Familiarity

Keano

Strange subject title but I've been playing golf with the same people pretty much since I started and while we all have improved none of us seem to be that far ahead of each other, there are days when one of us will score well but the others won't. Lately my game is starting to crumble and of course we all have bad days but mine are happening all the time with my buddies. Today was truly dreadful

I'm thinking about taking a break from playing with them and just sticking my name down in the time sheet and heading out with strangers as I do tend to focus more when I'm with others.

Anyone ever had a similar experience or are my just going through a bad spell

chalkie 501

Keano A Legend wrote: »

Strange subject title but I've been playing golf with the same people pretty much since I started and while we all have improved none of us seem to be that far ahead of each other, there are days when one of us will score well but the others won't. Lately my game is starting to crumble and of course we all have bad days but mine are happening all the time with my buddies. Today was truly dreadful

I'm thinking about taking a break from playing with them and just sticking my name down in the time sheet and heading out with strangers as I do tend to focus more when I'm with others.

Anyone ever had a similar experience or are my just going through a bad spell

Your probably just going through a bad patch, but i would think playing with a few different lads would definatley help to focus your game.
(we'll see how you get on next month;))

L.O.F.T

Keano A Legend wrote: »

Anyone ever had a similar experience or are my just going through a bad spell

Your in a rut. Mix it up and try play a few opens with strangers if you can. I know Keano because I'm in the same bloody +0.1 rut and have gone this year from 9 to 11. Your going to shoot the lights out one day this summer and think you have the game licked and the following week your going to shoot 90. In golf you will only get out what you put in. More golf and more practice if you want to get better but thats a sacrifice that requires much more time.

Keano

L.O.F.T wrote: »

Your in a rut. Mix it up and try play a few opens with strangers if you can. I know Keano because I'm in the same bloody +0.1 rut and have gone this year from 9 to 11. Your going to shoot the lights out one day this summer and think you have the game licked and the following week your going to shoot 90. In golf you will only get out what you put in. More golf and more practice if you want to get better but thats a sacrifice that requires much more time.

You are right about getting out if what you put in. Of late I'd got very lazy and not been practicing as much nor playing as often as I can, by that I'd ask them if they were playing and if they said no then I'd not do a thing. This week I'd been at the range twice and felt good about today but my head was gone after the first hole but that's something else I need to work on.

ballyk

You're only saying that to lull us into a false sense of security before Saturday and you go and shoot the lights out in Palmerstown House!

It's worth playing with different people though. As you know yourself when your regular partners are playing badly it can drag you down to their level (and vice versa). We all tend to play better when playing with good golfers who are playing well.

Beaulieu

ballyk wrote: »

It's worth playing with different people though. As you know yourself when your regular partners are playing badly it can drag you down to their level (and vice versa). We all tend to play better when playing with good golfers who are playing well.

Agree entirely

PARlance

Just joined a club so I haven't had any chance to play with anyone apart from mates.

They fall nicely into two categories, the lads from back home are all just getting into golf and then there's a handful of lads that I play with up here that are all low hc's.

Its a great mix for me anyway, get the little bit of confidence/enjoyment from being one of the better golfers in the group of newbies whilst I get the reminders from the low hc's that there's a hell of a lot left to do.

Think it's paid off for me, so I'd try to mix it up as best I could if I was you.

richbohs

Yeah id try and get out with some new faces. I played with a few low hc's earlier this year and it really helped my game.

ssbob

Know where your at with this, I find when I play with my regular 3 ball that I get frustrated quicker whereas I focus more when I am with new people.

Keep the faith!!!

charlieIRL

did you not shoot 37 odd points off 16 recently??!!! I'd take that anyday!

ssbob

charlieIRL wrote: »

did you not shoot 37 odd points off 16 recently??!!! I'd take that anyday!

He's winding us up for Saturday

Keano

charlieIRL wrote: »

did you not shoot 37 odd points off 16 recently??!!! I'd take that anyday!

I did at the last boards outing but not I've never even go close to repeating that. More like 17 off 16 is the way I'm going!

8under

Ever since I took up golf 20 years ago, I always found playing with strangers and/or lower handicap players (than me) made me focus better on my game. I think it was so I didn't embarrass myself. I play in a regular 4 ball at least once a week and at times I often wished I didn't. At times, it's hard to focus with all the chat & familiarity. What's more, I am the low handicapper in the group (single figure, others are mid teen h/caps) and I question is my game improving at all during these games.

I try and mix with other players as often as I can to stay fresh and motivated and particularly try and arrange games with similar or lower handicap players than me.

Corkblowin

8under wrote: »

I try and mix with other players as often as I can to stay fresh and motivated and particularly try and arrange games with similar or lower handicap players than me.

I play in lots of scratch cups - just stick my name on the sheet and away I go. Playing an unfamiliar course with low handicappers from other clubs is a great for seeing where your game is at.

ssbob

8under wrote: »

I play in a regular 4 ball at least once a week and at times I often wished I didn't.

I suppose at times you have to take these games for what they are, a regular catch up with mates and if you play good golf then that's a bonus.

But what I would say is that if your regular fourball is your only time on the golf course each week then you need to mix it up.