Golf can be so frustrating!

[Airlie_Andy]

Ok so I've only been playing golf seriously for about 6 months. Got my first handicap through a couple of weeks ago and despite playing rubbish it came through as 16. Played in a medal the next week and had a nightmare, went round in 3 figures which included a 12 on one hole. Last week I played in my first Stableford and scored a grant total of 25 points! Now I've been off work this week so decided to play a couple of practice rounds, played on Tuesday and shot an 81 (par 70) then today I shot a 77 and played the back 9 in level par and even lipped out a putt on the 18th to come back in 1 under. How is this even possible? Am I just rubbish under pressure?

 

[philly169]

it happens to everyone, the more you play the calmer you'll get... baring in mind youve only been playing seriously for 6 months i think your doing well. Don't put yourself down.

 

[Marko77]

Ok so I've only been playing golf seriously for about 6 months. Got my first handicap through a couple of weeks ago and despite playing rubbish it came through as 16. Played in a medal the next week and had a nightmare, went round in 3 figures which included a 12 on one hole. Last week I played in my first Stableford and scored a grant total of 25 points! Now I've been off work this week so decided to play a couple of practice rounds, played on Tuesday and shot an 81 (par 70) then today I shot a 77 and played the back 9 in level par and even lipped out a putt on the 18th to come back in 1 under. How is this even possible? Am I just rubbish under pressure?

Good shooting in your practice rounds. Especially considering length of time playing. What was your mindset in these rounds compared to when your playing in the comps.

I know it's never the same playing comps as when out on your own but if you can start getting yourself feeling the same way when standing over the ball it can only help.

 

[pbrown7582]

Good play keeping trying in those comps it will come!

 

[Airlie_Andy]

Good shooting in your practice rounds. Especially considering length of time playing. What was your mindset in these rounds compared to when your playing in the comps.

I know it's never the same playing comps as when out on your own but if you can start getting yourself feeling the same way when standing over the ball it can only help.

In the practice rounds I was taking 3 wood off the tee rather than driver and keeping the ball in play more often which helped and I was really taking my time over putts and didn't 3 putt once. I think I've been rushing things when playing with people I dont know and racing a lot of putts past the hole for instance. Think I just need to try and slow things down a touch and not worry so much about holding the group up for a few extra seconds. Not that I want to play really slowly or anything like that.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Its always hard playing with strangers. No-one wants to embarrass themselves but you have to play your own game. Providing you aren't Robert Rock slow, take your time and do the things you would normally do in a practice round not what you think you should be doing. If that means 3 wood instead of driver then hit it. No shame in that.

The things with medal in particular is there is no hiding place. You need to try and keep it in play off the tee and take your punishment when you don't. The thing is the more you play in comps the more comfortable you'll feel. That said standing there with a GM photographer, loads of forum members and on a course you don't know is always squeaky bum time as you'll find out if you come to a forum meet

 

[Airlie_Andy]

Its always hard playing with strangers. No-one wants to embarrass themselves but you have to play your own game. Providing you aren't Robert Rock slow, take your time and do the things you would normally do in a practice round not what you think you should be doing. If that means 3 wood instead of driver then hit it. No shame in that.

The things with medal in particular is there is no hiding place. You need to try and keep it in play off the tee and take your punishment when you don't. The thing is the more you play in comps the more comfortable you'll feel. That said standing there with a GM photographer, loads of forum members and on a course you don't know is always squeaky bum time as you'll find out if you come to a forum meet

That's good advice thanks. I've inadvertently ended up taking up a spare place on the captains away day tomorrow at Moortown golf club in Leeds. So if I can make it through that it should be good experience but I'm pretty sure it will be squeaky bum time on the first tee.