Format: Medal
Venue: [Home course]
Score: 75
Handicap mark: 3.8
Themes in reply: Balm
Hi Colin,
Here’s a summary of Saturdays round.
As mentioned, it was a 36-hole weekend medal but I only played the first 18 as I had to go to Dorset on the Sunday.
Weather was ok with a slight South Westerly wind (into and slightly across on the 1st).
1st – Poor 3 iron into the right rough followed by a 4 iron to the right hand side of the green. Difficult chip over a bank and down to the hole. My chipping has been ok so I was confident of getting it close. Unfortunately I shanked it! But onto the green still this side of the bank. Hit a good putt to 3’ below the hole and sunk it for a bogey 5.
2nd – Good drive down the right hand side (which is good). On a downslope so hit a very good low 5 iron which rolled up 6’ passed the hole. 2 putts for a par 4
3rd – Very poor drive, low and left which got caught up in the left hand side rough on a bank. No alternative but to hit a wedge out down the fairway about 60 yds short of the green. Hit a good approach about 10’ passed the hole and holed a very good fast curly putt for a bogey 4.
4th – With the wind now. Hit my little 6 wood but pulled it left of the green. Chipped up long and 2 putts for a bogey 4
5th – Good drive followed by 52 degree wedge passed the hole. Good approach putt and finished it off for a birdie 4.
6th – 6 wood a bit left (to keep it short of the fairway bunkers) followed by a very good 9 iron and 2 putts for a par 4
7th – Bad wedge, trying to hit it right and let the wind bring it back. It stayed right and ended up in the front right hand side bunker. Very difficult to get it close as the shot is across a bank to the hole. Hit a beauty to 3’ and holed for a par 3.
8th – Poor drive, left and if the gorse hadn’t been cut down I would have lost the ball. Found it and hit a wedge down the fairway. Then hit the 52 to about 5’ and holed for a birdie 4. Back to level par and not playing that well.
9th – We stopped at the halfway hut for a soup and a cup of tea. Hit the next drive left into the s**t and lost the ball. Hit the provisional to the right hand side of the fairway leaving about 90 yds into the flag. Poor 52 to the right. Chipped up and missed the putt on the temp green so a 7.
10th – Drive to the right, 52 at the flag but short. Putted up the band dead so a par 4
11th – Good 7 iron straight at the flag. Hard bounce and it went through the green. Chipped bat to 4’ but slightly pushed the putt so a bogey 4
12th – Best drive of the day followed by an ok 3 wood to the left hand side of the green. Putted up to 3’ but pushed the putt again and settled for a par 5.
13th – Drive right and short. Hit a really good 3 iron but it kicked into the left hand side bunker. Got it out to 6’ and just missed the putt – bogey 5.
14th – Really good 7 iron slightly left of the green. I was expecting the wind to bring it back but it didn’t and so it missed the green on the left. Tricky shot up and over a steep bank. Could have putted it, or bumped a 7 iron into the bank. Chose to chip it and conscious of the fact that I had to give it enough to get it on the green hit it a bit long. Missed the putt so bogey 4.
15th – Good drive into the wind leaving 190yds to the flag. Hit the little wood but pulled it left. Almost impossible chip over a bunker with the wind onto a downslope (Augusta?). So I chipped it round the bunker and onto the green and just missed the 6’ putt for another bogey.
16th – Poor 3 wood leaving another 3 wood into the green. Better strike but it went into the right hand side bunker. Ok bunker shot and holed the putt for a par 4
17th – Good drive slightly left. On the second shot I could have played to the right hand side of the green and looked to chip and putt but I chose to go straight at the pin. This entailed carrying a bunker which is 25yds short of the green. Hit a lovely 4 iron all over the flag but it needed another yard and caught the bunker. Up against the face I managed to get it to the edge of the green and 2 putts for a par 5
18th – Ok drive and 8 iron to the left hand side of the green. 2 putts for a par 4
So, 79 gross, net 75. Handicap up .1 to 3.8. I felt that I didn’t play particularly well and the score reflected that. I was pleased with my putting except on 11 and 12. However, it was much better than at Radyr on Thursday. My driving was particularly poor. Hopefully I’ll see you on Sunday – I’ll give you a ring later today or tomorrow
Thanks,
John
Dear John,
1st – I think you need to copy out your commentary on this hole and put it somewhere on your bag because it is an excellent example of your putting saving your score at the beginning of the round after some indifferent approach play that included a shank. If ever you needed proof that there is absolutely nothing wrong with your putting, AND that you have immense ability to overcome a disastrous shot.
7th – We have talked about playing with the wind before. Your commentary seems to confirm my impression that well timed shots fly straight. I think gusts are difficult, and down- and up-wind are obvious. But steady cross wind is probably less of an issue than is considered generally. This is quite a number of very good chips recently: interesting.
8th – More fantastic golf. I’m convinced that in general you are playing better than your handicap and that you just need one good round to convince yourself that you are better than you currently consider.
14th – Interesting analysis of the 7-iron chip. You write: “conscious of the fact that I had to give it enough to get it on the green hit it a bit long.” It is fascinating that you can remember having this conscious thought some 5 days later! It just goes to show how powerful they are psychologically.
15th – Having a distinct choice of shots and then pulling off the one chosen is a strong sign that you are playing well.
16th – Up and down to save par – my goodness!
17th – Brilliant
Nett 75 is fine. I think you actually scrambled brilliantly. This was a two round competition and your scrambling would have given you something to play for on the second day. That is good golf..
Regards,
Colin
