I was fine when I got up this morning. I sat on the couch to work a little on the computer and watch the Today Show before I went out to play. When I got up from the couch, I experienced a pain like I’ve never had before. In my lower back, the bulging disks decided to play nasty and played with the nerves. It was a quite unpleasant experience. I went to the course not knowing if I could play or not.
I’d already taken two aspirin, but on the first hole added a Tylenol and codeine. The pain dissipated and I was able to play the round. Of course I did some stupid things but I managed to play the best round I’ve had in over a month. The gal who was riding in the cart with me played the best game she ever had. I’d say it turned out to be decent day, golf wise.
Weather-wise, it was gorgeous. Low 70s, the sun was out, we had a cooling breeze…it was another yummy day in Northern Virginia.
I did lose my temper on hole 14. I had a beautiful drive and a decent second shot. I have to be very aware of staying down when I hit because of my back. I tend to rise up on my downswing. My third shot was in the range of my new gap wedge. I haven’t been staying down with that club and when I do, I chunk it badly. Today, I didn’t stay down so I screwed my third shot up.
I’ve also not been hitting well with my lob wedge…which is my go-to club anytime I’m within 40 or so yards from the pin. I hit it fat and pulled it to the left…right into the greenside bunker. My first attempt out of the bunker was shitty…so shitty, I threw the damn lob wedge back onto the fairway. The only other club I had was my putter…I used it and didn’t do any better with it, but I didn’t do worse than I’d been doing with the damn lob wedge. I threw the ball out of the bunker and damn near holed it. I took my max and moved out smartly!
On hole 15, the #2 handicap, I had a decent drive. I nailed the second shot onto the green (GIR) but left myself a 25+ foot putt. I put it about a foot from the cup. I parred it.
Actually, #14, which is an easily parred hole and one that I really like because of the challenge (it has 3 fairways and an environmental area hazard…and a pretty hole), was the only really screwed up hole I had.
I was quite happy and hope I can do as well Wednesday…the last day of the league tournament….if it doesn’t rain as predicted.
Not a bad day, all in all.
If you watch a game, it’s fun. If you play it, it’s recreation. If you work at it, it’s golf.
