I didn’t light up the scorecard today. I didn’t break 50. I didn’t hit a single green in regulation. But this 9 hole league round still found its rhythm — somewhere between a few smart punch-outs, a buttery drive on 8, and a moment of quiet wonder as two fawns played in a greenside bunker.
Brianna tagged along in the cart since my partners were all walkers. She didn’t play, but she fully embraced the scavenger life — combing the woods for lost balls, finding a new obsession with TaylorMade SpeedSoft paint splatters and a Callaway marked with tiny skulls. Meanwhile, I tried to keep my game as steady — and especially my posture — relying on routines like GRACE and GAPS to stay grounded through missed fairways, creative recoveries, and one sweet up-and-down that actually dropped.
It wasn’t my lowest round — but it was one of my calmest, and one of my favorites.
⛳ Scorecard Summary
2/7
0
17
2/7
3
0
3
189 Yds
51
0:41
🎯 What Worked
A mid-round reset with GRACE and GAPS
By Hole 7, I knew I was out of sync — rushing my setup, overthinking club choice, misjudging direction. So I slowed down. I made myself walk through my GRACE routine fully, then double-checked my GAPS: grip, alignment, posture, and stance. The payoff was immediate. On Hole 8, I striped my 3-wood 189 yards, straight down the fairway — not long, but centered. It was the drive I’d been searching for all round.
Steady putting, even under pressure
This round could’ve easily included more blow-up holes, but the putter kept things from unraveling. I had only one 3-putt all day (Hole 8, after that perfect drive), and two clutch one-putt par saves — one from 8 feet and one even longer. 17 total putts is one of my best nine-hole performances this season.
Smart decisions from trouble
Holes 1, 2, and 9 could’ve gotten out of hand. Instead, I played percentage shots, avoided penalties, and didn’t chase hero shots. I even surprised myself on Hole 3 by accidentally threading a low approach through the trees to the fringe. Not intentional, but I’ll take the break — and the two-putt that followed.
Wildlife reminder: this is supposed to be fun
After my perfect tee shot on 8, while waiting for the group ahead, I noticed movement by the bunkers. A family of deer — two little ones chasing each other and dancing in and out of the sand bunkers, with adults supervising nearby. For a full minute, I forgot about score and stats. Just watched. And it grounded me more than any swing thought.
🧠 What Needs Work
Rightward tee shot pattern
Consistently pushing drives right — not slicing, but enough to miss positioning. Most were playable, but I left myself with tricky angles or punch-outs. This is something I’ll work on at the range with alignment sticks and ball position checks.
Zero GIRs
Even though I had looks, I didn’t hit a single green in regulation. That’s partly because of tree trouble and some layups, but also reflects inconsistent wedge distances and hesitation on full-swing approaches. I’ll keep tracking this and work on dialing in 50–90 yard control.
Execution breakdown on Hole 9
The last hole was a scramble. After a big miss right, I tried a 5-iron punch, struck it fat. Then a PW that flew too high. Then a lob wedge that clipped a branch. By the time I got to the green, I was hitting my sixth. I salvaged a two-putt, but it was a mess. The good news? I stayed calm and stuck to my routine. No spirals. Just problem-solving.
🏌️♀️ Final Thoughts
This round wasn’t flashy, but it was honest — and intentional. I made good decisions, chipped steadily, and putted well. My best swings weren’t perfect, but they were progress. And the deer on Hole 8? A quiet reminder that slowing down — on and off the course — is often the right play.
Brianna tagged along in the cart tonight since my playing partners were all walkers. While I focused on club selection and tree trouble, she went full treasure hunter — collecting a few dozen balls by sunset. Her current favorites? The TaylorMade SpeedSoft paint splatters, a Callaway with tiny skull markers, and several more “Chaos” balls that feel very on brand. She may not have played, but she definitely won the scavenger game.
The only thing I hit consistently all night was a swarm of mosquitoes.