How to overcome a small scoring slump?

[CallawayGolf25]

I've been playing a lot of golf lately... This past week I got out to play 9 holes during the evening probably 5 times, 4 times for sure. But a little earlier in the summer I was shooting consistently in the 30's or down around par, I shot even once or twice... but lately I'm up shooting like 41, 42 nearly every round. I don't know what the deal is... I'm not putting as well for one, and I'm just finding trouble off of the tee on occasion, or hitting a shot that is totally uncharacteristic. Idk, it's weird... Like it'll turn into a double or triple bogey on it's respective hole and just kill my score. Driving accuracy has been a little off at times...

Something just feels off... any thoughts? I've taken a couple of days off, hopefully that helps lol.

[BuckeyeNut]

I always fight through.......and play through the funk.   It happens to everyone.

[tmf9]

Happens to everyone man, just gotta keep up the hard work.  Even the pros go through slumps phil is going through a major one and so is rory, so dont worry about it.

[Beachcomber]

Get a pair of lucky socks.  A lucky hat.  Something.  Find it.  Then stick with it. You'll thank me later.

[walk18]

I'd say you need to play some full rounds. Sometimes it takes 9 to really get going, and then you can follow a not so good front with a great back. Right now you're not giving yourself that chance. Playing half rounds all the time isn't going to give you an accurate gauge of scoring ability as much as a full round would IMO.

[Valleygolfer]

I personally like to go to the range and work on what is causing issues until I feel confident again. A lot of times for me, I find my swing tempo is off. Hope that helps.

[LovinItAll]

I'd say you need to play some full rounds. Sometimes it takes 9 to really get going, and then you can follow a not so good front with a great back. Right now you're not giving yourself that chance. Playing half rounds all the time isn't going to give you an accurate gauge of scoring ability as much as a full round would IMO.

If you have time, this is a great idea. About a week ago, I went out in 45 and felt like my game was just gone, like another human was playing. Shot 36 coming in, and while the round total wasn't great, I didn't walk away from the golf course dejected. It just happens. You mentioned your putting was a little off, and you know it doesn't take many three jacks to bump you to 4 or 5 over once a couple of other wayward shots are factored in. Like BuckeyNut said, just play through it.

[Dohaney]

If your handicap is 10, isn`t a 41 or a 42 right around where you should be anyways? But in terms of a slump it happens to everyone. I am also going through a slump but I decided to take a couple days off after a busy week of playing 18 holes everyday and even played 36 holes one day. Taking days off usually is what helps me get back into my comfort zone in my swing, sometimes your body and mind just needs a break.

[Elvisliveson]

Take a week off.

[CallawayGolf25]

Originally Posted by Dohaney

If your handicap is 10, isn`t a 41 or a 42 right around where you should be anyways? But in terms of a slump it happens to everyone. I am also going through a slump but I decided to take a couple days off after a busy week of playing 18 holes everyday and even played 36 holes one day. Taking days off usually is what helps me get back into my comfort zone in my swing, sometimes your body and mind just needs a break.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking... I'm actually not sure what my actual handicap is tho, I was just basing it off of what I usually shot a couple of years ago, but this year I've been playing better so who knows? I know I'm better than what I'm shooting right now tho. I walk off of the course feeling like I was all over the place, as if I shot much worse than what I actually ended up doing. Idk... it's weird lol.

walk18: That's a good idea too... I should play be playing full rounds more often, it's just I go out to play twilight and usually get to the course a little later on. I was playing 18 hole rounds more earlier this year and was playing pretty well then, front nine usually wasn't so hot but the back nine I'd shoot down closer to par in the upper 30's or so. Could be part of it.

[Spyder]

Originally Posted by CallawayGolf25

Yeah that's what I'm thinking... I'm actually not sure what my actual handicap is tho, I was just basing it off of what I usually shot a couple of years ago, but this year I've been playing better so who knows? I know I'm better than what I'm shooting right now tho. I walk off of the course feeling like I was all over the place, as if I shot much worse than what I actually ended up doing. Idk... it's weird lol.

walk18: That's a good idea too... I should play be playing full rounds more often, it's just I go out to play twilight and usually get to the course a little later on. I was playing 18 hole rounds more earlier this year and was playing pretty well then, front nine usually wasn't so hot but the back nine I'd shoot down closer to par in the upper 30's or so. Could be part of it.

I don't mean to pick your posts apart... but you said you're shooting mid-30s and close to even Par. You're listed at 10 HC without knowing what your HC is. You said you based your 10 HC off of what you shot back in the day, but you also said you're shooting better than that now.

That just is not adding up. Either you're not even sure what a Handicap is, or have never calculated one, or you're much better than you think and you're short changing yourself. I'm not trying to be cynical or anything, just pointing out that I think you should evaluate what you're actually shooting after playing several rounds of golf as a collective and analyze the data from your rounds. The answer to your score, your handicap and just how well you are golfing will all be right in front of you at that point - including where your "slump" is (i.e.: putting, chipping, bunker saves, FIR, GIR, etc.)

[MasonAsher2014]

What I do is hit the range if my drives and irons are off or go to chipping/putting green. Play a round and repeat.

[BuckeyeNut]

Originally Posted by Dohaney

If your handicap is 10, isn`t a 41 or a 42 right around where you should be anyways?

Yep......a 10hc playing a par72 should average about 86....give or take, depending on the course rating difficulty. 41-42 are good solid 9 hole scores for a 10hc.

[Matt M]

Slumps usually are caused by too much practice,play and expections that build because of the other two. Try to just go make you natural swing and don't get upset with the results of each swing. And start playing to have fun not to shoot your lowest score, just enjoy the game.

[VMAN]

Originally Posted by Elvisliveson

Take a week off.

This.

[Jimbo Slice]

Originally Posted by Elvisliveson

Take a week off.

I third this, not that I have ever used the technique in golf but it has worked for me in many other sports.

[Matt M]

Seriously take the game as a game just enjoy it. After you hit a shot just let it go and move on.

[mrdb]

I recently went through some good form and then became obsessed with breaking par every round. Started getting cranky with myself, dug a deeper hole by making bad decisions, lost confidence in my ability - form slump.

Played a club comp today with three guys whose combined age was over 220 years. Great guys, just happy to be still playing golf and enjoying each others company. Really gave me some perspective and I enjoyed it immensely. Shot 71 without even thinking about it.

My advice is to take the pressure off, listen to the birds, stop and smell the flowers - just do it all at brisk walking pace. ;)