9 holes - May 8, 2010

[anthony]

I just realized I haven't played with anyone yet this year (other than my girlfriend walking with me). I intended to play with my semi regular group this morning, but it was raining. It cleared up towards the afternoon, but it was windy. Super windy. At about 5:00 pm, the wind had died off enough for me to go play 9. It started sprinkling a little when I pulled in to the lot, but it wasn't too bad. The wind was still gusting pretty good during the round also, but it only came in to play once or twice during the round.

If you read my last post, you know that I've removed the driver from the bag. I'm glad I did. Here's how the 9 holes went.

Hole 1, Par 5: With the pin a mile away, I almost wanted to run back to the car for my driver. Almost. I warmed up pulled out the 3 wood and hit it right down the middle. I was afraid it wasn't going to be enough before teeing off, but it was plenty. It was just a little short of where I would land my driver on a really good drive. I then proceeded to top my 4 hybrid. I really need to warm up properly before I play... Anyways, I had about 160 left and hit my 7 iron about 15 yds right. I was at a weird angle because of a tree in front of me. I chipped my gap wedge on and it rolled to 12 feet or so. I obviously wasn't used to the speed and blew it well past the hole, putted twice for a triple bogey. wtf?

Hole 2, Par 3: I've played this hole enough times to know it's a standard 7 iron to the middle of the green. I pushed it right and a little long which left me with a short pitch. The pitch was down hill and the green was running away from me. I hit it a little too hard and it rolled to the end of the green. Honestly, the shot wasn't too bad. It was a tough shot. I 2 putted for bogey.

Hole 3, Par 5: If you've read any of my other entries you'd know this is nearly impossible to land in 2. The fairway goes 200 out then 90 degrees left down about 200 feet. If you go 200 though, you'll have no shot. 175 is probably perfect. I hit a smooth 6 iron here. Today it went right a little bit and left me with a side hill lie. As I said, it goes 90 degrees left. Well, you can go straight also. However, it's a narrow opening through the trees and you have to carry at least 165 along with having the height to go over some trees or you'll be in the weeds and OB. So, it's a risk reward kinda shot. I hit a great 5 hybrid and through the trees and was 10 yds off the hole for my third. I chipped on to around 7 feet and made the putt for birdie.

Hole 4, Par 4: I tee'd the ball up and proceeded to hit a flop shot with my 3 wood. It went about 60 yards, 7,000 feet in the air. I hit my 4 hybrid to around 75 yds for my 2nd shot. I hit my 56 way too short and had 15 yds left. I hit another 56 which was still about 4 yds short. Unacceptable. I putted through the fringe and the ball was literally less than an inch from the cup. I tapped in for a double.

Hole 5, Par 4: This hole is a 353 yd slight dog leg right. Water left, trees right. I looks like it opens left but, it's kinda deceiving. Anyways, I hit a real solid 3 wood off the tee. I had around 90 yds or so left to the green as I was just past the 100 yd stakes. That means I hit my 3 wood 260 yds. I can't believe I hit it that far. That really reinforces my decision to drop my driver. I hit my gap wedge to the green but it rolled to the edge of the green just against the fringe. I had an uphill put left and caught too much of the fringe coming through and ended up 10 feet short. I nearly dropped the putt and tapped in for a bogey.

Hole 6, Par 4: I pushed my 3 wood right off the tee. There's a lot of room right but, there's woods if you go too far. I was probably 10 yds from the woods, but directly behind the only tree on this hole. I had no choice but to chip out. Since the fairway tightens up just past there and water to the left. I could only hit it 15-20 yards out. I was at about 155 so I it my 7 iron. I hit a good shot so I was a bit long and slightly right. Around the green on this hole there's a sort of valley. The green is elevated, it dips into the valley and then rises again and continues to rise into the woods. I had a downhill chip to an uphill green with the pin located on a downhill slope. I hit a good shot to the middle of the green. I 2 putted for a double.

Hole 7, Par 3: This hole is 175 yds downhill. Going long will leave you with a massive uphill shot to a green that runs away from you. I hit my 7 iron here. I usually end up 5 yds in front of the green. I land it on occassion, but I'm generally a few yds short. I'm afraid if I hit my 6 I'll fly the green because I have once or twice with really solid 7 irons. Anyways, I chipped on and I thought it was too much, but it rolled to about 8 feet. I hit what I thought was a great putt, but it rolled to probably 6 feet. These greens are no joke here. So, I 3 putted for a 5.

Hole 8, Par 5: Straight forward Par 5. There's a creek to contend with 20 yds from the green, but other than that it's not bad. Wide fairway off the tee. Some trees tighten it up though at around 125. I hit my 3 wood off the tee. I caught it off the toe and didn't get a lot of distance. I probably had 280-290 left so I hit my longest fairway club, my 4 hybrid. I got a hold of it, but it went right behind a nice little row of trees. I had the left side of the green in range with around 115-120 yds left. It was coming out of the rough and to an uphill green so I chose my 9 iron. I made great contact and struck the only skinny little piece of crap branch that was in the way. That made the ball come up short. I had a 20 yd pitch left which I hit about 28 yds. I had a hell of a putt left. The putt went downhill for the last 10 feet before the pin. I put too much on it and ended up at the other ended of the green. 2 more putts for a double.

Hole 9, Par 3: 205 yds and perfect for my 4 hybrid. I pulled this one pretty good. It ended up right off the 18th green which is located left of the 9th green about 30 yds away. The 9th green is long front to back but, somewhat skinny left to right. My pitch landed about 4 or 5 feet short. The grass was too long to putt from so I chipped on with my 56. I hit a great shot that should have rolled to a foot. But, one of these oak tree seeds with a little wing that are the size of a peanut ( I called them helicopters as a kid) was right on my line and stopped the ball. It rolled over it and just died. Can I get a ruling? I just missed my putt and tapped in for a bogey.

All in all a good round. I'm very happy with my 3 wood so far. I just feel good over the ball with that club. I do need to work on the plane I'm swinging on, but I'm confident I'm only going to improve my game with this club. Today's round was 2 strokes less than last round.