Broke 90 for the first time, backed it up with another

[ArrrrJay]

A few weekends ago, I broke 90 for the first time. It was a crazy round, 2 birdies on the front for a 39, and barely held it together for a 50 on the back. Gave myself a 2 stroke penalty for playing the wrong ball, and 4 putted a GIR. Definitely did not feel like a solid round of golf.

The other day I played a course for the first time, and shot 89. This course had a lot of features I've never encountered before, major elevation changes, blind shots, few yardage markers, fastest greens I've ever played. I was expecting to be in the high 90's, but had a solid round of bogeys, with one double and 2 pars. Felt much better about the round than the one with birdies, cause I kept it together, and played better on the back than the front (45/44). Really depended on my chipping and pitching around the greens, and saved many strokes.

I started this year shooting 115's on my home course, and worked a lot this year. my only goal was breaking 100, and I'm now in the 80's. Just shows that if you work hard on consistent ball striking, short game, and putting, you can play to the 80's.

Just thought I'd share my highlight of the year. Hopefully I can keep improving and get a bit lower before the year is done.

[Dad-2-3]

NICE!!

Like you my goal was to break 100 this year. I did that a week ago with a 91. I followed that up with a 101, 90, & 90. This morning I lipped out a 12' eagle putt which would've given me an 89.

[Kellfire]

I hit a 90 yesterday, was so gutted not to break 90 when I'd gone out in 43 but a combo of bad weather and my own temper saw me card a 47 on the way back but I know the ability's there!

[jaymills13]

Grats, there are not many better feelings than that of your golf game improving. Unlike other sports it is very gratifying knowing it was all on you. Once again congratulations.

[ArrrrJay]

  Dad-2-3 said:

NICE!!

  Kellfire said:

I hit a 90 yesterday, was so gutted not to break 90 when I'd gone out in 43 but a combo of bad weather and my own temper saw me card a 47 on the way back but I know the ability's there!

I had the same problems before, sitting with a 92, I was on pace to break 90, and on hole 13 which practicing a 15 foot chip, I accidentally brushed the ball with the club, sending the ball to the opposite side of the green. I was luckily able to 2 putt from there, but ended up with a 90 at the end of the day.

[kpaulhus]

Hey you guys in the low 90's.....how come your handicap is still 20+? Do you not have 5 rounds below a 97? When I broke 90 my handicap dropped from a 19 to a 17.1

[ArrrrJay]

  kpaulhus said:

Hey you guys in the low 90's.....how come your handicap is still 20+? Do you not have 5 rounds below a 97? When I broke 90 my handicap dropped from a 19 to a 17.1

I started the year with a bunch of 105+'s, and my under 100 rounds are:

99, 97, 92, 90, 89, 89. Also, my home course's par is 71. The last 89 I got was at a par 72, so I guess I've only shot under 18+ once. Even with these scores, I'm a 24.6 or something, although I haven't entered in my newest 89 (one of my old 89's was from a front 9 + back 9, over 2 days with nothing in between. I was told to enter it as a round). Each time I put in a score nowadays, it drops by 1 to 1.5 points. I guess I had a few too many high rounds to start off with.

[kpaulhus]

Yeah I see what your saying. I think it depends on how many total rounds you have entered too. I know it takes the best 10 out of 20 rounds. Right now I have 14 rounds posted on my handicap so hopefully the next 6 are pretty decent, otherwise it will come up when I reach 20.

Plus, if you havent reached a revision date, usually the 1st and 15th of the month, your handicap may not include your most recent rounds.

[jonjones]

congrats! i did the same 4 weeks ago. i shot 89 on august 19 and 83 on august 20. then, i had surgery on august 21st and have been out of commision since. i wont get to swing a club till the first week of october.

i just hope i can get back on track. damn motorcycles!

[Dad-2-3]

  jonjones said:

damn motorcycles!

Be careful out there! We nurses call them donorcycles. It's usually not the motorcycle driver's fault either.

[jonjones]

  Dad-2-3 said:

Be careful out there! We nurses call them donorcycles. It's usually not the motorcycle driver's fault either.

Very true. That was me, minding my own business and next thing I know my Wife and Son are holding my hands in ICU after 4 hours of emergency surgery.

3 years, 10 days (yeah, I still count the days), and 7 surgeries later... When I am playing golf, or anything for that matter, and I'm not having the best of times, I reflect on how bad things could have been. I was fortunate. Amazing how insignificant a bad shot can be.

[Dub]

Great progress ArrrJay.

I agree....the second round sounds like you stayed steady the whole round. That is a definite sign of progress.

Amazing to think that you've dropped almost 20 stokes off your average in one season.

One thing that I suggest is that you write down some notes about : your swing keys, feel items, preshot thoughts, set up keys and etc. Give yourself some notes to review when the golf season comes back. Leave these note in a conspicuous area of your golf bag.

Start next season off as close as you can to where you left off.

Good luck. You've made some huge leaps.