Playing through

[pitchnputt]

Every single time the group in front offers me to play through for any reason, I will absolutely hit my worst shot of the day on the tee. To the level I dread being asked. It screws up my mojo. Does this happen to others? If so, what do you do? It seems impolite to decline the offer…

[tatertot]

9 minutes ago, pitchnputt said:

Every single time the group in front offers me to play through for any reason, I will absolutely hit my worst shot of the day on the tee. To the level I dread being asked. It screws up my mojo. Does this happen to others? If so, what do you do? It seems impolite to decline the offer…

Suck it up and learn to play under pressure?

[NJBigFish22]

Your rushing yourself.  Take your time, hit your shot, you will move faster than the people who let you play through by the time you finish the hole.

[huskydawg]

I've offered to let people play through in the past and several groups have declined.  I didn't think it was rude or anything.

[stompboxah]

I think there's a broader lesson to take from this. Certain shots come with more pressure, and the only weapon we have against it is a well-solidified pre-shot routine. If this is really something that bothers you, figure out your routine and then hit every single range ball with the routine until you're rock solid. 

[toddbournes]

Maybe not feasible for you play with as many different people as you can. I’m a member at a little 9 holer and we have weekly draw scrambles and such where you never know who you’ll be playing with. And I travel for work and play alot and usually as a single I’ll either get paired with randoms or if I’m out as a single and see another single I’ll say hey you’re welcome to play with me. If you’re constantly playing with someone besides just your core group it gets you over the afraid to hit in front of strangers thing. 

[pitchnputt]

4 hours ago, toddbournes said:

Maybe not feasible for you play with as many different people as you can. I’m a member at a little 9 holer and we have weekly draw scrambles and such where you never know who you’ll be playing with. And I travel for work and play alot and usually as a single I’ll either get paired with randoms or if I’m out as a single and see another single I’ll say hey you’re welcome to play with me. If you’re constantly playing with someone besides just your core group it gets you over the afraid to hit in front of strangers thing. 

I have a rotating group of regulars, but play plenty as a walk on single or with unfamiliars, so this isn't it. I think I just feel rushed even though I am trying to slow down. Probably letting my playing partner go before me would be a good strategy too

[Jeff58]

In the early mornings, I usually go as a single, and end up having to play through, often more than once. To me, the idea that you can harden yourself or mentally dismiss the other group through a pre-shot routine isn’t realistic. You’re been mentally tuned to playing without distraction, and their presence affects your focus.

My trick is to not care. How I do that is by carrying a TopFlite XL2000 Distance “water ball”. You have to hit, but you don’t have to care what happens. I know that if I hit it into the weeds, I just walk up and drop another ball and play on. Couldn’t care less, no stress 😎.

[596]

 I have to agree, the pre shot routine stuff is not going to help all that much.  The pre shot routine does not solve the problem of hitting a bad shot in front of strangers.  When alone, if I catch a group from behind and looks as things aren't going to go well in front of me and there's an open hole ahead of them, I'll approach them and ask politely if they mind if I skip ahead.  I've never had anyone say no.  Everyone has always been nice about it.  I skip the hole and take my normal score on the hole.  I hate playing through because I can't stand having people wait for me.

[tipuga93]

You have to understand that no one in the group letting you through cares how you hit the ball or how good you are. I struggled with this for years until I finally grasped this concept. For me it was the on the range, I used to be terrified to hit range balls on a crowded range until one day I realized that I don't care about anyone else on the range and their swing or how they hit it so why would they watch me and care? Everyone at the range and the course is focused on their own game and problems. 

 

You say you always hit your worst shots when asked to play through, who cares if you hit your worst shot? Go up there and expect to hit a great shot and if it doesn't work out, who cares?  30 seconds later those guys will forget about you and whatever shot you hit, good or bad.

Edited June 29, 2022 by tipuga93

[SNIPERBBB]

Slow down a bit but dont be this guy:

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R9slbxAMgj4

[mikpga]

Don’t play through.  Slow down, practice some putting and chipping.  

[acegolfer]

depends on what you want. Do you want to play through? Then hitting tee shot under pressure is the price you have to pay. (This is why I never ask whether I can play through, when I catch the group in front)

 

Otherwise, decline the offer. Unless I'm in a hurry, I prefer to keep pace with them and play several balls for more practice.