Afraid to go low.....

[MiniMoe]

I don't care who you are or how well you play, it is impossible to play good golf while thinking about score. The game is played one shot at a time. I did an experiment a few years ago. I stopped using the words par, birdie, bogey or what ever. I only talked about the actual number I made. Not only did I play better, but I realized the actual number for par on a hole is pretty much irrelevant. It took all the pressure off. When you get into that situation, it's ok to realize, but after that, forget about it and just play one shot at a time, taking all pressure off results off the shot.

I will also go out on a dead day and play the ladies tees. If you are playing well, you will have a lot more chances at birdie, so you get a feeling of going low. Don't think that if you don't go low you are playing bad, but enjoy the feeling of having a lot of short shots and birdie putts.

[Norm3333]

I don't care who you are or how well you play, it is impossible to play good golf while thinking about score. The game is played one shot at a time. I did an experiment a few years ago. I stopped using the words par, birdie, bogey or what ever. I only talked about the actual number I made. Not only did I play better, but I realized the actual number for par on a hole is pretty much irrelevant. It took all the pressure off. When you get into that situation, it's ok to realize, but after that, forget about it and just play one shot at a time, taking all pressure off results off the shot..

Sounds so simple, I will give it a try.

Does it work when you go to new courses? Because, I would think it would work great for a course you are already familiar with.

[golf hungry]

I don't care who you are or how well you play, it is impossible to play good golf while thinking about score. The game is played one shot at a time. I did an experiment a few years ago. I stopped using the words par, birdie, bogey or what ever. I only talked about the actual number I made. Not only did I play better, but I realized the actual number for par on a hole is pretty much irrelevant. It took all the pressure off. When you get into that situation, it's ok to realize, but after that, forget about it and just play one shot at a time, taking all pressure off results off the shot.

Thanks for the advice! I too will try this this month and see how things go.

[David in FL]

[QUOTE=MiniMoe;265441]

I stopped using the words par, birdie, bogey or what ever. I only talked about the actual number I made. Not only did I play better, but I realized the actual number for par on a hole is pretty much irrelevant.

QUOTE]


Interesting. I tend to think of "low" in relation to par. That might not work as well for someone intent on breaking 90, but for me, it might make sense. I'll give it a try, thks.

[TMO]

Best advice I have ever gotten - and I am sure you have heard it - is to visualize one shot at a time. I don't mean just a little visualization either. Visualize your swing, your shot, your reaction. I know reaction sounds odd but you can't be surprised that you hit a good shot and you get upset at your bad shots either. You have to keep yourself on an even keel. As soon as I would start getting excited or angry I would lose at least a shot.

Read Rotella if you want a full on head check though.