Confidence crash .........

[need_my_wedge]

Two months ago I was playing in the winter league, and playing probably the best golf of my life. I was looking forward to the new season and signing up to competitions knowing that I was good enough to get a few strokes cut from my handicap. However, about 3 weeks ago (long before any comps) something changed. I'm not actually sure what at the moment, but basically, I have lost all semblence of any swing I had. I've been to my teaching pro, and we put it right in a couple of minutes on the range and all feels good again, but when I get to the course it vanishes. Standing over any shot, there's a hundred thoughts going through my head - remember to do this, this, that etc. consequently I'll duff a shot and that's it, I can feel the confidence disappear and my game just deteriorates beyond belief.

I know it's still in there, I know what I'm supposed to do with my swing, but I just don't seem to be able to raise it at the moment, I have no confidence in my shot making. It's so dire, I'm actually thinking about jacking it in.... having just rejoined my club for the year, probably won't do that, but that's how bad it's got. If I didn't know I was a better player than that I wouldn't mind so much, it's knowing that I'm capable of more, yet struggle so badly to achieve it. I need to stop thinking about it so much, and just swing, but it's easier said than done.

 

[Smiffy]

My swing is not brilliant at the best of times.
But if you'd have seen it yesterday you'd have been surpised to find out that I'd ever picked a club up before in my life.
I couldn't wait to get off the course, and the sun was shining!
It will come back.
And go again.
And come back again.
And go again.

That's golf.

 

[Imurg]

That's golf. You know you're good enough, you've just hit a dip in form. Look at the Tour. Every week someone who has been playing really well will miss the cut by a mile. 2 or 3 missed cuts later and they're back playing again.
Last friday I had the makings of a cold and felt a bit bunged up. I'd been scoring 36+ points for weeks before then. I scored 9 on the front 9! I think my balance was out. Going to the short course today not quite so bunged up and expecting good things. It happens, don't get too down on yourself as it'll be harder to pull yourself back up again

You wont play good golf every time you play - some good, some ordinary and some downright dreadful. Take it on the chin and do better next time.

 

[bobmac]

I feel your pain. You love the game, you know you can play well but its slipping away and the hundred thoughts in your head wont help the duff.
As a teacher I ask you, how can I help.
You reply cure my duff.
Striking the ground behind the ball. Clubface not returning to the original position at address.
Weight too much on the back foot, not staying centred over the ball at impact.
Basically, try to turn better and dont sway. And forget everything else until the confidence returns
Good luck

 

[slugger]

need_my_wedge, i feel your pain also. Went through the same thing as you in the last couple of weeks. Before all the bad weather, i was playing the best golf i've played in my short 2 years of the game. Going into my 3rd season and i was scoring low 80s consistently, 2 months off and went back to it a couple of weeks ago feeling like i'd never hit a ball before!

I had a nightmare round last week, but after listening to simple advice on here, a good warm up and stretch before playing, make sure i get my shoulder turn and stay centred over the ball and hey presto... i can hit a ball again.

Played again yesterday, and whilst i was still not brilliant, it was a massive improvement over last weeks efforts! I hit a few duffers, but i also hit a lot of good stuff.

Get practicing again, keep repeating a shot you know you can make at the range and the confidence will come back.

For me, i think we all just need a bit of time to relearn what we've forgotten in the horrible winter we had.

 

[pokerjoke]

My suggestion would be try and get out on your course on your own,early or later when its quiet and play,maybe taking two or three shots from where you lie,try a few things see what works and what doesnt start getting that feeling back with no pressure.The key then is to bank those good shots then repeat when you play,its all about rebuilding your confidence,you can do it good luck.

 

[EaseNgrace]

Im very much in the same boat at the minute, I wrote about my poor Stableford result a couple of weeks ago. What I have yet been too embarassed to mention was my result at the weekend, I shot 104 having played (as you mentionned) as though i'd never picked up a club before. I put mine down to not being used to the extra pressure of competitions, but I had a bounce game today that wasn't much better.
The main thing is to be patient, keep your cool and it will all come good again soon. Chin up mate.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I am going through the same problem. Hit the ball great on the range midweek and played in a pairs event with HTL and he carried us. I let him down big time and couldn't string two decent holes together (or two shots at some points). Providing you have no major swing fault and by the sound of it your teacher hasn't seen anything too untoward if he can get you doing it in a lesson, then it'll pass. You'll suddenly have a great round from nowhere and life will look rosy again.

 

[JustOne]

Two months ago I was playing in the winter league, and playing probably the best golf of my life. I was looking forward to the new season and signing up to competitions knowing that I was good enough to get a few strokes cut from my handicap. However, about 3 weeks ago (long before any comps) something changed. I'm not actually sure what at the moment, but basically, I have lost all semblence of any swing I had. I've been to my teaching pro, and we put it right in a couple of minutes on the range and all feels good again, but when I get to the course it vanishes. Standing over any shot, there's a hundred thoughts going through my head - remember to do this, this, that etc. consequently I'll duff a shot and that's it, I can feel the confidence disappear and my game just deteriorates beyond belief.

I know it's still in there, I know what I'm supposed to do with my swing, but I just don't seem to be able to raise it at the moment, I have no confidence in my shot making. It's so dire, I'm actually thinking about jacking it in.... having just rejoined my club for the year, probably won't do that, but that's how bad it's got. If I didn't know I was a better player than that I wouldn't mind so much, it's knowing that I'm capable of more, yet struggle so badly to achieve it. I need to stop thinking about it so much, and just swing, but it's easier said than done.

What's your h/cap?

 

[need_my_wedge]

Thanks for all the kind words chaps.

My handicap is currently 25, largely due to poor performance in comps. I used to play off 17 before taking a 10 year hiatus, and have been trying to get back after taking the game up again about 2 years ago. Most people I play with are horrified when I tell them 25, especially when I par the first couple of holes , but I always have a couple or three hole stretch mid round that kills my card.

I'm probably putting way too much pressure on myself, knowing I can hit and break 90 when I'm playing well, and getting upset when I don't break 100 in every comp I've entered......

Anyways, back to the range at lunchtime and then a quick 9 holes this evening, will see how it goes.....

 

[need_my_wedge]

Just got the dreaded howdidido email, up to 25.2

 

[need_my_wedge]

Just back from a lesson. He showed me how to hit a ball again with a half swing - which was completely different from the "half swing" I thought I was doing .

Feel much better, and as he said at the end "crisis over" .


Will go and see for real in a couple of hours time.

 

[TRS30]

Wedge, I have been through this too, only last year. Game was in the toilet and nearly packed it all in. However decided I wasn't going to let it beat me and put in couple of months of hard work and got back to where I knew i could be.

One point I would make is to try and not have any swing thoughts when playing in a competition. Focus on your pre shot routine, picking a target and course management. These should be your only thoughts.

 

[FourPutt]

I'm having some jitters myself at the moment. Got a competition today in Hoebridge and it's my first army competition so I don't want to embarrass myself. Went to the range last night to hit a bucket and couldn't hit a thing! *gulp*

Hopefully it's just cause HID decided she would come and watch and it put me off.... or something... Might come back this morning. Wish me luck, I will report back later.

(Sorry to invade the thread!)

 

[need_my_wedge]

What a difference a day makes.........

After my lesson yesterday lunchtime, I went down to my club and played a 9 hole mix up(1,2,3,7,8,9,10,11,18). Shot DB,P,B,P,B,P,B,P,P. Apply my handicap to the the stroke index and I scored 25 points on those 9 holes........

Onwards and upwards.

 

[JustOne]

What a difference a day makes.........

You can't take anything for granted in this game mate that's why we use a h/cap system so that over time your playing abilities have some kind of measure.

Yesterday I could barely hit the ball, tomorrow might be the same or I might hit it great. You take what you have on the day and work on it for next time.

Right now is weird times, the weather has been so bad recently that personally I just want to be on the course playing some golf... whereas I'd be better served standing on the practice ground.....


....maybe next week I'll do that

 

[slugger]

glad it's all sorted out for you

now... just keep it up and get a regular lesson. that's my plan, one lesson every couple of months to make sure nothing bad is creeping back in. then all i need to concentrate on is getting the ball in the hole!

 

[birdieman]

I hit about a 100 balls yesterday for only the second time since mid October. Moving badly, body stiff, no width in takeaway, result ball striking was poor. Weather cold and gloomy which didn't help.
Just got to persevere to improve and therefore gain confidence as season opens for us a week Saturday.
Might hold off a while before competing as game is far from ready!

 

[AuburnWarrior]

Infuriating - the word that best sums up this game!!!

Saturday - I didn't hit one of our par threes - everything was cutting right. I must have played them something like six over par. My confidence in approach play as a result was shot!

All square coming down the last (par 5)......my drive finds some trees - I chop out onto the fairway leaving me 170 yards. Six iron in hand - and absolutely no idea where it's going to go - I hit it to six feet. Why couldn't I do that on the par threes??? I don't think I did anything different and yet something must have clicked.

This game, within the space of 18 holes, can have you laughing and crying.

Stick with it pal - it'll come back and when it does - you'll be laughing......

Until the next time......

 

[Smiffy]

Our 14th is one of my favourite holes on the course. Quite a tight drive from an elevated tee to a fairway flanked by trees, not particularly long but your second shot is played over a small stream to a green that sits up.
Hit a lovely drive down there on Sunday, left myself an easy 8 iron into the green. Perfect lie, (thanks to winter rules), and feeling confident.
One thinned 8 iron, two fatted chips and 3 putts later I walked off with a blob.
Hahahahahaha!!