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[Travtex]

Well, between my move and a bout with the flu in between, I had to spend some time off the course. Now that I've touched down and gotten a chance to tinker around some of the Arkansas courses, just thought I'd take a moment to reflect and pop back onto the forum.

Fayetteville/Northwest Arkansas has some gorgeous courses. I've been doing some bottom barrel budget hunting since I haven't picked up my new job first check.. WHILE recovering from moving costs, but even the El Cheapo courses around here have been prettier and better maintained than the places I played in south Texas.

I think I've gotten better and worse. Hah. For a while, I straightened out my driver... and Whoah, was that a nice feeling while it lasted. At the new nearby range last week I put three of them into the lake just past the end of the range. I asked at the clubhouse how far the lake was from the tees, and it's about 290. I'd say it plays closer to 270 because it's downhill, but it's definitely further than I'd ever put a driver before. (However, it's about where I thought I -should- be, as I can count on the 230-240 range for my 3 wood.)

Meanwhile, my irons accuracy went to hell. I'm back to pulling or pull-hooking everything. Then I get on the course and try to compensate... nasty pushes off the tee. Gah.

I found a par 3 nearby that, for six bucks, is just a beautiful short game practice round. Tees from 135-95, looping around a central lake. I put about four balls into said lake, and got all SORTS of sand practice, as I also managed to find the bunker on four or five holes of the nine.

Played another course today, just a 9-hole weaving in and around an apartment community. Much nicer course than I'd expected, with elevation changes everywhere and the nastiest/best greens I've experienced. Made a couple "what-the?" shots... some memorable moments, good and bad:

* Pushed my first 3w off the tee and ballooned it. It looked like it landed on the roof of a 3-story building.

* Blasted a 3 wood over a lake and uphill onto what I can only call a mountain fairway. I don't know how, but the thing ended up about 250 yards just off the fairway. As far uphill as that hole played, I felt like I should have had The Hammer (BOOM!!!)

* Pull-hooked a line drive hybrid about 190 yards, it took one bounce, CLANGED off the 'Carts on Path Only' sign, and ricocheted towards the green... ending up about 15 feet from the pin.

* Flew the green from 145 with a friggin' 9 iron. I have NO idea how this happened, as I'd say my 150 club is my 8i on a good day.

* Drained a 20 foot putt... Missed two 3 foot putts. Arrrrrrrgh.

* Playing partner pitched in from about 25 yards. Sweet.

In summary -- Really digging NW Arkansas. Really NOT digging my game. I'm probably going to discover some new variety of poisonous snake looking for my ball.