Apologies for all the self-congratulatory exclamation marks. But when you begin with a par-birdie at Lindfield, you know you’re in for a good day; 1 and 2 are tricky holes, I’ve never done that before (!). The secret of the round? I’m hitting much straighter, now that I'm concentrating on what is going on in the impact zone. It’s all much more controlled. And when I do miss a green, it’s a nearer miss than before, so I’m chipping rather than pitching. And today I chipped really well.
Kelly is a good 10 years younger and 40 yards longer and I had to give him two shots. Conversely, he hasn’t been playing much recently, to be fair, after a bout of ill health. But I played as well as I can, which is all I can control.
And I was remarkably intelligent - for me, anyway. When I was out of range of the green on the 8th after a mediocre drive, I accepted it and put my faith in hitting a 7 iron short and then getting up and down rather than risking a once-in-a-lifetime three wood out of the thick stuff. Which is a first. I parred the hole. Adam, my tactical mentor, would be proud.
And I was remarkably intelligent - for me, anyway. When I was out of range of the green on the 8th after a mediocre drive, I accepted it and put my faith in hitting a 7 iron short and then getting up and down rather than risking a once-in-a-lifetime three wood out of the thick stuff. Which is a first. I parred the hole. Adam, my tactical mentor, would be proud.
Could I play better? Well, yes, but only when Dave and Steve tell me some more things I’m doing wrong. I’m definitely rolling my hands less and I’m definitely less violent during the transition but clearly there is loads more to correct. My ball flight is still left to right, so I must still be delivering a glancing blow across the ball.
Can I score better? Well, perhaps, but 76 is just fine by me. In fact, it’s hard to believe that the day could come where I’d be disappointed with a 76…
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