Day 21: Back in the US and Back on the Course

I got back into Los Angeles around 2pm after about 25 hours of travel. I worked as long as I could before collapsing around 4:45pm. I slept for about an hour and a half and woke up refreshed and time for the Twilight rate at Penmar.
As soon as I checked in, I was up at the tee.

Hole #1 - Par 4 (Overall Score: Even)
I hit a solid 6-iron off the tee about 175 that left me on the left side of the fairway with a 110 yards in.
I played a soft cut with my pitching wedge that landed just past the cup and rolled to the back fringe.
I got to play my 8-iron China-practiced chip shot and rolled it to about 2 feet which allowed me to make Par.

Hole #2 - Par 4 (-1)
I smoked a 3-iron from the tee about 210 that even I was surprised by the shot - it was a gentle draw that ended up in the middle of the fairway. This left me about 110 to the middle of the green but the pin was located closer to the back, but the back edge of the green was only about 130.
I hit a nice 75% pitching wedge that landed pin high and rolled about 10 feet past the hole.
With my China-inspired Jack Nicklaus putting stroke, I rolled in a birdie.
I felt fantastic.

Hole #3 - Par 3 (-1)
The pin was in the middle of the green with the tee box up - the hole playing about 130 yards.
I pulled my wedge a wee bit and was found about 20 feet from the stick on the edge of the rough.
I used the 8-iron chip that left me about 3 feet and made the putt for Par.
I am loving the new chip!

Hole #4 - Par 4 (-1)
I hit a 6-iron to the right side that took a bounce right into the right leaving me about 125 out.
I hit a hard wedge right at the hole that hit pin high and had no back spin coming out of the rough - rolling off the green to the rough in back.
Once again, I hit my 8-iron wedge that left me about a 5 foot straight putt that I made for Par.

Hole #5 - Par 3 (Even)
I pushed my 5 iron to my right - bad swing - too much arms, no body/hips - old swing coming back to haunt.
I used my 60 degree and the ball landed around the hole and rolled past then off the green.
Used the 8-iron wedge that left me to tap in range for a bogey 4.
Mind you - 5 straight one putts - amazing.

Hole #6 - Par 4 (+1)
Terrible driver tee shot - got a hold of the ball but sliced the hell out of it - just disheartening.
I did not use the set-up or mechanics that I had learned previously - awful.
I was about 200 out, but in and around trees. I punched a 5-iron through the trees which left me about 40 out. I then flew a 60 degree that flew deep on the green about 25 feet from the pin.
I then 2-putted for another straight bogey - that's what happens when you don't hit the fairway.

Hole #7 - Par 4 (+2)
I hit a low stinger with my Driver that had a curve on it, but somehow landed in the middle of the fairway about 170 out. I crushed a 6-iron that landed in the right rough - deep rough about 30 feet from the pin.
I used my 60 degree and got under the ball - just popping it up and the ball traveled 10 feet - ouch.
Note to self: In green side deep rough, I need to use a sand wedge, pitching wedge or even a 9-iron to get that ball onto the green and roll to the hole.
I then had a fairly tight lie near the edge of the fringe in the first cut - which I again went to the 60 degree. I hit the ball flush and left my ball about 6 feet from the cup and drained the putt for my third straight bogey - sonuvabeach! I need to get back on track!

Hole #8 - Par 3 (+2)
The hole was playing about 146 according to my Golf Logix gps program on my phone.
I hit a nice 9-iron that landed pin high and left me about 10 feet away from the cup.
I rolled my birdie putt past the cup (over read the break) and tapped in for par - felt good to get back on track.

Hole #9 - too dark to tee off, so the round ended and I headed back to the clubhouse.

So in summary:
I played better then I have ever played at this course.
I have had more pars in the past, but I did not have any blow-ups and the quality of the shots were much better than ever. I see improvement which feels great. I still need to get the Driver working. That is still the area that I need the most help in, but that's okay - just need to focus on that in ensuing days.

Stats:
Holes Played: 8 (+2) - Overall Score 30 (Par 28)
Birdies: 1 (first one of the summer)
Pars: 4
Bogeys: 3
Putts: 10 (6 1-putts, 2 2-putts, 0 3-putts)