I Used to Play This Game With Fear!

[Patrick57]

I would love to play golf without fear and often I do. Fear of looking bad, blowing up, those hanging 3 foot putts, the trees, bunkers and the water hazards.

The secret to playing fearless golf lies in heightening your awareness of the level of fear you feel on the run up to - pre-shot routine - and during each swing.

I start by carrying out the following exercise on the range. Using a scale from 1-5 for measuring fear levels, with 1 being no fear and 5 being excessive. I usually feel some fear and anticipation at address just before swinging, at about level 3. I then step away and re-address the ball and the number drops to 2, and then again and eventually it drops to 1. I then start my swing and halfway through the back swing again fear. I go through the same procedure until I also get this to level 1.

I still haven't hit a ball yet. Some minutes later I have managed to control my fear factor, using this simple number system, in such a way that I am now on the range hitting balls with no fear or anticipation of any kind. It's a wonderful feeling of freedom.

I am now ready to go onto the course and, standing on the first tee, its a little different and the levels go up. I persist with giving my numbers and recognising when these fear factors present themselves. A few holes later, just like I managed on the range, the fear disappears.

Ten rounds later, a few tournament wins and some of the best golf of my life, I no longer need to work on this as it has become implanted or aged. I have managed to take it out of my game or at least reached levels that are almost zero. I refresh this drill occasionally when I recognise that I am no longer playing in the state of freedom I had attained. This procedure takes less and less time the more experienced I become in adopting this routine.

I hear many sportsmen insisting that we need a certain amount of fear to improve our concentration which in turn leads to a better performance.

"Oh, you really think so, do you?"

Fear is perhaps helpful if you have to run across a battlefield or a dangerous animal is chasing you, but for an accurate approach to a green or a tricky putt, I'll take fearless every time. I prefer fearless golf and the wonderful freedom that it brings.

[GaijinGolfer]

Without fear is always better because you will be 100% commited to the shot and be driven by effort, not results.  You can often make a good shot but have something happen where it doesnt work out like you wanted.  That doesnt mean it was a bad shot.

Thinking, "right at the flag" or "center of the green" is much better than thinking, "dont hit it in the water".  Fear is a killer in golf.

[lumpuckeroo]

It's a game, it's suppose to be fun, not to be feared.

[Patrick57]

Originally Posted by lumpuckeroo

It's a game, it's suppose to be fun, not to be feared.

Yes but most golfers play with some degree of fear

[The Tin Man]

Charlie Brown Fear:  The Hero or the Goat?

On the first T with  people I don't know.

[Patrick57]

Originally Posted by The Tin Man

Charlie Brown Fear:  The Hero or the Goat?

On the first T with  people I don't know.

Sorry Charlie Brown?

This is over my head.

[dieRx]

Just think about the big picture, it's just golf.

[Patrick57]

Originally Posted by dieRx

Just think about the big picture, it's just golf.

Doesn't stop people wilting and tearing their hair out on the course.

Don't pretend like its not an issue.

[dieRx]

Originally Posted by Patrick57

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieRx

Just think about the big picture, it's just golf.

Doesn't stop people wilting and tearing their hair out on the course.

Don't pretend like its not an issue.

I mean if you have fear on the course just take a step back and remember that it's just a game. I'm fully aware that everybody has experienced fear on the golf course including myself.

[Patrick57]

Originally Posted by dieRx

I mean if you have fear on the course just take a step back and remember that it's just a game. I'm fully aware that everybody has experienced fear on the golf course including myself.

Yes I got your point but the debate is how do you tell some one who is tearing his hair out and cursing his head off to just stand back and remember its just a game.

[Bullitt5339]

Originally Posted by Patrick57

Yes I got your point but the debate is how do you tell some one who is tearing his hair out and cursing his head off to just stand back and remember its just a game.

Exactly what you just said, but with more poignant wording:

"Dude, chill out, you're making yourself look like an ass.  You're not good enough to get mad.  Isn't this supposed to be something you enjoy?  If you are going to let yourself get that upset, maybe you shouldn't play, since it is a game."

[Patrick57]

Originally Posted by Bullitt5339

Exactly what you just said, but with more poignant wording:

"Dude, chill out, you're making yourself look like an ass.

Most of the golfers I know will not be motivated with what you advise but I agree its what they should be doing. And its still remains the biggest score wrecker there is.

I believe if golfers learned to play without fear and had a concentration drill to cope with it, this one element would improve results and more importantly increase enjoyment levels.

[Bullitt5339]

I refuse to play a round with anyone who gets so upset that they let a bad shot affect them past the the one initial curse word.  If they go to the extent of the way you described, I would tell them that I will not continue to play with them.  I am out on the course to enjoy myself, and one person who lets the game bother them that bad affects the entire group negatively.  They either realize it's not that serious, or they'll play alone.

[Patrick57]

Originally Posted by Bullitt5339

I refuse to play a round with anyone who gets so upset that they let a bad shot affect them past the the one initial curse word.  If they go to the extent of the way you described, I would tell them that I will not continue to play with them.  I am out on the course to enjoy myself, and one person who lets the game bother them that bad affects the entire group negatively.  They either realize it's not that serious, or they'll play alone.

I know plenty of golfers who go both ways. But its still the fear factor that ruins their score not how they react to it. The ones that bottle it up still ruin their scores because of it.

Bottom line, almost every one suffers from this fear during scoring rounds.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Patrick57

But its still the fear factor that ruins their score not how they react to it. The ones that bottle it up still ruin their scores because of it.

Why is it always absolutes with you?

Originally Posted by Patrick57

Bottom line, almost every one suffers from this fear during scoring rounds.

And your proof is where?

I can't remember a time I had "fear" on the golf course. It's just a game. I've lost some matches, won a few more than I've lost, and enjoy the game whether I have it that day or not.

[Bullitt5339]

Fear would indicate that you take the game way too seriously.  Today I had a 200 yard carry over a pond to an elevated green.  I didn't fear the shot.  I knew there was a good chance I would not carry it with my 7 Wood, which was the only fairway wood I was carrying today.  I tried the shot anyway, knowing the risk vs. reward of making it.  There was never any fear involved.  I knew the chances and chose to take the risk, which ended up with a plugged ball in the bank of the pond.

It's a game that I play to get away from the stresses of normal life with work, teenagers and a wife.  If I feel fear or anger on the course, it's counter-intuitive to what I am trying to accomplish by being on one of the last prime pieces of real estate left on earth.

[Precis1on]

I don't remember the last time I was afraid of a shot on the course. Then again I'm a grip it and rip it, always go for a tucked pin (often miss), and go across the water. IE my course management is pretty terrible, but I get a thrill from attacking challenges. No fear here.

[logman]

Is it just me, have I missed something about Patrick???? but I'm pretty much agreeing with most of what Patrick writes here. Most of everyone else here treats him like the guy that got too drunk at the work Christmas party and took his clothes off and then tried to fight the boss. Come on people we've all been there.....haven't we!!!  but yeah I play with a combination of excitement....often very close to nervousness, fear? yeah that the next tricky shot will ruin my score. What everyone else is just some kind of Ice man automaton or something? Emotion's part of golf....isn't it???