Worst round in months...Where to go from here?

So yesterday I went and played 11 holes at my local course. Before teeing off I was feeling alright but could tell I wasn't in that focused golf mood I usually get in.

I hit my first tee shot about 270 on a par 4 and near center of the fairway and was pleased but after that it all looked down. Everysingle one of my iron shots fell right of where I wanted them to go. My chipping was garbage from hole 1 to 11 also. Putting was decent but after having a bad hole I really didn't even care to put much thought into it.

I ended up with a 56 on nine Granted I did take double par on three holes out of frustration and by hole 7 I wanted nothing to do with golf for the rest of the day. I went from averaging low - mid 40's to shooting a 56...


So anyways enough of reminding myself of how horribly I played. My question now is where do I go next? Should I just go right for it and play the same 11 holes again today after work? I have been thinking of just going to the range today though and working on my iron shots (drives were still good yesterday) and some chipping. Then after I get everything down solid again I'll head home and get a good night sleep, wake up early tomorrow (dont work fridays) and play a full round.

What should I expect on my next round? To return to my usual average or to shoot high 40's or worse

What do you all do after you have a horrible round?

Some days are better than others, we all have them. Tomorrow you could shoot great. Whats that saying "You haven't shot your worse score yet"?

Where'd you play? There are a lot of courses in Hampton Roads where if you start going the wrong way, things can quickly snowball out of control. My best advice is to get back on the horse that threw you ASAP, just come out with no expectations and concentrate on the little things (keeping balls in play, solid short game, making anything inside 3-4 ft, etc).

I'm confused, what do you expect if you walk on to a golf course with this attitude?, luckily all you have to do is commit yourself to improving your attitude on the course and these bad rounds should become few and far between.

its unlikely to forget and remember how to swing the golf club on the day to day basis. You mentioned yourself that you werent very focused. I have the same kind of days, and every golfer does also.

Generally what I do is take some time at the range to focus on my setup. The first thing that goes when i lose concentration is my setup and alignment. I dont place the clubface properly and and i dont really focus on where my hands are or what direction im facing. I'd recommend just going to the range and taking each shot one at a time. Take your time and dont go out there pounding balls. Pick your target on the range, setup up as perfect as you can, and take your normal swing. Then repeat the same thing. Step back, setup and swing. Its important that you really relax, take your time, and dial in on this practice session.

You probably didnt forget how to play golf...just seems like you lost some focus for that day....its all good.

Shake it off. It's just one round. Every good golfer on the planet has bad rounds.

Harvey Penick used to refuse to help players that came to him after having 1 bad round. He always said that until you play poorly 3 straight rounds, forget about it. If you play poorly 3 straight times, it's time to start thinking about what has changed.

First off thanks for all the advice I appreciate it. My buddy kept telling me everyone has bad rounds, which I know because I have had my fair share in the past.

I think I figured out my problem though. Lately I have been playing very well for me, like I said averaging low 40's or mid 40's (which is very good for me). This is due to alot of swing adjustments. But when I have been playing lately I was always very focused on very shot to make sure it is perfect (or as close as possible).

And I think yesterday, since I have been playing good, I let it go to my head in a way. I assumed that since I had been playing good I would continue to play good and forgot about my focus.

Today I am going to go to the range and hit some shots. I will hit each one like I am on the course and it is a key shot. After I feel confortable I will go and play 9 holes, keep focused, and hopefully shoot well.

I'll update this tonight. Thanks again everyone.

First off thanks for all the advice I appreciate it. My buddy kept telling me everyone has bad rounds, which I know because I have had my fair share in the past.

I think I figured out my problem though. Lately I have been playing very well for me, like I said averaging low 40's or mid 40's (which is very good for me). This is due to alot of swing adjustments. But when I have been playing lately I was always very focused on very shot to make sure it is perfect (or as close as possible).

And I think yesterday, since I have been playing good, I let it go to my head in a way. I assumed that since I had been playing good I would continue to play good and forgot about my focus.

Today I am going to go to the range and hit some shots. I will hit each one like I am on the course and it is a key shot. After I feel confortable I will go and play 9 holes, keep focused, and hopefully shoot well.

I'll update this tonight. Thanks again everyone.


Edit: I played at Chesapeake Golf Club Cougar

Never played there, I usually play at Deer Run or Eustis - Deer Run is a monster off the black tees if you're ever up on the peninsula.

I haven't played much lately. But it seems that the less I play the better I get. Three of my last four rounds have been in the 70's and the other round was an 80. Sometimes I play alot, spend time at the range and I seem to get worse. My recommendation is to take a few days away and at most, spend some time at the pitching/chipping green, working on making very good contact on those little shots. Then go back to the range/course. That may help you see a game you could live with.

I go to the 19th hole. Of course I do that no matter what I shoot.

When you have bad round, its time to go back to the basics. focus on the basics and your round will get better.
try to focus on and key in on a fundamental move.
for example don't break your left elbow on the backswing. aim your belt buckle to the target on your follow through.
things like that, and you will go back to shooting better golf.

glad i can help

You know what's funny about this, I had a tee time for last night (thursday tradition) and for some reason I was really pumped to get out there. I was bursting with confidence and was fully expecting to shatter my all time best record...First shot off the tee...In the woods.

I ended up shooting my 2nd worse round of the year. I have no idea what happened but I couldn't put anything together. I had 3 pars and my putting was better than usual. It was my shots off the tee and my 2nd shots. Even all of my warm up shots didn't feel right. Hopefully I can bounce back on Monday when I play on one of the tougher courses here.

I had a bad front nine today, not very focused, I even missed one foot tap in putt.

What I did in the back was played much much better. I was more focused on every shot and putt.

What did I do different, I checked my putts from both side of the ball and this forced me to take my time and get back into a routine. I also did this for chips around the green.

Now, I just have to find a way to recover when I make a boogie and come back with a solid par or better yet a birdie.

Eliminating careless mistakes, bad decisions on the choice of shots and focus on one shot and putt at a time.

Well I didn't get to go and play yesterday or even stop by the range but I did have the chance to go out today and I played ended up playing 36 holes since a few other buddies of mine showed up right as I finished.

In the end I ended up shooting an 87 on the first round and an 83 on the second.

I guess all I needed was a little break