Getting worse instead of better

[leftintherough]

Did I ever blow chunks for yesterday's outing! Worse round of the year for me. So bad, well my foursome were very high caps, that I joined in on the cart tart chase and enjoyed one too many pops to drown my sorrows

Its getting frustrating! Range practice is going better, short game practice and execution is much improved, putting couldn't be better. The game went south after my first drive. 2 fairways and 0 GIRs.

The plan was for continual improvement, not going the other way.

Anybody else had slumps like this?

[Flog]

Maybe there was somthing in the air yesterday becase I did the same. Had a great game on sunday then totally bombed out yesterday. I don't feel so bad, though, I sometimes have a blow out like that but then start hitting it well again after it's out of my system. For me it all hinges on remembering the fundamentals and taking my time when I play.

[hogannut]

Same thing for me LIR.....last night was no better. Getting a video breakdown on Saturday. SOmething is not right with my grip, or possibly my grips are to big and need to be changed. I am toasting a glove in ONE practice session in the palm, which I have never done before. I sure hope Gordie has some magic golf dust to sprinkle on me because I'm all out of ideas. My next score I put in the my GAO handicap will knock off one of my good scores, so unless I put up a 75 next game my handicap will be going up. Out of 8 games this year I have 2 scores in the 70's. At a 3 handicap this is simply unacceptable.

[MP33]

Did I ever blow chunks for yesterday's outing! Worse round of the year for me. So bad, well my foursome were very high caps, that I joined in on the cart tart chase and enjoyed one too many pops to drown my sorrows

Its getting frustrating! Range practice is going better, short game practice and execution is much improved, putting couldn't be better. The game went south after my first drive. 2 fairways and 0 GIRs.

The plan was for continual improvement, not going the other way.

Anybody else had slumps like this?

Been there. I played to a 9 HDP at the end of the 2003 season highlighted by a 74 at Deer Creek, an all time best for me. Didn't play much in 2004 due to the birth of my daughter. Game went completely backwards in 2005 and still not back to where I was today. Range sessions are going well but my scores are still regularly between 85 - 95. I think a lot has to do with confidence. I played a quick 9 holes last week @ Richmond Hill totally relaxed and didn't really care about score. Shot a 40 which is not awesome (on that course) but was a great confidence builder for me. We'll see how it goes for the rest of the summer.

[dekker]

most guys hit too many balls on the range that have nothing to do with scoring.
bring your gap or pw or whatever you use for chipping and pitching and work on them.
I know it's not sexy,but those are money.

[Bellyhungry]

I don't have that worry given that I don't have that far to fall to hit rock bottom :$.

[MP33]

most guys hit too many balls on the range that have nothing to do with scoring.
bring your gap or pw or whatever you use for chipping and pitching and work on them.
I know it's not sexy,but those are money.

I agree with your comments in general but in a past golf digest article, there was a very interesting analysis done to correlate various golf stats against low scores (from scratch to 20 HDP). Counter to popular belief that putting (putts/round) and chipping (Up and down) are the most important stats to scoring, it was Greens in Regulation which had the greatest correlation with scoring. If you agreed with this study, then range time hitting practice greens with 7i - PW would be the most important portion of your practice time.

Food for thought.

[avidgolfer]

To me it's been two things. Mixing bad tips with good tips and doing TOO much of a good thing. Those two things cause me the most set backs so far this season.

[dekker]

I agree with your comments in general but in a past golf digest article, there was a very interesting analysis done to correlate various golf stats against low scores (from scratch to 20 HDP). Counter to popular belief that putting (putts/round) and chipping (Up and down) are the most important stats to scoring, it was Greens in Regulation which had the greatest correlation with scoring. If you agreed with this study, then range time hitting practice greens with 7i - PW would be the most important portion of your practice time.

Food for thought.

You make a good point about GIR's being the best indicator of where you game is, but from what I see,most players still miss the green from 150.
That's why I think that most handicappers satisfaction will lie in a good short game.

But,I agree if you are a dedicated player,GIR is the goal.

[Big Shooter]

GIR has always been THE stat I look to...
...and Total Putts per round.
..........finally seeing some better results in the last week, as greens become more consistent (i.e. "true")

[simar]

everyone has ups and downs, best thing to do is blow it off and golf another day when you are good and ready.

[the_har]

Did I ever blow chunks for yesterday's outing! Worse round of the year for me. So bad, well my foursome were very high caps, that I joined in on the cart tart chase and enjoyed one too many pops to drown my sorrows

Its getting frustrating! Range practice is going better, short game practice and execution is much improved, putting couldn't be better. The game went south after my first drive. 2 fairways and 0 GIRs.

The plan was for continual improvement, not going the other way.

Anybody else had slumps like this?

Been there and done it (Still doing it). PERSERVERANCE my friend, perserverence.

[laxgolf]

I feel your pain brother. I really do. The last year has been a steady decline for me. After a series of lessons I had a span of a few weeks last year where I played out of my mind, but then I fell apart and haven't been able to put it back together because I don't have time to practice. I used to play a couple of times per week, and hit the range at least twice. Nowadays I'm lucky to play three times a month and get to the range once. I've got a line on a set of Cally X-Tours in hopes that some more forgiving irons can help me feel like I'm not wasting my time on the course. Having said that, I'm lights out with my putter because of all the time I spend putting on the carpet in my basement while my 2 year old scoots around playing with his toys and watches Curious George. The scores I'm posting aren't terrible, but I'm continuously relying on my putter to bail be out.

[The Troll]

Anybody else had slumps like this?

Yup....played awesome in '05 and early '06 but an elbow & a shoulder injury (non-golf related) apparently caused me to adjust many things in my swing without my realizing.

Slipped from a 5 to a 10 last year and to a 20 this year.

Take heart though LIR, it can turn around quickly if you can identify a specific fault....two weeks ago I realized how off my posture had become in my swing, putting & short game. With one practice session I went out and played Burlington G&C even thru 10 holes. Played really sharp.

So do the basic checklist....ball position, grip, alignment, stance, posture....it always comes back to those.

A couple of weeks ago I booked a lesson with a very prominent teacher for this Friday to "save" my game....now that I'm back on the rails I'm going to the lesson to enhance my swing further.

You'll get it back!!!!

[slicendice]

watch the US open this weekend and see how many pro's have absolutely vicious games - that always makes me feel better.

you're allowed to fall apart once in a while. At my level, it happens more often than not. Back to fundamentals and don't overthink when you're on the course - I find I play worse directly after a lesson - too much time thinking...go play an easier course like Glen Cedars (from the whites) or (gasp!) Seaton - that's quality time...

[leftintherough]

Thanks all! Still licking my wounds but feeling better!

Lax G. - Martin good luck on the new sticks. I'm in between on deciding on Snake Eyes 600xc's or the Wishon 770's. I'm thinking the 770's have too much offset but are very easy to hit and very forgiving. Is that your think on the callys verse the MX25 route?

Slice, from the other post I may take in a twilight at GC to work on my game by myself, no pressure, no score, just work on my shots.

[laxgolf]

Thanks all! Still licking my wounds but feeling better!

Lax G. - Martin good luck on the new sticks. I'm in between on deciding on Snake Eyes 600xc's or the Wishon 770's. I'm thinking the 770's have too much offset but are very easy to hit and very forgiving. Is that your think on the callys verse the MX25 route?

Slice, from the other post I may take in a twilight at GC to work on my game by myself, no pressure, no score, just work on my shots.

Thanks. If I could find a place to trade my MP30's for set of used lefty MX25, MX23 or even MX20's I'd probably do it, but I've heard and read some very good things about the X-Tours so I've decided to jump on them while I have the chance. I tried them out in the simulator at the downtown Golftown and they felt really good. I'm going to demo them before I trade in the Mizuno's. If everything goes as I expect it to, I'll be a happy camper and hopefully on my way to saving myself a few strokes per round.

[nearace]

has your whole game gone to pot lol or just that round as sometimes playing with high handicappers will kill your game I think we played at columbus last year and you struck the ball well,good luck,:) stick to the fundimentals you will be fine.