For scratch players, going real low

golf-forums.net
Promoting golf discussion.

Main

Date: 21 Aug 2006 06:07:40
From: Larry Bud
Subject: For scratch players, going real low

The last 3 rounds I've had mental breakdowns on the last 3 holes each
time I've played. I've shot 80, 78, 80, on some fairly tough tracks
(72.3/135). But my finish has been horrible. bogey, double, double,
or double, bogey, double. Ridiculous.

I know my problem, I start thinking of total score, instead of my very
next shot. I never seemed to have that problem before. In addition, I
play best when I'm in a match, and by 16, my match is usually over, so
the concentration level goes to hell.

Any advice for going real low?

Date: 21 Aug 2006 10:11:32
From: Loubert
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

Bobby Knight wrote:
> On 21 Aug 2006 06:29:38 -0700, "Larry Bud" <larrybud2002@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >Tex wrote:
> >> Larry Bud wrote:
> >> > The last 3 rounds I've had mental breakdowns on the last 3 holes each
> >> > time I've played. I've shot 80, 78, 80, on some fairly tough tracks
> >> > (72.3/135). But my finish has been horrible. bogey, double, double,
> >> > or double, bogey, double. Ridiculous.
> >> >
> >> > I know my problem, I start thinking of total score, instead of my very
> >> > next shot. I never seemed to have that problem before. In addition, I
> >> > play best when I'm in a match, and by 16, my match is usually over, so
> >> > the concentration level goes to hell.
> >> >
> >> > Any advice for going real low?
> >>
> >> Make more birdies.
> >
> >Thanks, that helps a lot!
>
> Well, the other advice is to make less doubles.
> ___,
> \o
>

Date: 21 Aug 2006 10:01:14
From: dugjustdug
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

Larry Bud wrote:
> Any advice for going real low?

Larry:

When I had my recent PB, I knew I was playing well that day - not
making stupid mistakes and getting a few putts to fall. I had a chance
to look at my card before stepping to the 16th tee and I stopped short.
I thought, "Why look at (and thus think about) the score when you know
you are playing well?" So, I ignored the card and proceeded to go Par,
Birdie, Par the last three holes.

I wonder if you fall/fell victim to the same thing I do/did by letting
the score dictate the game. I know my mindset has changed in the past
couple of weeks by posting several low (for me) scores. I am starting
to think that I have a shot at Birdie on every hole I play. And while
I may end up with a few Bogeys, I also count on the fact that a few of
those Birdie putts are going to drop.

And Professor; Lighten up! Tex and BK were just funnin' (though yours
was certainly a good post).

:-)

dug

Date: 21 Aug 2006 09:46:03
From:
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

Date: 21 Aug 2006 08:53:53
From: The_Professor
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

X-No-Archive: yes

Larry Bud wrote:
> The last 3 rounds I've had mental breakdowns on the last 3 holes each
> time I've played. I've shot 80, 78, 80, on some fairly tough tracks
> (72.3/135). But my finish has been horrible. bogey, double, double,
> or double, bogey, double. Ridiculous.
>
> I know my problem, I start thinking of total score, instead of my very
> next shot. I never seemed to have that problem before. In addition, I
> play best when I'm in a match, and by 16, my match is usually over, so
> the concentration level goes to hell.
>
> Any advice for going real low?

I'll try a real response, just to be different!

There are probably only 2 legitimate scratch golfers who post here,
Bret and Bruce, and I haven't seen anything from Bruce in a while and
Bret apparently isn't golfing that much any more.

My career round is a 68, with the next closest being a couple of 74's
and a 76 that could have been a lot lower except for some brutal
putting.

The 68 was in a tournament, and I did in fact focus on each shot
without thinking about anything else during the shot. I was well aware
of what I was doing during the round though, and towards the end I was
aware that I was playing a career round, but I also wanted to win, and
that kept me focussed on each shot.

Another thing was that I had whatever game I have, and beleived in it.
There were no real doubts about anything. I imagined the shot I wanted,
and for the most part pulled it off. I did the same thing when I shot
the 76, except for putts.

The other thing was that I knew how to play the course, and went with
shots I knew I had. For example, I'm good for a 200 yard carry with the
driver. Going for anything else means trouble for me. Relaxing and
making a nice swing and hitting my 200 yard carry driver keeps me out
of trouble off the tee.

I have played with Bret a few times, among the golfers I have played
golf with who are scratch level players. Bret plays really smart,
especially with approach shots. He is a longer driver than me, but
really not that long. He puts his drives in good places for approach
shots though, and I really learned a lot playing with him at Mystery
Valley. Play within yourself, beleive in it, and if your game is there
you can shoot a really good score.

I apologize in advance to those who are insulted by a legitimate
response. I'm not trying to be superior to anyone, just making what to
me is an honest post.

Date: 21 Aug 2006 07:19:29
From: Tex
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

Date: 21 Aug 2006 09:24:31
From: Bobby Knight
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

On 21 Aug 2006 07:19:29 -0700, "Tex" <marktexkoenig@gmail.com > wrote:

>
>Bobby Knight wrote:
>> On 21 Aug 2006 06:29:38 -0700, "Larry Bud" <larrybud2002@yahoo.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >Tex wrote:
>> >> Larry Bud wrote:
>> >> > The last 3 rounds I've had mental breakdowns on the last 3 holes each
>> >> > time I've played. I've shot 80, 78, 80, on some fairly tough tracks
>> >> > (72.3/135). But my finish has been horrible. bogey, double, double,
>> >> > or double, bogey, double. Ridiculous.
>> >> >
>> >> > I know my problem, I start thinking of total score, instead of my very
>> >> > next shot. I never seemed to have that problem before. In addition, I
>> >> > play best when I'm in a match, and by 16, my match is usually over, so
>> >> > the concentration level goes to hell.
>> >> >
>> >> > Any advice for going real low?
>> >>
>> >> Make more birdies.
>> >
>> >Thanks, that helps a lot!
>>
>> Well, the other advice is to make less doubles.
>
>I would have said make fewer bogies, but he asked for "going real
>low"...to me, that means under par...so that means make more birdies :)
>
>Tex

Then he's going to have to do both...!!!
___,
\o

Date: 21 Aug 2006 06:29:38
From: Larry Bud
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

Tex wrote:
> Larry Bud wrote:
> > The last 3 rounds I've had mental breakdowns on the last 3 holes each
> > time I've played. I've shot 80, 78, 80, on some fairly tough tracks
> > (72.3/135). But my finish has been horrible. bogey, double, double,
> > or double, bogey, double. Ridiculous.
> >
> > I know my problem, I start thinking of total score, instead of my very
> > next shot. I never seemed to have that problem before. In addition, I
> > play best when I'm in a match, and by 16, my match is usually over, so
> > the concentration level goes to hell.
> >
> > Any advice for going real low?
>
> Make more birdies.

Thanks, that helps a lot!

Date: 21 Aug 2006 08:35:53
From: Bobby Knight
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

On 21 Aug 2006 06:29:38 -0700, "Larry Bud" <larrybud2002@yahoo.com >
wrote:

>
>Tex wrote:
>> Larry Bud wrote:
>> > The last 3 rounds I've had mental breakdowns on the last 3 holes each
>> > time I've played. I've shot 80, 78, 80, on some fairly tough tracks
>> > (72.3/135). But my finish has been horrible. bogey, double, double,
>> > or double, bogey, double. Ridiculous.
>> >
>> > I know my problem, I start thinking of total score, instead of my very
>> > next shot. I never seemed to have that problem before. In addition, I
>> > play best when I'm in a match, and by 16, my match is usually over, so
>> > the concentration level goes to hell.
>> >
>> > Any advice for going real low?
>>
>> Make more birdies.
>
>Thanks, that helps a lot!

Well, the other advice is to make less doubles.
___,
\o

Date: 21 Aug 2006 06:18:58
From: Tex
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

Date: 21 Aug 2006 18:31:12
From: dsc
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

Date: 22 Aug 2006 00:43:16
From: Howard Brazee
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

On 21 Aug 2006 06:07:40 -0700, "Larry Bud" <larrybud2002@yahoo.com >
wrote:

>The last 3 rounds I've had mental breakdowns on the last 3 holes each
>time I've played. I've shot 80, 78, 80, on some fairly tough tracks
>(72.3/135). But my finish has been horrible. bogey, double, double,
>or double, bogey, double. Ridiculous.

Not a scratch player, but the following might be worth thinking about
anyway:

While my forgetter needs work, I have another problem in that I can
get exhausted late in a round, and my game goes in the toilet if I
play two games in a row. (everything is relative here).

It's time for me to review my latest heart medicine, but I'm afraid I
may need to start riding.

Of course some of this can be psychological, as my best rounds were
match play, were my forgetter works well. But it isn't always
obvious how much of how I play at the end of a round is physical and
how much is psychological. It probably would be useful to learn
this, as the solutions aren't the same.

Maybe track how you feel physically with your scores. Maybe try some
match play rounds for money.

Date: 21 Aug 2006 12:37:37
From: dugjustdug
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

The_Professor wrote:
> dugjustdug wrote:
> >
> > And Professor; Lighten up!
>
> I'm trying, but the food is just too darned good down here. If I moved
> back to Toronto, I'd be a stick in a couple of months.

Apparently, you've succeeded! I'm off to the gym myself. Maybe I
should move to Cincy. Pflum eats like crazy, and, look at him...

Date: 21 Aug 2006 11:36:15
From: The_Professor
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

dugjustdug wrote:
>
> And Professor; Lighten up!

I'm trying, but the food is just too darned good down here. If I moved
back to Toronto, I'd be a stick in a couple of months.

Date: 26 Aug 2006 04:14:32
From: Sparky
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

On 21-Aug-2006, "Larry Bud" <larrybud2002@yahoo.com > wrote:

> Any advice for going real low?

Shoot mostly 3's and 4's.........

me

Date: 28 Aug 2006 04:32:49
From: bill-o
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

On 26-Aug-2006, "Sparky" <biff@funco.com > wrote:

> > Any advice for going real low?
>
> Shoot mostly 3's and 4's.........

Yeah as long it's less than 5 it's good.

--
bill-o

A "gimme" can best be defined as an agreement between
two golfers neither of whom can putt very well.

Date: 26 Aug 2006 00:58:27
From: Big_Fan
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

> Play shorter tees (or easier courses) sometimes and get used to seeing
> those low numbers on your card. Then you won't freak out so much when
> you head that direction from your normal tees.

Agreed. Once you get out of your comfort zone and acknowlege it to
yourself mentally, it's hard to get back.

One of the tour pros said that how he goes low is to think that he's
"playing with the bank's money" and tries to get as much as he can,
instead of trying to "save" his low score.

I've only had about six scores in the 60s and four of those were in
tournaments. I think that made a difference since I wasn't going for a
personal low score but knew I had to "go low" to win. I knew I needed
birdies to win.

Date: 27 Aug 2006 08:33:40
From: David Geesaman
Subject: Re: For scratch players, going real low

Larry Bud wrote:
> The last 3 rounds I've had mental breakdowns on the last 3 holes each
> time I've played. I've shot 80, 78, 80, on some fairly tough tracks
> (72.3/135). But my finish has been horrible. bogey, double, double,
> or double, bogey, double. Ridiculous.
>
> I know my problem, I start thinking of total score, instead of my very
> next shot. I never seemed to have that problem before. In addition, I
> play best when I'm in a match, and by 16, my match is usually over, so
> the concentration level goes to hell.
>
> Any advice for going real low?

While I'm digging up an old topic, you have to find a way to get past
the fear and anger of blowing it.

Because blowing it is what you've been doing, the next time you get near
the end of a good round, you might simply look at the card, and figure
what score you'd end up with if you finished with 3 bad holes. Then
consider that this score would still be acceptable (not in the style
you'd like, but still a good one). Issue resolved - even if you blow
up, you played a good round. Then go back to golfing, with a comfort
that doing anything better would only be icing on the cake. The last
few times I've done that I've finished those remaining holes under par.

While my technique may sound negative, or focused on failure, it's much
like playing a water hole. Consider the results of bad play, and
acknowledge that you can't prevent it completely. Make peace with the
fact that there is risk in front of you. Then you can clear your mind
to make the next shot.

The big picture is a huge motivator and can be a huge distractor. No
matter how mentally tough we try to make ourselves, either the big
result will make us better or make us crumble. You have to have some
strong finishes under your belt in order gain confidence from this
situation. If you try to emulate the Tigers of your club and focus on
the big picture to make a better finish, it probably will crumble. Get
a few strong 'accidental' finishes under your belt before you start to
challenge yourself with the overall picture. Then once you get over
that hump and make some strong finishes while staring right at the whole
pressure of the moment, you'll have enough positive momentum to forget
about my failure-accepting approach.

Dave