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How do you handle it when you have mentally checked out during a round?


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Hi All,

I'm working hard on improving my game, and I love to get out and play whenever possible. But every so often, I'll find myself in the middle a round where my head just isn't in the game. And when I lose focus on the course, all sorts of bad things happen from horrible fat shots, to putts that are blasted 10 feet past the cup.

I should clarify that "mentally checking out" is different from just playing poorly. When I'm playing poorly, I can still generally diagnose my problems and work on solutions. I often walk away from my bad rounds with a better understanding of what I need to work on during practice. But when I've lost focus, I have no clue about what is going on and how to fix it.

It's a catch 22 for me, because I'm not enjoying myself during these rounds, and I feel like by sticking it out, I'm just re-inforcing bad routines and habits. Just as importantly, those extra 1-2 hours are valuable to me and I feel could be better spent any number of different ways. That said, I make it a point to post all rounds, good and bad, so that my handicap will be an accurate reflection of my true ability. I hate to feel like I'm packing it in, just because I'm having a bad day.

So I'm curious to know - how does the forum here handle it when they are having a miserable round and are really not interested in continuing? Do you gut it out and finish or do you call it a day early?

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Last time that happened to me, I broke my 3 wood before calling it quits. The clubs aren't mine, and I was afraid the driver would've been next.

On the way home though, I cursed myself for quitting - never again.

Also interested in replies.

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I take 3 more balls out of my bag and play best ball with myself trying to work on strategy and accuracy.

If I'm giving up on the round, I may as well try to learn something from it.

 910 D2 10.5  910F 3w  910H 19*

 712 AP1 4-GW  Vokey SM4 54* and 58*

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I find that when I start to zone out its usually because im hungry or getting dehydrated. I always carry a few protein bars and also gatorade and a water to keep me fresh. Helps on those hot days.

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I was playing last round and something funny happened. Hole 11 par 5, I tee up and drive the ball, walk back to the cart, put the club away, get in the cart, and right as I start to drive after my ball.... I have no Idea where it went. I try to think back on the shot with no recall. Drove up and down the fairway, and along the sides, but couldn't find the ball lol. Not sure where it went. Forgot my shot in the short walk back to the cart, not sure what I was thinking about at the time.

Sincerely, Jim

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Sometimes you might just need to slow down. For me, once i get checked out and pissed at myself i start to rush so i can finish the round or the hole. If I realize I'm doing this, i just stand back, settle myself by taking a few more practice swings and imagine the next shot before standing to the ball. I also try to treat every shot as the first shot and leave the past shots where they are.

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Ussually when i play ive got a couple of bets. I do play alone but when i do its practice for me. I average about 175 balls a day on the range (range plan at my course). But when my game goes south wirh money on the line it is good for me to just slow everything down and take a few extra seconds to look at my shot.
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I drink Miller Lite.

Driver:  Callaway Diablo Octane 9.5*
3W:  Callaway GBB II 12.5*, 5W:  Callaway Diablo 18* Neutral
3H:  Callaway Razr X, 4H:  Callaway Razr X
5-PW:  Callaway X Tour
GW:  Callaway X Tour 54*, SW:  Callaway X Tour 58*
Putter:  Callaway ITrax, Scotty Cameron Studio Design 2, Ping Anser 4

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Do something different, try to play a different shot. Like on a Tee shot, imagine that you need to curve the ball around a tree in a shot shape that your comfortable with. Just give you something to focus on.

Matt Dougherty, P.E.
 fasdfa dfdsaf 

What's in My Bag
Driver; :pxg: 0311 Gen 5,  3-Wood: 
:titleist: 917h3 ,  Hybrid:  :titleist: 915 2-Hybrid,  Irons: Sub 70 TAIII Fordged
Wedges: :edel: (52, 56, 60),  Putter: :edel:,  Ball: :snell: MTB,  Shoe: :true_linkswear:,  Rangfinder: :leupold:
Bag: :ping:

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my game has been solid lately until I get on the greens.   Putter has consistently left the building.    Totally kills me mentally & I find it's tough to bounce back when I start 3 putting and mis-reading putts consistently.

John

Fav LT Quote ... "you can talk to a fade, but a hook won't listen"

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I have some serious temperament issues. I just take my time and forget everything that has happened in my round. I pretty much start again. This has really helped me to improve my focus and concentration and shoot consistently better scores
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I slow down and pop a beer. That's the only reason I bring beer on to the course. By the time I've finished the first beer I've either chilled out or wrote the round off as practice. Seriously the practice round can be a good thing. Attempting shots I wouldn't if I was trying to be conservative with a good score in mind. Which is usually a good reminder that trying to bend one around a tree and getting rejected by a branch is not as smart as laying up and taking my lump.

Dave :-)

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It depends on the day.  If its not very busy, I'll just relax a bit on a tee or after 9 and take a break, let groups go on ahead until I feel I can continue.  If it is busy, I take my time (not slowing pace of play too much), but take a few deep breaths before your shot and relax while going to your next one.  Talk with your group and enjoy the day.  I have definitely called it quits though, because of how bad I was playing or I was just not into it that day.  Sometimes, it's just a little too much.

Philip Kohnken, PGA
Director of Instruction, Lake Padden GC, Bellingham, WA

Srixon/Cleveland Club Fitter; PGA Modern Coach; Certified in Dr Kwon’s Golf Biomechanics Levels 1 & 2; Certified in SAM Putting; Certified in TPI
 
Team :srixon:!

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Originally Posted by Cilly15

I have some serious temperament issues. I just take my time and forget everything that has happened in my round. I pretty much start again. This has really helped me to improve my focus and concentration and shoot consistently better scores

Yeah, I hear you. I have problems with my temper too (although I am getting better). But for me, being angry on the course is better than being apathetic. Anger means I still care. It means I'm still concentrating, working on my pre-shot routine, still attempting to salvage what's left of my round. When I check out, it's like I'm going through the motions, waiting for the round to be over. It wouldn't be such a bad thing, except for the fact that it usually happens to me when I'm playing alone, so I can't even crack a beer with my buddies and enjoy the camraderie.

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Originally Posted by slodsm

I take 3 more balls out of my bag and play best ball with myself trying to work on strategy and accuracy.

If I'm giving up on the round, I may as well try to learn something from it.


This guy gets it.

I do the same, turn it into a practice round and work on getting some on the course reps.

HiBore XLS 9.5* Driver

AMP 15* SF 3 Wood

R11 3 and 4 hybrid

AP1 712 5-GW

52* Gap Wedge

SV 56* Wedge

SV 60* Wedge

35" Melbourne Putter

Hex Black Tour

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Assuming you are in a situation that you keeps you from calling it a practice round, you just get gritty.  If not, call it a practice round as some of these other guys have said.  I'm not saying scratch it just because your not playing well...  I'm saying scratch it if you mentally just aren't wanting to play.

Driver:       Titleist 909D3  (8.5°)
3-Wood:     Titleist 909F3  (13°)
Hybrid:       Titleist 909h  (17°)
3-PW:         Mizuno MP-68 with PROJECT X 6.0
Wedges:     Titleist SM4's  (52°-58°-62°)
Putter:        Scotty Cameron Studio Select 1.5
Ball:            Titleist Pro V1x
Range:        Bushnell Pinseeker PRO 1600
Bag:            PING Hoofer stand bag

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If you "give up" on a round and then post the score, the effect on your handicap is equivalent to sandbagging. I'm not calling you a sandbagger but the impact is the same.

Here is my advice:

If this happens anytime from 1 thru 12 then you have 3 choices:

1) Call it - Get in the cart and go home. Make love to your wife, mow the yard, spend time with your kids. Whatever. Just forget golf for the day

2) Throw your score card in the nearest trash can and convert to practice round. Have some fun and at least get some work in

3) Take a 5-10 minute break, clear your mind and suck it up. Learning how to focus is just as important as learning how to play

If this happens during or after the 13th hole, then option 3 above is your only choice. You have committed to the round and you have a moral golf obligation to try as hard as you can to score as well as you can. If you do this and still score bad then your conscience will be clear knowing you did not give up and the score can be posted honestly.

This is of course just my opinion :)

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Note: This thread is 4294 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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