The Intro...

My goal in golf is simple. Like millions of golfers, I dream of shooting an even par round and eventually shooting under par. The focus of this blog will be my journey to get there. I probably won't be able to refrain from commenting on the current events in the world of golf, as well course and equipment reviews, but I'm going to try to keep the primary focus on my journey towards breaking par and eventually (hopefully) playing scratch golf. Perhaps it will help you on your own journey.

I'm sure you're dying to know more about me, so I'll give you a brief intro. I'm 27 years old and have been playing golf for as long as I can remember. In high school, I briefly flirted with the idea of trying out for the golf team, but instead tried out for the baseball team. I thought baseball would be more "cool" to play.

My high school baseball team was led by Yankees' slugger Mark Texeira and White Sox' pitcher Gavin Floyd. Due to LOFT (Lack Of F***ing Talent), I didn't make the team, yet never did reconsider trying out for the golf team and barely touched a club over the next several years.

When I was 19, I began working part-time at a retail golf store and this reinvigorated my love of the game. I worked within the golf business for several years, eventually running that same golf shop that hired me, before transitioning into the "real world". Oddly enough, once I was out of the golf business, I found that I had much more time to actually play golf.

Over the past four years, I have been playing about 2-3 times per week during golf season (March-November in Baltimore) and my handicap has gone from the 10-12 range to as low as a 4.3 index. My home course is Rolling Road Golf Club in Catonsville, MD, which is a par 70 track designed by Willie Park, Jr. (who also designed the North course at Olympia Fields & the Old course at Sunningdale, won two British Opens, and was the first professional to write a book on golf instruction). This is where I play 90% of the time and it serves as a great test for all areas of your game.

Recently, I stood on the 15th tee at Rolling Road even par for the day and proceeded to bogey three of the final four holes to shoot 73. I've shot 73 several times now and my low round in medal play competition is 74. However, I haven't been able to breakthrough that barrier.

That round got my juices flowing to take my game to the next level, but the play that has followed over the past few weeks has been less than inspiring. My handicap index is now 6.5 and I feel further away from even par than I have in quite some time.

However, I do have a plan! Project Under Par is my plan to take my game to the next level through fitness and practice. I won't shy away from seeking professional help and plan to make some swing changes once the competitive golf season comes to a close.