1st round of '06

[tdaniels]

Well I finally got to golf for the first time this year. When I first for to the course I hit about 100 balls at the range to try to get an idea how down-hill my swing had went over the last 3 months. I was nearly exhausted and pissed by the time I was finished. I got to try out my new BB's and couldnt get a good idea on my distances. All I really found out was the BB's do hit much higher and are atleast 1 or 2 irons higher and shorter. My 10 iron and wedge were golden. Everything else was horrible. Not only are my drives slicing as bad as ever, I now slice all of my irons, 7 through my 4. Never had this problem before. The longer I stayed at the range the worse it got. I began pulling my short irons. Poor ball-striking all the way around.

I finally gave up on the range and went to the course. A fairly easy 9 hole, par 36. (much more difficult in a few months when the waist high ruffs grow up) I played all by my lonesome and had a threesome behind me and a foursome ahead of me, so I got to play 2 or 3 balls on each hole. I kept my score with the first ball and got some good practice with the others. My driver and irons didnt improve much from the range but I did realize that my chipping and putting have improved signifintly over the winter. I used my 7 iron for chipping and was very happy with the results. On top of that I only 3 putted 2 holes and 2 putted on the other 7. After 9 holes my right hand was so blistered that I had to call it a day.
I figured my score and was very suprised to see I shot a 45. I was very pleased with the outcome considering I was disgusted most of round with how bad I felt I was shooting. This is about as good as most of last year.

I now know what I have to work on and think I may be able to get my handicap into the low teens this year.

I will definately be getting some pro instruction this year to get rid of the slicing!