I have arrived!

Jun 26, 2007 @ 01:40 pm by chris
I dragged my sorry ass out to Willow Valley in Hamilton on Saturday morning.  I had heard good things about the course and was happy to finally get out and play it.  I really enjoyed the course, awesome condition and great layout…and it had some of the fastest greens I had ever played on.  
I have shot some decent rounds this year so far, especially considering where my game was last year so I thought this would be a sign of how my game was.  I was well rested and focused.  If I shot well then perhaps most of what Jon had taught me last year was sinking in, if not, it may be time to let the poor guy off the hook.
As you can tell by the title of this post, I shot well.  I put up a solid 90, where as last year on a course like this I would have been around 105.  I played very well, had a bunch of pars and very make able birdie putts.  I also missed 3 putts from less than 3 feet (once again, very fast greens), and on the 10th hole I hit a great tee shot down a tight fairway and was sitting 90 yards out.  My next shot went 15 feet into water…chalk up a triple bogey!!  Subtract the water shot and 1 or 2 putts and I am sitting sub-90!  I’ll take it!
I am off to Ottawa this weekend for Canada Day where I hope to squeeze in 3 rounds…but there will be a lot of friends there and even more beer.  Could make for some interesting golf!

How I did this Year

Oct 16, 2006 @ 02:34 pm by chris

I sat down with Jon a few weeks ago to review my progress for the year.  Needless to say, I was more than a little worried.  My scoring really hasn’t changed that much even though I am much more in control of my swing. 

In my mind I have failed miserably this year.  I was expecting after a few lessons to be consistantly scoring in the low to mid eighties.  This never happened.  I feel great but there are a hundred different things going on in my head at all times.  Perhaps I did too much too soon?  I think I also needed to heed Jon’s advice about a good pre-shot routine - Envisioning what I will do and how I will do it, then just stepping up to the ball and making it happen…clearing all thoughts out of my mind.  This will be something I work on this off-season.

On the other hand, Jon feels I did well.  He said my swing and approach to the game is night and day.  I understand the swing and fundmentals and it will eventually come together.  I can’t have possibly expected to shave 30 strokes off my game in a single season.  Basically he feels I should throw away scoring this year.  Just keep focusing on what we learned and keep practicing…next year will be about scoring.

With that, I am not ready to write the season off just yet…I am hoping to get in 1-2 more rounds and acheive my goal of breaking 90!

The Last 3 Rounds

Sep 04, 2006 @ 10:32 pm by chris
I have been busy away from golf, and perhaps a little lazy as well so I haven’t updated my last few rounds…so here it goes.

I am really feeling great these days.  The last 3 rounds have been some of the best golf I have played this year.  I am really striking the ball well and have added 10-15 yards of distance on my irons and my driver is consistant.  I am driving it about 230 yards right now.  I know I can get more out of it but I am holding back a little bit to work on my control.  I am also working with a 12 degree driver which is just too lofted for me.

Where I am really struggling is my short game.  Inside of 50 yards I am just not putting the ball close.  Hell, from inside 15 yards I am just not stiffing the ball close.  The golf analyzer, Shot by Shot is telling me I am average 17 foot putts after each chip!  This is a joke, according to Shot by Shot I should be closer to 12 feet in order to get my handicap down to 14.  I have a lesson with Jon this week where I will be working on this!

My last 3 rounds weren’t my best scores but I haven’t felt better after playing these courses.  I had a few blow-up holes in various places but overall I felt good.

Whistle Bear -  This is possibly the best course I have played this season.  It has hosted many championships and I can see why.  I scored a 104 but it may have been the best 104 I have ever shot.  This was one tough course and if you rolled a foot off the fairway, you are sitting in 3 feet of rough.  Overall I played well and ended up taking 7 penalty strokes due to balls just rolling into the rough.  On any other course I would have been in great shape.

Lowville - A decent 99.  This is not a good score but as soon as we completed the 1st hole, it started raining.  It wasn’t raining hard but it was a steady drizzle.  It started after the first hole and didn’t stop until I had walked through my front door.  The fairways were soaked so I wasn’t getting any roll on my drives (which kills me) and putting was pretty tough. 

Eagles Nest - This was my best round of the year!  I have scored better in the past but a 94 from the Gold Tees was a good round for me.  Everything was consistant, although I was hitting my drives a little too high.  I was pleased with my long irons, I was hitting them well which was promising.  I did however struggle with the short game once again.  My chipping was really off and I had to rely on my putter to bail me out a bunch of times. 

Again, I am feeling great these days but really need to work on chipping to save me more strokes.  The season is winding down so I need to focus if I am going to crack 90! 

Golf, Golf, Golf

Aug 01, 2006 @ 10:38 pm by chris
I wasn’t sure I was going to make it out more than once this past week but I managed to get out 3 times in 4 days which was fantastic.  Tuesday afternoon I received a call from Rob, the GM over at Maples of Ballantrae informing me that he had a 5:15 tee time available Wednesday evening.  I made my way out there with a buddy and somehow we managed to get in all 18 holes before it got too dark.  The speed of play at Maples is usually pretty good and today was no exception.  There was one group of yahoos who were behind us and I am not sure they have ever played golf before.  They were playing from the back tees and never hit a shot anywhere near a fairway or green.

On this day I was driving the ball well but still doffing a few fairway shots.  Not sure what is going on in my head but during my downswing, I have started blinking a lot which takes my concentration off the ball and results in me topping it.  I also noticed my putting was a little off (which was a bad sign of things to come).
In all I shot a 50 on the front but managed to fix things up with a 43 on the back including another birdie on a Par 5.

Friday I am working when I get a call in the morning that a buddy and his 2 friends are looking for a 4th to join then at Eagles Nest.  It is no secret that I love this course so I bear down and start working my butt off so I can meet them for the 3:15 tee time.  I didn’t have shorts with me…even though I wrote that you should always keep spare golf clothes in the car.  So I went to 5 different stores looking for good but cheap shorts.  Turns out stores are already busting out their fall lines.  What the f*ck is that?  I ended up buying a $70 pair at Golftown (cheapest they had).  Anyway, the round was good and I had a great time.  Managed to get out with a 96 which included multiple 3 putts and many short misses.  The putting game is really going south

Saturday is more of a fun day out.  8 of us head out to Carlisle for a round of golf, jokes and good times. That being said, we also want to shoot well because after round drinks are on the line.  The driver was going straight all day, not long but around 220-230 which was enough to give me chances to make some GIR.  I shot a 51 on the front but closed with a nice 43 on the back including another birdie on a Par 5…I am starting to like these Par 5s.  Now for the problem…my putting KILLED me.   

I had 5 3-putts.  I missed everything from 5-7ft and even missed a 2footer.  The guys in my group were really letting me have it and making me putt out 1footers just to get to me…and it worked…I wasn’t even sure I would sink those.  I couldn’t believe how bad I was and how uncomfortable I felt.  I need to spend some time working on this.  The bright side is that I could have shaved at least 5 strokes with some good putts which would have put me sub 90. 

I need a drink!

First Ever Eagle

Jul 21, 2006 @ 10:39 pm by chris

A few weeks back while at Maples of Ballantrae, I came 12 inches from my first Eagle.  On a par 5 from about 100 yards out, I stiffed a wedge that almost went in for an eagle.  I tapped in a birdie which I was very proud of.  Well, somehow I managed to up that this past weekend.
I was out at an executive course on Saturday.  It wasn’t exactly an executive since it measured 5,000 yards but it was well shy of a full course.  We only managed to get in 9 holes before the skies opened up on us but in those 9 holes I managed my first ever Eagle!
As you all know, I have been struggling with my driver all season…well struggling might be an extreme understatement…but the last week I seem it have figured it out at the range.  I was anxious to try out my new found knowledge at the course.  The 4th hole was a Par 5 so I busted out the driver.  The hole played 450 yards and was fairly straight.  I didn’t catch all of the driver but still bounced the ball down the middle about 230 yards.  Based on my previous inability to drive the ball, I was ecstatic. 
I had a very nice lie and no trouble around the green so I decided to take out my 5 wood and see what I could do.  I caught the ball very cleaned and it sailed directly at the pin, landed a few feet shy of the green and rolled up near the pin.  From where I was, I knew it was a good shot and I had an Eagle putt but I had no idea how close I was.  Once again, I was ecstatic. 
As we drove closer and closer to the green, the ball seemed to be getting closer and closer to the pin.  I eventually hopped out of the cart only to see my ball nestled 12 inches from the pin, a nice tap in Eagle!  I have been walking around with a smile on my face for 2 days now.  I guess this means next week I will be walking away with an Albatross.
I’ll keep you posted

Back to Eagles Nest

Jul 05, 2006 @ 11:06 pm by chris

I venture back to one of my favorite courses, Eagles Nest.  My last round I shot a respectable 101 especially considering it was back on May 1st.  Needless to say I am looking for big things. 

The round starts very well on the first hole.  I hammer a nice drive over some fairway bunkers on the left which is the ideal shot.  This is a Par 5 dog-leg left so with a little roll, I should be about 225 away from the pin.  I arrive where my ball should be and it is nowhere to be found!  After 5 minutes (no one was behind us), I gave up and took and angry drop.  I ended up draining a 25ft putt to save bogey in the end.  Damn hard way to start a round.  The problem is that I wasn’t able to shake that loose from my memory and I take a nice 8 on the Par 4 2nd hole…followed by consecutive 7s!  I did bear down and manage to shoot a decent back 9 from there, all things considered.  I walk off the 9th with a 53.

The back goes much better.  I put the driver away and hit 5 wood off the tees.  It hurts my approach shots but saves me losing balls.  I end up with 2 pars, 2 bogies and 5 doubles for a 48.  Not a bad back 9 considering I usually blow up.

I am feeling good and looking forward to getting back out there!

May 28 – Eagles Nest
Score – 101
White Tees - 6326   

Michigan Golf - Part 2

Jul 04, 2006 @ 11:06 pm by chris

We leave Burlington Friday after Hidden Lake and arrive in Michigan that night.  After a quick bite to eat and a few watered down American beers, we head to the hotel for a good nights sleep.

Saturday Morning – May 20th 2006
We start the day bright and early with a round at Greystone Golf Club.  It is a great course.  Something I loved about this course and something I found about all the courses we played was that all the greens were fast but consistant.  I loved the way they played and my putting reflected that.  I was comfortable over every single putt I hit.
The story with this round as with all the rounds of the weekend…drive were short but my short-game saved me.
Greystone
Blue Tees – 6435
Final Score - 101
Saturday Afternoon – May 20th, 2006
This is only the second time I will have played more than 18 in a day so I am looking forward to it.  I am a little tired but after a quick bite, I am ready to tackle The Orchards Golf Club!  Well, long story short…turns out I may have been a little more tired than I thought.  My entire game was a disaster and in hindsight, I should have seen this coming.  In my past rounds I have noticed I score worse on the back 9.  Since this is the back 18, I should have known it was going to be ugly.  I will spare you the nasty details but I took five 8s, three 9s and a 10 in what was the worst round I have EVER played.  Lets chalk this up to a mulligan.
The Orchards Golf Club
Blue Tees – 6487 Yards
Final Score – 129 (yeah that is in smaller type and is hard to read but I don’t care)
Sunday Morning – May 21st, 2006
Shepherds Hollow is our next stop after my previous days debacle.  Turns out I am back on track and finish the day with a 101 which included taking an 8 and a 9 during the round.  As usual, a little more distance off the tee and I would be shooting much better.  As an aside, I loved this course.  The layout was great and I found it pretty challenging without being too tough to enjoy.
Shepperds Hollow
Black Tees – 6848
Final Score – 101
Monday Morning – May 22nd, 2006
Our final stop is Westwynd.  By this time my body feels great and I really feel like I am in a groove.  My biggest issue is the mental game.  By this time all of us are having a great time and not really focused on golf.  We have been having a few drinks, telling jokes and basically golf was secondary to our good time.  This was all fine with me as this was the purpose of the trip.  I shot a very average 107 on this day.
Westwynd
Blue Tees – 6463
Final Score - 107

Michigan Golf - Part 1

Jun 28, 2006 @ 11:05 pm by chris

I have never said I wasn’t lazy but this time it just plain slipped my mind.  Last month I took off to Michigan with a few buddies for a golf weekend and I was supposed to blog my scores so here we go.  Before I get to it let me just say that we played 5 rounds in 4 days and I birdied the first hole of the weekend.  I just wish that was a sign of things to come.
Day 1 – May 19th 2006
We were waiting around to leave for Michigan when one of my friends gets stuck at work so I call up the John Cormier, the fine GM of Hidden Lake Golf Club and book a round while we wait to leave for Michigan.  I have never been on the course but he invited us over to check it out.  Hidden Lake has a driving range and two courses.  After hitting a few balls, we find ourselves on the new course.  As an aside Toronto Life wrote a fantastic review of the course and gave it 4 stars!  Read the review HERE.The first hole is a Par 5.  I have a decent drive followed by a nice 5 wood leaving me just a sand wedge out.  I don’t take the wind into account and hit it over the pin onto the back fringe leaving myself a 35 foot putt.Having Having   Having just had my putting lesson with Jon, I feel pretty good and calmly step up and drain the putt for a birdie!
The rest of the round is pretty decent.  I finish the front in 49.  Back 9 I struggled a bit and finished with a 55 for a total of 104.
Highlight of the Round: Hitting a moving truck!  I swear I did this and I have 3 witnesses!  I can’t remember which hole it was but the tee shot runs parallel to a road.  I smack my driver and it goes straight up and left.  The ball hangs in the air forever and we can see a truck driving towards us and you could tell it was going to be close.  After what seems like an eternity it comes down and smacks right on the cab of the truck.  The truck driver looks a little startled but then just keeps going.  It was well worth the penalty stroke!
Hidden Lake – New Course
Blue Tees – 6325
Final Score – 104

Thundering Waters

Jun 27, 2006 @ 11:04 pm by chris

Thundering Waters Golf Club just might be Ontario’s best kept secret.  I managed to get out and play this fine course last Saturday and have been talking about it ever since.  What I can’t believe is how few people know about it.  Thundering Waters in John Daly’s first signature course and is located minutes from the Falls in Niagara.  The course just opened last season…you may remember John was in town trying to hit a golf ball across Niagara Falls to promote the grand opening.  Perhaps the event overshadowed the opening of the course but I really believe it won’t be long until people are traveling to Niagara just to see this track.Standing at the first tee, the starter walks over to the cart and proceeds to tell us all about the course.  There is a lot to cover so it takes a good 10 minutes.  The carts also come equipped with a great GPS system (we are also able to follow the UP Open results right on the GPS).  The most important point the starter has to make is that the course is not what we might expect.  He goes on to tell us that despite John being a grip it and rip it kind of a guy, this is not that type of a course.  Club selection and course management is vital to shoot well.  Many holes will tempt you but in all cases, the risk is way more than the reward…but being the idiot I am, I usually went for the glory and ended up in a ton of trouble.

The other important comment made by the starter is that you MUST be accurate.  Treacherous rough and long fescue are all over the course.  The course can also play long.  The best part is that there is a level behind the Black Tees which are aptly names the Daly Tees which play 7,208!!  This includes his signature hole, the number 2 - 637 par 5 (from the Daly Tees).  You don’t have to play his tees but I do suggest you stand at the tees just to see how long this hole is.

How did I do?  Not so well.  I got destroyed by the rough and I played with ZERO course management.

Best Round so Far

Jun 20, 2006 @ 11:04 pm by chris

Last Wednesday I got out to Maples of Ballantrae for the first time this season.  General Manager Rob Schmidt is a fantastic guy and is a great partner of Golflogic.  I called him up and asked if I could come out for a twilight round.  He had a tournament going on but said I could be the first guy out around 6pm and would basically have the course to myself.  I tee’d off at 6:10 and finished all 18 holes by 8:30.  That is right, I played the entire round in John Daly like speed.  It was amazing!  I played by myself, had a cart and had no one else on the course.  It was the most enjoyable round I have ever had.  I notice that by playing alone I am able to get into a nice rhythm and play a lot more consistent.
I shot a 97 which was my best of the year.  Looking back at the round I was amazed that nothing really stood out.  My putting was average as was my chipping, irons and fairway woods.  And the good old driver was also hanging in there for me.  I was hitting pretty straight and getting it out around 220 yards.  So in all, it was a pretty plain round…but I loved it.
The course was in good shape and I was surprised how long it played.  From the Blue Tees it played almost 6,700 yards which is about as long as I can go these days.  The front 9 was very challenging with a lot of water and trouble on the course.  Course management is essential.  The back 9 is a lot more open and really makes you want to head out and hit the crap out of the ball…the problem with that is there is a lot more room for error with that mindset.  Anyway, check out the review I wrote last year.  I am looking forward to getting back out there soon!
FINAL SCORE: 97

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