Apparently over 100 trees down at the course, I’ll get to see the damage in a few hours.

_________________
Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

They had one of the courses closed yesterday due to tree damage. A lot of trees down on the course I played but didn’t affect the course. I fear that it was more catastrophic on the other track. Hopefully I see it next weekend. Had a fun practice session at Pine Meadow, if I could go there once a week I’d be playing a lot better, it just doesn’t make sense to drive 40 minutes each way every week to do it. Hit about 3/4 a bucket, chipped and hit sand shots for a solid hour and then picked up a few extra balls left on the chipping green and then hit out the last 25 balls. I geared down both hybrids which opened up the face a bit on each. Taught myself how to hit the new 3W off the ground. I tried it a few times playing this year and have topped it every time. It’s 14.5 degrees so I thought it would be easy to hit since I’m used to a 13 degree but just never got to practice with it after buying it online in the offseason. They build a new practice area at my place so maybe I’ll stick around after playing once in a while and use it. I was chipping and happened to look up and there was a doe standing 25 feet away looking at me. I turned around and a guy at the range was watching it all and gave me a thumbs up

_________________
Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

I played in an outing Friday in western Illinois. Forty or so guys that all grew up in that area, playing courses that were in the middle of nowhere, out in corn fields, etc. Every single person said Friday was the windiest conditions they had ever played in. 40 to 50MPH winds, and not gusts, just pretty much a constant wind. Had multiple par 4's into the wind that I hit 160 yard 5 irons. Had a downwind par 5 that I hit the green in 2 with a 255 yard 5 iron. Crosswind holes were all kinds of fun. A lot of "dust" (topsoil from the farms) that made it hard to see 200 yards at times. By the time we finished, I had a nice dark tan, because of the coating of dirt on all exposed skin.

Call me crazy for this, but golf shoes make a difference. Lately I've been wearing sneaker style golf shoes. Today I had a match in our season long match play event. I had an older pair of Footjoys in my car that I wore. I was playing well and said to myself that I really feel connected to the ground. Like I said, call me crazy but I think they make a difference. I won 4&2 btw.

_________________

I still wear the “old school” style Footjoys. I think they call them ‘Traditions’. Just feel better in them. Don’t even own a tennis shoe style.

big golf trip in 2 weeks and haven't touched a club since August. Thinking I might just wing it and make the first drive on the golf trip my first swing of the year. Let's see how that goes.

also don't really care. Golf just isn't a priority for me these days. Will be hanging out in Milwaukee one night and more concerned with my scoring that night than my scoring on the course.

_________________

I prefer the traditional golf shoes as well. I bought some spikeless Freddie Couples style shoes a couple seasons ago and was slipping all over the place. I ended up wearing them to work and was not impressed with how they held up. I have 3 pair of FJ's that I rotate through the season. Only thing I need to do every few months is replace some spikes.

_________________
Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Looking forward to golf Saturday thru Monday this weekend. My buddy from Kentucky is joining us tomorrow morning so that should be fun. Just wish it was going to be about 15 degrees warmer. This spring has really been a downer weatherwise. Hoping to use my practice session last Sunday as a springboard to some better play and avoiding the big numbers and 3 putts. Feeling like I dialed in a few fairway finder shots off the tee and just need to tighten up the scoring irons. One of the nines on the course that was more severely effected by the storms a week ago is still closed as of yesterday.

_________________
Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Camping this weekend in Door County. Normally, i bring my clubs and play the state park course. Had a teetime for 7:30am tomorrow, but it’s going to be around 43 degrees at that time. Cancelled the golf. I can play an extra round later this summer when it warms up…..

Was nice to get out 3 times this weekend. Got to see the other course that had the more extensive damage and didn't look too serious. A lot of trees down or sheared off but nothing that effects the playability except for one hole. All greens and tees were spared. Got a surprise yesterday when one of the regulars from our group surprised us when his son brought him out to ride in the cart and take a few swings. He had multiple strokes and heart attacks during the offseason and has limited mobility on his right side now. Sad to see but encouraging to see him try to hit the ball and mostly chip and putt. We had to make sure someone was there to spot him so he didn't fall but really seemed like he enjoyed being back out there with the guys. Play was pretty spotty with more Jekyll and Hyde behavior. Managed to par the back nine Sunday. Yesterday I carded a 43 on the front with a couple of doubles and then turned around and shot a 34 on the back to save the round. Weird. My irons have been pretty good but just not hitting enough fairways and the putter has been cold, it appears that maybe I just haven't been playing enough break because I made a number of long ones the last 5 holes yesterday.

_________________
Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

getting out today for the first time since August. Also scheduled to play Sunday. 2 round before the golf trip, that's all I need.

_________________

Just get a couple few beers by the 2nd tee and you’re good to go.

_________________

Taking Monday off for a late morning appointment so looking like 3 days of golf upcoming. This will take me to 20 rounds so off to a decent start even though this spring has been pretty cool and wet.

_________________
Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

I'm a weed guy on the course but the same theory applies.


One of my buddies will only golf if there is drinking. He's not much of a player, but between beers 9-11 I swear he just might be the greatest golfer the world has ever seen.

_________________

That is a very good start, because the weather has been terrible. It seems like every Saturday its been cold and/or windy, or the wind turns off the Lake and the temps drop. Early Spring it seemed like it rained every weekend.

I've only been out for 18 holes a couple times, but played 9 holes several times and hoping to do so again Saturday after little league.

Last Friday I played Glenwoodie and it was in very good shape. A couple of really dumb pin placements, but overall it was a fun course that I would play again. My score sucked because after two early pars I limped in with a 105

_________________

typical first round solid start for me. 43-43-86 at Glencoe. Hit every fairway except 1 on the front with a nice draw, but then missed every fairway except 1 on the back. Very happy with my ball striking, but did stub a couple green side chips which is reasonable for first round of the year. Didn't lose a ball all day with my old man golf game.

Playing again Sunday and that's all I need to be ready for the golf trip. Not a lot of variance to my game these days unless the back is acting up.


Only problem is now my golf partner fucked up his back a few weeks ago playing too much hockey (sound familiar?) and has been dealing with sciatica. He's on steroids and in PT, but not feeling good. And he's supposed to be carrying our team with his 7 handicap.

_________________

Went to my cousin's wedding in the Quad Cities this past weekend. He took a group of us out to play Oakwood Country Club. I didn't realize it was where they held the old Quad Cities Open before moving it to TPC Deere Run and rebranding to the John Deer. It was a nice course. Shot 81 with two 3-putts and a triple on the first four holes. A lot of subtlety to the greens that took me a few holes to get the feel of.

_________________

Really been struggling with my game this spring and it's been super frustrating. Hitting 40% of the fairways and only 39% of the greens. Not a recipe for success. The driver has suffered because I am trying to work the ball both ways this year and so I've introduced the double cross into the mix or when I try to fade it I've added a block into it. I have no idea what is going on with my irons, I think because I am monkeying with my swing so much off the tee it is messing me up with the irons. I've also lost about a club distance which is fine but still playing the tips is hurting me. I was hoping to go to the closer tees next year but maybe it will have to be this year if I can't get things figured out.

_________________
Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

I've been dealing with some of this too. Still have good stretches, but not nearly as consistent as last year. Had a driving range a couple minutes from the office. It was total garbage in quality, but I was hitting a bucket 3 times a week during my lunch break. They closed last fall, so my easy practice time is gone. Now that it's warming up, and have more daylight, I'm going to try and go hit balls after work at the place closer to home.

There is a place not too far from me that is essentially a field with flags and no yardages but I think I am going to try to go over there and hit a few buckets a week to help if they are still open. Also hasn't been easy that its been between 30 and 50 degrees all spring in the mornings teeing off first so maybe when it warms up it will help the distance gapping on the irons a bit. I had my best season of my life two years ago and has been a steady decline since. I know I need to be more active and lift some weights but haven't made the time to do much of either. Just turned 49 years old so while I don't expect to keep playing well forever this season has just been a real slap in the face.

_________________
Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Hank Haney always said to take 100 swings a day. Even if you aren't hitting balls, do it in your backyard.

_________________

Maybe I could start hitting the whiffle balls all over the neighborhood like we did as kids.

I hadn't really put it together until I was playing Sunday, and blading irons every third hole. Had a "revelation" that I was missing +/-200 shots a week with the driving range closing. Also missing the consistent swinging. Instead of some kind of golf every other day, this spring/summer (outside of Arizona trip) has been hit a warmup bucket, play a round, once per week. Hard to get dialed in like that.

Not like I'm trying to qualify for the US Open, but I have a few local 36 hole tourneys in July, and a few other 2-man scramble events. Just a Tues/Thurs evening trip to the course not far from my house to hit a bucket and use the short game area would go a long way.

I'll give you the same advice a buddy once gave me when I was struggling. He told me I needed to take 2 weeks off and then never fvcking play again.

_________________

I've really made it a point to go hit balls after work for at least 30-45 minutes, 2-3 days a week. I'm playing decent, not great, but what I have noticed is my bad rounds aren't as bad as they used to be. In other words, my ceiling hasn't necessarily gotten higher (but I think it will), but my floor definitely has.

_________________

big annual golf trip (The Kringle Cup) begins Thursday. At the last minute my partner had to bail for the 3rd year in a row which sucks. Silver lining is I'm now partnered up with my best friend from college. We started this tradition and haven't been partners in over 10 years.


I've played a grand total of 1 round since last August. Should make for an interesting trip. I don't expect it to make much difference. As long as my back holds up there doesn't seem to be much variance in my old man golf game. If I'm on top of my game (doubtful) I'll shoot around 81-82. If I'm off my game but standing upright I'll shoot mid to upper 80s. Might dip into the low 90s if I start struggling. If back gives out I'll be north of 100 and good chance I can't finish the trip.


Thursday: Thunderhawk
Friday: Whistling Straits (or a couple of us are playing the Bull up the street)
Saturday: Lawsonia Woodlands (2 man scramble), Lawsonia Links
Sunday: Washington County


Bringing enough weed to take down Secretariat.

_________________

I played Thunderhawk 20 years ago....I'm no golfer, but I could certainly tell that was much more difficult than your basic public course. Note to self to try and play that one again

_________________

That's a nice line up of courses and the weather looks good except maybe some rain Sunday afternoon. Hope you guys have a great time.

_________________
Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami