Fun on the Fairways in Florida

I usually don’t get out of the state much to play golf, but when I do, I like to have an enjoyable time. Good people and gracious golf course usually make for a good round of golf. And, me being me, I’ll take that every single time.

On a warm and sunny Monday in December, I got an opportunity to play golf at MetroWest Country Club in Orlando, Florida. I thought that I had seen some picturesque courses in Southern California, but MetroWest had a luxurious feel of its own.

This par 72 course made playing it so much fun that I can’t wait to get back to Orlando and take another shot at it. I mean I’d bypass a visit to see Mickey Mouse or Universal Studios in Orlando for a chance to play this course’s wide open fairways and tree-lined gateways to its smooth and lush greens. Somebody said that there was a drought in Florida, but from the look of these fairways and greens, it looked like it totally missed this part of the state.

Did I get closer to breaking 90?

Nope. I was using someone else’s clubs and playing without a glove. We even started on the back nine instead of at hole #1. Breaking 90 was not quite in the picture for me that day. But I had a great time despite all of that.

What was working?

My drives were looking solid with the exception of about 3 holes. My putts from the off the fringe were conservative plays, but they kept me in position to make bogey many times. Taking a 5 wood off the fairway on long holes also proved to be working for me as opposed to engaging a hybrid.

What wasn’t working was the approach shots and uphill putts. I was coming up short too much on both. If I could have pushed about 3 more putts by half an inch, then I’d have dropped a few more pars on this course. But that’s just part of the game.

Special thanks to Cousin Lamar for hosting me in Florida. I was glad that he shared his clubs with me, especially that weighted putter that he laid on me for the day. It had an extra thick grip that I could get used to on the course.

I might not travel with my clubs there the next time, but I will definitely travel with an optimistic attitude and a strategic outlook to continue towards breaking 90.

I know that I still have some work to do as I come back from injuries and illness, but in the meantime, just keep swinging.