Shot a Career Low 79 and I Attribute it All to Changing What I Practice

[KyleH]

I stood on the 18th tee not aware of my score - it is recorded automatically through Arccos. I knew I was playing well (to my standards) but it didn’t feel lights out. There were some mishits, but they were saved. Some short putts that were missed. I didn’t even card a single birdie - which I have done in the past multiple time and still card in the high 80's, low 90's

I put a drive about 245 into the fairway - I am not a long hitter. I had 135 left to the front of the green, pin set 10 paces on. I stood over my bag and without thinking or making judgments, I let myself pull my 8i. On the range my 8 is my 150 club - but I took the ego out of the situation and trusted my feeling. I put a smooth swing on it and the ball just cleared the sand trap guarding the right of the green - pin high, 10 yards to the right of my target.

So, when stepped up the 18th green at Architects to take my 35ft birdie putt, I was surprised to see that I had shot a 75 through 17 holes and that if I carded a par here, I’d break 80 and my lowest round ever. I immediately got nervous and though there was no one to care about my score and no crowds watching me, I felt this perceived pressure mounting. Something I had avoided for 17 holes. I let my thoughts get the best of me and I left myself with a nerve-wracking 5ft left. I became acutely aware of my tense upper body so I took a deep breath and allowed my shoulders to relax. “This truly doesn’t matter one way or the other”, I told myself. I stepped up the ball after getting my read and I imagined the feeling of picking the ball out of the cup and took my shot. It landed true and I finished the hole with a par. 79.

While I celebrate that accomplishment, I know that some days will be better or worse than others and that I should not feel defeated if the next time I go out I shoot an 89. Expectation is the enemy of enjoyment.

Up until that round I hadn’t played 18 in 3 or 4 weeks. I had been to the range a bunch because I am one of those nuts that loves to practice. But practice has been different lately. Instead of trying to “perfect” a certain swing, or come more from the inside, or hitting the ball first, I am working to practice what I preach - learning how to feel and getting my mind in the right space to play. I am learning to trust that my body can make the swing that it needs to make to get the ball where it needs to be.

I was going out with little expectation on myself. The only thing I told myself as I played was trust your “learning self” and accept the uncertainty - because uncertainty is part of the fun. If I could control every shot, I’d be great but at the cost of not enjoying the game. I was great at my job and could control most aspects of the work I did, but I still quit because it didn’t bring me joy in doing it anymore. I don’t want golf to be a job. I’m here to have fun, release stress, and enjoy nature.

Accepting the uncertainty in turn allowed me to unconsciously loosen up as a played. And being loose allowed me to have a smoother, more athletic swing than normally wanting to control how I swing and tightening up.

I don’t know how often I’ll shoot that low, but I’m inclined to continue accepting the uncertainty and enjoying the game a little more. I know working on my mental game will make a larger impact for me than trying to engineer a better swing.

[Jeremie Boop]

While I am happy that you had your best round, and I agree that playing without expectations is much more enjoyable, I have to disagree with the "your body will find the right swing" statement. If I just allowed my body to swing how it wants, well... I already know where that leads and I'm really trying to correct that! Mental game matters, absolutely, but if you don't have a solid physical game to go with it your ceiling is going to be lower and your rounds probably much more erratic in score.

Not trying to put down your accomplishment or "rain on your parade", just throwing out my two cents for the extremely depreciated value they have.

Edited October 19, 2022 by Jeremie Boop

[Vinsk]

1 hour ago, Jeremie Boop said:

your body will find the right swing" statement. If I just allowed my body to swing how it wants,

Well…for me, if it’s to hit a cold shank..then I agree. I’m golden.

[TourSpoon]

First of all, congrats on breaking 80. I could feel that 5 footer and you are right, it really doesn't matter. But it did and you made the putt. 

One thing I think a lot of us do, and something I did the last time I played was to somehow "forget" how well we are playing until we get to 18. It happened my last round and I knew I was one under on the back. I decided to play my go to safety 4 iron on a short par 4 with plenty of water. Slightly out of routine, I took the club back and as the wind blew I thought to give it a little extra. Well that produced a small pull that went slightly left, through the fairway, bounded on the cart path and into a huge palmetto bush. If only I had trusted the swing that go me to that point I would be golden! Back to the tee, I floated a gorgeous 5 wood to wedge range just in the first cut, catch a small flier and have a 20 footer downhill which I hit so well, but goes 5 feet by. Like you I am now faced with that same 5 footer (which I was pissed was not for par but I let it go). Made the putt for my second double (also doubled the first hole) and still managed a 77.  For whatever reason, that 5 footer meant something to me, but I was able to calm myself and put a good stroke on it knowing that if I hit a good putt I would accept the results. 

Anyway, another lesson learned (which as long as I have been playing is nothing new). Thanks for sharing and keep enjoying the journey. 

[KyleH]

18 hours ago, Jeremie Boop said:

While I am happy that you had your best round, and I agree that playing without expectations is much more enjoyable, I have to disagree with the "your body will find the right swing" statement. If I just allowed my body to swing how it wants, well... I already know where that leads and I'm really trying to correct that! Mental game matters, absolutely, but if you don't have a solid physical game to go with it your ceiling is going to be lower and your rounds probably much more erratic in score.

Not trying to put down your accomplishment or "rain on your parade", just throwing out my two cents for the extremely depreciated value they have.

I don't think you're raining on my parade at all - and I think you bring up a valid point that so many people have come to accept. I think I over-generalized to some degree about finding the right swing - but have you ever played with someone who has never played golf and they come in not knowing what "good" or "bad" looks like and they play out of their minds or at least way better than someone would expect a newbie to play? Or seen a 2 or 3 yr old with a pure swing? It's mind blowing. I believe it's the natural mechanics of the body that they haven't put any doubt into. Like learning to walk. 

15 hours ago, TourSpoon said:

First of all, congrats on breaking 80. I could feel that 5 footer and you are right, it really doesn't matter. But it did and you made the putt. 

One thing I think a lot of us do, and something I did the last time I played was to somehow "forget" how well we are playing until we get to 18. It happened my last round and I knew I was one under on the back. I decided to play my go to safety 4 iron on a short par 4 with plenty of water. Slightly out of routine, I took the club back and as the wind blew I thought to give it a little extra. Well that produced a small pull that went slightly left, through the fairway, bounded on the cart path and into a huge palmetto bush. If only I had trusted the swing that go me to that point I would be golden! Back to the tee, I floated a gorgeous 5 wood to wedge range just in the first cut, catch a small flier and have a 20 footer downhill which I hit so well, but goes 5 feet by. Like you I am now faced with that same 5 footer (which I was pissed was not for par but I let it go). Made the putt for my second double (also doubled the first hole) and still managed a 77.  For whatever reason, that 5 footer meant something to me, but I was able to calm myself and put a good stroke on it knowing that if I hit a good putt I would accept the results. 

Anyway, another lesson learned (which as long as I have been playing is nothing new). Thanks for sharing and keep enjoying the journey. 

Thanks! That's so cool that you were able to recognize the doubt that crept in as the wind blew which sounds like it made your body tense up and pull it. I bet when you pulled the 5 wood, it was more based on a feeling rather than trying to play a certain shot

[saevel25]

19 hours ago, KyleH said:

I let my thoughts get the best of me and I left myself with a nerve-wracking 5ft left. I became acutely aware of my tense upper body so I took a deep breath and allowed my shoulders to relax. “This truly doesn’t matter one way or the other”, I told myself. I stepped up the ball after getting my read and I imagined the feeling of picking the ball out of the cup and took my shot. It landed true and I finished the hole with a par. 79.

In these moments, try focusing on breathing. Though we do be come aware of how quick our breathing can become, or how we are suddenly holding our breath when we get nervous. We can actually influence our nervous system and our heart rate by breathing in certain ways. There is great research on this subject. Also, focusing on breathing is very close to mindfulness meditation where you can focus on one area of the body to clear the mind. 

Doing something like, taking in two breaths through the nose, and then exhaling through the mouth at a much slower pace than the inhale can help lower the heart rate. 

 

[Jeremie Boop]

52 minutes ago, KyleH said:

I don't think you're raining on my parade at all - and I think you bring up a valid point that so many people have come to accept. I think I over-generalized to some degree about finding the right swing - but have you ever played with someone who has never played golf and they come in not knowing what "good" or "bad" looks like and they play out of their minds or at least way better than someone would expect a newbie to play? Or seen a 2 or 3 yr old with a pure swing? It's mind blowing. I believe it's the natural mechanics of the body that they haven't put any doubt into. Like learning to walk.

I can't say I've ever seen someone who's never played before, or just started, do extremely well. I think I've heard that the golf swing is not a very natural movement, so I would guess it's pretty darn rare for that to happen. That said, even the most naturally gifted players would benefit from some sort of coaching, if they want to improve. Now, if anyone is happy with their current level of play then that is fantastic. I wish I could come to that level of satisfaction.

[TourSpoon]

4 hours ago, KyleH said:

Thanks! That's so cool that you were able to recognize the doubt that crept in as the wind blew which sounds like it made your body tense up and pull it. I bet when you pulled the 5 wood, it was more based on a feeling rather than trying to play a certain shot

That is certainly one way to put it. On that particular day, I was on the back trusting the swing that I brought that day. That one shot is the one I didn't trust and it cost me.  Everyday is a little different, but when you settle into a round and get into a groove, keep it there mentally.  Luckily, I was able to get it right back. 

[Vinsk]

4 hours ago, Jeremie Boop said:

can't say I've ever seen someone who's never played before, or just started, do extremely well.

But we’ve all seen someone who’s played a lot and do extremely poor. F****** golf.😂

Edited October 20, 2022 by Vinsk

[Big Lex]

Congratulations on your 79. My lowest score ever was also shot at Architects. 

[GolfLug]

I don't know how y'all 'naturals' do it, not being aware of how you are playing or your score, and all. It's so foreign to me. I am fully aware at all times standing over every single shot as to how well (or not) I am playing, constantly think about mechanics. My body has close to zero idea of what to do if I leave it to it's devices. Few times I've tried it to only stiff arm a block on 18th tee deep into the trees to make me wanna chuck my driver on the same trajectory...😂. I guess I've come to accept my lack of ability to avoid deer-in-the-headlights freeze on the 18th tee.   

And while I am not a rage-aholic or anything, in fact, I am very even keel, I can't describe my golf as 'fun'. My need for self-validation through golf is too strong for it to be fun. Heh. 

Congratulations on your achievement. It certainly stands alone gloriously regardless of history or your future. Great to hear (read). 

[KyleH]

11 hours ago, Big Lex said:

Congratulations on your 79. My lowest score ever was also shot at Architects. 

Nice! You play there often?

2 hours ago, GolfLug said:

I don't know how y'all 'naturals' do it, not being aware of how you are playing or your score, and all. It's so foreign to me. I am fully aware at all times standing over every single shot as to how well (or not) I am playing, constantly think about mechanics. My body has close to zero idea of what to do if I leave it to it's devices. Few times I've tried it to only stiff arm a block on 18th tee deep into the trees to make me wanna chuck my driver on the same trajectory...😂. I guess I've come to accept my lack of ability to avoid deer-in-the-headlights freeze on the 18th tee.   

And while I am not a rage-aholic or anything, in fact, I am very even keel, I can't describe my golf as 'fun'. My need for self-validation through golf is too strong for it to be fun. Heh. 

Congratulations on your achievement. It certainly stands alone gloriously regardless of history or your future. Great to hear (read). 

I think I've felt the same way about the mechanics for a long time. Focus through every movement in every millisecond of the shot. Only problem is our mind can't successfully think about a swing and then translate it to the body time and time again in the 2 secs of the full swing. That's why it feels like sometimes the swing we trust does us wrong cause of the little movements that occur that we aren't aware of

I would venture to bet that if someone helped you work through some more of the human game into play (aka the mental game) then you'd feel more natural

[Big Lex]

2 hours ago, KyleH said:

Nice! You play there often?

I play there about once or twice a year. I and a couple of college friends, all in different places in the tri-state area, meet a few times a year to play. Usually one of the rounds is at Architects. We didn't play there this year. I shot a 74 there once. 

I think everyone at every level can benefit greatly from having the correct mental attitude and approaching the game correctly, mindfully, etc., as you described in explaining why you thought you had such a good round.

John Wooden apparently would tell his basketball players "do not allow what you canNOT do interfere with what you CAN do."