A problem I have.

This is an annoying problem I have, thought I'd share it with you all, maybe some of you also get this.

 I play off a 15 handicap which has stayed the same for years. When I play a social round, either by myself or with my mates I play below my handicap.

For example on Tuesday, I played a solo round at my home course, my game was great and I shot a gross 75, nett 60. Its not the first time, I have been around that quite often, once shooting a gross 71, nett 56. But anytime I enter a competition my game goes to pieces and I usually score much more than my handicap. Todays monthly medal I scored gross 89, nett 74.

I dont approach the game any differently, dont think of my swing. It just all goes wrong.

Was wondering if anyone has had this happen to them in their time golfing, and also is there a way to get over this? It is frustrating!

I know what I can play to but whenever I have a "scorecard" in my hands the wheels come off.

Thank you for reading my little rant.

Paul D...

If you don't count every last shot, lift and drop when the lie doesn't suit or assist yourself in anyway and record it as a proper score, you are cheating yourself...

If you only do this on a practice round and don't record the score then fine (it's practice)...

Sorry but saying you have lower scores for doing anything that you said in your post Paul is a not a lower score!!

Hi John, you must have realised by now that these people are just dreamers, not golfers.

John

I dont give generous lies etc. I play all my practice rounds as if they were competitions. Counting all my strokes, penalty shots, etc. I just dont understand why when in a competition environment I cant play like I do in a practice round.

Neal, I can understand there being s slight variation in your performance when in a competition as opposed to a normal knockabout, but to have the variance you have described just does not equate to my mind.

It would appear to me that your true handicap is much lower than fifteen, as golfers of that handicap do not ever shoot 71 gross, sorry old chap.

John

It does sound bizarre but is true, my local pga pro says she cant think of anything to sort me out. frustrating indeed!!!

It is obvious that you must be suffering from some kind of mental pressure when playing in competition.

It does take time to adjust to competitive life as I know only to well, but you have been playing lonmg enough now to have overcome these fears. When in a comnpetition I would think that you are trying to steer the ball, as opposed to trusting, what must be a good swing, to enable a 71 gross.

This is why most players when at the range hit good shots all the time, but as soon as they return to the course they tighten up and start steering as opposed to swinging.

 John

The problem that I have is that every now and again I hit a shank. I can be playing perfect golf and then suddenly for no apparent reason hit a shank. The problem is that this then unnerves me for 2-3 holes before I can bring myself to start swinging properly again.Does anyone else suffer from this problem?

Ian, don't even mention the word, it has been the bane of my recent life. I only do it when faced with a twenty or thirty yard pitch, never on a full shot.

The problem for me is that although I may only do it a couple of times a round it has forced me to play cricket shots to the pin as opposed to the required shot, so my short game is costing me a lot of shots. I need to get the confidence back, as I used to have a lot of variety in my short game shotmaking.

Paul, the modern version of that quote is that Problems are there to be overcome, if they cannot, then they are no longer a problem.

John

Neal,

I sometimes suffer with this problem. When playing on the weekend with friends I don't count my scores etc until the end of the round & then I'm either pleased or p!$$ed off. Then when I play in a competition I make the mistake of 'chasing' a score & checking my card over & over. I suppose it comes down to self discipline.

 John.

Losing by that margin after shooting a 75 means that you were up against bandits.

John