Final round of the Von Hagge.

We were tied for 4th with 3 other teams and were in the 3rd to last group off ahead of the leaders. I figured it would take a round of 68 to win the tournament but we could shoot under par and get in the top 3. The conditions were a bit wet from the rain the night before and it was very humid and hot. There was a 40% chance of rain this day so we wanted to get off to a good start in case it was called as a 9 hole tournament day.

I pared the first hole, and i bogies the second hole. For some reason i was having difficulty focusing this morning. I parred the next hole and then three putted the next hole for bogie. The day was not going according to plan, my practice session was good but i didn’t have life in my swing today and my mood was passive which bothered me since it was a final round and i needed to be on point to play well. After the 3 putt the thunder started again and after looking at the radar we discovered we may have time for 2 more holes. The wind started to blow with the front coming in. My partner hooked his tee shot in to the trees on the left. I was concerned that my 5 wood wouldn’t be enough to get to the corner so against my process i pulled out 3 wood knowing it was too much club. I then didn’t complete my swing because i didn’t hit the ball with intent. So i pulled it into the left rough. Unfortunately it was the deepest rough probably on the entire golf course. I had a 155 yard shot to a narrow green guarded by water. I tried to hit the ball with power and the grass caught my club and i pulled the ball into the water. After dropping and hitting a decent wedge i missed the putt and made double. Once again thanks to a partner he made a great bogie to potentially save our round. We were 1 over and our playing partners were 1 under and the rains were coming. I teed off on the next hole hit it 15 feet and my partner hit it ion the front edge 40 feet while we were driving to the green the rain started to fall. By the time it was my turn to putt the rain was coming down hard and there was already water collecting on the green. I hit my putt and it was 3 feet walked up tapped it in and rain for cover. We took cover under the halfway house for close to an hour before the rain and lightening subsided enough for us to continue play. During the delay i went brought what had happened so far in the round. I discovered i was going to fast and gripping the club too tight and if given the chance would correct that mistake. I was fortunate enough to be given the chance to redeem myself after being 4 over on the first 6 holes. We continued play and i shot 2 under par from that point and my partner added a birdie himself for us to finish the round at 2 under and 2 under total for the tournament. We were fortunate enough that others didn’t play as well and we slipped into a tied for third 4 shots out of first and two out of second.

What i learned was that no matter what stick with your game plan and always hit the ball with intent. I also discovered that putting can make up for some pretty poor shots. I had been working on 4-6 footers and made 85% of them during the tournament. The ones i didn’t make were doo to grip pressure or not hitting the putt with intent and releasing the putter head. I was please with my putting this weekend and for the most part my ball striking as well. Didn’t hit my driver very well so therefore didn’t hit it at all. I am hitting my 3 wood far enough that i don’t have to hit my driver and i am conformable enough hitting a 8 or 7 iron into the green that it doesn’t make a huge difference to me. However it makes it more difficult to make birdies.

I will give myself a 8 for ball striking this weekend, 7 for the short game, and a 9 for putting.

I have another event this weekend and will sign in and let you know what i have discovered during the week to help shoot a lower number

As always

Practice the short game with a passion and putting with desire