Home course confidance

[Cbfodalo]

I have been playing 2-3 times a week at one of two local courses that I would consider my home course.  I have been shooting in mid to low 80's consistently.  Was invited by a good friend to play Seaview Country Club bay course yesterday. It was around 40 degrees with 20 mph winds off the bay.  I shot 91.  I was all over place off tee with driver, to the point where after 6 holes i switched to 3 or 5w.  Either way point is i was seriously indecisive and lacking confidence.  I was surprised at how poorly I played.  It was even difficult to pick right irons.  I know wind made club choice and trajectory more difficult, but I really felt just indecisive.  I chipped and putted pretty well on whole,but I did 3 putt twice, which I rarely do.   Approach shots where short or long, I think I hit gir 2-3 times.

Sleeping on it and looking at shotscope round history, i think I can point to 3 reasons for poor play. 

1. Confidence. I did not know course very well and I was just apprehensive.  Seaview bay course is wide open but Fairways are lined with bunkers and mounds of super thick nasty brush like clumbs of weeds. In summer missing fairway on this course is instant death in winter its a slow tortuous  slog looking for ball. 

2. Wind

The wind was cold and biting. I was not cold, but any side spin was just blown out of all proportion.  Any high shots just died short or blew long. Fades and draws where not really happening for me. 

3. Excitement. I haven't played with my good friend for a month or so.   I was happy to see him, and really enjoyed round despite losing a couple really nice drives.  

 

 

[tony@CIC]

And I'd add #4 sometimes you play well and sometimes you don't. You only have to look at the PGA tour from week to week to see how skilled players end up on the leader board.


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[Tom the Golf Nut]

I wouldn't worry about it at all. This is something I would consider normal for playing a new course (Less the wind aspect). I can play my home course and before I even leave the house I know what my score will be within a stroke or two. You have familiarity with a course, you know when you can go for things and where you have to lay up. You know how to get out of a tight spot because you have been there before.  You know the green slopes and the speed. I just recently was invited to play a course that I have only played once about 15 years ago with some co-workers. This is a tougher course than my home course with some blind shots and some added distance. I played well but was around 5 shots higher than my normal round.   So I don't think it was a confidence factor for me it was not knowing where to place the ball and being unfamiliar with the greens. I'm not one to use a phone app for course layout or anything like that. So I know there were a couple holes where I thought I needed to place the ball in a certain spot but when you got to the ball it was actually not in a good position.

Like tony@CIC  just stated some days you play better than others.

 

[Cbfodalo]

Thanks for replies guys. And yes, I defintely have the ability to play very badly sometimes, just lose it. I think I was just getting so comfortable with my game improving little by little, I was too hard on myself for havjnga bad round. No worries. Just want to get back out there again soon.