Breaking Course Records: Project Bay Hill – Golf Challenge
Welcome to the second instalment of the “Project Breaking Course Records” series! Last week, as you all know, we were at Torrey Pines for the Genesis Invitational, where Tiger Woods set the course record with a 62. Today, we’re here at Bay Hill, taking on its famous course record of 62, shot by Greg Norman back in 1981. This was later matched by Adam Scott in 2011. So, our goal today? Break the 62 mark and make some serious moves.
Golf coach Southampton
The Challenge Begins
As we step onto the tee at Bay Hill, I’m already in full swing—literally and figuratively. My wrist is still healing, and I’m playing with a splint, which is not ideal, but here we are. No excuses, though—just hitting the ball and giving it my all.
We start with a tee shot, and though it’s a bit rusty, we manage to keep things going. I hit the first few shots with a 7-wood to get the juices flowing, and Richard’s also testing his shots. We’re not warming up properly, but it’s the nature of this challenge—no excuses.
The first few holes are a bit rough, but we manage to make some solid shots. One thing’s for sure: even when things aren’t going perfectly, there’s always a good golf shot in there somewhere, and we’re determined to find it.
Navigating the Greens
By the time we hit the 9th hole, the game is in full swing. Richard and I are getting into a rhythm, and the course is presenting its challenges. From 153 yards, I’m eyeing up the shot with a 7-iron. The goal is to find the right line and pace, which isn’t always easy given the broken wrist. But we manage to stay focused and get the ball onto the green with no damage done.
We hit some beautiful shots, like a delightful approach that lands perfectly on the green. But then, a few shots go astray, and we hit some rough patches—literally and figuratively. At one point, I clip the lip of the bunker, and we laugh about how golf can be so unpredictable. Still, we’re making it work.
A Little Bit of Trouble
At one point, things get a little tricky. We’re facing a tough situation with a 244-yard shot, but I’ve got the mindset to give it a go. I make sure I’m staying safe and not trying to push it too hard, considering the wrist injury. The idea is to play smart and avoid any major mistakes.
Despite a few minor setbacks, like hitting a shot into the rough, I manage to make my way back onto the fairway. Golf is all about recovery, and after a tough hole, we just move on and keep pressing forward.
The Driveable Par Four
One of the key moments of the round comes at the driveable Par 4. It’s one of those holes where you know you need to capitalize. After a solid drive, we’re in a good position to make an eagle or at least a birdie. But as we reach the green, we find ourselves in a bit of a scramble. A couple of near misses, and we’re still hoping for that big birdie to keep the momentum going.
Despite some struggles, I make sure to take my time with each shot, not rushing. I need to stay in control, especially with the wrist still not fully healed. Even though we don’t get the eagle, we manage a decent birdie attempt, though it’s not quite what we were hoping for.
Back to the Grind
The back nine brings its own challenges. We’re aiming to make some moves and finish strong, but the difficulty of Bay Hill starts to show its teeth. As we continue on, we hit some great shots, but the breaks aren’t always in our favor. The distance isn’t quite where I want it to be, but I’m making the best of it, adjusting my game to suit the circumstances.
At one point, I hit a shot that I thought would roll perfectly, but instead, it hits an unexpected bump and falls short. But that’s golf for you—you just have to laugh it off and move on.
Nearing the Finish
With just a few holes left, we’re in the final stretch. The course record of 62 is still on our minds, but we know we’ve got to make a big push. The pressure builds as we approach the last few holes, but we keep our focus. Every shot counts, and we’re determined to give ourselves a chance at a good score.
Despite some frustrating moments, like missing a few short putts, we’re giving it everything we’ve got. I still feel good about the way things are going, especially considering the injury. Golf isn’t just about hitting perfect shots—it’s about how you respond when things don’t go as planned.
The Final Push
As we reach the last hole, I know we’ve given it our all. We’ve had a few hiccups along the way—like the bogey on the 13th hole that cost us a few strokes—but overall, we’ve stayed focused and pushed through.
We finish the round with a solid 8-under-par, but unfortunately, the course record eludes us. Still, it’s a fantastic effort, and we’re proud of how we played. There’s always next time, and we’ll be back to try again. In golf, it’s not just about breaking records—it’s about enjoying the game and always striving for improvement.
Thanks for following along with us on this golf adventure. We’ll be back next week with more challenges, more shots, and hopefully, a new course record to talk about!