Last Sunday I was on the verge of something truly special. I birdied the first three holes, and stood on the 4th tee box already at 3 under for the round. Now I know you're not supposed to track the score in your mind... but how do you NOT KNOW that you've just birdied the first three holes? LOL...

Anyway, at this point the golf gods were starting to awaken from their slumber. The 4th hole is a longish par3, 188 yards. Swing felt good, so I pulled 5iron from the bag. Made a great swing, ball is going straight towards the pin (front pin). The ball lands on a sprinkler head just in front of the fringe, bounds over the green and nearly out of play. Somehow, I managed to gather myself long enough to pull off a great shot -- hooded a PW and bumped the ball to within three feet, saving par.

Went on to make easy pars the next three holes. Then on the 8th hole, a long par5... hit two nice shots, setting up my approach shot with a stock 9-iron. It's a beauty, nice and high, coming right down at the flag. I mean ALL OVER IT... It hits the pin, and bounces over the bulkhead fronting the green and into the water. Was unable to get up and down, and carded double bogey. Okay, two bad breaks... playing great, still in good shape.

The 9th hole -- hit a nice bomb off the tee. Great bounce-back swing. Get to my ball, and it's in a crater of a divot. I mean I've seen holes on construction sites that were staked off with caution tape that were smaller than this. (apparently, someone playing earlier had duffed their 85 yard approach shot from the same area, and took it out on that same spot by pounding it over and over...) The ball is so deep that there is no way I can play it. Attempting that shot would either risk breaking my wrist, bending a shaft, or both. So... I take an unplayable lie, hitting three from the fairway. (first time I've ever had to take an unplayable lie in the fairway...) Hit a great approach, and the 5 footer to save par went all the way around the hole without dropping. At this point, I'm starting to lose it.

Make par on the 10th hole. (this story is almost finished, I promise) Standing on the 11th hole, short par3 -- 145 yards to a center flag, not an ounce of wind. Stock 8iron. Hit it, and the guys are starting to get all rowdy, this thing is once again all over the pin. Could it be? Looking like it might be! BAM -- hits the **** pin AGAIN, and glances backwards into a small pot bunker fronting the green, IN AN UNRAKED FOOTPRINT. Blast out, take my bogey, and pretty much give up hope that today would be THE DAY. Somehow I managed to play the last 7 holes at +3, ended up shooting 76.

In this instance, it was nothing but one bad break after another.... nevertheless, I shoot my average. LOL...

Yes, consistency is good most of the time. But sometimes, you'd like to benefit from good play. (yes, I'm still fuming at the run of bad luck)

I know your pain, bro.