putter-on

Milestone

I finally played a full 18 holes, I don’t think I’ve ever done that. When I first played I was very young and I don’t imagine that I’d have the focus/energy to finish 18 holes… about four hours of golf. I have been worried and pretty nervous about doing a full round, but I no longer see why. Of course the first time is going to be bad! What was in my favor, however, was the fact that I go to the driving range and it’s not unusual for me to be there for quite some time. Some people go, hit a bucket an leave. others will get a large bucket, hit a few, sit back and smoke or watch others, and just make a relaxing day of it. Not me, no sir, I get a bucket or two, take three-ish practice swings per balls, spend time lining up, gripping and re-gripping, hitting the ball and wasting no time in between. It’s not rare that I get so into it that I’ll have to take a second to catch my breath. This is not to say that I rush things or that I’m overly aggressive. More accurately, I’m out of shape. I take great swings and don’t rest between like other golfers. Some days I’ll stay on the driving range for hours. I used to just stay until blisters formed and tore open. I have callouses so I can’t exactly stay until I blister. Now I stay until my hand muscles hurt so bad I am unsure whether I’ll be able to grip the steering wheel to drive home.

My round started off pretty terrible. I didn’t even see where my first shot went. On the first hole I was 4 over par. The next several holes were no better. I had a couple snowmen and I got as high as 9. I didn’t expect to do well, but I had hoped that my worst hole would be a 7. I putted pretty well but I just kept topping my drives. This is usually where I do the best. I don’t get tons of distance, but I usually hit my drives fairly consistently. Hole 9 left me at 59, and embarassing admission.

I set a goel for the back nine. Hole 10 was promising and I had no meltdowns. Somehow I kept my game where it should be. I had no massive expectations for this round, even my goal was pretty crappy. But I didn’t want to become discouraged by poor performance and bring down the group. What could be worse than having someone take things way too seriously? Besides, it was the first round… if I’m still doing this a few months from now it won’t be as understandable. I ended holes 10-18 fairly well. I had hoped for a 55 on the back nine. I figured that I had about 4 ridiculously terrible and careless shots so I just wanted to eliminate those. The second half found me without such shots though some were bad. None were comically terrible. :) Somehow I even managed to do pretty well on the hardest hole! I double bogeyed but that was because I chose to chip instead of putt. My other shots were pretty darn good!

I ended with a total of 110. This is pretty high, but I’m actually very optimistic about it. It was a long course and I wasn’t given much advantage from my tees. If I can creep to 100 by mid-February I’ll be very happy. 72 is a typical par for courses. My goal is to reach 90 by the end of the year. This is pretty ambitious, but I am out often enough to manage. I’ve been told that I have great mechanics, focus and dedication. There are plenty of flaws, but I do believe that I can break 90 in the next 12 months… as long as I stay as involved as I have. The hotdog guy, the one that suggested I join the women’s league, thinks I will be one of the best by the end of the league.

I love the support. Every employee and pro at my home course has been so wonderful. My mom bought lessons for me with a pro and everyone keeps nagging me to make my appointments because I’m doing so well and he can soften my edges. Tuesday is my first lesson. Then I will be going with some employees to play a round… one of which is a scratch golfer. He doesn’t seem judgmental or critical though, at least not of others.

Seven hours of golf and I’m still not ready to be done.