Playing badly and loving it

[Richard Pennell]

"I drove 11 tee shots into bunkers, and loved every minute of it." - Pete Galea on playing NGLA

The above quote referred to the tough driving conditions at NGLA, but it just brought into focus something I've been vaguely thinking about recently, especially last weekend sat on a greens mower: how little my score or play has had to do with the amount of enjoyment or satisfaction I've got from some of the golf I've played recently.

A couple of weekends ago, I had the privilege of playing Pennard in a strong wind (with 2 felloow GCA'ers), and had a great day shooting high numbers against the elements and four putting twice. In November last year, I failed miserably to master the chipping around Royal St George's greens and I wouldn't have been anywhere else. Two weeks earlier, soaked to the skin at Lahinch, I lost by a ridiculous margin to my lifelong matchplay adversary but it still stands out as a peak experience. I have other examples of my general golfing inadequacy and my ability to scrounge games at courses unworthy of my game, but maybe someone else's are more worthy of being read.

The one thing that struck me as I pondered all this was the fact that most of these occasions happened either on links courses or on courses that played like links: one more example - Tony Muldoon and I played New Zealand GC in Surrey recently and both had great fun chipping 6,7, and 8 irons off the firm collars and greens. Maybe the fact that judgement and luck play a more pronounced role in firm and fast golf is the appeal - I'm not sure. I just know I wouldn't have had so much fun playing target golf over lakes the whole time.

The fact that I keep chipping in has nothing to do with it Tony

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Winged Foot West. The course is unrelentless. In fact, I find it harder then anything I have ever played before. But that's me.

[Tim Pitner]

Richard,

I had a similar experience playing at Bandon Dunes two weeks ago.  I wasn't playing particularly well (in fact, under different circumstances, I might have been very frustrated), but I had a blast playing 7 and 8 irons shots around the greens.  The courses at Bandon Dunes may not be true links, but they are very links-like and I just don't get to play many shots like that at home.  Links golf is definitely the finest expression of the game.  

[cary lichtenstein]

I must be in the minority because playing badly doesn't work for me, usually followed by a cheeseburger delux with onions, well done french fries and a chocolate shake

[Bill_McBride]

It is very possible to hit a lot of shots that feel and look good and turn out absolutely horrid at Pennard!  From the tee balls bouncing off those narrow, tilted and hard fairways, to tee shots winding up in ridiculously small fairway bunkers (ha! more like bathtubs!), to balls bouncing the wrong way off those punchbowl surrounds.......Pennard is very difficult.  

Only played it once, and that was a still day!  I imagine with the wind blowing...  

I find as I get older and it gets harder to make a decent turn of the shoulders, I have to imagine in my mind's eye what the right shot would be.  It certainly won't be anything I just hit!

And yes, it is still possible to hit the short game shots as you used to, from time to time.

It's still more fun than anything else outdoors with your clothes on, as long as keep a good attitude and try to appreciate the subtlety of what you are seeing and playing.

[Lou_Duran]

I can't stand it.  Specially when its hot and the squitos are biting.

My last hope:

http://www.fredericksgolf.com/about.html

[Matt MacIver]

When I play badly I hate it -- everything about it, and it often blinds me from enjoying the architecture, the weather, etc., etc.   I wish I could change....I need to change.  I need to get better!

[Pete Lavallee]

Lou,

Funny you should bring up Roger, I saw him on Tues; he was all alone on the practice tee at La Costa, working on his game. He limbered up a bit with one of those four sided resistance clubs and pounded 5 irons for over an hour in 93 temps. I never saw him stretch once! His swing looked mighty good though. We played the tournament course for 225, it was the last chance to play the original Dick Wilson course as the PGA Tour has left La Costa for the time being and you are forced to play North or South; each of which has only 9 decent holes.

[Tom Huckaby]

Matt:

Don't beat yourself up.  Those who say they always enjoy golf regardless of their play either have given up on playing well, or are being less than honest with themselves.  We all want to play at least to our normal ability.  Less than that and some frustration has to set in.

However - and my friend Mike Sweeney can attest to this - when it gets to the point that one's behavior adversely effects not only his own enjoyment but the enjoyment of others, well... that's the time to step back and realize that golf is not all about standard of play.  Especially at great courses and/or with great friends, there is so much more to it that one's play really ought to be wholly secondary.

Unfortunately though, it takes reaching the bottom before one can achieve and believe this revelation.  Mike and I had similar experiences of such.  And neither of us remains perfect - my playing partners the first round at Stone Eagle can attest to my lack of enjoyment for large parts of that round - but I do believe each of us has mastered this for the most part.  We each still want to play well, but at least at great courses and with great friends, we don't let that be the barometer for our enjoyment.

So all I can say is hang in there.....

TH

[Tom Huckaby]

BTW, I don't think any of what I just responded to is what Richard is getting at.

His point is more courses - or conditions - that beat you up so bad that one just has to laugh and enjoy it anyway, focusing on the good around and the absurdity of the bad.  There are a few like that... Shinnecock Hills comes to mind among the more famous.  But I would say they are few and far between.... Far more common are overly stupidly penal courses that it's darn tough to have fun at no matter what.

TH

[Lou_Duran]

Pete,

Paying $225 would put me in a bad mood, which would probably only exacerbate my bad golf.  Do you know much about the stretching program I am considering?  Really, I am in dire straits/last gasp.

Huck,

As long as I am making reasonable contact, bad scores on good, at times difficult courses do not bother me greatly.  You've seen me play poorly at a couple of these and I don't think I did any damage to you, my clubs, or the course.  I'll give you that attitude is all important, and in that area I am an 18 to your 2.  Funny, how when you're playing bad, the heat, flow of play, and imperfect conditions gain undue attention and importance.

[Tom Huckaby]

Lou:

But of course you have always been a FINE gentleman in our rounds together... and yes, most of the time I am a 2 in the sunny attitude handicapping system.  BUT... even a 2 has bad days.  And it is sage counsel that when one is playing bad, all of those things do gain undue attention and importance - or at least, they are focused on rather than ignored in favor of the positive.

However, they also don't make overly severe greens for the high handicapper any less so.

 

[Pete Lavallee]

Lou,

I've seen the infomercial and it looks like it certainly couldn't hurt senior golfers like us. You can buy the video, which is a general stretching program dessigned to work all the major muscle groups. However if you take a personal lesson from Roger, he's now based at La Costa, he will give you an on the spot physical examination of sorts to see what areas need improvement and tailor a specific regiem to suit your needs. La Costa is not far from Orange County and if you do decide to do it I would recommend the personalized instruction from Roger himself. Besides, imagine the wife points scored by allowing your lovely bride to unwind at their world class spa while Roger turns you into a pretzel on the driving range.

The level of my play was much more dissapointing than forking over the outrageous fee. However getting to play there with 2 very good players was well worth it.

[Lou_Duran]

Pete,

I haven't been able to complete my move, but next time I am out there for an extended stay, I'll do as you suggest.  As to my wife, she deserves to be pampered.  Me, well, getting into the position of a pretzel won't happen without separating some limbs and/or tearing muscle.  I would love to be able to get on the ground and do the splits like Roger.  Watching Arnie in complete disbelief watching Roger was amusing.  I wonder if Arnie is really a disciple.