Anyone else out there a slow starter?

[Green Aarrow]

I find putting practice the most important, so I always make time for that. Early on in the round, solid putting can bail you out of a poor drive and/or upshot.

I tend to take practice holes on a case-by-case basis. If it's a deuce-or-die course, I definitely want to play a string of short holes to get into the feel of things. I hate warming up with pars while others are dropping birdies. If it's a long, grueling course, I'll only play a few holes and conserve my energy. Try and find a few where I can throw backhand and forehand drives.

And that's just me. You may benefit from a routine that you follow for every tournament. Good luck!

 

[The dude on the bike]

I am like that at every hand eye mind thing I do, once I get warm great things may happen, but it's like I never played before when I start.

 

[knettles]

i may sound like safety steve, but i really think staying hydrated before/during/after a round is super important. i always take a 32 oz water/gatorade to an 18 hole course. depending on the conditions, i may actually take more.

 

[TalbotTrojan]

I have really noticed this recently in my casual and tournament rounds. I really like getting 3 to 5 holes warm up in before a tournament round.

I have also found that if I get hungry or thirsty that I tend to not play as well so I tend to keep food and hydration beverages on me when I am playing an important round.

Lastly, there is also a huge mental aspect to it. Earlier in the round I tend to be comparing myself to others in my group if I am playing with others and that makes me play not as well. When I get to just thinking about my own game and not worrying about how I am doing compared to others, I play better.

The moral of the story, be prepared, be confident and play your own game.

 

[benjammin172]

Tell me about it. I've started with a double bogey in each of my last 3 rounds.

 

[scarpfish]

I've had those kind of rounds where you've played at least 13 holes before you get a bird. There's something to be said about warming up.

Of course, I've also had rounds that started off hot, then went frigid as I hit the back nine, so I can't say there is a pattern.

 

[VictorB]

I'm typically a bogey starter or worse. Jussi Meresmaa talks about warming up properly before your round in the Deep in the Game video series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4zvNJ2Dk6g&feature=channel&list=UL
I rarely take this advice as I find warming up so boring but when I force myself to do it the round seems to start better for me. Then again sometimes it doesnt work

When I just hop out of my car and play, I tend to start slow since I'm not warmed up.

A good 30 minute warm up and stretch, and I usually play as I should out of the gate. This is especially true at tournaments, since it also puts you in the routine of trying to play good golf.

 

[Kingace]

I noticed when I practice my putts before the round I play below average...
But when I just start a quick round with just a nice stretch I feel so much better?

Weird