Ice Cold Crisis of Confidence

[Imurg]

My game's gone on holiday this year. Out of the 36 rounds I've played, I've made handicap or better 14 times. But 11 of those times I've been playing solo. So only 3 times in 25 rounds have I made handicap and only bettered it once. There's no real pressure when playing with Fragger and CVG so that's not an issue - it's a knock round. Only played 2 comps and not shone in either.
The putter has gone ice cold. I've hit 47 birdies this year but haven't even sniffed one for 2 rounds - you may say Don't worry about that but the state of the rest of my game means I need these birdies to keep a score going. My driving is as woeful as ever, even fairway woods/hybrids are poor to middling. Even my iron play is dodgy at best and the short game just isn't there to back it up. Add to taht the ice cold putter and the confidence is at a low point.
I can still hit great shots, I can still get round in 30-35 points but I know I'm not playing well. It's my Seve-esque rescue shots that are saving me. I duff too many chips, I miss too many putts that last year were dropping, I miss too many greens with short irons... the list goes on.
There's some good scores in me but I just can't let them out. I never used to get really frustrated on the course but the club slamming is creeping in and that's not good. I missed a 120 yard par 3 green by 65 yards today after a sherman.....
1 minute I chip like a God, the next it's thinned through.
Now I know the higher handicappers will say "what's the problem, we do that all the time" - the trouble is at my level you can't afford to give shots away but chipping and 2 putting more often than not - it needs to be a chip'n a putt.



Add to that my right upper arm is killing me - think I've tweaked something...

Just letting off steam really. Had to get it off my chest somehow.

Sometimes I love this game - sometimes it stinks.

 

[Aztecs27]

My game's gone on holiday this year. Out of the 36 rounds I've played, I've made handicap or better 14 times. But 11 of those times I've been playing solo. So only 3 times in 25 rounds have I made handicap and only bettered it once. There's no real pressure when playing with Fragger and CVG so that's not an issue - it's a knock round. Only played 2 comps and not shone in either.
The putter has gone ice cold. I've hit 47 birdies this year but haven't even sniffed one for 2 rounds - you may say Don't worry about that but the state of the rest of my game means I need these birdies to keep a score going. My driving is as woeful as ever, even fairway woods/hybrids are poor to middling. Even my iron play is dodgy at best and the short game just isn't there to back it up. Add to taht the ice cold putter and the confidence is at a low point.
I can still hit great shots, I can still get round in 30-35 points but I know I'm not playing well. It's my Seve-esque rescue shots that are saving me. I duff too many chips, I miss too many putts that last year were dropping, I miss too many greens with short irons... the list goes on.
There's some good scores in me but I just can't let them out. I never used to get really frustrated on the course but the club slamming is creeping in and that's not good. I missed a 120 yard par 3 green by 65 yards today after a sherman.....
1 minute I chip like a God, the next it's thinned through.
Now I know the higher handicappers will say "what's the problem, we do that all the time" - the trouble is at my level you can't afford to give shots away but chipping and 2 putting more often than not - it needs to be a chip'n a putt.



Add to that my right upper arm is killing me - think I've tweaked something...

Just letting off steam really. Had to get it off my chest somehow.

Sometimes I love this game - sometimes it stinks.

Have a week or two off mate, if only to rest your arm (maybe get it looked at).

I had two or three weeks off (not out of choice, but because I was working) after we played. 1st round back was average, then I shot my lowest round of the year last weekend and played *ok* last night.

Sometimes a break can do wonders.

Apologies if any of my terrible golf has rubbed off on you!

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Im not sure when he tweaked it

It was either when he slammed his driver into the ground after another crappy drive, OR when he threw his wedge at his bag after missing the green again.

Its a good job he didnt damage his leg when he kicked his bag

What do you expect.... Sympathy

Fragger

 

[G1BB0]

dont worry about it, you know what your capable of and how well you can play, form is temporary, skill is permanent (with a bit of practice)

how many top sports people have a lull yet train and practice much more than us mere mortals do.

I had a shocking session at the range, slice came back and thought, you know what, I am crap. Then I thought hang on, I have hit some bloody good shots so it cant be a fluke. We all have the ability its just a case of enjoying it when we can and forgetting about it when we can't

 

[19thagain]

I remember the weekly, Pro Celeb BBC2 programme, from Gleneagles hosted by Peter Allis, with Trevino and Seve as the pros.

Allis asked Lee what happened if his putting went off and Lee explained that he had a room full of putters, as substitutes, dependent on the problem and how each worked their magic - this took the 280 yards to the ball following the drive.

On the next fairway he put the same question to Seve and he replied ....'I just wait!'

Maybe you should be like Seve and 'just wait' for the magic to return, all the time realising that your current scores are going to be sooooo much better when that happens.

Meantime just enjoy the moment, smell the roses (or top dressing!)and count your Blessings!

 

[sawtooth]

Imurg, I was in the same place a few weeks ago. A lesson later and a few weeks on I am happy again.

Not a sniff of a birdie for weeks but had 4 on Wednesday night so game is OK again.

Its easy for your game to drift, it could be something really silly that you're doing wrong so my advice is to either self-diagnose, get a friend or go to see a pro to spot what it is.

 

[0]

The Golf swing is only borrowed, never owned!

so clear your head of spaghetti, get out on your own, set up and swing with 1 swing thought of Tempo- NOTHING ELSE! do the same with the putter and by the 4th hole you'll feel better.

 

[Oddsocks]

Wanna sell that 910 imurg

 

[USER1999]

Sounds like you and I could have a close fought match.

 

[richart]

Hadn't beaten handicap all year, until played at Copthorne and yesterday at Stoneham. Just need to wait, and perhaps play other courses.

 

[matt01]

take a week off and you will miss the golf and have your edge back and take a lesson with your normall pro he will tell you all the right things and you will wonder what it was all about

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Imurg doesnt do lessons

Perhaps he should

Fragger

 

[Imurg]

Imurg doesnt do lessons

Perhaps he should

Fragger

Well they didn't do you any good....

Just like to say that on the par 3 I missed 65 yards I still made a 4 to Fragger's 5.......

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I know you aren't mad keen on them but maybe a quick 30 minute swing MOT swill at least set your mind at rest it isn't the technique or failing that maybe a look at the putting.

You came down really quickly and were playing some great golf so it is in there. Maybe just relax and take a few 0.1 hits and like the great Seve said "wait"