Finally broke 90 convincingly, but have angered the golf gods.

misterlau · July 4, 2011

Shot an 83, then immediately punished next 2 rounds.

So my goal for this year was to break 90. Third round of the year, I shoot an 89. I'm happy, but don't feel that breaking by 1 stroke is all that convincing. I keep on playing and practicing, and spend the next few weeks consistently in the low 90s (<95). Then I shoot 89 again. Can't manage more than a weak smile.

Spend 2 more weeks in the low 90s, and then this past Saturday, I shoot a miraculous 83. I wasn't even that happy with my iron play that day, but my scorecard showed that I simply eliminated all the dumb mistakes that usually cost me precious strokes. 83 is pretty convincing to me in terms of breaking 90, maybe even too convincing. My friend calls me that afternoon and asks if I want to play. We usually go early in the morning, and we know it'll be slow, but I agree anyway. I'm too excited to see if I can do it again and prove that it wasn't a fluke.

Big mistake. 6 hour round, every tee backed up, I'm spraying the ball all over the place. I limp out in the high 90s, demoralized. I wake up exhausted the next day (Sunday) and don't even feel like I have the energy to get up and play. I decide to get some rest and recharge the batteries. My friend calls me to see if I want to play Monday morning (July 4th). I'm in.

We get to the course a little later than usual (6:30). Second mistake made. Next tee time is in 3 hours. We suck it up, and go to get some breakfast, hit the range to hit some balls (no problems hitting here), and return for our late morning tee time. I'll spare the details, but after a 5 hour round, I'm pretty sure I shot a high 90, maybe even in the low 100s (I gave up on a few holes). Everything was horrible. My go-to shot couldn't be gotten to.

Has my sudden good play and audacity to go out so soon to do it again angered the golf gods? Can I sacrifice some small animal with my sand wedge to appease them? Or should I just chalk it up to being fatigued and try again next week? (Rhetorical, because I already know I'll be out there). Or maybe I should give myself a week or two break to cool off and get my head straight? This isn't the first time I've played 54 in such a short period, but I felt so tired after those long rounds.

sgniwder99 · July 4, 2011

I'd go with the week off to get your head straight.

However, if you do decide to go with animal sacrifice, my neighbors have a yappy little dog that I would like to nominate.

heisagoalie · July 4, 2011

On days where i wait such long times, I will typically make my offerings to the golf gods in the form of fixing ball marks on the green, and filling up divots with sand, on the fairway and tee boxes. Usually I'll be rewarded with nice bounces and getting away with other mishits.

noob · July 5, 2011

This sounds familiar, but when I broke 90 for the first time earlier this year (86), the Golf Gods were really pissed. The next 2 rounds were 100 and 110 respectively. I really have no idea what was going on. My swing was way out of whack. However, after those 2 rounds the scores settled back in to low 90s again.

Swingie · July 5, 2011

[quote name='heisagoalie' timestamp='1309816557' post='3364148']
On days where i wait such long times, I will typically make my offerings to the golf gods in the form of fixing ball marks on the green, and filling up divots with sand, on the fairway and tee boxes. Usually I'll be rewarded with nice bounces and getting away with other mishits.
[/quote]
Very true here, the gods love the servitude of thier domain by one who has drawn thier ire. Try this form of respectful groveling and they will again turn a blind eye to you. I reccomend at least 3 to one ratio on the greens..at least..(83 from89?, you got alot of nerve...)

J Jack · July 5, 2011

How could the GG been taking it out on you, when they were taking it out on me?

Me, who was a 3-footer away from breaking 80 for the first time - yet a 3-footer away from The Number That Dare Not Be Named only one week later?

StevenF · July 5, 2011

I'm in the same boat as you guys. Shot an 86 but haven't been able to do better since. I have been practicing my putting though so I expect to get lower real soon. 90% of my practice is devoted to short game.

misterlau · July 6, 2011

[quote name='noob' timestamp='1309850961' post='3365176']
This sounds familiar, but when I broke 90 for the first time earlier this year (86), the Golf Gods were really pissed. The next 2 rounds were 100 and 110 respectively. I really have no idea what was going on. My swing was way out of whack. However, after those 2 rounds the scores settled back in to low 90s again.
[/quote]

This is what I like to see. It pretty much made my day.
I'm gonna take a four day break and come back hungry.

I'm also going take the advice of doing some extra gardening when I'm out there waiting.

Greenie · July 6, 2011

I went through the same thing the first time I broke 90. I was a constant 95 shooter at the time. I go out, hit the flag stick on my first three approach shots and have tap in birdies. I knew it was going to be a special day. I was having so much fun playing above myself . I had no idea until the end I had shot an 82. My next 6 rounds were terrible. I couldn't even break 100. Once I realised I was putting to much pressure on myself to be that 80's shooter I thought I now was I settled down and got back into my 90's game. My advice is to relax, not put too much pressure on yourself to continue to be that 80's shooter,stop making excuses and you will become that 80's shooter. Sometimes taking some time off does wonders to clear your head.

misterlau · July 9, 2011

Took a week off as promised and went out and shot a 92 today. Not a really great round and I wasted too many chances, but at least the balance has been restored. We went back to getting out early, and the pace was great. Still did some extra gardening on the greens just in case though. No animals were hurt during the course of this round.