Another one of these tell me what to do threads.... Anyone been mentally out of the game....

[Valleygolfer]

Back ground: I have had a ton of stuff going on off the course and it has affected my love of the game to the point where my ability to focus and obtain satisfaction from playing it has suffered. I still have the draw to be out playing but have an emptiness on the course and don't know if I should just stop for a while or try to make the best of playing until it comes around. I even lack interest posting here.

So what I am asking for is anyone with similar experience, how they over came it, if they just waited it out or quit all together for a while.

[kcarile]

Take a break. Not a long one but enough to get the love back. Watch golf channel and the tournaments every week.. You will see in no time you will want to get back out

[Valleygolfer]

I wonder what the none of the above would be... Range time?

[boogielicious]

I picked other.  Try taking a completely different approach for a week or two.  Example would be to play with only 5 or 6 clubs.  Try to do shots differently like instead of trying it hit the 8 iron at 140 yards (my normal distance), use a 4 iron and run it in.  Instead of driver on a par 5, hit three 8-irons and a wedge.  Putt with your sand wedge.  Have fun with it.

I used to get burned out training for bike racing.  I would do stuff like ride my road bike on dirt roads only or do whole mountain bike rides in only one gear.  It clears the mind and makes things fun again.

[phillyk]

Whenever I get burned out, I take a break for a few days.  I don't even think about golf on these breaks either.  Just give yourself the time to do other things and think about something else.  Once you get back to the course, you can focus on it with a fresh mindset.

[bplewis24]

I have to wonder what specifically is sapping your enjoyment.  Is it under-performance?  Burned out from playing/practicing too much?  Unsatisfied with results from the hours you've put into it?

It seems like I'm ready to give up on golf 2-3 times per year.  For me it's all about under-performance and an inability to consistently hit the same shots I hit 3 weeks or 3 months ago.  But I keep beating balls and eventually something clicks again and all of a sudden I want to qualify for the US Open.  My enjoyment is entirely dependent on how well I'm hitting the ball.  That is my curse.  What is yours?

[newtogolf]

I voted other.  You state the cause of your feeling of emptiness on the course is related to problems outside of golf.  I'm not a psychologist but I'd think until you address these problems nothing is going to really change with relation to golf.  You could take some time off to focus on the problems which might allow you to resolve those issues and rekindle your passion for golf.

I have a tough time focusing / enjoying golf, running or really anything if I'm dealing with personal issues or major work issues.

[dsc123]

I went with hiatus.  My understanding from your post is that you've got other things on your mind that are making it hard to enjoy playing.  I've never had that for any extended period of time, but I've certainly had days were my mind was elsewhere and I just walked off.  It usually happens either when I really should be somewhere else, or after I have some minor "argument" with my wife.  My mind cannot focus on golf which results in crappy play and a total lack of enjoyment.  Come back when you're in a better frame of mind.

[scv76]

golf is a game...treat it that way

[TourSpoon]

I took a 3 month break this winter and came back stronger than ever. Sometimes you don't really appreciate something until you don't have it for a while. When I was ready to come back, it was obvious.

[Valleygolfer]

Originally Posted by bplewis24

I have to wonder what specifically is sapping your enjoyment.  Is it under-performance?  Burned out from playing/practicing too much?  Unsatisfied with results from the hours you've put into it?

It seems like I'm ready to give up on golf 2-3 times per year.  For me it's all about under-performance and an inability to consistently hit the same shots I hit 3 weeks or 3 months ago.  But I keep beating balls and eventually something clicks again and all of a sudden I want to qualify for the US Open.  My enjoyment is entirely dependent on how well I'm hitting the ball.  That is my curse.  What is yours?

Under performance is slight part of it. Looming nasty divorce stuff, my home is in limbo, have limited time in the place I am in but not sure how long,  and trying buy the right house at the same time. Bleeding like a gaffed tuna to lawyers. Usually this would all dissolve while I am on the course (divorce has been going on for over two years) but I am having a harder time getting it out of my mind and focusing on the happiness of the game

[thanw]

I took a year off and my zeal has returned tenfold.

sell sticks

drink more

take time off

smoke marijuana

whatever

[newtogolf]

Originally Posted by Valleygolfer

Under performance is slight part of it. Looming nasty divorce stuff, my home is in limbo, have limited time in the place I am in but not sure how long,  and trying buy the right house at the same time. Bleeding like a gaffed tuna to lawyers. Usually this would all dissolve while I am on the course (divorce has been going on for over two years) but I am having a harder time getting it out of my mind and focusing on the happiness of the game

Those are a lot bigger problems than your golf game, sorry you have to deal with them.  Sounds to me like golf could be a welcome distraction from all that other stuff if you could just go out and enjoy yourself without the pressure of playing well.  Maybe try a few rounds without keeping score and just enjoy the game and scenery.

[Valleygolfer]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valleygolfer

Under performance is slight part of it. Looming nasty divorce stuff, my home is in limbo, have limited time in the place I am in but not sure how long,  and trying buy the right house at the same time. Bleeding like a gaffed tuna to lawyers. Usually this would all dissolve while I am on the course (divorce has been going on for over two years) but I am having a harder time getting it out of my mind and focusing on the happiness of the game

Those are a lot bigger problems than your golf game, sorry you have to deal with them.  Sounds to me like golf could be a welcome distraction from all that other stuff if you could just go out and enjoy yourself without the pressure of playing well.  Maybe try a few rounds without keeping score and just enjoy the game and scenery.

Thanks. I did do a little of that the other week... It was one of the better times out this year.

[bplewis24]

Yeah, I'm not sure how I would cope with those things myself.  Sorry you have to go through that.

Maybe change will help?  A new course you've never played but always wanted to?  Wish I could offer more advice, but those things are much bigger than golf.

[dataris17]

Do you play by yourself a lot? I usually play like twice a week by myself and once or twice with friends. I've been there that my enjoyment got sapped on the times i was out alone because I wasnt playing well, lost focus, ended up hitting like 3 balls per hole to try to figure it out and then just digging myself deeper. At those times i try to skip the solo rounds because I'm not doing myself any favors anymore. The rounds with buddies theres a couple beers, jokes, etc. That might be more the kind of golf you need right now.

[Deryck Griffith]

I can only imagine the difficulty in what you are dealing with.  As newtogolf suggested, playing the game without keeping score is a wonderful idea.  Golf doesn't have to been only about the results.  If can be about "getting away" from whatever it is in anyones life that may be a challenge.  Sometimes the results ruin the beauty of the game and in your current situation, it is very clear that the results right now don't matter, at all.

What matters is an escape, a place of solace that can help you to heal from the issues you are currently dealing with.  When you play next, walk and focus on other things besides the shot.  Focus on the trees and their beauty.  Focus on the wildlife you may see running around.  Focus on positive conversations with your playing partners whomever they may be.  Those are only a few things you can consider that can hopefully help you see the game for what it is.  A game.

Good luck my friend.  The sand trap community is pulling for you

[JonMA1]

When all that stuff is in your rear view mirror - and know that it will be - you'll still have golf and it'll be more enjoyable than ever. Good luck getting through it.