Author: scaredlittlebitch

Autopsy: June 5, 2026

Yesterday was a life-changing day: I was informed my services at work were no longer required. While I had planned on retiring in a little under a year, this certainly wasn’t the way I expected the transition to begin. I wasn’t sure what to expect from my game today, but the course provided the necessary distraction. I hit some great shots and had periods of steady play, but my mental lapses remain an obstacle. Standing on the 18th tee at plus-4, I felt a 76 or 77 was all but guaranteed—instead, I finished with a triple-bogey.

Handicap: 9.1

Lack of Focus Moves

Processing the job loss is proving to be a significant mental hurdle.

• PHYSICAL LOAD: Up at 3:00 AM, I walked three miles before heading to the course. Fatigue likely played a role in my focus today.
• THE #6 MISTAKE: On a simple chip to the green, I duffed the first attempt and had to chip a second time to save bogey.
• THE 18TH COLLAPSE: After a solid hole on #17, I stood on the 18th tee box thinking about a 76 or 77.
• THE DUFF: After driving the ball well all day, I duffed my drive on 18. It failed to reach the fairway, forcing a drop.
• THE RECOVERY ATTEMPT:  I dropped a ball and hit a 3 wood from the forward tees. I missed the fairway left and was still about 175 out to an uphill green. I hit the 3 wood again, a fantastic shot, that hit next to the pin but continued on over the green. I one hand chipped going 12 feet long. I then missed the double bogey save and settled for a triple and a score of 79. After the drop, I hit a 3-wood from the forward tees, but missed the fairway left, leaving 175 yards to an uphill green. I hit another 3-wood—a fantastic shot that reached the green, but it didn’t hold. I then one-hand chipped 12 feet past the hole and missed the putt for a triple-bogey 7.

Scared Little Bitch Moves:

• IRON CONFIDENCE: I continue to lack confidence with my irons. I need dedicated time in the lab to start firing at greens from 100 yards and in with conviction.

Boss Moves

• #2 BIRDIE: After a decent drive on #2, I faced a difficult approach due to the uneven lies at Indian Hills. I missed the green, but I one handed chipped in from 36 feet for birdie—a true “Boss Move.”
• THE #5 GREEN: The tee box was pushed back to just under 140 yards. That hole has owned me for a long time, but I finally stuck the green.

Autopsy:

This was Day 9 of my staycation and my 9th 18-hole round at Indian Hills. As much as I love golf, it was a chore today to complete this round. I did arrive early enough for a little practice with my one-hand chips and some wedges; I also hit some irons and drivers. Handicap: 9.1

Lack of Focus Moves

At one point in time, a shank would send me into a tailspin. I have since understood the source of the issue, which for me is standing to close to the ball.

• THE APPROACH: On Hole #1, I hit a decent drive down the center, was 129 yards out, and dead-shanked the ball 70 yards left. My second chip saved bogey.
• THE LAPSE: On Hole #3, it became a repeated theme—still missing short putts, including a 4-footer for birdie, but getting it to the hole.
• THE SHANKS: I had a dead-shanked approach on Hole #16, resulting in a triple bogey.
• THE PUTTING: I struggled with distance control throughout the round: Hole #5 (missed a 5-footer to save par), Hole #6 (three-putted from 37 feet after leaving the first 9 feet short), Hole #7 (left a 12-footer birdie putt short), Hole #12 (three-putt bogey), and Hole #15 (missed a 9-foot par putt, leaving it short).

Scared Little Bitch Moves:

I was tentative on all irons after shanking the first iron on #1. Again, I left multiple putts short.

Boss Moves:

As bad as I felt I played on the front, I made the turn at +3. As tired physically and mentally as I was, I was still scrambling to the best of my ability. I hit some really bad shots but still one-hand chipped well enough to have four 1-putts, while never making any long putts. Ultimately, I had my best opportunity to birdie on the 18th after 250 rounds (12′), got the putt to the hole, but missed the line.

Autopsy:

This was Day 8 of my staycation streak. Playing solo meant I could play fast—a double-edged sword. While it keeps the momentum high, it forces a need to slow down internally to maintain focus. Today was a battle; I didn’t have my “A” game, but I gutted it out. I was +5 through the first five holes, yet managed to finish at +6 total.

Lack of Focus Moves

I failed to check the weather early, which left me drenched during a downpour on the 5th.

• THE LAPSE: Despite a brilliant run of 1-under golf from holes 6 through 14, I dead-shanked an 8-iron on #15, resulting in a double-bogey.
• THE APPROACH: On #1, I “steered” and didn’t take enough club, foolishly trying to force a perfect PW and coming up short.
• THE SHANKS: I dead-shanked an approach on #2 (90 yards) into the thick left rough, and again on #5, which cost me two chips just to reach the green.

Scared Little Bitch Moves:

I scrambled like a madman and saved the round with 29 putts, but I was still guilty of “protection” mode. I left 5 putts short, including my par putt on #18. I’m still playing “not to lose” on the greens rather than attacking the hole.

Boss Moves:

In the past, a single dead shank would have spiraled into a complete collapse. Today, I broke that cycle.

• RESILIENCE: Even after the shank on #5, I chipped to 3 feet to save the bogey. I didn’t have my best stuff, but I grinded my way to a solid score.
• RECOVERY After the shank on #2, I one-handed chipped to 1 foot to salvage bogey.
• GRIND I had a horrible drive on #3 (only 111 yards total) and still scrambled for bogey.

Autopsy: Day 7 in row on the course during my staycation. I was running a little late today, and had a sore back from power washing my patio and pool deck yesterday. I chipped about 20 balls and hit about a dozen drivers a couple 5 woods and about 20 wedges. I skipped the putting green and that was a big mistake. I had 4 three putts, which without them, even though I was not playing great was the difference between an 83 and a 79.

Lack of Focus Moves: I ended up in my desire to get the ball to the hole on my putts, racing the ball beyond the cup, leading to 4 three putts during the round. For the third time this week I found the fairway bunker on #11. I expected that I could hit it 150 yard shot out of the bunker over water. This cost me a penalty shot. I only hit 3 of 14 fairwaysa, and 8 of 18 green in regulation.

Scared Little Bitch Moves: My lack of effort on the putting green this morning showed up right away. I was on the green in regulation on the first 2 holes and three putted them both. #5 still owns me, I hit a gap wedge from 100 yards but was short of th green. I ended up with a bogey. On #7 my gap wedge went 110 yards. And I end up 3 puting #7 as well. On #15, I did not want to race the ball past and instead left it 7 yards short and ended up with my 4th 3 putt of the day.

Boss Moves: Even though I had 36 putts, 4 of them were 1 putt. Two of them were chips to 1′. On #8, I chipped from short left of the green for a tap in birdie. On #11 after a penalty shot I hit a one handed chip from 38 yards over the water to 1 foot for a tap in bogey save. On #10, I made an 18′ putt for birdie. On #12, I hit an 18′ putt for par.

Autopsy: Day 6 in row on the course during my staycation. Similar to yesterday, I arrived early enough to spend some time on the chipping green. I hit 30 shots from various distances with my unconventional one handed chipping style. I did not feel comfortable on the course today, I hit many bad shots, but I scrambled like I never have before.

Lack of Focus Moves: I continued to leave putts short on the front side. Had two gap wedge shots on #8 and #9, that I came up short, going to steep in the turf on impact, missing the green short on both.

Scared Little Bitch Moves: Although I was driving it well on the range, hit a horrible drive on #1, only 128 yards. Followed it up with a 5 wood just short of the green. Had a 5′ par save that I missed. #5 continues to own me, could not hit the green from 100 yards but saved a bogey.

Boss Moves: #6 I hit a decent drive leaving myself 145 out, I hit a 9 iron to 13′, but missed the putt. On #7, which was playing 104 yards, I hit a gap wedge to 2 feet (see photo below). Another horrible drive on #8, hitting the brocolli tree, recoverd for a chance on at par, but settled for bogey. #10 I hit a good drive, 217, followed by 198 yard 5 wood, and then one handed chipped in for eagle from 34 yards. I need a par on 18 for a 75, and was just off the green in two. I decided to putt from 21 feet, even though I had been chipping great. I left the first putt 7 feet short, but made the 2nd putt. I ended up with 28 total putts and only had 12 putts on the back 9.

Autopsy: Day 5 in a row on the course during my staycation. I arrived early enough to hit some balls on the range. Practiced wedges and driver and a few minutes on the putting green. Hit a few fantastic shots and couple of really poor shots. Gutted it out with a sub 80 round, getting a par on the 18th hole when I needed it.

Lack of Focus Moves: Great drive on #3, and 193 yards out and hit a great 5 wood, but as I continue to do, put it in the bunker right. It took three shots to get out a wet bunker with a lousy quality of sand.

Scared Little Bitch Moves: Hole #5 continues to own me. They are playing temporary tee boxes, and it was only 100 yards to the green. Hit a horrible shank on this hole again, hitting the trees, and then back in play. Ended with bogey. I putted decently with only 32 total putts, but continue to leave many putts short.

Boss Moves: Hole #7, essentially the same distance as #5 but with water right, playing 110, hit it 12 feet burned the edge just missing birdie. On number 8, great drive, and approach was just short, chipped to 4 feet and made the birdie. On #11 I put it in the trap again, but hit another 6 iron from the trap, across the water to the green and saved par. On #12 missed the green right but chipped to 1 foot. On #14, hit a 7 iron to 1 foot from 155 yards out. Had a total of 5 one puts from 5 feet and in.

Autopsy: I thought today might be a rain out, but it was not. Driving range was closed, so I was unable to hit balls before the round. I did chip and putt a little. Struggled on the front, but played well on the back in changing conditions.

Lack of Focus Moves: Had a pair of double bogeys on short par threes. First was way short, followed by two bad chips, second was long, followed by two bad chips.

Scared Little Bitch Moves: I had 37 putts during the round, leaving several putts short.

Boss Moves: 42 on the front and 38 on the back. Highlight was a good drive on 11 followed by a wedge to 6 feet and made the birdie.

Autopsy: My Mind was not right after shooting a 76 yesterday. I knew I could not duplicate the score, it was self fulfilling prophecy.

Lack of Focus Moves: On Hole #4, I had a decent drive and was about 150 out. Had a great setup, great swing, and then the ball only went 100 yards. I looked down at the club and thought I swung the 8, but hit a sand wedge. On the 8th hole, I hit my drive to the left and decided on a lay up, instead dead shank.

Scared Little Bitch Moves: I had 7 first putts of less than 6 feet and I only made 3 of them. Had a 3 putt on 16, missing a short 5′ putt.

Boss Moves: My short chipping skills are unconventional, (I am left handed and only chip with my left hand). I was able to chip within 6 feet of the hole 7 times today. I had 4 one putts, including a 24 footer for birdie on #10. On #11, I caught the sand trap and hit a 141 yard 6 iron, over the water, hitting the green and ultimately saved par.

It is hard to be critical about shooting a 76, but that is the way I think.

Autopsy:

Scared Bitch Moves: Decent Drive on 1, followed by a bad approach and a worse pitch leading to a double. Missed a makeable birdie on 7, missed a 4′ birdie on 9, failed to hit the green on my approach on 18. Left at least 4 putts short of the hole.

Boss Moves: Rallied to a +4 after going +2 on the first hole. Drove the ball decent in wet conditions. No three putts. On in 2 on the par 5 8th.