Can someone please explain this to me...?

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

Posted below are my last few rounds. I am an 18 handicap, and usually expect to shoot in the low 90's , maybe even break 90 every now and again. However can you please explain the vicious ups and downs of my posted scores below?

January - February. Most recent on the top
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail - Grand National - The Links107
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail - Grand National - The Lake99
St. Marlo Country Club - 104
Stonemont - 102
The Frog Golf Course at Georgian Resort - 83
Wolf Creek - 91
RiverPines Golf Course - 98
Durham Lakes - 93
Wolf Creek - 96
Bobby Jones Golf Course - 88
Cobblestone Golf Course - 94

While I completely understand some courses are harder then others (in this case the 2 RTJ's carry a slope of 130+ and Bobby Jones = 118, the others average around 125ish), but what I can't figure out why I can't be consistant!?! .
I shot an 83, but followed it up with a 102 and a 104.

Maybe I picked up a swing flaw, my last two rounds were especially terrible. I drove the ball well, but topped and chunked too many approach shots. Previous to that I was terrible off the tee and putting, but my approaches were great.. too much inconsistancy

Can anyone explain this to me?

[RocketSauce]

i dont think anyone can explain it. its golf and thats just how it is. im a 5 handicapper and usually shoot mid to high 70's. yesterday i shot an 88.....

[ks8829]

The fastest way to lower your handicap and become more consistent is to practice your short game.

Practice from the hole backwards and watch your scores drop. 90% of your practice should be on putting, chipping and pitching.

[whip_it_out]

How are the condition of the courses?
If you're playing on dormant grass, low scores go completely out the window. a lot of people forget that no matter how well you're swinging, you almost always play better on growing grass.

Just give it some time.

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

How are the condition of the courses?

I wish that was the case, some of my worst scores came on over seeded rye fairways, nice and green

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail - Grand National - The Links 107 OVER-SEEDED RYE Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail - Grand National - The Lake 99 OVER-SEEDED RYE St. Marlo Country Club - 104 DORMANT BERMUDA Stonemont - 102 DORMANT BERMUDA The Frog Golf Course at Georgian Resort - 83 DORMANT BERMUDA Wolf Creek - 91 OVER-SEEDED RYE RiverPines Golf Course - 98 DORMANT BERMUDA Durham Lakes - 93 DORMANT BERMUDA Wolf Creek - 96 OVER-SEEDED RYE Bobby Jones Golf Course - 88 DORMANT BERMUDA Cobblestone Golf Course - 94 DORMANT BERMUDA KS - You are right, now that I think about it, my lowest scores were when my short game was on, but again, why can sometimes my touch be so good with nice one putts and/or perfect touch chips and then others skulled chip shots and 3 putts

[rckwd]

i dont think anyone can explain it. its golf and thats just how it is. im a 5 handicapper and usually shoot mid to high 70's. yesterday i shot an 88.....

Exactly. Do you think Anthony Kim can explain why he had 36 putts in yesterdays first round?

Usually when I am having a bad day, I dont force it, I just putt the clubs away. The good thing about golf is there is always tomorrow. I wish I had an answer for you, then maybe I would know how to fix my bad outings.

[flanagan]

I don't get why it's so hard to explain. The different slope ratings in the two courses you provided them for pretty much explain a lot with those scores, what about the slopes on the others? Also, you aren't playing one course consistently, so you should not expect to be consistent. Weather conditions vary, course conditions vary, you vary . . . . it's golf, enjoy the ups and downs. If it was a specific swing issue, then you'd be poorer than you want to be on every course, and that doesn't seem to be the case.

[svchiefs19]

The fastest way to lower your handicap and become more consistent is to practice your short game.

thats exactly right. if u can putt well and get up and down more times than not, your scores will drop quite a bit. i heard a pga tour player (i forget which one) say that for however long you spend working on hitting woods and irons, you spend 1.5 times that on short game. so if you spend 30 min hitting irons and woods, then spend 45 minutes on short game.

[apex53]

I agree with the comments about the short game... Hitting the big drive is always fun but the short game is where it's at... Better short game will help alleviate pressure on the long game... It's a cliché but it's true... I'd better go chip and putt

[walk18]

I will explain. golf is a tortuous, crazy game that will drive you insane. But it's also a lot of fun.

[MiniMoe]

Handicap is based on potential, not on averages. So, if your an 18, then only on good days should you shoot your handicap. So, to shoot in the mid 90's is not bad at all.

[Mr3Putt]

I've found in this game that rarely does it all come together. You'll be striping the driver, but blowing the chips, putting like a banshee after it took 5 to get to the green.

The stories are endless.

You're concerned about score swings from different rounds?? I've had days where I shot 34 on the front and 52 on the back. Let's not even talk about the three consecutive birdies followed by a quad....

I think the challenges of golf are a major part of it's appeal. I love when I see a guy struggle all day long only to watch him chip it in on the last hole and win all the money. You know that's the only part of the round he'll remember.

Enjoy it for what it is, you'll drive yourself crazy if you try and figure this game out.

[birdiemachine]

i bet there is a correlation between your putts per round and score. When you walk on the first tee, dont flood your heD with thoughts on your swing. Just swing. When you get to the green. Don't hurry up and putt. It's ironic people hurry up on the putting green, when it probably would best be served to hurry up on the tee box.

Long story short, the difference between you me and a pro is the pro sinks more putts than we will ever dream of. Haven't you played with the guy who hits it 200 yards and 1 putts everything? I hate that guy but he beats me at golf.

[lumpuckeroo]

I agree with RocketSauce, but I think your scores define an 18 handicap. If you were consistent and always shooting in the mid 90's and breaking 90 once in awhile you wouldn't be an 18 handicap.

Don't get discouraged, that is part of golf, look at what Anthony Kim did last week, 78-74-66-64, 14 stroke difference between his high and low. If you put that in prespective with your game, par 72, 18 handicap, average score 90. If you shot 14 strokes worse, 104, 14 strokes better, 86.

IMHO, if you want to be less then a 18 handicap, you need to hit fairways and have a solid short game.