Should you look at your card

[Hobbit]

I've usually got a good idea what my score is but apart from putting the score on the card each hole I'm not really bothered what the score is. We're measured on our 18 hole score not what is after 12/14/16. Mid round scores mean nothing, and that's how I treat them.

As posted in a previous thread, embarrassingly, in matchplay I've had competitors congratulate me on my win. I've known I've been playing well and winning holes but haven't always known how many up I am. I just hit the ball, find it and hit it again.

 

[BTatHome]

In a comp, you always write your score down in the markers box...so how did you not know how you were doing?

I was going to write exactly the same thing. Unless you have an incredibly poor memory then your gonna know where it puts you in your game range, after writing down some scores.

 

[glasgowbeginner]

This will sound funny to most of you, but I dont care what my score is! I enjoy going out and just playing golf. I play a hole mark my score and move onto the next tee and as soon as Im there Ive already forgot about the last hole. I just go out to enjoy myself and if my handicap tumbles down or shoots up I'm not that bothered its just a handicap that has no bearing on my life whatsoever apart from when Im on the course.

 

[Tashyboy]

Wish I knew how to copy and paste, coz there's loads ave read I can relate to and loads ave read that has the cogs in my head spinning. On the two holes on the back nine where I screwed up the first shot into the bunker I could not have played safe it would of meant knocking it sideways to go forward. I could not live with myself doin that.
The second shot was a bad shot which pitched 15 yd short and rolled into the bunker.
The thing is regards my card, I never want to know how I am playing ( is that a bad thing), as Glasgow beginner has just wrote, I write it down and focus on the next shot/ hole. When I got back into golf no one has said this is what you should or should not do with your card during the game.
Again don't know who wrote it but, it is kinda important to me that I swing well and hit good shots. that gives me as much satisfaction as hitting a good score. did comment on Thursday that good shots don't equate to good scores.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

I break the round up into 6 x 3 hole blocks. Focus on what you need to score for each block and when over just forget about it. Work for scoring well or badly.

If you are protecting a decent score of course you play differently over the closing holes. Choices that will take a double bodey out of play vs a possible (but unlikely) birdy are obvious to make in comparison to trying to make up a shot or two.

Obvious example would be on our 16th hole there is water in front of the green (par 5). Do you go for it or lay up and take 6 out of play?

 

[Three]

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There's nothing worse in golf than playing safe and making a mess of it.

That doesn't mean it was the wrong decision, just means it was a bad shot.

Just as bad, and often worse, is making a right pig's ear of a hole, and looking back down the fairway thinking that 4 iron off the tee and then a wedge to the green would make par 19 times out of 20.

"Playing safe " isn't a negative decision, it's just about choosing the right shot at the right time. This is an area where many mid to high handicappers in general could improve massively.

I remember a few years ago one of the top Pros saying he could improve almost all his Pro Am partners scores every time just by caddying for them.

 

[louise_a]

Most golfers have the ability to hit a bad shot even when they are playing well, just look at Jordan Speith at the Masters, the main thing is to not expect to hit one and to forget about them when you do.

 

[Tashyboy]

I break the round up into 6 x 3 hole blocks. Focus on what you need to score for each block and when over just forget about it. Work for scoring well or badly.

If you are protecting a decent score of course you play differently over the closing holes. Choices that will take a double bodey out of play vs a possible (but unlikely) birdy are obvious to make in comparison to trying to make up a shot or two.

Obvious example would be on our 16th hole there is water in front of the green (par 5). Do you go for it or lay up and take 6 out of play?

Mike I think I read about that somewhere, was it something along the lines of being able to focus for three, then re focus for the next three. Etc etc.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Downy matter to me, I have a gameplan and I stick to it.

 

[kid2]

Always know where I stand. Always play par golf. When the handicap was higher I used to keep tabs on it. But now I know that if I bogie something I'm biding my time to grab a birdie to offset it on one of the attackable holes...
I don't know whether it's just coincidence or what but whenever I hear people talking of scores most if not all single figure folders will talk in gross scores. Me included. I have done since I got to 12 or so I would say...
Nearly all higher handicap golfers will talk in points ..

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I don't look but like others, usually know where I am points/score wise. Trying to ignore this and just keep playing is easier said than done. Out in twenty one points today, and then got quick in my tempo and had to really graft for the 17 points coming home. Started thinking ahead. Big mistake

 

[Bigfoot]

It makes no difference to me. I always play the same way, however the round is going. I always play the percentages. A poor drive means get it back in play with the most sensible shot available.

 

[Norrin Radd]

I don't look but like others, usually know where I am points/score wise. Trying to ignore this and just keep playing is easier said than done. Out in twenty one points today, and then got quick in my tempo and had to really graft for the 17 points coming home. Started thinking ahead. Big mistake

38 pts homey ,and a little snip perhaps? not bad golf mate

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Mike I think I read about that somewhere, was it something along the lines of being able to focus for three, then re focus for the next three. Etc etc.

Yes, Karl Morris is a great believer in this approach. I used to break it up into 3 X 6 hole but his view was to go for smaller increments as it stops you from getting too far behind / in front of yourself.

 

[Tashyboy]

Yes, Karl Morris is a great believer in this approach. I used to break it up into 3 X 6 hole but his view was to go for smaller increments as it stops you from getting too far behind / in front of yourself.

Thats the one, I knew someone had mentioned that logic on here. 18 hole stableford on Tuesday and looking forward to it.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Thats the one, I knew someone had mentioned that logic on here. 18 hole stableford on Tuesday and looking forward to it.

no no no , you have six three hole stbfd comps.:fore:

 

[Tashyboy]

no no no , you have six three hole stbfd comps.:fore:

I might be able to win one of those :whoo:

 

[larmen]

I will never look at my card again. Throwing away 'good' round on the last hole because I knew 'that even I can't mess that on cup anymore' just leads to one thing.

 

[Dellboy]

Never look at my card until I finish the round.
I try to play every shot the best I can, I go for most shots and don't often play safe, maybe that's why I'm stuck on 19, but it's the way I play.

 

[Green Bay Hacker]

As hard as I try to put the score out of my mind I find it impossible, especially if I am going well. The only time it does work is if I am having a stinker and don't give a hoot what the end result is.