Played my first 18 in about 8 years

[huskylawyer]

So just back into the game after a looooong hiatus.   After 2 hours of lessons a few weeks ago, and about a dozen trips to the driving range, I played 18 at the Auburn, WA public course (in about 35 degree weather).  I didn't keep score, but I'm guessing around a 110 or so.   Game highlights and lowlights.

I'm @#$@#$@ Sore! - Wow, I'm sore.  I would get sore after hitting 120 balls at the driving range, but the combination of walking and hitting has taken a toll on my body.  Every inch of my body is sore.   My golfing buddy wants to play 18 tomorrow, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get out of bed tomorrow.

Nerves .  I get super nervous when people are watching.    Thankfully, due to the weather, the course was pretty slow, but I still can't get over having people watching me hit off the tee.   Things started great though.    First hole is a fairly straight and narrow par 4.   A duo was behind us, and before I hit the tee with my Ping K15 I turn to them and said, "I haven't played in 8 years, this could be ugly."  They laughed.  I get up, swing, and I hit my best shot of the day.  Straight ball about 200 yards.   Dude behind me says, "Umm.....for 8 years out of the game, that was a damn good shot."   I felt pretty good!

Positives. Out of 18, I only had 2 holes where I just picked the ball up because I sucked so bad.   Had one bogie, a lot of double bogies, and a few triple bogies.  I also chipped very well (with backspin says my golfing partner *shrugs*)

Negatives .   Consistency.  I probably shanked 60% of my driver shots.    Some I hit really well-straight and long.   But a vast majority were low bad hooks.  Going to take lessons on the driver.

Hybrid! Last time I played I don't even think hybrids existed.   I hit my 4 iron hybrid pretty well today.  A few shanks, but I'd say 80% of the time I hit it pretty well.

Disaster at 9: I almost had a complete disaster on the 9th hole, i.e., I almost had a VERY expensive trip.   So on my 4rd shot on a par 5, I pull out the 7 iron.  My buddy (and experienced golfer) says, "dude...I'm thinking 9 or even a PW".  Whatever he tells me to hit I get a longer club, because he's a lot better and I can't hit as far as he does.  So I pull out the 7, proceed to slice it bad, and the ball heads straight towards the parking lot.  Thankfully, the ball landed between 2 cars and bounces into the tee area of another hole.   Disaster averted!

All in all, a great day.  I'm very happy that I'm back into the game.

[Dave2278]

That sounds like a fun experience!

Good luck and stick with it, it can only get better, right? lol

[glk23]

Dude, you played today?  I got snow in my yard.  Spend some time getting yourself in golf shape and it will be more fun.  That and in a couple of months the weather should be better, at least not freezing.

[Iceman10]

Well done. I have had a similiar experience as I came out of 7 year hiatus a couple of years ago, still haven't managed get over people watching me on the first tee in tourneys though, always a bad drive but the next 17 are very good most of the time...

Just keep it going and don't give up and everything will eventually come together

[huskylawyer]

Played 27 holes today.  Was kinda cold, but not freezing.   Got my first par (par 4) and also drained a long putt from the fringe.  Hit a 116 on my first 18, and didn't keep score on the second 9 (first 3 holes terrible, last 6, nothing worse than a triple bogie but a mix of bogies and double bogies - I was happy).  Hit my driver much better today, but the 4 Hybrid (Ping G15) was definitely off today.   It was a little muddy today, so when it was deep in the grass, the hybrid was tough to hit.  When the ball was set up well, I hit the hybrid pretty good.

Probably gonna need to take a few days off, because my body feels like @#$@$@.   I'm in reasonably decent shape and HWP, but I haven't felt like this since football practice in high school.  Ouch.