First hole birdie curse...reality or not??

[MrKadash]

It's definitely mental with me, and a two way street. It doesn't matter where in the round it occurs, but more times than not a birdie will be followed with a bogey and a bogey or worse will be followed with a birdie. I get pissed with any bogey or worse and vow to birdie the next. When I birdie, I tell myself not to blow the next hole.

As far as the first hole goes, I'm almost relieved with a bogey as I usually tell myself that's out of the way and I can on with business. Well, not really relieved.

[Brooklyn]

Im usually the opposite. I would say i almost always birdie the first hole then its all down hill from there. Im lucky to get a par after that.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I agree. I want to stack up as many quick birdies as I can before I get to a long Par 3. I hate par 3's that get over 200yds.

hahahaha..post of the month...

[Dub]

There's times I'm glad a birdie putt on our first hole stays just out of the cup. It just seems like somethin' bad is gonna happen if I birdie that first hole.

I'm pleased with a bird every time one rears it's beautiful head!!!!

I understand what you mean, though. I have often followed birdies and the few eagles I've made with big numbers. I think that I get caught up in the moment and fail to move one properly to the next shot. This "effect" is worsened when I'm playing solo and riding. It's like....wham, bam, thank you maam and on to the next tee so quickly. Standing on the tee-box basking in my glory vs. moving ahead properly to the next challenge. Breathe deeply......evaluate wind.....dial in on a distance.....determine the "playing distance"......evaluate your target......consider the shot needed to get you there.....decide on a club....pull it and zero in on the target......grip......step up to the ball from behind......address it.....breathe.....pull the trigger.........follow through big........pose for a bit and then charge on to the next birdie!!!!!

[eberryhill7]

I also disagree because I birdied the first hole today and then shot my lowest round ever.

[golfunit]

OK. Interesting posts.

Now, by starting this thread, I definitely don't mean that I don't try to birdie No. 1, which, incidentally, is a tough starting hole, around 400 yards, into the prevailing wind, and close OB on the right. In fact, I have birdied it 3 times in the past month! On one round, I continued with a birdie on the second hole. And one of those rounds was a 34 on the front nine (-2).

I guess it's kind of a joke with the guys I usually play with, like "phew", at least I didn't birdie that one. I've seen it where someone birdied the first and didn't pick up another skin or special all day.

[Terrier]

It's referred to as "playing out of your comfort zone".

About a year ago, I double-eagled the first hole, a 500-yard par 5 and shot a 40. I double-bogeyed the second hole (voted one of the toughest Par 4s on the Grand Strand)...bogeyed the second...

All the members and regulars wanted to know what I ended up shooting for that nine and overall. That was their second question, after the first question -- "what club did you use for your second shot?"

I ended up shooting my handicap for the round. Back down to reality. I was somewhat (very) embarrassed for shooting a 40 after being 3-under after the first hole.

I gotta admit -- I was trying to stay cool and set a personal best after that first hole. But inside I was saying "Holy crapola -- I'm 3-under after one hole!"

I was out of my comfort zone as a simple 5-handicap.

[RX Phoenix]

A lot of golfers believe in this curse, my experience is that it can have a negative effect, somehow changes the mental focus. Could be a sharp rise in expectations, or overconfidence throwing the game out of synch. I prefer to start out with a few pars then drop a birdie.

[Terrier]

A lot of golfers believe in this curse, my experience is that it can have a negative effect, somehow changes the mental focus. Could be a sharp rise in expectations, or overconfidence throwing the game out of synch. I prefer to start out with a few pars then drop a birdie.

Agreed...except for "I prefer..."

It's the psychological part of the game. Yesterday I went bogey, double, and shot a 38 on the front. On the back I went bogey, double, and shot a 39. Sometimes screwing up the first few holes sets my mind at ease. Who knows? Hence the reason I love this game.

[Klean]

I wouldn't know since I only got my first birdie last Sunday and it was on the 9th hole lol.

But if I was to birdie the first hole, I would think it would give me confidence on my next hole.