Stuck in the 90s

[folker]

Played a different course yesterday and shot 44 on the front 9 before falling apart on the back. The quest continues. lol

[bananas]

I always shoot between 85-95. When I break 90 it's because of short game.

[CPT]

My father is in the 90's, too, and I always tell him;

1. Get rid of all the fat/chunk shots that goes 15 yards off the tee.
2. Try to hit at least 2-3 GIR on each 9 holes and do your best not to 3-putts.
3. It can be hard to digest, but at this stage, focus on making as many bogey as possible. Pressure yourself to par every hole can lead you to bad course management, which are doubles and triples. Doubles and Triples will finally added you up to 90's.
4. Lay-up when there are risks (such as forced carry) involves.

[pittpanther]

  CPT said:

1. Get rid of all the fat/chunk shots that goes 15 yards off the tee.

This is KEY! Chunk one 50 yards off the tee, when you are on that 550-yard par-5, leads to disaster! You now feel pressure to use your 3W or 5W off the deck, which may not be a comfortable club choice, which then leads to a bad shot, etc... That par-5 becomes a snowman or worse.

  CPT said:

2. Try to hit at least 2-3 GIR on each 9 holes and do your best not to 3-putts.

Par 3's and short par-4s should be marked as GIR holes, with 2-putts. To break 90 you MUST have some pars!!!

  CPT said:

3. It can be hard to digest, but at this stage, focus on making as many bogey as possible. Pressure yourself to par every hole can lead you to bad course management, which are doubles and triples. Doubles and Triples will finally added you up to 90's.

[atthepin]

My biggest issue is 3 putts....it is just a matter of practicing but for some reason i get into my own head when i am standing there only 10 feet from the hole, yet when i am 100 yards i am comfortable...

I played the other day...on 3 separate par 3's i was on the green in 1 and then 3 putted...talk about shameful.

[Shindig]

  pittpanther said:

Par 3's and short par-4s should be marked as GIR holes, with 2-putts. To break 90 you MUST have some pars!!!

Unhazardous par-5s, too. If I hit fewer than two par-5s in regulation (out of 3 at my home course), I feel as though I played stupid golf - regardless of my score. These are the easiest holes to play backwards, and if you're familiar with the course, there's no reason not to figure out where you want to play your third from.

[The Recreational Golfer]

It is possible that you have been stuck in the 90s for so long, that is the image you have of yourself. Being an 80s golfer just bounces off your subconscious mind.

It sounds like you have enough game and enough course management skills. Just go out and play and do one thing differently -- have someone else keep your score and you forget about it. Just hit the ball. Take the pressure off yourself to break 90. Go out and have fun. This could be all it takes to get you over the hump, or under the hump.

Believe me, I know. I hit the ball like a 70s player, but still shoot in the low 80s. It's not skills, it's learning to accept success. I'll get there, and so will you.

[soloredd]

  folker said:

Played a different course yesterday and shot 44 on the front 9 before falling apart on the back. The quest continues. lol

Stick with it buddy. I subscribed to this thread, which I rarely do, looking forward to your day. It will come.

Played today and shot 89 at the same course I shot 101 on Monday. It took a 41 on the back 9 today to do it. I literally approached the 10th tee and told myself to be patient - up until that point I was rushing and making some really dumb decisions. Not to mention my driver was dreadful on the front, didn't hit one fairway. On the back, not only were my drives better but I also pitched and chipped a lot better. I still had 38 putts in the round though. Keep at it and don't get discouraged!