Breaking 40

It's been a while since I posted anything original so I figured I'd put up something quick for people to read. Summer is here and that means lots and lots of golf. Over the weekend I hit 87 at Pequot and 88 at Shennecossett. That's the fourth time I've been sub-90 this summer. This evening I matched my best score for nine holes on a regular course so as a public service announcement for those golfers who happen to read this blog, the following is how to break 40 for nine holes on a regular length course (in this case the front nine at Pequot).

Hole 1 - 353 par 4

Pull driver off tee into the second hole's fairway. Take drop from unplayable lie against rock wall that runs along the road. Hit 8-iron to just in front of green. Putt onto the green from divot where the ball is lying. Two putt from four feet. (6)

Hole 2 - 329 par 4 uphill

Hit driver dead center of fairway leaving 70 yards to green. Shank approach to right rough. Pitch to about seven feet. Two putt. (5)

Hole 3 - 358 par 4 from elevated tee

Hit driver to dead center of 8th fairway. Hit 6-iron just shy of green. Pitch to within six inches. Have opponent concede putt. (4-first par)

Hole 4 - 287 par 4 over huge tree in middle of fairway

Hit 5-wood dead center of fairway, over tree leaving 30 yards to green. Pitch well short of green. Chip with 7-iron to within three feet. Make the putt (4-second par).

Hole 5 - 328 par 4 hard dogleg right.

Draw 10-iron around tree line to about 120. Hit wedge downhill short of green into rough. Chili dip pitch shy of green. Putt from fringe into the hole (4-third par).

Hole 6 - 179 par 3 downhill

Push 8-iron into trees on left. Hit provisional onto green. Find first ball, hit approach into bunker. Hit bunker shot to within two feet of pin. Sink putt (4).

Hole 7 - 379 par 4 dogleg left

Hit driver uphill to 150 mark into right rough. Hit 7-iron onto green eight feet from pin. Two putt for par (4-fourth par).

Hole 8 - 376 par 4

Hit driver inside 150 mark into left rough. Hit 9-iron downhill onto green 30 feet from pin. Make disgraceful 3-putt for bogey (5).

Hole 9 - 209 par 3 uphill

Hit 3-wood uphill overshooting green into rough. Pitch downhill to fifteen feet from pin. Sink gorgeous, uphill, right-to-left putt for par (3-fifth par).

And there you have it. Nine holes that add up to 39 (13 putts) when all is said and done and really nothing too spectacular, but when some putts fall and you don't have to take too many drops your score starts to look much better.