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Pretty Much Just Ruined Golf For Myself For A While!

Orikoru

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Had a day off work yesterday to recover from a long weekend away on the piss - only had time for 9 holes though. I played West London Golf Centre (Northolt) with my mate... and absolutely smashed it. I got a 4 over par 40, which for me as a 24 handicapper is absolutely unheard of. Round 18 holes my best is only 91 (although it makes sense that I'd be less able to be consistent over more holes obviously).

I'm not one to complain, and don't get me wrong because I was obviously ecstatic - but how the hell am I going to replicate this now?? When I say I've ruined golf for myself, I mean because I tend to hold myself to what I know is my best, if you know what I mean, so now if I'm not able to replicate this I'll be annoyed. And let's be honest, I may struggle to! :lol:

I've no idea what went right either really - could be that being knackered from the weekend meant I was relaxed and not overthinking it. Could be because I took 15 balls on the range to warm up my new driver (which I don't often do). Could be that it was fantastic weather for the first time since like, early October. Whatever it was, every swing felt free and easy. I still can't believe it happened really. Haha.
 
Haha well she is a cruel mistress so wait a few weeks when you're back to shooting in the 90's then that desire for the lower scores again return.
 
Had a day off work yesterday to recover from a long weekend away on the piss - only had time for 9 holes though. I played West London Golf Centre (Northolt) with my mate... and absolutely smashed it. I got a 4 over par 40, which for me as a 24 handicapper is absolutely unheard of. Round 18 holes my best is only 91 (although it makes sense that I'd be less able to be consistent over more holes obviously).

I'm not one to complain, and don't get me wrong because I was obviously ecstatic - but how the hell am I going to replicate this now?? When I say I've ruined golf for myself, I mean because I tend to hold myself to what I know is my best, if you know what I mean, so now if I'm not able to replicate this I'll be annoyed. And let's be honest, I may struggle to! :lol:

I've no idea what went right either really - could be that being knackered from the weekend meant I was relaxed and not overthinking it. Could be because I took 15 balls on the range to warm up my new driver (which I don't often do). Could be that it was fantastic weather for the first time since like, early October. Whatever it was, every swing felt free and easy. I still can't believe it happened really. Haha.

At least you know it's buried in there somewhere. Enjoy the good times because we all endure enough of the bad times with this game.
 
You can't always play to your best! At least you know you have the ability to shoot scores like that.

Just don't expect to do it every week and work on getting that handicap down. Don't get frustrated if you go out next time and shoot over your handicap.
 
Even if you might not be able to replicate this round any time soon, try to freeze frame it in your memory. Because it shows that you are absolutely able to play golf on that level. So when you stand over a shot and doubt yourself the next time, just try to recall that round. (And if you are completely honest, it did not ruin anything for you, you just wanted to share your delight over a brilliant round with us without it coming accross as bragging ... :D it almost worked ... congrats, man, brilliant round)
 
You only played 9 holes. If you had gone round again I might hazard a guess that you'd play 16 over for the 'back' nine :)
I'm sure of it! But I've never been as low as 4 over for a front or back nine before to be fair. :)

You can't always play to your best! At least you know you have the ability to shoot scores like that.

Just don't expect to do it every week and work on getting that handicap down. Don't get frustrated if you go out next time and shoot over your handicap.
Ha, yeah I know it's coming. But I guess I know there's nothing holding me back now - it's just about gaining consistency!
 
See it as a positive, that you can do it. I played Saturday, hit over my 22 h/cap but was pleased with my overall play. There were positives. I went out for 9 holes on my own, Sunday afternoon, same tees. I was 6 over, hubba hubba. That tells me that a good round is in there. If I can get my head around having a card in my hand I can reduce my stupid h/cap. That is how to treat your round. A good golfer is in there trying to get out. The other alternative is grim :(
 
See it as a positive, that you can do it. I played Saturday, hit over my 22 h/cap but was pleased with my overall play. There were positives. I went out for 9 holes on my own, Sunday afternoon, same tees. I was 6 over, hubba hubba. That tells me that a good round is in there. If I can get my head around having a card in my hand I can reduce my stupid h/cap. That is how to treat your round. A good golfer is in there trying to get out. The other alternative is grim :(
Yeah, right now I'm still enjoying the feeling of a cracking day's golf. I know the potential is there now, and I'll be trying to play to this standard every time, but I'll have to really focus on not being too miffed if I'm not immediately able to.

In the short term, I've got a game with my dad and uncle coming up over Easter so I just want to focus on beating them for now! Family is always a grudge match, haha. :D
 
The key is understanding that you can't get nowhere near your 'best round' any week. Any golfer who has played golf for several years has a 'shot lights out round' to discuss. That's the point we all have a low round behind us but surely you don't expect to replicate this on a regular basis? If your trending down then a different matter, but like many golfers if you hover around the same handicap and have for years then you have to be realistic and enjoy the low round when it comes every few years :)
 
I think every golfer does this when they have one of those range sessions where everything is tour pro...

Then they step onto the golf course.
 
your best is 91 so that is your target to beat ,not the excellent 40 over nine holes ,concentrate on the 91 not the 40 and you will be fine ,and if you think you have it bad ,my best nine hole record is one under gross and i play off 14.
 
I don't get it. You played great and you think you've jinxed it. Relax, don't try too hard to score and let what you did today flow over 18 holes to produce a personal best. You've proved it's in there
 
4 over through 9 is not too crazy

doing 8 over through 18 is far far far tougher on your handicap.

I have had 40 on both 9s but never in the same round.
 
Had a day off work yesterday to recover from a long weekend away on the piss - only had time for 9 holes though. I played West London Golf Centre (Northolt) with my mate... and absolutely smashed it. I got a 4 over par 40, which for me as a 24 handicapper is absolutely unheard of. Round 18 holes my best is only 91 (although it makes sense that I'd be less able to be consistent over more holes obviously).

I'm not one to complain, and don't get me wrong because I was obviously ecstatic - but how the hell am I going to replicate this now?? When I say I've ruined golf for myself, I mean because I tend to hold myself to what I know is my best, if you know what I mean, so now if I'm not able to replicate this I'll be annoyed. And let's be honest, I may struggle to! :lol:

I've no idea what went right either really - could be that being knackered from the weekend meant I was relaxed and not overthinking it. Could be because I took 15 balls on the range to warm up my new driver (which I don't often do). Could be that it was fantastic weather for the first time since like, early October. Whatever it was, every swing felt free and easy. I still can't believe it happened really. Haha.

We all very occasionally have a very good round. I can remember arriving at the 17th tee in a competition with 40 Stableford points already on my card, and then parred the last two holes for a further 6 points. I was then called a bandit and worse, and then had a 3 shot handicap reduction. Even playing at a rather higher standard, I have only equalled or bettered that score (79 gross) twice in the last 6 years, but unfortunately old age now seems to be catching up with me! ☹️
 
We all very occasionally have a very good round. I can remember arriving at the 17th tee in a competition with 40 Stableford points already on my card, and then parred the last two holes for a further 6 points. I was then called a bandit and worse, and then had a 3 shot handicap reduction. Even playing at a rather higher standard, I have only equalled or bettered that score (79 gross) twice in the last 6 years, but unfortunately old age now seems to be catching up with me! ☹️
Excellent. If I play this well at the next comp and get called a bandit, I have PLENTY of shocking cards to show them that prove otherwise. :D
 
Take the good points from your round and try to play to those strengths. Don't worry about putting too much pressure on yourself over one outstanding 9 hole round. Take the good points, practice what went well for you and turn up and play your next comp as if this never happened. If you do put pressure on yourself it'll end badly. Play to your handicap, work on your putting and don't take on the "hero" shots and you'll be fine.
 
8 Pars and a quadruple bogey?
5 pars, 4 bogeys?
3 birdies, 5 pars and an 11?
Draining silly long putts or peppering flags with irons?

How did it happen? Solid or a bit lucky?:cool:

What was the main difference from your usual play - driving/irons/pitches/putting or just everything?
 
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