radiman
#TheGrandaddy2019
About 5-6 years ago, I was playing in the city tournament. First round is qualifying then flights based on the results. I think I was just shy of a 3 handicap at the time. My scores would range anywhere from even par to 10 over. So, I was inconsistent. But, the GHIN system gets rid of the worst rounds making my handicap lower than I think it should have been. But, on to what happened. As someone who doesn't play a lot of tournament golf, I find myself getting very nervous and antsy in tournament play. Adrenaline gets pumping and all of a sudden I am superman flying greens and heavy handed in the short game. Anyways, I ended up shooting a clean 100 in qualifying. The worst round I can ever remember. I haven't hit 100 since I was a teenager learning the game. I couldn't do anything right. If I could get a bad break, I did. Right from the start, my nerves got the best of me. Started poorly and got in my own head. The shot that sticks out the most to me is on the second hole. I was 125 out from the pin. Pull out my gap wedge, made perfect contact, and proceed to fly the green with my ball landing OB behind it. It must have carried 150+ yards. Don't remember too many more details after that as I was just a hot mess.
I wanted to withdraw so bad. I was so embarrassed. I signed my card and asked one of my playing partners to turn it in for me as I didn't want to show my face. After some mental anguish that night, I decided to play the second day. I was flighted really low as I was probably in last place. I went out and played lights out all things considering. Making putts, chipping close, splitting fairways. I made one mistake on the 17th hole that lead to a double. Bogeyed 18 and shot a 75.
Some days, golf is the worst thing that happened to me. It can be a emotional roller coaster. It sounds cliche, but I think it was a positive experience overall. I found that a bad day or bad hole doesn't define your abilities. Since then, I have improved in tournament situations. The nerves still get the better of me sometimes. But, I am able to rebound now. This last year in our club tournament. It was really windy. I hit a drive that fanned out to the right. I have been there before and knew where my ball would be. I got to that spot to find my ball was nowhere to be found. We think it got stuck in a tree. After searching and searching, I had to go back to the tee. I was hot. I pulled my second drive left in a hazard. Ended up with a triple. But, I birdied 3 out of the 4 next holes. So, there is hope for me yet.
I wanted to withdraw so bad. I was so embarrassed. I signed my card and asked one of my playing partners to turn it in for me as I didn't want to show my face. After some mental anguish that night, I decided to play the second day. I was flighted really low as I was probably in last place. I went out and played lights out all things considering. Making putts, chipping close, splitting fairways. I made one mistake on the 17th hole that lead to a double. Bogeyed 18 and shot a 75.
Some days, golf is the worst thing that happened to me. It can be a emotional roller coaster. It sounds cliche, but I think it was a positive experience overall. I found that a bad day or bad hole doesn't define your abilities. Since then, I have improved in tournament situations. The nerves still get the better of me sometimes. But, I am able to rebound now. This last year in our club tournament. It was really windy. I hit a drive that fanned out to the right. I have been there before and knew where my ball would be. I got to that spot to find my ball was nowhere to be found. We think it got stuck in a tree. After searching and searching, I had to go back to the tee. I was hot. I pulled my second drive left in a hazard. Ended up with a triple. But, I birdied 3 out of the 4 next holes. So, there is hope for me yet.