how do you approach a round mentally?

[G1BB0]

teeing off at 2pm today, 2nd time playing RAF Henlow course so know the layout of the holes. shot a 103 last time but short game and putting was very good, just tee to green was pants. I know I can shoot a low 90's (par is 68) but I seem to struggle off the tee as I know its my weakness and I am beaten before I even start.

How would you overcome this?

 

[Timh27]

I would tee off with a club that i am comfortable with even if it loses you distance. It's better to get it on the fairway shorter than to hit it long into the bushes.

 

[bobmac]

Is it a long course?
If not, use an iron off the tee and keep it on the short stuff.
You lose less balls that way too

 

[G1BB0]

not long Bob, 5800yds, a few tricky flags and quirky holes. Funnily enough I rarely lose balls just zig zag down the course too much

I think also I need to try and swing 'easy', think last time I was trying to muller it too much after duffing off the tee.

 

[Region3]

Didn't you have a driver lesson recently and all was well after it, or was that someone else?

 

[G1BB0]

it did go well and I was ok at the range last night but not confident enough yet.

it will come

 

[Region3]

If you're not confident enough with it yet then I'd say go with a hybrid or iron off the tee.

Maybe unleash the big stick if you have a hole that is wide open off the tee where you can't do too much damage, but DON'T try to hit it further. Just concentrate on a smooth swing and the thoughts from the lesson.

 

[Smiffy]

How would you overcome this?

Get to know the different variety's of trees and bushes around the course. Like Ash, Laburnham, Cedar, Gorse, Willow, Fir and Oak.
That way, if you do go offline and somebody says "You landed by that Laburnham tree" you'll know exactly where they mean.
Enjoy Beau Desert by the way. It has a lot of Ash, Laburnham, Cedar, Gorse, Willow, Fir and Oak trees

 

[stevek1969]

Interseting one,your overthinking it your a high handicapper so use your shots ,try hitting a fairway wood of the tee ,use your shots try and play for bogeys and if you make par all the better.Don't get it in to your head you'll shot par because you won't ,thats how i would go about it,if not hit it find it hit it again job done.

 

[golfbluecustard]

When using the driver I think half swing half speed as for me that still just about slows me down enough to keep control of it - am just about to drive past this course in circa 20 mins so i'll look out for the odd stray one...

GBC

 

[Mightymoose]

how do you approach a round mentally?

1) Analyse previous round(s) to work out where it went wrong.
2) Plan strategy to ensure beating handicap and get a cut.
3) Get to course, f*&k it up on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd hole.
4) Make up for poor start over remaining 15 holes.

I think I need to stop thinking so much!

 

[G1BB0]

well just got back, 105 but my long game was good, chipping and putting was woeful, missed several birdie chances and even had a short chip for eagle then promptly thinned it, chipped back on and 2 putted grrrrr

The driver was going quite well, still lacking a bit of height but not 1 slice, 3 wood was going well and I may have to adjust my club distances as I was hitting at least 10-15 yards longer

changed ball to a AD333 maybe that has helped with the extra distance I dont know but I went through the green on the 18th from 142 with an 8 iron (no wind)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Get there early and warm up. Look at what you did well and badly before and have a plan for each hole and stick to it

 

[CrapHacker]

For future reference :

I am beaten before I even start.

How would you overcome this?

If you think about golf so negatively, then I suggest you give up and take up knitting.

Golf is a game of minimising failure - noone will play a perfect round, everyone, even Luke and Lee will cock up in every round they play.

Just accept it, and enjoy the good bits.



Of course there are ways to play a medal round to your personal max. Fairway woods and hybrids off the tee, play apprach shots with the intention of minimising problems if you hit it imperfectly ( IE club up if there are bunkers at the front, play to the left hand edge if there is OOB down the right ) etc.

And use your practice time where you need it most - if you use your driver 10 times in a round, but use 40 putts, spend 4 x as long on the practice green as you do slammin' the big dog.



BTW This is said by a bloke who hit 7 trees off the tee last time out and was at least 8 shots worse than he should have been, and failed on three holes to score a point having hit pretty damn fine drives. Of course I was frustrated and annoyed, but I know that next time out, if I only hit 3 trees, I'm getting much better