The California Central Coast has a beautiful golf course located in Morro Bay. Although not as challenging as the local courses I play more frequently, what sets Morro Bay Golf Course apart from the others is its scenic setting on Morro Bay Estuary adjoining the Pacific Ocean.


2nd Green at Morro Bay Golf Course

Morro Bay Golf Course is often referred to as the "Poor Man's Pebble Beach" and is especially rewarding to play in winter when the clear skies provide incredible views of the bay and ocean from tree-lined fairways, and many species of birds can be seen who find sanctuary in Morro Bay during their migration south.

Interestingly, of all the courses that I've played in our county, Morro Bay is the only course where I've failed to break 80 - even though it's rated among the easiest. However, the last time I played Morro Bay was one year ago, back when my index was about twice what it is now.

So, now a better player, with an opportunity to play Morro Bay yesterday with a friend, I decided it was time to finally shoot a round at this course in the 70's. With 9 out of my last 10 rounds in the 70's at more difficult courses, this seemed like a pretty realistic goal.

I started the round with a nice run of pars. But midway through the front nine, I started a run of bogies that lasted 7 straight holes. I was driving well and putting okay, but I kept coming up short on my approaches. I just wasn't hitting many greens in regulation.

I finally broke my run of bogies with an awesome birdie putt on 12. The putt was easily one of my best ever - a 40-50 footer with a horseshoe-shaped downsloping break. It looked like the horseshoe chip shot Tiger made a couple years back when his ball went into the hole with the Nike logo captured nicely on the edge before dropping.

I followed that only birdie for the round with a great drive and long approach to 13 for an easy tap-in par. Breaking 80 was still achievable.

Approaching 16, all I needed was one more par to break 80. On the long par 5 16th, I killed my drive, but duffed 2 shots in a row from the fairway. However, I hit a perfect wedge on my 4th shot to within 2 feet of the pin for a great opportunity to save par. I missed the putt!

I still had 2 more holes to get one more par.

I missed the green on the long 240 yard par 3 17th, but lobbed my 2nd shot to within 5 feet for a makeable par. Another missed putt put me on 18 with my last chance for par.

I continued my streak of great tee shots on 18, but again came up short on my approach. My chip went right by the hole, but a little too far past to expect to make the return putt for par. I missed the putt and ended the round with an even 80.

On the bright side, I did achieve a round free of double or triple bogies - something I've only accomplished now about 6 times! But I failed to set appropriate goals for the round. I started the round with a "result-oriented" goal for breaking 80, and then even expected to do it.

When setting goals for a round, I've learned repeatedly now to avoid making goals tied to results or score. Our goals should be more about how we want to think and how we want to manage the course.

Decide before the round starts how you're going to think, and do it on every shot. When you add up your score at the end of the round, use it as an indicator of how well you achieved your goal for consistent thinking. Your state of mind is a matter of choice. Make a choice to think well and you'll score well.

Labels: Courses, Disciplines, Goals, Morro Bay Golf Course, Rounds