Course Mode Enable...

[Jack Watson]

Many of us work hard at improving our swings.  I think it's very important to remember on course is a different approach.  It's one reason I only do my psr on course.  

On course we have to set ourselves on the shot in front of us and really there's no rules just get the job done.  There's nothing on the scorecard about being pretty.  I like to imagine as I prepare to go off the first tee that I flip my golf mode switch into play mode.  Play mode for me is like a more automatic mode... it means no rules just advance the ball towards the hole as best I can from wherever I hit it.  

Psr has helped me so much on this.  I used to be kind of self conscious about playing with strangers but after locking down my psr it's no problem.  I know I am executing the aspects I can as best I can and I lock into the psr and the world around me sort of is blocked out in a sense.

To me playing golf is a much more childlike state of mind than working on my swing.  

I think it might make a thread if we get folks to chime in on their thoughts about practice vs play and how to take your game from the range to the course!

 

[David in FL]

Yet again I'll admit ignorance.  I have no idea what a "psr" is.

I'm not sure about "automatic mode" or "no rules" with respect to my on-course play though.  I think that a prudent evaluation of the actual shot at hand, and an understanding of the risks vs the potential reward for each shot, is an integral part of shooting my best possible score, which is always my goal.

Perhaps I'm missing your point though....

[Jack Watson]

Sorry,  Pre Shot Routine.  It means the method you use to execute your shot on course.

Mine is mostly alignment based.

For me each part of it is engineered to ensure I do my best on the pre shot things grip stance alignment.  Then I just go.

i find by doing them the same way every time it calms me.

Edited March 28, 2017 by Jack Watson

[MarvChamp]

I remember one of the old time pros saying how important it was to him to go through the same routine, every shot doing the same thing. I recall Jim Furyk when he won the US Open was maddenly repetitive every shot, every time the same. Makes sense. -Marv

[klineka]

I have the same pre shot routine for putting. Using it every single time gives me confidence in my read/line so I don't second guess myself.

I have a more generalized one I use for all other shots, depending on what type of shot it is. For example, chip shots from the rough I might take more practice swings to get the feel of how the club will glide through the rough, but a standard full wedge shot from the fairway might only be 1-2 practice swings and hit.

Tee shots, particularly with driver. 3 wood and long irons is where thoughts tend to creep in my head the most during my swing, lately just saying a simply phrase to myself during the swing has helped my with both my tempo and blocking out negative thoughts. For me, as soon as the clubhead starts to go back, I think in my head, "easy peasy lemon squeezy" Not sure why I think that or when I started it, but it helps me stay on tempo and blocks out thoughts like "dont slice" and it reminds me to swing nice and easy while staying loose.

[Patch]

I use my "psr" primarily to deal with pace of play. After that, I use it for alignment stuff. Stuff like a landing area for longer, full swing shots, and for deciding on a line for chips, and putts. 

I have seen others also incorporate their own "post shot routine" but not sure what that involves. I suppose I have one which I use to clear my focus from the last shot, to get ready for my next shot. (psr)

[Hatchman]

PR vs PL is different to me.  I take a piece of priority work to the range then immediately practice it, if possible, on the course.  My PSR is simple, if I know my distance, I get behind the ball waggle a few times and go.   Overthinking the what if's doesn't do me much good.  

[Jack Watson]

I am definitely not advocating thinking too much.  It's opposite that with the psr imo.

Whats interesting to me is I have read elsewhere comments by good players that they kind of align by feel.

When I do that I am toast.  I need to use the intermediate target.

In other words if I simply stand there and aim off into the distance I can hit a nice ball on my stance line that's way left or right.

 

I am not posting this for anything except where he talks alignment in the beginning.  Frankly for me doing it this way has been a real improvement.

i believe Nicklaus did the same.

[boogielicious]

8 hours ago, Jack Watson said:

I am definitely not advocating thinking too much.  It's opposite that with the psr imo.

Whats interesting to me is I have read elsewhere comments by good players that they kind of align by feel.

When I do that I am toast.  I need to use the intermediate target.

In other words if I simply stand there and aim off into the distance I can hit a nice ball on my stance line that's way left or right.

 

I am not posting this for anything except where he talks alignment in the beginning.  Frankly for me doing it this way has been a real improvement.

i believe Nicklaus did the same.

He did. I use this alignment approach.