I'm rubbish at this game

[Tiger]

Less glum this morning. Up till now my practice has been on our practice area where the longest I can hit is an 8 iron. Been using this to groove in swing changes but guess there is a mind block with the longer clubs. Yesterdays frustrations were born out of the fact that I just didn't enjoy my round at all. That was the real kicker, it was wet and windy and I played badly but if there is a plus at least I put a card in, quite a few people threw in the towel.

I was really enjoying my golf up till yesterday. Hopefully it is just a blip. Thanks for all the words of encouragement - I hope to be a cheerier, happier soul soon.

 

[Imurg]

If you're in the rough with a bunker between you and the flag, you can play sideways. You don't have to try a flop over the hazard, play round it.
Here's a thought too.
You get 2 shots on most holes., even some par 3's. Use them. Insteae of teeing off with a hybrid, play 2 9 irons if you can - or whatever . Don't be embarresed to lay-up on a par 3.
What you have to do is score, get the score under 100 and confidence will build. Maybe aim for level 6's on the par 4's, level 7's on the 5's and level 5's on the short holes. Ok that's more than 100 but you need to get your head in the right place. And if you do get in the rough, hack out to the nearest short grass. Don't go for distance, get it out.
Most importantly, don't forget it's a game, it's better than working, even today with the shite weather. Don't stress it. It will come.

 

[Snelly]

Hmmm. I think I would probably pack it in for a while if I was you.

Depends if you are enjoying it I suppose. Take a long break and return when you feel like it. I have done this in the past and it worked for me.

Cheers,


Snelly.

 

[Tiger]

Thanks Imurg will give that a go on Saturday. Snelly I'm not sure a break is the answer. I'm enjoying the casual games just seem to melt with a card in my hand. I wasn't expecting to get cut on Sunday it's just that I hit my second worst score ever and had a complete meltdown. Just frustrated that I thought I was making good progress and then had a mare.

 

[robbest3offthetee]

Tiger,2 steps forward,3 back,thats the great game of golf for you mate,keep at it and enjoy being out there...

 

[funkyfred]

Less glum this morning. Up till now my practice has been on our practice area where the longest I can hit is an 8 iron. Been using this to groove in swing changes but guess there is a mind block with the longer clubs. Yesterdays frustrations were born out of the fact that I just didn't enjoy my round at all. That was the real kicker, it was wet and windy and I played badly but if there is a plus at least I put a card in, quite a few people threw in the towel.

I was really enjoying my golf up till yesterday. Hopefully it is just a blip. Thanks for all the words of encouragement - I hope to be a cheerier, happier soul soon.

Tiger

Glad your feeling better this morning, but i know how you felt because I had a similar experience last year in the October medal.

I recorded a 130 in rotten conditions with winds measured at over 40 mph. Even took 5 drives on one tee although we did find my third ball. But I did finish the round which is more than about 20% of the field did on that particular day.

Some people on here thought that i was wrong to carry on, even though we had called the last two groups of the medal through, finding out later that all 6 players had packed up before the 10th tee.

The experience did set me back and knocked my confidence, to the point that I haven't played a medal competition since. I play all the other competitions that dont include stroke play, but feel i am now ready to face my deamons.

Like all us high handicappers we just need to reduce our bad shots. In stableford i often have 14/15/16 good holes where I score, but I still have a couple of (different) holes each round that ruin my stoke play score. A few weeks ago I scored 34 points in a stableford comp, and that was with 3 blow outs, which i think racked up 25 shots.

But hang on in there, just think of all the good times you have had and play you game next week with no scorecard and enjoy your game. Thats what i did, and I do enjoy every game, I just dont put myself under that pressure, he says thinking about adding his name to the Dec medal.

 

[Tiger]

Thanks Fred. I'm playing in a stableford comp in a fortnight and then the winter league through to March so will be able to play off the whites with a little less competition pressure. I'm pleased I finished and got a card in as it would have been far easier to walk off and it was a learning experience, though I'd rather not have another one like that. Here's hoping I can play a bit more like I did on the 18th for my whole round on Saturday.

Thanks to everyone for their positive comments on the thread. It's such a brutal, unforgiving game at times and you guys help make it easier to bounce back from each setback.

 

[Macster]

Tiger, I'm not sure if this will help or not, but I remember clearly being 'obsessed' with 'getting better', so went to practice as often as I could, and I had sooo many swing thoughts and drills in my head, it just dint happen, and I got so frustrated with the game.
One day, I woke up, told myself it didnt really matter, and decided to relax and just go out there and play and relaxed as I could.
Within a short space of time, my head cleared, I enjoyed the game again, and my HC came down from 21 to 14, then 12, where I stayed for years without really trying.

Sometimes we just beat ourselves I think. Try it.
Hope it helps.