There's a simple reason I've never played Silver Brooke Golf Club: it's not very convenient to reach. It's not just the distance from home, but the fact that it's tucked away from major highways. Despite all that, I resolved to head out there and see what the course is all about.
I gave myself plenty of time and there were no traffic delays. Nevertheless, I arrived at the course with little time to spare. They were having computer issues in the pro shop, which delayed me further. With the computer issue resolved, they asked me to catch up with another single who was already on the first tee.
He teed off just as I arrived on the scene, and invited me to join up. I fumbled around to get my ball, tee, and other necessary paraphernalia. I felt rushed, which is one of the worst feelings to start a round. It was made worse by the fact that I was unfamiliar with the course layout.
I proceeded to pull four consecutive drives into the woods lining the left side of the first hole. The guy I paired up with must have thought I was a hacker! I never take Mulligans, but these were exceptional circumstances. My fifth drive was flared to a fescue covered mound right of the fairway. I started keeping score with that stroke, and still struggled to a triple-bogey result. A 3-putt added a little extra salt to the wound.
I was worried that my play would sour my opinion of the course, but over the next seven holes, I settled down nicely. I collected four pars and three bogeys during that run. I went bogey, par on holes 2 and 3, which are back-to-back par-3 designs. The latter is much longer and more difficult, but I hit a perfect 6-iron to start it off. I hit a horrible drive on hole 4, a par-4, but still managed bogey. In fact, I nearly chipped in for par.
Holes 5 through 8 produced par, bogey, par, and par. I finally hit a good drive on hole 5, nearly driving the green of this short par-4. My drives on holes 6 and 7 were satisfactory, both finding the fairway. A 6-iron approach shot just missed the green on the former, while an 8-iron approach nailed the green on the latter. My best drive of the front nine came on hole 8, a 339-yard par-4. It allowed me to attack the pin with a lob wedge. Although I hit a nice approach shot, I wasn't able to convert the birdie.
On hole 9, a par-4, my driver went wild again. I pulled my tee shot, but was lucky that it also popped up high and didn't go very far, otherwise it would have been out of bounds. I found the ball under a bush very near the OB stakes. I was forced to declare the ball unplayable and take a penalty. My third shot was a towering 5-iron, but it was also pulled, finishing on the edge of the woods. I was able to chip out of there, but not all the way to the green. I burned another shot getting on the green, before 3-putting for a quadruple-bogey. Ugh!
I played seven great holes, sandwiched by two atrocious ones, to make the turn with a score of 46.
While the front nine at Silver Brooke plays through mature forest, the back nine opens up into a faux links style. I made par on Hole 10, thanks in part to a lovely 9-iron approach. After that, the wild drives returned. Hole 11 is a 522-yard par-5 with a generous fairway. I'm not sure if that enticed me to try crushing the ball, but I pulled two consecutive drives into a water feature left of the teeing ground that shouldn't even be in play. Hitting my fifth from the tee, I finished the hole with a quadruple-bogey. Basically, I made par after wasting four strokes.
Fortunately, that was the last bit of real nonsense for the round. I went 7 over par for the last seven holes, including a par, five bogeys, and a double-bogey. The double-bogey, which came on hole 12, was due to a pointless 3-putt. Bogey golf isn't bad, but I was still struggling to hit decent drives. I popped one short and left on hole 13, then sliced one to the right on hole 14. In both cases, it was my iron play that allowed me to salvage bogey.
I hit a decent drive on hole 15, but that one was with the 5-wood. I followed up with a gorgeous 7-iron over trees and bushes to the front of a hidden green, leading to par. On hole 17, I pulled a low bullet off the tee, smacking a tree trunk and ricocheting to the opposite side of the fairway. A good 5-wood, 5-iron combination helped me save bogey on this par-5. My drive on hole 18 wasn't as bad as the previous one, but it wasn't pretty either. Again, I needed the 5-wood to bail me out on my second shot, and I hit it well enough to set up a final bogey.
I liked Silver Brooke and will probably return some day. It won't be any time soon though, as it's quite a pain for me to get there.
Score: 93
Putts: 38
Fairways: 4
Greens: 6
Penalties: 4
July 28, 2020
July 18, 2020
First Visit to Chedoke
Chedoke Golf Club in Hamilton features two 18-hole courses: Martin and Beddoe. Neither is particularly long, but Beddoe manages to reach 6,084 yards as a par-70, which isn't bad. I'm always looking for new courses to play, so I decided to give Beddoe a try.
I shot 44 on the front nine, with four pars, two bogeys, two double-bogeys, and a triple. One of the pars came on the opening par-4, after a 4-iron, 8-iron combination got me safely to an elevated green. The next was on hole 5, a 459-yard par-5. Driver, 5-iron were as lovely as can be, taking me to the right fairway, just a pitch shot away from the green. I got up and down for par on hole 8, a short par-3. Finally, I made par on hole 9, an uphill par-5, despite a poor second shot.
The trouble on the front nine came mostly on par-3 holes. I thinned my tee shot on hole 3 into a penalty area that needed to be carried. After a penalty and drop, I missed the green, chipped on and 2-putt for triple-bogey. On hole 6, which measures 206 yards, my tee shot was in some trees short and right. I punched under some branches, but my ball got caught up in the rough near the green apron. A chip and two putts earned a double-bogey.
The most disappointing result was a double-bogey on hole 4, a 357-yard par-4. The fairway rises slightly, before cresting and going back down to the green. Not knowing the course, I just aimed for the middle of the fairway and let it rip with driver. It was perfectly straight and absolutely crushed. I walked up to the landing area to find that the fairway ended 150 yards from the green. From there, the terrain dropped off steeply to a creek that crossed in front of the green. My ball was near the bottom of the hill, 100 yards from the green. I had a downhill lie in the rough and needed to get the ball airborne quickly to clear the creek. Of course, I thinned the ball right into the penalty area. Talk about bad luck. I hit a perfect drive and was penalized for it!
I shot 42 on the back nine, with four more pars, three bogeys, and two doubles. Hole 10 is a long par-4 measuring 454 yards. The good news is it plays downhill. My drive didn't quite reach the main down slope, so I had 190 yards remaining to the green on my second shot. I hit a nice 4-iron just right of the green. I almost chipped in for birdie, but tapped in for par.
I made a textbook par on hole 12, a par-4, by hitting the fairway, then the green in regulation, before 2 putting. Par on hole 14, a 516-yard par-5, was anything but textbook. My first two shots were wild ones that ended up in an opposite fairway. Luckily, I closed out strongly. The last par of the day came on the final hole, thanks to a lovely up and down from 100 yards away. The putt was a perfectly judged breaker from 8 feet away.
Trouble on the back nine was relatively minor. On hole 13, a 176-yard par-3, my tee shot settled in the front left bunker. I got out safely, but the ball rolled into the rough on the opposite side of the green. A very average chip was then followed by two putts for double-bogey. On hole 16, a 356-yard par-4, my drive leaked right into the woods, forcing me to take a penalty stroke. I played the remaining shots well enough, but the damage was already done.
Beddoe was okay. I won't be in any rush to go back, but I will under the right circumstances.
Score: 86
Putts: 33
Fairways: 6
Greens: 5
Penalties: 3
I shot 44 on the front nine, with four pars, two bogeys, two double-bogeys, and a triple. One of the pars came on the opening par-4, after a 4-iron, 8-iron combination got me safely to an elevated green. The next was on hole 5, a 459-yard par-5. Driver, 5-iron were as lovely as can be, taking me to the right fairway, just a pitch shot away from the green. I got up and down for par on hole 8, a short par-3. Finally, I made par on hole 9, an uphill par-5, despite a poor second shot.
The trouble on the front nine came mostly on par-3 holes. I thinned my tee shot on hole 3 into a penalty area that needed to be carried. After a penalty and drop, I missed the green, chipped on and 2-putt for triple-bogey. On hole 6, which measures 206 yards, my tee shot was in some trees short and right. I punched under some branches, but my ball got caught up in the rough near the green apron. A chip and two putts earned a double-bogey.
The most disappointing result was a double-bogey on hole 4, a 357-yard par-4. The fairway rises slightly, before cresting and going back down to the green. Not knowing the course, I just aimed for the middle of the fairway and let it rip with driver. It was perfectly straight and absolutely crushed. I walked up to the landing area to find that the fairway ended 150 yards from the green. From there, the terrain dropped off steeply to a creek that crossed in front of the green. My ball was near the bottom of the hill, 100 yards from the green. I had a downhill lie in the rough and needed to get the ball airborne quickly to clear the creek. Of course, I thinned the ball right into the penalty area. Talk about bad luck. I hit a perfect drive and was penalized for it!
I shot 42 on the back nine, with four more pars, three bogeys, and two doubles. Hole 10 is a long par-4 measuring 454 yards. The good news is it plays downhill. My drive didn't quite reach the main down slope, so I had 190 yards remaining to the green on my second shot. I hit a nice 4-iron just right of the green. I almost chipped in for birdie, but tapped in for par.
I made a textbook par on hole 12, a par-4, by hitting the fairway, then the green in regulation, before 2 putting. Par on hole 14, a 516-yard par-5, was anything but textbook. My first two shots were wild ones that ended up in an opposite fairway. Luckily, I closed out strongly. The last par of the day came on the final hole, thanks to a lovely up and down from 100 yards away. The putt was a perfectly judged breaker from 8 feet away.
Trouble on the back nine was relatively minor. On hole 13, a 176-yard par-3, my tee shot settled in the front left bunker. I got out safely, but the ball rolled into the rough on the opposite side of the green. A very average chip was then followed by two putts for double-bogey. On hole 16, a 356-yard par-4, my drive leaked right into the woods, forcing me to take a penalty stroke. I played the remaining shots well enough, but the damage was already done.
Beddoe was okay. I won't be in any rush to go back, but I will under the right circumstances.
Score: 86
Putts: 33
Fairways: 6
Greens: 5
Penalties: 3
July 16, 2020
Good Run at Rebel Creek
Early July brought with it a sustained heat wave, so I opted not to golf at all. When the heat finally relented, I jumped at the opportunity. I booked a tee time at Rebel Creek Golf Club, hoping that the time off would not adversely affect my game.
I pummelled my drive on the opening par-5, making use of the downhill slope to reach a distance of 365 yards. The green was just 210 yards away, but a nasty penalty area crosses in front, so I didn't even think about going for it. I hit a sand wedge to the 100 yard marker. Another sand wedge was pulled 3 yards left of the green. Unfortunately, I completely duffed a chip shot. After a better chip, I 2-putt for double-bogey.
With good driving and some accurate iron shots, I went on a very good run of six holes. Beginning with hole 2, I went bogey, par, par, bogey, par, par. I split the fairway on hole 2 and finished it with an up and down from behind the flag. I 2-putt smartly from off the green on hole 3. I crushed a 304-yard drive on hole 4, which plays level. A 60-yard pitch to below the hole gave me a good look at birdie, which I barely missed.
A bad drive on hole 5 forced me to pitch back to the fairway on this par-4. I almost got up and down from 130 yards, but my putt just missed. No problem, bogey was fair. Holes 6 and 7 began with excellent drives, followed by solid shots into the greens. I did very well to 2-putt on the former, and nearly birdied the latter.
Hole 8 is a short par 3 to a green protected in front and on the left by a creek. I tried to aim well right; I was even content to miss the green on that side. Unfortunately, I hit a big hook and found the creek nevertheless. Double bogey was the result. No problem though, as I immediately followed up with a birdie on hole 9, an uphill par-5. I hit driver to the right fairway, followed by 4-iron just off the right side of the fairway. From 75 yards, I hit a lovely lob wedge behind the flag, which spun back to flag high. This was followed by a gently breaking 10-foot putt.
I was shooting 41 at the turn and feeling good. After a 303-yard drive on hole 10, another downhill par-5, I had just 190 yards remaining to reach the green. I decided to go for this one, pulling out the trusty 4-iron. Unfortunately, I still had a bit of a downhill lie, which complicated the shot. I hit it fat, sending the ball into a bunker 40 yards short of the green. I thinned my third shot over the back of the green, requiring a chip and two putts to earn bogey. So disappointing after that drive!
Silliness ensued on hole 11, a 182-yard par-3. It was playing shorter than that, with the flag at the front of the green. My tee shot was hole high, but 10 yards right of the green. I sculled a pitch shot over the green, then fluffed one coming back, with the green falling away from me. Though I made two good putt attempts, it was too much to ask. I 3-putted for a triple-bogey.
On hole 12, a par-4, I nailed the fairway and placed my approach shot six feet below the hole. The birdie attempt ended with a violent lip-out, so I had to settle for par. Another lip-out from a similar distance denied me par on hole 13. The 3-putt bogey was disappointing, but only half as disappointing as the double-bogey I earned on hole 14. Though I hit a good drive on this par-4, my ball finished in front of a bunker. I didn't have a proper stance, and therefore thinned a wedge shot into a pond right of the green.
I went par, bogey, bogey over the next three holes, with the bogeys coming thanks to another lip-out and a putt that finished with part of the ball overhanging the hole. I slipped up a bit on the back nine, but it looked like I would still finish comfortably in the 80s. I was sitting at 81, with a par-5 remaining to play. I cut it really close, taking two penalty strokes on that hole en route to a triple-bogey. This was only my third visit to Rebel Creek, and I didn't recall the details of the hole. My third shot was over the crest of a hill to a blind spot and I picked the completely wrong line. In the end, I was happy that I still broke 90.
Score: 89
Putts: 32
Fairways: 8
Greens: 7
Penalties: 4
I pummelled my drive on the opening par-5, making use of the downhill slope to reach a distance of 365 yards. The green was just 210 yards away, but a nasty penalty area crosses in front, so I didn't even think about going for it. I hit a sand wedge to the 100 yard marker. Another sand wedge was pulled 3 yards left of the green. Unfortunately, I completely duffed a chip shot. After a better chip, I 2-putt for double-bogey.
With good driving and some accurate iron shots, I went on a very good run of six holes. Beginning with hole 2, I went bogey, par, par, bogey, par, par. I split the fairway on hole 2 and finished it with an up and down from behind the flag. I 2-putt smartly from off the green on hole 3. I crushed a 304-yard drive on hole 4, which plays level. A 60-yard pitch to below the hole gave me a good look at birdie, which I barely missed.
A bad drive on hole 5 forced me to pitch back to the fairway on this par-4. I almost got up and down from 130 yards, but my putt just missed. No problem, bogey was fair. Holes 6 and 7 began with excellent drives, followed by solid shots into the greens. I did very well to 2-putt on the former, and nearly birdied the latter.
Hole 8 is a short par 3 to a green protected in front and on the left by a creek. I tried to aim well right; I was even content to miss the green on that side. Unfortunately, I hit a big hook and found the creek nevertheless. Double bogey was the result. No problem though, as I immediately followed up with a birdie on hole 9, an uphill par-5. I hit driver to the right fairway, followed by 4-iron just off the right side of the fairway. From 75 yards, I hit a lovely lob wedge behind the flag, which spun back to flag high. This was followed by a gently breaking 10-foot putt.
I was shooting 41 at the turn and feeling good. After a 303-yard drive on hole 10, another downhill par-5, I had just 190 yards remaining to reach the green. I decided to go for this one, pulling out the trusty 4-iron. Unfortunately, I still had a bit of a downhill lie, which complicated the shot. I hit it fat, sending the ball into a bunker 40 yards short of the green. I thinned my third shot over the back of the green, requiring a chip and two putts to earn bogey. So disappointing after that drive!
Silliness ensued on hole 11, a 182-yard par-3. It was playing shorter than that, with the flag at the front of the green. My tee shot was hole high, but 10 yards right of the green. I sculled a pitch shot over the green, then fluffed one coming back, with the green falling away from me. Though I made two good putt attempts, it was too much to ask. I 3-putted for a triple-bogey.
On hole 12, a par-4, I nailed the fairway and placed my approach shot six feet below the hole. The birdie attempt ended with a violent lip-out, so I had to settle for par. Another lip-out from a similar distance denied me par on hole 13. The 3-putt bogey was disappointing, but only half as disappointing as the double-bogey I earned on hole 14. Though I hit a good drive on this par-4, my ball finished in front of a bunker. I didn't have a proper stance, and therefore thinned a wedge shot into a pond right of the green.
I went par, bogey, bogey over the next three holes, with the bogeys coming thanks to another lip-out and a putt that finished with part of the ball overhanging the hole. I slipped up a bit on the back nine, but it looked like I would still finish comfortably in the 80s. I was sitting at 81, with a par-5 remaining to play. I cut it really close, taking two penalty strokes on that hole en route to a triple-bogey. This was only my third visit to Rebel Creek, and I didn't recall the details of the hole. My third shot was over the crest of a hill to a blind spot and I picked the completely wrong line. In the end, I was happy that I still broke 90.
Score: 89
Putts: 32
Fairways: 8
Greens: 7
Penalties: 4
July 12, 2020
Holding on at Settlers' Ghost
After using a pull cart for the first five rounds of the season, I recently made the switch back to carrying my golf clubs. If you golf to help stay in shape, walking with a pull cart is better than riding, but carrying is best of all. After five rounds, I felt like I had eased into the season enough, so the switch to carrying was made. At the same time, I'm always careful about exerting myself too much, particularly in hot weather. My latest round was an afternoon visit to Settler's Ghost, which has a fair bit of elevation changes. It was fairly hot, so I had to be careful.
I felt good on the front nine, which was reflected in my score of 42, including four pars, four bogeys, and a double-bogey. After missing badly with my second shot on the opening par-4, I made a lovely up and down from 30 yards away. I had some trouble reaching the greens on holes 2 and 3, respectively, but recovered well for a pair of bogeys. On hole 4, a 369-yard par-4, I striped the fairway with my drive and nailed the green with a lob wedge from 100 yards. After a solid lag putt, I tapped in for my second par of the day.
Hole 5 is a 526-yard par-5. My second shot from the left rough was topped and went a very short distance. However, I played the hole well from that point to salvage bogey. This was followed up with back-to-back pars on holes 6 and 7. The former is an uphill par-4. I hit the green with gap wedge from the right rough and lagged a long putt very close. The latter is a short par-3 over water. I hit a pitching wedge flag high that released behind the pin. A hard breaking lag was well judged, leaving just a tap-in for par.
Hole 8 is the one that produced double-bogey. I pulled my second shot on this par-5 into some trees left of the cart path. I decided the ball was unplayable and took a penalty stroke. Hitting from a downhill / side hill lie, my approach failed to reach the green. Despite a lovely pitch to the back pin position, I still required two putts to finish. I earned bogey on hole 9, despite finding the green with a 4-iron, sand wedge combination. Had I used lob wedge on the approach, I might have had a better chance at par. As it was, I 3-putt from a healthy distance.
I was drinking plenty of water and feeling pretty good at this point, though very conscious of the heat. Hole 10 is a 558-yard par-5 that plays substantially uphill. I've struggled on this hole in the past, and consider it the hardest on the course. Too much thinking about this ruined my tee shot. I hit the heel of the driver, barely blooping the ball 80 yards ahead and left to an opposite fairway. I had lots of room to play back to the proper fairway, but opted to hit a 5-wood instead of a mid-iron. It was a bad decision. I had a bit of an uphill lie, and I scrubbed the ground in front of the ball. The ball rolled a few yards ahead, nestling under a spruce tree. A left handed putter shot was all I could use to get out of there. Now on a severe side hill lie, I pulled a mid iron into a large tree. It was one disaster after another. I played decent for the rest of the hole, but finished with a quadruple-bogey 9.
The next three holes were not very smooth, as I struggled to cope with the change of events. My tee shot on hole 11, a 158-yard par-3, was pushed slightly right into a bunker. I splashed out from there, but barely. A chip and two putts earned a double-bogey. Hole 12, a downhill par-5 that plays parallel to #10, was a bit better with bogey. Still, I was disappointed with my second shot after a perfect drive. There are not many flat lies at Settlers' Ghost. Some are subtle, like the downhill one I topped on this occasion. Hole 13 is a short par-4 with a forced carry off the tee. I cleared the water easily, but lost my ball in the fescue right of the fairway. It's an easy hole, unless you slice your drive badly, as I did. The consequence was a double-bogey.
Fortunately, I played the remaining five holes just two over par to salvage a score of 89. Beginning with hole 14, I went par, bogey, par, par, and bogey. Hole 14 is a 180-yard par 3. I hit 6-iron to the centre of the green, then 2-putt back to the front pin position. Hole 15 is a 561-yard par-5 that goes back uphill a bit. I hit decent long irons, but they weren't pure, resulting in lost distance. I needed an extra little pitch to find the green and then 2-put.
Hole 16 is a 152-yard par-3, and I hit perhaps my best iron of the day. It was a 7-iron into a slight breeze that carried a front bunker and then released past the hole. It was an absolutely towering shot. I made a great attempt at the long birdie putt, but had to follow up with a tap-in. Hole 17 is a dogleg par-4. I went driver, lob wedge to find the green, but my approach drifted well right of the hole. I did very well to 2-putt from that position.
I didn't know my score, so I paused on the 18th tee to see where I stood. Sure enough, a bogey on the downhill par-4 would be enough to break 90. With trees on both sides of the fairway, I shortened my backswing and let it fly. Oh what a beauty ! It was my best drive of the day – straight down the middle and 300 yards to boot. Sure, some of that was because I caught a downhill section just right, but I didn't care. At this point, I felt like par was possible, and certainly I would finish with no worse than bogey.
Well, I hit my sand wedge fat, thanks to a slight downhill lie. From 15 yards in front of the green, I sculled one straight across to the other side. Oh no! Given the contours of the green, it would be very difficult to get up and down for bogey. I chipped reasonably well, but the ball finished 12 feet below the hole. The good news is that it was a straight putt. I lined it up and gave it a firm tap, drilling the centre to break 90 after all. Woohoo!
Score: 89
Putts: 34
Fairways: 5
Greens: 7
Penalties: 2
I felt good on the front nine, which was reflected in my score of 42, including four pars, four bogeys, and a double-bogey. After missing badly with my second shot on the opening par-4, I made a lovely up and down from 30 yards away. I had some trouble reaching the greens on holes 2 and 3, respectively, but recovered well for a pair of bogeys. On hole 4, a 369-yard par-4, I striped the fairway with my drive and nailed the green with a lob wedge from 100 yards. After a solid lag putt, I tapped in for my second par of the day.
Hole 5 is a 526-yard par-5. My second shot from the left rough was topped and went a very short distance. However, I played the hole well from that point to salvage bogey. This was followed up with back-to-back pars on holes 6 and 7. The former is an uphill par-4. I hit the green with gap wedge from the right rough and lagged a long putt very close. The latter is a short par-3 over water. I hit a pitching wedge flag high that released behind the pin. A hard breaking lag was well judged, leaving just a tap-in for par.
Hole 8 is the one that produced double-bogey. I pulled my second shot on this par-5 into some trees left of the cart path. I decided the ball was unplayable and took a penalty stroke. Hitting from a downhill / side hill lie, my approach failed to reach the green. Despite a lovely pitch to the back pin position, I still required two putts to finish. I earned bogey on hole 9, despite finding the green with a 4-iron, sand wedge combination. Had I used lob wedge on the approach, I might have had a better chance at par. As it was, I 3-putt from a healthy distance.
I was drinking plenty of water and feeling pretty good at this point, though very conscious of the heat. Hole 10 is a 558-yard par-5 that plays substantially uphill. I've struggled on this hole in the past, and consider it the hardest on the course. Too much thinking about this ruined my tee shot. I hit the heel of the driver, barely blooping the ball 80 yards ahead and left to an opposite fairway. I had lots of room to play back to the proper fairway, but opted to hit a 5-wood instead of a mid-iron. It was a bad decision. I had a bit of an uphill lie, and I scrubbed the ground in front of the ball. The ball rolled a few yards ahead, nestling under a spruce tree. A left handed putter shot was all I could use to get out of there. Now on a severe side hill lie, I pulled a mid iron into a large tree. It was one disaster after another. I played decent for the rest of the hole, but finished with a quadruple-bogey 9.
The next three holes were not very smooth, as I struggled to cope with the change of events. My tee shot on hole 11, a 158-yard par-3, was pushed slightly right into a bunker. I splashed out from there, but barely. A chip and two putts earned a double-bogey. Hole 12, a downhill par-5 that plays parallel to #10, was a bit better with bogey. Still, I was disappointed with my second shot after a perfect drive. There are not many flat lies at Settlers' Ghost. Some are subtle, like the downhill one I topped on this occasion. Hole 13 is a short par-4 with a forced carry off the tee. I cleared the water easily, but lost my ball in the fescue right of the fairway. It's an easy hole, unless you slice your drive badly, as I did. The consequence was a double-bogey.
Fortunately, I played the remaining five holes just two over par to salvage a score of 89. Beginning with hole 14, I went par, bogey, par, par, and bogey. Hole 14 is a 180-yard par 3. I hit 6-iron to the centre of the green, then 2-putt back to the front pin position. Hole 15 is a 561-yard par-5 that goes back uphill a bit. I hit decent long irons, but they weren't pure, resulting in lost distance. I needed an extra little pitch to find the green and then 2-put.
Hole 16 is a 152-yard par-3, and I hit perhaps my best iron of the day. It was a 7-iron into a slight breeze that carried a front bunker and then released past the hole. It was an absolutely towering shot. I made a great attempt at the long birdie putt, but had to follow up with a tap-in. Hole 17 is a dogleg par-4. I went driver, lob wedge to find the green, but my approach drifted well right of the hole. I did very well to 2-putt from that position.
I didn't know my score, so I paused on the 18th tee to see where I stood. Sure enough, a bogey on the downhill par-4 would be enough to break 90. With trees on both sides of the fairway, I shortened my backswing and let it fly. Oh what a beauty ! It was my best drive of the day – straight down the middle and 300 yards to boot. Sure, some of that was because I caught a downhill section just right, but I didn't care. At this point, I felt like par was possible, and certainly I would finish with no worse than bogey.
Well, I hit my sand wedge fat, thanks to a slight downhill lie. From 15 yards in front of the green, I sculled one straight across to the other side. Oh no! Given the contours of the green, it would be very difficult to get up and down for bogey. I chipped reasonably well, but the ball finished 12 feet below the hole. The good news is that it was a straight putt. I lined it up and gave it a firm tap, drilling the centre to break 90 after all. Woohoo!
Score: 89
Putts: 34
Fairways: 5
Greens: 7
Penalties: 2
June 27, 2020
Still Rolling at Victoria Park East
The good times continued with a solid score of 84 at Victoria Park East. The weather was perfect -- lots of sun, but not hot or humid, with a gentle breeze. I played bogey golf on the front nine, shooting 45, thanks to one par, seven bogeys, and a double-bogey. The par was on the opening par-5. I hit driver to the right rough, followed by a punch shot under some tree branches. Still in the right rough, I hit a lovely 7-iron over a front bunker in line with the flagstick. A lag putt and tap-in finished things off.
The double-bogey was on hole 4, a 176-yard par-3 over water. The further left you go, the further you have to carry to clear the water. For some reason, I pulled my tee shot badly and failed to make it over. Had the shot been more on line, it would have been fine. As it was, I had to use the drop zone. After adding a penalty stroke, I pitched on and 2-putt to conclude the hole.
I was hitting the ball reasonably well, but making a slight mistake each hole, which resulted in bogeys rather than pars. On hole 2, I hit a beautiful driver, 7-iron combination, finishing 12 feet from the hole, but off the green. My chip was good but rolled past the hole a bit, leaving a longer than desired par putt. My attempt was good, but it burned the edge. I hit good drives on holes 3 and 5, but followed up with poor second shots using 4-iron and 5-iron, respectively. A similar thing happened on hole 9 with the 7-iron. On hole 7, I hit my best drive of the day, but thinned a wedge to the fringe at the back of the green. Next came my only 3-putt of the day.
Thankfully, I straightened these things out on the back nine, shooting a nice score of 39 (4 over). After bogeys on holes 10 and 11, I rattled off three pars in a row. On hole 12, my drive finished a yard in the right rough. My approach finished flag high, but far from the hole in the left side fringe. A great putt almost dropped, leaving just a tap-in. Hole 13 is another par-3 over water. My tee shot was flag high, a couple yards left of the green. A lovely chip and putt earned the par. On hole 14, I hit my drive to the 100-yard stick, followed by a wedge to within 10 feet. I burned the edge of the hole with the birdie putt, tapping in again for par.
I finished the round going bogey, par, par, bogey. My approach from 155 yards on hole 16 was a beauty. Coming out of the left rough, I hit a laser to the flagstick. Unfortunately, a headwind kept it from reaching the hole. I faced an uphill birdie putt of about 12 feet and unfortunately pulled it. I hit a 70 yard shot over some tall trees to reach the green in regulation on hole 17. Not only that, but I left it very near the hole. It was a legit birdie chance, but I missed that one too. On a positive note, I recovered from two horrible shots to start hole 18. My third shot on this par-4 was a towering 5-iron that stopped just short of the severely elevated green. I followed that up with a good pitch and a downhill curling putt.
Score: 84
Putts: 34
Fairways: 4
Greens: 5
Penalties: 1
The double-bogey was on hole 4, a 176-yard par-3 over water. The further left you go, the further you have to carry to clear the water. For some reason, I pulled my tee shot badly and failed to make it over. Had the shot been more on line, it would have been fine. As it was, I had to use the drop zone. After adding a penalty stroke, I pitched on and 2-putt to conclude the hole.
I was hitting the ball reasonably well, but making a slight mistake each hole, which resulted in bogeys rather than pars. On hole 2, I hit a beautiful driver, 7-iron combination, finishing 12 feet from the hole, but off the green. My chip was good but rolled past the hole a bit, leaving a longer than desired par putt. My attempt was good, but it burned the edge. I hit good drives on holes 3 and 5, but followed up with poor second shots using 4-iron and 5-iron, respectively. A similar thing happened on hole 9 with the 7-iron. On hole 7, I hit my best drive of the day, but thinned a wedge to the fringe at the back of the green. Next came my only 3-putt of the day.
Thankfully, I straightened these things out on the back nine, shooting a nice score of 39 (4 over). After bogeys on holes 10 and 11, I rattled off three pars in a row. On hole 12, my drive finished a yard in the right rough. My approach finished flag high, but far from the hole in the left side fringe. A great putt almost dropped, leaving just a tap-in. Hole 13 is another par-3 over water. My tee shot was flag high, a couple yards left of the green. A lovely chip and putt earned the par. On hole 14, I hit my drive to the 100-yard stick, followed by a wedge to within 10 feet. I burned the edge of the hole with the birdie putt, tapping in again for par.
I finished the round going bogey, par, par, bogey. My approach from 155 yards on hole 16 was a beauty. Coming out of the left rough, I hit a laser to the flagstick. Unfortunately, a headwind kept it from reaching the hole. I faced an uphill birdie putt of about 12 feet and unfortunately pulled it. I hit a 70 yard shot over some tall trees to reach the green in regulation on hole 17. Not only that, but I left it very near the hole. It was a legit birdie chance, but I missed that one too. On a positive note, I recovered from two horrible shots to start hole 18. My third shot on this par-4 was a towering 5-iron that stopped just short of the severely elevated green. I followed that up with a good pitch and a downhill curling putt.
Score: 84
Putts: 34
Fairways: 4
Greens: 5
Penalties: 1
June 22, 2020
One Better at Doon Valley
I shot a decent score of 84 for my last round, so how do you top that? How about an 83 for the very next round? Consider it done. I headed out to Doon Valley and did precisely that. This was despite a triple-bogey on the opening par-4. My drive was in the left rough, with my approach to the green blocked by a tree. I opted to punch underneath the branches, but the ball rolled into a wooded area right of the green. The ball came out surprisingly clean on my third shot, rolling off the other side of the putting surface. After a duff and a weak chip, I 2-putt to finish. I should have just tried to finish short of the green with my second shot. Lesson learned.
Three consecutive pars got me back on track. I hit a perfect iron off the tee to the back pin location on hole 2. The birdie putt just missed. A lovely gap wedge set up an uphill birdie chance on hole 3. That birdie putt also came close. A solid 4-iron off the tee found the green on hole 4. I lagged the first putt close from distance, finishing with another tap-in. Next up, came three consecutive bogeys. The last of these, on hole 7, should have been par. I split the fairway with a nice drive, then hit the front of the green with a sand wedge. Sadly, I came up way short with my first putt, requiring two more to hole out.
The par streak resumed, beginning with hole 8, as I rattled off five in a row! Two mid irons, plus a chip and a putt did the trick on hole 8. Driver, 5-iron, lob wedge got me to the green on hole 9, a par-5. Two putts on a sloped section of green were well judged. The 3-iron worked well off the tee on hole 10, but an 8-iron approach was thinned into a front bunker. For once, I hit a perfect bunker shot, with the ball taking one bounce and stopping on a dime, two feet left of the hole. I had a good look at birdie on hole 11, a 150-yard par-3. My 7-iron to the back pin position was lovely. Alas, the birdie putt just missed. Finally, 5-iron and sand wedge carried me to the green safely on hole 12. I lagged my first putt from distance and then tapped in.
After a couple of bogeys, disaster struck on hole 15. This is a par-4 with a forced carry over a creek just in front of the teeing ground. Carrying the creek is not a problem, as it's just a few yards ahead. The issue, for me, is a bunch of tall trees that create a chute effect when standing on the tee. It just doesn't suit my eye. I've duffed shots from there in the past, and I did it again this time! I struck the ball on the heel of the club, sending it diving into the creek ahead. Hitting my third from the tee, I split the fairway. Go figure. The two strokes given away at the tee cost me a triple-bogey.
Just as I did after the first hole, I followed up a triple-bogey with three consecutive pars. Driver, 5-wood, sand wedge carried me to the green on hole 16, a par-5. I wasn't really in birdie range, but I gave it a go. It ended up being a nice lag putt. Hole 17 is a par-3 that was playing about 180 yards. My 5-iron was headed directly at the flag and looked like it would finish close. I hit it pure though, and the ball rolled off the back of the green. No worries, as I chipped one close and then tapped in. It was the same finish to hole 18, a par-5. The chip and putt followed a 9-iron approach that came up just short.
A couple of silly mistakes, or I could really have broken 80.
Score: 83
Putts: 32
Fairways: 7
Greens: 8
Penalties: 2
Three consecutive pars got me back on track. I hit a perfect iron off the tee to the back pin location on hole 2. The birdie putt just missed. A lovely gap wedge set up an uphill birdie chance on hole 3. That birdie putt also came close. A solid 4-iron off the tee found the green on hole 4. I lagged the first putt close from distance, finishing with another tap-in. Next up, came three consecutive bogeys. The last of these, on hole 7, should have been par. I split the fairway with a nice drive, then hit the front of the green with a sand wedge. Sadly, I came up way short with my first putt, requiring two more to hole out.
The par streak resumed, beginning with hole 8, as I rattled off five in a row! Two mid irons, plus a chip and a putt did the trick on hole 8. Driver, 5-iron, lob wedge got me to the green on hole 9, a par-5. Two putts on a sloped section of green were well judged. The 3-iron worked well off the tee on hole 10, but an 8-iron approach was thinned into a front bunker. For once, I hit a perfect bunker shot, with the ball taking one bounce and stopping on a dime, two feet left of the hole. I had a good look at birdie on hole 11, a 150-yard par-3. My 7-iron to the back pin position was lovely. Alas, the birdie putt just missed. Finally, 5-iron and sand wedge carried me to the green safely on hole 12. I lagged my first putt from distance and then tapped in.
After a couple of bogeys, disaster struck on hole 15. This is a par-4 with a forced carry over a creek just in front of the teeing ground. Carrying the creek is not a problem, as it's just a few yards ahead. The issue, for me, is a bunch of tall trees that create a chute effect when standing on the tee. It just doesn't suit my eye. I've duffed shots from there in the past, and I did it again this time! I struck the ball on the heel of the club, sending it diving into the creek ahead. Hitting my third from the tee, I split the fairway. Go figure. The two strokes given away at the tee cost me a triple-bogey.
Just as I did after the first hole, I followed up a triple-bogey with three consecutive pars. Driver, 5-wood, sand wedge carried me to the green on hole 16, a par-5. I wasn't really in birdie range, but I gave it a go. It ended up being a nice lag putt. Hole 17 is a par-3 that was playing about 180 yards. My 5-iron was headed directly at the flag and looked like it would finish close. I hit it pure though, and the ball rolled off the back of the green. No worries, as I chipped one close and then tapped in. It was the same finish to hole 18, a par-5. The chip and putt followed a 9-iron approach that came up just short.
A couple of silly mistakes, or I could really have broken 80.
Score: 83
Putts: 32
Fairways: 7
Greens: 8
Penalties: 2
June 21, 2020
Going Low at Calerin
I can still remember when breaking 100 was a big deal. After it became common, breaking 90 was the new goal. I've done that often enough now that the goal posts have moved again – not all the way to breaking 80, mind you; that remains an elusive feat that I've accomplished only once. The new measure of excellence is breaking 85. Let me put it this way: if I break 85, I hang on to my scorecard; otherwise, it gets chucked in the bin.
I'm happy to say that my latest scorecard will be added to the keepers. I shot 84 at Calerin Golf Club, which holds a special place in my heart as the site of my only ever hole-in-one. There was no ace this time, but there was a birdie and a handful of pars. The birdie was on hole 11, a short par-3 with a large waste bunker protecting the green. Wind pushed my tee shot well right of the hole, but my ball remained on the putting surface. I surveyed the situation and proceeded to drain the long, downhill putt.
Pars came on holes 1, 3, 7, 8, 14 and 16, despite the fact that my driving was up and down. On hole 1, for instance, I nailed the centre of the fairway with a very controlled drive. Though I finished in the left rough, my drive on hole 8 was also very good. On hole 3, however, I hit a weak drive off the heel of the club. I could not reach the green of this par-4 from that far away. The same thing happened on hole 7. In that case, it was long fescue that prevented me from reaching the green in two.
The key to making pars, even after I hit a poor tee shot, was not trying to make up for the bad shot all at once. On hole 3, my second shot was an easy iron to the 100-yard stick. I managed to get up and down from there, thanks to a great lob wedge shot that finished 8 feet from the hole. On hole 7, my second shot was a sand wedge to 40 yards from the flag. I managed to get up and down again, this time with a lovely pitch shot that bounced on the green before hitting the flagstick.
The same approach limited the damage to bogey on other occasions when I got in trouble. On hole 4, a par-5, my second shot drifted right into the fescue. The lie wasn't bad, but a tree was blocking my path to the green. I merely hit a pitch shot to the 100-yard stick. I didn't get up and down from there, as my approach just missed the green right, but it was still the correct play. A chip and a putt saved bogey. On hole 6, I pulled my drive into the trees left. After a penalty and drop, I was within range of the green, but hitting from the rough. I chose a more lofted club, knowing that I would finish short of the green. This took a deep bunker near the green completely out of play. A chip and a putt once again earned bogey.
It was largely a trouble free day. My worst holes resulted in a pair of double-bogeys. One was the result of a 3-putt – my only one of the day. The other, ironically, came at the site of my precious hole-in-one. My tee shot finished short in a bunker. I splashed out with my next shot, but just barely. A chip and two putts were required to finish the hole. Not bad. If the most trouble I have during a round are a couple of double-bogeys, I'll usually be alright.
Score: 84
Putts: 31
Fairways: 4
Greens: 5
Penalties: 1
I'm happy to say that my latest scorecard will be added to the keepers. I shot 84 at Calerin Golf Club, which holds a special place in my heart as the site of my only ever hole-in-one. There was no ace this time, but there was a birdie and a handful of pars. The birdie was on hole 11, a short par-3 with a large waste bunker protecting the green. Wind pushed my tee shot well right of the hole, but my ball remained on the putting surface. I surveyed the situation and proceeded to drain the long, downhill putt.
Pars came on holes 1, 3, 7, 8, 14 and 16, despite the fact that my driving was up and down. On hole 1, for instance, I nailed the centre of the fairway with a very controlled drive. Though I finished in the left rough, my drive on hole 8 was also very good. On hole 3, however, I hit a weak drive off the heel of the club. I could not reach the green of this par-4 from that far away. The same thing happened on hole 7. In that case, it was long fescue that prevented me from reaching the green in two.
The key to making pars, even after I hit a poor tee shot, was not trying to make up for the bad shot all at once. On hole 3, my second shot was an easy iron to the 100-yard stick. I managed to get up and down from there, thanks to a great lob wedge shot that finished 8 feet from the hole. On hole 7, my second shot was a sand wedge to 40 yards from the flag. I managed to get up and down again, this time with a lovely pitch shot that bounced on the green before hitting the flagstick.
The same approach limited the damage to bogey on other occasions when I got in trouble. On hole 4, a par-5, my second shot drifted right into the fescue. The lie wasn't bad, but a tree was blocking my path to the green. I merely hit a pitch shot to the 100-yard stick. I didn't get up and down from there, as my approach just missed the green right, but it was still the correct play. A chip and a putt saved bogey. On hole 6, I pulled my drive into the trees left. After a penalty and drop, I was within range of the green, but hitting from the rough. I chose a more lofted club, knowing that I would finish short of the green. This took a deep bunker near the green completely out of play. A chip and a putt once again earned bogey.
It was largely a trouble free day. My worst holes resulted in a pair of double-bogeys. One was the result of a 3-putt – my only one of the day. The other, ironically, came at the site of my precious hole-in-one. My tee shot finished short in a bunker. I splashed out with my next shot, but just barely. A chip and two putts were required to finish the hole. Not bad. If the most trouble I have during a round are a couple of double-bogeys, I'll usually be alright.
Score: 84
Putts: 31
Fairways: 4
Greens: 5
Penalties: 1
June 19, 2020
Back to Normal at Scenic Woods
Well, that's better! 18 strokes better! After beginning the season with two rounds of 105, I visited Scenic Woods and the result was a pretty nice 87. I didn't expect to continue shooting 100+ rounds, of course, but it's nice to skip the 90s entirely and settle solidly in the 80s. Scenic Woods is a course I've played well at in the past, including four rounds of 85, so it was a perfect place to get rolling.
I shot 43 on the front nine, including two pars, six bogeys, and a double-bogey. Four consecutive bogeys started things off, as I seemed to make one mistake en route to each of the greens. Importantly, I didn't try to make up for the mistakes on my very next shot. After my drive trickled into the weeds left of the fairway on hole 1, I just hit a sand wedge back to the fairway. Blocked from reaching the green in two on hole 2, I simply aimed for an area short and right of the putting surface. In both cases, I gave myself a chance at making a par putt. Though they didn't drop, bogey was a respectable result.
The double-bogey came on hole 5, a dogleg left with a small ditch that crosses the fairway. I aimed my drive over the corner of the dogleg and hit what I thought was a beauty. In the past, I've hit that shot and found my ball on the other side of the ditch, 140 yards from the green. This time, the ditch was lush and full of long grass; it must have snagged my ball, as I was unable to find it. I played the rest of the hole pretty well, but the penalty stroke cost me. Fortunately, I recovered with back-to-back pars. My second shot on hole 6, a towering 7-iron over a large tree was particularly satisfying. It feels great to find the green that way.
I shot 44 on the back nine, adding four more pars, to go along with four bogeys, and a triple-bogey. One of the pars was on hole 10, a par-5 that began with a good drive that faded one yard into the right rough. In the past, I would be tempted to hit a 5-wood from there, as my lie wasn't bad and I could get very close to the green that way. But rough is rough, even when the lie seems good. I hit a 6-iron instead, leaving just an 90 yard shot into the green for my third. The exact same situation occurred on hole 12, another par-5. On that occasion, I duffed a chip shot near the green and made bogey. Still, small decisions like this one are a big reason for my golf improvement.
I have to mention the 5-iron I hit off the tee on hole 11, a short par-4 with a sharp dogleg right and a forced carry over a creek on approach to the green. A huge tree guards the inside corner of the dogleg. My tee shot was perfectly placed to the left of the tree. The ball rolled forward, catching a slope down and to the right, leaving no more than 70 yards to the flag. You can not place a better shot off the tee. I hit a lob wedge flag high, but burned the edge of the cup on the birdie putt. No worries, I'll take par any time!
The triple-bogey was an anomaly, occurring on hole 14, a short par-4. This time, I pulled the 5-iron slightly into the woods. I had to take a penalty and drop. My third shot was just right of the green. Unfortunately, I duffed a chip shot. My next attempt was better, but I still needed two putts to finish up. On a positive note, I collected back-to-back pars shortly thereafter, on holes 16 and 17. Hole 16 is a 194-yard par-3. Hole 17 is a longish par-4 requiring a carry over the creek in order to reach the green. No problem, and no problem.
Score: 87
Putts: 35
Fairways: 5
Greens: 6
Penalties: 2
I shot 43 on the front nine, including two pars, six bogeys, and a double-bogey. Four consecutive bogeys started things off, as I seemed to make one mistake en route to each of the greens. Importantly, I didn't try to make up for the mistakes on my very next shot. After my drive trickled into the weeds left of the fairway on hole 1, I just hit a sand wedge back to the fairway. Blocked from reaching the green in two on hole 2, I simply aimed for an area short and right of the putting surface. In both cases, I gave myself a chance at making a par putt. Though they didn't drop, bogey was a respectable result.
The double-bogey came on hole 5, a dogleg left with a small ditch that crosses the fairway. I aimed my drive over the corner of the dogleg and hit what I thought was a beauty. In the past, I've hit that shot and found my ball on the other side of the ditch, 140 yards from the green. This time, the ditch was lush and full of long grass; it must have snagged my ball, as I was unable to find it. I played the rest of the hole pretty well, but the penalty stroke cost me. Fortunately, I recovered with back-to-back pars. My second shot on hole 6, a towering 7-iron over a large tree was particularly satisfying. It feels great to find the green that way.
I shot 44 on the back nine, adding four more pars, to go along with four bogeys, and a triple-bogey. One of the pars was on hole 10, a par-5 that began with a good drive that faded one yard into the right rough. In the past, I would be tempted to hit a 5-wood from there, as my lie wasn't bad and I could get very close to the green that way. But rough is rough, even when the lie seems good. I hit a 6-iron instead, leaving just an 90 yard shot into the green for my third. The exact same situation occurred on hole 12, another par-5. On that occasion, I duffed a chip shot near the green and made bogey. Still, small decisions like this one are a big reason for my golf improvement.
I have to mention the 5-iron I hit off the tee on hole 11, a short par-4 with a sharp dogleg right and a forced carry over a creek on approach to the green. A huge tree guards the inside corner of the dogleg. My tee shot was perfectly placed to the left of the tree. The ball rolled forward, catching a slope down and to the right, leaving no more than 70 yards to the flag. You can not place a better shot off the tee. I hit a lob wedge flag high, but burned the edge of the cup on the birdie putt. No worries, I'll take par any time!
The triple-bogey was an anomaly, occurring on hole 14, a short par-4. This time, I pulled the 5-iron slightly into the woods. I had to take a penalty and drop. My third shot was just right of the green. Unfortunately, I duffed a chip shot. My next attempt was better, but I still needed two putts to finish up. On a positive note, I collected back-to-back pars shortly thereafter, on holes 16 and 17. Hole 16 is a 194-yard par-3. Hole 17 is a longish par-4 requiring a carry over the creek in order to reach the green. No problem, and no problem.
Score: 87
Putts: 35
Fairways: 5
Greens: 6
Penalties: 2
June 17, 2020
Still Rusty at Ussher's Creek
I played my second round of the season on a beautiful day at Ussher's Creek. There were very few people on the course and the starter sent me off as a solo, beginning with the back nine. I immediately made a mess of things, exploding for scores of 10 and 8 on a couple of par-4 holes. On hole 10, I topped my second shot, sculled my third into the creek, and topped my fifth into the creek again. On hole 11, I pushed my second shot into the woods. After taking a penalty and drop, all I could do was pitch out sideways to the fairway. I failed to hold the green with my fifth shot, then duffed a chip shot completely. What a disastrous start!
It's not possible to salvage a good score for the round with a start like that, so I just tried to focus on one hole and one shot at a time. I averaged bogey over the next three holes, but that still included some topped shots and sculled chips. On a positive note, I did make par on hole 14, a fun par-5. Unfortunately, that was immediately followed up with a couple of triple-bogeys. On hole 15, a par-4, I pushed my drive into the woods on the right side. On hole 16, a par-3, I miss hit an iron off the tee. Incredibly, I lost the ball in the rough just a few yards ahead of the teeing ground. Penalty strokes inflate scores like nothing else, and after a couple of double-bogeys, I was shooting 59 at the turn.
I shot 46 on the front nine (my back), which more closely resembles my usual skill level. This included a triple-bogey on hole 8, mostly because of back-to-back topped irons from the middle of the fairway. What the heck? I wasn't too pleased with those, but on the other hand, I splashed out nicely from a greenside bunker. The other holes produced four pars, two bogeys, and two doubles. The doubles, on holes 1 and 6, both came as a result of duffed pitch shots near the green. Feel shots like that are the toughest to regain after the winter layoff.
The pars came in a flurry, on holes 2 through 4, with an additional one on hole 7. Hole 2 is a par 5 featuring a green perched on a little plateau. A perfect drive and 5-wood were followed by a little pitch and two putts. Hole 3 is a par-5 with a green protected by the creek in front and on the left side. I aimed right of the flag for safety and hit a beauty flag high. A downhill lag was followed by an easy tap-in. Hole 4 is a par-4 with a slight dogleg right. My approach shot into the wind came up two yards short, but I chipped and tapped in nicely. Hole 7 is a par 3 over water. I picked the perfect club, finishing on the right edge of the green, flag high. Another nice lag and tap-in finished the deed.
There is lots of work to do. Each of my first two rounds have included stretches of good golf, but terrible play overall. The winter rust is stubborn indeed!
Score: 105
Putts: 32
Fairways: 7
Greens: 3
Penalties: 5
It's not possible to salvage a good score for the round with a start like that, so I just tried to focus on one hole and one shot at a time. I averaged bogey over the next three holes, but that still included some topped shots and sculled chips. On a positive note, I did make par on hole 14, a fun par-5. Unfortunately, that was immediately followed up with a couple of triple-bogeys. On hole 15, a par-4, I pushed my drive into the woods on the right side. On hole 16, a par-3, I miss hit an iron off the tee. Incredibly, I lost the ball in the rough just a few yards ahead of the teeing ground. Penalty strokes inflate scores like nothing else, and after a couple of double-bogeys, I was shooting 59 at the turn.
I shot 46 on the front nine (my back), which more closely resembles my usual skill level. This included a triple-bogey on hole 8, mostly because of back-to-back topped irons from the middle of the fairway. What the heck? I wasn't too pleased with those, but on the other hand, I splashed out nicely from a greenside bunker. The other holes produced four pars, two bogeys, and two doubles. The doubles, on holes 1 and 6, both came as a result of duffed pitch shots near the green. Feel shots like that are the toughest to regain after the winter layoff.
The pars came in a flurry, on holes 2 through 4, with an additional one on hole 7. Hole 2 is a par 5 featuring a green perched on a little plateau. A perfect drive and 5-wood were followed by a little pitch and two putts. Hole 3 is a par-5 with a green protected by the creek in front and on the left side. I aimed right of the flag for safety and hit a beauty flag high. A downhill lag was followed by an easy tap-in. Hole 4 is a par-4 with a slight dogleg right. My approach shot into the wind came up two yards short, but I chipped and tapped in nicely. Hole 7 is a par 3 over water. I picked the perfect club, finishing on the right edge of the green, flag high. Another nice lag and tap-in finished the deed.
There is lots of work to do. Each of my first two rounds have included stretches of good golf, but terrible play overall. The winter rust is stubborn indeed!
Score: 105
Putts: 32
Fairways: 7
Greens: 3
Penalties: 5
June 07, 2020
Golfing Again at Oaks of St. George
The Ontario government allowed golf courses to open on May 16, following a period of closure brought on by Covid-19. I headed out to the Oaks of St. George a couple of days later, on May 18. Last year, I began the season on May 6, so the delay caused by the pandemic wasn't really that bad. Like any year, the bigger problem was trying to get back in form after not touching a golf club for over six months. To complicate matters, I'm not in particularly good shape at the moment.
Somehow, I managed to make par on the opening par-4. This is a difficult hole, mostly because of a large tree protecting the front left side of the green. I hit a masterful third shot from the left rough, 80 yards away from the hole. The ball took a lofted flight path and stopped dead just right of the hole. A 6-foot putt completed the up and down. It was nice, but not a sign of things to come, as I proceeded to butcher the next eleven holes or so.
Mistakes came in all facets of the game. On hole 2, I duffed two pitch attempts near the green en route to triple-bogey. On hole 3, I deposited two short iron shots into a pond, finishing with quadruple-bogey. I failed to get drives airborne on holes 4, 6, and 9. I couldn't get out of a greenside bunker, sculled a chip attempt, and duffed yet another. Worst of all, I topped a couple of shots that went absolutely nowhere. These are all score killers – strokes that don't even advance the ball. My score at the turn was 55.
I would turn things around, but not before a couple of quads on holes 10 and 12. Hole 10 is the hardest on the course, in my opinion. This par-4 from an elevated tee demands that you drive the ball over a creek, between thick trees both left and right. There is no bail out area. I hit a decent drive, but found the trees right. After a drop, I foolishly tried to hit a full shot out of long grass. The ball went nowhere, and only then, did I pitch back to the fairway. Hole 12 is a fair challenge, but I began by twice pulling a 3-wood into the woods. When you're hitting your fifth shot from the tee, you're not going to score well.
Interestingly, those two quads were interrupted by my second par of the day, on hole 11. I went driver, 3-wood, lob wedge into this par-5, to set up a nice birdie chance, which just missed. The final six holes of the day produced six bogeys, which is my typical game. I didn't miss a fairway over this stretch, hitting the carpet multiple times with driver and once with the 5-wood. Irons were not great, but serviceable, often finishing just a couple yards off the green. The only green in regulation came on hole 17, a short par-3. Ironically, it was also the only green that produced a 3-putt all day. For what it's worth, my putting was pretty good all day. My pitching and chipping was also serviceable over the final third of the round – no complaints there.
Expectations were low, following the winter layoff, but it never feels good to shoot 100 plus!
Score: 105
Putts: 32
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
Penalties: 5
Somehow, I managed to make par on the opening par-4. This is a difficult hole, mostly because of a large tree protecting the front left side of the green. I hit a masterful third shot from the left rough, 80 yards away from the hole. The ball took a lofted flight path and stopped dead just right of the hole. A 6-foot putt completed the up and down. It was nice, but not a sign of things to come, as I proceeded to butcher the next eleven holes or so.
Mistakes came in all facets of the game. On hole 2, I duffed two pitch attempts near the green en route to triple-bogey. On hole 3, I deposited two short iron shots into a pond, finishing with quadruple-bogey. I failed to get drives airborne on holes 4, 6, and 9. I couldn't get out of a greenside bunker, sculled a chip attempt, and duffed yet another. Worst of all, I topped a couple of shots that went absolutely nowhere. These are all score killers – strokes that don't even advance the ball. My score at the turn was 55.
I would turn things around, but not before a couple of quads on holes 10 and 12. Hole 10 is the hardest on the course, in my opinion. This par-4 from an elevated tee demands that you drive the ball over a creek, between thick trees both left and right. There is no bail out area. I hit a decent drive, but found the trees right. After a drop, I foolishly tried to hit a full shot out of long grass. The ball went nowhere, and only then, did I pitch back to the fairway. Hole 12 is a fair challenge, but I began by twice pulling a 3-wood into the woods. When you're hitting your fifth shot from the tee, you're not going to score well.
Interestingly, those two quads were interrupted by my second par of the day, on hole 11. I went driver, 3-wood, lob wedge into this par-5, to set up a nice birdie chance, which just missed. The final six holes of the day produced six bogeys, which is my typical game. I didn't miss a fairway over this stretch, hitting the carpet multiple times with driver and once with the 5-wood. Irons were not great, but serviceable, often finishing just a couple yards off the green. The only green in regulation came on hole 17, a short par-3. Ironically, it was also the only green that produced a 3-putt all day. For what it's worth, my putting was pretty good all day. My pitching and chipping was also serviceable over the final third of the round – no complaints there.
Expectations were low, following the winter layoff, but it never feels good to shoot 100 plus!
Score: 105
Putts: 32
Fairways: 5
Greens: 2
Penalties: 5
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