Feel like quitting...

[Teeshot]

Morning Forum!
I recently joined a new club, but due to work commitments and other golf hindering moments of life have only played once there in 3 months...
I feel like I'd not been improving for quite a while so it was with trepidation I agreed to play in a charity event.
The format was that we went out as a 4ball, scoring stableford and that the two best scores would be submitted.
With this in mind I thought "pressure off" as should I play below par so to speak, the others would carry me.
Not really conduicive to competetive play I suppose.
Well I have never, ever played so bad in all my life.
We all had to play off a 24 handicap even though I am a 28 (or should that be 58!) and by the turn I had scored a massive 1 point...

Never having played stableford before, I was assured by one of my playing partners (amongst much sniggering) It was the worst score he'd ever seen.
I took it all in good grace, I was playing so badly it did have comedy elements but even after the round (I scored 8 on the back nine making a massive 9 total )they were all content to keep going on about it- it got quite boring really.
Highlight of the day was at least I hit the longest drive of us all, paced out to 285 yards!

I don't understand where I went wrong- I played a lot over winter and was shooting 21 over par at my best, but think the pressure of playing in front of others makes my game go to pieces.
I feel like packing it in and don't quite know how to "get back on the track".
Any advice?
I know I haven't played much this year (3 times?) but this was ridiculous!!!

 

[ColinR]

I think you need to play a few rounds with people you know well and could safely call friends, this may help get your confidence back up.

Also, try a few solo sessions in the evenings if you can. I often do this if I feel my game is off. It gives you the chance to throw a few balls down and practice under no pressure.

Good luck.

 

[Doh]

Dont give up we all go through bad times i know you say that you have not got the time to go out and play due to other commitments, but how about spending an hour at a time practicing at you club?

I can remember the very first time i played a round of golf it was in a charity event, i had never picked up a club before.

They made me play off 18, i didnt even know what that ment at the time, well i to scored 1 point.

Didn't bother me one bit just know i enjoyed myself and was hooked on golf from then on.

 

[Dougie]

Keep the chin up mate.

I'm sure I can speak for most people when I say that we've all had these sort of shocking rounds when playing with people we've never met before.

Don't let it get you down, put it down to experience.

 

[janmolby]

Teeshot, don't give up even though I can imagine how you feel as it will give you great pleasure to go around with the same people in the future & be getting 30 points or more. Lets be honest, if they're 24 handicappers they're not exactly playing to tiger woods standard themselves.

I'm a 25 handicap & have been playing regularly since February & I think 12 points is the most I've ever got on our back 9, I usually get mid to high teens on the front 9. My point is the 8 points you got on the back 9 isn't as bad as you think it is, it's easy for people who've been playing regularly for years to laugh at you but they were in the same position themselves at some stage.

You need to get to the driving range or practice area a few times, head out by yourself or probably even better head out with people who're a bit more sympathetic to your situation.

Last week I was out playing with a lad from work & we were joined by a 3 handicapper, I was bricking it on the first due to playing with someone with such a low handicap however half way round I realised he wasn't playing all that great & I actually had a lot more points than he did, he left after 13 holes as he was playing crap.

 

[jeffc]

Teeshot have been through the exact same thing. I found playing "within myself" say 75% instead of on the edge is the best way to do it, and the ball actually goes further and straighter, I suppose Bob Roterro calls it believing in your swing.
I think Tony N had a similar experience on another post recently when he took a break (which was enforced)but came back much fresher and better.
Play within your ability and strength and it comes, I believe this is why it looks so easy for pros, basically because they are not on the edge

 

[AlexanderAdair]

Yeah, sorry to hear it went so bad mate. All i can safely say is we've all had those days where nothing goes right. As previously mentioned, Go out for a few rounds with some friends. Once you start playing more regularly the scores will start to come. Keep the chin up. Ally.

 

[Imurg]

Not good of your playing partners to laugh. Bad form. Should commiserate! Anyway keep on with it. We all hit great shots form time to time even when we're playing badly.
Btw I played in a compant day once with a guy who score Nil points!!! And with a guy in a club compy who came home with 3. So 9 ain't that bad!!

 

[TWM]

Cheer up Teeshot, we have all had rounds like these. I started back in the 1960s when, to get a handicap, we had to play in the medal rounds. I carded a magnificent 148.
I continued to play and eventually broke 100 by using only irons. The game got a little easier after that. Pity it's such rubbish now.

 

[Adrena1in]

I think it's bad form for anyone but a good friend to laugh and joke about someone's bad game.

The most enjoyable games I've had lately have been when I'm playing with one other person, who's game is very like mine. If it's possible to find a playing partner like that then it makes the game more bearable when things aren't going well.

 

[minty18]

Teeshot, stay with it mate.

A year or so ago I was having a shocker, never thought I'd get down from my 28 handicap. I took a couple of weeks away from the game, came back with a new attitude and got my head down, now i'm averaging 90 every round, something that I thought would never be possible.

I would say your best bet would be to practise and play in as many comps with different people as possible, it'll only make you better in the long run i promise you that.

 

[need_my_wedge]

I know exactly where you're at at the moment. I was shooting around and breaking 90 at the end of last year, so was really depressed when I couldn't get a decent card in and got assigned a 26 handicap. Worst of it is, am currently play way above that, struggling to go round under 110 at times !!!! only shot 3 holes under 7 at the weekend!! Scoring between 19 - 23 points at the moment.

I know, and my friends know that I can play much better, just seem to be stuck in a rut that I can't climb out of at the moment, been down here for about 4 months now. Keep plugging on, it will improve, I'll be having another lesson next week, so hopefully can figure out where I'm going wrong for a bit.

 

[Midnight]

Mate,

know what you mean, for the past month I have not been able to hit my irons and have been playing to about 36 rather than the 24 h/c, felt like sacking it but I have decided to continue as this game should be fun. Yes it's frustrating but again most of us joined for the fun and that one shot that brings you back. My advice for what it is worth is would be to get a lesson and then practice , practice, practice.
Good luck and don't give in , I believe most of us have been in this position.

Cheers

Midnight...

 

[jeffc]

Mate,

know what you mean, for the past month I have not been able to hit my irons and have been playing to about 36 rather than the 24 h/c, felt like sacking it but I have decided to continue as this game should be fun. Yes it's frustrating but again most of us joined for the fun and that one shot that brings you back. My advice for what it is worth is would be to get a lesson and then practice , practice, practice.
Good luck and don't give in , I believe most of us have been in this position.

Cheers

Midnight...

yes practise but as i said in my earlier post practising playing within yourself, IMO "grip it and rip it" is the worst thing to do when you're down

 

[Teeshot]

Thanks for all the replies guys- I WON'T be quitting just yet!
I'm glad Imurg has seen worse than I played- I wouldn't have thought it possible!!!
Was in a bad frame of mind on the day too- I have two Grandparents with terminal cancer and have felt better to be honest.
Still, I do love the game and that one magnificent drive cheered me up.
It certainly shut one of them up as he was peacocking about on the tee.

 

[centuryg5]

Keep going fella,guy in our club recently had 3 h/cap cards in.142,150,148.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Its all about that one good shot. Its all this fickle mistress needs to feed our ego and make us come back for more. I had a mate, one of my regular partners who went out in something like 8 in a recent stableford competition and he plays every week so there is hope for you.

Put it down to a bad day, forget all about it and any ideas of quitting and just go out next time with a fresh optimism and take each shot as it comes. At the end of the day on the front nine at least the only way is up

 

[Parmo]

I think sometimes its tougher for club golfers compared to nomads or people who base their handicaps on online score software products. Anyone can play with mates and feel at ease but its not a patch on competitive golf with strangers with your hcp at stake.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I know where you are coming from Parmo. Nothing gets the buttocks clenched like teeing up at your home course in front of a number of forum members and GM staff and everyone expecting you to hit it well and nothing wants to move as you stand over it.

 

[callawayjon]

Don't give up mate! There is not one golfer on here who has not had the horrors and played some utter rubbish in their time! Anyone who tells you different is a fibber! An hours practice here and there when you can manage it will make all the difference. No-one play's so well when they're not out there regular!
Chin up, and when you hit some form go and play your 'so called mates' for a few bob and send them home skint!