Blow Up

Had my own Greg Norman moment on Saturday. Was playing Kirtlington in Oxon, My previous best here is 99 and after 15 holes had shot 83 - three holes remained, pars 3,4 and 4.

Landed the ball on the green on the 16th and two putted for par. Great pressure play. The 17th is one of my favourites, 300 odd yards uphill and to the right which matches my own fade perfectly.

Long story short - I just "blew up" and shot an 8 (eight) including four putts. {:¬(

Couldn't get my head right in time and shot a six on the last hole including a duff drive left into the rough. Ruined my day and came very close to snapping a club (as if it's their fault!). Looking back, I did shoot my best ever front 9 there (49) and we've got our annual competition in three weeks and if I've shot 86 after sixteen then I'll have a great chance.

What's been your biggest on-course blow up and how did you fix it or recover?

Once managed  a 12 because my second shot went in bunker instead of on the green.

5 out of bunker and off the other side of green for 7

2 attempts at chipping for 9

and the famous 3 putt for 12...

I just had a good laugh - walked to next had swig of water and thought right the round starts here...

ok heres my worst hole ever - par 4 8th hole oadby golf club (for thos of you that know it in Leics you will know that some of the holes are in the middle of a racecourse)

1st shot OOB onto the race course - hook

3rd shot again OOB onto the race course - hook

5th shot straight - yeah you guessed it !!

7th shot topped it 20 yards in front !! (at least i got off the dam tee odd point)

finally shot an 11 and threw the ball away !!

Far too many to choose from...I was +1 on the 16th a pretty short and straightforward par 5, hit a big  drive and only had about a 6iron to the green managed to put the ball in a greenside bunker, took 2 to get out, thinning the 2nd into a copse...found ball attempted a "silly" shot, took a drop, hit back into greenside bunker took 2 to get out and ended with 11, I then went on to birdie the 17th and par the 18th...so although I got a +6 round it will always be the closest I'll ever get to that elusive par round.

Blimey Paul, now thats a real bad stroke of luck !!  

Must be great for all of you lot that can break 80, Ive only this year started to break 90 quite consistently as well, usually last year i was mid 90's, but to be fair the scores are on regular courses that i play, not sure id be so successful breaking 90 on a new course.

Must be great for all you low handicappers to know we all wish we were that good !!

I know some people that would have made you the head cover of your driver, if you get my drift.

and the prize for the most duffed shots EVER has to go to..........well thats obvious isnt it !!! lol  Chris I would have loved to see what your playing partners reactions.........Priceless !! lol

Makes my 11 look good !!  lol

chris, I bet you felt like hell when you teed up on the next hole !!

I always find the next hole difficult to play when i mess up on the previous hole, usually for me I try and play safe off the tee but then that goes wrong, Ive learnt now thoough just to forget about the bad hole and play the next hole as a new one altogether !!  its all in the mind hey !!