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.