Played my first round of 18 in a LONG LONG Time!

With my wife in school, work, etc....I have been away from golf for the better part of 2 years now.  A week ago I was asked to play in a scramble in May. So my buddy and I went out and played a practice round yesterday.  I was expecting to be terrible just because it has been a while since I have even swung a club.

So I go out to the first tee, proceed to hit my driver and WOW!!!  I hit a small fade and ended up about 10 yards from driving the green (this course isn't long by any means but it's still on the card as 346 from the back tees).  Now from about 60 yards and in it's down hill to the green.  Nevertheless, it stopped where it stopped.  I proceeded to make an easy par.  I'm thinking this day is going to be great!

2nd hole is a par 5.  Smoked another drive.  Starts out a little right with a slight draw back to the middle.  I have about 200 to the hole.  I hit my 4H and smoked it as well!  Flew the green and this is where everything starts going down hill.

I won't bore you with a play by play over the entire 18, but here are the main points.

-I hit my driver better than I hit it the 2-3 years when I was playing heavy!  Originally, I had NO idea where my driver would end up.  Now (after understanding the 5sk principles) I have basically eliminated the right side of the course with my driver.  If I hit a terrible drive, it comes down to me coming over the top (which I only hit 2 like that yesterday).  VERY VERY excited about this!

-This course is somewhat on the short side and with me hitting my driver like I was yesterday, it left me with a lot of 100 yards and in shots.  This is my 56* club and it completely screwed my score yesterday.  I hit many of them fat, had no distance control on the ones I did hit well, and no feel for around the green shots.  I know,  FOR A FACT, my 56* cost me at least 10-12 shots yesterday. I even tried going with a PW and backing off but it was just too much club with me not having the feel for my distances right now.

-Putting was so so.  These greens are championship bermuda and very quick.  It took the better part of a round to get used to the speed and the fact that I was pushing my putts. Not to mention I wasn't within 20ft from the hole on most shots and because of my short game....these weren't for birdies.

I ended up with a 95!!!  Worst score I have shot in probably 10 years....no joke.  But with all of that being said, I took away A LOT of excitement.  I realize that my feel will come back after I start playing more.  I understand that my weight not getting forward was more than likely my biggest issue with the 56*.  If my driver continues and my feel comes back, I'll be right back to high 70s in no time at this course. So, score aside, it was really a good day.

Well, we played in the scramble last Friday and it was in the rain.  I actually played pretty descent.  We ended up at -12 and 3 shots off the winner.  I won the most accurate drive (which ended up about 10 yards short of the green on a par 4).  That win got me a Wilson Yuengling stand bag which I promptly sold and covered my entry fee (I had just bought an Ogio bag). Distance control is my biggest enemy at the moment. I have added some distance either by the gym or by better contact....probably the combo of the two.

But here is my big conclusion and a little advertising....5sk people!!  5sk!  After going through the videos when they first came out and really getting a better understanding of what was "really" going on, I have incorporated those into my swing.  I still hit some fat shots now, but when I make a descent swing, it's TOTALLY different than it was before 5sk. The shot is more crisp, distance says there is more compression, less effort, etc.... I mean, I won the most accurate drive!!  I know that doesn't tell you guys a lot but the last few years, I had a terrible time with my driver.  I would have NO CLUE where it was going on the tee box.  Now I have a new confidence with it and I couldn't be more happy.  I don't have much time these days to get on here and post or even practice for that matter....but I can tell you this, once I get back to practicing the 5sk principles....I'm going to the next level.  I don't see how I won't!