How'd you play?

[chisag 17,618]

... I have been fighting a nasty case of tendonitis in my right elbow and have not played for 10 days. Getting X-Rays Monday but picked up a brace and decided to try and play 18 today because I am going stir crazy. I noticed swinging the driver was by far the worst for pain and imagine the extension is the culprit. So I played today with no woods in the bag and teed off with a 2 iron. 430 yds with watered fairways is a rough combo and I had to get up and down quite a few times. But really only 4 holes were problems with 220-230 yds to the flag because again hitting into uphill and wet fairways were all carry with no roll. Really put a premium on wedge and putter play. 

... After no golf for 10 days I missed one makable birdie putt from 7 feet and another from 8 feet but made several par saving putts from 10-15 feet. It was an interesting "experiment" although honestly I was just happy to play 18 with minimal pain. 16 pars and 2 bogies and of course I have shot worse using a driver. I should add I was in 2 green side bunkers and took my ball out and chipped as hitting out of hard sand is just too painful. After 10 days off when I am used to playing 5 and sometimes 6 days a week I was sharper mentally as I was not taking the round for granted. Something to remember for future rounds. The 3 high index friends I played with all took turns hitting my UDi 2 iron off the tee on 18 and it was pretty entertaining. None were in play which is not surprising since 5 iron is the longest iron in their bags. Felt great to get out in 80* weather and walk 18 holes!

[toehold57 1,062]

Yet another day in the 60’s here, although it was the low 60’s.  Why would that matter?  Because I rushed out of the house and didn’t pick up my quarter zip and I wore shorts today.  Chilled all day.

Add in that the back & left wrist were stiff and sore and it doesn’t make for most fun round in the world.  But it still beats being at work!  Can I get a Amen?

Back at Patty Jewitt again, third week in a row.  Surprised I came away with an 82, it felt worse than that.

 

[CarlH 7,944]

Finally able to get back out to play after weeks of packing and moving and then unpacking.  Played our new home course, Diamante Country Club in Hot Springs Village, AR.  Did not handle my wedges worth a flip and putting on unfamiliar greens left much to be desired, but did walk away with an 85.  Not within my expectations for my handicap but, to be fair, I haven't played much in the last 2 months and my back has been barking as a result of the moving.  But, I'm playing again, have met up with some good folks, and have signed up to join 3 groups so far (Wed, Fri, Sat.  During the off season, the course does 11 am shotgun starts and the men (as well as the ladies) have groups set up where you sign up if you want to play or not rather than forming your own foursome (which you can also do if you chose to do so).

It's a really nice course, with undulating terrain.  The Bermuda fairways are dormant currently, but the greens are fast and true.   The signature "Los Tres Diablos" holes (13,14, &15) is quite a test of 3 par 4 holes that require a good drive and an accurate second shot with a mid iron to the greens.  #18 is a great finishing par 5 hole and I have a great view of the tee boxes and fairway from our deck.  Life is good!

[fixyurdivot 16,548]

1 hour ago, CarlH said:

Finally able to get back out to play after weeks of packing and moving and then unpacking.  Played our new home course, Diamante Country Club in Hot Springs Village, AR.  Did not handle my wedges worth a flip and putting on unfamiliar greens left much to be desired, but did walk away with an 85.  Not within my expectations for my handicap but, to be fair, I haven't played much in the last 2 months and my back has been barking as a result of the moving.  But, I'm playing again, have met up with some good folks, and have signed up to join 3 groups so far (Wed, Fri, Sat.  During the off season, the course does 11 am shotgun starts and the men (as well as the ladies) have groups set up where you sign up if you want to play or not rather than forming your own foursome (which you can also do if you chose to do so).

It's a really nice course, with undulating terrain.  The Bermuda fairways are dormant currently, but the greens are fast and true.   The signature "Los Tres Diablos" holes (13,14, &15) is quite a test of 3 par 4 holes that require a good drive and an accurate second shot with a mid iron to the greens.  #18 is a great finishing par 5 hole and I have a great view of the tee boxes and fairway from our deck.  Life is good!

Glad to hear the move and restart went well for you Carl.  Your still on the hook however for the 2022 PNW Meet-up - so you might as well start working on that kitchen pass now. 

[Kenny B 32,382]

3 hours ago, CarlH said:

Finally able to get back out to play after weeks of packing and moving and then unpacking.  Played our new home course, Diamante Country Club in Hot Springs Village, AR.  Did not handle my wedges worth a flip and putting on unfamiliar greens left much to be desired, but did walk away with an 85.  Not within my expectations for my handicap but, to be fair, I haven't played much in the last 2 months and my back has been barking as a result of the moving.  But, I'm playing again, have met up with some good folks, and have signed up to join 3 groups so far (Wed, Fri, Sat.  During the off season, the course does 11 am shotgun starts and the men (as well as the ladies) have groups set up where you sign up if you want to play or not rather than forming your own foursome (which you can also do if you chose to do so).

It's a really nice course, with undulating terrain.  The Bermuda fairways are dormant currently, but the greens are fast and true.   The signature "Los Tres Diablos" holes (13,14, &15) is quite a test of 3 par 4 holes that require a good drive and an accurate second shot with a mid iron to the greens.  #18 is a great finishing par 5 hole and I have a great view of the tee boxes and fairway from our deck.  Life is good!

Pictures please!

[fixyurdivot 16,548]

14 hours ago, chisag said:

... I have been fighting a nasty case of tendonitis in my right elbow and have not played for 10 days.

Kind of odd for this to flare up all of a sudden... have you been doing some other activity that might be responsible?  My forearm compression brace/wrap worked wonders even prior to my getting the composite iron shafts.  I'm not sure I need it anymore (probably just placebo at this point), but it feels strange playing without it and I don't want to go through that annoying pain. 

[Rickp 28,521]

3 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

Kind of odd for this to flare up all of a sudden... have you been doing some other activity that might be responsible?  My forearm compression brace/wrap worked wonders even prior to my getting the composite iron shafts.  I'm not sure I need it anymore (probably just placebo at this point), but it feels strange playing without it and I don't want to go through that annoying pain. 

I’m living with the elbow pain and doing the exercises.  The lack of feeling in 2 fingers is annoying but not painful. 
Orthopedic Doc said to eliminate all of this is surgery, nope not right now.  New knee first on list.

[chisag 17,618]

3 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

Kind of odd for this to flare up all of a sudden... have you been doing some other activity that might be responsible?  My forearm compression brace/wrap worked wonders even prior to my getting the composite iron shafts.  I'm not sure I need it anymore (probably just placebo at this point), but it feels strange playing without it and I don't want to go through that annoying pain. 

 

... Anything is possible. One of the problems with aging is a minor injury you pay little attention to can turn into something worse. Playing through pain was the way all athletes born in the 50/60's were raised and that might have been somewhat OK in my 20's but many of us know by experience it doesn't work once you get past 50. So it is possible I aggravated it in some way and then daily golf made it worse. It was hurting but manageable and then it seemed like one round too many increased the pain exponentially and I walked off after 11 holes, then took the 10 day break. 

[fixyurdivot 16,548]

@MmmmmmBuddydid you ever imagine this?

[Kenny B 32,382]

5 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

@MmmmmmBuddydid you ever imagine this?

@Rickp and I have done our part!  

[fozcycle 15,075]

47/45:92 today with terrific weather, 50* at tee time warmed up to 71*.  Still not playin* well but could not putt today.

[Kenny B 32,382]

I joined the Ladies group when they made the turn and walked the back nine with my wife's group which only had 3 players.  It's the easier nine holes to walk, and I was tired and sore... mostly from being old!

I am still playing my MacGregor VIP 1025M irons and hitting them well.  Shot 38 (+3) on a chilly 41º day.  I had left my 7i in my hitting bay, and I only needed to use it twice... both on par 3's!!!  Took a little off my 6i once and hit an 8i stinger on the other; GIR and par on both.

[fixyurdivot 16,548]

41/42 at Mesa Del Sol yesterday.  This should have absolutely been another sub 80 round but I managed to blow it.  Putting for birdie on #9 from ~7 feet and walked away with a bogie .  I had two other great chances for birdie on the front and neither dropped.  Then, on #12, 4 putted .  Granted, it was a really long putt just off the opposite side of the green, across the two tiers, and a sloped pin placement - but I was hacked at myself for missing so bad and opted to step in quickly and finish rather than mark and let the fire burn down .

But, on the plus side, I won 3/4 KP's and 13/18 wolf's... netting $3.30!

 

[CarlH 7,944]

Played again yesterday and I gotta say that it's going to take some effort to retrain my short game to accommodate for the zoysia grass and tight lies at this course.  Gave me fits again.  Horrible round of 90, mostly due to shots inside 100 yards and narrowly missing putts on unfamiliar greens.  Great bunch of guys that I've met so far, though!  

[DStar 1,299]

2 rounds this weekend with the new to me MP54's. 37 points both days with a couple of no-scores but 21 front 9 on Friday & 21 back 9 on Saturday and hit 7/8 par 3's over the 2 days. 

Certainly liking the new sticks at the moment as they just seem a bit easier to hit than the MP32's but still feel fantastic  

 

[Rickp 28,521]

Exec 9 this morning, 55*, little foggy & no wind.  Shot a 4 over, no birds.  
It was like walking wounded with all of my 4some having some ailment or at least waiting on scheduled replacements.

[Paul Hedrick 405]

I played yesterday at one of my locals.  I played... meh....  I just could not get my head in the game.  I was distracted with work and other assorted things going on.  I just hate when that happens.  I find it much like when you wake at 2 or 3 in the morning and cannot turn your mind off to go back to sleep.

[Tom the Golf Nut 7,742]

53 minutes ago, Paul Hedrick said:

I played yesterday at one of my locals.  I played... meh....  I just could not get my head in the game.  I was distracted with work and other assorted things going on.  I just hate when that happens.  

I always had that problem in the company golf league. Run out the door from work, throw on some shorts and race to the first tee. No warm up and your mind is still solving work problems. Then to top it off your playing with people from work and conversations always somehow get back to work. It usually didn't make for a good round of golf. 

[MrBandit 1,039]

Played in my first 2 Day Major for the US AM Tour down in the La Canetera Course, Palmer ( soon to be taken down to build house, shame its such a great course) and the Resort Course, in San Antonio, TX.
First day I was able to play to a solid 82 considering that I shank a 9 iron into the woods on the par 3 to take a 7, my only other in the score card and a improvable chip in on 18th. 
Second day with a 4 stroke lead was cruising along to start the round, when the weather change to 30-40mphs winds and cold winds. Then it was survival for everyone to make it to the club house in one piece. 

Game was ok, not spectacular but decent and didn't crumble under pressure of competition. 

Came out a victorious at the end , first day lead was huge and help to preserve the lead while I was leaking a little oil coming into the finish line.

 

[Syks7 929]

Got a chance to play Braemar CC yesterday (West 9/ US Open 9) via a charity scramble for an organization I'm on the board of. 

Played with one buddy I play with regularly (9.5 index) and two random Architectural services reps we got paired with.  (Guessing 25+?).  It was a very good time and we carded a totally honest 68 together on a 70.3/130 course that none of us had seen before.  We got a little help from the other guys (gave them the first crack at the short birdies, because who doesn't like holing those out) but for the most part I think it was my buddy and I that put it together.  We didn't win because charity scramble   (63...)   .   Not as egregious of a scramble score as I've seen but also not believable unless Brad Faxon was putting.  We also didn't use any of the purchase mulligans, though we did donate to purchase an eagle, which we then actually eagled via play.  Downhill Part 5 --  my drive to 220, my buddies 3 iron to 12 ft, and my putt.   

Play wise:

Off the tee:  I was inconsistent with driver, three wood, and hybrid.  The course is narrow, hilly, and technical and it was feast or famine.  Some of that is being highly aggressive one we had one in play but some of it is also just mishits.  I did manage to hit two of  the best intentional draws I've ever attempted: one with a 5 iron on a short uphill dogleg par 4 with a hill blocking any chance of cutting the corner and one with Driver on a severely sloping left to right fairway on a long par 4.  I was much better with my irons hitting 3 of the shots we used on the 4 par 3s.  

Long Irons:  Great off the tee, not as good off the fairway.  Not bad, but not as good as I would have liked.

Short Irons:  Stellar.  We probably used my 8 iron to 54 shots 75% of the time yesterday.  I was just dialed and seemed to also be able to shape at will to get it close on very difficult greens.  

Short wedges:  Pretty good but I only need to hit a short chip 3 or 4 times yesterday as we only had 3 bogies.  I did manage to get a lot of them pretty close though.

Putting:  I had an excellent day putting the highlights of which were a 41'-10" (We measured for closes to the pin) right to left uphill to downhill putt for birdie, the 12 footer for eagle, several long lags that helped us save par, and a couple more birdie putts.  I felt confident with it all day. I wish muni's could get closer to that speed it's so much easier to putt well when you're confident that the ball will stay on the line you putt it on without having to take a full swing.  

I know it was a charity scramble but I felt like my buddy and I would have carded decent rounds even if we'd been playing solo.  It was a blast and a great way to spend my 39th birthday.  

One of the widest fairways of the day...

My approach

The Tee that I sponsored

My buddy Rory and I after finishing our last hole.

Edited December 7, 2021 by Syks7