How does this happen?

[Leftie]

Played his morning, usual 4BBB matchplay. Mixture of temporary and full greens - don't ask

Anyway, 1st 6 holes I was 11 over gross (with 3 penalty drops) although the match was level thanks to my partner. Don't worry, I said, I'll come good later. Next 12 holes I was 1 over gross with 3 birdies

Ended up 12 over gross, 1 under h/cap (or for the purists, level with CSS)

How/why does this happen? Was it my sub-conscious taking over through embarrasment of my poor play?

It's all down to that 6" between the ears, isn't it?

I think I need a mind coach.... HTL, are your rates reasonable??

 

[need_my_wedge]

How/why does this happen? Was it my sub-conscious taking over through embarrasment of my poor play?

It's all down to that 6" between the ears, isn't it?

I think I need a mind coach.... HTL, are your rates reasonable??

I often have games like this. Can't keep the consistency over 18 holes. Got the book "Golf is not a game of Perfect" for Crimbo, have started reading it and there is a wealth of good info in there. I've been hitting around the 100 mark consistently for a few months now, after reading the book, set myself a target to break 90 during this year, went out New Years eve, used a couple of small points from the book and shot 89. Was hugely surprised, but very happy. Went out again yesterday, front nine was a 4 shots or so worse than the other day, but I kept on thinking about the same points, ended up with 90.

What I'm trying to say is that yes, I believe a lot of it does come from between the ears, certainly after you have a semblence of a swing. If you haven't read it, recommend the book, if you have read it, read it again

 

[medwayjon]

I know exactly where you are coming from roger.

I started our september medal with par, +5, +3, +4.

I then went on to play the remaining 14 holes just 6 over par which left me +18, ten shots better than my handicap!

Weird thing this game we play, its one of those funny things, The GM day at princes I got 34 points in crap conditions and with the forum boys got 27 points in perfect conditions. I have shot an 82 at gillingham and then a couple of days later had a 99.

 

[ademac]

that's a few good mentions about this book I've heard now, think I might buy it today. Isn't it by harringtons "mind guru"? can't remember his name? Bob something?

 

[Leftie]

Bob Rotella

 

[Smiffy]

I played in "The Survivors Bowl" at Crowborough one year. First day (Friday) was a medal, with the top 16 scores going through to the next day which was matchplay, culminating in the final to be held on the Sunday afternoon.
I was off 13 (I think) at the time, and on the front nine found myself 9 over. I was dead and buried. Played the back nine one over gross and ended up with a nett 68. I was as chuffed as anything but had forgotten to mark my card to say that I wouldn't be able to play on the Saturday (if I qualified) because I was working.
The Secretary phoned me at home that evening to inform me that my 68 had qualified for the knock out stages, she was absolutely livid when I told her that I couldn't play as she had spent ages sorting out the cards that evening.
A bunch of flowers and profuse apologies calmed the situation a little the following Monday, but what a cock!!
I think I just relaxed on the back nine assuming that I was out of it.
Rob

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I tend to find that it is the front 9 that I score well on and that the back 9 falls away. I shot +2 gross the other week and didn't strike the ball well but chipped an putted brilliantly. Got on the back 9 and played those 9 in +10. I think it is purely a mental thing where you suddenly realise what is happening whereas on the front 9 you are merrily putting down the socres without too much notice.

THe Bob Rotella books focus specifically on staying in the present and attaching the same importance to every shot That means that every shot has say a 75% significance and so a bad tee shot is no worse than hitting an iron to 6 feet and finding a bunker no different to holing a putt. By treating each shot the same you are supposed to be able to visualise and focus one shot at a time.

I've been trying it and when I concentrate on the task in hand there is smoe mileage in it. I have also tried to visualise more and that is helping but it isn't a natural thing and I am having to work on doing it and thinking about the right things.

I have played loads of times and started off badly and thought it is all over and here's 0.1 coming back only to relax and play the remaining holes well and normally find the buffer zone. It is definitely to do with the mental side

 

[Herbie]

leftie, be thankful of having a skill and ability to recover, when those things happen and continue through the round, thats when to examine the bottom of a glass. I dont think that was a good recovery, I think it was a great recovery and a statement!

 

[Leftie]

Thanks for that Herb. You're right. The way I was playing, I suppose that I had something to prove and not let my partner down and although I wasn't aware of trying that extra bit, it happened.

Like virtually everyone on this forum, I know that I am a better player than my h/cap. (Before anyone scoffs at this, who has never got a 4 points on a hole?) It's just the problem of getting it right for 18 holes at a time.

The very best golf I played this year was in our Vets matchplay final and the guy I was playing was the biggest wind-up merchant you could never wish to meet. Fortunately the wind-ups work in my favour and there was no way on this earth that he could have beaten me that day. On the front 9 we both had one blobbed hole and apart from that we were each one over gross. He started winging about me being a bandit off 13 and proceeded to lose the next 5 holes (or did I win them?). Win 5 and 4 - thanks very much.

It's definitely a mental thing and I must get hold of Bob Rotella's book.