Chasing the Right Par

So here is the confusion.

Golf holes are set up so that we can reach greens in regulation. For par 3s, we should be able to get on in one, par 4s in 2 and par 5s in three.

Now look at the so called men's tee or white tees. Some of the par 3s are 200 yards, par 4s 400 yards and par 5s 500 or more yards.

Let's add another information into the equation. I play a lot as a single in public courses. I seldom see players who play with me at the white tees who can drive 200 or more yards. Over the years, my swing speed stayed the same at 70 mph. My best tee shot is 180 yards.

If you consider all the above factors, it is very clear why the golfers handicap did not change over the years. Also, the number of golfers stay the same.

Today, I played the forward tee or red tee. It took a lot of self talk to gather up enough courage to do that. But deep inside, I know that is the right tee to play. I can reach the greens in regulation. The par in my home course is 35, I shot 41.

Golf Gods were Smiling

It is Saturday.
I got to UNM North just in time to join Pat and Les.

Hole 1 Par 4 367 yards
Driver to left side of the fairway
4H to right rough
pitch next to green
putt to hole
second putt in
5 bogey

Hole 2 Par 3 140 yards
5H to right side below the hole
2 putt
3 par

Hole 3 Par 4 330 yards
Driver to the slope
4H to ground under repair in front of green
drop back
pitch into green
2 putt
5 bogey

Hole 4 Par 4 400 yards
Driver to left side of the fairway
4H to 80 yards short of the green
PW to rough behind green
chip up
2 putt
6 double bogey

Hole 5 Par 4 382 yards
Driver to right side of the fairway
4H to 50 yards short of the green
pitch
2 putt
5 bogey

Hole 6 Par 4 393 yards
Driver to left side of the fairway
4H to 80 yards
PW to rough behind green
54 degree chip in!
4 par

Hole 7 Par 4 330 yards
Driver to left side of the fairway
5H to rough behind green
9I chip
one putt
4 par

Hole 8 Par 3 168 yards
driver to rough left back of the green
60 degree chip in!
2 birdie!!!

Hole 9 Par 505 yards
driver to left side of the fairway
4H to right rough
7I to right rough 100 yards to the green
8I to rough behind green
60 degree chip
one putt
6 bogey

score 41!!!
putts 11
fairways hit 7/7 100%
chip in 2
GIR 1
birdie 1
par 3

Thank you Shawn Clement for making my shots consistent!

I am back!

I did not give up my chase for par.
I deviated to triathlon in the last few years.
Here is the good news and the bad news.
Bad news, I tore my left medial meniscus of my knee last year.
It took 9 months to heal.
Two months ago, I tore my left rotator cuff.
So, I am done with endurance sports.
Now the good news, I am back to golf!

What's new?
My goal this year is to improve my driving and sand shots.
I bought a used Callaway draw driver.
Hopefully that will help.
I found a nice tip for driving.
Focus on a spot 5 inches behind the ball, that helps with the upward swing!

Stay tuned.

See It, feel It, Trust It.

I am now changing my putting stroke.
I have been applying Stan Utley's method.
It is interesting how things in the universe collide.
Stan Utley is a student of David Cook.
Today, my playing partner wanted to recommend a book to me after we played 9 holes.
He recommends Stan Utley's "The Art of Scoring"!
I have that book.
Actually, I have three of his books.
The Art of the Swing.
The Art of Scoring.
The Art of Putting.
My favorite club now is my 5 and 6 hybrid.
I am thinking of buying a 4 hybrid.
By the way,
I got my new toy yesterday.
Bushnell Tour V2 rangefinder!

A New Game

I recently bought the book by David Cook,
Golf's Sacred Journey
Seven Days at the Links of Utopia.
What I learned was the following:
See it, feel it, trust it!
I thought of using it today but was hesitant,
until I tried on the putting green where I instantly drained a long putt.
It also worked with my chip.
So, I decided to change my pre-shot routine and incorporate it.
I pick my target,
see my ususal fade.
I make a practice swing and say: feel it.
I then say: now trust it,
step into position,
one last glance at the target and let go!
I shot a 43 and a 41 with a total of 84.
It is my best, consider that I seldom play 18 holes.
Also, consider that I played 18 holes at Desert Greens yesterday.
My handicap dropped to 19!

Broke Record

Today,
I broke my own course record at UNM North.
I shot 41!
My previous lowest score was 44.
The course for now is par 35.
They converted the first hole into a par 4.
So technically I am 6 over par.
I had a double at hole #1.
I parred the par 3's and the two short par 4's.
I had four bogeys, the three long par 4's and the solo par 5.
It was a hot afternoon after work.
I was not expecting anything, just hope to get a few pars to add to my collection.
The course was not busy.
I played by myself.
Lessons learned:
1. Putting, putting, putting!
2. Approach is very important. If I get it right, I have a chance to one putt for par in those long par 4's and the par 5.
3. Consistency. The lessons paid off. I did not increase my distance but hit the shots solidly.
Hope is in the horizon!

(my approach to hole #6)

Lggs

Lggs stands for latest great golf shot. I post that in my facebook. We all have good shots and bad shots. Why not remember the good ones? I went to the driving range yesterday. My 12 degree driver was working great! Today, I gave it a new grip.