Golfgal In Texas

A sad nine is better than no nine at all....

2012-04-17T20:32:00.000-05:00

Tornados have come and gone and we are still here. The sun is shining. the birds are singing, I spent the morning with my girls...how much better could it get. Oh I know and I played 9 holes this afternoon on my favorite local course, Oak Hollow. The course is gorgeous today. Totally green from all the rain and groomed to the nines. Makes you wanna go....ahhhhhhh.

Since I haven't played much in the past year, I need to practice, practice, and practice some more. I can definately drive the ball in a consistent manner, but my iron management is lacking. Knowing how far the iron will get me is a challenge. So after playing a sad 9 holes with hubby, I took my 7, 6, and 3 wood to the range and swung until I couldn't swing no more. I did learn a few things today.

First make sure your feet are planted at the angle you want your ball to go, inevitably if the ball goes to the right of where you intended it is because your feet are facing that way. I found this to be true several times today. So I bought a leveling stick to keep my stance in the direction of the intended target when I play to learn where to place my feet.

Second, stand a little taller and make sure you are a little closer to the ball. It really helps with the follow through.

Several times today my little pink ball must have been overheated and thirsty since it headed right for the water on several occasions. I tried giving one a little drink before the swing, but to no avail, bloop it went, right into the drink anyways. Geesh, What do you know about that?

The best shot of the day was on the last green, I drove and actually reached the rough on the green, chipped it well onto the green and putted a long putt to reach 1 foot from the hole. Last putt went in so I actually birdied the last hole. Yea!!! So I ended my pain on a good note. Off to the driving range I went to get a more consistent feeling with my swing. It was much more consistent on the range than when I was playing, likely because I was more relaxed and warmed up. I should have done it in reverse in hindsight, but we were anxious to get started when we got there.

Note to self: Warm up on the range first and get your swing going beforehand oh and give your little balls a good drink.

Day 24:24 of Murphys Laws of Golf

2012-03-30T20:12:00.001-05:00

Finally Day 24:24 of Murphys Laws of Golf: Don't spend a lot of money on a putter until you've had a chance to throw it to see if it survives. You will save a lot of money in the long run. Fore!!!

Then get a big new grip!!!! hehe I just couldn't resist.

Day 23:24 of Murphys Laws of Golf

2012-03-26T18:35:00.000-05:00

Day 23:24 of Murphys Laws of Golf: A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is usually not yours. Make sure before hitting it!!!! Fore!!!

22:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2012-03-25T23:18:00.000-05:00

Day 22:24 of Murphys Laws of Golf: There are two things you can learn by stopping your backswing at the top and checking the position of your hands: how many hands you have, and which one is wearing the glove. Practice checking, you will be surprised at what you discover. Fore!!!

Getting Back to the Basics

2012-03-25T23:08:00.002-05:00

Today was one of those gorgeous days in McKinney Texas that if you didn't get out on the greens you should have had your head examined. Wow, the skies were bright blue, slight breeze, and greens were actually green! It was a long winter that started last summer when our family had a tragedy that placed an elderly disabled parent in our care for 10 months until just recently.   It was time to venture back into the learning curve of the game of golf.

Today was just the day to do so. With clubs, shoes, tees, and a favorable smile....I took Betty Boop off my driver and headed for the driving range at my favorite local golfcourse, Oak Hollow. (see the great pic of the green). I did actually remember my lessons from a year ago, of course, watching the golf channel has helped to mentally trigger my lessons in preparation for the swing. I got a couple airballs, ouch... though for the most part I was driving well, sweet redemption.

After swinging at a bucket of balls, it was time to concentrate on the short game.  Did I mention before, I love my super big grip...oh yea, I guess I did. Sorry I just can't help myself ...I love my big grip on my putter. It is so much easier to keep the putter head from turning slightly. Will any of you admit that you suck at putting? No...I didn't think so. We are all evolving right? The biggest issue I have at the moment is I either hit it too hard or too soft. I guess I have to spend more time putting to learn the touch I need to get the job done.

I remember my lesson with golf instructor Travis Stockholm who said, "Start putting from 3 feet out, do it 25 times in row, then move out to 4 feet and then to 5 feet. If you miss...start over." Can we say at this rate 4 feet is miles away.   FORE!!!!!!

21:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-07-02T17:02:00.000-05:00

Day 21: 24 of Murphys Laws of Golf: Murphy is always looking for ways add strokes to your game. If you want to hit a 7-iron as far as Tiger does, simply try to use it to lay up just short of a water hazard. Just sayin. Fore!!!

20:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-06-22T20:35:00.000-05:00

20:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf: Every time a golfer makes a birdie, the golfer must subsequently make a double or possibly triple bogey to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe. It's a rule. Fore!!!

19:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-06-18T14:54:00.000-05:00

19:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf: You can hit a 2-acre fairway 10% of the time and a 2-inch branch 90% of the time.

Golfgal has not been posting as often due to becoming a new grandmother!!!!!! FORE!

Day 18:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-06-11T13:39:00.000-05:00

Day 18:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf: As most of you are very much aware...the shortest distance between any two points on a golf course is a straight shot that passes directly through the center of a very large tree resembling that of the Redwood National Forest. Fore!!

17:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-06-08T19:19:00.000-05:00

17:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf: It's not a gimme if you're still 4 feet away.

16:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-06-06T08:05:00.000-05:00

16:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf: Nonchalant putts count the same as chalant putts. Of course unless you call a Mulligan.

15:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-05-30T09:51:00.000-05:00

15:24 Days of Murphys of Golf: Counting on your opponent to inform you when breaking a rule is like expecting a self-directed derogatory comment on their own haircut. We all know the curse of the bad hair days and the kind people who say, no really, no one will even notice that wild hair sticking off the top of your head. How about that curl that flips off the side of the ear or the flat bed head from the mattress, no one notices...right? FORE!!

14:24 Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-05-29T17:08:00.000-05:00

14:24 Murphys Laws of Golf: Someone told me that it is surprisingly easy to hold a 50 foot put when you lie 8.... ok I said, all the while thinking, "what the H--- does that mean?" FORE!!!

13:24 Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-05-27T19:24:00.000-05:00

13:24 Murphys Laws of Golf: If it isn't broke, try changing your grip....NOT!!! I was given a grip and told never to change it. FORE!! Of course unless it is the grip on your putter itself...then of course change away.

I still don't get those long chest putter thingies...seems like cheating to me.

12:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-05-24T16:47:00.000-05:00

12:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf: Bad shots come in groups of three, we already know not to use good balls when hitting over water, so when hitting the fourth consecutive bad shot in a row it means that you have two more just like it since it is started another group of three. That darn Murphy! Fore!!

11:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-05-21T19:44:00.001-05:00

11:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf: All vows taken on a golf course shall be valid only until the sunset.

What vow? FORE!!!!

10:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-05-19T17:22:00.000-05:00

10:24 Days of Murphys Laws for Golf: Of course this law depends on how much you play ~ Golf should be given up at least twice per month. Hopefully when doing so, the clubs remain straight for the next time the game is renewed...if not the sport can become exhorbitantly expensive. FORE!!

9:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-05-11T21:05:00.000-05:00

Law 9:24: the last three holes of a round of golf will automatically adjust your score to what it really should be... nine holes don't count.

Usually the first nine holes make you look like a prince or a golfgal diva, but going into those final holes all of the sudden Murphy joins your group and your wildest dreams become green nightmares. FORE!

8:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-05-10T20:50:00.000-05:00

8:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf: Golf Balls from the same 'sleeve' tend to follow one another, particularly, out of bounds or into the water. See LAW 3.

Just like Forest Gump ~ and that's all I have to say about that.

7:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-05-07T15:25:00.000-05:00

7:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf: It has been said that the 3 wood is demon possessed and the most annoying person you can think of... does not come close. However, that been said, I love my hybrid 3 wood, so I call mine blessed. FORE!!!

6:24 Days of Murphys Laws - Group Dynamics

2011-05-04T20:53:00.000-05:00

Law 6:24 Days of Murphys Laws: A golfer that hits into your group will always be bigger than anyone in your group. Likewise, a group you accidentally hit into will consist of a middle linebacker, Hulk Hogan, Hannibal Lector and an IRS agent... or some similar combination.

Of course, as a woman, I don't punch, hit, spit, but sometimes I may curse. So how big my opposing groups are does not matter to me in the least. Just watch out for the FORE!!!!!

5:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-05-02T19:11:00.000-05:00

5:24 Murphys Laws of golf In Day Five States: The higher a golfer's handicap, the more qualified he deems himself as an instructor.

I don't know about you but whenever I play with someone who has one more day experience that I do it seems that this person thinks I want to learn everything they know....NOT!!!! If I wanted their opinion I would pay for it!!! FORE!!!

4:24 Days of Murphy's Laws of Golf

2011-05-01T16:22:00.000-05:00

4:24 The fourth day of 24 Days of Murphy's Laws: Golf balls never bounce off of trees back into play. If one does, the tree is breaking a law of the universe and should become firewood.

I can say that this law has definitely affected me on several occasions. The golf ball would hit the limbs of the tree and drop in some obscure location that is simply unhittable (is that a word?) or would hit the tree trunk and ricoche outside the fairway and into the deep rough. Once the golf ball hit the tree trunk and went for a plunge into the ravine about 10 yards away. As much as I love trees, they are just not meant to accompany fairways on a golf course. FORE!

3:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf

2011-04-29T10:15:00.000-05:00

3:24 Murphys Laws regarding brand new golf balls: somehow new golf balls are water-magnetic. Though this cannot be proven in a lab, it seems to be a temporary phenomenon. It is a known fact that the more expensive the ball, the greater 'attraction to water' magnetic value it contains. Also Expensive clubs have been known to possess a sudden death syndrome in most unusual circumstances.

Note to self: Take a couple extra older balls when driving over water and laugh in face of Murphy Laws ... Out Loud!!! FORE!

2:24 Days of Murphys Laws of Golf: Rounds of Golf

2011-04-28T13:16:00.000-05:00

The second day of Murphys Laws of Golf involves being humbled by the game itself.

2:24: Your absolute best round of golf will likely be followed almost immediately by your worse possible round of golf ever. The probability of the latter increases with the number of people you tell about the former, especially if they came to watch you play or you have decided to play for money. $$$

Speaking of money... my hubby played in a small 9 hole tournament last week at our local course. He was excited to have played since we have not the opportunity for a while with the bad weather we have had conflicting with our free time. I do not feel good enough to participate in a tournament yet, so I told him to go ahead without me this time. As the team played best hole, he was excited that on the final hole he was inches from the flag on a 140 foot drive and was the selected shot to end with a birdie and his team won the mini-tournament. He went into claim the prize he won for the last shot. It was a great shade umbrella worth a good $50 and left out of there with a fist full of money, his share for winning the tournament. Needless to say, the smile remained embedded for a couple days. I guess Murphy will be around the next time around to make him humble once more. It is the good days that keep us coming back for more punishment, that is for sure. FORE!!!