Ever Have the Most Incredible Round? I Did on Saturday.
by Ryan Ballengee on May 25, 2009 2:22 PM EDT
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PrintThis past weekend, I went up to Derry, PA, to visit my future in-laws and check out the sites of our wedding and reception a year from now. Also, on Saturday, my future parents-in-law, my fiancee, and I played in a scramble at the Latrobe Elks Golf Club for Member Appreciation Day.
I hadn't played in maybe three or four weeks. Hell, hadn't even practiced. We went from the site of the reception over to the Elks to get warmed up and play. I hit about 10 putts and we were off and running. On our first hole, the 11th, I hit a conservative 5 iron hybrid into the fairway. We didn't use my ball and made par.
On the next hole, though, we faced a 334 yard short dogleg to the right. My future father-in-law hit a pretty solid drive off the fairway to the right. Then I stepped up, not thinking about it for once. I creamed the ball. The hole played uphill and I hit it to about 30 yards from the green.
My future father-in-law said, "Ryan, in all the years that I've been coming here, I have NEVER seen anyone hit the ball where you just did."
Something must have clicked because that was one of my shortest drives of the day. The next hole, I drove the ball downhill on the 337 yard par 4 pin high into the greenside bunker. I was on fire. (Couldn't chip for a damn, but did make some putts.)
On the par 5s, I was a monster. I AVERAGED 325 yards off of the tee on those holes, including winning the longest drive on the par 5 4th at 340 yards. I drove the fifth hole that played 300 yards uphill and my fiancee drained the putt for eagle two.
I have no idea what happened that made me drive so well - long and straight - but I'll reassure you that I can't wait to get back out on the course and see if I can do it again!
Anyway, the point of the post is in part to brag, but also to get you to talk about a round that you might have had where you just played out of your mind for no good reason. I love hearing stories like this one because it's so fun to have a round that you (or your future father-in-law, he was striping it too) can talk about for a long time.
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The picture gets clearer...
…the man is letting you marry his daughter so he’ll have a long hitter for his scramble group ! Did he buy Iron City or Yuengling after the round ? :-D
Sounds like a fun round of golf – never hurts to get in good with the in-laws.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Whatever driver you used
bring it to the store if we put you on the launch monitor. You might break the ‘swing speed’ meter, you gorilla…
by One-Eyed Golfer Guy on May 25, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions
Scramble saviour
It could be the more relaxed, less pressure feel of the scramble. It’s a format where you always walk off the course in a good frame of mind and many times it’s managed to fix my game.
As bad shots very rarely mean anything, it takes all the pressure off and I think the swing gets looser and the timing comes back.
I think Court may be onto something..
..but who cares. You get to marry his daughter, he gets a a very MANLY hitter for his group. Sounds like a win-win to me.
I’m most concerned about the “hadn’t played in 3-4 weeks part.” I understand you are a very prominent sports writer, but President Obama has played more than that. Come on Ryan, step away from the computer and live a little. The leaves will be falling before you know it. ;o)
by realwomengolf.com on May 26, 2009 7:05 AM EDT reply actions
Well, the week has other sports that I play also, like kickball and two hand touch football :) Golf practice time has been cut down some.
Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.
by Ryan Ballengee on May 26, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
My only claim to fame
Is rather dubious, but I chipped in off the green in four consecutive rounds on the same first hole. Three times for birdie, one time for par. I won’t lie in that the fifth time I deliberately tried to miss the green. This is never a good strategy.
Whoa, that’s pretty awesome. Were they from around the same spot each time?
Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.
by Ryan Ballengee on May 26, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Not at all
Two were on different spots on the fringe, two were about three feet away. Four different pin positions though, so it wasn’t like it was a miniature golf hole where all of the balls funnel in the same spot every time.
three feet away from the fringe
If I was chipping three feet away from the hole, I’d either be chipping on the green or playing on a green with non-regulation pin location that was about 5 inches from the edge.
haha, you’ve developed that kind of comfort level with it, huh?
Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.
by Ryan Ballengee on May 27, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
tale of two nines
A month ago I shot forty-nine on the front side, then started hitting greens in regulation. Thirty-seven on the back. My best round. Ever.
Truth has a well-known liberal bias.
WOW! 37 is sick good. Congrats!
Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.
by Ryan Ballengee on May 26, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
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