Columbus weather forecasters were wrong yet again. Having earlier predicted a 40% chance of rain for today, it turned out sunny with highs in the lower 50’s in central Ohio. Despite the wet conditions resulting from melted snow and additional rain, I braved the elements to go play some golf on the first day of Spring. Bridgeview golf course is still closed until next week so I headed out to Minerva Lake Golf Course.
Conditions weren’t too bad. On a few holes, it was particularly soppy and muddy but overall it was much drier than expected. The greens are still in horrible shape however. But for 12 bucks, it wasn’t a bad deal.
Taylor Made R7 Quad – I pounded one with this beast on the first and only swing |
I met another golfer at Minerva who had just purchased a Taylor Made R7 for $199 from Dick’s Sporting Goods. He let me give it a try on number 10 at Minerva. I blasted it over the trees on the right hand side and about 20 yards over the creek in the lower fairway – not bad for never swinging it before and no roll. Nate estimated it as a 280 yard carry. I’m not sure if Nate recovered from that one as he left after 10 holes. There were about a dozen cars in the lot when I left. A few other hardy souls couldn’t wait to get out and golf. Golf season is once again upon us.
I tend to view these early season rounds as a way of getting my golf concentration back. The toughest thing for me to get back after the winter layoff is my concentration. To score well, you have to be able to focus on every shot. You need to be able to picture the ball flight, pick your target, take dead aim, and concentrate on putting a good swing on the ball. I never expect much when golfing after a winter layoff. My mental edge is gone, and I’m usually just trying to find my swing again. Usually, the elements are working against you as well. Today it was windy, wet and a bit cold. The course was in terrible shape. I was just happy to be out there. |
What I do on days like these is try to find my swing and remember the good shots that I did pull off. Those shots will help me build confidence which, in turn, will help me find my mental edge again.