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.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, July 6, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
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.
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.
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