Yesterday, I went out for a quick nine holes with the Groovy Sticks - my new name for the 1965 set of clubs that I've been trying to master.  I had that urge that all golf maniacs get when they feel that desire to get out to the links.  I had a limited amount of daylight to get in my round, so I got started without even a practice swing.

Compared to my first round with the clubs, my ballstriking was much better from the get go.  A short practice at the range about ten days ago gave me some added confidence and clues as to how to work these irons.  I had also not been  completing my shoulder turn to allow for a full extension of my arms.  That created a poor downswing and less than ideal contact with the ball.

That practice session made the first few holes much more managable.  I had a clear idea of where the ball was going to go.  The 4 and 5 woods tend to promote a more dramatic draw than the 3 iron hybrid that I would use with my modern set.  After learning to accomodate for that, hitting the fairway was still tougher, but I took the woods out of play off of the tee.

Still, my scoring was not really improving over the first six holes or so.  My problem was confidence with my distances - especially with the pitching wedge.  That club alone probably cost me three shots in this round and will still be a bit of a thorn in my side as I keep trying to improve with this set.

Despite the issues with club selection for the better part of the round, my tee shot on the downhill par 3 fifth proved to me that I can play these clubs with confidence.  The hole played about 175 yards and I selected six iron.  I hit probably my best shot to date with these irons and flew the green by five yards.  It left me with a very awkward bunker shot - particularly with no sand iron - but it gave me the confidence that I can swing these sticks.

The final three holes were great.  The sixth hole plays about 450 yards, slightly downhill to a tight fairway.  I creamed the driver about 275 or 280 yards.  I figured out how to get some power with the driver with proper mechanics and a little more wrist action that I would typically use with my modern driver.  I would up bogeying the hole, but I played it very well.

The eighth hole is a 165 yard downhill par 3 over water.  It is a menacing hole, particularly with fading light.  I stepped up with 8 iron and put the ball on the front part of the green.  Two putts later and I had my first par.

The final hole is an uphill par 5 measuring about 520 yards.  Now, I could barely see the ball but 30 yards in front of me.  My drive had to be straight, or I couldn't finish the round.  I crushed it again with better ball flight than two holes prior.  Another 270 or 280 yards.  I really can feel it with the driver now that I know what a good swing feels like.

The rest of the hole was kind of tough to see, but my 3 iron approach left me about a 20 yard chip.  That led to a two-putt par.

The end result was the same as last time, +10 score of 45.  But, it looked better.  And the final three holes were +1 and played with confidence.  Next time, I feel I can give a good run at 40.