Suggestions on being an avid low handicap to casual bad golf

[Lonnie96]

Due to life (work/family/everything) my life as an avid competitive golfer turned to a once a month casual golfer a few years ago.Having trouble dealing with this as my once decent game has gone to terrible don't care anymore mode.Golf has been my life for two decades but the drastic changes took away my true love hobby.How does one deal with this?Trying to have a positive attitude but the scores and shots stink.And there is nothing I can do about it but just deal with the facts.Almost to the breaking point of why even bother with it anymore.Really saddened and depressed knowing others can work on their games and improve.Where my game now is just about being out in nature and remembering how it used to be.This change will be permanent for the unforeseen future

 

Suggestions

[Lonnie96]

Made an error , this is my 3 rd season of this.First season was real tough and I became bitter and angry all the time.Second season was more denial and hope that things would improve.This season is just frustration and a why bother attitude.My schedule allows for very limited time,and even squeezing an occasional nine holes is out of the question.I used to hit in a golf net for 10' to 15 minutes a day for relaxation.The net will stay in the attic as my drive is gone.Figure if i play so little why even worry about practicing

[Dana]

I find practicing to be half the fun.  If you have a net I would suggest using it. Get that swing back so you can feel confident when you do play.  My playing has been cut way back the last year, but with practice ,hitting balls when I can, I feel , I know, I can play some decent golf sometimes.

[HighFade]

I had the same thing happen. I've learned to embrace the leisurely aspect. It's more of a mindset. You have to be realistic, knowing that without regular practice, you're not going to make the shots you used to, at least not with the kind of consistency as before. But you have to go out with the understanding that you're gonna have fun despite hitting some bad shots. It's definitely different - but I have learned to enjoy the game, not the score. Competitive vs leisure golf are two different sports. But both are rewarding.

[Lonnie96]

Good stuff.Someone told me to take golf lessons and do a big swing change.Than when I hit in the net I will have a purpose.Might even get my mind off of the game for a while

[hckymeyer]

The first stage of recovery is acceptance.  You basically have 3 choices.  

 

1.  Find the time to practice and try to get back to where you were.

2.  Accept where you're at and enjoy the game for what it is and what your current ability is

3.  Quit

 

I guess you could throw in a #4 as keep going the way your going and basically continue to kill your desire to golf and increase your frustration.  I have a feeling this would lead back to #3 though.  

 

Sounds like #1 isn't an option for you at this point in time.  Like Highfade said you will have to make a choice to enjoy the recreational game for what it is.  It's very frustrating to have been able to do something once at a very high level and then slowly lose that ability over time.  I went through the same thing with hockey when my competitive career ended.  You just need to find that spark that can reignite your passion for the game.  It could be playing some rounds with a good buddy or family member.  Might be enjoying the solitude and outdoors for a few hours.  Have you ever considered volunteering with something like the First Tee program?  Teaching the young the game you love often times can bring a huge amount of fulfillment and enjoyment.

 

Anyway that's just some random thoughts, best of luck with your journey and I hope you find the love of the game again!

 

Edit:  One last thing on the swing change.  I'm not saying it couldn't work in the long term, but if you are already frustrated with your game then going through a big swing change is only going to make it worse.  It takes a ton of repetition to engrave a new swing and it would get much worse before it gets better.

[MGoBlue100]

Boom! #thetruth

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[KCLeo12]

Had this same issue for a few years. I went from a College and Mini tour player to struggling to break 80 after injuries and joining the Navy. It took for my son to be born to realize I was never going to get there again. I enjoyed it and made the best of the time out there. Now I have time again and I work hard and have got my game back to a decent level. Just enjoy it and k ow that at some point you will have the time to dedicate to the game again.

[~^~]

Instead of playing for a (lousy) score, set up regular practice sessions with a certified teacher. Set up regular weekly appts for your "me" time.

Each practice session will be progress towards your goal of better golf. You'll feel better about your limited golf time.

#practice

[Lonnie96]

Some great responses here.I just see practice now as futile if I'm lucky to play once a month.It will just want me to play more and make me more depressed about the situation.Enjoy reading this forum and posting occasionally to help others.But I see my days of being golfer coming to an end

[Dhuck Whooker]

Some great responses here.I just see practice now as futile if I'm lucky to play once a month.It will just want me to play more and make me more depressed about the situation.Enjoy reading this forum and posting occasionally to help others.But I see my days of being golfer coming to an end

When my kids were younger I couldn't play or practice for about 5 years, then things changed, travel soccer was over, the kids began to hang out girls instead of Dad, then I was able to get back into golf again, the raising of kids is a tremendous responsibility, but it shoots by so fast.

 

Now if it is your job, yecch.

 

All I wish for you and everybody else is happiness, with or without golf.

[Kenny B]

Due to life (work/family/everything) my life as an avid competitive golfer turned to a once a month casual golfer a few years ago.Having trouble dealing with this as my once decent game has gone to terrible don't care anymore mode.Golf has been my life for two decades but the drastic changes took away my true love hobby.How does one deal with this?Trying to have a positive attitude but the scores and shots stink.And there is nothing I can do about it but just deal with the facts.Almost to the breaking point of why even bother with it anymore.Really saddened and depressed knowing others can work on their games and improve.Where my game now is just about being out in nature and remembering how it used to be.This change will be permanent for the unforeseen future

 

Suggestions

 

It sounds to me like you have already accepted that your game won't be as good as it was.  So, it's time to move on.  Yes, it is depressing, but there are much more important things in life.  Golf is just a game to be enjoyed on any level.  While I may not have been as competitive in the game as you, my game has gone downhill over the past 10 years.  I have accepted that fact because old age is going to win out over whatever skill you have.  

 

I mostly play for fun these days.  My wife loves the game, so we play whenever she is available.  I play once or twice a week with a few guys at the club, and we do it for enjoyment, not competition, but we are all about the same skill level.  Until you have the opportunity to get back to playing like you were, just enjoy what you can do.

 

As for suggestions... I can only say that if you still love the game, there are some things that you can do that will make the times you do play a little better.  I don't know your situation, but when I wasn't able to play as much as I did, I always found time to practice.  I never liked to practice, and I still don't like hitting on the range.  I only do that if I am really struggling with making good contact.  However, I do spend quite a bit of time chipping, pitching, and putting.  I actually enjoy it now, and it has saved me many strokes since my driving distance has gone down.  Last year, I would stop at the course for 30-45 minutes whenever I could with just my wedge and putter.  Spend as much time as you can, but even if it's just a short time, when done frequently you will see improvement and hopefully enjoy the times better when you do play.  

[silver & black]

For enjoying casual bad golf, I recommend beer..... and/or a flask of your favorite whisk(e)y. I don't know what it's like to be a "good" golfer, but I have a lot of experience in the casual bad golf dept. 

[Lonnie96]

Well I tried to play the last few rounds after a lot of soul searching.Shot a 76 Friday and today I shot a 38 with 3 birdies a triple and 2 bogeys.Just can't give up on this great game,scores were actually better than I thought it would be.I can play 9 holes at least 3'times every other week. Eighteen is kinda pushing my time availability.

[Jmikecpa]

Lower your expectations and have fun.  I went through a three year period that I played little to no golf and the golf that I did play was not typical of my game.  Once I got comfortable with the fact that I was going to hit some awful shots and not shoot par I started to enjoy the game a lot more.  This is the first time in six years that I am back to playing any competitive golf and even that is only club events.

[Joey East Coast]

Some great suggestions in here. I would pose the question "Is the game of golf represented by your score?". I play all the time without even taking a scorecard out of the pro shop, especially when playing with friends who are new to the game. Perception is reality, and sometimes we have to alter our perception of something to alter our reality of it as well. If you haven't read Golf in the Kingdom by Michael Murphy, or seen the film if you don't enjoy reading, I would highly recommend that. 

[Lonnie96]

Will look at that book.I never judge a golfer by what clubs they have in the bag/what their swing looks like or what clothes they wear or car driven ..etc. I judge a golfer by the score on the card

 

Played with golfers that had everything against them.But when it came to playing scoring golf they were rock freaking solid

[fozcycle]

When I shattered my left wrist in a skating accident I thought golf was over for me, a game i had played since I was 8.  My left arm was now about an inch shorter than my right.  My wrist Dr said he could take an inch from my hip bone and splice it into my left wrist.  He said my arms would then be the same length.  Three surgeries later(18 mos.), I started playing again.....Boy what a struggle.  Handicap was 18 - 20......16 years later and this year I hav scored three times under 80.  Two 78's and a 76, several months apart.  I love this game!