first ever team appearance - probably last!

[AliB]

Feeling pretty shattered - mentally and physically after playing in the ladies' county 'bronze team challenge' (hcaps over 21) today. Blistering hot day and I was v. nervous on a course I know a bit but not at all well. Started off quite tidy but it didn't last - managed 13 points on front but things went from bad to worse. Got v. hot and somewhat rattled. Deeply ashamed to say I made only 22 overall- you can do the maths. As I only had 15 by the 15th tee I actually thought I showed some character to scrabble 7 more on following holes and finished with a rather classy 18th which got round of applause from audience around green - of course they hadn't seen rest of my card!
Was very shame faced with team-mates although none of them had done well. Only three of four cards counted so mine was quickly ditched.
One interesting point - our opponents had all brought caddies who a) did the donkey work b) provided advice not to mention a bit of coaching - we checked and to our surprise this was allowed. May opponent was v. pleasant but it did feel a bit like 2 against 1!
Otherwise no excuses - was hitting well at start then just lost it in mid-part of course. Putting broke down under pressure. Also need bunker lesson!

Wondered if anyone else had done this badly in a 'public' appearance?
Otherwise thank goodness for the Forum and a chance to lick wounds.Off to collapse in a cool dark place.

AliB

 

[kid2]

Well for a start my hats off to you for making the team...Lots of people dont feel comfortable being watched....Even if its only by the 4 ball in front just calling you through.....I wouldnt give up just yet...You obviously have some talent...Its not everyone that merits a team place....You've gained valuable experience in playing in that sort of athmosphere and it should stand to you again....Take the positives from it and build on them.....Leave the negatives behind you..Whats done is done.....And you scraped some points off the back 9 at least.....It could have been alot worse.

 

[jammydodger]

Cool damp towel on head and glass of wine in hand and you'll be sorted Ali.

These sort of days are all about experience and the more you put yourself in these environments and under pressure the more you'll learn to cope with them and let your golf game flow. You'll know what to expect next time and will be better prepared mentally. I can see that the 2 v 1 thing might have got to you but again if you've never had that situation before then it's something you can think about and prepare for next time.

I play a lot of team golf/County events/Opens etc etc and the mental side of it doesnt bother me anymore. If I play badly then i've just played badly...simple as that.

 

[AliB]

thanks guys
One day on and several degrees cooler and the worst of the memories are fading. I know from old tennis days that you rarely bring your best game to a club match and like you say it's about experience - think it happened to be tough call on first attempt.
Minor positive - (apart from hitting off the tee like a pro) I threw no clubs amd was effusively polite to my companions. (Decided if I couldn't play the game I could at least do the temperament! Or maybe I would have done better to let off steam?)
At the end of the day, it's only a game
(icon needed for manic laughter)

AliB

 

[birdieman]

Good attitude AliB. Frustrating but you just need to be grown up about it. Tension seems to have not helped you but next time you'll be more conditioned to it and know what to expect.

I played a club match fourball a week past Sunday, was worse than awful, my poor partner had to carry me all the way round and we were gubbed 5&3.
On the day I knew I was playing poorly, was shanking a few too but realised there was nothing much I could do about it so just relaxed and enjoyed the day as best I could (it was sunny at least) and like you was friendly and well behaved to our opponents.
Played the last 6 in level par which was too late to affect the match but at least I played my way out of the poor golf a bit to restore some confidence for next time. Some days it just doesn't click, we're not robots after all.

As you say it's just a game and getting worked up about playing poorly doesn't get you anywhere.

 

[AliB]

Cheers birdieman
Agree a few decent holes near the end can put a new complexion on things.
Maybe worst thing was I felt I had brought a decent game. but let a couple of bad holes/situations get to me.
Live and learn! Hoping to get in a few quiet holes later this week to steady the nerves.
AliB

 

[TonyN]

ALI as far as I am aware, u can have someone on the bag in any match.

I took RGDAVE with me to play against ping (against danny willet) and he was excellent! It takes so much pressure off having someone to help out, especially someone who knows your game well!

I'd have someone on my bag in the weekly medal if i could

 

[AliB]

Yeh - now I know! Will check next time.
County events are usually strict on stuff like this - our captain got it wrong/didn't know. Even if we hadn't all had caddies a few supporters would have helped - other teams had guys in buggies going round egging on, bringing drinks etc. (All adding to yours truly feeling like Billy no-mates!)

AliB

 

[AliB]

Hey Tony - - nearly missed that bit of name dropping. Judging by weekend form DW got a lot out of the match - hope you did too!

AliB

 

[TWM]

Deeply ashamed to say I made only 22 overall- you can do the maths.

Well I just managed 22 points this morning in the Tuesday roll-up. No pressure, no excuses, so you need not feel too ashamed.

 

[Leftie]

Well done Ali on making the team. Although you didn't enjoy your own game (by the sound of it) I hope you enjoyed the experience of a team match. It does get easier the more of them you play so do try to get involved in future matches - whether you are playing or able to caddy.

The way I look at it is that it's a day out playing golf, in the fresh air, (usually) in good company, it's great to win but, if you don't, the worst that can happen is that you come second - and, whatever the result, nobody dies

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I agree with the sentiments on here that you should be rightly proud of making the tema initially and on putting up a spirited performace and especially rallying at the end. It does get easier but make sure your captain/organiser gets their finger out and finds out the format and competition rules in advance

 

[CrapHacker]

Wondered if anyone else had done this badly in a 'public' appearance?
AliB

As a junior ( many, many, many moons ago ) we had an inter club match against Shirley Oaks in Croydon.

I'd won at our place ( Coulsdon Court ) on the 15th green, and everyone ( including me ) expected me to lead the charge at their place.

However ...

I lost the first. I was getting a shot, and I was inside his ball after 3 shots. He one putted, I three putted.

Halved the next couple of holes, and then proceeded to lose every single hole. I lost 9 & 7 if memeory serves me correctly.

My skin still squirms with embarrassment. It was only 30 odd years ago, so I'm sure I'll stop getting 'those' dreams soon.