First round of golf in 2014

Finally managed to get out for the first round of 2014. Actually my first round for a good 5 months almost. Was a short 9 hole course, over at Balnagask Golf course in Aberdeen, that I played after my work, where every hole is a par 3. 

Unfortunately it meant I couldn't hit anything longer than a 9 iron and was still overshooting the green. Probably could have coped playing with a pitching wedge, but was just nice to actually be playing again.  

Beautiful views across the city from the top of the first couple of holes. Well worth it just for that. 

Wasn't as rusty as I thought I would be surprisingly, with most holes hitting par or just over due to not taking my time and rushing around the course, since I had plans for later in the evening. It's not a challenging course by any means, with no bunkers and only some slight patches of rough, dotted around the place.

There were no real markings for tee boxes and I actually ended up missing a hole out, simply because I didn't know where I was meant to be going. 

Not that I'm complaining as I was only really there to stretch my legs around the course and give my clubs a dusting off. 

Will be returning soon to play the 18 hole, since the course is just a ten minute walk from my work office.

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Breaking 100!

Today I broke 100. For the first ever time in my short playing time.

To be honest I'm quite surprised it has come so soon. The course I was playing was Kings Links in Aberdeen. For a council run course it is in pretty good condition and still offers one hell of a challenge to both the beginner and the seasoned player.

I had played this course twice before, the first time being my first time playing a full 18 hole course. The initial score I had for this course was a pretty high 121. Which is almost double what the par of the course is, but I didn't let it get me down, as I was just happy to be out playing golf on an 18 hole course, but something inside me knew I could do better.

I returned some three weeks later with a target in my head, a number that I wanted to hit better than. That was to beat my last score and I knew I could do it. In the end I managed to shave a good 17 shots off my previous score totalling 105 for the round. It was so close to breaking that digits that many golfers aim to achieve and it just spurred me on I guess.

Two days later and I was back at Kings Links again. Ready to take on my 100 shot goal. I knew that the only reason I never managed to hit 100 the time before was due to a few silly holes where I shot up into the high single digits for a couple of holes and I didn't want to go the same way this time.

My first tee shot wasn't great, but I didn't let it get me down. I carried on and managed to hit a bogey on the first hole which was the hole that got me a relatively high score the last round.

I continued the round with some pretty shocking tee shots especially into the wind on the back 9, but that was pretty much always salvaged by my short game, making some fantastic putts and even netting myself a birdie on a par 5.

I finished the round on a cool 99. Talk about cutting it close, but I was on a high and I still am whilst writing this.

The lesson to be learnt from this is just focus on something that you want to beat and do it. Remain calm and don't let those bad shots get to you and you can achieve it. Know you can.

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Golf membership acquired

I am very happy to say that I have recently become bought myself an Aberdeen City golf pass. 

This pass will allow me to use all of the City's four 18 hole, one 9 hole and one 6 hole courses, two 9 hole pitch and putt courses and all putting greens and practice areas.  These include:

• Hazlehead Golf Course (No1, No2, 9 Hole and Pitch n' putt Golf courses)
• Kings Links Golf Course
• Balnagask Golf Course: 18 hole and 9 hole pitch n' putt

I am absolutely over the moon at this and it will be my first ever golf membership, so I'm going to be using it to it's full extent and as often as possible. 

I am planning on playing the Kings Links course this Sunday, so will be blogging about that once it happens. I just wish it would come sooner. 

The pass itself cost me only £150 due to me being a student, which is incredible value for money. The normal price without student discount is £334.20 which is still pretty good considering the number of different courses you can have access to. 

I would definitely recommend it to others at the moment, although having not seen any of the other courses than Kings Links, that opinion might change. 

I'll let you know how I get on. 

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Busy, Busy, Busy

Incase you're wondering where I've disappeared to, or why I haven't be posting on here. It's because I haven't been playing golf.

I have just moved into a new flat through in the city of Aberdeen in Scotland to be closer to my work, meaning that I just haven't found the time or money to be able to get to the course/range or even a park that I can hit some balls in.

Depressing I know, but hopefully in the coming weeks I'll be getting my hands on an Aberdeen City golf pass which allows me access to a selection of courses ran by the council in Aberdeen, such as Hazelhead, Balnagask and Kings Links. I really can't wait to get out and get practicing again as I know that taking this much time off is just going to be a step backwards in my progress, but hopefully just a small step and not a huge one.

Bare with me folks and I'll be up and running as soon as possible.

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