The drive on the 2nd was down the middle and reasonably long, the second hybrid shot stopping just short of the green. Another 7-iron onto the green set me up again for a par putt, but on this occasion I needed two for a nett par 5.

The 3rd was my only disappointment today. I pulled my first drive seriously left and took a provisional as I doubted I would find the first ball - and I didn't. In trying to avoid going left again I put the provisional right into heavy rough under trees, but dug myself out with the 8-iron onto the green. Two putts gave me a nett double bogey 6, which in the circumstances wasn't that bad.

The 4th was fairly clean. Driver, hybrid, hybrid and then a 9-iron onto the green. I was a bit lucky with the second hybrid shot that bounced off the bank, back towards the green, having hit it too far right. Two putts gave me a nett par 6.

Having learnt my lesson on the 3rd, where using the driver lost me one ball and pushed the second one right, on the 5th I used the 5-wood, which landed on the green, rolling just off by a few inches. I putted on then two-putted for a nett par 3. I should really have got down in 3 for a nett birdie, however.

On the 6th after a good drive I put the 5-wood on the green and single putted for a nett Eagle. Very pleasing.

After another good drive on the 7th my 5-wood was a bit thick, leaving me a lot to do with the third shot, which in the event landed short. A 7-iron chip-and-run and two putts gave me a nett par 6.

I was almost on for three on the long 8th after a drive and two 5-woods. The trusty 7-iron and two putts gave me another nett par 6.

So, could I hold it all together on the 9th?

Well, the answer is yes. A drive followed by two well positioned 5-woods left me an 8-iron pitch onto the green, and two putts got me down in 6, for a nett par.

The outcome was 47 shots and 16 putts, for 19 points, so I actually came in just under my handicap. A rare occurrence indeed, but can it continue?

Game Golf scorecard:

Tags: Lakeside Lodge, 9-holes