We all have been there Joe, just keep working on your game.
Great shots are inspiring, consistency is a proven winner.

Definitely happens. Seen pros on TV shoot 64 one day and follow it with a 75. I have had those extreme difference days too. I have learned a few tricks to lessen the extremeness of them. If i start having some real bad early score, i go into conservative mode. I start aiming away from trouble, laying up more often, using putter for chips when the lie allows, swinging easier off the tee, etc. The result is usually a higher score than normal but not a crazy high score with a bunch of lost balls.

Hang in there Joe,its early in the year. Practice fundamentals.

Been in the same boat way too many times lately. Like the others said, try to focus on the positive and keep fighting. Don't try to make the perfect shot, just focus on making a good enough one to not make things worse. keeps the stress levels lower.

Joe, Feel your pain. Somedays were just not meant to be. All of us, even the pros, come to the course with a little bit different swing than we had the day before. As Dale mentioned, just try to grind it out, don't get too aggressive, play the safe route and figure out how to take a double or even bogey out of the equation.
Hang in there.

Don’t stress it too much Joe, everyone has bad days, I like to just put them out of my head and remember next time I play it’s a brand new day and that I have 9 or 18 new holes in front of me

Hey Joe, don't worry about it. It's one round.Better days are coming.

It happens to all of us. Some days nothing goes right. It's called golf. I've seen tour pros shoot an 82 then throw up a 68 the next day. Crazy game.

I’m done beating myself up about it now, I just played a bad round. After stewing on it, my short game yesterday was pretty decent, I just struggled off the tee and ate a bunch of penalties (4 OB) and wasn’t concentrated on putting because i was mentally trying to figure out my swing. Oh well, there’s always next week

Sometimes we all have off days, I can usually get around High 80's into low 90's on a good day and then drop a 105 the next day. I feel like when im relaxed or having a casual round with my friends i tend to play better golf.

Dont worry bud all of us have been there. Even the Pros.

At least you were able to get out an play! There are some ppl that would love to have the opportunity to shoot their worst round LOL Better days ahead man!

Maybe after 9 holes you were just getting warmed up!

Golf is a funny game like that. It’s interesting how one day you’ve just got it and everything is working and you shoot the best round of your life. Then the next time you could be completely off. I try and remember I’m there to play for fun and stay positive and I can usually salvage my round and be proud of the finish. Never give up! There’s a reason they say the most important shot in golf is the next one. It’s so true.

Hey joe, new to the discussion board although not new to TT. I have been playing for many years and just recently my playing mates and i discovered that we didn't really get anything cookin out there until that first break-thru score (birdie, eagle, still looking for the first ACE so i won't breach that subject) on hole 6 or 7. I personally am a PGA TOUR PROFESSIONAL on the driving range....does anyone else feel like that? I couldn't miss if you swept my feet at impact. So i take the 75/25 rule (75% of your time on short game and putting, 25% on the range or long game) and take 3 balls to the putting green and end up telling stories or listening to some pre-round fibs, maybe grab a soda and then all of a sudden, without my golf shoes on, they are calling us to the first tee. What i am trying to get at is this......no matter your level of play, i would say the majority of players aren't ready, arent preparing or are over-preparing for their rounds. I very often shoot 40 on the front and then come back and am -3 on the back thru the first 5, then run out of gas. shoot 78 maybe 81 (my favorite score of all time) and spend the next several hours beating myself up.
Whatever road you take, whoever you trust with your instruction, or however you prepare, make sure you are ready to do your best. What works for others doesn't necessarily work for you. Or in my case, showing up at the course 5 minutes prior to the tee time ensures a front nine saturday morning skins embarrassment.
Lastly i just recently started saying motivational things to myself, not out loud, just thinking them, as part of my pre-shot routine. Like, you got this, or just knock it in and lets go. Those aren't my best examples, as the best ones aren't for the public forum, but i do know that TEMPO, especially with all the new CB (counter balanced) shafts and equipment is crucial. if you EVER see the whites of your knuckles, take a step back and give the box up to the next guy. Make him perform so you can show him what a little time, a deep breath, and some moxy will do for a golfer.
For those that might get to know me, i am a big fan of "its not how good your good shots are, its how good your bad shots are." Now, if that mindset could give me a new back, i would be doing my best to show you guys on TV but that dream ended long ago. As one of the earlier posters mentioned, at least i am getting to play. I hear that. The last place on earth i would want to be right now, is arguably the most popular place in the world. New York City. Thats when you know the world is adjusting. Let your game adjust with it. Don't overdo it, but also don't just blow it off. Nothing good in life came without a little hard work and persistence. Persistence prevails when all else fails. Hope at least one phrase in there helped out Joe. Good luck. Just remember, you are playing the hardest sport in the world, where some of the finest athletes in all the world out of all the other major sports, very few are ever able to even make it around a course. But i bet you could throw a strike every 10 throws, or make a 3-ball, hey even if it took 20 shots, i bet you could make one. Very very few can methodically make it around a golf course, 18 holes, keeping every shot, not touching their golf ball except between holes, and holing out on the last to empty out their best friends wallet. Whats not to love????

Hey Joe, go easy. My first big junior tournament about 40 years ago shot 73 in the first round to tie for first in my age group, followed that up with an 88. Happens all the time, even to the best in the world. If it starts going bad the usual tendency is to speed up tempo. It just gets worse from there. Deep breath, slow down the back swing. One good shot can pull you right back.

What’s happened to me on several occasions is a great front nine, make the turn to the back and the swing is a horror show. Once eleven strokes difference. Play the front nine with one swing thought that’s working to perfection. How can that swing thought go from instrumental, to worthless so quickly? That’s golf I guess.

No worries, Joe, that black cloud has followed all of us. Front nine to back nine, one round to the next. Part of the game. It is all about shaking off that black cloud, coming back and enjoying the great game. Have played in tournaments and wondered, why am I even here. Recovered and won my flight. You know this game is 90 percent mental and the other 10 percent is in your mind. Cheers, Chuck......

You know I’ve often wondered this myself. I recently shot rounds of 76, 78, 90, 84, 81. The weather seems to be the common thread between the rounds, but it is super frustrating. You can appreciate the pros that are putting together 4 rounds in the 60s in some tournaments. Keep at it Joe and let go of the bad rounds, golf is a beautiful game!

Being consistent is the key, but if you have a hiccup it usually means nothing more than a hiccup. So just focus once again on the next round and play to your ability & not stress what has happened in the past because it's already happened and it won't change. Only the future can change.....


DM

If we were consistent golf may not be as fun. The bounce back round will be great, I speak from experience. Keep grinding and stay positive.