Golfing under the influence, should this be moderated?

[Valleygolfer]

It could seem that using some sort of substance whether it be pot, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol or any other substance to calm or stimulate yourself could be against the rules of golf as far as handicap scoring. True skills and ability make up a big part of golf but mental fortitude is even more of a factor. This being said, to use an outside influence to take the "tension" out of your swing could be questionable..

Obviously, this would be policed solely by the player...

[Patch]

Golf for most of us is a recreational sport. I have no problem drinking a beer or two while playing with friends, and family. A person recreates to have fun, and to relax from the tougher issues in life. If a little relaxaion, before stupidity sets in, effects one's handicap, then so be it. Myself, I shoot the same scores with, or with out a couple of beers

What I do have a problem with are players who over do it, or use illegal substances that impair their ability to drive a vehicle after a round. That, or cause other players problem during a round. Their golf handicap is a non issue as far as I am concerned. It's the danger they cause others that is my concern. 

[Gunther]

Caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol are not on WADA's list so of course not.  

The better question would be those substances banned by the Tour or WADA.  I'd still vote that they shouldn't disqualify handicaps because we're just amateurs but I could see where there might be different takes on it.

[freshmanUTA]

 

if if they ban it we'll never see this again

Edited March 20, 2016 by freshmanUTA

[SavvySwede]

1 hour ago, Valleygolfer said:

It could seem that using some sort of substance whether it be pot, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol or any other substance to calm or stimulate yourself could be against the rules of golf as far as handicap scoring. True skills and ability make up a big part of golf but mental fortitude is even more of a factor. This being said, to use an outside influence to take the "tension" out of your swing could be questionable..

Obviously, this would be policed solely by the player...

1. Mental game isn't that important.
2. I think we all know pot and/or alcohol isn't really helping anyone despite what individuals may claim. I'd be more worried about creating inflated handicaps.

[Jakester23]

2 minutes ago, SavvySwede said:

1. Mental game isn't that important.
2. I think we all know pot and/or alcohol isn't really helping anyone despite what individuals may claim. I'd be more worried about creating inflated handicaps.

I agree with both of these. I've seen a few guys have a few to many on the course. Let me tell you it didn't help them play better.  I think most of us are playing for fun so if having a beer or two increases your enjoyment go for it. Just don't have to many and drive home.

[Valleygolfer]

6 minutes ago, SavvySwede said:

1. Mental game isn't that important.
2. I think we all know pot and/or alcohol isn't really helping anyone despite what individuals may claim. I'd be more worried about creating inflated handicaps.

Maybe not for you but some the mental game is a big issue.

We know people who actually play better or see people play better after intake of a substance. Just as we have seen people play worse. Performance enhancing drugs do not increase your abilities but improve outcomes of well done activities. If you feel you cannot play well without "blank",  you generally won't.

Edited March 20, 2016 by Valleygolfer

[Fourputt]

18 minutes ago, SavvySwede said:

1. Mental game isn't that important.
2. I think we all know pot and/or alcohol isn't really helping anyone despite what individuals may claim. I'd be more worried about creating inflated handicaps.

I don't know where you get this, but it makes no sense at all.  Mindset and focus are critical for me.  If my head isn't in the game, I make stupid mistakes in my play choices and lack of focus can make for some really crappy swings.  For me I know that being mentally in the game is at least half of a good round.

[SavvySwede]

15 minutes ago, Valleygolfer said:

Maybe not for you but some the mental game is a big issue.

We know people who actually play better or see people play better after intake of a substance. Just as we have seen people play worse. Performance enhancing drugs do not increase your abilities but improve outcomes of well done activities. If you feel you cannot play well without "blank",  you generally won't.

1. No, some people believe it is a issue because they won't blame their swing.
2. They play better or worse because it just doesn't matter. People look for patterns that just aren't there. (like when you think of somebody and then they call you on the phone but you dismiss all the other times you did think of them but they didn't call.) The same guy will say he's playing great on one hole because he feels "loose" and then tops the very next shot and blames it on the beer.

Just now, Fourputt said:

I don't know where you get this, but it makes no sense at all.  Mindset and focus are critical for me.  If my head isn't in the game, I make stupid mistakes in my play choices and lack of focus can make for some really crappy swings.  For me I know that being mentally in the game is at least half of a good round.

 

[Fourputt]

3 minutes ago, SavvySwede said:

1. No, some people believe it is a issue because they won't blame their swing.
2. They play better or worse because it just doesn't matter. People look for patterns that just aren't there. (like when you think of somebody and then they call you on the phone but you dismiss all the other times you did think of them but they didn't call.) The same guy will say he's playing great on one hole because he feels "loose" and then tops the very next shot and blames it on the beer.

 

Much as I respect Erik, I don't see that he is any more of an authority on this than is Bob Rotella.  If mental game was not an important part of golf (or most any sport) there would be no sports psychologists.  Part of the mental game is course management (which as I understand it is an integral part of LSW), and that requires thinking clearly about every shot.  You can quote others til the cows moo, but you will never convince me of the lack of importance of having my head in the game.

And, by the way, I never said that I'd be a scratch golfer with a better mental game.  All I say is that when I don't use my noggin, My otherwise poor game gets far worse.

[SavvySwede]

2 minutes ago, Fourputt said:

Much as I respect Erik, I don't see that he is any more of an authority on this than is Bob Rotella.  If mental game was not an important part of golf (or most any sport) there would be no sports psychologists.  Part of the mental game is course management (which as I understand it is an integral part of LSW), and that requires thinking clearly about every shot.  You can quote others til the cows moo, but you will never convince me of the lack of importance of having my head in the game.

And, by the way, I never said that I'd be a scratch golfer with a better mental game.  All I say is that when I don't use my noggin, My otherwise poor game gets far worse.

We wouldn't have car dealerships, fortune tellers, or walmart greeters either if they weren't absolutely necessary.

[Valleygolfer]

4 minutes ago, SavvySwede said:

We wouldn't have car dealerships, fortune tellers, or walmart greeters either if they weren't absolutely necessary.

Oh because this is a great comparison...try again.

[SavvySwede]

8 minutes ago, Valleygolfer said:

Oh because this is a great comparison...try again.

Sure it is. People go to fortune tellers because they're looking for a simplified solution that doesn't involve any real effort, car dealerships are basically "invented" industries, and Walmart greeters just aren't needed. Hits three separate points.

[Valleygolfer]

13 minutes ago, SavvySwede said:

Sure it is. People go to fortune tellers because they're looking for a simplified solution that doesn't involve any real effort, car dealerships are basically "invented" industries, and Walmart greeters just aren't needed. Hits three separate points.

Studies of neurophysiology have shown that there millions of ways the brain perceives and reacts to events that are completely unknown to the person who is experiencing them. Naturally reacting to something which causes tension and/or releasing hormones to elevate heart rate, creating disbelief in one's abilities is common. This has been repeatedly tested.

Having someone help you recognize this and alter your thinking can help you function at higher levels.

Someone well educated in brain function has nothing to do with any of the jobs you referenced.

Edited March 20, 2016 by Valleygolfer

[SavvySwede]

11 minutes ago, Valleygolfer said:

Studies of neurophysiology have shown that there millions of ways the brain perceives and reacts to events that are completely unknown to the person who is experiencing them. Naturally reacting to something which causes tension and/or releasing hormones to elevate heart rate, creating disbelief in one's abilities is common. This has been repeatedly tested.

1.Having someone help you recognize this and alter your thinking can help you function at higher levels.

2.Someone well educated in brain function has nothing to do with any of the jobs you referenced.

1. The effectiveness of this training is a questionable one. Plenty of major winners/losers will say how nervous they were, heart racing, etc. Yet they'll hit both fantastic and/or poor shots coming down the stretch just like they would any other day of the week. The news will say one choked and the other was in the zone but on average the guy who has the better golf skills still wins.

2. Well that's completely beside the point of the analogy.

[chilepepper]

Go ahead and drink on the course, I could care. Just don't make an azz of yourself to the detriment of others.

but if you absolutely must make a fool of yourself make it an amusing good story

[Valleygolfer]

6 minutes ago, SavvySwede said:

1. The effectiveness of this training is a questionable one. Plenty of major winners/losers will say how nervous they were, heart racing, etc. Yet they'll hit both fantastic and/or poor shots coming down the stretch just like they would any other day of the week. The news will say one choked and the other was in the zone but on average the guy who has the better golf skills still wins.

2. Well that's completely beside the point of the analogy.

You are assuming everyone has the same way of dealing stress. Obviously all pros have experienced nerves. Simple fact is everyone deals with it differently.

Take someone who can't settle down at the beginning of a round unless they have one drink, cigarette or hit on a pipe. They may not be "wasted" but helps them play. This is what I am talking about.

Reps and experience build confidence (confidence is all mental fyi). Let's put you on the golf course in a pro tournament, are going to shoot your cap? I'll say that in the in the pro ranks it is the "lack of mental interference" that gives them the advantage. Amateur ranks, mental is a huge part until you have the reps required to be able to "turn it off".

Here is a personal example.  If I even have the slightest indecision with a putt, I will miss it. It manifests in a poor stroke and generally I leave it short. Swing flaw, yes. Mental flaw, yes as well.

This video might explain why Poulter is having issues too...

[SavvySwede]

6 minutes ago, Valleygolfer said:

Here is a personal example. 1. If I even have the slightest indecision with a putt, I will miss it. It manifests in a poor stroke and generally I leave it short. Swing flaw, yes. Mental flaw, yes as well.

 

1. But you don't have any real data on that, you remember those examples more because emotions are tied to memory.

2. Is this all that scientific? In a test like this I'd be pretty sure people were screwing with me anyway. You see how the the second guy smiles after making the first shot post-blindfold? He suspects something is up and I don't blame him.