Shot a 93. Hit 13 fairways. Dodged every penalty. And walked away with more than just a good number. Smart course management in golf at play.
Some rounds just feel like momentum — not magic, not mayhem, just that rare, steady rhythm where things click enough to make you think: Hey, I might be onto something here.
Saturday’s round at Salem Hills was exactly that.
⛳ The Stats (Not the Story)
13/14
6/18
40
3/10
2
0
5
180 Yds
93
0:2
Off the Tee: My Best Driving Accuracy Day Yet (…Mostly)
Let’s start with the headline: 13 out of 14 fairways hit. Distance was solid, but nothing exceptional for me- my longest was about 180, but honestly, I’ll give up 20 yards if there’s not a tree in my way.
No, that’s not a typo. It’s what happens when you finally stop trying to swing hard and start swinging through. I didn’t try to be perfect — I just committed to my G.R.A.C.E. routine, let the draw-weighted woods do their thing, and trusted that solid contact would get me further than swing violence.
It did — sort of.
Because here’s the thing: yes, I’m hitting it straighter than ever. But I’m starting to feel a little distance envy. On one par five, I missed reaching the green in two by just 10 feet — and instead of feeling triumphant, I found myself wondering whether a regular or senior flex shaft might finally unlock the yardage I know is in there. Straight is good. Straight and long would be better.
Fairways Are Easier When You’re On Them
This round reminded me how much easier golf feels when you’re not constantly in recovery mode. I was rarely punching out, rarely improvising. That left more mental space to actually plan my shots — and it paid off:
- 6 Greens in Regulation — including four in a six-hole stretch on the back.
- Smart misses that left makeable chips.
- A total absence of hero shots. Not one.
The Short Game Was Busy — But in a Good Way
I had 14 chip shots and 2 sand shots — which sounds like a lot. But most were high-percentage plays: bump-and-runs that left me chances, or smart bailouts after just-missed approaches. One sandy par save gave me that gritty little dopamine hit that reminds you why this game is worth grinding through.
I also had a birdie putt I’ll be thinking about all week — left it just short. The line was right. The pace was… optimistic.
Putting: Still the Streakiest Club in the Bag
I ended the round with 40 putts, and let’s just say that number didn’t spark joy.
It wasn’t a total disaster — just too many tentative first putts that left me working harder than necessary. A couple 3-putts early, a few second guesses in the mid-range, and not enough tap-in stress relief. I wasn’t spiraling, but I wasn’t exactly converting either.
Lag putting is back on the practice list. No drama — just data.
What I’m Proud Of
- Zero penalties. That’s how you shoot in the low 90s without needing miracles.
- Best tee-to-green consistency I’ve had all year.
- Kept my head after the birdie miss. No spiral. Just a quiet grumble and a tap-in.
What Needs Work
- Driver distance. Time to test some different shaft flexes. The straight ball is great — but I’m leaving yards on the table.
- Lag putting. I need to recalibrate the feel on 30+ footers, especially under pressure.
- Chip shot economy. Fourteen is high. Time to tighten up approach distance control.
Final Takeaway
This wasn’t a flashy round. I didn’t card a birdie. I didn’t blow up either. I was 10 feet shy of a green in two, hit nearly every fairway, and walked off the course feeling more in control than I have all season.
Progress doesn’t always show up in fireworks. Sometimes it’s just a steady, quiet round that reminds you: this is working.