Muse back!
May 02, 2008 / Friday
I Lowered My Score!
After six weeks of golf lessons and range practice, I finally got a chance to try out my new skills on the course. I headed back to Las Positas with a coworker at lunch today. This is where I last played before starting the lessons. Did the lessons lower my score? Yes. By how much? One point.
Um, yeah. One point. But it was a much different round than last time. Instead of tumbling the ball down the fairway, I actually got good lift on the ball a decent number of times. So what did me in, then?
1. Brain overload. I have so many points and tips to keep straight in my head now that it's hard to remember to do it all. This unfortunately resulted in my lifting during the swing, hitting the top of the ball, and watching it tumble forward a few feet. Now repeat that a bunch of times. What a waste of strokes!
2. Not enough focus. Boy, does that do a number on putting.
3. Actually being able to lift the ball. While that's much prettier than tumbling the ball down the fairway, it also means that if I hit the ball too hard or aim it wrong it lands way out of position. Also, I'm realizing that I'm more prone to losing balls now that I can knock them every which way. I'd better go buy a pack of cheapies. I can't tell the difference between those and more quality balls yet anyhow.
It wasn't all bad, though. After all, I *did* lower my score; 59 is 2x par minus THREE! That's a new low. Also, for the first time, I finished every hole in under 10 shots. Hey, it's all about the small victories.
I quite enjoyed being out on a course after so many weeks of range practice. There's a lot more to think about given the layout and hazards. On the 8th hole there was a steep sand trap in front of the green, and after much debate I actually selected the right club to clear the bunker, land on the green, and remain in place after landing. *petselfonhead*
Speaking of clubs, I totally dig the new 7-wood. It launches balls straight and high. Best $20 7-wood ever! I didn't have a chance to play much with the 9-wood; I'll have to spend some time at the range to get a better feel for how much distance I get with them.
Used the sand wedge once; got out on the first try. Nice job, pretty bronze club!
The Instructor Grip is now my default grip, and as she'd suggested, it eliminated the wicked slice I'd started to develop. Aside from one minor slice off the tee and a 5-iron hooked fairway shot onto adjacent airport grounds, everything flew nice and straight. That is, if you factor out aiming deficiencies and inability to launch.
I'm totally going for a 58 next time. ;)