I need help with the mental game

[Stewie007]

Folks, I need some help. Today I played a round at a lovely local course (Red Bridge if anyone in the Charlotte area posts here). I started off somewhat well. It was windy, so it was hard to compensate for my natural fade, as a slight fade turned into a relatively strong fade on some holes. Though, I was scoring such that if I were consistent I could have broken 100. I was playing as a single, and the course was almost wide open ahead of me. The first 4 holes were empty and I played at a pretty quick pace. My drives were not perfect, but they got out there pretty well (mostly 3 wood, 1 time with a driver). First two holes were both par 5s, and my long game was on, and I was quite pleased. The short game could have used work. But the real problem was after I caught up to the guys ahead of me. After that, I completely fell apart. I guess its to be expected, but it has happened each time I run into this situation. I had 12 balls to start, and found 4. I came home with absolutely none in the bag at all. Why the heck can I play somewhat well (well enough for my current skill level) on an open course, but completely fall apart once I have to wait? Anyone have some good mental tips?

[Golfz]

While you are waiting, take some practice swings or half swings.Keep your mind focused on the game and not on the other peoples game. Concentrate and dont start thinking about your new car or something else. Think how you are going to approach the hole and how you wish it to play out. And if no one else is behind you, wait a little bit extra so that you have atleast the hole completely free. I have realised that these things seem to help me alot. Hope this helps you too.

[GaijinGolfer]

Likely you are having too much time to think about your swing while you are waiting. Instead, maybe try focusing on the weather, the scenery or anything other than golf.

[Stewie007]

  Golfz said:

While you are waiting, take some practice swings or half swings.Keep your mind focused on the game and not on the other peoples game. Concentrate and dont start thinking about your new car or something else. Think how you are going to approach the hole and how you wish it to play out. And if no one else is behind you, wait a little bit extra so that you have atleast the hole completely free. I have realised that these things seem to help me alot. Hope this helps you too.

I do take some practice swings, but what seems to happen is I waste all of my good swings hitting tees on the ground quite successfully. Then I line up to the ball and BLAM! Over the river and through the woods. ehehe I do tend to score more successfully when I consider my shots and plan them out. I suppose I get caught up in the fact that I'm waiting. It isn't that it bothers me, its just that its idle time. [quote name="TitleistWI" url="/t/53581/i-need-help-with-the-mental-game#post_651485"]Likely you are having too much time to think about your swing while you are waiting. Instead, maybe try focusing on the weather, the scenery or anything other than golf.[/quote] I'll try this as well. Maybe a good mix of planning my shot and basking in the scenery will keep me from losing focus while at the same time it'll keep me from over thinking too. Thanks guy. If anyone else has some ideas please post, as I can use all of the tips I can get.

[GaijinGolfer]

  Stewie007 said:

I'll try this as well. Maybe a good mix of planning my shot and basking in the scenery will keep me from losing focus while at the same time it'll keep me from over thinking too. Thanks guy. If anyone else has some ideas please post, as I can use all of the tips I can get.

You cant expect to maintain your focus 100% of the time either. Focus when you are about to hit your shot, visualize the shot you want and when you are walking up to your next shot lower your focus and chat with the people you are playing with, enjoy the scenery and just enjoy the fun of golf. Then, when you come up to your next shot, once again focus on the shot you want, see it in your mind and hit the shot. Even the pros relax their focus between shots and trying to maintain your focus for the entire round is going to wear you out mentally and create tension in your swing.

[lsu70510]

Not sure if this will help but it will occupy time while waiting.  I use the iPhone app "Golfshot".  If I must wait before teeing off, I check out the entire whole (where bunkers are, layup yardage, size of the green, etc.).  It will keep your mind off of your next swing but keep it on golf.  Plus if you play one course a few times, it will teach you more about how to play the course.

[case31]

Something that has helped me with the mental aspect is to not focus so much on the result of the shot, rather think about executing the shot you are hitting.  Example: if I'm getting ready to hit a chip shot, I'm not thinking "oh man, I have to get this close so I can make par."  Instead, I decide on the type of shot I want (pitch, lob, bump and run), determine how hard I need to hit it, aim, and hit.  Simply focusing on execution has all but eliminated my skulls/chunks.

I feel like so many players out there are doing thinks like looking over a putt and are only thinking "I really need to make this," and they let that thought distract them from focusing on doing what is necessary to make that putt (i.e. reading the break, gauging speed).

[Stewie007]

Good thoughts, guys. :) I played today again and this time I was alone. However, in round number two I was in the spot light a few times as some people had arrived. A group ahead of me was hunting for balls and they were taking some time. I got impatient, but respectfully so, hehe. I tried to hit and duffed it. When they came into view I replaced my ball and decided to wait but they waved me on. With all 3 of the awaiting my shot and the marshal watching closely, I nailed my 9i within 10 feet and two putted. First one was a good line but a little bit shy, and the second one in. Unfortunately I had to add the penalty to that since I went OB at first. Then, after I passed on, I lined up for the par 5 with my 5 wood with the marshal once again staring me down. I once again nailed the shot, a bit off aim, but straight as an arrow a good around 260 yards out there. :) Everything felt just right and my lag was right in queue that time! The marshal complemented me on my nice swing and drove on. I nailed the 5 wood again as the guys ahead of me a bit let me play through (after a anxious duff again). Of course, my nerves will at times get me, but my 5 wood was ON today. :) Every other shot seemed to suck, save a few.

[SAGolfLuvr]

Sounds to me that you have a reliable swing but you don't like to "play under pressure" due to being watched. I've been there. I admit, that it gets to me sometimes too (but much less often these days, MONEY PUTTS get me more often now, so I need to practice putting). I'm a 12 handicap and scoring 83-86 normally wins or pays me back in the two groups I play with.

OK, here is my advice on playing through or being stared down by the marshall or by people in other groups and even your own group. It also works for pressure shots. It's all about CONFIDENCE and not having self doubt.

1. Remember that you've hit this shot perfectly before. Do two, no more than three practice swings and duplicate the swing you like. NEVER stand over the ball for more than 1 second. Deep Breath In, Exhale Out, then swing.

2. Re-inforce Rule#1 on the driving range with a SMALL bucket of balls. Take your time in between each ball, line it up at a target, do the breathing technique, and hit. (Yes, it's a confidence building routine.)

3. ALWAYS hit a small bucket or less right before you play. That means you play courses with a driving range and make your tee times so that you have time to hit balls before hand.

4. LASTLY, remember the folks who are watching you, play just as good or worse than you. If they were in your foursome, you would probably beat them. Take your time, go through your routine, make good practice swings, and PLAY THE HOLE, don't play the people watching you. Par and Bogey while being relaxed and going through your routine is Equivalent to going in a straight line to a destination. It takes less time and less stress than rushing to hit/being under pressure, taking penalty strokes, and par and bogey is ALWAYS respectable to the fellow duffers/marshalls who are watching you. They would be happy with the same score :-)

[lsu70510]

"case31" - that is a very good point.  I often find myself thinking I have to chip it close to the hole for a 1 put...especially while I'm chipping.  I will take your advice and I'm sure it will help lower my handicap.  Thanks for the info!

[Stewie007]

  SAGolfLuvr said:

Originally Posted by SAGolfLuvr

Sounds to me that you have a reliable swing but you don't like to "play under pressure" due to being watched. I've been there. I admit, that it gets to me sometimes too (but much less often these days, MONEY PUTTS get me more often now, so I need to practice putting). I'm a 12 handicap and scoring 83-86 normally wins or pays me back in the two groups I play with.

OK, here is my advice on playing through or being stared down by the marshall or by people in other groups and even your own group. It also works for pressure shots. It's all about CONFIDENCE and not having self doubt.

1. Remember that you've hit this shot perfectly before. Do two, no more than three practice swings and duplicate the swing you like. NEVER stand over the ball for more than 1 second. Deep Breath In, Exhale Out, then swing.

2. Re-inforce Rule#1 on the driving range with a SMALL bucket of balls. Take your time in between each ball, line it up at a target, do the breathing technique, and hit. (Yes, it's a confidence building routine.)

3. ALWAYS hit a small bucket or less right before you play. That means you play courses with a driving range and make your tee times so that you have time to hit balls before hand.

4. LASTLY, remember the folks who are watching you, play just as good or worse than you. If they were in your foursome, you would probably beat them. Take your time, go through your routine, make good practice swings, and PLAY THE HOLE, don't play the people watching you. Par and Bogey while being relaxed and going through your routine is Equivalent to going in a straight line to a destination. It takes less time and less stress than rushing to hit/being under pressure, taking penalty strokes, and par and bogey is ALWAYS respectable to the fellow duffers/marshalls who are watching you. They would be happy with the same score :-)

You know, basically all of what you said is right there in my mind, but I just can't grasp it on the course. Perhaps since you have pointed these things out I will be able to wrap my head around it a little better. I do notice that my shorter pause before the swing always seemed to yield better results, but I've parted with that for some reason. Its not like I wait forever, but a few seconds too long and my body probably settles a little too much maybe causing some rigidity.

As far as Rule #2, I normally don't hit balls before my game, but I did try it once and it yielded some better results. Next round I'm going to do that. In the mean time I am hoping to get to use the range at the Private club that the In-Laws belong to so that I may work on my game in the mean time. I hope that they let me in and don't require that the main member be there.