IG going low....then disaster!

[IrishGolfer]

I was hot yesterday. I don't know why but everything fell into place, except for one big disaster, I'll get onto that later.

It only happens very rarely, all the facets of your game come together on one day. I was stripping my driver, shelling my irons and the short game was on. My concentration was very good and the conditions were almost perfect. I was playing in my Winter league team - this was week 2. After a respectable 32 points after week 1 (over 16 holes) - I was looking forward to yesterday. The swing felt good, right from my opening tee shot.

Anyway I started with 4 solid pars, hitting every fairway and every green, leaving myself no more than 20ft for any putt. The next, a short par five I hit in 2, sailing in a nice 7 wood from 200 yards. Two putts to go -1. Looking good. I should have birdied the next missing a straight up the hill putt from 12ft, but made up for that with a similar putt on the next to go to -2. No mistakes so far, 100% good golf.

I then rolled off 4 pars, 2 of which I had good chances for birdie, from 8 and 6ft. Theses were 2 par 5s, back to back which although were into a wind, still only left me with 30 yard approaches. I was being real patient though and I am still -2 with 4 to play and I haven't struggled with one single shot yet!!

The 15th, (my 13th) was 155 yards and I hit a perfect little 7 iron to about 4 ft. Shot of the day! The putt was centre cup to get me to -3. I have NEVER been here before at Portstewart, and it has been 15 years since I have scored at this level, but I was feeling great. Anyway my drive on 16 was a bit shaky and I needed a good approach from the rough on the left about 170 out into the wind. I pulled a 7 wood slightly long and left of green but made a great chip (with my 3 wood) to 2 ft. I am still -3 with 2 holes left. This is insane!!

I stood on 17, a difficult par 4, but with the wind at my back, I'm thinking I could make birdie here. My mistake. I hit my only real bad drive of the day, blocked right into the rough. The rough is not bad this time of the year, so I didn't for a second think it was in trouble. 5 minutes later my worst fears were realised. I lost the ball, it must have plugged in the rough. I was furious, to the point that I didn't go back to play another (even though I had a shot on this hole, index 2). Anyway I finished 18 (my 16th) with a par for 36 points, rueing my only bad drive of the day, for which I feel I got overly punished. 8 times out of ten I would have walked to my ball and I am looking at a 5, at worst. A perfect round spoiled by one shot. That's golf I guess.

The positives are that I hit the ball great, putted well, was patient, kept my cool and enjoyed myself (at least until 17). I also got a great score for my team. It did however put a real black spot on the day though. One day I will shoot below par, I know I have the game, and I am beginning to believe I have the temperament, I just need a break. It's got me real psyched for 2005 though!!! So watch out.

[Bravo]

Great round IG. It is almost orgasmic when you have it going like that.

You're in the Zone.....

Just gotta keep it up next week......

[IrishGolfer]

Originally Posted by Bravo

Great round IG. It is almost orgasmic when you have it going like that.

You're in the Zone.....

Just gotta keep it up next week......

Thanks Bravo
I can't figure out why. I swing the club a few times most evenings in the garden. and I play once per week, on a Sunday in winter. Outside that no other practice. At times I have practiced until my hands were sore. And got nothing for it. Just goes to show you that golf is 90% mental and the other 10% is mental too.

My attitude is so much different now with kids. I don't take it as seriously these days. Mind you I was fairly serious yesterday on 17. I can't beleive a great score was denied from not so poor a drive. Anyway, like I said that's golf.

[Loop]

Nice play IG, but too bad you were unlucky on 17th. Unlucky is the word, because I'm sure if you had found your ball, you would've made an extraordinary up-and-down.
You're right about the mental game though.
I'm pretty sure that if you took a carefree attitude, like Fred Couples, you would go a very long way. Which doesn't mean you shouldn't do the best you can on each and every shot.

[The master]

Originally Posted by Bravo

Great round IG. It is almost orgasmic when you have it going like that

That's still a great round IG. And 17th is probably the toughest hole on the course so I wouldn't worry.

Bravo when i'm gonig really well I fell like that i'm so excited and when i'm like even or -1 gonig down 18th i'm so excited, I don't think there is a better fellnig in the world.

[DaveE]

If I described my play from yesterday you would feel even better about your round. A lost ball plugged in the mud would have been a highlight.

I haven't been playing because of weather and business and it showed. Looking back I may have been over-thinking my shots. Toward the end I adopted this "screw it" attitude and just started swinging and things got better.

Congrats on a great round. Nothing better than playing in the zone.

[Silver]

Awesome round IG, as long as you can come home and say "wow, 98% of that round was great."

That's one of the things that I find the most frustrating...losing balls where they shouldn't be lost (ie fairway plugs, light rough plugs just off to the side, etc) and it's hard to recover from the frustration that that brings with it.

[IrishGolfer]

Originally Posted by Silver

Awesome round IG, as long as you can come home and say "wow, 98% of that round was great."

That's one of the things that I find the most frustrating...losing balls where they shouldn't be lost (ie fairway plugs, light rough plugs just off to the side, etc) and it's hard to recover from the frustration that that brings with it.

Thanks Guys

I shouldn't be frustrated, I played great. It's just missing the opportunity to bring it home and finish it. Rounds like that only happen once in a blue moon, I know that so well.

I'll bet a shoot 100 the next time I go out. Murphys Law!

Well, Murphy's Law states that you will spank our little master in the ass next time you play and come up turkeyless, no less, ONCE AGAIN; he does not keep his bets and that will always make me suspicious of him, until he gets you your turkey, and I want photographs...

What shocks me is that our little master has never given props to you after you clown punched his young ****y ass on the golf course...

then, to make matters worse, you demanded your turkey, and it (the turkey), his (Adam's) honor, and his father's (Father of Adam) honor, have been in debate, and quite in question, ever since...

We can all only hope that he, Adam, can someday become honorable, and make true, his bet with you. But until then, we must wonder about his honor and integrity...

Don't bet if you can't get.

That is my motto.

spankdoggie

[IrishGolfer]

Originally Posted by spankdoggie

Well, Murphy's Law states that you will spank our little master in the ass next time you play and come up turkeyless, no less, ONCE AGAIN; he does not keep his bets and that will always make me suspicious of him, until he gets you your turkey, and I want photographs...

What shocks me is that our little master has never given props to you after you clown punched his young ****y ass on the golf course...

then, to make matters worse, you demanded your turkey, and it (the turkey), his (Adam's) honor, and his father's (Father of Adam) honor, have been in debate, and quite in question, ever since...

We can all only hope that he, Adam, can someday become honorable, and make true, his bet with you. But until then, we must wonder about his honor and integrity...

Don't bet if you can't get.

That is my motto.

spankdoggie

Spank
Every time I see this Avatar I laugh out loud. It just screams SPANK!
As for Adam, his time will come. Probably some time in March.

[The master]

Yep look forward to the match.

Spank i'm not sure you understand here it is impossible for me to get the turkey to him before the next time I see him, so I will give him the turkey you'll see.

[IrishGolfer]

Originally Posted by The master

Yep look forward to the match.

Spank i'm not sure you understand here it is impossible for me to get the turkey to him before the next time I see him, so I will give him the turkey you'll see.

Have you never heard of www.turkeysdirect.com ?

[IrishGolfer]

Originally Posted by IrishGolfer

Have you never heard of www.turkeysdirect.com ?

LOL

I'll bet you tried the link, be honest, didn't you???

[The master]

Well i proabaly would of before I read your 2nd message.


What you are actually looking for is www.chilledfoods.ni .