriate comments. Do not make racist, sexist, or otherwise inappropriate comments of any kind. Your playing partner may not share your particular social, moral, political, or religious beliefs. The golf course is not the place to debate these issues. If you do not enjoy playing a course frequented by ball-hunting enthusiasts who shield themselves from the sun with umbrellas mounted on their pull carts, go play somewhere else.
5. Crack jokes or horse around. Golf may be nothing more to you than an excuse to drink beer and horse around with your buddies, but keep in mind that some people take the game a little more seriously. Have some respect for those who view the game as a personal challenge or as a way to better themselves. If you want to act like a juvenile and chug beer with your pals, do it in your living room while watching the football game.
If you insist on following the don'ts, your unfortunate playing partner may experience something like this:
Score: 119
Par: 71
Putts: 37
Fairways: 2
Greens: 0
The do's were inspired partly by the gentleman I played with at Crosswinds Golf & Country Club. Thank you sir, it was a pleasure.
Dos
1. Exchange small talk. Nobody says you have to take a vow of silence when playing with strangers. A little small talk can actually be quite pleasant. It's okay to ask your partner where they are from, how often they play, and where. You might hear about some good golf courses that way. Later on in the round, you might even ask what your partner does for a living. Of course, the weather is always a good topic for discussion. Just keep it light and not too personal.
2. Focus on your own game. You came to the course to play golf, so worry about your own shots rather than those of your partner. Pick out your targets, judge your distances, evaluate your lies, stay loose, read your putts, and monitor your mental state. Let your partner do all of these things for himself. It's okay to congratulate your partner on a good shot, but don't overdo it. Provide tips or advice only if your partner asks you to.
3. Behave modestly after nice shots. Golf is an emotional game. There are plenty of bad moments, so nobody will fault you for celebrating the good ones. Just keep it at a reasonable level and be conscious of what has happened to your playing partner during the round. If your partner is stringing together a series of triple-bogeys, there's no need to engage in excessive fist-pumping, knee-slapping, or other boisterous hooting and hollering after you make par.
4. Be polite towards other golfers. Have some respect for everyone else who is using the golf course. Be quiet when they are teeing off or taking a shot in the opposite fairway. Help them locate wayward balls if they happen to veer your way. Let players through if they are on a faster pace. Don't run the ball up on players ahead of you or get confrontational. Your partner came to the course to play golf, not to get into a fight because of your antics.
5. Play courteous and ready golf. Tee off first when you have the honour. Keep an eye on your partner's shots and help him/her find any wayward balls. Adhere to the cart rules for the day. Replace your divots. Rake sand traps and repair any ball marks. Pull out the flag and replace it when you finish putting. Pick up your partner's wedge or remind them to get it before they leave the green area. Keep the pace of play moving. Be serious while having fun.
If you do all of these things, your playing partner will be pleased and may experience something like this:
Score: 92
Par: 72
Putts: 34
Fairways: 3
Greens: 4
September 20, 2008
Crosswinds Warmup
I took a week's vacation from work and kicked it off with a round at Crosswinds Golf & Country Club, located in Burlington, Ontario. The round began well, with a couple of bogeys, followed by a par. On the fourth hole, a par-5 measuring 538 yards, I got a little unlucky when my second shot found a fairway bunker that was hidden from view. My approach to the green also found a bunker, so you could say it was a sandy hole. I held on for a double-bogey.
On the fifth hole, a par-3 measuring a measly 123 yards, I self-destructed. Visual intimidation is the only obstacle on this hole, with the green surrounded by water. At a tournament a couple weeks earlier, I launched two balls off the tee into the water on this hole. Perhaps that was in my head, because I proceeded to do exactly the same thing once again. From the drop zone, I fared no better. On the moist turf, I duffed a shot with my sand wedge, then skulled one across the green. I chipped on, only to 3-putt for a horrific score of 8. Golf is truly unbelievable at times!
The rest of the round was consistent, but far from spectacular. On the remaining thirteen holes, I registered one par, seven bogeys, and five double-bogeys. My driving was not great, but at the same time, it was not putting me in many tough spots. The same could be said for my iron play. Chipping and putting were not exactly sharp, but they were not atrocious. I finished the round with a score of 98, which was good enough to keep me happy. If not for the blow-up on hole #5, this would have been a round in the mid 90's, which is a solid round for me.
The final round of the Duffer's Dream Tour takes place at Crosswinds a week from now, so hopefully this will serve as a nice warmup.
Score: 98
Par: 72
Putts: 38
Fairways: 4
Greens: 3
On the fifth hole, a par-3 measuring a measly 123 yards, I self-destructed. Visual intimidation is the only obstacle on this hole, with the green surrounded by water. At a tournament a couple weeks earlier, I launched two balls off the tee into the water on this hole. Perhaps that was in my head, because I proceeded to do exactly the same thing once again. From the drop zone, I fared no better. On the moist turf, I duffed a shot with my sand wedge, then skulled one across the green. I chipped on, only to 3-putt for a horrific score of 8. Golf is truly unbelievable at times!
The rest of the round was consistent, but far from spectacular. On the remaining thirteen holes, I registered one par, seven bogeys, and five double-bogeys. My driving was not great, but at the same time, it was not putting me in many tough spots. The same could be said for my iron play. Chipping and putting were not exactly sharp, but they were not atrocious. I finished the round with a score of 98, which was good enough to keep me happy. If not for the blow-up on hole #5, this would have been a round in the mid 90's, which is a solid round for me.
The final round of the Duffer's Dream Tour takes place at Crosswinds a week from now, so hopefully this will serve as a nice warmup.
Score: 98
Par: 72
Putts: 38
Fairways: 4
Greens: 3
Post Championship Letdown
On Sunday afternoon, I successfully battled for the 2008 Deepwoods Championship. On Monday morning, I was competing at a Duffer's Dream event, where the stakes were substantially lower. In early August, I was within sniffing distance of the Duffer's Dream leaders, but the standings have not been updated since then, so I don't know where I currently stand. Combined with the fact I was coming off the Deepwoods high, it was difficult to get excited about this round at Piper's Heath Golf Club.
We had a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. in order to finish before an afternoon tournament was to begin. Apparently, September is the busiest time of year for such events. It was a little chilly when we got started, but after two holes I was playing in short sleeves. I 3-putted four of the first five holes, which did absolutely nothing to boost my confidence. During that stretch, I also struggled with the 3-wood and some of my irons. Chipping was also adventurous, especially around the sixth green, where I took an inflated score.
I had back-to-back pars on hole #8 and hole #9, but that was as hot as I would get. The back nine was a steady series of bogeys and double-bogeys. I was trying to drive the ball with the relaxed tempo I discovered at Whirlpool a few rounds earlier, but it just wasn't working. It's not enough to be relaxed; one still has to be committed to the swing. The 3-wood remained terrible all day and the short game was mediocre, at best. I avoided blow-up holes, but a steady string of double-bogeys will inflate your score just as quickly.
Overall, it was just a blah kind of round.
Score: 103
Par: 72
Putts: 41
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
We had a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. in order to finish before an afternoon tournament was to begin. Apparently, September is the busiest time of year for such events. It was a little chilly when we got started, but after two holes I was playing in short sleeves. I 3-putted four of the first five holes, which did absolutely nothing to boost my confidence. During that stretch, I also struggled with the 3-wood and some of my irons. Chipping was also adventurous, especially around the sixth green, where I took an inflated score.
I had back-to-back pars on hole #8 and hole #9, but that was as hot as I would get. The back nine was a steady series of bogeys and double-bogeys. I was trying to drive the ball with the relaxed tempo I discovered at Whirlpool a few rounds earlier, but it just wasn't working. It's not enough to be relaxed; one still has to be committed to the swing. The 3-wood remained terrible all day and the short game was mediocre, at best. I avoided blow-up holes, but a steady string of double-bogeys will inflate your score just as quickly.
Overall, it was just a blah kind of round.
Score: 103
Par: 72
Putts: 41
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
September 18, 2008
2008 Deepwoods Champion
The final round of the 2008 Deepwoods Tour was held at Willow Valley Golf Course, located in Hamilton, Ontario. Going into the final round, I was in fourth place, two points behind a pair of co-leaders and one point behind the third place contestant. It was likely that the 2008 champion would come from this group of players. Eighteen holes of golf would decide which one of us was champion.
It rained something fierce that day. The rain was so steady that our tee times were delayed by almost three hours. A few players dropped out due to the lengthy delay, including one of the co-leaders. Needless to say, conditions were pretty soggy once we got out on the course. However, considering the amount of rain that fell, I thought the course held up very well.
There was no warm-up before the round began, and I felt it on the first couple of holes, where I collected a pair of triple-bogeys. I fared a little better on holes 3 through 5, where some nice shots helped me save a couple of bogeys. On hole #4 it was an excellent second shot from the #3 fairway bunker. On hole #5 it was a nice approach from 130 yards out and an even nicer chip from the back of the green that almost found the cup. On hole #6, an excellent second shot from behind the #7 tee deck allowed me to save par.
With one third of the round complete, the championship was still up for grabs. I had moved into second place, just one point ahead of the third place contestant. However, the first place contestant had built his lead to three points. On the seventh hole, a par-5 measuring 465 yards, I took the lead outright, thanks to a well-executed birdie. My tee shot found the middle of the fairway, as did my second shot. My approach from 135 yards out cleared the bunker guarding the front of the green and stopped pin-high about seven feet from the cup. I calmly drained the putt to establish a lead which I would not surrender.
On holes 8 through 12, I played quite consistently, stringing together a bunch of bogeys. This was enough to build my lead, as my competitors must have noticed that things were slipping away, and they began to make too many mistakes. I played atrociously on hole #13, but by then the lead was too great for them to overcome. On hole #14, a par-3 measuring 185 yards, I hit a beautiful 5-wood pin-high and that put me back on track. I closed out the round with three bogeys and two pars, including a spectacular chip on hole #17. With the last five holes of the round, I basically ran away with the championship.
So, I am the champion of the 2008 Deepwoods Tour. Woohoo!
Score: 95
Par: 72
Putts: 33
Fairways: 3
Greens: 4
It rained something fierce that day. The rain was so steady that our tee times were delayed by almost three hours. A few players dropped out due to the lengthy delay, including one of the co-leaders. Needless to say, conditions were pretty soggy once we got out on the course. However, considering the amount of rain that fell, I thought the course held up very well.
There was no warm-up before the round began, and I felt it on the first couple of holes, where I collected a pair of triple-bogeys. I fared a little better on holes 3 through 5, where some nice shots helped me save a couple of bogeys. On hole #4 it was an excellent second shot from the #3 fairway bunker. On hole #5 it was a nice approach from 130 yards out and an even nicer chip from the back of the green that almost found the cup. On hole #6, an excellent second shot from behind the #7 tee deck allowed me to save par.
With one third of the round complete, the championship was still up for grabs. I had moved into second place, just one point ahead of the third place contestant. However, the first place contestant had built his lead to three points. On the seventh hole, a par-5 measuring 465 yards, I took the lead outright, thanks to a well-executed birdie. My tee shot found the middle of the fairway, as did my second shot. My approach from 135 yards out cleared the bunker guarding the front of the green and stopped pin-high about seven feet from the cup. I calmly drained the putt to establish a lead which I would not surrender.
On holes 8 through 12, I played quite consistently, stringing together a bunch of bogeys. This was enough to build my lead, as my competitors must have noticed that things were slipping away, and they began to make too many mistakes. I played atrociously on hole #13, but by then the lead was too great for them to overcome. On hole #14, a par-3 measuring 185 yards, I hit a beautiful 5-wood pin-high and that put me back on track. I closed out the round with three bogeys and two pars, including a spectacular chip on hole #17. With the last five holes of the round, I basically ran away with the championship.
So, I am the champion of the 2008 Deepwoods Tour. Woohoo!
Score: 95
Par: 72
Putts: 33
Fairways: 3
Greens: 4
September 10, 2008
Nine Under Par Again
I played in a charity tournament last week at Granite Ridge Golf Club in Milton, Ontario. This was the tenth edition of the event, which is hosted annually by my employer. I missed the event last year, but played each of the two years before that. Interestingly, my team has registered the same score on each of the three occasions that I have participated. Under the popular "scramble" format, we have managed to score nine under par every single time. The first time, that resulted in a second place finish, one stroke behind the winners. The second time, it was good enough to clinch victory. This time, it once again resulted in second place, albeit two strokes behind the winners.
Three quarters of my team has remained intact for all three rounds. The fourth member of the team was different each year. That might be one of the reasons for the consistency in scoring. Still, it does seem a little unusual. I can say that the way we compiled that score has changed dramatically from year to year. Last year, for instance, we found ourselves scrambling quite a bit to save par on a few holes. This year was much smoother than that. We were never really in danger of making a bogey; it was just a question of how many birdies we could make.
I think we also worked better as a team this time around. The higher handicappers played their shots first, with the aim of providing usable shots. For the most part, we succeeded. This enabled the lower handicappers to get very aggressive. On a couple of occasions, such as driving the green on a short par-4, that aggression payed off. However, the teamwork really payed off when it came to putting. We did a fantastic job of reading the greens and learning from each other's putts. I contributed three or four long putts myself, which felt pretty good.
Although we didn't win, it was truly rewarding and enjoyable.
Thanks guys!
Three quarters of my team has remained intact for all three rounds. The fourth member of the team was different each year. That might be one of the reasons for the consistency in scoring. Still, it does seem a little unusual. I can say that the way we compiled that score has changed dramatically from year to year. Last year, for instance, we found ourselves scrambling quite a bit to save par on a few holes. This year was much smoother than that. We were never really in danger of making a bogey; it was just a question of how many birdies we could make.
I think we also worked better as a team this time around. The higher handicappers played their shots first, with the aim of providing usable shots. For the most part, we succeeded. This enabled the lower handicappers to get very aggressive. On a couple of occasions, such as driving the green on a short par-4, that aggression payed off. However, the teamwork really payed off when it came to putting. We did a fantastic job of reading the greens and learning from each other's putts. I contributed three or four long putts myself, which felt pretty good.
Although we didn't win, it was truly rewarding and enjoyable.
Thanks guys!
September 09, 2008
Busy Labour Day Weekend
The Labour Day weekend was busy, with three rounds of golf in three days. Here's the recap.
Super Saturday @ Whirlpool
This was one of the most enjoyable rounds of the summer. The weather was beautiful, the company was excellent, and my golf game was clicking on almost every cylinder. The big difference in my game was tempo. For some time, I have been trying to find the right rhythm to my golf swing. I have gotten quick on the downswing this year, frequently leading to pulled shots, regardless of the club being used. In previous rounds, I began to address the problem. At Whirlpool, I confronted it head on. This resulted in straighter drives and iron shots. I didn't hit additional fairways or greens in regulation, but I found myself in a lot less trouble than usual.
I scored 45 on the front nine, including seven bogeys, one double-bogey, and one par. That is the kind of consistency I know I am capable of. My score on the back nine was 48, including three bogeys, three double-bogeys, one triple-bogey, and one par. As you can see, the back nine was a little more erratic. On the positive side, I tallied only 15 putts on the back nine, with no 3-putts. My putting was actually decent all day. The only part of the game that was not working at all was medium range pitch shots - those in the range of 10-40 yards. Mistakes on those types of shots cost me at least five strokes. They were the sole reason I did not break 90.
Score: 93
Par: 72
Putts: 34
Fairways: 3
Greens: 3
Sublime Sunday @ Woodington Lake (New 18)
On Sunday came a chance to play the New 18 at Woodington Lake. From the green tees, the course measures 7,606 yards and has a rating of 76.9 - the highest course rating in Canada. I played from the white tees, which reduce the course length to 6245 yards. From the white tees, the course rating and slope are a little less intimidating at 70.8 and 130 respectively. In terms of style, the course differs greatly from the Original 18 at Woodington Lake. For one thing, there are really no trees on the new course. Challenge comes in the form of severe mounding, long fescue, and plenty of water. Wind and elevation changes also factor greatly in club selection. Overall, I enjoyed the course very much and will definitely go back.
My game was not as consistent as the day before, but it was still pretty good. I began with a birdie on the first hole, a downhill par-5 measuring 464 yards. My drive travelled about 245 yards to the middle of the fairway. From there, I hit the shot of the day - a 220-yard blast with the 3-wood that settled nicely on the green. I missed the 12-foot eagle putt by inches and settled for a tap-in birdie. The rest of the front nine was up and down, resulting in a score of 52 half way through the round. On the back nine, I found my consistency once again, producing a nice score of 46. This included six bogeys, two double-bogeys, and one par. Putting was average, as was chipping. Overall I was happy to break 100 on a new course.
Score: 98
Par: 72
Putts: 37
Fairways: 6
Greens: 4
Manic Monday @ Peninsula Lakes
Not magic - manic. What can I say about this round? It was just terrible. I was so optimistic approaching this round, because I fired a 91 at Pen Lakes earlier in the year. I guess that was a long time ago and my game has changed a few times since then. The gains I had made addressing the tempo issue in the previous two rounds seemed to evaporate. I was still swinging the club with a relaxed tempo, but something else must have been off. After playing the Quarry nine, I was sitting at 52 - the same score I had after nine holes at Woodington Lake. This gave me confidence that I could still break 100.
My confidence grew with the first three holes of the Hillside nine, which produced bogey, bogey, and par respectively. Unfortunately, Hillside #4 destroyed all remaining hope in one fell swoop. This is the hardest hole of the Hillside nine and considered by many to be the signature hole. My tee shot was pulled into a pond left of the fairway. After taking a drop, I duffed an attempt to pitch the ball to the 150-yard mark. At a distance of 210 yards to the green, I tried to hit a 3-wood over the second pond on the hole. As you probably guessed, the ball landed in the water. After another drop, I approached the green from 160 yards with a 6-iron. I pulled it two feet out of bounds. Since there was a group behind, I just dropped where the ball went out. From there, I chipped and 2-putted for a ghastly 10.
Holes five through seven were decent enough, but things got silly again on #8, a par-3 measuring 150 yards. I hooked my tee shot into a pond left of the green. I proceeded to plunk two more balls in the water from the position where I took a drop. In both cases, I caught the ball fat and it did not travel the expected distance. After I finally hit the green, I 2-putted for an obscene 9. Gasp! On the last hole, a par-5, I didn't really care any more and collected another 9 on the scorecard.
Score: 111
Par: 71
Putts: 39
Fairways: 5
Greens: 3
Super Saturday @ Whirlpool
This was one of the most enjoyable rounds of the summer. The weather was beautiful, the company was excellent, and my golf game was clicking on almost every cylinder. The big difference in my game was tempo. For some time, I have been trying to find the right rhythm to my golf swing. I have gotten quick on the downswing this year, frequently leading to pulled shots, regardless of the club being used. In previous rounds, I began to address the problem. At Whirlpool, I confronted it head on. This resulted in straighter drives and iron shots. I didn't hit additional fairways or greens in regulation, but I found myself in a lot less trouble than usual.
I scored 45 on the front nine, including seven bogeys, one double-bogey, and one par. That is the kind of consistency I know I am capable of. My score on the back nine was 48, including three bogeys, three double-bogeys, one triple-bogey, and one par. As you can see, the back nine was a little more erratic. On the positive side, I tallied only 15 putts on the back nine, with no 3-putts. My putting was actually decent all day. The only part of the game that was not working at all was medium range pitch shots - those in the range of 10-40 yards. Mistakes on those types of shots cost me at least five strokes. They were the sole reason I did not break 90.
Score: 93
Par: 72
Putts: 34
Fairways: 3
Greens: 3
Sublime Sunday @ Woodington Lake (New 18)
On Sunday came a chance to play the New 18 at Woodington Lake. From the green tees, the course measures 7,606 yards and has a rating of 76.9 - the highest course rating in Canada. I played from the white tees, which reduce the course length to 6245 yards. From the white tees, the course rating and slope are a little less intimidating at 70.8 and 130 respectively. In terms of style, the course differs greatly from the Original 18 at Woodington Lake. For one thing, there are really no trees on the new course. Challenge comes in the form of severe mounding, long fescue, and plenty of water. Wind and elevation changes also factor greatly in club selection. Overall, I enjoyed the course very much and will definitely go back.
My game was not as consistent as the day before, but it was still pretty good. I began with a birdie on the first hole, a downhill par-5 measuring 464 yards. My drive travelled about 245 yards to the middle of the fairway. From there, I hit the shot of the day - a 220-yard blast with the 3-wood that settled nicely on the green. I missed the 12-foot eagle putt by inches and settled for a tap-in birdie. The rest of the front nine was up and down, resulting in a score of 52 half way through the round. On the back nine, I found my consistency once again, producing a nice score of 46. This included six bogeys, two double-bogeys, and one par. Putting was average, as was chipping. Overall I was happy to break 100 on a new course.
Score: 98
Par: 72
Putts: 37
Fairways: 6
Greens: 4
Manic Monday @ Peninsula Lakes
Not magic - manic. What can I say about this round? It was just terrible. I was so optimistic approaching this round, because I fired a 91 at Pen Lakes earlier in the year. I guess that was a long time ago and my game has changed a few times since then. The gains I had made addressing the tempo issue in the previous two rounds seemed to evaporate. I was still swinging the club with a relaxed tempo, but something else must have been off. After playing the Quarry nine, I was sitting at 52 - the same score I had after nine holes at Woodington Lake. This gave me confidence that I could still break 100.
My confidence grew with the first three holes of the Hillside nine, which produced bogey, bogey, and par respectively. Unfortunately, Hillside #4 destroyed all remaining hope in one fell swoop. This is the hardest hole of the Hillside nine and considered by many to be the signature hole. My tee shot was pulled into a pond left of the fairway. After taking a drop, I duffed an attempt to pitch the ball to the 150-yard mark. At a distance of 210 yards to the green, I tried to hit a 3-wood over the second pond on the hole. As you probably guessed, the ball landed in the water. After another drop, I approached the green from 160 yards with a 6-iron. I pulled it two feet out of bounds. Since there was a group behind, I just dropped where the ball went out. From there, I chipped and 2-putted for a ghastly 10.
Holes five through seven were decent enough, but things got silly again on #8, a par-3 measuring 150 yards. I hooked my tee shot into a pond left of the green. I proceeded to plunk two more balls in the water from the position where I took a drop. In both cases, I caught the ball fat and it did not travel the expected distance. After I finally hit the green, I 2-putted for an obscene 9. Gasp! On the last hole, a par-5, I didn't really care any more and collected another 9 on the scorecard.
Score: 111
Par: 71
Putts: 39
Fairways: 5
Greens: 3
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