4, 5, 2, 4, 5, 3, 5, 4 – that’s not my account number, or an elaborate password I’m trying to remember.
It’s my final eight holes at Sandburn Hall in our most recent York Union betterball event, and it’s a level par gross score.
Why am I boring you with this? It’s because those eight holes brought another first in what has been a winter of them since I went through my Titleist custom fitting last October.
It brought a prize in a Union competition, something I’ve never managed before.
Now, a £30 voucher is a touch below the megabucks Phil Mickelson trousered for winning the WGC-Mexico Championship.
But in 15 years of trying, I’d never seen, or got close to, the money in a Union contest – until now.
It came about thanks to a display of iron hitting that leaves me counting down the days with relish to the start of the season next month.
I’ve waxed lyrical about these Titleist AP3 irons before, but they really do seem to suit my game superbly.
There’s a new weapon in the armoury as well – a 4-iron.
I met once again with expert fitter Joe Smith to iron out any creases in the bag with the season approaching fast on the horizon.
I’d expected there would be a gapping issue between my 5-iron and 23 degree hybrid, basically because I was hitting the latter so far.
Joe, with the help of Trackman, showed me my instinct was spot on.
There was a 29-yard difference between the two clubs and a 4-iron, when properly struck, should sit right in the middle of the two.
Now holding 15 clubs, I’ll have to alternate between the longer iron and either the 3-wood or a hybrid depending on the course and situation.
This doesn’t cause me any headaches, though. I’m delighted to have the extra option.
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We also discussed the eternal area of concern in my bag – the driver. While all the other clubs have been singing at my every command, the big dog has proved somewhat harder to tame.