Jump to content
IGNORED

How Do You Keep Your Mind Off your Opponent?


Righty to Lefty
Note: This thread is 3917 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!

Recommended Posts

I am due to go on vacation here in about 2 months from Afghanistan. Myself and about 7 other golf buddies are getting together in Kuwait for about 5 days of golf. I have a nemesis in the group, who has beaten me 4 times of the maybe 30+ times that we have played, however he is a master trash talker for sure. My question is for any of you who have a group of people that you compete against regularly and that is how do you keep yourself focused on what you are doing when you are playing with people like this and still manage to play your best golf? I don't just play absolutely horrible around him, but I seem to give away a few strokes every time that leave him with the feeling that we are on the same level when we clearly are not. What are some of you guys techniques for dealing with match pressure and overcoming nerves and jitters?

R to L

Link to comment
Share on other sites


One of the best bits of advice I've been given to refocus when the chips are down is to pick out something, like a landmark or something and just stare at it. My course has a couple of windmills at the top of the hill... When I feel like I'm up against it, which I have been a few times, I just look at them whirling around, it calms me down and I can regroup and focus on my own game again.

Dabz

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I think the key is that you are focusing on this guy and in the back of your mind your worried about slipping those shots here and there that will place you on par with a guy who you feel is not on your level and as a result your blocking your natural game.

The simple answer in my opinion is to leave your ego at home - play the course not your opponent. I know this can be a challange sometimes.

I play socially with a couple of guys from my work one of which likes to discount all his bad shots, if he takes 15 strokes on a hole he'll say he got a 7. When we tally up the scores he inevitably "beats" me and feels great about it, walking off the course with a huge grin. It used to really drive me crazy, I tried suggesting that his score was a bit inflated and he'd get really upset, in the end I just turn my ego off - he's a good mate of mine so I just let it go and focus on my own score - I play competition so I focus on the golf to improve my game and not worry about what others are doing.



Link to comment
Share on other sites


Right on and thanks for all the replies thus far.  I have definitely got to work on just focusing on my game because that is my biggest fear, not playing my best, not losing to him.  I know that if I play to my potential that I'll win 99/100 times but I somehow take an big number at the worst possible time and instead of finishing him off, he gets a new life.  He the type of golfer that once you have him down he's not comin back, unless you let him back in it.  I can't wait til September to see if I can take this perspective to the course!

Link to comment
Share on other sites


What helps me is focusing on my breathing. I have played with extremely good players and they don't even have to trash talk to make your nervous. Imagine playing a match play tourney with a guy that never misses a putt. :(

I just breath in and out and count the breaths and forget everything around me before I even begin my pre-shot routine. I guarantee when you do that the trash talking and the other guys "tiger like" shots wont bother you.

I, chdduncan, realize that I will be permanently banned if I violate the rules again in any way, including putting a link to a site in my signature like the one that a moderator removed and replaced with this message.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Originally Posted by wedgehammer40k

Sounds like an epic. Let us know how it goes down!

Oh it will be and I'll definitely post the scores and let you guys know how it went win, lose, draw !

Originally Posted by viper80

I hope you beat him!

Make it for $$$

There will be hundreds of dollars on it I'm sure and the side bets between the other golfer's will be flowing also !  Will definitely be a good time for sure.  We shall see if I can put together some good rounds of golf.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Note: This thread is 3917 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!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up
  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.
  • Posts

    • @StuM when I called the course a couple of months ago they said you can mention that you want to add an extra night to the hotel when you book the package through them and the people who are in charge of the stay and play can handle it, did you ask them about that?
    • Though start, bad design. For me.. I would tee it up and hit the biggest club face in the bag that don't airmail the green. Also hit a fade that is a lot easier for me to hit up on the air. 180/190.. it should be a high cut with 3 Wood with a tee 1 inch above the turf.  
    • I'm on the side of thinking that something is not right here and should be reviewed. Let say that their course rating is pretty low, so their index is higher than it should be. But if they always play at their home course they are probably going to play bad away from home so it should even that advantage out or at least lower it down.  Also you can say that they are amazing players under pressure and very skilled in match play format, but at the end of the day variance and luck is always going to play a big role between 2 players of similar handicap. Let's assume that player A have 75% chance of winning a match over player B that only have 25%, there is no way that a player's skill in match play can make such a difference in a match outcome but I prefer to use a number that is hard to argue. (For me.. 60/40, or 65/35 at most) The odds of winning 21 straight matches with that  generous odds are less than 1% (or 1 in 420). Is this proof that they are "cheating" or something, of course not but is evidence enough to note that something is not right and should be reviewed further.     
    • UPDATE.....Please read We still have time to add more golfers to both days, June 1st & June 2nd At this time he have reservations for 20 golfers on each day At this time we have 17 for Saturday at EagleSticks - Room for 3 more At this time we have 16 for Sunday at the Virtures - Room for 4 more Please post ASAP if interested. I need to give a more final count May 17th. They will accommodate a fluke last minute change but lets try to iron this out to they can sell tee-times if we do not need them. It will also be hard to add tee times. COST: If you are golfing both rounds AND staying in the "Stay & Play" hotel the cost is $252 This includes Golf on Saturday & Sunday and Saturday night in the hotel (See below for hotel info.) If you want the "Stay & Play" I need to arrange that. If you ARE NOT staying in the hotel the cost is as follows: Sat. June 1st @ EagleSticks = $80 Sun. June 2nd @ Virtues = $120 You will notice the "Stay & Play" deal is hotel for only $52 extra which is a great deal.  If you want in on that let me know! Saturday tee times are: 10:15, 10:24, 10:33, 10:42 and 10:51 I will try to get those spending Friday Night in the hotel in the early groups to allow others more time to drive in. Sunday tee times are 9:00 9:09, 9:18, 9:27am and 9:36 Saturday after the round we will have an area at EagleSticks to gather for prizes, food & drink.   Sunday after the round is currently un-planned If we can guarantee 16 we can reserve a small room but there would be a hard charge @ $20 per head at the Virtues and we would have a simple buffet Likely we just grab a beer a dog and a table as available. Let me know if you think a more formal plan for Sunday after the round is needed. The "Stay & Play" hotel has changed Double Tree in Newark 50 North 2nd Street Newark, OH 43055 740-322-6455 If you need a hotel for either Friday or Sunday nights you will need to book on your own. I was give an estimate of @ $249 for the Double Tree and do not know if there are better offers elsewhere. I will be arriving Friday, hoping for mid-late afternoon and would love to meet up for dinner with any that are in town. Time & Location TBD Below are the names & have confirmed: Would really love to get more golfers.  Reply if interested.  Time is running down. Below is updated with best information I have. PLEASE add/delete your tag as necessary. Saturday, June 1st at EagleSticks: @iacas @StuM @DaveP043 @billchao @boogielicious @bkuehn1952 @saevel25 @David L Yskes @Hardspoon @georgep @rwolfe @ChetlovesMer @CarlSpackler @Slice of Life @Ryguy22 @DinnerTime @dudu3000 Here is what I have for the "Stay & Play" with Hotel for Sat. Evening.  We will need to "Double up" to extent possible. @billchao and @boogielicious @David L Yskes @StuM and @DaveP043 @saevel25 @bkuehn1952 @Ryguy22 and @DinnerTime @Hardspoon/@iacas organizing their own room. Sunday, June 2nd at Virtues: @iacas @StuM @DaveP043 @billchao @boogielicious @bkuehn1952 @Carl3 @saevel25 @David L Yskes @Hardspoon @georgep  @klineka @Ryguy22 @DinnerTime @vasaribm @dudu3000 Below have express interest but have not confirmed.  PLEASE confirm one way or the other. @Greenshirt100  
    • The dreaded 6 o'clock shadow. 🤣
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...