I snuck away from the wife and kids yesterday, Sunday, to play on the same course as quoted above, just for 9 holes. I was determined to play GIR+1, and here are the results:
#1, 3 on, 2 putted for +1. Driver on the T box, and with about 170 yards (4H distance) to the pin, I went with a 7 iron instead, then chipped on. I normally try to get on the green with the 2nd shot. I guess this was a smart play today with the 7.
#2, 3 on, 2 putted for PAR. A 500 yd par 5. Driver on the T, the fairway was open and the ball was in a good lie so I decided to use the 4H. It turned out good, then an iron shot for the GIR. I could have try to get on with 4 shots, but I guess the 2nd shot was a low risk fairway play so the decision was good.
#3, 3 on, 3 putted for +2, 3W of the T box, played short on the 2nd shot, then chipped on the with the 3rd shot. Hole is going according to GIR+1 plan...except for the 3 putts.
#4, 3 on, 2 putted for +1, 3W of the T box, the 150yd 2nd shot off the fairway which pushed right, then a pitch shot that went a way beyond the pin, and 3 putted. I guess the right play for me would have been 2 pitches to try to get next to the pin...instead I pushed it with a "long" 2nd shot. However; I was aiming for the open green, not the pin which tucked behind the bunker.
#5, 2 on, 3 putted for +2...yikes...it's a par 3, bad putting, this was a 200yd par 3. I normally use the driver here, but I guess I did the right thing by pulling out the 3W instead. By the way, I only use the 3W on the T box, and gave up the idea of using the 3W off the deck.
#6, 3 on, 1 putted for PAR. The fairway was open so I pulled out the driver. From the fairway, I pitched to the fringe behind the pin. There was a bunker in the front. One putt of the green, then one putt in the hole for PAR. GIR+1 still working.
#7, 2 on, 1 putted for PAR on 150 yd par-3 hole. Decent chip and putt saved par here.
#8, Par 5 hole with a +3. A blow-up hole. Mistake #1, I pulled out the driver and put the ball in the rough. I wouldn't have needed it if I played GIR+1. Mistake #2, I then try to get it out of that thick stuff by using by 150 yard stick (5H) to cross the water which was where I promptly got wet. Mistake #3, I then try another shot with 170 yd (4H) stick to make up the distance loss. Again, I put it in da wader. I gave myself an 8 for this hole. Thank goodness for Equitable Stroke Control.
#9, 3 on, 1 putted for PAR. Back to GIR+1 game plan this time. Driver off the T into the open fairway. A straight shot to the pin is is 170 yds to to the pin, but a whole bunch of water all the way to the bunker in front of the pin. The hero shot never looked so good, but I went with 2 pitches around the water, which set up the PAR putt.
So, the day ended with a 45 recorded for 9 holes and 4 pars (it normally take me 18 holes to get this many pars on a good day). It would have been good if I played the back 9 also, but I'm happy with 45 in the book. It's definitely an improvement, except for #8. Lesson learned for the day:
1. Stay with GIR+1 game plan.
2. Don't go for GIR with the long stick (150+yd for me) unless the risk is low, i.e., open landing spot, irrespective of pin location.
3. Play the 3W off the T, unless the fairway is wide open, need to feel like a man with the driver once in a while. Ask myself, is the extra 10-20 yards with the driver really worth it?
4. No hero shots.
5. No make-up shot to catch up with distance lost.
6. When it the rough, just pitch it out the the fairway, instead of down the fairway. The same rule probably applies to sand also. On the plus side, I did not find myself in the bunkers.
I think I will impose the lessons learned above which I think summarized the replies I received here (thanks a whole bunch!!!). If you have any more suggestions, let me know.
Thanks again,