Forward Steps

Its been a good week!
Friday, I managed to win the 2 man best ball at the club with a buddy.  We shot net 64 (gross 68).  I shot 73 on my own ball.
Then yesterday, I had my first qualifier of the year - the Georgia State Mid-Am at Orchard Hills.  I guess it is a measure of my progress that I walked off the course unhappy with how I had played, yet shot 76 and qualified comfortably.  78 was the number.  A windy day,  the course was rock hard and yet the greens were slow and bumpy.  Given that our greens at the club are running about 12/13 on the stimp (that's lightning fast for the non golf literate), putting was a real challenge.  I felt the need to 'hit' everything and I don't think that's ever a good idea in this game.  I had only a single three putt but I had a number of looks at birdie but couldn't hole out.
What really saved me was that I didn't hit it into trouble all day and when I missed greens I got up and down really well.   I had zero birdies, 14 pars and 4 bogeys.  
The actual championship will take place at Berkeley Hills on May 18-20.  There will be a 36 hole cut before the Sunday round.   This gives me a really good focal point for the next month.  I don't plan on going out there just to make up the numbers :)

Coming around

The golf season has begun in earnest here in Georgia It was 82 degrees here today That might be a record for March 14th. The golf course is as green as I have ever seen it after an amazingly mild winter.
I'm starting to feel good about where my game is. I have been working on some very tedious drills that should help me alleviate my number one swing flaw - taking the club and my arms too much too the inside on the back swing. Its starting to have some effect - for the first time ever I feel I am close to not being across the line at the top. It feels so weird but I guess any huge change should!!
I cant say for sure that it is entirely driven by this swing change, but I shot my career low at the Golf Club of Georgia last Friday - 72 from the Tradition tees. The differential for this round was -1.2. I expect my handicap to be 3.7 or 3.8 at the next revision. I am really excited because for the first time I feel scratch is really an attainable goal and soon!!
I have my first qualifier on April 10 at Orchard Hills. In the past, I have gone to these things hoping to not embarrass myself or maybe have a good day and squeak through! Right now, I aim to medalist! Lofty goal I know but lets see what happens.

November 2011

I have been terrible about updating the blog this year - shame on me. And its shown in my lack of progress. Handicap is now 4.0 although it has been down to 3.3. 2012 was my target year for hitting scratch so I guess I am stating the obvious now to say I'm not on track.
Ironically, I feel like my swing is getting much more solid, even if the results are not showing on the scorecard.
One key breakthrough I feel has been learning the role of the left hip in the downswing. I have finally learned the need to 'clear the left side'. Its still a very strange feeling for me but once I can trust it on the course, I feel I will be in shape to be a scratch player from tee to green.
However, from 100 yards and in is where its at. My success in improving my chipping, pitching and putting will determine whether I make it or not.
I am going to come up with a plan in the next few weeks for the next 6 months. I will stick to it!!
Next year is scratch or bust!!