First Round Back After COVID-19 Layoff: Did You Hack?

[jdl]

I played 2 rounds back in March before things got shut down. After 5 months off for winter, I was hitting the ball quite nicely. Short game was surprisingly decent. Couldn't make any putts, but I wasn't complaining.

Fast forward to starting to play again after 6 weeks of stay-at-home and now yes, I am hacking. Not sure what happened there, but it's irritating. 3rd round I finally started making more consistent contact. What a dumb game.

[VNutz]

Not sure how it happened, but I was in midseason form somehow. I hadn't hit much all winter as my normal dome closed down, hit some balls in a store once, the ranges have been closed here since March, yet somehow fired an even par 72, and left some out there as well. It probably helped that the course had a par 3 course that we played as a warmup, and I know I benefited on at least 2 putts with the raised foam cups, but still things felt too easy after opening with a double and a 3 putt on the first 2 holes. That and the new handicap system wrecked me for the next round though.

[aenemated]

First time back at the range yesterday. Last time I hit more than some chips in my backyard was sometime in early March - but I've been working a lot with the Planemate and Monte's vids while on lockdown.

Was actually kinda shocked how generally decent I was hitting nearly everything but my long irons. Obviously some rust but was definitely a better session that I expected.

Hitting with a mask WAS kinda weird.

[EmperorPenguin]

Dude, that mask plays with your head. I wear glasses, so it fogs up my lenses while I set up. I would remove it completely from preshot routine to impact. Besides, where I've played so far, the courses do not mandate masks during play.

[aenemated]

I haven't played an actual round yet but from what I get from my buddies that have, the masks aren't required on the course - just at the range. Actually heard a few people get called out for not wearing them properly yesterday.

And yeah, I'm a sunglasses addict and absolutely cannot be outside in the California sun without them. If I get them arranged just right; they won't fog up ... but that usually lasts all of one swing. Fortunately, my nearest range is open till 10PM so my trips are definitely gonna be after sundown for the foreseeable future.

[jonnymc44]

First round last night. Ball striking was superb given it has been 9 weeks since I last swung a club. Course is playing really firm and fast but greens are a bit sandy. I read further up that somebody's course aerates the greens in spring, same with ours. Hollowcores with sand top dressing coupled with poor putting = giving away too many shots. Pitching from within 100yds was pretty dismal too but that was me not playing the firm greens with roll out. I wouldn't have played near to my 6 handicap yesterday but I can see some good in there, especially driving and iron play, so overall not disappointed.

Grade = C+

[2Down]

Beginners luck wasn’t with me. It’s been three rounds now and finally have some game showing back up. But still not playing regularly yet. So my plan it to get to the course earlier than my standard nick of time and actually get down to the chipping green and get a short game back on track.

the hours of putting on my old rug has actually paid off. My stroke feels as good as it ever has and I was making some long ones. Missed a few short ones but no three putts and we won the two ball that day.

[MtlJeff]

i shot 76 my first round of the year after not hitting a real golf ball since March 10th, and not swinging a club longer than 5 iron (due to my ceiling height) since then

I did top a driver, which i havent done in years

[andrue]

So far out of four rounds I've been playing more or less the same. But I've noticed that my work on the driver during the lock down has made a difference so my good drives are now a lot better (had several go significantly beyond 200 yards including one that carried 220). But I did play the last weekend out so it's only been six weeks for me and as I was a high handicapper I guess I have less far to fall anyway :)

[Nels55]

Have you tried washing your lenses with dish detergent? Leave a tiny bit on the lens and it seem to work pretty well to keep the glasses from fogging up. Chuck Yeager used dish soap as an anti fogger when he broke the sound barrier...

[DavePelz4]

Our group plays a Stableford format for our competition and the last 2 weeks have been the lowest average point totals in our history. The highest point total per round has also been the lowest number ever. The lack of any kind of range time to warm up along with no time to get a feel for the greens has cost us big time. Guys with 6 indexes shooting 90's, a scratch player shooting in the 80's. This Saturday we're supposed to be able to hit balls/putt before the round so we'll see if that really changes anything or if we just suck. I know I have sucked putting like never before.

[GTR206]

Got out and played a local muni on Sunday. Surprisingly didn't hack it up too bad. Took me 12 holes to get a birdie to drop, and it was the only one of the day. Lots of pull hooks, but luckily was always so far left when that happened, that I had a clear look from the oppo fairway.

[MtlJeff]

I'm starting to feel like some of the "finer" points of the game are going to be really challenging this season. My club doesn't really allow you to practice right now, you are only allowed to hit like 10 ball baskets (no drivers since we aren't allowed to touch balls) and only a few people at a time are allowed on the putting green. We are also not allowed to show up more than 30 minutes before our tee times or they don't let you in

So practicing putting and chipping is really hard.

I'm actually hitting it pretty solid overall, but short game is just off, not making any putts, and pitches and stuff is challenging especially since we're coming off of winter too

I'm guessing my handicap will go up 1-2 shots this year. We'll see. I can't remember not being able to practice at all....i'm sure that will have an effect

[CaseyC]

First round back this morning. 15 mph of wind... 0 Birdies, 7 pars, 2 bogeys, 4 doubles, 3 triples, 2 quads. 4 balls in hazards.

[GSDriver]

Not as bad as I had expected, shot an 80 (39/41), second time out shot 72, 3rd time out shot 81....go figure, it's golf.

[Torrey4Life]

My first 9 back was uneven (6 over) but the 2nd tune up I did on a slightly harder course was pretty decent - 3 over for the nine, with one stupid, stupid mistake that cost me a double. So I'm pretty pumped about that.

[xkilgorextroutx]

Got in one short range session before walking 9. Had 1 par en route to a 46. I think I lost 4 balls off the tee. Not a good ratio.

[RayGorman]

Well, I picked a day to get out for the first round that wasn't going to make it any easier. 30mph sustained winds with 40+ gusting. From a totally different direction that the course normally plays in. But I picked up pretty much where I left off after last season... Full on quackers off the tee after the first 3 holes. Everything else was fine. Even putting (noodles in holes). Once I got back on the fairway, game was pretty normal.

[MtlJeff]

Are your courses allowing extended range times or practice? Or is that just a Quebec thing?

[Planks]

Its looking like courses are beginning to open up around me, just in time for 100+ weather...

[cugolf14]

Toughest part for us during the initial part of COVID was no driving range, so no clue where the ball was going. Some days it was a good thing, but most days it took a number of holes to setting into where the swing was that day.

[jrice19]

No closures here in Phoenix but I feel bad for you guys on the east coast. Golf is essential here. :)

[Naptime]

3 putted more than usual, but the rest of the game was good after a 9 month layoff between winter and COVID stuff.

[magix]

I played a new course for my first round back after SIP eased and hadn't played since Sept 2019. Huge mistake. I was on track for 100+ if I had finished the last 3 holes so thank goodness for daycare pickup! It was truly ugly, but don't get me wrong, as I still loved being out there playing. Next round a week later was my home course and I shot an 80 which is great for me. This game is amazing.