2019 sucked

[PMookie 5,315]

Horrible scoring year for me this year. I very rarely got out to practice with the change in houses, and the job affecting my ability to play a whole heck of a lot, at least until summertime. I end the year with a two way miss off the teebox, reduced greens in regulation compared to a year ago, chipping yips, and just about everything else. I’m pretty frustrated with my game at this point, and my handicap moved from 5.6 all the way to 7.7 according to my latest GHIN update. A two-stroke rise is not what I was hoping for this year.

My biggest problem was lessons from three different coaches, so not a cohesive way to improve a swing. I will be moving forward with just using the Mike Bender approach, and I hope I make a little bit of bonus money to be able to continue to send him video for lessons. Just been an absolutely rough year on the golf course. Way more 90s than I’ve had in a long time, with very few 70s to offset that. I’m praying this coming year will be better as I will be closer to home, and hopefully back to practicing more often. I hate being a bogey golfer!

 

 

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[revkev 17,891]

So sorry PMookie - there are some years like that. The good news is that you are young enough that a change in life circumstance will give you that chance to bounce back.

When I guy my age has that kind of down year it’s often a sign of decline do to age


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[HardcoreLooper 3,182]

Hang in there buddy.  I'm hoping the changes in home and job were good things, and that as life settles down you get more time to practice and play.  I went up a shot this year myself; I know how you feel.

[silver & black 3,762]

I only shot in the 70's 4 times the whole season. I attribute that to work schedule, no practice and too much beer while playing. I had a great time this year on the course. Maybe 2020 will be better scoring wise, but if not, I bet I'll still have a great time playing golf. 

Disclaimer: I'm just not as consumed with my score as I have been in the past.

[PMookie 5,315]

I only shot in the 70's 4 times the whole season. I attribute that to work schedule, no practice and too much beer while playing. I had a great time this year on the course. Maybe 2020 will be better scoring wise, but if not, I bet I'll still have a great time playing golf. 
Disclaimer: I'm just not as consumed with my score as I have been in the past.

Maybe I ought to drink....


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[cnosil 7,516]

Don't know what to tell you.  Wasn't too happy with my year; just felt like I could play better than I have been.   Who knows,  trying too hard,  over compensating,  just a downward trend in the game, too much wrong practice,  too little practice,  too much instruction,  too little instruction.....etc.     Been getting frustrated over the last month or so since my iron play has been so poor.    I think scaling back to a single instructor is probably a good idea.   you may also be trying to force things and not letting your swing happen.  

 

[jlukes 10,247]

I get you're frustrated, but switching equipment and coaches a lot are not a recipe for success. Talented pros struggle with the smallest equipment changes and swing changes, so I'd imagine even they would struggle if asked to switch coaches 3 times and change equipment throughout the season. 

[PMookie 5,315]

I get you're frustrated, but switching equipment and coaches a lot are not a recipe for success. Talented pros struggle with the smallest equipment changes and swing changes, so I'd imagine even they would struggle if asked to switch coaches 3 times and change equipment throughout the season. 

I think I mentioned the coaching? Changing equipment is what we do on here, isn’t it? Maybe one day I’ll get lucky and get a top-notch fitting and can buy the build of a lifetime... Until then, one coach!

 

 

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[Kenny B 15,699]

It felt like 2019 sucked for me until this summer.  I switched to Monte Scheinblum as an online coach and attended one of his clinics this summer.  It was a struggle for awhile, but I'm making better contact with my irons and I have gained a little distance... not much, but a little.  At my age every little bit helps.  Now I have to get back on the SuperSpeed training starting in December.

I checked my GHIN for last November and I was a 9.6 when we quit posting for the year and a year later I'm an 8.2 on The Grint.  I'm happy.

[PMookie 5,315]

All-in-all, the biggest component of keeping a handicap is practice. I went from a 7 into the fives changing equipment numerous times, even multiple times a year, even testing for MGS. I had lessons from a coach in Louisiana and Texas in the same year on my journey to sub-6.... The reason I got there, and was there for a couple seasons, was because I was at the range twice a week, and playing just about every Friday.
Simply, practice-time, and number of rounds are the major components missing this year.

I did get to play some of the best tracks ever this year, though!!! Valhalla?! Sandpiper in Santa Barbara on the Pacific?! Barton Creek again?! I played in 6 different states, and got to play some incredible courses. I played all of those courses better than my home course as they were all actually kept in good shape and had grass in the fairways!
The game sucked, but where I played was incredible! I even got in a round with a fellow MGS’er, which was awesome!!!!

I’ll get it back.... Probably with a different set of irons, though.....


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[THEZIPR23 2,484]

Sticking to one coach is a key imo. There are a lot of great coaches out there but they all teach in their own language and with their own ideas. Practice is overrated if you ask me but being able to put a peg in the ground consistently is a huge help. 

[Rchang 70]

Hang in there. I broke 90 for the first time earlier this year And thought consistent 80s were in my sight. Alas, work taking lot more time and family first takes away golf time. Seasons for every time. I have had to tell myself to enjoy being out with friends and the golf will drop where it will

[RickyBobby_PR 2,731]

Regardless of the score if you enjoyed your time on the course then it’s a good day and a good year. 

[PlaidJacket 7,023]

I'd have to say 2019 so far has been a successful year all around. IOW - it didn't suck. As far as golf is concerned I played well and consistent. I went through a few short slumps but they didn't last more than a week or two it seemed. (but they felt longer - LOL) I had dreams of grandeur of shooting under par a few times but each time I couldn't get out of my way and let it happen. (picture two trains colliding) But overall I'm pleased. I'll turn 65 in February and my health is good and I remain injury and ailment free. 

Looking forward to 2020. 

[dhartmann34 1,415]

2019 wasn't ideal for me on the golf department. Handicap essentially remained unchanged. I didn't practice anywhere near enough to get better. And I didn't play in any tournaments. And it was a bit rough in the personal life as well as my wife was diagnosed with skin cancer (thankfully it's been removed and all looks good), my mother in law was diagnosed with liver cancer, and my grandma was diagnosed with throat cancer. Cancer can suck it...

 

But I will say the birth of our little daughter has been the gift that keeps on giving. I love her so unbelievably much. And the start of my new business venture has done alright so far, and I'm hoping it takes off after the holidays.

 

Life is a lot of ups and downs...and no matter your situation, things sometimes come hard and fast. But I've learned you do your best, and move on the best you can.

 

I'm welcoming 2020 with open arms and an open mind with both my golf game and life in general. I'm planning a more focused practice/playing schedule and time with family. And of course putting my heart and soul into a business I believe in more than anything.

 

Here's to a great 2020 for all.

 

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[bens197 2,898]

You are lucky to share your life with those gorgeous ladies@dhartmann34

Look at that beautiful red hair


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[sirchunksalot 2,384]

Hang in there@PMookie. It sounds like you had a lot of variables that can wreak havoc on your game. With moving, the three different coaches, and didn't you have surgery? Dealing with pain has a way of negatively affecting how you swing. You start slowly making compensations to avoid pain and that can wreck a swing. Hopefully things will settle down for you in 2020 and you can play free of pain. You are a great golfer and I have nothing but confidence you'll come back stronger next year.

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[PMookie 5,315]

Hang in there[mention=2567]PMookie[/mention]. It sounds like you had a lot of variables that can wreak havoc on your game. With moving, the three different coaches, and didn't you have surgery? Dealing with pain has a way of negatively affecting how you swing. You start slowly making compensations to avoid pain and that can wreck a swing. Hopefully things will settle down for you in 2020 and you can play free of pain. You are a great golfer and I have nothing but confidence you'll come back stronger next year.

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Thank you, Sir, very kind!!!!!


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[tony@CIC 10,586]

I was disappointed with my 2019 as well. There were many days I started out playing well and then I had a blowup(s) hole which messed with my head then several holes to recover. Perhaps the best thing that came out of 2019 is that I know my short falls and will be working on them between now and the start of next season.


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[GSwag 2,736]

I was reading the OP by @PMookie and it seems we are living similar games on the golf course.  I just checked GHIN for my handicap history this year, and I went as low as a 4.9, and I am currently at my high for the year, at 7.2.  I do know that I got down to a 4.9 because I posted a 71 in a tournament and that sort of skewed my handicap for a few months.  Now that that round is gone, I figure my handicap is about where it should be.  But that 71 was my personal best round ever, so 2019 wasn't all bad in my book.

Still, I used to be obsessed with my handicap and how to make it go lower, and now I am actually focusing on how to play the game as honest as possible, and counting each and every stroke, good or bad.

I mean honestly, I'm not even upset that my handicap is at 7.2.  I just go out and play, and let the game just sort of happen, with the expectations being virtually non-existent.  I've got my Saturday dog fight to keep me competitive, but honestly, when you are only able to play on Saturdays and maybe once during the week, with little to no practice, what should your expectations be?

I'm working on getting more time to practice and play, but I guess my attitude is just one of being happy to play the game.  Life is all about balance anyway, so it is what it is.  Just enjoy golf when you can and don't worry too much about the score.