I've been there! It's not real fun while you're at that stage with your game, but it does get better. When I first started playing I went out with my oldest brother and a group of his friends for their 9 hole Friday night league. I shot something like 67 or 68 and I still remember the comment that was made when the score card was turned in...what did your brother do, play 18. Needless to say it hurt a little, but it was great motivation to get better.
Try to find a little extra time each week and practice on your weak areas or take some lessons...working with a Pro can do wonders for your game.

I agree with Barry, maybe time to go see a Pro. Self help is not the answer. A pro will be able to see quickly weak areas, able to make corrections and make golf more fun for you. Please go see a golf professional. It will be the best thing you can do at this point, otherwise, you will continue hitting the same not so good golf shots. Cheers, Chuck.......

You have heard the old saying about an arrow. "Straight as an arrow". Well, it has been proven that an arrow does not travel straight, but a well trained indian (or hunter) can get it on target.

I've been there, and I still get frustrated sometimes. I play off a 12, and just this past weekend had a real jekyl and hyde round. I started off 40 (easily could have been a 38 had I not put one in the water on a par 3). The back 9 was a different story.. 54 (including 2 - 8's and a 9).

Then I remembered that I pay money, no get paid, to play the game so I still enjoyed being out there on the course with the best clubs money can buy! If your league plays with handicaps, play against your handicap and don't be concerned with your opponents "actual" score. Before long you will be a scratch!!

Been there. It can be a frustrating game at times.

How bad do you want it??? Find some practice time. It doesnt necessarily mean beating balls for hours every day. Try finding a few minutes here and there. How about chipping around in the backyard or at the park for 15 minutes before dinner? Practice some putts while watching TV. Take some swings without a ball. Rehearse your swing indoors. Got an impact bag?
Every so often I'd head out to the range at lunchtime. Great way to take a break from work.
Really take a look at your day. Bet you can find a few minutes somewhere. Nothing comes easy. But with practice, your game will improve. Good luck.

I agree with Barry on the last part, if you can find the time get some lessons with a pro it's worth it.. With all the technology today they can easily help your game quickly and give you stuff to work on at home..

With 2 youngs boys, i can't just go and hit the range. I do have a net and mat set up in the garage so every now and then I'll sneak out there and hit a few.. And when I do get a chance to get out, I just wanna hit the course and not the range.. We all have our good days and bad... Just keep at it and most importantly just have fun..

I am definitely not a great golfer - and I'm not so sure about the depth of my skill. My usual "duh" come in the round following a (for me) decent round. I guess I start thinking I know what I'm doing and the golf gods decide to humble me.

Where do you feel the high scores came from? Too many putts, missed fairways, duffed chips? Chart your shots after each hole and find out where the big numbers are. Then spend some time at the range or the practice area and your scores will lower. Sounds easy on paper! Good luck with the work...make it fun.

I hear you loud and clear. I often play after work sneaking in 9 holes. Last few weeks I had been playing better, 46, 44, then 43. Then I play in a parent/child event the following week, I couldn't find a fairway with a map and a flashlight. Nearly every iron was chunk city. Frustrating. At times, I've just thrown out the scorecard and wait until the next week.

Hey etakmit, we have all been there, golf is a frustrating game. As others have said, a pro could help you develop your game. I'm the indian, the clubs are my arrows, and my pro is the Chief. A good pro can analyze a lot in your swing in a few minutes and set up a sequence of lessons. In my experience lessons are money well spent, especially if you find a pro who will play an occasional round with you.

In all actuality my problem was lack of range time. The previous weeks I had gotten at least one to two range sessions in prior.

And regarding lessons I've had plenty, but as alluded in my original post its the lack of reps to ingrain what I've learned. I can (and have) shoot in the 80s. It's just about getting out there.

It's nice to know I'm not the only one who has off days! I should be out this weekend again! The best part is, my mentality is such that even on a day like Wednesday I don't get down / upset. Because there's always another swing coming up.

The old saying is golf is one game you can only play, you can't win. Not that you could end up on tour, but there are commitments you can make to improve to the extent that you can or will. A lot of my scores like your come from various swing faults, some of which I've know for years. In my case, it took not just the occasional lesson but working with a TPI instructor to work on my mobility and core to be able to resolve physical challenges. There are skills you can get from a pro. There's not a great deal of technique in chipping/pitching, but working with a pro can give you the tool set to get on the green within 15-20 feet of the pin on every green you miss. Beating balls on a range won't develop that touch. New equipment is only a part of the puzzle. Whatever level you choose to play, have fun. You can play well into your 80's if you let golf win (and maybe Mr. Player will still be beating whippersnappers past the century mark).

go see a pro a quickly as possible and get a game plan....set some goals.

Most likely you are steep and delivering the handle way too high......resulting in misses to the right and left depending on how you flipped the clubhead at impact.

Go see the pro now and get a gameplan.......and see a pro that has trackman or flightscope so you can get some real data to work with.

That is golf. I am a 12 handicap currently and shot 21 strokes over par yesterday. I spend several hours a week on practice and play 3 to 4 rounds. I came home and felt like I would not play another round until I worked out the kinks but actually I just had several bad "rub of the green" moments yesterday and decided when you get thrown from a horse the best thing is to get right back on it. I'm playing again today.