Who else feels like they rush when they are playing?

I don't know what it is, I might be self conscience of sucking so bad , but I can't seem to slow down.  Also, what exactly are you thinking when you are on your backswing?

it's all in your head bro

Take slow deep breaths, get a pre-shot routine that is nice and slow.  All this fast play nonsense is for golfers who are on there 7th stroke on a par 3 or the pro's that take 5 minutes to hit a putt.

Try to get your swing good enough that only 1 main swing thought is needed.

I just try to almost, become one with the ball, turn back and turn through.  On the range it is a different story, though

It's a blur, if you are thinking at that point you are screwing yourself.

If your thinking about your back swing your done with. Golf is so mental that you almost need to just swing and not worry about your "hips turning", or "hitting down". i know that as soon as i start to think about a shot and my swing to much i end up doing the completely opposite of what im trying to accomplish

Think about all your "Swing thoughts" before you approach the ball.

Then when you address the ball just hit it don't think about anything.

I wish I could rush more. When im stuck behind someone with nothing but time to think about my next shot I always hit it in the woods or weeds or water or some other place you never want your ball to go. If i just walk up and hit it I do much better.

On Sunday I played with a guy whose rushing was a revelation in that I thought "that's me sometimes !" and it made me re-evaluate my pace. In particular, this guy rushed his short game, often screwed-up the shot and then rushed to the next one with the same poor results, all the time mumbling to himself about his poor game. You can see how that's just a self-perpetuating mode. He also rushed his long game with similar consequences and on several occasions got angry at himself.

Having said that, everyone's pace is slightly different I guess. I know what you mean about rushing due to being self-conscious, but I've discovered that your game won't improve by rushing and if you're playing badly due to enforced fast play then you're still holding people up anyway.

Play at the pace that gives you time to focus but don't get bogged down with swing thoughts. If you're holding people up then let them play through and then you can relax. To find a pace that suits you, try and play 6 or 9 holes on your own with no one else around (e.g. late on a Summer's evening). I do this and even find myself talking out loud to ... er ... me, which might seem odd, but can help with the focus and keep you relaxed.

TidyFreak

Erik, i do the same thing after waiting for a group...i'm a relatively quick player but if i get bogged down it does the opposite for me. i'd rather play quicker...when i have time to wait, i get in trouble.

I have a horrible habit where I feel like I need to be quick. Even this morning when I tee'd off at 8:00am and the course was deserted I still "marched" between shots and found myself jogging over to take chip shots around the green. I guess it's a habit from being a really poor golfer and worrying about who I'm holding-up.

I do find though that on the oaccasions where I don't rush, I play better and then when I play better I feel like I don't need to rush.

ALWAYS

and i think its because im not very good i dont want to hold people up, im now going to start taking alot more time over my shots, my pre-shot reoutine, and my general thoughts about my stroke

and just let people play through if they catch me up

I noticed in a tournament recently, that on the final day when I was in contention I started to rush. The pace was not fast but I stopped going through my routine and it all went too fast. Interestingly this week I heard and interview with Rory McIlroy where he said the same thing in regards to his feelings about the last round at Augusta.  He said that he felt rushed and it all started going wrong for him. Then he started to press and it got worse, exactly the same thing for me.

Next tournament I am going to pay attention to it. Try to keep my pace the same. It was particularly frustrating because the first 2 days I was totally in control and was not rushed at all.

A good learning experience.

Many times throughout a round I feel rushed, whether it's my playing partner themselves, or the group behind us right on our heels.  The most important thing is to always remain in your element, meaning obviously to not let it bother you.  It's much easier said than done though.  Because I've golfed competitively before (high school) at that time I was somewhat trained to tune out exterior elements and focus on the game going on between your ears.  I'd have random people watching my first tee shot, or trailing me throughout a round.  It still bothers me though.  It makes you appreciate how good the professionals are under pressure though.  I've had it at times where I'm stuck behind what seems to be the slowest group in the world and I play better, though I'm frustrated at the pace.  Sometimes it's great to get in a rhythm while you're playing, assuming the group(s) ahead of you aren't slowing you down.  But other times, we've been really slowed down and I play better.  It's all about finding your "niche," so to speak.  This probably didn't help you get anywhere, but it happens to everyone.  Take care.

Garrett Dennert

Usually I try to ignore people and focus on how i'm going to engage the next shot.

However i can see where your coming from and yeah if you do let people phase you it can irrate the living daylights out of you then ultimately screw up your golf game.

I tend to think more of what I'm doing, others can wait, I'm sure they'd expect the same courtesy and respect as you would I just think of how I'm gonna make my shot, or how I'm missing work...but its very important not to let things bother you and making sure you put in 100% into your game I would suggest either playing on days when the golf course isn't as full or if its for a competition  just try and keep your eyes on the ball.

having had this happen to me a few times, I have gotten used to it, I mean I can see where you are driving at, I mean you just get everything lined up and someone wants to get going on the same hole, the way I see it, golf is a game of a patience mind you I have been in both situations, when I am the one waiting, I don't mind waiting, as I would expect the same from others, sometimes I'll even offer to help (as in give them some pointers) if they want or I just take some time to relax and think about how to play that shot, watch how they went, mind you, I don't watch them intently I just take out my old folding chair and sit for a while give them all the time they need...so I can have a relaxed shot and get the best I can, in a game of patience you shouldn't be rushing just take your time I mean I have never had a schedule to keep on sunday