Does it help your game to be OCD?

[Patch]

Perhaps this might help:

Colloquial Use of OCD

The phrase obsessive–compulsive is often used colloquially to indicate someone who is excessively meticulous, perfectionistic, or otherwise fixated. Although these signs are present in OCD, a person who exhibits them does not necessarily have OCD, but may instead have an autism spectrum disorder, obsessive–compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), or no clinical condition at all.

The main difference between OCD and OCPD is that OCD is egodystonic , meaning that the disorder is incompatible with the sufferer's self-concept , and therefore causes a lot of distress. OCPD, on the other hand, is egosyntonic—meaning the behaviors are compatible with his or her self-image, or are otherwise appropriate or reasonable. Individuals with OCD, by definition, cannot lead normal lives and are plagued daily by their obsessions and compulsions.

Source: Boundless. “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.” Boundless Psychology . Boundless, 05 Nov. 2014. Retrieved 13 Mar. 2015 from https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/psychological-disorders-18/anxiety-disorders-91/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-352-12887/

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lihu

I suppose one major flaw in my poll is that real OCD people would be disturbed by the inaccuracy and looseness of my use of the term (acronym) OCD?

So, to clarify, what I mean is in the colloquial usage of OCD. . .

Right, this is what I mean. . .

In retrospect, a better term would have simply been Obsessive or Methodical, and you could have just left off the Compulsive and especially the Disorder part.  But, no matter, it's not a huge deal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkim291968

In Liu's thread context, I read OCD as being overly methodical.    I think those folks have advantage over non-methodical people.   E.g, if I routinely make 2 practice swings before every shot, I will definitely score better but I don't.

I kind of disagree.  Having a pre-shot routine is quite important, however I don't think its something that should qualify as methodical, but rather, quite the opposite.  If you're robotically thinking "I. must. make. two. practice. swings." before every shot then you're concentrating on the routine when you should be concentrating on the shot.  The routine is a way to GET AWAY from all of the "intrusive thoughts" and other things that take you concentration away from the shot at hand.  Get the routine down pat and it's simply a trigger to get yourself to focus.

Consequently, I think being obsessive or methodical about things is a detriment.

Oh, and how come you only want the handicaps of the people who post 5 and higher on your scale?

Just wanted to see if there is a correlation between handicap and amount of obsessiveness. . .

So, here's in the reason I came up with this poll. I was told that there is a +5.6 handicap (the highest amateur in our state???) and that this person is super nit picking or colloquially "OCD". He goes through this very complicated routine, and does not tolerate any distractions whatsoever. I was also told that most of the better than scratch golfers are somewhat "OCD"?

Kind of wanted to start a discussion. . .

[GolfLug]

Just wanted to see if there is a correlation between handicap and amount of obsessiveness. . .

So, here's in the reason I came up with this poll. I was told that there is a +5.6 handicap (the highest amateur in our state???) and that this person is super nit picking or colloquially "OCD". He goes through this very complicated routine, and does not tolerate any distractions whatsoever. I was also told that most of the better than scratch golfers are somewhat "OCD"?

Kind of wanted to start a discussion. . .

Sorry, Lihu, didn't mean to derail your poll by being 'obsessive' about the definition of OCD.  I admit I knew what you meant, but felt need to clarify since 'OCD' carries a somewhat negative connotation. Anyway, I would still say that being obsessive about details is a good thing. I am sure you being a robotics engineer can appreciate that. Golf is high art and an exacting science at the same time. EVERYTHING matters. Golf demands it.

I wish I could be more exact and 'deliberate' about my routine, positions, feels, all the time, or at least a lot more than I can manage in my brain now. I think my worst rounds are when I am not as engaged, lackadaisical or if cannot sustain it for 18 holes. I think by and large I have managed to drop 6 shots last year is BECAUSE I am more particular now about my execution. I think in some ways it breeds more consistency. Paralysis by analysis happens to those whose analysis is not correct or insufficient in the first place.

I envy folks who can be so focused about what matters in their games without losing the larger perspective for long periods. I think there is a directly proportionate relationship between obsessiveness and HCP.

BTW, it must also be said that there is also an inversely proportionate relationship between obsessiveness and pace of play.

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lihu

Just wanted to see if there is a correlation between handicap and amount of obsessiveness. . .

So, here's in the reason I came up with this poll. I was told that there is a +5.6 handicap (the highest amateur in our state???) and that this person is super nit picking or colloquially "OCD". He goes through this very complicated routine, and does not tolerate any distractions whatsoever. I was also told that most of the better than scratch golfers are somewhat "OCD"?

Kind of wanted to start a discussion. . .

Sorry, Lihu, didn't mean to derail your poll by being 'obsessive' about the definition of OCD.  I admit I knew what you meant, but felt need to clarify since 'OCD' carries a somewhat negative connotation. Anyway, I would still say that being obsessive about details is a good thing. I am sure you being a robotics engineer can appreciate that. Golf is high art and an exacting science at the same time. EVERYTHING matters. Golf demands it.

I wish I could be more exact and 'deliberate' about my routine, positions, feels, all the time, or at least a lot more than I can manage in my brain now. I think my worst rounds are when I am not as engaged, lackadaisical or if cannot sustain it for 18 holes. I think by and large I have managed to drop 6 shots last year is BECAUSE I am more particular now about my execution. I think in some ways it breeds more consistency. Paralysis by analysis happens to those whose analysis is not correct or insufficient in the first place.

I envy folks who can be so focused about what matters in their games without losing the larger perspective for long periods. I think there is a directly proportionate relationship between obsessiveness and HCP.

BTW, it must also be said that there is also an inversely proportionate relationship between obsessiveness and pace of play.

I didn't feel that this topic was being derailed. It kind of reinforced my point that some (or many) of the golfers on this site like to see precise use of the terms. As I guessed the golfers who are better, seemed to be more "highly detail oriented" (HDO) or what I incorrectly termed "OCD".

In some fields like engineering and I am guessing, golf, being HDO is not that bad. If the manager of the manager of the manager of the engineer selecting the O-rings on the space shuttle were more detail oriented, he would have read the reports before sending up the Challenger shuttle.

A more correct thread title could possibly be "What is your HDO level?"

I just wanted to see if there is a correlation between handicap and HDO level?

BTW, I disagree with your last statement. What I feel is that the time pressure makes it that much more crucial to be HDO and super focused on the shot so you don't need to make another shot to do the same thing, thus saving time. . .

[trickyputt]

[QUOTE name="GolfLug" url="/t/80712/does-it-help-your-game-to-be-ocd/18#post_1115692"]   [QUOTE name="Lihu" url="/t/80712/does-it-help-your-game-to-be-ocd/18#post_1115224"]   Just wanted to see if there is a correlation between handicap and amount of obsessiveness. . .:whistle: So, here's in the reason I came up with this poll. I was told that there is a +5.6 handicap (the highest amateur in our state???) and that this person is super nit picking or colloquially "OCD". He goes through this very complicated routine, and does not tolerate any distractions whatsoever. I was also told that most of the better than scratch golfers are somewhat "OCD"? Kind of wanted to start a discussion. . . [/QUOTE] Sorry, Lihu, didn't mean to derail your poll by being 'obsessive' about the definition of OCD.  I admit I knew what you meant, but felt need to clarify since 'OCD' carries a somewhat negative connotation . Anyway, I would still say that being obsessive about details is a good thing. I am sure you being a robotics engineer can appreciate that. Golf is high art and an exacting science at the same time. EVERYTHING matters. Golf demands it. I wish I could be more exact and 'deliberate' about my routine, positions, feels, all the time, or at least a lot more than I can manage in my brain now. I think my worst rounds are when I am not as engaged, lackadaisical or if cannot sustain it for 18 holes. I think by and large I have managed to drop 6 shots last year is BECAUSE I am more particular now about my execution. I think in some ways it breeds more consistency. Paralysis by analysis happens to those whose analysis is not correct or insufficient in the first place.  I envy folks who can be so focused about what matters in their games without losing the larger perspective for long periods. I think there is a directly proportionate relationship between obsessiveness and HCP. BTW, it must also be said that there is also an inversely proportionate relationship between obsessiveness and pace of play. [/QUOTE] I didn't feel that this topic was being derailed. It kind of reinforced my point that some (or many) of the golfers on this site like to see precise use of the terms. As I guessed the golfers who are better, seemed to be more "highly detail oriented" (HDO) or what I incorrectly termed "OCD". In some fields like engineering and I am guessing, golf, being HDO is not that bad. If the manager of the manager of the manager of the engineer selecting the O-rings on the space shuttle were more detail oriented, he would have read the reports before sending up the Challenger shuttle. A more correct thread title could possibly be "What is your HDO level?" I just wanted to see if there is a correlation between handicap and HDO level? BTW, I disagree with your last statement. What I feel is that the time pressure makes it that much more crucial to be HDO and super focused on the shot so you don't need to make another shot to do the same thing, thus saving time. . .

@iacas can help the detail oriented.

[mchepp]

Here is a short film made by a person having OCD. I find after watching this short film, that playing golf with all this going on in your mind would be extremely difficult. What does everyone else think?

[GolfLug]

I didn't feel that this topic was being derailed. It kind of reinforced my point that some (or many) of the golfers on this site like to see precise use of the terms. As I guessed the golfers who are better, seemed to be more "highly detail oriented" (HDO) or what I incorrectly termed "OCD".

In some fields like engineering and I am guessing, golf, being HDO is not that bad. If the manager of the manager of the manager of the engineer selecting the O-rings on the space shuttle were more detail oriented, he would have read the reports before sending up the Challenger shuttle.

A more correct thread title could possibly be "What is your HDO level?"

I just wanted to see if there is a correlation between handicap and HDO level?

BTW, I disagree with your last statement. What I feel is that the time pressure makes it that much more crucial to be HDO and super focused on the shot so you don't need to make another shot to do the same thing, thus saving time. . .

Surprised at your disagreement. Not everybody gives into time pressure. The 'fast' player is fast because he is not obsessive about details. He is good with limited information and executes. Partly because his mental make up is such that it would interfere with execution. But the slow player is slow is because a) they tool around or b) are HDO. Of course, fast/slow are relative but then can't remember when I saw a sub 5 hour televised round. These guys are the epitome of super focused, yes?

If you need outside pressure to be more time efficient in your HDO behavior than that by implication makes 'HDO' intrinsically time consuming behavior.

We still agree that HDO in general is good.

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lihu

I didn't feel that this topic was being derailed. It kind of reinforced my point that some (or many) of the golfers on this site like to see precise use of the terms. As I guessed the golfers who are better, seemed to be more "highly detail oriented" (HDO) or what I incorrectly termed "OCD".

In some fields like engineering and I am guessing, golf, being HDO is not that bad. If the manager of the manager of the manager of the engineer selecting the O-rings on the space shuttle were more detail oriented, he would have read the reports before sending up the Challenger shuttle.

A more correct thread title could possibly be "What is your HDO level?"

I just wanted to see if there is a correlation between handicap and HDO level?

BTW, I disagree with your last statement. What I feel is that the time pressure makes it that much more crucial to be HDO and super focused on the shot so you don't need to make another shot to do the same thing, thus saving time. . .

Surprised at your disagreement. Not everybody gives into time pressure. The 'fast' player is fast because he is not obsessive about details. He is good with limited information and executes. Partly because his mental make up is such that it would interfere with execution. But the slow player is slow is because a) they tool around or b) are HDO. Of course, fast/slow are relative but then can't remember when I saw a sub 5 hour televised round. These guys are the epitome of super focused, yes?

If you need outside pressure to be more time efficient in your HDO behavior than that by implication makes 'HDO' intrinsically time consuming behavior.

We still agree that HDO in general is good.

The + handicaps I have played with tend to spend a little more time setting up and reading every shot including putts. They save time by making less shots. It still takes less time to par a hole carefully than to make a bogey or worse "fast".

Yeah, HDO is what I mean rather than OCD. . .and to further refine the definition as one who looks only at the required details.