It’s been about a month now since I last provided an update on my pursuit to break 80 on the golf course. It’s been a goal of mine for sometime now and I am really focusing on three key points of my golf game for 2016.
Since I wrote that last article, a Twitter friend @PracticalGolf, sent me a direct message saying my article had inspired him to write about what a lot of golfers face when they are setting out in pursuit of a golf goal. Simply put, you have to believe you can do it. What Jon said in his post really has got me thinking about believing in myself more and feeling comfortable with those lower golf scores.
>>>By the way, Jon has a great book out titled 101 Mistakes All Golfers Make. Check it out!<<<
So what have I been working on since my last update last month? Well, since that 82 at LaCantera Palmer Course on February 21, I have gone on to play three more rounds of golf, shooting 85, 81, 84. As you can see for yourself, I still have failed to break 80. This past Friday, March 25, was my latest round of golf which I will break down below. I shot 84 at LaCantera Resort Course and basically failed at every one of my goals. To recap, here are my three goals in each round of golf:
Project Break 80 Goals
- No Three Putts
- No Penalties/Eliminate the Big Numbers
- Chip to Within 3-Feet
LaCantera Resort Course – March 25, 2016
Front 9
- 17 Putts
- 5 of 7 Fairways Hit
- 3 of 9 Greens in Regulation
- Front 9 Score: 41
Back 9
- 18 Putts
- 5 of 7 Fairways Hit
- 3 of 9 Greens in Regulation
- Back 9 Score: 43
Totals
- Fairways Hit: 71.4%
- Greens in Regulation: 33.3%
- Putts: 35
Break 80 Progress Report
No Three Putts: F
I had three 3-putts, which is a complete failure. One of these three putts came on the short par-5, #5. I hit a perfect drive and had a 5-iron into the green. I hit a perfect second shot to about 20 feet, pin high. I managed to 3-putt from 20 feet for a freaking par. I left my first putt 4 feet short and didn’t even give my chance for eagle. I then managed to miss the 4-footer for birdie. Complete. Idiot. I can’t believe I did this and I really could have saved at least a shot here.
Eliminate Big Numbers by Eliminating Penalties: F
I had a double and a triple. The triple-bogey came on #17, a 160 yard par-3. It was down wind and I
tried to bust a PW as hard as I could instead of hitting a smooth 9-iron like I wanted. I left the club face open and hit a horrible slice into the woods. Lost ball. I switched clubs to a 9-iron and hit it pin high, but missed the green. I proceeded to hit a horrible chip, leaving myself a downhill-downgrain putt that I missed.
Chip Within 3-ft on Missed GIR: C
I am giving myself a C in this category. I hit some really good chips during this round of golf which left me tap-in pars. I hit two great bunker shots that I was pleased with allowed me to save pars. That last chip in 17 cost me a couple shots and my score could have been better.
Keep on Keeping On
There’s nothing else I can do but keep on trying, right? I am hoping to get in one round of golf per week along with some putting practice in the garage and possibly getting out to hit some balls during the week. I don’t have much time to practice and I can’t be too demanding on myself when I really don’t get to have that quality practice time it takes to get better at golf.
At the end of the day, if you count up my three 3-putts and two big numbers, I could have saved six shots, bringing my scored down to 78. The only thing left to do is keep on believing and trying my best to break 80.
Denny says
Great progress report! Still gotta work on that short game yeah. When’s the next report out?
Ryan Young says
Thanks Denny! Working on the latest one now. I try to do them at least once a month! Thanks for stopping by!
Todd says
Nice and detailed progress report! Keep trying, you’ll get there.
Reynesca Bruner says
Nice report, I’d take note of them. Thanks!