Walked. It was cold and breezy. Started off in the mid-high 40s with 10-15 mph winds and overcast. Shock to the system. Was a good opportunity to walk in order to stay warm. We decided to play the whites due to the temps and wind. I'm not so sure I liked playing the whites. Kept forgetting we were up that far and hit drives into places I normally wouldn't reach.
On 3rd, I went left, but due to the distance, ended up reaching through the rough on the left side all the way to the lateral hazard. Found the ball just inside the hazard stake, but sitting way down in thick cabbage. No chance. Was lucky to get a club on it at all. Moved it out of the hazard, but that's about it. Maybe 10 yards forward. Then had to layup to the right with a 7i, as there was no way to go at the green from my position, even though the pin was only about 150 yards away. No clear shot. 65 yard Lob wedge to 4 feet and 1-putt bogey save.
On 7th, went through the fairway with a great drive, again forgetting I was on the whites. Was able to put approach close and get down in par.
On par 5 9th, from the whites, if the wind weren't blowing, I would have gone for the green in two. Been hitting my 3W very well lately and feel I could easily have gotten there. But the wind, cold and the fact that the lie was a touch downhill, decided not to chance it. Laid up just short of hazard, then a lob wedge over and 2-putt from 5 feet.
Again on 10th, got in trouble as a result of playing the whites. Hit a nice draw, but it bounced into the far left fairway bunker. Got out and on in 2, but well past the pin. 3 putt bogey.
On 12th, hit a 3W draw off the tee, towards the left fairway bunker. Wind was strong from that spot, directly on the nose going for the pin. Had 200+ yards from there. Caught 3W a touch fat. Under normal conditions, it would not have reached, but would have made the fairway short of the green. Due to the wind, it was questionable whether it got over the hazard. Consequently, I dropped in line with the pin about where it crossed the hazard line and hit a provisional, just over the green. But, when we got to the other side of the valley, we found that my ball had in fact cleared the hazard and left me about 65 yards to the pin, all up the steep hill to the green. I felt like I had a reprieve when we spotted the ball. Hit a blind, but good, shot from there up to the green, maybe 30 feet from the pin. I then proceeded to 3-putt for double.
Birdie on 15th. 7i off tee to about 15 feet. Great putt read.
Even Bernie is noticing my slower tempo and has commented on a few occasions about how well I am striking the ball. He is also rarely longer than me off the tee anymore. He is definitely noticing that.
Two rounds in a row. Same ball throughout.
