First Round of 2007

First time on a course this year.  In fact, first time on a course since late May 2006.  I called a guy to network, and it turns out he and a neighbor play nine every weekend.  Next thing you know, I'm down for nine this Sunday.

Went to the range twice this week (that's a feat right there).  Hit some scabby shots, but a few great ones.  For some reason, each time I was just killing my driver.  A few hooks, but mostly just straight, long shots.  Of course, my short-game is still non-existent and my putting is a question mark (dropped the Futura Mid for the Mentorsports Clive Special), the latter having not yet been on real grass).

Played Birkdale Golf Club, an overpriced Palmer design -- but I repeat myself.  Shot a 44 (from the blues: 3229 yards for the front, 71.2/127 for the course) with three pars; would've started out par-par-par if not for a rushed-and-missed two-footer, trying to get out of someone else's way.  The extra strokes of my four bogies and two doubles were all because of errant tee shots.  That said, the trees were my friends today, spitting ball after ball back from certain OB and into the rough.

The lamest part: if we'd played 18, I'm quite sure I'd have gotten TIRED well before the last hole.  I really need to get more exercise.

Pretty good round, for you, Clive.  Congrats.

Congrats on being out on the links once again.

Congrats on getting out, Clive!  Nice score, too.

Thinking back, it really was one of those charmed outings: trees (and one house, I think) spitting golf balls back onto the course, never missed a green and handcuffed myself with a 40-yard pitch, never needed to hit driver on a hole that bent right (I play a draw and fight a hook), and so on.

Playing with them again in two weeks, so we'll see if the horseshoe stays in my golf bag ...

It's definitely the putter.

They are like big magnets or something.