I played today and..(Rolling) -originally created by JohnnyDee

[Orikoru]

You do know that golf, at our level is a hobby and meant to be fun and relaxing (to a point). Maybe you are too uptight with too many thoughts going on in your head and this is what is holding you back. Try and go out without scoring and try and relax a bit more, maybe scores and technique will improve without you trying to force things.

And you should know that not everyone's brain is going to work the same way. Part of the fun for me is trying to make the best score I can, so if you take that element away, it is slightly less fun. I'm competitive, always challenging myself and I can't just turn that off like a switch. Even at the driving range, I never used to bother going until I discovered Trackman ranges where you can play a virtual course and get a score - just hitting balls without purpose or meaning is boring.

I don't even know if it would be possible for me to play without 'scoring' to some degree. I would know in my head if I made a par, bogey or double regardless.

 

[Neilds]

And you should know that not everyone's brain is going to work the same way. Part of the fun for me is trying to make the best score I can, so if you take that element away, it is slightly less fun. I'm competitive, always challenging myself and I can't just turn that off like a switch. Even at the driving range, I never used to bother going until I discovered Trackman ranges where you can play a virtual course and get a score - just hitting balls without purpose or meaning is boring.

I don't even know if it would be possible for me to play without 'scoring' to some degree. I would know in my head if I made a par, bogey or double regardless.

Sorry for trying to help.

 

[clubchamp98]

Here's a "practice game" for you to try -play two balls at every shot, first time out, pick the worst one of each shot and play from there. Next time out, play two balls at every shot, pick the better one of each and play from there. Compare the two scores. Hopefully the one with the worst ball will get closer and closer to the score with the better ball. We called it the "Hogan game". Doing this over nine holes is sufficient.

Do clubs allow two balls every shot?

We can hit two off the tee but not into the green.
Not on par threes.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

And you should know that not everyone's brain is going to work the same way. Part of the fun for me is trying to make the best score I can, so if you take that element away, it is slightly less fun. I'm competitive, always challenging myself and I can't just turn that off like a switch. Even at the driving range, I never used to bother going until I discovered Trackman ranges where you can play a virtual course and get a score - just hitting balls without purpose or meaning is boring.

I don't even know if it would be possible for me to play without 'scoring' to some degree. I would know in my head if I made a par, bogey or double regardless.

Why not change the way you score then in practice rounds.. Score to par doesn't have to be the only way to play, you could play a points based game, + points for fairways and greens hit it reg, subtract points for those missed, + points for chips within a certain range from the hole, up and downs etc. Keep a running tally of those things in your practice rounds and aim to beat those scores each time, I reckon your game would come on even more that way rather than the constant pressure to shoot numbers against par thus creating more pressure on all areas of your game.

There's a lot more ways to be competitive on a golf course than just aiming for score against par, especially when practicing and trying to improve. Less pressure style of practice will help you feel more at ease and invariably will lead to better scoring when it comes to actual strokeplay or stableford, I've seen it a lot over the years if you put in different variables and methods the outcomes improve everywhere..

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Do clubs allow two balls every shot?

We can hit two off the tee but not into the green.
Not on par threes.

I've never played at a club or seen one that doesn't allow it. If you're a one ball and holding nobody up where's the issue, no different to two, three or ball ball hitting to the same green as long as you repair pitch marks..

 

[clubchamp98]

I've never played at a club or seen one that doesn't allow it. If you're a one ball and holding nobody up where's the issue, no different to two, three or ball ball hitting to the same green as long as you repair pitch marks..

It’s a hard and fast rule at mine.
It’s strictly enforced with a threat to throw you out the club.

 

[jim8flog]

Do clubs allow two balls every shot?

We can hit two off the tee but not into the green.
Not on par threes.

We allow a single player to play two balls - one ball against the other so they keep the right pace of play with other players.

 

[jim8flog]

I managed a 9 hole round yesterday. Just a few to go before deciding on what type of membership to have next. Hoping I do not have to give up the game altogether.

I was pleased in that the only ball I lost was some random ball I had picked up and in an attempt to go over the trees on a dog leg hole, got the height but not the distance so it probably finished in the river.

 

[Voyager EMH]

And you should know that not everyone's brain is going to work the same way. Part of the fun for me is trying to make the best score I can, so if you take that element away, it is slightly less fun. I'm competitive, always challenging myself and I can't just turn that off like a switch. Even at the driving range, I never used to bother going until I discovered Trackman ranges where you can play a virtual course and get a score - just hitting balls without purpose or meaning is boring.

I don't even know if it would be possible for me to play without 'scoring' to some degree. I would know in my head if I made a par, bogey or double regardless.

I'm very similar.
I struggle (for personal meaning) with the notion of "fun" when playing golf.
In order to play each shot as best I can, I feel that I am taking each shot seriously. This is not something that is fun, to me. It is endeavouring to make the best of one's ability.
The walking along and chatting can be entertaining, but that is not the playing of golf shots.
Neither is the 4 hours relaxing. I'm feeling the strain a bit after each game with my advancing years.
"Relaxing" is done in my armchair at home.
My early years were spent trying to improve and I've never really altered that approach to the playing of shots.
This is why I continue to find the game "compelling" and have never changed from looking forward to the next game and enjoying the competitive aspect.
Even if playing on my own, I give myself some format against the course.

 

[Orikoru]

Do clubs allow two balls every shot?

We can hit two off the tee but not into the green.
Not on par threes.

It was 4:45 on a Tuesday night and the course was completely empty. Pro Shop was locked up for the day. So not really an issue.

---

Why not change the way you score then in practice rounds.. Score to par doesn't have to be the only way to play, you could play a points based game, + points for fairways and greens hit it reg, subtract points for those missed, + points for chips within a certain range from the hole, up and downs etc. Keep a running tally of those things in your practice rounds and aim to beat those scores each time, I reckon your game would come on even more that way rather than the constant pressure to shoot numbers against par thus creating more pressure on all areas of your game.

There's a lot more ways to be competitive on a golf course than just aiming for score against par, especially when practicing and trying to improve. Less pressure style of practice will help you feel more at ease and invariably will lead to better scoring when it comes to actual strokeplay or stableford, I've seen it a lot over the years if you put in different variables and methods the outcomes improve everywhere..

I know I catastrophise on here, but really I was hitting extra ball for practice, particularly around the greens, I just kept a score on the main ball as a point of interest really, as I say, it keeps me mind focused and keeps me taking it somewhat seriously. I'm not too worried about my driving really, that's been decent for a while as I've hit 67%+ fairways in every round this year so far. Greens in reg I have a target to hit over 38%, but I've been bouncing around between 20s and 30s %-wise on that. So these are things I keep tabs on already.

 

[clubchamp98]

Time is irrelevant it’s a hard and fast rule at ours.

You can’t play two balls into a green .

Might be a local thing as my last club was the same.

 

[Orikoru]

I'm very similar.
I struggle (for personal meaning) with the notion of "fun" when playing golf.
In order to play each shot as best I can, I feel that I am taking each shot seriously. This is not something that is fun, to me. It is endeavouring to make the best of one's ability.
The walking along and chatting can be entertaining, but that is not the playing of golf shots.
Neither is the 4 hours relaxing. I'm feeling the strain a bit after each game with my advancing years.
"Relaxing" is done in my armchair at home.
My early years were spent trying to improve and I've never really altered that approach to the playing of shots.
This is why I continue to find the game "compelling" and have never changed from looking forward to the next game and enjoying the competitive aspect.
Even if playing on my own, I give myself some format against the course.

Yeah - I do find it fun or I wouldn't bother playing, but the challenge of making the best score is such an intrinsic part of that that I don't think I can separate it. I would agree that 'relaxing' is not really a word I would use to describe golf. I'd go more towards 'challenging'.

 

[LincolnShep]

I can't play without scoring, I can't take it seriously as every shot feel meaningless.

I'm exactly the same. If I play on my own, or even go to the range, I hit sh*t shot after sh*t shot. I need to be trying to win something (even if it's just a coffee) in order to focus.

 

[Orikoru]

Time is irrelevant it’s a hard and fast rule at ours.

You can’t play two balls into a green .

Might be a local thing as my last club was the same.

My point was more who the hell would even know? Nobody was there. I don't think we have any such rule that I'm aware of anyway.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

It’s a hard and fast rule at mine.
It’s strictly enforced with a threat to throw you out the club.

Thrown out for playing an extra ball as a single in practice.. Sounds like a fun place
Genuinely can't see how that is different from a 2 ball playing, same number of balls and pitchmarks. As long as you repair it and don't hold up play I can't see an issue, seems extremely archaic and absolutely something I would push the boundary on and test.

It was 4:45 on a Tuesday night and the course was completely empty. Pro Shop was locked up for the day. So not really an issue.

---

I know I catastrophise on here, but really I was hitting extra ball for practice, particularly around the greens, I just kept a score on the main ball as a point of interest really, as I say, it keeps me mind focused and keeps me taking it somewhat seriously. I'm not too worried about my driving really, that's been decent for a while as I've hit 67%+ fairways in every round this year so far. Greens in reg I have a target to hit over 38%, but I've been bouncing around between 20s and 30s %-wise on that. So these are things I keep tabs on already.

IF that's what's fun for you and only way you can play it then fair play, was just trying to give other ideas of making it fun and more beneficial to your practice. Personally I don't care what the score is if I'm just practicing as the goal is to improve the specific thing I'm working on not the score. But we're all different and that is what makes it interesting.

My point was more who the hell would even know? Nobody was there. I don't think we have any such rule that I'm aware of anyway.

My thoughts exactly the only one who would know is yourself or maybe if another member saw you and reported you for it. That then makes them an incredibly sad individual and does nobody any good .

 

[irip]

Thrown out for playing an extra ball as a single in practice.. Sounds like a fun place
Genuinely can't see how that is different from a 2 ball playing, same number of balls and pitchmarks. As long as you repair it and don't hold up play I can't see an issue, seems extremely archaic and absolutely something I would push the boundary on and test.

IF that's what's fun for you and only way you can play it then fair play, was just trying to give other ideas of making it fun and more beneficial to your practice. Personally I don't care what the score is if I'm just practicing as the goal is to improve the specific thing I'm working on not the score. But we're all different and that is what makes it interesting.

My thoughts exactly the only one who would know is yourself or maybe if another member saw you and reported you for it. That then makes them an incredibly sad individual and does nobody any good .

I’m considering calling his club and telling them myself.
I’m not even a member there.
Maybe I’ll go via the crime stoppers route, is there a reward if a conviction is obtained with my evidence?

 

[D-S]

I can't play without scoring, I can't take it seriously as every shot feel meaningless.


I did hit two or three chips when around the greens in difficult areas, but I simply counted the first ball as the score. As above, playing without scoring feels pointless, like the whole essence of the game is how many it takes you to get it in the hole. Especially on the greens, I've tried playing without a score and I don't take time on any putts, I just sort of whack it somewhat near and take a 4 foot gimme.

Net 80 was a flippant comment, not a particular target of mine. I'd hope to do a lot better in fact, net 80 would be 12 over handicap at my place.

How does this work with matchplay? Do you still score (i.e.keep a running total) or is one less than the opposition ‘scoring’?

Not a snide comment, genuinely interested in how you see the two formats.

 

[Orikoru]

How does this work with matchplay? Do you still score (i.e.keep a running total) or is one less than the opposition ‘scoring’?

Not a snide comment, genuinely interested in how you see the two formats.

Yes, I have a scorecard in my pocket for matchplay. Firstly I mark it up for where the shot holes are anyway. I'll write the scores down for each player on every hole and on the far right I note down what the current score is when it changes, i.e. 1 up, 2 up etc.

In addition, I use Hole19 for every round for yardages etc and I record my scores as well as fairways, greens in reg, number of putts etc for every round. So my score goes into that as well. If I'm given a hole with two putts for the win I just throw in what I think is most likely - i.e. if it's like a 4 footer I'll say I probably would have holed it, if it's longer then I'll put a two-putt down.

 

[irip]

Yes, I have a scorecard in my pocket for matchplay. Firstly I mark it up for where the shot holes are anyway. I'll write the scores down for each player on every hole and on the far right I note down what the current score is when it changes, i.e. 1 up, 2 up etc.

In addition, I use Hole19 for every round for yardages etc and I record my scores as well as fairways, greens in reg, number of putts etc for every round. So my score goes into that as well. If I'm given a hole with two putts for the win I just throw in what I think is most likely - i.e. if it's like a 4 footer I'll say I probably would have holed it, if it's longer then I'll put a two-putt down.

If I did all that when I played I think my head would explode.
I never take a card out for match play.
I’ll know the shots given or received before we go out and apply them on each tee as needed.

Do you think you might be putting too much pressure on yourself to score well?

Do you judge if you liked a new course on how well you played on it?

Do you get enjoyment by seeing others playing well?

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

If I did all that when I played I think my head would explode.
I never take a card out for match play.
I’ll know the shots given or received before we go out and apply them on each tee as needed.

Do you think you might be putting too much pressure on yourself to score well?

Do you judge if you liked a new course on how well you played on it?

Do you get enjoyment by seeing others playing well?

I have so many mor questions that these.. With all that info to input in different location between shots i'd confuse myself and struggle to just focus on playing, but then i'm a very simple man