How can we stop our mind from playing tricks

[duckman]

Hey fellow Spys.

I've always had issues playing Par 3's. As in, never getting off the tee correctly. 

I can go left on one, next one goes right. Or, my tee shot goes maybe 30 meters (33 yards). I've tried teeing up, no tees, nothing works.

With Par 4's - 5's, most times, no issues.

With my approach shots on longer holes, anywhere from 50 - 140 meters (55 - 150 yards) most times can land on the green no problems.

BUT BUT, Par 3's, 100 - 150 meters (110-160), hell no. If I can walk away with a 5 (dble bogey), that's a win.

I have tried mind games, as in focussing on something before hitting, playing last in my group to allow me more time to clear the head, practice swings, hitting 1st in a hurry, nothing works.

 

Any idea out there for me, & no doubt others who have the same issues???????????

 

 

 

[cnosil]

I’ve holed out numerous shots from a fairway but never made a hole in one…should be the same right?   
 

there are no mind tricks, but based on your post I’d guess your expectations are too high.   Just because it is a par 3 doesn’t make it easier.  We all have dispersion patterns and balls will go left, right, short, and long.   

[GolfSpy_APH]

Golf is hard, our expectations can be too high and at least in my case looking at the stats can help narrow focus areas. 

Do you have a shot tracking system that can show what to make adjustments on or aid in club selection?

[TJ Hall]

My opinion, par 3s can be some of the harder holes…you have less opportunity to recover from one bad shot.

Just thinking, maybe the tee markers throw your alignment off?

If you don’t have issues from a fairway, would try using the same routine on the par 3s.

Like @GolfSpy_APH said, golf is hard!

[Hacker60521]

@duckman you’re right that a tee shot to a par three green should be no different from an approach shot of similar distance on a par 4 or 5. The club and ball don’t know the difference. So in my opinion (and I’m not a psychologist) is that Par 3s play different in your mind.
 

Personally, I tend to take a bit more club so I don’t need to worry about “reaching” the green. While not sexy, I’m always aiming for the center / biggest part of the green. To @cnosil point, dispersion at 150-180 can put you off the green. Otherwise, I just try to think “business as usual”.

[Rob17452]

I think I tend to focus a little to much on the shorter distances and hazzards around the par three's. The thought of it's a par 3 it should be easy used to be a mental stumbling block as well. Recently I received some advice on playing par 3s, it was simple just aim for the middle of the green and play it like it's a par 4. 

So the last two times I've played that been my thought process and I have played them a lot better. 

[duckman]

11 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Golf is hard, our expectations can be too high and at least in my case looking at the stats can help narrow focus areas. 

Do you have a shot tracking system that can show what to make adjustments on or aid in club selection?

I use Arccos which is good, so I know my distances etc. 

[duckman]

11 hours ago, Hacker60521 said:

@duckman you’re right that a tee shot to a par three green should be no different from an approach shot of similar distance on a par 4 or 5. The club and ball don’t know the difference. So in my opinion (and I’m not a psychologist) is that Par 3s play different in your mind.
 

Personally, I tend to take a bit more club so I don’t need to worry about “reaching” the green. While not sexy, I’m always aiming for the center / biggest part of the green. To @cnosil point, dispersion at 150-180 can put you off the green. Otherwise, I just try to think “business as usual”.

Sounds a good idea to take more club.

I have even tried thinking that to get onto the green in two is a win for me, but then the tee shot is worse..............

[Hacker60521]

30 minutes ago, duckman said:

Sounds a good idea to take more club.

I have even tried thinking that to get onto the green in two is a win for me, but then the tee shot is worse..............

@duckman one other suggestion. While I can’t control left / right at all, I will think about if I’d rather leave it short or go long. On a couple of holes where I play, you definitely want short because the backside of the green is a steep incline and heavy rough. On two other holes your entire carry is over water. So you’d rather go long. That’s about as much course management as I can do. Haha 

Good luck and I hope it helps!

Edited August 1 by Hacker60521

[Josh Parker]

20 hours ago, duckman said:

Hey fellow Spys.

I've always had issues playing Par 3's. As in, never getting off the tee correctly. 

I can go left on one, next one goes right. Or, my tee shot goes maybe 30 meters (33 yards). I've tried teeing up, no tees, nothing works.

With Par 4's - 5's, most times, no issues.

With my approach shots on longer holes, anywhere from 50 - 140 meters (55 - 150 yards) most times can land on the green no problems.

BUT BUT, Par 3's, 100 - 150 meters (110-160), hell no. If I can walk away with a 5 (dble bogey), that's a win.

I have tried mind games, as in focussing on something before hitting, playing last in my group to allow me more time to clear the head, practice swings, hitting 1st in a hurry, nothing works.

 

Any idea out there for me, & no doubt others who have the same issues???????????

 

 

 

For me, I know my distances. I pick a spot on the green and then my next spot is 6ft or so in front of the ball.  That's the only spot that matters. I want a good swing and the ball over that mark. If I do that, my line should be good and I don't focus on it being a par 3 but just another shot. 

[duckman]

11 minutes ago, Josh Parker said:

For me, I know my distances. I pick a spot on the green and then my next spot is 6ft or so in front of the ball.  That's the only spot that matters. I want a good swing and the ball over that mark. If I do that, my line should be good and I don't focus on it being a par 3 but just another shot. 

Hey Josh

That sounds good. I also know my distances (via Arccos), but focusing on just in front is great.

Thanks

[Josh Parker]

2 minutes ago, duckman said:

Hey Josh

That sounds good. I also know my distances (via Arccos), but focusing on just in front is great.

Thanks

Absolutely. Keep us updated. 

[Siamese Moose]

I think (without data) that most Par 3s have more bunkers than par 4s.

[Shankopotomous]

If you use a tee on a par 3 then tee it very low, like tip of the grass low so it is like a fairway lie.  That way your face impact spot has a better chance of being consistent with your par 4 second shots.

Also as mentioned earlier make sure the tee markers aren't lining you up off target.

[Mike10487]

On 7/31/2024 at 12:07 AM, duckman said:

Hey fellow Spys.

I've always had issues playing Par 3's. As in, never getting off the tee correctly. 

I can go left on one, next one goes right. Or, my tee shot goes maybe 30 meters (33 yards). I've tried teeing up, no tees, nothing works.

With Par 4's - 5's, most times, no issues.

With my approach shots on longer holes, anywhere from 50 - 140 meters (55 - 150 yards) most times can land on the green no problems.

BUT BUT, Par 3's, 100 - 150 meters (110-160), hell no. If I can walk away with a 5 (dble bogey), that's a win.

I have tried mind games, as in focussing on something before hitting, playing last in my group to allow me more time to clear the head, practice swings, hitting 1st in a hurry, nothing works.

 

Any idea out there for me, & no doubt others who have the same issues???????????

 

 

 

This has probably been brought up. Do you have a pre-shot routine? I normally have very regimented routine that is around 19-20 seconds. I make my calculations as we are driving up and shooting the distance with a range finder. Calculate the wind, elevation, and location of the worst hazard or score possible. I select a club that nearly eliminates the big number.  After that it is all about routine. I don't always hit the exact shot that I want, but most of the time it eliminates total implosion. Good luck, golf is hard!

[Shrek74]

A couple things come to mind that I try and do on the course and not just on par 3's.

1. When I tee up an iron/hybrid, I do use a tee and put it down just below the grass so it most closely matches a fairway lie. I use the tee to ensure the ball is sitting the best it could possibly sit and is the most predictable versus it just sitting on potentially uneven ground.
2. I plan my shot based on length, hazards, environmental factors, how I'm playing that day, etc. Usually it's the center of the green, but occasionally I can aim a little left/right based on these other factors.
3. I use the alignment aid on the ball (or if you actually put one on yourself) and aim it at my target on the green. This helps me when I step up to the ball by providing me proper alignment which can get off when you're looking sideways at the green or fairway. If you want to add a target a few feet in front of you as Josh mentioned above, that's never a bad thing to have a second validation.
4. Create or utilize a pre-shot routine. Don't think of the tee shot any differently than every other tee shot. Do the same routine for every tee shot, regardless of par 3 or par 5. No negative thoughts. Just verification of everything you've done to put yourself in the best position to hit the right tee ball.
5. Step up, line up, and go. Don't dilly dally over the ball. Don't fill your mind with a million thoughts. All of your thinking should be done and over by the time you step up to the ball. Player's like Ludvig Aberg play quickly once all the thinking and preparing is done. Be like that - step up, line up, and go.

Not sure if any of this helps, but it's what I'm trying to utilize. I struggle with the last one, but like every other part of golf, it's a work in progress.

[buckpillar]

You just need to get to your Happy place, sounds as though your thinking to much about going left, right using a tee or not. Picture the shot you want to hit then execute. Grandma will be happy!

Edited August 1 by buckpillar

[KC Golf]

@Josh Parker as usual has some great suggestions.  Actually, There are Number of great suggestions on this thread.

A couple of things I would add.  I find alignment is key.  Pick a spot a foot or two ahead of the ball and aim your iron to that spot.  Pick the iron for the distance and commit to it,  try to pick a club that is slightly more than the distance you need so you can take a smooth but not take an overly strong swing at it.  If you are between clubs take the longer club and choke up on it.  I find forcing yourself to hit it longer is a recipe for a disaster for most mid handicaps.

Lastly, try to envision the shot shape and the target.  Positive outlook leads to better outcomes.  Erase the negative thoughts and swing with purpose.  Just focus on the shot itself. Nothing more nothing less. Hope you see some better results.

[cksurfdude]

On 7/31/2024 at 12:07 AM, duckman said:

Hey fellow Spys.

I've always had issues playing Par 3's.

Me: Hello Spies - my name is Chuck and I'm a Par 3 F*cker-Upper.

Spy Group, in chorus: Hello Chuck and welcome to Group.

haha but seriously part of it for me is not having enough confidence in hitting the right distance ...

.. even though I'm aware of the size of the area of the green plus any "safe" surrounding areas ...

.. so maybe it's partly lack of full commitment to the shot..?

On my home course I have hit the greens on 3 of the 4 Par 3s .. and have made par on those 3, but there's one that continues to elude me... I've hit the right distance enough times but usually go way right or way left.

My next strategy on this hole = low running punch shot towards the front of the green* and try to make a good chip and putt.

Group Leader: Thank you for sharing.

...

* This Par 3 has a flat, fairly wide fairway leading up to the raised green .. bunkers on both front corners .. uphill and rough/fescue on the right, downhill and rough on the left .. and a very steep slope with thick rough behind .. so short is "safer" on this one.

...

Also, re Stats:

I read recently, in an MGS newsletter I think, that on the Pro Tour the Par 3 scoring average is just -over- par! So it's not just us....

So I guess we have to consider our own personal on course performance on approaches - e.g. how often / what percentage of tries do we finish out in 3 strokes from say 150 - 180 out?

..so I'm speculating that our Par 3 performance stat should correlate to that??

[duckman]

6 hours ago, cksurfdude said:

Me: Hello Spies - my name is Chuck and I'm a Par 3 F*cker-Upper.

Spy Group, in chorus: Hello Chuck and welcome to Group.

haha but seriously part of it for me is not having enough confidence in hitting the right distance ...

.. even though I'm aware of the size of the area of the green plus any "safe" surrounding areas ...

.. so maybe it's partly lack of full commitment to the shot..?

On my home course I have hit the greens on 3 of the 4 Par 3s .. and have made par on those 3, but there's one that continues to elude me... I've hit the right distance enough times but usually go way right or way left.

My next strategy on this hole = low running punch shot towards the front of the green* and try to make a good chip and putt.

Group Leader: Thank you for sharing.

...

* This Par 3 has a flat, fairly wide fairway leading up to the raised green .. bunkers on both front corners .. uphill and rough/fescue on the right, downhill and rough on the left .. and a very steep slope with thick rough behind .. so short is "safer" on this one.

...

Also, re Stats:

I read recently, in an MGS newsletter I think, that on the Pro Tour the Par 3 scoring average is just -over- par! So it's not just us....

So I guess we have to consider our own personal on course performance on approaches - e.g. how often / what percentage of tries do we finish out in 3 strokes from say 150 - 180 out?

..so I'm speculating that our Par 3 performance stat should correlate to that??

Hello Chuck

Yes, sadly, our Group is getting bigger, but I suppose at least we are brave enough to publicise our faults. Ha Ha

 

Yep, Par 3's do mess with us. Going out today to have a hit, will try a few of the ideas that have come out today to see how I can go

 

Stay strong, I know I'm trying to

 

[duckman]

12 hours ago, Mike10487 said:

This has probably been brought up. Do you have a pre-shot routine? I normally have very regimented routine that is around 19-20 seconds. I make my calculations as we are driving up and shooting the distance with a range finder. Calculate the wind, elevation, and location of the worst hazard or score possible. I select a club that nearly eliminates the big number.  After that it is all about routine. I don't always hit the exact shot that I want, but most of the time it eliminates total implosion. Good luck, golf is hard!

Hey Mike

I do have a pre-shot routine. I get back behind the ball, line up correctly  & have a cple of practice swings.

Then walk up telling myself to swing slow & steady like Max Homa does (He has a great swing) and not to try & hit the s*** out of it.

Line up, check my feet & ball placement, then off I go.

 

Then do the walk of shame afterward as most times I've hit a poor shot.

I have changed lately, with my thoughts of making a single bogey instead of imploding totally like in the past. I play with proper thought to see how I can get away with a bogey instead of more..........

[duckman]

8 hours ago, buckpillar said:

You just need to get to your Happy place, sounds as though your thinking to much about going left, right using a tee or not. Picture the shot you want to hit then execute. Grandma will be happy!

Grandma, love it.

 

[TAGolf13]

Given what you've written, I would consider setting a particular goal that allows for not hitting the green. For example, make it okay to miss the green by a certain yardage (10, 15, 20 depending on length of shot ). If the green/pin is 125 yards, perhaps a 10-yd miss can be considered a win. 

In addition, consider aiming for the center of the green no matter where the flag is, while giving yourself that cushion to miss within the parameters you set for yourself. This lower expectation might free you up to hit the ball like you do on any approach shot. 

And now, I think I'll try something along these lines with my putting, which was disastrous this week. I only hit 6 putts my entire round yesterday that felt like putts. Even one of the par putts that I made didn't feel like a real putt., just like I hit the ball and it happened to go in. I'm hoping to get a better handle on things before Myrtle later this month.

[cksurfdude]

10 hours ago, TAGolf13 said:

Given what you've written, I would consider setting a particular goal that allows for not hitting the green. For example, make it okay to miss the green by a certain yardage (10, 15, 20 depending on length of shot ). If the green/pin is 125 yards, perhaps a 10-yd miss can be considered a win. 

In addition, consider aiming for the center of the green no matter where the flag is, while giving yourself that cushion to miss within the parameters you set for yourself.

[duckman]

On 7/31/2024 at 2:07 PM, duckman said:

Hey fellow Spys.

I've always had issues playing Par 3's. As in, never getting off the tee correctly. 

I can go left on one, next one goes right. Or, my tee shot goes maybe 30 meters (33 yards). I've tried teeing up, no tees, nothing works.

With Par 4's - 5's, most times, no issues.

With my approach shots on longer holes, anywhere from 50 - 140 meters (55 - 150 yards) most times can land on the green no problems.

BUT BUT, Par 3's, 100 - 150 meters (110-160), hell no. If I can walk away with a 5 (dble bogey), that's a win.

I have tried mind games, as in focussing on something before hitting, playing last in my group to allow me more time to clear the head, practice swings, hitting 1st in a hurry, nothing works.

 

Any idea out there for me, & no doubt others who have the same issues???????????

 

 

 

Well, I went out yesterday for 9 holes with a mate.

Played absolutely Shxt.

But managed to bogey 3 holes which was happy with, including 1 Par 3.

 

Maybe I tried too many things, but did like the bit on focusing on a spot 6 feet in front. Did that for all tee shots, mostly good.

I will keep you all updated as I go

 

Thanks everyone 

[duckman]

Well Well Well

 

After only having one hit in the past month, sore back, played 9 hole Stableford comp today, handicap of 22.

Wasn't expecting much at all, as I've missed a lot of golf.

1st Hole, Wipe.

2nd Hole, 5 for 2

3rd Hole, Wipe (A Par 3 - who would've thought....)

4th Hole, Wipe

Great start.

5th Hole, 4 for 4!!!!! Hardest ranked hole on front 9

6th Hole, 6 for 2

7th Hole, Par 3. s*** tee shot, chipped on, 14 foot putt went in for a Par. 3 for 3

8th Hole, 5 for 2

9th Hole, Par 3. Easiest ranked hole for the course. Off the tee onto the green. 20 foot birdie putt stopped 3 inches from going in. 3 for 3

16 Points. 3 Wipes, 3 Par's.

 

Used a lot of the different ideas from the forum to help me, a bloody good result!

[Hacker60521]

@duckman that’s awesome! In hindsight, what do you think were the top 1-3 ideas that had the most impact on your game?

[duckman]

10 hours ago, Hacker60521 said:

@duckman that’s awesome! In hindsight, what do you think were the top 1-3 ideas that had the most impact on your game?

Hey Hacker

Umm,

walk up with a plan on what to do

focus on a spot 6 foot in front to ensure I was lined up correctly to the green / fairway

take more time over the ball