Day 68 - July 24, 2011

Stuart and I went to Pensacola for the U.S. Amateur Qualifier last weekend. We stayed in Orange Beach and took the kids, Mimi and Aunt Sharon. It was a fun trip! We played in the pool and ocean, cooked fresh local seafood, practiced golf, kayaked, etc.

On Saturday, Stuart played his practice round at 7:30 in the morning and was done by 9:30. We went to Kiva Dunes when he got back to practice. I focused on creating lag and didn't think about anything else. I created a little drill where I would do a half swing as practice before I actually followed through. I hit it well and was pleased.

I was getting in a little chipping and putting practice when Stuart suggested I learn how to hit out of a bunker. Oh my goodness ... it is so difficult to do! I'm hoping that I won't have to do it very often, but it is good to be prepared. See the video below of my practice session. Stuart prompted me to give a fist pump although it was unwarranted:)

We are headed to San Francisco this week for a marketing conference. Stuart is planning on playing Pebble Beach if he can get a tee time. I'm sure I will just be a spectator, but I will post pics anyway.

Day 58 - July 12, 2011

So it is now day 58 of my golfing journey and I must say, I am making progress! Stuart and I were in New Orleans this past weekend because he was playing in a golf tournament. We went out to the course on Thursday afternoon and practiced putting and chipping. Something clicked and I was finally able to hit a 10-yard chip shot fairly consistently and a little better than Stuart at times:)

We had a putting contest and I did pretty good after I got the feel of the green. We had planned to go out to the TPC of Louisiana course one afternoon so I could actually play a few holes, but the heat index was over 100, so we made other plans.

We bought a kayak while we were there and kayaked 8 miles one day and 4 miles another day in the Bayou St. John. We saw a real alligator or maybe it was a crocodile. I can never remember which is in saltwater and which is in fresh. Also, I'm not sure if the bayou is salt or freshwater. Oh, well. It was about 3 feet long and right beside our kayak! I took a picture of it and will post later.

On another note, I got a birthday gift from my sweet friend, Sonia, yesterday ... a monogrammed golf bag tag and golf towel. These are my first real golf possessions that are not hand-me-downs from Stuart or my dad. She is always so thoughtful!