Heathbeef

I had two great shots today in my round of 81. First was on a 526 yard Par 5. Hit a good drive about 270 right down the pipe. I had a little over 250 into the green with water on the backside. I pulled out my 3 wood, which I have been known to mash it, and land it pin high about 15 feet left of the pin. Hit a great putt and had a kick in birdie. The second great shot I hit was on a 394 yard Par 4. The hole is a decent dogleg left hole that slopes downhill. On the first 18 of the day I was able to cut the corner and was 5 paces off the green. Well I was wanting to do the same thing and I popped up my tee shoot. Now I had about 200 yards with an uphill lie, hitting a blind shot to a small green downhill with trouble (water) in the back. My player partner suggested I hit my 7 (he is knows my game better than me) and I hit a great shot off the club. Drove over the hill and my ball is sitting 8 feet from the pin.

81 Today. It was 83 before that. I shot 81 today with 2 triples.

Battle Lake Golf Course - Mart, Tx Home of the Birdie Girls! http://www.battlelakegolf.com

I do find it odd, but I feel that I have the game to shoot in the low 80s if not lower. My short game is really, really good. Now that I have my driver working my scores should drop. My last round before the 100 and 81 today was a solid 88. The first round I also played with a new putter for about 5 holes to I switched back to my trusty Wal-Mart Ray Cook I have had since 1998. Playing the course for the second time really helped as well as far as where I wanted to put the ball on the green for my putts and what to hit on the par 3s.

Just thought I would share a quick story from today's golfing game. A little back story. I started playing golf my senior year (1998) at a small high school in Texas. I never played golf, but played football, baseball, basketball, and track in high school and they needed one more on the golf team. So I signed up to play and went out and bought some clubs. I was able to get my golf game in the low 90s in tournament play with just about 15 rounds into my golf. Fast forward to the District Golf tournament. It was played at Greenbier Country Club in Moody, Tx. This place is known for being an open, easy course but never in good shape. It is truly a pasture golf course. I felt that my game was good going into the two day, 36 hole tournament. Well I blew up and shot 104. I was ticked and it put us in 3rd place (Top 2 move on). Ended up shooting an 83 the second round with a bridie on 18 to send my team to regionals. That is a story for another day. Every since that day I have wanted to go back to Greenbier and get my revenge. I only played about 3 rounds a year while in college and got back into it the last couple of years. Right now my game has been in the 90-95 range, but I feel I am a lot better golfer (I guess we all do). I have been struggling off the tee box real bad. I mean not be able to hit it 100 yards. Well the last few rounds I have gotten the driver figured out and playing well. Today I went back to Greenbier with two of my golfing buddies. I knew I was going to smoke this course. #1 was a 378 par 4 downhill. Easy hole. I crushed a drive, hit a 25 yard chip, lipped out my birdie put and took a par. I thought it was game on. Well I shot a 100 on the day. I beat my 104, but I was mad. I told my golfing buddies we are going again. They shot 92, 93 which was a little on the bad side for them. We started off the second 18 of the day and I started to mash the ball and everything was on. I had two triples on the second 18 of the day and shot an 81. This was the best round I have ever played and I did it with two triples. My buddies played well, but I beat them by 1 and 2 strokes respesctively on the 36 hole total. I sure was smiling on the way home. Golf is a funny game.

The course is not really playing like they thought it would. I think we will see the heat being more of a factor over the weekend when the guys get a little tired from playing the 1st 3 rounds. Got to love Big John. His answer to dealing with the heat.... "Well I just drink some diet cokes, maybe a water cause I have to, but I hate water. So I will just drink some diet cokes and smoke a pack and a half of cigs." :)

What does every think of a match up between Justin Leonard and Colin Montgomerie? This seems like a slam dunk to me. Justin has been playng good finishing T9 at the Bridgestone and T2 at the Buick a few weeks back. He is playing 4 hours away from his home and always good in Texas. He is in good shape. Colin will melt in the Oklahoma heat. His last three tournaments he has finished T41, T71, T71. Any thoughts?

Here is where I layed my money this week. Anthony Kim 125/1 (Played at OU, playing really well, Up there in all the stats) Lucas Glover 100/1 (Read where several people loved this play) Davis Love III 100/1 (Always got to pick the sharp dressesd man, playing well) Zach Johnson 60/1 (Course playing short, putting key....sounds like Masters) Scott Verplank 55/1 (From Oklahoma, been in the hunt) Hunter Manham 45/1 (For the 3rd straight week with me, has fallen apart on Sundays) Padraig Harrington 28/1 (Lots of people love this play, riding their coat tails.)

I guess if I do not like it then it can be a backup.

I use Golfnow.com to book a lot of my tee times and I was sent an email saying that because I booked 5 tee times I get a free gift. The gift is a Magique Golf Blade S Putter. I have to call and they are going to custom fit and ship it to me for $19.95. http://www.magiquegolf.com/putters/m303b I am a good putter, but I have been putting with a 1998 Ray Cook Walmart. Is it worth $19.95?

Has anybody had any experience with the Nike Power Distance Flight Ball (in the blue box)? I was at the course today and reached into my bag to find myself short on balls. The pro shop was running a special on them for $12.98 a dozen. I thought they where cheap enough to try. I really liked the way they played today. They where super long and had good feel around the greens. I was wondering if I just played good today or this ball is for me. I have never played a Nike ball very well. A little background is I have a high club head speed and usually play a Titlest NXT or Callaway Warbird.

I had an ugly cart bag and I have been wanting to go with a light weight stand bag. I hit Adams Irons and wear the Adams Visor, so I started looking at Adams Bags first. I went with the Adams Hana Stand Bag in Black/White/Gold and it is awesome.

I know it is early, but any idea what the cut may be out tomorrow. I hope Luke Donald stays up there.

Yes, I am wearing a glove.

I am having a problem with the clubs sliding out of my hands on my swing on hot days. I have a new set of Adams Irons, so the grips are new. Should I reg rip with something like Winn's to improve this. Is there anything else that might be causing the club to slide out of my hand? What is the best grip for me?