Jump to content
IGNORED

My Worst Choke Ever?


dagolfer18
Note: This thread is 1380 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

We’ve all had em. We’ve all had that moment where we have a chance to go low or win a tournament/match, and we completely fall apart on the last few holes. Here’s mine. The real choke wasn’t until the last hole, but I just made small mistakes on holes 14-17 that cost me.

On Monday, I was playing really well. I had just shot 42 on the front nine and started par-bogey-birdie-par on the back. Still +6 through 13, and I was sitting just outside the 150 marker on the 14th, in perfect position to attack the vulnerable pin. But one thought couldn’t help but slip into my head: I could shoot low 80s. I could play bogey golf in, which would give me 83. 

Then I hit my approach slightly fat, and my bump-and run chip from 40 yards ran out of gas. Down in three from there gave me a double, +8. Here were my next three holes:

No. 15: Right into trees, punch, 7I to right of green, down in three. Double bogey, +10.

No. 16: Two great shots, 50 yards out. Wedge short of green, chip on, two putt. Bogey, +11.

No. 17: Great drive, PW into bunker, two to get out of bunker, two putt. Double, +13. 

The 18th at my home club is a 157-yard par-3 over water, meaning all I needed was a seven to break 90. I told my brother that I was conquering what I called the ‘choke jinx’, which meant me shooting 42 or 43 on the front and high 40s/low 50s on the back, and that’s what did me in. The club slipped in my hand a bit on the downswing, and as a result, I caught it on the heel, and it shot dead right into the water. I went up to the red tees to drop due to no specified drop zone, thinking I could knock it on the green, three-putt if I had to, and walk off with 88.

My wedge shot hit the front of the green, but it spun off the front, down to the bank, and back into the water. Again. Which meant to shoot 89 or better, I could take no more than three more shots. I hit my fifth onto the fringe. It stayed dry, but it was about 50 feet out. A challenging two-putt. I hit a terrible first putt and was left with an eight-footer to shoot 89. It slid just to the right, so I had to tap in for a quintuple-bogey 8, a back-nine 48, and a total score of 90. My brother, who had come to watch me play the last hole, could see the disappointment, hurt and frustration on my face. I had just spoiled the best chance I’ve had in a long time to go low, and he knew it. Although 90 is a respectable performance for me, it felt more like a 94 or 95 after those first thirteen holes.

I was in a sour mood the rest of the day, mainly because of what I said to my brother before I teed off on 18. It was a very stupid thing to say at a time like that, especially when water is very much in play. That is probably the most disappointing finish of my high school golf career so far. I also made a ten on the last hole of regionals last year, but the best I could’ve shot was probably 96 or 97, and I ended up with 104. Both were disappointing, but the one I just explained in detail was much more disappointing.

Edited by dagolfer18

WITB:
Woods: Cleveland Launcher (Driver, 17 degree, 22 degree)
Irons: Titleist T200 (4-PW)
Wedges: Callaway Jaws (50/54/60)
Putter: Odyssey White Hot

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • iacas changed the title to My Worst Choke Ever?
23 minutes ago, dagolfer18 said:

But one thought couldn’t help but slip into my head: I could shoot low 80s. I could play bogey golf in, which would give me 83. 

And there it is. The Golf Gods take particular offense from such thoughts.

  • Like 1

:ping: G25 Driver Stiff :ping: G20 3W, 5W :ping: S55 4-W (aerotech steel fiber 110g shafts) :ping: Tour Wedges 50*, 54*, 58* :nike: Method Putter Floating clubs: :edel: 54* trapper wedge

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I had a two shot cushion heading into the par four 18th hole at the University of Alabama's now defunct Harry Pritchett Golf Course to beat my friend for the first time.  Of course, he mentions it to me on the tee, and I proceed to pop my drive straight up into the air, and into the center of the lake. 

Dropped at the forward tees and managed to get my third shot over the lake with my four wood, leaving myself with a nine-iron... which I proceeded to chunk to about 40 yards short of the green, so my friend is already ribbing me, since he's on in two, with about a fifteen foot birdie putt.  I proceed to blade my next shot across the green, and nearly into the parking lot.  I finally chip on and two putt for an eight, while my friend three putts for a five, and beats me by a stroke.

  • Like 1

:ping:

  • G400 - 9° /Alta CB 55 Stiff / G410-SFT - 16° /Project X 6.0S 85G / G410 - 20.5° /Tensei Orange 75S
  • G710 - 4 iron/SteelFiber i110cw Stiff • / i210 - 5 iron - UW / AWT 2.0 Stiff
  • Glide SS - 54° / CFS Wedge / Glide 2.0 SS - 58°/10 / KBS 120S / Hoofer - Black

:scotty_cameron: - Select Squareback / 35"  -  :titleist: - Pro V1 / White  -  :clicgear: - 3.5+ / White

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

29 minutes ago, Vinsk said:

And there it is. The Golf Gods take particular offense from such thoughts.

Yep. One must squash such thoughts before they are allowed to finish in the mind. 

Edited by CarlSpackler

- Shane

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Not a particular moment in a round, but a couple weeks ago I shot a personal best 80, with five double-bogey sixes. I’m not sure when the chance to break 80 will come around again, but those five holes will haunt me for awhile. 

-Peter

  • :titleist: TSR2
  • :callaway: Paradym, 4W
  • :pxg: GEN4 0317X, Hybrid
  • :srixon: ZX 3-iron, ZX5 4-AW
  • :cleveland:  RTX Zipcore 54 & 58
  • L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

First club championship for me, I qualified for the Championship level with a 75. First round I had a 76 and was one shot out of the lead. Sunday I start out par birdie, but still one shot out of the lead. Hit mydriver on the par 5 3rd hole right down the middle. My second shot was a little over 200 yards and I hit my 4 wood down the right side of the hole. I usually have a slight draw so it would have been perfect except it did not draw and landed right in the middle of the OB stakes. There was a debate whether or not it was OB. Finally I called it OB and played my provisional ball. Ended up making 7 and from that point on I was a wreck.

 

Hit the green on the next hole and proceeded to four putt. I had other holes with three putts and when I got to the ninth a drivable par 4 I tried do just that to hopefully make eagle or birdie and proceeded to hit out of bounds three times and ended up with a big fat 10. Shot 51 on the front nine and blew myself right out of the tournament. That one shot on the third hole just caused me to blow up. It was like being in a bad dream and I could not wait for it to end. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


9 hours ago, Vinsk said:

And there it is. The Golf Gods take particular offense from such thoughts.

It’s weird with me. It seems as though when I just think those things, I’m fine. But when it gets to the point where I actually say them out loud (which I did after hitting my tee shot on 14), it’s over.

WITB:
Woods: Cleveland Launcher (Driver, 17 degree, 22 degree)
Irons: Titleist T200 (4-PW)
Wedges: Callaway Jaws (50/54/60)
Putter: Odyssey White Hot

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

We were doing a Ryder Cup style event and I had a chance to ice it with a three-foot par putt on No. 18. In fairness to me, the ball was above the hole and broke significantly left-to-right. I didn't hit it firm enough and my partner and I got halved.

My side won anyway, but i was pretty gutted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

So many to choose from, but the two that stuck / stick with me:

  • Early in my golf career I shot 90 on the nose seven times before I broke it.  On the fifth of these rounds, I was +12 after 14 holes so I had seven shots over par on the last four holes to shoot 89. Two good shots on the par 5 #15, feeling great, fubarred the approach into a triple, then went double, double, bogey to shoot 90 again.  The most painful part was this was the last round of the season so I had to think about it in agony for six months before playing again.
  • I have twice birdied the 17th hole to go -1 under par.  The first time the 18th hole was the hardest on the course (and it had my number), so I was happy to make bogey and shoot par for the first time.  The second time the 18th was the easiest hole on the course and I totally messed it up to shoot even par again.  Obviously I have yet to break par.
Link to comment
Share on other sites


That's why it is dangerous to think about anything else but the shot at hand. 

When my thought is not 100% into the shot at hand, it inevitably messes with my swing.

For example, if I have work, personal life or whatever on back of my mind (even though I think it's not there, it is), my entire round is shot.  No matter how hard I try to forget it.  That is why you have to be at peace with work and personal life to play well.  At least for me...

Don

:titleist: 910 D2, 8.5˚, Adila RIP 60 S-Flex
:titleist: 980F 15˚
:yonex: EZone Blades (3-PW) Dynamic Gold S-200
:vokey:   Vokey wedges, 52˚; 56˚; and 60˚
:scotty_cameron:  2014 Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

34 minutes ago, Yukari said:

That's why it is dangerous to think about anything else but the shot at hand. 

I don't even add up my score until I finish the round. If I start thinking about what score I might post before the round is over, I'm dead.

  • Like 1

-Peter

  • :titleist: TSR2
  • :callaway: Paradym, 4W
  • :pxg: GEN4 0317X, Hybrid
  • :srixon: ZX 3-iron, ZX5 4-AW
  • :cleveland:  RTX Zipcore 54 & 58
  • L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator

@dagolfer18, don’t take this the wrong way, but do you post this kind of stuff with the intention to talk about your game or for others to express similar situations they’ve faced?

Because if it’s the former, you can post a blog entry about it and people will generally respond more directly in that respect.

If it’s the latter... honestly your OP doesn’t strike me as the latter, so thus why I’m asking.

Bill

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” - Confucius

My Swing Thread

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

8 hours ago, billchao said:

@dagolfer18, don’t take this the wrong way, but do you post this kind of stuff with the intention to talk about your game or for others to express similar situations they’ve faced?

Because if it’s the former, you can post a blog entry about it and people will generally respond more directly in that respect.

If it’s the latter... honestly your OP doesn’t strike me as the latter, so thus why I’m asking.

It’s the former. I’d never post with the intention of the latter, and I’ll be posting in my blog after my round later today. I haven’t been posting in my blog mainly because the weather for the last two weeks has been rotten. This week has been the first really good week in a while.

WITB:
Woods: Cleveland Launcher (Driver, 17 degree, 22 degree)
Irons: Titleist T200 (4-PW)
Wedges: Callaway Jaws (50/54/60)
Putter: Odyssey White Hot

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator
2 hours ago, dagolfer18 said:

It’s the former. I’d never post with the intention of the latter, and I’ll be posting in my blog after my round later today. I haven’t been posting in my blog mainly because the weather for the last two weeks has been rotten. This week has been the first really good week in a while.

Ok, if you just want to talk about your game then a blog post is the way to go.

  • Thumbs Up 1

Bill

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” - Confucius

My Swing Thread

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I Agree with keeping the score out of your head and talking up how you can get a new low score if you only just............

 ... my current two bogey holes are the last two at my course so I never want to add anymore pressure during the round ..and esp. on the last couple if I know I'm scoring well

 what I have been doing PSR is just trying to relax and feel like I have zero pressures on my shot + swing

I think thats why I have some ripping great recovery shots Vs a set of bad shots I use too awhile ago when I use to build pressure after bad shot and rush and try harder to hit the perfect swing>>

I recommend trying to swing with less effort more of the time esp. when it comes to short game

 

Edited by NZ Golfer

Go Foxy Go

Link to comment
Share on other sites


On 6/5/2020 at 4:11 PM, Darkfrog said:

I don't even add up my score until I finish the round. If I start thinking about what score I might post before the round is over, I'm dead.

I do the same. My friend who I play with on a regular basis obsesses over his score on each hole, but it doesn't seem to affect his game. 

-Craig-

In my bag:

:callaway: XR-16 Driver 10.5° :callaway: Epic Flash 3W, Big Bertha Steelhead 5W

:callaway: X Hot 3 hybrid :callaway: Steelhead X-14 irons 4i-PW,SW spacer.pngCG14 GW, LW  ping-logo1.png.f020c6ba3751388e4eea3481be9cfca6.pngTyne 4 putter

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I know I missed my fair share of short, makeable putts, that would have given me a milestone achievement. Mainly breaking par.

In My Bag:
A whole bunch of Tour Edge golf stuff...... :beer:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Note: This thread is 1380 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up
  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.
  • Posts

    • Day 76 - Pretty sore today, so I opted for putting over my Stack session. Primary focus was on starting line, as my putting has been pretty poor this year. 
    • Been a bit of delay in updates but I needed to come back east as my mom's health has taken a serious turn for the worse. In a 3 day span we learned she had a tumor to she has stage 4 cancer and stopped eating and drinking for the most part. She has had a rough 3 months but certainly didn't think we'd be at the point of setting up hospice for her. My mom was never into any sports really other than following the Red Sox because my dad was a big fan. She always cared about what we were involved in including asking about how golf went.  I have kept up with my 5 minutes of daily practice and will go to the gym here in NH tomorrow morning. Despite the somber nature of this trip my family has commented more than a few times about my weight loss so it's important to me to keep it up. I know my mom always wanted us happy in whatever we did so I'll continue with my fitness journey keeping that in mind. 
    • Day 109- Putting drills on a putting green for 20 minutes. 
    • Day 252: did a stack session. Did some slow rehearsal swings during breaks. 
    • Day 82: 3/18/24 Tried a Stack session but could not certify my warmup. Finished with indoor chips and putting. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...