Finally shot 59!!!

[PiKapp23]

...and 'no' not the good 59.

Sunday I played a reasonable difficult course and shot a 79 without playing great, but managed to score OK. Last night (Tuesday), playing 9 holes with my normal group I managed to shoot 59 for 9 holes (on a course that is easier than the one I played Sunday). I would have to say it was the worst I have played in at least 6-7 years. I have been struggling with my new driver since old one broke and last night the problem really reared it's ugly head. I hit 1 fairway in regulation and zero greens. Putting wasn't really an issue as I only had 16 putts. Drivers were either slices into trees or smothered. Almost all of my iron shots were either thin, shanked or 2 clubs short. On back-to-back holes (one of which was a par 3) I took 10's. Sadly, if it weren't for my shortgame I would have shot probably closer to 65+. I had one par on a par 5 that was a result of bad sliced drive into wrong fairway, short 2H through the trees into rough (but at least on correct hole) and badly short 8 iron before pitching to 6 inches from about 40 yards. I was so depressed I told my buddies I was done - quitting the game. Of course, I'm not going to do that, but I've never made that statement before and I meant it. Earlier this year I shot a 73 and followed that round with with a 96 for next round. Gotta love this $@

[Bump-n-MI]

We all have those days. I was playing a money game on Monday with the regulars at my club. Shot a 36 but only hit 2 fairways and 2 greens but only had 11 putts with a chip in on the first hole. Wound up with 1 eagle, 2 birdies, 3 pars, 2 bogies and 1 double. Scrambling / putting is the name of the game when your ball striking has gone south. The reverse happened on Saturday. Hit 6 greens, 5 fairways but could sink a putt, no matter the length. Had a much better game tee to green but shot a 43 (lots of 3 putts and some bonehead mistakes).

[CarlSpackler]

I had 56 on Saturday and turned around and shot 42 Sunday. Crazy game this is laddie.

[CG031]

I know how this feels...I shot a 41 on a really tough country club course, then the next day we had a home match on a pretty easy nine hole track (i usually shoot in the high 30's low 40's on this course)...and I shot a 50...worst part was it was in a high school match. Hit 3 O.B...pretty fun.

[saltman]

So many people are confused as to how I have gone from a scratch golfer to barely being able to break 90. I still very rarely mishit the ball and keep myself in great shape. Of course I play about 1/10th of the number of rounds I used to, but always assumed that an 8-10 handicap was about the worst I could ever be, just based on knowledge of the game and the swing alone! Well, I was wrong!

My big numbers come from 1 issue, the driver! The best short game in the world cannot overcome hitting 5 off the tee, or punching out from trees all day. Your post decscribes my last 10 years of golf! I simply cannot hit driver consistently and I refuse to bag it. Huge slices or snap hooks, its really hard to understand.

I would have someone look at your swing soon and try to get it corrected before you end up in a fight like mine.

[blackxpress]

You guys are making me feel a whole lot better about that 101 I put up yesterday. Two weeks ago I shot a 39 and thought my game was really coming together. Since then it's been mostly bogey. Then yesterday I shot 53 and 48. Couldn't hit the ball to save my life. Today I went to the range to try to figure some things out and, lo and behold, whatever was wrong with my swing yesterday seems to have fixed itself. I struck the ball better than ever. Go figure.

[Duffy]

I'm not really sure that your particular problem isn't so particular. It seems to be the story of every golfer alive or what ever activity someone is involved in. I shoot competitively and it's the same there. Hit everything fast and smooth one day and for crap the next. Look at Tiger with his driver lately.

[mapa94]

I feel your pain and all I can say is "that's golf". I'm a 12 handicap who broke 80 for the first time this January. The next 2 times out I shot 96,97 and then played in a tournament 2 weeks later and shot a 101! I was so frustrated I could spit.

The next month everything returned back to "normal" and I'm back to shooting in the 80's.

[ApocG10]

I shot a 72 over 9 holes a couple of weeks ago, and then ate and had a beer, played another 9 (its a 9 hole course), and shot a 44.

Its as much luck as it is skill. On the 72, i hit a fairway, nailed the only rock in the place, which sent it 60 yards straight right into the drink. I was ready to smash my driver.

[Zeph]

I've played the crappiest golf of my life the last two tournaments. The day before the tournament and on the range inbetween I'm playing the best I ever have. I hate this sport...

[PiKapp23]

At least you guys make me feel better. I've always been a pretty consistent player at whatever handicap I've been but the last 6-9 months I have posted some of my all-time best scores then followed those up with really bad scores. Oh well - it's just a game.

[CarlSpackler]

At least you guys make me feel better. I've always been a pretty consistent player at whatever handicap I've been but the last 6-9 months I have posted some of my all-time best scores then followed those up with really bad scores. Oh well - it's just a game.

This game reminds me of a roller coaster at Kings Island.

[AmenCorner]

...and 'no' not the good 59.

Sounds like you need to work on your mental game?

[Prairie Golfer]

I usually hit my 59th shot somewhere on hole #12.

I'm actually somewhat consistant in my 9 hole scores. Today I went 49/41/90 and that's my biggest spread of the year by two shots.

[PiKapp23]

Because I know so many of you are concerned about the state of my game and are probably losing sleep over it I thought I would give the 1 week later update. I played this previous Sunday and shot 95 on a pretty difficult course. I wasn't good at all, but was much better than the 9 the previous Tuesday (that was the 59). This Tuesday I played quite a bit better, shooting a 40 (+4). While my I didn't hit many fairways (only 1) I didn't miss a single drive by more than 15 feet or so and most were within a few feet and left me with good approach shots. I definitly felt more confident with both driver and irons. I'm not ready to declare that I'm back yet, but I really feel better about my game. Hopefully you all will be able to sleep in peace now. Thanks for your prayers.

Last night (Monday) I was bored so I went to Golf Galaxy and found the launch monitor turned on in back bay. I hit over 100 balls with 2 drivers (one identical to mine) and figured out what I was doing by checking out the monitor stats. I was able to go from bad slice to little draw (my preferred shot) or at worst a small fade. Now I want a launch monitor to take to the range with me. I really found it helpful (much better than simulator which lies a lot).