why do I choke?

[2bGood]

The other really stupid mental error I make is I worry about being a “sandbagger” as I believe I have much more game then my handicap would indicate and I think I can go real low. It is not odd for me to go 1 or 2 under for 5 or 6 holes and I often feel like any day I could go sub 80. I actually worry about showing up and playing with/against guys that don’t know me and shooting really well and looking like a sandbagger.
On the first hole the other day my first two shots were the best of our group and all the other guys were giving me strokes, I was thinking “oh oh I look like a sandbagger” before the third shot. I can’t say my third shot was bad because of this thought as it was about the best gap wedge I hit all year, it was as pure as hell, the only issue was I needed an easy 100 shot not a pure 140yard shot.

[Grndslmhttr3]

You shouldn't worry about being perceived as a sandbagger - there are days when everything just falls into place, and other days where the exact opposite happens. Just play your game.