I played three rounds of golf over the long Independence Day weekend, taking my new swing out to the course after strictly range practice the past couple weeks and was excited to see how it would work. I looked at the rounds just like practice, but more fun than banging balls on the range.
On Friday, I just walked on at a local course I’m familiar with and was paired up with three other singles. All nice guys and we had a good time. In fact, I kinda fell a little in love with the nerdy married one because he had such a pretty swing. My swooning may have distracted my own game a bit but they all said they were impressed with my swing, new or not. My short game and putting really let me down. However, when I posted my score (96) – the system actually warned me “your score is lower than usual.” No bells, whistles or confetti… maybe that happens when you break 80. We will see.
The next day my hands and wrists were really hurting (I may need to figure out a good pain remedy for this new swing & my arthritis that hasn’t bothered me much since childhood) so I didn’t play or even practice my full swing. I did, however, hit the practice facility for a long overdue short game session of chipping and putting. It paid off the next day.
Making New Friends
Someone I have connected with on Twitter – Kent (a.k.a. @Voxjazz) came to town and we were able to hook up for a couple rounds the following two days. On Sunday, we met out at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, where there is a gorgeous golf course I had previously only heard about – and heard great things. By the same designer as Riviera, the course did not let me down. It was amazing. If you go for the first time I recommend arranging ahead of time for the optional caddie service. We did not and were met with some difficult decisions.
Kent is a good golfer with aspirations of playing – and winning – on the Champions Tour and I think he will do it. He had mentioned before we met that he’d be happy to give me advice on my swing progress. He then saw a tweet of mine to my swing coach, Orange County golf instructor Jay Lim, that I would try not to let any other influences effect our progress, and Kent was completely respectful of that and didn’t make a single suggestion. In fact, he said he wouldn’t change a thing. As for my putting? He said my putting stroke reminded him of Steve Stricker! Umm… isn’t he one of the best putters on the PGA Tour? Hello, ninja!
That first day with Kent in Ojai, I actually shot an 86. Yes, 10 strokes better than the day before on an unfamiliar, more difficult course. The company you keep? I think so. Thanks, Kent. The system didn’t warn me about my score when I posted it that day. I think I’m going to start carrying my own confetti for when the day comes I post lower than 80. Maybe some noisemakers, too.
I have a lot of work to do yet on my swing. The third day my hands were in pain again and I proceeded to shoot a 99 – also on a difficult course. And yes, all three rounds were from the white tees. I can tell that I’m not executing my new swing every shot. It’s not ingrained in me enough yet and I will continue to practice practice practice to get it there so I don’t fall back on old habits when I don’t concentrate enough.
I think I should start a pool on when I’ll break 80. Place your bets. Anyone want to volunteer to run it? Not sure how to set it up on here… but I think it would be fun!
Meanwhile, here is a compilation of some swing videos and photos from over the weekend. I hope you enjoy it! May they all roll true!
July 7, 2011 at 4:48 am
Glad to hear you’re making progress. 86 is a solid score, especially on an unfamiliar course. I recently had my first lesson in many years, and I’m in somewhat of the same boat. I’ve known my teacher for many years, but this was the first time I took a lesson from him. Oh boy! Within an hour, I felt like my entire swing had changed, and now I can’t even remember how to swing like I used to. It’s also causing me a fair amount of pain in places I wasn’t used to hurting (consequence of being able to swing faster and with a more solid delivery) It would be very easy to slip back into old habits, but keep sticking with it! The courses you played looked really fun, especially the hole you’re on at the 1:00 minute mark.
July 7, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Nicely done, Kristen. Very powerful swing. I can see why you play from the white markers. Given a good bounce or two and solid short game, I can see you breaking 80 by the end of the year. Take care of your hands and arms…..I battled tennis elbow last year for the first time and wouldn’t wish that type of discomfort on anybody.
July 12, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Hi all Voxjazz here! Kristen’s new swing is technically wonderful. In my opinion Kristen has about 500-1000 balls before she finds the center every time.
However, she isn’t fully releasing the driver yet…but when she does look out!!
Personally, I’ll need to move up from the tips to get by her.
Kristen is a delightful, beautiful lady, with whom, I hope
to play, many rounds….