And It Was Going So Well

And it was through 13 holes.

I took yesterday off as I have a couple of sore toes.  I seem to lift my foot with just my second toe.  It gets banged a lot and eventually bruises under the nail.  Then fluid collects, the nail comes off and grows back in again.  This happens with both feet - "foolish consistency" and all of that.  So shoes are critical to my foot happiness.

So I limp onto the course and hit some ropy hook on the first hole.  Sling a utility to get close then a delicate up and down for a par.

Second hole is even easier.  My drive is a pull, but not a hook!  This hole is a par 5.  Then a utility to about 130, an iron that comes up short of the green by about a foot.  I chip this in to get to one under par.

I par the next two with GIRs and two putts. 

The 5th is a tough hole for me as the drive is critical.  I top the drive and it goes a full 40 yards.  Utility to 120, 9 iron to the green, but I can't make the 5 footer.  So I'm back to even.

Par 6 and 7 with GIRs.  Then on the par 3 8th, 145 over a pond, I hit a sweet 6 iron which I spin back to about 4 feet.  This goes in and I'm one under.

The 9th is usually a bogey hole as it requires a good drive.  I forget to try to kill it and manage to get it down the middle.  This leaves me 150 to a back pin behind the bunker.  Good old 6 iron to the rescue and I hit it to 6 feet.  I leave the putt short on line!  I'm despondent, but then realize that it was a birdie putt and I've gotten through the front nine one under. 

The 10th is usually not too tough.  I hit a 3 wood, but it comes out low, hits the top of the rise and goes down towards the flat, which is 150 out.  I find myself with a down hill lie and 150 to go.  Out comes Mr. Six Iron and I'm 3 feet from the pin.  That putt goes down.  Two under for the round.

Then pars through 13, all GIR and two putts, and then it gets ugly!  Well, not too bad, I par all holes but 14, 16 and 18, but go triple, double, bogey on them.  Very sad. 

The putting was really good.  I got it up and down every time.  I'm still using the tempo stuff from the last post for that.  I'm finding the short popping hit keeps it on line much better than the old style, which probably caused a longer swing in both directions and that allowed me pull and push frequently.

Ok, maybe next time!  I'm looking into New Balance shoes, but I'd like to look at them before I buy.  I stopped at Dick's to see what they had, but they don't stock NBs!  The search goes on.

But it was fun to play well.  Controlling shots and hitting them where you want is gratifying and rewarding.  I hope no one ever steals the 6 iron. 

My shot length is shorter than I'd like it to be, but I can't argue with the direction control.  Now if I can ever get relaxed over the driver....