I was playing in my Member-Guest a few weeks ago (July 25-27). I took my cousin as my guest after taking his twin brother last year. They were 100% of the reason I got into golf at a young age (age 7). I also coach a high school golf team, and we had one of my boys on the bag for the weekend. I’ve played Titleist golf balls as long as I can remember, and now have 5 Hole-in-One’s, and two Albatross’s all with the best ball in golf. I only order Titleist balls for my golf team too!
On day 3 (7/27), in our last match, with our flight all but sewn up, we were on our relatively short par 5 - 3rd hole playing 521 yards. My partner was in good position and laid up as he was getting a stroke off of me. Our opponents, who’re a 3 hdcp and 5 hdcp respectively also chose to lay up as they both got shots as well. Ultimately, they all had putts for net eagle, and never got to hit them.
I’d hit a good tee shot leaving me 204 yards to a pin tucked front right, and guarded by trees encroaching the right side of the green. The pin is also guarded by green side bunkers, and a surface that that run’s to the back. I hit a 5 iron on my second shot, erring on the side of not going long, and immediately complained that I’d missed it (ugh, bc that’s what I do). In reality, I didn’t hit it clean, and from that yardage with that club it brings in a lot of trouble if you don’t catch it solid. I had no intent of attacking that pin position, but the ball was tracking that side of the green. Our caddy leaned in to quip, “well, that’s an aggressive line”. The ball appeared to cover the trees right, and we thought it might’ve covered the bunker too as my partner said he thought he saw it bounce. Once the other’s had played into the green we began searching the bunker as there was nothing on the green, and we couldn’t clearly see anything long. I assumed it must’ve plugged in the top edge of the bunker, but again didn’t find anything. Our caddy pointed out a rather sizable ball mark on the fringe that appeared fresh, but we kept looking and asking the group in front. I’d relegated myself to the fact that it must’ve run long and was likely in the hazard (not a lot of room long). As I walked past the hole, not wanting to be “that guy”. I gave a nonchalant look in the cup to see my “Titleist 24” staring back at me. We won our flight, but not the shootout…next thing I remember it was Sunday morning. (I’m on the left, cousin on the right).
