"Bottle" - mental toughness

[dclarke]

I was mulling over the other day how skill-wise there is very little seperating the top professionals. The winner of a tournament is often ahead of second place by virtue of being able to handle pressure better.

Take Justin Rose for example; everytime I tune in to watch a big tournament he seems to be leading after 2 rounds. Come final day though, he is nowhere to be seen. On the flip-side, Tiger Woods is renowed for closing out tournaments when he goes into the last day with a lead.

These 2 players are obvious examples. Does anyone know of other players who are either great under pressure or collapse like a pack of cards?

 

[Cernunnos]

The classic example for collapsing is one of my favorites, Greg Norman, though probably an unfair example as he isn't really a choker, simply unlucky. And in my opinion, that's generally the case with most Pro's they can get unlucky with something & can change the whole feel & outcome.

Though its probably more true that some players rather than collapsing or choking, play at their best when they are playing catchup & create enough momentum to clinch a trophy.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Its an area I'm trying to improve although given Sundays collapse over the finishing line and missing out on the top spot by a poin thtere is a long road ahead of me. I'm normally great going out but make the mistake on the back 9 of geting to far ahead of myself working out what I need to do on holes to come.

I think two of the greatest players under pressure were Langer and Faldo. Langer was German efficiency and thought he had a good game that would see him through. Faldo was perhaps mentally harder and believed he had a right to win and in his own mind he was the best out there.

I agree with Rose being fragile and to a degree I think players like Clarke and Garcia have suffered too. I think Westwood use to have a problem until two or three years ago but since Roe gave him belief in his short game he thinks he can compete at the highest level.

 

[HogansAlley]

Totally agree with Homer on Faldo. Mentally he could take anyone, because he never beat himself. I would love to have seen Woods up against Faldo in his prime. Woods would probably win in America every time, but Faldo would have him at The Open. Rose is defintely fragile but one win could change all that. Remember, Tom Watson was known as a choker for many years before he became a God.

 

[Herbie]

In the past if I have been in with a shout on the last few holes I always came in good, trouble is I am having trouble these days getting to the 'in with a shout on the last few holes' position!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm the opposite. Frequently in contention around the 14th or 15th and then the tank empties and that clanking sound is the axle on the concrete as the wheels fall of the chariot.

 

[Herbie]

Thats tough Homer, if you are frequently up there, I wish I could get there again in stroke play, I seem to be reasonably competitive in other forms but stroke play is one area I havent been in the running in recent times.
Playing good golf to h/c then a very bad hole that makes me give up at times. I only seem to have the fire in me when I play matchplay or team efforts, I must kick myself some more.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm not so good in matchplay especially against lower handicappers. I seem to lack that killer instinct and they all seem to slip away even when its mine to throw away. I'll always find a new and exciting way to grap defeat from the jaws of victory

 

[rgs]

Homer may be your problem is lack of concentration caused by dehydration.

A simple test just ensure you drink sufficient or more than sufficient water on the back nine.

 

[adamk15]

I often shoot a 6 or 7 on the last if I'm playing well.

Monty not a good example? Tiger Woods would give Derren Brown a run for his money though.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I see this debate is currently live on TG as well

"Bottle" - mental toughness

I was mulling over the other day how skill-wise there is very little seperating the top professionals. The winner of a tournament is often ahead of second place by virtue of being able to handle pressure better.

Take Justin Rose for example; everytime I tune in to watch a big tournament he seems to be leading after 2 rounds. Come final day though, he is nowhere to be seen. On the flip-side, Tiger Woods is renowed for closing out tournaments when he goes into the last day with a lead.

These 2 players are obvious examples. Does anyone know of other players who are either great under pressure or collapse like a pack of cards?


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Total comments to date = 0

 

[SammmeBee]

Homer may be your problem is lack of concentration caused by dehydration.

A simple test just ensure you drink sufficient or more than sufficient water on the back nine.

Can of Red Bull on 11 and at least 1.5 litres of water before you get to 16......and an eletric trolley too.....

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Can't do the red bull because of the diabetes and pancreas damage. Powerdae/Lucozade is supposedly off limits but I take a bottle out in a big event and deal with the fallout when I get home.

 

[CrapHacker]

I think this is a huge subject, if it were simple to define, then I think players like Rose could easily overcome their difficulties.

I think a lot of it comes down to expectation .

Look at Nicklaus, he always reckoned on not losing it - make the other guy win, if he's good enough. His reputation won him a lot of close finishes.

And he had his share of blowups as well, but he never attached any importance to those games - he could mentally wipe the slate clean.

In the past I've good some spectacular failures, and some half decent successes.

The best successes come when I've been in the 'zone'. Just playing, and not thinking about the next hole, or the one after. I'd never be able to look at a scoreboard, and plan my game to how others are playing.

I think, for the pros, a lot of help can come from the caddy. They can concentrate on the outside world, and let the player just get on with swinging the club.

But for me, expectation is the key. Both ways.

 

[CrapHacker]

Can't do the red bull because of the diabetes and pancreas damage. Powerdae/Lucozade is supposedly off limits but I take a bottle out in a big event and deal with the fallout when I get home.

How about a banana or two ?