First Round of 2012 - It's March, So I Can't Complain...

[Fairway_CY]

So, my home course opened up for the first time this year yesterday.  Earlier in the week, it was nearly 70 degrees... so I'd made the decision that I was playing on Thursday no matter what.  Of course, yesterday it was about 45 degrees, overcast and kinda breezy.  That wasn't going to stop me, though.

I had some ups and downs, but overall... it was nice just to get out.

I ended up shooting 46 - 50 = 96 for the day, which equates to a net score of 77 (+5).  It could have easily been 42 - 48 = 90 but I had a few brainfarts on the course that cost me those 6 strokes.

Positives

• My first shot of the season was a 2 hybrid roped down the left side of the fairway (it ended up in a divot - which I'm not sure how considering we were like the 8th group out this season, but whatever).
• I hit 2 great shots on the 2nd hole to put myself 18 feet away for eagle.  I pushed that a little right but made the 3 footer coming back for birdie.
• I didn't miss a putt ouside of 6 feet all day.  Nothing worse than a 2 putt on any green.  My speed was pretty good all day long and I only had 4 second-putts from longer than 3 feet.

Negatives

• I put 4 balls either into hazards or deep in the woods, 3 of them from the tee.  These were some ugly swings that had equally ugly results.
• My approach shots left a lot to be desired.  I hit only 3 greens in or under regulation.  I left a lot of balls short... very short.  It's definitely something I'm going to have to work on this season.
• I've made a committment to walk this season after riding the last 2 seasons.  My wife bought me a Clicgear 3.0 for my birthday to help with that because my knees won't allow me to carry.  Well... I was shot by the 14th hole.  I finished my round triple bogey - bogey - double bogey - bogey - quadruple bogey because I just didn't have the energy to complete my swings.

Hopefully I can get out another 1-2 times before the season officially begins to get in some more practice.

CY

[Bullitt5339]

You'll be surprised how quickly your stamina builds up towards walking.  Just don't give up and hop back in a cart yet, if you keep walking, you'll always want to walk.

[Fairway_CY]

Originally Posted by Bullitt5339

You'll be surprised how quickly your stamina builds up towards walking.  Just don't give up and hop back in a cart yet, if you keep walking, you'll always want to walk.

I used to only walk and carry.  In fact, I used to be a caddy who would carry doubles and loop 2-3 times a day.  I miss those days!  A few years ago, I developed issues with my knees (yet to be diagnosed) so any extra weight was tough to handle.  Unfortunately, at the same time... I got lazy and began gaining weight.  I went from 175 to about 230 pounds.  I'm now down to about 217, working towards a goal of 200.

The last 2 years, I played with a club that played different courses throughout the area... and each tee time came with a cart.  I kind of got used to it.  The course that I played yesterday starts out nice and flat... then the back nine is all hills.  The 10th hole is a 476 yard par 5 that goes uphill the whole way.  Based on Google Earth, it's a 100 foot change from tee box to green.  It's certainly not an easy climb... and it was a killer walk for the first walking round in nearly 3 years.  By the time I reached the 13th green... I developed a cramp/strain in the inner part of my left thigh.  That made walking the last 5 holes difficult... and for whatever reason, I couldn't get it out of my head, so my game suffered.

I really, really look forward to getting my stamina back up.  Thanks for the pep talk!  I truly have no desire to get back in the cart.  I miss the walk... and with the Clicgear cart... it is especially nice because everything is right there at my figertips.

CY