Rollercoaster Golf

Ken_A

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As I am sure all higher handicap players are familiar with this type of playing, I must be one of the worst offenders in th world.

Played a few holes last night as below -
Hole----Par----strokes
1--------4--------4
2--------4--------5
3--------5--------9 :o (SI2)
4--------4--------4
5--------3--------3
6--------4--------7 :o
7--------4--------4 (SI 3)
8--------5--------5
9--------3--------3
10-------4--------4
11-------4--------5 (SI 1)
14-------3--------3
18-------5--------8 (SI 4):o

8 on the 18th was mainly because it was getting dark and I had to drop a ball as we could not see (or find) the direction of my first tee shot.

I am quite happy with these scores as it reflects my ability (and lack of concentration) - I have a 28 handicap at the moment, I am working hard to get rid of this bad smeel of a number.

The problem-

As soon as I play with a scorecard or new playing partners I go to bits. I cant putt or drive while my Irons are pretty reliable. I know having a scorecard is not life or death situation but it really effects my play do you have any advice on not letting it get to me. I know this effects lots fo players so all advice welcome. :D
 

viscount17

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I don't think you're doing badly at all. Eight played to par and two to bogey in 13 holes off 28 is damn good. I wish I could do that. I can usually string reasonable scores together for 6 or eight holes (by which I mean bogey or better) but then I'll have a run of bad ones, usually around the turn.

Off 28, add 2 to par for SSI 1 to 10 and 1 to par for SSI 11 to 18. That's what your par is.

You just scored 12 over for the 13 holes, if you continue that average over the remaining 5 you should be off 19 not 28, unless you plan to drop 16 shots over 5 holes?
 

Ken_A

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unless you drop 16 shots over 5 holes?

Stranger things have happened :D

I played ok - but when I get a competition card in my hand I really fall apart (I assume its nerves) can anyone help with how to keep concentration? How to remove the comperation-fobia I seem to have.

Thanks.
 

viscount17

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Only played one comp so far (didn't do that well but I wasn't last!) so can't really help. (I've got three coming up over the next 3 weeks though - one medal, a 36-hole society match and a singles - against the guy who started me off in golf!)
Unless it's matchplay which I suppose is different (?) treat it as another round, though the holes do look a lot further away off the whites!
 

pjaz

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The scores suggest its not a problem with your ability to play the game but with your confidence in your ability to play the game under 'pressure'.

Know what you mean, when I play with people who are off 10 or under I tend to go to pieces because I try to change my game to match theirs as feel am holding them back etc and get into more messes/high scores than i would normally.

The mental strength articles in GM are a good source of advice and you could probably get similar reads through books etc, though you may want to them to be golf specific so you can relate to them.
 

mick

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dont know how your club works,but i try and play comps with people i normally play rounds with,only uncomfortable thing i have then is playing off different tee's,plus the banter on the way round helps me forget bad shots.
 

benny

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Have a pre-shot routine. When you get paired with new people it can knock you out of your rythm but a pre-shot routine keeps you consistent, like a safety blanket too - no matter who your playing with, if you can rely on yourself you'll be ok.
 

Ken_A

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Have a pre-shot routine. When you get paired with new people it can knock you out of your rythm but a pre-shot routine keeps you consistent, like a safety blanket too - no matter who your playing with, if you can rely on yourself you'll be ok.

After a few articles in GM I have a bit of a pre shot routine-

Grip club (hold club up) check grip/ clubface, extend arms, Address ball, move stance, aim, deep breath look at target-check aim - then swing.

Takes no more than 5 seconds(assuming aim is right) this really helps- as I do it on every shot and round (except putting) but its not enough - I never thought about it before but the routine has probably knocked 5 shots off a bad round.

I dont have a regular time - so I am a filler who just turns up and waits until there is a free space on Saturdays, this means I can be paired with anyone from +2 to 28 handicap - I can play OK golf - but when paired with folk (or have a scorecard) who I dont know it goes to pot.
 

benny

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Another thing I do to keep my mind off whats happening during a medal/scoring round is as I'm walking towards my ball, I look in my bag and count all the numbers of the clubs. This means that my mind cannot attempt to compute how many shots I need to get in for a good score, how many I've taken so far, how many i want to take on this hole etc. Try singing or carry a picture of a large breasted lady in your scorecard holder too - these all keep your mind off the round.
 

Ken_A

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I will try the humming - singing is not my forte and if I had a picture of said lady I may not be able to swing properly.

Last time I was humming I realised about the 16th that it was the theme tune to Finley the Fire Engine, my childs favorite.
 
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