Concentration & Focus

[timchump]

Normally when I play, I'm bothered about the score I end up with. Not life or death bothered, but I do what I can on the course to end up with the best score I can on that day.

On Monday I decided I'd just go out and have fun, not worry about the score, just hit the ball without the usual concentration I put into my game.

The result? Shocking. Not "I want to give up golf" shocking, but definitely not good.

I hadn't realised just how much concentration I'd been putting into each shot when I care about the score.

Are you aware that you have to give a lot of effort mentally to score your best, or do you just go out and hit the ball without thinking?

I agree i normally play better in competitions and/or with people i don't know becuase i'm worried about making a fool of myself.

I make myself contentrate on my shots to aviod doing anything embarassing.

The result is normally a better score than i would have expected and also better than i would play in a casual game.

 

[garyinderry]

i find it tough to concentrate with the wind is howling around my ears. it clouds my brain and i dont take half as much time over my shots.

 

[Jdb2005]

I struggle regaining concentration after having a bad hole, in a medal last year I pared the first 5 holes then had a 7 at our par 3 6th, just couldn't get over it. Hopefully this year I can get over it

 

[Moquillo19]

Not sure if this applies to everyone but I find I have to concentrate more now than I did when I was off mid teens handicap. I played more relaxed then but I always thought I had a couple shots in the bag so it's not so bad if I make the occasional error. Now I find if my concentration goes for a few shots I'm snookered. I can get my game back on track ok but then I'm just fighting to hold onto buffer instead of getting cut. What I do find helpful is if I'm at peace emotionally, so a calm mentality not all hyped up and not down on myself, just nice and calm, but with 3 kids it can be tough lol

For a moment I thought I'd written this post! Then, when I realised I only had two kids at home, it dawned it wasn't me. :lol:

Handicap's the same as well.

I do find that only focussing on the shot throughout my pre-shot routine does help. Then switching off. I'm going to try the glove on/off thing as well this season for a trigger.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Been doing a lot of listening to Karl Morris's app Golf: The Mind Factor which has The Secrets to Consistent Golf - 7 Rituals of Success and the Five Shots Lower Programme. Both have tips for concentrating, pre-shot routines and how to improve mentally whether it is going well (get out of your own way) or not so well (body language etc)

I use to be too intense, worrying about technique, worrying about my score and generally worrying. Now I am learning to switch my focus on and off better and leave my technique at the practice ground