Temps got into the 40s so decided to give it a shot. Left shoulder has been giving me a LOT of problems, and was concerned about irritating it further. But, I tried hitting a few balls in the backyard and after doing so, thought I could try. Figured I plan for nine and see how I felt.
Only hit 2 wedges, 2 9 irons and two drivers on range to warm up, trying to save the shoulder. Started on 11th today to skip around a group of Asians teeing off on 10. Finished on 10.
First drive was not great, but hit fairway. Had a little fade to it, which has not been seen in my driver for the last few rounds. Only fade of the day and it was not bad, but probably cost me 10 yards due to spin. Still made GIR par.
On par 3 15th hit 7 iron dead at pin. Could not see it land, but it looked good. Got to ball and found pitch mark about 2 feet in front of hole and ball 1 foot short and to the right. I can't imagine it spun back so I'm guessing it hit the pin. Either way, that is about the 20th "almost ace" I have had in the last couple years. At least this one resulted in tap in bird.
Hit good drives all remaining holes except 5th. I somehow popped it up off the tee, leaving me right of the fairway, behind a tree. Punched a 5 iron under a branch and out, but it caught another tree about 80 yards ahead and fell in the path of a 3rd tree. Took a 5W and cut it around that tree, exactly as I had envisioned, but still left me with 100 yards to the hole from the right rough. Hit a wedge about 10 yards long and 2-putted from there. Considering the tee shot, bogey was good.
Nice drives on 1st, 2nd and 4th gave me good GIR ops, which I capitalized on. On 7th, drive went through the fairway into right rough. Got my approach a touch fat and came up a couple yards short of green. Chip was good, but missed the 5 footer to save par.
Finished up on 10 with a nice 8 iron approach, pin high, but 15 feet right. Missed birdie putt, but just barely.
Left shoulder held up, but was fully aware of discomfort in it the whole round. Icing heavily now.
