I always knew that golf was perverse.

[Burner]

However, I did not appreciate just how much until today.

Recently I have hit the crest of a slump - nothing goes according to plan and I can convert Gold into Mud; Midas go figure.

Today was the day of reckoning. Whenever I hit a bad shot I simple dropped another ball, hit it from the same spot, and played both balls from there on in and counted each separately from tee to cup.

Some holes I only had to play one ball. On the other "two ball holes" the shots that preceded ball 2's introduction into play were simply added to the shots subsequently taken with ball 2.

The end result was a 19 shot difference between the two scores.

If only I could take my second shot first.

[alex_chung]

I hear you my friend. I am going through a rut like yourself too, anything that resembles gold will be turned to mud or worse e.g. I would be in the middle of a fairway after hitting a good drive, I would then proceed to make a 6 from it. No two swings are the same and no two results the same.
Time to put away the clubs me thinks.................
Alex

[Burner]

I hear you my friend. I am going through a rut like yourself too, anything that resembles gold will be turned to mud or worse e.g. I would be in the middle of a fairway after hitting a good drive, I would then proceed to make a 6 from it. No two swings are the same and no two results the same.
Time to put away the clubs me thinks.................
Alex

The thought has crossed my mind Alex but I refuse to be beaten even though I am bloodied and bowed at the moment.

It is the Tour Caliber shots that are keeping me going and there really are enough of them in a round. Shame they have to be nullified by the other crap.

Tell you what; I cannot for the life of me recreate some of the horrendous mis-cues that I make. They are many and varied but I just cannot repeat them at will. Go figure.

Ever try deliberately hitting a shank - nigh on impossible. Ever deliberately Top the ball successfully - nigh on impossible. Ever hit one 45* left of the heel of a Wood deliberately - nigh on impossible. Yet I can do all of these without trying - nay, whilst trying very hard NOT to do them. AND ANOTHER THING, why is it that whenever I miss the fairway, or hit a bad shot that I always, without fail, lose the ball or have NOTHING to hit should I find it. I'm taking a 2 shot hit for every mistake.

On the other hand, today I hit a 4i 220 yards and over a 50 foot high Oak tree into the mouth of the green on the way to a bogey; 1st putt lipped out and 'aint that always the same! Trouble was, I preceded that shot with a drive 70 yds "fore right" and almost over the next fairway before fatting a five wood which just dribbled back to my own fairway.

Ho, hum. I will just try again tomorrow and hope I get closer to the unofficial 81 (par 73) than the official 100 of today.

Sorry for the rant Alex, and the rest of you out there who have the misfortune to be reading this tripe, but I have now got it of my chest.

UNTIL THE NEXT TIME.

[spike]

Yes,

"....no where does man go so naked as when he is dressed for a game of golf."

Was asked to join some up coming golfing stars on the back nine the other day. Humbly I accepted and proceeded to play par with a bit of scrambling in there as I haven't played too much. After four holes I had worked my way up to having the honors on the tee. It was so funny because I remember the mind and thought shift I went into before I hit my tee shot straight right into the woods, hit the 4-iron too low that caught a small wet grassy mound, stopping my ball dead. Punched out hitting a branch. Had 185 in which was pushed right, chipped on (barely) and two putted....needless to say....I went straight to the back of the bus!

Not to say your mind set had shifted to mine, which was one of a lot less humility and clarity than I started with!!! Regardless, it was very interesting to go back in my mind and realize that shift of attitude and attention. The snowball effect was amazing and it took two holes to "clear the Mechanism". Never got the tee box back but hit some fine shots. Mary had a little lamb...

[Seanmx]

A world of advice from Johnny Cash!!:

Get rhythm when you get the blues
Come on, get rhythm when you get the blues
A jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine
It'll shake all the trouble from your worried mind
Get rhythm when you get the blues

Get rhythm when you get the blues
Come on , get rhythm when you get the blues
Get a rock 'n' roll feelin' in your bones
Put taps on your toes and get gone
Get rhythm when you get the blues

[Yoda]

If only I could take my second shot first.

Burner,

Have you worked diligently to develop a first-rate Preshot Address Routine (3-F-5)? Only in this way can you be assured of an adequate 'programming' of the Computer prior to your Stroke.

Most TOUR stars have consciously ncorporated such a procedure in their own games. In his book Five Lessions, Ben Hogan wrote of having the distinct impression he had already hit the shot after having gone through his routine.

Check out Jeff Hull's routine in our video series in The Gallery. It involves far more than just a Waggle. It is nothing less than a full-scale rehearsal of his entire Golf Stroke.

So, focus on Pre-Shot Routine in your next few practice sessions. Then, take it to the course. You may be surprised to see just how close you can come to 'hitting your second shot first.'

[alex_chung]

The thought has crossed my mind Alex but I refuse to be beaten even though I am bloodied and bowed at the moment.

It is the Tour Caliber shots that are keeping me going and there really are enough of them in a round. Shame they have to be nullified by the other crap.

Tell you what; I cannot for the life of me recreate some of the horrendous mis-cues that I make. They are many and varied but I just cannot repeat them at will. Go figure.

Ever try deliberately hitting a shank - nigh on impossible. Ever deliberately Top the ball successfully - nigh on impossible. Ever hit one 45* left of the heel of a Wood deliberately - nigh on impossible. Yet I can do all of these without trying - nay, whilst trying very hard NOT to do them. AND ANOTHER THING, why is it that whenever I miss the fairway, or hit a bad shot that I always, without fail, lose the ball or have NOTHING to hit should I find it. I'm taking a 2 shot hit for every mistake.

On the other hand, today I hit a 4i 220 yards and over a 50 foot high Oak tree into the mouth of the green on the way to a bogey; 1st putt lipped out and 'aint that always the same! Trouble was, I preceded that shot with a drive 70 yds "fore right" and almost over the next fairway before fatting a five wood which just dribbled back to my own fairway.

Ho, hum. I will just try again tomorrow and hope I get closer to the unofficial 81 (par 73) than the official 100 of today.

Sorry for the rant Alex, and the rest of you out there who have the misfortune to be reading this tripe, but I have now got it of my chest.

UNTIL THE NEXT TIME.

You been watching me play??? That is my game at the moment and like you I cannot recreate any of the horrendous miscues that seem to happen. That fatted 3 wood nope....the hosel rocket nope....the toe hit that looks like a shank nope......its very annoying and like you I will not give up on this.
Maybe its time to head to the swamp to complete my training......you still interested in this?
Alex

[xyzgolfAZ]

Yoda,
Great comments on setup. You need preparation. What I like to do (on the range) is hit shots purposefully off the toe (a toe shank), off the heel (a reverse shank, and when done well watch your front foot!) and to top it some 15 yards straight down the fairway. Now you know where your clubhead is! It,s fun unless you are paying for each ball!

[Burner]

Yes,

"....no where does man go so naked as when he is dressed for a game of golf."

Was asked to join some up coming golfing stars on the back nine the other day. Humbly I accepted and proceeded to play par with a bit of scrambling in there as I haven't played too much. After four holes I had worked my way up to having the honors on the tee. It was so funny because I remember the mind and thought shift I went into before I hit my tee shot straight right into the woods, hit the 4-iron too low that caught a small wet grassy mound, stopping my ball dead. Punched out hitting a branch. Had 185 in which was pushed right, chipped on (barely) and two putted....needless to say....I went straight to the back of the bus!

Not to say your mind set had shifted to mine, which was one of a lot less humility and clarity than I started with!!! Regardless, it was very interesting to go back in my mind and realize that shift of attitude and attention. The snowball effect was amazing and it took two holes to "clear the Mechanism". Never got the tee box back but hit some fine shots. Mary had a little lamb...

Thanks for the gentle reminder to keep the mind clear and keyed in Spike.
However, next time I see that fricken Lamb it will be smothered in mint sauce and surrounded by roast potatoes.

[Burner]

A world of advice from Johnny Cash!!:

Get rhythm when you get the blues
Come on, get rhythm when you get the blues
A jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine
It'll shake all the trouble from your worried mind
Get rhythm when you get the blues

Get rhythm when you get the blues
Come on , get rhythm when you get the blues
Get a rock 'n' roll feelin' in your bones
Put taps on your toes and get gone
Get rhythm when you get the blues

To the tune of "I walk the Line".

I keep my set up constant all the time
My alignments always seem just fine
I swing and then shout out "fore right"
The shot was sh!te - the shot was sh!te.


I start again and try to put it right
I concentrate with all my might
I swing and felt it was just right
Again its sh!te - again its sh!te


Now I just don't know what I must do
Me and this game are about through
Alex is feeling my pain too
What can we do - what can we do.


I know this place where there's a swamp
A guy called Yoda runs the camp
Best go see the little so and so
Guess I must go - guess I must go.


R.I.P Mr Cash