Psychology on the course

[tony@CIC]

As I was taking the test (in another thread) the thought occurred to me that I need to be training my brain as well as working on my swing. So what things do you do to that drive a higher mental performance on the course and specifically in competition?

 

 

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[PlaidJacket]

forget the previous shot.

[gaussman1]

As I was taking the test (in another thread) the thought occurred to me that I need to be training my brain as well as working on my swing. So what things do you do to that drive a higher mental performance on the course and specifically in competition?

 

 

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Particularly under pressure I usually decide on a shot that has the best chance for success and the least chance for disaster. Then I focus on hitting the shot I want to hit. If the ball doesn't end up where I want it to I do a very good job of dealing with it from where it lies on the next shot. I don't think so much about forgetting the last shot as I do looking forward at the next one.

On those occasions where I choose to play the high risk/high reward shot I make sure that I'm prepared for all outcomes. That way if it ends up in the hazard or bunker I'm trying to carry I have already accepted that as one of the possibilities I may have to contend with. My home course has very small greens and a lot of deep bunkers and water hazards so you need to be prepared to deal with them on a daily basis. Sometimes you're a yard away from putting for eagle and taking a penalty stroke instead. At my skill level that's just the way it goes. I'm good enough to take on those shots but not good enough to execute them all the time. The benefit is I rarely face a course or a shot in competition on other courses that is as challenging as what I face every day at my home course.

 

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[alfriday101]

https://www.amazon.com/Be-Player-Breakthrough-Approach-Playing/dp/1476788030

 

Read this book.  Read it again.  Then go through the explorations at the end of each section.  

[HardcoreLooper]

Two great replies above. I can add:

 

1. Focus on your preshot routine and execute it flawlessly. It's completely under your control, and it gives you something to obsess over besides your shot. Add a word to it that you say silently.

 

2. Accept the result of your shot before you even take the club back.

 

3. Get angry quickly, then get over it. Because #2 is really easy to say and hard to do.

 

4. Understand that you're not a competitive golfer and that you're learning how to deal with these situations. Embrace the fact that you feel like you're going to puke on your shoes. Feeling scared = feeling alive.

 

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[HardcoreLooper]

When all else fails and you're just dying out there, remember what Bill Murray taught us in Meatballs... https://youtu.be/XM4jJc8w4H0

 

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[ole gray]

Do not play above your head which means course management can lead to less stress. 

[cksurfdude]

Hank Haney's "Rules":

1. No penalty shots.

..eg. focus on putting the ball into play off the tee .. not going for it with a DJ drive

"200 in the fairway beats 250 in the woods."

 

2. No 2-chips.

..eg. maybe from a greenside bunker your highest percentage play is actually away from the hole.

 

3. No 3-putts.

..even the pros start missing more than they make outside of 10 feet .. get the first one close.

 

 

PS:

Thx to KennyB for always reminding me of these!!

[tony@CIC]

https://www.amazon.com/Be-Player-Breakthrough-Approach-Playing/dp/1476788030

 

Read this book. Read it again. Then go through the explorations at the end of each section.

Thanks for the lead on the book. I'm a big reader especially on improvement. I've read and reread '30 Second Swing'. So will give this one arty as well. As an FYI I've heard great things about Vision54.

 

 

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[Flipper554]

I don't know if it's a psychology, but I play round of golf against the course not who I am playing with. Never give on a par and don't hit two bad shots in a row. I know what I am capable of and don't change the way I play, except in scrambles, then anything is possible.

[tony@CIC]

Thanks for the lead on the book. I'm a big reader especially on improvement. I've read and reread '30 Second Swing'. So will give this one arty as well. As an FYI I've heard great things about Vision54.

 

 

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"Be a Player" what a great book. I can relate to all the negatives (Not 54) they mention in the book. This will not be a one time read!

 

 

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[tony@CIC]

https://www.amazon.com/Be-Player-Breakthrough-Approach-Playing/dp/1476788030

 

Read this book. Read it again. Then go through the explorations at the end of each section.

Sorry this is the link I wanted to quote in my previous message

 

 

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