Golf Mentality?

[Dent]

I have my high school golf tryout tomorrow. Starting at 4 and playing 18 holes. About 15 grade 10's trying out and around 4 grade 11's.

I know I'm going to get pretty nervous and choke, (like i did in my club championship) and I was thinking of doing something a little ab-normal. I was thinking of writing a big word that means alot to me as far as golf goes on the inside brim of my hat. So whenever I have a little bit of nervousness I will look there and it will totally calm me down.

I want one powerful word that will totally cool me off. It can be anything, but mostly golf related. It also does not have to be personal. I have no idea what I want yet. I plan to write it in a nice black sharpie and big enough so I can see it when I look up.

a) Do any of you have any good golf words that are soothing?
b) Have any of you ever done anything like this or something else that seems a little weird?

[x-forged]

i was in the same boat in high school, dent. just remember that everyone else around you is nervous too, your not the only one. you know your a good golfer, you know you can achieve the scores to make the team. nervousness is natural and unavoidable, just turn that nervousness into focus and will.

[Crafty]

ONE- one breath, one thought, one swing at a time. Stay in the now and forget about the big picture. Best of luck

[Dent]

i was in the same boat in high school, dent. just remember that everyone else around you is nervous too, your not the only one. you know your a good golfer, you know you can achieve the scores to make the team. nervousness is natural and unavoidable, just turn that nervousness into focus and will.

Thanks Forged,

you are definatly right, and although nervousness is unavoidable, it can be dampered down a little if i do this, and I always thought it would be kind of cool to write something.

[Ben]

X-forged has got it right.

You can't be thinking you are going to choke though. Come on! If you think it, it will happen. Always think about a positive. I like your mantra idea. I used to have a quote in my golf bag. Forget what it is now.

"Tempo" is always a good thing. I'm reading Byron Nelson's autobiography and he said that when he won the Masters for the first time, at breakfast there was a lady in the dinning hall playing a waltz on the piano. When he was on the course the rhythm of that waltz was in his head and helped his tempo. Maybe get some relaxing music on your iPod and listen to that while you warm up on the range.

[Dent]

X-forged has got it right.

That is a good one as well. I was kind of thinking I could get something funny. too to give me a good chuckle. Maybe ill put "CHOKE" or "YOUR NERVOUS" on my hat.

[Shindig]

I'd suggest "The Sandtrap", to remind you that we believe you're going to succeed, but that might be a bad image when you're going for the green

I like Ben's idea of "tempo." Alternately, "be at ease" - not one word, but probably writable in a hat and far more effective than "relax."

[Dent]

Shindig that is actually an awsome idea, writing "the sandtrap" but your right, Id have a bad image because this course is full of bunkers, id have to convice myself every shot it means the forum, not the stuff on the course.

[roverT7]

I would add one more thing to the excellent comment by x-forged. One thing to always keep in mind: all you can ever do in life is your best. It sounds like a simple cliche, but I think it is a pretty powerful concept. If you've worked hard at golf (and you obviously have, given your handicap), have confidence in yourself, but also have confidence in life. Things happen for a reason, and we often don't realize the reason why until well after the fact. So get some good rest tonight and give it your best shot. If you smoke the rest of the field, that's great. If you don't, because of nerves, or poor play, or whatever, don't let it get you down. Keep your head up, and keep working at it. While this may sound "anti-competitive", I think once you grasp this simple concept, you will become the ultimate competitor. You will sleep well at night knowing that whatever comes your way the next day, you've done all that you can do on your end in preparation. This is all that life asks of you...

My word would be: "forged".

From dictionary.com:
1.to form by heating and hammering; beat into shape.
2.to form or make, esp. by concentrated effort: to forge a friendship through mutual trust.
1.to move ahead slowly; progress steadily: to forge through dense underbrush.
2.to move ahead with increased speed and effectiveness (usually fol. by ahead): to forge ahead and finish the work in a burst of energy.


Think of the work you've put in, and how you've formed something concrete that cannot be easily defeated. Also, forged irons are $$$$ lol ;)

Good luck

Rob

[Long_Ball_Bogey]

Dent, whatever you do, don't put "CHOKE" on there...all it will do is serve to remind you of what you are trying to avoid, thus keeping it in the front of your mind the whole round. I like the "Tempo" idea or maybe D.I.G. for "Damn, I'm good!" You've got this thing in the bag, bro. Just go out there and take it. -LBB

[Dent]

You guys all have such wonderful Ideas, and now I have a handful to chose from.

I really have a feeling this one little word is going to help me a ton.

[JerseyThursday]

It’s been a long time since I played high school golf. The way we qualified was we played four 18-hole rounds and kept the best 3. Top 6 guys made varsity the next 6 JV, the rest were cut.
I advise you rent "Superbad” and watch it before heading to the course. Hard to take anything too serious after a movie like that.
Best of luck, we are pulling for you.

BTW, what do you mean by “about 15 grade 10's trying out and around 4 grade 11's”?

[Dent]

It’s been a long time since I played high school golf. The way we qualified was we played four 18-hole rounds and kept the best 3. Top 6 guys made varsity the next 6 JV, the rest were cut.

aha i have superbad, I've seen it around 10-15 times.

Our team consists of grade 10's and 11's. Dont know what you call the grades where you live, Im thinking 10 is Junior Varsity and 11 is Varsity. and thanks, im gonna need the luck.

[JustMe]

Thanks Forged,

My sons swing coach always said to him before any big tourneys...."Basics."

I wish you luck!

[Avid Golfer]

I have my high school golf tryout tomorrow.

I recommend against writing in/on your hat. Besides ruining a hat it is likely to distract you every time you glance up, and instead of calming you down its likely to make you more nervous and self concerned.

Like another poster mentioned stick to the basics. Take your time and think your way through the round. Whenever you have a shot you have any doubt about ask yourself where the best area to end up (long, short, left, or right) is if you make a slight error. Also always pick a target. Many people when they get a little nervous rush the shot (to get it over with, and to stop the anxiety) and in the process they don't pick a target, or if they do it wasn't a very specific (or good) one. Good luck.

[Jack_2251]

Just keep everything simple and normal, as you normally play. Try not to think about it too much before the game.

[Akers]

A thing that I find helps, is to put something that makes you laugh every time you see it, I like to put a funny picture in my bag or something.

[ChiChiIsMe]

a) Do any of you have any good golf words that are soothing?

just put:

www.thesandtrap.com in there...... ;)