What things do we blame (both fair and unfair?) - top excuses

[barrybridges]

Good little survey for a Friday here!

I've stopped using the driving range at the gym I go to, as I can't hit anything from it for toffee. I don't quite know what it is, but the (outdoors) range is basically dead grass on a sand base, and I can't hit anything at all. It's like duffing a club into mud.

Every other driving range is fine...on the course if fine...but no chance on this range.

Anyway, it got me thinking. Everytime I have a bad round, like most people, I always like to ask 'what if...?' and typically try pointing the finger of blame at everything other than my own ineptitude.

Which raises a nice little question:

What things CAN you legitimately blame for affecting your performance, and what things do people all-too-readily blame which, realistically, DON'T affect your performance?

For example:

I lost my rhythm because I was held up by the group in front (excuse?)

The course was really dry and the ground was hard (excuse?)

The greens hadn't been cut fairly (excuse?)

It was really windy (excuse?)

It had rained overnight so the course played really long (excuse?)

Am genuinely very interested as often I do walk away from a round thinking 'well, I got a bad shot there, but the ground was rock hard so had I been on a better course I wouldn't have had that issue'?

What do you think are both acceptable and unacceptable excuses?

 

[North Mimms]

My socks should always have the logo on the outer ankle.

"Had the socks on the wrong feet" is a perfectly valid reason, not an excuse.

 

[garyinderry]

my mate will use the i havnt done my stretches excuse if things aint going his way! i complain about the wind mostly!

 

[CMAC]

sudden gale force gust of wind hooked that ball out of bounds (could happen)

 

[USER1999]

Feeling rushed to get to the tee does me every time. I can be there about an hour early, but still feel rushed when I actually have to get to the tee.

Slow play will get to me eventually.

I hate playing in the rain. Or the wind.

My best legit excuse at the moment is I'm having lessons and making some swing changes. This was my excuse last night, and will be again this afternoon.

 

[North Mimms]

I get really put off by people whispering on the tee.
SHUT UP!

 

[sydney greenstreet]

I dont think i really blame anything outwith my control, i usually just put it down to a bad swing.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Larks singing are a distraction for me.

 

[robbest3offthetee]

I dont normally make excuses, Just comes down to a Good or Bad Day, My BIL always says he has a Hangover from the night before if he plays badly, makes me laugh !!!!

 

[North Mimms]

Larks singing are a distraction for me.

The sound of burrowing worms can be very off putting

 

[Hobbit]

The sound of burrowing worms can be very off putting

Let's not forget sparrows farting

 

[chrisd]

"Had the socks on the wrong feet" is a perfectly valid reason, not an excuse.

There the only feet you've got stoopid!

 

[ScienceBoy]

My usual thing I say to myself after a bad shot is "Hey, if I could hit it perfect every time I would be professional".

That seems to be quite a healthy attitude and is working well for me.

 

[Lump]

"Head Up"

If thats not the most used excuse on the course I'd be shocked.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

"Head Up"

If thats not the most used excuse on the course I'd be shocked.

That does get use rather a lot doesn't it and is in most cases not the cause at all

 

[Jay Nause]

my mate uses different shoes as an excuse , says they are a different height from his normal golf shoes , me i just blame injury or tiredness

 

[Liverbirdie]

I'll take a tape recorder next time, one of my regular partner has dozens. Never his fault....

Bad backs only ever on bad rounds.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My best legit excuse at the moment is I'm having lessons and making some swing changes. This was my excuse last night, and will be again this afternoon.

Its what I've been using. How long the swing changes take is open to conjecture. Should be able to string it out all season and then of course the winter is about rebuilding!!!

 

[Shiny]

The earth spinning is too noisy, it put me off.

 

[Khamelion]

Played a course a while back and watched the group in front tee off, one guy duffed his shot low and left, for which he shouted to the group "Aww, bugger I've turned it ower (over)" our paths crossed again towards the end of the round where once again he hit a duff shot low and left and yes you guessed, all we heard was "Aww bugger I've turned it ower"