I feel like i have plateaued and can't quit break through. Need some help!
Here is the situation:
I am currently just under a 3 handicap. I haven't played tournament golf in ten years. I have broken 70 about 6 or 7 times, so I have finished rounds under par before. Anyway, a good tournament for me would be shooting a couple of 75s. But I usually feel like that I can shoot right around par and if I can make a few good things happen possible break par. I have played in my first 2 tournaments recently since my 10 year hiatus. The second event I played in, I knew I wasn't swinging real well but managed to birdie the first hole and then the 5th to get to -2. Then I made two straight bogeys as I started thinking that I might be able to shoot 70 or better. Anyway, I got it back together and birdied 9 and 10 to get back to -2. Again, and I know I shouldn't, I started thinking that I might be able to shoot 70 or better. Of course, then I had a bad hole where I made a triple - in part because I didn't know the course but also because of nerves and expectations. Basically blew my chance at having a really good round.
The next day, again not swinging real well, I started out birdie, birdie to get to -2. Again, after getting a couple of under, I start getting very nervous and can't help but think of what the round could be. And that's when I start loosing it. My question is how do you stay in the moment and not start thinking about what could be? Not to mention, how are you able to calm yourself down? I mean, really being a couple under in a tourney should be great and one would think you would be chomping at the bit to make more birdies. Instead I get nervous and almost can't wait to get the round over with. Doubt creeps in my head and tells me I can't continue my good play. I really try not to pay attention to my score and play each shot. But when I get a couple under, it's hard not to notice. I really try to focus on execution rather than result, but doubt still creeps in and I have a way of dropping shots. I really feel like this is preventing me from making a significant breakthrough.
Anyone have any suggestions?