Question:
I thought that I was the only one out there golfing like this. I’m currently struggling in the 90’s and it’s those 8 & 9’s on a few holes that really kill me. On one of my recent better rounds was esentailly two totally different rounds in one. I was 14 over par on the front nine and six over par for the back. Or the time I holed a 90 yard pitch shot on a par four…..it was for par. Tom
That’s a big step. I’ve gone from a 21 HC to an 11 over the last 4 years…going from the 21 to around 14-15 was the biggest leap I made, and I credit that largely to not having those "blow up" holes. Playing smart and good course manaagement should start elminating those triple and double bogeys. Of course, now ESC takes care of those big numbers for me. 
JL
Response:
The following hole is a par 5. I hit a great tee shot… had a "good miss" for a second shot, leaving me 140 yards in the center of the fairway. I hit a good 8-iron… pin high and about 20′ left of the pin, but off the green leaving a short chip shot. I’m lying 3… carded a 9.
That’s rough. There’s this guy in my league who usually shoots around 60 for a nine. Can’t get out of sand traps to save his life. On this one par 4 he was in the greenside bunker in 3 or 4 shots and ended up with a 13. He would either leave it in the bunker or scull it into the bunker on the other side of the green.
Response:
I thought that I was the only one out there golfing like this. I’m currently struggling in the 90’s and it’s those 8 & 9’s on a few holes that really kill me. On one of my recent better rounds was esentailly two totally different rounds in one. I was 14 over par on the front nine and six over par for the back. Or the time I holed a 90 yard pitch shot on a par four…..it was for par. Tom
Response:
The following hole is a par 5. I hit a great tee shot… had a "good miss" for a second shot, leaving me 140 yards in the center of the fairway. I hit a good 8-iron… pin high and about 20′ left of the pin, but off the green leaving a short chip shot. I’m lying 3… carded a 9. That’s rough. There’s this guy in my league who usually shoots around 60 for a nine. Can’t get out of sand traps to save his life. On this one par 4 he was in the greenside bunker in 3 or 4 shots and ended up with a 13. He would either leave it in the bunker or scull it into the bunker on the other side of the green.
Mine was simply brain death. I skulled the chip and the ball scooted across the green into the fringe. I decided to putt (downhill) and gave it a bit too much… leaving about 8′ coming back. I knocked that one firm through the break. My next 2-3′er was a slippery side-downhiller that did a "lip-whip" where the ball lips out in a downhill direction and picks up speed to maximize it’s distance from the cup. I liked the lip-out so well I did it again, followed by a courageous, confident 9 incher dead in the center of the cup! I never miss those short putts… I guess I was just due and it came all at once. The nice part about this for me is that I can pull stunts like this without having to fret about "ruining a good round"… BW (Jeff Buege)
Response:
I love stories like this. But as much as anything, I love hearing about when someone appreciates playing the game for what it is — playing. Thanks for sharing, and for giving me a good chuckle.
Most of the guys I play with are 12 handicap or better. My best golfing buddy is a 7. I just jumped up to 26 again… thanks to my "dream round" finally falling off my card. Yet they all say they welcome me along for a game because I’m not an "annoying" hacker. I have FUN, and you will too dammit!! Sometimes I’m painful to watch… and yes, I’m disappointed when I hit ‘em stray. But it’s still a lot better to be out there than… well… anywhere else. I think I help keep things in perspective for them. I mean, when I’m lying 7 in the greenside bunker and still yukking it up, it’s hard to get cranked because you’ve left yourself with a downhill 6′ birdie putt instead of an uphill 6′ birdie putt. I must provide the "things could be worse" angle. I appreciate being welcome to play with these guys, because I don’t necessarily enjoy playing with poor players. One guy I know lines up a good 30-40 degrees to the right of target and plays every shot as a "pull". He gets amazing distance… but it screws up your game to even watch the guy. My fundamentals are better than that… I set up right and look good until one of my 39 different mechanical and mental flaws takes over (I used to have 41 different flaws, so things are looking up!). But my main complaint is that I don’t like being around someone who gets pissed all the time… and hackers tend to at least appear pissed, probably to deal with the embarrassment. I no longer get embarrassed… if you don’t know how bad I’m likely to play, you’ll soon figure it out on your own. It’s too easy and predictable to throw your club down in disgust when your tee shot comes up short of the ladies tee. What people remember is when your buddy pulls out the cash, peels off a $20, and hands it to you saying "You win… you did better than last time!" Just be sure not to be standing on the other side of the green when I’m playing out of the bunker, and you’ll be fine. And I never mind being the butt of a joke out there. Again… I’m "out there"… and to me, that’s the real measure of success when it comes to golf. As with sex, I’m just happy to be a part of it!! (or at least that’s what I remember) BW (Jeff Buege)
Response:
I wrote Problem is, Par, bogie, double bogie, followed by quad will get me in at about 103. That pretty much sums up my round.
To which Zamuel replied The thing is guys…anybody who can hit par on 2 or 3 holes on a routine basis CAN get down into the 80s pretty easily…it’s just a matter of observation and practice…(lots of it).
While I’ve never broken 90, I have no doubt I will at some point, and the time only thing between me and that number is, as you say, practice. I think most high handicappers lose the most strokes the way I do – inconsistancy. Practice will lessen that. That plus what I’ll call course management, or better yet, game management. While I can hit the driver pretty well, lately, I play my best if I put it away on all but the longest, most forgiving holes. Last Sunday, I it par on the toughest hole on my home course – an uphill, 535 yard par 5 with a dogleg. I hit 3 wood off the tee and intended to get on the green in 4 or 5. One shot later, I had a 150 yard uphill 5 iron to the green, which I managed. The two putt was tough, but my short game is my strength. I usually hit driver off that tee. Right into the next fairway. Birdies, of whch I have managed a few, are truly fun. But par on that hole was like birdie for me! I’m not suggesting you NEED to shoot in the 80s to enjoy the game…
Oh, I love the game, and I take pride in the respect I gove the game and the others who play with me (usually better than I). My high handicap does not get in the way of others I am playing with, or at least I try hard not to let it. I’ve been paired up with one gentleman, for example, who plays to about a 10-15 handicap, though he ends up taking mulligans, picks up any putt under 5 feet, and rushes any putt longer. I’ve seen him drive 250+ and eagle a hole. I’ve also seen him take a 9, mostly because he lost his cool. Next time I get paired up with him, I’ll keep his score as well as mine… I’d be surprised if he breaks 95. And does he ever hate the game. Swears at every hole. Curses the group in front of us for playing too slow while they’re waiting on the group in fron of them. More than once, I’ve asked him to not stand directly behind my line as I tee off as well as putt. I’ve had to yell forward to him to tell him to get the hell out of the way so I can play forward – he cares little of otherrs even in his own group. I’d say I have 5x more fun than he does, even when I’m blowing up. Last round I played, I couldn’t buy a lucky bounce. I had on shot hit a tree on the top of a hill and bound back 100-120 yards down a cart path, almost to where I was hitting from. (See thread about funny bounces do happen) I was laughing my ass off the whole time! Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’m sure I’ll play better soon, I can feel it. Maybe this Sunday will be the day. Watch out 90, here I come. Peter
Response:
I hope I am taking the right approach. I am working hard to get to single digits (down to 10 from 16 at the beginning of the year). I play 72 holes a week, and hit a large bucket of balls three or four days a week. Plenty of full PW shots, with fewer 8I, 7I, 3W from ground and tee and a large number of Driver from tee. But I don’t play in serious competition. I have had two full work careers that were full of competition day and night. I want golf to be fun, and it is. This approach has also let me see my wife go from a rank beginner 6 months ago to being able to play 110-120 very consistently, despite my advice and coaching. I expect her to break 100 soon. She has 2 birdie balls in the rack and I have seen her par 3 of the 4 par 4’s on our home course twice. Now that is fun!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I admire your attitude. And your sense of humor. Golf teaches us a lot of things about ourselves if we bother to pay close enough attention to allow it to do so. And whenever I read someone’s account of their own games, it often provides a few clues about the person behind the post. I rather imagine you’d be a hoot to play a round of golf with, even I didn’t see much of you during the round. :-) I’m certain I’d enjoy hearing you recall the round at the 19th hole! I love stories like this. But as much as anything, I love hearing about when someone appreciates playing the game for what it is — playing. Thanks for sharing, and for giving me a good chuckle. Randy My golf website: http://wwwgolfer.home.mindspring.com My real-life website: http://www.goldenbrownvo.com My RSG Roll Call profile: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/brownr.htm RSG FAQ: http://ttsoft.com/thor/rsggolf.html
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I went out and played Sunday… shot an impressive 110. My pro said "well, you had an off day", so I showed him my GHIN card virtually blossoming with "off days". BUT… I had fun! I had my moments… on the back nine, I was 7 over after 7 holes (bogey golf is my dream)… but I was 9 over on the next 2 holes. On the final hole, where I endured every golfing calamity known to man in a short 15 minute span, I tapped in my 10th shot of the hole and announced "that’s a par". The people I play with never know how to take a person like me… such a poor player who surrounds utterly brilliant shots with a 3 Stooges-esque display of bloopers. And always having fun! So.. yesterday I hit the range in search of "the answer". There was no answer… I couldn’t hit a 7-iron 100 yards. I was trying too hard… and clearly wasn’t getting anywhere. So, I just walked away from the majority of the balls I’d intended to punish. In early afternoon, I was invited to escape for a quick 9. I waffled… I knew I shouldn’t but just couldn’t pass it up. My play was predictable…. unpredictable. On some holes, I couldn’t get from tee to green, but my short play was impressive. On others, I tatered the ball to the green and couldn’t get it home. The highlight was the pair of par 3’s… I played them in one under. The first was a 190 yard hole, and my tee shot was about 30-40 yards short and right… behind a tree with a canopy of branches about 8′ off the ground. My only play was a cross-your-fingers punch shot. My 7-iron came out low… took a BIG hop on the cart path and rolled all the way to the green, coming to rest 2 feet from the cup. Tap in for par. The second was a bit less spectacular… from 133 yards, I stuck a 9-iron about 6 feet from the hole and made the putt for birdie. The following hole is a par 5. I hit a great tee shot… had a "good miss" for a second shot, leaving me 140 yards in the center of the fairway. I hit a good 8-iron… pin high and about 20′ left of the pin, but off the green leaving a short chip shot. I’m lying 3… carded a 9. I ended up shooting 52 (yes… that’s a 52 including a 3 and a 2). And I had a GREAT time! It’s never boring out there with me! There’s no such thing as "routine" in my game. Just hand me a club and it’s anyone’s guess what might happen…. except that I’ll have a smile on my face when it’s over! BW (Jeff Buege) "Where’s the first tee and what’s the course record?"
Response:
I must admit I had more fun when I was a 15 hdcp than now (6 hdcp). It`s a constant and never ending battle. I have hit about 4,000 balls in the last month getting ready for the club championship this weekend. So what do I do,go out and shoot 82 today. I`m just about ready to blow my brains out. Being a single digit handicap is hard work. Do you want a second job?
(g) You’re not the first person I’ve heard this from…A few have also noted that they more or less turned into someone they didn’t care for very much under the stress and strain of constant competition. I think it’s sad for someone to give up the game due to being TO GOOD at it… It seems to me Golf can teach many lessons…but only to those willing to learn. ]]]Z[[[
Response:
I went out and played Sunday... shot an impressive 110. My pro said "well, you had an off day", so I showed him my GHIN card virtually blossoming with "off days". BUT... I had fun! I had my moments... on the back nine, I was 7 over after 7 holes (bogey golf is my dream)... but I was 9 over on the next 2 holes. On the final hole, where I endured every golfing calamity known to man in a short 15 minute span, I tapped in my 10th shot of the hole and announced "that's a par". The people I play with never know how to take a person like me... such a poor player who surrounds utterly brilliant shots with a 3 Stooges-esque display of bloopers. And always having fun! So.. yesterday I hit the range in search of "the answer". There was no answer... I couldn't hit a 7-iron 100 yards. I was trying too hard... and clearly wasn't getting anywhere. So, I just walked away from the majority of the balls I'd intended to punish. In early afternoon, I was invited to escape for a quick 9. I waffled... I knew I shouldn't but just couldn't pass it up. My play was predictable.... unpredictable. On some holes, I couldn't get from tee to green, but my short play was impressive. On others, I tatered the ball to the green and couldn't get it home. The highlight was the pair of par 3's... I played them in one under. The first was a 190 yard hole, and my tee shot was about 30-40 yards short and right... behind a tree with a canopy of branches about 8' off the ground. My only play was a cross-your-fingers punch shot. My 7-iron came out low... took a BIG hop on the cart path and rolled all the way to the green, coming to rest 2 feet from the cup. Tap in for par. The second was a bit less spectacular... from 133 yards, I stuck a 9-iron about 6 feet from the hole and made the putt for birdie. The following hole is a par 5. I hit a great tee shot... had a "good miss" for a second shot, leaving me 140 yards in the center of the fairway. I hit a good 8-iron... pin high and about 20' left of the pin, but off the green leaving a short chip shot. I'm lying 3... carded a 9. I ended up shooting 52 (yes... that's a 52 including a 3 and a 2). And I had a GREAT time! It's never boring out there with me! There's no such thing as "routine" in my game. Just hand me a club and it's anyone's guess what might happen.... except that I'll have a smile on my face when it's over! BW (Jeff Buege) "Where's the first tee and what's the course record?"
Response:
It's nice to see people enjoying the game regardless of the results. My mother-in-law started golfing a year ago. She only plays 9-hole rounds. She has dropped her scores from the mid 60's to the low 50's. I expect her to break 50 any time now (she has shot 51 on multiple occasions). Even though she has taken 15-20 strokes off (per 9 holes), she seems less happy about her game now than when she started!!! - Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text - I went out and played Sunday... shot an impressive 110. My pro said "well, you had an off day", so I showed him my GHIN card virtually blossoming with "off days". BUT... I had fun! I had my moments... on the back nine, I was 7 over after 7 holes (bogey golf is my dream)... but I was 9 over on the next 2 holes. On the final hole, where I endured every golfing calamity known to man in a short 15 minute span, I tapped in my 10th shot of the hole and announced "that's a par". The people I play with never know how to take a person like me... such a poor player who surrounds utterly brilliant shots with a 3 Stooges-esque display of bloopers. And always having fun! So.. yesterday I hit the range in search of "the answer". There was no answer... I couldn't hit a 7-iron 100 yards. I was trying too hard... and clearly wasn't getting anywhere. So, I just walked away from the majority of the balls I'd intended to punish. In early afternoon, I was invited to escape for a quick 9. I waffled... I knew I shouldn't but just couldn't pass it up. My play was predictable.... unpredictable. On some holes, I couldn't get from tee to green, but my short play was impressive. On others, I tatered the ball to the green and couldn't get it home. The highlight was the pair of par 3's... I played them in one under. The first was a 190 yard hole, and my tee shot was about 30-40 yards short and right... behind a tree with a canopy of branches about 8' off the ground. My only play was a cross-your-fingers punch shot. My 7-iron came out low... took a BIG hop on the cart path and rolled all the way to the green, coming to rest 2 feet from the cup. Tap in for par. The second was a bit less spectacular... from 133 yards, I stuck a 9-iron about 6 feet from the hole and made the putt for birdie. The following hole is a par 5. I hit a great tee shot... had a "good miss" for a second shot, leaving me 140 yards in the center of the fairway. I hit a good 8-iron... pin high and about 20' left of the pin, but off the green leaving a short chip shot. I'm lying 3... carded a 9. I ended up shooting 52 (yes... that's a 52 including a 3 and a 2). And I had a GREAT time! It's never boring out there with me! There's no such thing as "routine" in my game. Just hand me a club and it's anyone's guess what might happen.... except that I'll have a smile on my face when it's over! BW (Jeff Buege) "Where's the first tee and what's the course record?"
Before you buy.
Response:
Problem is, Par, bogie, double bogie, followed by quad bogie will get me in at about 103. That pretty much sums up my round.
The thing is guys...anybody who can hit par on 2 or 3 holes on a routine basis CAN get down into the 80s pretty easily...it's just a matter of observation and practice...(lots of it). I'm not suggesting you NEED to shoot in the 80s to enjoy the game...Only that the difference between MID and HIGH handicappers is, in many cases, just a matter of how much they practice and/or play...The pay off...for all the practice is when that ball hits the green and sticks...and you realise, you're putting for BIRDIE! (I got one today!!!)...Nothing else feels quite that sweet...(such wimen are just to young for me anymore). ]]]Z[[[
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The thing is guys...anybody who can hit par on 2 or 3 holes on a routine basis
That would be me CAN get down into the 80s pretty easily...
Now your talkin!!!!! it's just a matter of observation
Can you expand on that? and practice...(lots of it).
I practice to the point of endangering my marriage <g ..Only that the difference between MID and HIGH handicappers is, in many cases, just a matter of how much they practice and/or play...
Play. Maybe that's the ticket. I'm looking damn good on the range these days--maybe I just gotta play more (and play smarter like Mike D. advised). Dave Clary/Corpus Christi,TX http://www.geocities.com/~texasp38 RSG Roll Call http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/claryd.htm
Response:
The thing is guys...anybody who can hit par on 2 or 3 holes on a routine basis That would be me CAN get down into the 80s pretty easily... Now your talkin!!!!! it's just a matter of observation Can you expand on that?
You need to determine what your problems are...so that you can: and practice...(lots of it).
In my case, I began this year with the observation that I could hit the ball decently, posture-good, stance-good, setup routine-good, swing-consistant, distance-reasonable, accuracy-poor. So I decided my practice would be oriented on improving accuracy. Since the driver is about the LEAST accurate club in the bag, I decided to concentrate on it, presuming that improvement would carry over to the easier shots with Irons and Wedges. This practice dynamic led me to alter my swing, accentuating sholder turn and coil...And my accuracy has improved immensely! On a good day at the range, I can call my shots with any club in the bag...Today I hit 11 fairways, and 1 par 3 green. (par threes were being tuff today)... I practice to the point of endangering my marriage <g
That's essential, but at some point, when you achieve the goal you're working on, you need to transition the new skills onto the course, you have to become comfortable and confident out there. It takes time, and continuing to reinforce those skills at the range is required too...I alway hit a small bucket before playing...just to remind myself what I CAN DO. Play. Maybe that's the ticket. I'm looking damn good on the range these days--maybe I just gotta play more (and play smarter like Mike D. advised).
Once you comfortably transition to the course...the process begins again... START OBSERVING... In my case...I've lost my yardage...I don't believe this is a necessary factor in being accurate, just a side effect...SO...soon I will devise and implement a practice dynamic to lengthen my yardages...I've already made some observations about releasing to early and accelerating thru impact...2 factors that I will be addressing...and I'm watching my follow thru and considering what can be altered and what effect such alterations might have. I enjoy this process, and appreciate the personal growth... Others might just want to take a lesson and have a beer... That's cool... ]]]Z[[[
Response:
I admire your attitude. And your sense of humor. Golf teaches us a lot of things about ourselves if we bother to pay close enough attention to allow it to do so. And whenever I read someone’s account of their own games, it often provides a few clues about the person behind the post. I rather imagine you’d be a hoot to play a round of golf with, even I didn’t see much of you during the round. :-) I’m certain I’d enjoy hearing you recall the round at the 19th hole! I love stories like this. But as much as anything, I love hearing about when someone appreciates playing the game for what it is — playing. Thanks for sharing, and for giving me a good chuckle. Randy My golf website: http://wwwgolfer.home.mindspring.com My real-life website: http://www.goldenbrownvo.com My RSG Roll Call profile: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/brownr.htm RSG FAQ: http://ttsoft.com/thor/rsggolf.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I went out and played Sunday… shot an impressive 110. My pro said "well, you had an off day", so I showed him my GHIN card virtually blossoming with "off days". BUT… I had fun! I had my moments… on the back nine, I was 7 over after 7 holes (bogey golf is my dream)… but I was 9 over on the next 2 holes. On the final hole, where I endured every golfing calamity known to man in a short 15 minute span, I tapped in my 10th shot of the hole and announced "that’s a par". The people I play with never know how to take a person like me… such a poor player who surrounds utterly brilliant shots with a 3 Stooges-esque display of bloopers. And always having fun! So.. yesterday I hit the range in search of "the answer". There was no answer… I couldn’t hit a 7-iron 100 yards. I was trying too hard… and clearly wasn’t getting anywhere. So, I just walked away from the majority of the balls I’d intended to punish. In early afternoon, I was invited to escape for a quick 9. I waffled… I knew I shouldn’t but just couldn’t pass it up. My play was predictable…. unpredictable. On some holes, I couldn’t get from tee to green, but my short play was impressive. On others, I tatered the ball to the green and couldn’t get it home. The highlight was the pair of par 3’s… I played them in one under. The first was a 190 yard hole, and my tee shot was about 30-40 yards short and right… behind a tree with a canopy of branches about 8′ off the ground. My only play was a cross-your-fingers punch shot. My 7-iron came out low… took a BIG hop on the cart path and rolled all the way to the green, coming to rest 2 feet from the cup. Tap in for par. The second was a bit less spectacular… from 133 yards, I stuck a 9-iron about 6 feet from the hole and made the putt for birdie. The following hole is a par 5. I hit a great tee shot… had a "good miss" for a second shot, leaving me 140 yards in the center of the fairway. I hit a good 8-iron… pin high and about 20′ left of the pin, but off the green leaving a short chip shot. I’m lying 3… carded a 9. I ended up shooting 52 (yes… that’s a 52 including a 3 and a 2). And I had a GREAT time! It’s never boring out there with me! There’s no such thing as "routine" in my game. Just hand me a club and it’s anyone’s guess what might happen…. except that I’ll have a smile on my face when it’s over! BW (Jeff Buege) "Where’s the first tee and what’s the course record?"
Response:
I must admit I had more fun when I was a 15 hdcp than now (6 hdcp). It`s a constant and never ending battle. I have hit about 4,000 balls in the last month getting ready for the club championship this weekend. So what do I do,go out and shoot 82 today. I`m just about ready to blow my brains out. Being a single digit handicap is hard work. Do you want a second job?
Response:
I went out and played Sunday… shot an impressive 110. … It’s never boring out there with me! There’s no such thing as "routine" in my game. Just hand me a club and it’s anyone’s guess what might happen…. except that I’ll have a smile on my face when it’s over!
Sounds like my game… I’m an honest 30 handicap. That means I’m likely to par a few holes, birdie maybe on one, bogie and double on a bunch, and my max on a few. It’s those max’s that really hurt. My goal while playing is to break 100 (which I’ve done a few times, but not often enough to be less happy about it yet). That means I’m hoping for bogey, but will settle for double on a few. Problem is, Par, bogie, double bogie, followed by quad bogie will get me in at about 103. That pretty much sums up my round. Peter
Response:
<Snip Mother In Law Progress… Hence the term "Familiarity Breeds Contempt." In my own game, the better I do, the better I WANT to do, and the more disappointed I am when I don’t perform up to my (probably too high) standards. Jay Beckman Chandler, AZ (Hcp Index freshly dropped to 9.5) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Even though she has taken 15-20 strokes off (per 9 holes), she seems less happy about her game now than when she started!!!
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Gee, we must be twins separated at birth…. Last tournament: 7 holes and 3 over only. #8 is a par 3, 196 yds dowhill. #5 iron missed to the right, ball over hard pan, huge bunker in front. Skulled my lob, ball in 10 ft deep bunker. Start Duval act. First try, ball comes back. Second try stops at bunker lip. Chip to the green, two putts. Total 7. #9 is 592 yds, par 5. Drive slices to the woods. No place to swing, chip the ball to the fairway. perfect #5 wood, center of the fairway, 150 yds to go. Slice 7 iron, ball on lake margin. Lob is one yard short, inside water. Second try, a few inches short, hits rocks and bounces back inside water. Third try, chip to the left, not enough to reach green. Chip in, three putts. Total 13. Is it fun ? Sure it is! Fernando
(snip) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -… on the back nine, I was 7 over after 7 holes (bogey golf is my dream)… but I was 9 over on the next 2 holes. On the final hole, where I endured every golfing calamity known to man in a short 15 minute span, I tapped in my 10th shot of the hole and announced "that’s a par". The people I play with never know how to take a person like me… such a poor player who surrounds utterly brilliant shots with a 3 Stooges-esque display of bloopers. And always having fun!