Tag Archives: Golf game

Bunker Horrors

30 May

Golf is one funny and challenging game. When you think you are playing well, it goes downhill. Then there are all sorts so woes from the tee to the green. There will be the usual chipping yips, putting issues, and sand bunker shots.

Last week’s game was an eye-opener. The replacement driver turned out better than expected, which was nice. But it was the bunker horrors that put a dent in the overall game. I have not played sand bunker situations for a long time already. Generally, I avoid them and tend to do well managing myself out there.

But last week, it was a different script. I went into eight bunkers, hitting five in a row on the front nine and raking up nine shots to get out. What had just happened? It was as if a magnet was pulling my balls into the bunkers! It wasn’t aggravating anymore but plain ridiculous, and I could only laugh about it. How else to deal with the misery?

One thing for sure, I had left my Cleveland Smart Sole Sand Wedge out of my bag, thinking I hardly use it for my games. And it was usually the case, hardly used. But after that episode, the club was back in my golf bag!

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A Year Wiser

28 Apr

The days leading up to my birthday went by so fast! We had an early birthday dinner celebration last weekend with the girls. It was such a gastronomic indulgence.

A toast to a good year ahead!

Then hubby and I played a round of golf at Royal Perak Golf Club on Wednesday. I had the shot of the day on Hole 5, a Par 3, landing my ball a foot and a half away from the cup for a birdie. Perhaps my Hole-in-One shot is coming soon?

Prelude to my Hole-in-One soon?

But the actual day of my birthday, the day went by so slowly. We were back in Alor Star and it was like a furnace. I could feel my body fat melting away, which was good because I’d been feeling a bit chunky, eating so much leading up to my special day.

And then it rained, no, it poured and poured and poured! Mother Nature was relentless. The outside perimeter of the house was flooded. Oh no! It was sometime before the rain subsided, and we had to clean up the place. Not the ideal activity to do on one’s birthday but it had to be done.

I was sweaty, I was tired and hungry. Sigh. It could be worse because look at the bright side – I am healthier now after my recent hospitalization, and I feel the love of my family and friends for their good wishes on my special day. That’s all that matters. Happy birthday to me regardless of the circumstances!

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A Lighter Bag

4 Apr

On this trip to hubby’s hometown, we both decided to pack a lighter golf set. Thus, both have nine clubs only. I debated what to leave behind, and my trusty 3-wood, two mid-irons, a hybrid, and a sand wedge did not make the trip.

Despite being handicapped with lesser clubs, we played well in the two games. When there were fewer club choices, it became very mechanical for the second and third shots, but enjoyable nonetheless.

The only bane is the putting; I had several three- to four three-putts for both games. Imagine the outcome would have been even better if my putting was more accurate. Oh well.

I discovered a new trick during the second game, hitting the second shot on the fairway with my driver! It’s termed driver off the deck. Oh, what fun I had to be able to gain the distance on the dry fairways. With my 3-wood at home, my other long club was only my Hybrid 4 that couldn’t cover the length as well.

So perhaps, a bagful of 14 clubs is not required for an enjoyable round of golf, something to consider for our next golf trip.

Harvard Golf Club. The greens and green sides were immaculate.

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Winning Again

28 Feb

It is nice to be able to play good golf. It is even better to play well and win! After several games, I have finally gotten my golf mojo back. And it sure feels great, pocketing some dough along the way, coming out tops during our weekly Tuesday group game.

I hope to maintain the momentum, for this Saturday is the Monthly Medal tournament at my Golf Club. While I don’t expect to win because the field has more and stronger players, I hope I can play to my handicap; that’s all I ask.

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On the Uptrend

20 Feb

I am pleased that my golf mojo is coming back! By my third game yesterday, there were vast improvements. The tee-offs were good in direction and distance, likewise, my second wood shots.

As such, by the third shot (or fourth, if it is a Par 5), it is only an iron or wedge to use to land on the green. The putting, at times, was brilliant, save for silly mistakes. I made 31 putts yesterday, which was quite good. Separately, I did not feel too tired being out under the sun and kept hydrated more than ever.

I look forward to the next few games lined up this week in preparation for the upcoming Greensome Tournament on Sunday. It should be fun!

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Iron Challenge 2023

27 Jan

Sadly, I will be out of action for this year’s Iron Challenge, scheduled for this Sunday at my golf club, a tournament I play annually. I am disappointed. Boo hoo hoo.

Towards the end of last year, when the tournament date was open for registration, I was one of the early birds to sign up for it and was looking forward to it. I even started preparing myself for the challenge, playing my last few games using only my irons, no woods or hybrids for all my second and third shots save for the tee-off with the driver.

But alas, all the preparation has come to naught because of my medical condition recently. Sigh. I am supposed to be on the road to recovery, but I had a setback on Tuesday; it’s disheartening.

I don’t have the strength to move about; what more attempting to play golf? Swinging my irons like a warrior on the fairway will need Herculean efforts. And being a strokeplay tournament, I’m simply setting myself up for disaster if I participate.

So best not to be a hero when I am not ready physically and mentally; I should stay home to rest and get well faster.

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Pretty Peachy

30 Sep

I have not bought a new pair of golf shoes for some time now. The last two, purchased from the sports store, Decathlon, have lasted pretty well. Recently, a girlfriend of mine invited us to take advantage of some super savings at the Adidas Brand Center, and we jumped at the opportunity.

I indulged myself and bought a sweet-colored pair of Adidas golf shoes because golf shoes are the most used item for me, instead of running or walking shoes. For the record, past golf shoe colors are typically white, dark blue, or black with a slight tinge of color. But nothing like this latest pair, a pretty peach shade for the whole shoe!

My peachy golf shoes

Now the shoes are too sweet to be worn, methinks. So it may not see action soon as the rainy season is here. I better be mindful of the weather to ensure the pretty new shoes don’t get wet and dirty if I want to wear them sooner than planned. Hahahaha.

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Better than Phenomenal

26 Sep

My golf mojo is back after playing two rounds to rediscover my momentum for the game. By the third game on Saturday, everything fell into place. The distances were back, as were my other ability on the golf course.

My putting was better than phenomenal with the Peanut Putter. It was exceptional when I looked at the post-game statistics. I did only 26 putts, which was amazing! Never have I gone so low before.

While there were improvements with the tee-off, woods, and short game, putting was the main factor. Although I messed up three holes, putting made up for the mistakes, with ten one-putts and eight two-putts to score points. Do note there was not a single three-putt, a critical factor to return with a score of two under my handicap, based on the Stableford system.

It sure feels great to achieve this after the self-imposed two-week tattoo break. I hope I can maintain this momentum for the next few games.

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Rain, Rain, Go Away

5 Aug

The weather has changed again! It has been wonky and unpredictable. Whenever I check the Weather app on my iPhone XR so that I can plan my schedule if I am doing laundry or going out, it does not seem accurate at times, unfortunately.

On Tuesday, I had a morning golf game at a golf club some distance away. I checked ahead to ensure the weather would be nice for a pleasant outing. The app showed that it would rain only by noon, after which we would have completed our round of golf. But it rained when I left the house and continued to rain before we could tee off.

We ended up playing in the drizzle for the first nine holes. The course was beautiful and challenging, the greens fast, but the condition was most undesirable. We were wet, irritable, and did not enjoy the damp condition! But when we crossed over, the drizzle subsided and was cloudy, so everyone’s mood changed for the better.

With the change in the weather these days, planning is not easy. If you have something to do and the weather is hot and dry, do it. Don’t plan too much in anticipation of the oncoming rain, if any, because plans will go awry, and it can be time-wasting.

But for golf, if it rains before or after teeing off, we either wait it out or play in the rain. Worst case, we have to abandon the game. Luckily, we did not have to do this on Tuesday. I hope the weather will be kinder for my next golf game.

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Golf Getaway, Part 3

19 Jul

The afternoon Interclub game was a blessing because we did not have to wake up so early as the day before. After breakfast and checking out, the entourage was on the way to Ipoh. Again, the journey was pleasant, and we arrived early at Royal Perak Golf Club. We were warmly welcomed and soon ushered in for lunch.

Fishing farms dotting the waters along the Second Penang Bridge

The weather was hot, so the air-conditioned dining area was nice. But one must not get used to it because, after lunch, we tee off at 1.00 pm under the hot sun! Dang, the weather was hot.

Luckily, it was buggy on the course like the previous game, so this helped with managing the heat factor for the game. As this was an Interclub game, playing well was important. How did I fare this time around?

I played better. The greens here felt better, and putting was not a letdown. The course was very long, especially for the Red tee boxes. Many a time, I had to pull out the wood or utility clubs for the Par 3s.

Before we knew it, the game ended. The cold shower was refreshing to cool down the body, and the after-game dinner spread was sumptuous. There were some controversies, and the outcome was not what we expected; I will not elaborate on this to mar the positives of the trip.

It has been a fun outing and the Club’s first away trip after two and a half years of living with the pandemic and the restrictions. We will host our opponents at our Club for the return match soon.

We left Ipoh and arrived on schedule at our Club. All too soon, the short golf getaway is another chapter to store away in the memory. I look forward to participating in another Interclub match, home or away.

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