What type of golfer are you?

[silver & black]

I know a lot of you play in tournaments. I'm sure more of us don't. I'm guessing that a fair amount of us play in weekly leagues. 

 

The point of this thread is to see how you describe yourself as a golfer. Are you a "pressure" player or a "good time" player?

 

The reason I ask is.... I've noticed that I can play very well when I'm just out with friends drinking beer and playing... no pressure. The minute I play on league night (after 10 hours at work, hungry, pissed off, etc....) I play like sh*t! There is no reason for it, really. I don't care about winning the match or shooting the lowest score, but I always seem to just suck on league night.

 

Conversely, if I get up on Saturday or Sunday and just go play, I shoot very well. Anyone else seem to have the same thing going on?

 

I

[Kenny B]

OK, then I have to ask...  it sounds like you play better in the morning and not so good in the evening.  It's the routine that you get into.  Since most of my play these days is after work, I play better then.  When we get up and play before noon, it takes me about nine holes to start focusing.  In the winter we have to play on weekends in the morning, or sometimes I take a long lunch and play nine around 11am.  So, I play OK early during the winter.

 

I guess I am a "good time" player.  I don't play many tournaments for reasons stated in other threads on the subject, but when I do, I have no expectations and just out for fun.  I have one on June 6 (if I make it home by then).  

[MmmmmmBuddy]

A bad one....

 

I find a way to make the highest score possible out of every situation..  I would be an excellent bowler.

[Undershooter]

Used to be a better "good time" player because I put so much pressure on myself in tournaments a couple of years ago. More recently I would say pressure player because I rarely lose in money games or play poorly in tournaments these days.

[revkev]

I do both and enjoy both. I like playing some competitive golf but as a minister play with parishioners for fun, with one exception. (Great player whom I enjoy beating on rare occasion.)

 

I play better under pressure beyond a doubt because I focus differently with something on the line.

[Kanoito]

I'm the same type. I can tee off in a casual round at 6am on a weekend and shoot 8 over.

Then play a tournament the next day and shoot 100.

My game doesn't work when it really counts.

So I decided to take some lessons this season including course management. Have 3 tournaments coming up in June. Will see how it goes.

[BIG STU]

I am like Rev and Undershooter in that respect I play better in competition or for money because I focus more and get my killer instinct going.When just playing I do have fun but I do not focus as much as I should. I am like that mouse in the cartoon with his balls in the vise "Go ahead and tighten it up I do better under pressure"

[mizuno_lover]

I think I play better when there's something on the line or something to play for whether its for a dollar or ten dollars.  I find it keeps me focussed especially if I have a partner relying on me.

[Kenny B]

Playing with a partner certainly adds a different element of pressure.

[ZenGolfer]

I guess that Im more of a pressure player.  I love competition and playing against people who force me to up my game in order to compete with them.

[Kenny B]

Every once in awhile our pro comes out to play with our foursome, my wife and I and another couple. He does this with other groups too, and I like it. He doesn't get out to play much because he also does some of the mowing, sprinkler repair, course improvements, lessons, and sometimes has to man the shop (it's a small operation).

 

Anyway, when he joins us, I feel more pressure than Fun Golf because there are times when I CAN beat him, and I really want to. He took several of us to Wine Valley GC and paid for all of us. I shot 78 and he shot 77. I think it also puts a lot of pressure on him because he feels like he should beat me all the time.

[silver & black]

Thanks for the commentary, guys.

 

I played with some work buddies at noon yesterday. We decided to start the Holiday weekend early  .  I had 4 beers and I shot 77. That's a good round for me.

 

I don't freak out under pressure. I often play for "something", even it's just a drink. I seem to have my issues when I play directly after work.... even if I really want to play and I feel good. I just suck! I don't know why?

[Kenny B]

If it were me, I would try playing a few times after work before league night. Coming from work, your body is feeling different than the morning and it needs to get used to playing at that time of day. Even if it is only a few holes each night. Have to let go of the stress of the day; make sure that you do quite a bit of stretching. Not sure what your job is, but mine is usually sitting at a desk all day and my muscles need to "wake up".

 

Just my thoughts, but seems like you need to try something different.

[sp0rtsfan86]

I'm both.

I play Saturdays mostly by myself to have some fun and hit some good shots. I'd say over the years 75 percent of my rounds are just that... trying to get out and enjoy 18 holes of golf. I've posted great scores just taking in the sunshine- and some awful ones where I'm unfocused on the game and the damage is done.

 

On Sunday it's all about making birdies and challenging myself to get some cash from the skins game. I've played in tournaments as well, but they are once a year deals or charity tournaments where group score counts. I love that aspect of it. Put some pressure on me to make a 15 footer or to make a birdie on a hole. I do tend to play better in those settings but only slightly and several times have fouled up a Sunday game. I had the one tournament where I shot an 80 that came out of nowhere. The next day, I wouldn't have broken 95. Pressure goes both ways.

I try to play my fun rounds like a tournament. Especially the 3-4 footers where in a tournament you need to save par or bogey. They add a little challenge to the fun day and prepare you when you need to make a putt when it counts for something.