first tourney in 3 years

[ZGriswold83]

soggy mess

So I played my first tournament in about 3 years this past weekend. I played absolutely horrible. I usually can shoot in the 70's with no problem, but I carded 88-89 the two rounds I played. I couldn't make a good swing, read a putt, nothing. I couldn't relax, when I did I hit good shots.

I need some help trying to stay relaxed and play like I know I can. I've got all the game but THE game, the mental game, I get wayyy to nervous out there.

I think Saturday may have had something to do with it. Here's how the weekend went....

I got off work friday night about 11pm, came home went to bed around 1am. Next morning I had to drive 45 minutes for a 12pm tee time. I get to the course and its just sprinkling, so I went to the range in full rain gear and started to hit balls. Then the rain REALLY came down, pouring.

So at that point I decided to go back to the pro-shop and wait it out. We all waited around till about 12:30-1pm and then the tournament directors announced they were going to make an announcement at 2:30pm whether we were going to still play.

I went to my fiance's house which is 5 minutes away from the course and relaxed on the couch for awhile. I went back to the course and they decided to start at 3:30pm. I can see standing water on the course from the pro-shop. They said its going to be a shot-gun start and my group has to start on 17....an over 200 yard par 3. So I start out hitting some decent shots, and was 4 over after about 10 holes. The course was a soggy mess, there were puddles in bunkers, greens had more spike marks in them than you could count. On top of this, they made us play from the tips.

My game soon went down hill fast. My playing partners were carding doubles and triples all over the place and the sun was almost down. I was tired, sore, and then it started happening to me, I was starting to get frustrated, mad, and felt like just walking off the course. The conditions were absolutely ridiculous. So one of the directors came out and said that we needed to hurry, because if we didn't finish tonight that we would have to come back at 7 am to finish 2 or so holes, and then turn around an have a 9:30 am tee time about a half hour away at another course. We finished the last hole in complete darkness...carded a triple btw. At that point I had convinced myself not even to play the second day.

I went to my parents house in the same town where the courses are, got something to eat and relaxed. I then decided to play the next day as one of my buddies was excited about being my caddie. I got to bed around midnight and had to be up at 7am in order to get ready and get to the course in time to warm up.

So am I the only one who thinks Saturday was just completely ridiculous? You think that since it was my frist tourney in forever Saturday was too mentally and physically tough for me to handle??

Anyway..thanks for letting me vent.

[SpinMill75]

As a guy who grew up in Seattle, I can relate to bad weather.

It sounds like you kind of set yourself up for a fall with this tournament. Going to bed really late like you did doesn't help. Getting mad, frustrated and feeling like walking off the course means the conditions and weather got under your skin.

 

What did the old schoolers use to say?

The Weather is Mother Natures contribution to the Contest......

 

Learn to deal with it. Realize that every golfer in the tournament is playing the same crappy conditions, not just you.

Was this a scramble? If it was, make sure your playing partners remain positive. If it wasn't a scramble and you have a caddie, make sure he/she is upbuilding rather than negative about the conditions....they're out of your control anyway, so why worry?

 

Make sure you go to bed early, arrive at the course early, have plenty of time to practice, wear good rain clothing and have the proper positive attitude.

 

Cheers.

[teejaywhy]

Best way to look at it - you got that one out of the way. Next one will be better.

[mhk5000]

what did everyone else shoot? You have to look at crappy conditions as an opportunity and not a disadvantage. It's guys like you who make it easier for guys like me who love to play in any condition (Wind, rain etc).

 

I'm just needling you so you'll play better next time - ;)

[ZGriswold83]

lots of high 70's mid 80's 3 guys shot under. These were also courses I'm not very familiar with..my next tourney in 2 weeks is at my home course, I know that place very well, so I'm hoping it will go better.