62 - Back From Where I Came...

Right, golf, yeah that is it. It seems SO long since I updated this blog I had to remind myself what it was supposed to be about although regular visitors (yes, the both of you) would argue that there are times where I have wandered onto topics that are anything but golf – Gemma Atkinson anyone?

After a long lay off due to a knackered ankle I finally returned to the driving range to see if I still had the magic. The truth is that I haven’t. I was rustier than the face of a Mizuno Raw Haze wedge (new golf porn added to my list now that I’m boycotting all things Titleist). I thought my right ankle had recovered enough to flex like a pro but all I found was that it hurt like a bastard.

Undeterred I continued practicing, desperately trying to remember everything I learned from my one lesson but it wasn’t to be. Saying that, I was still hitting the ball further than I did before the lessons but my accuracy has gone to pot. I’m now slicing the ball more that I ever did but I’m sure it won’t take much to sort that out with the aid of a Pro and a few more lessons.

There were a couple of good things to come out of the session though. I’m hitting Dougie my Howson hybrid better than ever, it was flying further and more accurately than my driver which kinda freaks me out! When you read reviews about hybrids they gush about how forgiving they are and I can confirm this isn’t just journalists getting a back hander from the golf manufacturers. If you haven’t already, try/buy one and see for yourself.

The highlight of the night was testing one of my almost new Mizuno MP-R wedges. I took the 52* fella to the range to take part in the Yellow Basket Challenge and it didn’t disappoint. The magazines talk about the buttery feel of Mizuno wedges but it isn’t until you have chipped a few balls with them do you really understand what they mean. When you connected cleanly with the ball – which is easy as the head is so large – the ball glides off the clubface into the air. Feels fantastic.

I have fists of ham yet I was able to control the distance the ball travelled relatively easily which was a major surprise to me. With the exception of one shot, every ball I hit landed within a few feet of the target. To anyone passing by it would look like I knew what I was doing!!! The difference between my new wedge and the £10 Mac the Knife was like chalk and cheese.

At the end of the session I reflected on my workout. Overall I have took a step backwards slightly but encouragingly I’m not completely back at where I begun. I’m going to have a serious think about lesson’s…who knows, I might actually pay for them this time!!!