It was funny that this thread came up right before my trip this weekend. No doubt it certainly helps to erase score from your mind, or to somehow "lose yourself’ (but it’s rarely possible for me). One of my all-time best rounds came in a shotgun start, where I teed off in the middle of the back 9 (#14). As a result, I never had a concept of my usual "check points" (e.g. I want to get through holes 1-4 in +1 or better, or even the normal "front nine" checkpoint). I really ended up lost in my round and forgetting about overall score. When I added up the score, I was genuinely surprised to find I'd made my career low (74), even with two doubles thrown in.
Unfortunately, this weekend, I discovered that I am a complete mental midget when it comes to elite golf. I played Kaluhyat on Saturday, which is a fairly stern test. The pressure rose when I discovered the Director of Golf (Richard Todd – “RT”) was going to join us for several holes.
However, through the first 4 holes, I hadn't missed a green and was stroking it well with four easy pars. On the 5th, I hit another green and drained a 15 foot curler to go to -1 under. At this point, RT kept saying “wow, -1 under after 5!” and I kept begging him not to talk about it. I’m normally an 8 or 9 handicap, so this was unusual, and there’s no way for me not to realize the score. It became even more absurd on the next hole, a 510 yard Par 5, when I hit a 3 wood in to 15 feet and drained the Eagle Putt to get to -3 under.
At this point, I became far too aware of the difference between me & a truly elite golfer. Three under through 6 would put an elite golfer in the comfort zone. I had the complete opposite reaction. I was so out of my comfort zone, I just dreaded the inevitable moment the other shoe would drop. I thought of the old story of the golfer who walked off Pine Valley mid-round.
Normally, I’m not the type that obsesses over score, and rarely fill out a card until after the round. I will get lost enjoying a new course or try “match play” type heroics if it’s a course I probably won’t play often (if ever again). That’s an easy practice to maintain when I’m near or above my handicap. But when I’m clearly exceeding my “normal” level of play, I really don’t know to avoid that knowledge, and the resultant pressure of “maintaining” usually breaks me down. I envy people who can truly stay in the moment of each shot in complete disregard of the rest of the round.
However, when the pressure of “score killing” is removed from my mind (e.g. scrambles / match play tournaments), I typically elevate my game. I suppose my recourse at this age is to avoid medal play at any cost, and focus on best ball / match play / scramble events (which may still be a satisfying golf life).