Mental game...

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

I have read on here numerous times about the improving the mental aspect of golf (ie having a pre-shot routine, etc) to help alleviate the pressure/stress of a shot. And I do that to the best of my ability with my swings and putts, but obviously not great.

How do you handle to mental aspect of shooting a number. Everytime I go to the course I do so with a number that I want to hit. How can you not?

How can I just go out and think this will be fun. I am going out there to see if all the hard work that I have done on at the range and putting green have paid off. I work my butt off and I want to see results but then I just get in the way of myself when things don't go well.

I may start off well but then it takes one arrant tee shot, flubbed chip, 3-putt etc to send me over the edge of self analyzing everything. I know I play golf and not golf range, but on the range I play to a 10 handicap, but it never translates on the course.

This is my third year playing golf and after working my handicap down to a 15 all the stress of continuing to trying to improve has raised my game to a 18 in the last couple of months! A bad hole my linger for a few holes and it's killing my game.

So after all my rambling on, what I want to know is how do I take my game from the range to the course? Can anyone relate? What have you done to help?

[iacas]

  Dr_Fu_Manchu said:

How do you handle to mental aspect of shooting a number. Everytime I go to the course I do so with a number that I want to hit. How can you not?

I don't understand. How can you not? You just don't.

I'm fully aware of where I stand at any given moment (it's easier to do that when you're near par than when you're a bogey golfer, I think), but I don't obsess over it. I don't really even "think" about it - I could just tell you if you asked me. Why would you have a number in your head? That's the opposite of what everyone tells you to do - play the next shot. That's all you can control. Put everything you have into your next shot. If that's 67 or 97 times, it's all you can do.

  Dr_Fu_Manchu said:

I work my butt off and I want to see results but then I just get in the way of myself when things don't go well.

Range = practice, technical thoughts, "play golf swing," etc.

Course = PLAY GOLF, feel your way around, and visualize heavily.

  Dr_Fu_Manchu said:

I know I play golf and not golf range, but on the range I play to a 10 handicap, but it never translates on the course.

Then take the course to the range. It's easy to start hitting your 6-iron really well when you've hit 15 in a row before it. Doesn't happen on the course. Play your golf course on the range - picture the first hole, hit a driver, see where it goes, play the appropriate next shot from there, and continue. You can't putt, I guess, but you can do everything else.

You're thinking too much. It's funny how higher handicappers take their misses more seriously than lower handicappers or pros. Tiger gets madder than anyone, but inside of about five seconds or ten steps or so. Then it's gone, completely vanished.

[The O]

Regarding the "shoot a number" theory, I think if you're in a tournament and trying to go nuts, then its ok to come to the course and say I need 70 to have a chance (or whatever). That will dictate how you want to attack, or not. Related, if you've got some match or bet that you're losing, and you're out of holes, then its ok to think that you have to birdie 18 or something.

But generally, I'm with you esepcially in normal play or non-terminal rounds of tournaments. Play the shot, go to the ball, play the next shot. There really isn't much global strategy there in a non-tournament round. I can't count the number of times I've finished 9 and looked at the card and said "Hey, I shot even (or 1 under or whatever) on that side." That's how golf is played.

For your practice tip, I used to do the "play the course on the range" thing religiously, but now, not so much. It helps to visualize shots, but now I think I get more out of hitting 5 or 6 of the same thing in a row to different targets so that I can recall confidence in that club. "I hit the 4 iron perfectly 10 times in a row yesterday, so taking it over the water on this par 5 shouldn't be a problem...) The one exception is wedges. Wedges tend to be more about distance control than other clubs, so those I will radically alter the distance I want, the clubs, etc., between shots. But, I think that's less about mental side of golf and more about skill and distance control.

[billm408]

I don't think I've ever gone out to play with a number in mind (the exception was the PAT and they tell you what number you need to post). For me, that's thinking way too far ahead and prevents me from playing the shot in front of me.

Focus on the process not the result- it's the only thing you can control.

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

I appreciate the quick responses.

I need to stop thinking on the way to the course "that this will be the day... today, I turn the corner" or "today is going to be that aha moment where I figure it all out." Maybe that day never comes....?

It's going to be difficult to just lace them up in the parking lot and let it all flow and not be thinking about making the most of the round. Maybe its because I can only get out once a week or two and I want to really make it great, especially after dropping 75 bucks. It frustrates me when I think about all the time and money I have committed to golf in the past few years and then go shoot a 98. It can really put me in a funk.

I know that I can play good golf. I have never broke 80, but I have shot low eighties so I guess I hold myself to that standard. And lately my play has declined and I can't even sniff the eighties. So I put even more pressure on myself to preform when I am out there.

I need to take your guys approach and just play the shot...About visualization, do you visualize every shot? Is it something you make up or do you see yourself shooting a similar shot that you have pured?

Thanks again for your responses

[Kingfisher]

  Dr_Fu_Manchu said:

I need to take your guys approach and just play the shot...About visualization, do you visualize every shot? Is it something you make up or do you see yourself shooting a similar shot that you have pured?

I've been working a little on the mental side with my teaching pro, including getting into a regular pre-shot routine.

Don't just "play the shot", be fully commited to the shot. If you're about to hit a ball and you're thinking to yourself "shit, I've got water left, OB right and I'm not sure if this 4 iron is really the best club...", then you're not ready to play the shot and there's little chance of you hitting anything halfway decent. You need to identify your goal before you even select your club. Think about the conditions (lie, wind) and think about where you do want to hit your ball, as opposed to where you don't want to hit it. Then, build your pre-shot routine around that, confident that the club you selected gives you the best chance of pulling the shot off. The other thing to remember is the 10yard line. If you do hit a bad shot, then sure, curse a bit, get it out of your system, but don't take it to the next shot with you. You can't be commited to your shot if you're still thinking about the worm-burner you hit off the tee on the last hole!

[NotAStick]

  Dr_Fu_Manchu said:

I need to stop thinking on the way to the course "that this will be the day... today, I turn the corner" or "today is going to be that aha moment where I figure it all out." Maybe that day never comes....?

There is never a moment. I often only realized milestones until afterwards, or near the end of the round. The first time I shot even par was a long time ago (sheesh, 13 years now) but I went into the round thinking "oh god, don't hit it in the trees". It wasn't until the 18th fairway, when I had to hit the green and two put for par that I thought about it and promptly skulled the ball 20 yards short. I was nervous as hell and was lucky to pitch it on and EXTREMELY lucky to hole a 20 footer for par.

  None said:

It's going to be difficult to just lace them up in the parking lot and let it all flow and not be thinking about making the most of the round.

Focus on a specific aspect of game improvement.

"Today I want to get up and down every time I miss the green" That's an awesome one, because it establishes a repeatable game within the game. You succeed, pat yourself on the back. You fail, move on to the next hole and you might have another chance. It also helps your course management because you may be thinking "hmmm... where can I get up and down from?" when you hit your approach shots. that's a very appropriate thought for a mid-handicapper.

  None said:

I need to take your guys approach and just play the shot...About visualization, do you visualize every shot? Is it something you make up or do you see yourself shooting a similar shot that you have pured?

Don't think about the pure ones. Think about the average or slight above average ones. When I aim at a green, I imagine the ball bouncing right into the middle of the green. Very rarely do I aim directly at a pin and that's only usually with a wedge in my hand, or when the shot really particularly suits my eye.

You're over thinking. Picture a shot you know you can hit. It's supposed to give you confidence. You should go to the range some time a play a round at your favorite course. I think someone mentioned this already. Hit the drive... imagine the ball hitting the fairway, rolling... figure out what you have left to the flag, hit that shot. Imagine it bouncing on or near the green. Give yourself a par if you hit the green and a bogey if you didn't. Maybe a double if you slice it off behind the clubhouse. Now play the second hole. (it helps to have the scorecard for distances, but if you want to estimate, that's fine). Once you've played the round, figure out what you shot. Are you really a 10 on the range, or are you just remembering your best shots? If you are, then do that range-game often. When you go to the course, you just have to remember your range game and the course should seem easier, right?

[Pat007]

Shooting a number is a dangerous concept. It will dictate if you have to go at flags or not, hit driver or not, etc. As was mentionned by another poster, the only time I've been faced with this was during my PAT and it's a weird feeling. When I was on my 36th tee and was 3 strokes clear on a par 5, I hit an easy 3 iron off the tee and blocked it left OB and limped in and made it on the number.

Here are my suggestions to aleviate the stress for you:

1- Don't keep the scorecard. Ask your playing partners to keep score, just give them your score after every hole.

2- Don't go pin hunting. Just play safe and try to hit to the fat part of the greens. This will save you a few shots a round as you won't find yourself shortsided at all.

3- You don't have to make every putt. You should content yourself with lagging a putt close if it's a dangerous putt. For example, if you have a 20 ft. downhill left-to-right putt on a stupid fast green, just try to get it close. Don't try to be a hero and try to hole it, miss on the low side and run it by another 15 feet and maybe 3 putt from there too.

4- No sress! If you shoot 80, you have to treat each shot as 80 different shots, each with no significance on the next. If you block one into the trees, don't freak out! It may be fine, you don't know until you get there. Just concentrate your efforts on the next shot and don't hit the next shot pissed off, trying to hit it harder to make up for the last shot. Don't let one bad shot influence your other shots and ruin your round.

5- Have fun! Isn't that why you're out there playing in the first place? You're playing golf, not working at golf! A bad day at the course is better than a good day at work anytime!

[Leftygolfer]

This is something I struggle with. I let things linger on. I don't really think about what number I want to shoot but I have an issue with getting on streaks. I liked the post above. I try to be like tiger. I have a firy personality and I do get really pissed. That will never change, but I have to let it go.

I am playing in my club championship on Saturday/Sunday, and I do not have any number in mind. I know I would like to play well, but I am not going to put lots of pressure to do so. My scores this year have not reflected my best golf but I do believe that this weekend I will play well.

[TN94z]

I have actually been reading books trying to work on my mental aspect. I never think of a number I want to shoot when I go out. If I were to do that, then I would immediately begin breaking down what I could or could not shoot on a particular hole and that is not good.

The range should be for the mechanics and getting them engrained. On the course you should trust what you have worked on at the range and not think about mechanics.

[CarlSpackler]

I highly recommend Zen Golf (again) since all of these things are covered. Even though I shot a horrible round last night, I kept my composure and played through it. I posted 50, but it honestly could have been much worse the way I was playing. I am chalking that up to a sore back that was stiffening up while waiting from 5-10 minutes for the group ahead of us to get out of the way. I am confident that I will do much better when I go out this weekend. If not, so be it.

[ChiChiIsMe]

  Leftygolfer said:

This is something I struggle with. I let things linger on. I don't really think about what number I want to shoot but I have an issue with getting on streaks. I have a firy personality and I do get really pissed. That will never change, but I have to let it go.

You sound just like me. I was 2 over after 8 yesterday , playing pretty well when I yanked my drive to the tall shit on #9 par 5. tried the miracle shot to hack out, didn't work, ended up with an 8. Now I'm pissed and double 2 of the next 3 holes before I re-gain my composure. Finished 11 over, but was 8 over on a 4 hole stretch because of my inability to "let it go" at times.

[albatross]

  iacas said:

Then take the course to the range. It's easy to start hitting your 6-iron really well when you've hit 15 in a row before it. Doesn't happen on the course. Play your golf course on the range - picture the first hole, hit a driver, see where it goes, play the appropriate next shot from there, and continue. You can't putt, I guess, but you can do everything else.

I've done this before and it's really good advice. You'd be surprised how this can help you focus on shots at the range rather than just whacking a whole bucket in 45 minutes.

[golfmentalist]

what you gotta do is think only on the shot at hand, and make sure you try and let all of the tense emotions inside of you release as soon as you step up to hit the ball

[kris]

Good thread. I struggle with the mental aspect of golf all the time and completely understand what you're talking about. No matter how many times i read the "proper" advice on how to let things go so to speak, it is still very hard for me at times to no overthink the hell out of things when i'm on the golf course. I'm one of those guys who thinks a billion different things before a simple wedge shot. don't chunk it, don't skull it, don't top it, swing all the way through, aim towards the middle of the green, sand on the right, water short, if i miss this shot i have no chance at my best score etc.... the most annoying part to me is that I KNOW i shouldn't be thinking about this and just taking my swing as i do on the range, but I still do it. it's like a reflex. i know it's bad but i find it hard to stop.

I'm getting a little better than I used to be though. i've learned to relax and forget if i hit a bad shot and to move on if i have a bad hole. it's very hard when you know you can do better, and i still struggle with wavering thoughts occasionally on bad shots but i can see progress. i'm not ashamed to admit that the mental game is my biggest nemesis on the golf course.

this thread has some good advice already but i really like the driving range thing that has been mentioned by a couple guys here. I am as guilty as anyone for just going to the range, getting a large bucket and mindlessly bashing balls down the range with little thought behind it at all. I like the idea of playing the range like you would a golf course. it gives you a purpose first off, and it might change your focus from useless ball-bashing to strategic shot making and practice. i am going to give this a try tomorrow in fact and see how it goes.

[HSip]

  albatross said:

I've done this before and it's really good advice. You'd be surprised how this can help you focus on shots at the range rather than just whacking a whole bucket in 45 minutes.

This is great advice, particularly if you're familiar with the course you're about to play. It slows everything down and gets you into on the course mode rather than wasting the first 2 or 3 holes trying to find your game.

[right handed phil mickelson]

A lot of problems with mid-high handicappers that I generally see is their course management, and usually club selection.

Heres a way to fix that.

First of all, know the yardages of your clubs (doesn't have to be exact at the moment, but within 10 yards or so). When you have a shot into the green, what you want to try and do is to take a club that will get you on the green, and also play a shot that will get you on the green.

Example: I have 140 yards into the green. The green is about 30x30 yards. The pin is on the middle-lefthand side of the green, with a bunker farther left.

If I'm playing it safe that day, what I will do is take my 9-iron (140-150 yards), aim at the pin, and hit a little fade shot to avoid that bunker. However I hit it, (purely struck = 155 yards, average = 145 yards, or poorly = 135 yards) I know that it will land on the green.

Try and work on some course management like that. Set a game plan and go with it. You'll find that you will be hitting a lot more greens, and the scores will drop. Have fun!

~RHPM

[shades9323]

I avoid the "taking the range to the course" by not ever going to the range!

I just go out there to play. If I have a bad shot, it is forgotten before I set my bag down for my next shot. It isn't worth it for me to get mad. My wife is a beginning golfer. When it is going bad for her she shakes it off, literally!