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I think it's exactly that, as well as having a pre shot routine to fall back on.
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I think it's exactly that, as well as having a pre shot routine to fall back on.
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There seems to be such a rush on courses now, loads of people want to absolutely fly through a round. Chances are if you're getting held up by the group in front, the group behind will understand and not really be blaming you. Even if there isn't a group in front and you're playing at a good pace but not as fast as them, then they can't really complain unless they're right up your backside and you don't let them through. I find most of that comes down to the mental side and to just constantly look forward and not concern yourself with what's happening behind.
What I don't understand is why people tee of a lot earlier than their tee time forcing themselves to get held up. Times when we've tee'd off at say half 5 during the week and there isn't another group on until 6, but they still insist on teeing off before we've even cleared the green.
That's kinda the weird thing the round I'm thinking of last week it was the afternoon and there had been a comp earlier in the day (think it may have still been going on ahead of us actually) so the afternoon was fully booked, there was a 4-ball ahead of me and at least 2 4-balls ahead of them, a 2-ball behind me, I was solo.
Everyone was really accepting of the slow pace really, the 4-ball ahead of me offered to let me play through but no point so I didn't. The worst hold up was on the 5th hole, the second par 3 of the course, as I finished putting the 4th I heard people teeing off on the 5th but it was the group ahead of the group ahead of me so when I got there the 4-ball is there waiting whilst the group ahead of them walks up to the green. By the time I get to tee off the 2-ball behind had been there a few minutes, but they were fine with it all, I still rushed and duffed my tee shot so then I rush my second shot and shank it, thankfully calmed down from there and got up and down for a 5, terrible but yeah.
It basically feels like I feel bad for the delay even though I'm not the reason if that makes sense? I just need to be more of a selfish ****
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That's kinda the weird thing the round I'm thinking of last week it was the afternoon and there had been a comp earlier in the day (think it may have still been going on ahead of us actually) so the afternoon was fully booked, there was a 4-ball ahead of me and at least 2 4-balls ahead of them, a 2-ball behind me, I was solo.
Everyone was really accepting of the slow pace really, the 4-ball ahead of me offered to let me play through but no point so I didn't. The worst hold up was on the 5th hole, the second par 3 of the course, as I finished putting the 4th I heard people teeing off on the 5th but it was the group ahead of the group ahead of me so when I got there the 4-ball is there waiting whilst the group ahead of them walks up to the green. By the time I get to tee off the 2-ball behind had been there a few minutes, but they were fine with it all, I still rushed and duffed my tee shot so then I rush my second shot and shank it, thankfully calmed down from there and got up and down for a 5, terrible but yeah.
It basically feels like I feel bad for the delay even though I'm not the reason if that makes sense? I just need to be more of a selfish ****
Totally understand the feeling bad even though you're not the problem but the people behind you might feel the same way about the people behind them, and so on. Just the nature of the beast, unfortunately.
Rushing a shot (in my opinion) when people let you play through is the worst thing to do. Take the extra 20-30 seconds to make the right shot - better to do that than potentially spend a couple of minutes looking for a ball in the **** after rushing, therefore taking even longer. The pressure of someone watching might rattle you but you'd be surprised how quickly you might be able to filter it out.
I've been lucky enough to play a sport at international level, albeit very briefly, but the couple of years I was involved with the Scotland setup highlighted the importance of mental strength in any sport so I'm pretty immune to it now but it's 100% something a lot of people neglect. My girlfriend competes with her horse and being honest, she's a nightmare when she finishes a round of whatever she's doing. I'm helping to change her mindset on not going on about what she thinks she did bad but change it to something you need to improve so it's not a negative thought and something to work on. The crucial part to me is to come away from whatever you're doing with three things you were happy with even if you've had an absolute howler and at least one thing that needs a bit of work.
Anyway, I could rabbit on about the mental side for hours and don't imagine everyone can be bothered reading it!
Definitely, just need to remember to do that in the moment 
Just got back from another 9-hole round, which was a very mixed bag - Pro tip of the day: Don't use your 'warmup' period to practice...
Been having issues with my driver so instead of 20 range balls + some chipping and putting warmup I got 60 balls and quickly worked up the bag to the Driver and hit a bunch of drivers trying to figure it out (not sure I did) but ran out of time to really do any chipping/putting stuff.
Got to the first hole which is a tricky par 5 where you can't really use driver so picked my 5 iron but leaked it right, thought I saw it down but lost it so dropped and moved on, eventually getting to the green in 6 and with no putting warmup managed a stunning 4 putt. Good start.
2nd hole a par 4, pulled my tee shot into some rough on the left, found it but didn't help the progress and some very meh shots/thinned chips and it's a 7.
3rd was ok, bogied a par 3. 4th hole, pulled left again and this time lost again. At this point I'm thinking it'd be a terrible round, surely no way out from here. Dropped again and hit a risky shot that turned out great, salvaged a double bogey from that.
Par 3 5th and I hit a great tee shot, should've birdied it but left it a bit short, still a par and this is basically where the round turns around. 6th and 7th were decent. 8th I took an aggressive line and found a draw that turns out great, 2nd shot to within a foot for a tap in birdie, crazy
Overall a 50, kinda good for me, +15 but I was +8 after 2 so that's basically bogey golf on holes 3 through 9!
Just got back from another 9-hole round, which was a very mixed bag - Pro tip of the day: Don't use your 'warmup' period to practice...
Been having issues with my driver so instead of 20 range balls + some chipping and putting warmup I got 60 balls and quickly worked up the bag to the Driver and hit a bunch of drivers trying to figure it out (not sure I did) but ran out of time to really do any chipping/putting stuff.
Got to the first hole which is a tricky par 5 where you can't really use driver so picked my 5 iron but leaked it right, thought I saw it down but lost it so dropped and moved on, eventually getting to the green in 6 and with no putting warmup managed a stunning 4 putt. Good start.
2nd hole a par 4, pulled my tee shot into some rough on the left, found it but didn't help the progress and some very meh shots/thinned chips and it's a 7.
3rd was ok, bogied a par 3. 4th hole, pulled left again and this time lost again. At this point I'm thinking it'd be a terrible round, surely no way out from here. Dropped again and hit a risky shot that turned out great, salvaged a double bogey from that.
Par 3 5th and I hit a great tee shot, should've birdied it but left it a bit short, still a par and this is basically where the round turns around. 6th and 7th were decent. 8th I took an aggressive line and found a draw that turns out great, 2nd shot to within a foot for a tap in birdie, crazy
Overall a 50, kinda good for me, +15 but I was +8 after 2 so that's basically bogey golf on holes 3 through 9!
Hit 50 balls on the range this evening with mixed results. Started with a 7i and made some crisp shots, moved onto the hybrid which was erratic, then 3 wood. My 3 wood was unusually poor, then I moved onto my driver, erratic, but unlike me I was hitting mostly straight shots albeit nothing near 200yds. A strange session, but I have to focus on the positives
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Do you take anything with you to the range to practice? I'm a big advocate for having a swing thought in mind when you're there.
I always go with a plan, but usually lose focus. Tried really hard yesterday to rotate and follow through consistently. Playing again tomorrow, so I’ll see how it goes on the course
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Aye, much easier said then done when there's a long drive option to have fun with...
Just back from the usual Friday morning round, new PB for that course at 100 (england golf reduced it to 99, so technically broke 100!).
Generally pretty solid golf but kinda made a hash of the 16th and 17th, 8's on both (with 17 being a par 3 hence the drop to a 7 in england golf), think in part because I was aware of how well the round was going... The positive side of that is that I managed to sort myself out for the 18th and got a bogey so that's something
Really quite happy with that, I was playing sensibly and avoiding danger, took my medicine a few times and hit some decent shots.
My driver is still meh, did use it on the 1st and 3rd but it wasn't great so back in the bag it goes. Woodlands is nice and open hence trying it out, and also on the Signature course now it's running a bit there's a bunch of holes that aren't driver anyway these days, or at least thge 5w is a really minor disadvantage.
Generally pretty solid golf but kinda made a hash of the 16th and 17th, 8's on both (with 17 being a par 3 hence the drop to a 7 in england golf), think in part because I was aware of how well the round was going... The positive side of that is that I managed to sort myself out for the 18th and got a bogey so that's something
Really quite happy with that, I was playing sensibly and avoiding danger, took my medicine a few times and hit some decent shots.
My driver is still meh, did use it on the 1st and 3rd but it wasn't great so back in the bag it goes. Woodlands is nice and open hence trying it out, and also on the Signature course now it's running a bit there's a bunch of holes that aren't driver anyway these days, or at least thge 5w is a really minor disadvantage.
Congratulations on breaking the 100, now to do it consistently and edge towards 90.Just back from the usual Friday morning round, new PB for that course at 100 (england golf reduced it to 99, so technically broke 100!).
Generally pretty solid golf but kinda made a hash of the 16th and 17th, 8's on both (with 17 being a par 3 hence the drop to a 7 in england golf), think in part because I was aware of how well the round was going... The positive side of that is that I managed to sort myself out for the 18th and got a bogey so that's something
Really quite happy with that, I was playing sensibly and avoiding danger, took my medicine a few times and hit some decent shots.
My driver is still meh, did use it on the 1st and 3rd but it wasn't great so back in the bag it goes. Woodlands is nice and open hence trying it out, and also on the Signature course now it's running a bit there's a bunch of holes that aren't driver anyway these days, or at least thge 5w is a really minor disadvantage.
I would not worry too much about the big numbers on you card unless you are doing a medal round, Stableford if much less punishing.Just back from the usual Friday morning round, new PB for that course at 100 (england golf reduced it to 99, so technically broke 100!).
Generally pretty solid golf but kinda made a hash of the 16th and 17th, 8's on both (with 17 being a par 3 hence the drop to a 7 in england golf), think in part because I was aware of how well the round was going... The positive side of that is that I managed to sort myself out for the 18th and got a bogey so that's something
Really quite happy with that, I was playing sensibly and avoiding danger, took my medicine a few times and hit some decent shots.
My driver is still meh, did use it on the 1st and 3rd but it wasn't great so back in the bag it goes. Woodlands is nice and open hence trying it out, and also on the Signature course now it's running a bit there's a bunch of holes that aren't driver anyway these days, or at least thge 5w is a really minor disadvantage.
I was having a great round last year and thought i can break 80 today, it did'nt go to plan after that.
What strategy do you guys use out on the golf course, par 4 & 5 that is. Do you aim to reach a certain distance from the green and use the same iron every time or more like me and just try and get as close to the green as possible?
Stats say the closer you can get to the green the better your score will be. So that's generally how I play it.
Different for me, each hole usually has a different strategy. short par 4's prefer to take 3w or hybrid off the tee so that I have a full club in to the green rather than a partial wedge shot.
Long par 4s, usually driver off the tee most of the time or lay up with 3w to avoid fairway bunkers
Par 5s at my place are usually driver, 4 hybrid, wedge, course is set up more like risk/reward for those who try to get on the par5 greens in 2
It depends - Par 5's are usually as far as you can off the tee, unless there is a obvious disadvantage with bunkers/dogleg/water around the driving distance. Rarely would I hit less than driver off most par 5's - I do tend to hit 3w at our 2nd hole (par 5) - as driver off line a little tends to be blocked out by trees, but 3w you are usually further back and more chance to get "round" the trees from further back.
Shorter par 4's can be more likely to be less club off the tee to leave a fuller shot in for me. Personal choice.
Our 8th hole is around 310/320 off the medal tees. A solid drive and some run you can get to within 30/40 yards of the green. But that doesn't really help - elevate green, bunkers in front and right side which protects a fairly large green sloping back to front. Also OB all down the right side.
I "normally" - hit 3w/7w off this tee to leave myself more like 80/100 yards in as it more a full club shot which tends to take out the bunkers at the front rather than a 30/40 yard half shot which is harder to judge.
Just what suits my eye and also what I'm "feeling" on the day sometimes.
Yeah, this was general play/strokeplay but still... I broke 100 the first time over 2 months ago and since then just not executed well, so think it did affect me a bit...
I'm a simple man, try to get as close as possible
I feel pretty comfortable in my wedges both full shots and partial swings so yeah aim to get it as close as possible for now...Saying that courses like the one I played today are pretty short so a bunch of the par 4's really aren't driver, or even 5 wood, these days. Think I worked out I only use driver on 7 holes there. Also my local (9-hole) both par 5's (and all but one par 4) have elements that make driver questionable... But that's more a case of driver bringing danger into play more than not wanting to get as close to the green as possible...
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I always plan back from the hole based on average carry of my clubs. It pretty much guarantees I reach the green for a par putt. It's a safe mentality at our level but as I've gotten better it's one my teacher is trying to get me out of, especially as I'm crushing my longer irons and 3 wood at the moment.
I think generally planning back from the pin around your best clubs is the most efficient way of playing though. Depending on the SI, you just want to keep the doubles off the card. You should be trying to make the game as simple as possible unless there's anything troublesome within driving distance as @booyaka mentioned.
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I think it also comes down to what you're playing for. As a relative beginner, I'm less concerned about my handicap and more about ball striking, experimenting on course with different shots, clubs and angles. Things you just can't practice on a range. As I build up my knowledgebase and confidence over the shot, the handicap seems to take care of itself. This year I calibrated at 30 something and current down to 26 with 9 rounds recorded (6 x 18, 3 x, 9). I'll often walk 3-4 holes with just one of my irons to experiment and test things out. Everyone of course learns a different way but for me, building up the knowledge is more important at this stage. The course I played at yesterday was 6470 yards and I'd say that's about my comfort level. Was happy to birdie a par 5 and par their SI2 hole. I still blew up a bunch of holes but that's part of the learning curve.
For those more experienced playing the course purely for the sake of scoring makes total sense.
For those more experienced playing the course purely for the sake of scoring makes total sense.
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Just quoting the above - played the 8th today.... 3w off the tee (235 yards), Gap wedge - 100 yards, 12ft putt holed for birdie! Nice to actually execute for once!!
Apart from that - another poor one. Really struggling at the moment - Feeling a bit lost with my swing/tempo etc. Short game is decent and putting well, but really struggling at the moment.
Shot something like 87 gross today... WAY off. Rough times but the lack of practice is really hitting home at the moment.
Back for a few winter lessons I think soon....