Yesterday I posted that I saw a glimmer of hope in my golf game and I’m happy to report that the glimmer is shining more brightly today. I know I know. The golf gods will give players this hope so they can be crushed, and I expect that to happen but I also expect to rebound quickly from it next time.
Year’s First Eagle
Today’s round was 18 holes, the front 9 being my Wednesday league. After a very good drive on the par-5 first, I hit an 8-iron onto the green for my second shot and had a slick downhill 12-foot putt for eagle. Nailed it.
Re-Learning Things I Already Knew
I had a decent front nine but two bad holes (doubles) and shot +4 on the front. One of the doubles was a total and complete tactical error. I know on the short par-4 7th that I can’t hit driver because I’ll leave myself with a 1/2 a lob wedge into a green which requires spin. I flubbed the half lob wedge and left myself and even more difficult 3rd, then 3-putted. Had I hit a hybrid off the tee I would have had a full shot into the green and a much better chance at par or better. Sometimes in golf we have to re-learn by making mistakes we should not make. I re-learned I hope.
Back 9
On the back nine I shot a decent +1 for a total of 77. 77 isn’t where I want to be (low 70’s or even the upper 60’s is my happy place), but it’s the first round under 80 this early season. This season I’m trying to shake off a lot of rust having not even swung a golf club from October to probably March, about half a year.
Walked It
Another thing I accomplished today is walking the whole 18 holes. This course is very hilly and walking up to many shots the heart rate is high and breathing heavy. That feeling is a lot like the nerves I feel in big tournaments.
One of my aims this year is to walk far more. First I can save money. But most importantly I’m trying to get some kind of exercise. The only exercise I get is clicking a mouse button all day. I don’t think that’s strengthening my core.
The reason for this focus on walking is two-fold. First I could stand to get in better shape, so why not hit a golf ball around while I’m working out? Second, I have a trip to Scotland coming up in July. That’s 36 holes per day minimum, for 8-9 days. Over 100 miles of walking. I need to be ready for that.
I’m on my way to being ready for Scotland, and well on my way to playing some better golf. I can feel it.
HOGWire – Golf Industry News
I also see me “Re-Learning Things I Already Knew”, and at that point, I knew that I was also improving my golf game. I still need more golf practices and tips though 😀