Beautiful Bogies

This entry was published in the Kings County Record a few weeks ago now.  I've been incredibly busy at work and thus haven't had time to keep up with my blogging.  I was able to get out golfing though a while back and was reminded why I loved the sport so much in my youth.  It is now late in the golf season but fall golfing is very rewarding too.  Lower temps and fewer bugs mean you can be more comfortable while you swing away.

A light rain was falling when I awoke.  The weather forecast was calling for "a risk of rain, sometimes heavy."  I had gone to bed the night before anticipating getting out golfing.  I don't get to golf much so the chance to get out and beat a white ball around a green field had me a bit excited.  My anticipation waned some though with the forecast.

I counted my golf balls to make sure I had enough.  When you golf like I do, you need at least 18.  Then, because I have a tendency to leave clubs behind, I made sure I had them all to start with at least.  Finally I cleaned out my golf bag, throwing out whatever I didn't absolutely need, including a bag of tees, the practice weight and some pennies leftover from a previous round.  If I had to carry my bag, I didn't want any extra weight because regardless of the clubs, I'd be tired after 18 holes and somewhere around 100 swings of the club. 

As we made our way to the Petitcodiac Valley Golf and Country Club the rain held off with only light occasional showers.  We only encountered a short down pour half way through the round.  The course is hilly and offers great views if you can keep your ball in the fairway.  Fortunately for me, I was driving the ball well that day so I was able to avoid the woods for the most part.  Putting however was a poor spot in my round and I can attest that the greens at the Petitcodiac Valley Golf and Country Club are in great shape.  I should know, I saw almost every inch of them, especially the ones on the front nine. 

I may have stated this before in my column but golf is a frustrating, yet rewarding game.  My front nine, mainly thanks to my putting, was horrendous.  Yet on hole 7, after two very poor shots, I stood over my ball, took a deep breath and drove a 5 wood up close enough to make a bogey on the par 4 hole.  I should state that when I see par, I instantly add one stroke and aim for that.  So to make a bogey meant I reached my goal.  It was one shot that made my front nine satisfying despite all the frustration I felt through most of it.  I hadn't made a bogey since the first hole so that bogey was a great feeling and changed my whole outlook.  I managed to follow it with two pars and I finished the front nine with a 54.

There were more bogeys and a couple of more pars on the back nine and I managed to sink a few putts.  The conversation was light and we chided each other lightly when a bad shot, heck even when a good shot was made.  The rain held off nicely and with the overcast sky, it wasn't too warm either.  In all it was almost a perfect round especially if you overlook the scorecard. 

If you're looking for a round of golf the course in Petitcodiac has some great green fee deals and there are courses for all types of golfers in this part of the province.  Check out Golf NB for some of your options.

A Relaxing Walk While Competing

Thanks for the pic Jamie Roach

Through past experiences that led to other columns I often have come to realize how I am aging.  One sport that I recently thought I'd like to try again is golf.  As a kid I spent my summers at one of three locations; the ball field, a good fishing hole, or on the golf course.  Once I had to start paying intermediate membership rates however, my golfing heavily decreased.   The majority of golf I play now is on the computer that I use to write my columns.  On the online World Golf Tour, I play as a pro with a 6 handicap but hardly burn a calorie through 18 holes.  Even with the online opportunity I still only play maybe 3 rounds a month, after all my lap top is for writing not playing.

A little over a week ago I was able to take part in a one day golf social as part of the local Chamber of Commerce tournament.  I was a bit nervous heading into the day as I was scared I would not be able to reach my own expectations or those of my own teammates.  The tournament was a four ball scramble which means we take the best ball for each shot with some exceptions.  My biggest fear was that we wouldn't want to ever play my ball.  Luckily my golf game was not as rusty as I thought it might be.

I struggled through the first two holes but my drive on the third hole was long enough that we used it for our first shot on the hole.  My next shot was terrible however as I shanked a five wood.  Golf is frustrating that way but when you hit a sweet shot you are hooked once again.  It is an up and down relationship for a player like me and it is that roller coaster and the challenge of keeping my emotions in check that has always got my competitive juices flowing.

Despite my online WGT ranking, I'm no where near a pro so I can't give anyone tips on golf.  I can say that it is a game that everyone should try because you don't have to be good to enjoy the walk.  In the Sussex area we are blessed with many courses and each has its selling features and no doubt everyone can find a course they enjoy, even if it is just for the walk.  Walking is the greatest exercise and after carrying your clubs and walking 18 holes you'll believe it.  After my first 18 holes of 2012 I know I sure could feel it.  My right wrist ached, my back was as tight as a drum, and I was exhausted, and we had taken a cart. 

If I recall, I always played better when I walked than when I played out of a golf cart.  The reason for this was that I could stay more relaxed when I walked.  I could let my mind wander away from golf for a bit and take the competition out of it.  The biggest competition in golf for me was myself and when I relax I play better.  I encourage everyone to get out on your favorite course and relax.