I found a good deal at Oliver's Nest, so I decided to make the trek. It's a long drive, but it takes you through some lovely bucolic scenery. The front nine began well, as I went bogey, par, par, bogey. My drive on the opening par-4 was a miss hit off the heel of the club. Two good iron shots gave me a chance to save par, but my putt just missed. My drive on hole 2 was awesome, allowing me to attack the back pin with lob wedge. I pulled the ball slightly left, finishing on the edge of a naturalized area. I made a fantastic up and down from there. Hole 3 was a textbook par-3. I hit the green, lagged one close, then tapped in. Another poor drive put me in some trouble on hole 4. My approach was with 4-iron and finished short of the green. After a great pitch shot, I missed a short par putt, settling for the bogey.
The remainder of the front featured some costly mistakes. Hole 5 is a long par-3 with a forced carry over a naturalized area. I hit my tee shot fat, landing in the junk. My third from the tee was a high 4-iron that found the green. Two putts earned a double-bogey. After making par on hole 6, I had more tee trouble on hole 7. This is a short par-4, so I opted for 5-wood. I hit this one fat as well, losing another ball in the junk just ahead of the teeing ground. Hitting my third from the tee, I finished the hole with another double-bogey. Both of those doubles could easily have been pars. Hole 8 was a fairly typical bogey, but I followed up with another double-bogey on hole 9. After a weak drive, I hit my 8-iron fat, barely advancing the ball. My score at the turn was 45.
Fortunately, I turned things around and played well for the entire back nine. I split the fairway on hole 10, before nailing the green with pitching wedge, en route to par. My third shot on hole 11, a par-5, was woefully short, requiring another pitch shot to get on the green. There was no par saving putt, so I took bogey. A threesome let me play through on hole 12, a short par-4. As they watched closely, I pummeled a drive down the left side of the fairway. Pulling off those drives with an audience is becoming a regular thing. My approach from 60 yards failed to clear a front left bunker, but I got up and down for par. My drive on the next hole split the fairway, but my 9-iron approach was fat, taking a huge divot out of the soft, damp fairway. I proceeded to hit one within makeable range, but burned the edge and took bogey. I recovered from that with another textbook par on a par-3.
The last four holes went bogey, par, par, bogey. The bogey on hole 15 was well earned, considering I started the hole by pushing a drive into the woods on the right. A deft chip into the green that had to be kept under a small tree was a big reason for that. Hole 16 was yet another textbook par-3. Though I hit the green in regulation, I was pretty far from the hole, so I did well to 2-putt from that position. Hole 17 was an absolutely perfect par 4. I split the fairway with my drive, which travelled 265 yards. I found my ball at the 100-yard marker in some casual water. After getting relief, I nailed the green with lob wedge. Another tricky 2-putt finished the hole off. Hole 18 began wth another weak drive. I seemed to alternate between bad and good on the day. The bad ones were weak pulls, as I swung from outside-in. I pitched back to the fairway and attacked the green with 9-iron. I came up short, requiring a chip and putt to close things out.
My score on the back nine was a respectable 40, which gave me 85 overall.
Score: 85
Putts: 33
Fairways: 7
Greens:6
Penalties: 3
August 28, 2020
August 27, 2020
Putting for 79 at Knollwood
The search for value took me to Knollwood's New Course, where I've only played on one other occasion. Fairways and greens were in pretty rough shape, but you get what you pay for, I suppose. On a positive note, the people were great! I played as a single and six groups let me play through, without any prompting whatsoever.
The sixth group let me through on hole 11 and it was wide open the rest of the way. I finished the round in 2 hours, 50 minutes. This was much appreciated, as a storm system was forecast to pass through in the late afternoon. I got in my car and drove away before any bad weather reached the area.
Hole 1 – Par 4 (275 yards)
I hit 5-wood to the centre of the fairway, followed by lob wedge to the front of the elevated green. The ball had too much backspin and rolled off the front of the green. I chipped one just past the back pin location, barely missing a 10-footer for par. Bogey it was.
Hole 2 – Par 5 (459 yards)
A mediocre drive still found the left side of the fairway. I pushed a 4-iron into a cluster of trees right. The ball was unplayable, so I took a penalty and drop. Sand wedge then carried me to the left edge of the green, flag high. After a lengthy lag, I tapped in for another bogey.
Hole 3 – Par 4 (410 yards)
The hardest hole on the course began with a perfect 5-wood to the centre of the fairway. From a downhill lie, it's not possible to clear a tall tree that protects the front of the green. I tried to punch a low shot to in front of the green, but missed badly. My next attempt was no better. My fourth shot rolled well past the hole. A lag and tap-in earned a double-bogey.
Hole 4 – Par 3 (123 yards)
After long waits on the first few holes, the first group of the day let me through. With no more waiting for the rest of the day, my performance improved dramatically. I hit gap wedge to the front left portion of the green on this hole. I lagged a putt through a chewed up section of green, then tapped in for par.
Hole 5 – Par 5 (453 yards)
Waited briefly at the rear tees until a foursome waved me through from the fairway. You must tee off through a chute on this hole, which can be challenging at the best of times. With a group of people watching, it gets more complicated. No problem, I drilled a drive over their heads toward the top of the hill. Followed up with a lovely 4-iron that finished in the left rough, 30 yards from the flag. A good pitch gave me a chance at birdie, but I just missed it, settling for another par.
Hole 6 – Par 4 (250 yards)
It's short, but this hole is tough if you haven't played it much before. Trees pinch the area leading up to the green, so it's important to pick the correct layup spot. I pulled a 7-iron slightly off the tee, finishing under some trees on the left. My only play was a sideways pitch to the end of the fairway. From 80 yards, my low pitch attempt was fat. I followed up with a beauty to inside 5 feet of the cup, then drained a putt for bogey.
Hole 7 – Par 4 (395 yards)
Three senior gents let me through at the tee, cracking some jokes about how I could learn by watching them, instead of moving ahead. I chuckled, then drilled a 270-yard drive to the left centre of the fairway. From 125 yards, my gap wedge released off the back of the green. I chipped back past the hole, then made an uphill putt to save par.
Hole 8 – Par 4 (320 yards)
Three ladies let me through on this tee, and I heard some “wows” after I hit a drive just off the right side of the fairway. That felt good, even though it wasn't my best drive, either in length or accuracy. From that position, I had a perfect angle into the green, allowing me to attack with sand wedge. I missed the putting surface slightly right, but chipped just past the hole and drained a 6-footer for another up-and-down par.
Hole 9 – Par 3 (169 yards)
This hole is all carry over water, with out of bounds also coming into play on the left. I hit a pure 7-iron off the tee that hit the green and released to flag-high, just left of the target. This left an uphill putt with just a hint of break. I lined it up and confidently stroked in the birdie, which helped me shoot 40 (4-over) on the front nine.
Hole 10 – Par 4 (340 yards)
Four guys let me through on this tee, and they were all standing 10 feet away from me as I teed up my ball. The fairway drops, before rising back up to the green. Boom! I pounded one straight down the pipe. “That's what I want to do,” exclaimed one of the onlookers. I bet you do, buddy! It was a great shot, but only went 240 yards, as the ball was slowed by the hill and by some rough that pinches in on the right side. From 100 yards, I hit lob wedge to the front of the green. A nicely judged lag putt left easy work for par.
Hole 11 – Par 3 (130 yards)
I hit gap wedge to the left edge of the green, while yet another group of friendly golfers looked on. The hole was on the opposite side of the green, so this was potential 3-putt territory. After a spectacular lag putt to within two feet, any chance of a 3-putt was eradicated. I tapped in for another par.
Hole 12 – Par 4 (399 yards)
This fairway bends to the right. I remember picking the wrong line the first time I played this hole, finishing in a tricky spot left of the fairway. This time, I blasted one to the centre of the fairway, leaving 140 yards to the green. I hit pitching wedge just left of the green and was a little short sided. My chip went 8 feet past the hole. I had an uphill putt with a small break, but I just missed. Bogey was the result.
Hole 13 – Par 4 (398 yards)
I pulled my drive on this hole and it didn't go very far at all. From the left rough, not only was the ball above my feet, but some woods up ahead blocked my path to the green. I hit 6-iron to an open area well right of the green. A 40-yard pitch gave me a decent look at par, but a good looking roll didn't drop. I recorded another bogey.
Hole 14 – Par 4 (375 yards)
I drove the ball 270 yards, missing the fairway left by about two yards. Despite a tree nearby, I had an unobstructed path to the green. I played sand wedge well right of the flag to avoid bushes left of the green. Though I got on in regulation, I was very far from the hole. I lagged my first putt down a large hump and cozied it to within a couple feet of the hole. An easy tap-in finished the par.
Hole 15 – Par 3 (177 yards)
A longer par-3 that once again must carry water. I made good contact with 5-iron,but tugged the ball ever so slightly left. I was in some long grass, fairly close to the rear flag location. To be safe, I chipped well past the hole. From there, I curled a long breaking putt to within a few feet. It was another excellent lag, but this time for bogey.
Hole 16 – Par 5 (466 yards)
I hit a pulled drive, which made the hole play longer than it is. As on hole 13, I was in the rough, with the ball above my feet and trees ahead blocking my path. I hit 7-iron to the right, but it carried too far and settled under a spruce tree right of the fairway. All I could do was punch back to the fairway. From 100 yards and with the ball well above my feet, I hit a good sand wedge to the back of the green. Two putts finished the hole for a bogey.
Hole 17 – Par 5 (547 yards)
A long par-5 that began with a perfect drive to the left centre of the fairway. This was followed by a lovely piercing 4-iron straight down the pipe. From 125 yards, I hit gap wedge to the back of this large tiered green. A lengthy birdie attempt didn't miss by much, leading to a stress-free par.
Hole 18 – Par 4 (343 yards)
There's a lot of room on this par-4, but it doesn't appear that way from the teeing ground. Especially from the back tees, nearby trees make it feel much more narrow. I pulled my drive slightly, actually clipping a branch ever so slightly. The ball deflected back to the right and a bit down, but then bounced off the cart path, which evened things out. I ended up in the centre of the fairway, 113 yards from the green.
A beautiful gap wedge flew very near the rear pin location and spun backward a bit, leaving a 10-foot putt for birdie. I knew if I drained the putt it would be for a score of 79 – just one off my personal best of 78. It was an uphill putt with just a hint of break, exactly as I had faced on a couple of occasions earlier in the round. I put a nice stroke on it, just burning the left edge before curling in behind the hole.
So I “settled” for a score of 80. I can think of worse things.
Score: 80
Putts: 32
Fairways: 8
Greens:8
Penalties: 1
The sixth group let me through on hole 11 and it was wide open the rest of the way. I finished the round in 2 hours, 50 minutes. This was much appreciated, as a storm system was forecast to pass through in the late afternoon. I got in my car and drove away before any bad weather reached the area.
Hole 1 – Par 4 (275 yards)
I hit 5-wood to the centre of the fairway, followed by lob wedge to the front of the elevated green. The ball had too much backspin and rolled off the front of the green. I chipped one just past the back pin location, barely missing a 10-footer for par. Bogey it was.
Hole 2 – Par 5 (459 yards)
A mediocre drive still found the left side of the fairway. I pushed a 4-iron into a cluster of trees right. The ball was unplayable, so I took a penalty and drop. Sand wedge then carried me to the left edge of the green, flag high. After a lengthy lag, I tapped in for another bogey.
Hole 3 – Par 4 (410 yards)
The hardest hole on the course began with a perfect 5-wood to the centre of the fairway. From a downhill lie, it's not possible to clear a tall tree that protects the front of the green. I tried to punch a low shot to in front of the green, but missed badly. My next attempt was no better. My fourth shot rolled well past the hole. A lag and tap-in earned a double-bogey.
Hole 4 – Par 3 (123 yards)
After long waits on the first few holes, the first group of the day let me through. With no more waiting for the rest of the day, my performance improved dramatically. I hit gap wedge to the front left portion of the green on this hole. I lagged a putt through a chewed up section of green, then tapped in for par.
Hole 5 – Par 5 (453 yards)
Waited briefly at the rear tees until a foursome waved me through from the fairway. You must tee off through a chute on this hole, which can be challenging at the best of times. With a group of people watching, it gets more complicated. No problem, I drilled a drive over their heads toward the top of the hill. Followed up with a lovely 4-iron that finished in the left rough, 30 yards from the flag. A good pitch gave me a chance at birdie, but I just missed it, settling for another par.
Hole 6 – Par 4 (250 yards)
It's short, but this hole is tough if you haven't played it much before. Trees pinch the area leading up to the green, so it's important to pick the correct layup spot. I pulled a 7-iron slightly off the tee, finishing under some trees on the left. My only play was a sideways pitch to the end of the fairway. From 80 yards, my low pitch attempt was fat. I followed up with a beauty to inside 5 feet of the cup, then drained a putt for bogey.
Hole 7 – Par 4 (395 yards)
Three senior gents let me through at the tee, cracking some jokes about how I could learn by watching them, instead of moving ahead. I chuckled, then drilled a 270-yard drive to the left centre of the fairway. From 125 yards, my gap wedge released off the back of the green. I chipped back past the hole, then made an uphill putt to save par.
Hole 8 – Par 4 (320 yards)
Three ladies let me through on this tee, and I heard some “wows” after I hit a drive just off the right side of the fairway. That felt good, even though it wasn't my best drive, either in length or accuracy. From that position, I had a perfect angle into the green, allowing me to attack with sand wedge. I missed the putting surface slightly right, but chipped just past the hole and drained a 6-footer for another up-and-down par.
Hole 9 – Par 3 (169 yards)
This hole is all carry over water, with out of bounds also coming into play on the left. I hit a pure 7-iron off the tee that hit the green and released to flag-high, just left of the target. This left an uphill putt with just a hint of break. I lined it up and confidently stroked in the birdie, which helped me shoot 40 (4-over) on the front nine.
Hole 10 – Par 4 (340 yards)
Four guys let me through on this tee, and they were all standing 10 feet away from me as I teed up my ball. The fairway drops, before rising back up to the green. Boom! I pounded one straight down the pipe. “That's what I want to do,” exclaimed one of the onlookers. I bet you do, buddy! It was a great shot, but only went 240 yards, as the ball was slowed by the hill and by some rough that pinches in on the right side. From 100 yards, I hit lob wedge to the front of the green. A nicely judged lag putt left easy work for par.
Hole 11 – Par 3 (130 yards)
I hit gap wedge to the left edge of the green, while yet another group of friendly golfers looked on. The hole was on the opposite side of the green, so this was potential 3-putt territory. After a spectacular lag putt to within two feet, any chance of a 3-putt was eradicated. I tapped in for another par.
Hole 12 – Par 4 (399 yards)
This fairway bends to the right. I remember picking the wrong line the first time I played this hole, finishing in a tricky spot left of the fairway. This time, I blasted one to the centre of the fairway, leaving 140 yards to the green. I hit pitching wedge just left of the green and was a little short sided. My chip went 8 feet past the hole. I had an uphill putt with a small break, but I just missed. Bogey was the result.
Hole 13 – Par 4 (398 yards)
I pulled my drive on this hole and it didn't go very far at all. From the left rough, not only was the ball above my feet, but some woods up ahead blocked my path to the green. I hit 6-iron to an open area well right of the green. A 40-yard pitch gave me a decent look at par, but a good looking roll didn't drop. I recorded another bogey.
Hole 14 – Par 4 (375 yards)
I drove the ball 270 yards, missing the fairway left by about two yards. Despite a tree nearby, I had an unobstructed path to the green. I played sand wedge well right of the flag to avoid bushes left of the green. Though I got on in regulation, I was very far from the hole. I lagged my first putt down a large hump and cozied it to within a couple feet of the hole. An easy tap-in finished the par.
Hole 15 – Par 3 (177 yards)
A longer par-3 that once again must carry water. I made good contact with 5-iron,but tugged the ball ever so slightly left. I was in some long grass, fairly close to the rear flag location. To be safe, I chipped well past the hole. From there, I curled a long breaking putt to within a few feet. It was another excellent lag, but this time for bogey.
Hole 16 – Par 5 (466 yards)
I hit a pulled drive, which made the hole play longer than it is. As on hole 13, I was in the rough, with the ball above my feet and trees ahead blocking my path. I hit 7-iron to the right, but it carried too far and settled under a spruce tree right of the fairway. All I could do was punch back to the fairway. From 100 yards and with the ball well above my feet, I hit a good sand wedge to the back of the green. Two putts finished the hole for a bogey.
Hole 17 – Par 5 (547 yards)
A long par-5 that began with a perfect drive to the left centre of the fairway. This was followed by a lovely piercing 4-iron straight down the pipe. From 125 yards, I hit gap wedge to the back of this large tiered green. A lengthy birdie attempt didn't miss by much, leading to a stress-free par.
Hole 18 – Par 4 (343 yards)
There's a lot of room on this par-4, but it doesn't appear that way from the teeing ground. Especially from the back tees, nearby trees make it feel much more narrow. I pulled my drive slightly, actually clipping a branch ever so slightly. The ball deflected back to the right and a bit down, but then bounced off the cart path, which evened things out. I ended up in the centre of the fairway, 113 yards from the green.
A beautiful gap wedge flew very near the rear pin location and spun backward a bit, leaving a 10-foot putt for birdie. I knew if I drained the putt it would be for a score of 79 – just one off my personal best of 78. It was an uphill putt with just a hint of break, exactly as I had faced on a couple of occasions earlier in the round. I put a nice stroke on it, just burning the left edge before curling in behind the hole.
So I “settled” for a score of 80. I can think of worse things.
Score: 80
Putts: 32
Fairways: 8
Greens:8
Penalties: 1
August 23, 2020
Birdie Finish at Doon Valley
A day after my visit to Braeben, I drove out to Doon Valley. The weather was once again perfect. My drive on the opening hole was just left of the fairway. I was in the same position last time I played there and made a mess of things. It was a case of trying to do too much. This time, I pitched out to the fairway, then pitched to the green for a look at par. It didn't drop, but a tap in bogey was a decent result.
I faced a short breaking putt for birdie on hole 2, a 164-yard par-3. This followed a lovely 8-iron off the tee. I didn't make the birdie and had to settle for par. I played bogey golf for the rest of the front nine, with five bogeys accompanied by one more par and a double-bogey.
I hit a beautiful 5-wood off the tee on hole 3, a short par-4. Unfortunately, my wedge into the green missed by a couple of yards to the right. A chip and two putts earned bogey. I hit a beautiful 5-iron off the tee on hole 8 to lay up before a nasty penalty area. I stuck a lovely 9-iron close to the pin, setting up another short breaker for birdie. I missed that one too, settling for par.
I used driver on the rest of the front nine holes, but I wasn't as crisp as I had been the day before. Besides missing slightly left on hole 1, I pushed one a bit right on hole 5, and sliced a few right on holes 6, 7, and 9. On hole 5, I followed up with an unobstructed 6-iron just right of the green. On hole 6, a par-5, I punched a 3-iron under some trees and well down the fairway. On hole 7, I took the aerial route, flying over some trees with an 8-iron to find the back of the green. There was no such recovery on hole 9, as the sliced drive went into a penalty area. Despite taking a penalty stroke, I still made bogey for a score of 44 at the turn.
The back nine began with a triple-bogey, my worst result of the day. This is a medium length par-4 with woods on the left and a penalty area to the right, from tee to green. I opened the club face of my 3-iron off the tee, sending the ball into the penalty area. After taking a drop, I was still far from the green and tugged a 4-iron left to the edge of the woods. I did well to pitch on from there, but finished with a 3-putt.
Over the remaining eight holes, I played good golf, going just 3 over par. On holes 11 through 14, I went bogey, par, bogey, par. I burned the edge of the cup on hole 11, a par-3. A fantastic 5-iron, sand wedge combo found the green in regulation on hole 12. Another burned edge produced the bogey on hole 13. A beautiful pitch from 30 yards finished within 2 feet on hole 14, setting up the tap-in par.
On holes 15 through 18, I went bogey, bogey, par, birdie. A greenside bunker gave me the usual trouble on hole 15, but I then chipped one to tap-in range to preserve the bogey. An untimely 3-putt was responsible for the bogey on hole 16. Hole 17 is a 172-yard par-3 that played out in pretty textbook fashion for the par.
Hole 18 is a 476-yard par-5 that plays alongside the river. The hole bends to the right, especially near the green, which is cut into the side of a hill and severely elevated. I hit a straight drive to the centre of the fairway, though it wasn't particularly long. From there, I hit an 8-iron to the 100-yard marker. From 105 yards, I clubbed up to gap wedge to account for the elevation change. It was the perfect choice, as my ball finished 8 feet below the hole. I drained the birdie putt for a final score of 86.
Score: 86
Putts: 36
Fairways: 6
Greens:7
Penalties: 3
I faced a short breaking putt for birdie on hole 2, a 164-yard par-3. This followed a lovely 8-iron off the tee. I didn't make the birdie and had to settle for par. I played bogey golf for the rest of the front nine, with five bogeys accompanied by one more par and a double-bogey.
I hit a beautiful 5-wood off the tee on hole 3, a short par-4. Unfortunately, my wedge into the green missed by a couple of yards to the right. A chip and two putts earned bogey. I hit a beautiful 5-iron off the tee on hole 8 to lay up before a nasty penalty area. I stuck a lovely 9-iron close to the pin, setting up another short breaker for birdie. I missed that one too, settling for par.
I used driver on the rest of the front nine holes, but I wasn't as crisp as I had been the day before. Besides missing slightly left on hole 1, I pushed one a bit right on hole 5, and sliced a few right on holes 6, 7, and 9. On hole 5, I followed up with an unobstructed 6-iron just right of the green. On hole 6, a par-5, I punched a 3-iron under some trees and well down the fairway. On hole 7, I took the aerial route, flying over some trees with an 8-iron to find the back of the green. There was no such recovery on hole 9, as the sliced drive went into a penalty area. Despite taking a penalty stroke, I still made bogey for a score of 44 at the turn.
The back nine began with a triple-bogey, my worst result of the day. This is a medium length par-4 with woods on the left and a penalty area to the right, from tee to green. I opened the club face of my 3-iron off the tee, sending the ball into the penalty area. After taking a drop, I was still far from the green and tugged a 4-iron left to the edge of the woods. I did well to pitch on from there, but finished with a 3-putt.
Over the remaining eight holes, I played good golf, going just 3 over par. On holes 11 through 14, I went bogey, par, bogey, par. I burned the edge of the cup on hole 11, a par-3. A fantastic 5-iron, sand wedge combo found the green in regulation on hole 12. Another burned edge produced the bogey on hole 13. A beautiful pitch from 30 yards finished within 2 feet on hole 14, setting up the tap-in par.
On holes 15 through 18, I went bogey, bogey, par, birdie. A greenside bunker gave me the usual trouble on hole 15, but I then chipped one to tap-in range to preserve the bogey. An untimely 3-putt was responsible for the bogey on hole 16. Hole 17 is a 172-yard par-3 that played out in pretty textbook fashion for the par.
Hole 18 is a 476-yard par-5 that plays alongside the river. The hole bends to the right, especially near the green, which is cut into the side of a hill and severely elevated. I hit a straight drive to the centre of the fairway, though it wasn't particularly long. From there, I hit an 8-iron to the 100-yard marker. From 105 yards, I clubbed up to gap wedge to account for the elevation change. It was the perfect choice, as my ball finished 8 feet below the hole. I drained the birdie putt for a final score of 86.
Score: 86
Putts: 36
Fairways: 6
Greens:7
Penalties: 3
August 22, 2020
Driving Machine at Braeben
I drove a long way to play my last round, and it was horrible. I stayed much closer to home this time, and it was great! Braeben Golf Course is where I once shot 78, for my best score ever. I can't think of a better place to exorcise some golf demons. Weather was perfect, albeit very windy on Braeben's elevated terrain.
This may have been my best driving round ever. I hit 11 of 13 fairways, with straight, penetrating shots. One of my misses was a mere yard into the intermediate cut. The other was about 5 yards into the rough. Five of my drives were over 300 yards, as I took full advantage when the wind was helping.
The first of these came on hole 1, a 502-yard par-5. I split the fairway with a 312-yard drive, followed by 6-iron to just in front of the green. My pitch to the back pin location rolled off the green, but I chipped one close and tapped in for par.
After a 3-putt bogey on hole 2, I opted for 3-iron off the tee on hole 3. This laser shot travelled 215 yards to the centre of the fairway, leaving a 100-yard lob wedge shot that I placed below the hole. The birdie putt didn't drop, but I had another tap-in par.
I hit my tee shot fat on hole 4, a par-3, which lead to bogey. The next three holes were the most troublesome of the day. My drive on hole 5 is the one that missed 5 yards to the right. I had a clean lie and good angle into the green from 140 yards. I made great contact, but lost sight of the ball. I must have flown straight over the green. With a lost ball, I ended up making double-bogey.
Hole 6 is the second par-5 on the course, but this one was playing in the opposite direction as hole 1, directly into the wind. I hit a fantastic drive, but it travelled a grand total of 200 yards. A great 4-iron followed, but it too travelled much less than normal. My third shot was an 8-iron from 125 yards that ballooned up in the air and hooked wildly down to the bottom of the hill on the left. I had to take a penalty and drop. After pitching onto the green, I 3-putt for a momentum killing triple-bogey. The wind was brutal on that hole.
Hole 7 is a par 3 from a drastically elevated tee that was playing 145-yards. The wide, but shallow green is fronted by a pond and backed by woods. It's a tough tee shot under any conditions and the wind was howling from right to left. I guessed pitching wedge was the correct club and sailed right over the green into the woods. It's the kind of hole that you just need to practice in order to know the correct club to hit. As it was, I took a double-bogey.
Hole 8 is the third par-5 on the front nine and this one was back in the direction of the wind. I piped a 305-yard drive right down the centre, then hit 6-iron to a bunker left of the green. I got out of the sand safely, but only to the fringe. No worries, as I chipped one to within 6 feet and then drained the putt for par. With a 3-putt bogey on hole 9, I made the turn with a score of 46.
After making par on hole 10, a par-3, I got ready to drive the ball on hole 11, a 425-yard par-4. The wind was helping a bit, but mostly coming across from right to left. I pummelled the ball a total of 320 yards to the middle of the fairway. Unfortunately, my lob wedge slid right under the ball on my approach, leading to bogey.
I made par on hole 12 before teeing it up on hole 13, a 168-yard par-3. With the wind in our face, it was playing more like 208 yards. I hit 3-iron just off the back left corner of the green, then pitched on and 2-putt for bogey.
Holes 14 and 15 are par-4 holes measuring 321 and 411 yards, respectively. On the former, the wind was coming out of the right. I aimed over the knoll on the left side, finding the fairway centre, just 70 yards from the green. On the latter, the wind was coming out of the left. I cut this corner as well, finishing at the end of the fairway, just 95 yards away from the green. In both cases, I hit lob wedge on and 2-putt for par.
My drive on hole 16 was marvelous. This is a par-5 measuring 476 yards. The wind was once again favourable and I striped one 321 yards right down the middle. Normally, I advance the ball on my second shot to an area some 50 yards short of the green, where there is a 90-degree dogleg. This time, I was in such great position, that I decided to go for the green. To do so, you have to cut the corner, over some high mounds and a cluster of trees. I was just 155 yards from the green, but the straight line distance is less than that. This should have been an easy 9-iron. Unfortunately, I hit it a little fat, clipping the trees. I found the ball but it was unplayable. The hole started so promisingly, but it finished with a double-bogey.
Hole 17 is a 293-yard par-4, so it can be driven by longer hitters. I tried to put one as close as possible. It was a good shot, but finished 20 yards short of the green. I pitched on and 2-putt for par. The final hole is another par-5, but it was playing into the wind. I hit as good a drive as any, but the wind limited it to 220 yards. I hit my next shot fat, before hitting a good third to just left of the green. I pitched on and 2-putt for bogey.
Overall, it was a heck of a fun round. It felt great to find the fairways like I did. Wind helped me more than it hurt me, but to take advantage of the wind you have to hit the ball solidly and straight. There was not a hint of any side spin on any of my drives. I love it!
Score: 87
Putts: 34
Fairways: 11
Greens: 6
Penalties: 4
This may have been my best driving round ever. I hit 11 of 13 fairways, with straight, penetrating shots. One of my misses was a mere yard into the intermediate cut. The other was about 5 yards into the rough. Five of my drives were over 300 yards, as I took full advantage when the wind was helping.
The first of these came on hole 1, a 502-yard par-5. I split the fairway with a 312-yard drive, followed by 6-iron to just in front of the green. My pitch to the back pin location rolled off the green, but I chipped one close and tapped in for par.
After a 3-putt bogey on hole 2, I opted for 3-iron off the tee on hole 3. This laser shot travelled 215 yards to the centre of the fairway, leaving a 100-yard lob wedge shot that I placed below the hole. The birdie putt didn't drop, but I had another tap-in par.
I hit my tee shot fat on hole 4, a par-3, which lead to bogey. The next three holes were the most troublesome of the day. My drive on hole 5 is the one that missed 5 yards to the right. I had a clean lie and good angle into the green from 140 yards. I made great contact, but lost sight of the ball. I must have flown straight over the green. With a lost ball, I ended up making double-bogey.
Hole 6 is the second par-5 on the course, but this one was playing in the opposite direction as hole 1, directly into the wind. I hit a fantastic drive, but it travelled a grand total of 200 yards. A great 4-iron followed, but it too travelled much less than normal. My third shot was an 8-iron from 125 yards that ballooned up in the air and hooked wildly down to the bottom of the hill on the left. I had to take a penalty and drop. After pitching onto the green, I 3-putt for a momentum killing triple-bogey. The wind was brutal on that hole.
Hole 7 is a par 3 from a drastically elevated tee that was playing 145-yards. The wide, but shallow green is fronted by a pond and backed by woods. It's a tough tee shot under any conditions and the wind was howling from right to left. I guessed pitching wedge was the correct club and sailed right over the green into the woods. It's the kind of hole that you just need to practice in order to know the correct club to hit. As it was, I took a double-bogey.
Hole 8 is the third par-5 on the front nine and this one was back in the direction of the wind. I piped a 305-yard drive right down the centre, then hit 6-iron to a bunker left of the green. I got out of the sand safely, but only to the fringe. No worries, as I chipped one to within 6 feet and then drained the putt for par. With a 3-putt bogey on hole 9, I made the turn with a score of 46.
After making par on hole 10, a par-3, I got ready to drive the ball on hole 11, a 425-yard par-4. The wind was helping a bit, but mostly coming across from right to left. I pummelled the ball a total of 320 yards to the middle of the fairway. Unfortunately, my lob wedge slid right under the ball on my approach, leading to bogey.
I made par on hole 12 before teeing it up on hole 13, a 168-yard par-3. With the wind in our face, it was playing more like 208 yards. I hit 3-iron just off the back left corner of the green, then pitched on and 2-putt for bogey.
Holes 14 and 15 are par-4 holes measuring 321 and 411 yards, respectively. On the former, the wind was coming out of the right. I aimed over the knoll on the left side, finding the fairway centre, just 70 yards from the green. On the latter, the wind was coming out of the left. I cut this corner as well, finishing at the end of the fairway, just 95 yards away from the green. In both cases, I hit lob wedge on and 2-putt for par.
My drive on hole 16 was marvelous. This is a par-5 measuring 476 yards. The wind was once again favourable and I striped one 321 yards right down the middle. Normally, I advance the ball on my second shot to an area some 50 yards short of the green, where there is a 90-degree dogleg. This time, I was in such great position, that I decided to go for the green. To do so, you have to cut the corner, over some high mounds and a cluster of trees. I was just 155 yards from the green, but the straight line distance is less than that. This should have been an easy 9-iron. Unfortunately, I hit it a little fat, clipping the trees. I found the ball but it was unplayable. The hole started so promisingly, but it finished with a double-bogey.
Hole 17 is a 293-yard par-4, so it can be driven by longer hitters. I tried to put one as close as possible. It was a good shot, but finished 20 yards short of the green. I pitched on and 2-putt for par. The final hole is another par-5, but it was playing into the wind. I hit as good a drive as any, but the wind limited it to 220 yards. I hit my next shot fat, before hitting a good third to just left of the green. I pitched on and 2-putt for bogey.
Overall, it was a heck of a fun round. It felt great to find the fairways like I did. Wind helped me more than it hurt me, but to take advantage of the wind you have to hit the ball solidly and straight. There was not a hint of any side spin on any of my drives. I love it!
Score: 87
Putts: 34
Fairways: 11
Greens: 6
Penalties: 4
August 20, 2020
Defeated at Battlefield
I've been having a pretty good year, but my last round on the Battlefield Course at Legends on the Niagara was a stinker. I checked in with the starter and he sent me immediately to the first tee, telling me to catch up to another single who had just teed off. There was no opportunity for practice putts or any other warm up.
I completely smothered my drive attempt, barely reaching the edge of a fairway bunker. With the ball nearly at waist height, all I could do was advance a few yards to the fairway. My third shot was a very good 5-wood to the middle of the fairway, which left just 90 yards to the green. A lob wedge on and two putts would give me a bogey, which is fair, considering my tee shot. Unfortunately, I pulled the approach shot into a front left bunker. My bunker play being what it is, I required two shots to get out. Two putts finished things off for a triple-bogey.
I could easily have been upset at this point, but I wasn't. For one thing, I had 17 more holes to get back on track. That's a lot of golf, so a good score for the round was still entirely possible. I've learned over the years not to let a bad first hole ruin an entire round. Secondly, all the trouble I had on the first hole was my own doing. I made a horrible tee shot, I pulled my approach into the bunker, and I wasted my first bunker shot. How can I expect a better score with that many mistakes? I don't, so I moved on.
On the second hole, I hit a high drive slightly right. I thought I might finish five yards or so into the rough, so I didn't even follow the entire ball flight. When I reached the estimated landing place, my ball was nowhere to be found. There are no trees there, and the rough was not particularly long. Long grasses lie further to the right, and that's the only place a ball could be lost. I couldn't believe the ball would bounce that far right. After a penalty and drop, I hit a nice 8-iron onto the green. With two putts, I would earn bogey, which isn't bad. Unfortunately, I blew my first putt way past the hole and needed two more to hole out for double-bogey.
This was a bit harder to take than what happened on the first hole. My drive on this one wasn't horrible, and losing that ball seemed rather unlucky. Three-putting was a result of not having any practice putts before the round. The greens at Battlefield were faster than those I had played recently, so all I needed were a few putts to get a feel for the speed. I was a bit peeved, but again, I let it go and focused on the next hole.
Hole 3 is a straightforward par-3, but I pulled my tee shot left of the green. It was falling away from me, which made pitching on rather challenging. I duffed my first attempt, then rolled one well past the hole. To make matters worse, I 3-putt from that position for a triple-bogey. This was disastrous. Again, I was upset that I did not have a chance to hit putts before the round, but again, I let it go.
I was in a positive frame of mind, despite being 8-over par through three holes. On hole 4, a par-4, I piped a solid drive to the middle of the fairway. Gap wedge then finished flag high, 12 feet from the cup. I finally adjusted to the green speed and lagged one close, then tapped in for par. In my mind, this was going to be the start of a good run.
On hole 5, a short par-4, I piped another drive deep and down the centre of the fairway. I'm comfortable using the lob wedge from 60 yards and could visualize hitting one close. I made a good swing, but the soft fairway gave way much too easily. Instead of the club head bouncing, it sliced into the turf, making a huge beaver pelt. Of course, the ball went nowhere.
Now I was pissed, and muttered my first expletive of the day. My stroke was good. That duff was no fault of my technique. After pitching on to the green with my third shot, I made a decent lag. Unfortunately, I missed a short bogey putt, taking a double instead. My frustration rose. Three-putting to finish a hole that already started badly feels like an extra twist of the knife, after being stabbed in the back.
Though I was pissed when that hole concluded, I was still positive on the next tee. Hole 6 is a par-5 measuring 477 yards. I hit three good shots to hit the green in regulation, then 2-putt confidently to make par. I started the round poorly, then was unlucky in a couple of different ways. I wasted putts because I had been rushed to the first tee with no practice. Despite all this, I was still feeling optimistic.
Then came the seventh hole, a par-4 that begins with a carry over the edge of a large pond. After a long wait on the tee, I promptly duffed one into the water. Hitting my third shot from the tee, I sliced the ball into the woods on this dogleg left. You know what? That was it. Forget positivity! After another penalty and drop, I hit a great shot to just in front of the green. Too bad I 4-putt from the fringe for a score of 9.
To hell with it. Sometimes, we're due for a stinker, and this was mine. I made one par, six bogeys, and three doubles over the next ten holes. That's not horrible, but I really didn't care what my scores were at this point. After those tee shots on hole 7, I was done. It's amazing how patient I had been up to that point, but you know what? There's a limit to patience.
Fittingly, I ended with a score of 10 on the final hole, a par-5. I won't bore you with the details, but the hole included two penalty strokes. The entire round was a waste of time.
Score: 104
Putts: 40
Fairways: 7
Greens: 5
Penalties: 6
I completely smothered my drive attempt, barely reaching the edge of a fairway bunker. With the ball nearly at waist height, all I could do was advance a few yards to the fairway. My third shot was a very good 5-wood to the middle of the fairway, which left just 90 yards to the green. A lob wedge on and two putts would give me a bogey, which is fair, considering my tee shot. Unfortunately, I pulled the approach shot into a front left bunker. My bunker play being what it is, I required two shots to get out. Two putts finished things off for a triple-bogey.
I could easily have been upset at this point, but I wasn't. For one thing, I had 17 more holes to get back on track. That's a lot of golf, so a good score for the round was still entirely possible. I've learned over the years not to let a bad first hole ruin an entire round. Secondly, all the trouble I had on the first hole was my own doing. I made a horrible tee shot, I pulled my approach into the bunker, and I wasted my first bunker shot. How can I expect a better score with that many mistakes? I don't, so I moved on.
On the second hole, I hit a high drive slightly right. I thought I might finish five yards or so into the rough, so I didn't even follow the entire ball flight. When I reached the estimated landing place, my ball was nowhere to be found. There are no trees there, and the rough was not particularly long. Long grasses lie further to the right, and that's the only place a ball could be lost. I couldn't believe the ball would bounce that far right. After a penalty and drop, I hit a nice 8-iron onto the green. With two putts, I would earn bogey, which isn't bad. Unfortunately, I blew my first putt way past the hole and needed two more to hole out for double-bogey.
This was a bit harder to take than what happened on the first hole. My drive on this one wasn't horrible, and losing that ball seemed rather unlucky. Three-putting was a result of not having any practice putts before the round. The greens at Battlefield were faster than those I had played recently, so all I needed were a few putts to get a feel for the speed. I was a bit peeved, but again, I let it go and focused on the next hole.
Hole 3 is a straightforward par-3, but I pulled my tee shot left of the green. It was falling away from me, which made pitching on rather challenging. I duffed my first attempt, then rolled one well past the hole. To make matters worse, I 3-putt from that position for a triple-bogey. This was disastrous. Again, I was upset that I did not have a chance to hit putts before the round, but again, I let it go.
I was in a positive frame of mind, despite being 8-over par through three holes. On hole 4, a par-4, I piped a solid drive to the middle of the fairway. Gap wedge then finished flag high, 12 feet from the cup. I finally adjusted to the green speed and lagged one close, then tapped in for par. In my mind, this was going to be the start of a good run.
On hole 5, a short par-4, I piped another drive deep and down the centre of the fairway. I'm comfortable using the lob wedge from 60 yards and could visualize hitting one close. I made a good swing, but the soft fairway gave way much too easily. Instead of the club head bouncing, it sliced into the turf, making a huge beaver pelt. Of course, the ball went nowhere.
Now I was pissed, and muttered my first expletive of the day. My stroke was good. That duff was no fault of my technique. After pitching on to the green with my third shot, I made a decent lag. Unfortunately, I missed a short bogey putt, taking a double instead. My frustration rose. Three-putting to finish a hole that already started badly feels like an extra twist of the knife, after being stabbed in the back.
Though I was pissed when that hole concluded, I was still positive on the next tee. Hole 6 is a par-5 measuring 477 yards. I hit three good shots to hit the green in regulation, then 2-putt confidently to make par. I started the round poorly, then was unlucky in a couple of different ways. I wasted putts because I had been rushed to the first tee with no practice. Despite all this, I was still feeling optimistic.
Then came the seventh hole, a par-4 that begins with a carry over the edge of a large pond. After a long wait on the tee, I promptly duffed one into the water. Hitting my third shot from the tee, I sliced the ball into the woods on this dogleg left. You know what? That was it. Forget positivity! After another penalty and drop, I hit a great shot to just in front of the green. Too bad I 4-putt from the fringe for a score of 9.
To hell with it. Sometimes, we're due for a stinker, and this was mine. I made one par, six bogeys, and three doubles over the next ten holes. That's not horrible, but I really didn't care what my scores were at this point. After those tee shots on hole 7, I was done. It's amazing how patient I had been up to that point, but you know what? There's a limit to patience.
Fittingly, I ended with a score of 10 on the final hole, a par-5. I won't bore you with the details, but the hole included two penalty strokes. The entire round was a waste of time.
Score: 104
Putts: 40
Fairways: 7
Greens: 5
Penalties: 6
August 09, 2020
New Personal Best at King's Forest
King's Forest has been creeping up my list of most played courses, and currently ranks just inside the Top 10. Despite playing there regularly over the past few years, I have not scored well. Along with a handful of mediocre results in the 90s, I've collected far too many scores of 100 and up. My best score there was 90 even, which I achieved last September.
I'm happy to say that I broke 90 on my latest vist, setting a new personal best for the course with a score of 86. I stayed out of trouble for the most part, collecting only two double-bogeys. Everything else was either bogey or par. I didn't take a single penalty stroke, which is very rare indeed. I navigated the toughest section at King's Forest very well, which buoyed me to an extremely strong finish.
I was 6 over par through the first six holes, with the only real trouble coming on hole 3, a par-4. A perfect 5-wood off the tee found the middle of the fairway, but I pulled my approach shot into a left side bunker. I had lots of green to work with and hit a good sand shot, but the ball rolled off the other side of the green. A comeback chip and two putts finished things off for a double-bogey.
Fortunately, I bounced back with a par on hole 4, a par-5. My drive leaked just off the right side of the fairway, but I managed to punch a 4-iron past a small tree that was impeding my progress. My third shot was a lob wedge from the right rough, 80 yards from the green. It carried a front bunker and finished below the hole, giving me a chance at birdie. Though the birdie putt didn't drop, I followed up with an easy tap-in.
I was 7 over par on holes 7 through 12, with another double-bogey being the only real blemish. It came on hole 8, a straight par-4. I sliced my drive well right, finishing under some trees. I tried to punch a 3-iron out of there, but hit a fat shot that advanced only a few yards. Trees were still a problem, but I managed to take the aerial route to the green, finishing just shy of the putting surface. I tried a long lag from off the green, but missed my line and finished well right of the hole. Two official putts finished up the hole.
Every other hole over the middle third of the course produced bogey. That's not a bad thing, considering that holes 11 and 12 sometimes give me trouble. Along with hole 13, I consider this the toughest stretch of the course. My drive from an elevated tee on hole 11 hit a tree right of the fairway, dropping straight down. I punched back to the fairway, then nailed the green with a wedge, before 2 putting. I split the fairway on hole 12 with a 3-iron off the tee, then pushed a 7-iron flag high, just right of the green. A chip and two putts made the hole look fairly easy, though it's really not. The hole is a dogleg and woods border it entirely from tee to green.
Hole 13 may be the toughest of them all. The teeing ground is pressed against woods on the left, almost demanding a draw shot. I don't draw the ball with my longer clubs, so it puts me in a tough position. Driver or 5-wood have not worked for me in the past, usually finding the bushes on the right side of the fairway. This time, I opted for 3-iron, which I could hit straight, if not very far. I found the middle of the fairway, but remained 205 yards away from the green. The second shot is a forced carry over the river; I've often duffed from this position, probably because the green is still far away. This time, I hit a lovely 5-wood up the left side. I may have clipped some large trees up there, as my ball finished 20 yards short of the green. No worries, as I chipped on and drained a putt for par!
That result gave me confidence that I carried for the rest of the round. In fact, I was just 1 over par for the final third of the round. The par on hole 13 was followed by four more in a row. I hit the centre of the green on hole 14, a short par-4. Driver, 5-wood carried me to just in front of the green on hole 15, a par-5. A simple 4-iron off the tee worked well on hole 16, a short par-4. Though I failed to hit the green with a wedge, I did get up and down. A sweet 6-iron found the green on hole 17, a par-3. It took the final hole of the day to ruin the par streak, as I collected bogey. My drive on this par-5 was a low pull, which forced a punch out from under some trees. The punch was very well done, but I faced a long third shot into the green. Rather than go for it, I played something that would come up a bit short, but which I could control better. I think it was the correct call.
Score: 86
Putts: 33
Fairways: 6
Greens: 4
Penalties: 0
I'm happy to say that I broke 90 on my latest vist, setting a new personal best for the course with a score of 86. I stayed out of trouble for the most part, collecting only two double-bogeys. Everything else was either bogey or par. I didn't take a single penalty stroke, which is very rare indeed. I navigated the toughest section at King's Forest very well, which buoyed me to an extremely strong finish.
I was 6 over par through the first six holes, with the only real trouble coming on hole 3, a par-4. A perfect 5-wood off the tee found the middle of the fairway, but I pulled my approach shot into a left side bunker. I had lots of green to work with and hit a good sand shot, but the ball rolled off the other side of the green. A comeback chip and two putts finished things off for a double-bogey.
Fortunately, I bounced back with a par on hole 4, a par-5. My drive leaked just off the right side of the fairway, but I managed to punch a 4-iron past a small tree that was impeding my progress. My third shot was a lob wedge from the right rough, 80 yards from the green. It carried a front bunker and finished below the hole, giving me a chance at birdie. Though the birdie putt didn't drop, I followed up with an easy tap-in.
I was 7 over par on holes 7 through 12, with another double-bogey being the only real blemish. It came on hole 8, a straight par-4. I sliced my drive well right, finishing under some trees. I tried to punch a 3-iron out of there, but hit a fat shot that advanced only a few yards. Trees were still a problem, but I managed to take the aerial route to the green, finishing just shy of the putting surface. I tried a long lag from off the green, but missed my line and finished well right of the hole. Two official putts finished up the hole.
Every other hole over the middle third of the course produced bogey. That's not a bad thing, considering that holes 11 and 12 sometimes give me trouble. Along with hole 13, I consider this the toughest stretch of the course. My drive from an elevated tee on hole 11 hit a tree right of the fairway, dropping straight down. I punched back to the fairway, then nailed the green with a wedge, before 2 putting. I split the fairway on hole 12 with a 3-iron off the tee, then pushed a 7-iron flag high, just right of the green. A chip and two putts made the hole look fairly easy, though it's really not. The hole is a dogleg and woods border it entirely from tee to green.
Hole 13 may be the toughest of them all. The teeing ground is pressed against woods on the left, almost demanding a draw shot. I don't draw the ball with my longer clubs, so it puts me in a tough position. Driver or 5-wood have not worked for me in the past, usually finding the bushes on the right side of the fairway. This time, I opted for 3-iron, which I could hit straight, if not very far. I found the middle of the fairway, but remained 205 yards away from the green. The second shot is a forced carry over the river; I've often duffed from this position, probably because the green is still far away. This time, I hit a lovely 5-wood up the left side. I may have clipped some large trees up there, as my ball finished 20 yards short of the green. No worries, as I chipped on and drained a putt for par!
That result gave me confidence that I carried for the rest of the round. In fact, I was just 1 over par for the final third of the round. The par on hole 13 was followed by four more in a row. I hit the centre of the green on hole 14, a short par-4. Driver, 5-wood carried me to just in front of the green on hole 15, a par-5. A simple 4-iron off the tee worked well on hole 16, a short par-4. Though I failed to hit the green with a wedge, I did get up and down. A sweet 6-iron found the green on hole 17, a par-3. It took the final hole of the day to ruin the par streak, as I collected bogey. My drive on this par-5 was a low pull, which forced a punch out from under some trees. The punch was very well done, but I faced a long third shot into the green. Rather than go for it, I played something that would come up a bit short, but which I could control better. I think it was the correct call.
Score: 86
Putts: 33
Fairways: 6
Greens: 4
Penalties: 0
August 07, 2020
The Oaks in Rough Shape
I started this season at Oaks of St George. My score was terrible, but one can't expect to score well after a 7-month layoff. Now that I've played a few more rounds, including many where I scored in the eighties, I was curious to see what I could do on this particular course.
Weather was perfect, but the course was far from it. Teeing grounds had dead patches, or were shaggy. One hole had all the teeing grounds closed, presumably for repair. A temporary teeing ground was created at the start of the fairway. Speaking of fairways, they also had dead patches. Even the greens were dotted with dead patches of grass. Holes were cut in the healthier parts of the greens, but that only helps if all your approach shots are within ten feet. The green aprons were particularly bad.
Despite the horrible conditions, I played well. The back nine, in particular, was very good. I shot 41, with four pars and five bogeys. I striped my drive on hole 10, which is the hardest on the course. From a very elevated tee, golfers must carry a creek to find the fairway, which is bordered by thick woods on both sides. When my ball took flight, I heard a soft but unmistakable, “Oh, wow!” from the nearby starter's hut. I casually picked up my tee like it was just a typical drive. LOL
I earned bogey on that hole, but managed par on hole 11 after a similar drive off the tee. My second shot on this par-5 was a nice 5-wood that carried me to within 30 yards of the green. Three more bogeys would follow, before I really heated up for the last four holes of the round, going par, par, bogey, par. Great drives on hole 15 and 16 were followed by equally good approach shots. It helped that I was using wedges into the greens. Hole 15 is 390 yards, but I was able to attack with sand wedge after a 280-yard drive.
The drive on hole 18 was bitter sweet. This is a par-5 that begins with a carry over a creek. Further ahead, the fairway narrows, as a large pond occupies the right side. Conditions were such that I ended up reaching the pond. My ball dropped before the water, but the dry ground produced a big bounce and in I went. So be it. I took a penalty stroke and dropped behind the water, 200 yards from the elevated green. A fabulous 5-wood carried the required distance and dropped on the green like it was a wedge shot. Two putts finished off the par save.
My final score was 90. The only reason I didn't break 90 easily, were a couple of unfortunate incidents on the front nine. The first of these occurred on hole 1, a 410-yard par-4, which is actually rated as the hardest hole on the course. Besides its length, what makes this hole difficult is simply the fact that it's tricked up. The green is surrounded by woods left, back and right. Fair enough, since you approach the green from the front, but then there is “the tree.”
The tree is a massive one directly in front of the green. It impedes every approach shot, no matter what side of the fairway you're on. After a good drive, I was just one yard into the right rough, 160 yards from the green. This side offers somewhat better odds than the left, but the ball was above my feet, promoting a pull or hook. Sure enough, I pulled the ball slightly, smacking the tree and bouncing backwards almost 30 yards.
The tree now lay directly between me and the flag, which was tucked in the back, left portion of the green. You can't go over it, because it's too tall. You can't go under it, because that's the home of a large bunker. The tree is dumb, plain and simple. If you must keep it, get rid of the bunker. Otherwise, keep the bunker and chop the tree down. You have to give golfers an option. What are they supposed to do? Thread their ball through the branches?
I tried to lob a shot to the right of the tree, in hopes of catching the front, right portion of the green. This would leave me with a very long putt, but there was no other alternative. I hit a perfect shot. Perfect! Nevertheless, I clipped the thinnest tip of a branch and the ball dropped straight down to the edge of the bunker. Seriously? With a terrible lie, my next shot only made it to the centre of the bunker. After a good out and two putts, I carded a triple-bogey. No way I deserved a triple-bogey there! The tree is dumb!
The other incident on the front nine came on hole 6, a par-5. I hit driver, 4-iron, finishing through the end of the fairway, and leaving just 70 yards to the green. A simple pitch and two putts should have resulted in par, at worst. Unfortunately, the ground was so dry and bare. Somehow, my lob wedge slid right under the ball, sending it just a few yards ahead into a pond. Not only was that stroke wasted, but now I had to add a penalty!
I didn't catch the ball fat, or thin. I pinched it perfectly and somehow that club head slid under it completely. For this, I add two strokes? Come on man! I de-lofted the club on my next shot to make sure it didn't happen again, sending the ball 50 feet behind the flag. Of course, when something goes wrong in golf, a little extra is added at the end. In this case, it was a 3-putt for triple-bogey. It's like twisting that knife in your back, just to make sure you get the message.
So, those two incidents were annoying. Otherwise, it was a fine outing.
Score: 90
Putts: 35
Fairways: 4
Greens: 5
Penalties: 4
Weather was perfect, but the course was far from it. Teeing grounds had dead patches, or were shaggy. One hole had all the teeing grounds closed, presumably for repair. A temporary teeing ground was created at the start of the fairway. Speaking of fairways, they also had dead patches. Even the greens were dotted with dead patches of grass. Holes were cut in the healthier parts of the greens, but that only helps if all your approach shots are within ten feet. The green aprons were particularly bad.
Despite the horrible conditions, I played well. The back nine, in particular, was very good. I shot 41, with four pars and five bogeys. I striped my drive on hole 10, which is the hardest on the course. From a very elevated tee, golfers must carry a creek to find the fairway, which is bordered by thick woods on both sides. When my ball took flight, I heard a soft but unmistakable, “Oh, wow!” from the nearby starter's hut. I casually picked up my tee like it was just a typical drive. LOL
I earned bogey on that hole, but managed par on hole 11 after a similar drive off the tee. My second shot on this par-5 was a nice 5-wood that carried me to within 30 yards of the green. Three more bogeys would follow, before I really heated up for the last four holes of the round, going par, par, bogey, par. Great drives on hole 15 and 16 were followed by equally good approach shots. It helped that I was using wedges into the greens. Hole 15 is 390 yards, but I was able to attack with sand wedge after a 280-yard drive.
The drive on hole 18 was bitter sweet. This is a par-5 that begins with a carry over a creek. Further ahead, the fairway narrows, as a large pond occupies the right side. Conditions were such that I ended up reaching the pond. My ball dropped before the water, but the dry ground produced a big bounce and in I went. So be it. I took a penalty stroke and dropped behind the water, 200 yards from the elevated green. A fabulous 5-wood carried the required distance and dropped on the green like it was a wedge shot. Two putts finished off the par save.
My final score was 90. The only reason I didn't break 90 easily, were a couple of unfortunate incidents on the front nine. The first of these occurred on hole 1, a 410-yard par-4, which is actually rated as the hardest hole on the course. Besides its length, what makes this hole difficult is simply the fact that it's tricked up. The green is surrounded by woods left, back and right. Fair enough, since you approach the green from the front, but then there is “the tree.”
The tree is a massive one directly in front of the green. It impedes every approach shot, no matter what side of the fairway you're on. After a good drive, I was just one yard into the right rough, 160 yards from the green. This side offers somewhat better odds than the left, but the ball was above my feet, promoting a pull or hook. Sure enough, I pulled the ball slightly, smacking the tree and bouncing backwards almost 30 yards.
The tree now lay directly between me and the flag, which was tucked in the back, left portion of the green. You can't go over it, because it's too tall. You can't go under it, because that's the home of a large bunker. The tree is dumb, plain and simple. If you must keep it, get rid of the bunker. Otherwise, keep the bunker and chop the tree down. You have to give golfers an option. What are they supposed to do? Thread their ball through the branches?
I tried to lob a shot to the right of the tree, in hopes of catching the front, right portion of the green. This would leave me with a very long putt, but there was no other alternative. I hit a perfect shot. Perfect! Nevertheless, I clipped the thinnest tip of a branch and the ball dropped straight down to the edge of the bunker. Seriously? With a terrible lie, my next shot only made it to the centre of the bunker. After a good out and two putts, I carded a triple-bogey. No way I deserved a triple-bogey there! The tree is dumb!
The other incident on the front nine came on hole 6, a par-5. I hit driver, 4-iron, finishing through the end of the fairway, and leaving just 70 yards to the green. A simple pitch and two putts should have resulted in par, at worst. Unfortunately, the ground was so dry and bare. Somehow, my lob wedge slid right under the ball, sending it just a few yards ahead into a pond. Not only was that stroke wasted, but now I had to add a penalty!
I didn't catch the ball fat, or thin. I pinched it perfectly and somehow that club head slid under it completely. For this, I add two strokes? Come on man! I de-lofted the club on my next shot to make sure it didn't happen again, sending the ball 50 feet behind the flag. Of course, when something goes wrong in golf, a little extra is added at the end. In this case, it was a 3-putt for triple-bogey. It's like twisting that knife in your back, just to make sure you get the message.
So, those two incidents were annoying. Otherwise, it was a fine outing.
Score: 90
Putts: 35
Fairways: 4
Greens: 5
Penalties: 4
August 01, 2020
Season Low Matched at Rebel Creek
I played Rebel Creek for the second time this year, and the result was great. For one thing, I matched my season low with a score of 83. I've only gone lower than that four times in my golf history, so it was a good round for me. It could easily have been a score of 81, if not for an unfortunate shot on the very last hole. If a couple of lipped out putts had dropped, it could have even been a 79.
We teed off around midday, starting on the back nine. Hole 10 is a 493-yard, downhill-par-5. I used the downhill to pound a 308-yard drive to the middle of the fairway. My 5-iron missed the green, but I pitched on and 2-putt for par. I took a double-bogey on hole 11, a par-3, as my tee shot was short and left. When I tried to pitch on from the dry bare ground, my club head slid right under the ball, sending it into a bunker. I recovered with another par on hole 12, a par-4. Following a drive that found the fairway, I nailed the green with a 7-iron.
Hole 13 is a challenging par-4. My second shot was a 4-iron from the fairway that rolled off the right side of the green. I hit a good chip, leaving an uphill putt for par, but burned the edge for bogey. Hole 14 is another tricky par-4. There's a forced carry over water off the tee, while the green is pinched between woods and more water. I pulled my approach shot ever so slightly into the woods and had to take a penalty stroke. I made a decent chip next, but still needed two putts to hole out for double-bogey. Hole 15 resulted in bogey, after an imprecise approach with the lob wedge. I took too much off the swing and came up short.
Holes 16 through 18 produced, par, bogey, and par. To be honest, they should have all been pars. On the first of these, a short par-3, I got up and down from just left of the green. On hole 17, a par-4, I played a perfect 5-iron to lay up off the tee. This left a 145-yard shot over a marshy area to a green tucked on the right side. I hit a lovely 8-iron to the edge of the green, level with the back pin. The greens at Rebel Creek were fast, and I faced a downhill breaking putt for birdie. I judged it near perfectly, but burned the edge of the cup and rolled well past. The next putt was uphill, so I could hit it firmly. Unfortunately, the result was a 180 degree lip out. Hole 18 is a par-5 with may elevation changes. I navigated it well from start to finish for the par. My score at the turn was 43.
The front nine was something special, until the last two holes. Hole 1 is a 575-yard par-5 that's also downhill. My drive travelled 345 yards to the centre of the fairway. From there, I hit sand wedge, sand wedge to reach the green in regulation. This was followed by a 2-putt for par. Hole 2 is a long par-4 to an elevated green. My second shot was short of the green. I made a good pitch shot, but couldn't convert the putt and took bogey. Fortunately, I got another par on hole 3. The flag was at the front of the green on this 168-yard par-3. I hit a 7-iron behind the flag, then slid past the hole on my downhill birdie attempt.
I don't talk much about birdies on this blog, because they happen so rarely. However, I collected two of them over the next four holes, and it could easily have been three. On hole 4, a par-4, my drive finished in the right rough, in an area where the fairway narrows. From 105 yards, I hit a sand wedge that finished four feet left of the flag. Sweet! I then drained the putt. I messed up my drive on hole 5, which ultimately lead to bogey. On hole 6, I striped my drive to the centre of the fairway. Again, I hit a pure sand wedge from 105 yards, finishing four feet right of the cup. Chalk up another birdie. On hole 7, my second shot was a lob wedge from a fairway bunker. It finished flag high, maybe eight feet from the hole. I hit such a great putt, but it lipped out and I had to settle for par.
I was even par on the front nine, but next came the final two holes of the day. Hole 8 is a 150-yard par-3 to a green wedged between an angled creek and some big mounds. I seem to find a way to hit my tee shot into the creek every time, and this was no exception. My 8-iron went straight, but a little left of my intended target. It hit the embankment and bounced left into the penalty area. After a penalty and drop, I sculled my chip shot. I did well to 2-putt, but it was for double-bogey.
I don't lament that hole too much; I just hit a couple of imprecise shots. I do lament what happened on hole 9, an uphill par-5. My drive found the fairway, and my second shot finished a yard into the right rough, 75 yards from the green. The last time I played the hole, I birdied it by getting up and down from that exact position. This time, the course was much more dry, and the rough was more like a bare patch of dirt. I sculled a lob wedge straight across the entire green. I had all the green to work with, as the flag was at the front, but the green was falling away from me and it was very speedy. I chipped to the top of a ridge, thinking the slope would take the ball the rest of the way to the hole. Well, it did that, and then some! The ball rolled clear off the green and down a slope another 8 yards. I used the putter to get on the green from that position, then hit two official putts to take a double-bogey. Given where I was after two shots, that should have been an easy par.
Score: 83
Putts: 30
Fairways: 10
Greens: 7
Penalties: 2
We teed off around midday, starting on the back nine. Hole 10 is a 493-yard, downhill-par-5. I used the downhill to pound a 308-yard drive to the middle of the fairway. My 5-iron missed the green, but I pitched on and 2-putt for par. I took a double-bogey on hole 11, a par-3, as my tee shot was short and left. When I tried to pitch on from the dry bare ground, my club head slid right under the ball, sending it into a bunker. I recovered with another par on hole 12, a par-4. Following a drive that found the fairway, I nailed the green with a 7-iron.
Hole 13 is a challenging par-4. My second shot was a 4-iron from the fairway that rolled off the right side of the green. I hit a good chip, leaving an uphill putt for par, but burned the edge for bogey. Hole 14 is another tricky par-4. There's a forced carry over water off the tee, while the green is pinched between woods and more water. I pulled my approach shot ever so slightly into the woods and had to take a penalty stroke. I made a decent chip next, but still needed two putts to hole out for double-bogey. Hole 15 resulted in bogey, after an imprecise approach with the lob wedge. I took too much off the swing and came up short.
Holes 16 through 18 produced, par, bogey, and par. To be honest, they should have all been pars. On the first of these, a short par-3, I got up and down from just left of the green. On hole 17, a par-4, I played a perfect 5-iron to lay up off the tee. This left a 145-yard shot over a marshy area to a green tucked on the right side. I hit a lovely 8-iron to the edge of the green, level with the back pin. The greens at Rebel Creek were fast, and I faced a downhill breaking putt for birdie. I judged it near perfectly, but burned the edge of the cup and rolled well past. The next putt was uphill, so I could hit it firmly. Unfortunately, the result was a 180 degree lip out. Hole 18 is a par-5 with may elevation changes. I navigated it well from start to finish for the par. My score at the turn was 43.
The front nine was something special, until the last two holes. Hole 1 is a 575-yard par-5 that's also downhill. My drive travelled 345 yards to the centre of the fairway. From there, I hit sand wedge, sand wedge to reach the green in regulation. This was followed by a 2-putt for par. Hole 2 is a long par-4 to an elevated green. My second shot was short of the green. I made a good pitch shot, but couldn't convert the putt and took bogey. Fortunately, I got another par on hole 3. The flag was at the front of the green on this 168-yard par-3. I hit a 7-iron behind the flag, then slid past the hole on my downhill birdie attempt.
I don't talk much about birdies on this blog, because they happen so rarely. However, I collected two of them over the next four holes, and it could easily have been three. On hole 4, a par-4, my drive finished in the right rough, in an area where the fairway narrows. From 105 yards, I hit a sand wedge that finished four feet left of the flag. Sweet! I then drained the putt. I messed up my drive on hole 5, which ultimately lead to bogey. On hole 6, I striped my drive to the centre of the fairway. Again, I hit a pure sand wedge from 105 yards, finishing four feet right of the cup. Chalk up another birdie. On hole 7, my second shot was a lob wedge from a fairway bunker. It finished flag high, maybe eight feet from the hole. I hit such a great putt, but it lipped out and I had to settle for par.
I was even par on the front nine, but next came the final two holes of the day. Hole 8 is a 150-yard par-3 to a green wedged between an angled creek and some big mounds. I seem to find a way to hit my tee shot into the creek every time, and this was no exception. My 8-iron went straight, but a little left of my intended target. It hit the embankment and bounced left into the penalty area. After a penalty and drop, I sculled my chip shot. I did well to 2-putt, but it was for double-bogey.
I don't lament that hole too much; I just hit a couple of imprecise shots. I do lament what happened on hole 9, an uphill par-5. My drive found the fairway, and my second shot finished a yard into the right rough, 75 yards from the green. The last time I played the hole, I birdied it by getting up and down from that exact position. This time, the course was much more dry, and the rough was more like a bare patch of dirt. I sculled a lob wedge straight across the entire green. I had all the green to work with, as the flag was at the front, but the green was falling away from me and it was very speedy. I chipped to the top of a ridge, thinking the slope would take the ball the rest of the way to the hole. Well, it did that, and then some! The ball rolled clear off the green and down a slope another 8 yards. I used the putter to get on the green from that position, then hit two official putts to take a double-bogey. Given where I was after two shots, that should have been an easy par.
Score: 83
Putts: 30
Fairways: 10
Greens: 7
Penalties: 2
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