Played with Will. From the blue tees. Didn't hit it poorly. But driver was giving me some minor trouble over the first 3 or 4 holes. And for whatever reason, all day, I seemed to end up with a lot of uneven and/or buried lies in rough, requiring extra effort.
Got off on the wrong foot with a double on 1st. Had a 9 iron approach to pin. Unfortunately, I inadvertently grabbed my PW and made a great shot. I could not believe it came up short until I went to put the club back in my bag and saw my 9 iron still in it! That kind of set me off. Took me a while to calm down, especially after I exacerbated the pissed off attitude on the 2nd, where I had another 9 iron approach. Was actually between 9i and 8i. I didn't want to be long so I jumped into 9i and yanked it left of the green and down the side bank. Bogey. Shit!
Went through the first four holes without a GIR or a par. Then on 5th, made birdie from the bunker 100 yards out with a 50 degree wedge shot to 3 feet. That changed my attitude a little. I started to slow down a bit and pay attention more. Still didn't score that well, but played much better the rest of the way.
I enjoy playing with Will, but he plays at 100 mph. Just steps up and hits. No analysis, no swing thoughts, he just swings. Doesn't spend time reading putts either. I had to not let that rush me, remembering I play MUCH faster than the average player and am always ready even though I am methodical. The first few holes I felt like I was rushing because subconsciously, I felt he was waiting on me. I needed time to adjust, same as last week when we played Musket Ridge together. I'm more comfortable playing with him after this, our third or fourth round together.
