Carry on regardless...

[JohnnyDee]

More than likely, from time to time you're liable to be like me in this respect.

You're on the tee and you address the ball, but before pulling the trigger you're aware of some sort of distraction. It may be a car engine nearby, it could be a voice carrying over the course on another hole, you may be aware that your stance is slightly uncomfortable or maybe our heel is resting in a slight indentation on the tee; a fly some 200 yards away may have coughed, but you get the picture, it's something minor anyway.

Nevertheless in that moment it's wormed its way somewhere into the back of our consciousness.

At this point you should of course step back, start your pre-shot routine again and ensure that you're comfortable before playing the stroke.

Now a lot of times we do this, for all I know some on here might always do it, but other times we don't. And the times we don't it's because a little gremlin's appeared in a puff of smoke, is sitting on our shoulder whispering "Ah, go on anyway. It'll be fine. No problem!".

The hook, slice, fat, dunch or shank that often follows sees the red mist rise, and shoulders hunched, we head back to our bag muttering those immortal words, "Should've walked away before I hit that!"

The annoying thing is no matter when I ignore the gremlin and crack on I know what I should've done, but for reasons best known to stupidity I muddle through to a disaster ...:mmm:

 

[SaintHacker]

I always carry on regardless, that way there's a ready made excuse if/when it does go horribly wrong!

 

[JohnnyDee]

I always carry on regardless, that way there's a ready made excuse if/when it does go horribly wrong!

I like your style!

 

[3565]

You can't stop and reset, that's sacrilege to the anti slow play brigade.........
So keep on hitting those hook, slice, fat, Dunch or shank n get round in grease lightning and pick up your .1's when you pass the scorecard box..........

 

[Green Bay Hacker]

For me it's the general feeling of not being comfortable on the tee. It's hard to put a finger on exactly what causes that feeling - feet position, ball position, the hole itself - who knows, but I just get that feeling and I'm sure I'm not alone. Do I do anything about it such as taking a step back or repositioning the ball - most of the time no and the inevitable happens. Will I learn - probably not.

 

[TheCaddie]

For me it's the general feeling of not being comfortable on the tee. It's hard to put a finger on exactly what causes that feeling - feet position, ball position, the hole itself - who knows, but I just get that feeling and I'm sure I'm not alone. Do I do anything about it such as taking a step back or repositioning the ball - most of the time no and the inevitable happens. Will I learn - probably not.

It's strange isn't it? When you can't actually put your finger on what it is, but it just feels...wrong.

 

[Region3]

I always stop. If I'm thinking about a noise or distraction that means I'm not thinking about the shot, and that doesn't usually end well.

I don't step away and start again though. Just standing up will do, give it a couple of seconds then down to the ball again. After all, my alignment is already done so no need to do that again.

 

[Senseicads]

For me it's the general feeling of not being comfortable on the tee. It's hard to put a finger on exactly what causes that feeling - feet position, ball position, the hole itself - who knows, but I just get that feeling and I'm sure I'm not alone. Do I do anything about it such as taking a step back or repositioning the ball - most of the time no and the inevitable happens. Will I learn - probably not.

this happens to me a lot! And yup, the shot is usually wasted!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I always stop. If I'm thinking about a noise or distraction that means I'm not thinking about the shot, and that doesn't usually end well.

I don't step away and start again though. Just standing up will do, give it a couple of seconds then down to the ball again. After all, my alignment is already done so no need to do that again.

Exactly that

I have seen someone with a 30 secs plus PSR who gets distracted by any small noise then start it all from the beginning

It appears it was what he was taught by a Pro

Was warned about his slow play recently and it was down to his slow play - multiple complaints

 

[Cheifi0]

I do think that some people are far too precious and are affected too easily by any sort of noise, a bit of chatter from a green 150 yds away, a dog barking, the leaves rustling etc . The only time that I really need to learn to start the swing again is when I make a back swing and it catches something on the way back knocking it off line. (the ground behind the ball on a dodgy lie) Every time I carry on regardless and it never ends well.

 

[Region3]

I do think that some people are far too precious and are affected too easily by any sort of noise, a bit of chatter from a green 150 yds away, a dog barking, the leaves rustling etc . The only time that I really need to learn to start the swing again is when I make a back swing and it catches something on the way back knocking it off line. (the ground behind the ball on a dodgy lie) Every time I carry on regardless and it never ends well.

People can't help what they get distracted by. It might look like they are over sensitive, but if something distracts me it distracts me - I can't help it. A train passing by or plane overhead doesn't bother me, but then things which others might consider silly do put me off.

 

[jp15g08]

I'm the same. I'll be addressing the ball and it will not feel right. Instead of standing back and starting again, I will shuffle this way and that...ultimately finishinh where i started. Swing and send the ball nice and straight but miles to the left. I knew my direction felt wrong...so why didn't I just readdress...I will never learn.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We all know we should step away. How many times do we? Is it embarrassment towards the PP and looking "too professional?"