That's why golf is such a hard and fickle game. If it was easy everyone would be scratch or a pro. 
Days You Just Don't Have It...
These are the times when I just try to find a positive thing no matter how small. Keeping my mindset as positive as I can and order another canned Transfusion from the cart girl.
Then mitigate the in between. Know where the miss is. Don't force things. And just shrug it off because golf is hard.
If it's just a slight issue in terms of directional control, I'd just try to adapt and play it.
If it's something like contact issues with hitting fat or a little kiss of the hosel, it just becomes suffering for the actual golf portion.
If it's something like contact issues with hitting fat or a little kiss of the hosel, it just becomes suffering for the actual golf portion.
It's funny because with my son, I'll point out what he's doing wrong...he'll get pissed off and ignore what I'm telling him and will keep doing the same thing for a hole or two. Eventually, his pride fades and he actually makes the adjustment I told him to make - and it works.
And then we go through the same cycle next time.
Same. My Dad taught me the game, he's the one who could identify what I was doing wrong. Now I'm at a point where I'm sure a professional lesson or two could be a plus, but I worry that it will blow up what I've built since I was 10 years old.
So I've gotten really good at self-addressing any issues during range sessions.
This exactly ... to a T except I was 4
Just enjoy the round as much as possible and realize it isn't your day today. Look around more at the surroundings, joke more with your buddies or about yourself.
And know that tomorrow is another day with a different golf result.
And know that tomorrow is another day with a different golf result.
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- #32
Yeah, that was my deal on Sunday - a total loss of low point. I started out hitting them thin, tried to adjust and it shifted to fat, adjusted again and it turned into great contact that hooked way left....lol
Unfortunately know those rounds. I had a roughly 3-4 day period this summer of course on a golf trip, after playing some really solid golf leading up to it, to feeling completely lost and shot my highest scores of the year all in a row. And then, naturally, came back from the trip to a week of shooting my best scores of the summer.
Golf is wild.
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- #34
I think that's it to a T.
I might get frustrated here and there, but I don't really get mad anymore. It's not worth it - I'm doing something that plenty of people can't for one reason or another. It's not my job or anything...it's just me trying to beat an unbeatable game...lol
Yeah this definitely happens and there is nothing that can be done. When it does, I just try and swing easy, not get too worried about it, and enjoy the day.
I just keep grinding while trying to figure out what I am doing wrong but I try not to get upset if nothing works. If things have truly come off the rails, while it's not always easy I stop keeping score (I don't maintain a handicap) and just enjoy being out on the course in the fresh air getting some exercise.
Unfortunately, this is me, like very often...
There are a few stages of hell in these rounds:
1. Tee shots are awful - I try just going to the mini always and forever
2. Mini is bad too - knock down 5i off the tee
3. Irons are bad as well - Call up the bar and have them put a couple club specials on the bar for me, turn the music up and lets just vibe for a couple hours and pretend we don't care about the score
There are a few stages of hell in these rounds:
1. Tee shots are awful - I try just going to the mini always and forever
2. Mini is bad too - knock down 5i off the tee
3. Irons are bad as well - Call up the bar and have them put a couple club specials on the bar for me, turn the music up and lets just vibe for a couple hours and pretend we don't care about the score
I try to have as short of a memory as possible.
"Focus on the next shot." It's way easier to say than do, but it truly can work.
I think my bad rounds really are more mental breakdowns.
"Focus on the next shot." It's way easier to say than do, but it truly can work.
I think my bad rounds really are more mental breakdowns.
- Thread starter
- #39
I think that's been sort of the most frustrating part. As I've improved and seen some success and seen how low I really can go - the game is a lot more streaky than it used to be.
A year and a half ago, I could pretty much count on being between 82-88 every single round, with a few anomalies. Now, I can go a couple weeks shooting 75-80...then the next couple weeks, it's nothing but 84-90.
I feel like it's because I've sort of unlocked the next level, but haven't figured out how to do it consistently...but it's so frustrating when you think you've got it, only to regress.
- Thread starter
- #40
Same. It's funny, because I feel like I'm the furthest thing from a mentally weak person...but the mental aspect of golf owns me...lol.
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I find one thing that I'm doing well, no matter how small. Maybe I'm chipping decent or putting somewhat well and I focus on that and forget about the rest. Finding something small to focus on and build off of it.
If there's nothing at all - maybe I just sit in the cart, crack a beer and enjoy nature.
If there's nothing at all - maybe I just sit in the cart, crack a beer and enjoy nature.
I'm the exact same way, feel like I'm mentally strong elsewhere, but golf owns me and makes me a mess!
It's not worth it to get too worked up about since we are not getting paid to play, we PAY to play. Some days we pay more than others with poor play!
As we get better (assuming that happens), the expectations get higher as well, so what I have seen is the frustration level also increases with the expectations.
It is a game. Or some say a sport.
See what I did there?
I almost always suffer through it and try to enjoy.
What I should be doing, is recognizing what is working/isn't working, and sticking to what is. Only making good contact with mid/short irons? Hit a bunch of 7 irons instead of fairway woods/long irons. Hit more Heavenwoods than 5W. Play smarter instead of harder.
What I should be doing, is recognizing what is working/isn't working, and sticking to what is. Only making good contact with mid/short irons? Hit a bunch of 7 irons instead of fairway woods/long irons. Hit more Heavenwoods than 5W. Play smarter instead of harder.
It’s frustrating for sure. I just try to slow myself and my swing down. Use more club and swing 75-80%. Then you just have to “Dance with the one that brung you”. Keep my chin up and play through it.
It can certainly be frustrating when you have a day where it feels like your first time on a golf course, but I just play through it and focus on having a good time. I'm out there to have fun and there's nothing at stake in most of my golf rounds, so the only thing hurt is my pride when I stink up the course that day. I know another round is coming in a couple days, laugh it off and I'll get another chance then. My buddies and I jokingly refer to those as "handicap enhancement days".
I like that
It's tough to get past the frustration and focus on what is working or what will keep me in the best spot/in play. Typically if tee shots go wild, most clubs have the same issue, so there is not much I can do other than try to slow things down and focus on staying balanced and on plane. Hopefully I understand that I am trying to save bogie most times and if that slips, so be it. Hit the best shot I can whether it is for a 5 or a 10.
first thing I do is work hard to make sure I am still pleasant to be around. Twice this year I walked after nine I was so frustrated and both times the randoms I was with were surprised to hear I was frustrated, they had a great time hanging out. I take that as a point of pride.
Second part is I try to make on course adjustments. Sometimes it works...at least twice this year it didn't lol.
Second part is I try to make on course adjustments. Sometimes it works...at least twice this year it didn't lol.