TG Blog: Handling the pressure
Published: Last updated:
Friday 5th August 2011
In the last two weeks I have played eight rounds of golf of which seven have been in competitions and none have been on my home course at Mount Pleasant. This phase of my challenge is supposed to have two major benefits; to allow me to become more comfortable playing new and different courses and to make me play under pressure as often as possible.
This mini-tour has taken in some delightful courses; Mill Ride, Gillingham, Guildford, Chiltern Forest, West Essex and today The Buckinghamshire; and it seems to be having the desired effect.
The first of these rounds was a horrible reprise of the 109 I shot in my home club championship – once again my game went to pieces under pressure. But slowly I have been able to cope with the conditions a little better each time and it was gratifying to hear my playing partner at West Essex talk about how nervous he was on the first tee and believe that I was now past that stage.
Today’s round was probably the best of the lot. Although I never felt on top of my game I shot 90 at The Buckinghamshire, which gave me a level par net 72. This is still some way from where I want to be but it feels like I’m heading in the right direction.
There is one thing that is worrying me though; both today’s competition and my club competition were won by 16 year olds. At nearly three times their age I’m starting to feel that maybe golf is a young man’s game.
