Blow Out Holes......

Howdy...

Over my past few rounds, on the whole I have struck the ball and putted reasonably well (for me) and I have still only managed to play to my 18 handicap or just over.

The problem being what I call "blow out" holes......

Each round I am having my share of birdies, pars and bogeys, but, when you throw in 3 or 4 or 5 of these blow out holes across the round, all the good work is quickly undone and my scorecard gets out around 90 something again...

My question is does anyone have any suggestions about how best to limit, if not eradicate all together, these blasted blow out holes...???

Any suggestions gratefully considered...

Cheers

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Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe....

Call me Little Miss Blowout,

I too have blowouts per round. There would be on average 3 per round. It gives me the s...t's (didn't want to offend anyone).

Hindsight is wonderful. More often than not my blowouts are caused by lapses in concentration, with me going for the impossible shot to make up for the stupid one that got me there. Rather than thinking getting the ball back onto the fairway and thinking bogey is good.

I'm thinking Craig, when you are in the s...t's, think bogey for the hole and play the next shot accordingly.

Perhaps I should practice what I preach?

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VP

hi craig
i know that feeling all too well!
i have reduced my blow out holes recently by being very deliberate with my pre shot routine.
i perform the pump drill to set my tempo and swingplane and double check everything.
ive learnt to take my medicine now instead of trying to pull off the glory shot!
all i need to do is learn how to putt well and ill be on my way to some decent scores

Slats is right on to something:

Blowups (blowouts) come from a few sources (experience chiming in here):

Trying to do too much - taking a shot that is way more risk than reward.

This is usually caused by - thinking you have a round going, and trying to save a hole from a bad position, OR having a bad hole, and trying to 'make up for it now'.

Having had a fantastic round last time out - now you expect to do it - and the pressure is on!

I'm getting quite the lesson on focus. Too many times we are not focused on the right things - be it in life in general or on the course. For course related issues, how many times have you found yourself thinking about your score, the upcoming hole, the last shot you took, what's available to eat at the turn, where the beer cart is, has your partner noticed your new clubs yet, your neck sure is itchy, I hope the boss isn't mad that I'm here, did I forget to pick up the laundry, I've really gotta pee and I shouldn't have had that whole bottle of water all at once....

Too much. Largely unfocused. It's true what they say - if you focus on sending the ball to the target, and GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY, you're pretty successful. But it's tough to focus, and maintain that focus. But bad things happen when you forget what you're supposed to do, and lose focus.

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PCS Class 'A' Clubfitter - www.pcsgep.com
True Length Technology Fitter - www.truelengthtechnology.com
It's live! - www.ShipShapeClubs.com

A new highlight: Golfing the home course on Christmas Day.

I say it too often: If it's golf club shaped, you can play with it.

For the record, I'm a club doctor, not a swing doctor.

Thanks Little Miss Blowout, Slats & LP, appreciate your thoughts.

Agree that Slats probably has something here, upon reflection, I do know on those bad holes I have more than likely deviated from my own routine.

So tomorrow (I'm playing in the opening group with the president of my new club...) I shall try to keep the thought that no matter what, my routine has to be gone through...

Now all that remains is to put my opening tee shot on the fairway...
Being in the first group, I'll have quite the audience ready to sledge me if I don't...

It's all good fun...

Cheers

__________________
Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe....

p.p.p.p.p.s!
proper preparation prevents p**s poor shots
good luck tomorrow

LMAO.....

Now there's a swing thought I can take to the bank..!!!

Cheers Slats...

Don't think that all your good hole scores are wasted because the few bad holes you might play. Those good scoring holes show nothing more than how well you can play. The bad holes are (as posted already) showing a lack of, or the wrong focus on your part. I would suggest you learn to play the next shot as well as you can, and forget about your previous shots, no matter if they were bad, or good. My brother for many years was a MLB umpire. When asked what his toughest call was he gave me the common answer among all umpires. "My next one." That same answer still holds true on golf shots and/or putts. GJS

Well put Sr.

Well, again I had my seemingly usual 4-5 blow out holes in my round yesterday, but, I managed to limit them to 4 Doubles and a solitary Triple.

Against 2 Birdies and 6 Pars, my score was pretty good. 85 off the stick and above all else, I think I made a little discovery...

Having watched some of the 3rd round of the Jacob's Creek from Kooyonga on Saturday, I was struck more so than usual when watching some PGA events, just how well within themselves all the players were seeming to swing it.

I took that with me yesterday and I found that where I remembered to "swing easy" I made much better ball contact and hit some pretty handy golf shots for an 18 marker.

I must now take this mind set with me away next week and we'll see if the progress continues...

Cheers

__________________
Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe....

hi scragger
i think swinging within your self is the best way to be consistant on the golf course, if swinging at 80/90% you can repeat it time and time again and control distance better and end up on the firway more often too. i know my score is always good if i hit the fairway 80% of the times in a round. the other thing is to start out and play to your handicap, dont walk up to a par 5 and say its a par 5, you have a extra shot so call it a par 6, same with the par 4s you get a shot at call it a par 5 and think of the best way to get on the green in 3 shots not 2, this also makes you more relaxed when playing and it seemes to make you play better and have less blow out holes.
keep up the good work.
bill

There are two types of golf shot:

Good shots and Learning shots.

Thought for the day::

How many psychoanalysts does it take to change a light bulb?
"How many do you think it takes?"

Well Brian, that being true, I guess I hit "approximately/maybe/sort of" 70 good shots and 15 learning shots......

Bottom line, with 11 over for 5 holes and 3 over the rest, I think I have some scope for improvement based on that last round...

I remain a happy little vegemite......

70 something doesn't now seem all that far away......

Be near by the day that happens, I'll be shouting at the bar afterwards.....!!!!!

Cheers

Scragger,

Hmmm blowout holes. Well another one on Wednesday with the gals.

Had 87 off the beater. A bit scratchy.

First 9 - 48 and on the second, 39.

Had 3 doubles and a triple. 36 putts.

I killed a few snakes.

Happy with the back nine. Doubled the 10th and parred the rest on the way in.

My time is coming - yippee.

Good Work Little Miss Blowout......

I hope your time comes soon, as indeed I remain hopeful that mine will too...

Twice around Maryborough GC this weekend, having checked, Par 71, with only 2 Par 5's and 3 Par 3's, meaning 13 Par 4's. All of them b/w 308m & 373m in length. And 9 of the 13 are 340m or shorter.

I am considering leaving the heavy artilery at home, or at least in the Motel room for the first round, may take them with me on Sunday if circumstances allow. Layout depending, might be driving a few par 4's and looking at some eagle putts....

Live the dream!!!!

More later.

Cheers

__________________
Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe....