My first birdie was last year. It was a 150-yard par-3, and I was weak. It was a 4-iron away for me (weak, huh?). Anyway, I hit that and it made it to the front fringe. I had recently heard a tip for putting off the fringe: Use the 7-iron. That's what I did. And it worked. Right in the hole for a birdie 2.
This entire season, I've been trying to repeat the feat. In early August, I hit a drive on the 220-yard par-3 12th hole at my home course and got it within about 5 feet. Normally this would be a tap-in for me. I missed it.
During the Junior Club Championship, I hit a 6-iron on the 142-yard par-3 2nd hole to within about 3 feet. This green was completely out of whack. I missed it. At this point, I was wondering whether the Golf Gods were cursing me, if they never wanted me to post another birdie again? What was really hurting me was the fact that my neighbour and my brother, both of whom I play with all the time, have been making birdies left, right and centre. Neighbour is a devil with a sand wedge. He chips in like crazy. My brother too, but he makes his birdie putts when they count.
Suddenly, I went golfing last weekend. 163-yard par-3 11th, I slam a 7-iron onto the green, and watch as it goes to about 10 feet. I wasn't expecting birdie, well actually I was, but I wasn't thinking I wouldn't have to work for it. I let my neighbour finish off the entire hole while I was just reading the putt. From every possible angle, I knew where and how the green would break. I was ready. It was a slight left-to-right break. I swing with the relaxed pendulum motion and watch as the ball drains to the hole. First birdie in over a year.
Today, I went golfing again. The front nine, my brother and my neighbour were annoying me to the point where it was affecting my scorecard. I let them play ahead and I followed by myself on the 10th hole. Suddenly, on 11, I hit the 7-iron again. Again, it goes onto the green. This time, it's 15-20 feet away. Now I've got a right-to-left break, and I have to trust my putter. And I did. It dropped in, barely going over the front edge. It was an amazing putt, and I doubt I'll be able to recreate it again. Still, I'm very very pleased by myself.
Hmm...I've had about 10 birdies and my last one was a month and a half ago on a 105-yard par-3 (knocked SW to about 6 feet from off the back fringe). I just took my putter and hit the ball straight into the heart.
Don't feel bad about taking so long between birdies, I had a friend in high school who played for at least 3 years before he made a PAR. He played with us guys at least once a week or every other week at the most, and he played on the high school team (I went to a small school so anyone who wanted to play any sport could-no cuts), so there was another 9 holes twice or three times a week, yet finally made a par one day when he made a 50 foot putt on the hardest hole on our course, a big breaker. It was quite funny to see his reaction really but to him that was something big. And it was good to finally get it out of the way.
Sometimes that's what gets the ball rolling. Sometimes one par (or ever one shot) in the middle of a round can set you on a course to a great finish. That's the beauty in golf: there's always time to turn it around, whether it be in a round, in a season, or in your golfing life. If there wasn't then why would we bother to play?
I usually par anywhere from 1 to 4 or 5 holes per round, and get a birdie maybe once every 5 or 6 rounds. I don't think I've ever had 2 birdies in a round...except once - and they were back to back!!!
Last weekend, I had two birdies in one round for the first time. I shoot anywhere between 80 and 90, depending on the course etc, so when I'm shooting mid 80's consistently, I am relying on pars. Getting a birdie sure helps offset the blow-up hole(s).
Good story Greg. You're young & they'll come easier. Now that you have one the choke factor lessens. I usually get a handful per year... had 3 in a row once to close a round quite a few years back for an 80, which was by best at that point. I just tell myself to trust the line & get it to the hole now & not worry about the par. Good luck.
September 19th, 2004, 10:06 PM
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