Like any other golf fan I get really excited for that Masters but it isn’t just because I can’t wait to watch the first major of the year. The Masters always signals the unofficial start of the golf season in the northern US. Being from New York it is pretty unusual if we can get a round in before mid April at the earliest. From mid November to around this time every year I have to fill my golf craving watching the winter PGA tour, playing a little Tiger Woods on the PS3 and the occasional golf trip if I can get away. This year I have gotten two rounds in during March but they weren’t very comfortable. The wind was blowing really hard and the temps kept a heavy sweat shirt on me most of the time which didn’t make for a smooth swing.

That being said the courses were in really good shape and I didn’t play too badly so hopefully I’ll break 90 this year and get the monkey off my back. Last year was difficult because unlike my previous, and first, year playing I barely had a lesson and didn’t play nearly as much. I guess getting married, buying a house and starting a new business will do that. I did get some cool trips in thanks to some work “vacations” but that was about it. This year I plan to keep a much stricter practice schedule as I did during the previous season. I will be hitting balls at the range at least once a week and then at least one other day I’ll be putting and working on my short game. It seems like late in the season when I start to chip and putt well my scores start to get respectable so I’d like that to happen sooner rather than later.

I also vow that I will conquer my driver this year. I have improved but there is no reason that I should slice the ball any more.  I understand what I’m doing wrong and will go several rounds driving the ball very well and out of no where I’m back to square one like I’ve never played before. The sand is another area I need to build confidence. Right now it’s 50/50. Sometimes I do very well and other times I’m hacking at the ball like a cartoon. Just like anything else, the couple of times a round that it happens is not enough practice to get this confidence.

I also hope to get back to playing 2 full rounds a week. Practice is really important but it is also important to evaluate how the practice is helping and the only way that I can do that is to get out on the course. One without the other just isn’t going to cut it. I’ll play at off times like twilight hours to try and keep the cost down. If one thing helps keep the wife happy about you playing golf it’s definitely discount golf. I’m very lucky that my wife let’s me play as much as much as I want so I feel like keeping the cost down is the least I can do.

I’ll try to update the blog with my progress especially if I take some fun trips or play some good rounds.

Oh yea, my Masters prediction – Go Phil!

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