How much of a poor shot is a repeated 'norm' vs an actual flaw in technique

[SVB]

From 'Westy' in the Game Golf Tread: "......I know around the courses I play regularly where my usual miss is. From memory. (Doesn't stop me still missing there though)........"

Rather than hijack the Game Golf thread, I hope Westy won't mind if I use a quote to start a new line of throught?

I (and I suspect others) have holes or shots that are often / always played poorly.

The question is therefore:-
(1) how much of these 'always difficult holes' are mindset, my contention is it is at least 75%?
(2) what can be done about it?

Simon.

 

[duncan mackie]

The question is therefore:-
(1) how much of these 'always difficult holes' are mindset, my contention is it is at least 75%?
(2) what can be done about it?

Simon.

1. 100%
2. think differently (normally requires a decision to do something rather than avoid something and should always involve using a different tool for maximum effect)

 

[Rooter]

I used to have a horror hole, the 15th at my home course. I used to dread it from the 13th! Its not a particularly hard hole, its a 200 yard par 3, In about 2 years i had never hit the green! After reading New Golf Thinking, the last 2 times since I have given my self a birdie opportunity and walked off with par both times.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

New Golf Thinking (yes that old chestnut) has a very good bit about "bogey" holes and that it's all in the mind. If you've played a hole badly for a while then, according to the theory at least, there is nothing to say that by simple law of averages you are due a birdie or par there. I use to hate our 6th but these days having made a few pars lately, I know I can play it and hit a much more commited shot as a result

 

[JustOne]

The question is therefore:-
(1) how much of these 'always difficult holes' are mindset, my contention is it is at least 75%?
(2) what can be done about it?

1. Quite a lot. People see danger and swing/aim away from it. Unfortunately ball flight physics is such that swinging away from danger makes your ball curve into it.

2. Ignore what is in front of you and just make your normal swing as if the fairway is empty.

 

[CMAC]

From 'Westy' in the Game Golf Tread: "......I know around the courses I play regularly where my usual miss is. From memory. (Doesn't stop me still missing there though)........"

Rather than hijack the Game Golf thread, I hope Westy won't mind if I use a quote to start a new line of throught?

I (and I suspect others) have holes or shots that are often / always played poorly.

The question is therefore:-
(1) how much of these 'always difficult holes' are mindset, my contention is it is at least 75%?
(2) what can be done about it?

Simon.

its ALL about mindset, anyone who says differently is kidding themselves.

Stand on your first tee on a beautiful day with no-one around and you'll more than likely hit a beauty.

Now play the same shot with 400 people watching you, and hoping you duff it.

 

[palindromicbob]

The problem I find with thinking about my miss is that this usually creates a very big target and you can lose focus. Better to try and focus small.

A 1 yard target with a 10 yard miss is much better than a 20 yard target with a 10 yard miss.

Easier said than done mind you.

 

[OldMate]

At my new course there's been three holes which caused me huge difficulty - all of which everyone else I've played with have said are very straight forward. I've managed to cure my mental issues with two of them now simply by spending an hour on each after work while the course is quiet committing to the shots I should be hitting and hitting 10-20 balls on each. In each case, I was previously trying to guide shorter clubs into play from the tee and ending up too far back/in trouble every time. Now that I've convinced myself that there are in fact quite large landing areas on both I am averaging par rather than double bogey on both over the last few rounds. The remaining hole is an approx 160-170 yard par 3 (I haven't got a card to hand) that I simply cannot hit from the tee. I feel that if I can find an hour to hit 20-30 balls into it (and repair a large no. of pitch marks!) I'll be able to cure that mental block going forward as well.

 

[Evesdad]

I used to have a horror hole, the 15th at my home course. I used to dread it from the 13th! Its not a particularly hard hole, its a 200 yard par 3, In about 2 years i had never hit the green! After reading New Golf Thinking, the last 2 times since I have given my self a birdie opportunity and walked off with par both times.

Sounds like my third. Hardly ever hit the green. Also recently went 4 straight rounds hitting a huge block to the far side of the 4th fairway!! The last two I've now only thought of the green and hit them too well and ended up just on but at the back of the green! Parred them both! Go figure, it's all in the mind.

 

[Bunker-Face]

its ALL about mindset, anyone who says differently is kidding themselves.

Not always true. Sometimes there's a shot which just doesn't suit your swing shape - a mild dogleg left or right for example. Yes it can get in your head but personally I'm not a fan of feeling like I'm aiming left. So any doglegs to the left I'm likely to cut across and miss to the right. I don't believe it's about mindset. I think it's a weakness in my ability to hit the ball in a direction which doesn't feel right to me.

 

[garyinderry]

I try not to let holes get the better of me. ive had a few in the past that ive mucked out multiple times in a row. I then work out a safe way of playing it. if that means laying up or making sure I miss on a certain side, so be it!

if it comes to it, take the bogey. a birdie can off set it. once you start making doubles or worse you are chasing it!