A better day.
I went out yesterday for my local course's "unlimited play for a tenner" deal, having got there a little early (to beat the 1st tee queue) I went out before the shop opened.
The first 9 was pretty poor - especially chipping - so before starting around the loop again I went to the shop to pay, tore up the first card and did some "back to basics" practice on the chips.
Next 18, 44 (35) out, 48 (same 35) back with some mixed feelings, outside the eighties but the score swing between the two 9s was better than last time out.
As I finish I meet someone I know just finishing up on the range who suggests we go out for a quick 9 (a quick 9! I've already done 27
).
First 9 44 but this time the round includes my shot of the week.
We come to the 5th (SI 1) with me 1 stroke up (my playing partner has introduced an element of competition here
).
Nice strike but a bit right and smack into the fairway bunker on the full; the glory shot to the green is fraught with danger so I take the sensible option and play a wedge that should leave me an easy sand iron to the green, two putts and walk away with my bogey on a hole that I get two shots on. The wedge is fine but the sand iron is a weak push that leaves me 10yd short of a nasty greenside bunker with the pin about the same behind it. My partner meanwhile has a five footer for par and is looking a little smug.
Following the advice of Ian Hancock, Nicole and others I stand behind the ball, visualise the flight over the bunker, the landing, the release and the roll into the hole, I stand beside the ball and take a practice swing, then, without delaying, move in closer to play my shot.
B**gg*r me the ball does exactly what I visualised
. I'm embarrassed to say that I celebrated like Monty Panesar taking a wicket and my partner looked suitably dumbstruck.
So a 44 with 15 putts including holing out with that little pitch - so a few shots left out there. Dave fancies doing the 2nd 9 so despite being cream crackered off we go.
This time a 46 but with 20 putts - unfortunately I had 3 three putts each on holes where I was putting for birdie; tbh I think I was just too tired to concentrate.
Overall a 90, with two halves put together. Also 35 putts with 4 3 putts, I'm normally around 30ppr with a best of 27 so as I say some room for improvement.
I also learnt a lesson.
On that last 18, having already played three nines, I was too tired to go gung-ho and I was also aware of playing against someone - rather than just against myself and the course - in almost a match play situation and for once I managed to play the full round (rather just the odd hole) a shot at a time each time with the the sole intention of making the next shot easier.