Golf Talk Tuesdays - 2021

[pb4uski]

Yup, you forgot all your bad habits.

[Midpack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pb4uski Yup, you forgot all your bad habits.

+1. Back when I lived up north and played a season of golf every year - typically mid Apr to mid Nov, I usually played better in Spring than in Fall. I swear with golf, the more I think, the poorer I play…

[frayne]

Excellent you tube podcast on managing expectations and how it will help your score. A number of golden nuggets here to remember.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h36ZtTp0HlE&t=12s

[Midpack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayne Excellent you tube podcast on managing expectations and how it will help your score. A number of golden nuggets here to remember.

I am sure that works for some/many people, but the key to enjoying golf and playing well is simpler than that to me. Once you really internalize every single shot is a clean slate, and the last shot has no bearing on the present, it's easier to enjoy golf. Who hasn't duffed a shot, only to hit a beauty on the next swing? The round that cemented the idea in my head was a 39 for 9 holes, where I took a 9 on the par 4 4th hole. It would have been easy to just give up on that round, but by playing every shot as new opportunity, I surprised myself. I will never forget that round, and I never looked back.

I enjoy golf itself every round whether I score well or not, the only difference between the two is the ratio of great:good:bad shots I hit - every round has some of each. Even on an off day, I will hit some great shots. On the rare occasion I don't enjoy a round, it's because of who I am playing with, not how I am playing.

[Music Lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack I am sure that works for some/many people, but the key to enjoying golf and playing well is simpler than that to me. Once you really internalize every single shot is a clean slate, and the last shot has no bearing on the present, it's easier to enjoy golf. Who hasn't duffed a shot, only to hit a beauty on the next swing? The round that cemented the idea in my head was a 39 for 9 holes, where I took a 9 on the par 4 4th hole. It would have been easy to just give up on that round, but by playing every shot as new opportunity, I surprised myself. I will never forget that round, and I never looked back. I enjoy golf itself every round whether I score well or not, the only difference between the two is the ratio of great:good:bad shots I hit - every round has some of each. Even on an off day, I will hit some great shots. On the rare occasion I don't enjoy a round, it's because of who I am playing with, not how I am playing.

I look at it that way too...every hole is a new game. I don't practice, warmup, or even go to the putting green. So, why should I be surprised or get upset when I make a double or a triple? Instead, I'm more likely to think to myself: "I made 2 birdies and had a chance to break 80."

I played with a friend that I only play with once or twice a year because he gets flustered too easily and a bad hole can ruin his day. He even got rattled when we were asked to join a twosome that was teeing off one group earlier to accommodate a mix-up in the pro shop. No big deal to me, but he suddenly felt rushed.

[pb4uski]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack ....Even on an off day, I will hit some great shots. . .

That is what keeps me from buying new clubs... those good shots make it clear that it's not the arrows, it's the indian.

[Dawg52]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayne Excellent you tube podcast on managing expectations and how it will help your score. A number of golden nuggets here to remember. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h36ZtTp0HlE&t=12s

Good stuff. When I play a lot I have higher expectations than normal. Human nature I guess. I hadn’t played a lot going into this past week and I broke 80 twice. One buddy who played college golf said my tempo was much better. So for me lower expectations and good tempo is very important. I wish I could bottle it. Ha.

[qwerty3656]

Like everything else golf balls have been hit by inflation. I'm assuming something like Walmart is going to be the cheapest?

[frayne]

I hear you Midpack but would challenge every shot being a clean slate which the previous shot had no bearing. The position of the current shot has everything to do with how good or how bad the last shot was. I would also contend I've probably seen more bad shots followed up with bad shots as opposed to really good or excellent shots. Agree 100% with everything else though and especially having someone in the group constantly complaining about this that or whatever and basically being a PIA. Personally for me the key for playing good and scoring well is first patience, then smart course management and lastly no three putts.

[Midpack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayne I hear you Midpack but would challenge every shot being a clean slate which the previous shot had no bearing. The position of the current shot has everything to do with how good or how bad the last shot was. I would also contend I've probably seen more bad shots followed up with bad shots as opposed to really good or excellent shots. Agree 100% with everything else though and especially having someone in the group constantly complaining about this that or whatever and basically being a PIA. Personally for me the key for playing good and scoring well is first patience, then smart course management and lastly no three putts.

I knew someone would say that. I did not mean you can expect a birdie from anywhere. But no matter how bad the ball position, there is an optimal shot or two from there, and it’s an opportunity to execute same. So I stand by every shot is a clean slate to hit a brilliant shot given the circumstances. Doesn’t mean par is always likely, but you can still preserve lots of shots.

I do agree most people follow bad shots with another bad shot. My whole point is it does not have to be like that, and most people I play golf with may never grasp how many shots they just throw away unnecessarily. A good strike from a fairway bunker instead of giving away the hole can do wonders. A good recovery shot from an hazard instead of giving away the hole is just as rewarding as striping a drive. A good greenside sandie instead of giving away the hole is great fun. Even taking your medicine from hitting OB and limiting the damage instead of letting it turn into a snowman feels good to me.

I have several personal examples, but again after I carded a 39 with a 9 on the 4th hole, I finally got it. I recently had 44 on the front nine, and a 37 on the back. Most of my golf buddies would have blown the whole round. And yes, I have days where I never get on track, but I still enjoy the round thanks to a few good shots I might not have had if I’d given up early on.

We may still disagree, but unlike many I honestly enjoy every round I play. It’s FAR more enjoyable to play when every shot is a new opportunity, than to get off to a bad start and be miserable for the rest of the round. I see others do that almost every time I play. They might as well just go home than mope around for a couple more hours IMO.

[zinger1457]

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwerty3656 Like everything else golf balls have been hit by inflation. I'm assuming something like Walmart is going to be the cheapest?

Depends on the type of ball you like to play, the tour level balls like Titleist ProV1's are expensive but probably don't vary much in price from one place to the next. Walmart has cheap ($) balls like Nitros, seem to find a lot of them at my local muni., players probably don't spend much time looking for them since they're so cheap.
The Costco Kirkland golf balls and Maxfli Tour balls have good reviews for a quality ball at a reasonable price, but not available at Walmart.

[frayne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack I knew someone would say that. I did not mean you can expect a birdie from anywhere. But no matter how bad the ball position, there is an optimal shot or two from there, and it’s an opportunity to execute same. So I stand by every shot is a clean slate to hit a brilliant shot given the circumstances. Doesn’t mean par is always likely, but you can still preserve lots of shots. I do agree most people follow bad shots with another bad shot. My whole point is it does not have to be like that, and most people I play golf with may never grasp how many shots they just throw away unnecessarily. A good strike from a fairway bunker instead of giving away the hole can do wonders. A good recovery shot from an hazard instead of giving away the hole is just as rewarding as striping a drive. A good greenside sandie instead of giving away the hole is great fun. Even taking your medicine from hitting OB and limiting the damage instead of letting it turn into a snowman feels good to me. I have several personal examples, but again after I carded a 39 with a 9 on the 4th hole, I finally got it. I recently had 44 on the front nine, and a 37 on the back. Most of my golf buddies would have blown the whole round. And yes, I have days where I never get on track, but I still enjoy the round thanks to a few good shots I might not have had if I’d given up early on. We may still disagree, but unlike many I honestly enjoy every round I play. It’s FAR more enjoyable to play when every shot is a new opportunity, than to get off to a bad start and be miserable for the rest of the round. I see others do that almost every time I play. They might as well just go home than mope around for a couple more hours IMO.

I would posit that staying in that current clean slate moment, same perfect pre-shot routine without thinking about the last missed two foot putt, shank, pull hook, OB slice, screwing with your head, you are by far better than 99% of all golfers. Theoretically that next shot is a "clean slate" but the practical reality is that last screwed up shot is still floating around the grey matter regardless and not even the pros shake it off all the time. With that said, that's the mental part of the game that is toughest to conquer but makes the sport so challenging. I too enjoy every round be it a 78 or a 94 as long as you are with good company and understand, it's just a silly, wonderful, goofy game.

[Midpack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayne I would posit that staying in that current clean slate moment, same perfect pre-shot routine without thinking about the last missed two foot putt, shank, pull hook, OB slice, screwing with your head, you are by far better than 99% of all golfers. Theoretically that next shot is a "clean slate" but the practical reality is that last screwed up shot is still floating around the grey matter regardless and not even the pros shake it off all the time. With that said, that's the mental part of the game that is toughest to conquer but makes the sport so challenging. I too enjoy every round be it a 78 or a 94 as long as you are with good company and understand, it's just a silly, wonderful, goofy game.

Beating a dead horse, almost anyone can learn to play one shot at a time. It isn't easy, but it makes golf that much more enjoyable no matter who you're playing with IME. And you're more fun to play golf with as well. Once you really grasp it by seeing the benefits in your score, the bad thoughts are gone by the time you address the next shot - it's learning a new habit.

I know lots of guys who don't get it and never will - might even be most but hopefully not 99%. I'm not sure why they bother to play. They routinely let one bad shot or break lead to many more, and aren't even trying for the last X number of holes. I'd find another activity before I'd play golf if it often made me miserable.

And while pros may not shake it off every time, the ones you know by name almost always do...or you've never heard of them.

Quote:

Successful amateurs and professionals only play one shot at a time. Sounds obvious, but it is true. Golf is very unique in that each shot is an independent action. Whatever happened on the previous shot cannot affect the current stroke. The present shot cannot affect any future shots. Many will argue that they do.

https://www.pga.com/story/avoid-pres...hot-at-a-time#

https://break80golf.com/one-shot-at-a-time/

[frayne]

Yes, the horse is dead. Now for a change of topic ! What's in your bag, besides golf clubs ? Me, sunscreen, Tylenol, icy hot, bug spray, allergy eye drops, two knee braces, back brace, a dozen extra balls (new) currently playing Bridgestones, extra gloves (new and used), tees, ball markers, green digger repair tool, rain gear, range finder, half dozen small pencils with erasers (very important) Sharpie, nail clipper, Swiss army knife type repair tool, bandaids, rules of golf book and a telescoping ball retriever (recently re-gripped), and a bag rag. What say you, have I missed anything ? That's my riding, cart bag inventory, if I'm pushing my clubs, half my clubs, an extra sleeve of balls, and a few tees.

[Music Lover]

Other than the usual golf stuff (balls, gloves, tees, etc.), I also carry extra cash, sunscreen, bug spray, bandaids, Tums or Gaviscon, golf coupon cards.

[wallygator69]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayne Yes, the horse is dead. Now for a change of topic ! What's in your bag, besides golf clubs ? Me, sunscreen, Tylenol, icy hot, bug spray, allergy eye drops, two knee braces, back brace, a dozen extra balls (new) currently playing Bridgestones, extra gloves (new and used), tees, ball markers, green digger repair tool, rain gear, range finder, half dozen small pencils with erasers (very important) Sharpie, nail clipper, Swiss army knife type repair tool, bandaids, rules of golf book and a telescoping ball retriever (recently re-gripped), and a bag rag. What say you, have I missed anything ? That's my riding, cart bag inventory, if I'm pushing my clubs, half my clubs, an extra sleeve of balls, and a few tees.

Ziploc bag with small toilet paper roll, rubber gloves and hand sanitizer.... Needed it twice in 40 years. Long very funny story maybe another time...


good luck



wally

[Midpack]

I’ve been rolling along shooting my usual low to mid 80’s when out of the blue I shot a 36-36-72 yesterday on my home course, my best round ever (in 59 years). I honestly have no idea why, so no reason to expect it again. It was with my favorite foursome, so that was a nice bonus. My previous best was a 73, when I was 19 yo, 50 years ago

[frayne]

Excellent job Midpack, must be some good mojo in the air as I carded my personal best this past week with a 77. Forty-two on the front, one under thirty-five on the back. My tee to green game is pretty consistent but that day, my chipping and putting were spot on. Later in the week, played a more more difficult course and carded a 90, with multiple three putts. Golf is a silly, wonderful game where every once in awhile it all comes together. But the golf Gods are nefarious and will bring you back to earth anytime you think you got it all figured out. Good shooting Midpack.

[Midpack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayne Golf is a silly, wonderful game where every once in awhile it all comes together. But the golf Gods are nefarious and will bring you back to earth anytime you think you got it all figured out.

Congrats to you too. Good summary of golf, no matter how good you get, the game will humble you at any time (most of the time).

[Jerry1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack I’ve been rolling along shooting my usual low to mid 80’s when out of the blue I shot a 36-36-72 yesterday on my home course, my best round ever (in 59 years). I honestly have no idea why, so no reason to expect it again. It was with my favorite foursome, so that was a nice bonus. My previous best was a 73, when I was 19 yo, 50 years ago

Wow! That’s great. Congratulations.