My golf game

[EastonBlues22]

There's been a severe weather alert in Ames all day, so I didn't risk a round a round this morning. I did, however, head over to the practice area for the first time this year before it turned nasty. I couldn't be more pleased with how things went. My swing and thoughts have been getting progressively more technical over the years, and while my understanding of the swing has grown it hasn't translated well into consistency or even to scoring. I was always a feel player in hockey, and I wanted to get back to that sort of simplicity in my golf game. To that end, I simplified my setup, swing mechanics, and swing thoughts a great deal...and the early returns were worth the wait. My ball striking today after nine months off was as good (or better) than it was at any point last year. The biggest downer was my distance control on pitches...where the hell did that go???

If things dry up at any point this weekend, I'll get in my first round on the year. Next weekend is the family tournament. Lots of golfing goodness in the near future, so needless to say I'm stoked.

As a random aside, I'm a big believer that you can learn a lot about a person's personality by watching them play a round of golf. More than any other sport, golf reveals the inner workings of a person as they face test after test with only themselves to rely on, and only themselves to hold accountable for each end result. It's just one of the many reasons why the game holds such a strong appeal to me.

[Sutter'sBeard]

Richie sounds like he's got some game (and sounds like he plays some tough courses). I'm typically a high 70's low 80's guy, but more 80's this year since I'm barely playing. I think my lowest round ever is a 72.

Shoot a round like that and you don't remember what your best score was? I can claim a cheater 74. Played 27 holes and took the my 2nd front nine. The way I look at it was that it was 18 straight holes. I did have one round where I was 1 under through 15 holes when I ran out of light and the sprinklers turned on.

[cardinalkarp]

Richie sounds like he's got some game (and sounds like he plays some tough courses). I'm typically a high 70's low 80's guy, but more 80's this year since I'm barely playing. I think my lowest round ever is a 72.

Shoot a round like that and you don't remember what your best score was? I can claim a cheater 74. Played 27 holes and took the my 2nd front nine. The way I look at it was that it was 18 straight holes. I did have one round where I was 1 under through 15 holes when I ran out of light and the sprinklers turned on.

I've had a few right in that range. I've had a couple 73's and 74's. But like I said I believe my lowest is 72.

[Sutter'sBeard]

I played in a four man scramble this weekend and completly wasted what would've been a sub-80 round (probably low-70's). On one hole, they had one of those guys who plays on the long-drive tour and charges you $5 a drive to hit for you. Don't get me wrong, he crushed the ball, but only about 40 yards farther than me. It took him 5 drives to put one near the fairway.

[EastonBlues22]

First round of the year this afternoon, and it's rave worthy (for me, anyway). My home course still has flooding damage so I played a 9 hole muni twice. Shot a 41 on the "front" and a 37 on the "back." Granted, it's a par 68 at only 4600 yards but it was the first time I ever played it and the course/greens weren't exactly in great shape. I probably would have shot mid-low 80s on a decent full length course. Highlight of the day was over-driving a 254 yard par 4 green...twice. Lipped out a couple of birdie putts along the way, but still ended up with pretty decent round (8/14 fairways hit, 7 GIR, 33 putts, only double bogey was my second hole)...well worth the wait in my opinion.

[Sutter'sBeard]

Shot 99 yesterday. One little stroke away from quitting forever. Put 7 balls in the woods.

[stlouie_lipp]

Shot 99 yesterday. One little stroke away from quitting forever. Put 7 balls in the woods.

Ouch!

[stlouie_lipp]

82 today while striking the ball for [expletive].

I have a new putting philosophy that is saving me a lot of strokes and seems to be serving me well though.

[cardsfansince82]

I strained/tore a muscle in my rib cage (probably very similar to what happened to Carp) and haven't been able to swing a club in over a month. I'm finally feeling better and itching to get back out there. Maybe I'll hit the course this week sometime.

[Richie Allen]

Can't wait to get out this year but I want to take it really slow so I don't do anything to my back. Last year was the most enjoyable year of golf I can ever remember but the one nagging thing toward the end of the year was some discomfort in my lower back. I may limit myself to nothing but short irons and real leisurely swings for the first few days, making sure I quit long before I normally would.