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Holding your nerve for that low round.

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Sat, Apr 27 2013 9:44 AM

  Coban123:

  and do you get any of those excited nerves like me?

  Oddly enough I used to and that's what put this all in perspective for me. I killed myself to qualify for the Virtual Open at Oakmont 2 years ago. It took me almost the entire qualifying time to get there as I posted a 62 on the last day. I was so psyched I made it!

  Fast forward to the first round of the single play tournament. My hand was shaking so hard I could barely play the game! Nerves out of control for sure. Over a friggin game, no less. LOL. Jeez, boy, get control. Needless to say, my round was over by the 6th hole and that's when I realized just how much this game had grabbed me. I finished dead last both days but came away happy that I made it and even happier that the game became a lot more fun to play once I realized I wasn't cut out to hang at the top.  :-)

• Boomerboy44 1,514 Posts

  Sat, Apr 27 2013 6:50 PM

  I'm trying to get to TL,  don't know why. My avg. is 60.17 and it is hard to move it down unless your scoring 29/28/27. Don't get many of those  but I feel if it is going to happen it will happen in it's own time, so I still enjoy the game  whether  my avg. is going down or not.

• adtjoel 124 Posts

  Sat, Apr 27 2013 7:58 PM

  Coban123:

  Any advice from those who regularly shoot these scores, and do you get any of those excited nerves like me?

  I rarely have this problem. My best is 27 and 58 and regularly hit low 30s (or under) in RGs. I think when you have hit low scores you get used to it.

  It's entirely about mind set, I try to think about nothing but the shot I am on. I have no other browser window open, no music playing, no chatting on MSN / Skype. Nothing.

  Have a glass of water and try to avoid all distractions.

  I sometimes get extremely frustrated when I miss a shot I should be making (had so many putts miss by a fraction) but usually take a slight pause and get myself back into a focused mind set. If you hit a bad shot, that's it - the chance has gone but keeping a negative mind set will only make things worse.

• oneeyedjohn 9,589 Posts

  Mon, Apr 29 2013 1:31 AM

  Just think of every hole as an eagle or birdie chance, if u don't get either then get p$$ed off, but stay focused.

• Coban123 688 Posts

  Mon, Apr 29 2013 10:00 AM

  I really appreciate all the words of wisdom :)

  I tried CerinoDevoti's idea of covering the score, but inbetween holes the scorecard pops up, and I do not have the will power to not look at it by hole number 7 lol.

  The get up and clear your mind thing seems to help a bit, Ive decided everytime I do get up and come back I pretend its a brand new round, and it seems to be helping, knowing you want that birdie on the first hole to setup a round is always good motivation to go get...even though that first hole is actually the 7th hole.

  I've decided after wrapping up a few CC tourney's I'm going to try play nothing but 18 holers...And will only report back once I have that 59!

  lol so you guys might not hear from for a while ;)

  Again thanks for all the advise!

  James

• MBaggese 15,378 Posts

  Mon, Apr 29 2013 10:24 AM

  I can shoot 27-33 on any given day in low winds at SA front 9..lol, only times lately I've got the jitters, was trying to beat my best 9 hole score..a week or so back came to #9 at RSG RG, needing a bird to make a 25..promptly stuffed up my 105 yard wedge off the green..no 25.

  Today, came to #9 at Cabo RG, needing to do the same, bird #9 for a 25..longest 13 footer I ever made;)

  I can  relax now:)