Today's Score: 73
Here's how to take a pretty standard -1 under par round and turn it into a +2 over (73). You begin by bogeying the first hole because you've focused so much on where not to hit it that you end up hitting it there anyways. There being right of the pin in the rough with no green to work with. For the record, I did hit a really good putt to save par but it lipped out. Next, on possibly the widest fairway of the entire golf course with enough room left to fit Tiger Stadium, you go ahead and hit it right. You'll notice there are a few trees to your right as well as some pretty thick rough...not the place you want to be for your second shot. Any decent drive in the fairway would leave nothing more than a 75 yard flip wedge, but right means you've got to hit a 9-iron under, over and around a series of trees. There's bogey number 2. After giving yourself a pep-talk that would only be considered appropriate for your conscience to hear, the next two holes surrender back-to-back birdies and things seem to be returning to normal. So why on the last hole of the first side do you decide to 3-putt from 17ft? Oh that's right, you've got to throw away some strokes otherwise you might shoot under par.
On to the back nine. Two solid wedge shots (nothing fancy) end up 15ft from the hole on #1 and #2, but both birdie attempts just miss. From #3 to #8, you might have a good up-and-down, pose on a couple wedges only to end up 15ft past the flag and miss a few more good looks at birdie. But, that's just the way my story goes....maybe your version is a little different. Basically, 8 straight pars on the back side and now your teeing off the last hole stuck at +1 over par. Another short hole is #9, out-of-bounds right, trees to the left. If you're like me, you'll hit the 2-iron to play somewhat safe. It takes away the chances of going OB and will leave less than 150yards for the second shot. I pulled my tee shot ever so slightly into the left rough, punch hacked a 9-iron that landed and rolled over the green, and then failed to get up-and-down. That's how I made my bogey, but I'm sure there are many other ways.
So there it is. What could of been a routine -1 or -2 under par round turned into +2 over par without breaking a sweat. Simply put, I've got to find a way to just clean up my rounds. I'm throwing too many strokes away too often. Tomorrow my goal is to stay aggressive throughout the round. I still find myself struggling to just "let it go" so to speak and swing freely. Hopefully I can dial in my wedges a little better as well and make a few birdies that way. I still feel like this course offers a lot of opportunities to make birdies so I've just got to take advantage when I get my chances. My tee time tomorrow is 8:00 off #1.
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