PTamney Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Hey Friends, I’m very new to the community as well as a renewed love for golf. I’m asking for some good ways to stay sharp and have a better time playing the game. Honestly, I don’t go a round without having a complete meltdown and have very hard time getting back in control. It’s the difference between shooting 80-85 and 90. Any tips to stay focused and keep my heart rate down during high pressure shots would greatly be appreciated. cksurfdude and revkev 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoCoatsOfWax Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 I like some of the mental game tips that Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott give in their books. cksurfdude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony@CIC Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 As a higher handicapper I also have a couple (or maybe more) of real meltdowns per round. As I review the 'meltdown' hole it's generally due to one or all of the following: lack of my normal preshot routine, taking chances that deep down I know I can't achieve, or just going through the motions. On the latter - not sure if this quote came from PIA/Marriot's books or another - "every shot counts". I have that quote displayed on my 'cheat sheet'. It's a constant reminder for me. Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy cksurfdude 1 Quote Left Hand orientation SIM 2 D Max with Fujikura Air Speeder Shaft Cobra Radspeed 3W/RIptide Shaft 410 Hybrids 22*, 26* Cobra Speed Zone 6-GP/Recoil ESX 460 F3 Shafts SM7 54* Wedge Glide 3.0 60* Wedge O Works putter V3 NX9-HD - 4 Wheel EZGO TXT 48v cart - too many shoes to list and so many to buy And BAG Boy Golf Balls: Vice Pro Plus 2020 Official Tester Beginning Driver Speed - 78 2019 Official Tester 410 Driver 2018 Official Tester C300 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revkev Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 I think this is a fascinating topic - thanks for bringing it up. Age has become a real factor in focus for me. Since getting into better physical shape and working out I've regained the lost distance that I thought had accounted for my poor play (handicap index moving from .8 to over 8 in the past six years). I certainly have recaptured some of that loss - down to below 5 - but not all of it because I lack consistency. While that appears to be physical errors they are really mental - I "forget" some basic swing mechanics - things that I've learned to set up through pre-swing thoughts and then my grip starts to tighten and instead of just going back to those basics I tighten up my grip and the next thing you know I'm having stretches of doubles and triples so that I might have a sequence of scores like this - 76,75,87,84,83,70,78 - its almost all a matter of focus when those higher scores appear. In the past I learned to conquer the lack of focus by consciously slowing everything down - doing that made me a very consistent golfer and a tough competitor in tournament play - Now when I say slow down I don't mean slow play I mean internally, mentally, making sure that every step pre round had a purpose and while playing locking in for the minute or so that it would take to pull a club out of the bag, visualize, set up, hit execute a shot and then wind down to relax for whatever came next. I don't know if that last paragraph helps - it took me a while to develop that attitude but once I did it worked well for me. cnosil, MDGolfHacker, cksurfdude and 2 others 4 1 Quote Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60 Aldila R flex - 42.25 inches SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft Ping G410 7, 9 wood Alta 65 R flex Srixon ZX5 MK II 5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex India 52,56 (60 pending) UST recoil 75's R flex Evon roll ER 5 32 inches It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregB135 Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 13 minutes ago, revkev said: while playing locking in for the minute or so that it would take to pull a club out of the bag, visualize, set up, hit execute a shot and then wind down to relax for whatever came next. Really like this comment from the Rev. One thing that has helped made a difference for me this league season was putting together a strategy card for the course prior to the round. Our league plays a lot of different courses so there are a lot of new venues when we play. I spent some time, usually about an hour or so, with the course scorecard and Google Maps (any satellite map should work), looking at the layout of each hole, analyzing distances and landing areas, and mapping out a plan of attack for each hole. I select a tee club based on the landing areas, distance, and accounting for my normal misses, then mark down what I expect the remaining yardage to be and probable approach shot club. During the round, I do my best tell myself to 'just stay on the card'. I played some of my best rounds following that mentality, and I felt a lot less of the first tee/early round nerves. I'll attribute that to the card eliminating the need to quickly develop a strategy for a hole as I arrive at the tee box and try to choose a club. Knowing all I've had to do is grab the right club and make a decent swing and I'll be in a good spot helped me play a lot more relaxed and limit my focus time to making the shots. cksurfdude, tony@CIC, MDGolfHacker and 1 other 4 Quote Driver: 311XF Gen5, Tensei CK Pro Orange, S flex Fariway: 311XF Gen6 3-Wood, Tensei Blue 55g R flex Hybrid: 211, 3H Project X Evenflow H, 80g, 5.5 TSR2 4H, Tensei Blue R (Forum Tester) Irons: T200 2023, Tensei Blue R (Forum Tester), 5-GW Wedges: CBX2 Zipcore 52*, 56* Project X Catalyst Spinner Graphite Shaft Putter: ER2 Murdered Out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregB135 Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Here's another thing I've tried to continuously remind myself as a mid-handicapper. Having the mid level handicap means on some holes I'll play like a pro, and on some holes I'll play like a chump. The occasional big number on the score card is inevitable. Try not to focus on them when they show up. Just remind yourself they are part of your game and know that when they do occur, it just means you've got a couple of good holes to come. The harder part of that is getting on a good run and not reminding yourself there's a big number hole out there waiting for you. That topic would be a whole 'nother mental game thread. tony@CIC, revkev, MDGolfHacker and 1 other 3 1 Quote Driver: 311XF Gen5, Tensei CK Pro Orange, S flex Fariway: 311XF Gen6 3-Wood, Tensei Blue 55g R flex Hybrid: 211, 3H Project X Evenflow H, 80g, 5.5 TSR2 4H, Tensei Blue R (Forum Tester) Irons: T200 2023, Tensei Blue R (Forum Tester), 5-GW Wedges: CBX2 Zipcore 52*, 56* Project X Catalyst Spinner Graphite Shaft Putter: ER2 Murdered Out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDGolfHacker Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Great suggestions @revkevand @GregB135. I'll have to use some of these strategies during my first round of match play for my league's championship. A very wise golfer on this board keeps on reminding me to just play one shot at a time (thanks @golfspy Rob). Don't get ahead of yourself and think your going to win the hole. Stay in the moment - something us mid-high handicappers have a hard time playing as the emotions get the better of us which changes our tempo, swing and thought process. Hardest thing to do is to forget about about the bogey, double bogey or worse that just happened. Most of all, remember to enjoy the game for what it is, you out in nature enjoying the course and company. Sometimes lost when we get caught up in the numbers. MDGolfHacker revkev, cksurfdude, sirchunksalot and 1 other 4 Quote TSssWhat's In This Lefty's Bag? Driver: TSR2 11° Project X HZRDUS Black 4G 60g 5.5 Flex Fairway Woods: F8 3W Project X Even Flow Blue 75g shaft Fairway Woods: Hybrid: TSR2 18° Graphite Design Tour AD DI-85 Shaft Irons: 2021 T200's 4-GW AMT RED shafts Regular Flex Wedge: Tour Satin RTX 4 Wedges in 52° and 56° 2 Dot Putter: Gray Matter TDP 2.2 32.75" Bag: Three 5 Ball: PRO V1 / Z*Star RangeFinder: In search of new range finder Social Media: Facebook: MD Golfhacker Twitter: @mdgolfhacker Instagram: mdgolfhacker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregB135 Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 @PTamney @revkev @MDGolfHacker First let's imagine we've just missed our tee shot. It's not in the fairway, could be in trouble, but doesn't incur a penalty. Now let's all take a deep breath, and say it together now. 1... 2.. 3.. "I've still got par from there" Focusing on the positive makes a difference revkev, Middler, tony@CIC and 1 other 4 Quote Driver: 311XF Gen5, Tensei CK Pro Orange, S flex Fariway: 311XF Gen6 3-Wood, Tensei Blue 55g R flex Hybrid: 211, 3H Project X Evenflow H, 80g, 5.5 TSR2 4H, Tensei Blue R (Forum Tester) Irons: T200 2023, Tensei Blue R (Forum Tester), 5-GW Wedges: CBX2 Zipcore 52*, 56* Project X Catalyst Spinner Graphite Shaft Putter: ER2 Murdered Out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyBobby_PR Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Is your heart rate elevated from stress of the situation or from health perspective as in tired as the round gets along. if it’s health then the answer is improve your physical fitness. if it’s stress from the situation your are putting to much pressure on yourself for a non competitive round. Golf for most amateurs is a recreational sport and shouldn’t be stressful. All golfers got bad shots and it’s how you recover. The best way to improve mental approach to the game is read Dr. Bob Rotella’s books. tony@CIC and cksurfdude 2 Quote Driver: PXG 0811 X+ Proto w/UST Helium 5F4 Wood: TaylorMade M5 5W w/Accra TZ5 +1/2”, TaylorMade Sim 3W w/Aldila rogue white Hybrid: PXG Gen2 22* w/AD hybrid Irons: PXG Gen3 0311T w/Nippon modus 120 Wedges: TaylorMade MG2 50*, Tiger grind 56/60 Putter: Scotty Caemeron Super Rat1 Ball: Titleist Prov1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revkev Posted September 6, 2019 Share Posted September 6, 2019 [mention=90064]PTamney[/mention] [mention=16651]revkev[/mention] [mention=65755]MDGolfHacker[/mention] First let's imagine we've just missed our tee shot. It's not in the fairway, could be in trouble, but doesn't incur a penalty. Now let's all take a deep breath, and say it together now. 1... 2.. 3.. "I've still got par from there" Focusing on the positive makes a differenceActually it’s possible that - I’ve still got bogey from here easy - May be the best answer. :)I’ve got par from 219 in the left rough is a prescription for 45 in the right rough over a trap chunk it into the bunker or blade it over the green pitch onto 30 feet three putt triple. :)2 wedges because I adjusted my thinking yields bogey almost every time and par more frequently than double. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy GregB135, MaxEntropy, ED13 and 1 other 4 Quote Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60 Aldila R flex - 42.25 inches SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft Ping G410 7, 9 wood Alta 65 R flex Srixon ZX5 MK II 5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex India 52,56 (60 pending) UST recoil 75's R flex Evon roll ER 5 32 inches It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregB135 Posted September 6, 2019 Share Posted September 6, 2019 @revkev The 'I've still got par from there' mentality for me isn't always 'go for the green'. It's just reminds me that I only made one bad shot. If it's on a par 4, I've still got three shots to make par. Whether that's an option to go for on/around the green, or just hit back to the line of the hole for a pitch and putt I haven't taken par off the scorecard until I've taken that stroke. The biggest thing it does for me is it keeps me from letting my mind dwell too long on the negative result. tony@CIC, cksurfdude and revkev 3 Quote Driver: 311XF Gen5, Tensei CK Pro Orange, S flex Fariway: 311XF Gen6 3-Wood, Tensei Blue 55g R flex Hybrid: 211, 3H Project X Evenflow H, 80g, 5.5 TSR2 4H, Tensei Blue R (Forum Tester) Irons: T200 2023, Tensei Blue R (Forum Tester), 5-GW Wedges: CBX2 Zipcore 52*, 56* Project X Catalyst Spinner Graphite Shaft Putter: ER2 Murdered Out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cksurfdude Posted September 6, 2019 Share Posted September 6, 2019 On 9/5/2019 at 9:26 AM, MDGolfHacker said: Stay in the moment - something us mid-high handicappers have a hard time playing as the emotions get the better of us which changes our tempo [emphasis added] Yes, that is THE KEY thing! Stay calm, stay patient, and maintain your tempo. I have a baaad tendency to rush into a shot and rush through my swing ... ignoring my pre-shot routine and totally blanking out on my swing tempo. tony@CIC and MDGolfHacker 2 Quote WITB of an "aspiring" play-ah ... Driver...Callaway Paradym (Aldila Ascent PL Blue 40/A) 5W...Callaway Great Big Bertha (MCA Kai'Li Red 50/R) 7W...Tour Edge Exotics EXS (Tensei CK Blue 50/R) 4H...Callaway Epic Super Hybrid (Recoil ZT9 F3) 5H...Callaway Big Bertha ('19) (Recoil 460 ESX F3) 6i-GW...Sub 70 699 V2 (Recoil 660 F3) 54°, 60°...Cleveland CBX2, CBX 60 (Rotex graphite) Putter...EvnRoll ER5 or MLA Tour XDream (P2 Reflex grip on both) ...all in a Datrek bag on an MGI Zip Navigator electric cart. Ball often, not always, MaxFli Tour. Forum Member tester for the Paradym X driver (2023) Forum Member tester for the ExPutt Putting Simulator (2020) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revkev Posted September 7, 2019 Share Posted September 7, 2019 [mention=16651]revkev[/mention] The 'I've still got par from there' mentality for me isn't always 'go for the green'. It's just reminds me that I only made one bad shot. If it's on a par 4, I've still got three shots to make par. Whether that's an option to go for on/around the green, or just hit back to the line of the hole for a pitch and putt I haven't taken par off the scorecard until I've taken that stroke. The biggest thing it does for me is it keeps me from letting my mind dwell too long on the negative result. Then we are thinking the same way!!!Watching the Rays game last night when they had to bring their closer in despite a 5-0 lead in the 9th because it was bases loaded no out. The color guy, a former MLB pitcher, stated that the thought process needed to be one good pitch and then that process needed to be repeated each time.That’s golf always - Again this is a very helpful and timely thread - it’s exactly what I’m struggling with right now. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy tony@CIC, GregB135 and cksurfdude 3 Quote Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60 Aldila R flex - 42.25 inches SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft Ping G410 7, 9 wood Alta 65 R flex Srixon ZX5 MK II 5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex India 52,56 (60 pending) UST recoil 75's R flex Evon roll ER 5 32 inches It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pulledabill Posted September 7, 2019 Share Posted September 7, 2019 Great topic. On my home course its really tough for me to stay focused as it gets so routine. I still shoot good scores but it could be better. I tend to lose interest and let the mundane course get to me. A guy I play with on a regular basis agreed with me so we play skins every round with a few bucks riding on it. Helps keep the focus with a few bucks and bragging rights riding on it. On a new course or course I don't play much I am much sharper as I think through each shot as I generally need to figure out yardage, breaks, my miss, etc. Pretty much 100% of the time, I am going have to really grind on a 2-3 hole stretch to not totally blow a round. That's where focus, deep breaths, and well thought out clubbing and swing thoughts come in to play for me. cksurfdude 1 Quote DRIVER: Cobra F9 10.5 Tensei AV Blue 65g 3W- Callway XR PRO 16 stiff 5W- Alpha- Mitsubishi Diamana Redboard w/band Irons- Mizuno JPX 919 Tours with S KBS Tour shafts Hyrbid- TM 4h mid-rescue Vokey- Vokey SM5 51 degrees, SM7 Wedges 54 and 58 1/2 half 3 degrees upright Putter- Taylor Made Rossa Monza Mini Spider Ball-ProV1 and AVX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony@CIC Posted September 7, 2019 Share Posted September 7, 2019 1 hour ago, pulledabill said: Great topic. On my home course its really tough for me to stay focused as it gets so routine. Great point. I now play better on away courses then my home course. At home I've pretty much determined that I have to score well on certain holes because I won't score well on others. The latter becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. I need to change up my thought process. cksurfdude 1 Quote Left Hand orientation SIM 2 D Max with Fujikura Air Speeder Shaft Cobra Radspeed 3W/RIptide Shaft 410 Hybrids 22*, 26* Cobra Speed Zone 6-GP/Recoil ESX 460 F3 Shafts SM7 54* Wedge Glide 3.0 60* Wedge O Works putter V3 NX9-HD - 4 Wheel EZGO TXT 48v cart - too many shoes to list and so many to buy And BAG Boy Golf Balls: Vice Pro Plus 2020 Official Tester Beginning Driver Speed - 78 2019 Official Tester 410 Driver 2018 Official Tester C300 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfriday101 Posted September 7, 2019 Share Posted September 7, 2019 "Thank you for your input...now I need to go play the shot." I try not to get caught up in the round, but to stay focused on the shot. Play one shot at a time, as mentioned above. I find if I start thinking about the situation, it interferes with my shot. This includes thoughts like "I can still make par," "I need a bogey to break 80," or "I can't afford another double bogey." When those thoughts creep in, I acknowledge them, and let them go. I say to myself "Thank you for your input..." I then focus on making the shot. cksurfdude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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