Choking problem

chip · April 3, 2010

EAGLE PUTTS!!! I can't seem to get over the hump and finally choke one. I rope a drive on a long par 5 and then follow up with my 3 hybrid. 12 feet behind the flag and a super straight putt. Anyone know the best way to deal with the situation whether its a birdie, eagle, or just to save par?

**jamo** · April 4, 2010

I sort of have the same thing, the only eagle I've ever made I chipped in.

***iacas*** · April 4, 2010

I don't know what to tell you - you just do it. I played a hole last year where I drew a driver over the corner of a bunker on a dogleg left par five. I had 190 in and was pumped so I hit a 6I that left me 15 feet left of the flag, pin high, with a putt that broke right. I was calm, read the break, and gave it enough speed to get to the hole. Knew it was in from the moment I hit it - just about a perfectly played hole tee to green.

You just do it. It's just a putt, like any other. Look up the statistic on "loss avoidance" or "cost avoidance" or something - people putt better when it's for par or bogey than for birdie (or, presumably, eagle). Overcome that. It's a putt... like the other 29 or 30 or so you'll hit on any given day.

**wrx_junki** · April 4, 2010

I sort of have the same thing, the only eagle I've ever made I chipped in.

Same with me. Get it out of the way with a chip in~!

**uttexas** · April 4, 2010

If you are good at putts in general, just keep to your putting routine. The routine helps relieve any added pressure of making an eagle.

If you have trouble putting in general, I would change your routine--Many recommend being more athletic. After taking time to read the putt from the hole and behind the ball. Commit to the line, take a practice stroke or two, address the ball, and without hesitating strike the putt

**shortstop20** · April 5, 2010

You must remove any and all consequences that your mind is presenting to you, like "I have to make this putt", "this putt is for eagle". Don't think about that crap.

I had a 10 footer yesterday that I forgot was for birdie, just had in my mind it was for par for some reason, and I drained it right in the middle of the cup without even thinking about it too much, then my partner says, "Nice birdie", then I realized it.

All you can do is read the putt and hit the stroke to the best of your ability, if you work on these things and do only those things at the course, you will make many more putts. That's what Tiger does, he's said it himself.

That's what I've been doing lately and I've made more 8+ footers in the last two weeks than I've made in the last year.

**saevel25** · April 5, 2010

Get a good putting reutine, repeat repeat repeat. What i like to do is start each putt with a deep breath, this is a signal to my brain its concentration time. No more thinking about scores or eagles, birdies, pars, its time to putt. I believe a trigger like this can really help you get over alot of things.

**Meddle** · April 5, 2010

Damn, same with me. I had two opportunities last year, 12-15 foot putts, that I missed horribly. I get the mentality "I have to make this so I can get my first eagle" and blast it 6 feet past the hole.

**saevel25** · April 5, 2010

Yep perfect concept of putting to much stress on you. But what you need to do is recognize that situation. If it happens again, ingrain that feeling into your mind, so you can no know not to do it. I did the opposite, i was shooting the best round of my life. On the last hole i knew what i wanted to do. I was so nervous, because i wanted to finish strong. I was able to stripe a drive down the middle of the fairway. Hit a wedge to 10 feet. Then make a straight downhill putt for birdie. it was the most exciting three shots of my life. But i remember the feeling of it, which i use when i need to make a crucial putt. I also know the feeling of the tension of wanting to make those putts. Thats why i believe in taking a few deep breaths and letting the tension go out. Maybe before you line up to the putt, just grip the putter and give your arms a few pumps to loosen up the muscles.

Or practice meditation, rythm breathing.

**blackxpress** · April 5, 2010

I've had a terrible problem with this the last few days. Ordinarily I'm a very good putter but suddenly I can't make a 3 footer for par or birdie to save my life. Maddening. I started this season struggling with my ball striking but my short game was deadly. Now I'm striking the ball very well and still chipping and pitching very well and I can sink long putts all day for bogey or double but let me chip one up to close to the hole and I'll miss that 3 ft. birdie putt every time. I think I have success anxiety. The first 3 holes today are a prime example. #1, on the fringe in 2. Lagged it up to about 3 ft. Missed the par putt. #2, on the green in 3, about 3 ft. from the hole. Missed the par putt. #3 (par 5), on the fringe in 3. Lagged it to within 3 ft. Missed the par putt. At that point I was ready to break my putter over my knee. I think I need a sports psychiatrist.

**senorchipotle** · April 6, 2010

chew slowly.

**tterrag** · April 6, 2010

For me, what I do when I putt is, on the back-stroke I breath in and on the forward-stroke I exhale. This relieves tension and gives you something else to think of rather than the outcome.