What a difference when the weather is nice. 65 degrees. Short sleeve shirts, now, two days in a row.
Ball went nearly normal distance in the warmer temps, with the exception of a few drives into softer fairways. They carried well, but stopped within a yard of landing. Still quite soft fairways, though no longer cart path only. Played with Will. 2nd time this week and 4th time this month. Don't think I played with him more than once or twice all last year.
Probably my best ballstriking round of 2020 so far. No bad iron shots whatsoever. Driving very good overall. Chipping very good, putting very good.
Will remarked at how well I hit my driver these days, compared to when we used to play a lot together a few years back. He used to be about even with me distance-wise, and at times even outdrove me from the same tees. Now, I play from the blue tees, he plays from the white tees and yet, I'm still 30 yards past him in the fairway at times. Even further ahead of him when the blue and white tees are closer to each other. He commented today about my much longer distance off the tee than he remembers a few years back. (I was having some driving issues back then.)
At another point today, when we were both about the same yardage out in the fairway, he hit his 9i approach and came up a good 12-15 yards short. Then I hit my shot and nearly landed it in the cup. The pitch mark was literally 6 inches short of the pin. It bounced forward a foot or so, then spun back to 4 feet below the hole. Will says, "Nice shot. Did you hit 8 iron?", figuring he was short with his 9 iron. I replied, "Nope. Pitching wedge!" I don't think he realized how much further I hit my irons than he does either. Sorry Will. Was that a little cocky? Maybe.
Made a bunch of birdies today. Started off on the first with a great drive, great approach and 12 foot double breaker putt for the first bird. Got off on the right foot and just kept playing well. However, on the 2nd, hooked into hazard area off the tee. Penalty. Dropped and then due to being on the steep bank with the ball way above my feet, came up a little short of the green. Chipped it close and saved bogey after staring double in the face. Kept me on track for a damn good day.
Only disappointments, other than penalty on 2nd, was a drive I pushed right (not sliced) on par 5 9th, which left me with tree branches in the way of my second shot. Almost got through the small opening in the branches, but caught a small one, which knocked the ball speed way down, leaving me with no realistic chance to go for the green in regulation. So, I layed up with PW, then hit 54* on, but 2-putted for bogey. Then on the par 5 13th, drove it into left fairway bunker. Hit 5i out, but a touch fat, leaving me still 178 out. With light wind hurting, I over-swung a 4-iron and yanked it into the large left greenside bunker, at least 30 yards from the hole. Got out in one, to just off fringe, chipped on for 5th, and saved bogey with 5 footer. So, it was a good bogey save, but I was still pissed at the two bunker landings and the pulled 4i.
With that pulled 4i still fresh in my head, I made sure NOT to pull 4i off the tee on 17th. Hole measured at 189y. Hit a perfect 4i to 1 yard past. Birdie.
Note: Borrowed Andrew's (club pro) 62.08 M-Grind SM7 wedge to try out. Absolutely loved it. Actually only used it for one shot that counted today, but tested it out on many instances all over the course from various lies, after I had already hit my real shot. Love the easy little mini flops I was able to hit with it. I can see it working well on so many short-sided shots, among other type pitches. I think I may put one in my bag for certain conditions. I'll just have to figure out which long club to remove to make room.
I'm thinking the new 21* 818H2 hybrid I just ordered to platoon with my 4i, could solve the problem. I'd planned to play it set at 22*, instead of my 4i, when the rough is up. However, I could also use it set at 20*, then replace both my 4i and my 19* hybrid on the days I want to play the 62.08M. I have options. I like it.
Happy day for me. Lowest score of the winter. Even beat my new World Handicap index of 4.8, with a course handicap of 6 from the blue tees. Of course, it was an out-of-season round, so, means nothing.
