A Chilly Practice
This afternoon, I practiced at the Hank Haney Golf Ranch in Lewisville. The weather was sunny but chilly, with a light breeze from the east.
I started off hitting pitching wedge shots to the center green, just clearing the pond from my location. I was striking the ball pretty well at the start, my main faults being a ball hit a bit thin or slightly pulled. I then got out the 6-iron, Nike 3-wood (newly trimmed to play 42.5"), Tom Wishon 5-wood, and the 4-iron. With the exception of the 4-iron, I hit all these clubs pretty well today. I tended to fade the woods slightly, but otherwise hit them well. I never got the 4-iron working today, tending to hit low hooks with it.
Next, I got out the driver and hit some balls, alternating with the 5-wood and 3-wood. The driver I hit pretty straight today, but all the balls were lower than usual and carry distance was pretty mediocre. I started out hitting the fairway woods well off the turf, but the balls were flying lower than usual as well. Then I got a case of the fats with the fairway metals, but soon worked it out and got the ball flying a more normal trajectory.
Next, I got out the wedges and hit a variety of half and full swing wedge shots, hitting them all pretty well today; main fault was a bit of a pull, but many were perfectly straight. I also hit some punch shots with the 8-iron. The first ball was hit poorly, but then I got dialed in and hit a couple really nice shots close to the pin. I also hit some cut lobs with the 64° wedge, hit them pretty well except for one fat shot.
As the sun was going down, my position ended up in the shade and I got very cold (no jacket). So, I got out the pitching wedge and 9-iron to finish up the bucket. I hit the first two pitching wedges fat, digging to China fat. The 9-iron was struck extremely well, nearly hitting the pin. My final shot was a fat 3-wood.
As I was about to freeze, I ended my practice without visiting the putting green. I was pretty pleased with my first 2007 practice.