I shot a 97

Coming into today, my previous long drive was 201--I had only hit over 200 yards once in my life. In my warm up, I hit a drive 213 yards. Then on the 12th hole, I hit a drive 230 yards. 

In October 2025, my longest drive was 166 yards. Today it was 230 yards. That's crazy. 

February 2, 2026

4 pars

6 bogeys

4 doubles

4 triples or worse

0 mulligans

total score 99

April 6, 2026

3 pars

9 bogeys

3 doubles

3 triples or worse

0 mulligans

total score 97

Today I made par on a par 4 (twice) and a par 3 (once).

My par + bogey count today: 12

Double or worse: 6

Last time it was 10 and 8. 

Also there were three holes where I left my putt less than a foot short on a good line. So very easily could be talking about a 95 right now.

I did hit into two water hazards today, but the drop zone was near the green so, it didn't blow up my round. 

The first holes are always rough. I did a longer warm-up to mitigate that but it just is what it is.

I played holes 6-9, just one over par. Three pars and a bogey over that stretch. And then I continued the next four holes, bogey every time. If you apply that stretch to 9 holes, that's 42 or an 84 over 18. 

I'm defintely still improving and still left a ton of scoring out there. Plenty of room to get better.

I shot a 99

In the middle of the round I was hitting my driver 186. Then by the end I got a 191 twice. And then on 18, I hit a shot 201 yards. All of these were personal bests. 

In October, my longest drive was 166. 

In November, my longest drive was 180.

Today, I hit 201. 

According to this, I'll get my PGA Tour Card by August.

Let's break it down. Also, this was a no mulligan round. The one mulligan on the screen was when the simulator didn't read the ball properly (I was chipping and it thought I was putting.)

A little history for context.

October 26, 2025

1 par
5 bogeys

4 doubles

8 triples or worse

15 mulligans

total score 119

November 12, 2025

1 par

5 bogeys

5 doubles

7 triples or worse

8 mulligans

total score 110

November 26, 2025

3 pars

5 bogeys

7 doubles

3 triples or worse

3 mulligans

total score 99

February 2, 2026

4 pars

6 bogeys

4 doubles

4 triples or worse

0 mulligans

total score 99

Some notes. 

Last time, my pars came on a par 3 (two of them) and a par 4 (one.)

Today, my pars came on a par 3 (one) par 4 (one) and par 5 (two). 

Adding that bit of distance from 175ish to 190ish brought par 5 from my worst hole to just like any other hole. That alone, is a huge confidence boost. The only bad par 5 I had, was my first of the day. My third shot hit a tree and bounced backwards, a net negative. Other than that, I was solid on par 5s. 

This was the first time my par+bogey count was better than my double+triples count. 

There were a number of holes where the putting was a problem. Look, it's part of the game. But it can be frustrating when you finally get on the green in 3 shots, have a par putt in front of you, and then you three putt for a double or four putt for a triple. 

I mentioned the tree incident on hole 3. There was also the water incident on hole 16. First shot in the water, penalty drop. Third shot, also in the water, penalty drop. Fifth shot is 29 yards away. I get up and down from 29. So two penalty strokes but managed to salvage a triple instead of a quadruple or worse. 

The goal was always to break 100. 

With four holes to go, I was on 79. Those four holes have a par of 16. So to break 100, I'm only allowed to go +4 over the final four holes. 

I go par, triple bogey, par, bogey. 

Look at holes 9 through 18, but remove 11 and 16. That's 8 holes of the last 10, where I finished a combined +6. Okay fine, add back in hole 11. That's +9 over 9 holes, just removing the water incident. That's a 45. In other words, on pace for a 90. 

I guess that's not super different from just looking at the back nine and seeing that I turned in a 48. 

Making putts is important. I got a par on 9 and 17 by making 12-foot putts. 

The funny thing about breaking 100 today...I still left so much scoring out there. The tree, the water, the bad putting. 

If you gave me 20 attempts at each hole, I bet I could par every hole at least once. So the challenge of golf isn't that I can't do it once. It's putting together the best version of each hole together in the same round. 

The above paragraph might be very obvious. But that is drastically different than basically every sport out there. I cannot dunk. I cannot survive one play on a NFL field. I cannot hit a MLB pitch if you gave me 20,000 attempts.

But to sit here and say, I'm good enough to make par on any hole, given a large handful of chances, that's actually crazy. 

I'm not sure if I should say the next goal is to hit 95, or if I should just say, I hope next time to improve on today. Let's just go with that.

a good virtual walk spoiled: part 12

This was my third time playing 18 on a simulator in a month.

A month ago:

1 par
5 bogeys

4 doubles

8 triples or worse

15 mulligans

total score 119

Two weeks ago:

1 par

5 bogeys

5 doubles

7 triples or worse

8 mulligans

total score 110

Today:

3 pars

5 bogeys

7 doubles

3 triples or worse

3 mulligans

total score 99

+17 on the front nine

+11 on the back nine

My only goal I've ever had was to break 100. Today I shot a 99 with several asterisks.

First asterisk: I did take 3 mulligans. All of those were water hazard shots.

So you could easily say I earned a 105.

Also, and this is a big one, I play it off the tee even on 2nd and 3rd shots if needed.

Also, I realize that the golf simulator does provide other advantages. One is that I can get in a good rhythm and hit three shots in a minute, reducing the amount of overthinking. It makes the mental game easier.

So I'm not here to make a big whoop-de-doo about breaking 100. But there were several good things that I want to hold onto:

1. My ball striking was much improved. A lot less chunked shots off the heel.

2. My distance has actually improved. My whole swing is better. Today with the roll, my driver was getting 175-180 on a good shot. A month ago my average drive was 143. I'm following through, which was a tip I wrote down here like 11 years ago. But in the last two weeks I've been passively absorbing some YouTube Shorts on golf swings and one thing I actually found myself employing and working, was at the top of the backswing, I was concsciously shifting my hips first to start the downswing. I was amazed how much that helped. Also, I did get a new driver and this was the 2nd time using it.

I also got a new wedge, a 56 degree and it improved my short game tremendously. This was the first time using it, and I was DIALED with it.  

3. I still left some scoring out there. On 11, I had a par putt that just lipped out but then carried past the hole. My bogey putt came up a few inches short. So I was real close to a par that turned into a double bogey. 

4. I parred the 13th. A par 4. I've only done that once before. There was a large bunker guarding the front of the green. I could have chosen to lay up, but I figured I was doing good with my wedge and the closer the better. (Now the funny thing is that the bunker limits it to 50% power. So a 20-yard bunker shot or a 40-yard fairway shot is the same thing.) My 2nd shot hit the bunker as expected. My third was a wedge shot out of the bunker that was 13 feet away. And I drained the putt. 

I still lack distance, but I managed to get bogey on two par fives. However, my accuracy has gotten better. As well as managing the correct distance when it's within reach. 

I had some extra time on the simulator so I tried a par 3 course. 

I know I used one mulligan on the 9th. There was water in front of the 9th green and I was going to have to carry 160, but somehow I carried it like 170 or 175 and it bounced into water behind the green that I wasn't even thinking about. I don't remember the other mulligan I took, but it must have been some other water shot.

Regardless, 5 pars, 4 bogeys, 2 mulligans. When the holes are not too long for my distance ability, I'm actually playing quite well. 

Birthday Top Golf

So for my birthday, Mrs. Hoagie Central took us out to TopGolf.

Now if you notice, for football season, they have uprights in the field of play. 

Me and the boys played a bunch of different game modes, including Field Goal Challenge. Now, not everyone can hit the distance of the uprights 117 yards away. So they offer virtual distances. 

I let the kids play all their 10 shots on 23 yards away. 
I played the progressive at 5 distances, where it goes further back if you make a shot. I made the first 3 shots in a row, then it took me five attempts to make the 4th distance, something like 90ish yards. That left me with two attempts where for it to count it had to go through the physical uprights. Now the annoying thing was my 8th shot, actually went through the physical uprights. So that counted as a successful 4th distance, but did not also count as completing the full distance. 

One thing to clear up: all my shots were clearing 117. What is tricky is that the angle gets so much narrower the further the uprights get pushed back. 

Anyways so we moved on and played other modes, and then with 5 minutes to go, I was like I want to play field goal challenge again. 

So I set it at the full distance from the beginning and took 10 shots and couldn't make any through. 

Now I had 2 minutes left. One more round in me. 

I missed the first 5 shots. Some left, some right. I know these next five are my last chance. 

And then on #6, I could tell the moment it left my club, that it was going right through. With under one minute to go, I hit a buzzer beater.

a good virtual walk spoiled: part 11

I tried a different simulator place in town and I liked this one quite a bit. 

This one notably included putting. The first hole I think I four-putted because I was getting the hang of it. It only gives a gimme if you get it inside 5 feet. 

Highlights from today:
On the 11th or 12th, I drained a 24 foot putt.

On the 15th, I hit a par with no mulligans. 

Last time's recap:

1 par
5 bogeys

4 doubles

8 triples or worse

15 mulligans

total score 119

Today:

1 par

5 bogeys

5 doubles

7 triples or worse

8 mulligans

total score 110

I didn't even notice that last time I scored a 68 on the front nine and then a 51 on the back nine.

Today I scored a 60 on the front nine and then a 50 on the back nine.

Now some of that is that in the beginning I'm always like "I'm not taking mulligans" but then you hit it into the water or something stupid so you take one or two, and then you get more comfotable taking them as the round goes on...I'm also playing Turtle Bay in Hawaii because it's cool, and it's got way more water than anyone like me has business playing, so I don't feel guilty about taking some mulligans.

But also I think it shows that I do play better once I'm warmed up.

My par last time was on a par 3 on the back nine.

My par today was on a par 3 on the back nine.

Last time my three worst holes were a 9, 10, 12.

This time my three worst holes were all 8s.

Anyways, +14 on the back nine is pretty good for me. Breaking 100 would be nice, and if I can play like I did on the back nine, on the front nine too, that would be cool.

a good virtual walk spoiled: part ten

I enjoyed the golf simulator in Vegas so much, that this morning I went out to All Seasons Indoor Golf and played a round of 18 holes in one hour.

Just a real casual 119 (45 over par).

When my average drive is 143, it's hard to make par on long holes.

But to make up for my poor distance, I also have poor accuracy. 

I did make a par on a par 3 and even got a bogey on a par 5.

a good walk spoiled: part nine

This was the best round I've played in nine years.

Yes it was a Par 3 course. But still.

Prior to today, my best finish was +9 on August 27, 2005. And I've made a total of four pars.
Today I was +10 and added another two pars to my career.

I really played great. Remembering to follow through makes a big difference.

Most of my tee shots felt great. The strange thing was that I didn't land any on the green. But I put about 4 or 5 on the fringe.

I'll go hole by hole as best I can remember.

#1. First shot came of nice. Put it on the fringe, short and left. A nice chip and a good first putt left me with an easy 4.

#2. My tee shot also landed on the fringe, short and left. But it wasn't as far as on the first hole. I use my PW to chip and it was amazing. For a second I thought it was going to roll into the cup. Instead it stopped within two feet. Easy one putt for par.

#3. I followed my par with one of my worst tee shots, a skimmer along the fairway. But I was able to put a 9-iron close enough to two-putt.

#4. All I remember about this hole is that I made an 8 to 10 foot putt to save my four. Best putt of the day.

#5. This one is deceptive. It's all uphill and the pin was at the very back of a deep green with multiple ridges. My tee shot was my best all day. It landed on the fringe but close to hole. I had a birdie putt. It wasn't that realistic, but I had one. I came close to making it but pushed it past the hole far enough that I three-putted.

#6. Very similar to my par on hole #2. My tee shot again landed on the fringe. This time I putted it to two feet away. As simple as it gets.

#7. I again followed my par with one of my worst tee shots, high but way right over a hill, 50 yards from the pin. From there I hit one of the best shots, a 9-iron that got up over the hill and landed on the green, close enough to two-putt.

#8. This one played really long. I use the 3-iron off the tee for the first time. Didn't hit it that well. Second shot got close and then I duffed my chip on the next shot.

#9. This green was tough. (Come to think of it, these greens were much tougher than Walnut Greens back in the day.) The pin was on a small raised tier. My second shot was a chip that got up on the tier and then rolled into the fringe. From there I putted and almost saved par, but rolled down the tier. Fourth putt was good and almost went in.

So there you go. +10. Probably was the best I've ever played.

a good walk spoiled: part eight

This was by the longest course I've ever played. 9 holes took about 2 hours and I was beat. My shots on the ninth started failing me. Maybe one day I'll play 18, but this wore me out.

(This was also the nicest course I've played, but that's not saying much. It was $18 for the front nine.)

The first hole was rough. I'm not confident in my woods. This is only my third time playing a regulation course (not a par 3) and the first time I didn't even bring my woods. My second shot went out of bounds. Luckily, it's not that long of a hole and I only took four actual swings.

I just don't have distance. Today I hit one green in regulation and it was the par 3 5th. In fact, on 6 out of 9 holes, by the time I was putting, par was off the table.

The fourth hole features a giant lake in front of the tee box. I hit a great tee shot and it just found the water on the far edge. That was the only ball I lost today. (This was the first time golfing since Father's Day 2012 when Brit gave me 18 titanium golf balls.)

My best shot came on the 5th. I got out my 5-iron and placed it right on the green. One of weaknesses in the past has been first putts. But today my first putts were great. I left myself a totally makable 5-footer for par. And I just missed it wide leaving myself another 5-footer for bogey. And I made that one.

The sixth started poorly but ended well. My tee shot (3-wood) went out of bounds. I found it and took a drop. Since it's 495 yards, after four strokes (counting the penalty) I was still about 190 yards out. From there I got in, in three. Great 5-iron from the fairway to the fringe. A great 25-foot fringe putt that rolled within two feet.

If those last three strokes would have come on a par 3, it would have been a rare par. Also, I two-putted 5 of the 9 holes. If I had done that on the 5th, I would have made par. Alas.

On the 8th, I got on in three. I had about a 20-footer and I was just trying to two-putt. And wouldn't you know my first putt almost went in. It looked like it was going in the whole way. At the end it rolled an inch wide, about 5 feet past the hole. And I missed the comebacker. But that was almost a genius par on a par 4.

- - -

Tip for Future Dave: remember to follow through. Makes a big difference.

- - -

Here's the historical record:

August 14, 2005: +15 on a par 3
August 27, 2005: +9 on a par 3
July 3, 2009: +17 on a par 3
July 3, 2010: +22 on a par 3
July 5, 2010: +22 on a normal 9-hole course
October 3, 2010: +23 on a normal 9-hole course
October 16, 2011: +17 on a par 3
April 12, 2012: +15 on a par 3
May 30, 2014: +22 on a normal 9-hole course

I am shockingly consistent on regulation courses. 

Still, I shot 58. And breaking 50 would be nice.

Also, in these 9 outings, I've made 4 pars. One on a par 4. The others were all on par 3 courses.

Today, I had:
2 bogeys
2 double bogeys
4 triple bogeys
1 +4

Not the worst.

a good walk spoiled: part seven

Here's a recap of my golf outings in the modern era:

August 14, 2005: +15 on a par 3
August 27, 2005: +9 on a par 3
July 3, 2009: +17 on a par 3
July 3, 2010: +22 on a par 3
July 5, 2010: +22 on a normal 9-hole course
October 3, 2010: +23 on a normal 9-hole course
October 16, 2011: +17 on a par 3

A few takeaways:

• I've only played 9 holes at a time
• I'm not that much worse on a normal course vs a par 3 course
• My best rounds were the first two I had played since before college
• July 3 was the earliest I had ever golfed in a year
• I skipped three years entirely
• I only have golfed at least three times in a year in 2010

The weather's been great here for a while (it never really got too cold anyways) so golf had been on my mind for over a month. And now that I'm a dad (and curling is over) I really appreciate any time that I'm not working or taking care of H.

H woke up today at 6:30. Not only is that a good hour earlier, that means he's crabby because he didn't sleep enough. So I got up with him and tried to do some great parenting from the couch.

Anyways, by noon I was ready to hit the links.

I kept track of my swings and putts just for fun.

On the first hole I had a putt for par, after a decent chip. I missed my par putt by an inch but thought it was a good start. Of course it was only a 72-yard hole.

A good drive on the second hole. And it felt good on the third, but was a little strong and a little left, finding some deep grass. I opted to take a penalty drop, had a good chip and a one put to save bogey.

The fourth hole was my only disaster. Sliced my 7-iron tee shot and never found it. I was in the green in four, but it was a huge green and I was left with a super long putt. I left it short and that led to a four-putt. Yikes.

I hit a beauty on the fifth. 150-yards with my five iron, just shy of the green. It was a tough pin placement though, on the very near side. My chip came up a bit short on the fringe and it wasn't a realistic putt for par.

Another tee shot that felt good on the sixth, though it was a bit left.

My shot of the day came on hole 7. I hit a 7-iron perfectly. High, good distance, as soon as it left my club I knew it was going on the green. I left myself a 15-20 foot putt and I was only thinking two putt. Get my par and get out. It was slightly up hill and I left it shorter than I wanted. Still I think it was probably a four or five putt for par. Totally makeable. And I pushed it wide by an inch. And then in frustration, pushed it wide coming back down the hill. Wasted my best shot.

My shot on the 8th also found the green, but it was uglier, more of a line drive that rolled up there. After a decent first putt, I had a four footer for par. And I missed that one too.

My last chance for par came on the last hole. It was a 10-footer and I went for it. Of course wide and hard and I left myself a tough 6 or 7 footer coming back. I actually made that one, my best putt of the day.

I actually walked away feeling like I played really well. I think that tee shots affect your feelings more than putts, but putts affect your scores just as much. Only one bad tee shot all day. Another was ugly but landed on the green anyways.

I know I can't chip for shit, and today my putting was just as bad.

Still, good to get out. See some mountains, walk some fairways.

a good walk spoiled: part six

I couldn't let 2011 go by without playing at least once.

I picked this course because it was a par 3 that was 2 minutes away. It only cost 9 bucks. The course was fairly nice, water hazards on a couple holes but not too crazy. The only drawback is how cramped the layout is. It's so tight that they have protective screens around many of the tee boxes, as they are often along the fairway/green of surrounding holes.

Funny moment: I'm getting ready to tee off on #2, when the group behind me whistles at me. And points. I was turned the wrong way, aiming for the #9 hole. Whoops.

I didn't play that well, not surprising considering how long it had been. My first shot was great. Then I duffed a chip. Then a great chip and one putt.

Of course I did the worst on the shortest hole. I took out my 7-iron and swung lightly...and still carried over the green, bounced it on the parking lot behind the hole, and landed it on the roof of a garage with a loud clang.

The 5th hole was my best chance for par. My drive was an ugly sort of shot that kept rolling up the left side of the fairway and landed literally on the edge of the green. All I had to do was two-putt for par. My But I went too far past the hole on my 2nd shot, leaving me with an unrealistic par putt. But since there was no one behind me, I replayed my lie from the drive twice, and both times nailed the two-putt. Too bad it didn't count.

The 9th hole was long enough to be a short par 4 on some courses and I had a 6 foot putt to make 4, and I missed it right by an inch.

The worst part of my game is my chipping. Without fail, my first chip on a hole goes three feet. And then usually my second one goes 15 feet past the hole.

The best part of my game is shots 40-90 yards away on the fairway. These seem like they would be hard to get the distance right, but I usually nail them. (Of course, if I have a 80-yard tee shot, I land it on a garage).

My putting and driving are both not that great, but not as bad as my chipping.

- - -

To make me feel better about myself, I want to compile a list of the five greatest holes I've ever played.

5. Hole #9 - Par 4 - 368 yards - Columbus Park, Chicago, IL - 7.5.10

Score: Bogey
Long holes are challenging for me because I lack distance. Scores of 7-9 are typical on par 5s. So a bogey on a 368-yard hole is a notable feat. It took me three shots to get near the green, but a great chip and 1-putt saved bogey.

4. Hole #4 - Par 3 - 113 yards - Walnut Greens, Schaumburg, IL - 8.27.05
Score: Par
I don't have a recollection of my shots. I guess I didn't think it was that notable to get a par (what was I thinking?) I probably landed on the green and two-putted.

3. Hole #6 - Par 4 - 322 yards - Columbus Park, Chicago, IL - 7.5.10
Score: Bogey
This was my only Green In Regulation (on in 2 on a par 4 or on in 3 on a par 5). Of course I three-putted, but still two good shots to get on the green.

2. Hole #6 - Par 3 - 139 yards - Detweiller Golf Course, Peoria, IL - circa 1998
Score: Birdie
This is still the only birdie I've hit after all this years. My drive was short and left. I had a 40-yard approach. I hacked at it and it bounced short of the green, and then rolled right into the cup. Sheer luck.

1. Hole #6 - Par 4 - 322 yards - Columbus Park, Chicago, IL - 10.3.10
Score: Par
My only par on a par 4. My third shot was an 120-yard approach that landed 8 feet from the pin. And I only needed one shot on the green.

a good walk spoiled: part five

On a 50-degree day in October, three gentleman set out to play golf.


Matt started out strong and through four, was up three strokes on me. The best hole we collectively played was the 7th (coincidentally the shortest par four). But we all three had great shots off the tee--Matt and Niraj both went about 150, myself 190 or so. I was on the green in two, and came inches within making a par putt.

But I've buried the lede. The 322-yard 6th hole. Matt and I both hit mediocre to poor drives with woods off the tee, on the ground and to the left. My 2nd shot from the left edge of the fairway, I opened up the face of my 5-iron, making good contact, sending it to the right side of the fairway. I left myself a 120-yard approach shot. I took a full swing with my 9-iron, hit a beautiful crisp shot that flew straight through the air, landing just shy of the green, and rolled within ten feet of the pin. That approach shot was one of the best shots I've ever hit. I let the other two Bozos putt out, and then I stood over this putt for par. Probably an 8-footer.

It was slightly uphill, slight break to the left. All day I had been putting on line, but leaving them a couple feet short. I decided, since this was for par, that I was going to go for it--no way I was leaving it short. When it left my club, it felt good. It was rolling up the hill at a good pace. With maybe two feet to go, I thought I had left it right. But then at the last moment it broke left. It ran over the cup, hit the back edge with some velocity, and popped up in the air an inch or two before falling in the cup. And there it was. My first par on a par four hole. EVER. I'd made a few on par 3's, when you land it on the green and two-putt in. That's not easy, but you can two-putt. With my power, I'm almost never going to be on the green in 2 on a par 4 (I did on the 7th, but it was a 250-yarder).

And all it took was a mediocre drive and three of the best strokes I've ever had.


Here was my day by hole:

1st: +4
2nd: double bogey
3rd: +5
4th: triple bogey
5th: double bogey
6th: par
7th: bogey
8th: triple bogey
9th: triple bogey

On the 8th, we all hit in the water on our first attempt. But after that shot and the penalty stroke, I went: drive, approach, chip-in that rolled within an inch, tap-in. So if would have the 2nd drive as my first, that triple was an inch away from being another par.

My previous two rounds in 2010 were both +22, despite on being a par-3 course. This one was +23. Sort of shockingly consistent.

Also, humorous note, teeing off on the par-3 2nd, I hit a 5-iron directly into the slanted red tee box marker that was maybe 20 yards in front of me. It popped straight up in the air, hung there for a good five seconds, and fell in the grass about 5 yards away.

So in the modern, post-college era, I've played twice in 2005, once in 2009, and thrice in 2010.

a good walk spoiled: part four

I went to bed last night with an itch. An itch to play more golf. I woke up around 9 am, showered and shaved, and went to check the weather. Despite the previous forecast for rain, it looked like a nice day, and the forecast had been updated to hold off until afternoon showers. So I looked up nearby courses and found that there was one just a couple minutes away. According to this Google page, the greens fee was $12.00 and a reviewer mentioned playing the par 3 course.

When I arrived, I was surprised that the greens fee was $18.00. However, I was more surprised to find out, on the first tee, that this is not a par 3 course. The first hole is a 300-yard par 4. And I don't have a single wood in my bag.

But I rationalized, I haven't hit a wood since high school, so it probably would do more harm than good anyways. The father and son in front of me were nice enough to let me play with them. Here's how I did:

After three-putting the first hole, I decided it would be a good idea to keep track of my swings and my putts. Overall, I thought I swung the ball okay, and was more frustrated with my putting. The only penalty was on hole 5, the longest hole with a sharp dogleg, when my ball went a couple feet into the woods. I found it but had to take a drop. On the 3rd hole, it took me two swings to get out of a green side bunker, and I remember a pretty bad duff on the fairway. But those were the only holes where it took me more than 4 swings.

I marked my three best holes, all bogeys. On #2, I hit a 5-iron just to the left front fringe. From there I chipped it past the hole, onto the center of the green. My par putt was too long to be considered a real threat, and I did well enough just to get it close for the two-putt.

On #6, I crushed a 3-iron straight down the fairway, about 190 yards. Easily my best drive of the day. With 130 to the pin, I hit a 9-iron. It didn't come off cleanly, and it rolled into the bunker, and over the bunker. From where I hit it, I couldn't tell if I was in the rough or if it was going to keep rolling to the parking lot. When I walked to the green, I discovered the green extended past the elevated bunker, and my ball had actually landed completely on the green. This was my first and only Green In Regulation. My goal was to two-putt and get a par. But, as is so often my case, I can't get the first one close enough. I left myself probably an 8-footer or so, and I couldn't convert. That was my only chance at par.

On the last hole, it took me 3 swings to get up near the green. I found myself under a tree, with a bunker in front of me and not much green to work with on the other side. I wasn't even sure what to do. But I hit it and it came up and nicked some leaves above me. It cleared the sand trap, and rolled to about 6-8 feet from the hole. I walked over and nailed my first decent putt of the day. If only I was able to put together those two short game shots, with some of my good strokes from holes 2 or 6, then I would have had something.

- - -

I found it funny that I was +22 today, and I was also +22 two days ago at the par-3 course of Walnut Greens. Also, I think I've only played one full 18-hole course, in high school, and I'm pretty sure I shot a 123. I remember sending an email to someone with the subject line, easy as 1-2-3. So when I counted up my 57, I was pleased that I was able to outshoot a 61.5, my only previous benchmark. People always talk about breaking 100, so I guess that 50 would be a good score to aim for the next time I play a full 9-hole course.

a good walk spoiled: part three

I went golfing today, for the first time in exactly one year. It's only the fourth time I've gone in Chicagoland. Since Matt and Niraj went last week, I proposed we play a dollar-a-hole Skins Game!

The highlights mark the skins won, the darker highlight represents double skins, carried over from a previous tie.

It felt like I played well. On the 2nd, 4th and 6th holes, I landed it on the green in one. Of course I three-putted all those holes, leaving me with bogeys on all of them. I went into the water on holes 1 and 3 (and hit the ball over the fence on #9) adding three penalty strokes that I usually avoid. Though looking at my scores, this was my worst outing. And it was much closer than our outing last year (9 strokes separating first and second, compared to 23 last year).

Matt had the best putt of the day--a 20-footer on hole 5 that tied the skin.

And Burnsy had the best hole score of the day--the only par for any of us. (The first par that I've recorded for Niraj on white tees.)

As for the skins, Matt had putting chances to tie on #3. His double bogey on #5 capped off by his great putt, included a penalty stroke for taking a drop after hitting into the long weeds. *And on the last hole, he had a short putt that would have won him the skin at 7 strokes that he pushed past the hole. In frustration, he conceded the hole. So I've docked him a penalty stroke, since his remaining putt (8th stroke) was a tough uphill shot.

And as for the 9th hole skin, Burnsy and I had to settle the tiebreaker on the putting green. Burnsy chose the spot and hole, and I beat him by a stroke, 4-3, to get the final skin. Matt chose not to participate.

a good walk spoiled: part two

For the first time in almost four years, Niraj and I went golfing. (previous scores here) In fact, this time it was a threesome. Here's how we did: 

Matt was playing with rented clubs as he doesn't have his own. We started out on the easier (red) tees and after playing the 3rd hole we switched to the white. On hole #3, the red tees take the water hazard out of play, chop 60 yards off the distance, and turn it into a wedging exercise, which accounts for it being the easiest hole of the day.

Basically, Matt and Niraj struggled in the beginning, and again once we switched to the white tees, but finished strong. They were tied up after 7, but Matt played his way ahead with back-to-back double bogeys!

My goal was to get a par, and I didn't do that. Hole #7 was particularly frustrating as my tee shot was just off the green, and I needed 5 shots to get it in the hole. I was on the green-in-one on holes #1 and #3 but 3-putted both times for bogey.

Actually, if you consider the increase in difficulty, I did better than my first time out in '05, and Niraj did about as good as he did the second time out four years ago.

Easiest Hole: #3 red: average score: +1.33
Toughest Hole: #5 white: average score: +5.33

a good walk spoiled

Here are the golf scores from back in the day. We missed 06 and 07. But not 08.

Editor's Note: Yep, we missed 08 too! 

But not 09 or 2010.

Also, notice that we played on longer tees the second time around.