Practice Round to Medal play

[nickyj4]

Ok so at the weekend in the first medal of the year I was terrible and after having to run back to the 2nd hole to hit 3 off the tee I ended up with a nice fat NR.

So last night as per most times when I go out for a social game of golf I could do no wrong, played 8 holes and was 4 over. So my question is does anyone have any tips on how to bring that relaxed mindset which is obviously the difference into a Saturday.

 

[chrisd]

I try and convince myself that the good rounds only happen when I'm relaxed and enjoying the game and that you can't MAKE yourself play well, it either comes or it doesn't

 

[socky]

Only 3 options as i see it.

1) Realise that its only a medal at a local course, its not Augusta and doesn't really have any bearing on your life. Enjoy it.

2) Learn to thrive on the competition, enjoy testing yourself.

3) Just accept its harder in a medal and make peace with that


I've not managed any of these yet....

 

[garyinderry]

to keep a medal round from turning into a disaster is keep in mind that "a bogey is not a bad score". even if you start with a load of bogies, stay calm and go on a par run later in the round.

just sunday past at frodsham I was 5 over after 3. I then did the next 14 holes in 5 over which I was happy enough about considering how badly I started. I wont mention the 18th as I had already thrown the towel in about winning the kok qualifier by that stage. a par at the last would have seen me tied for 2nd. *shakes head!

 

[CMAC]

Ok so at the weekend in the first medal of the year I was terrible and after having to run back to the 2nd hole to hit 3 off the tee I ended up with a nice fat NR.

So last night as per most times when I go out for a social game of golf I could do no wrong, played 8 holes and was 4 over. So my question is does anyone have any tips on how to bring that relaxed mindset which is obviously the difference into a Saturday.

try not giving a rats arse about the outcome- thats what you basically do in a bounce game but having a card in your hand tightens every muscle and fills your head with all the dark thoughts.

Not easy to overcome but I've found the more competitions you play the easier it gets.


I'm sure the resident Psycho on here will come in with something useful.

p.s what course do you play at nickyj4?





*edit* One thing I ALWAYS remind myself of when I start badly is when Faldo played in the Open one year and started double bogie double bogie then shot 3 under. Mentally he must have been gutted but ignored it and soldiered on

 

[garyinderry]

I can remember shaking like a leaf standing on the first a few years ago on our first comp of the year. it gets easier, there is no doubt!

now I am a bit too relaxed and usually end up with bogey at the first!

 

[Birchy]

You need to care less about the medal round imo. Weve all done it, usually happens to me at start of the season when I have been starved of a proper comp.

Cue this Saturday being a shocker

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I think I must be in the minority, I don't find playing in a medal adds any extra pressure. After all, what is the worst that could happen? 0.1 on my handicap - oh well!

I always try my best whenever I play, playing in a medal is no different. Even with friendly rounds with mates, we want to beat each other!

 

[pokerjoke]

Probably the hardest thing to do for us amateurs.
Tension is the biggest killer for a good round.

 

[Jack_bfc]

I think I must be in the minority, I don't find playing in a medal adds any extra pressure. After all, what is the worst that could happen? 0.1 on my handicap - oh well!

I always try my best whenever I play, playing in a medal is no different. Even with friendly rounds with mates, we want to beat each other!

That's not how your signature reads

 

[nickyj4]

try not giving a rats arse about the outcome- thats what you basically do in a bounce game but having a card in your hand tightens every muscle and fills your head with all the dark thoughts.

Not easy to overcome but I've found the more competitions you play the easier it gets.


I'm sure the resident Psycho on here will come in with something useful.

p.s what course do you play at nickyj4?

Cheers for the advice guys, I know it's all about not been bothered about the outcome of the round and just concentrate on one shot at a time, just need to tell myself that on a Saturday.

Cmac I play at Milngavie GC just outside of Glasgow

http://www.milngaviegolfclub.co.uk/

 

[Canary_Yellow]

That's not how your signature reads

That's interesting. I wouldn't say it's possible to say whether my mentality between practice and medal rounds alters based on the targets in my signature. Plus, my signature only mentions shooting 85 or less in a comp because I already achieved it in a social round, otherwise that goal would just have been shoot less than 85, end of story.

 

[Scooby999]

to keep a medal round from turning into a disaster is keep in mind that "a bogey is not a bad score". even if you start with a load of bogies, stay calm and go on a par run later in the round.

It's surprising how well you can recover from a few bogies. We all have those holes on our course where we breath a sigh of relief if we come off with a score, similarly there are those holes you can really attack. I have a bit of a plan a/b for different holes depending on how the round is going.

With medal rounds I do think its important to have a bit of a "warm up" routine to hit some balls get a rhythm going before you launch one off the first.

 

[G.U.R]

Pretty much as everyone else has said, I also tried to enjoy playing golf with different company and enjoy being outside on the course.

 

[nickyj4]

to keep a medal round from turning into a disaster is keep in mind that "a bogey is not a bad score". even if you start with a load of bogies, stay calm and go on a par run later in the round.

It's surprising how well you can recover from a few bogies. We all have those holes on our course where we breath a sigh of relief if we come off with a score, similarly there are those holes you can really attack. I have a bit of a plan a/b for different holes depending on how the round is going.

With medal rounds I do think its important to have a bit of a "warm up" routine to hit some balls get a rhythm going before you launch one off the first.

Yeah I was thinking that myself, I'm going to try and get there a bit earlier this week and see what affect that has

 

[CMAC]

Cheers for the advice guys, I know it's all about not been bothered about the outcome of the round and just concentrate on one shot at a time, just need to tell myself that on a Saturday.

Cmac I play at Milngavie GC just outside of Glasgow

http://www.milngaviegolfclub.co.uk/

nice course, played it many times but not for 3 years now- seem to remember midge hell one humid summers day

 

[nickyj4]

yeah it can be a bit like that, always have insect repellant handy in my bag. Especially for the summer evenings

 

[dewsweeper]

Ok so at the weekend in the first medal of the year I was terrible and after having to run back to the 2nd hole to hit 3 off the tee I ended up with a nice fat NR.

So last night as per most times when I go out for a social game of golf I could do no wrong, played 8 holes and was 4 over. So my question is does anyone have any tips on how to bring that relaxed mindset which is obviously the difference into a Saturday.

Carry a provisional ball with you!!!!
Running back to your bag on 2nd hole to re-load never a good thing
Dewsweeper
.
oo:

 

[beggsy]

Stop trying to play better than your handicap an relax

 

[JohnnyLarge]

Get up in plenty of time to get to the course. Eat properly before playing, make sure you are hydrated. I always feel better if I play with nice, clean clubs and a clean ball. (Bleach and warm water if you don't have any new ones!)
I'm not a big practicer but loosen up by stretching a lot, swinging a few clubs and just trying to be relaxed. It's a standing joke in our four-ball that I only look at the practice green, but in reality - I've already done my bit and am ready to go.
On the first tee, don't rush. Have your card filled in, tees in pocket with ball marker, pitch mark repairer etc. BUT, take your time on your first shot. Line up properly, if it's not right, stop and start again. Get that first tee shot away and on the fairway and you'll relax.
I'm the shortest hitter by maybe 25 yards in our four-ball. But I'm the lowest handicapper. I'm also the one who hits the most fairways and loses the least amount of balls per round. Hit those fairways first, then hit the green. You will find the stress releases the more fairways you hit. As said before, if you have a few bad holes early on - the chances are you may get a nice par run or even a few birdies later on. DO NOT chase it, it doesn't work.

And have fun!!!!!