Good going, Scott. Stick with your plan, I think you have the right idea.
I played on Saturday on Mercer Oaks East, our more open/links style course. Since we had a fair amount of rain during the week, we figured it would be the least saturated. Turned out to be a good idea, since even this course was pretty wet in spots and some traps had water. Played pretty well, left a couple of shots behind, shot 91. Had 31 putts, I think since I've gotten used to my new Sabertooth putter my avg putts/round has come down. Still not 100% happy with my driver shots since I know I hit it better on the range before the round...but I think I only missed 2 or 3 fairways, so keeping it in play at least. Playing the holes for bogey keeps me focused on not making stupid mistakes by taking high risk approaches.
Playing in a golf outing on Monday at TPC Jasna Polana in Princeton, NJ...pretty excited.

Well, we had a rainy day for the third round but it was fun. Just didn't have much of my game today. Again, hit some good shots but those wedges I was hitting tight yesterday did not find their way into my bag today. Hit several wedges shots heavy, and was always scrambling to get pars. made some missed lots of others. Shot 86. Definitely not the type of result I was looking for but it's what I had. Was grinding out all day. I took a way a lot of good things to work on with my game so that's great. Met some great people too.

Saturday...nice day, low 80's, not too humid. Got paired up with another couple who were nice people. The husband suffered from paralysis over the ball, however, so it took a bit longer to play than would be optimal. He would stand frozen over the ball (tee or fairway) and I could see him rocking on his feet, in and out, inside and outside like he was trying to feel his spikes. No waggle with the club, his arms were locked out. You can imagine what that did to his swing. I try not to give advice but at some point on the back nine I finally suggested that he hit it better when he kept tension out of his forearms and he should try waggling to keep it loose...and sure enough his next swing was good and he did better from then on.
I didn't play well on the front nine, felt kind of out of synch and rushed everything (especially on the green) because I was trying to make up time for the slow play. Shot 53 (yech) with 19 putts, 2 shots lost to ball in pond. Back nine I got it together better, shot 43 (2 pars/GIR, 1 birdie) with 15 putts.
The birdie was cool, it was a short par 4 where my second shot landed about 6" short of the green and the pin was up front, I putted it in from the fringe.

Thursday night, playing novice night with a guy I played with 2 weeks ago. He just started playing this year while I started playing last year. I was pretty psyched about playing this night because I had a real good practice session on Tuesday.

First hole I lost the ball left into the trees, still had a shot to the green though but left it short. Doubled that hole and the next one. Bogey'd #3. Thought I was going to have a bad day. But started to turn it around on #4 after I was able to get some good drives going.

Ended up shooting 44. 3 shots better than my previous best. I need to start practice my putting. Missed a couple ~6foot birdie putts.

Played 18 today, first time out in about 2-3 weeks. Spent the front 9 trying to get my game in shape, whew hit some bad shots as I had gone straight to the tee since it was open. Anyway, shot a legit 41 on the back 9 with 1 birdie, 1 dbl and a smattering of pars and bogeys. I HATE THE GREENS AT MY COURSE!!!! augh, they are soooo sloowwwwwww. It's frustrating. But I think I'm headed to the range tomorrow to work on things. I've hit one of those lulls where it's just a little off, not major, just a little...

Played late afternoon Friday and on Saturday morning. Finally hit with summertime weather (hot/humid).
Friday played Mercer Oaks East (links style). Started off strong then lost it. Shot 89 (4 pars, 1 birdie, 31 putts). Super finish, last hole a par 5 and I was on the green in 4, I really wanted the par. Spent time looking at the putt (about 25 footer) which broke a little right to left/downhill at the very end, and sunk it for the par.
Saturday played Mercer Oaks West (parkland style). Too tired from playing the previous day in the heat, I think. Lost a couple of shots to penalty strokes (OOB, in the water) so shot 96 (2 pars, 1 birdie, 32 putts). Best shot was 15th hole par 5, which doglegs left and green is protected by 8 bunkers in front and around. Hit driver, layup, 8 iron over the bunkers and pinned on the elevated green 3 feet from the hole, one putt for birdie.

Myself a 23 or so handicap, I'm trying to break 90. I played 9 holes yesterday only due to weather and scored a 44 with 3 missed putts and only 3putting once. I can't wait to get to the range again when it seems I'm on a threshold but with the lightning about...

It's been a struggle for me this year to get my game back (no pun intended ) in shape this year after playing so little the year before, but it FINALLY feels like it is coming together.
I've struggled the most to get distance off the tee (shocker given my back), but have finally settled in a groove where I can generally at least poke it out there 225-250 but more importantly keep it in the fairway 80% of the time. I was going for more distance earlier in the year, but the consistency just suffered too much, so I shortened the stroke (MUCH easier for my physically) a bit and have worked on clearing through better for more power.

Finally seems to be paying off as my last five rounds are 83, 80, 77, 83, and 82, and all on my home course which is very difficult. I've had to take the last week off due to pain, but I'm ready to get back out there and hoping I can get right back in that groove. We'll see!!

What's this talk from one of the golf mags that the american golfer drives an average of 200 yds?! So you my friend are ahead of the curve, even with your back.
Racine

Good to have you back among the living Jake. I wish I could say my last 5 scores were like your last 5, but I can't. The game went in the toilet and got flushed down the sewer big time. I'm hoping that a lack of practice is the major problem, but can't say for sure unless I take the time to get back to practiceing again. I haven't used my hitting net in the back yard in over 3 years, and that could be most of my problem.

LOL. Thanks for the kind words Racine, though I think those stats are heavily augmented!
Kids, elderly, duffers, etc.

Also, I'm playing at 6400 feet elevation, so while I'd LIKE to take credit for all my distance, I think the golf gods and the thin air are helping!

Still, that round of 77 saw me hit 13 of 13 fairways on a tight course, so I'll sacrifice some distance for that kind of accuracy!
It's still sometimes hard to almost ALWAYS be the shortest hitter with whoever I play after I used to be nicknamed "Happy Daly" 'cause of my distance, but hey, back then I never hit HALF the fairways let alone ALL of 'em, so I'll take it.

It could be alot worse. With my health, I could not be out there at all, as was the case much of last year, so I'm just thankful to be able to play again!

P.S.- Don, earlier in the year I wasn't able to practice as much (and was trying to find my swing) as I have been lately (prior to this last week anyway) and my scores were 5-10 strokes higher.
Since I've been practicing (about an hour each time) 3-4 times a week is the time I've seen those scores drop. I'm sure it's the same for you!!

Jake, is that really you? We thought you had fallen off the earth. Nice to have you back. Any fyi, some of us maybe heading out that way to play some golf in Sept or Oct so stay in touch and join us again.

My game has definitely fallen off, as my handicap has gone from about a 4 to about an 8. Way more scores in the 70s last season than this one. Going to see my teacher for a tune up soon, see what that does. Games not bad just usually have one shot a hole that just isn't in tune and costs me a stroke or two. Last year had more 77-79 scores this year they're all 82-84.

Oh well, still better than a sharp poke in the eye...

Jake, its really good to have you back - no other comment necessary or as important.

LOL.

Yep, it's really me!!

And like I said, I'll be around regularly again. Thanks for all the nice comments everyone, and I would love to hook up with you in Sept. or Oct.

The money isn't as good, but retirement does have some priveleges, one being that I'm available a whole lot more often!!

Well I wish I could say I could join you retirement wise but my company just added another 5 years to my plan due to the economic situation...so I'm just going to have to play the lottery and hope I win!

Well got out today for the first time in about a week or so. Had been to the range mid week and was not very happy with what things looked like so didn't have high expectations for today. But all and all, with no warm up, I can't complain. A handful of not so great swings drove my score up but not too bad. I shot 40 on the front even with taking an 8 on a Par 5. Second shot was in a hard pan bunker under some trees and I tried to just take a 6I and hit the ball cleanly with a 1/4 shot and try to keep the ball below the branches but didn't get out of the bunker. On the back didn't have any real blow up holes, just did something wrong most holes and had a lot of bogeys. Shot 43. 3 putted on Par 3. Made 45 birdie putt. Missed a 4 ft birdie but I was on a down hill side hill line. Tough read.

All and all not too disappointed. Had something funky going on with about 3 tee shots, maybe a decel thing. Then hit a few iron shots heavy which didn't help. A few hickups at the wrong time cost me about 6-7 strokes overall. So all and all I'm ok with the round.

Played in a sauna today. It had rained last night so the ground was pretty moist + high humidity in the air + partly sunny skies = a drippy round. I soaked thru 2 gloves, which does not usually happen. Play was lackluster, couldn't get focused. Unfortunately physical comfort seems to affect my ability to concentrate. Lots of bogeys and doubles, maybe 2 pars. Topped almost every fairway shot with the hybrid and 3W, at least I can get 150 yards worm burner/roll with that. Last Sunday hit them great at the range, just goes to show...my friend said I had it a little too far back in my stance and kind of fell back at impact. Got to work on that, it's a constant problem.

No kidding, and I hear ya on the economy!
Things just got worse and worse in my industry (auto) and it coincided with my medical situation (with my back) getting worse.
Twice the hours for half the money is the new motto in my business, and I just couldn't do it anymore.

Fortunately, my SSDI claim SHOULD be approved (though of course they'll take as much time as possible!) and we have my wife's salon and a new business (a resale boutiqe set to open Oct. 1st) to bring in some income, so while we're dramatically reducing living expenses, we're enjoying (most of the time anyway ) the extra time together.

Very nice. Glad it's working out for you. Wish I could join you and Don Friday...but someone has to work!

Played today. Played pretty well, only missed a few shots. Shot 40/41 for an 81 (Par 70). Had 5 bogeys on the front, finishing with 3 straight bogeys...UGH!) Had good shots, just 3 putted to of the greens to go with one on the 3rd hole. So had 6 pars and 3 3-putt bogys. On the back 9 again played pretty well but had 2 dbls and 2 bogeys to go with 5 pars. So 11 pars and 5 bogeys and 2 dbls. I was pleased.

Played Mercer Oaks East (links) course. Had some heavy rain Saturday night so it was still squishy in a lot of areas, bunkers packed wet sand. Managed to score OK due to short game saving my behind...chipped in twice (just missed one more) using putter and hybrid...so I only had 30 putts. 3 pars, 1 birdie. Played same ball whole round. Shot 92. Definitely played some stupid shots that cost me some strokes and I never feel good standing in mud when I'm swinging...

Played 18 Friday after two days of practice. Didn't play real well, but did score better than I have in a long time. Still have a long ways to go the get the scoreing back down where it was.

Yesterday I had a 9 hole practice round and shot a 48 at my home CC. Very tight course, puts a premium on accuracy. Today we're going to another course that's very well maintained, we're playing there Tuesday against a local undefeated team, my team's 4-2(2-1 in our Region), so if we beat them, it'll put us up as one of the better teams around.


Oh the most amazing part of the 48 was the putting, 23.

That's strange, almost half my strokes were putts.

Just wanted to say it was great getting back to Aurora Hills and even better to get out there with Don again.
Neither of us felt like we were playing our best, but when I can add up the scores and end up at 79 without a SINGLE birdie it can't be that bad!!

Also, while I was pretty much immobile the following 24 hours, it felt great to walk the course.
I needed to sit down in between almost every hole, but I managed to make it through, which for most wouldn't be a big deal but for me felt like a real achievement!!

Wow, very nice round Jake. And satisfying it sounds because good company and you made it through walking 18 holes. Very nice.