Nerves!

[DingNast]

So I usually play alone. Recently on a busy day at a Golf Course I had never played before I was put in a 4 some with 3 strangers. I played some of the worst Golf I have played in years. I don't think I hit a single desired shot in 9 holes. To my defense there was a 4 some ahead of us playing pretty slow and the 4 some behind us was breathing down our necks. I also forgot my hat that I usually play with and instead wore an old visor from my trunk. In addition I did not have lunch as I usually get a Hot Dog at the turn and was a little hungry.  I kept thinking to myself "I don't like the vibe from my 4 some. I should just let them play on but I didn't know how crowded it was behind me. At the turn 2 of the Golfers said they were going to play the front 9 over and the 3rd said he was only playing 9 so I ended up alone. However my nerves were so bad that my back 9 score was only lower by about 5 strokes. Let me also mention that it was my Birthday. I want to do all I can to keep this from happening again. Please help!

[Valleygolfer]

Wow. You probably should have had some "swing lube." Maybe you should think about hitting shots instead of focusing on the many perceived distractions or excuses for playing bad. You gotta get over the hat, keep packaged snacks in your bag and lastly, there were 3 other guys in your group that had the 4 some "breathing down their necks," were they playing bad too? All comes down to practice and confidence in your game. If you aren't ready to bring your game to groups, hit the range harder or hide in the twilight times. 

Edited June 10, 2018 by Valleygolfer

[Patch]

Your nerves were shot because you let things beyond your control, once you paid your fees, to manipulate your game, and mind set. 

You need to develope a give a crap attitude, in a good way. Just play the course, and forget about everything else. Enjoy your time on the course. Those other players are more worried about their own game, than how you play.

I golf with folks I don't know alot. Quite a few are much better than me. Some of those are not better than I use to be.

When we tee off , there is no disussion. I am going first. When playing for a score all I want to do is hit my ball, go find it, and then hit it again. It's golf, that's what you do.