Divisions Decisions.....blah!

[Parkntwoputt]

I am having trouble figuring out what division to play in for the Blast.

Earlier I had decided to play in the Open division where I will challenged on every card I play on, and it will push me more. But my bad tournament in KY has me rethinking this planned donation.

The end truth of the matter is that I want better practice for Worlds. I know that I will get that on the top card of the Advanced division. But who can guarrantee I will be on the top card. I know I won't be on the last card of Open, so I imagine the card I will be on in open will be just as competitive.

So I am torn. At this point, it almost feels like sandbagging if I play Advanced at the Blast. I played advanced last year, but I have yet to play a good/decent tournament in huntsville.

Any opinions and suggestions that would actually help me?

[BazkitKase]

I say play advanced. Why rush playing in open? I see it this way....it's better for your mental game to be competitive for all rounds of golf in a tournament. For example, if you have a bad round in open, it's not likely that you could move up on the leaderboard with a good round next. You could possibly move up a couple of spots. While playing advanced, you could move up a couple of cards with a good round. It gives you some more meaning to playing.

There was nothing worse for the mental side of my game than having a bad round, follow that up with a good round and never moving up. But then again my good game and your bad game are about equal.

Probably more than two cents worth, but definately less than a dollar.

[Rondpitt]

Kris,
I got good news and bad news.

The good news. You are not a bagger. Not in any form. You play very well form time to time. Are getting much better each time out. But, have in no way taken advantage of other Advanced players. That is a fine place to be. Be proud and ignore bagger talk.!

The bad news. You are an Advanced player. In other words --- You play very well form time to time. Are getting much better each time out. But, have in no way taken advantage of other Advanced players. That is a fine place to be (for now). Be proud and ignore Open talk from ParkTwoPutt !

Your friend, Ron

[Parkntwoputt]

Yeah I know I am not a sandbagger, because of exactly what you said. I have yet to take advantage of my competition. Feeling like your bagging and actually bagging are totally different.

Addie has my money in sum of the open division. The day I show up, she is letting me make a decision of what division I will actually play.

I wish I knew what division Zach Easterling was playing, or if he was playing. He is signed up for Worlds, so that I know if he were to play pro, he would be denying cash.

[Hilltopper]

Play advanced! Stop worrying about it any way. If you stress about it, you'll be miserable in whatever division you play in. Trust me, I belong in am, but can't convince myself not to play advanced. I get frustrated because I feel like all the advanced guys are laughing at me for thinking I'm better than I am. But I also feel that if I play am, everyone will call me a bagger because I play well on short wooded courses. It's been a while since I've really enjoyed playing in tournaments because of the stress.

Josh

[BazkitKase]

Josh, I have been there and done that. I was just about ready to quit playing. I had reservations about moving back down. But my final decision was that I wanted to have fun!

[Parkntwoputt]

While they have not posted here, all the pros want me to play in the Open division. And all the am's want me to play Advanced.

This is quite funny. I thought it would be the opposite.

Everybody must really like me.:D

Boy are they messed up in the head.:cool:

[Justin L]

That or they all think they can beat you...

[Parkntwoputt]

Yeah true, if I average 918 golf like I did last weekend I will in DFL:(

["Tiger"]

Yeah, they just want your money :cool:

[Parkntwoputt]

Yeah, they just want your money :cool:


Heck if I shoot 918 golf in advanced I will be DFL. I am not even thinking where that would put me in Open. Yikes, I might finish behind the guy who DNF'd.

[Tim Keith]

Kris, your game is good enough for the open div., you have the distance for sure! what i think it comes down to in the open division is approach shots and putting. You can't let it become a head game, you have to go into it knowing you can make the good up shots and hit those 30 and 40 foot putts and just stay focused. So what if you miss a shot you thought you should make, don't keep thinking about it, just go on to the next hole an get it done there. Play your game and don't put alot of pressure on yourself and you will do fine in whatever division you play in.

TK

[Parkntwoputt]

Kris, your game is good enough for the open div., TK


Hence my dilemma.

I know I have the skills. My approach game is usually top grade, some days my timing is off on my drives, but the approaches usually save me to salvage a par. And when I am on the putts, I am hitting 30 footers no problem.

I have played with enough pros to know they are not infallable. There is a mysterious line between the good advanced players and pros. It is just a matter of making it all happen the day of the event. I know that if I can play like I did at the Golden George, that weekend I felt I played like I know I can play. Sure some dissapointments, but I was able to make putts and save pars. But then weekends like this past one happen and just kill all hope.

Who knows what happend up in cincy, maybe as much as I fought it, my head kept relishing on the easy duece I just missed, or the par I lost and focused on trying to make up that stroke instead of making the next shot and hence the domino into the non-cashing ranks.

I think, once I wake up at the Jaskolka's the morning of the Blast I will have my mind made up. Until then I am still in limbo. I do know that once I make the decision, I will not ponder the "what-if's" that is a waste of time.