Mental approach

[dangermouse]

Hi,

I'm playing in a Stableford comp on Friday, for only the second time, and wondered how people would suggest is the best way to approach it mentally?

I know the course ok, as I have played there a handful of times, and wondered whether I should focus on trying to get something on every hole, or having a fixed number of holes to try and score on?

Obviously a decent golfer will score on every hole, but as someone who is never more than half a round from a 9/10 this is probably not possible at the minute (unless I play as well as I did last time out, which is not going to happen since I haven't picked up a club since then - damn job).

 

[jeffc]

One shot at a time
and never forget
"what you think will happen will happen", if you think you are going to slice it YOU WILL!!

I would apply the same logic to the thread about Bogie holes, by making them a bogie hole you're already beaten.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The secret is to try and keep the scoreboard ticking on every hole rather than trying to focus on scoring big on certain holes. The best advice I can offer is to play within yourself and not try too hard. If you play a bad shot take your medicine and just play out and use your shots.

Go out to enjoy yourself. Remember if you do have a bad hole it is only one hole ruined and not the whole round as in medal play. Have fun and remember it is only a game

 

[birdieman]

Tora tora tora!
Attack attack. Stablefords allow you to remove fear from your game. Points mean prizes so get after those birdies (or nett birdies) and play aggressively. 36 points won't do it, you need about 40 to win anything in this format.

 

[DCB]

Birdieman,

I've got a picture in my head now of you with the red bandana on !

 

[thecraw]

The secret is to try and keep the scoreboard ticking on every hole rather than trying to focus on scoring big on certain holes. The best advice I can offer is to play within yourself and not try too hard. If you play a bad shot take your medicine and just play out and use your shots.

Go out to enjoy yourself . Remember if you do have a bad hole it is only one hole ruined and not the whole round as in medal play. Have fun and remember it is only a game

That bit I have highlighted is the best bit of advice anyone can give you (in my opinion) and if your not enjoying it chuck it!

 

[Cernunnos]

There are two ways of tackling a stapleford comp. One is to go heal for leather, as its essentially a match play event, you against the course, so every hole gives an opportunity to score big on any & all holes. & every hole is a new match to pick up points

The other way to play is to say play your way around the course & keep it clean, especially when you've got shots on most holes, either one or two shots, depending on your handicap. In other words if you are playing a really difficult parr5 hole & you say get for instance 2 shots on that hole, then you only need a seven to score 2 points. play safely & chances are you'll come off with 3 or 4 points without trying.

As to which method to use depends upon your mentality & the course conditons. But either way, each shot is a new shot & each hole is a new hole, don't compound errors. If you have a bad hole, there is always the next hole to pick up good points.

But imagine if you went round & picked up net parr on each & every hole you will be walking off with 36 points. Few club golfers get past mid 20's points in stapleford events.

 

[DCB]

"Few club golfers get past mid 20's points in stapleford events. "

Play to handicap and thats 36 points. be patient and await the birdie chances and you may get another 2-3 points. Play an attacking game and use your strokes well and you may put together a really good score.

 

[shanker]

Go out to enjoy yourself. Remember if you do have a bad hole it is only one hole ruined and not the whole round as in medal play. Have fun and remember it is only a game

Good advice, as usual, from Homer. The great thing about Stableford is that your cock-ups aren't as damaging as in medal play. And as Birdieman said, you can really ''attack''.
Good Luck.

 

[Imurg]

Use your shots.

if your handicap is high you may get 2 shots on a particular hole.

That means you can double-bogey it and still get a nett par = 2 points. So if its a par 4 hole, aim to take 5 and watch those points pile up.

Don't try to par every hole. Its a similar situation to matchplay - its 18 individual games within the round. And if you mess one up then its no big deal. Good scores can still be made even after a blob or 2!

And I can echo the call from above - enjoy it....

 

[rgs]

Just to concur with everything mentioned--play to enjoy the round, use your shots.

 

[cm_qs]

I'm playing in a Stableford comp on Friday, for only the second time, and wondered how people would suggest is the best way to approach it mentally?

Pretty much all of my approaches are mental!

The best thing (in my view) about a Stableford is that it allows you to attmpt high risk / reward strategies that, if successful, will score big.
Try it and Bol**cks it up? Doesn't matter! Write it off as a bad hole and move on.

Plus - the low handicappers hate it! Serves em' right for having all that practice and natural talent.

 

[brendy]

Leave the driver at home and enjoy putting a good round together, your longer clubs will be the ones that put you further into trouble so if you have a shot per hole, use it. Sometimes you wont need them and the points will accrue themselves and what do points make?

 

[RGuk]

"Few club golfers get past mid 20's points in stapleford events. "

Crikey.....and I get depressed when I only make 30.

It's all about consistency, be bold on the holes you tend to play well and don't risk a safe bogey (for 2 points) by going for glory.

 

[AliB]

The other way to play is to say play your way around the course & keep it clean, especially when you've got shots on most holes, either one or two shots, depending on your handicap. In other words if you are playing a really difficult parr5 hole & you say get for instance 2 shots on that hole, then you only need a seven to score 2 points. play safely & chances are you'll come off with 3 or 4 points without trying.

despite all the macho advice, I would go with this, esp for a high handicapper. Try to play steady. One trick is to work out your 'personal' stroke index, i.e. allow yourself to drop a point (or even blob) those you find hardest, try for 3 points on those you know you have net birdied before. You'll be less disappointed if you don't score on a 'hard' hole and with the pressure off may even surprise yourself.

AliB

 

[TonyN]

Play par golf and take the birdies when they come. Don't be too attacking. You make a mistake on a hole, play safe and take a net par, start again next hole.