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Call it quits?
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29-07-2012 7:03pm#1
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I've found the link below very good for those off days. If I'm not connecting right I switch to type of swing, while I won't hit 40 point with it at least I'll start scoring.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVHlJoSS9l4&list=PL2845430916F319FD&index=11&feature=plpp_video
Most important two words in that video
SWING & EASY
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charlieIRL wrote: »bring home a bottle of her favourite wine every time you play, works a treat for me!!!!:D
If the round was that bad though, might be tempted to tuck into it on way home 0 -
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I definitely know where the OP is coming from.
A massive post coming here, but I relate with anyone who feels like giving up the game.
When it was going o so well, and when I loved my golf
My club had a good "production line" of Juniors. Basically you went in at an early age and learned about golf, etiquette and all that good jazz and as you got older and played more, attended more of the lessons it seemed that everyone who came out the otherside was a single figure golfer or a very competent class 2 golfer.
I was always a little behind the curve. Usually my friends were a couple of shots lower then me, but I knew it would happen for me eventually. Tee to green I was probably one of the strongest players, long accurate irons, relatively solid off the tee. But my short game would kill me. When I was about 16 the coach we had at the time came out to watch us play in I think the Fred Daly in St. Annes. He said afterwards that if I wanted, to go down to the club tomorrow and he would fix my short game. Putting and chipping were always a horror for me.
By the mid season, I'd gone from playing off 12 to 8, and by the end of the season I'd be playing of 6 comfortably. I was loving golf. I was shooting really good scores every week. It was a different world. A different mental game and I enjoyed the new competitions, inter club and regional competitions I was playing in with such a high standard. That year I picked up ( and I will never forget it) a good few big competitions and weekend comps along with some junior medals and a highly coveted adult medal.
Winter passed and I took about two to three months, as I normally do over winter. I keep playing in the range, keep my swing in check.
When I came back in March '05 , just after turning 17 I went on a rip roaring season. I never got below 6, but I only went out as far as 7 and was the most consistent golf I've ever played. I picked up a few adult weekend comp victories and a good few junior comp victories.
Why I'm jokingly called Danny Duval
I went through the same again, a three month break and down in the range, to come back in February '06, and that is where things went wrong. I always write the first two months off in the year. Placing is in so my handicap is safe, and its all about getting the swing back, getting my course management in line and everything like that. But my swing felt weird, it felt awkward and things werent going to plan.
As the months went by, things got worse. I was always able to visualise my swing in my head. It is a weird description but I'm sure most people can, standing outside yourself being able to see your swing. Its an indication you know your swing, and know what you are doing. That was gone, when I tried to visualise my swing it was horrendous, it was all over the place. And it wasn't too far off the reality.
I was loosing distance on my drives and irons, even though I was growing up and getting stronger. I was developing a big fade, my chipping was muck, my approach irons were inaccurate and my putting had no feel. The more I practised, the worse it got. By mid-season I had gone from 6 - 8. That is a lot of bad golf.
Afraid of loosing what I had, I practised harder then ever before. Friends were concerned of my slump and were trying to help me, but I couldn't re-align my game. There was moments when I thought I had it, be it out on the range, or posting a decent score on the course, but then it was quickly gone again. I started to get more and more frustrated and this is where I developed the anger and mean streak that became part of my game. By the end of the season I had drifted out to 10.
That is roughly 40+ rounds of gaining .1
It just became too disheartening
I took my winter break and built up some serious determination over it, practice went well and I felt I was swinging good again. I had a relatively confidence building start to '07 before it started again, and by about June I was out to 12. I hadn't enjoyed golf for some time, and I was turning into one of those sympathy golfers where people looked genuinely upset when they were playing with me, and I'd be posting rounds in the high 90's and low 100's at times. By mid summer I decided I needed to totally cut away from the game, and come back with enthusiasm.
Three months turned into six, six into 12 and soon I was three years out of the game. I hadn't missed it at all. My Father had tried talking me back into playing, and I felt that my time with golf was finished. I'd no drive to get back out on the course. I was enjoying other things in life, I'd spent most of my time growing up on the golf course or on the range. I wouldn't got out with friends on a weekend because I wanted to be fresh for golf the next morning. I was very much golf centered for a few years and barely anything else mattered. Alongside golf I'd played soccer at the highest level in schoolboy, and I'd taken the focus and competitiveness and dedication into golf. I'd always struggled with fitness and my weight which always got me rejected in trials, but that didnt seem to matter in golf, it was a technical game, all about me.
"Meh, yeah I'll go for the walk"
October last year, 2011. I was bored home one day off work, and my Da offered a game of golf. Just casual, no getting angry or upset, just out for a walk. So I obliged. I hadn't held a club at this point in about two years. I hacked my way around the front nine, but it got progressively better. On the 8th hole, I decided to make a drastic change.
When I initially got down to 6, I decided, upon the poor advice of a pro who has out and about at a Leinster training camp, that I should make the switch to blades, or half blades ( that were now coming into fashion). This was my second year at the Leinster GUI training camp and selection panel, and to be fair, I was probably one of the only players there using regular irons. (My beloved Taylor Made RAC's). He gave me the address of a driving range where I could be fitted and probably pick up a quality set of second hand irons.
I went down with a friend, he had started driving and would drive to the moon for the spin, and we had a look at what was on offer. There was a beautiful set of Mizuno MP-30's second hand, and after hitting a few shots I picked them up, for the low low price of €280, it was an absolute bargain. But what I didn't realise is that it would be the worst equipment mistake I'd ever make. I sold my TM irons shortly after and never settled with the half blade design. I felt that I lost distance and was struggling. On good connections it was glorious, the spin, the shape, the control. But it wasn't happen commonly enough. I had always been a strong iron player, and to this day I don't know if it was solely down to the irons, me , or both.
On the 8th hole with my Da, I hit another wonky iron and asked my Da to give me his club. He had a set of Callaway X-20's or something along those lines. I dropped another ball and hit probably the best iron shot since I was about 16. It was beautiful and instantly I got this little feeling of enjoyment, accomplishment. That little feeling you get when you strike a solid iron. I dropped another ball and did the same again. When we finished the 9th, I dropped my clubs back into the car and used my fathers, and on that back 9 I hit so many good irons. Everything was a bit weak, but my irons, which I was always so good at, was looking good.
I enjoyed the day immensely and remember thinking about it for a few days. The week after, it was me approaching my dad to go out for a game. We went out again and this time things went relatively well. My second round back in years, and I looked, and felt like a relatively competant golfer shooting in the high 80's. But more importantly, I was enjoying golf. I wasn't getting angry at bad shots, and I was walking away with a smile on my face after finishing.
Getting back in the swing
It wasn't long before I got the absolute golf bug. And when I say not long, I'd say three weeks since the first game in October. I had a look at my finances and decided that I was going to rejoin this year. I kept it to myself at first, lurking about checking out the pricing. I knew my Da had been a bit dissapointed in that I had stopped golfing. He saw it as a real father and son thing so I knew he would be happy.
So here I am, back playing this year, twice, three times a week. I evaluated what was in my bag and the first thing I did was buy new irons. From there I've replaced my putter, my wedges, a new 5 wood and a new driver along with a few other bits. I was giving a starting handicap of 12 and I'm down to 11 which is a confidence boost, albeit a small drop.
I'm slowly getting the anger and rage out of my game, and to be fair I'm enjoying golf. I'm not sure if I'll ever get back down low, time is on my side. I went through a rigorous swing change a while back, getting out 4 hours a week to the driving range to make it second nature and to be fair I'm hitting really good ball striking irons.
My putting, without changing anything, has gotten extremely strong. My wedges are still letting me down, so I will try to work on that and improve. My new driver is causing concern, its exagerating my Draw and causing a massive hook, but its something I can resolve.
My woods are really weak, I was a solid wood player, but I'm hooking them really badly which I need to resolve.
I'm back enjoying the game, at times getting frustrated on shots I know I used to be able to make, but accepting that now it is not happening. But this year has been about bedding back into the game. I've won two events, and a couple of top three finishes, and with prize money have bought a brand new bag and a brand new driver so things have been going well
My aim for the end of the year is to get down to 10, I wont be upset if it doesnt happen, I really just want to build back some consistency.
What I've taken away from my experiences?
Golf is a game for life. I had dreams and inklings of going to try to be an assistant pro and have a career in that. But it never materialised. I'd gone through a selection process for a golfing scholarship in England and it was never to be. I never nailed a place down in the Leinster selection panels. Similar to my football, I was always good enough to get into the frame, but never good enough to stay there. Looking back, I can be relatively happy I gave it my best shot. I had two seasons of golf I can be tremendously proud of. There are victories and records that I'll hold for some time. I'll forever have my picture in the clubhouse wall, and I can always say I was part of the first team that got the clubs first ever pendant. There is alot of stuff I can look back on with fondness, good memories and pride.
But then, I realise. I'm 24..... Most people in my club didn't take up golf till their late 20's. I've been fortunate enough that my Mother and Father worked hard enough to get me membership in a golf club, that it co-incided with the creation of the junior membership in my club, and I'm so fortunate to have made such wonderful friends, and grow up in an atmosphere of high quality golf, learning and management.
Golf is a game for life. There is nothing to say that I won't be able to rediscover that form that got me so low. While my handicap is staying still, I'm posting alot of top 5 finishes this season, and while I'm annoyed at the amount of victories I've let slide due to poor closing, really, I should be happy at the amount of money I've stocked in the account (€550 that I spent on a driver, bag and golf balls). I couldn't qualify for any teams because I was not playing last year, but in practice in the Metro I won my match 8up. I know that next year I want to stake a place on the Metropolitan team. I never was considered before because I was so young, I played once against Lusk(Rush? 9 hole place) as a last minute sub and won my match, and was left as sub for the time after, so I feel I've something to prove.
There is a lot of drive for me, I've been somewhere before, that I want to get back to. But looking back now, the break was probably beneficial, but not for that long. I've missed out on three years of golf. Looking forward, I hope to have many a year playing this game, and what will be will be.
One thing I've learned, and accepted is that more important then winning, regaining lost form or chasing distant dreams, is making sure golf doesn't become a chore. Because, trust me, there is nothing worse then having years of playing weekend sport, and then walking up on a Saturday and Sunday morning, with nothing to do.0 -
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ajcurry123 wrote: »TheDoc, you need to PM TheShrink!
Only messing, and I shouldn't mess as I've been reading your posts through the gaps of my fingers, you seem to be going through an awful time of it of late.
I think you're over thinking things big time, try to forget your past handicap and just set yourself small targets. I think the 6 handicap you once played to is still hanging over your head.
You say you're back enjoying the game but it doesn't really show from your posts.
I'm enjoying it more then I used to
I recall reading about your problems finishing a round, collapsing on the final 4 holes.
This has to largely be a mental thing.
If memory serves me correct you recently posted about another "collapse" on one of your last rounds. But it was far from a collapse in my eyes, you're final 4 holes where 3pts, 1pt, 2pts, 1pt to give you a total of 34pts for the round.
That means for first 14holes your scored 27pts = average of 1.92 pts per hole
For the collapse you averaged 1.75pts per hole.
That's not a collapse, it's below average but not by much.
My recent one, I finished 37 points. I finished 1pt, 3 pt, 1pt , 2pt. Which is poor. And that has been a pretty frequent occurance.
Yeah my Da is very chilled and while he works hard at his game I dont think hes as self critical as I am. He feels getting rid of my anger and frustration will help, as its something I didnt do as a teen.I can't help you with getting these thoughts out of your head but from an onlooker it seems quite clear that a lot of your struggles are coming from within.
I think you play a lot with your Dad, would he be the same in terms of this self criticism? If not, then maybe he's best to help you through this.
Try to take a leaf out of the old fellas book.0 -
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I'm enjoying it more then I used to
My recent one, I finished 37 points. I finished 1pt, 3 pt, 1pt , 2pt. Which is poor. And that has been a pretty frequent occurance.
Yeah my Da is very chilled and while he works hard at his game I dont think hes as self critical as I am. He feels getting rid of my anger and frustration will help, as its something I didnt do as a teen.
Should have went back and checked that post, it's slightly changes it but I still think you're building it up too much.
I can't talk from a low hcap point of view but in my experience of golf so far, any tension, self doubt is punished severely. Its a vicious circle.
If you Dad's relaxed nature isn't rubbing off on you, then maybe it might be best to seek out some absolute maniac to have a few rounds with....
Be the good cop for a change, might break the circle.0 -
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Dr_Colossus wrote: »A very interesting, insightful and well worded post, thanks for posting. You certainly have gone through the ringer with this game aptly described by Billy Casper as
"Golf puts a man's character on the anvil, and his richest qualities - patience, poise and restraint - to the flame"
I'm interested to learn why you found the Mizuno MP-30s so unsuitable since they were obviously a factor in you temporarily packing in the game. As a muscle cavity iron I wouldn't have thought the heads would be massively different to your old TM Racs especially for a good ball striker. Could it have been a case of the Mizuno's having an unsuitable lie, length or flex of shaft?
The reason I'm asking is that I'm thinking of changing my irons later this year and was contemplating a mix of the TM MC and MB irons, maybe 2-5 in MC and 6-PW in MB. My existing irons are an old set of Lynx Black Cats which I bought second hand about 15 years ago during which I gave up the game for nearly 10 years. I recently played with a 3 handicap golfer who had a set of Cobra blades but was talking of exchanging them for something like the Titliest AP2s as he struggled to hit the long irons consistently and had drifted out from 1 to 3 handicap.
Anyway keep enjoying the game, you're obviously playing well to amass a large sum of €550 in prizes this year. I'm back playing 3 years and enjoying the game more than ever and seeing good results and improvements but haven't come near to that amount in prizes in the 3 years (I must be playing the wrong competitions). You also have time on your side as a 24 year old with good experience and fundamentals, the game will come together so don't try and force it. Everyone has bad days and prolonged periods of poor form but you can also use this to work on improving scrambling ability.
This sounds very familiar Doctor C...did you by any chance play with this chap on an open day in Lucan GC?
For the record, I am the current owner of a set of shiny, new AP2'S and now play off 4, so the slide continues
I think the Cobra's might really suit you though, or anybody else on Boards
http://www.adverts.ie/golf/cobra-pro-mb-irons-3-pw/20943990 -
Benicetomonty wrote: »Dr_Colossus wrote: »
The reason I'm asking is that I'm thinking of changing my irons later this year and was contemplating a mix of the TM MC and MB irons, maybe 2-5 in MC and 6-PW in MB. My existing irons are an old set of Lynx Black Cats which I bought second hand about 15 years ago during which I gave up the game for nearly 10 years. I recently played with a 3 handicap golfer who had a set of Cobra blades but was talking of exchanging them for something like the Titliest AP2s as he struggled to hit the long irons consistently and had drifted out from 1 to 3 handicap.
This sounds very familiar Doctor C...did you by any chance play with this chap on an open day in Lucan GC?
For the record, I am the current owner of a set of shiny, new AP2'S and now play off 4, so the slide continues I think the Cobra's might really suit you though, or anybody else on Boards
No have yet to play Lucan GC, unfortunately having missed the scratch cup there this year. On this occasion it was during the Senior and Junior scratch cup in Skerries with he and his brother, both members of Lucan GC, small world.
I had been toying with the idea of MB irons but that day in Skerries has veered me towards at least a combination of cavity back in the longer irons so I thank you for that insight. The game can be tough enough when you can't spend hours a day honing your ball striking.
Good luck with the new irons and no doubt with the increased confidence and consistency they will bring your handicap won't be long disappearing altogether.0 -
Dr_Colossus wrote: »No have yet to play Lucan GC, unfortunately having missed the scratch cup there this year. On this occasion it was during the Senior and Junior scratch cup in Skerries with he and his brother, both members of Lucan GC, small world.
I had been toying with the idea of MB irons but that day in Skerries has veered me towards at least a combination of cavity back in the longer irons so I thank you for that insight. The game can be tough enough when you can't spend hours a day honing your ball striking.
Good luck with the new irons and no doubt with the increased confidence and consistency they will bring your handicap won't be long disappearing altogether.
My mistake, Skerries it was! Tough day all round if I remember
Actually very happy with the new irons even if it's yet to show and optimistic for the rest of this year and next! Would be interested to hear about the irons you end up going with, will be keeping an eye on your 2013 progress over on the scoring thread!0 -
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