Beginners Nerves

[GB72]

Up until now I have been quite happy playing with various off my mates, all of whom are of a similar standard. Having now joined a new club I feel it is time to go out and meet other members, pick up a game where I can and get to know the invovled in the club.

Problem is, I still have days where I forget how to hit a golf ball. I am not talking the odd slice here but for some unknown reason and totally out of nowhere, every shot is fat or thinned, the fairly reliable driver starts to slice again and every pitch is topped across the green like a missile. I tend to get more self conscious after each bad shot and it takes an eterntity to get back on track.

Anyway, does everyone have days like these or do I need to get back on the range? If everyone is prone to days like these, what do you do to calm yourself down, focus and get the swing working again?

 

[madandra]

Problem is, I still have days where I forget how to hit a golf ball.

I think EVERY golfer of ALL LEVELS has days like this. I am sitting here looking forward to Friday at Blairgowrie and also dreading it at the same time. I have days where a club feels like a sledge hammer in my hands. You just have to concentrate on the shot you are playing.

 

[Marko77]

Echo what madandra is saying.

Just have to keep focus on your game and not worry what others may be thinking.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It doesn't matter who you are playing with I guarantee every one of them will play at least one shot that makes them look like a complete beginner.

The secret is not to get too stressed about hitting bad shots. If you do there is nothing worse than playing with someone who then proceeds to swear and cuss all the way to where the ball landed or worse still with someone who chucks his clubs.

If your game disintergrates (mine does on a regular basis at the moment) don't go looking for excuses or something/someone to blame. Have a little humility and accept that you are having "a bad day at the office"

If you don't expect too much you might find yourself pleasantly surprised

 

[Parmo]

Most days

I think everyone has days like that, I have walked off after spending all week thinking about playing only to slice, top or push every shot once there.

I have played with two low handicapers before and nothing went right until the last hole, about 250 yards straight fairway except midway down the fairway there are two sets of trees and a gap of about 15 yards to get through, otherwise its in the woods! I totally wasnt bothered anymore and hit the sweetest drive with a slight draw down the fairway, with a 20 yard chip and run leaving a 3 inch put for the birdie... I took the hole

 

[medwayjon]

I have had very bad days but at my level of golf this is only to be expected, all you can do is keep your chin up because things do become better.

I played once and was having an appalling time, then on a short par4 of 261yds the drive rolled upto the fring of the green, a chip with a 5I and putt left me with a birdie, I was absolutely ecstatic as to golfers of my standard a birdie is like winning a the lottery. God only knows what the celebration would have been like if I had holed out the chip for eagle!

 

[AliB]

GB
Try not to get stressed (easier said than done). Remember that the more often you play with new people, the less that will be an issue. Not that you won;t still have bad days, but you'll feel less self-conscious as you get up on the tee and get less flustered - the more you do it the less you'll worry (and you'll have seen how it happens to the others as well!)
Also echo the point that however awful your golf is, try not to have a strop and spoil the round for others - their turn will come!
AliB

 

[billyg]

Play the percentages to start with.

Stick with the clubs you trust.

Play well within yourself both in power and landing targets.

Give yourself a break.

I had to play a round with a captain and he muffed a couple. It happens- be surprised if anyone bats an eyelid as it's a well accepted hazard.

If you're going round ok then muff one up deliberately. It's what they'll expect and they'll probably be more unnerved if you don't.

Have fun.

 

[viscount17]

Never deliberately muff one; just wait, one will come along.

It will probably be the first time that it's your honour but if you get to that point you're probably playing well so relax and enjoy it.

 

[ForeLeft]

Could not agree more with the previous posts.

I have only been playing for 18 months and still play each hole as a unique hole, in other words a mini matchplay with myself (sounds mad but you get the point). That way a poor hole I can blank out and not let it affect the next hole/shot.

Works for me.

 

[GB72]

Thanks for the advice. Have a game set up for Saturday morning with my brother (who is a member at my club and a decent golfer) and a group of his mates. All except my brother are total strangers to me. Will take all of the advice on board and see how it goes.

 

[viscount17]

Have a good one Greg. Just make sure you beat your brother!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Let us know the outcome

 

[TonyN]

This post is what my golf has all been about the last few weeks. Feel like a robot chicken when am swinging. Best thing i find though when ya club feels like 'a sledge hammer' is just take 2 or 3 clubs out the bag and swing them for a minute, loosens you up and when you swing 1 club again it feels like a plastic one, dead light!