Keeping it going..

[Ian_S]

So it happened again. 21 points out, 12 points in, 33 total and .1 back. How can I play like a 14 handicapper one minute then a 28'er the next? Well as others have said - I don't. That sounds exactly like every other 20'capper out there.

So what I need is some help making the next step. I managed a 9 and a 7 on our par 5 14th then par 4 15th (both net doubles) where net pars would give me 37 pts. So cutting the quad and triple bogeys out is the obvious place to start, but what got me more was my inability to make par (net birdie) on the back 9.

Any chance I'm putting too much pressure on myself to make pars, where I'd be better playing safer and going for scrambled pars and any 2-putt bogeys still gives me 2 pts?

 

[Birchy]

It depends how the poor back 9 has come about. Is it down to going for big shots and not pulling them off? Just poor execution?

Do you count your score up as you go along? Could be putting too much pressure on yourself to finish the job?

 

[garyinderry]

So it happened again. 21 points out, 12 points in, 33 total and .1 back. How can I play like a 14 handicapper one minute then a 28'er the next? Well as others have said - I don't. That sounds exactly like every other 20'capper out there.

So what I need is some help making the next step. I managed a 9 and a 7 on our par 5 14th then par 4 15th (both net doubles) where net pars would give me 37 pts. So cutting the quad and triple bogeys out is the obvious place to start, but what got me more was my inability to make par (net birdie) on the back 9.

Any chance I'm putting too much pressure on myself to make pars, where I'd be better playing safer and going for scrambled pars and any 2-putt bogeys still gives me 2 pts?

I think you have answered you own question right there. when I get out of position I am usally happy to give myself a chance of an up and down par. bogey at worst. if im playing into the wind ill quite often lay up if there is loads of danger about.

at your handicap, a bogey on every hole will give you 38 and a cut. so yes, I would plan out some of the easier holes to attack and try and par and just take the bogey at worst on the harder holes.

 

[Ian_S]

Just reviving this one. New PB of 88 today (joint best of 17 over to par as it was on our yellows) but done in the opposite of my initial problem. Went out in 48 (+11), back in 40 (+6). Now, if I'd gone 43/45 for my 88 I'd be bemoaning my inability to keep it going, where maybe I should just accept that variations in front 9/back 9 scores is down to statistical noise and that sometimes it'll look like I've flopped where the truth is I just played above average at first then below average after.

On happy news, today was my first ever multi-birdie round (birdied the 2nd and the 16th) with my second ever 2 (chip in on the par 3 16th). Signs that I can play this game a little.

 

[ScienceBoy]

A 1 pointer is far better than a blob. Pick the holes to attack as you go round, some holes are a good 1 or 2 points, others are a 3 chance. If your 3s outnumber your 1s at the end then all is good!

You will get 1 pointers and if you are playing well you will get 3s. Keep the 0s off and you have a chance.