Golf....Got to hate it?

[mcotter]

This game is unlike any I have ever known. I have come to realize that I hardly ever (not just this year) leave the course content. I either play well, and want to play more (emergency nine), or play poorly and and leave pissed off so much that I am frustrated the rest of the day. I am more than frustrated about my game this year. I have been a decent player for awhile and have carried a handicap of 6-9. This year, however, I can't play worth a nickel. I have all rounds between 88-93 except 2 of them. Until this year, my irons have always been accurate from 150 or so in, and my short game has been better than average. I have not made a putt outside 10 feet this year. (about 12 rounds or so)

I am seriously considering a sabatical for the rest of the year because I am not enjoying the game the way I am playing. I love the game, but I currently hate it more.

[doctork]

Took the thoughts right out of my brain, mcotter. I've come to realize that the only time I don't like golf is when I'm playing!

For better or worse, no matter how often the thought of quitting occurs to me on the course, I'm always ready for more by the time I get home. Guess I'm too optimistic (delusional) for my own good.

I'd suggest just taking a few weeks off, then heading back out. Seems to clear the mind of negative thoughts, and lowers the expectations - hugely important if you take the game seriously, as you obviously do.

If putting has plagued you for a while, a lesson or simple practice aid could turn you around.

Hang in there, bud.

Cheers,
DoctorK

[shades9323]

Why get mad? You aren't going pro. Just get out there and enjoy the game. You are thinking too much. I never leave the course upset, heck I never leave a hole upset(even the 9 I had on Monday). Just be happy that you are able to get out there.

[saevel25]

Oh i know the pain, right now i am shooting about double my handicap. My sync is off between my upper and lower body, i got no unity. My short game is a mess. its going to be a fun fix. But thats why i love golf, you can never master it, you can only play it.

[NI4NI]

Treat it like everything else of equal importance in your life. It's a hobby, so keep it in perspective, and let it rest as best you can after leaving the course. For most of us, we are so attracted to the possibility of what "could be" with our game that it leaves us a bit underwhelmed with our actual play. Reading countless "help articles", watching numerous swing videos, and staring at the boob tube during the weekly tournaments only adds to the frustration level when on the course trying to apply it to our game. Give it a rest for a weekend or two if you're overloaded, unplug from all things golf to keep the temptation down, and then ease back into it once mentally rested.

It's supposed to be fun - keep it framed this way in your mind. Good luck.

Just my $.02

[Kieran123]

I do get a little annoyed if I score a triple or even 4 over on a hole, even doubles. But it really just makes me wanna shoot a birdie or a par next hole and then get to the range to practice. I know with every bad shot, I have a good shot coming up, so I just look forward to the next hole and next opportunity.

[nuck81]

Wednesday I hit all but five GIR. Yesterday I only hit four. Hell of a game...

[sean_miller]

I'm still a little peeved about a triple bogey I had on #10 last August. Everybody says hybrids are good (hybrid Fybrid - whatever) out of the rough, but I knew 5-iron was the better play. I popped one 45 degrees right - OB.

I made a point of not doing that again - the second guessing myself - poor swings are random so I don't worry about those too much.

Take a break, talk to your doctor, get lessons, whatever, just don't lose the ability to have fun.

Without the element of fun and anticipation of the next round, there's really no point to all of it.

[GaijinGolfer]

Thats the thing about golf, no matter how good you get, you could always get better.

[deronsizemore]

Remember that David Duval went from number one in the world to not able to break 85 and he did almost overnight it seemed. Golf will tear down even the greatest of players. Just enjoy it and don't get upset because everyone hits bad shots, has bad holes and has bad rounds. To keep things in perspective, I try to remind myself that it's a game and I'm outside and able to breath for another day. There's a whole lot of people in the world who are bed ridden or cannot get out of a wheel chair who would give anything for the chance to play a around of golf and not care if they broke 150. Enjoy it while you're able to play.

No matter what you shoot, you'll always want more. In golf, you can never be satisfied. I shot -7 for a round (my personal best) a couple years ago and all I could think about was the three birdie putts inside of 5 feet that I missed. Whether you shoot 90 or 70, you're never happy.

[DarkPrince]

  deronsizemore said:

Remember that David Duval when from number one in the world to not able to break 85 and he did almost overnight it seemed.

My boss mentions this all the time, but Duval also had a helluva lot of things going wrong in his personal life at the same time as the scores went downhill, dude went insane for a while :P