I FINALLY broke 80

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By P_Lamps

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  1. P_Lamps

    P_Lamps
    Hoboken, NJ

    Good afternoon TT-

    After years of playing, and years of struggling in the 80s, I am pleased to report that I finally carded my first round in the 70s with a 78.  Used my trusty full bag of Titleist clubs and a pro v1x to make it happen.

    I know that a lot of people like me struggle to get past this barrier so I will take this opportunity to point out a few things I noticed:

    (1) Drive the ball in play.  I had one double on the score card and that is the one hole I drove the ball out of play.  Normally, I have a few of these a round which will kill your scorecard.  The other advantage here was that I had a visible approach shot on every hole.  I was fortunate to be on an open course so even when I drove it in the rough, I still had shots at the hole so my "misses" were not bad.  This set up great chances for a lot of GIRs.

    (2) Hit GIRs.  I am not sure how many I had, but it had to be somewhere between 8 to 10 GIRs.  The iron dispersion on my AP2s was tight.  So when I felt like I missed a shot, I was still making a good swing and either landed on the green or within a close chip.  I was lucky in that I didn't even need to get up and down during the round that much because I was hitting somewhere on the green.  Also, the advantage of hitting the GIRs is that you get a few that will land close enough to give you the bird (carded 2 this round).

    (3) Don't be scared to lay up short if the situation calls for it.  Going into the final hole, a 210 yard par 3, I had never been more nervous standing above the ball.  I had to clear 170 yards of water.  Normally, I would have hit my 4 iron to get to the pin.  However, I decided to go with the 5 because I knew I had confidence I could clear 170 and even though I would be short, I could bump and run it for a par or bogey worse.  I eliminated the bad 4 iron shot that I would hook or skull into the water.  I ended up missing the put and getting the bogey, but it took a double/triple out of play, which was what I needed to card the 78.  (I'm happy that hole is over).

    Overall, good luck to all those struggling like me.  Now I will struggle to get a second round in the 70s.  Can't wait to get out there again!  Thanks for all your help TT!

  2. Bubba

    Bubba
    Providence, RI

    Team Titleist Staff

    Hi Phillip, 

    Congratulations on the great play!

    I especially like your third point. It is very important for golfers to play the smart shot and really avoid the big number. Take a club you are confident in and make a good swing. This is always better than trying to pull off a shot that has, at best, a 3-in-10 chance of working out.

    Your round goes to shows important course management is. 

    Keep up the great play!

    Bubba

  3. Tyler H

    Tyler H
    Appleton, WI

    Congrats on breaking 80! Sounds like you have a solid game plan in place score in the 70s again.

  4. Mike C

    Mike C
    Dallas, TX

    Hi Phillip -

    Congratulations on Breaking into the 70's!!  That's a great milestone.  I like your comments and the focus on not posting a big score or having too many of what I call "blow up" holes.  I agree that it is hard to score well when you are not keeping the ball in play.  Great points as well on hitting a shot you fee confident with, especially when there is a lot of pressure.  Odds are, we are not going to be able to pull off that miracle shot... especially when we really need it!

    Good luck on posting many more scores in the 70's in the future!

  5. DOGLOSKI

    DOGLOSKI
    PORTER, TX

    CONGRATS !!!! ONE LESS ITEM ON THE BUCKET LIST
  6. Jesse P

    Jesse P
    Lenexa, KS

    Congrats on the score!  Your points are excellent, course management is the key to success!  Everyone gets into a slump now and then and this thread really helps remind players how to better manage thier game.

     

    Great post!

  7. Mike M 148

    Mike M 148
    Newnan, GA

    Atta boy Phillip!! Many more ahead. Go get um!

  8. Craig D

    Craig D
    Canton, OH

    Well done, sounds like you played it very smart and this round will be the first of several in the 70's for you.  I agree, fairways and open looks on the approach instill confidence.  I believe in choosing the confident shot as well.  Course & player management makes a significant difference.

  9. Allen L

    Allen L
    Clarington, OH

    Way to go Phillip.  That's quite an achievement.  Hope you have many more rounds in the 70's.  Sounds like you have course and game strategy in mind as you play.  Don't know about you, but I get a lot of satisfaction when I play a hole in regulation, hit the fairway, then hit the green, and finish with a two putt.

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