Discovered this game around 9 years ago and its been a struggle. While some of you probably did this when you were 11 years old or so, if feels like a significant accomplishment when one has been as terrible yet as addicted as I am.
If you don't care about the details and want the general "how it happened," there were two things that stand out in my mind as getting over the hump:
More detailed, I shot 79 at Country Place in Pearland. I played from the Blue tees, which typically play from 6350 - 6500 yards. Looking back on it, frankly it was a weird round that could have been anywhere from 83 to 75. I say that because there were a few bad shots that could have easily went OB or in the hazard, but I got favorable kicks and recovered from them. At the same time, there were at least 5-6 putts that easily could have dropped that were then tapped in for an extra stroke.
I shot even par for the first 7 holes, but double bogeyed 8 & 9 for a 40 on the front. Started the back with a double on a par 5, but then birdied the next hole and had birdie looks throughout most of the back but they didn't drop.
My goals for this year with my coach was to win my first tournament and break 80. Won my first one in in April and just cracked this, so of course the revised goals will consist of: shooting even par, breaking 70, and breaking 80 in a tournament. Going forward, I have to tighten up my putting and GIRs with more practice.
One more point - I had a personal deal with myself that I absolutely couldn't play Pebble Beach until I broke 80. Called up my wife and told her the vacation plans for this year are going to be significantly adjusted.
If you don't care about the details and want the general "how it happened," there were two things that stand out in my mind as getting over the hump:
- More GIR than typical combined with no 3 putts - specifically 8/18 (30 total putts - 13 on the front and 17 on the back).
- My home club is much more difficult than courses in the surrounding area (imo). After shooting 83 at my home course last week, I had somewhat of an inherent confidence that I could do it at a different course. So basically - conditioning.
More detailed, I shot 79 at Country Place in Pearland. I played from the Blue tees, which typically play from 6350 - 6500 yards. Looking back on it, frankly it was a weird round that could have been anywhere from 83 to 75. I say that because there were a few bad shots that could have easily went OB or in the hazard, but I got favorable kicks and recovered from them. At the same time, there were at least 5-6 putts that easily could have dropped that were then tapped in for an extra stroke.
I shot even par for the first 7 holes, but double bogeyed 8 & 9 for a 40 on the front. Started the back with a double on a par 5, but then birdied the next hole and had birdie looks throughout most of the back but they didn't drop.
My goals for this year with my coach was to win my first tournament and break 80. Won my first one in in April and just cracked this, so of course the revised goals will consist of: shooting even par, breaking 70, and breaking 80 in a tournament. Going forward, I have to tighten up my putting and GIRs with more practice.
One more point - I had a personal deal with myself that I absolutely couldn't play Pebble Beach until I broke 80. Called up my wife and told her the vacation plans for this year are going to be significantly adjusted.
