A sad nine is better than no nine at all....

Tornados have come and gone and we are still here.  The sun is shining. the birds are singing, I spent the morning with my girls...how much better could it get.  Oh I know and I played 9 holes this afternoon on my favorite local course, Oak Hollow.  The course is gorgeous today.  Totally green from all the rain and groomed to the nines. Makes you wanna go....ahhhhhhh.

Since I haven't played much in the past year, I need to practice, practice, and practice some more.  I can definately drive the ball in a consistent manner, but my iron management is lacking.  Knowing how far the iron will get me is a challenge.  So after playing a sad 9 holes with hubby, I took my 7, 6, and 3 wood to the range and swung until I couldn't swing no more.  I did learn a few things today.

First make sure your feet are planted at the angle you want your ball to go, inevitably if the ball goes to the right of where you intended it is because your feet are facing that way.  I found this to be true several times today.  So I bought a leveling stick to keep my stance in the direction of the intended target when I play to learn where to place my feet.

Second, stand a little taller and make sure you are a little closer to the ball.  It really helps with the follow through.

Several times today my little pink ball must have been overheated and thirsty since it headed right for the water on several occasions.  I tried giving one a little drink before the swing, but to no avail, bloop it went, right into the drink anyways.  Geesh, What do you know about that?

The best shot of the day was on the last green, I drove and actually reached the rough on the green, chipped it well onto the green and putted a long putt to reach 1 foot from the hole.  Last putt went in so I actually birdied the last hole. Yea!!!  So I ended my pain on a good note.  Off to the driving range I went to get a more consistent feeling with my swing.  It was much more consistent on the range than when I was playing, likely because I was more relaxed and warmed up.  I should have done it in reverse in hindsight, but we were anxious to get started when we got there. 

Note to self:  Warm up on the range first and get your swing going beforehand oh and give your little balls a good drink.

Day 24:24 of Murphys Laws of Golf

Finally Day 24:24 of Murphys Laws of Golf:  Don't spend a lot of money on a putter until you've had a chance to throw it to see if it survives.  You will save a lot of money in the long run.  Fore!!!

Then get a big new grip!!!!  hehe  I just couldn't resist.

Day 23:24 of Murphys Laws of Golf

Day 23:24 of Murphys Laws of Golf:  A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is usually not yours.  Make sure before hitting it!!!!  Fore!!!

22:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

Day 22:24 of Murphys Laws of Golf:  There are two things you can learn by stopping your backswing at the top and checking the position of your hands:  how many hands you have, and which one is wearing the glove.  Practice checking, you will be surprised at what you discover.  Fore!!! 

Getting Back to the Basics

Today was one of those gorgeous days in McKinney Texas that if you didn't get out on the greens you should have had your head examined.  Wow, the skies were bright blue, slight breeze, and greens were actually green!  It was a long winter that started last summer when our family had a tragedy that placed an elderly disabled parent in our care for 10 months until just recently.   It was time to venture back into the learning curve of the game of golf.

Today was just the day to do so.  With clubs, shoes, tees, and a favorable smile....I took Betty Boop off my driver and headed for the driving range at my favorite local golfcourse, Oak Hollow. (see the great pic of the green).   I did actually remember my lessons from a year ago, of course, watching the golf channel has helped to mentally trigger my lessons in preparation for the swing.  I got a couple airballs, ouch... though for the most part I was driving well, sweet redemption.

After swinging at a bucket of balls, it was time to concentrate on the short game.  Did I mention before, I love my super big grip...oh yea, I guess I did.  Sorry I just can't help myself ...I love my big grip on my putter.  It is so much easier to keep the putter head from turning slightly.  Will any of you admit that you suck at putting?  No...I didn't think so.  We are all evolving right?  The biggest issue I have at the moment is I either hit it too hard or too soft.  I guess I have to spend more time putting to learn the touch I need to get the job done. 

I remember my lesson with golf instructor Travis Stockholm who said, "Start putting from 3 feet out, do it 25 times in row, then move out to 4 feet and then to 5 feet.  If you miss...start over."  Can we say at this rate 4 feet is miles away.   FORE!!!!!!