[TeveVikep]

I went and played 18 today. When I got to the course I was feeling really good, the last round I played I broke 80 for the first time in a very long time. My confidence was through the roof. I had a few warm up swings in the nets and felt really good.
Went to the first hole, a par 5 and bogied it. Didn't even deserve that, should have been a double or a tripple just got lucky with a chip in. Then it went down hill from there. I didn't hit one GIR, didn't get a single par and ended up shooting 104 for the day. In just a couple of days my game went from 79 to 104. No matter what I did I couldn't hit the ball right.
Could it have been overconfidence? I was paired with a really annoying guy but normally that kind of thing doesn't affect my game. What do you do to come back from a round like that? I have mechanisms in place to cope when I mess up one hole but messing an entire round up like that just shoots your confidence.

[PebydataFeents]

I went and played 18 today. When I got to the course I was feeling really good, the last round I played I broke 80 for the first time in a very long time. My confidence was through the roof. I had a few warm up swings in the nets and felt really good.
Went to the first hole, a par 5 and bogied it. Didn't even deserve that, should have been a double or a tripple just got lucky with a chip in. Then it went down hill from there. I didn't hit one GIR, didn't get a single par and ended up shooting 104 for the day. In just a couple of days my game went from 79 to 104. No matter what I did I couldn't hit the ball right.
Could it have been overconfidence? I was paired with a really annoying guy but normally that kind of thing doesn't affect my game. What do you do to come back from a round like that? I have mechanisms in place to cope when I mess up one hole but messing an entire round up like that just shoots your confidence.

I go back to my short game and work on chipping and pitching, which I always feel comfortable with. I then start hitting 3/4 shots until I feel I'm hitting those solid and then work to full shots. Good luck!

[Stoottnoiciek]

I don't know how often you practice or play 18, but sometimes its best to take a break and come back fresh in a week or so.

[oplapofffe]

I would go play another round and not keep score. Just hit the ball around the course and have fun. Then your next round should be better.

[drugstore]

I have my old power fade coming back from a lack of playing, and in these times I just try to focus on my short iron and short game. I figure that I can get it close enough to make quite a few pars on a good day. On an off day, I'll just to what Damaikis said and not keep score and hack it around.

[AccusaJalsBub]

I went and played 18 today. When I got to the course I was feeling really good, the last round I played I broke 80 for the first time in a very long time. My confidence was through the roof. I had a few warm up swings in the nets and felt really good.
Went to the first hole, a par 5 and bogied it. Didn't even deserve that, should have been a double or a tripple just got lucky with a chip in. Then it went down hill from there. I didn't hit one GIR, didn't get a single par and ended up shooting 104 for the day. In just a couple of days my game went from 79 to 104. No matter what I did I couldn't hit the ball right.
Could it have been overconfidence? I was paired with a really annoying guy but normally that kind of thing doesn't affect my game. What do you do to come back from a round like that? I have mechanisms in place to cope when I mess up one hole but messing an entire round up like that just shoots your confidence.

If you figure it out, please share the answer with the rest of us!!

I have been there so many times I cannot count them. I was just posting in another thread how I was playing some great golf just 6 weeks ago, and now I cannot get the clubface onto the ball. Usually I take a few days off, and then when I do get back out to a range I start out with some short game shots and try to get the feel back. When I start taking full swings, I just try to make contact and don't think about distance at all.

That said, I'm in a pretty serious swing funk right now.

[atmowasia]

Some great suggestions and this same exact thing just happened to me yesterday. I have no answers, but will be trying several of the suggestions you get. I have shot around 80 all year long, sometimes slightly above or below, but go out yesterday and knock down a sweet 101, lol. Honestly, I think a week off and some other distractions just might do the trick.

[TeveVikep]

I don't know how often you practice or play 18, but sometimes its best to take a break and come back fresh in a week or so.

I play 18 at least twice a week, play 9 another once or twice and normally practice every night in some way (have a paddock out the back of my house that I practice my short game in). I actually have a pretty solid short game and I was still striking my wedges really well today. It was with anything longer than a PW that I was struggling with. Think I may take my irons out to the driving range tonight. I'm more one of those get back on the horse straight away kinda people. The more I think about it the more I think I just got myself into a bad place mentally. It really is true that the game is 90% mental.

[forebirdo]

It just wasn't your day, the first hole sounded tough and things just snowballed. I think getting back on the horse is the way to go, especially for as often as you play. I hope you ironed out the irons tonight.

[JacksHH]

I've been playing for 35+ years and there are always going to be great days, good days and bad days. I don't get too high on the great days, and I don't let the bad days drag me down. I'm just like a dog when it comes to golf.........every day is a new day.

[WaydayFep]

Man, That seems to happen more than anyone realizes. But some of my best rounds have always followed my worst. Stay positive and try and go 79-104-79. Also when a round for me seems to go from bad to worse. That is when I usually start thinking of the round as a good practice session. Hit extra shots, putt and chips a few extra times (If you have time and the course isn't crowded). Stuff like that.

[ignonsoli]

It happens! Every time I think I'm making really good progress and becoming a consistent golfer, I have a round that goes really bad like that. I just get back out there and try not to let it bother me. My game usually comes right back. It's just a bad day mentally for whatever reason. We all have those days.

[Rwujnezq]

I always find it hard to come back after I shoot a really good round and do the same. I think we over try and press ourselves. We get so pumped up we forget to relax and play one shot at a time. Just don't let it get in your head. I have even seen the Pros shoot an awesome round and then hack it up the next day. It's pretty much a mental game anyway and when we try to hard it backfires.

[Oberjej]

I did something similar last season, shot 81 in the first round of my club championship. My problem was simply expecting too much and trying to hard to force it.

My advice would be to go out again, and play within yourself. Make a conscious attempt to not hit anything too hard, aim for the middle of every green and take your medicine when you get in trouble.

It happens, don't let it get you down.

[OnlineViagraCheapestFREE]

My last two rounds of 2011 were like that. It was very frustrating. When that happens to me, I get to the range as son as I can, and try to slow everything down. Once I start making good contact again, and my confidence starts to get back to normal, I slowly take my swings back to normal speed. I ended the year with some of the worst golf in years, but since then, I have played some of my best golf yet.

[alenbarbaf]

British Open 2010

Rory McIlroy shoots 63 in opening round, follows with 80 day 2....

It happens to EVERYBODY!

[bebeacc]

My last two rounds of 2011 were like that. It was very frustrating. When that happens to me, I get to the range as son as I can, and try to slow everything down. Once I start making good contact again, and my confidence starts to get back to normal, I slowly take my swings back to normal speed. I ended the year with some of the worst golf in years, but since then, I have played some of my best golf yet.

This seems to work best for me too.

[VotsUtegems]

I've had a few days like this and it's usually due to lack of concentration. I'll get lazy with my arms and not stay down on the ball through the swing. It takes a few holes to shake out of it and get back on track. Let us know how you follow up on your next round. Good Luck

[WaydayNef]

British Open 2010

Rory McIlroy shoots 63 in opening round, follows with 80 day 2....

It happens to EVERYBODY!

This.

When I have "one of those days", I usually try to take a day off from golf. Just do something else entirely and get some distance from the debacle. You gotta try to not let it weigh you down or give it more weight/value than it has. You had a rough 4-5 hour stretch where everything went wrong. **** happens.

Thing is that just like one good round doesn't make mean you are golfer, one bad round doesn't make you a poor golfer. We all have off-days.

[ElenaEvgeevnaa]

If you look at scores on the PGA tour for almost any tournament you will see a pro or two that has shot the odd 82 or 85 or something when they are capable of shooting 65, that is pretty much equivalent to what you are talking about, a 20 shot swing. An amateur - even a good one- that is used to scoring in the low to mid 80s or occasionally breaking 80 is going to shoot 100 once in a while or they either aren't being honest or they aren't challenging themselves in any meaningful way by playing new courses or playing a different tee or a different club setup.