Just Me

Three words I dread more than “It’s Still Your Turn!” Just thinking about it exhausts me!!

We had 3″ of rain over the weekend. I knew I’d be walking all over the place today…and I did. Do you think I could keep the ball close to the cart path? Me?  NEVER!! I was all over the place and getting more and more tired as the round went on.

I keep telling myself the walking is good for me…and it is, but boy, when your back, hips and knees hurt, all that walking doesn’t seem beneficial! And to add insult to injury, I didn’t have my pedometer on the correct place on my belt so I didn’t get a true accounting of how far I’d walked. I was averaging about 5 1/2 miles a round (and that’s with taking the cart all over the course. You could add another two or three miles to that when you can’t take the cart.

I tried walking 9 holes at the beginning of the season. I’m so out of shape, I couldn’t catch my breath. I had no idea the front nine was all uphill. Seemed like I was pushing that cart up hills all the time…never down. That lasted for 6 holes when the gal I was playing with thought I might die (I didn’t feel I was in imminent danger of doing do, but I sure did sound like it), so she went and got the car and we quit. It was OK with me…I was exhausted.

Anyway…I did have a bright spot. I birdied 11. The 11th hole and I have not been friends for a very long time. It’s my least favorite hole on the course. It’s a long par 3 and it seemed no matter what club I used, I couldn’t get the damn ball on the green. I’d either be in the hills on the right of the green or in the left side bunker. On the rare occasion I hit the ball straight, it’d land in the throat on the fairway.

Today, I had a sweet shot. First time in probably over a year I had a sweet shot on that hole. It was a bit far…left myself with about a 10 or 12 foot putt. From somewhere, I managed to put the ball right in the center of the jar!! It was sweet!! It was also my only bright spot…but that’s OK.

What wasn’t OK was all the time I spent in the sand. For every lovely shot I had, most landed in a bunker. I got a lot of practice playing at the beach. It’s always a challenge. I have to get better at it, but it wasn’t awful!!

It was a beautiful day, I played with a good friend (only the two of us today) and I was on the golf course and not behind the computer…so life is good and I’ll try again Wednesday to excel!! Playing 9 hole tomorrow, but that’s a warm up for me.

Of course the Mets crapped out. They were tied yesterday for the wild card with the Brewers. All they had to do was win yesterday…the final game at Shea Stadium. The last game to be played there after 44 years. I was there at the second game ever played in that stadium….but couldn’t get up to New York to see it one more time So….how did they honor that beloved ball park? They blew it and lost the final game ever to be played there. Milwaukee is the wild card. They should have done it! They should have won! But, again they slid off into the night, but not gently!

Well, there’s always next year!

Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe.

We started on 18 today. That’s a short par 3. I parred it!! Whoda thunk!! Then, on to hole #1. I parred it!! I thought I was on a roll…NOT!! Forget what I did on #2.

Bottom line…I didn’t dig too big a hole for myself. I ended up with a decent score. Still got several cases of the stupids. Sometimes I’m just not sure what I’m doing wrong. Other times, I know and can correct. At leaast I partially came back and got a fair score. I need to get better…I’m playing in a tourney on the 8th.

So…if we don’t get rained out by the upcoming Nor’easter, I try again Friday. Chances are though, we;ll get rained out. they’re calling for an 80% chance…that doesn’t bode well. Plus, it’s supposed to rain tomorrow as well, so it may be too wet to even think about going out. Time will tell.

The Mets just aren’t going to do it! I’m sad they won’t win the division. They should be the wild card team, but they should have won the division again this year. Another crash and burn. This is getting depressing. That and the fact that Sunday’s game will be the last ever for my beloved Shea Stadium. I attended the second game ever played there. I’m going to try to get tickets for the second game at the new ballpart - Citi Stadium. What a stupid, dumbass name that is. Corporate hackney suits owning a ball park. I HATE that!! The new Yankee ballpark will still be Yankee Stadium (don’t even get me started on them tearing down Yankee Stadium, even though I’m not a Yankee fan, I am a Noo Yawker). So why can’t the new Mets ballpark still be Shea? If I were Queen for a Day!!

Since bad shots come in groups of three, a fourth bad shot is actually the beginning of the next group of three.

Oh my…started off with a bang. Started throwing clubs and aggravating myself. Does that tell you how I started?

Then, I got a new attitude and just played the game and quit trying to be super girl!! I got better. That’s not saying I still didn’t screw up, but I started settling down and playing better.

I ended the round with 2 pars (in a row…who’da thunk??) and a bogey. Now…why can’t I do that all the time? That was a total rhetorical question which I won’t even try to answer…it’s golf. That’s all that needs to be said!!

When you look up, causing an awful shot, you will always look down again at exactly the moment when you ought to start watching the ball if you ever want to see it again.

I’ve given up on the Mets…I love them to death but they’ve broken my heart again this year. Talk about choking!! They will probably be the Wild Card in the National League, but unless they get their act together, they won’t last very long! I’m sad…very sad.

Oy Vay I did awful today. I kept asking myself why I even got out of bed.

I thnk I’m really tired…not sure why but I just can’t seem to muster the energy to do well. It’s an effort to hit the ball and it’s definitely not going as far as it used to. I’ve probably lost 40+ yards on my drives alone.

So why am I doing this? Sure, I love the game, but I hate not playing it well. It’s so frustrating.

I’m not playing again until Monday. Maybe by then I will have rested up and I’ll feel spunky and ready to attack the course with a vengence. Or, I’ll still be tired and play like an old poop again!

Time will tell!!

If you really want to get better at golf, go back and take it up at a much earlier age.

Crash and Burn time again. They’re breaking my heart!! 1/2 game out of first, losing to the Nats!! They better win tonight and especially tomorrow! I don’t want to go all the way into DC to see them lose. BWAAAAAAA!!

I think today I was just tired. My shots didn’t go anywhere and I felt, well, tired! I just don’t bounce back the way I used to in my 20’s. Darn!!

We played at another course because they were having a tournament here and I didn’t want to play 18 at 3:00 - nor did anyone else. Then two of my foursome dropped out so two of us played. We were behind a twosome of guys but the foursome in front of them, who were tediously slow, let them pass. Would they let us? Never!! Let two women play through a foursome of men? Never happen in a gazillion years.

They stopped at the club after nine to use the facilities. They were drinking beer at 9:00 in the morning…so they had to go. We didn’t, so we were able to get on the 10th tee before them. They were way behind us and we probably would have quit (which wouldn’t have necessarily been a bad thing) had we not gotten in front. We did a lot of sitting and waiting for them to find balls.

Not that we didn’t have to look for balls as well. I lost 5 I only found 1

This course is a links course. The front nine has you crossing a creek back and forth from hole 5 to 9. Of course there are all kinds of things growing in front of the water to make it difficult.

The back nine is totally different. There is water but you should be able to avoid it…yeah right!! But the creek is gone, so it’s mostly long fairways.

The course was in the best condition I’ve ever seen it…for a public course. Regardless, it was fun and we enjoyed ourselves.

There are two kinds of bounces: Unfair bounces, and bounces just the way you meant to play it.

The Mets are a game in first place. They’re in town this week to play the Nats. I’m going to see them Thursday and it’s supposed to be a beautiful day. Can’t wait!!

I only played 9 holes today. Played with a friend whose husband can only play 9 due to physical limitations. That was fine with me. We played at 3pm, the temp was about 94 with a gazillion percent humidity! It felt like the middle of July. Today is even uglier, so I’m glad we did it yesterday.

There was a tournament in the morning (that I wanted to play in, but glad I didn’t try to do both). That was why we went out so late. I’m not an afternoon player. By mid-afternoon, I’m ready of a nap, not a round of golf.

So who knew I’d play so well. I did get a case of the stupids on one hole (as I usually do), but I still managed to pull out a decent score - for me. All my other scores were bogeys or doubles, except for the last hole - I managed to par it.

I also managed to get into my fair share of bunkers. I decided, however, not to get stuck in them, so I go out on all of them and didn’t hang on any edges. This made me happy…and I hope I can remember it next time I’m unfortunate enough to get into one!

We played the back nine, which was nice for the usual 9 hole players as they don’t get to play it that often. With the morning tourney, the course wasn’t that busy, so they let us go out there. It felt like we had the course to ourselves, which is always a wonderful thing.

Tomorrow, it’s back to reality.

The Mets lost 2 to the Braves and the Phillies beat the Brewers. Looks like we’re only 1 game in first place. This is not good. The Mets had a great comeback from losing the first game of a double-header yesterday(they were rained out Fridays as were the Phillies). But they’re 3 runs down in the bottom of the 9th. Of course, I know they can score 4, but will they? Nope…they lost 7-4

It’s not a gimme if you’re still away.

It’s fall and my game is going to hell in a handbasket.

I played with a friend and neighbor this morning and played with him from the white tees (instead of the normal red tees). I had some great drives but the rest of my entire game went to crap! It felt like I had absolutely no idea what the hell I was doing today. I couldn’t buy a good shot and forget about putting. I had one ball right on…a nice long putt for par…and I hit it just a touch too hard, it hit the back of the cup and fell about 4 inches from the hole. Anyone else, it would have popped up and gone in. That gives you an idea of my day today.

I was so looking forward to playing today because I knew I’d play with him from the whites. I love the challenge and I did really well off the tee, but if the rest of your game disappears….you’re left with crap! So, that’s what I had…a pile of crap!!

The highlight of the day was on the third hole. I took this huge divot…I mean it was a monster. After the shot I turned back to the cart to get the sand mix to fill it and my playing parter reached up on top of the cart to hand me my divot. He said he had to duck as he thought I was going to hit him! THAT was the kind of day it was for me as well :)

We’re going to try it again in 2 weeks, so hopefully, I’ll have my game back somewhat.

I know you’re supposed to replace your divots—but mine are too heavy to carry back.

Unfortunately, the Mets had the day off yesterday, but the Phillies didn’t. They won so they gained a 1/2 game. The Mets are still 3 games in first place, with 17 to play. The Phillies are now talking about a wild card spot….so it looks like they’re giving up on surpassing the Mets for the division chanpionship!

I played with a good friend I used to work with on the course he usually plays. It’s a 9 hole county course. We were paired with a couple of young men and we had a lovely couple of hours. The guys were delightful and I played quite well.

I played with the guys from their tees and was hitting them long and pretty straight. Although we didn’t keep score (my friend doesn’t do it when he plays and I didn’t remember until we got to the first tee. It being a county course, you have to get a score card when you pay…which I didn’t), I had a running tally for a while, then got caught up in the game.  think I ended up with a pretty good score, for 9 holes.

My putting was decent for a change and I really didn’t hit too many awful shots. Of course, there always has to be a few and one bad hole. Now, this being a county, publc course, it wasn’t in the best condition, so some of the lies we unplayable. That’s where I had my worst scores. Generally, I did fine.

Can I do the same tomorrow on my course? Let’s hope!

LAW 20: All vows taken on a golf course shall be valid only until the sunset of the same day.

3 1/2 games in first place. The Phillies lost and the Mets won!! Now THIS is fun!!

Although it was cloudy this morning, there was a slight nip in the air and it was glorious! This is how I like to play golf…even if I’m still having issues. The sun finally broke through with about 6 or 7 holes to play and it started getting warm….but it’s still beautiful. I love playing in the cooler weather.

I started off with a bang! I sucked the big one!! Couldn’t hit the ball farther than 10 feet. I think I woke up by the second hole because I was definitely asleep on the first.

The gal I played with had a marvelous round and it was a joy to watch. What she shot is what I aspire to now…an 84. I was hoping to break 90 this year, but with all my back problems, I think that goal might have to wait until next year. You never know, though. I do play all winter, so it’s still possible.

I can’t rant too badly. I screwed up several holes (other than the first which I choose to forget) but I did OK on several others. No pars today but several bogeys so that’s not too bad…oops, I lied. I did have a couple of pars. OK…so I didn’t suck too badly I just have to quit peeking!!

LAW 19: Golf should be given up at least twice per month.

The Phillies lost yesterday and the Mets won, so now we’re 2 1/2 games into first place. It’s getting down to the wire. Hope the streak continues. I have tickets to see them next Thursday, so I’m hoping they continue their winning ways!

I sometimes wonder why I love this game so much! It always breaks my heart!!

If you’ve been following this epistle, you know that I didn’t play last week. Life without air conditioning took its toll. Spoiled miserable rotten brat that I am, I find I can’t get a proper night’s sleep without the ac. I kept waking up at 4am and not being able to go back to sleep, I heard everything that lived outside (except the damn deer that ate the flowers and bushes right under the bedroom window.

There was one particularly nasty cricket that kept me up for most of that two weeks. He perched is little bulgy-eyed butt under my window and sought out friends for the entire 2 weeks. Near the end, he finally found some…but instead of them all having a party under the window, they decided long distance communication was much more annoying! And believe me, it was!!

Last Wednesday, we finally got the air fixed. I was never happy with the air flow and tepid air always came out of the vents. All the ac guys who were in here after the house was built said it was the correct temp - even though the air was lukewarm. Well, as soon as the ac was turned back on, cold air actually came out of the vents. Imagine that!! I wasn’t crazy…they all were!! Seems the compressor was probably bad from the start and we had to suffer for 3 1/2 years before it finally died! Now maybe our electric bills will be better…although somehow I doubt that. Wishful thinking on my part!

Anyway, back to golf!

I finally played today for the first time in a week. I actually didn’t play terribly, but I could have played a lot better. Again, I periodically got a case of the stupids and did the most ridiculous things. I did get tired very early…both from not playing and all the walking we did at the conference we went to Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Even when I hit good shots, they didn’t go as far as I used to hit them. I’ve lost about 30-40 yards off my drive again so I need to start eating my Wheaties and spinach again

I actually had a wonderful opportunity to salvage a presentable score on the last hole. So, what did I do? Yup! I put it in the water. This is not an easy task. It’s a short par 3 right to the hole. The water in question is off to the right, across the cart path. No way it comes into play…except for me. I sliced it right into the water. My score on that last hole was abysmal!

That said, I’ll have many more opportunities this week, weather permitting, so time will tell.

BTW, the Mets are 2 games in first place  

LAW 18: The last three holes of a round will automatically adjust your score to what it really should be.