Golfing w 2 + Index's Tomorrow - nervous as hell!

[enis750]

well i got my wish
I was invited to join our assistant pros and a buddy of their's for 18 - AT 5AM!!!!!!
i have been wanting to golf w someone at this level all year
2 of the guys are our assistant's and + index's

i dont think i have ever been this nervous to tee it up - worse than a tournament
i have been playing ok lately, not awesome, not crappy, just average (73-77 type scores)
BUT i have had my personal best nines in the past week too - a minus 2 on the front and a minus 1 on the back - just not together

why am i nervous you ask????

because our club is pretty tight and i am concerned that if i hack it up, people will talk
i already had one guy beak me because i went out and shot an 80 w him in a tourney
it was a horrible day for me, and he was beakin me, he was like "i thought it would be fun watching a 4 today.....looks more like a 14 to me!".......i almost punched him....
i dont want these guys to think i was lying about my scores.....i am very honest w my game, as i should be

i really dont want to turn down this invitation, as i want to know how a + index gets around out there

am i crazy?? or did the jacka$$ i golfed w before, just get in my head ??????

any suggestions?
i have the worst mental game, and im already nervous about this round

arrgghh...............

[BallStriker]

Play your game and you will be fine........if they hit it farther than you and you try for "a little extra" every tee shot to keep up with them, you are in for a LONG day......play your game, play comfortable, have fun......that is all you need to think about.

PS...that is funny about the guy who said it "would be fun watching a 4"....what an idiot....for some reason, everyone think that guys who are 5 or better hit the ball like pros....not the fuc*in case....I am currently playing to just under a 3 and I can friggin hit the ball everywhere but the fairway at times.....but, I score because I play smart and honor the short game...at the end of the day, anyone can have an off day (and an 80 out of a 4 handicapper is NOT a disaster by any stretch, just a day with the C+ game).....I would have told him to fu*k off...

[enis750]

Play your game and you will be fine........if they hit it farther than you and you try for "a little extra" every tee shot to keep up with them, you are in for a LONG day......play your game, play comfortable, have fun......that is all you need to think about.

yea dude, i was pretty choked

i was ALL OVER THE MAP that day, and an 80 was actually pretty good considering i really want to golf well w these guys, i sure hope i can put a good round together

[Zeph]

You worry too much, who cares what others think about you?

Just play your game, there is nothing else to do. Just because their handicap indicate they should use 6 or so shots less, doesn't mean you have to perform out of your mind with them. I'm sure they are more aware of this than you are. Just go out there and have fun, don't sweat it.

[enis750]

You worry too much, who cares what others think about you?

yea i know.......

just trying to get a handle on my mental game (its brutal) this should be good practice i guess......

[BallStriker]

who cares what others think about you?

One of my favorite quotes of all time is...."You shouldn't worry too much about what others think of you, because they seldom do."

Sooooooooo true.

[WUTiger]

yea dude, i was pretty choked

The guy who got on your case is the problem, not you. You're a 4 HDCP, which means you're a very accomplished amateur golfer. Club pros feel good whenever they have members with single-digit handicaps.

Just go out, tee it up, and see what happens. And have fun... (it's allowed! )

[jamo]

Play safely, don't go out of the hero shot, and stay out of the woods. On top of that try to learn a thing or two from the plus cappers.

[MJP]

well i got my wish

About a month ago I played with two friends from high school and another who was a Jr. on that high school team. One was the state champ in HS 2 years in a row and is a +4. The other is a +3 or 2 I believe. The Jr is like a 3 or 4 handicap at best but drives the ball 300 yards like the other two did. I only drive like 250-260 so that alone was intimidating. I was pretty nervous but knew they were good guys so I figured it didn't matter how I played. We played doubles match with me and the +4 vs the other two. Best single score of the teams won the hole.

To my surprise, I hit a good drive and an approach to 30 ft and sank the long birdie. Won one of two holes for us for the day. I Birdied the 11th as well with a 12ft birdie. It's intimidating that my partner hit his drive 320 about 15y left of the green. Yet he still only made par while I made birdie. So you can definitely hang with them, you just have to avoid the penalties, the bunkers, the rough, and make sure you really focus on your short game. My partner shot 66. The other two shot 70 and 73 I believe. I shot 81. Not so great but I can live with it. I played like 4 or 5 points above my handicap which is not too bad, considering I had two OBs. Ugh. So embarrasing, those guys didn't have a single penalty. Anyways, just play within yourself and don't go for the green if the hazard is at 200 and its at 220. Layup. They will go for it but maybe you won't. The risks are too great for your skill, perhaps. It's all about how you feel and your confidence. But if you don't want to embarrass yourself, don't be afraid to play safe. Learn what you can be most importantly have a good attitude and a good time.

[sean_miller]

Anyways, just play within yourself and don't go for the green if the hazard is at 200 and its at 220. Layup. They will go for it but maybe you won't. The risks are too great for your skill, perhaps. It's all about how you feel and your confidence. But if you don't want to embarrass yourself, don't be afraid to play safe.

He has to lay up from 220 since his 220 club isn't here yet. How'd you know that?

I think if he stays out of his own way, he'll do just fine.

[max power]

Remind yourself that if golf starts causing you this much stress it's not worth it.

[enis750]

He has to lay up from 220 since his 220 club isn't here yet. How'd you know that?

hahha! good point Miller!

yep, im good up to 215 or so, but thats it the 215+ club is a few weeks out

Remind yourself that if golf starts causing you this much stress it's not worth it.

not stress bro, a bit of excitement mixed w nerves (but good nerves i guess)

BTW - golf is always worth it thanks for everyones replies - shed some good light on this for sure you are all right - they are NOT touring professionals, just club pro's......nevr thought of it that way i guess ( i know stupid) reading all of this has me thinking more clear now game plan - get out of bed (1st step - man oh man 4am comes quick) stay positive, stay calm, learn a few things and have fun w it thanks again all, and i will report back tomorrow after the round

[Joeyvee]

A) **** That dude with his stupid comment. Maybe you shoulda punched him. Canadia isn't as soft as the U.S. You're still allowed to punch A-holes in the face there no?
Would he rather you tell him you were a 14 then go on to shoot an 80? Then maybe he'd be looking to punch you.
2) In my experience (hockey more than golf) the good players know they're way above average. Most of them will be cool about it and just be happy they're not playing with a 25 (me) and if not then **** those dudes too.
C) Go have fun. If you can't relax and have fun you WILL shoot an 80.

Tell them you just had a prostate exam that morning and you're still a little sore. Bang - built in excuse. If they call you out on the fact that it's only 5am tell em you paid a street walker to do it. They'll have something other than your score to talk about at the club.

It's normal to be nervous. Realizing that it's normal sometimes helps you chill some.
Think of a few jokes you can tell as you play and instead of them saying "Maybe I'd play with that dude again if I had to, I dunno, he shot a 78" make em say "That dudes funny, let's see if he can play next week, What'd he shoot again? I dunno."

[Tugglife2]

I don't have any advice but just wanted to say I hope you post a trip report tomorrow evening.

[MJP]

He has to lay up from 220 since his 220 club isn't here yet. How'd you know that?

I had no idea. Often time that's the decision I have to make on this certain hole I play a lot. I have to hit a really good 3 wood or splash.

[atrapasuenos]

because our club is pretty tight and i am concerned that if i hack it up, people will talk

Man, seriously that guy that told you about your handicap is the most foolish guy. I hate when that happens, even tour pros have bad days! I have played with some guys that even stand up behind me to see my shot and they expect to see crazy trajectories and they get disappointed, sorry but that works for me. Men just play your game a enjoy it, I'll bet it is going to be a nice round!

[Bigtank]

don't sweat it, I'll let you in on a secret...+ handicappers shoot 80's every once and while too. Go out and play the game you always do, dont try to hit shots you know you can, just play within your own game.

I had to play with my father-in-law (an accomplished +handicapped mid-amatuer) and brother-in-law (a well respected college golfer), and I was nervous just as you are. I got up on the first tee and blasted one about 360yds, problem was 40yds of it were dead snap hook into the gunch, I felt like a chump. So I just played my game and took money of my father in law!!!! Have fun, and play your game and good luck!

[2bGood]

Man, seriously that guy that told you about your handicap is the most foolish guy. I hate when that happens, even tour pros have bad days! I have played with some guys that even stand up behind me to see my shot and they expect to see crazy trajectories and they get disappointed, sorry but that works for me. Men just play your game a enjoy it, I'll bet it is going to be a nice round!

That what I tell myself when i go and shoot 8-10 strokes over my cap, hell Rory "The next one" had a 17 stroke swing in one day, why the hell would i think that I am not going to have bad days and good days.