Awesome Best Ball Match Today

[Ben]

Golf has been really fun lately, and today certainly didn't disappoint. Played a two-man best ball stroke play match with some friends. Nothing crazy. $20 a man. $2 dots. (Birdies, KP, Sand Saves, Eagles [worth 2 dots]).

The front nine was rather uneventful. Our opponents went up quick birdieing the first hole to our par, then we answered back when my partner stuck a shot on a par 3, which we turned into a two-shot swing. Pars, pars, pars until hole 8, a par-3, where again, my partner stuck his tee shot. Tap in birdie, KP, two more dots! Then they went ahead and nearly holed an approach on 9, but settled for a birdie. I wasn't keeping score, but I know that kept them close.

The back is when things heated up. On the first tee we threw balls to decide the teams. Turns out the two bombers got paired together, and 10 is a par-5. I hit a dork drive and had no shot of getting home in two. My partner had a chance but come up a bit short. While the other two both hit the green, with irons in their hand. So, they get a shot back there. 11 is a driveable par-4. they have the tee, and both proceed to miss the green, my partner as well. Not me though. A laser to the middle of the green, a 20' putt for eagle, and I nail it. They do birdie, but another score swing. To hole 12, a par-3 that wasn't playing as tough as normal. Three of us miss, they hit the green and drain the putt. My partner and I both hit into a bunker, but got up and down. 2 dots for them, one dot for us and again, a score swing. 13 is a short par-5, my partner is about 5 yards behind me with his drive, while the two driver beasts are at least 25 yards beyond us. My partner hits an alright shot to the middle of the green, I step up and hit a jem. Its an elevated green so we can't see where it finishes, but I know its good. Team Beast both fail to hit the green. We get up there and I'm 3 feet. Eagle to their birdie, another swing. Same on 14. A longish par-3, they bogey, we par, another shot in our bank.

15 got wild! My partner and I find the fairway and find the green about 25' away from the pin. Team Beast player 1 knocks his shot over the green, to a back pin, but just barely long. Player 2, sticks his shot two 2 foot. We get to the green and just to give it a go, player 1 chips, and chips the dang thing in, hooting and hollering. My buddy and I make nothing of it, knowing that they were already tap in birdie anyway. We both have great feelings while looking at our putts. I step up, and drill mine center cup! Take that! But, I just play it off, no fist pump, no nothing, like I do it all the time... My partner gave a bit of a yell though. Ha.

16, another par-3 and once again, my partner, Mr. Par-3 today, hits another one stiff, and converts the birdie. 17 is a fun par-4 and totally risk-reward for the length of Team Beast, and by this time, they need to go for the risk. Its 325y, the direct line to the green blocked by sight by trees, but one could hit a shot over them, plus, there is a lake in front of the green that demands at least 280 carry. Player 1 plays a great shot safe to the fairway and lets player 2 take a rip, he does, clears the water, but misses the green. His chip was alright, but didn't go in for eagle. Birdie to our par. At this point I am told we are either two or three shots up with just 18 to play. To add insult to injury, my partner and I, playing first from the fairway, he sticks his shot to 5 feet, I stick my shot to 8' and I roll in my putt for birdie. Another little $2 bonus at the end!

I don't remember our best ball scores, but everyone had a good day. As individuals they Team Beast had an even par round and a 4under round. While my partner shot 4under and I shot 3under.

Golf is so fun! I love this game!

[iacas]

I always find that the best matches are when all four players are playing really well. Sounds like a great game. The bonus is when you win some cash. :-)

[WUTiger]

Best Ball tournaments can be a way to draw people to events at really exclusive courses. In best ball, you end up with your own score at a big-name course.

[NI4NI]

Ben, nice write-up; sounds like you had a great time.  I am not at all familiar with your written experience as it seems a bit "bland" to me - nothing about anyone shanking into the woods, nailing a tree and into a hazard. double OB on #5, just missing the cart with a double-cross.  You know, the relatable stuff that great stories are made of for the 19th hole!