Who got the keys to my Bimmer? Play it and read on.
Actually, "sim" is short for simulator, which is the only type of golf I can play here in southern Ontario during the winter.
I've been enjoying these virtual rounds quite a bit. They are very realistic, as are the scores. Here's a recap of my scores so far. The most recent rounds appear first.
89 - Sub 90 baby!
81 - Boo yah!
94 - Consistency
93 - Solid round
93 - Much better
113 - First round jitters
I'll probably drive to the simma a few more times before the real season starts.
Pass me the keys to my Bimmer!
February 21, 2009
February 01, 2009
Mid Winter Golf Withdrawal
It's the first day of February and I have golf on the mind. Not since late October have I had the pleasure of challenging a course, grass underfoot and clubs in hand. Three months is a long time to go golfless and it will be at least a couple more before winter gives way to spring and the golf season begins here in southern Ontario. Until then, all I can do is watch the pros on television, read a few golf articles online, chat about the upcoming season at the local golf shop, and occasionally play a round on the simulator.
Last season ended a little early for me, compared to the preceding season, when I played well into November. In spite of the earlier finish, I managed to play 45 rounds in 2008, one more than I did in 2007. At the start of the year, my primary goal was to reduce my handicap to 18 or better. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. I started the season well, scoring 100 or better on eight of nine occasions, including a low of 91. For the rest of the season, I played inconsistently. Two or three rounds in the nineties would be followed by something over 100. My handicap never dipped below 20, and at the end of the year it was 21 even.
Though I failed at reducing my handicap, there were a couple of highlights throughout the year:
Duffer's Highs - I had the low net score in the opening round of The Duffer's Dream Tour at Peninsula Lakes. I also won the tour event at King's Forest. Other successful Duffer's performances came at Willow Valley and Hidden Lake. I don't know how I fared in the overall championship, since updates to the standings ceased mid way through the season. At the end of the season, the Duffer's Dream website disappeared entirely.
Deepwoods Glory - I won the Deepwoods Golf Association championship, after finishing as the runner-up in 2007. Victory was secured on the strength of four very solid rounds at Copetown Woods, Peninsula Lakes, Hidden Lake, and Willow Valley. I am looking forward to defending my championship in 2009.
Alleluia - I capped the year off with my best round ever, a miraculous 10 over par at Granite Ridge. This was a terrific round that could have been as low as 7 over, had a few really close putts dropped in. Still, I'm not complaining. This was the kind of round that brings you back to the course to try again, and again.
Can't wait for the new season to start!
Last season ended a little early for me, compared to the preceding season, when I played well into November. In spite of the earlier finish, I managed to play 45 rounds in 2008, one more than I did in 2007. At the start of the year, my primary goal was to reduce my handicap to 18 or better. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. I started the season well, scoring 100 or better on eight of nine occasions, including a low of 91. For the rest of the season, I played inconsistently. Two or three rounds in the nineties would be followed by something over 100. My handicap never dipped below 20, and at the end of the year it was 21 even.
Though I failed at reducing my handicap, there were a couple of highlights throughout the year:
Duffer's Highs - I had the low net score in the opening round of The Duffer's Dream Tour at Peninsula Lakes. I also won the tour event at King's Forest. Other successful Duffer's performances came at Willow Valley and Hidden Lake. I don't know how I fared in the overall championship, since updates to the standings ceased mid way through the season. At the end of the season, the Duffer's Dream website disappeared entirely.
Deepwoods Glory - I won the Deepwoods Golf Association championship, after finishing as the runner-up in 2007. Victory was secured on the strength of four very solid rounds at Copetown Woods, Peninsula Lakes, Hidden Lake, and Willow Valley. I am looking forward to defending my championship in 2009.
Alleluia - I capped the year off with my best round ever, a miraculous 10 over par at Granite Ridge. This was a terrific round that could have been as low as 7 over, had a few really close putts dropped in. Still, I'm not complaining. This was the kind of round that brings you back to the course to try again, and again.
Can't wait for the new season to start!
October 24, 2008
Woodington The Day After
It was inevitable. Just one day after my best round ever, I headed out Woodington Lake Golf Club, where I quickly collected an inflated score. I wasn't expecting to duplicate my personal best, but I was definitely hoping for a result in the nineties. Alas, it didn't happen.
Thing started poorly on the first hole, a dogleg that requires a carefully placed shot off the tee. I pulled my tee shot into the trees on the left side of the fairway, as I had the last few times I had visited the course. A slight pull is fine on this hole, since there is an embankment that can steer many balls back into the fairway. Unfortunately, my pull was a little more severe, and I could not benefit from the embankment. I had to chip onto the fairway, and then chip again to the end of the fairway, in front of a steep slope. From 150 yards out, I actually hit the green, but a terrible first putt was followed by two more for a triple bogey.
The rest of the front nine was not bad, except for a couple of approach shots that were duffed on the fourth hole. Aside from those two shots, I was actually pretty happy with my game. I hit a few fairways, but did not hit any greens in regulation. I found myself chipping and two-putting quite a bit, resulting in a long string of bogeys. At the turn, I was shooting 49, so a score in the nineties was still attainable.
The first par of the day came on hole #11, a par-3 measuring 148 yards into a long green. The flag was at the back, so I used a 6-iron off the tee. It was a towering shot with a lot of height, and it landed softly when it hit the front part of the green. The birdie putt was long, with eight or ten feet of break. I judged it well and was left with a pretty easy putt for par.
The round fell apart on the next hole, a par-5 measuring 513 yards. I hit what I thought was a perfect drive, long and in line with my target. Unfortunately, the slope of the fairway steered the ball toward a pond that cuts in on the right side. The ball trickled about six inches into the water. I took a penalty stroke and dropped behind the point of entry. My next shot was a terrible mis-hit and the ball was in the water again. After my second drop, the subsequent shot was another mis-hit, you guessed it, into the water. After my third drop, I hit a shot near the green, but the damage was done. I ended up taking a score of 11 on the hole.
I had similar trouble on hole #15 and hole #18. When all was said and done, I had played fifteen holes of respectable golf and three holes of something resembling golf, but just barely. Three blowup holes is more than enough to push a score past the 100 mark, and that's exactly what happened.
I wasn't too upset, since I was still riding the high of scoring 82 a day earlier, but it's a shame I had a couple of bad holes. I have to eliminate those entirely if I am to find any consistency.
Score: 106
Par: 72
Putts: 35
Fairways: 4
Greens: 3
Thing started poorly on the first hole, a dogleg that requires a carefully placed shot off the tee. I pulled my tee shot into the trees on the left side of the fairway, as I had the last few times I had visited the course. A slight pull is fine on this hole, since there is an embankment that can steer many balls back into the fairway. Unfortunately, my pull was a little more severe, and I could not benefit from the embankment. I had to chip onto the fairway, and then chip again to the end of the fairway, in front of a steep slope. From 150 yards out, I actually hit the green, but a terrible first putt was followed by two more for a triple bogey.
The rest of the front nine was not bad, except for a couple of approach shots that were duffed on the fourth hole. Aside from those two shots, I was actually pretty happy with my game. I hit a few fairways, but did not hit any greens in regulation. I found myself chipping and two-putting quite a bit, resulting in a long string of bogeys. At the turn, I was shooting 49, so a score in the nineties was still attainable.
The first par of the day came on hole #11, a par-3 measuring 148 yards into a long green. The flag was at the back, so I used a 6-iron off the tee. It was a towering shot with a lot of height, and it landed softly when it hit the front part of the green. The birdie putt was long, with eight or ten feet of break. I judged it well and was left with a pretty easy putt for par.
The round fell apart on the next hole, a par-5 measuring 513 yards. I hit what I thought was a perfect drive, long and in line with my target. Unfortunately, the slope of the fairway steered the ball toward a pond that cuts in on the right side. The ball trickled about six inches into the water. I took a penalty stroke and dropped behind the point of entry. My next shot was a terrible mis-hit and the ball was in the water again. After my second drop, the subsequent shot was another mis-hit, you guessed it, into the water. After my third drop, I hit a shot near the green, but the damage was done. I ended up taking a score of 11 on the hole.
I had similar trouble on hole #15 and hole #18. When all was said and done, I had played fifteen holes of respectable golf and three holes of something resembling golf, but just barely. Three blowup holes is more than enough to push a score past the 100 mark, and that's exactly what happened.
I wasn't too upset, since I was still riding the high of scoring 82 a day earlier, but it's a shame I had a couple of bad holes. I have to eliminate those entirely if I am to find any consistency.
Score: 106
Par: 72
Putts: 35
Fairways: 4
Greens: 3
October 13, 2008
Proof of the Existence of God
There is a God and he is merciful. So-called proofs of the existence of God have spanned the ages, but none carry as much weight, at least in my eyes, as the events of October 11, 2008. It was on this day that a prolonged period of golf-induced suffering came to an end, almost certainly due to divine intervention.
Over the previous six months, I failed to break 90 even once, despite playing 43 rounds of golf. The frustrating streak came to an abrupt end with the 44th round of the year, as I not only broke 90, but shattered it with a score of 82! Only the hand of God could produce such brilliance.
Eighty-two is not the lowest score I've ever had - last year I managed an 81 on the South Course at Deer Creek Golf & Country Club. However, this latest triumph is most certainly the best. The 81 came on a par 71 course, while the 82 came on a par 72 - Granite Ridge Golf Club's Cobalt Course. With a length of 5962 yards, and a slope of 123 from the white tees, Cobalt is both longer and more difficult than Deer Creek South.
A great round like this calls for a shot-by-shot account, which is what follows, below. Interestingly, I am writing this entry on Thanksgiving Day, less than 48 hours after the glorious round took place. It seems I have even more than usual to be thankful for this year. Thanks be to God, indeed.
Hole # 1 - Par 4, 313 yards
A short dogleg left, this hole tempts players to cut the corner, which is exactly what I did. My tee shot was straight, but a little high. My second shot was played with my feet in a bunker, 90 yards from the flag. I stuck the approach on the green, 10 feet from the hole. The birdie putt just missed, leaving an easy tap-in for par.
Hole # 2 - Par 4, 355 yards
Out-of-bounds along the entire left side is the main challenge on this hole, and I fell victim to it. My first tee shot was struck well, but I pulled it too far left. When I re-teed, I struck a beauty straight down the fairway. My approach from 100 yards away had the right distance, but drifted just right of the green. I made a solid chip on and a 5-foot putt to salvage double-bogey. I tried to stay positive by realizing I had essentially scored par after the re-tee.
Hole # 3 - Par 3, 139 yards
The tees were about 6 yards forward and the flag was at the front of the green. Estimating the actual distance to the flag, I added an extra club to account for the prevailing headwind. I must have calculated perfectly, as I stuck the ball on the green, about 12 feet away from the hole. The birdie putt missed, but I was left with an easy tap-in for par.
Hole # 4 - Par 5, 490 yards
Once again, out-of-bounds looms along the entire left side. I aimed for the right half of the fairway, and ended up a few yards into the right rough. The trusty 7-iron got me safely out, leaving about 120 yards to the flag. The approach was right on the money, leaving me with another intermediate birdie putt of about 12 feet. It didn't drop, but I'll take easy tap-ins for par any day.
Hole # 5 - Par 3, 139 yards
A shortish par-3 that can be visually intimidating, since the ball must carry over a pond that protects the green. I opted to go left of the flag, where there was more room for error. It was a well-struck ball and it stuck when it hit the green. The birdie putt was uphill, about 18 feet. I came up a little short and had one of those scary 4 to 5-foot putts for par, which I drained calmly.
Hole # 6 - Par 4, 275 yards
A short hole indeed, but there is danger on both sides of the fairway. I had hit a couple of nice drives, so I decided to put one as close as I could to the green. I hit a laser right down the pipe. Unfortunately, it clipped the right edge of a fairway bunker and came to rest in the sand. I was faced with 30 yards to the front of the green, and an additional 30 yards to the flag, which was tucked at the extreme back of this multi-tier green. My pitch shot came out a little softer than I had planned, with the ball coming to rest on the middle tier of the green. I powered my first putt way too hard, blowing the ball 12 feet past the hole. My next putt was very nice, but didn't drop, leading to the first 3-putt of the day and a bogey.
Hole # 7 - Par 5, 527 yards
This hole began with a stellar 3-wood off the tee, to lay up in front of a creek that crosses the fairway. It is 230 yards to the front of the creek, so this shot must have travelled 225 yards. Using a 5-wood, my next shot travelled left of the fairway, which isn't bad, since a large pond hugs the fairway on the right side, all the way to the green. I was amongst some small pine trees, but had a clear view to the flag, about 135 yards away. I hit a beautiful 9-iron to the back of the green, where it spun backwards, in the direction of the hole. The 12-foot birdie putt was missed, but the tap-in putt for par was easy breezy.
Hole # 8 - Par 4, 321 yards
A short straightaway hole, but I faded my drive a little too much, ending up in the right rough. A sand wedge travelled the required 75 yards toward the flag at the back of the green. The ball was ten feet from the hole, but on the fringe, just a couple inches in front of the rough. I used a putter and didn't strike the ball hard enough. I was left with a 5-footer for par and I just burned the edge. Par should have been the result, but I had to settle for bogey.
Hole # 9 - Par 4, 315 yards
Reminiscent of the first hole, this is another short dogleg left that invites players to cut the corner. I tried to, but ended up pushing the ball right of the intended target line. That's okay, since there is lots of room to the right of the fairway. From 130 yards out, I pushed my approach shot slightly, ending up in a greenside bunker. Next, I launched the ball straight over the green. I thought I had contacted an adequate amount of sand, but clearly I did not. From the other side of the green, I hit a 30-yard pitch shot. From that side of the green, I was short sided, so naturally the ball travelled well past the hole. That's okay, since I drained the 15-foot putt to save bogey.
I was shooting 41 at the turn, with 18 putts. Miraculously, I hit seven of nine greens in regulation. Oh, what a feeling! Golf the way it was meant to be played. If not for one errant shot out of bounds and a couple of misjudged putts, I would be sitting one over par. Still, I was in the groove and feeling it.
Hole # 10 - Par 4, 389 yards
I know this hole now, and missing right with your drive is not a problem. I aimed for the right half of the fairway and made good contact. I ended up a few yards into the right rough, but had a clear view to the flag. Next, I hit a towering 6-iron flag high, about 20 feet from the hole. This left me with a tricky putt, as the green slopes severely from back to front. I played a good 8 feet of break and it was a good read. The putt didn't drop, but I had a 3-foot downhill putt left for par, which I nailed.
Hole # 11 - Par 4, 325 yards
I've had some trouble on this hole in recent rounds, which was definitely in the back of my mind when I stepped up to the tee. I had topped a few 3-woods into the creek that crosses directly in front of the tee box. As a result, I opted to go with driver instead. An iron is certainly an option, and probably the best one, but I was feeling good with the driver. Unfortunately, I pulled it a little left, into the hazard which meanders up the left side of the fairway. I dropped a ball at point of entry and took aim at the green. From 135 yards out, I nailed the green with the 9-iron. From there, it was another intermediate lag putt and easy tap-in for bogey.
Hole # 12 - Par 4, 338 yards
The hole began with an absolutely stunning drive off the tee. It travelled straight down the pipe, leaving 100 yards to the flag. The next shot was with the gap wedge, and it was pulled slightly. The ball was at the base of a small pine tree, which was interfering with my stance. I gathered myself and hit a nice chip to put the ball on the green, within about 6 feet of the hole. The par putt just burned the right edge of the hole, so I had to make do with a tap-in for bogey.
Hole # 13 - Par 4, 324 yards
I know this hole now, and there is no point keeping the driver in the bag, even though the hole is pretty short. All you have to do is make sure that the ball goes straight, or to the right. There is lots of danger in the form of reeds on the left side of this hole. On the right side there are some medium size pine trees, but with a driver, most people should be able to clear them. That's exactly what I did. From the right rough, I hit a pitching wedge to the front of the green. Though the ball was on the green, it was definitely in 3-putt territiry, since the flag was right at the back. No worries, as I made a beautiful lag putt, followed by a 4-foot putt for another par.
Hole # 14 - Par 4, 373 yards
I made good contact on the drive, but it faded ever so slightly into a hazard on the right side. The ball was only a couple inches into the hazard, but it was partly submerged in some mud. I tried to hit a 7-iron out and to the green. I hit it well, but not perfectly, and the ball rolled down the fairway to within 70 yards of the flag. With the sun in my eyes, I hit a full sand wedge. I connected perfectly and absolutely skied the ball. I lost it in the sun and was surprised when it sailed clear past the green. Behind the green, the terrain drops off steeply. I had to chip about eight feet into the air to land the ball softly on the edge of the green. I did exactly that, and the ball then rolled downhill to within inches of the cup. It was such a great chip, and it allowed me to save bogey.
Hole # 15 - Par 5, 534 yards
The second toughest hole on the course, according to the handicap index, but I think it is the hardest. Out-of-bounds runs the entire length of the hole on the right side. The left side is covered with various hazards. I hit a beautiful drive off the tee, about 250 yards to the middle of the fairway. Next, I hit an even better 3-wood, which travelled about 220 yards. Unfortunately, the ball rolled about one foot into the right rough. From 70 yards out, I was definitely flag hunting, so I was a little disappointed when my approach came up a little short, stopping on the front part of the green. This was 3-putt territory, and that's exactly what happened. My first putt was much too firm, leaving eight or nine feet for par. I made a beautiful attempt, but the ball trickled over the edge of the cup. I had to make do with bogey.
Hole # 16 - Par 3, 130 yards
The flag was at the front of this green, tucked behind some bunkers on the left side. The safe play was to go for the fat part of the green right of the hole. I opted to go closer to the flag, figuring long would also be safe. I hit a beautiful 9-iron to within nine feet or thereabout. The birdie putt was a good one, but it didn't drop. An easy tap-in completed the par.
Hole # 17 - Par 4, 351 yards
I stuck with the driver on this hole and it paid off. I started the ball to the left side of the fairway, which worked well because the ball cut more than I wanted it to. I was in the middle of the fairway, with 130 yards to the flag. Next, I hit the only shot of the day that was truly ugly. I hit the 9-iron extremely fat, barely catching ball. I tried another approach, this time from 100 yards out. It was a sky high approach with the gap wedge, that landed about seven feet from the cup. The par putt was good, but it just trickled past the edge of the hole. I had to be content with a tap-in bogey. If all of these longer putts that barely missed had gone in, I would be shooting par for the day. Still, I felt good about the results.
Hole # 18 - Par 4, 324 yards
A tantalizing dogleg right, this hole can produce good results if you can drive the ball over the bunkers on the right side of the fairway. I caught the ball low on the clubface, producing a lower than usual ball flight. As a result, I found myself between the two bunkers, but with a good lie. From 100 yards out, I hit the gap wedge once again and nailed yet another green. The birdie putt from about twelve feet was good, but it didn't go in. A tap-in would be required to finish the round with a nice par.
Just as I did on the front nine, I shot 41 with 18 putts on the back nine. For the entire round, I amassed nine pars, eight bogeys, and one double-bogey. Nice! I think the biggest difference came from the fact that I was hitting a higher than usual percentage of greens in regulation. This meant there was less need for chipping around the green. Less chipping means fewer opportunities for mistakes. It's a real luxury when you can go directly from a full iron into the green, to having the putter in your hand for the next shot.
Too bad a couple of extra putts didn't drop. I could have actually broken 80!
Score: 82
Par: 72
Putts: 36
Fairways: 4
Greens: 12
Over the previous six months, I failed to break 90 even once, despite playing 43 rounds of golf. The frustrating streak came to an abrupt end with the 44th round of the year, as I not only broke 90, but shattered it with a score of 82! Only the hand of God could produce such brilliance.
Eighty-two is not the lowest score I've ever had - last year I managed an 81 on the South Course at Deer Creek Golf & Country Club. However, this latest triumph is most certainly the best. The 81 came on a par 71 course, while the 82 came on a par 72 - Granite Ridge Golf Club's Cobalt Course. With a length of 5962 yards, and a slope of 123 from the white tees, Cobalt is both longer and more difficult than Deer Creek South.
A great round like this calls for a shot-by-shot account, which is what follows, below. Interestingly, I am writing this entry on Thanksgiving Day, less than 48 hours after the glorious round took place. It seems I have even more than usual to be thankful for this year. Thanks be to God, indeed.
Hole # 1 - Par 4, 313 yards
A short dogleg left, this hole tempts players to cut the corner, which is exactly what I did. My tee shot was straight, but a little high. My second shot was played with my feet in a bunker, 90 yards from the flag. I stuck the approach on the green, 10 feet from the hole. The birdie putt just missed, leaving an easy tap-in for par.
Hole # 2 - Par 4, 355 yards
Out-of-bounds along the entire left side is the main challenge on this hole, and I fell victim to it. My first tee shot was struck well, but I pulled it too far left. When I re-teed, I struck a beauty straight down the fairway. My approach from 100 yards away had the right distance, but drifted just right of the green. I made a solid chip on and a 5-foot putt to salvage double-bogey. I tried to stay positive by realizing I had essentially scored par after the re-tee.
Hole # 3 - Par 3, 139 yards
The tees were about 6 yards forward and the flag was at the front of the green. Estimating the actual distance to the flag, I added an extra club to account for the prevailing headwind. I must have calculated perfectly, as I stuck the ball on the green, about 12 feet away from the hole. The birdie putt missed, but I was left with an easy tap-in for par.
Hole # 4 - Par 5, 490 yards
Once again, out-of-bounds looms along the entire left side. I aimed for the right half of the fairway, and ended up a few yards into the right rough. The trusty 7-iron got me safely out, leaving about 120 yards to the flag. The approach was right on the money, leaving me with another intermediate birdie putt of about 12 feet. It didn't drop, but I'll take easy tap-ins for par any day.
Hole # 5 - Par 3, 139 yards
A shortish par-3 that can be visually intimidating, since the ball must carry over a pond that protects the green. I opted to go left of the flag, where there was more room for error. It was a well-struck ball and it stuck when it hit the green. The birdie putt was uphill, about 18 feet. I came up a little short and had one of those scary 4 to 5-foot putts for par, which I drained calmly.
Hole # 6 - Par 4, 275 yards
A short hole indeed, but there is danger on both sides of the fairway. I had hit a couple of nice drives, so I decided to put one as close as I could to the green. I hit a laser right down the pipe. Unfortunately, it clipped the right edge of a fairway bunker and came to rest in the sand. I was faced with 30 yards to the front of the green, and an additional 30 yards to the flag, which was tucked at the extreme back of this multi-tier green. My pitch shot came out a little softer than I had planned, with the ball coming to rest on the middle tier of the green. I powered my first putt way too hard, blowing the ball 12 feet past the hole. My next putt was very nice, but didn't drop, leading to the first 3-putt of the day and a bogey.
Hole # 7 - Par 5, 527 yards
This hole began with a stellar 3-wood off the tee, to lay up in front of a creek that crosses the fairway. It is 230 yards to the front of the creek, so this shot must have travelled 225 yards. Using a 5-wood, my next shot travelled left of the fairway, which isn't bad, since a large pond hugs the fairway on the right side, all the way to the green. I was amongst some small pine trees, but had a clear view to the flag, about 135 yards away. I hit a beautiful 9-iron to the back of the green, where it spun backwards, in the direction of the hole. The 12-foot birdie putt was missed, but the tap-in putt for par was easy breezy.
Hole # 8 - Par 4, 321 yards
A short straightaway hole, but I faded my drive a little too much, ending up in the right rough. A sand wedge travelled the required 75 yards toward the flag at the back of the green. The ball was ten feet from the hole, but on the fringe, just a couple inches in front of the rough. I used a putter and didn't strike the ball hard enough. I was left with a 5-footer for par and I just burned the edge. Par should have been the result, but I had to settle for bogey.
Hole # 9 - Par 4, 315 yards
Reminiscent of the first hole, this is another short dogleg left that invites players to cut the corner. I tried to, but ended up pushing the ball right of the intended target line. That's okay, since there is lots of room to the right of the fairway. From 130 yards out, I pushed my approach shot slightly, ending up in a greenside bunker. Next, I launched the ball straight over the green. I thought I had contacted an adequate amount of sand, but clearly I did not. From the other side of the green, I hit a 30-yard pitch shot. From that side of the green, I was short sided, so naturally the ball travelled well past the hole. That's okay, since I drained the 15-foot putt to save bogey.
I was shooting 41 at the turn, with 18 putts. Miraculously, I hit seven of nine greens in regulation. Oh, what a feeling! Golf the way it was meant to be played. If not for one errant shot out of bounds and a couple of misjudged putts, I would be sitting one over par. Still, I was in the groove and feeling it.
Hole # 10 - Par 4, 389 yards
I know this hole now, and missing right with your drive is not a problem. I aimed for the right half of the fairway and made good contact. I ended up a few yards into the right rough, but had a clear view to the flag. Next, I hit a towering 6-iron flag high, about 20 feet from the hole. This left me with a tricky putt, as the green slopes severely from back to front. I played a good 8 feet of break and it was a good read. The putt didn't drop, but I had a 3-foot downhill putt left for par, which I nailed.
Hole # 11 - Par 4, 325 yards
I've had some trouble on this hole in recent rounds, which was definitely in the back of my mind when I stepped up to the tee. I had topped a few 3-woods into the creek that crosses directly in front of the tee box. As a result, I opted to go with driver instead. An iron is certainly an option, and probably the best one, but I was feeling good with the driver. Unfortunately, I pulled it a little left, into the hazard which meanders up the left side of the fairway. I dropped a ball at point of entry and took aim at the green. From 135 yards out, I nailed the green with the 9-iron. From there, it was another intermediate lag putt and easy tap-in for bogey.
Hole # 12 - Par 4, 338 yards
The hole began with an absolutely stunning drive off the tee. It travelled straight down the pipe, leaving 100 yards to the flag. The next shot was with the gap wedge, and it was pulled slightly. The ball was at the base of a small pine tree, which was interfering with my stance. I gathered myself and hit a nice chip to put the ball on the green, within about 6 feet of the hole. The par putt just burned the right edge of the hole, so I had to make do with a tap-in for bogey.
Hole # 13 - Par 4, 324 yards
I know this hole now, and there is no point keeping the driver in the bag, even though the hole is pretty short. All you have to do is make sure that the ball goes straight, or to the right. There is lots of danger in the form of reeds on the left side of this hole. On the right side there are some medium size pine trees, but with a driver, most people should be able to clear them. That's exactly what I did. From the right rough, I hit a pitching wedge to the front of the green. Though the ball was on the green, it was definitely in 3-putt territiry, since the flag was right at the back. No worries, as I made a beautiful lag putt, followed by a 4-foot putt for another par.
Hole # 14 - Par 4, 373 yards
I made good contact on the drive, but it faded ever so slightly into a hazard on the right side. The ball was only a couple inches into the hazard, but it was partly submerged in some mud. I tried to hit a 7-iron out and to the green. I hit it well, but not perfectly, and the ball rolled down the fairway to within 70 yards of the flag. With the sun in my eyes, I hit a full sand wedge. I connected perfectly and absolutely skied the ball. I lost it in the sun and was surprised when it sailed clear past the green. Behind the green, the terrain drops off steeply. I had to chip about eight feet into the air to land the ball softly on the edge of the green. I did exactly that, and the ball then rolled downhill to within inches of the cup. It was such a great chip, and it allowed me to save bogey.
Hole # 15 - Par 5, 534 yards
The second toughest hole on the course, according to the handicap index, but I think it is the hardest. Out-of-bounds runs the entire length of the hole on the right side. The left side is covered with various hazards. I hit a beautiful drive off the tee, about 250 yards to the middle of the fairway. Next, I hit an even better 3-wood, which travelled about 220 yards. Unfortunately, the ball rolled about one foot into the right rough. From 70 yards out, I was definitely flag hunting, so I was a little disappointed when my approach came up a little short, stopping on the front part of the green. This was 3-putt territory, and that's exactly what happened. My first putt was much too firm, leaving eight or nine feet for par. I made a beautiful attempt, but the ball trickled over the edge of the cup. I had to make do with bogey.
Hole # 16 - Par 3, 130 yards
The flag was at the front of this green, tucked behind some bunkers on the left side. The safe play was to go for the fat part of the green right of the hole. I opted to go closer to the flag, figuring long would also be safe. I hit a beautiful 9-iron to within nine feet or thereabout. The birdie putt was a good one, but it didn't drop. An easy tap-in completed the par.
Hole # 17 - Par 4, 351 yards
I stuck with the driver on this hole and it paid off. I started the ball to the left side of the fairway, which worked well because the ball cut more than I wanted it to. I was in the middle of the fairway, with 130 yards to the flag. Next, I hit the only shot of the day that was truly ugly. I hit the 9-iron extremely fat, barely catching ball. I tried another approach, this time from 100 yards out. It was a sky high approach with the gap wedge, that landed about seven feet from the cup. The par putt was good, but it just trickled past the edge of the hole. I had to be content with a tap-in bogey. If all of these longer putts that barely missed had gone in, I would be shooting par for the day. Still, I felt good about the results.
Hole # 18 - Par 4, 324 yards
A tantalizing dogleg right, this hole can produce good results if you can drive the ball over the bunkers on the right side of the fairway. I caught the ball low on the clubface, producing a lower than usual ball flight. As a result, I found myself between the two bunkers, but with a good lie. From 100 yards out, I hit the gap wedge once again and nailed yet another green. The birdie putt from about twelve feet was good, but it didn't go in. A tap-in would be required to finish the round with a nice par.
Just as I did on the front nine, I shot 41 with 18 putts on the back nine. For the entire round, I amassed nine pars, eight bogeys, and one double-bogey. Nice! I think the biggest difference came from the fact that I was hitting a higher than usual percentage of greens in regulation. This meant there was less need for chipping around the green. Less chipping means fewer opportunities for mistakes. It's a real luxury when you can go directly from a full iron into the green, to having the putter in your hand for the next shot.
Too bad a couple of extra putts didn't drop. I could have actually broken 80!
Score: 82
Par: 72
Putts: 36
Fairways: 4
Greens: 12
October 06, 2008
Blah Blah Copetown Blah
I played at Copetown Woods today. It doesn't matter where I play.
We teed off early. It doesn't matter when I tee off.
It was cold. It doesn't matter what the weather is like.
The first hole is an easy par-5. It doesn't matter if holes are easy.
I took a triple bogey on it. It doesn't matter if I start poorly.
I hit the first three fairways. It doesn't matter if I hit fairways.
I hit two of the first four greens in regulation. It doesn't matter if I hit greens in regulation.
I 3-putted three of the first five holes. It doesn't matter if I 3-putt.
Despite terrible putting through nine holes, I held on for a score of 50 at the turn. It doesn't matter what my score is at the turn.
Some shrubbery in the waste bunker interfered with my backswing on hole #10. It doesn't matter if I have room for a backswing.
I made my second par of the day on hole #12. It doesn't matter if I make pars.
I put two balls in the water on hole #13. It doesn't matter if I go in the water.
I had impossible lies for my second and third shots on hole #16. It doesn't matter what kind of lie I have.
I hit a nice drive on hole #18 after deciding to rip it. It doesn't matter what kind of drives I hit.
Nothing matters. Not lessons. Not practice. Not equipment. Not frequency. Not preparation. Not knowledge. Not skill. Not fitness. Not luck.
Nothing. Nada. Zero. Zilch.
Score: 107
Par: 72
Putts: 43
Fairways: 5
Greens: 4
We teed off early. It doesn't matter when I tee off.
It was cold. It doesn't matter what the weather is like.
The first hole is an easy par-5. It doesn't matter if holes are easy.
I took a triple bogey on it. It doesn't matter if I start poorly.
I hit the first three fairways. It doesn't matter if I hit fairways.
I hit two of the first four greens in regulation. It doesn't matter if I hit greens in regulation.
I 3-putted three of the first five holes. It doesn't matter if I 3-putt.
Despite terrible putting through nine holes, I held on for a score of 50 at the turn. It doesn't matter what my score is at the turn.
Some shrubbery in the waste bunker interfered with my backswing on hole #10. It doesn't matter if I have room for a backswing.
I made my second par of the day on hole #12. It doesn't matter if I make pars.
I put two balls in the water on hole #13. It doesn't matter if I go in the water.
I had impossible lies for my second and third shots on hole #16. It doesn't matter what kind of lie I have.
I hit a nice drive on hole #18 after deciding to rip it. It doesn't matter what kind of drives I hit.
Nothing matters. Not lessons. Not practice. Not equipment. Not frequency. Not preparation. Not knowledge. Not skill. Not fitness. Not luck.
Nothing. Nada. Zero. Zilch.
Score: 107
Par: 72
Putts: 43
Fairways: 5
Greens: 4
September 27, 2008
A Late September Round
Suppose you paid $72 at a golf course for 18 holes, but you were only able to play 8 holes due to rain. Suppose furthermore, that you were given a 9-hole rain check to be used on your next visit. After returning to the course and presenting the rain-check, how much would you expect to pay to play 18 holes?
a) $0
b) $36
c) $50
d) $72
It doesn't take a genius to understand that the correct answer is b) $36. Someone should explain this to the people running the course I played at earlier today. By some perverted sense of logic, they seem to believe the correct answer is c) $50. I won't mention the course by name, since it has already embarrassed itself plenty. I just hope they enjoy the extra fourteen dollars - they are likely the last of mine they will ever get.
Lest anyone decide to insinuate that I am cheap, as some are wont to do, let me remind you of something. Every cent I earn is for me, and me alone, to save, spend, or otherwise do with as I see fit. Do with your own money whatever you please, but mind your own business when it comes to mine.
As far as the round itself, there were a couple of distractions that led to a poor start. The greens fee shenanigans added to the fact that I was feeling rushed on the first tee. This was in spite of the fact that I was within a 5-minute drive of the course a full three hours before my tee time.
I had a golf lesson at a nearby location, which went well. After the lesson, I practiced on the range for about an hour. I left the range 45 minutes before my tee time at the other course, planning to pay for my lesson on the way out. Of course, the cashier's computer system crashed, and I spent over ten minutes waiting for it to re-boot. It never did, so I was told to go pay at the pro shop. When I arrived, there was nothing but a huge lineup and one very slow attendant. It took an additional ten minutes to settle up and get out of there.
I managed to arrive at the other course 15 minutes before my scheduled tee time, but my playing partners were eager to get going, so the end result was that I felt rushed. My first shot was a duff that splashed in a pond immediately in front of the tee box. Just like that, two strokes went down the drain. Once those strokes are gone, they're gone. Period. End of story. Even if I shot par the rest of the way, it wouldn't matter. My score would be two over par.
I hacked my way to a quadruple-bogey on hole #1, followed by two decent bogeys, before encountering more difficulty on hole #4. In a greenside bunker after two shots, I blasted my next one over the green and down a steep slope. The ball was unplayable in some deep fescue, so I was forced to take some relief at the cost of a penalty stroke. I pitched nicely onto the green and two-putted for a senseless triple-bogey.
In spite of the score on hole #4, I felt like I had settled into my normal rhythm at this point in the round. I made par on the fifth hole, which is the hardest the course has to offer. This was followed by four bogeys and two double-bogeys, which is a pretty good stretch for me.
On hole #12, I hit a series of terrible shots en route to another triple-bogey. Frustration, understandably, kicked in. Think about it. Are you pleased with yourself after you make a bad shot? I don't think so. Do you celebrate after taking four putts on a green? That would be ridiculous. Do you break out in song and dance a jig after making triple-bogey? Of course not. The reason you don't do any of these things is that you're human. Congratulations, so am I.
Thankfully, the poor play was just temporary. On the last six holes, I regained the consistency I had demonstrated on holes 5 through 11. The stretch included two pars, two bogeys, and two double-bogeys. It was good enough for a final score of 96.
That's not bad, but it's also not good. Some people might think I expect too much of myself, but I'm just not satisfied with scores in the mid or even low nineties.
To hell with mediocrity! The title of this blog is Chasing Par, not Chasing 96!
Score: 96
Par: 70
Putts: 35
Fairways: 3
Greens: 4
a) $0
b) $36
c) $50
d) $72
It doesn't take a genius to understand that the correct answer is b) $36. Someone should explain this to the people running the course I played at earlier today. By some perverted sense of logic, they seem to believe the correct answer is c) $50. I won't mention the course by name, since it has already embarrassed itself plenty. I just hope they enjoy the extra fourteen dollars - they are likely the last of mine they will ever get.
Lest anyone decide to insinuate that I am cheap, as some are wont to do, let me remind you of something. Every cent I earn is for me, and me alone, to save, spend, or otherwise do with as I see fit. Do with your own money whatever you please, but mind your own business when it comes to mine.
As far as the round itself, there were a couple of distractions that led to a poor start. The greens fee shenanigans added to the fact that I was feeling rushed on the first tee. This was in spite of the fact that I was within a 5-minute drive of the course a full three hours before my tee time.
I had a golf lesson at a nearby location, which went well. After the lesson, I practiced on the range for about an hour. I left the range 45 minutes before my tee time at the other course, planning to pay for my lesson on the way out. Of course, the cashier's computer system crashed, and I spent over ten minutes waiting for it to re-boot. It never did, so I was told to go pay at the pro shop. When I arrived, there was nothing but a huge lineup and one very slow attendant. It took an additional ten minutes to settle up and get out of there.
I managed to arrive at the other course 15 minutes before my scheduled tee time, but my playing partners were eager to get going, so the end result was that I felt rushed. My first shot was a duff that splashed in a pond immediately in front of the tee box. Just like that, two strokes went down the drain. Once those strokes are gone, they're gone. Period. End of story. Even if I shot par the rest of the way, it wouldn't matter. My score would be two over par.
I hacked my way to a quadruple-bogey on hole #1, followed by two decent bogeys, before encountering more difficulty on hole #4. In a greenside bunker after two shots, I blasted my next one over the green and down a steep slope. The ball was unplayable in some deep fescue, so I was forced to take some relief at the cost of a penalty stroke. I pitched nicely onto the green and two-putted for a senseless triple-bogey.
In spite of the score on hole #4, I felt like I had settled into my normal rhythm at this point in the round. I made par on the fifth hole, which is the hardest the course has to offer. This was followed by four bogeys and two double-bogeys, which is a pretty good stretch for me.
On hole #12, I hit a series of terrible shots en route to another triple-bogey. Frustration, understandably, kicked in. Think about it. Are you pleased with yourself after you make a bad shot? I don't think so. Do you celebrate after taking four putts on a green? That would be ridiculous. Do you break out in song and dance a jig after making triple-bogey? Of course not. The reason you don't do any of these things is that you're human. Congratulations, so am I.
Thankfully, the poor play was just temporary. On the last six holes, I regained the consistency I had demonstrated on holes 5 through 11. The stretch included two pars, two bogeys, and two double-bogeys. It was good enough for a final score of 96.
That's not bad, but it's also not good. Some people might think I expect too much of myself, but I'm just not satisfied with scores in the mid or even low nineties.
To hell with mediocrity! The title of this blog is Chasing Par, not Chasing 96!
Score: 96
Par: 70
Putts: 35
Fairways: 3
Greens: 4
September 22, 2008
End of the Duffer's Dream Tour
The final round of the 2008 Duffer's Dream Tour was played today at Crosswinds Golf & Country Club. To be honest, I'm glad it's finished. Over the last few rounds, it became apparent that the players on this tour are not completely interested in adhering to the rules of golf. Various deviations from the rules have been adopted, purportedly to keep up the pace of play.
I get the feeling it has more to do with guys liking to say they scored in the eighties, rather than the nineties. Frankly, I don't understand it. What satisfaction do you get from marking an 87 on your scorecard, when you know your real score is more like 93? Now, I am not a great golfer by any stretch of the imagination, but at least I judge myself against the rules.
I was not sure whether I would play the Duffer's Dream Tour Championship, to be held September 27 & 28 at Legends on the Niagara. I haven't played Legends before (and I want to) but the round at Crosswinds reminded me how I dislike playing with these lax rules. The worst of them all is the one that treats just about everything off the fairway as a lateral hazard, including fescue, a group of trees, etc. So, I think I will take a pass on the Tour Championship and perhaps head out to Legends on my own. Fall rates are in effect beginning September 29, so the round will be cheaper than what the Duffer's Tour is charging anyway.
As for next year, I doubt I'll be back on the Duffer's Tour. I will stick to leagues where the players are a little more concerned about the rules of golf, and where wayward balls are not found with such remarkable frequency. :)
Oh yeah, as for my game, it was so-so. My driving was pretty good, though I did duff a couple, coming from the outside in and topping the ball. My iron play was also pretty good, though I did catch a couple fat. My play around the greens is what really let me down. I made too many poor chip shots. I was in a lot of bunkers too. I got out of them all very clean, but usually carried the ball too far past the hole. My putting was not good, as I recorded six 3-putts.
Score: 100
Par: 72
Putts: 40
Fairways: 8
Greens: 2
I get the feeling it has more to do with guys liking to say they scored in the eighties, rather than the nineties. Frankly, I don't understand it. What satisfaction do you get from marking an 87 on your scorecard, when you know your real score is more like 93? Now, I am not a great golfer by any stretch of the imagination, but at least I judge myself against the rules.
I was not sure whether I would play the Duffer's Dream Tour Championship, to be held September 27 & 28 at Legends on the Niagara. I haven't played Legends before (and I want to) but the round at Crosswinds reminded me how I dislike playing with these lax rules. The worst of them all is the one that treats just about everything off the fairway as a lateral hazard, including fescue, a group of trees, etc. So, I think I will take a pass on the Tour Championship and perhaps head out to Legends on my own. Fall rates are in effect beginning September 29, so the round will be cheaper than what the Duffer's Tour is charging anyway.
As for next year, I doubt I'll be back on the Duffer's Tour. I will stick to leagues where the players are a little more concerned about the rules of golf, and where wayward balls are not found with such remarkable frequency. :)
Oh yeah, as for my game, it was so-so. My driving was pretty good, though I did duff a couple, coming from the outside in and topping the ball. My iron play was also pretty good, though I did catch a couple fat. My play around the greens is what really let me down. I made too many poor chip shots. I was in a lot of bunkers too. I got out of them all very clean, but usually carried the ball too far past the hole. My putting was not good, as I recorded six 3-putts.
Score: 100
Par: 72
Putts: 40
Fairways: 8
Greens: 2
September 21, 2008
Dos and Don'ts of Playing with Strangers
I went to a couple of golf courses as a single this week and was paired up with another single on both occasions. The contrast between the two experiences was so immense, that it inspired me to write this handy guide for playing with strangers.
The don'ts were inspired partly by the fellow I played with at Kedron Dells Golf Club. Sorry buddy, but you really messed up my game.
Don'ts
1. Talk too much. It's impossible to talk too little when you are paired up with a stranger. If all you did was introduce yourself at the beginning of the round, and thank your partner at the end of the round, most players would be perfectly content. However, it is definitely possible to talk too much. Four and a half hours is a long time to listen to your boring stories, flawed opinions, and mindless rants. Bite your tongue and just play the game.
2. Offer golf advice. You are not a scratch golfer, or even a low handicapper. Even if you are, that doesn't mean you are qualified to provide golf instruction. Leave that to the pros who are paid to do it. Just because you saw an instructor on The Golf Channel tell someone to line up their feet or keep their head down, doesn't mean it applies to your newfound partner. Remember, your name is not Hank Haney, Butch Harmon, David Leadbetter, or Jim McLean.
3. Boast about your game. Honestly, nobody cares that you were driving the ball 330 yards at the range the other day. Did you realize that the driving range was 150 yards wide, and that the wind behind you was steady at 30 km/hr? That's not even mentioning the fact that it likely happened once in 50 attempts. Why not boast about the 49 other shots? Also, don't carry on when you make a nice par - especially if your partner has just made a triple-bogey.
4. Make inappropriate comments. Do not make racist, sexist, or otherwise inappropriate comments of any kind. Your playing partner may not share your particular social, moral, political, or religious beliefs. The golf course is not the place to debate these issues. If you do not enjoy playing a course frequented by ball-hunting enthusiasts who shield themselves from the sun with umbrellas mounted on their pull carts, go play somewhere else.
5. Crack jokes or horse around. Golf may be nothing more to you than an excuse to drink beer and horse around with your buddies, but keep in mind that some people take the game a little more seriously. Have some respect for those who view the game as a personal challenge or as a way to better themselves. If you want to act like a juvenile and chug beer with your pals, do it in your living room while watching the football game.
If you insist on following the don'ts, your unfortunate playing partner may experience something like this:
Score: 119
Par: 71
Putts: 37
Fairways: 2
Greens: 0
The do's were inspired partly by the gentleman I played with at Crosswinds Golf & Country Club. Thank you sir, it was a pleasure.
Dos
1. Exchange small talk. Nobody says you have to take a vow of silence when playing with strangers. A little small talk can actually be quite pleasant. It's okay to ask your partner where they are from, how often they play, and where. You might hear about some good golf courses that way. Later on in the round, you might even ask what your partner does for a living. Of course, the weather is always a good topic for discussion. Just keep it light and not too personal.
2. Focus on your own game. You came to the course to play golf, so worry about your own shots rather than those of your partner. Pick out your targets, judge your distances, evaluate your lies, stay loose, read your putts, and monitor your mental state. Let your partner do all of these things for himself. It's okay to congratulate your partner on a good shot, but don't overdo it. Provide tips or advice only if your partner asks you to.
3. Behave modestly after nice shots. Golf is an emotional game. There are plenty of bad moments, so nobody will fault you for celebrating the good ones. Just keep it at a reasonable level and be conscious of what has happened to your playing partner during the round. If your partner is stringing together a series of triple-bogeys, there's no need to engage in excessive fist-pumping, knee-slapping, or other boisterous hooting and hollering after you make par.
4. Be polite towards other golfers. Have some respect for everyone else who is using the golf course. Be quiet when they are teeing off or taking a shot in the opposite fairway. Help them locate wayward balls if they happen to veer your way. Let players through if they are on a faster pace. Don't run the ball up on players ahead of you or get confrontational. Your partner came to the course to play golf, not to get into a fight because of your antics.
5. Play courteous and ready golf. Tee off first when you have the honour. Keep an eye on your partner's shots and help him/her find any wayward balls. Adhere to the cart rules for the day. Replace your divots. Rake sand traps and repair any ball marks. Pull out the flag and replace it when you finish putting. Pick up your partner's wedge or remind them to get it before they leave the green area. Keep the pace of play moving. Be serious while having fun.
If you do all of these things, your playing partner will be pleased and may experience something like this:
Score: 92
Par: 72
Putts: 34
Fairways: 3
Greens: 4
The don'ts were inspired partly by the fellow I played with at Kedron Dells Golf Club. Sorry buddy, but you really messed up my game.
Don'ts
1. Talk too much. It's impossible to talk too little when you are paired up with a stranger. If all you did was introduce yourself at the beginning of the round, and thank your partner at the end of the round, most players would be perfectly content. However, it is definitely possible to talk too much. Four and a half hours is a long time to listen to your boring stories, flawed opinions, and mindless rants. Bite your tongue and just play the game.
2. Offer golf advice. You are not a scratch golfer, or even a low handicapper. Even if you are, that doesn't mean you are qualified to provide golf instruction. Leave that to the pros who are paid to do it. Just because you saw an instructor on The Golf Channel tell someone to line up their feet or keep their head down, doesn't mean it applies to your newfound partner. Remember, your name is not Hank Haney, Butch Harmon, David Leadbetter, or Jim McLean.
3. Boast about your game. Honestly, nobody cares that you were driving the ball 330 yards at the range the other day. Did you realize that the driving range was 150 yards wide, and that the wind behind you was steady at 30 km/hr? That's not even mentioning the fact that it likely happened once in 50 attempts. Why not boast about the 49 other shots? Also, don't carry on when you make a nice par - especially if your partner has just made a triple-bogey.
4. Make inappropriate comments. Do not make racist, sexist, or otherwise inappropriate comments of any kind. Your playing partner may not share your particular social, moral, political, or religious beliefs. The golf course is not the place to debate these issues. If you do not enjoy playing a course frequented by ball-hunting enthusiasts who shield themselves from the sun with umbrellas mounted on their pull carts, go play somewhere else.
5. Crack jokes or horse around. Golf may be nothing more to you than an excuse to drink beer and horse around with your buddies, but keep in mind that some people take the game a little more seriously. Have some respect for those who view the game as a personal challenge or as a way to better themselves. If you want to act like a juvenile and chug beer with your pals, do it in your living room while watching the football game.
If you insist on following the don'ts, your unfortunate playing partner may experience something like this:
Score: 119
Par: 71
Putts: 37
Fairways: 2
Greens: 0
The do's were inspired partly by the gentleman I played with at Crosswinds Golf & Country Club. Thank you sir, it was a pleasure.
Dos
1. Exchange small talk. Nobody says you have to take a vow of silence when playing with strangers. A little small talk can actually be quite pleasant. It's okay to ask your partner where they are from, how often they play, and where. You might hear about some good golf courses that way. Later on in the round, you might even ask what your partner does for a living. Of course, the weather is always a good topic for discussion. Just keep it light and not too personal.
2. Focus on your own game. You came to the course to play golf, so worry about your own shots rather than those of your partner. Pick out your targets, judge your distances, evaluate your lies, stay loose, read your putts, and monitor your mental state. Let your partner do all of these things for himself. It's okay to congratulate your partner on a good shot, but don't overdo it. Provide tips or advice only if your partner asks you to.
3. Behave modestly after nice shots. Golf is an emotional game. There are plenty of bad moments, so nobody will fault you for celebrating the good ones. Just keep it at a reasonable level and be conscious of what has happened to your playing partner during the round. If your partner is stringing together a series of triple-bogeys, there's no need to engage in excessive fist-pumping, knee-slapping, or other boisterous hooting and hollering after you make par.
4. Be polite towards other golfers. Have some respect for everyone else who is using the golf course. Be quiet when they are teeing off or taking a shot in the opposite fairway. Help them locate wayward balls if they happen to veer your way. Let players through if they are on a faster pace. Don't run the ball up on players ahead of you or get confrontational. Your partner came to the course to play golf, not to get into a fight because of your antics.
5. Play courteous and ready golf. Tee off first when you have the honour. Keep an eye on your partner's shots and help him/her find any wayward balls. Adhere to the cart rules for the day. Replace your divots. Rake sand traps and repair any ball marks. Pull out the flag and replace it when you finish putting. Pick up your partner's wedge or remind them to get it before they leave the green area. Keep the pace of play moving. Be serious while having fun.
If you do all of these things, your playing partner will be pleased and may experience something like this:
Score: 92
Par: 72
Putts: 34
Fairways: 3
Greens: 4
September 20, 2008
Crosswinds Warmup
I took a week's vacation from work and kicked it off with a round at Crosswinds Golf & Country Club, located in Burlington, Ontario. The round began well, with a couple of bogeys, followed by a par. On the fourth hole, a par-5 measuring 538 yards, I got a little unlucky when my second shot found a fairway bunker that was hidden from view. My approach to the green also found a bunker, so you could say it was a sandy hole. I held on for a double-bogey.
On the fifth hole, a par-3 measuring a measly 123 yards, I self-destructed. Visual intimidation is the only obstacle on this hole, with the green surrounded by water. At a tournament a couple weeks earlier, I launched two balls off the tee into the water on this hole. Perhaps that was in my head, because I proceeded to do exactly the same thing once again. From the drop zone, I fared no better. On the moist turf, I duffed a shot with my sand wedge, then skulled one across the green. I chipped on, only to 3-putt for a horrific score of 8. Golf is truly unbelievable at times!
The rest of the round was consistent, but far from spectacular. On the remaining thirteen holes, I registered one par, seven bogeys, and five double-bogeys. My driving was not great, but at the same time, it was not putting me in many tough spots. The same could be said for my iron play. Chipping and putting were not exactly sharp, but they were not atrocious. I finished the round with a score of 98, which was good enough to keep me happy. If not for the blow-up on hole #5, this would have been a round in the mid 90's, which is a solid round for me.
The final round of the Duffer's Dream Tour takes place at Crosswinds a week from now, so hopefully this will serve as a nice warmup.
Score: 98
Par: 72
Putts: 38
Fairways: 4
Greens: 3
On the fifth hole, a par-3 measuring a measly 123 yards, I self-destructed. Visual intimidation is the only obstacle on this hole, with the green surrounded by water. At a tournament a couple weeks earlier, I launched two balls off the tee into the water on this hole. Perhaps that was in my head, because I proceeded to do exactly the same thing once again. From the drop zone, I fared no better. On the moist turf, I duffed a shot with my sand wedge, then skulled one across the green. I chipped on, only to 3-putt for a horrific score of 8. Golf is truly unbelievable at times!
The rest of the round was consistent, but far from spectacular. On the remaining thirteen holes, I registered one par, seven bogeys, and five double-bogeys. My driving was not great, but at the same time, it was not putting me in many tough spots. The same could be said for my iron play. Chipping and putting were not exactly sharp, but they were not atrocious. I finished the round with a score of 98, which was good enough to keep me happy. If not for the blow-up on hole #5, this would have been a round in the mid 90's, which is a solid round for me.
The final round of the Duffer's Dream Tour takes place at Crosswinds a week from now, so hopefully this will serve as a nice warmup.
Score: 98
Par: 72
Putts: 38
Fairways: 4
Greens: 3
Post Championship Letdown
On Sunday afternoon, I successfully battled for the 2008 Deepwoods Championship. On Monday morning, I was competing at a Duffer's Dream event, where the stakes were substantially lower. In early August, I was within sniffing distance of the Duffer's Dream leaders, but the standings have not been updated since then, so I don't know where I currently stand. Combined with the fact I was coming off the Deepwoods high, it was difficult to get excited about this round at Piper's Heath Golf Club.
We had a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. in order to finish before an afternoon tournament was to begin. Apparently, September is the busiest time of year for such events. It was a little chilly when we got started, but after two holes I was playing in short sleeves. I 3-putted four of the first five holes, which did absolutely nothing to boost my confidence. During that stretch, I also struggled with the 3-wood and some of my irons. Chipping was also adventurous, especially around the sixth green, where I took an inflated score.
I had back-to-back pars on hole #8 and hole #9, but that was as hot as I would get. The back nine was a steady series of bogeys and double-bogeys. I was trying to drive the ball with the relaxed tempo I discovered at Whirlpool a few rounds earlier, but it just wasn't working. It's not enough to be relaxed; one still has to be committed to the swing. The 3-wood remained terrible all day and the short game was mediocre, at best. I avoided blow-up holes, but a steady string of double-bogeys will inflate your score just as quickly.
Overall, it was just a blah kind of round.
Score: 103
Par: 72
Putts: 41
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
We had a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. in order to finish before an afternoon tournament was to begin. Apparently, September is the busiest time of year for such events. It was a little chilly when we got started, but after two holes I was playing in short sleeves. I 3-putted four of the first five holes, which did absolutely nothing to boost my confidence. During that stretch, I also struggled with the 3-wood and some of my irons. Chipping was also adventurous, especially around the sixth green, where I took an inflated score.
I had back-to-back pars on hole #8 and hole #9, but that was as hot as I would get. The back nine was a steady series of bogeys and double-bogeys. I was trying to drive the ball with the relaxed tempo I discovered at Whirlpool a few rounds earlier, but it just wasn't working. It's not enough to be relaxed; one still has to be committed to the swing. The 3-wood remained terrible all day and the short game was mediocre, at best. I avoided blow-up holes, but a steady string of double-bogeys will inflate your score just as quickly.
Overall, it was just a blah kind of round.
Score: 103
Par: 72
Putts: 41
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
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