Dreaded medal card

[Toad]

I have played really well in bounce games all year, but as soon as I enter a medal my scores creep up, as a result I have only broken par twice this year in medal rounds.


Just wondering if anyone has suffered from this problem before and if they have any tips that can help me.

 

[birdieman]

Tips - course manage better and play the percentages - if you can only make a shot once in 5 times then do not attempt it during a medal round - lay up instead etc.
Rough - take your medicine and get it back on the fairway where it's close to you and do not try to move it 150 yards forward. A 5 is better than a 7!
Most importantly get some perspective - it's not the British Open, so relax between shots, chat to your partners but focus on each shot. Enjoy it.
When you are over the ball pre-shot if you have any niggling doubts or something just doesn't feel right, back off and start the pre-shot routine again.
Experience - get as much as you can, play Opens etc and you'll get more used to it, the more competitive golf you play the better you're scoring will get.
p.s. one other tip - good golfers tend to go out very early in medals for better greens, less hold ups etc so get your name in early - if you play with people better than you it generally brings you on and you can learn from them, similarly if you're out with hackers they will generally bring you down to their level.

 

[RGuk]

Hi Toady, do you have problems with the odd disaster hole or simply not making enough pars/bogeys (depending on your h'cap).

I'm not too hot on "every shot counts" medal at the moment, but before I quit (5-6 years ago) I was really consistent at playing boring golf. Frequently made only par and bogeys (at worse) and I think this was down to course management and the ability to scramble a bogey out of a poor situation. Whatever the reasons were, I guess it would be fair to say that I was getting down in 3 shots from all over the park. Needed a pin sharp short game when I missed the greens.

What is the weakness for you? Do you get in major grief off the tee or hit wayward shots now and again that cost you more than 1 extra shot?

Dave

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Its not really the time of year to get to hung up on scoring well. The rough is wet (less distance and harder to get out of) the bunkers are wet, less run on the ball and the greens are generally bumpy and hard to putt

Concentrate more on trying to hit more fairways even if that means using a 3 wood or even an iron. Play the percentages as the other wise sages have mentioned and try and enjoy it.

You may find it more beneficial to spend the winter working hard on your short game so come the better weather next year you can get out of the blocks early for the new season (once greens are cut and better to putt on).

Personally I am taking a break from medals (still playing stablefords to kep my competitive edge) but using the winter to work on my swing so I can trust it 100% in oressure situations but particularly working on putting and chipping plus those awkward shots 60 yards and closer

 

[RGuk]

Was your reply for me or Toad?

I'm using the winter season to seriously groove my swing.

Dave

 

[MVP]

........ as a result I have only broken par twice this year in medal rounds.

Dunno what he's worrying about ....????

 

[birdieman]

........ as a result I have only broken par twice this year in medal rounds.

Dunno what he's worrying about ....????

pretty sure he means net par, not gross par!

 

[Toad]

Hi thanks for all the advice.
Generally all goes wrong in the middle of the round.
I start and finish ok but for 5 holes in middle my game is unrecognisable.
Agree most likely mental problem now as I'm expecting it to go wrong and it then does.

Birdieman is right only broken nett par twice in medals all year.