Ben_Howell34

1st time out in 1.5 months and it showed. Measly 89 with 5(!!) 3 putts. Can’t remember having more than 2 in a round before. Also topped my irons like 4 times. Good news is, I “still” shot 89 and drove it great. Only missed 3 fairways and 2 were on the edge. Distance was there too. Oh well, hopefully knocked the rust off for Pursell Farms tomorrow!!

Congrats @Rickp do you know what the prize is?

Congrats on a new PR! Funny how “boring” those rounds can feel sometimes, then you look and say “holy cow!” One thing I heard Hank Haney say once that’s stuck with me is “there are 3 rules to good golf: 1. No penalties 2. No two chips 3. No 3 putts.” If you think about it, if you can avoid those 3 things your ceiling is bogey golf (unless of course you hit shanks, which are basically penalties anyway).

You ever been to a big time SEC game? Atmosphere is unmatched. Go to Bama at LSU and see if it seems like a minor league game…

Had the best mint julep of my life at Bavette’s in Chicago.

Have always wondered this so I thought I’d ask the best and brightest… How do these courses get the average tour stop? Seems somewhat random locations have kept tour stops for years, for example this week’s John Deere Classic (I know it is a TPC course so probably a bad example). I am ignorant of the process and just curious if anyone knows. I live in Birmingham and the closest thing we have is the Champions Tour, but just doesn’t feel the same. We have a course that has hosted 2 PGAs and a US Women’s Open but seemingly no shot at an annual tour stop.

Congrats! A day we all dream about, or at least I do!

Went to the Star Wars cantina in Hollywood Studios this evening, got the Fuzzy Tauntaun, which is like a peach fuzzy naval but also makes your lips numb… Disney did a great job helping you feel immersed in the Star Wars universe.

This is a great question. My oldest daughter is 4 and likes putting my basement with my little “putting green” so I bought her a kid putter with a pink handle on Amazon for $33. My 2 year old has started playing with us too. I have take the older one twice to ride with a friend for 9 and she had fun but didn’t play. She has started to ask to go putt in the basement with me which is a sign she really likes it.

Headed to Disney with the kids for their first visit… happy is the right word.

Sipping on some rare neat tonight. Since I couldn’t hit the green in Missouri for one had to buy my own…

I can't decide if I want to tune in or not... can't decide if it is FOMO or actual interest. The format does seem TV friendly.

Amen on Azinger and Dottie Pepper loves saying 4 word phrases that are either captain obvious or irrelevant like “this putt is important”

Paid Bent Brook again today. Shot 42/43 for 85, which isn’t bad for me, but still feel like I’m leaving a lot to be desired, especially with long iron ball striking. Had 7 sand shots today which doesn't help. Only got up and down on 1 of those. Drove it great though hitting 9/14 fairways and 3 of the 5 misses were basically 1st cut. Putted ok but missed a lot on the low side, couldn’t get the line right but had the speed most of the day. Got to walk today and played a few holes in some light rain, which was actually fun and cooled things off in the Alabama heat.

I have the same irons, got them in April. Love them so far, hope you enjoy them!

Payne’s Valley Buffalo Ridge Ozarks National Old Waverly Farmlinks Fallen Oak Ledges CC Greystone CC (Legacy) Kiva Dunes Old Edwards Inn

Went to the range today, hit low irons/wedges great but on the high irons/driver cutting across it a lot more than I’d like. Want to engrain that draw as my go to shot, especially with driver, to get more distance.

Played yesterday at Bent Brook in Birmingham with some high school buddies. Shot 43-44 for an 87, no birdies 3 doubles… drove pretty well and struck it decent enough that I should’ve been low 80s but had some mental errors. 2 3 putts, a couple of “getting too cute” shots and a blade wedge into the water to end up doubling one of the easiest holes on the course. Played the par 3’s well and par 5’s bad which is the opposite of the setup here, par 5’s are gettable and 3’s are tough. Missed an easy par save putt after a brilliant sand shot too. On the bright side I chipped very well, had a couple of tough up and downs I put within 2 feet for easy pars. Ever since my chipping lesson late last year I love having a wedge in my hand. Way more freeing and just makes golf more fun honestly.

Didn’t get first but felt pretty good as I had both guys in the playoff… RTR

Only one way to celebrate JT’s 2nd Wanamaker, a home made sazerac. Roll Tide!!

These Vokey wedges look awesome!

@Mtbryant01 16 at Ozarks might be the toughest hole I’ve ever played. Got a good old triple ha.

If possible, I try and get 30 minutes of warm up time. I have to hit quite a few driver swings to get going plus of course wedges and irons. And of course I want to putt for a few minutes to feel good about the speed. But of course I just want to play golf so if I have to come into the course on two wheels to get the round in that’s what I’ll do.

Fun read!

He forgot to mention he won it in a closest to the pin contest at Payne’s Valley!