Duffs to Darts on a Dime: My 8-Month Check In

September is here and so is Football season. You know what else it is? It’s the last two months of this project. I am entering the 4^th quarter of my game versus well, my game. I entered this past month (August) with a plan on how I was going to get better for that month. Here is a recap of the goals for Month 8 of Duffs to Darts.

1. 30 Minutes of putting practice, 5 times a week.
2. Driving range short game practice session. Chipping it close and getting up and down.
3. Play 9-holes
4. Play 18-holes
5. Less than 5 lost balls between the two rounds (Big Problem for me)
6. Shoot 85 or lower on the 18-hole round.

To say that these goals were aggressive for the month is an understatement. The weather wasn’t a big factor, but time was. I was able to make time for the 30 minuet’s a day of putting practice. That one is easy because when the kids go to bed and we binge shows on Netflix, I bring out the PuttOut Mat and get to work. I nailed this goal and my putting continues to be the strong point of my game. I have managed to get my season putting average to a make percentage of 81% on short putts. I am making short and medium putts with an average of 2 putts or less.

Getting ready to record #duffstodarts 8 month recap tonight. The main focus of this project has been to have a strong shortgame. I’d say I am on track with that. @shotscope stats for the win! pic.twitter.com/7lZi3Wccd5

— ed_ditusa (@edward_ditusa) September 6, 2019

As far as the driving range session goes. That’s a big no. I just couldn’t find the time on the weekends so I did the best I could to work on pitch shots and chipping on my lunch break. I also chipped in my living at night to my PuttOut. Not exactly a putting green but its practice. I was able to log 9 holes on August 16^th and again on August 25^th. That’s two 9-hole rounds and the goal were to just to log one. I posted a +2 and a +7 on those rounds.

Played a quick 9 with my 4 yr old in the cart. She wanted to drive the cart, I wanted to hit Driver. Two lost balls that resulted in a triple and a bogey save on 9 but solid up and down and putting performance again. pic.twitter.com/m7JqVEiVUM

— ed_ditusa (@edward_ditusa) August 25, 2019

Unexpected 9 holes. Didn’t over swing on any shots, made an awesome save from some high grass and shot a personal best! Now if I can do this when I play 18 holes!! #duffstodarts #golficity #golficityarmy #keepgrinding pic.twitter.com/fqfr1YevWy

— ed_ditusa (@edward_ditusa) August 16, 2019

That +2 score is the best 9-hole score I have ever had so that was a major win for the Duffs to Darts project. Because I didn’t play an 18 hole round that goal along with the shooting an 85 was a miss. I only lost 2 golf balls all month helping me log those two low rounds. August was a busy month personally so most of the time I was just practicing.

I spent a lot of time working with the BirdieBall product. That work has helped with approach shots and being able to swing all my clubs during my lunch break should pay dividends going into the last two months of Duffs to Darts. I have even gotten my kids involved with my BirdieBall practice while they ride their bikes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by ed_ditusa (Duffs to Darts) (@ed_ditusa) on Sep 2, 2019 at 2:25pm PDT

September Plans

I enter September with a regained level of confidence that I was losing over the summer. The scores I have consistently posted when playing 9-hole rounds must translate to full rounds of 18 at some point. This is partially another mental block. I approach shorter rounds with a more relaxed feel then I do a full round. Time is, as always, a factor. School has started for my oldest, birthday parties for their school friends and baby showers for family friends on the weekends take up what little availability I have on the weekends. Not to mention it is getting cooler outside, the sun comes up later and goes down earlier. Besides all that, its Football Season and that’s three hours every Sunday that I’ll be watching my home team play. Here are my goals for September.

1. Log two 9-hole rounds (One away from my home course)
2. Log one 18-hole round (I have a pass to a course, so this is FREE!)
3. Continue 30 minutes of putting practice 5 days a week.
4. PLAY SMART!

Nothing super crazy this month. Like I said, I’m getting busy and the seasons are changing. My game has improved, and I plan to continue that. October is the last month of the project and I am lining up some tests for that, but those details are coming next month. I hope my monthly recaps and weekly vlogs have inspired you to work on your game this season.

Until next months recap, keep grinding!