It’s been some time since the golf blogging world lost a dear friend in Ryan from Front9Back9. I feel worst for his family and friends who are experiencing true loss. I would just hope that they can keep their head up and celebrate his life. While I didn’t personally know him, I felt like I got a sense of his personality from our interactions on #GolfChat. That is the beauty of that Twitter conversation and I am glad we have it.
One of Ryan’s frequent topics on Twitter was his quest to break 80. In honor of that, I wanted to share my story of that accomplishment. I hope he is up in the sky and breaking 70 by now.
I was 14 when I first broke 80. I don’t remember much about breaking 100 or 90. I think I had come close to the 70’s a few times but hadn’t really done it. On the day I was playing with my grandfather and his two friends. This was during the summer when I would spend time in New Hampshire so I was playing at Candia Woods where he worked. I even remember the horrendous late 90’s golf shirt I was wearing.
I am not going to go into the hole by hole specifics mainly because I don’t remember them, but I played the front nine in even par 35! I knew where my score was because I am one of those people that always knows how he stands more or less. I have gotten better at that, but I still usually know if we are putting everything out.
After that start, I knew a number in the 70’s was well within my reach. Over the back nine, I didn’t play as well, but still managed a three-over 39. My playing partners were not quite as aware of what was going on as I was. When we totaled up the score I exclaimed 74! I had shattered the scoring barrier and I was really happy about it.
Beating that number is a liberating feeling. It allows you the confidence to know you can shoot in the 70’s. It also leaves you expecting to do so, but that is just fine! I have since broken 70 a couple of times, but none since I got out of college and had to get a real job! Something about working that is not conducive to practice.
How have your scoring milestones come about? I would love to hear about them. Sound off in the comments section or shoot me an email. Have fun out there.
Jimmy,
That’s quite a way to break 80 for the first time — 74! Goes to show you that a lot of our barriers are mental. People who have come close but never broken 80 may look at a score in the 70’s as some forbidden territory, but it’s just a number. I have broken 70 doing a double lap on my little home town 9 hole muni, but I have yet to do it on a big boy course, my closest being 70 on the nose. You’ve inspired me to shatter this next season 😉
Cheers
Josh
Awesome Josh. Go get that sub-70 round!
Jimmy, cool story! My own scoring milestones: When I was 14, I was in a two week golf camp and breaking 60 for nine holes was the measuring stick that said you had “arrived”. I will never forget how great my first and only 59 felt! On the big course, I think I was 19 when I first broke 80. Like you I cleared the number with room to spare (76). It took me another 16 years until I was 35 when I first broke 70.
Thanks!
Brian
Thanks for sharing!
Jimmy,
Fantastic story! I broke 80 for the first time at 25. It was a mental barrier that has long been shattered. The point is that each milestone in golf is special and should be cherished.
Cheers
Jim
Exactly!