Mentality

[whip_it_out]

I have a tendency to get frustrated and smack a 2 double bogey's on consecutive holes, and throw away a good round, usually around the 7th.
My dad and I have been talking every shot out, outloud, so I get my mind set on the shot at hand, not that I need to birdie 4 holes to catch up .

Does anyone else have mind issues? Please describe, use examples, etc.

And has anyone got any thoughts they usually use when they feel a little frustrated, because I'm done turning 78's into 84's.

[Dent]

I had it today, after going par, birdie, par, bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey.

I kept getting bogeys no matter what I did. It's like people have said in other topics, shrug it off and think positive. After I finished that last bogey I said, okay I'm going to birdie these next holes. Well, I birdied the next one, and then left a 10 footer short on 9 for bird.

I used to get sooo angry at myself, and noticed it wasn't doing me any good. I've just recently kind of turned my attitude around and It has helped. I know for a fact being in a bad mood all round won't get me anywhere. I can guarantee you when I'm angry I cannot get a par.

[907golfer12]

I have progressed SOOOO much in this category in the past summer. I used to hit a bad shot and be pissed for the whole round. Now I only get mad if I shoot like super high and can't play for crap. But I just try and forget about it.

My old soccer coach had a good saying that he would tell us after we lost. It went "yeah, you lost, but once you take your next step it is over, you are looking at the next game." So that is what I try and do with golf, after I hit that bad shot I think: "Once I pick up my bag and take my next step I'm done, on to the situation at hand."

Also in a tournament or match, instead of telling my partner that I shot par or bogey or what ever, I just say that I got 4, or 7, or 3. This helps me to forget about score since I cannot track where I am at, I am just playing and thinking about the shots.

[GaijinGolfer]

I have issues sometimes with the mental side of the game. Im fine when Im just hitting balls for practice, but I get on the course and I get all nervous and I tense up, which causing swing issues.
As far as getting frustated about your score goes, try to keep that out of your mind and just play it one shot at a time.
I find that if I think about what my score is as I go, I end up making poor decisions because I try to make up strokes and I play shots that have a high level of risk.

[Dent]

I have issues sometimes with the mental side of the game. Im fine when Im just hitting balls for practice, but I get on the course and I get all nervous and I tense up, which causing swing issues.

Exactly, Don't worry about scores: Today I didn't even care, Didn't count the front 9 at the turn, and didn't count till I got home, I ended up with a great score. Because I had no idea what I was at.

Tom Coyne mentions this in his book: "Paper Tiger" he says if you can get into the mental state where you have no idea how many strokes you've taken over the game, or where your at, you can shoot your best.

[GaijinGolfer]

Exactly, Don't worry about scores: Today I didn't even care, Didn't count the front 9 at the turn, and didn't count till I got home, I ended up with a great score. Because I had no idea what I was at.

Thats what Ive started doing lately. I dont even keep score, I just note what par is for that given hole and do my best.

If I manage to make bogey or better, Im pretty happy with myself.

[tjy355]

...Does anyone else have mind issues? ...

Golfers? Nah! LOL!

[TigerCurtis333]

All you do is think to what moment your in, and the opportunity you have to bounce back vs. blow up and waste a round. It's about having the mental strength and composure to calm yourself down and go back to your "in" mental capacity. When you're "out," you're just wasting holes. You have to see that every shot counts, and with focus, you can make up those shots.

For instance, you bogey #1. You get pissed, but realize what situation you are in and bring yourself back, determined to get that stroke back on the Par 3 2nd hole. Now we all know that if you're ticked but focused, your swing could have some extra umph and we all know even a cent. of change will affect the shot. Let's say because you were mad but focused and determined to bounce back, you hit a great shot and birdie the 2nd to go back to even.

Now tell me - what's the difference between a bogey-birdie and par-par? There is none.

Also - overcoming the circumstances of a mental breakdown and showing mental strengh and coming through - will help you later in the round because you know you can overcome it and have some confidence and pride.

I do not have much athletic ability - but I'm better at almost every sport I play (baseball, football, basketball and golf) because one, I'm smarter sport-wise than them (being a sports journalist helps), and two - I'm stronger mentally than all of them. I get behind in a round, and I wait patiently until they lose focus - and then I strike back.

[tm22721]

My mentality is to pick up the ball and go to the next hole when I have reached bogey. Saves me from negative vibes.

[yeis20]

It is easy to overcome a poor shot for me personally when the pace of play is faster.

Standing in a fairway / teebox for the foursome in front of you to EACH line up, address, back away, take 3 practice swings, realign, address, backaway take 3 more practice shots, align, address then hit a less then stellar shot being a putt, tee off or approach gives you way to much time to reflect on your last hole or shot.

[whip_it_out]

What you guys have said ahve reminded me of what I was thinking when I was playing consistently in the low 70's, I had no idea I was playing well. I used to count up how many stokes I took that hole, tell my dad and forget about it. I remember my best round ever, I knew I was playign well, but didn't know, or care, how well. On the teebox of the last hole my playing partner told me I was 3 under for that nine. But I just shrugged it off and made a par.

I need to get that mentality back. Thanks guys.

[Mr Eagle]

Who was it that said " A bad day's golf beats a good day at work"
sums up the mental side of the game for me,when your having a hard time of it just smile and enjoy the company of your friends. Come on why beat yorself up ? Even the best of them play rubbish sometimes

[iWALK18]

I am an absolute headcase when it comes to golf. I developed the stupidest, most dorky strategy to deal with this, but it works for me:

Remember David Duval in his prime? The image which always sticks with me is seeing his robot swing, then the closeup of his robot face. He always had those sunglasses on.

So i started thinking about that feeling of mental strength, I picked up a pair of glasses for golf, and I decided that any time I put the shades down nothing would get to me ever. Shades on = total confidence. Sounds dumb but it totally works for me, and I've recovered from some pretty terrible holes or ront nines to shoot some very good scores.

[whip_it_out]

I am an absolute headcase when it comes to golf.* I developed the stupidest, most dorky strategy to deal with this, but it works for me:Remember David Duval in his prime?* The image which always sticks with me is seeing his robot swing, then the closeup of his robot face.* He always had those sunglasses on.So i started thinking about that feeling of mental strength, I picked up a pair of glasses for golf, and I decided that any time I put the shades down nothing would get to me ever.* Shades on = total confidence.* Sounds dumb but it totally works for me, and I've recovered from some pretty terrible holes or ront nines to shoot some very good scores.

Ive found I play alot better when I pump myself up and show some positive emotion.I can see hwo that really helps, but I'm not the person who can be "robot-like" Kepp with it since it works for you though!

I can't play with glasses on, either.

[iWALK18]

Ive found I play alot better when I pump myself up and show some positive emotion.I can see hwo that really helps, but I'm not the person who can be "robot-like" Kepp with it since it works for you though!

Well I am such a headcase that i had to buy golf specific glasses because i would be convinced that anything else was not designed properly and would hinder my vision...

And i'm no robot when i play either, but when i address the ball I try to be free of emotions and thought which normally ruin me. Thats what i meant.