Had a gross golf match yesterday at one of my home clubs, Bonneville. It was a 2nd round match for me, having defeated my first opponent 7 and 6.
I did not know my opponent until I met him on the tee yesterday. What I did know was that he was the #1 seed and his “league” handicap was a +2.9. As it turned out, he is a player on the University of Utah Men’s Golf Team, and a +4 handicap in the state. For me (a current 3 handicap) to beat a +3 or +4 would be a very tall ask.
Too tall.
My opponent was long of course, aren’t all young flat bellies these days? On the first hole he had a lob wedge into the green. That hole is an uphill par-5. He reached all the par-5’s in two, the longest club he needed on any of them was a 9-iron. On a 470 yard par-4, he hit an iron off the tee. My driver was about 3 yards longer than his 3-iron.
I did not play terrible by any means, but not my A game. I shot four over par for the round and my opponent shot one under par. I was dispatched from the match play tournament on the 13th green, the same place I dispatched my first round opponent.
It is hard to be disappointed with this loss because I was simply out of my league, like bringing a squirt gun to a tank battle. I did manage to win one hole, the 12th. Moral victory.
Net Match Today
I don’t much have time to lick my wounds. I’m entered in the “net” match play at the same club and I play my 2nd round opponent today at 3:30. My odds today are much more reasonable. I’d call it bringing a squirt gun to a squirt gun fight.
My favorite format in golf is match play. Straight up. No strokes. Ho handicaps. No net. Ask me if that will be my favorite format after tonight though…
I’m in round two of one of my home course’s gross match play tournaments. In my first round I won by the biggest match play margin I ever have, 7 and 5 (meaning I was up seven with five holes to play). That’s kind of a like a football game with a score of 34-3.
Today’s match will not be that easy.
Today I’m playing the #1 seed. I’ve never met the gentleman, and will meet him on the first tee at 3:15 p.m. He is a +2.9 handicap. PLUS 2.9. That means his normal round is 2.9 under par. This guy can play golf. My handicap is down to a 3, so on average this guy will beat me by six shots.
I’m coming into this match playing well for me, with rounds in the low 70’s. I am making a pile of birdies though and a double or two in a round. In match play that’s going to be good. A double is going to be a loss of hole 99% of the time. So I may lose a hole here or there that way. But if I can make five birdies like I did a couple of days ago, those will be wins or hopefully at worst ties.
Fun times. I hope I can bring a good game today, and at least make the match interesting. We are all human. I can beat this guy on any given day. If he plays his best and shoots a 66, I’ll be in trouble.
On my recent Hooked On Golf Blog World Tour stop in Michigan I had the pleasure of playing the Arthur Hills designed Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club. Humidity was 100%. It was so humid driving there that we had to use the windshield wipers, despited it not actually “raining.” The rainy and cloudy conditions made capturing decent photos difficult. It also made capturing pars and birdies difficult.
Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club – click to view more photos
Despite the gray skies, I’ve posted a Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Course photo gallery here for you to check out.
Ecktron Performance HOG Head Cover
I must admit that I have the world’s coolest and most unique golf driver head cover on this planet, and probably many other planets as well. Look at this beauty (right).
Ecktron Performance is responsible for making this fantastic looking head cover. Until Ecktron Performance came along, the only way to get your custom logo on a driver, putter, hybrid, fairway cover would be to order them by the dozens or even the hundreds from China. Now one can get one-offs, single units made at a very reasonable price.
This cover is great looking, yes. But it also has some very nice padding which protects that driver investment well. When people dump hundreds of dollars (or pounds) into drivers it is wise to protect that investment.
Price and Process
The process of getting your own custom head covers is easy. There’s an order page where you can upload your graphic, create custom text, select color schemes and styles. Pay your $36 bucks and you’re good to go.
$36 bucks is a fantastic price for such a great product with very high quality custom embroidery. Look how awesome the Hooked On Golf Blog logo translated to the cover!
Related Links
Ecktron Performance website
Hooked On Golf Blog Ecktron Performance image gallery
Hooked On Golf Blog EP scorecard wallet review
This morning I’m not feeling very well. I walked a round of 18 yesterday in 97 degree temperatures and I’m a bit dehydrated. Big headache in the right eyeball. Feels like Joe Pesci is crushing my head in a vice. I also feel a little dizzy. The weather forecast yesterday was for cooler temperatures, and I was not set up well for the higher temps that did occur. I need to get into summer mode. Here are a few of the things I do in the summer to beat the heat.
Hydrate
During yesterday’s round I drank three bottles of Gatorade and it was not enough. It is extremely important from a health standpoint to stay hydrated, and it helps the golf game too. Sports drinks are better at hydrating you than water.
It can take a bit of time for fluids to enter your bloodstream as well. Start hydrating before the round.
Protection
Use an umbrella for shade
Protecting one’s self from the sun is important all the time, but especially in the summer. Yesterday I could feel my arms getting fried. I was not prepared with sunscreen. I also failed in the apparel script area, wearing a black shirt.
Wear white in the summer. White does not absorb and store the heat like black does. It helps reflect it.
I also wear a big hat in the summer, like a cowboy hat. The brim keeps the sun off my face, ears, and neck.
Sports sunglasses are very important as well, to protect the eyes from harmful UV rays.
With my golf pushcart I attach my umbrella to provide more shade.
Moisture Wicking Golf Apparel
Use moisture wicking apparel in the heat
Technology in golf apparel over the last decade or so has advanced tremendously. One great quality added to many golf apparel items is “moisture wicking.” This is a process where the fabric is designed to pull moisture off of the wearer’s skin, and move it to the outer surface of the fabric where it will evaporate.
I’ve reviewed countless moisture wicking golf shirts, golf socks, and other garments.
Towels
In the summer heat I like to carry at least two towels on the bag. One towel is a clean dry towel for wiping sweat off of my face and hands, or wherever else. A second towel I’ll keep soaked with water and use it around my neck and on my head to keep cool.
There are also some very interesting products similar to chamoises like the Frogg Togg Chilly Pad, which hold water and keep you very cool.
Accessories
There are some fun golf accessories out there which help keep you cool on or off the course. One such accessory which can help is the Personal Golf Fan.
I have a unit in for review and it is time to start testing it!
Be a Dew Sweeper
Hit the course early in the morning, before the heat of the day. Not only is it cooler, the pace of play will be faster. As an added bonus, most golf courses are at their best aesthetically in the early morning. The term for playing golf very early is being a “dew sweeper.”
Lay Off the Booze
Many people like to enjoy a tasty beer or other alcoholic beverages on the course. In the summer heat, the booze will hurt you. Alcohol will accelerate your dehydration. Save it for the 19th hole.
Location
Consider the golf course you choose to play in the heat. Is it wide open with no trees or shade? In the summer heat, choose a course which has trees and shade.
Final Thoughts
Golfing in the heat can be fun if you are well prepared. The course may be less busy too.
If you have other ideas for beating the heat, comment them!
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