Ladies European Tour: Martina Gillen's DiaryThis week's painful lesson is not to compound one error with another one

It's becoming a recurring theme. Another poor first-round score (78) and I'm behind the eight ball, to mix up my sporting metaphors. The consolation that I played a great deal better and should have recorded a score about six shots lower is offset by the realisation that my game is being undermined by little errors.

It's driving me crazy, as once again I managed to shoot a decent second round (71), and even that was about the most number of strokes I could have taken given the general quality of my game. As I have learnt quite painfully in my short introduction to professional golf, you can not compound one error with another.

You also have to play solidly and be patient. There are times when I have found myself getting a little too aggressive, or finishing on the wrong side of a pin and in three-putt territory. I suppose the real education is knowing when to back off and when to attack.

My brother Wayne - a two-handicap golfer who knows my game well - caddied for me the week before last, and he pointed out that I wasn't completing my shoulder turn and was getting a little quick into the ball. It was what I suspected myself and it's something I have been trying to eradicate.

Last week didn't really get off to an auspicious start, as Claire (Coughlan) and I set off on what has become a Monday routine of travel. It basically takes the guts of a day and removes any prospect of practising on arrival.

On arrival in Eindhoven, much to our surprise, we found out that the tournament didn't start until the Friday. We had been convinced it was a four-round event, but instead discovered there would be two pro-am days.

As has become customary, we threw back the covers early on Tuesday morning and teed it up about 7.30am, and revelled in the delights of an excellent heathland course both lush and tree-lined. The previous week had been tiring because of the appalling weather and long days, so we didn't overdo the practice after the round, instead preferring to relax.

The course was off limits to us on the Wednesday, but the club boasted superb facilities, including a par three course where we honed our short games. Faces are becoming increasingly familiar and it's easier to sit and chat, especially when nipping out for a bite to eat at night.

On Thursday it was another 7.30am start and we just managed to finish the 18 holes before the second day's pro-am began.

The club is situated outside Eindhoven and the only other "attractions" in close proximity were a petrol station and a car dealership. Claire and I hadn't rented a car so we were based in the hotel all week.

Some of the girls decided to hire bicycles - no Dutch stereotyping there - including one player and her husband who caddies for her. They set off to find a place to do their laundry, but, having failed, had the good fortune to bump into a lady who insisted they come back to her house and use her machine. That generosity is not something that you encounter every day, when someone offers to wash your smalls.

I was fortunate to have finished by the time a storm blew in on the Friday afternoon. Play was eventually suspended about 4.30pm because of lightning and it meant that a portion of the field had to come back the following morning. This pushed back tee-times for that day and the delay was further exaggerated by torrential rain.

I didn't get out until 3.30pm but did so in brilliant sunshine. Missing the cut by a couple of shots simply reinforced the frustration of Friday's opening round. I'm giving myself a mountain to climb in every tournament and it's a pattern I have to stop, as it's hugely destructive.

I won't be playing this week in Barcelona as the tournament is reserved for last year's top 30 on the Order of Merit and a further 10 invitees. I'm second reserve for the event in France and am optimistic of making the field, the first of hopefully three successive tournaments.

July is going to be a lean month, especially if I don't get through two qualifying stages for the Women's British Open, so my half-term report will be based on the next three weeks.