What Happened to My Game?

[adamgoodman]

After a long hiatus, I have returned to the Sand Trap with bad news.

At the close of last golf season, I was played solidly within the 3-4 handicap range.

But right now, two months into the 2011 season, my handicap stands at roughly a 9 and I can't figure out why.  It used to be effortless to shoot in at least the mid to high 70's, and now it's a struggle just to break 80.

The worst part is I can't pinpoint a part of my game that is lacking.  My ball-striking isn't any worse, nor is my putting or driving.  Yet the ball isn't finding the cup quite as easily as it once did.

I don't get it. It's extremely frustrating. Sometimes I feel like I'm just losing a stroke here or there that I never used to lose, but they come in different facets of the game.

Has anyone gone through a similar experience?

I need help.

[BigAl5150]

Adam,

Welcome back! As to your experience, are you hitting fewer greens or fairways? Made any equipment changes? Playing less this year than last? Made any swing changes?

[Gerald]

We all know these problems I guess, I restarted playing golf last year and went to 5.8 hc. within a few months and at the end of last season I was playing like hell, more like a 2.0 hc....... I switched clubs end of last year and went to a more demanding course, but also lost a lot of the sharpness during the winter months and I am still struggling to get where I ended last season at........ it is slowly getting better, but it will take at least another two months I guess.

I am not really worse than last year, but it is so easy to be just off and hit 5-8 strokes extra, without really any reason.

I just keep working on my swing an putting ...... and I am confident it will all come back........ now I have to think of not letting this happen next winter again .....

Shooting hc. 10 instead of hc. 5 can be really frustrating !!!