Illegal, But Awesome

I asked for a lot of golf equipment for Christmas this year and chief among the requested was a new driver. Now, I'm still not to the point of my golf obsession that I can justify spending $300 for a driver, so when I found a one online that was not only inexpensive, but also perfect for me I was very excited for Christmas morning.


The driver is from Nextt, was only $44 (plus shipping) and it's called the "Green Monster" (perfect for me, no?). Now, it has a 520 cc head which is so large that it is actually considered illegal. But, I'm sure that means for tournament play and it's not like I'm going to be entering into any tournaments any time soon, so what do I care? It's like the new groove rules. Change them all you want, I'm not going to be a PGA Pro. The head is huge though. It looks like a cantaloupe on the end of a toothpick.

The face is also monstrous, with a huge sweet spot and designed to give me even more power off the tee. Now, I took it to the driving range today and unfortunately discovered that even with the new, large, illegal driver and a month off to refine my mechanics, I still had the same swing. The only difference is that my shots are no longer gentle fades to the right, they are rockets in that direction. Good thing I was in the last stall or I could have killed somebody.


Also, I got a new, large head cover so even if it is illegal for me to use this driver, no one will be able to see it under the Fighting Irish head cover. This thing is the size of a muppet.

I Love This One

Normally, I have a sort of take-it-or-leave it attitude towards the "This is SportCenter" ads. They're funny for a viewing or two, but that's enough for me. Not this one, I can't watch it enough.



It's brilliance is it's simplicity.

I like to imagine that this is really how the cafeteria is at ESPN, even though I know that isn't the case. Also, if you've never had an Arnold Palmer you should try one, cause they aren't bad (add a little Absolut Citron to make it a John Daly).

One For The Road

As the golf season creeps into the late fall, I wasn't sure how much longer I would be able to hit the links again before the window closed, the calendar switched to '10 and the ground thawed a little. With that in mind, I wanted to get one last round in before winter came calling, so I was determined to get out and play one more time before I cleaned the clubs and packed them up for the winter. Given the way that I played last time I was there, I headed back to Willowdale, because I wanted to see if I could shatter my personal best round of 49 on the course. I was convinced that I could go lower if I concentrated. I had a score of 45 in my mind.

It had rained for much of the day before, so the greens were extremely slow. You would assume that I would have taken that into account before I headed out for the morning, but as I was forced to three putt on the first two holes because I was way off with the speed it was clear that I am a slow learner. Also, my slice was in full effect, as a tree was the only thing that prevented my drive off of the fifth tee from landing in the fourth fairway. Overall, it was not the best round for me as those wet greens slowed me down considerably. I was forced to repeatedly three-putt time after time as I couldn't figure out the speeds. I ended up with a 52 for the day, though I could at least take some consolation in the fact that my tee to green play was better than at the start of the season.

So, the end of my second season of golf did not end on the high note that I expected, but I am light-years ahead of where I was at this time last year. I still need to invest in a new driver, but I feel like an entire new set of clubs would be overkill. I think the best thing is to stick with my current clubs and work on swinging more consistently. Either way I think a little time away from my slice would be very good for me mentally. Unless I can book a trip to a warmer climate for some golf, in which case forget rest, get me a tee time.

I Saw That Going Different In My Head

Ever since I started playing golf last summer, I've been trying to get my dad to hit the links with me. He used to play, but hadn't picked up his clubs in years. On top of that, last December he had knee replacement surgery and he's still a little iffy on his other knee. So, he was reluctant to commit to the full swing over that many holes. I got him to go to the range a couple weeks ago and he was able to swing without pain, so I finally badgered him enough to go to Lost Brook, which is the closest course, and play a half-round. What I didn't see happening was that my father is a damn good putter.

We got a cart and headed out. While my dad might have had some reservations about the full swing he would need to get from tee to green, once he was on the putting surface he was killing me. I'm three putting from 10 feet, he's nailing 25 footers. Also, as it turns out his knee was also a bit of an advantage. Because he was hesitant to put a full-body swing behind his drives he swung with little-to-no movement below the waist. The result was less power, but more accuracy. So while he may have only been hitting it 140 yards and I may have been hitting it 160 yards, he was in the fairway while I was in the woods. I knew he was having a good time (winning will do that) because as we were on the 16th tee my dad said, "Wait, we only have three holes left? This round is flying by."

I'm not going to pretend that this was a duel on par with Watson vs. Nicklaus from Turnberry, but it was close. In the end my erratic driving and sub-par putting was not enough to save me and my dad ended his 20-year golf retirement with a 49-52 victory. Beaten by a guy who hadn't swung a club in two decades... yeah, that should to wonders for my ego.

Speed Golf

Last offseason I discovered winter golf and enjoyed it (still wouldn't use 'lift, clean and place' though). One of the places that I gave it a try was Little Harbor in Wareham. I really enjoyed the course and found it an easy walk so I wanted to try it once the weather turned nice. However, I still would rather play by myself than with a group of strangers and Cape Cod in the summer is not really condusive to pulling that off. Instead, I waited until the season was winding down to make my way back down to Wareham to give Little Harbor another shot.

Back in the winter I played the whole course except the 11th hole, which at the time was unplayable due to excessive ice (just one of the hazards of winter golf in New England). Since I only had time for 9 holes I wanted to make sure it I got the chance to try the only hole that had eluded me over the winter. I timed it perfectly as the local golf league was teeing off from the first hole and so I had the back 9 mostly to myself. The only people I had to worry about was a twosome of guys in a cart who arrived at the 10th hole at the same time as I did. But, they wanted to take a small break and after speeding my way through the first couple holes I had some breathing room and I was able to leisurely play the final 5 holes.

Again, I played ok, but not great. It seems I've had a good run of avoiding rediculously bad holes, not having to put down a snowman or worse. But the best part was that I cruised through the course - there was no hunting for balls or spending 20 minutes hacking my way down a fairway.

Adapting

There is a scene from the otherwise forgettable and disappointing Caddyshack 2 that has stuck with me. As Jackie Mason gets up to tee off in the climactic match, his playing partner turns him 90 degrees from the green and advises him to just try swinging in this direction because he owns, "the worst slice in the history of golf." This was my attitude today.

My slice is getting more pronounced, but I'm taking it as a compliment. Rather than it appearing on occasional shots, it has begun to appear on every shot, which I like - it means I'm getting more consistent with my swing. If it was still just showing up on occasion it would mean that I'm all over the place with my swing. Since it's there on every swing it means that I'm doing something wrong - but at least I'm doing it on every shot. I'm consistent; I take that as progress. So, rather than having to figure out the 15 things that are wrong with my swing, now I just have to figure out the one aspect that is making me slice. The thing about it is that it will take a while to fix the kink in my swing and out on the course is not a place you can experiment (the groups behind you tend to frown upon that kind of stuff). In the meantime, I've taken the Caddyshack method: if your slice is making the ball go right, aim more to the left.

This worked out to great success on the 14th hole, which is the signature hole of the course I played today as I returned for another shot at the back 9 on Lost Brook Golf Club. With the pin placed on the front right of the hole I decided to aim for the back left of the green, hoping that the ball would at least clear the water and stick on the green, giving me the chance to two-putt for a par. Well, it worked out even better as my slice was in full effect. The ball landed dead center of the green and continued rolling to the right and downhill, stopping 5 feet from the pin. Now, I've hit shots that have looked better and I've hit shots that have ended up closer to the pin but I've never hit a shot that was so good looking and close. I even made the putt for the birdie 2.

That was the capper, but the whole round was really good for me. I avoided any really disastrous holes and only carded one 7, which came because I had some issues with chipping near the green. I even had a shot from a greenside sandtrap that landed within 2 feet of the pin. For the day I managed to scratch my way to a 43, which is not that great considering the par was 27, but was 10 shots better than my last attempt at Lost Brook and also under the par for the entire course, which is not always the case.

An Expensive Afternoon

A couple weeks ago my golfing buddy Josh had a birthday and celebrated the passing of the event by going on a bit of a golf equipment-buying binge. He bought himself a new set of Nike irons, a new bag and a few sleeves of brand-new golf balls. He was eager to try the new equipment out on the course and so we set up a tee time for Friday. To be honest, I'm a little Willowdale'd out after playing it so often this summer and we wanted to try a place neither of us had been to before, but was not just par 3s. We landed on Sassamon Trace in Natick.

Owned by the town of Natick, Sassamon Trace is a testament to the benefits of recycling. The first three and the closing hole are built on what used to be a landfill, while holes 4-8 are in what used to be an orchard. The result is that you feel as though you're playing two different courses, because the holes are vastly different. The holes that are on what used to be the landfill are links-style with no trees or water hazards, but very thick vescue. After you go down a large hill following the 3rd hole you go across a bridge and are met with a more traditional style of course, which has tree-lined fairways and ponds to navigate your way around.

We had a brief wait before we teed off and during the wait the starter, Bob, gave us the rundown of the place. The one thing he stressed the most was that you really wanted - or more accurately, needed - to stay left. So, of course my slice came into play immediately on the second hole as my ball faded to the right. I was lucky enough to have it stop a foot from the rough, but my second shot attempt took a hard right turn and was never heard from again. This was the start of trend for me. Here's a tip: if you have a bad slice to the right, don't play a place that recommends you stay to the left.

If you've read this space before you know I hate losing golf balls and breaking tees. I feel like if it hit it well then I should be fine and if I'm losing golf balls it means I'm not hitting it well. Still, I've never lost more than 2 balls on any given afternoon. Even if it takes me a while I will find my ball and play the shot as best I can. Well, this afternoon I lost 6 balls in 9 holes. It was an unprecedented streak for me. Bob wasn't kidding, if you hit the ball more than two feet into the rough then that ball is gone for good. I was at least comforted by the knowledge that Josh and his brand new equipment didn't beat me too badly. I was actually winning after the first 4 holes, but Josh turned it on during the final 5 to beat me by 5 strokes. It might not be essential for me to get new irons.

You Can't Both Be Up...

This week was particularly golf-filled for me. On Monday I played with my uncle and his friend at Willowdale once again. I played better than the first time we went there, shooting a 52, but still not up to my standards of what I want to accomplish. On Thursday I convinced my father and his reconstructed knee to go hit a bucket of balls at the Norwood Country club. I hit some long and straight, while my father discovered the joy that is a hybrid club. So when Josh called me about hitting Willowdale again on Saturday, I was convinced that I was in good shape. Josh hadn't played in over a month, so I was confident I would crush him. Turns out, that was not the case.

I learned two things on the course today:
1) a layoff isn't the worst thing in the world.
2) there is only so much luck to be spread around on a golf course.

I went in determined to score better than Monday and to improve on my all-time low of 49. Josh couldn't even remember what he shot last time out and just wanted to play well. So, when he got a 6 on the second hole, he was just happy that he drained a 20-foot putt to do so. I, on the other hand, was pissed with a 5 on the third hole because my initial drive had put me in good scoring position.

The perfect example of what kind of day it was came on hole #6. Josh got dead-center contact with his hybrid club and launched his drive over the green, almost into the tree line (thats what happens with us - we have no idea how far each club could go if we ever hit it well). I topped my first, but managed to get to the green in two. Josh's first chip attempt didn't make it up the hill and his second still left him in the second cut. As he tried his fourth shot I was lined up behind my ball 30 feet away and said, "Just chip this in and don't worry about putting." I always say this. Only this time, Josh clanked it off the pin and in. Meanwhile, I putted to within 3 feet... and lipped out the next putt. On the green in two and I still lost the hole.

The point is, sometimes you just need luck. I lipped out and skimmed the edge on more putts than I could even count on this round, while Josh is chipping in from off the green and draining 25 foot putts. Clearly, you can't have two people in one group playing the round of their lives - there is only so much good karma to go around.

Tempting Fate

I should have known better. Once I achieved my goal of 49 at Willowdale, I should have known not to go back to try and top it. But, it was so nice outside that when my uncle called and asked me if I wanted to play 9 this morning I figured I would be able to go even lower. I was wrong. I ended up played about as bad as I've played there in a while, shooting a 59. I topped everything, got no height on any of my drives, sprayed all my shot to the left and right and generally made a mess of the course. You know you're playing badly when, by the 7th hole, both of your playing partners are listing all the places they can think of where you could get lessons.

I only had one shot of note, a beautiful pitch from about 50 feet off the green on #9. It looked nice, rolled perfectly before it grazed the edge of the cup. One rotation to the right it would have been in. You know it's been a bad day of golf when a shot that rolls 5 feet past the cup is the most memorable of the day.

Final Score: 59
Self Analysis: The thing I need to work on most would be consistent ball striking. One minute my 7 iron is good from 120 yards, the next it won't carry me 50. Not having any idea how far I'm hitting one club versus another is leading to not having confidence in any of them.

Resolutions Accomplished

Going into the year, I had set two golf-related resolutions: break 50 at Willowdale and break 115 at Chemewa. Turns out that I broke 115 rather easily on my first time playing there this season. Breaking 50 however, was turning out to be a harder feat. I had hit 50 on the nose twice already this season, but I could not seem to break through and save that one stroke anywhere. I didn't get many chances in June, because it rained for something like 21 out of the 31 days last month. But so far July has started off with beautiful weather so I got another shot at the 49 again today. Fifth times the charm!

Both of the times that I finished with 50 I carded 13's for the last three holes. I was confident I could do that again if I needed to, but for me to end on 49 I would need to finish the first 6 holes with a 36. That's what I had been having issues with. I started out nicely scoring a pair of sixes followed by a 5. In my mind that left me shot to play with as I got to hole #4.

I'd like to take a second to talk an issue of etiquette on the golf course - specifically on your average course full of hackers. You're going to hit it into the wrong fairway - it'll happen. But when you do, take your time to select your club before venturing into the other fairway to hit. Really, it's kind of a moment of shame, you shouldn't bask in it. Don't wander in... then select your club... then rethink your selection and then hit. I must have been standing on the tee for 15 minutes while the group coming up #5 repeatedly hit into the wrong fairway and then took their time getting out of the way.

#4 After waiting to hit I pulled driver, which I'm back to hitting like crap. My drive went right and landed in a clump of trees. Left with about 140 yards to the pin I decided to use my rescue club and see if I could use the extra power to get out of the trees. My shot went right into a tree and instead of going left or right, as you would expect, it instead went straight up in the air and came straight back down, before hitting a root at the bottom of the tree and bouncing left. I couldn't do that again if you paid me. I only gained about 10 yards from that little adventure, and needed to pitch out just to be in the first cut off the fairway. I decided that since I was back to normal rough I would club down and used my 5 iron, which I hit well, for all the good it does me. My shot was damn-near perfect; starting left and hooking back towards the green like it was on purpose. I couldn't quite get there, but I was just off the green to the left. I tried to pitch it in for my 5, but came up woefully shot. From there I two putted for a 7. So much for having a shot to play with.

#5 I arrived at the extended water hole and again needed to try my luck with my driver. I just didn't think I could make it over the water with anything else. Turns out it didn't really matter as my drive was a foot off the ground (straight, though) and landed in the tall grass just in front of the water hazard. A hack to get it out of the tall stuff and I was safe, but to the left of the water with another 150 yards to the green. I fired my next shot up the right side of the fairway, but my subsequent chip attempt took a hard right turn on me and I found myself into the trees that lined the fairway. I couldn't fire my way through the trees and was forced to chip again just to get to the back of the green. I needed to drain a 15 foot putt just to save a 7, but couldn't even do that. I tapped in for the snowman. Now I really had no wiggle room.

After a hope-saving 5 on the sixth hole, I had carded a 37 through 6 holes. As I made my way across the street to #7 I, again, would need a 12 on the final 3 holes to break 50.

#7 I was full of confidence on this short, 88 yard par 3. At least, I was until my pitching wedge caught the ball low and sent it rocketing into the sand trap that protected the front of the green. I was even less confident as my wedge attempt sent the ball into the high side of the bunker and my ball caromed up and landed behind me. Determined to pull this off, however, I dug my feet into the ground and got behind the ball, blasting it out of the sand and to within 4 feet of the cup. That almost looked on purpose. I tapped in for a 4 that kept my hope alive.

I managed to score another 4 on the 8th hole and I was back where I had been twice already: I need a 4 for the 49, 5 would get me yet another 50.

#9 My first drive with a 3 wood (I had again given up on my driver) was a low rocket that landed short and off to the right. I may as well have gone with my driver. The only saving grace was that it was almost in the same spot that I landed in last time I played this hole, so I knew to club down lower than I though. Only I was still afraid that I was still going to fly it over the green and didn't put my full power behind the club. The resulting shot was therefore low and short of the green. I choked up on my pitching wedge and went sky high with the shot, landing about 12 feet from the cup. Etiquette be damned, I spent 5 minutes sizing up this putt. I must have looked it over from every angle - people spend less time looking at putts in Majors. I set my feet, steadied myself... and drained the putt right in the center of the cup. I'm sure the people back on the tee had no idea why I was so excited at the bogey, but it was the total score that had me pumped.

Final Score: 49
Self Analysis: Breaking 50 on a course with a par of 30 isn't all that impressive, but considering I was shooting into the 60's here at this time last year it shows improvement. And, really, that's all I want. If I hadn't butchered 4 and 5 then my score could have been even better. I still need to work on club selection and if I could be more consistent off the tee then an even lower score is in the works. Just to know that I can break 50 at Willowdale is a nice feeling.

Trying for 49... Again

The weather around here has been unbelievably rainy. It rained for most of last week and half of this week. Yesterday was it was finally sunny, but I figured the courses around here could use the day to dry out. It's supposed to start raining again this afternoon and once it does it may not stop until July (That's not a joke, either. The 10-day forecast calls for rain everyday). Plus, Verizon was being screwy and my cable was on the fritz so I couldn't watch the US Open. I figured if I couldn't watch golf than I had better play some golf while I can. After debating Willowdale or Lost Brook, I went with Willowdale, cause the fact that I still haven't scored below a 50 there continues to bother the hell out of me.

As I was heading down the road the course is on, there didn't appear to be anyone else playing, which I was happy about. I was in a race against the rain and I just wanted to play a quick nine. With no one in my way I could get that done faster... or so I thought. As I was pulling in a threesome was on the first tee. I went in, paid, got my clubs and the assorted other things I needed all set (extra ball, marker, tees, scorecard - I hate having to pause to get this stuff later), only to find the threesome still on the tee. This wasn't a good sign. They took forever to get going because they needed to figure out what to do with their jackets... and their coffee... and who goes first. I almost started with #7, but instead just waited it out.

#1 After a long pause to give the group ahead of me time to get off the hole completely, my initial drive was high... and short. Also, to the right and off the fairway. I'm going to blame the long wait for that one. I pulled out my rescue club and fired towards the hole, watching helplessly as my shot faded to the left and under a tree. I figured I was clear of any low-hanging branches, but on my next shot I heard the familiar sound that a golf ball makes when it hits leaves. I lost the ball on contact, but figured it couldn't have gone too far if it hit a branch. Turns out I had way too much club as, out of the corner of my eye, I saw my ball land over the green. Any visions of a bogey that I had in my head quickly vanished as my pitch shot went over and across the green to the other side. Another chip got me on the dance floor, when I noticed my other problem: sand on the putting surface. This is what happens when you play golf on weekday mornings. It's a low-traffic time, so while you get the course almost to yourself, you also have to deal with the grounds crew doing maintenance to the course. The sand slowed my putt to a crawl and I two-putted for a 7. My quest was not off to a great start.

#5 After carding sixes on holes 2, 3 and 4 I came to a hole I repeatedly have trouble with. I was not helped by the fact that the tee boxes had been moved back so the hole was playing even longer. Before you had 30 yards of fairway and 50 yards of pond to contend with. Now it was playing more like 50 yards to the pond. That's a lot of distance to carry for someone who doesn't get the ball in the air, like myself. I hit a laser off the tee and it looked as if it wouldn't have enough distance, as my ball came down at the back of the pond, but it hit a rock. It then took a hard left turn, went into some trees, off a branch and squirted back about 5 more yards. Playing from just off the #6 fairway I couldn't fire my way through the forest and ended up landing just at the edge of the fairway, next to some bushes. This prevented me from really being able to follow through on my next swing, so I landed right in the middle of the fairway, but not much closer to the hole. I topped my first chip attempt, but my second was perfect, landing 5 feet in front of the flag and rolling to within 8 inches. I tapped in for another 6, but at least this one felt like a victory.

After yet another 6 on hole #6, I needed to finished the last three holes in 12 to hit my goal of 49. I was able to get a 4 on the short, 88 yard #7 but the longer finishing holes would be a little tougher.

#8 I finally... FINALLY hit a good drive off the tee. Really, my best of the day and it still wasn't all that good. It hooked at the end to leave me 10 yards off to right of the green. My pitch would have been perfect if it had been straight. I would have landed it just where I wanted it, but instead I was about 8 feet left of the hole and in the first cut. With a 4 a real possibility I didn't risk chipping it and instead putted through 4 feet of the first cut and to within 18 inches of the cup. I tapped in to take my four, which was all I wanted. Sitting on a 45 I need one more four to complete my goal which hadn't seemed possible just a couple holes ago.

#9 I got too under my tee shot and it only went about 80 yards to the right. But, I had a clean look at the green from 100 yards. Here's where not spending enough time at the range hurt. I went with an 8 iron when I should have gone with a 9. My ball landed on the back of the green, but didn't stick, bounced off and into the rough. This would be a tough up and down. I chipped onto the fringe, but had 2 feet just to get onto the green, where I had another 20 feet to the hole. I would have to be damn lucky to get my 49 now. I tried putting through it but the longer cut and wet greens slowed me down to the point I was 5 feet short. I was just happy I sank the ensuing putt and able to card a 5.

Final Score: 50
Self Analysis: Again, I missed my goal by one stroke, but since that wasn't really in doubt after my third shot on #9, I can't be too upset about it. I'm getting to the point where I'm cutting down on my miss hits and hiccup shots. Also, my putting was solid today, as I never had to more than two-putt. My approach shots were the issue today, as I can't seem to get consistent enough contact to figure out which club to use at certain distances. The club selection process is pretty much a guess for me right now.

Driving Range Shenanigans

The whole point of the driving range is that it's a place where you can work on things. It's the time when a new golfer can work on their swing and use some serious swings experimenting with grip and mechanics until they feel like their swing is working just right. And, once that swing feels right, they can keep at it until the swing becomes natural enough that they will repeat it all the time. After all, inconsistency is the mark of someone new to the sport. At least, that's what can happen if you don't go to the range with me and my friends, when the only thing you're going to learn are new ways to make fun of each other.

Yesterday I got a call from Josh and we met up with each other at McGolf in Dedham to hit a couple of buckets of balls. I actually made some solid contact with my driver and don't hate it today nearly as much as I did Friday. Also, I was hitting my hybrid well, which almost never happens. Of course my 3 wood, which is usually old reliable, was the club I couldn't get consistent contact with. It's always something. I'm still finding that my biggest problem is that I hit every club the exact same length. I could pull driver, I could pull 9 iron - it's going the same damn distance. Honestly, next time I play I think I'm going to bring my 7 iron, a pitching wedge and a putter and that'll be it. My results will be the same and at least my back will thank me for not having to carry so many clubs. Also, I'm still getting under the ball too much in some instances, as I hit what would be perfect pitching shots... with my driver.

But, as is often the case, the real fun of the driving range was people watching. As you can imagine, on a picture-perfect Saturday in Massachusetts, the range was packed. Strangely enough, the only place we could find bays next to each other was under the covered bays. The guy next to Josh was a serious hitter. As we were off to one side, we were practically aiming at the mini-golf course. This guy was launching shots into the netting, which had to be 200+ yards away. And not bouncing into the netting - hitting high into the nets. We all get it, chief - you're a big hitter. Maybe you should switch to an iron before you kill someone. There were also the requisite number of men who had dragged their girlfriends along; most of whom looked liked they would rather get waxed below the belt than hit a bucket of golf balls. Lots of kids, too, which speaks well to the growth of golf in the future, as long as those parents don't try and force the game on their kids. But man or woman, young or old, we all had one thing that brought us together - we all tried really hard to hit the truck that was going along collecting the balls. Nothing turns people into idiots faster than the opportunity to hit a car with a golf ball and there be no repercussions.

The real interesting character was the guy who started hitting the bay that Josh was using when Josh went to buy a second bucket. I told him the bay was taken, but he pretended not to hear me. I wasn't sure of etiquette in this situation, but I hate it when people pretend they can't hear me when I know they can. And since I already had a weapon in my hand, many options flashed in my brain. Instead I opted to let Josh take my bay and I waited until the guy on the other side of me finished his last 15 shots. I'm a peacemaker that way.

Lost Brook (The Back 9)

As you can see from the lack of updates to this site, I haven't had a chance to go golfing in a while. Hey, it happens. Plans to go play 9 and then have some beers turn into only having the beers. Also, it's been raining a lot in Massachusetts this spring. Great for my lawn, not for my golf game. Now, in the interest of full disclosure I did play 18 at Willowdale at the end of April with Josh and his friend Adam. But, how many times do you want to read about me hacking away around the same 9 holes? Plus, to be honest, nothing exciting happened. I played ok, not great - not worth writing about. Still, I hadn't been golfing in almost 3 weeks before I had a chance to get out there again.

Lost Brook golf course is extremely close to my house. It's about 2.5 miles door to door, so it's a little surprising to me how long I have managed to avoid playing there. It was the last place that I played before my self-imposed hiatus from golf, so I hadn't played the course in almost 9 years. However, I was greeted with a gorgeous day so I felt the need to get out there and swing again. The course itself is short, nothing but par 3's, but it makes up for not having much length by having narrow fairways and extremely deep rough. It's not an easy place to play by any stretch of the imagination.

Again, to keep this shorter, you're only getting the highlight of the round.

#10 As a player who prides himself on being able to make it through a round without losing a lot of golf balls or tees, I was dismayed when my first swing snapped the tee and caught the ball at a weird angle, causing it to shoot into a bog just off the tee. One swing, one snapped tee, one lost ball. Not the start I was hoping for. After re-teeing the ball I reverted back to my old problems and topped my next couple of shots. It took me several attempts more than it should have to make it down the fairway. Eventually I got on the green, where the previous days worth of rain slowed me down and required a 3-putt for a very annoying 7.

#14 Despite my time away from this course, I remembered this hole. There is no place to come up short with a large pond guarding the front. There is some green to work with if you miss to the left, but short or right and you'll be into the water. Also, once you're on the green it slopes back down towards the water, so you need to miss high. With no one else on the back 9 I had decided that if I hit it into the water I would take a couple of swings at the green before taking my drop. Turns out that wouldn't be necessary because, like most inexperience golfers facing a large hazard, I went way over with my club. My ball lazered over the pond, caught the back of the green and bounced into the woods. I don't mess with poison ivy, so I only gave a cursory search for my ball before taking a drop and chipping up over a mound onto the green. I thought I was going to get a lot of roll, but it wasn't nearly as fast as I was afraid of, so it took me two putts to get to hole level, where I tapped in for a 5.

#15 Again, I made solid contact off the tee, but watched my ball fade at the end and come off the green to the right. Had it been straight I would have been thrilled with the distance. Instead I had to chip up and on the green. I pulled a Josh and could only watch helplessly as my ball went up and rolled straight off the green to the other side. Another chip stuck on the green, but still left me with 24 feet to the hole. I thought I had nailed the putt, only to watch it catch the cup and spin out, seemingly picking up momentum to leave me with a 4 footer. Which, of course, I missed for a 6.

At least when I came down #16 I was reunited with my ball from #14. Turns out the reason I couldn't find it before was that it had gone through the woods and landed by the #16 green. Told you I had way too much club.

#18 With a green guarded by 3 large bunkers and my sand play being what it is, I was determined to avoid them. My first shot was short and too the right. I was 20 yards from the green, but it very deep rough. I decided to just get out of the jungle and back onto the fairway. I managed to land directly into the center and chip onto the green, avoiding all the sand (I was as stunned as you are). I came up just short on my 18 foot putt, but tapped in for a 5. That was about as well as I could have played that hole. Where was that the first 8 holes of the day?

Final Score: 55
Self-Analysis: I can blame my slow start on the fact that I hadn't played in three weeks, but that doesn't excuse my really bad putting. I thinking too much about shooting past the cup and instead I'm continually coming up short. I think I would be better off being long versus short every time.

Going Back to Chemawa

Other than Willowdale, I played Chemawa Golf Course in North Attleboro the most last season. It is conveniently located about halfway between Norwood and Providence, so it's a good place to play. Also, they keep the course in amazing shape. Normally you only get what you pay for, but for the price here the course is better than you expect. Not overly long with moderately wide fairways, it's a good course for people who aren't big hitters or lack accuracy. In other words, it's right up my alley.

If you show up on any golf course in America on a Saturday with only two people, you should expect to be paired up with a couple strangers. This Saturday was no exception as Josh and I were paired with a couple of law students for the first 9 holes. Normally I hate being paired with strangers, cause you never know who you're about to be playing with. As I've said in this space before, you should stick to playing with people on equal footing. Turns out one of them hadn't played in a couple of years, while the other was new to the game. After their first shots went well right and barely past the red tees I was feeling much better about the rest of the round. It's a weird feeling to know that you're not very good at something, yet somehow still one of the best in your group.

In an attempt to keep this post at less than 10,000 words, I will not tell you about all 18 holes. Instead, I'll just hit the interesting ones.

#2 Again, I'm not taking my driver out of the bag. It will be replaced just as soon as possible. Instead I went with 3 wood and got solid contact down the fairway. I ended up about a hundred yards short of the hole, but my approach shot faded at the end and left me off to the right of the green. I had visions of a par in my head, but took my eyes off the ball and topped my chip attempt. My second try got me on the green with a 10 footer for a bogey. Keeping in mind my time at Willowdale earlier this week I took the time to mark and realign my ball. Getting good contact I one-putted for the second hole in a row to save a 5.

#3 I teed the ball up too high and thus was greeted with a towering drive then went farther up than forward. I still had the best drive of the group as the rest of my foursome all landed multiple drives into the out-of-bounds woods on the right. My second shot travelled up the right side of the fairway, but stayed in bounds as I played follow the bouncing ball. It hit cart path for a couple bounces before going up onto a rock formation, against the fence, back on the formation for a couple more hops and then settled into a crack. I took some relief to the grass, but it was short lived as my third again faded right and took a couple more hops on the cart path. I needed two chips just to get over the path and back onto the green. From there I had a 30-footer and I read the break correctly but I needed a little less speed as my ball died just past the cup. I tapped in for an adventurous 7.

#5 This time the cart path was my friend. My drive went left for a change and hit the path, where it just kept going. It travelled down the cart path until the path ended, and even then I got another 10 feet of roll. The path-aided ball left me with less than 100 yards to the hole. I pulled out my pitching wedge, but again topped my chip and required another just to get to the front of the green. Rather than risking a chip which could make my ball fly over the green I tried to putt through the first cut, but didn't have enough power to make it. I made the remaining 6-footer for a 5 that was probably better than I deserved.

#9 One of my favorite holes on the course, it's essentially an island green guarded by a large pool of water, though you have a little course to work with on the left hand side. My first shot went right and came up before the water, just beyond the drop area. I took out my pitching wedge and hit what was probably the best shot of my life. I've hit balls that ended up closer to the hole, but none that were this aesthetically pleasing. It was the perfect-looking chip, landed exactly where I wanted it to and rolled to within 8 feet; exactly how I expected it to. It was almost as if I knew what I was doing. Of course, I pulled the next putt and knew it the second I hit it, but still I was happy with a 4.

#10 After our foursome turned into a twosome, I had to deal with a lot of self-made hazards on this hole. My first drive hooked into the opposite fairway. I managed to drive through a tree, avoiding no less than 5 limbs, to get back to the center of #10. My third shot was short and to the right and it ended up on top of a foot-high retaining stone wall that ran alongside of the cart path. Not really sure how to choke up or get good footing on the wall I instead half swung and watched my ball weakly come off the wall and start down the path before taking a weird hop and going off the path, into the wall, off the path again, back up into the wall before hitting a strange angle and taking a 90 degree turn to the left and onto the green to within 20 feet of the cup. Let's see Tiger Woods do that one.

#13 Facing another hole guarded by two pools of water, I didn't want to lose my heavily-scuffed ball that had worked so well for me the first 12 holes of the day. So, I switched to another from my bag. It turned out to be a good decision as I lost my first ball of the day when my drive hooked into the water on the right. Retrieving my original ball from my pocket I again hit a nice chip over the water from the drop area that made it look like I knew what I was doing. I had to two-putt from 20 feet as I got the speed of the greens wrong, but I was still pretty pleased to have made it over the water only losing one Top Flite.

#15 This par 4 starts with a large valley about 20 yards past the hole and it continues uphill from there. For the second time in the round I teed the ball up too high and hit a towering shot that went no where. My second drive with a fairway wood went down into the valley, but with such force that it managed to roll all the way up to the top of the hill. My third shot with a 4-iron got me to the front of the green on the fringe. Facing a steep drop if I went over the green I decided to putt from 45 feet and came up only about 10 feet short. I lipped out the second putt attempt for a 6 that felt like more of a victory than it probably should have.

#17 My first drive down the right side set me up perfectly for a second shot. I had a solid 120 yards to the hole and I was at a great angle. Unfortunately my second attempt hooked and landed me in a bunker on the right side of the green. That was where the fun began. My first hack in the sand got my ball out... only to watch it hit some hill and roll... slowly... back... into... the... bunker. That's a helpless feeling. And, as an added bonus it barely fell into the bunker and stopped, so I had the lip of the green to deal with. My second bunker shot hit that lip and my ball went farther back into the bunker than I started with. I hit my third with everything I had and watched my ball fly out and land at the back of the green, 25 feet over the hole. I was thinking about how much I hate golf when my 25-foot putt, downhill and with 4 feet of break to it, landed perfectly into the cup for a 6. Those are the moments you know the game has it's hooks into you.

Final Score: 113
Self Analysis: I feel like I've finally figured out my putting stroke. Taking the extra time to mark the ball seems like it helps, even if it's purely psychological. The thing I need to work on now is not having those little 'hiccup' strokes, where I hit a good shot, followed by a crappy one and then hit the shot that should have been my second. I feel like there is one of those a hole and that's 18 strokes a round right there. The other big issue is that I need to just avoid sand traps all together, as I really appear to have trouble in those. But, clearly I'm getting better. My New Year's resolutions were to break 50 at Willowdale and 115 at Chemawa (I thought it was 120, but looking back I wrote 115... guess I was feeling ballsy), and I nearly pulled both of those off this week.

Return to Willowdale

Willowdale Golf Course in Mansfield is actually one of my favorite places to play. It's pretty easy to get to, it's cheap and you get a good mix of only par 3's and 4's, which is nice for players who suck at golf. I came here numerous times last summer due to it's close proximity to Gillette Stadium. My New Year's resolution was to break 50 at the course, which I came close to doing last season. Greeted with a gorgeous New England Spring day, I was determined to try again.

#1 A dogleg to the left meant that I would be lucky to get on the green in two. I didn't bother with my driver, because if my range session last week was any indication, we're heading for a breakup pretty soon. Instead I used my 3 wood and actually drove past the turn and into the rough. Never expected to get that much distance, to be honest with you. I lifted my head on my attempt to reach the green and thus had to chip twice to get there. Still very content with a 20-footer for a 4, I was off on the speed of the greens and my putt came up woefully short. My second attempt didn't break nearly as much as I expected and thus was left with a tap-in two footer for a 6. At least, for anyone else it was a tap-in. I lipped it out for a very annoying 7. My quest for 50 was not starting off well.

#2 I'm still having issues with figure out what club to hit at what distance, so I essentially guessed when I went with a 5 iron for this 160 yard par 3. The distance didn't matter, however, as I topped my drive and it went weakly off to the right. My chip attempt wasn't much better as I landed near a tree below the raised green. I did, however, get a sweet chip attempt as my shot went up and over a large branch to land in the second cut at the bottom of the green. I attempted to putt from there rather than risk watching my chip fly across the green, but I didn't hit it hard enough to clear the first and second cut; thus, I was forced to putt again from 10 feet. I was off on the break and had a short putt before I could mark my 6.

#3 At essentially the same length as the hole before it, I decided to try my 5 iron again on the off chance that I would actually hit it straight this time. I got good loft and would have ended up very close to the green if my drive hadn't faded at the end and landed up just off the fairway to the right. Standing above the ball, which was on a hill, I missed making solid contact and had to chip a second time to get on the green. Left with a 20 footer for a 4 I again got the read of the green wrong and didn't get the break I expected. I lipped out a 5 footer and in my haste to just tap in didn't set my feet and so I missed the easy come-backer. I finally put in the putt for a 7 and began to wonder if anyone would have a driver/putter two-fer special.

#4 Going back to the only club I hit well I pulled out my 3 wood for this 290 yard par 4. Again I got good, not great, contact as my shot faded to the right at the end, landing just in front of the pond that straddles holes #4 and #5. My second attempt actually hooked perfectly around a tree that stood between me and the green as if I planned it. Coming up just short I chipped on to the green, but didn't get the roll I expected to the hole. Facing an uphill 20 footer for my 4, I again got the speed wrong and made it only halfway to the hole. My second putt was better, but I still missed by a foot and had to tap in for a 6.

#5 To start with, my 3 wood betrayed me. My drive shot to the right, over the pond I had just missed and settled neatly into the fairway on #4. Fortunately, no one was playing it at the time so I attempted to chip back into my own fairway, only to hit a branch and watch my ball die right next to the tree. I had no real option except to aim 90 degrees from the hole and just try and make it back into the fairway. Now, rather than take 5 seconds to relax I just swung at the ball and, of course, watched it go about 4 feet. I was getting more annoyed now and so it took me two more pitch attempts before I got good contact... which promptly got me over the green. Putting from just on the fringe and downhill for a 7 I actually had one of my better putts of the afternoon and came within a foot of the hole. I finished off the worst hole of my round with a snowman. My dream of breaking 50 seemed way off.

#6 Despite my bad drive on the last hole I stuck with my 3 wood, because it's still the most consistent contact I get. I hit a line drive down the right side of the fairway, watching it fly 3 feet off the ground for about 120 yards before it landed and started bouncing towards the green before it disappeared down a slight hill. At least it was still in the right fairway. As I started walking to where I thought my ball was going to be I couldn't find it, but noticed a ball on the green, about a foot from the cup. Trying to figure out who hit one hell of an errant shot, I approached the ball. As I got closer I could see the mark I had made on the ball. Holy shit... it was mine! I guess it just kept rolling after I stopped watching it and it continued all the way to green. So, here's all you need to know about what I think of myself as a golfer: when I hit a great shot, instead of being happy, I start to wonder who's ball that is, cause there is no way that that could be mine. Not taking any chances, I marked and re-spotted my ball (something I never do) for my one-footer. I drained it for only my second birdie ever.

#7 This is the short par 3 where I came my closest to a birdie last season. So, I had full confidence that I could get this close and follow my birdie with something low. Instead I caught my pitching wedge at an odd angle and watched the ball fly towards the sand trap. Luckily at this time of year it's not really sand yet (still a little too solid), and so my ball rolled up and out of the bunker. My chip attempt landed me on the green with 30 feet to the hole and a par. Unfortunately I thought there was going to be some more break than there was (which was none) and left myself 11 feet for my 4. Again, I decided to take a moment and realign the ball on the green. I nailed the following putt. Maybe there is something to this whole realigning thing the pros like to do.

#8 I stuck with my 3 wood since it had been working for me all day. Again, I got solid contact but not enough high as my ball stayed 3 feet off the ground most of the way down the fairway before fading to the right at the end. I was left with about 25 feet to the green. In the back of my mind I knew that the 49 I was after was back in play following the last two holes. But, I topped my chip attempt and so I needed another to get on the green. I was smart enough to take a second and take a breathe before putting but this green felt like it was still very soft and it wasn't nearly as fast as I felt it should have been. As a result I still needed 10 feet to sink a 5. Taking a moment to re-check the greens and my line... I drained it.

#9 Quick math told me I was sitting on a 45 and a 4 would get me the 49 I was after. Suddenly, I knew how Kenny Perry felt on 18 on Sunday, knowing a 4 was all he needed. My drive was weak down the right side, leaving me about 100 yards to the hole. At the worst possible time I lifted my head again and my pitch was topped. A second attempt got me on the green with 15 feet to the pin. I marked my ball and must have looked at this from a dozen different angles (hey, I was the only one on this side of the course - I had the time). My putt felt good leaving my hands... I got the break perfectly... the speed felt right... and my ball died on the lip of the cup. Mother... FUCKER. I needed the 4 and got a 5. Now I really felt like Kenny Perry at the Masters.

Final Score: 50
Self-Analysis: I'm kicking myself because a good score was out there, but my putting to start the day really killed me; it probably cost me 4 strokes. I feel like I got a handle on it by the 5th hole, but by then it was too late. I still need to work on my pitching - I feel very inconsistent with it. My opening drive was good, but after that I either got no height or it would fade to one side or another. I'm miles ahead of where I was last season, but not nearly where I want to be by the end of this one.

Fore Kicks

Sunday of this week was a total washout. I had intended to go to the driving range and get some quality alone time with my driver, but instead had to settle for watching Tiger Woods announce his full return to the golf world. Not a bad trade-off, but it still left me with a golfing itch.

So when I woke up this morning to a beautiful, sun-filled and warm day I knew I would have to get out and play while the getting was good. I decided to leave the range for another day and instead head into Norfolk and check out Fore Kicks and their 9-hole facility. Fore Kicks is a learning center for youth sports, featuring indoor soccer fields and a large lazer-tag area. Because it is mostly used by kids it is a very short course, featuring nothing but par 3's and the longest hole is only 157 yards. But for adults it can be a nice place to try and work on irons, scrambling and putting, as the greens can get tricky. Not to mention, for $12, you get what you pay for. This was the exact opposite of my original plan, since I wouldn't be taking the cover off of any of my woods let alone my driver, but I'd rather play short golf than just hit the range any day.

#1 At 115 yards I had my 7 iron in my hands, but figured that would be too much club and so I went down to an 8 iron. Turns out the club didn't matter as I caught the ball at an awkward angle and watched my ball shoot off to the rough on the right. I put my 8 away and grabbed my pitching wedge with 30 feet left to the hole. A good chip shot got me onto the green with 10 feet left to the pin. Putting for par I got the break right, but the speed wrong and ended up a foot past the cup. I tapped in for a pretty satisfying 4.

#2 With the hole pretty much the same length I decided to stick with my 8 iron and this time was rewarded with solid contact. Turns out I still had too much club as my ball landed over the green in the second rough. Now, watching the Arnold Palmer Invitational this weekend I saw a play where Sean O'Hair was off the back of the green in the second cut and rather than risk chipping, took out his utility club and hit that instead. It worked out for him, so I thought I would try it. Apparently the rough in Florida is thicker than the rough in Massachusetts in March, as my ball flew out of the rough, passed the hole and across the entire green, settling on the fringe on the other side. I guess I'm still not ready for the PGA tour. This putting surface was in the shade so it hadn't had a chance to dry from all the rain from the past two days, which slowed the green. My uphill putt came up well short and my second attempt still didn't have enough speed. I lipped out a close one for a very annoying 6.

#3 I had a pretty descent wind in my face, so despite the fact that this hole wasn't even 100 yards I decided to go with a 9 iron. Now, when you tee up you shouldn't be thinking about anything but the shot you're about to hit. But, on my backswing the thought "This is way too much club" flashed in my head. The result was a trying-to-pause half-swing. So, of course my ball weekly jumped off the tee and it didn't even make the green. I put the 9 iron away and grabbed the club I should have used the entire time, my pitching wedge. My second shot landed short of the green and I needed another to get onto the green. Now, this putting surface was in the sun and thus much dryer and faster so my ball ran past the cup. I nailed the 5-footer comeback putt to save a 5.

#4 The shortest hole on the course at just under 80 yards, I kept the pitching wedge in my hands for this hole. I felt pretty good about my first drive, until it faded to the left and landed off of the green in the rough. I thought about pulling out my utility club again but since it went badly last time I stayed with the wedge. Turns out I couldn't have done worse with the utility club, as this wedge shot took a sharp left. I needed a third chip to get onto the green where I two-putted for a second straight 5.

#5 This hole was only 118 yards, but uphill, so I figured I should go one club higher than my first thoughts and pulled out a 7 iron. Judging by how much the ball took off I probably would have been well over the green if I hit a shot with any loft. Instead I fired a line drive into the hillside and the ball died right there. My pitch attempt flew up and over the green and into the back fringe. Now, despite my bad wedge shot on the last hole I decided to stick with it and was rewarded by hitting the chip of my life. My ball perfectly caught the slope of the green and ran to within in a foot of the cup. A tap in and I had saved a 4.

#6 I was determined to get at least one shot with loft today and so I set the ball high on the tee. I really should have chosen a hole where the wind wasn't blowing into my face because it killed my ball off the tee and I came up two feet short of the green. I continued my good chipping from the last hole and got the ball inside of 10 feet. Again I had a pretty good read of the break on the putt, but not the speed and my putt attempt was an inch wide of the hole for my second 4 in the row.

#7 The holes were starting to increase in length so I moved up with my clubs and came up with 6 iron for the 122 yard hole. Again, no idea how far it would have gone if I had hit a descent first shot. Instead I hit a worm burner down the center of the fairway. The goose crap actually did a nice job of slowing it down and left me 40 yards or so to the hole. I pulled a Josh and my chip landed me over the green again and I needed another just to get onto the putting surface. This was another of the soggier greens and so I ended up about four feet short on my attempt at a four. After a quick double-check of the break I had to watch my ball circle almost the full diameter of the cup before dropping in with a 5.

#8 Determined to find out just how far I would hit a 6 iron if I actually made consistent contact, I stuck with in for #8, which was just 5 yards longer. Turns out that I was pretty close to right, as I landed on the green, but 30 feet from the hole. As I walked to the green I was feeling pretty proud of myself for doing so well today... only to turn to the right and see two kids who were probably 6 or 7 years old playing the same course I was. Suddenly I remembered where I was and my ego suffered a solid body blow. This would be like bragging that you could dunk when it's on a 7 foot rim.

#9 The longest hole of the course at 157 yards and into a pretty steady wind, I went for my utility hybrid club. Again, no idea if I had the distance right as I got almost no loft and watched my ball die in the fairway. My chip attempt was successful at getting me on the green and left me with 10 feet to the hole. For the final time, I was good the break, not on the distance. My putt went past the hole and left me with 3 feet to the hole. I was in a hurry and didn't set my feet, so shouldn't have been surprised that I lipped out the putt and ended the day with a disappointing 5.

Final Score: 42
Self-Analysis: My putting was better today as I was able to read the breaks pretty consistently. Speed of the greens was my big issue. Also, I'm having trouble getting distances with my irons right, but that's due to my lack of consistent contact. Fore Kicks is a good learning center and it's the right price, but if I want to get better at harder courses, then I need to play harder courses.

Triggs Memorial (The Front 9)

As the weather continues to get better here in the North East, hopefully I'll be able to update this site more often. Saturday I ventured out with my golf buddy, Josh, to try out another new course for us, Triggs Memorial in Providence.

Seeing that it is only mid-march there are some winter golf deals still around, if you can find a course that has opened for the season. With winter golf you get some bad with the good. The good is that the course isn't nearly as busy as it will be in a couple more weeks and the golf is usually cheaper. The bad is that you can't use the tee boxes yet so yardage is always a bit off and there are some areas of the course that aren't up to form yet. Just means lots of soggy parts of the fairways. Make sure you bring a clean towel, you're going to need it to clean your clubs.

Now, both Josh and I were feeling good after our round at Little Harbor so of course we decided to add a challenge for this round. Josh would attempt to play the round while pretty hung-over and I broke my glasses right after I arrived at the course so I would play with my vision messed up (They didn't snap so much as the lense over one eye kept moving. I had an awesome migraine by the 5th hole). Whatever, I love a good challenge; let's get this thing rolling.

Before we even got to the first tee, we got a lesson in life. In my everyday life, something about me makes people want to tell me their life story. But, when I'm on the golf course this phenomenon manifests itself into people wanting to give me advice. As we waited for the group ahead of us to get to the green we started chatting with an older guy who didn't seem to want to play, just talk to us.
"Have you been playing long?" he asked us. Only about a year, we replied.
"But," I added, "That works cause we both stink so it's better to play with someone close to your own skill level."
"No, it's not," he replied. "I'm a 9 handicap (show-off) but when I play with bad golfers they bring me down. Also, you need to take lessons. Change your whole perspective. I couldn't self-teach myself and neither can you." OK, good to know. We're going to go play n-. "Plus you need to realise that you're not making the PGA Tour. (ummm, I knew that immediately) Then you can just relax and have fun." Sir, we're trying, but you keep delaying our start.

#1 I was expecting to hit a descent first shot, cause that seems to be my thing this year. Instead I shot my drive right and up against a massive tree. Awesome start for me. My second got me back into the fairway, but I topped my third before I could hack my way to the green. Now, the greens at Triggs are very, very fast. They have a lot of slant to them, but because they are so fast they don't break nearly as much as you expect them to. It only took us 4 putts apiece to figure this out. Yikes - it was going to be a long afternoon.

#2 My initial drive off the tee was better as it was straight, though not high. I thought I would get another 10-15 yards of roll, but the ball hit a wet patch of the fairway and it stopped right there. Now, with six sand traps on this hole you would think I was in danger of landing in one of them but I miraculously avoided them all. I could tell that the lense of my glasses constantly shifting was giving me issues by the large divots I was ending up with. Normally I'm pretty conscious about not taking out huge divots (probably why I top so many of my shots) but today I was moving huge chunks of ground with every strike. However, depth perception problems had no part of my crappy putting.

#3 Now, this was easily the longest course that I have played since my first foray back into golf at Newton Commonwealth last summer. As a result I needed to use my driver a lot, which is a club I don't usually have to use and therefore, I suck at it. Case in point; I teed the ball up nice and high and actually got too under it resulting in a sky high drive that went at most 30 yards. It went farther up than out. It also took me a couple minutes to find the ball, which is actually impressive considering how short it went. Meanwhile Josh was crushing the ball with his hybrid. Unfortunately his issues with chipping came back to get him as he got closer to the green. I didn't make solid contact until my third shot which skipped down the fairway and nestled in front of the green. A short pitch onto the green and more fun with putting ensued. These greens were really giving us trouble.

#4 Later in the season, Triggs grows tall grass in the low-laying areas of the course in an effort to make the course even more challenging. It's not there yet so for now the low laying areas are full of water, which is where Josh's first shot landed. The water wasn't deep, but it was surrounded by a ton of mud, so Josh just decided to leave it be and let the course claim the first lost ball of the day. My first shot had good distance but hooked at the end, hit the cart path and bounced away from the green. It took me two pitches to get onto the putting surface and after a very promising drive I had to settle for a very annoying 5.

#5 A short par 4 (less than 315 yards), that hooked to the right behind some trees about 40 yards front of the temporary tee box. I decided to be bold and try to go over the trees, because the shortest distance between two objects is a straight line. The longest distance between two objects happens if you hit a tree branch and the ball takes a sharp right into the wrong fairway. This concludes our science lesson for the round. I did have a nice sand save on this hole, but that was about the only saving grace here.

#6 You know, if you don't play well with your driver, then it's probably best to avoid a course as long as Triggs. My initial drive was a shot down the right side, but it curved up and around the sand trap, so at least I got some style points. After a nice solid shot down the center of the fairway, Josh's second took a hard turn into a mass of trees at the dogleg. I felt bad for the guy... apparently bad enough that I felt the need to hit my ball into the same mass of trees. I pulled out my rescue club and it, for once, actually rescued me. I managed to slice through the clump without hitting a single tree and my ball rolled up to within 20 feet of the green. A short pitch left me with a 30 footer to the hole. Despite thinking I had a good grasp on the speeds of the greens by now, my ball came up about 6 feet short. So much for that theory.

#7 Back to our wheelhouse, a nice par 3. As we surveyed it Josh began to list the factors that go into deciding which club to use. "Uphill and into some wind," he noted.
"Yes," I added. "And you're hungover. And my left eye won't stay in focus." (I just wanted to make sure all our excuses were out in the open.) Josh's initial drive was one of the better shots he would hit all day as he landed just short of the putting surface. Mine was more to the right, but after a worm burner I found myself with a short chip. On the green at three, I was content to putt for a bogey, while Josh had a chance at par. Unfortunately, we still just couldn't get the speed of the green's right and we both ended up with 5's.

#8 Coming off the green at #7 we ran into our friend from the first tee who had jumped in with the twosome behind us (guess us telling him how much we stunk scared him off). Apparently he didn't feel like going down hill on #6 and back up on #7, so he just skipped them. In the time it took the group ahead of us to get out of our driving range (OK, fine, our 'best case scenario' driving range) the others in his group finished #7 and came to the tee box on #8. I debated letting them play through, but there was another group on their heels, so it wouldn't have really mattered. Now, other than the obvious 'lack of talent', a main reason I don't think I would play well on the PGA Tour is the amount of people who watch you play. Under the watchful eye of these three I hit a pathetic tee shot down the right side of the fairway and my rescue club landed me in the sand. At least they weren't yelling tips at me from the tee box.

#9 Of course, because we had some time before the group caught up to us again, I crushed my best drive of the day; high and right down the middle of the fairway. I topped my second attempt, though, just to erase any good feelings I had built up. Josh, meanwhile, had shot over to the right, next to the same tree I was up against on #1. His second was impeded by hitting a good amount of roots, so it took him a third to get past me. We finally reached the green with hopes of salvaging the final hole of the day, but the greens continued to give us trouble. Short putts didn't break at all or ended up well passed the cup, and we were just happy to have survived the front 9.

Self Analysis
Bottom line, this course was just too long for my skill level at this time. I don't use my driver enough at the courses I usually play and therefore I'm not good with it, which makes a course with this many long par 4's more trouble than it's worth. Of course, I'm not going to get any better with my driver unless I play more of these longer courses, so it's a bit of the "chicken and the egg" syndrome. I need to put in some range time with my driver, but until I do I should stick to courses that are mostly 3's and 4's and not made up of more 4's and 5's.

Little Harbor, Take 2

After telling Josh about my golfing excursion a week or so ago, he was looking to the next time I was heading to Wareham so he could play his first round of the season at Little Harbor. We had originally planned to check out Fore Kicks in Foxboro to give their indoor driving ranges a try, but we were instead greeted with a sunny, 60 degree Friday in February. The ranges would have to wait, we were heading to Wareham.

We decided to try a new tactic and have a couple beers before we left. The way we play, it couldn't really hurt. We got to Little Harbor around 2:30 and found that in the winter that counts as twilight golf, so instead of the $9 I paid last week, we would be spending $7 for 9 holes. That's a friggin deal and half.

There were more people on the course than expected, which was a nice surprise. Guess having all the holes open and none closed due to excessive ice helps. Since I had played the back nine last week, we decided to start on the front 9 this time around.

#1 This was the only hole that I would be repeating. I learned my lesson coming up short with my pitching wedge last time and decided to go with a 9 iron. As it was last time, my first shot was the best I would hit all day, as it landed firmly on the green. Josh got even more distance and managed to find himself on the back of the green. After Josh putted close I lined up my putt. The greens were much softer and slower than last time, so I ended up having to put more power behind the putt. It was between 15-20 feet (I say 20, Josh says 15 - we'll split the difference at 17 feet). It had the slightest break before hitting the back of the cup and dropping in for my first birdie in.... ever. I showed off all of my 4 inch vertical jump and there was much excitement. Josh then finished off with a two-putt for a 5. We were off to a good start.

#2 After making our way across the road and through some sloshy parts of the cart path, we teed up on #2. My first shot landed to the right of the green on the cart path. Josh's went left behind a tree. On our second shots, I caught more path than ball and Josh couldn't chip over the tree. So much for that good start. Both of our second chip shots landed on the green, where we showed just how far our putting really hasn't come. Also, the cup was full of water. Welcome to winter golf in New England. I ended with a 5, Josh a 7.

#3 Josh's first shot put him again off to the left, but his chip attempt found the edge of a sand bunker. I returned to mid-season form, topping my drive weakly down the center. My second chip attempt managed to land me in the first fringe and I was content to putt from there. Waiting just off the green and to Josh's right, imagine my surprise when his ball shot 90 degrees to the right and smacked right into my bag. I kind of wish it hadn't been there, as I would have been amused to see where it ended up. Then again, if my bag hadn't been there it would have connected with my thigh, which probably wouldn't have been that funny (at least not to me). With the nice save from my golf bag Josh won his first hole of the day with a 6 to my 7.

#4 This hole reminded me of why it's best to play with someone of a similar skill level, as Josh and I landed our tee shots within 5 feet of each other. The green was a slope going downhill from left to right, but not steep enough for Josh to get the roll he was looking for as his chip landed at the top of the green. My chip skipped over the green and stopped just short of the cart path. I was getting very familiar with these paths. Two topped chip shots later got me back on the green. Meanwhile Josh had three putted for a 5, while I was looking at a downhill 10 footer to the cup. Expecting the greens to play slower, despite the incline I didn't give it much of a tap. I unexpectedly nailed it to save my 5.

#5 Josh brought out his go-to club for intermediate holes, his hybrid. I decided to go with my 3 wood. We were both rewarded for our choices as I got solid contact (if not height) and the ball ended up rolling within 30 feet of the green. After topping his drive, Josh bombed his second shot, which landed just short of the putting surface, but rolled up and over the green. Josh then tried chipping, which would be the weaker aspect of this game. He seems to get too much into them and thus goes up and over the cup. He then had to chip back onto the green while I only had to putt. Or, more accurately, two-putt. I recorded a 5 to his 7. This match was a barn burner.

Now, I would like to take a moment to pause here and talk about course etiquette:
As we were getting ready to tee off on #5, we could see that both players in the group behind us had reached the green in 1 on #4. Clearly, they were much better than us, so when we got to #6 we paused and offered to let them play through. They were grateful and both teed off with solid drives. As they were approaching the green another golfer came off of #5 alone. He came up to us and asked "Letting people play through?" in a tone that made it seem more a request, not a question. Now, I'm more than happy to let you play through if you're faster than us, but you really should wait until we offer it to you, don't expect it. Despite the tone, we figured he was by himself and would be quick, so we let him play through.

Now, if someone is nice enough to let you play through, you really shouldn't do what this guy did next. His first tee shot barely made it too the ladies tees (been there, buddy). He took out another ball and tee'd up a second shot, which traveled down the right side. Not great, but better. We assumed he would simply go and play the better shot. What he did instead was play both balls down the fairway (and badly). Josh and I stood there, incredulous. We just kept repeating back and forth to each other: "Wow, he's terrible" and "Is he really playing two balls?" The moral of this rant is, if you're crappy; don't demand to line jump and you shouldn't be playing two balls anyways.

#6 This hole was a cluster of bad drives, worse chipping and crappy putting. I don't even want to recap how bad we both were on this par 4's, except to mention that we both hit ricocheting tee shot off trees with our initial drives. Mine landed back in the fairway, close to the ladies' tee. Josh's almost came all the way back to him. That was the highlight of #6. I blame the extended pause.

#7 With that excuse used up I choose to blame the weather for my bad play on #7. When we started it was sunny out, but windy. By the time we reached this hole the sun had disappeared and the wind had picked up even more. I was colder today, when the thermometer read 55, than last time I played, when it was 38. This dogleg right was a pain in my ass. We continued our trend of Josh going left while I went right. This green was guarded by four large mounds, one on each corner. It took multiple chip shots for either of us to get onto the green where Josh salvaged a 6 and I ended up with a 7. My birdie on the opening hole was a distant memory.

#8 Back to a short par 3, which meant we could both go back to using irons; clubs we're both much better with. Josh's opening shot went right for a change, while I topped my shot down the middle, but got a decent roll in the fairway. Josh chipped over the green, but I was able to get on the green in one, giving me a chance for a par (a birdie and par in one round would have to be considered the round of my life). Josh had two long putts to come in with a 6. My par putt went right and past the pin. I would have been content with a four, only I lipped out the next putt... and the two footer (proving again that, when it comes to me, there is no such thing as a gimmie) for a very frustrating 6.

#9 The final hole was another par 3. We reversed roles for this hole, as my shot went down the left side and Josh's went right. I was standing with the bunker between me and the hole, while Josh was slightly farther from the pin, but had the better lie. Josh chipped over the green, while I was thinking too much about avoiding the bunker and came up short. Both of our second chip attempts landed us with long putts. Still having a tough time getting the speeds correct we both lipped out short putts and finished with a pair of 6's.

Final Scores:
Me: 50
Josh: 55

Self Analysis:
Other than my birdie on 1, I would say I only played marginally better than last time. I did manage to use the same golf ball and tee for the entire round, but I'll retire that ball now because of my first birdie. My putting is still solid, my iron play sporadic and my wood play continues to be my biggest area that needs work. As for Josh, for the first round of the season, I think he did well. I would say that short chip shots are the biggest thing he needs to work on. But, despite the miss hits yesterday, I think either of us would say that we're much better to start this season than we were at this time last year.

Little Harbor, Take 1

It was 38 degrees outside today with two inches of snow expected to fall overnight before changing to rain and getting pretty messy. Therefore, I could think of no better way to spend the day than going out for the first round of the season.

My brother recently got me the New England Golf Guide and while flipping through it I found out that Wareham's golf course, Little Harbor, is open year-round. My family has a summer place down in Wareham and I had intended to give the place a try later in the season. But, since I was working through a case of spring fever and was going to be down that area checking on the cottage anyhow, now seemed as good a time as any.

Little Harbor is a short course, featuring mostly pars 3s and two par 4s. Considering the time of year, it's in very good shape. The fairways are very well maintained, though the fringes were soggy due to all the melting snow we've had the last couple of days. Since I do most of my work on the fringes, I was glad I opted for the pull cart versus laying my bag on the ground between shots.

I under-armoured myself up, arrived and paid the special winter prices: $9 for 9 holes. The guy behind the counter informed me that there were only two other groups out on the course right now; two groups of three had just started. "So," he said, "I would start on 10. You can't play 11 because of too much ice. You can play 12 and then if you're ahead of the other groups you can play 4 and go from there. Front nine has a couple par 4s, the back is all 3s. Or, you can do whatever. Just play 9 holes and come back." Clearly the course etiquette is a little looser for winter golf. I'm already a fan of this place.

I decided to start on the back nine so that I could have some privacy, and I got it. I had the place virtually to myself for my round. Playing golf alone allows you to concentrate more on each shot - fewer distractions. Not to mention, you can see what it would feel like if you were rich enough to have your own course. Besides, I prefer to keep my audience to a minimum when I'm playing golf. You can keep your bad shots to yourself (until you write about them in a blog). The flipside is that no one is there to see your good shots. That wouldn't be much of a problem today.

#10 I attempted to get my tee in the ground, only to find it frozen after the first half-inch. This turns out to be a blessing in disguise because it allowed me to set the ball nice and high and get even more air into my drive. I connected for about 150 yards before it hooked and landed 50 feet from the pin, just off the green. As it would turn out, this would be the best shot I would hit all day. I should have quit while I was ahead. I topped my chip attempt (twice) and then three-putted for a 6.

#12 After skipping #11 due to the excessive ice on the fairway (editor's note: when the guy told me this in the clubhouse it didn't even phase me - I guess that makes me a "real" golfer now), I arrived on #12 to find it has a small stream running alongside on the right. Thinking too much about avoiding the water, I end up weakly dribbling my drive down the left. I debated teeing off again, since there was no one behind me, but instead I walked the 20 yards to where my ball landed and swung away.... only to watch my ball head across the fairway towards the hazard. It landed in the stream with a mighty splash, but on closer inspection it was only in about an inch of water. I fished it out and rebounded nicely, despite the penalty.

#13 There is an old adage that the first round of a golfer's season can be the best, because you've built up a reserve of good shots over the winter. That adage is bullshit. I topped my drive, my second shot, my chip attempt and then two-putted.

#14 At Little Harbor, the tee boxes for #5 and #14 happen to be next to one another. I arrived at #14 at the same time that one of the threesomes made up of the six other people crazy enough to golf in Massachusetts in February arrived at #5. Now, it's a little know fact that golfers passing on the course have to talk to each other, but are only allowed to speak in golf cliches. So we had the following conversation:

Me: Afternoon, gentlemen.
Guy #1: How's you're round going?
Guy #2: Leaving us any birdies for the back 9?
Me: Oh, more than I would like too, unfortunately.
Guy #3: That's alright. Early in the season.
Guy #1: Besides it's just nice being out.
Guy #3: A bad day golfing is better than a good day at work, right?
Me: True enough. Enjoy your round.

#15 This is a short (100 yard) downhill par three. I decided to play the pitching wedge, since I can usually get solid contact with it. For some reason I seem to hit every club the same distance; as a result, club selection is one of the weaker aspects of my game (falling just behind "actually playing." The solid parts of my game? Buying the first round and cart driving). This time, of course, I got too much loft with the club and came up short of the green, which was protected by three small bunkers. I figured it was just a matter of deciding which bunker I would be playing out of next. Miraculously I got over them and had a 20 footer for par. I had a hard time getting a read on the greens because some were colder and thus, faster, but this wasn't one of them - came up 2 feet short for a 4. As I was replacing the flag a large hawk, with the tail of something small and fuzzy hanging out of its mouth, buzzed my head. At least I'm having a better day than whatever this hawk was eating for lunch.

#16 After topping my drive for the.... every... consecutive hole, my luck from #15 ran out and on my second shot I landed in the bunker with a thud. The sand was a firm mud texture and so the ball didn't sink in. I wanted to hit the sand behind the ball and get some solid loft, but instead got direct contact for one of the few times in the day and watched my ball zoom out of the bunker, over the green and onto a service road. Definitely out of bounds, but I could see it and figured that I could still play it. After raking out the bunker, I approached to see a lady standing over my ball like a chicken over an egg. "Is this your ball?" she asked. "I just don't want my kids riding over it with their bikes." I'm not sure if her concern is for my ball placement or her kids' safety (how much damage could a golf ball do?) but I quickly fired my next shot back across the service road. Upon getting up on the green, I was confronted with a dilemma. My ball had landed 4 feet from an old pin that had not been filled in and 35 feet from the cup that had the flag in it. I could tap in for a short putt on what has already been a pretty bad hole, or go for the pin with the flag, which would be at least a two putt. Well, blame my parents for making me be a cub scout, but I went for the pin that had the flag... and three putted.

#17 This hole started off confusing, because the flag read #11. I guess this was what was supposed to be used instead of the iced-over fairway of the actual #11. Not that this was much better, as the tee box was a sheet of ice. I managed to find an area that I could get solid footing in, swung away... and have no idea what happened to my tee. I reached down to get it and it was gone - no trace. I mention this only because I was trying to get through the round with the same tee and ball. No such luck. This hole also featured two pins and again I went for the farther cup that featured the flag. At least on this hole I was rewarded by rolling a 30 foot putt to within a foot of the cup.

#18 Very good-looking hole with the clubhouse directly ahead of you. But, it also has a large wooded section on the right that my ball went screaming towards off the tee. I really think that my ball was trying to escape me at this point. As it hooked behind a clump of bushes, I was convinced I had see it for the last time. Miraculously, I found the ball (and about 4 others in the surrounding brush) and had a pretty descent lie to the green. All I had to do was not hit some branches about ten feet away and 15 feet up. Now, I couldn't hit these branches if I was aiming for them... so, of course, I connected perfectly with the thinnest one and my ball dropped like a stone.

#1 I had one hole to make up for skipping #11 and decided to go with the closest one, which also happened to be the shortest. My first shot was short, but I benefited from a nice roll on the fairway. As a result I had a short chip onto the green and was left with a 15 footer for par. Again, reading the speed of the greens was an issue and I came up three feet short. But, I sank that one for only my second 4 of the day.

Final Score: 54.
Self Analysis: I'm still topping all of my shots. If I could get solid contact I would probably have chopped 2 strokes off per hole. My putting is good, not great and my wood play needs some work. In other words - I'm in mid-season form.

No Thanks, But I'll Keep the Free Stuff

Haven't updated in a while, mostly because this is a blog about my attempt to become a better golfer and as it's winter in New England (go ahead, start singing if you must) I haven't had a chance to go golfing for a while now.

I did get some fun new golf toys over Christmas, including a practice putting green that I'm sure will make me a much better mini-golfer and a chipping net which I will use when it finally gets warmer and I've got some room to work. I also got six sleeves of Ram FX Soft golfballs, which I look forward to losing one by one.

But, before I can get back out on the links, I was getting the mail the other day and I recieved a very official looking letter from the USGA (United States Golf Association). They were letting me know that for the low, low price of $10 I could be a member. Now, to paraphrase Groucho Marx, I'm hesitant to join any club that would have me as a member. But, as further enticement I was given a free USGA sticker, notepad and the promise of a U.S. Open hat if I signed up.

What do you get for $10, you ask? A sample of some of the goodies:
The latest copy of "The Rules of Golf" This will come in handy to figure out just how many of them I break on average during a round.
Members' E-Newsletter with exclusive golf articles and more So, I'm paying to get put on a mailing list?
Volunteer Opportunites at USGA Championship Paying for the right to volunteer. There is something very wrong with that.

Also included are travel deals, discounts in the USGA Merchandise catalog and a bag tag, as if anyone would ever want to walk off with my clubs. You also get a membership card. I'm a sucker for a membership card.

Were I a better golfer then this is something that I would consider. But, given my short fuse when I repeatedly stink at something, there is a good chance that I'll have given up golf three or four times by August. Then I'm just out the $10. In the meantime I think that money would be better spent on lessons.