Our winter wasn’t bitterly cold, and we didn’t get a massive amount of snow. The problem is it doesn’t want to leave.
So, this past Saturday, I did the logical thing and traveled one and a half hours south. I met my son, and we enjoyed playing 18 holes together at Pine Valley Golf Course in Marathon, Wisconsin. Below is a picture I snapped of the picturesque par 3 17th hole. I need to return in the summer or fall to get the full beauty of this course.
During spring in northern Wisconsin, if you hope to enjoy any activity outdoors, you need to be willing to survive the elements if needed. Saturday was one of those days. The temperature was 39 degrees Fahrenheit with on and off again light rain showers turning to steady light rain on the finishing four holes. The weather was not a surprise as it had been forecasted all week, we were prepared and enjoyed the round.
Even with all the rain, carts were still allowed on the course, but we decided to walk. Saturday, we walked for the sole reason of staying warmer. We’ve previously talked about the benefits of walking.
I didn’t record any stats. This season I’m switching over to tracking strokes gained instead of traditional stats. Not having an app or system to track strokes gained for me is going to make it a manual process for the time being. I also want to tie my strokes gained into better course management. The best place to do that is on my home course. I plan to play a lot of rounds at St Germain Golf Club this season, so I’m going to only tracks stats there.
I set almost no expectations for this round. Why do high handicap or beginner golfers put so much pressure on themselves? This was my first outside golf in over six months and the weather was closing in on the worst I would play in. I wanted to shoot close to ninety but would have been happy with anything under a hundred.
There was a lot of good things to take away from this round. I played the whole round with one ball and didn’t have any penalty strokes. The easiest way for high handicap golfers to lower their scores is to get the penalty strokes per round as near zero as possible. I only mishit a few shots. My swing felt good, and contact was good on most of my shots.
Birdie looks were few. My distance control wasn’t the best, but the rain and cold weather played a factor, forcing me to club up on many shots. Missing the fairway off the tee on many holes either forced me to do a recovery shot or gave me a poor angle into the green.
Putting has been the weak spot of my game for a while now. I worked this past winter on putting stance and it feels pretty good on the course. With their early season condition and the weather, the greens were slow on Saturday. I struggled a lot with distance control. Improving my distance control is my highest priority when I can get out on a practice green.
Every year at this time, I am filled with excitement and anticipation for the new golf season.
In Genesis, God tells Noah he will not send another flood. Every new season, every new day, is a new beginning.
I was happy with my round on Saturday, even with shooting a 99. I was happy spending time with my son.