Joey's Golf Bag

This afternoon, Jarvis, Anton and I played nine-hole Skins Game at the Lake Park Executive Course in Lewisville. The rain clouds finally parted this afternoon and the sun beat down on the soaking wet course. The mosquitos swarmed. You would think we were playing golf in the swamp. The 18-hole course was closed because of the wet conditions.

We went off about 4:45 PM. My day:

• Hole 1, 160 yd par 3 playing to 168 yds. I hit a perfect 5-iron shot to 10 ft pin high, but missed the birdie putt and tapped in for par to win the hole.
• Hole 2, 118 yd par 3 playing to 97 yds, I hit a gap wedge just short of the green, chipped with the pitching wedge to 6 ft and made the putt to win the hole.
• Hole 3, 152 yd par 3 playing to 143 yds. I sliced a 7-iron into the water and lost the hole to Jarvis, who made bogey.
• Hole 4, 350 yd par 4. I hit a hooking drive left of the cart path, with a clear shot at the hole from 115 yds. I hit an 8-iron well over the hole (normally, I would hit a soft 9-iron at this distance, but my clubs were well short last time I practiced… live and learn), chipped past the hole, leaving about 15 ft for par. Left the putt two ft short and tapped in for bogey, but still won the hole.
• Hole 5, 370 yd par 4. I hit a low drive off the heel into the center of the fairway, leaving 168 yds to the hole. I hit a 5-iron a bit thin, left and just short of the hole. I chipped to about 8 ft below the hole and two-putt for bogey, winning the hole. That would be the last hole I would win today.
• Hole 6, 154 yd par 3 playing 155 yds. I hit a 6-iron pin high but right of the green. I chipped short and two-putted for bogey, tying the hole with Anton.
• Hole 7, 146 yd par 3 playing 144 yds. I hit a 7-iron onto the green about 30 ft short of the hole. I then managed to 3-putt for bogey, but still tied the hole with Anton.
• Hole 8, 130 yd par 3 playing 123 yds. I hit a 9-iron really fat and lost the hole to Jarvis, who parred the hole and won 3 skins.
• Hole 9, 144 yd par 3 playing 142 yds. I hit an 8-iron really fat (again!) and lost the hole to Anton, who picked up double money on the last.

Assessment:

• Tee shots. I hit two greens in regulation and one of two fairways. Basically, I had 6 good tee shots and 3 stinkers.
• Approach shots. I over-clubbed on the 4th hole but hit a good shot. My other approach, a 5-iron was hit a bit thin but still a good shot just left of the green.
• Wedges. Just pitiful. I need lots of practice with my wedges to hit them well, and I haven’t practiced.
• Chipping. Pretty good today. I got up and down with a nice chip on the 2nd hole.
• Putting. Not very good. The longest putt I hit was about 6 ft and I three-putted three times. Yeech!!!!!

Not my best day on the course, but I had a really good time, never got frustrated or upset, even though I hit some bad shots and putted poorly, and got eaten alive by mosquitos. And my back felt fine all day, even though we walked the course. I’m back!