With my Asian babyface I seldom feel that old. And when I play golf, I play with dads and guys collecting pension, so I never feel old during a round. But today I did. On the 11th hole of our 2nd round at Half Moon Bay Ocean Course we had to wait about 10 minutes. It was cold (high 40s/low 50s) and windy. I could feel my hips and lower back tighten up.
I didn't mind so much the wait (was in good company, nice ocean views, shooting the shit) but I could literally feel my hips and lower back tighten each time we waited, which was basically the entire back nine. And as the temperature kept dropping I could feel it getting worse. I've heard Fred Couples talk about his back tightening up in cold weather but never thought I, the young buck that I am, would be suffering from the same ailment.
Well, at least I got 28 good holes in. The first round I played like shit but we had a small team wager to kept things interesting. After lunch I felt revitalized (probably the diet coke). Gave myself a little pep talk: time to play some golf, stop hacking around and embarassing yourself.
Things started off well. Good drive and a helping wind left me with a little wedge in. Good kick and roll to 10-12 feet. Then I freakin 3-jack. I just played the hole earlier in the day, exact same pin location, and I 3 putt from 10 feet, unbelievable.
2nd hole, good drive, decent approach. 3 putted again. Rammed my 1st putt a good 15 feet pass. I would also 3 putt the 4th hole. 3 greens in regulartion, 3 3-putts, 3 bogeys. Finally got something going on the 6th when I hit an 8-iron to about 5 feet. No way was I going to 3-putt that. But gave it all back on the 7th. Still, managed a decent front nine after parring the 9th with another GIR. 5 greens on the front, that might tie a record for me. Of course it was all for not once we ran into traffic.
My biggest take away from today, besides the fact that I have the hips and lower back of a 60 year, was I can will myself to play better golf. The 1st round I was playing so shitty, but I knew exactly how I could play better for the 2nd round. Slow my swing down. Still hit the he ball just as far but so much more accurate, consistent and controlled when my I swing within myself. It's a very comforting feeling knowing I can play better by making just a single mental adjustment, slowing my swing down.
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