Coronavirus Diaries Day 71: Back to the Golf Course! Laurel Hill
For the past few months, the blog has been more about "The Universe and Everything." Yesterday, it was about golf again. A big shout out to my lovely wife for holding down the fort and giving me the pass to golf for the morning! I even made it back home before noon as per the agreement :).
A great day to be out on the course enjoying the weather and the company of good friends. I don't know what I missed more, the golf or the camaraderie... Either way, it was good seeing Clint and Brandon again, both about to embark on new phases of their lives. Brandon about to have a little one of his own very very soon, and Clint making big moves, his house being the biggest!
Even though the golf wasn't the greatest, the catching up was indeed the best part. But I would be remiss if I didn't give you the blow by blow. The place: Laurel Hill.
Walking up: Now that we are in the Coronavirus reality, some things have definitely changed. Checking in was a breeze, which considering I showed up exactly one minute before my tee time (some things never change), I was able to go into the clubhouse and pay without handing over my credit card (swiper and Apple Pay transponder outside the cashier's protective bubble) and was placed into a cart with only some good natured ribbing for being "late."
Observations: My personal opinion, there were too many people on the driving range within the six foot social distancing range and not wearing masks. They could have shut off every other bay on the range. I do not know if the range was only available to people who had tee times or if there were people there only to practice. Also I didn't see if there were already balls on the range or if they were handed to each customer. Handing out balls on the range (or having them already be on the range) would reduce a touch point and would be excellent in general.
Hole #1: Par 4 - 419 Yards
In general, I don't give myself breakfast balls / mulligans but just for this round and considering I didn't have a warm up and it was my birthday, I decided that my first ever hit with my TaylorMade SIM that went an unceremonious 50 yards deserved a redo. "Second guy" hit a decent 220 yard drive (not horrible with no warm-up) on the right side of the fairway. Attempted to hit my 4-hybrid onto the green and topped it (sadly I do have a net in my backyard that I warm up with!!). I then tried to bridge the remaining 80 yards with my 54 degree wedge only to fall short again. Sadly I had no touch with the short game and bladed the chip 20 feet past the hole. Two putts later I'm in with the double... But I will admit, it was the best feeling double bogey I've had in a long time.
Hole #2: Par 4 - 344 Yards
Having the first hole jitters behind me, I step up to the tee box with my slightly flattened 5-Wood (trying to make it a 4-Wood) and subsequently top it 50 yards. No mulligan / mercy this time, chopped it out with a 6-iron to just inside 150 yards. I then push my 7-iron ever so slightly to the right and land in the greenside bunker. I splash a nice sand wedge out of the bunker but a little too strong and it lands on the opposite fringe. I make a nice chip and a putt to get up and down for another double. Not terrible as I executed 5 out of the 6 shots on the hole pretty well.
Hole #3: Par 4 - 423 Yards
This monster of a hole has given me (and probably countless other golfers) problems since day 1. It is an absolute monster. It is long, all uphill with the exception of the elevated tee shot, and it has an evil two-tiered green. Not quite the evil three tiered demon at PB Dye, but close. I let loose a good drive and hit the fairway but was still 230 yards from the hole and uphill. I checked my pride in at the clubhouse and decided to lay up. I hit a good 3-Hybrid to 85 yards and then created some magic with my 54 degree wedge.
That's right, PAR. On what I considered the toughest hole on the course... Felt like a birdie!
Hole #4: Par 3 - 148 Yards
Felt great after that Par on #3, stepped on the tee box and lasered the hole at 140 yards way downhill. But had a little wind in my face so I decide to feather an 8 iron instead of trying to murder a 9-iron. Sadly I catch it flush and crush it over the green and to the right. I found the ball but took an unplayable. Sadly the short game hadn't gotten back in shape and muffed the chip. The second chip was on the money but sadly the putt wasn't. Another double...
Hole #5: Par 5 - 486 Yards
First Par 5 of the day and wanted to let loose. Crushed an awesome drive and hit a great layup to just inside 100 yards. Didn't quite catch the gap wedge the way I wanted and it drifted left away from the pin and down the slope to the wrong side of the green. Facing the circus putt long and uphill, I left it too short and ended up with the dreaded three-jack. Bogey.
Hole #6: Par 4 - 447 Yards
Even from the white tees, the holes are menacing... The only redeeming quality of this hole is the approach is downhill thus giving you a chance (albeit a small one) for the green in regulation. I crush a good drive and end up 230 from the green. However, I take out my 5 wood and if it weren't for me hitting it ever so slightly right, I would have had that GIR, instead I find my second bunker of the day. I had a less attractive but more effective sand shot and ended up less than 10 feet from the cup. Sadly I didn't make the putt, but that's a bogey I'm proud of.
Hole #7: Par 4 - 289 Yards
Everything told me to just go for it and I had nothing to lose. I instead decide to hit my 5 Wood and end up in the right rough (so much for smart golf!) but inside 80 yards. I slid my 54 degree wedge under the ball a little too much and ended up short of the green but just over one of the bunkers. I attempt to chop the ball out but could only advance the ball a mere 10 feet, 5 feet short of what I really needed. I then chunk the next chip and still didn't make it to even the fringe. The last chip finally made it on the green inside 3 feet and scooped in the putt for a double. Next time I'll just try to drive the green... I'll save myself at least one stroke if I decide to chunk it 3 times...
Hole #8: Par 3 - 209 Yards
Hole played a legit 210. In my favor was the hole was slightly downhill. I put a great 3-Hybrid on it and ended up on the green. The only part that sucked was I was at least 40 feet from the pin with another circus style putt. I put a good stroke on it, but pushed it past 7 feet and could not make the comeback. Not a bad bogey, best I've done on this hole in a while.
Hole #9: Par 5 - 502 Yards
Not typically a driver hole from the white tees, but I was driving the ball so well, I decided to let it fly. Crushed it perfectly in the middle (yay!). One of my better drives of the day. Didn't have enough club to go for it in two, so I laid up inside 90 yards. I then hit a great wedge to roughly 15 feet. Didn't make the putt but the par felt great.
For those of you keeping score, that's a massive 47... But I'm just happy to be out playing!
Hole #10: Par 4 - 334 Yards
Not a very long hole nor a very wide or forgiving fairway, so I tee off with my 5-Wood and end up in the right rough. The rough was very penal (not surprising considering the course used to be a prison farm) and I was only able to advance the ball another 150 yards with a gutty 6-iron. I take my 58 degree wedge and get a nice bounce to 12 feet. I made the putt for a nice Par.
Hole #11: Par 3 - 141 Yards
Not much to say, got a nice 8-iron on the ball and settled 20 feet from the cup. Disappointed that I left the putt short but the two-footer went in for another great Par.
Hole #12: Par 4 - 374 Yards
The hole I like to call "no man's land" because no cart has (legally) driven on the fairway. I sadly didn't have this problem as I pulled my tee shot into the left rough 155 yards out. Luckily I could still put a club on the ball but due to the tall grass, I couldn't see the pin. I picked out what I thought to be a good aiming point and fired away with a 7-iron. Sadly my ball was a bit too far right and short. A good chip would have netted me at least a bogey, sadly two muffed chips, one good chip and one putt later, I was in for another double bogey...
Hole #13: Par 4 - 386 Yards
After two muffed chips, I was a bit perturbed, so I let loose with an angry drive. Possibly my best drive of the day as I split the fairway and left myself with a good 8-iron in. Sadly I didn't hit a good 8-iron as I yanked the shot left between the trap and the bunker. I hit a miracle 58 degree wedge and settle 4 feet from the cup. Rolled it in for the Par... No picture on the scorecard...
Hole #14: Par 3 - 187 Yards
Monster of a Par 3 that also plays uphill. Hit my 4-Hybrid just to the right of the hole into yet another bunker. Didn't splash it out well and only made it to the rough. My next chip wasn't much better as I barely made it to the green. Two putts later, I'm in for another double...
Hole #15: Par 5 - 576 Yards
Monster of a Par 5 that, guess what, plays all uphill. I unleash a monster drive and land on the left side of the fairway. Practically position A. Sadly my 5-Wood was less than optimal and I top it into the tall grass to the right. I did have enough ball showing to get an angry 3-Hybrid on it and managed to get the ball inside 80 yards. I put a decent 54 degree wedge on it and set myself up for a chance to save par. Sadly the ball rolled just to the right and I tapped in for the bogey. Not terrible considering the one muff.
Hole #16: Par 3 - 174 Yards
Finally a hole that plays downhill. Good forced carry over a lake into a well-guarded green. I put a good 6-iron on the ball (the iron was better than my swing) and was rewarded with a 10 foot birdie putt. I lip out the putt but tap in for the par.
Hole #17: Par 4 - 437 Yards
That's right... 437... It's a monster... I know there is a speed slot to the right of the fairway where I can get an extra 10-20 yards if I hit the hillside just right, but if I tug it too far right, it is out of play. I decide to bail out and hit the ball to the left and end up with a 210 yard approach. I put a monster 5 wood on it but leave myself 30 yards short of the green. I hit a great 54 degree wedge and put the ball 5 feet from the cup and hit the putt... PAR. After seeing many of my rounds go to die on this hole, this was an awesome feeling... Another par that felt like a birdie.
Hole #18: Par 5 - 510 Yards
Last hole on an otherwise magical day. I pipe what I consider my best drive of the day. I was easily 30 yards past the great Clint Braun (of course he was 30 yards back playing the tips :) ). I lay up with a good 3-Hybrid and put a great 54 degree wedge to bring me 10 feet from the cup. I was mere millimeters away from an 18th hole birdie... But I'll take the Par!
And for those of you keeping score, 40 on the back for a satisfying 87. Not my best nor my worst on this course, but for my first official round of the year, I'll take it! Along with some harsh short game lessons. And maybe I should work on my pitching and chipping in the backyard instead of spending all of my time on my swing.
After all, I didn't lose a single ball this round... But I lost a lot of strokes to bad chipping technique.
But again, I was just happy to be out, and another thank you to my beautiful wife for holding down the fort while I was out enjoying myself. She can count on me to do the same for her birthday!!
Until the next round, keep safe and work on your short game!
A great day to be out on the course enjoying the weather and the company of good friends. I don't know what I missed more, the golf or the camaraderie... Either way, it was good seeing Clint and Brandon again, both about to embark on new phases of their lives. Brandon about to have a little one of his own very very soon, and Clint making big moves, his house being the biggest!
Even though the golf wasn't the greatest, the catching up was indeed the best part. But I would be remiss if I didn't give you the blow by blow. The place: Laurel Hill.
Walking up: Now that we are in the Coronavirus reality, some things have definitely changed. Checking in was a breeze, which considering I showed up exactly one minute before my tee time (some things never change), I was able to go into the clubhouse and pay without handing over my credit card (swiper and Apple Pay transponder outside the cashier's protective bubble) and was placed into a cart with only some good natured ribbing for being "late."
Observations: My personal opinion, there were too many people on the driving range within the six foot social distancing range and not wearing masks. They could have shut off every other bay on the range. I do not know if the range was only available to people who had tee times or if there were people there only to practice. Also I didn't see if there were already balls on the range or if they were handed to each customer. Handing out balls on the range (or having them already be on the range) would reduce a touch point and would be excellent in general.
Hole #1: Par 4 - 419 Yards
In general, I don't give myself breakfast balls / mulligans but just for this round and considering I didn't have a warm up and it was my birthday, I decided that my first ever hit with my TaylorMade SIM that went an unceremonious 50 yards deserved a redo. "Second guy" hit a decent 220 yard drive (not horrible with no warm-up) on the right side of the fairway. Attempted to hit my 4-hybrid onto the green and topped it (sadly I do have a net in my backyard that I warm up with!!). I then tried to bridge the remaining 80 yards with my 54 degree wedge only to fall short again. Sadly I had no touch with the short game and bladed the chip 20 feet past the hole. Two putts later I'm in with the double... But I will admit, it was the best feeling double bogey I've had in a long time.
Hole #2: Par 4 - 344 Yards
Having the first hole jitters behind me, I step up to the tee box with my slightly flattened 5-Wood (trying to make it a 4-Wood) and subsequently top it 50 yards. No mulligan / mercy this time, chopped it out with a 6-iron to just inside 150 yards. I then push my 7-iron ever so slightly to the right and land in the greenside bunker. I splash a nice sand wedge out of the bunker but a little too strong and it lands on the opposite fringe. I make a nice chip and a putt to get up and down for another double. Not terrible as I executed 5 out of the 6 shots on the hole pretty well.
Hole #3: Par 4 - 423 Yards
This monster of a hole has given me (and probably countless other golfers) problems since day 1. It is an absolute monster. It is long, all uphill with the exception of the elevated tee shot, and it has an evil two-tiered green. Not quite the evil three tiered demon at PB Dye, but close. I let loose a good drive and hit the fairway but was still 230 yards from the hole and uphill. I checked my pride in at the clubhouse and decided to lay up. I hit a good 3-Hybrid to 85 yards and then created some magic with my 54 degree wedge.
 |
| That's my ball on the right... The other show-off was a much closer pitch :) |
Hole #4: Par 3 - 148 Yards
Felt great after that Par on #3, stepped on the tee box and lasered the hole at 140 yards way downhill. But had a little wind in my face so I decide to feather an 8 iron instead of trying to murder a 9-iron. Sadly I catch it flush and crush it over the green and to the right. I found the ball but took an unplayable. Sadly the short game hadn't gotten back in shape and muffed the chip. The second chip was on the money but sadly the putt wasn't. Another double...
Hole #5: Par 5 - 486 Yards
First Par 5 of the day and wanted to let loose. Crushed an awesome drive and hit a great layup to just inside 100 yards. Didn't quite catch the gap wedge the way I wanted and it drifted left away from the pin and down the slope to the wrong side of the green. Facing the circus putt long and uphill, I left it too short and ended up with the dreaded three-jack. Bogey.
Hole #6: Par 4 - 447 Yards
Even from the white tees, the holes are menacing... The only redeeming quality of this hole is the approach is downhill thus giving you a chance (albeit a small one) for the green in regulation. I crush a good drive and end up 230 from the green. However, I take out my 5 wood and if it weren't for me hitting it ever so slightly right, I would have had that GIR, instead I find my second bunker of the day. I had a less attractive but more effective sand shot and ended up less than 10 feet from the cup. Sadly I didn't make the putt, but that's a bogey I'm proud of.
Hole #7: Par 4 - 289 Yards
Everything told me to just go for it and I had nothing to lose. I instead decide to hit my 5 Wood and end up in the right rough (so much for smart golf!) but inside 80 yards. I slid my 54 degree wedge under the ball a little too much and ended up short of the green but just over one of the bunkers. I attempt to chop the ball out but could only advance the ball a mere 10 feet, 5 feet short of what I really needed. I then chunk the next chip and still didn't make it to even the fringe. The last chip finally made it on the green inside 3 feet and scooped in the putt for a double. Next time I'll just try to drive the green... I'll save myself at least one stroke if I decide to chunk it 3 times...
Hole #8: Par 3 - 209 Yards
Hole played a legit 210. In my favor was the hole was slightly downhill. I put a great 3-Hybrid on it and ended up on the green. The only part that sucked was I was at least 40 feet from the pin with another circus style putt. I put a good stroke on it, but pushed it past 7 feet and could not make the comeback. Not a bad bogey, best I've done on this hole in a while.
Hole #9: Par 5 - 502 Yards
Not typically a driver hole from the white tees, but I was driving the ball so well, I decided to let it fly. Crushed it perfectly in the middle (yay!). One of my better drives of the day. Didn't have enough club to go for it in two, so I laid up inside 90 yards. I then hit a great wedge to roughly 15 feet. Didn't make the putt but the par felt great.
For those of you keeping score, that's a massive 47... But I'm just happy to be out playing!
Hole #10: Par 4 - 334 Yards
Not a very long hole nor a very wide or forgiving fairway, so I tee off with my 5-Wood and end up in the right rough. The rough was very penal (not surprising considering the course used to be a prison farm) and I was only able to advance the ball another 150 yards with a gutty 6-iron. I take my 58 degree wedge and get a nice bounce to 12 feet. I made the putt for a nice Par.
Hole #11: Par 3 - 141 Yards
Not much to say, got a nice 8-iron on the ball and settled 20 feet from the cup. Disappointed that I left the putt short but the two-footer went in for another great Par.
Hole #12: Par 4 - 374 Yards
The hole I like to call "no man's land" because no cart has (legally) driven on the fairway. I sadly didn't have this problem as I pulled my tee shot into the left rough 155 yards out. Luckily I could still put a club on the ball but due to the tall grass, I couldn't see the pin. I picked out what I thought to be a good aiming point and fired away with a 7-iron. Sadly my ball was a bit too far right and short. A good chip would have netted me at least a bogey, sadly two muffed chips, one good chip and one putt later, I was in for another double bogey...
Hole #13: Par 4 - 386 Yards
After two muffed chips, I was a bit perturbed, so I let loose with an angry drive. Possibly my best drive of the day as I split the fairway and left myself with a good 8-iron in. Sadly I didn't hit a good 8-iron as I yanked the shot left between the trap and the bunker. I hit a miracle 58 degree wedge and settle 4 feet from the cup. Rolled it in for the Par... No picture on the scorecard...
Hole #14: Par 3 - 187 Yards
Monster of a Par 3 that also plays uphill. Hit my 4-Hybrid just to the right of the hole into yet another bunker. Didn't splash it out well and only made it to the rough. My next chip wasn't much better as I barely made it to the green. Two putts later, I'm in for another double...
Hole #15: Par 5 - 576 Yards
Monster of a Par 5 that, guess what, plays all uphill. I unleash a monster drive and land on the left side of the fairway. Practically position A. Sadly my 5-Wood was less than optimal and I top it into the tall grass to the right. I did have enough ball showing to get an angry 3-Hybrid on it and managed to get the ball inside 80 yards. I put a decent 54 degree wedge on it and set myself up for a chance to save par. Sadly the ball rolled just to the right and I tapped in for the bogey. Not terrible considering the one muff.
Hole #16: Par 3 - 174 Yards
Finally a hole that plays downhill. Good forced carry over a lake into a well-guarded green. I put a good 6-iron on the ball (the iron was better than my swing) and was rewarded with a 10 foot birdie putt. I lip out the putt but tap in for the par.
Hole #17: Par 4 - 437 Yards
That's right... 437... It's a monster... I know there is a speed slot to the right of the fairway where I can get an extra 10-20 yards if I hit the hillside just right, but if I tug it too far right, it is out of play. I decide to bail out and hit the ball to the left and end up with a 210 yard approach. I put a monster 5 wood on it but leave myself 30 yards short of the green. I hit a great 54 degree wedge and put the ball 5 feet from the cup and hit the putt... PAR. After seeing many of my rounds go to die on this hole, this was an awesome feeling... Another par that felt like a birdie.
Hole #18: Par 5 - 510 Yards
Last hole on an otherwise magical day. I pipe what I consider my best drive of the day. I was easily 30 yards past the great Clint Braun (of course he was 30 yards back playing the tips :) ). I lay up with a good 3-Hybrid and put a great 54 degree wedge to bring me 10 feet from the cup. I was mere millimeters away from an 18th hole birdie... But I'll take the Par!
And for those of you keeping score, 40 on the back for a satisfying 87. Not my best nor my worst on this course, but for my first official round of the year, I'll take it! Along with some harsh short game lessons. And maybe I should work on my pitching and chipping in the backyard instead of spending all of my time on my swing.
After all, I didn't lose a single ball this round... But I lost a lot of strokes to bad chipping technique.
But again, I was just happy to be out, and another thank you to my beautiful wife for holding down the fort while I was out enjoying myself. She can count on me to do the same for her birthday!!
Until the next round, keep safe and work on your short game!
Comments
Post a Comment