What is the proper reaction to a double in a tourney?

[Loki]

Played in a Golfweek Am Tour event for the first time last Saturday, will play a lot more of these, especially in 2015. Beautiful drive on par 4 first hole. Proceeded to take five more strokes to get it into the hole. I didn't panic, but I didn't get P.O.'ed either. I put it out of my mind and just continued to play. I played decently the next few holes. After the round, I was thinking about my somewhat "comatose" response to the double and am wondering if my reaction was proper? I am talking about getting revved up a little at myself, no, I don't throw clubs or anything like that. My friends tell me that after I have a bad hole and throw a hissy fit, I then play better, but those are just round with buddies, not a tourney. A hissy fit wouldn't be all that good in a tourney.

 

I am a 7 cap. My belief is that, while I don't like them, bogeys happen. Double or worse is just stupid. How do you guys react to a bad hole?

[Desert Golf]

I say a hissy fit is always the right call.

[tatertot]

Watch the pros ... well, most of them ... even keel is the way to go. Avoid the emotional highs and lows during a tourney round. Don't get too pumped for a birdie, don't get too down after a bogey.

My rule is this ... I can celebrate or pout (in my head) until I write the score on the scorecard. Once I write the score down, that hole is over, and I don't think about it again until after the round.

[MadGolfer76]

[s]I clench my back and call for a cart to take me to my car....[/s]


I generally don't get upset one way or the other. The next hole could bring a birdie, so I just focus on playing well on the next shot.

[RRFireblade]

Sounds like you did the right thing. Keep a level head and figure out the best course of action on the next shot.

I've gotten hot, thrown caution to the wind and have taken a rip at the next shot and threw darts within inches of the cup but that same reaction has also put darts in trees and water and sand and passing motor vehicles.....

I'll take the level head approach 9/10 times at least.

[Funyuns]

Ask Rory.

Double, Bogey, Bird, Bird, Bird, Bird.

Or if you like me, just be happy you kept it to a double.

[cardoustie]

Laugh it off, it's a game and you are not making a living doing it

Sh_t happens at our level

You did the right thing.

Use the old saying, I will have 4 bad holes today and now one is gone. Focus on the rest of the round and the good shots you will hit to erase the doub

[Bonhomme Richard]

The proper reaction is what you did. Just keep going.

[golf1931]

birdie the next

[Nacho1234]

At least it wasn't a triple or higher . No biggie , I usually play outings and tourneys for the good laughs and the free food and beer

[edittman1]

[quote name='Loki' timestamp='1407507884' post='9887335']
Played in a Golfweek Am Tour event for the first time last Saturday, will play a lot more of these, especially in 2015. Beautiful drive on par 4 first hole. Proceeded to take five more strokes to get it into the hole. I didn't panic, but I didn't get P.O.'ed either. I put it out of my mind and just continued to play. I played decently the next few holes. After the round, I was thinking about my somewhat "comatose" response to the double and am wondering if my reaction was proper? I am talking about getting revved up a little at myself, no, I don't throw clubs or anything like that. My friends tell me that after I have a bad hole and throw a hissy fit, I then play better, but those are just round with buddies, not a tourney. A hissy fit wouldn't be all that good in a tourney.

I am a 7 cap. My belief is that, while I don't like them, bogeys happen. Double or worse is just stupid. How do you guys react to a bad hole?
[/quote]

Ask Rory, he had one yesterday. Didn't seem pleased with himself. But he pulled his s*** together and somehow managed to get to -5.

[yellowlab]

Break all your clubs except the 7 iron

[knock it close]

Blame your caddy

[ShankapotamusCT]

Kudos for keeping your cool.

Nothing used to bother me more in football, baseball, basketball, school etc etc than when a friend of teammate started pouting over a mistake they deemed unacceptable. People aren't robots, you can't take the human factor out of everything. I had a coach once that told us in such a scenario.. "Nobody like a little b***, so don't act like one." Little over the top for a group of middle schoolers, but he got the point across none the less.

On a side note, in anything I ever played, if someone on another team started the antics of "Motherf'ing themself" in front of people and throwing a tantrum, they quickly became a target. Real competitors see that as a sign of weakness and blood in the water, so it's better that you kept your cool and moved on.

+1 for above in regards to Rory. His reaction to a double was to throw another bogey up and then he went on a blitz.

[Loki]

[quote name='knock it close' timestamp='1407515901' post='9888533']
Blame your caddy
[/quote]

Yes, I could have beaten the cart driver senseless. But then I would have switch the bags so I could drive the cart. Too much like work.

LOL.

[bjackson]

No reaction, just play the next hole.

[dlam]

laugh it off. otherwise it will just burn inside for the next few holes. then react after the round.

[Krt22]

Lay sod of the next few approach shots, jump into a hazard, then withdraw with grace

[LeoLeo99]

Well, it's not going to be your last double. It's golf.

Some folks get upset and play better and some fall apart. I used to get upset but now, I'm older and have a different perspective. When some of your golf buds get sick and some die, things change. It's just great to be out and playing. Make good swings and hope the ball cooperates. As my golf couch tells me, you can master golf for a little while but it's always temporary. Some days your swing will let you down and you'll to scramble and grind in order to score well. Keep your head screwed on straight and don't dwell on the bad holes.

[dlam]

Just read `golf is not a game of perfect` by Rotella .Another trick might be to expect a certain number of bad shots per round and this will make it easier to deal with while playing.

[Forged4ever]

That's exactly what ya do.

Forget it!!

Well played!!

BJ & Fireblade hit it(well, except for Fireblade goin ape s*** and tossin darts, you gotta ways to go before that will work for you )-

Next shot, same PSR, NOW throw darts

Continued success My Friend,
Richard

[rogolf]

[quote name='Loki' timestamp='1407507884' post='9887335']
Played in a Golfweek Am Tour event for the first time last Saturday, will play a lot more of these, especially in 2015. Beautiful drive on par 4 first hole. Proceeded to take five more strokes to get it into the hole. I didn't panic, but I didn't get P.O.'ed either. I put it out of my mind and just continued to play. I played decently the next few holes. After the round, I was thinking about my somewhat "comatose" response to the double and am wondering if my reaction was proper? I am talking about getting revved up a little at myself, no, I don't throw clubs or anything like that. My friends tell me that after I have a bad hole and throw a hissy fit, I then play better, but those are just round with buddies, not a tourney. A hissy fit wouldn't be all that good in a tourney.

I am a 7 cap. My belief is that, while I don't like them, bogeys happen. Double or worse is just stupid. How do you guys react to a bad hole?
[/quote]

I was fortunate to have my daughter caddying for me in a tournament. Made double bogey on the 15th hole of the last round. I then made two birdies on the last last three holes to win. We now have a saying that "there is life after double bogeys." Essentially means it's not the end of the world and good things may still happen. The saying is a great bond between father and daughter(s), and extends far beyond the game of golf.

[Edaw68]

Edit- that was supposed to be a hulk smash picture. Apparently I'm worse at the internet than golf.

[RollingRocks]

Slam your club into the ground, drop a couple of F bombs and sneer at anyone around. That's what Tiger does.

[Forged4ever]

[quote name='bjackson' timestamp='1407518150' post='9888835']
No reaction, just play the next hole.
[/quote]Yep, it happens, and I look at it as a fluke.

S*** happens.....

Start focusing on the next shot.

UNLESS.....

You're playing like trash and you're with partners or FC's who don't know ya.

In that case, it's poseur time, LMAO.

Depending on what number this double is for the day, you can either say the always effective, "be enough, be enough, be...S***," and act stunned as your ball falls harmlessly into the green front drink, a good 10-15 yards short of the bank and another 20 to the flag.

Or, with the body lean to the side that you want the ball to go, not where it is going, and start walking as you lean and repeat, waving your club to that side and say, "one time, one time, ye...ah F***," as it slices wildly into the trees at about the 220-2225 mark.

The key is, and this is critical, you do not EVER make excuses or speak of your shots or round as though this is an anomaly, even if it is.

You gotta OWN IT!

And own it in silence!

REMEMBER: There is something to be said for a man, who when standing in the center of Rome as it burns, thinks that his two water buckets will carry the day.

I refer to it as Delusional Arrogance.

Ok, where was I?

Oh yea, It's one thing to go south on a course, though don't expose your partners and FC's to your garbage.

Bad shots are one thing.

Excuses, a totally different ball game.

One of my faves is the time honored "Be the one, Be the one, Be the....son of a B****," as I slam my club into the ground, as though the shot didn't go south at impact, instead hitting a sprinkler head and bouncing wildly, even though it was 20-25 yds off line from impact. If you react strongly enough from your position, the possibility exists that you partners/FC's will think that they must have been watching a different shot that didn't suck from the get go

Hopefully ya only have three or less doubles, otherwise you just repeat em, though never the same one twice in a row.

When you exit the course, following signing your card, forget the round as quickly as you can and if someone asks you how you play, don't start a diatribe of your shots and holes, one word will do, "poorly."

Remember, it is better to say nothing and have them think that you're a fool than to open your mouth and confirm their thoughts.

And don't ever forget....

Most of us here ain't gettin paid to play this game, so relax, swing for the fences and have fun, lol

Fairways & Greens MY Friends,
Richard

[Shambles]

[quote name='Loki' timestamp='1407507884' post='9887335']
Played in a Golfweek Am Tour event for the first time last Saturday, will play a lot more of these, especially in 2015. Beautiful drive on par 4 first hole. Proceeded to take five more strokes to get it into the hole. I didn't panic, but I didn't get P.O.'ed either. I put it out of my mind and just continued to play. I played decently the next few holes. After the round, I was thinking about my somewhat "comatose" response to the double and am wondering if my reaction was proper? I am talking about getting revved up a little at myself, no, I don't throw clubs or anything like that. My friends tell me that after I have a bad hole and throw a hissy fit, I then play better, but those are just round with buddies, not a tourney. A hissy fit wouldn't be all that good in a tourney.

I am a 7 cap. My belief is that, while I don't like them, bogeys happen. Double or worse is just stupid. How do you guys react to a bad hole?
[/quote]

I rend my clothing, cry in agony and throw sand upon myself.



Shambles

[rockinar]

[quote name='Loki' timestamp='1407507884' post='9887335']
Played in a Golfweek Am Tour event for the first time last Saturday, will play a lot more of these, especially in 2015. Beautiful drive on par 4 first hole. Proceeded to take five more strokes to get it into the hole. I didn't panic, but I didn't get P.O.'ed either. I put it out of my mind and just continued to play. I played decently the next few holes. After the round, I was thinking about my somewhat "comatose" response to the double and am wondering if my reaction was proper? I am talking about getting revved up a little at myself, no, I don't throw clubs or anything like that. My friends tell me that after I have a bad hole and throw a hissy fit, I then play better, but those are just round with buddies, not a tourney. A hissy fit wouldn't be all that good in a tourney.

I am a 7 cap. My belief is that, while I don't like them, bogeys happen. Double or worse is just stupid. How do you guys react to a bad hole?
[/quote]


You suck too bad to be throwing a hissy fit over a double. Pros make doubles all the time and I don't see them throwing hissy fits. When you're better than the pros and make double, then you can throw a hissy fit.

[Mcgeeno]

Two comments on this one:

1) In my experience emotion is death on a golf course. Used to be the guy getting jacked after a bird and pouting or angry after a double or OB. I'm not good enough to do that and now try to put all my energy in the next shot.

2) I have a cool story I've shared before about the epiphany or (whatever you call it) over not spazzing on a golf course anymore. Playing with a stranger who was kicking my butt. Older gentleman, probably 60 and close to scratch. I hit a shot WIDE left, smashed my club into the ground and chucked it down the fairway. He said "You are not good enough to act like that out here!" "Are you going to get your Pro Card? Play for money on Sundays?" "Then enjoy the best game in the world and have some fun! Why waste a good day out here angry!"

Best advice I ever received, tournament or not.

One.Shot.At.A.Time.

Enjoy the highs and the lows. When you hit it crooked look at it as an opportunity to do something special.

My favorite rounds ever are the ones when I hunker down and battle back. Mens night last Wednesday I was 3 over after 4 holes and finished with a 68 to take low gross on mens night. I know for a FACT the younger version of myself would have snowballed that round into an 80+

[taporsnap17]

Putter into the nearest water hazard

[ebk]

[quote name='taporsnap17' timestamp='1408321363' post='9953745']
Putter into the nearest water hazard
[/quote]

Only if it's not yours...

Seriously, you and I have similar caps. In tourneys that use all the rules, and often have some tough setups, it would be pretty rare to not make a double. And pretty rare for anyone else in that cap range as well - especially over a multiple day event. I figure a. Double on 1 just ends the suspense over which hole it will be. Now, move on to the next 17 holes and make some birdies.