I read this thread, but really don't contribute too much. Like you, I am a low handicap player pretty much obsessed with getting better. What I've found is there are times where the constant grinding of the gears is too much. The game becomes a chore and ceases to be fun, and the scores rise. Had it happen to me just last week in a tournament. Leading up to it I was really intense, and I bombed in epic fashion. I started off with a triple bogey, then a snap hook drive that led to a bogey, then missed 5 straight birdie putts under 15 feet. Snap hooked another on 8 and the next 28 holes are a blur of fail. I was hitting 240 yard drives I was so screwed up, and normally that's my comfy 5 wood distance. It was a miracle I even made 2 birdies in 2 days, and I can make 2 birdies per 9 in my sleep the majority of the time (and 2 bogeys, but hey, all pars is boring golf).
Simply put, I was too focused on score and blew up. I was mentally fried, and I'm guessing you are too. I tend to let my score dictate level of enjoyment, which is the easiest way to derail a round. The grip tightens, the shoulders tighten, the hips lock. Mental issues become physical issues, and you can very easily undo years of muscle memory in a few bad rounds. Suddenly a bad week becomes a bad month, which becomes a battle you'll fight for a year.
Played my 9 hole league this week (I never care about what I shoot in the league) and I shot 33 while practically carrying on conversations as I was swinging. I played Dr. Gio and looked myself in the proverbial mirror, and really got back to basics. Funny (at least to me)...I shot a 67 a few weeks ago and I can't really remember more than 4 shots from that round. As any serious golfer will tell you, that's not normal. I can still go hole by hole from HS tourneys, but my best score ever last month? I'd really have to work to tell that story.
Take the next round off mentally and go back to what makes the game fun. If you don't normally drink during a round, get a couple of beers. Change up the format of the side bet if you have one. Play a new course, or play with people outside of your usual group. Whatever it takes to remove all self-induced, game ruining pressure. Golf truly imitates life, and sometimes you just need a mental health day.
Last edited by guttle11; 08-06-2011 at 01:33 AM.
Worst weekend of golf for me in a long time. I'm an average golfer (12.1 handicap) and shot 36 holes at my home course; 104 and 98. My natural swing is a fade and out of no where I began hooking everything. Anyone got any tips other than take some time off? Or better yet, a few drills to take the fade out of my swing unless its wanted? Thanks
"....the two players I liked watching the most were Barry Larkin and Eric Davis. I was suitably entertained by their effortless skill that I didn't need them crashing into walls like a squirrel on a coke binge." - dsmith421
We had our annual Pro-Am matches yesterday at Ivy Hills CC. It's the areas top 20 Pros vs. Ams. We play Best Ball in the morning and Individual matches in the afternoon, similar to the Ryder Cup. The Ams won this year. I played mediocre in the morning, but really well in the afternoon. I made 7 birdies in the afternoon and won my match 5&3. I'll tell you what, playing two rounds yesterday took a lot out me. I'm exhausted right now.
"....the two players I liked watching the most were Barry Larkin and Eric Davis. I was suitably entertained by their effortless skill that I didn't need them crashing into walls like a squirrel on a coke binge." - dsmith421
A lot of courses in the area have been in very poor shape the last couple of years largely due to the economy and the significant decline in rounds being played (although the heat and conditions like Redhook said is certainly making it worse).
Many courses in the area are really beat up right now and its kinda sad. I couldn't believe the condition Elks Run out in Batavia was last year. But they just about went bankrupt. That's too bad about Weatherwax. I love that place and have thought it one of the better kept secrets in Cincy for a while now.
Grape works as a soda. Sort of as a gum. I wonder why it doesn't work as a pie. Grape pie? There's no grape pie. - Larry David
It's the heat and lack of rain. Last year was the worst year since the '50's as far as heat goes. When the temperature stays above 70 at night, the grass doesn't get a chance to cool down. This happened for nearly 2 straight months last year. This year, it's been much of the same since early July. Just brutal weather.
Courses in the area were in great shape one month. My course, Sharon Woods, was perfect on July 8th. 2 weeks later, it was completely stressed out from the heat. Country Clubs are struggling too, but they do have a bigger budget and a larger staff to combat the heat. But eventually, Mother Nature will win.
"....the two players I liked watching the most were Barry Larkin and Eric Davis. I was suitably entertained by their effortless skill that I didn't need them crashing into walls like a squirrel on a coke binge." - dsmith421
Thinking about your event at The Wax, a lot of the new areas they constructed as black tee boxes a few years ago looked unusable. So if there's any consolation, maybe it will play a tad shorter.
Anyways, enjoy my "home" course (although my HS golf team played matches at Brown's Run CC), even though it may be a little beat up.
When all is said and done more is said than done.
"....the two players I liked watching the most were Barry Larkin and Eric Davis. I was suitably entertained by their effortless skill that I didn't need them crashing into walls like a squirrel on a coke binge." - dsmith421
When all is said and done more is said than done.
I haven't played Meadows in quite awhile, but after playing Highlands twice yesterday, I agree. #1 and 2 are possibly the hardest two holes at Weatherwax, but it is quite simple after that.
Yesterday was very frustrating. I didn't hit the ball great, but I did hit a lot of good shots. I just couldn't make anything on the greens. It was just one of those days. I only had 3 birdies in 36 holes. I had 3 bogies and 30 pars. I shot 73, 71 to tie for 6. 5-under won.
"....the two players I liked watching the most were Barry Larkin and Eric Davis. I was suitably entertained by their effortless skill that I didn't need them crashing into walls like a squirrel on a coke binge." - dsmith421
Meadows is by far my least favorite and toughest course out there. I believe its hole #4 or so, the longish par 3 that runs up the hill with woods right. Back in my HS days in the district tournament two years in a row that hole ruined my chances of advancing. In my Jr. season I got it down to two over and proceeded to take an 8. Then in my senior year I lowered my score by 3 to a 5. That hole killed me both years.
Highlands and Valley View are by far the easiest two courses at Weatherwax. #1 and #2 can be difficult holes on Highlands but with a dry golf course the holes have a little less bite.
That's #5. That hole is tougher than Chinese geometry. I've played Weatherwax 100s of times and I bet my par % on that hole is about 10. It's almost impossible to hit the green and if you miss either left OR right, you're dead. #4 and #6 are the only 2 simple holes on the Meadows 9 and they're both par 5s. The more I think about it, that probably is the toughest of the 9s for me. Although #8 is the site of my only career hole-in-one.
When all is said and done more is said than done.
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