Do we talk the talk but fail to walk the walk ??????

[madandra]

There have been many posts this season (me included) on how bad we are playing and how little enjoyment we are having and it made me wonder.


Have we talked about the game that much that our theoretical game is finely tuned but out practical game has gone tits up. I asked Boabski this today and we agree that 'thinking' about the game has totally effed up everything we did 'naturally'.

What do you think folks?

Have we spent too much time getting geared up for the season and the game which has had a detrimental effect on the overall outcome ????

 

[OldWindy]

Not for me - I'm happy to have restarted playing reasonable golf again. Will let you next year.

 

[Herbie]

There have been many posts this season (me included) on how bad we are playing and how little enjoyment we are having and it made me wonder.


Have we talked about the game that much that our theoretical game is finely tuned but out practical game has gone tits up. I asked Boabski this today and we agree that 'thinking' about the game has totally effed up everything we did 'naturally'.

What do you think folks?

Have we spent too much time getting geared up for the season and the game which has had a detrimental effect on the overall outcome ????

Lot of truth in what you say, I went through a period of commitment to study and practice with the intention of improving my game to pro level from 14h/c. All the effort made me miserable and little happened in my game other than a couple of shots knocked off my h/c in 2 yrs. I gave up for a bit and decided I would only play for fun and with little thought. my h/c shot down to 7 and for a time I expected it to fall even more then major things interrupted things for a while in my life but I only play golf for fun now and most occasions post a mean score I recon thoughtless practice and great fun is the best way to lower a h/c for some people.

 

[haplesshacker]

Nothing wrong with 'visualisation' techniques. However are we on here suffering from the 'no lack of ambition, but hasn't got the talent to match' syndrome.

Doesn't matter whether you're a low or high h'cap player, we all think we should be doing better. If we didn't think that, then why are we doing it, and why are we on here discussing it?

Yes we do it for enjoyment, but it's in our nature to be competitive, and wanting to do better. Tigers a good player, but I bet that he thinks that he can do better. It's no different for the rest of us.

We know when we've played well or badly, and to a certain extent even when we do play well, and don't win the medal or whatever, then so what. I'm happy enough to know that I played well that day. Same when playing badly, I know I have and that's frustrating.

How are you going to get better if you don't have goals or targets? And if you don't have goals or targets, then why bother putting yourself through it, and spend the time with the family instead.

Personally I'm disappointed with this year, but I have learnt so much, even if I have gone up a whole point.

 

[brendy]

I love getting out, im usually the member of the fourball that talks the other three into "trying 9 holes for starters, the weather might get better". I enjoy playing, a crap round is still worth going out for even just 2 or 3 well struck shots or putts.

 

[RGuk]

Nah....not me.....my game's fine, I'm just unrealistic about consistency.
As well as occasionally talking off scratch, I also take the p*** out of my weaknesses, I reckon.

I don't think much on the course, just course management issues really. In practice, I'm a nutter (as you'll have guessed) and go totally overboard with drills/thoughts/fixes.....but then again, I'm trying to get back to the days when I really could get round in mid-70s.

Too much information can be a dangerous thing, but I don't drag all the crap that swills around my brain out onto the course.....no way.....I'd never even get off the 1st tee!!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've been as guilty as anyone on here on getting caught up in the technical aspect of the game. Throughout this year I have been hitting great shots on the range or practice ground and then spent all of my round trying to recreate that range "feel". As a result my shots have been poor and erratic and it is only when I've given up for the day (around the 14th) and just gripped and ripped it have I hit a good one. Of course that just starts the circle again as I look to do the same thing again.

Sadly I've never been one to be able just to stand there and swing. I have to have some thought or swing trigger in order for me to focus properly on the shot. It might be I need to chat to my pro over the winter and look at ways of feeling hte swing more so I don't become overly mechanical and try to become more natural. As for goal setting, it is a big thing for me and one of the main reasons I play. I am constantly looking to get much lower and to play as mcuh competitive golf as possible. I have failed in my goals this year but have already started thinking about my winter improvement programme to meet and exceed the goals I set for next season

 

[John_Findlay]

I'll tell you something, Andy. I think I've actually enjoyed my golf most this year when I've thought less about my swing and more about playing the game.

It has taken me quite a lot of discipline, because I'm quite analytical by nature, but I've definitely found that swing thoughts are bad for me on the course.

What I do do (I said do do) is look down the fairway a wee bit longer than I used to and identify where the ball should go and how. Then I let my brain work it out itself. If that means a draw to avoid the right side of the course or a fade to avoid the left then I just keep that thought and let my body do the rest. It seems to work more than it used to. I don't care how it gets there anymore so long as it leaves me in a nice position for the next one. I'm playing not swinging.

 

[DCB]

I've mentioned this a couple of times already in other posts, but, we play the game to enjoy ourselves don't we ? So why do we get so down on ourselves when it all goes pearshaped ?

One of my goals this year was to enjoy my golf more and not wory about how I am scoring on the day. It has been hard, but I don't get so screwed up worrying if I get to the turn in however many.

What I have learned this year is that there is a particular sound that the ball and club make when they come together in the perfect way. I have heard that sound many more times this year than in the past few years. Thats what makes me want to come back again next week.

 

[AliB]

It has taken me quite a lot of discipline, because I'm quite analytical by nature, but I've definitely found that swing thoughts are bad for me on the course...
What I do do (I said do do) is look down the fairway a wee bit longer than I used to and identify where the ball should go and how. Then I let my brain work it out itself. ...
I don't care how it gets there anymore so long as it leaves me in a nice position for the next one. I'm playing not swinging.

this is great advice, though harder to carry out than it sounds. My theory is that swing thoughts should only be for practice swings (or putts), then let 'natural athleticism' - take over. Of course this assumes some basic technique, not to mention the natural athleticism bit but anyone past beginner stage should give it a go.

AliB

 

[cm_qs]

Maybe you need to walk a different walk.

As i've got older and (hopefully wiser) I've become a great deal more philosophical about many things - including golf.

I now accept a few inescapable truths about myself and my golf game.

I'm good enough at this game to make my way round the course without killing anyone (probably)or embarrassing myself enough to give up. I'm also good enough to bask in the brief glow of a well struck shot. On the other hand, I'm a big enough boy to hit the occasional howler and not shed tears over it. If I'm playing in a fourball and shank it 20 yards into the trees, i'll be the one laughing the loudest.
I'm not good enough to compete for anything more than beer, bragging rights or pocket change.... and that's OK too.

I don't have any real interest in "winning". The only real competitor I face in this game is the course itself and it really doesn't care if I win or lose. So why should I?
Why get my knickers in a twist over scores and handicaps. The course can't count and I get the opportunity to fret over numbers all day at work.

The enjoyment I get from golf is far more esoteric than mere numbers, figures and statistics
.
I'm in it for more selfish reasons. I want to take a gentle walk in beautiful surroundings. I am under no obligation to maintain these surroundings other than to repair any damage I inflict myself. I love freshly mown turf and i love it twice as much when I don't have to cut it.
I get to see wildlife - squirrels and foxes and the occasional shark!.
I get to spend time with some interesting people and engage in "the banter" and perhaps a bit of light refreshment afterwards.
Much of my time spent on the course i'll be alone - a rarity in my life - a chance to relax and reflect on stuff that might be swirling around in my head.

The value that golf has in my life is far in excess of any brief glories of competition.

It grounds me, gives me entertainment, fellow ship, solitude and contemplation.

I consider myself fortunate that I possess the physical, economic and geographical advantages that allow me to enjoy the sport of gentlemen (and ladies of course!)

My swing thought is always the same. "you jammy bast**d!"

 

[birdieman]

Beautiful words Craig! Makes a lot of sense.

I can't hit it as well as 3 or 4 years ago, slowly accepting that my golfing peak has come and gone. Still have my moments when it goes right though.

I only enjoy golf when I'm playing well, if it goes tits up by the 9th I don't then go "I'll just enjoy a walk and some fresh air for the next 9". I used to actually simmer a little, like a pan ready to boil over and just wan't out of there, now I'm much better and relaxed but I still wan't out of there. It really is a case of how many shots for me, that's the challenge and why I play, or used to play.

I am lucky in work that I get to march about the countryside and hike in the fresh air so I don't need the 'get away from the desk' aspect of golf like some do.

Turned down the opportunity yesterday to play in an 18 hole open a week Sunday, still not bothered about hitting a ball it seems.

To answer Andy's original question, definite YES for me. Read the books, watched the DVD's, had the lessons, bought the gear, done the hours of practice, season starts then same old golfing mediocrity as always! Golf in a nutshell for most of us I think!

 

[USER1999]

Nope, playing well at the moment by just bashing it about. I try not to think about it, or practice.

I guess in doing this, I will remain on my 12 h/cap (where I have been for 15 years), but I am unwilling to invest in the time and effort to get lower, especially as it doesn't seem to make you any happier.

Mind you, it would help the h/cap if they didn't keep cancelling medals after I have shot a decent score.

 

[AliB]

hey birdieman
Seem to remember you're still a 'single figure' golfer. for most of us that's a distant mirage, and certainly not mediocrity! But I take the point that we all have our own goals. Hope you come round to your game eventually.

AliB

 

[AliB]

Craig
Great post (and great thread) - hope both make the GM mag.

AliB

 

[viscount17]

craig I'll go along with most of your post,
I would add that with the abundance of wild life around my course, if I couldn't enjoy even a bad round there would be something wrong with me.
But, I like the competitive edge. I may not be good enough to win (yet!) and am still searching for that first cut but I do love trying.

 

[John_Findlay]

Craig,

You could bring a tear to a glass eye. It's obvious you love the game for more than just the score. A good lesson to be learned by all of us.

 

[TWM]

Last Thursday I decided to clear my mind of all the theory so, at address, I told myself "swing the club, forget about the ball". I did this on every tee and had the best round of the year.
On Tuesday I tried to do the same thing in the Seniors Monthly Medal. Total disaster!

 

[HTL]

I play Golf for the love of the game and try and not lose my temper, at the most I will grip the club and bend it a little after a sliced shot, I get enough crap and stress at work, I don't want it in htl`s time as well.

Good post by the way, got us all thinking and talking.

 

[cm_qs]

Craig,

You could bring a tear to a glass eye. It's obvious you love the game for more than just the score. A good lesson to be learned by all of us.

Why, Thank you! My own prosthetic eye weeps reciprocal tears!

I think the lesson that I was trying to preach - albeit in a late-at-night, glass-of-wine, wife-and-kids-gone-to-bed, overtired-and-emotional style - is that of perspective.


In the grand scheme of your life, there are more things to worry about than a 0.1 point handicap increase.
At the end of the day, it's a game..like monopoly or hide and seek or ping pong. If you can't play any game with child-like glee then what is the point in playing?

I am often heard to say the " the worst day i've ever spent on the golf course is still better than the best day I've ever spent at work " Is this because I love golf or hate work? I'm never quite sure but I have a fair idea which it is?

If you were lying on your deathbed reflecting on your golfing life, what would you regret most?

" I wish I had knocked a couple of extra strokes off my handicap"?
or
" I wish I had enjoyed it more"?

Only you can decide!