Plan for 2011 season - does this make sense?

[DelB]

2011 will only be my third full season of golf and I've yet to manage a cut of any description in my handicap. Currently sitting at 22.3, but most people I've played with seem to reckon that I could maintain a handicap of around 15, given a little more consistency and concentration. A busy work schedule last year limited my golfing opportunities to pretty much Monthly Medals and Singles Ties only and this was not at all conducive to chasing the handicap cut I'm desperate to get.

This season, I had thought that I might give the Singles Competions etc a miss and try and dedicate what time I do have to practice and bounce games. I can't see any benefit to my game in playing a full 18 once or twice a month, when I might manage instead to play 9 holes twice a week in an effort to groove my swing and cut out the silly errors that seem to cost me big-time.

Does this sound like a sensible strategy or am I potentially still putting too much pressure on myself to perform in Medals?

Cheers guys.

 

[patricks148]

The first few months i played i only used to play bounce games and didn't really improve and get my handicap down till i started playing more comps. As soon as i started playing one or two per week went down from 24 to 16 almost straight away. then stalled at 12 for a couple of years thought

 

[DelB]

Thanks for your thoughts. Maybe I didn't explain my first post very well. My plan is certainly to play in Monthly Medals from April through to October and possibly also Midweek Medals in the height of summer too, but rather than having the distraction of Matchplay ties, I wondered if my time would be put to better use in practicing and playing bounce games in between comps?

Thanks again.

 

[bobmac]

It's down to you I'd say.
Some like the cut and thrust of matchplay while others just like playing friendly bounce games.
As long as you play plenty, your handicap should come down

 

[USER1999]

I don't play that many matchplays. Whilst I enjoy it, I find the only times I can play in it are when I would otherwise be playing with my mates. Most times I would rather play with them. It's still competitive (money changes hands, far more important than knockouts). I can also practice taking shots on, playing different clubs to the ones I would normally play etc.

I think it sounds pretty reasonable to me.

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
Can you only get cut in Medals? In our club and Ireland as far as i know all single stableford comps count towards handicap it may be a easier way to get cut than in a medal.
Mike

 

[patricks148]

I only normally get the chance to play bounce games in the winter. Our season up here starts in April, so from then on i only manage a handfull of bounce games. I would rather be playing for my handicap if i'm playing well. Tend to play about 4 opens at away courses a month, if I can and the odd medal on my home course. This year i have left my local course around the corner for membership at Nairn, so will prob only get to practice once a week and play at weekends in comps.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

DO your clubs only run medals. Can you not play in stablefords too which arguably carry less pressure where you can have one bad hole and still post a competitive score. Personally I enter everything and take my chances. Matchplay rarely lasts more that two rounds for me (must be the Fulham fan in me) but got to be in it to win it.

Everyone here knows how much practice and before last year it was way too mcuh.last year I wanted to just go out and play as many holes as I could and only look to work once or twice per week on one specific, usually putting and chipping.

I think if you want to get cut that much you are going to need a couple of lessons to iron out any flaws you have in the swing at the moment which are hlding you back and then to hone the putting and short game which are where the scores are made

 

[DelB]

Most Medals at my club are strokeplay, but I'm sure there are two or three Stableford comps too, so that maybe worth a shout, certainly.

 

[Macster]

Del, I wouldnt put too much 'effort' into 'what' you play, just play, and if you can find time to dedicate to practice too, then even better.

I generally play twice a week, might be a Medal or a Stableford, or a game with mates on a thursday night etc, and I get far more 'satisfaction' from playing a Medal well than I do in a Stableford.
Thats not to say that I wont accept a 'cut' from a Stableford, just I deep down know that had all stokes counted, the card wouldn't have been so good perhaps...!

Good luck.
The key to getting down lower for me was learning to relax, not put too much pressure/expectation on myself, and not letting the game wind me up, however bad I was playing on any day. Its counter-productive.
The Medal Card in your hand is a quick way to a crap day, unless you really can treat it like a round with your mates, albeit with full concentration on your Course Management.

 

[SatchFan]

You mentioned concentration, or lack of it. Is this for all shots or just one part of your game? In my case I tend to have a "That'll do" approach to my short game and accept a mediocre result too often. If I was to think a bit more about the pitch or chip I had or maybe read the putt a bit more closely my scores would improve. Similarly, as Macster said, better course management would help ie are you always selecting the best type of shot to play?

 

[Andy]

I'd say play as much as possible, but try and play with as many single figure guys as possible.

I learnt so much from them and doubt I'd I'm the only one to learn this way.

Andy

 

[richart]

Treat medals like a stableford. You can still have one or two disasters in a medal and get your handicap cut. I have had two 9's in medals, and still been cut. Day i had one of my 9's playing partner had a 13 and got cut more than me! An early poor hole seems to relax me. Ok you probably will not win anything, but if you just want to get cut don't give up on the round too soon.

 

[DCB]

Just get out there and play Del. It's a nice course you're playing at, so given a bit of time to get to know how to play the course, you should see your hcp drop. Play in as many events as possible, get the feeling of competition into your system and you'll be fine. don;'t worry what format they play on a particular day, just get out there and put a good number down on the card.

Most importantly, enjoy it

 

[TheClaw]

I'm in the same boat as yourself Del, about to play in my third season.

I'm guilty of not playing enough in competitions. I played loads of practice rounds, practiced short game loads but avoided playing because I wasn't happy with certain aspects of my game.

This meant that when I was happy I played poorly due to putting pressure on myself.

I really need to just play in everything and get used to playing with people I don't know. Looking forward to it

 

[thecraw]

Del,

Just play and relax, I've had the misfortune in seeing your dorsal fin close up twice now and boy are you the best 22 handicap I know by miles.

Seriously, just play and try and enjoy it, monthly medals and midweek medals and that handicap will be smashed. I would possibly consider dropping out of the singles or doubles and dedicate one midweek session to practice, whether that be at the range or on the course.

Start with bunker practice, I know that'll benefit you!

 

[StuartD]

Del,

Just play and relax

Do what the man says. After playing with you at muckhart 18 months ago I thought you would be lower now but the more you think and worry about it the less likely it is to happen. I would still stick with the matchplay singles, beating a lower handicap player can give a wee confidence boost. As for doubles matchplay don't bother tells you very little especially if it's two ball

 

[DelB]

Seriously, just play and try and enjoy it, monthly medals and midweek medals and that handicap will be smashed. I would possibly consider dropping out of the singles or doubles and dedicate one midweek session to practice, whether that be at the range or on the course.

Start with bunker practice, I know that'll benefit you!

The above pretty much sums up what I was thinking. I'm not going to enter either of the Matchplay comps this year, as I'd rather spend time at the range or playing a few holes in a bounce game. I've also got two lessons still to come, one of which is an hour for bunkers and chipping and half an hour for putting.

I fell that I DO put too much pressure on myself in Medal rounds, so need to try and get my head together, first and foremost!

Thanks for all the replies to my original post, guys - watch this space for details of my progress throughout the season. You can be sure that when the handicap cut does come, I'll be shouting it from the rooftops!!!

 

[chris661]

Seriously, just play and try and enjoy it, monthly medals and midweek medals and that handicap will be smashed. I would possibly consider dropping out of the singles or doubles and dedicate one midweek session to practice, whether that be at the range or on the course.

Start with bunker practice, I know that'll benefit you!

The above pretty much sums up what I was thinking. I'm not going to enter either of the Matchplay comps this year, as I'd rather spend time at the range or playing a few holes in a bounce game. I've also got two lessons still to come, one of which is an hour for bunkers and chipping and half an hour for putting.

I fell that I DO put too much pressure on myself in Medal rounds, so need to try and get my head together, first and foremost!

Thanks for all the replies to my original post, guys - watch this space for details of my progress throughout the season. You can be sure that when the handicap cut does come, I'll be shouting it from the rooftops!!!

I went through something similar this year with trying to get to single figures, putting tons of presure on myself to get cut enough, then thinking about all the rounds I had left etc etc. In the end decided to just play and what will be will be, ended the season playing some pretty good stuff and getting cut to my lowest this year (10.7). RELAX and ENJOY it, remember its just a daft wee game.