First qualifier of 2012....done!

[Achilles]

And what a day of mixed emotions!!

I had the afternoon off work today for our first mid-week medal of the season. To say I was excited is an understatement! I've been playing pretty solidly of late with lots of practice on my putting, and having had a really good short game lesson with the pro last weekend, I was feeling really confident (but not TOO expectant!).

Arrived at the club just after lunch and my playing partners had already been on the range and had a putt so were eager to get out there. I negotiated a quick practice putt then off we went. I won't bore you with a blow by blow account but the first half of the front 9 was the worst I've played for ages. A 3 putt bogey on the 3rd, a double bogey on our 4th despite a fairway splitting beast of a drive and a triple on the 5th thanks to rushing myself. On the first 6 holes I had 4 putts and a chip that all somehow lipped out after looking destined for the bottom of the cup. Managed to steady the ship and my head on the 9th with a nice par but was out in 48 (+13).

Back 9 was a mostly different story. A 3 putt double bogey from 10ft on our SI 1 10th didn't please me but I played the remaining 8 holes 5 over gross including a birdie 2 on our 18th, leaving me with a very tidy 42 in (+7) and a share of the 2's pot.

So, 90 and level handicap. I should be pleased, which I am mostly. At one point I was thinking I was in for a guaranteed 0.1 but I somehow managed to relax and get on with playing.

My biggest disappointment today was my putting. More 3 putts today than in my last 4 rounds combined, and it was the reason I didn't post a great score. The number of lip outs was very strange. On a different day I could be sat here writing about a new pb. Not sure how much was bad luck but I'd rather avoid that excuse.

On the plus side, it's been a perfect eye-opener as to what I need to do going forward. Obviously lot's more practice with the v-easy, some serious time honing the short game tips from my lesson, and making sure I take my bleeding time on EVERY shot. Roll on the next Medal!!

Thanks for reading! :thup:

 

[Heidi]

lol - too eager to see that ball drop!!

the only thing you are guaranteed when you step on the first tee with a card in hand is a 0.1. Its getting ur head round that fact before you start rather than having to confront it when you have had 9 bad holes is half the battle to medal rounds!

and 0.1 really doesnt hurt!!!

best of luck for the next game

 

[Achilles]

lol - too eager to see that ball drop!!

the only thing you are guaranteed when you step on the first tee with a card in hand is a 0.1. Its getting ur head round that fact before you start rather than having to confront it when you have had 9 bad holes is half the battle to medal rounds!

and 0.1 really doesnt hurt!!!

best of luck for the next game

Too eager full stop, Heidi!

I'm normally very calm before medals but I definitely think I let the excitement get to me this afternoon. Next time will be different...

 

[Heidi]

I'm like you - way too eager in comps then disappoint myself
the first year I played I didnt feel nervous - but the last two years I have messed up many medals and comps cos I have high expectations!

played with the ladies at an away day on sunday - and i could feel the tension in my shoulders, took me 9 holes to get rid of it

I have no idea what the answer is tho!!!

 

[Achilles]

I'm like you - way too eager in comps then disappoint myself
the first year I played I didnt feel nervous - but the last two years I have messed up many medals and comps cos I have high expectations!

played with the ladies at an away day on sunday - and i could feel the tension in my shoulders, took me 9 holes to get rid of it

I have no idea what the answer is tho!!!

Well if you find the answer, feel free to share it!

I used to be terrible when I first started playing. I even got nervous going to the driving range, so you can imagine what a medal tee off felt like!

Last year I was fine, and I learnt to not expect anything. I didn't think I was expecting too much today, but my start would suggest otherwise. Nevermind though, only another 183 hours until the next one. Not that I'm counting....

 

[Hendo007]

Unlicky there, still another couple of weeks till my season gets under way and i begin my assault on single figures. Still two whole weeks away though, boy its been a long winter !!!

 

[Achilles]

Unlicky there, still another couple of weeks till my season gets under way and i begin my assault on single figures. Still two whole weeks away though, boy its been a long winter !!!

Haha, you can say that again! Played in the winter league this year and thought that would tide me over. Nothing quite like going head to head with yourself and the course though! Good luck for this year Hendo!

 

[Hendo007]

Haha, you can say that again! Played in the winter league this year and thought that would tide me over. Nothing quite like going head to head with yourself and the course though! Good luck for this year Hendo!

Cheers, not played much at all during the winter, about 5 games in total i think, something to do with the arrival of my first born at the beginning of sept. Def the best time to have a child ;-) helped me through the winter months no end.

 

[garyinderry]

will be good to be back in competition. ours starts on saturday for the st paddys stableford open off the back sticks. hit a couple of drives today from there and the course is a completely different beast. far longer second shots in and trees where you land the drive. im going to be happy if a can get round within my handicap.

 

[Val]

Our first medal is still a few weeks away! Looking forward to getting started again

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Played Sunday and played like a lemon. I refuse to blame the bad back or the lack of practice and I simply swung the club poorly, wasted too many shots around the green and didn't have my head in the right place. Mo excuses and 0.1 was a certainty from about the 5th.

On the plus side if that was as bad as it gets and nett 78 (+8) is pretty rottent then at least I know I can get it round on other days better and still get close to the buffer so I'm trying to be positive. I played ok yesterday in patches and hopefully the back will be loose enough to hit some balls tomorrow

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

My first competitive round isn't until April 9th so still plenty of time for me to work on my game. All my golf this year will be in open events so pretty much resigned to my handicap going up :-(

Hey ho.....it's only a number.

 

[Slicer30]

My first comp of 2012 is tomorrow.

Like the OP I have taken the day off and cant wait. The greens have been under maintenance this week so preparing myself for the worst. Been a long time since I played midweek so gonna go out and enjoy it no matter what happens. Been reading Bob Rotella's "putting out of your mind", that will definetely be put to the test tomorrow lol.

Have Tin Cup on the V+ box and a carlsberg in my hand. Perfect preparation.