Outlaw Tour: Papago Golf Course, Phoenix, AZ

• Posted on Grant
• in My Journey, Tournament Recap
• on April 22, 2018
• Comments Off on Outlaw Tour: Papago Golf Course, Phoenix, AZ

Overview:  Papago is a long course with really good greens. The practice area and practice putting green were closed, so I had to adjust to the speed of the greens on the first few holes. The weather was good with a lot of wind the second day and no wind the last day. Overall, I’m pleased with my progress as I’ve been practicing a lot over the last month. I can easily shave about 10 shots off the 54 hole total score with more practice.

#5. 3-Wood down the middle of the fairway and then pitching wedge from 130 yards to 14 feet and made the putt for birdie.

#10. Driver into the right desert. Then sliced a 7-iron around a tree onto the green for a two putt birdie.

#13.  Driver into the right desert. My ball ended up against a rock and I couldn’t move the rock without the ball moving. So, I took my 4-iron and turned it sideways and hit the ball up by the green with the toe end of the club. Then hit a flop shot over a bunker to 4 feet and made the putt for par. Probably the one of the best par saves I’ve ever had.

Highlites Day Two:

#1. Driver down the middle of the fairway and then 3-wood into the greenside bunker. Then splashed it to 11 feet and made the putt for birdie.

#9. Driver into the left fairway bunker. Then hit hybrid from 250 yards onto the fringe and chipped and putted for an easy birdie.

#10. Driver down the middle of the fairway. Then hit 6-iron just over the green. Then my eagle chip lipped out and made an easy birdie.

Highlites Day Three:

#2. Driver down the middle of the fairway and then hit sand wedge from 115 yards to 4 feet and made the putt for birdie.

#12. 6-iron off the tee, and then hit pitching wedge from 138 yards to 8 feet and made the putt for birdie.

#13. Driver into the left desert and then hit 60 degree wedge from 80 yards to 5 feet and made the putt for birdie.

#15. Driver down the middle of the fairway. Then hit driver off the deck to 30 yards short of the flag. Then pitched to 12 feet and made the putt for birdie.

Positives: I had good focus and never missed a putt inside 5 feet. Also, the last day, I hit the ball really well and had lots of opportunities for birdie. I was really feeling my arms going through with my left wrist slightly bowed at impact. I was in full control of draws and fades the last day.

I did a good job backing away a few times when I wasn’t focused, and also took my time picking the correct shot and club. On the fast greens, I kept my grip soft and had good speed all three days except for the first few holes of the first day.

Areas to improve: Putting: I will practice more 10 to 15 foot putts to convert more of those birdie attempts. I had a 4-putt the last day on number 11 from about 15 feet. The pin was really crazy on a slope and I had uphill and then straight downhill. I left the first putt about an inch from rolling down the hill to the cup. Then I just tapped my next putt but it rolled 8 feet by. Next time, I will just get the ball over the slope and guarantee a 2-putt or 3-putt instead of trying to be too perfect on my first putt. Also, I will make sure to keep my weight on my left side on wedge shots and keep my wrists firm through impact even when hitting a hook.