60* and intermittent rain. Played with regular group, Keith, Ben, Richie. First time out after winter snow melt. Still some snow on the course in spots. Course was wet. Ball didn't go very far today. Struggled with distance. We all did. Most drives stayed at their carry distance. Fatted a few irons where I might have gotten away with those same shots if it weren't quite so wet. For the most part, game wasn't too far off. Putting was tough. Greens were very hairy. I think I could have done better using a 7 iron instead of putter on the front nine. It was tough getting the ball to the hole. Really slow. We all had trouble. It's just not in our DNA to stroke putts that hard, considering the green speeds we play most of the season. These weren't just slow, they were like tar paper slow.
Birdied the par 3 13th after watching the other three guys all come up short with hybrids and a 3W off the tee. Normally the hole is about 175 from the whites. However, with the tees back and the hole back too, combined with the fact that there was a bit of wind in our faces and the hole plays about 10 yards longer anyway, because it's uphill, I decided to get creative. After watching them all come up short, I pulled driver, choked down an inch and hit it to about 18" for virtual tap-in bird. Shot of the day.
2nd best shot of the day was my pitch into the 16th after fatting my 7i approach. Had about 50 yards to the pin. Hit it exactly as planned, rolled to the hole and did a complete 360 around the lip, but stayed up, 2 inches away. Saved par anyway.
Had a tough time carrying my bag by the last few holes. I'm out of shape after the long hard winter. And I kept leaving my umbrella back at my last shot location. I must have walked back for it three different times. That was probably an extra 1/4 mile of bonus walking. Luckily there was no one behind us.
Didn't lose any balls or find any bunkers today. Kept the ball playable all day. A little rust, but could have been much worse. With the exception of the couple few fat iron shots, I'm satisfied. If the greens were a little faster, I think I would have had two or three more one putts. They were all right on line.
Time for a hot shower. I'm sore.
CeeBee says:A fine showing my friend. Driver on a par three? I've done that too. Many times.
4/4/15
bkuehn1952 says:Welcome back to northern golf. Acquitted yourself quite nicely for the first time out. I hear you about the "not in walking golf" shape. Somehow shoveling snow doesn't translate well into walking 18.
4/4/15
