Do you cope well mentally with a bad start?

[Imurg]

I try to simply play each hole as it comes. I'm trying to make a par and will do my best to make it happen.
If it doesn't then I note down my score and move on.
Dwelling on a bad hole/shot is deadly.
If I get to the turn and the card is already in ruins then I'll still try to make pars at each hole, playing the shot that's required.
Jack or Arnie once said that in order to win at golf you first have to learn how to lose because you do it more often.
Knowing that it's not your day but your day will come is important.

 

[Foxholer]

At an earlier club Double, Double would only be 2 of points lost with a not difficult 3-point for par next. So not disaster.

My 'degradation' approach has always been: to win the comp; to make/beat 36 points; score 2 on 15; 6+ points on the last 3 holes! That way there is always an incentive when each higher goal collapses!

 

[connor]

That sounds like a standard start to me. I struggle when I par the 1st hole always have a bad round

 

[JustOne]

psych yourself up......

Then start double bogie, double bogie

Eh??? ...............for Smiffy that's a GOOD start!!!

 

[Jdb2005]

Bad starts break me straight away, I can't seem to forget it if Ive had a bad start within the 1st 3 holes, unlike my friend who started playing at the same time, we are both as good as each other but he simply plays better after a bad start, and to me that's why he's 2 shots better than me! Something else to work con though

 

[JustOne]

I don't really care.. I just roll with it and smoke as many fags as I can... perhaps that's why I play so crap and it's nothing to do with my injuries whatsoever :angry:

Knocked it round 9 holes today, wasn't pretty (+4)

Par5 1st hole TYPICALLY (because I'm crap) I hit the feckin' oak tree that blocks the left side of the fairway at about 220yds, hit 7-iron to lay up.. hit wedge to the fringe and putted it in for birdie 4

Even thinking one hole at a time is far too complicated for me.. I never really know where I stand, who's winning... whether or not a putt is important... I just kinda hit the ball

 

[Achilles]

It used to get to me but I now tend to relax a bit and enjoy the challenge of trying to recover. A few pars can normally salvage things, but if I'm having a real shocker then I'm happy to take it on the chin and accept today is not my day. Approaching competition rounds with no expectations is my plan and it worked well towards the end of last year. I had a terrible start to one round last year, smiled and thought I'd concentrate on enjoying the company and the weather. Fully expecting a 0.1 after the front 9, I went on a good run on the back 9 and ended up in the buffer. Had I tried to force it I'm pretty sure I would have got the 0.1 and been in a foul mood after. Relaxing does wonders for my game.

 

[garyinderry]

At an earlier club Double, Double would only be 2 of points lost with a not difficult 3-point for par next. So not disaster.

My 'degradation' approach has always been: to win the comp; to make/beat 36 points; score 2 on 15; 6+ points on the last 3 holes! That way there is always an incentive when each higher goal collapses!

yeah thats exactly what you can do. theres always something to aim for in a round no matter how bad it gets.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Double, double isn't the end of the world. Our opening four holes are pretty tricky in their own way and so I think walking off after those with 8 points or more is a real bonus. Come off with 5-6 and with an easy par 5 next it isn't the end of the world

I have had rounds where I've used my shots on the front nine, rallied and nearly hit the buffer. I've had front nines where I've melted like a chocolate tea pot after hitting it great in warm up and then come home under a full canvass. I've also had nines where I've been a couple over and lost the plot like McIlroy at Augusta. In the old days a few bad holes and the swing thoughts would be rattling through my head, I'd be stressed and tried harder.

These days of the glass half full Homer if it happens its 0.1 back and so what. No-one got hurt and as long as there are some good shots to take away from the day, consign it to history and try again next week.

 

[Tommo21]

Sometimes it's easier if you start bad as you think oh well, let's just play no pressure. I won a medal where I started the 1st 4 over, topped off the tee, second into the pond, duffed chip and a few putts for 8.. Oh well I though, proceeded to hit a stormer and finished level handicap.. Won on count back. Yay.

I get more determined.....Started with a four over 8 and still shot 79. In medal play you have to stay cool after that start.