USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
It was the final medal of the year on Saturday. Since posting a half decent score in the last medal, a net 69 (par 70), and getting cut down from 11.3 to 10.7, I figured a half decent score would see me down to 10 for the winter. I have never been off 10 before, so no pressure then. I went to the range a couple of times during the week, and then played a little warm up game on Friday afternoon. This went ok, and I was hitting my driver miles.
So to the big day. An early start (aided by a text from a mate at 6.19 about Sundays 12.30 tee time - thanks mate) saw me at the course early. A toasted bacon and egg, a bit of a warm up in the nets, some putting, chipping, the usual stuff. Every thing feeling good, ready for the big one.
Waiting by the first tee we get bumped up a slot, as the next group were going to be late, and it seemed churlish to make them go out one short, when he was only in the car park. Great, I have been here 2 hours, and now I am rushing. Being off the lowest h/cap in our group, it's me to tee off first. Cue weak slice, about 170 yards. Luckily missing the fairway bunkers. A fat 8i sees me short of the green, and a chip on that nearly sank got me an opening par.
Next tee, same weak slice, fat hybrid, chip and two putts, bogey. 3rd, weak slice, massive low sliced 5w, fat 8i to bunker. First bunker shot is thinned into the face of the bunker. Can't work out why until I look at my wedge. Big chunk out of the bottom of it. Great. Next bunker shot is a golf shot, one putt for a bogey 5.
Skanked a hybrid into the 4th par 3, two putts, par. Low weak sliced drive on 5, fat sliced hybrid, poor chip, 2 putt bogey. Skied hybrid on 6, poor chip, 2 putt bogey.
What is going on? I can't hit a barn door with a banjo. So much for preparation.
Knife my drive on 7, fat 4i, up and down for par from 50 yards. Big carve into the trees on 8, miracle 9i out from under tree to green, 2 putts, par. Hooked wedge to par 3 9th, 2 putts, par.
I have reached the turn 4 over, having had possibly my worse round for ball striking ever.
Continuing in this form, I drop shots on 10, 12, 13 and 14, with my only decent strike being a provisional drive down 13, which I didn't need. My 5w for safety off the tee on 10 being a particular low, as I only nudged it 20 yards forwards.
Suddenly, from nowhere, I find the ON switch. Solid birdie 3 on 15, good par3 on 16, par 4 with great up and down on 17, and solid birdie down the last, with an up and down from 100 yards.
6 over par. Job done. Just waiting to see what SS is, to see if I am down to 9.7 or 9.9. Also be nice to know if I won, as a bit of sweep would come in handy (see below).
Stable ford in two weeks time. Any chance of single figures? I might just need to get the ball airborne a bit more though.
Stats for the round:
FW = 4
GIR = 7
Putts = 29
Bunker saves = 1/2
Up and downs = 5
The only real positive I can take from this round was a steely determination to grind out a decent score, regardless of the quality of my ball striking.
As an aside, I also bought another new pair of shoes. My 7th pair. Patent red toe caps and heel with navy patent top over white uppers. Made by Church, who I never knew made golf shoes. £50. The cheapest golf shoes I have ever bought. Not going to break them out til next summer though. Too nice for wading through the clag.
So to the big day. An early start (aided by a text from a mate at 6.19 about Sundays 12.30 tee time - thanks mate) saw me at the course early. A toasted bacon and egg, a bit of a warm up in the nets, some putting, chipping, the usual stuff. Every thing feeling good, ready for the big one.
Waiting by the first tee we get bumped up a slot, as the next group were going to be late, and it seemed churlish to make them go out one short, when he was only in the car park. Great, I have been here 2 hours, and now I am rushing. Being off the lowest h/cap in our group, it's me to tee off first. Cue weak slice, about 170 yards. Luckily missing the fairway bunkers. A fat 8i sees me short of the green, and a chip on that nearly sank got me an opening par.
Next tee, same weak slice, fat hybrid, chip and two putts, bogey. 3rd, weak slice, massive low sliced 5w, fat 8i to bunker. First bunker shot is thinned into the face of the bunker. Can't work out why until I look at my wedge. Big chunk out of the bottom of it. Great. Next bunker shot is a golf shot, one putt for a bogey 5.
Skanked a hybrid into the 4th par 3, two putts, par. Low weak sliced drive on 5, fat sliced hybrid, poor chip, 2 putt bogey. Skied hybrid on 6, poor chip, 2 putt bogey.
What is going on? I can't hit a barn door with a banjo. So much for preparation.
Knife my drive on 7, fat 4i, up and down for par from 50 yards. Big carve into the trees on 8, miracle 9i out from under tree to green, 2 putts, par. Hooked wedge to par 3 9th, 2 putts, par.
I have reached the turn 4 over, having had possibly my worse round for ball striking ever.
Continuing in this form, I drop shots on 10, 12, 13 and 14, with my only decent strike being a provisional drive down 13, which I didn't need. My 5w for safety off the tee on 10 being a particular low, as I only nudged it 20 yards forwards.
Suddenly, from nowhere, I find the ON switch. Solid birdie 3 on 15, good par3 on 16, par 4 with great up and down on 17, and solid birdie down the last, with an up and down from 100 yards.
6 over par. Job done. Just waiting to see what SS is, to see if I am down to 9.7 or 9.9. Also be nice to know if I won, as a bit of sweep would come in handy (see below).
Stable ford in two weeks time. Any chance of single figures? I might just need to get the ball airborne a bit more though.
Stats for the round:
FW = 4
GIR = 7
Putts = 29
Bunker saves = 1/2
Up and downs = 5
The only real positive I can take from this round was a steely determination to grind out a decent score, regardless of the quality of my ball striking.
As an aside, I also bought another new pair of shoes. My 7th pair. Patent red toe caps and heel with navy patent top over white uppers. Made by Church, who I never knew made golf shoes. £50. The cheapest golf shoes I have ever bought. Not going to break them out til next summer though. Too nice for wading through the clag.
