Feel like quitting...

Thanks again- I only knew one guy out of the three I played with, a guy I subcontract to sometimes.
Always has been a bit of a ****...
 
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.

Friday I worked from home and had a choice when I knocked off at 3:30. Shoot down to Luton to a Cobra demo day that I'd been planning on for a while, or run out for 9 holes. At the last minute decided on playing 9. Went out without expectation and ended up shooting some of the best golf I've played all year. Still had a couple of mishaps, but played 12 holes and shot 25 points and went out net 1 under par on the front 9 and was net par on the back 3. It's been a long long time since I was playing like that, I have no idea what I did differently, wasn't even due to playing on my lonesome as I tagged up with some others after 3 holes.

On our 7th I hit one of the best drives I 've ever hit, close to 280 according to my little gps friend. So glad I forewent the demo day and opted for the real thing.

Hopefully it's enough to drag me up from that 4 month trough :)
 
This is my first post and probably not in the right place, but I read your post and I joined the site just to reply.

I can't give you any advice just empathise with you mate.

I feel for you because I am in a very similar position at the moment.

I am playing very badly at the moment and I *really* feel like quitting but there is so much pressure not to. I set up a golf society in work around 4 years ago with the aim of encouraging irregular golfers to get together and play for fun. It is a great success and we have a really nice bunch of lads who play stableford monthly and often socially outside of the Society. I feel quite responsible to them :-)

We even have an annual tour - 4th year this year(16 of us off to Scotland this Thursday for a few days and a couple of games).

My game at the moment is going to pot - everyone else seems to be getting better and better. There are some holes where I simply cannot strike the ball. Seriously, 3 consecutive shots along the ground 20 yards each. It is very very embarassing and I am really not anticipating any game with joy.

I played on Sunday on a pretty straightforward course. I struggled to 12 points out and 14 back - and I know that doesn't sound that bad but believe me it was atrocious golf. The course was very straightforward. I play off 21.

The players I was with scored 42 (21), 39 (22), 34 (26) and 33 (24) respectively and the guy that got 33 is 73 years old!. The brackets are their handicaps.

I did not score on holes 5. 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12. I scored 1 point on 13 and convinced myself that was the only point I would get on the back 9 - my golf was that bad.

I then mentally gave up and apologised prefusely to my playing partner for my bad mood. I promised *promised* myself I would quit after this Tour this week (we are playing Gullane as one of the courses and I am terrified, the way my game is at the moment).

Of course what happens after I 'gave up'? - I then proceeded to gross bogie, gross bogie, gross par and gross birdie the last four holes (with the birdie going in from a bunker).

I just don't know what to do - I really don't. I was getting better gradually but as I say I play off 21 and I haven't scored more than 31 points this year or better than a gross 96 in, what, lets say 15 games.

Last year and the year before I was in the high 80's a few times but more often within a couple of shots of my handicap. I came down from 23 to 20.2 (helped by a couple of big scores).

All I can say that if this is a 'trough' it's the Mariana Trench!

I think I am trying to quit because 1) I am embarassed 2) my handicap is going backwards and 3) I never have any positive thoughts anymore before or during a game and 4) everyone is talking about it and every man, dog and passerby seems to want to give me advice at the moment when all I really want them to do is not focus on my golf at all.

I have a determination that if I play badly in Scotland (and I mean 2 rounds of less than say 25 points each) I swear, really swear, I will pack it in for a year.

Watch this space :-)

Keep your chin up :D

Steve
 
We play golf for fun.

If it ain't fun, why play ? No need to quit, just don't set foot on a course until you can't stand not to. It'll be quicker than you think, I'll bet.

As for playing through a trough ? I'm probably not the best to suggest a solution, but I'd get down the range and just work on a 3W off the tee, 5I, 7I and 9I off the deck, with wedges and putting thrown in.

Don't worry about distance, take a standard width stance, and just use a 3/4 swing. Work on balance and tempo.

On the course, just use this half set and don't think in terms of hitting greens and scoring points, just enjoy the walk, and bonk the ball about a bit. On shortish par 4s, ( EG 350 yards ) dont be afraid to take 5I off the tee, ( say about 140yds with your 3/4 swing ? ) then a 7I ( maybe 120ish ? ) to leave a gentle wedge and 2 putts.

Gradually, as your game gets back to normal, reintroduce more clubs.
 
I have an advantage in that my course is attractive and has lots of 'nature' on view all the time, so when I'm 'off' it's half sets, (odds, evens or mixed up), enjoy the walk and try odd combinations. The results can be startling at times, 240 yd 3-iron, 40 ft putt - with a hybrid!. Even if they rarely hold up for long, they can be hugely enjoyable at the time.
 
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