Joey's Golf Bag

Today, I practiced and played nine at Hank Haney Golf Ranch in Lewisville. The day was cool and sunny, with a blustery wind blowing at times to 25 mph.

I warmed up with a small bucket of balls, starting out hitting pitching wedges into the teeth of the wind. I then moved on to hitting the longer irons, moved on to the hybrid, 5-wood and driver. I hit the ball pretty respectably today, my main miss being a pull. The hook monster stayed away for the most part, although I did hit a towering hook into the left net with a 5-iron. My ball flight was very high today, even with the 4-iron. I know when I’m hitting the 4-iron well, my swing is working. So, as I chipped and putted prior to my round, I felt pretty good about my swing, for a change.

My score:

* Hit green in regulation.

• First hole. Pushed a pitching wedge right of the green. Chipped to 10 ft and two-putt for bogey.
• Second hole. Chunked a 5-iron into the right hazard. Took a penalty drop and hit a 7-iron short of the green. Hit a lob wedge about 8 ft past the hole and two-putt for double.
• Third hole. Hit a lob wedge just onto the green and it rolled back just onto the fringe. Putt from the fringe to 3 ft and tapped in for par.
• Fourth hole. Hit a driver just into the left rough and hit an 8-iron into the wind short of the green. Hit a lob wedge thin over the green. Chipped with the 8-iron, hit the pin and tapped in for bogey.
• Fifth hole. Flew the green with a sand wedge. Chipped with a lob wedge to 8 ft and two-putt for bogey.
• Sixth hole. Hit a perfect drive into the center of the fairway, leaving 84 yds to the pin. Chunked the sand wedge just into the hazard, but fortunately, playable. Hit a lob wedge thin, bounced up on the green, nailed the pin and dropped in for birdie. Sometimes, you just get lucky!
• Seventh hole. Hit a perfect 5-iron 12 feet right of the hole, missed the putt and tapped in for par.
• Eighth hole. Pushed a 4-iron just into the right rough, leaving an easy 8-iron to the green. Hit the 8-iron pin-high but pushed just into the right bunker. Hit the bunker shot off wet sand 20 ft past the hole and two-putt for bogey.
• Ninth hole. Pushed a 5-iron right of the hole, hanging just above the cart path, leaving me a very tough lie. Hit a lob wedge too softly, leaving it short of the green, then chunked the chip. Putted from the fringe and tapped in for double.

Ironically, even though my ball-striking was mixed, I still had my best score ever on this course. My putting was pretty good today, no three putts, but no long putts made either. I feel like I’ve finally turned the corner and am starting to play up to my potential.

I still claim the title of Salieri of Golf, though.