Sometimes the trees take pity on you—and the game gives you a second chance during a lucky golf round.
Course: University of Michigan Golf Course
Date: July 3, 2025
Weather: Sunny, low 70s to low 80s, gentle breeze
Opening Thoughts
University of Michigan is a course I’ve come to respect. It doesn’t flatter you, but it does sharpen you. With tight lines, tough greens, and slopey trouble waiting on nearly every hole, it requires more than just ball striking—it demands strategy, calm, and a willingness to shake it off when the game gets weird.
And on this round? It got weird.
In the best way. Lots of lucky breaks, and a plan to buy some lottery tickets.
⛳ The Stats (Not the Story)
8/14
2
46
1
4
3
13
206 Yds
115
2:2
My Lucky Golf Round in Highlights
- Hole 3: Drive and 3-wood both pushed right. Ended up behind a tree on a steep uphill. Smart punch-out, then a pitch up onto one of the toughest greens on the course—saved bogey with solid execution.
- Hole 6: Sliced into a tree—but it saved me. Ball bounced left off the trunk and ended up on the fairway side. From there, I had a clean look at the green and capitalized.
- Hole 10: Tee shot flew straight through the trees as planned (not too far left, not too far right). Proof that grip and route planning are starting to click.
- Hole 13: Nailed the green—then caught a bad cart path bounce and ended up OB. Took the penalty, chipped up smartly, and salvaged what I could.
- Hole 16: Recovery from a pulled tee shot worked well due to the wide fairway. Even though I missed the green, I gave myself a real chance from the position.
- Hole 17: Another tree deflection miracle. My 3-wood clipped just enough branches to slow the ball and drop it into a soft, playable lie. Missed green and struggled in the sand—but escaped with a grin and a good putt.
- Hole 18: Punch-out after a tee shot behind a tree. Topped my first attempt over the pond, but went for it from a good lie with a 5-wood… and almost made it. Dropped, chipped close, and two-putted to finish.
Mental Game Check-In
I came into this round relaxed. Weather was perfect. I wasn’t chasing a score. I gave myself permission to three-putt tough greens, and that helped me focus on execution, not outcomes. GRACE and GAPS helped me reset. Posture and grip awareness were top of mind. I still made alignment mistakes, but I could feel what went wrong—and that’s progress.
There were definite “this could spiral” moments, especially after poor chips. But I put the wedge down, picked up the putter, and committed. That part? I’m proud of.
Group Vibes
I played with Beth (also in my group during my first U of M round) and Lucy, a good-humored and steady golfer. Beth was my cart mate and spotter—and kept my scores down when I overcounted a score or second-guessed a good shot. She also reminded me how different shot shapes and strategies can work equally well.
Lucy and I both had bunker woes on the front nine, but she handled it with grace—and a few jokes. We laughed about style points and lucky tree saves. The energy in the group was supportive and light, which made the good shots feel even better and the mistakes less painful.
Performance Reflection
What Worked:
- Fairway recovery decisions
- Pitching (30–60 yards)
- Grip awareness
- Mental reset tools (GRACE + GAPS + See/Say/Save/Shift)
- Course management on second shots
What Didn’t:
- Alignment on tee and long iron shots
- Chip contact confidence
- Speed control on downhill putts
- Hybrid fear (didn’t use it at all)
Practice Takeaways
- Range focus: Hybrid, long irons, and driver alignment
- Short game: Chip reps, especially contact drills
- Putting: Distance and speed control lessons
- Lesson Request: Setup, grip, and posture focus with Jimmy
Closing Thought
I didn’t play my best round—but I played a smart one.
And when the trees gave me gifts, I accepted them with gratitude and a good follow-through.