Anyone Ever Shoot Lights-Out After A Prolonged Layoff?

[The Real Pacman]

Yes, this happened to me this year. Matched my lowest score ever this January, coming off of ACL Reconstruction on a very tough course. It was my first round since the surgery, probably 3 months since I had played.

[cfunk11]

> @KAndyMan said:

> Usually always do. In MI we all get prolonged layoffs (almost 6 months sometimes) and i have found usually the first few weeks back is when i play my best. For me it has something to do with just thinking about making a smooth swing to make solid contact and not trying to do anything fancy. After the first few weeks i start to get over confidant, swing harder and try "fancy tricks" causing everything to go in the toilet. Then it usually turns into a mental mind f*@# and its like Chris Farley is living in my head screaming "YOU IDIOT!!!!" Then that just makes things worse.

 

I find that the first couple of rounds each I look like a hero hitting g into the greens because they are soft and the grass is dead. I can really hammer putts without worrying about them rolling out. I have found that I drive the ball the straighter at the beginning of the year. Maybe the ball doesn't compress as much thus less spin because of the cooler temperatures or because the extra layers of cloths keeps my swing in check.

[b.mattay]

Not necessarily lights out, but after a six month winter layoff, I've shot 70 (-2) or 71 (-1) the past three years.

[MadGolfer76]

Yep. 7 month layoff every winter. Come out and within the first three rounds I usually shoot par or close to it. All down hill from there.

Freaking game...

[oz dee cee]

Near 12 months no golf, came back and beat my cap by 7. Haven’t had that score since. That was 4 years ago. ?

[dwoolyt]

I subscribe to the bell curve philosophy after a long layoff... first 3 holes, and last 3 holes of the round = rough. Middle 12 holes = like a young Tiger Woods but better. I seriously have never played as well in my life as the first round after a long layoff once the rust has worn off.

[Exactice808]

> @EmperorPenguin said:

> I hurt myself about six weeks ago, pulling a muscle on my upper back when I lifted something too heavy. The immediate pain went away in about two days, but the day after the pain was gone I went to the range and tried hitting shots and ouch! I couldn't hit any shots without feeling pain. I gave it a few days and played golf on my birthday and that, too, proved to be a mistake; my back was stiff and I swung so poorly I couldn't shoot my weight. The day after I decided to take a break from golf. The layoff was about a month, with no practice, and not a club was swung even once.

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> Just this past Tuesday my buddies and I were playing in our usual annual golf match. My playing partner was trash-talking and I quickly scolded him because I thought my game was completely gone and we would get closed out on all our bets. The morning of the match we all had breakfast together and carpooled to the course. We arrived about ninety minutes before to allow for ample time for warm-up and practice. When I hit my shots the pain was gone and I was hoping that I finally recovered from my upper back injury.

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> It turned out I was fully recovered. To my surprise, we played very well and closed out our opponents for the front, back and overall. I had not swung a club for at least a month, and suddenly my golf game came back to me so quickly and soon, and I played well.

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> Anyone ever had a similar experience? Take a long break from golf, and when you finally tee it up, you shoot lights out, when you feel you will play poorly.

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> Oh well, that's golf.

 

HEHEH! i just posted my crybaby story... that we decided to take an extended break. We have a standing reservation as well as I logged 78 rounds last year... I am up to 5 rounds this year now total. We have played every Thursday for the last 6 years.... and kinda just stopped.....

 

2 weeks ago was the 2nd round with this group for 2019. And this past Thursday would be our third.

 

As I typed in the thread... shot a 94 the first Thursday. This pass Thursday, I ended up dislocating my ankle on the 17th hole but finishing the last 2 holes to shoot 80. after going 3 over the last 2 holes.... NOW sidelined again NOT by choice...as I could barely walk this weekend just hobbling around the house LOL Golf Gods were angry at me for the divot I made in the 3rd hole I guess?

[ratdg1]

Yep. I've forgotten all my old swing faults and haven't played enough to pick up new ones.