Breaking 70: Crieff

So, onto round two at Crieff on April 7. Teed off at 10am and it was cold and damp but otherwise the weather was good with no wind, always a bonus. The 1st is a par 3 at 160 yards to the back straight uphill. I did notice at the range that I was hitting the Ping i20s a club further so out came the 6-iron. I hit a high draw right through the back of the green and left a tricky downhill putt over a mound, knocked it to eight feet and two-putted for a bogey. It wasn't a great start but I was feeling quietly confident for a change.

Onto the 2nd and it was the first chance to hit the driver after the range work. I hit it straight down the middle but a little high. Left an 8-iron to the green which I pushed a little right, chipped on and two putts for bogey. It was a similar story at the 3rd.

So three straight bogeys, not the start I was looking for but I did not let my head drop and used techniques learnt from Gary to refocus. I made good pars at 4, 5 and 6 before a dropped shot at 7 caused by a poor putt. Surprisingly I was booming the driver either straight down the middle or with a slight draw and had hit every fairway in regulation.

After another good drive on the 8th I was on in two before three-putting as I chased the birdie and ran it five feet past before missing the one back. The drive at par-5 9th was the best of the day, right over the marker post to 275 yards according to my SkyCaddie. Laid up with a great 5-wood,chipped on and single putt for the first birdie of the day.

Par at 10 was followed by a tap in par at 11, but again dropped a shot at 12. The 13th hole is a 176-yard par-3 uphill. Hit a good 4-iron but it headed left again and was blocked out by a tree, all of which led to a 'good' bogey after a decent flop shot.

After trying to get greedy with the driver on 14 I ran up an eight, which I followed with a double on 16. Despite a birdie on 17 it all added up to an 81. I was very disappointed with my putting and some silly shot choices that cost me at least six shots but I'm feeling good about my game and find I a hitting the ball much better with the interlocking grip. Stats read 12 from 14 fairways and 10 from 18 greens.

Follow John's progress on Twitter @toady67