Should have left well alone

[Scottjd1]

I think this sums up that a lot of us have a bit of an obsession with handicap, Golf is unique in that with a widely used unifrom handicapping system it does give you the chance to tee it up off 18 and beat a 4 hcapper in a comp and not feel like its not a true victory (as he prob shot a lower score) but because on the day you played better according to your ability.

Herein lies the problem, for instance how many of us have played football/rugby/cricket etc to a good standard, found a team to play and just enjoyed, and not been obsessed with getting to a team in a better league etc. If you played a team 3-4 league tiers up chances are you would get hammered. (This is why the F A Cup upset is so wonderful). But you dont go home analysing why you dropped that catch or missed that tackle, you maybe wotk on it a bit at the next training session and go out an play th next week.

I also want to reduce my handicap as I do feel I can be a better player, but now I am off 13 I know people will respect the fact that I know my way round a golf course without too much embarrasment. I will work hard to get it reduced but I may just end up being around this level - so be it - I can still compete and have the pleasure of a win.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I think this sums up that a lot of us have a bit of an obsession with handicap, Golf is unique in that with a widely used unifrom handicapping system it does give you the chance to tee it up off 18 and beat a 4 hcapper in a comp and not feel like its not a true victory (as he prob shot a lower score) but because on the day you played better according to your ability.

Herein lies the problem, for instance how many of us have played football/rugby/cricket etc to a good standard, found a team to play and just enjoyed, and not been obsessed with getting to a team in a better league etc. If you played a team 3-4 league tiers up chances are you would get hammered. (This is why the F A Cup upset is so wonderful). But you dont go home analysing why you dropped that catch or missed that tackle, you maybe wotk on it a bit at the next training session and go out an play th next week.

I also want to reduce my handicap as I do feel I can be a better player, but now I am off 13 I know people will respect the fact that I know my way round a golf course without too much embarrasment. I will work hard to get it reduced but I may just end up being around this level - so be it - I can still compete and have the pleasure of a win.

I guess that depends who you are. I used to beat myself up over football just as much as I do golf. Also, I think golf competitions should be won by the bloke who takes less shots even though it means I wouldn't win very often. My sole aim ever since I started playing golf, before I even knew what handicaps and stablefords points were, was to shoot the lowest score I could. That hasn't changed

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I guess that depends who you are. I used to beat myself up over football just as much as I do golf. Also, I think golf competitions should be won by the bloke who takes less shots even though it means I wouldn't win very often. My sole aim ever since I started playing golf, before I even knew what handicaps and stablefords points were, was to shoot the lowest score I could. That hasn't changed

But the thing with team sports is you win and lose as a team. Yes you can analyse your performance and be unhappy or pleased with your contribution but because most team games are reactionary, the outcome isn't necessarily decided by how well you perform as part of that team. You stand or fall by your golf swing.

I know very well the angst the OP is suffering and I was forever being hit with the paralysis by analysis tag on here as I strove to get lower. I still do sometimes but I have a set way of doing things and a clear objective in my mind. If I need lessons and have to think about the technicalities to get to where I want to be, including accepting that sometimes two steps back is necessary, then I'll go down that road.

Having said that I'm playing woth a load more freedom in the brain department and really don't think as much as I use too out on the course. I'm accepting that I'll probably have more bad than good days and to revel in the decent rounds and learn from but not stew on the bad ones

 

[kid2]

I cant speak for others but i played football for 28 years before my achilles rupture put the stoppers on my career..
I played to a high junior standard and was always self criticising and very analytical of my game....Its just the way i tick....
Its no different for me playing golf....I have to know why a fault is happening or whats causing it because if i dont then i cant fix it...Its just my nature....

It may be a downfall for some but its more frustrating when i dont know what the issue is.

 

[SocketRocket]

I dont think you should mess too much with your swing, it got you down to 12 so it cant be bad. Maybe just a little more focus on the impact zone is all you need, I find working only on clubface ball impact is the way to get a simple plan on what you need to be doing.

 

[User 105]

I think the trouble at the moment is my pro is about half way through re-building my swing. So it's not a few tweaks here and there. We've been changing pretty much everything from the ground up. So I just need to see it through if I can.

My takeaway, back swing, swing plane, position at the top and start of the transition are all new, the rest is still all old. And they don't really work together.

It's interesting some of the reply's in this thread and how much peoples nature effects they way they approach the game. Some have a very focussed almost obsessional approach because that's in their nature, like me. Some have a more relaxed approach.

I honestly believe that my dedicated, obsessional, approach is what got me down to 12 quickly. And ironically I think it's that same nature that is now hindering me now I've hit a bit of a brick wall.

I also think, as I think has been said, if I'd had left my swing alone and just played and practised I would have got to single figures. I'm positive of that. Would I have got to low single figures maybe, maybe not. I guess I'll never know now.

I think I'm just going to have to see how it goes over the next month or so and take it from there.

 

[SocketRocket]

I think the trouble at the moment is my pro is about half way through re-building my swing. So it's not a few tweaks here and there. We've been changing pretty much everything from the ground up. So I just need to see it through if I can.

My takeaway, back swing, swing plane, position at the top and start of the transition are all new, the rest is still all old. And they don't really work together.

It's interesting some of the reply's in this thread and how much peoples nature effects they way they approach the game. Some have a very focussed almost obsessional approach because that's in their nature, like me. Some have a more relaxed approach.

I honestly believe that my dedicated, obsessional, approach is what got me down to 12 quickly. And ironically I think it's that same nature that is now hindering me now I've hit a bit of a brick wall.

I also think, as I think has been said, if I'd had left my swing alone and just played and practised I would have got to single figures. I'm positive of that. Would I have got to low single figures maybe, maybe not. I guess I'll never know now.

I think I'm just going to have to see how it goes over the next month or so and take it from there.

Good luck, sounds as if you are committed.

 

[CMAC]

I've been there
head full of spaghetti even though you have a good swing

got to the point nothing worked so I tried instinctive golf

next day enjoyed my game and played not bad.

http://instinctivegolf.co.uk/

I havent gone back for years and I'm getting way to technical again..........you've nothing to lose

 

[Dreamer2]

i know what your saying Ive been working on changes this winter grip,stance & swing, on the first lesson the coach changed everything, the second lesson he at to remind me of couple of things ,i wasn't happy not playing as good as i was, so i left the course alone & hit the range the best thing Ive ever done i would take 3 clubs & buy 160 balls things started to click into place after about 3/4 time of going to the range

if i was you i would remember what i need to work on ,,don't have any more lessons & hit the range until your hitting 2/10 balls that feels perfect with the changes then it makes you understand the changes are for the best, that number will then get better day by day


I'm hitting about 6/10 balls sweet & still improving for now anyway (looking forward to summer)