My game has changed

I had a moment on the golf course this weekend. I firmly believe that my game has changed in an extremely positive way. I've found a new confidence along with my swing over the last few rounds. I'll explain later.

Saturday was an ok round by my new standards. Got up early to play with Cal and Matt after one of the most amazing concerts I've ever seen. My cousin was awesome enough to take me to see Pearl Jam in Toronto for the first time ever. It was amazing. They played basically a greatest hits concert and I've only once or twice seen a band play so passionately and with so much energy, it was amazing. I was a little tired sat morning and kind of limped through the first 14 holes to 5 over. Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to improve on it when the lighting rolled in and we had to walk off the course. I'd post a 78 cause we played over 13 holes, so I guess I kind of shot a 78.

Sunday I had invited some sudo family members, brother in laws step moms sister and husband Ralph and Annemarie. These 2 are great golfing partners that I have had the pleasure to play with twice before at Magna Golf Course with Cathy, and once at their home course last year Westmont. All day Saturday I was checking the weather and it was calling for rain and thunder storms so was a little worried we wouldn't get it in. Fortunately, the rain held off completely and actually the skies opened up to a some what sunny day and was perfect. Both my guests are good golfers who can hold there own. Ralph was in a major car accident a few years ago but still finds a way to play even tho he can't bend his right wrist. I'd be playing from the blues today with Ralph for the first time this year. Turned out to be a great round. I'd start by going par, par, par, on the first 3 holes. Ralph followed me by going par, par, bogey on the first 3. So after the 3rd hole we decided to play a match for the round, I decided to give him a shot a hole. So starting on the 4th I'm 2 down. This is how the rest of the round went.

4th hole I hit a bad shot to the right of the green, made a bad chip and couldn't make the putt for a bogey. down 3. Then I got it going a little. 5th I was on the green in 2 with an 7 footer for birdie, just missed took a par, 1 over.

6 I would bomb one down the wrong fairway, down 13, and had to come back over the trees, left myself 10 feet for birdie but missed and settled for par, still 1 over.

7 I left a long birdie putt around 30 feet, missed and made par.

8 i got to about 210 out, went for the green in 2, but was a little right near the rope tow. Hit a decent lob to about 10 feet and made the putt for birdie. even on the day.

9 i would be about 175 out after my drive, hit a 6 iron short of the green and couldn't get up and down for the par, bogey to shoot 37.

10th I would hit a drive to about 200 yards even. Hit a 5 iron perfectly to about 4 feet, drained the putt for my first eagle of the year, 1 under.

11 I would attempt to drive the green since I had about 290 yards from the blue. Over swung a little and found myself under the trees just left of the green. I'd make a bad chip from a side of the hill here and had to settle for par after sculling it to the other side of the green.

12 I was just left of the green, chipped up and made the putt for par.

13 I hit my drive up the left hand side and through the fairway. Had no shot so kind of punched out with a 7 iron. Couldn't get up and down for the par settled for bogey, even on the day.

14 I gave myself a shot at another birdie from about 10 feet, came up short settled for par.

15 I blasted a drive down the right hand side. Had about 240 left to the hole. Unfortunately I pushed my rescue a little right and was just below the green. Good lob shot left my self 6 feet for birdie, missed the putt again, still even.

16 was routine. Got to the fringe on the right in 3 with about 15 feet for birdie. Lipped this one out, settle for par again.

17 I came up short and right of the green. Decent chip to about 5 feet, made the putt for par.

18 I was determined to birdie 18 for a under par round. Blasted a drive to about 145 out. But mishit my 8 iron and came up short of the green. Hit a bad lob shot to about 8 feet for par. Fortunately I made a great stroke on the putt and drained it for a par to shoot 72, again, twice in 1 week. Awesome. From the blues, but still great.

I also beat Ralph on this last putt to win the match so that was cool. Never had so much trouble winning a match while shooting 72. Still good times.

So what did I learn shooting this 72? My mindset on the course has changed. I was attacking 72 or lower. I wasn't playing nervous waiting for myself to screw up a good round. I was going after the flag stick. I wanted to be under par so bad. I used to think to much and be afraid something bad was going to happen, think about bad shots in the past. Not any more. I just wanted to go low. I had no fear and I was even a little disappointed I shot 72. Not upset, but knew i could have been under. Going to continue this. I got mens tour on Saturday, final event. Going to play well there. In fact, I'm going to be in the top 5 at this tournament. Bold? maybe. But I will be in that top 5 after the round is over.

Then it's on to Cal, maybe. If this guy gets the balls to play me right now I'm going to play him and win my first Langley cup. But right now he knows I'm to hot on the course for him to play and he's trying to push it into September when my game usually deteriorates due to football season. Not going to happen this year. I'm going to keep playing and stay focused on golf till he man ups and plays me.

Handicap is down to a 2.6 (3). That awesome, think I might be lower then Matt for the first time ever?

I'll say it for you guys, I'm GOOOOOOOOOD.