It rained for a good 3 or 4 hours in the Saginaw area, so the plans I had to play 9 holes with a few friends were canceled. While sitting at home after dinner I realized the sun came out and it cleared up. Sidewalks and driveways were starting to dry out. So I jumped in my ride and went a block to a 9-hole course called Pleasant View. The name does not fit the course. Only on “special” occasions will I play there.

My main reason for going to play was that I wanted to hit some clubs around the golf course. The course wasn’t very busy and I was playing for myself, so I had a chance to hit extra balls around while waiting. I played 2 main balls during the round and would try out some short wedges or other shots as I had time. I even hit 3 with my driver off the first tee after using a 3-hybrid to tee off for the shots I was counting. When all was said and done I shot a 44-42. The part of the round that really killed my scoring was putting. With all of the rain we had received, golf balls were plugging on the green. If they did manage to hop, it was backwards. Putting on soaked greens is an entirely different story. I took 18 and 19 putts which is 4-5 over my average for 9 holes.

All in all, I was pretty satisfied with my play. When I hit driver I was crushing it down the middle, and then from there my wedge shots were solid. When I had longer 2nd shots into the par 5s I came through. I hit a great 3-hybrid to the front where it hit the bunker rake someone had left in the wrong spot. On another par 5 I hit 3-hybrid to hit the fairway, staying safe, and then blasted a 5 wood right next to the green. Made a nice chip, but missed the birdie putt because of all the water. The greens were the wettest I’ve ever seen, but I’m not worried at all about my putting. I’ll admit I didn’t take much time putting either, so things weren’t being lined up. I wanted to really focus on ball striking because the greens weren’t playing like any other greens I’ll face all summer.

If I can keep the driver and wedges straight, I’ll be all set.