The weather has been less than cooperative these last few days, so I've spent much more time on the range and practice green than I have on the course. I've gotten into sort of a routine when I practice putting. I typically won't leave the practice green until I've made at least 100 putts, and I added another ritual to my practice this week. I find a nice flat spot on the green and set up about 8 to 10 feet from the hole. This is the last thing I do before quitting for the day, and I make myself sink 21 putts in a row from the same spot before I'll let myself leave the green. The first dozen or so go by pretty easily, but the closer you get to 21 the more you start thinking about not screwing up and having to start over...especially when it's freezing cold out there.
The 2009 schedules for the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour are out now, so I can start to plan where I'm going to try and qualify when. I can't tell you how much I want to make a field early on in the year and make a cut. I know I can do this, but a little validation in the form of a pay check would be nice as well.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Cold and windy
I seem to be having a hard time remembering to post here. I intended for this to be a nearly daily blog, but so far its been sporadic at best. The past couple of weeks have gone well. Im still pounding a couple thousand balls a week on the driving range and getting in 5-6 rounds of golf.
Ive played pretty well the past couple of weeks...a couple of 67's and 68's. I had a couple of days where I shot 1 or 2 over as well, but the wind was up over 20 mph and it was pretty cold out there.
When I play I usually am able to hit quite a few practice shots while I'm out there. The other day I hit wedge from 138 and wasn't real happy with it. It was off line about 15 feet to the right and I hit it well past the hole, I thought. So I hit another one. This one went long as well, but was right over the stick. The shot was pretty much blind, though. When I got up to the green I noticed the ball I had in play was pin high and 15 feet right. It had sucked back a good 20 feet from where it hit. I could't see the other ball. Then I saw the pitch mark on the back of the green. The ball backed up into the hole. In the same round I stuck a wedge about 10 inches away from a hundred yards out and left a ball four inches from an ace on a 180 yard par 3.
I've about decided to not play the Hooters tour ranking school in January and concentrate on trying to Monday Qualify for Nationwide events. For that matter, I can Monday Q my way into Hooters events as well. I really feel like I can make some cuts if I can just get myself into a few events. We'll see.
I hit a ton of balls the last 2 days. I'm taking the next 2 days off to take Abby to Texas to see some family. I'm about to order a new driver as well. Im anxious to see how it performs.
Ive played pretty well the past couple of weeks...a couple of 67's and 68's. I had a couple of days where I shot 1 or 2 over as well, but the wind was up over 20 mph and it was pretty cold out there.
When I play I usually am able to hit quite a few practice shots while I'm out there. The other day I hit wedge from 138 and wasn't real happy with it. It was off line about 15 feet to the right and I hit it well past the hole, I thought. So I hit another one. This one went long as well, but was right over the stick. The shot was pretty much blind, though. When I got up to the green I noticed the ball I had in play was pin high and 15 feet right. It had sucked back a good 20 feet from where it hit. I could't see the other ball. Then I saw the pitch mark on the back of the green. The ball backed up into the hole. In the same round I stuck a wedge about 10 inches away from a hundred yards out and left a ball four inches from an ace on a 180 yard par 3.
I've about decided to not play the Hooters tour ranking school in January and concentrate on trying to Monday Qualify for Nationwide events. For that matter, I can Monday Q my way into Hooters events as well. I really feel like I can make some cuts if I can just get myself into a few events. We'll see.
I hit a ton of balls the last 2 days. I'm taking the next 2 days off to take Abby to Texas to see some family. I'm about to order a new driver as well. Im anxious to see how it performs.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
A rainy week
I've only gotten 2 rounds in this week, because of the weather we had here on Tues/Wed. It's nice to take a day off once in a while, but I'd rather not. I still have a lot of work to do before spring, and it will be here before I know it. Only 1 bogey this week in 36 holes, with 10 birdies and I've hit 2 more flag sticks since my last post.The greens are still in pretty rough shape. I missed a lot of 8-10 foot birdie tries during the last 2 rounds or I'd be way lower than -9. Most of my birdies this week have come from approach shots that got within 3 feet of the hole, and a few are 2 putt birdies on par 5's.
More sporadic rain tomorrow. I'll probably cover up and go play all 18 in the rain just for the practice. Looks like I'm going to have great weather for about 9 days after tomorrow. I've been blessed with some amazing weather these past couple of months. I get a little run down, but there'll be plenty of rainy days later in the winter to rest up on.
More sporadic rain tomorrow. I'll probably cover up and go play all 18 in the rain just for the practice. Looks like I'm going to have great weather for about 9 days after tomorrow. I've been blessed with some amazing weather these past couple of months. I get a little run down, but there'll be plenty of rainy days later in the winter to rest up on.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Grinding it out
It's been a few days since I last posted. Things are pretty much going the same, except that I have been neglecting my time in the gym a little. I'll be back in there tomorrow. I have a couple more weight loss goals in mind for the next couple of months, but it's going to take a bit more of an effort to get there.
From a health standpoint things are going great. I went to the doctor this week for some allergy relief, and learned that my blood pressure was 117/75 on no meds! A year ago it was so high that I was put on medication for it. I quit taking the meds back in the summer, thinking that losing all the weight had probably helped. Boy did it. About a year ago my bp was like 144/95.
I think I've hit 3 more flag sticks since I last posted, which brings my total for the last 6 weeks or so to, well, more than I've ever hit in my life. I'm still playing a lot of golf and getting in some extra practice on the course, but I'm also still pounding a few thousand range balls each week. It's getting colder and a bit windier, but it seems to keep some of the folks off of the course (and out of my way) so I'm all for it. I'll play in any weather, as long as there's not any lightning. You want to see a big ol' boy move quickly just watch what happens once I see a flash. I'm GONE!
Anyway, the swing seems to be holding up nicely. I'm a little sore (tendonitis in left elbow) from hitting all the balls, but even that doesn't bother me much once I'm good and warmed up. Like I said, I slipped a bit on the diet/excercise program for a week or so, but I'll be back on it in the morning and I'm going to push harder than ever through the end of the year. By the time the holiday's are over I should be very close to if not at my target weight.
For any of you who enjoy playing in the off season/colder months I have to tell you to go out and buy some Under Armour...like TODAY. Their "Coldgear" is nothing short of amazing. Skin tight, but still allows great mobility and it is unbelievably warm. Pretty pricey at $50 for a mock neck, but damn worth the price if you ask me.
From a health standpoint things are going great. I went to the doctor this week for some allergy relief, and learned that my blood pressure was 117/75 on no meds! A year ago it was so high that I was put on medication for it. I quit taking the meds back in the summer, thinking that losing all the weight had probably helped. Boy did it. About a year ago my bp was like 144/95.
I think I've hit 3 more flag sticks since I last posted, which brings my total for the last 6 weeks or so to, well, more than I've ever hit in my life. I'm still playing a lot of golf and getting in some extra practice on the course, but I'm also still pounding a few thousand range balls each week. It's getting colder and a bit windier, but it seems to keep some of the folks off of the course (and out of my way) so I'm all for it. I'll play in any weather, as long as there's not any lightning. You want to see a big ol' boy move quickly just watch what happens once I see a flash. I'm GONE!
Anyway, the swing seems to be holding up nicely. I'm a little sore (tendonitis in left elbow) from hitting all the balls, but even that doesn't bother me much once I'm good and warmed up. Like I said, I slipped a bit on the diet/excercise program for a week or so, but I'll be back on it in the morning and I'm going to push harder than ever through the end of the year. By the time the holiday's are over I should be very close to if not at my target weight.
For any of you who enjoy playing in the off season/colder months I have to tell you to go out and buy some Under Armour...like TODAY. Their "Coldgear" is nothing short of amazing. Skin tight, but still allows great mobility and it is unbelievably warm. Pretty pricey at $50 for a mock neck, but damn worth the price if you ask me.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Back on course
I finally got back out there today after having to take several days off. I'm still not sure how I hurt my foot, but I stayed off of it, kept it taped and elevated and It finally started feeling better.
I had to keep from yanking my driver dead left today, but still played pretty well. 2 under on greens that were just punched and sanded...hard to make many putts. I hit another flagstick today. I've noticed that my standards have gotten quite a bit higher lately, without me really noticing. I find myself getting irritated for blowing a shot. Example...today I hit a wedge in and was just disgusted by where I left it. I don't get angry on the course, but it was one of those shots where you just think...weak effort, that sucked. Then I get up to the green and I realize that I'm 12 feet from the hole. I'm just expecting more from my game, and that's good.
Today it was cold and a little windy. I hit a fading 4 iron into a par 3 from about 212 out. Again, I was unhappy with the shot, so I dropped a ball and hit it again. The first ball was only about 15 feet from the hole...not really that bad in the cold and wind. The second try at it slammed to a stop 3 feet from the hole. My point in this being that if I hit 2 fading 4 irons into a cold wind and the worst is 15 feet away, I'm starting to play pretty well. I drained that 15 footer as well.
I had to keep from yanking my driver dead left today, but still played pretty well. 2 under on greens that were just punched and sanded...hard to make many putts. I hit another flagstick today. I've noticed that my standards have gotten quite a bit higher lately, without me really noticing. I find myself getting irritated for blowing a shot. Example...today I hit a wedge in and was just disgusted by where I left it. I don't get angry on the course, but it was one of those shots where you just think...weak effort, that sucked. Then I get up to the green and I realize that I'm 12 feet from the hole. I'm just expecting more from my game, and that's good.
Today it was cold and a little windy. I hit a fading 4 iron into a par 3 from about 212 out. Again, I was unhappy with the shot, so I dropped a ball and hit it again. The first ball was only about 15 feet from the hole...not really that bad in the cold and wind. The second try at it slammed to a stop 3 feet from the hole. My point in this being that if I hit 2 fading 4 irons into a cold wind and the worst is 15 feet away, I'm starting to play pretty well. I drained that 15 footer as well.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Not a very productive week
I seems like it's been forever since I've gotten a complete round in. They have been working on the greens this week, that is, punching then sanding so I haven't been on the course a lot. I played 9 holes on Tuesday and shot 3 under. I hit a flag stick from about 163 yards out, then 2 holes later hit another stick from 148 yards out. The second one actually hit about 4 feet behind the hole and rattled the stick from behind when it sucked back. That one nearly dropped in for a deuce, which would have been my 3rd on a par 4 in about 10 days.
So with the greens all screwed up I opted for hitting a ton of balls this week. I would guess that I hit well over 2000 balls this week, and have the aches and soreness to prove it. I've also managed to pull or strain something in my foot. It's pretty painful so I may be off of it for a few days, which I'm not at all happy about because the weather is going to be amazing for about the next 9 days.
So with the greens all screwed up I opted for hitting a ton of balls this week. I would guess that I hit well over 2000 balls this week, and have the aches and soreness to prove it. I've also managed to pull or strain something in my foot. It's pretty painful so I may be off of it for a few days, which I'm not at all happy about because the weather is going to be amazing for about the next 9 days.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Practice is going well
I've gotten really bad about not posting here as often as I had intended. I've hit a ton of balls in the last two weeks...really focusing on yardages and distance controll. I've spent a lot of time with the wedges, really trying to get where I can dial in the perfect shot from anywhere inside about 130. It's going pretty well, actually.
Last week in a practice session I did something I've never done. I holed out for a 2 on #17 (par four), barely missed an eagle put on # 18 and made birdie, then continued playing and knocked in a 5 foot eagle putt on the par 5 1st hole. Eagle/birdie/eagle, and it was nearly 3 eagles in a row.
I'm trying to start figuring out where I'm going to play in the spring. The Adams Pro Golf Tour has a winter series in Houston, so I may try to play in at least 1 event in December. Then the regular seasons start in the spring. There is a NGA/Hooters ranking school in Houston in January, which I'll probably play in. That might guarantee me a few starts on the Hooters Tour next year. The Adams Pro Golf Tour is basically a pay to play type of thing, so I'm sure I'll try that a time or two as well. Then there are Monday qualifyers for Nationwide Tour events, which I plan to try a few of as well.
I'm also starting to write letters for some of the very early season stuff begging for a sponsor's exemption. I'm hoping that my story is intriguing enough that a couple of them might let me in. All it takes really is one good opportunity, then playing well in that opportunity. One good thing, one exemption into a field can follow another if you're playing well enough.
I really want to make the cut in a nationwide tour event early in the year it I can. It would be big in terms of confidence, plus I do need to make a little money now and then too! The Hooters Tour seems like a good place to try and break in...they are 72 hole events that are put on just like the regular tour stops. Practice rounds, pro ams, shootouts...everything.
Anyway, now comes the tedious part of writing letters and begging for sponsorships in the evenings, and practicing all day during the day time. Not that I'm complaining, of course, but I sure wish I had someone else to do the boring stuff for me. I'd much rather go practice.
Last week in a practice session I did something I've never done. I holed out for a 2 on #17 (par four), barely missed an eagle put on # 18 and made birdie, then continued playing and knocked in a 5 foot eagle putt on the par 5 1st hole. Eagle/birdie/eagle, and it was nearly 3 eagles in a row.
I'm trying to start figuring out where I'm going to play in the spring. The Adams Pro Golf Tour has a winter series in Houston, so I may try to play in at least 1 event in December. Then the regular seasons start in the spring. There is a NGA/Hooters ranking school in Houston in January, which I'll probably play in. That might guarantee me a few starts on the Hooters Tour next year. The Adams Pro Golf Tour is basically a pay to play type of thing, so I'm sure I'll try that a time or two as well. Then there are Monday qualifyers for Nationwide Tour events, which I plan to try a few of as well.
I'm also starting to write letters for some of the very early season stuff begging for a sponsor's exemption. I'm hoping that my story is intriguing enough that a couple of them might let me in. All it takes really is one good opportunity, then playing well in that opportunity. One good thing, one exemption into a field can follow another if you're playing well enough.
I really want to make the cut in a nationwide tour event early in the year it I can. It would be big in terms of confidence, plus I do need to make a little money now and then too! The Hooters Tour seems like a good place to try and break in...they are 72 hole events that are put on just like the regular tour stops. Practice rounds, pro ams, shootouts...everything.
Anyway, now comes the tedious part of writing letters and begging for sponsorships in the evenings, and practicing all day during the day time. Not that I'm complaining, of course, but I sure wish I had someone else to do the boring stuff for me. I'd much rather go practice.
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