I was hitting the ball very nicely in the lead up to the event at Cowans Ford. For the most part, I was driving the ball well and flagging my irons. My putting has been a little off, the greens at Raintree have been holo-tined so it has been difficult to do much constructive practice. However, I know that I am a great putter with a nice stroke so it will come back around, I just need to get the confidence up.
My practice round was hampered by a hail storm so I only managed to play 12 holes and walk the rest which wasn't ideal but better than nothing, I wasn't going to freeze to death!
I got off to a decent start in round 1. I birdied the par 5 first and then threatened birdie at the next 5 holes without getting anything to drop (perfect Bent Grass greens by the way)....a par at 6 was followed by a slight misjudgement of the wind at the 8th which led to a bogey (missing a straight 5 footer). I made par at the 9th and turned at a respectable level par. Hitting all but 1 of the greens in regulation.
I got up and down for par at 10 (one of my few up and downs of the tournament)...and then made what turned out to be a good bogey at 11 after pulling my 4 iron into a bad spot on the 220 yard par 3. My first real poor swing of the day came at 13, where I missed the fairway left and went into a ditch....a bogey followed and +2 through 13. 2 great shots into the par 5 15 but only a par to show for it. Then a bogey on 17...hitting 6 iron straight into the sun I came out of it, and another failed attempt at an up and down. I finished the round at 75 (+3) not too bad on a windy day but really felt like I got nothing from my round.
Round 2 was a story of 2 sides to my game. Great off the tee, crap everywhere else! I hit 12/14 fairways and the 2 that missed were by 2 yards. I really was not able to get anything to drop, my short game was vacant and I really scored badly. I was level par thru the 16th (my 7th)....misjudged the wind on 17 and my normally terrific bunker game couldn't save me...so +1. The par 5 18th (my 9th) was where my round really came apart. I had 270 yards to the green for my second, and thought with a really hard 3 wood, I could get home...I suppose I was a little too aggressive because I made a bad swing and blocked it right and ended up out of bounds, 20 or so yards right of the green. I made par with the second ball but that cost me a double and +3 for the round.
The back 9 was mostly packed with great driving, and bad short game. I couldn't get anything in the hole for love nor money. I was again happy with my patience...I didn't let anything get the better of me but in the end I finished up +7 for the round. Very surprising, especially given how I drove it.
Like every event I try to take positives away, and I will. I haven't driven the ball this well in ages so I am happy about that. I have always had a good short game so I am not too concerned. I will continue to put in the hours at practice to get better. You can't really score if your short game is somewhere else. I plan to practice that a lot in the coming week.
Since the event ended, I have got new clubs. I have jumped ship to PING. I went to get fit for my new clubs in Atlanta a few weeks ago and finally they arrived last week after having them made in Phoenix, Arizona. I have got a G25 driver, i25 3 wood and G25 20 degree hybrid. I have gone for the s55 irons. They feel great and I now know that the clubs fit me 100% so I can gain optimum performance.
I am leaving next Sunday to go to St James Plantation. I will be playing a Pro-Am on Monday and then the tournament will begin Wednesday.
Stay tuned for more details and thanks again for following.
Sorry it's a lengthy post (will try to condense in future)!!
Lee
Sunday, 30 March 2014
Saturday, 8 March 2014
End of a very tough couple of weeks
I got back home yesterday from my first trip on the road this year, and a very below par performance.
In conditions that should have been in my favour, I wasn't anywhere near up to the standard required to be successful at this level. There were glimpses of good play and I will take what positives I can from the 2 events but there is a lot of work to be done.
My 2nd round was split into 2 parts. 11 holes and 7 holes......The 11 holes were in wind and rain and in all honesty some really poor errors...soon enough I had reached +9! So anyway, after that...I came back the next day after suspension of play and played some decent stuff. Hit the last 7 greens in regulation and shot level par for those holes with a 3-putt on 17. So as I said, every cloud! I did get a positive from the round.
I am not sure I was quite prepared as well as I could be, playing no competitive golf since October. I certainly did put in hours over the break but rust was obvious these 2 weeks.
Mentally I did feel more relaxed than I remember being last year. I am definitely more focused on the process than the 'what if's' and nerves from last year. Something I would like to improve is being quick to curse a bad break or a silly mistake. I have to remain more level headed which has always been an advantage I have over others. I know that hard work accompanied with a good temperament (not too high on the highs and not too low on the lows) will lead to success.
With all that being said....it wasn't just the times I was caught napping this week....I didn't execute the shots I wanted to. My ball flight was too inconsistent and no matter your mental condition you have to be able to keep the ball on the golf course!
I am actually going to have a revamp in my equipment. I won't say which company I am going with yet until it goes through but I am going to get fully fitted through my bag. I am due for this and think I will benefit from it hugely.
In order to give myself time to adjust to the new equipment and ready myself to compete again I will be missing the NorthStone Open and my next event will be the Cowans Ford Open starting on the 26th March. That will give me a good 2 weeks preparation and be ready to go again. I have approximately 24 tournaments on the schedule and I feel that a little time will do me the world of good.
Thanks all for following. I will update you soon.
Lee
In conditions that should have been in my favour, I wasn't anywhere near up to the standard required to be successful at this level. There were glimpses of good play and I will take what positives I can from the 2 events but there is a lot of work to be done.
My 2nd round was split into 2 parts. 11 holes and 7 holes......The 11 holes were in wind and rain and in all honesty some really poor errors...soon enough I had reached +9! So anyway, after that...I came back the next day after suspension of play and played some decent stuff. Hit the last 7 greens in regulation and shot level par for those holes with a 3-putt on 17. So as I said, every cloud! I did get a positive from the round.
I am not sure I was quite prepared as well as I could be, playing no competitive golf since October. I certainly did put in hours over the break but rust was obvious these 2 weeks.
Mentally I did feel more relaxed than I remember being last year. I am definitely more focused on the process than the 'what if's' and nerves from last year. Something I would like to improve is being quick to curse a bad break or a silly mistake. I have to remain more level headed which has always been an advantage I have over others. I know that hard work accompanied with a good temperament (not too high on the highs and not too low on the lows) will lead to success.
With all that being said....it wasn't just the times I was caught napping this week....I didn't execute the shots I wanted to. My ball flight was too inconsistent and no matter your mental condition you have to be able to keep the ball on the golf course!
I am actually going to have a revamp in my equipment. I won't say which company I am going with yet until it goes through but I am going to get fully fitted through my bag. I am due for this and think I will benefit from it hugely.
In order to give myself time to adjust to the new equipment and ready myself to compete again I will be missing the NorthStone Open and my next event will be the Cowans Ford Open starting on the 26th March. That will give me a good 2 weeks preparation and be ready to go again. I have approximately 24 tournaments on the schedule and I feel that a little time will do me the world of good.
Thanks all for following. I will update you soon.
Lee
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
Not the first round I wanted at Callawassie
Pretty poor conditions for most of round 1 at Callawassie. The morning wave got the worst of the weather, luckily I missed the bad stuff teeing off in the afternoon but I was unable to capitalise on the opportunity.
Beginning on the 10th, I started off pretty well. I made 3 good 2-putts on the first 3 holes to stay at level. Was good to get the speed of the greens early in the round. I birdied the 13th (my 4th) holing from the fringe after a good second shot. I gave myself mid-range birdie opportunities at the next 3 holes but couldn't be too aggressive with the putts and was satisfied with my pars. The 17th doesn't fit my eye, I hit a good tee shot but a bit of an unconvincing lay up, and left myself 180 for my 3rd shot. (I did not have a great lie in the semi rough and therefore couldn't have gone for the carry) I then hit my first poor shot of the round, in the bunker short right with no green to work with. I took my medicine and ended up with a bogey. No problem. On 18 (my 9th) I pulled my iron fractionally and instead of catching the ridge and feeding to the pin, it hung up in the fringe and I was left with a stance impeded by the bunker. I wasn't able to get down in 2, so 1 over through 9. Not a bad score but definitely felt like I had left a couple out there.
On the front 9 (my back) I started off ok again. 3 pars at 1, 2, & 3. I was sticking to my routine and trying to play within myself. Kept telling myself to remain patient as I knew the scoring would not be very low. Unfortunately I did not manage to keep the steady play going. I left a 7 iron right on the 4th from a slightly awkward stance in the left rough, couldn't really get the pitch close and made a bogey. Then on the 6th I hit my only slightly wayward tee shot of the day. I guess it would be easy to say I didn't commit that well to the shot, but I did, I just didn't execute. A block to the right, a terrible bounce off the tree and path and a re-load after it rolled a yard out of bounds. I regrouped and made a par with the second ball but a 7 and two shots gone.
My last 3 holes I again didn't get up and down from short of the green on 7 and carelessly 3 putted the 9th hole (my last) to leave a very sour taste.
I feel like I threw away a pretty solid round today. I have to be more professional than that. I was happy with the way I stuck to my process, I picked my target and swung to that every shot and didn't get too wrapped up in the outcome. I did get a little rattled toward the end of my round, I felt like my nice calm ball flight had deserted me. I have to do a better job of that next time. I will learn from it.
Now I will have to shoot a good score tomorrow to get back in the tournament. I know I can do it. I just have to play clever, trust my swing and trust my putting.
I am sure I will get back to scoring properly soon.
8.30 tee time tomorrow.
Lee
Beginning on the 10th, I started off pretty well. I made 3 good 2-putts on the first 3 holes to stay at level. Was good to get the speed of the greens early in the round. I birdied the 13th (my 4th) holing from the fringe after a good second shot. I gave myself mid-range birdie opportunities at the next 3 holes but couldn't be too aggressive with the putts and was satisfied with my pars. The 17th doesn't fit my eye, I hit a good tee shot but a bit of an unconvincing lay up, and left myself 180 for my 3rd shot. (I did not have a great lie in the semi rough and therefore couldn't have gone for the carry) I then hit my first poor shot of the round, in the bunker short right with no green to work with. I took my medicine and ended up with a bogey. No problem. On 18 (my 9th) I pulled my iron fractionally and instead of catching the ridge and feeding to the pin, it hung up in the fringe and I was left with a stance impeded by the bunker. I wasn't able to get down in 2, so 1 over through 9. Not a bad score but definitely felt like I had left a couple out there.
On the front 9 (my back) I started off ok again. 3 pars at 1, 2, & 3. I was sticking to my routine and trying to play within myself. Kept telling myself to remain patient as I knew the scoring would not be very low. Unfortunately I did not manage to keep the steady play going. I left a 7 iron right on the 4th from a slightly awkward stance in the left rough, couldn't really get the pitch close and made a bogey. Then on the 6th I hit my only slightly wayward tee shot of the day. I guess it would be easy to say I didn't commit that well to the shot, but I did, I just didn't execute. A block to the right, a terrible bounce off the tree and path and a re-load after it rolled a yard out of bounds. I regrouped and made a par with the second ball but a 7 and two shots gone.
My last 3 holes I again didn't get up and down from short of the green on 7 and carelessly 3 putted the 9th hole (my last) to leave a very sour taste.
I feel like I threw away a pretty solid round today. I have to be more professional than that. I was happy with the way I stuck to my process, I picked my target and swung to that every shot and didn't get too wrapped up in the outcome. I did get a little rattled toward the end of my round, I felt like my nice calm ball flight had deserted me. I have to do a better job of that next time. I will learn from it.
Now I will have to shoot a good score tomorrow to get back in the tournament. I know I can do it. I just have to play clever, trust my swing and trust my putting.
I am sure I will get back to scoring properly soon.
8.30 tee time tomorrow.
Lee
Saturday, 1 March 2014
Early exit from Palmetto Hall, time to get back on the straight and narrow
I thought Round 2 at Palmetto was going to be a good one. I had showed signs at the conclusion of round 1 that I was getting back on track with some consistent play. I had a really good warm up before the round and was positive in my mind set. I started off on the back 9 decently, I just missed a five footer at my first hole (the 10th) for birdie and then birdied the tough par 3 12th. to go -1 through 3. My goal was to keep pressing to try and get as close to level for the tournament as possible. On the next hole I hit a quick left tee shot that didn't clear the hazard and had to re-tee, I made a good par with the second ball but 1 poor swing and 2 shots gone. I stuck to my game plan though and was playing pretty good but not capitalising on my chances. I then missed the green with an 8 iron from the middle of the fairway at the 17th which led to a bogey. 2 poor swings and I was 2 over through 8 holes. A little harsh, but it can happen with a lack of tournament sharpness and a demanding course.
I did keep patient so I am pleased about that, however my score did not improve on the back 9. A par at the 1st was followed with what I can only say was bad fortune at the 2nd hole. I did not feel comfortable all week with this tee shot but hit an ok one down the right. I found myself in the 'ground under repair' section of the fairway with my nearest point of relief being blocked out for my second with a really tight 2nd shot. Faced with this I had 2 options, go for a mega slice 4 iron round the trees or a chip out sideways. With my position in the tournament, I decided to go with the former, it didn't come off and in the end I made a 'good' bogey after finding the hazard. The next tee shot was also a tough one, I pulled it a bit and with the wind and a bounce left that went out of bounds. Par with the second ball and another couple gone. The next few holes were littered with more mistakes, mostly from the tee. I did finish with a birdie which I think does show a lot for my character. I closed with a second round 79 which equates to an early exit from my first event back.
So what did I learn from this week? I got to play with Peter Malnati this week who is a member of PGA tour, taking a short break to get some more competitive golf under his belt. I don't like to directly compare myself to other golfers because in order to be successful you must find what suits you best. But it was pretty evident this week that there was a gap between him and I when it comes to finding fairways. I am longer, arguably strike the ball more flush but I have to find a way, particularly with the challenging tee shots to find the fairway somehow, even if I need to take 15-20 yards off. This week I was unable to do that. My poor shots were costing me more than they should. I am not going to press the panic button or anything and I am going to continue to trust the process of what I am doing. I haven't played an event in over 5 months so I will only get better from here.
Next week I am playing at Callawassie Island, a great course so I am itching to get back out there and set the record straight.
Play begins Wednesday the 5th. I will have a practice round Tuesday afternoon.
Thanks again for following. Stay tuned for some good news.
Lee
I did keep patient so I am pleased about that, however my score did not improve on the back 9. A par at the 1st was followed with what I can only say was bad fortune at the 2nd hole. I did not feel comfortable all week with this tee shot but hit an ok one down the right. I found myself in the 'ground under repair' section of the fairway with my nearest point of relief being blocked out for my second with a really tight 2nd shot. Faced with this I had 2 options, go for a mega slice 4 iron round the trees or a chip out sideways. With my position in the tournament, I decided to go with the former, it didn't come off and in the end I made a 'good' bogey after finding the hazard. The next tee shot was also a tough one, I pulled it a bit and with the wind and a bounce left that went out of bounds. Par with the second ball and another couple gone. The next few holes were littered with more mistakes, mostly from the tee. I did finish with a birdie which I think does show a lot for my character. I closed with a second round 79 which equates to an early exit from my first event back.
So what did I learn from this week? I got to play with Peter Malnati this week who is a member of PGA tour, taking a short break to get some more competitive golf under his belt. I don't like to directly compare myself to other golfers because in order to be successful you must find what suits you best. But it was pretty evident this week that there was a gap between him and I when it comes to finding fairways. I am longer, arguably strike the ball more flush but I have to find a way, particularly with the challenging tee shots to find the fairway somehow, even if I need to take 15-20 yards off. This week I was unable to do that. My poor shots were costing me more than they should. I am not going to press the panic button or anything and I am going to continue to trust the process of what I am doing. I haven't played an event in over 5 months so I will only get better from here.
Next week I am playing at Callawassie Island, a great course so I am itching to get back out there and set the record straight.
Play begins Wednesday the 5th. I will have a practice round Tuesday afternoon.
Thanks again for following. Stay tuned for some good news.
Lee
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