[JohnMaltczevitch]

Earlier this year I decided to take golf more seriously instead of just playing the game maybe once or twice a year. I got tired of being embarrassed to play my driver because of horrible shots, terrible iron play and most importantly, embarrassing my friends. So I started practicing and learning the game of golf. I analyzed some of my short comings and with the help of my friends and tons of useful information which I found on the web, and began correcting some of those issues. I would hit the range at least once a week and also began to play more frequently. With each range session or game, I quickly improved and finally broke 100!! For me, that was a huge milestone and I was stoked about the improvement that I had made. My friends were also encouraging me and it was nice to finally hear them say "Man, that was a nice drive!".
Fast forward to this past Wednesday. After not having the time or the funds to play or practice in over a month, I made a two hour trip to San Antonio to play a muni course that the city improved and one that I've always wanted to play. They had a great Wednesday deal going for the month of August and my friend decided to play hookie from work that day and take advantage of the deal one last time. However, all my excitement quickly went away after the first four holes. I had a terrible case of the shanks and my iron game was horrible. My short game was a disappoint as well. For some reason I couldn't keep the face closed and kept hitting the ball on the toe. As much as I tried, I just couldn't shake it off and ruined my round. I felt so demoralized I just wanted to pick up my ball and walk off. The only highlights of my game were one par that I made and a beautiful 20 foot putt that I sank. Other than that, it was a game that I wish I wouldn't have played.
Even now I'm having a hard time shaking it off. I know I have to get past this, however it just feels that all of my bad habits have returned and I'm back to square one.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I'm sorry if I've drug this out or ranted on and on, but I just had to vent.

Thanks,
STH

[aquadayAquaks]

i think you're being too hard on yourself,especially if you haven't played in over a month......or as much as you would of liked of late.

i think the best thing for you to do if you're in that situation again is just enjoy it,no matter how you are playing.when i play course's for the first time or course's i haven't played in a long time then i try and enjoy it no matter how i'm playing.you're with your friends doing what you love to do........so make the most of it!!!!

[drlifeech]

That happens to everybody just shake it off. The advice above mine was good, just try to enjoy playing.

[lipitrRrxX]

I say the same thing to some friends from grade school that play occasionally; play for fun only until you start playing weekly at the least. Then you can worry about improving. Until then it's just a fun walk in the park drinking with friends. I advise them that until you play regularly, breaking 100 is awesome, and then every 20-25 rounds you play you can hope to improve 5 strokes on average until you hit the low 80s; then it gets much harder.

[Pwy9egVW]

I say the same thing to some friends from grade school that play occasionally; play for fun only until you start playing weekly at the least. Then you can worry about improving. Until then it's just a fun walk in the park drinking with friends. I advise them that until you play regularly, breaking 100 is awesome, and then every 20-25 rounds you play you can hope to improve 5 strokes on average until you hit the low 80s; then it gets much harder.

Tha sure didn't happen with me!

[Xewksghy]

Keep focused on the good things you did in your round, the mental game of golf is though. You focus on what went wrong you'll continue to have negative consequences. Stay positive and keep practicing. Good luck.

Singing Roll Tide Roll all summer long!

[bpejjssoe]

Tha sure didn't happen with me!

Me either smalls!

[Fruriourl]

I say the same thing to some friends from grade school that play occasionally; play for fun only until you start playing weekly at the least. Then you can worry about improving. Until then it's just a fun walk in the park drinking with friends. I advise them that until you play regularly, breaking 100 is awesome, and then every 20-25 rounds you play you can hope to improve 5 strokes on average until you hit the low 80s; then it gets much harder.

That is not the case for me either- though I agree with breaking 100 being awesome. I am starting to be convinced that getting beyond breaking 100 pretty much requires weekly play and constant lessons. I play once a month take lessons once a month and practice once a week- all just to keep 100 as a realistic goal.

Best to just focus on having fun and the few great shots that happen every round.

[BoattyGonm]

I'd have been in the same spot if I were in that situation. A month without swinging a club is disastrous for me...when I finally go back out it's like I've never swung a club before.

[Scukonaher]

I can relate to this as well. A long winter, a rainy spring, and a busy summer has left me with little time to play this past year. I've gone from twice a week to twice a month and my scorecards tell the story well.

BTW, love the title of your thread. Makes me think of the song by the Desert Rose Band. If my golf game had a 'theme song', that would definitely be it...

[easypokergonj]

I agree with some others who have said that you're being too hard on yourself. Golf is defintely one of those things that doesn't come right away. To quote some wise man who once said "Rome wasn't built in a day" this rings especially true with the game of golf.

You know if I may speak for myself for a second. I totally understand not having the funds to play or practice and what that can do to the game. This season I underwent huge swing changes. It was a total rebuild. A couple of times this year I had to take a week off due to illness and I never had the chance to practice. Well at times I felt like I didn't know how to even swing a golf club... you know that feeling where you don't even feel right standing in your shoes? But you know what? It comes back... and before you know it you're enjoying the game even more because you've accomplished something.

My father once said so many years ago before he passed "Son... sometimes you have to take a couple of steps backward to make one step forward". Dad wasn't a golfer and he defnitely wasn't making a golf reference but it's so true... and that to became obvious this year. Stay the course... you'll be fine. Enjoy walking the fairways.

Alex

[neirty]

hang in there buddy!

I shot mid 80's just 2 weeks ago and then went out in our tourney and shot two 97's, all I can do is laugh about it now!

[milfovoxapl]

We've all been there. Seems like all of my worst rounds come when I am really excited to play. Your tempo picks up and your muscles get tight and (just like you describe) the ball starts going low and right. Playing new courses, with new people or competitively makes it all the worse. Just the thrill of playing well or having a good session at the range can get the adrenaline levels up too high.

[incimisiche]

You were excited enough about that putt to mention it. There's always that one shot that makes us want to go back and give it another try. Emphasize that shot and let the others go........

[JohnMaltczevitch]

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement. I realize now that I was being a bit hard on myself about it and that I shouldn't have expected to play as well as I had been prior to that round. Patience is something that I am in short demand of at times and realize that is one area where I really need to grow.

Thanks again for all of your great advice and your wonderful encouragement. It's things like this that make this my online community my #1 place for all things golf related. This is a great forum and I count myself lucky to be a part of it!

[wmirkru]

don't be so hard on yourself golf isn't an easy game especially if you havn't touched a club in a month. the last 2 years ive been playing year round so i don't lose everything i worked so hard on. im scared to take a whole month off. Youll be fine just keep practicing and trying to have fun. Thats the most important thing.

[SarSerceSaice]

1 step forward, 2 steps back, 5 steps forward..

thats my usual pattern..5 steps forward usually after a few lessons, 1 step back usually after the first lesson...

chin up, and make sure your expectations match your practice regime..

[DghtRdc]

I agree with those that have said you are being too hard on yourself. I have been shooting in the 80's pretty consistently this summer and today I went out and shot 100. I was 10 over through my first 5 holes. Everything was going wrong. I have learned not to let these types of rounds get me down. Keep working hard, set realistic goals and have fun. Golf is a great game.

[LoloLibia]

Hang in there my friend. When I'm not playing well, I try to focus one one shot at a time. I may have taken 6 shots to get 30 yards short of a par 4, but then hit a pitch to 3 feet on my 7th and make the putt, I'm happy. I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't get fixated on the score and just focus on the shot you're makeing now. Try to hit 1 good shot per hole. Sometimes that can snowball into a decent day.

Good luck

3p

[brorialsibers]

Hey man we all have bad days.. You will be fine. Hit the range and work hard. Good things will happen, but remember.. Golf is supposed to be fun, don't ever forget that