The Course

Smoke Rise CC is a excellent course. I knew from looking at the scorecard that it would be a challenging course, but challenging not because it’s long (it’s not) but because it requires finesse. The fairways are tight in places, requiring irons off the tee and every green is protected by bunkers. Unfortunately, we played while they were renovating the greens. So we played to temporary greens cut into the fairways in front of the real greens. Even so, The course was in excellent condition and I’m excited to play again in late Aug or early September once the new greens are in play. Because of the greens and chance of poor weather, we were the only two on the course and that was awesome.

My Round

Played with Casey, and that’s always a lot of fun. He played the best round of his life and we ended up shooting the same score. Definitely a fun round.

My round was a good one. Snce I’m working on a few things, my goal was to go out and hit some solid shots with the new techniques like grip, backswing and impact position. And I did. Starting at the driving range before I was just focusing on making smooth swings, Smooth tempo, keeping grip weaker, dropping the club down in front, staying planted. I was flushing my irons on the range and felt great.

On the course, when I focused on the new pieces, I hit great shots. But I have to focus, because I’m breaking old habits. A good example was on a par 5 on the front. I was going for the green with a 5i. My first shot, when I wasn’t quite focused, was ok, but a bit thin and kind of a fade. But then I put another ball doesn’t since we were the only ones there. I focused on my grip, posture and followed up that shot by hitting a perfect 5i when i remembered to get to the top of backswing and then transition with my hips before dropping club. 205-210 yards with a penetrating ball flight with a slight draw and balanced finish. It felt easy.

I hit some great drives when I let go. Focusing again on the new pieces, and then really transitioning with my hips keeping head at or slightly behind the ball (so I’m not leaning forward) and dropping the club down in front, I hit some straight and long drives. I need to let go and trust my swing with the driver.

Also had fun playing shots at the temp pins instead of just shooting to middle of the green. I had to focus on landing spots, read fairway break, and think about how the ball will travel once it hits the ground instead of playing to the middle of the green and hoping the ball backs up. I felt more focused because I was playing to something other than a front, middle or back number. Not that I should fire at pins, but I should incorporate that into my rounds.

Keep working on the same things: grip, takeaway, transition, tempo, low hands and letting everything happen. Also, for the first time in a while I didn’t trust my alignment. Just need to trust it.

Sorecard

Other Photos