Actually played 18, but the first nine I was just practicing various shots, not really tracking. The conditions are really bad right now, so didn't plan to play a formal round. However, once I went par-birdie on the first two back holes, decided to play the back as a nine-hole round, playing only one ball and tracking it.
Another cold, muddy day. After messing around with my swing on the front, trying some different ideas, I put my regular game into play on the back. Drove it very well, hit irons well, chipped and putted even better. Only one poor shot on 16th after pushed drive right. Ended up 200 yards out with a downhill, extreme ball-below-the-feet lie. No business trying to hit a 3W there, but it was cart path only and I didn't have the proper iron with me---only a 3W and 19* hybrid. I had a hill in front of me to get over as well, to add insult to injury. I was not walking back the 100 yards to the cart to get a different club, so just wailed away, comfortable in whatever result I might get. It wasn't a good one. Couldn't get any height from that downhill lie and caught the top of the hill ahead. Total travel was maybe 60 yards. Then came up short with a toed 7 iron from the rough. Made an excellent flop over the hazard in front and sunk the putt for a good up and down bogey. Felt like I saved par.
On the par 3 17th, pin was 180. I tried the new 4 hybrid assuming I would barely reach in the cold conditions. I hit it nearly 200 yards, into the very back portion of the left bunker. Have to figure out how to stop going left with that club. (Actually, with both hybrids.)
Considering there is virtually no roll on these muddy soft fairways and the cold dense air is limiting flight (not to mention regular windy conditions), I am still reaching greens without too many problems. And, my iron distances are solid. Can't wait until things dry out and 20+ yards of roll comes back off the tee. I'll feel like a young stud again.
