If Only I Knew

[HomerJSimpson]

Following on from the write up from yesterday, where did that round come from. Granted my chipping was twitchy and edgy compared to the sublime skills of my playing partners and I couldn't putt (even had the V-Easy on the putting green Wednesday night) but given the way I hit the ball last weekend and on Tuesday at my club it was like a different guy.

It's twice this has happened. I chopped it round for weeks before St Pierre and rocked up and played well and did the same yesterday. I hit 7/14 fairways and those I missed apart from one were all just on the edge within a foot or two of the short stuff. My approaches were pretty good. I didn't take any of the 420+ par 4's on and just used my shots and course management to get it round. Same story with the par 5's where I made sure I took any water out of play and had a short iron in my hand.

I guess the point is how can I do it in a more pressurised atmosphere (in terms of playing with my peers on here and the high level of skill on display) and qualify and then come so close to winning. How can I play two course I've never seen with a good swing, decent tempo and a thinking head and yet can go out at my own course feeling fine with the state of my game and chop it like a novice. If I could bottle the sense of calm, the golfing technique and fighting spirit from the Forest of Arden round I'd be able to retire a rich man

 

[G1BB0]

I have a feeling that you are under less pressure from yourself as you dont expect to win therfore probably more relaxed and swing easier.

Also playing a different course makes you consider shots more that on your own familiar course you tend to stick with the same club selections/shot choices

 

[richart]

I find I often play better on courses I don't know. You are not carrying any baggage from playing certain holes badly before, so can relax more. Once I have worked out where all the trouble lies on a hole, and can find it unerringly. Only rounds under handicap this year have been when I was playing away.

 

[chrisd]

You are not carrying any baggage from playing certain holes badly before

Great point.

The golf psychology books always say that you should think of a good shot from the memory bank that you once played of the same type as you are about to undertake. Never ever say "dont hit it into the water" or anything similarly negative


Chris

 

[pokerjoke]

Good to see you happy-ish for a change,instead of you being ready to slit your wrists.
I think because we know are own courses so well,expectation is high because we know what we can do.
Going away can sometimes help,as expectations are lower,and we probably say to ourselves what happens,happens.
Please dont come on here next week moaning again,i dont think any of us can take it.
Only joking of course,well played

 

[daymond]

I think it's a case of playing what you see on a new course and relaxing. On your own course you are tempted to go for a two hit on a par 4 on the basis that you can 10% of the time.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not sure if I entirely agree. I can see how being relaxed around a new course may help but there was a huge element of pressure and nerves (certainly for the first few holes). Whilst I never expected to win or indeed come second I didn't want to embarrass myself or chop it round. I feel like that on every round and I wouldn't call it having expecatations or trying too hard but just a simple case of trying to play as well as I can on the day.

I understand about not having baggage from playing holes before but surely there is just as much pressure facing a hole you have never played before especially if it is tight or there is water in play as there was yesterday. There is sometimes a doubt about where to hit it, the best lay up and which club to use as well as unfamiliar greens to negotiate.

In the end all I was saying is that from nowhere I found a game, an approach and a mental calmness seriously lacking in so many rounds I've played home and away. Its that essence I need to be able to capture and sell

 

[NWJocko]

I understand about not having baggage from playing holes before but surely there is just as much pressure facing a hole you have never played before especially if it is tight or there is water in play as there was yesterday. There is sometimes a doubt about where to hit it, the best lay up and which club to use as well as unfamiliar greens to negotiate.

In the end all I was saying is that from nowhere I found a game, an approach and a mental calmness seriously lacking in so many rounds I've played home and away. Its that essence I need to be able to capture and sell

Is this not your issue Homer. Everything you've put here is negative, i.e. what can wrong, where not to hit it, unsure of the greens etc etc.....

Do you ever look at a hole and look forward to playing it (for want of a better phrase perhaps) than worrying about what could go wrong and being the harbinger of your own doom?