Lowest of the low - and then a glint of hope

[HomerJSimpson]

I did something today I'm not proud of and haven't done in many, many years. I walked in after 14. My swing has gone to pot again, although ironically my short game which has almost sent me to therapy was 9/10, and I didn't have a clue what direction or what type of shot I'd produce on any full shot. Scrambled it round the front nine okayish but really wasn't having any fun. Had a nightmare down 10, 12 and 14 and really didn't want to be there anymore. It was only a roll up with the normal Saturday gang and had it been a medal or stableford I'd have gritted my teeth and slogged it out all the way to be fair to my partners.

I felt pretty rotten for doing it but I keep being told on here to treat it less seriously and play for fun, but when the enjoyment is zero then why persevere. Sat at home this afternoon in a foul mood. HID ended up getting the rats and suggested if it meant that much I should go to the range. I sort of knew the issue, taking it too far inside, and so really worked hard on a wider takeaway. Not easy and there were a few soul destroying shanks eraly doors but in the end we made some definite progress. I wouldn't trust it on the course yet but we almost feel as though we know which direction 80% of them are heading in.

Videoed the swing and the old habit (for those that have seen my swing before) of coming up and losing the spine angle on the transition back down has come back. If we can rotate more around the spine and retain the contact I'm getting then happy days. Apologies to Hawkeye for sodding off but it was more than I could stand I tells yer.

 

[birdieman]

After 9 I can understand, by 14 you're almost home anyway? Does 14 pass the clubhouse at your track?
If you're not having fun get outta there, no problem as far as I'm concerned. It's not a job, it's leisure time.
Going to the range after though! - I couldn't do that, fair play to you for trying.

 

[pokerjoke]

Homer sympathys.
I would be happy to take your place[as runner up]in the final at F.O.A.
I know theres nothing worse than hacking it around,not knowing where the next shot is going.
To me going up the range to sort these problems out are contradicting to what you were saying to Timgolfy.
The course is the place to sort it,perserverence.
It sounds to me,once again your thinking about it too much,your last statement shows you have too many thoughts running through your head.
I think all of us here have sympathy for you,but for me,until you stop over analizing and having too many swing thoughts,not much will change.
On a lighter note,trust you to put in a good round at St Pierre,i had forgot about it until i was reminded in this months mag.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Homer sympathys.
I would be happy to take your place[as runner up]in the final at F.O.A.
I know theres nothing worse than hacking it around,not knowing where the next shot is going.
To me going up the range to sort these problems out are contradicting to what you were saying to Timgolfy.
The course is the place to sort it,perserverence.
It sounds to me,once again your thinking about it too much,your last statement shows you have too many thoughts running through your head.
I think all of us here have sympathy for you,but for me,until you stop over analizing and having too many swing thoughts,not much will change.
On a lighter note,trust you to put in a good round at St Pierre,i had forgot about it until i was reminded in this months mag.

In answer to Brendy's point the 14th green is right by the 18th tee and so I could easily nip back to the clubhouse. 15-17 go out to the furthest point on the course so it was then or never.

Pokerjoke my old mate I'm afraid I'm going to FOA if I have to use a 9 iron all the way round. Funnily enough my head was totally devoid of any swing thoughts. I was just making sure I addressed it properly and then swung. I just knew it was too far inside from experience and the fact that the pro watched me tee off 10. I disagree though with the Timmy connection. Such a major swing issue clearly couldn't be cured or played through or I'd have stuck at it) and having the time to work on the range on my own ball by ball let me sort it out and get a swing that on the mat at least produced very good results.

The plan of action is to have a couple more range sessions this week and make sure I am comfy with it. I've Thursday afternoon off and so will rock up to Ascot and go out on my own and try it for real on the course. Just me so no pressure if it goes tits up.

 

[Bash]

Sorry to read about your nightmare today matey. I couldn't make the gang today as I was all golfed out. Came back last night after 3 days (and 3 1/2 rounds of golf) at China Fleet in Saltash, Cornwall. Wanted to rest for the 36 hole masters comp tommorrow
Would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. Course in great condition. Greens were like carpets (although putted very slow) 2 nights and 3 days of golf with excellent breakfast and 3 course dinners came to 180 quid
See you tommorrow in the comp. (Probably on 'Bedborough field')

 

[Iaing]

HID ended up getting the rats and suggested if it meant that much I should go to the range.

Homer mate you're a lucky man!
If I took my bad golf home and got moody ( well moodier than normal ) my missus would tell me to chuck the damn game.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

See you tommorrow in the comp. (Probably on 'Bedborough field')

Sadly not. A combination of my abomination today and the need to do some work for a presentation to the Medicine Division Matron at 9.30 on Monday mean I've pulled out. Instead I've a fun packed morning at my desk in an empty office putting the figures and presentation together although I am going in via the range first. I couldn't face 36 holes of medal after today. I'd have shot myself (actually I'd probably have missed).

 

[AllyLodge]

I know how you feel. Today I played the front 9 with one shot going in the air.
At least you didn't have your playing partner telling you how bad you are playing . Last time I'll be playing with him lol

 

[GOLFBALL_WHACKER_GUY]

I feel your pain Homer. After a woeful front 9 last Thursday I was all set to jack it in, 3 scratched holes, 6 points and hadn't hit a single decent iron shot with my new g20's, I wanted out. My partner on the other hand had the front 9 of his life, pars left right and center, scored 24 points! I mentioned jacking it in and he sounded down hearted about continuing alone, so I said I'd stick it out. Scratched the tenth par 3! After that though everything miraculously came together, and I scored 18 points on my last 8 holes! So glad I never left, would have regretted it as soon as my arse hit the couch, as I'm sure you did.
Looking forward to my afternoon round tomorrow now, I think it was a mixture of new club nerves and putting myself under pressure.

I know were a million stableford points apart you and I, but I think you may be putting a similar amount of Pressure on yourself. Try going back to basics (where I am) and playing for bogey on every hole. Take a load off and you may even surprise yourself

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I feel your pain Homer. After a woeful front 9 last Thursday I was all set to jack it in, 3 scratched holes, 6 points and hadn't hit a single decent iron shot with my new g20's, I wanted out. My partner on the other hand had the front 9 of his life, pars left right and center, scored 24 points! I mentioned jacking it in and he sounded down hearted about continuing alone, so I said I'd stick it out. Scratched the tenth par 3! After that though everything miraculously came together, and I scored 18 points on my last 8 holes! So glad I never left, would have regretted it as soon as my arse hit the couch, as I'm sure you did.
Looking forward to my afternoon round tomorrow now, I think it was a mixture of new club nerves and putting myself under pressure.

I know were a million stableford points apart you and I, but I think you may be putting a similar amount of Pressure on yourself. Try going back to basics (where I am) and playing for bogey on every hole. Take a load off and you may even surprise yourself

Didn't really regret it at all. It was only a normal Saturday roll up so absolutrly zero pressure or nerves. The banter was pretty good especially with Hawkeye being a fellow long suffering Fulham fan and with him trying out the D2 again. Didn't give him any banter about just buying it !!!! Never felt so low on the course and would rather have been anywhere else even Sainsburys or B&Q and just wanted to get as far away from the course as quickly as I could. The range session however has relit the flame. On my way there now for a quick bucket before heading into wokr for a few hours to finish a presentation form Monday

 

[elliottlale]

Sorry to read about your nightmare today matey. I couldn't make the gang today as I was all golfed out. Came back last night after 3 days (and 3 1/2 rounds of golf) at China Fleet in Saltash, Cornwall. Wanted to rest for the 36 hole masters comp tommorrow
Would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. Course in great condition. Greens were like carpets (although putted very slow) 2 nights and 3 days of golf with excellent breakfast and 3 course dinners came to 180 quid
See you tommorrow in the comp. (Probably on 'Bedborough field')

how did you do at china fleet? i played there last wednesday for the first time. nice course, especially as its only £10 a round for me!!

 

[HRC99]

Don't worry about it, mate. It's just a game of golf.

Many many more important things out there in the world and there will be many many more rounds.

Just a tiny blip and soon forgotten.

Chin up!