Day 2 of Golf A-Term: Hot and Humid

 Day #2 of Golf

Despite the wording of the title, this wasn't exactly our second day of golf. On the first day it was more of an orientation and introduction to the game for people who didn't know how to play it (and for the players already acquainted with the game it was a mind numbingly, torturous review of the same rules and techniques we had heard millions of times over). Everyone was pretty excited to get out and play, especially since we would be playing on a beginner's course without water hazards. Not only that, but we would be the only ones on the course, so we didn't have to speed up our game. We left at 10:30 after the two groups finished reading and discussing the two books, Ben Hogan's Five Lessons and Golf in the Kingdom. When I got off the bus and the sunshine hit my body it felt as if an anvil had been dropped on my poor, poor neck. You see, after getting used to below 50 degree weather(and not to mention hell week) your body becomes very susceptible to heat. So getting off the bus and being greeted by 81 degrees, 90% humidity, and a UV Index of 9 takes a small toll on your mindset for the day. At around 4am that day it was storming pretty bad, and if you know anything about low laying golf courses in Houston, you'd know that they become floodplains when it rains hard enough. Thus, the course without water hazards suddenly became a course with water hazards. And because of the water, we weren't able to use the range. The only thing that was open for us to practice was a chipping green for chipping and putting, which is okay since putting should make up half of your strokes anyway. After a little bit of practicing there we went to eat lunch at a pavilion they had and off we were to play 9 holes of golf. 

In my group there were 5 people: Andreas, Asher, Ashwin, Brookes, and Me. We all knew how to play the game so Mr. Roddy put us all in a group to play. The next group started 2 holes in front of us so we really had all the time in the world to play. Throughout the holes, Ashwin, Asher, and I were playing relatively well. My drives were picture perfect, Ashwin was crushing mid to short range irons, and Asher was playing all round good. We aren't necessarily, y'know, "On-Par" golfers as I would say, but the three of us ended up getting under 50 strokes which was an accomplishment for sure. Andreas and Brookes played well too (it was always funny watching Andreas aim 45 degrees to the left and still push slice it 200 yards to the right) The challenge of the day was definitely getting through the heat. By the time we got to the 6th hole it was around 1pm and the sun was beating down hard on our backs. The thermometer said 82 degrees, but I guarantee you it was over 90. When we finished I drank 2 liters of water at the "clubhouse" they had and we tallied our scores, I won with a 46, Asher with a 47, Ashwin with a 48, Andreas with a 56, and Brookes with a 63. Outside our whole we had our proud freshmen golf team member Ethan who scored a 50 and got his first par (let's gooooo Ethan). Overall I rate it an 8/10 day on the course. Always excited to go back again.