I had a pretty good result in Round 2 of the Deepwoods championship at Peninsula Lakes. I finished with a score of 87 – my personal best for the course. It was a lot like my round at Bradford Highlands a while back, where I shot 86. Both are among the courses I've played most, so I'm very familiar with the layouts. My experience at both courses has been mixed; I've had rounds in the low nineties, but have also blown up for scores above the century mark. The main difference is the fact that this latest round was in competition, which adds an element of urgency to the proceedings.
Quarry #1 is a tough hole and one I don't like starting with at Peninsula Lakes. A large lake protects the inside of this dogleg left par-4. Invariably, I seem to find the water with my tee shot. I hit a horrific drive that popped up and was pulled so far left that the ball entered the lake on the side opposite the fairway. I fished the ball out of the water and took a drop near the point where it last crossed the margin of the hazard. Not content to hit a wedge over the lake and back to the fairway, I took aim in the direction of the green. I had to cross the lake, while keeping the ball down to avoid overhanging branches. I was 190 yards from the green centre and the ball was below my feet. I hit a perfect 4-iron that would have made the green if not for some more tree branches past the water. As it was, the ball came to rest five yards from the putting surface. I hit a chip to within 4 feet and drained the putt for a miraculous bogey.
Next came a really good stretch that included just one small error. I made par on Quarry #2, #3 and #5, reaching the greens in regulation each time, followed by a 2-putt. Hole #2 provided the best birdie chance, but the uphill putt came up short. Hole #5 was a scramble, as I pulled my tee shot way left of the fairway. No problem, as I hoisted a 7-iron over the tree line to reach the green safely. The small error was on Quarry #4. After splitting the fairway on this par-4, my 7-iron approach was dead straight, but I missed the sweet spot of the club face. As a result, my shot came up short in a bunker fronting the green. I got out of the bunker with a single shot, but was still in the rough bordering the green. I made a mess of a simple uphill chip shot, sculling the ball well past the hole. I almost saved bogey with a breaking downhill putt, but had to settle for a double.
A bad iron shot off the tee on Quarry #6 led to another double-bogey. I'm always uncomfortable on this par-3, which measures 181 yards. The entire left side is out of bounds, while a lake protects the right side. The water is not even visible from the tee, but everything around the lake slopes heavily toward it. No doubt because of my discomfort, I chunked a 6-iron about 90 yards. My wedge into the green was a little right, just off the green. I should have been able to get up and down from that position, but my chip once again failed me, rolling well past the hole. Three bogeys finished the Quarry nine for a score of 43 at the turn.
Hillside #1 is the easiest on the course, but it produced my worst result – a triple-bogey. This par-4 is only 290 yards from the white tees, so I opted to hit 6-iron from the tee. Once again, I mangled the shot, with my ball squirting short and right of the fairway. I was blocked out by trees, but thought I could get a high draw over them and to the green. The ball didn't get airborne and now I was stymied by spruce trees closer to the green. A sideways chip to the fairway and 50 yard pitch got me on the green in four. When I missed the bogey putt, I was out of the Deepwoods points. I missed a 3-footer next, resulting in a 3-putt and the dreaded triple.
Two small errors were the only blemish over the next five holes or so. They led to a pair of double-bogeys. The first was on Hillside #4 – the hardest on the Hillside nine. All the trouble on this par-4 involves reaching the green safely. You have to split two lakes to find the fairway, then carry water from a healthy distance to find the green. Oh yeah, the green is also just a couple yards from out of bounds. I executed the first two shots well, first finding the fairway, then hitting a 4-iron to just in front of the green. I walked to my ball with wedge in hand, only to find it on the severe up-slope of a small mound. I had the wrong club, but was too lazy to walk back to my cart. The lie added much loft to an already lofted club and my shot stopped a yard short of the green. I made a decent chip from there, but missed the bogey putt.
Similarly, on Hillside #5, my approach on this par-3 was flag high, just right of the green. This time, it was on a severe side hill lie, with the ball well above my feet. Conscious of a bunker slightly to my left, I hit my pitch shot short, still not on the green. The short game was killing me. I made a decent pitch and again had a make-able putt for bogey, but missed it. Those two errors aside, I did collect a par on Hillside #2, along with bogeys on #3 and #6. This set up the final three holes, which I played very well.
Hillside #7 is a nice par-5, with an elevated green tucked behind a large lake. I hit a perfect drive, then tried to hit a 6-iron to a landing area right of the green. I pushed it slightly, finishing on the side of a hill, 100 yards from the green. It was an awkward lie and though my shot was straight, I was 10 yards short of the green. I was also short sided with the front pin position. I made sure to pitch the ball past the hole, taking no chances. From there, I drained an excellent putt to save par. Hillside #8 is a par-3, stretching 150 yards over water. I hit a 9-iron just behind the hole and ended up winning closest to the pin among our group. Better than that, was the downhill putt that I drained for birdie! The last hole of the day was a par-5 that started with two decent shots. My third was with the pitching wedge, but I duffed it badly because I was at the base of a hill with the ball below my feet. No worries, as I stuck a sand wedge shot from 100 yards and drained another putt to make par.
Overall, a nice result. My handicap factor also dipped to 15.5 – officially, my lowest ever. Hooray!
Score: 87
Putts: 32
Fairways: 6
Greens: 4
Penalties: 1
June 29, 2016
June 22, 2016
Debut at Lakeridge Links
Name a public, 18-hole golf course anywhere near Toronto that's at least 6,000 yards in length, and chances are pretty good I've played it. There are some exceptions – usually courses with astronomical green fees. I'm looking at you, Copper Creek. For whatever reason, however, I had never played Lakeridge Links, near Brooklin, Ontario. It's reasonably priced and any comments I've heard about the course were generally complimentary. An opportunity to play Lakeridge arose recently, so I headed there with great anticipation.
Overall, I have to say I like the course. It has plenty of length and a good mix of holes. Trees can come into play, but there is ample space if you hit good shots. If you do find yourself with tree trouble, there is a chance to recover or at least limit the damage. Water is a factor on a few holes, which adds to the interest. Bunkers are strategically placed, though I found the sand contained stones and was somewhat inconsistent. The course makes good use of elevation changes. Along with holes of varying length, this means you'll use most, if not all, of the clubs in your bag. The course was a little dry on the day I played, but I can't fault the club for the weather.
For the most part, I played a very controlled round. The first two thirds of the round went off without any major incident. Through hole #13, the worst results on my scorecard were four double-bogeys. Two of these were due to balls that were inexplicably lost in wide open areas, so I can't really fault myself. On hole #1, I pulled my drive slightly left, directly at a lone spruce tree. I saw exactly where it bounced, yet couldn't find the ball anywhere near the tree. The same thing happened on hole #6. In that case, I think my ball may have been pinched by people playing hole #5.
This stretch was basically a bogey-fest, though it did include a couple of pars. Both of them came on par-5 holes. On hole #4, a 498-yard test with a creek lining most of the left side, I hit two great shots to give myself an eagle putt. The drive was off the hillside on the right side, which kicked my ball to the middle of the fairway. From 230 yards, I hit a laser of a 3-iron. It never got more than 6 feet off the ground, coming to rest just a foot off the front of the green. With a front pin location, this left a make-able eagle opportunity. My weight was good, but the line was a little off, leaving about 5 feet for birdie. Unfortunately, I burned the edge and settled for par.
Hole #9 is a shorter par-5 at 462 yards, but it plays longer because it's all uphill. I hit a decent drive just right of the fairway, but my ball ended up on the side of a mound. The side-hill lie gave me trouble, as I pulled a wicked iron well left of the fairway. From 120 yards out, trees prevented me from going at the left, rear flag. I hit a gap wedge to the front right edge of the green. This left an incredibly long putt, but I lagged it beautifully, finishing with a 3-footer for par.
The back nine begins with a downhill par-5 measuring 485 yards from the white tees. I pounded my drive straight down the fairway to the 200-yard marker. Next, I hit a 4-iron that rivalled the 3-iron laser from earlier in the round. It was another low bullet. This one finished flag high, but in a bunker just right of the pin. In the flat of the bunker, I had great lie. We all know that I have no confidence with greenside bunker shots though. I hit a decent out, but the ball bounced on the turtle-back green and rolled off the other side. I was now short-sided and pitched one safely past the flagstick. I underestimated the break and speed greatly, finishing with a 3-putt and double-bogey. It was a waste of two beautiful shots that started the hole.
The worst holes of the day were #14 and #15. The former is the hardest hole on the course, but I made it harder than it actually was. A dogleg left, not much of the hole is visible from the tee. Having never played the course, I relied on my fellow competitors to guide my tee shot. Their advice left me with the impression that I really had to challenge the corner of the dogleg in order to have a chance at reaching the green of this par-4 in two shots. I quickly pulled a 5-wood into the forest. It was my worst shot of the day. After taking a penalty stroke and pitching back to the fairway, I saw that there was actually plenty of room to the right side. From that position, the approach to the green, while challenging, is entirely reasonable. Oh well, I'll know for next time. I complicated matters near the green by duffing a pitch shot into a bunker, finishing with a score of 8.
On hole #15, the problem was a pitch shot that carried too far into a hazard. It was my second shot and I was just trying to get back to the fairway after my drive left me blocked out by trees. An unnecessary 3-putt aggravated things and I finished with a triple-bogey. Fortunately, I bounced back with a birdie on the next hole, a 486-yard par-5. A sand wedge from 100 yards left me below the hole and I drained a 10-footer.
In the end, the two blowup holes killed my score. Had a couple of small breaks gone my way on some of the other holes, I would have been able to absorb the two blowups and still break 90. I feel like I played quite well but the score doesn't reflect that. The difference between an 87 and a 96 can be ever so slight. My next round will be a Deepwoods event. I'm hoping some of those breaks go my way and I'll be able to break 90.
Score: 96
Putts: 35
Fairways: 7
Greens: 4
Penalties: 6
Overall, I have to say I like the course. It has plenty of length and a good mix of holes. Trees can come into play, but there is ample space if you hit good shots. If you do find yourself with tree trouble, there is a chance to recover or at least limit the damage. Water is a factor on a few holes, which adds to the interest. Bunkers are strategically placed, though I found the sand contained stones and was somewhat inconsistent. The course makes good use of elevation changes. Along with holes of varying length, this means you'll use most, if not all, of the clubs in your bag. The course was a little dry on the day I played, but I can't fault the club for the weather.
For the most part, I played a very controlled round. The first two thirds of the round went off without any major incident. Through hole #13, the worst results on my scorecard were four double-bogeys. Two of these were due to balls that were inexplicably lost in wide open areas, so I can't really fault myself. On hole #1, I pulled my drive slightly left, directly at a lone spruce tree. I saw exactly where it bounced, yet couldn't find the ball anywhere near the tree. The same thing happened on hole #6. In that case, I think my ball may have been pinched by people playing hole #5.
This stretch was basically a bogey-fest, though it did include a couple of pars. Both of them came on par-5 holes. On hole #4, a 498-yard test with a creek lining most of the left side, I hit two great shots to give myself an eagle putt. The drive was off the hillside on the right side, which kicked my ball to the middle of the fairway. From 230 yards, I hit a laser of a 3-iron. It never got more than 6 feet off the ground, coming to rest just a foot off the front of the green. With a front pin location, this left a make-able eagle opportunity. My weight was good, but the line was a little off, leaving about 5 feet for birdie. Unfortunately, I burned the edge and settled for par.
Hole #9 is a shorter par-5 at 462 yards, but it plays longer because it's all uphill. I hit a decent drive just right of the fairway, but my ball ended up on the side of a mound. The side-hill lie gave me trouble, as I pulled a wicked iron well left of the fairway. From 120 yards out, trees prevented me from going at the left, rear flag. I hit a gap wedge to the front right edge of the green. This left an incredibly long putt, but I lagged it beautifully, finishing with a 3-footer for par.
The back nine begins with a downhill par-5 measuring 485 yards from the white tees. I pounded my drive straight down the fairway to the 200-yard marker. Next, I hit a 4-iron that rivalled the 3-iron laser from earlier in the round. It was another low bullet. This one finished flag high, but in a bunker just right of the pin. In the flat of the bunker, I had great lie. We all know that I have no confidence with greenside bunker shots though. I hit a decent out, but the ball bounced on the turtle-back green and rolled off the other side. I was now short-sided and pitched one safely past the flagstick. I underestimated the break and speed greatly, finishing with a 3-putt and double-bogey. It was a waste of two beautiful shots that started the hole.
The worst holes of the day were #14 and #15. The former is the hardest hole on the course, but I made it harder than it actually was. A dogleg left, not much of the hole is visible from the tee. Having never played the course, I relied on my fellow competitors to guide my tee shot. Their advice left me with the impression that I really had to challenge the corner of the dogleg in order to have a chance at reaching the green of this par-4 in two shots. I quickly pulled a 5-wood into the forest. It was my worst shot of the day. After taking a penalty stroke and pitching back to the fairway, I saw that there was actually plenty of room to the right side. From that position, the approach to the green, while challenging, is entirely reasonable. Oh well, I'll know for next time. I complicated matters near the green by duffing a pitch shot into a bunker, finishing with a score of 8.
On hole #15, the problem was a pitch shot that carried too far into a hazard. It was my second shot and I was just trying to get back to the fairway after my drive left me blocked out by trees. An unnecessary 3-putt aggravated things and I finished with a triple-bogey. Fortunately, I bounced back with a birdie on the next hole, a 486-yard par-5. A sand wedge from 100 yards left me below the hole and I drained a 10-footer.
In the end, the two blowup holes killed my score. Had a couple of small breaks gone my way on some of the other holes, I would have been able to absorb the two blowups and still break 90. I feel like I played quite well but the score doesn't reflect that. The difference between an 87 and a 96 can be ever so slight. My next round will be a Deepwoods event. I'm hoping some of those breaks go my way and I'll be able to break 90.
Score: 96
Putts: 35
Fairways: 7
Greens: 4
Penalties: 6
June 19, 2016
Heckled at Borden
Circled Pine is a championship length, 18-hole golf course located at Canadian Forces Base Borden (CFB Borden). Since 1954, the course has been home to the Borden Golf Club. I was aware of the course, but had never visited or played there. Besides being somewhat out of the way, at least from Toronto, I had the impression that it was a fairly ordinary course. The fact that it's part of a military base probably had something to do with my perception.
Putting that aside, I headed there for an afternoon round on a hot June day. I had a power cart, which is a good idea for me when the temperature creeps up into the thirties (Celsius). I played the entire round by myself, which was nice. There were people ahead of me, but none really in behind, so I just took my time and tried to enjoy the day.
The first nine holes cut through thick forest, in a single loop that takes you back to the clubhouse. It's nice that you're not playing next to adjacent fairways, but that may be the only redeeming design element. With the exception of #2 and #8, the holes are dead straight. They're also quite flat. I say “quite” because some of the fairways have an annoying rippled surface. Driving over them in a cart was like skiing a moguls run. Hole #7, a par-3 over some water, is the first hole I encountered with some genuine visual interest.
As basic as the front nine is, I didn't score well. The holes look so straight and open that they encourage you to play long shots. This is especially true on the par-5 holes. On hole #4, my drive found a fairway bunker. I played pitching wedge next, in order to clear the lip. Unfortunately, this left me with 200 yards to the green for my third. I didn't hesitate to hit a 3-iron because there was so much room. I flared a high shot to the right, directly into the forest. The resulting penalty stroke led to a triple-bogey.
On hole #6, another par-5, I hit a perfect drive to the left side of the fairway. I had about 225 yards to the green and I decided to go for it with the 3-wood. Now, I almost never use the 3-wood, because my control with it isn't great. Occasionally, I employ the 5-wood, but never the 3. However, there appeared to be so much bloody room that I thought I would be OK even if I miss hit slightly. Well, I flared a high one to the right, once again finding the forest. Another penalty stroke, along with some questionable short game shots led to triple-bogey. Despite the triples, there was also a trio of pars, which limited my front nine score to 49.
The back nine at Borden was more interesting, I thought. It begins with a short par-4, just 309 yards from the white tees. A creek bisects the fairway, with trees pinching in on both sides near the water. Ideally, you want to carry the creek with your drive, leaving an uphill wedge shot into the green. A group of men was silent on the nearby patio as I set up to shoot. As soon as I made contact, however, they erupted in a great roar. It wasn't a roar of congratulations – my ball disappeared behind the trees on the right, and I don't think they even saw it. It was more like the kind of roar you let out at the rodeo when a bull rider gets tossed.
The men quickly advised me to hit another one. I took this to mean my original ball was probably lost, so I teed up another. This time, there was no silence. They had probably downed quite a few beers, I'm sure. A barrage of suggestions ensued. Aim further left. Swing harder. Switch to a regular shaft. Move the change from my right pocket to my left. You get the picture. Blocking out the hecklers, I took my swing. The ball was dead straight, but came out low, taking a bounce or two before plunking into the creek bed. I fished that one out, before finding my original ball on the right side, 60 yards from the green. My pitch shot went a little long into a greenside bunker. I got out with a single shot, but being short sided, I was well away from the hole. A 3-putt resulted in double-bogey.
Following this, I had a stretch of good holes, including pars on holes #12 and #14. Hole #12 is a straight par-5, though there are some elevation changes. I hit driver, 3-iron to the middle of the fairway, 20 yards from the green. My pitch was long, as I wanted no part of two bunkers fronting the green, but I managed an easy 2-putt to finish.
Unfortunately, the wild shots reappeared on the final par-5 of the day. Hole #16 is cut through forest like many of the others, but this one doglegs to the left. It still looked like there was plenty of room to let loose. Well, my drive flared ever so slightly to the right, into the forest once again. Penalty stroke. Later on, I had a go with the 3-iron and the result was the same high flare into the trees. I collected my second penalty stroke on the hole and ended up with yet another triple-bogey.
You could play this game a million times and there is always another lesson to learn. The expansive holes at Borden lulled me into a false sense of security. They encouraged me to go long, when shorter shots would ultimately have proven more effective. I'm not sure if I'll go back to the course any time soon, but if I do, I'll know better.
Score: 98
Putts: 36
Fairways: 6
Greens: 4
Penalties: 6
Putting that aside, I headed there for an afternoon round on a hot June day. I had a power cart, which is a good idea for me when the temperature creeps up into the thirties (Celsius). I played the entire round by myself, which was nice. There were people ahead of me, but none really in behind, so I just took my time and tried to enjoy the day.
The first nine holes cut through thick forest, in a single loop that takes you back to the clubhouse. It's nice that you're not playing next to adjacent fairways, but that may be the only redeeming design element. With the exception of #2 and #8, the holes are dead straight. They're also quite flat. I say “quite” because some of the fairways have an annoying rippled surface. Driving over them in a cart was like skiing a moguls run. Hole #7, a par-3 over some water, is the first hole I encountered with some genuine visual interest.
As basic as the front nine is, I didn't score well. The holes look so straight and open that they encourage you to play long shots. This is especially true on the par-5 holes. On hole #4, my drive found a fairway bunker. I played pitching wedge next, in order to clear the lip. Unfortunately, this left me with 200 yards to the green for my third. I didn't hesitate to hit a 3-iron because there was so much room. I flared a high shot to the right, directly into the forest. The resulting penalty stroke led to a triple-bogey.
On hole #6, another par-5, I hit a perfect drive to the left side of the fairway. I had about 225 yards to the green and I decided to go for it with the 3-wood. Now, I almost never use the 3-wood, because my control with it isn't great. Occasionally, I employ the 5-wood, but never the 3. However, there appeared to be so much bloody room that I thought I would be OK even if I miss hit slightly. Well, I flared a high one to the right, once again finding the forest. Another penalty stroke, along with some questionable short game shots led to triple-bogey. Despite the triples, there was also a trio of pars, which limited my front nine score to 49.
The back nine at Borden was more interesting, I thought. It begins with a short par-4, just 309 yards from the white tees. A creek bisects the fairway, with trees pinching in on both sides near the water. Ideally, you want to carry the creek with your drive, leaving an uphill wedge shot into the green. A group of men was silent on the nearby patio as I set up to shoot. As soon as I made contact, however, they erupted in a great roar. It wasn't a roar of congratulations – my ball disappeared behind the trees on the right, and I don't think they even saw it. It was more like the kind of roar you let out at the rodeo when a bull rider gets tossed.
The men quickly advised me to hit another one. I took this to mean my original ball was probably lost, so I teed up another. This time, there was no silence. They had probably downed quite a few beers, I'm sure. A barrage of suggestions ensued. Aim further left. Swing harder. Switch to a regular shaft. Move the change from my right pocket to my left. You get the picture. Blocking out the hecklers, I took my swing. The ball was dead straight, but came out low, taking a bounce or two before plunking into the creek bed. I fished that one out, before finding my original ball on the right side, 60 yards from the green. My pitch shot went a little long into a greenside bunker. I got out with a single shot, but being short sided, I was well away from the hole. A 3-putt resulted in double-bogey.
Following this, I had a stretch of good holes, including pars on holes #12 and #14. Hole #12 is a straight par-5, though there are some elevation changes. I hit driver, 3-iron to the middle of the fairway, 20 yards from the green. My pitch was long, as I wanted no part of two bunkers fronting the green, but I managed an easy 2-putt to finish.
Unfortunately, the wild shots reappeared on the final par-5 of the day. Hole #16 is cut through forest like many of the others, but this one doglegs to the left. It still looked like there was plenty of room to let loose. Well, my drive flared ever so slightly to the right, into the forest once again. Penalty stroke. Later on, I had a go with the 3-iron and the result was the same high flare into the trees. I collected my second penalty stroke on the hole and ended up with yet another triple-bogey.
You could play this game a million times and there is always another lesson to learn. The expansive holes at Borden lulled me into a false sense of security. They encouraged me to go long, when shorter shots would ultimately have proven more effective. I'm not sure if I'll go back to the course any time soon, but if I do, I'll know better.
Score: 98
Putts: 36
Fairways: 6
Greens: 4
Penalties: 6
June 14, 2016
Owning Bradford Highlands
Despite a mediocre score, I was feeling good after my last round at Century Pines. I carried that confidence to Bradford Highlands – a course that, much like Century Pines, I've played often. Conditions were cool, but the best part was that I played in a twosome, with the course virtually empty ahead of us. Playing swiftly, I felt like I was in good rhythm. The end result was fantastic. I fired another round in the mid eighties, my fourth this season. It was also a personal best at Bradford Highlands. To cap things off, my handicap factor dipped down to 15.8, which virtually matches my personal best. I don't remember precisely where my factor bottomed out many years ago, but it was in the high 15s (probably 15.7). It's been a long journey back.
We played the back nine first and I striped a drive down the fairway of hole #10. My sand wedge approach was a little thin, skidding off the back of the green. It was a sign of things to come. I only hit two greens in regulation all day, but fortunately, I was chipping and putting the ball well. I just missed the par save on the opening hole, taking bogey instead.
Hole #11, a long par-5, produced one of three double-bogeys on the day. Luckily, I did no worse than that on any other hole. Interestingly, the holes where I made doubles were the top three handicap holes on the course. After a sketchy drive and 5-wood on hole #11, I was in the rough 160 yards from the green. A tree trunk which didn't affect my practice swing did affect my actual swing, causing the ball to squirt short and to the right. My fourth shot made it to the front of the green, but I was a long way from the hole and 3-putt to finish. It was my only 3-putt of the day.
Two consecutive pars followed immediately. On the green in regulation on hole #12, my first putt was well short. No worries, as I drained the second to take the par. I was not on the green in regulation on hole #13, but a good chip and putt combination did the trick for another par. While I didn't get up and down over the next three holes, I did chip and 2-putt all three for a trio of successive bogeys. A bad drive into the wind on hole #17 left me stymied behind a tree and it took two chips just to get back to the fairway. Double-bogey was the end result, but I got a stroke back by making par with an up and down on hole #18. I was shooting 44 at the turn.
The second nine started poorly, with a pulled drive forcing me to lay up before a pond with my second shot. Pitching wedge into the green was thin, skidding off the back of the green. A decent chip gave me a chance to save bogey, but I just missed, taking my third and last double-bogey of the day.
From that point forward, the round was exceptionally good. I alternated like clockwork between pars and bogeys over the last eight holes. On hole #2, a 170-yard par-3, a beautiful 6-iron drew right to the heart of the green. The birdie putt lipped out, but an easy par resulted. On hole #3, my drive came to rest under a spruce tree, forcing a chip out. Despite that, I had a reasonable putt for par. It didn't drop, resulting in bogey.
Hole #4, a dogleg par-4, is awkward for me. I don't often draw the ball, which is the ideal tee shot. I hit a rather unconventional 5-iron, 5-iron combination to get flag high, just left of the green. A lofted chip shop stopped right near the hole for a tap-in par. On hole #5, a long par-5, my approach from 150 yards was pulled left of the green. I pitched my fourth shot from 30 yards away, flying over a bunker and landing softly on the green. Two subsequent putts earned a bogey.
I've blown up on hole #6 in the past, but this time, I striped a drive right down the fairway. Gap wedge was just off the left edge of the green, as I was protecting from a large bunker guarding the pin tucked way to the right side. I made a fabulous chip and a 3-foot putt for par. The drive on hole #7 was a duff, travelling just ahead of the forward tee. I recovered with a fantastic 5-wood that came to rest 20 yards in front of the green. My pitch was behind the flag, but stayed close thanks to quite a bit of ball spin. I had to be careful putting from above the hole on this sloped green. Though I didn't make the par putt, the bogey was no problem.
On to hole #8, which is a 160-yard par-3 from an elevated tee. My 8-iron was hit thin, but made it to within a couple yards of the front of the green. I chipped past the front pin position, but made the comeback putt for par. Hole #5 is a par-5 and I almost made another par. My drive was in a fairway bunker on the right side. From there, I managed to advance the ball to the right rough, 150 yards from the green. I had some tree trouble and pulled the ball left and short of the green. A great pitch gave me a legitimate chance at par and I followed with a great putt from 10 feet. Unfortunately, it lipped out.
It was only when I added up my score that I realized the putt that lipped out was for a final score of 85. That would have tied for my 6th best score ever. As an 86, it only ties for my 12th best score. Still, it was a good result and I'm feeling good.
Score: 86
Putts: 31
Fairways: 6
Greens: 2
Penalties: 0
We played the back nine first and I striped a drive down the fairway of hole #10. My sand wedge approach was a little thin, skidding off the back of the green. It was a sign of things to come. I only hit two greens in regulation all day, but fortunately, I was chipping and putting the ball well. I just missed the par save on the opening hole, taking bogey instead.
Hole #11, a long par-5, produced one of three double-bogeys on the day. Luckily, I did no worse than that on any other hole. Interestingly, the holes where I made doubles were the top three handicap holes on the course. After a sketchy drive and 5-wood on hole #11, I was in the rough 160 yards from the green. A tree trunk which didn't affect my practice swing did affect my actual swing, causing the ball to squirt short and to the right. My fourth shot made it to the front of the green, but I was a long way from the hole and 3-putt to finish. It was my only 3-putt of the day.
Two consecutive pars followed immediately. On the green in regulation on hole #12, my first putt was well short. No worries, as I drained the second to take the par. I was not on the green in regulation on hole #13, but a good chip and putt combination did the trick for another par. While I didn't get up and down over the next three holes, I did chip and 2-putt all three for a trio of successive bogeys. A bad drive into the wind on hole #17 left me stymied behind a tree and it took two chips just to get back to the fairway. Double-bogey was the end result, but I got a stroke back by making par with an up and down on hole #18. I was shooting 44 at the turn.
The second nine started poorly, with a pulled drive forcing me to lay up before a pond with my second shot. Pitching wedge into the green was thin, skidding off the back of the green. A decent chip gave me a chance to save bogey, but I just missed, taking my third and last double-bogey of the day.
From that point forward, the round was exceptionally good. I alternated like clockwork between pars and bogeys over the last eight holes. On hole #2, a 170-yard par-3, a beautiful 6-iron drew right to the heart of the green. The birdie putt lipped out, but an easy par resulted. On hole #3, my drive came to rest under a spruce tree, forcing a chip out. Despite that, I had a reasonable putt for par. It didn't drop, resulting in bogey.
Hole #4, a dogleg par-4, is awkward for me. I don't often draw the ball, which is the ideal tee shot. I hit a rather unconventional 5-iron, 5-iron combination to get flag high, just left of the green. A lofted chip shop stopped right near the hole for a tap-in par. On hole #5, a long par-5, my approach from 150 yards was pulled left of the green. I pitched my fourth shot from 30 yards away, flying over a bunker and landing softly on the green. Two subsequent putts earned a bogey.
I've blown up on hole #6 in the past, but this time, I striped a drive right down the fairway. Gap wedge was just off the left edge of the green, as I was protecting from a large bunker guarding the pin tucked way to the right side. I made a fabulous chip and a 3-foot putt for par. The drive on hole #7 was a duff, travelling just ahead of the forward tee. I recovered with a fantastic 5-wood that came to rest 20 yards in front of the green. My pitch was behind the flag, but stayed close thanks to quite a bit of ball spin. I had to be careful putting from above the hole on this sloped green. Though I didn't make the par putt, the bogey was no problem.
On to hole #8, which is a 160-yard par-3 from an elevated tee. My 8-iron was hit thin, but made it to within a couple yards of the front of the green. I chipped past the front pin position, but made the comeback putt for par. Hole #5 is a par-5 and I almost made another par. My drive was in a fairway bunker on the right side. From there, I managed to advance the ball to the right rough, 150 yards from the green. I had some tree trouble and pulled the ball left and short of the green. A great pitch gave me a legitimate chance at par and I followed with a great putt from 10 feet. Unfortunately, it lipped out.
It was only when I added up my score that I realized the putt that lipped out was for a final score of 85. That would have tied for my 6th best score ever. As an 86, it only ties for my 12th best score. Still, it was a good result and I'm feeling good.
Score: 86
Putts: 31
Fairways: 6
Greens: 2
Penalties: 0
An Extra Nine
I played an extra nine holes after my last round at Century Pines. Hole #1 was four strokes better than the first time around, as I managed to score bogey. This was one of three bogeys over nine holes. The key was hitting a good drive to the left fairway. I bunted my second just past the 150 yard stick, then caught the 8-iron a bit fat and was short of the green. A pitch and two putts finished the hole.
I managed three pars over nine holes, including both par-3 holes. Hole #5 was a short one playing about 135 yards, while hole #7 was playing 180 yards. In both cases, my tee shot was flag high, just off the green. Good chip shots set up relatively easy putts to finish. The final par was on hole #8, which was completed in textbook fashion. Driver to the middle of the fairway was followed by sand wedge to the heart of the green. A long lag to the front pin position set up a 3-footer for par.
Lastly, I registered three double-bogeys over the nine holes played. On hole #2, I was unlucky when my drive finished just outside a bunker. With feet in the sand and the ball well above, I pulled one across the fairway, behind a tree. All I could do was punch out to in front of the green. A pitch and two putts ended the hole. I also made double on hole #4, which I had birdied earlier. I hit a poor 5-iron off the tee, as I was experimenting with a weaker grip. The ball barely cleared the forward tees. The last double was on the final hole. I sculled an approach from 150 yards into a hazard in front of the green, leading to a penalty stroke.
Overall, it was a decent score for nine holes.
Score: 45
Putts: 16
Fairways: 3
Greens: 1
Penalties: 1
I managed three pars over nine holes, including both par-3 holes. Hole #5 was a short one playing about 135 yards, while hole #7 was playing 180 yards. In both cases, my tee shot was flag high, just off the green. Good chip shots set up relatively easy putts to finish. The final par was on hole #8, which was completed in textbook fashion. Driver to the middle of the fairway was followed by sand wedge to the heart of the green. A long lag to the front pin position set up a 3-footer for par.
Lastly, I registered three double-bogeys over the nine holes played. On hole #2, I was unlucky when my drive finished just outside a bunker. With feet in the sand and the ball well above, I pulled one across the fairway, behind a tree. All I could do was punch out to in front of the green. A pitch and two putts ended the hole. I also made double on hole #4, which I had birdied earlier. I hit a poor 5-iron off the tee, as I was experimenting with a weaker grip. The ball barely cleared the forward tees. The last double was on the final hole. I sculled an approach from 150 yards into a hazard in front of the green, leading to a penalty stroke.
Overall, it was a decent score for nine holes.
Score: 45
Putts: 16
Fairways: 3
Greens: 1
Penalties: 1
June 10, 2016
Encouraging Signs at Century Pines
I was in no rush to get back on the golf course after my last round went so miserably. After a week, I felt I had enough of a break, so I headed out to Century Pines. Overall, I was encouraged by my performance, though I certainly didn't have a stellar score. I didn't hit a lot of fairways, but I put the ball in safe places off the tee, with just a couple of exceptions. I miss hit a couple of iron shots, but I didn't have many embarrassing duffs. My short game was good, with serviceable chip shots and importantly, no 3-putts.
If not for three bad holes, I likely would have broken 90. The worst of these was the opening par-5. I've struggled on this hole in the past – there's something about it that makes it a tough test to start. Out of bounds lines the entire left side from tee to green, while a large pond protects the right side from the mid-point to the green. The hole is long enough that you have to play your longer clubs and it's easy for wayward balls to get lost. I pulled my second shot OB, then did the same with an approach from 150 yards. It added up to a horrific 10 to start the round.
Luckily, some success on the next few holes kept me in a positive frame of mind. I bogeyed hole #2, a par-4, with a chip and two putts from near the green. I made par on hole #3, another par-4, after finding the green in regulation. Finally, I made birdie on hole #4, a short par-4, thanks to a 5-iron, sand wedge combination that placed the ball tight to the pin. I should have made par on hole #5, a short par-3, after a great chip shot, but unfortunately, I missed a 4-foot putt. At the turn, I was shooting 47. That's not bad, considering the first hole result.
The back nine at Century Pines begins with three short par-4 holes, which are considered scoring holes. My 5-iron from the tee on hole #10 was a duff. I was trying to weaken my grip, as I noticed it had gotten a little strong on previous shots. It felt awkward, but I tried to trust it. Alas, I may have adjusted too much. I hit a perfect second shot with the 7-iron, only to watch it roll and roll and roll – into a fairway bunker. 60 yards from the green, I tried to contact ball first, but I inadvertently hit the sand twice and was still short of the green. It's funny. When I try to hit sand, I get ball, and vice versa. I finished the hole with a triple-bogey.
I got aggressive on hole #11, going for the green off the tee with the driver. I wasn't so much going for the green, as I was just trying to put it somewhere close. I found a spot near the front right, where I was able to pitch on and 2-putt for par. The aggressiveness did not work on the next hole, as I caught the ball on the heel of the driver, sending it into a hazard. Hitting three from the tee, I finished that hole with another triple. Much like the front nine, there were just a few bad shots, but they were costly. As a result I finished the back nine with a score of 48.
A final score of 95 is not great, but setting the score aside, I felt in control once again for large portions of the round. I just have to find a way to keep that control for all 18 holes. It's easier said than done, but I really feel like I'm on the verge of figuring something out. My immediate goal is to get my handicap factor down to 15. After that, I'm into personal best territory and the next longer term goal would be to get it down to 12.
Score: 95
Putts: 34
Fairways: 4
Greens: 6
Penalties: 5
If not for three bad holes, I likely would have broken 90. The worst of these was the opening par-5. I've struggled on this hole in the past – there's something about it that makes it a tough test to start. Out of bounds lines the entire left side from tee to green, while a large pond protects the right side from the mid-point to the green. The hole is long enough that you have to play your longer clubs and it's easy for wayward balls to get lost. I pulled my second shot OB, then did the same with an approach from 150 yards. It added up to a horrific 10 to start the round.
Luckily, some success on the next few holes kept me in a positive frame of mind. I bogeyed hole #2, a par-4, with a chip and two putts from near the green. I made par on hole #3, another par-4, after finding the green in regulation. Finally, I made birdie on hole #4, a short par-4, thanks to a 5-iron, sand wedge combination that placed the ball tight to the pin. I should have made par on hole #5, a short par-3, after a great chip shot, but unfortunately, I missed a 4-foot putt. At the turn, I was shooting 47. That's not bad, considering the first hole result.
The back nine at Century Pines begins with three short par-4 holes, which are considered scoring holes. My 5-iron from the tee on hole #10 was a duff. I was trying to weaken my grip, as I noticed it had gotten a little strong on previous shots. It felt awkward, but I tried to trust it. Alas, I may have adjusted too much. I hit a perfect second shot with the 7-iron, only to watch it roll and roll and roll – into a fairway bunker. 60 yards from the green, I tried to contact ball first, but I inadvertently hit the sand twice and was still short of the green. It's funny. When I try to hit sand, I get ball, and vice versa. I finished the hole with a triple-bogey.
I got aggressive on hole #11, going for the green off the tee with the driver. I wasn't so much going for the green, as I was just trying to put it somewhere close. I found a spot near the front right, where I was able to pitch on and 2-putt for par. The aggressiveness did not work on the next hole, as I caught the ball on the heel of the driver, sending it into a hazard. Hitting three from the tee, I finished that hole with another triple. Much like the front nine, there were just a few bad shots, but they were costly. As a result I finished the back nine with a score of 48.
A final score of 95 is not great, but setting the score aside, I felt in control once again for large portions of the round. I just have to find a way to keep that control for all 18 holes. It's easier said than done, but I really feel like I'm on the verge of figuring something out. My immediate goal is to get my handicap factor down to 15. After that, I'm into personal best territory and the next longer term goal would be to get it down to 12.
Score: 95
Putts: 34
Fairways: 4
Greens: 6
Penalties: 5
June 08, 2016
Whooped at Hunters Pointe
This will be a relatively short post, since I really don't want to dwell on my last round of golf, which was played at Hunters Pointe. To do so would be unhealthy, as there was absolutely nothing redeeming about the round. I shot 53 on the front nine, which included some moments of frustration. When I took a 10 on hole #11, I reached the final breaking point. I stopped trying and no longer kept score.
The greatest frustration was once again greenside bunkers. Hole #1 is a 395-yard par-4. I hit driver two yards into the right rough, then watched a 7-iron skip through the green and into a bunker. Choosing 7-iron was my first mistake; 8-iron was the right club from 150 yards, but I thought I could use one extra to get to the pin at the back of the green. I proceeded to play my typical “clean pick,” sending the ball 60 yards back over the green. I pulled a pitch shot next, and followed up with three putts for a triple-bogey. All this because I can't hit a bunker shot.
Fast forward to hole #11, a 355-yard par-4. I found the right side of the fairway with my tee shot, leaving 145 yards to a green that is protected on the front right by a pond. I hit the 8-iron on line, but a tad fat, plunking my ball in the water. After a penalty stroke and drop, I hit the ball into a front bunker. Cue up the “clean pick,” which I sent 30 yards past the green into long fescue, where the ball was lost. After a penalty, I dropped in the bunker again. This time, I didn't pick the ball clean. I managed to get it out of the bunker by a yard, finishing in the rough. A chip and two putts earned a score of 10. All this because I can't hit a bunker shot.
There was more to the poor play than bad bunker shots, but those are the ones that got under my skin. This was my first time playing Hunters Pointe since they modified a few holes to stop wayward balls from approaching the nearby highway. My first impression is that the changes are not very good. Hole #5 is a par-5 that they cobbled together from the old #4 (a par-4) and the old #5 (a par-3). A pond that served the old par-3 well is out of place in the new layout, mostly because it is completely obscured by mounds. Hole #6 also ended up with a dinky new green.
So far this season, I've had three types of rounds. One third have been very good – almost convincing me that I can regularly score in the 80s. One third have been decent – with scores just above 90 that included one or two unusual blowup holes. The final third have been terrible – with the latest at Hunters Pointe taking the cake.
We'll see what the next round brings.
The greatest frustration was once again greenside bunkers. Hole #1 is a 395-yard par-4. I hit driver two yards into the right rough, then watched a 7-iron skip through the green and into a bunker. Choosing 7-iron was my first mistake; 8-iron was the right club from 150 yards, but I thought I could use one extra to get to the pin at the back of the green. I proceeded to play my typical “clean pick,” sending the ball 60 yards back over the green. I pulled a pitch shot next, and followed up with three putts for a triple-bogey. All this because I can't hit a bunker shot.
Fast forward to hole #11, a 355-yard par-4. I found the right side of the fairway with my tee shot, leaving 145 yards to a green that is protected on the front right by a pond. I hit the 8-iron on line, but a tad fat, plunking my ball in the water. After a penalty stroke and drop, I hit the ball into a front bunker. Cue up the “clean pick,” which I sent 30 yards past the green into long fescue, where the ball was lost. After a penalty, I dropped in the bunker again. This time, I didn't pick the ball clean. I managed to get it out of the bunker by a yard, finishing in the rough. A chip and two putts earned a score of 10. All this because I can't hit a bunker shot.
There was more to the poor play than bad bunker shots, but those are the ones that got under my skin. This was my first time playing Hunters Pointe since they modified a few holes to stop wayward balls from approaching the nearby highway. My first impression is that the changes are not very good. Hole #5 is a par-5 that they cobbled together from the old #4 (a par-4) and the old #5 (a par-3). A pond that served the old par-3 well is out of place in the new layout, mostly because it is completely obscured by mounds. Hole #6 also ended up with a dinky new green.
So far this season, I've had three types of rounds. One third have been very good – almost convincing me that I can regularly score in the 80s. One third have been decent – with scores just above 90 that included one or two unusual blowup holes. The final third have been terrible – with the latest at Hunters Pointe taking the cake.
We'll see what the next round brings.
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