Blocking Distractions

[Fairway_CY]

I've got a match on Sunday that's a fairly meaningful one. A win would keep me right in the thick of the singles race while a loss would ensure two consecutive losses because I'll be missing our next outing. The club I'm in has one guy who will run around with a camcorder during the round and video some of the more important matches, etc.

It just so happens that the guy I'm playing this weekend IS the guy who does the video taping. I've seen on prior year DVD's and heard from many members that they buckle when the camera is in their face. I've never HAD a camera in my face during a round, so I don't know... but what I DO know is that when I'm at the driving range, if I know someone is watching me... I tense up and make a really bad swing. I can't afford for that to happen to me on Sunday.

Obviously, since I'm a high handicap player, I make poor swings quite often already... but I'm afraid that as soon as I see the camera out... it's going to be in my mind. What do you guys do to block distractions, even when they're blatantly obvious? I don't want to end up chunking chips or topping drives and make a fool of myself... but more importantly, I don't want it to have an effect on the match.

Any ideas... ?

CY

[saevel25]

Routine for each shot... Once you get in on it, its all good.. I got my down.

1) Stand behind the ball and take a few practice swings to get a feel of impact, shot shape in my mind
2) set up to the ball
3) waggle, shuffle feet a bit to get a feel for the balance, relax the body
4) let it rip..

I do this for every shot, even chip shots, my putting routine is very similar as well. I never had issues with pressure because concentrating on the routine blocks it out.

[cody west]

dont take it to seriously. if you make a bad shot instead of getting embarressed make a joke about it to help keep the pressure off. when im in situations like that where i need to do well and know the pressure is there, if i hit a bad shot like say i slice one into the next fairway ill turn to the people im playing with and make a joke about it. it keeps me laughing and lighthearted so the pressure cant get to me.

[sean_miller]

  Fairway_CY said:

I've got a match on Sunday that's a fairly meaningful one. A win would keep me right in the thick of the singles race while a loss would ensure two consecutive losses because I'll be missing our next outing. The club I'm in has one guy who will run around with a camcorder during the round and video some of the more important matches, etc.

You're going to be playing a guy who's taking a videotape of the match? WTF? Is that even legal? It sure sounds like crapola etiquette.

[Blades4me]

Do whatever keeps you calm and relaxed.

[golfineric]

If you're standing at the ball already with the camera in your face and you start to tense up, just relax and back away from the ball and take a couple of deep breaths. Just try to not the camera being there and whatever makes you think of a peaceful time.

[Able Hands]

Download and listen to (or buy and read) Golf is Not a Game of Perfect, and/or Your 15th Club. Both were written by Bob Rotella. I keep them both loaded on my iPod all the time, and listen to them both at least weekly. They have helped my mental approach greatly. I actually want to download a couple more of his audio books. The two above are great to listen to for me while I'm working.

[tws1098]

I try to put everything out of my mind. Just imagine you alone on the course during your practice swings, hitting the ball right to the spot you want. Seems to help me. When I duff a shot, it is because I lose that focus.

[shades9323]

Have you considered asking him not to shoot video of you?

[CarlSpackler]

Camera? What camera.

Focus on the target and only the target. Someone made a comment about a car that honked as I was swinging the other night, but I didn't hear it.

[Fairway_CY]

Thanks guys... all good suggestions. Someone mentioned asking him to not film. I could do that, but the simple fact that he knows it bothers me would fuel him to do so even more. Everybody in the club knows this guy has the video camera. More often than not... he's slick and doesn't make it a point to get in someones face... but there have been times that the camera has made a difference in a match.

I'm going to have to stick with the routine, as was suggested. It's the easiest and probably most effective tool I'll have in forgetting that the camera is there.

CY

[saevel25]

I find helpful, last night i had to make a birdie to secure the win in my match. I looked at my line, i thought, thats way to far out, after that it was just going through the motions of the routine, nailed the 10 footer for birdie. I use to remember where i would get to nervous over those putts, i would start thinking and all things go bad. Routines are the best, if you get nervouse after the routine, go through it again.

[sean_miller]

  Fairway_CY said:

Thanks guys... all good suggestions. Someone mentioned asking him to not film. I could do that, but the simple fact that he knows it bothers me would fuel him to do so even more. Everybody in the club knows this guy has the video camera. More often than not... he's slick and doesn't make it a point to get in someones face... but there have been times that the camera has made a difference in a match.

Bring your own camera - set it up DTL on a little tripod while he's in his waggle.

[GolfBear]

Hire Steve Williams to be your caddie for the round. He'll grab the guys camera and throw it into the nearest pond.

[Rexx]

You're in control of your emotions, so either ignore it or relish it.