burdphil
Eagle Member
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2010
- Messages
- 832
The problem with this is that I hate playing through. I avoid playing tournaments or events because I don't like people (other than friends) watching me throw... I just don't throw as well when people watch.
As a card carrying introvert, I can relate to this attitude, but I also knew when I started to get "serious" about trying to improve my game that the best way to do so was to learn to play with other people. My advice to you is to find a local handicap league in your area and participate on a regular basis. This is what I did and it helped me out a ton. Here's why handicap leagues are perfect for your situation...
1) They are low key so you don't have the weird sense of pressure that you sometimes get at tournaments.
2) You're playing against your own previous scores, not the other players' scores... again, this diffuses that weird sense of pressure.
3) They draw a wide variety of skill levels, so it's easy to feel like you fit in no matter how good you are.
4) They are usually random draw so everyone is mixed together pretty well, and the format in general has sort of a built in sense of camaraderie and acceptance for all players.
Based on your original post, the first couple of weeks at a handicap league would probably be somewhat stressful for you, but it really would help you get used to playing around other people in a relaxed, open, and accepting environment. Once you get comfortable throwing around other people in that situation, then having to play through won't seem like as big of a hassle.
Just a thought...