My Impetus

It was an absolutely beautiful Friday afternoon, and I could think of nothing better than golf. I played with Walead and Armen, two of my co-workers, and a vendor rep off of the Black tee’s on the Rutgers University Golf Course, a truly beautiful course. Each hole is named for trees native to New Jersey; Red Oak, Pin Oak, White Ash, Hackberry, Elm, Dogwood, etc. The course was founded in 1894, was one of the earliest clubs in the United States, and among the first members of the United States Golf Association. This course has a rich history and the grounds crew keep it in peek condition.

We had a 2:15 tee time, and I went a bit early to warm up on the range. I didn’t want to hit a whole bucket, I just wanted a few balls to warm up. I hit about 10 balls and 8 felt good. I mishit two, and I was hoping I could keep that 80% feeling going!

The first hole is an ever so slight dogleg left. Ideally, some may be able to drive over the trees, but safe play would dictate playing to the middle. I decided on smart golf, chose my hybrid 2 Taylor Made Rescue Dual (TMRD) from the bag, and lined up. I hit it pretty well, but I pulled it a bit left, and I ended up in bounds behind some trees. I popped a 5 iron straight through the trees, parallel to the green, and ended in the fairway about 120 yards away. I decided my pitching wedge was the ideal club for this distance, and unfortunately, I hit it perfect, and it bounced on the back of the green and popped off the back, about 2 yards into the rough. I took a 9 iron for a bump and run shot (which I have been practicing) and placed the ball about 6 ft from the hole. I was quite happy with the shot, as my very close chip shots can be somewhat erratic. A sweet putt put me in the hole in 5, for a bogey to start. Not too shabby since my best on this hole was a 7 in the past.

The second is a very nice hole, with a small water hazard (creek) about 90 yards into the fairway. I once again chose the 2 TMRD and had an excellent shot straight into the fairway, sitting near the 150 yardage marker, for an almost 210 yard drive. I took out the 7 iron, but hit it fat, landing about 20 yards from the hole. Chipped up, and 2-putted for a bogey (5).

The next hole is a pretty par 3. With the tee and the flag position, we were sitting about 150yds away. The trusty 7 iron came out, but I pulled it left again, hit a tree, and got a members’ bounce back towards the green. This could have been very ugly, had I not hit a tree, as a main campus road passes by about 10 yards farther, and I might have ended up in the computer lab. However, I was able to chip onto the green, landing about 10 ft from the hole. I was feeling really good so far, and everything seemed to be working. I two putted, and took another bogey. Now, this is the best start of a round I have ever had at the RU course, and I was determined to keep it going. Smooth, controlled 1/2 swings – whooshing after the ball – and I was hitting pretty well. Only 2 mishits after 14, better than 80%!!

The 4th is a nice long straight par 5 (469 yards), and a bit intimidating, as the fairway bunkers are well placed. Once again, the 2 TMRD came through for me, and I was about 200 yards straight into the fairway. The rest of my foursome hit all over the place, and it was about 5 minutes before I hit again. Not an excuse, but in the cart, I had to help my buddy Walead find his tee shot, and then his next shot. So, now its my turn, and I mishit – a grounder, but it rolls and rolls and rolls – thanks to the fairway – about 100 yards from the green. I took out my Callaway Forged + Vintage 56 degree wedge, and hit a nice shot, but pulled it left (see a trend here?) and it bounced about 10 yards to the left of the green, roughly in line with the pin. A chip and a two putt, and I bogey again. Now, I am +4 after 4.

Hole 5 is a relatively straight shot, 323 yard par 4. I flub the tee shot, and it goes about 45 yards, but at least it passed the ladies tee’s. I now have about 280 to the hole, and re-use the 2 TMRD. From the rough, it was a beautiful shot, about 210 yards, and now I have about 60 to the hole – use the 56 degree again, and I’m on the green in 3. Unfortunately, I 3 putt, and take a double (6).

Hole 6 is a mirror image of 5. However, I decide to pull out the Hibore XL, and I cracked one into the woods – grrr – although it sounded perfect! I knew I should have left the big dog in the bag, but she was screaming to be used. Well, the headcover went back on the Hibore. The trees gave me no love, and it took 2 swings to get back to the fairway. I then chipped onto the green and 2 putted for my second double bogey (6). I bogeyed the next three holes, 2 putting on each.

I shot a 47 on the front nine, my best posted score ever for the RU course. I was very, very happy with my overall game play and was determined to continue it on the back 9.

The back 9 started out rough, with a flubbed drive on the 10th (361 yard downhill, water hazard, par 4), a beautiful second shot – into water, and then a beauty of a chip onto the green. I took a double bogey with the penalty shot and a 2-putt.

There were many grrrr’s that day, but on 11 I took my first GIR. I landed a perfect 7 iron on the green, pin high. It was about a 20 ft putt, and I 2 putted it.

The next hole always kills me – a 520 yard par 5. There is a large ‘V’ in this fairway, and I swear the 520 yards is marked as the crow flies, because it seems SO much longer walking down the fairway hill and then back up it. There is a nice little creek at the bottom of the ‘V’, and is marked as being 242 yards to the hazard, 255 yards to carry it. Suffice to say, I cannot carry it, so I am always self conscious on this hole. I took a decent tee shot, but it sliced into the woods. However, I had a nice view of the fairway over the creek. I clocked the 4 TMRD about 160 yards, which was quite nice with the rough lay I had. I flubbed the next two, got on the green, and 3 putted for my first snowman of the day… I took a triple bogey on 13 (par 4, 382 yards), and again on 14 ( par 3, 132 yards) but then got the act together for the next few holes.

All in all, I shot a damn fine round for me. A 52 on the back nine left me with a 99 for the total round. I was quite happy with this, since my previous best on the RU course was a whopping 118. All those little lessons and practice really do pay off! I was more than happy with this round. It was a long one, at just under 5 hrs to play.

I promptly jumped in the car and headed home to shower and pack, as I was going White Water rafting the next morning, and needed to get mah butt to PA that night. If you find yourself ever wanting to go white water rafting, and you are near the Lehigh Valley in PA, White Water Challengers was a great time!

I was supposed to play 18 at Quailbrook Sunday morning with Sean and Val, but that river kicked my butt! I woke up and my shoulders told me they needed more sleep, and I had to bail on the QB course =( Oh well…there’s always mid-week golf!

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I played 18 on Sunday with Sean and Val at Spooky Brook golf course. We had an 11:40 tee time, and we actually made it on time this morning. The weather was perfect, but it was quite hot.

I had a tough time on the first hole, as I was trying to kill the ball. I had a nice round the other day, and was attempting to give it more than a 1/2 swing, but it didn’t seem to work. I had a decent drive with the 5 iron, then I flubbed the next shot. Then a nice shot, but it took a bad bounce and ended up behind a tree. So, I played it safe and just punched it out onto the fairway. Then I flubbed the next shot. And the next. Finally made it onto the green, and took an 8…. I shook my head, and tried to forget it.

As I was swung, I pictured myself looking like this – but obviously I was not =)

I know this clip is old, but it really is fantastic. His swing is art, and I love the soundtrack to the swing. I have often wished I had the ability to have a soundtrack playing as I went through the day. It really would be great. However I digress.The second hole was much better. I didn’t hit the fairway, as I pushed it a bit to the right, but I ended with a very playable shot. I was on the green in 4, and 1 putted for bogey. The next few holes weren’t bad – bogey, double bogey (1 putt), double bogey (three putt). I was putting pretty well so far, but this three putt put hurt.The rest of the round was decent for me.

I borrowed a steel shaft 4 TaylorMade Rescue Dual from my friend Sean, and it was treating me well. I was hitting that club pretty consistently straight and I was feeling good about it. I absolutely crushed it on the 15th, hitting out of slight rough. The ball was sitting perfectly tee’d on some grass. I had about 300 left to the green, and hit it almost 215 yards with the 4 Rescue. This very cute cart girl was driving by as I hit it, and afterwards Valerie teased me that I was trying to show off for the cart girl. She can read me like a book.

I also borrowed the 2 Rescue and I will be hitting the range soon to try it out. I was warned that it’s easy to slice, so I will need to make sure to work all the kinks out on the range.

I ended up in the bunker on 16. I have been hitting very well out of the bunker lately. The key was opening the club face, placing the ball farther back in my stance, and taking a normal swing aiming behind the ball. I don’t mind the bunkers so much anymore. In fact, if they looked like this, it would be a treat to land in there.

I ended the day with a 105. Not too bad considering the heat, and 2 meltdown holes. Consistency is key!

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So, in a previous post, I wrote how playing at Green Knoll was akin to passing a kidney stone. Fortunately, the pace of play was much better on Friday afternoon. It was another beautiful Jersey day and the sky was blue. Sean had grabbed a tee time for 4 at 4:40pm, and I played with Sean, Val, and Sue. I had Friday off from work, and decided to hit the range at Quailbrook during the afternoon. I was still having some problems connecting with the ball trying to use the Ben Hogan grip. It just doesn’t feel comfortable. I hit a bucket and it was getting worse. Since I had such a strong grip to begin with, I really didn’t have to turn my wrists all that much during impact.

When I tried the Hogan grip, where my right ‘V’ points to my shoulder, my timing was completely off, and I was pushing and hooking everything. Since I was going to play 9 that night, I decided it was best to abandon the grip work, and just concentrate on 1/2 swing and tempo. Sean met me around 3 that afternoon, and we hit another bucket of balls at Quailbrook and I returned to my trusty original grip. It felt more comfortable, and I was hitting the ball straight again. I will save the grip work for another day.

The pace of play at Green Knoll wasn’t horrible, and we managed to play 9 in about 2 hrs. I was hitting the ball pretty well and felt comfortable again. I shot a 48, and managed only one meltdown hole. Except for the 8th hole, I was very happy with the game.

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