Mesquite, Nevada; This was the first event since the Rocky Mountain Open and in between now and then I have begun working with an instructor to make the necessary changes in order to be better long term so for the short term there is going to a lot of growing pains along the way. This week was an indicator of my progress in 2 months of work.

Round 1: Casa Blanca Course

With a field of 224 golfers, we were to play on 2 different course and a shotgun start. My first hole was the 12th and I could not have started any worse, I played my first 5 holes in 5 over with a mean case of the pulls off the tee and not giving myself a chance to score. In that spanned my head began to spin, thinking of sorts of things, something you don’t need to do in the middle of a tournament.

Then it hit me, my main goal this week is to see the progression of the changes I am making and how it holds up under the gun. Sure, you should enter an event thinking you have a chance to win or contend which I still believed. However, the ultimate goal was not that, once I wrapped my head around this my head was clear and that was my sole focus, making each swing count in the name progress.

I played the last 13 holes in 2 under par with many looks to have done better than that, short game and putting felt good which helped my confidence. 3 over par, 75 but felt there was a minor victory in that.

Round 2: Palms Golf Course:

With this new established mindset the goal had not changed. Try to play well, but make as many good quality swings as you can. I was off to a better start, getting lucky with some favorable bounces with errant tee shots and found myself 1 under through 5 holes. Unfortunately with some unforced errors with my short game and not the swing (ironic isn’t it?) I quickly went bogey-bogey and now 1 over for the day.

The head began to spin again and found myself searching for a few holes now thinking “let’s find a way to just limp in and get off the course.” I had scraped a couple pars here and there, but now through 11 holes I was 2 over for the days. I approached the par 4 5th (my 12th hole for the day) and again had a “come to Jesus moment”. Calm down, stick to your routine, walk yourself through it and just play golf. Lo and behold, we started doing just that.

I began literally talking myself through my routine like I do when on the range, 2 practice swing, pick a target, walk into the target, line up, square up, waggle and fire. Every shot for the last 7 holes. I rattled off 2 birdies, but had way more quality swings in that span. I simplified the routine and narrowed the thoughts on only what they needed to be. I finished the day even par, 71. With a 75-71 today but missing the cut.

I was okay with it, not upset, angry or even frustrated because again; I knew I wasn’t “ready” for the event. This was a benchmark to see the progression 2 months into a change and what I found was, a clan mentality combined with a consistent routine can keep you in a round even when you’re not feeling your best. When I had cut emotion from how I played and simply played, I played better. What’s the yardage, where’s the pin, where’s trouble and where’s my target? Then from there, BE my routine and do it all again.

The end goal is to be ready in April as I try to qualify onto the Mackenzie Tour. Everything between now and then is simply a stepping stone as I progress from the swing change. I will only have more reps under my belt between now and April. Missing the cut didn’t hurt as bad after making some money on a slot machine on the way outta town either!