Rant: I've lost my game!

[HomerJSimpson]

I am so frustrated with my game. I found something mid-last year and played a good season, going from 21 handicap to 17 (almost 16!).

Now, I just can't break 100. I'm hitting the ball the best I have ever hit it, but everything seems to be going against me! Missing all the greens, landing in bunkers, 3 off the tee, and putting seems to be really hit or miss. Our course isn't in the best shape at the moment, in fact, the greens are diabolical (in that they've had tram lines through them for the last 3 weeks) so my dodgy putting isn't a worry, but I don't want to put everything down to the course.

What can I do? I am so frustrated, good shots are coming off with bad results. I'm hitting the ball well and I'm walking off par 4s with 7's or 8's. I then get so angry at my bad scoring I start to change things mid-round which make things even worse.

I've tried "going for everything" (playing aggressively) and I've tried "course management" (like playing par 5's as par 6's with my 17h/c) and everything in between, and I still find myself with bad scores. The worse club in the bag is my driver so I've tried not using that, and the scoring does not improve. I'm at the end of my tether and fear I'll either give up entirely or wrap a club round a tree in frustration... help!

I wouldn't worry. I started the season on 11.7 and already up to 12.1 and shot net 82 in the medal last week. Felt like I'd worked hard in practice and stepped onto the course like a beginner. Ended up having to get a lesson on Tuesday as my range session on Monday was farcical including an outbreak of the J Arthurs. You aren't alone!

 

[Evesdad]

Could just be adjusting to the drier conditions ball running out more etc putting you in the bunkers? That and firmer greens not holding the approach shots? Sounds like you're swinging well so nothing major to worry about. I feel your pain though! Played my best golf all winter and as soon as comp season has started I've played like a buffoon!

 

[mcbroon]

The odd three off the tee is usually going to a drive and not pulling it off. Once or twice a round maybe at max.

A typical hole would be a good tee shot, just short on the approach putting me in a bunker, the bunker shot running through the green, a chip not quite getting close enough for a 1 putt = 6 on a par 4. Add a duffed bunker shot or chip in there just for good measure & it's a 7.

Or, drive catching a deep bunker, get it out but no closer the hole, 3rd shot right of the green in the rough, chip on for 4 and 2 putt.

It's not that I miss every green or find every bunker, but it seems there's always something different on each hole that makes my score big. If I cream my drive on a par 5, I'll pull it left on the next one and find the ball up against a tree root.

If it was always my chipping that lets me down I could focus on that, but I'm no bad at any shot (without sounding big headed).

I just feel like I'm getting beaten up each round!

Couple of things jump out here.

If you hit a good drive and come up short with your approach and end up in a bunker, you've made a strategic error. If there's a chance you'll end up in a bunker if you don't hit it great, you need to take an extra club and make sure you clear the sand.

Same thing if you hit a good drive that catches a bunker. If you can't be sure you'll avoid the bunker off the tee, hit a different club.

These things aren't bad luck, they're the results of bad decisions.

The other thing is to practise your bunker play, then you won't cost yourself shots going in them.

 

[delc]

I am so frustrated with my game. I found something mid-last year and played a good season, going from 21 handicap to 17 (almost 16!).

Now, I just can't break 100. I'm hitting the ball the best I have ever hit it, but everything seems to be going against me! Missing all the greens, landing in bunkers, 3 off the tee, and putting seems to be really hit or miss. Our course isn't in the best shape at the moment, in fact, the greens are diabolical (in that they've had tram lines through them for the last 3 weeks) so my dodgy putting isn't a worry, but I don't want to put everything down to the course.

What can I do? I am so frustrated, good shots are coming off with bad results. I'm hitting the ball well and I'm walking off par 4s with 7's or 8's. I then get so angry at my bad scoring I start to change things mid-round which make things even worse.

I've tried "going for everything" (playing aggressively) and I've tried "course management" (like playing par 5's as par 6's with my 17h/c) and everything in between, and I still find myself with bad scores. The worse club in the bag is my driver so I've tried not using that, and the scoring does not improve. I'm at the end of my tether and fear I'll either give up entirely or wrap a club round a tree in frustration... help!

Check your set up. Are you aiming correctly, etc?

 

[chrisd]

Adam, you're a decent golfer, it's a temporary blip!