Tournament Round From Hell

[TheMackDaddy]

I woke up last Thursday a bit later than normal, an hour and a half before my 9:30 tee time for the final round of an AJGA tournament. I was in 40th place I think, after shooting 75-74. I had high hopes for the final round. I decided I would get to the tee around 40 minutes before my tee time, which is about 20 minutes shorter than usual, but I wasn't concerned. I have showed up to tournaments so late that I have literally had to run onto the first tee (My mom drove me to the wrong course that time, LOL). I usually just hit 50 or so balls, putt for 10-15 minutes and head to the first tee. This time I was on my own, and biked to the course, as my clubs were stashed in the back of my friends' car. I got to the course just barely past 8:50, a tad later than I had hoped. I cruised over to the car my friends own and to my horror, it was locked. I was with a friend and we searched frantically for about 20 minutes checking the gas cap, tops of tires, trailer hitch, everywhere. Nothing. I figured I would have to either take the DQ (Not happening), play the entire round with my 4 iron I had brought with me to the course (No) or take rental clubs. I decided to go with the third option. Thankfully the pro shop offered rental clubs, and the guy was nice enough to comp them to me... 10 minutes before I teed off. I ran to the first tee, without clubs. Literally 2 minutes before I teed off my friend ran the clubs over. 913 woods, 712 AP1's, a vokey 56*, and a Laguna 2. Never hit anything other than the vokey and a 913D2. I was very happy and fortunate to have the clubs, but still nervous as hell. I had a ton of confidence actually, I planned to shoot 67 and have a fantastic story to tell for the rest of my life, but sadly that did not happen. I shot 81 and took 70th place. I had 35 putts, a whole 7 putts above my average. In my first 36 holes of the tournament I had 0 three putts, but in my first 9 of the day I had FIVE. Not only this fiasco, but I had to use a bagtag as my ball marker for the first hole LOL, which had like a 5 inch diameter. My playing partners were antisocial and one lacked etiquitte stepping in my line twice in the first four holes before I told him to watch where he stepped. (Don't hate me because I used a staff bag WITH pull cart).. .Notice the unicorn Adidas BTW.

 

For my last tournament of the summer, it really sucked. My parents got pissed at me for not arriving earlier (Lesson learned), and I feel horrible for dissapointing them. AJGA is so expensive and my play this week makes me feel like I just tossed their money down the drain. Not only that, but my play has been so streaky this summer that I am getting nervous about college. I missed qualifying for the State Championship, but then also took T-3 in one of the largest toyurnaments in the Northwest. I broke par 5 times in tournaments, and probably averaged around 75, and feel like I got nowhere. I grew 8 inches in the last year, and feel like it has just killed my golf game. I am just at a loss. What a crappy way to end the summer. I don't rant often or get upset often, but it is hard to remain optimistic when my golf game feels like it has regressed. And school starts in 3 days, and I haven't done my summer projects. Blah.

[jewofgolf]

First of all, don't ever trust a friend with your clubs.

Secondly, chill out about everything. Take it one step at a time and be diligent with schoolwork and whatever other stuff you have going on.

I always tell young people not to obsess over getting sports scholarships. Focus on school, seriously.

[Conrad283]

Minor details and lesson learned.

Don't forget to have fun

[TheMackDaddy]

It was more of a freak accident, and if anyone deserves blame, it is me.

[goobers80]

[color="#800080"]​In less thans one year worth of tournaments , i haves won three regional tournaments , a state tournament ands top tens in most every other. I do nots expect the next full year to be as great. Too many variables in golfing. Bad rounds shoulds be learning experiences. I haves autism ands severe social issues that affects my rounds. It has taken a lot for me to just nots give up if panic attacks happen. Peoples have told me it takes a lots of character to finish rounds through my issues. Finish the golf career before defining it over a handful of tournaments.[/color]

[color="#800080"]See how far you cans go in golf. That is what i am doings. I lost my swing of sorts lately ands slowly gettings it back. I felt lost , but put my head down ands figured it outs. I also cried in frustrations.[/color]

[KYMAR]

Mack, Buddy, relax my man! ONLY mistake, not nailing down the time you'd be able to access your clubs from your friends car and/or, as your parents said, being there too late to get them if that's the issue. BUT, your comment about feeling bad about disappointing them shows me that you get it. Mistake made, and sounds like lesson learned.

Now, to the golf. Your expectations and hope for the future are vastly different than mine simply because of your youth so I get why you are so [s]pissed [/s]disappointed with your score. Here's my view. After scrambling for 30 minutes, resisting the urge to smash in a window of your friends car, giving in finally to the fact that it's rentals or bust, and going out and posting an 81 with foreign sticks you had no chance to even warm up with is pretty damned impressive in my book. I realize you look at it now like it was a crippling mistake that potentially cost you your future, that it couldn't get any worse, 70th place sucks etc etc but take it from an old old old guy like me (40) none of that is true, the sky's not falling, and your future is still in your hands. There are lots of ways to get to where you want to go. Don't let this adversity take your eyes off the big picture. Don't carry the guilt around past tomorrow. Make sure your parents understand your feelings and what you learned about it and let it go.

Now, go do your summer projects!

[Froth]

[quote name='goobers80' timestamp='1378008735' post='7779851']
[color=#800080]​In less thans one year worth of tournaments , i haves won three regional tournaments , a state tournament ands top tens in most every other. I do nots expect the next full year to be as great. Too many variables in golfing. Bad rounds shoulds be learning experiences. I haves autism ands severe social issues that affects my rounds. It has taken a lot for me to just nots give up if panic attacks happen. Peoples have told me it takes a lots of character to finish rounds through my issues. Finish the golf career before defining it over a handful of tournaments.[/color]

[color=#800080]See how far you cans go in golf. That is what i am doings. I lost my swing of sorts lately ands slowly gettings it back. I felt lost , but put my head down ands figured it outs. I also cried in frustrations.[/color]
[/quote]
I enjoy reading your posts so much! You have tremendous character and mental toughness, nobody can ever take that way from you!

OP - Listen to Goober

[isaacbm]

Lesson learned it seems. One thing I learned a long time ago is to get to the course 3 hours early. I relish in it all. Watch others tee off, hit tons of balls, get some lunch, watch golf on TV. I never speed to the course and i always listen to soft music to stay calm. In 25 years of playing golf at every level, I've never missed a tee time and I've never been stressed about the little things because I made sure I was prepared ahead of time.

Look at this experience as a good thing. Despite a crazy situation, you managed to get some clubs together and still play the round. You'll probably never forget "that tournament when i played with a rental set." Sh4t happens and you move on. Like the saying goes: " Don't sweat the small stuff.... and BTW, it's AAALLLLLLLLL small stuff!"

[duffer987]

Go play Madden 25, feel up your girlfriend, beat your dad at a game of 21, there are loads of fun things you can do that quite honestly are as 'important' as that golf tournament

Learn a thing or two from it and move on. Job done.

[joeshmo]

You grew 8" in 1 year. That might have a lot to do with consistency.

[KYMAR]

When i check this thread and see the Picture I always hear a "Kuuuuuuuuch!" in my head.

[Spiritomb]

Why would your mom, and dad get mad at you for not arriving earlier. That's not really a loving thing to do.

[vtnerf]

Man, we all have made bonehead mistakes on the course. You are learning, and I guarantee you this will NOT occur again. Lesson learned now, and take it as growth for the future. Sounds like you had a decent summer (5 rounds under par!!!) and setting a good foundation for next year. If you grew 8" this summer, that will definitely affect your game. This winter, work on the new height, and go get them next year!!!!!

[KYMAR]

[quote name='Spiritomb' timestamp='1378040273' post='7780675']
Why would your mom, and dad get mad at you for not arriving earlier. That's not really a loving thing to do.
[/quote]

Because his failure to arrive on time is the apparent reason he didn't have access to his clubs in his friends car. Thus, making his potential for his best finish significantly smaller, thus making the money they spent in order for him to play in the event feel like an unnecessary waste. So, what they are doing is impressing upon him the importance of taking responsibility for himself. I realize we live in an age of "you can do no wrong honey" but the MD's parents seem to be a rare breed that actually have (gasp) expectations of him so that he's a little more prepared for the life he has ahead of him. Is it really your belief that anger at irresponsibility and the instruction that follows lacks love? Ridiculous.

[Spiritomb]

[quote name='KYMAR' timestamp='1378044890' post='7780943']
[quote name='Spiritomb' timestamp='1378040273' post='7780675']
Why would your mom, and dad get mad at you for not arriving earlier. That's not really a loving thing to do.
[/quote]

Because his failure to arrive on time is the apparent reason he didn't have access to his clubs in his friends car. Thus, making his potential for his best finish significantly smaller, thus making the money they spent in order for him to play in the event feel like an unnecessary waste. So, what they are doing is impressing upon him the importance of taking responsibility for himself. I realize we live in an age of "you can do no wrong honey" but the MD's parents seem to be a rare breed that actually have (gasp) expectations of him so that he's a little more prepared for the life he has ahead of him.[u] Is it really your belief that anger at irresponsibility and the instruction that follows lacks love? Ridiculous[/u].
[/quote]

You don't have to say it's ridiculous, that's going a little to far. What I'm trying to say is, that my parents think highly of me, but they would never take it that far. To me I think that when parents do that, their going to discourage their child to much down the road. I seen it happen to much in my life, and I think it's wrong.

[legitimategolf]

A fine story bro. And you can consider yourself somewhat lucky, if that had happened around here you would've played the round with a boxed set of Top-Flites, with matching bag and everything.

[italianstallion]

I plan on shooting 63 everytime I play, but it never happens. You can't kick yourself for shooting 81 with rental sets. It may seem like the end of the world, but in the grand scheme of things, that final round is meaningless regardless of whether you shot 105 or 65. If you've for under par tournament rounds, strong finishes in higher profile tournaments, good grades, and a head on your shoulders, you'll be fine

[KILLEDBYASHANKEDWEDGE]

Live and learn. My son was late for his tee time at a tournament this summer and got a 2 stroke penalty. +2 before ever hitting a shot. He won , carding a 79 with the penalty.

[KYMAR]

[quote name='Spiritomb' timestamp='1378045920' post='7781027']
[quote name='KYMAR' timestamp='1378044890' post='7780943']
[quote name='Spiritomb' timestamp='1378040273' post='7780675']
Why would your mom, and dad get mad at you for not arriving earlier. That's not really a loving thing to do.
[/quote]

Because his failure to arrive on time is the apparent reason he didn't have access to his clubs in his friends car. Thus, making his potential for his best finish significantly smaller, thus making the money they spent in order for him to play in the event feel like an unnecessary waste. So, what they are doing is impressing upon him the importance of taking responsibility for himself. I realize we live in an age of "you can do no wrong honey" but the MD's parents seem to be a rare breed that actually have (gasp) expectations of him so that he's a little more prepared for the life he has ahead of him.[u] Is it really your belief that anger at irresponsibility and the instruction that follows lacks love? Ridiculous[/u].
[/quote]

You don't have to say it's ridiculous, that's going a little to far. What I'm trying to say is, that my parents think highly of me, but they would never take it that far. To me I think that when parents do that, their going to discourage their child to much down the road. I seen it happen to much in my life, and I think it's wrong.
[/quote]

The more i read this the more I conclude, you're right, I shouldn't have said your OP was ridiculous. That limits the appropriate terms that are useful for your second attempt. How about preposterous? He didn't go into any detail, he certainly didn't say he was grounded, yelled at, beaten with a spoon, or traded in for a newer model. He said they were mad at him for being late. How can their appropriate emotional reaction to this, described in such general terms, possibly be described by you as "taking it to far". And we agree, their expression of their disappointment will discourage him in the future. It will discourage him in the future from not being where he's supposed to be, when he's supposed to be there. I have no idea what point youre trying to make about how highly your parents think of you. Are you drawing a contrast here? Your parents regard you highly and would never dare hold you accountable for something like this, TMD's parents did hold him accountable, therefore their opinion of him is a low one? Preposterously ridiculous.

[pingfool]

finishing the round, signing for 81 -- better than WD or NC

the best lessons learned - usually the most painful

why didn't your friend leave your clubs w/ the pro shop?

[DFinch]

If you spent less time thinking about college and more time stealing cars, you would have been able to get your clubs.

Just sayin'.

;-)

[Largechris1]

In twenty years I promise you will look back at this and laugh OP

[Sean2]

Had to be difficult playing with unfamiliar clubs MD (though I like the Riksa cart).

I think one of the biggest killers in golf is expectations. You obviously want to expect the best of yourself, but you also have to accept what happens from shot to shot. I think if we go out there expecting to post a certain score, and we have a couple of bad holes, we put a tremendous amount of pressure on ourselves. I know it sounds trite, but all you can do is play shot by shot. If you post a good score that's great, if not, that's just one round of many you will play in your life.

You have to find a way to make peace with yourself from those bad rounds. Everyone, from the Touring professional, to the weekend golfer has those. You may be playing great golf and then BAM! you post a bad score. Nothing feels different. You're swing feels fine, but...

It's golf. There is NO rhyme or reason. The game is insidious and glorious all at the same time.

[ricar1610]

So I guess clubs do matter...somewhat...

You could have shot 81 with your clubs too - bad day - move on - good luck in the future!

[farmer]

It's just one round in one tournament. You'll get over it, probably your parents were more disappointed than angry. Life will go on and you have a lesson learned. It will take some time for your golf game to learn your new body, but it will. Kudos for doing the best you could under trying circumstances, even if you were responsible.

[esketores]

If that is the worst that ever happens in your life... you'll be a lucky man.

And as Ms Hull said; It is not like I'm going to die if I hit a bad shot. Go find it and hit it again.

[TheMackDaddy]

[quote name='isaacbm' timestamp='1378016321' post='7780131']
Lesson learned it seems. One thing I learned a long time ago is to get to the course 3 hours early. I relish in it all. Watch others tee off, hit tons of balls, get some lunch, watch golf on TV. I never speed to the course and i always listen to soft music to stay calm. In 25 years of playing golf at every level, I've never missed a tee time and I've never been stressed about the little things because I made sure I was prepared ahead of time.

Look at this experience as a good thing. Despite a crazy situation, you managed to get some clubs together and still play the round. You'll probably never forget "that tournament when i played with a rental set." Sh4t happens and you move on. Like the saying goes: " Don't sweat the small stuff.... and BTW, it's AAALLLLLLLLL small stuff!"
[/quote]
Thanks isaacbm... definitely going to take some advice from a player like yourself. 3 hours before my tee time... maybe on afternoon tee times, but what about the early morning ones? I do like that idea a lot, just hanging around the course before my tee time. Good to see you posting, you contribute a lot to the forums, so thank you for that.
[quote name='KYMAR' timestamp='1378039418' post='7780629']
When i check this thread and see the Picture I always hear a "Kuuuuuuuuch!" in my head.
[/quote]
Gosh, I wish I swung the club like him. I bet I could take him down in Ping Pong though.
[quote name='Spiritomb' timestamp='1378040273' post='7780675']
Why would your mom, and dad get mad at you for not arriving earlier. That's not really a loving thing to do.
[/quote]
Dissapointed, is a better word. My parents don't get mad, but disspointing my dad makes me feel a whole lot worse. They're loving parents, I assure you.
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1378074718' post='7782885']
Had to be difficult playing with unfamiliar clubs MD (though I like the Riksa cart).

I think one of the biggest killers in golf is expectations. You obviously want to expect the best of yourself, but you also have to accept what happens from shot to shot. I think if we go out there expecting to post a certain score, and we have a couple of bad holes, we put a tremendous amount of pressure on ourselves. I know it sounds trite, but all you can do is play shot by shot. If you post a good score that's great, if not, that's just one round of many you will play in your life.

You have to find a way to make peace with yourself from those bad rounds. Everyone, from the Touring professional, to the weekend golfer has those. You may be playing great golf and then BAM! you post a bad score. Nothing feels different. You're swing feels fine, but...

It's golf. There is NO rhyme or reason. The game is insidious and glorious all at the same time.
[/quote] Yeah, the last stretch of good golf I played, which was not too long ago, I actually thought before the round "I don't even care what happens today. In a recent match play match I told myself "If I lose here, it's not a big deal" Isn't it weird that when I had those thoughts I was able to go under par? Like you said, there is no rhyme or reason.


Above all, what I miss now is I don't feel like I am playing golf because I love it anymore, I feel like I am playing golf to pay for college tuition. I love the game, and I think I have been putting too much pressure on myself to play well for an audience of Division 1 schools. Hopefully wintertime I can get back to what I love most: playing golf on an empty course.

[Splitter]

Just being late for a normal round with the guys, I can only guess at how stressed out you were. Between that and new clubs you probably played pretty well.

And candidly, coming into the round in 40th, it sounds like you got several cheap lessons. It also sounds like you learned from them.

Not much else to do but press on.

[Daniel Eason]

Can't believe you had chumps walking your putting lines....

[chrisfx811]

After reading the OP and your follow up posts, I've got to say you seem like a fine, stand up young guy. Even your "rant" about the whole experience is well reasoned.
You learned a lesson about preparedness, and gave an example of how to handle the problems on the spot without any impetuous behavior.

Btw, growing 8" in a year!? Wow, to still be able to hold your game together through that is also impressive.