Hi well my handicap on here is whatever but it was a long time ago playing for fun. A few months ago i joined my local club ended up on28 and for the life of me i cant lower it no matter what i do

Whats happening? If you cant get below 28 hcap I assume you arnt breaking 100 too often. I see on your old scores you have shot a 87 so you have been fairly decent. Whats happening? Dave CAC handed Geordie.

Before i was not in tournaments so my handicap is purely tournament as cant get official handicap otherwise and i think pressure gets to me i play good when jus going out i have tried the mind calming techniques and i thinl i have built up a mental wall in my head that says ur gonna have a shockin round every time i step up there i say relax blablabla then still few holes in norm the 5th a mean par 5 a totally mess up then takes until 10th hole to shake it back out i feel like swing is wrobg i kno i prob need a lesson bit plenty teach themselves and before i gt quite good jus dont kno whats happening now i wish i knew. Like when in horrible rough i tend to try get it out with distance like usin 5-6iron but i kno thats wrong i just dnt want to get left behind so i try maybe i need to just pitch out bk to fairway and start again

Daniel - it has only been a few months since you joined the club and started playing in competitions. It is completely normal to go through this so do not give up. You will start to get used to it and will start to make better on course decisions as your brain won't be as scrambled. A few months really isn't a long time. I joined a golf club 2 years ago as a complete beginner so I had to go through the experience thing as well as learning to play, trying to keep up with play and being ridiculously nervous. Sometimes you don't even realise how bad it was until you look back and think 'Why did I do that!!!' I got my breakthrough about 2-3 months ago when I started to play much steadier and my handicap started to tumble. I don't think it will take you 18 months though as you had plenty of experience already! Probably a few more months and then it will settle. Look forward to it as when it happens you have a few weeks of being a complete bandit off your handicap! If the timing is right you might even get your name on a board.

Also - I made this very simple swing change recently and it has made a world of difference - enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujJt3ZlN01g

IMHO...

I agree that initially it can be a bit un-nerving when joining a new club. You're playing with people you don't know... you want to make a good impression...

Unfortunately all this is contributing to bringing your game down. You're thinking about all the things you shouldn't be thinking about instead of thinking about a positive shot every time.

I firmly believe that us "average" golfers don't vary too much in god-given talent but those who believe they will play well have a much better chance.

Forget the others, think positive and start winning!! And have fun...

If you've previously shot an 87 then you've got some ability. If you're telling yourself before the round that you're going to have a shocker then you will. The problem is all in your head as you admit. Try reading 'Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect' or 'Play The Golf Of Your Dreams' both by Bob Rotella.

Thanks for comments will bare them ij mind sunday in our four ball better ball charity event and i have been trying to remember the name of that guy that has been suggested someone told me about him a while ago and for the life of me could not remember so thanks alot much appreciated.

Will check out you tube link thanks alot guys for the positive thoughts.

That you tube link is a joke!! It is the funniest golf video I have ever seen - please don't try it at home!