I'm Going To Go Mental On The Golf Course This Afternoon

[Spoff]

I'm rubbish, make no bones about it. I know what to do and I have the gear to do it, and can hit the ball as long and straight as anyone I've played with.

But when I hit a poor shot I let it affect me way too much and usually go on to hit another poor shot and then follow that poor hole with a few more and the round is in ruins.

On the occassions I have a few good holes I then get over confident and then that results in the above happening all over again.

This afternoon is the scene of my best score to date; so feeling good at the minute. Any hints and tips you can offer to get me round?

 

[USER1999]

Drink more beer. It is the universal cure for all golfing ills.

 

[CrapHacker]

You have to accept that you will hit a bag shot. Several in fact. Possibly many.

IT WILL HAPPEN.

Know that.

Once you can genuinely get that into your mind and realise that it's not a bad thing, and that golf is a game that you will NEVER play perfectly, then you can start to enjoy the good things about it. Enjoy the good shots, don't worry about the bad ones.

It's that simple / complicated.

You are going out to play golf. I am getting ready for a meeting with my team, my boss, and our regional manager. He is going to explain to us that there is a recession on, and if we're not careful, and don't work an extra couple of hours a day, we will lose our jobs.

What would you prefer to be doing ?

 

[CrapHacker]

Drink more beer. It is the universal cure for all golfing ills.

I go for the deep searchings of the inner soul.

You go straight to the truth.

 

[KeefG]

Where are you playing Spoff?

 

[bluenose10]

i feel your pain mate. . . went out after work yesterday and shot 88. . . that might seem like nothing to alot of people but my last few rounds consisted of 102, 98 , 99 (only been playing properly for 4 months) so was made up. . . didn't do anything that different apart from play with a higher tempo (due to race against the fading light) and didn't ponder over every shot like normal. . . ill probably shoot 110 on saturday but what can you do!!

 

[Spoff]

Where are you playing Spoff?

Wike, aim for the day is to do the third with the same ball!!!

 

[steveyjd81]

Try reading any of Dr Bob Rotellas Books

So simple its Genius

 

[Parmo]

Fella everyone in the world hits bad shots including Tiger.

The one thing I did last season and have started doing again is only allowing 20 seconds of thought on either a good shot or a bad one. By taking the confidence from a good shot into the next lessens your focus and concentration imho and it’s the same for a poor shot, taking a poor shot and then muttering under your breath until the next and having that thought there as part of the next will only lead to another poor shot.

As you can see I am no Casey but try it, seems to work for me (when I practice it).

 

[Spoff]

You are going out to play golf. I am getting ready for a meeting with my team, my boss, and our regional manager. He is going to explain to us that there is a recession on, and if we're not careful, and don't work an extra couple of hours a day, we will lose our jobs.

What would you prefer to be doing ?

In the grand scheme of things my golf problem isn't a problem at all. In the Grand scheme of my golf, it's massive!!!

Good luck with the meeting today.

 

[KeefG]

Where are you playing Spoff?

Wike, aim for the day is to do the third with the same ball!!!

Never played there, where is it? lol

I'm currently deciding whether to leave the office now and go round Temple Newsam or wait til later and go somewhere else lol

 

[Spoff]

Wike - http://www.leedsgolfcentre.com/

It's the other side of Roundhay park from the centre of Leeds.

Don't know that area of Leeds at all other then the route too and from the course!!!

 

[birdieman]

Any hints and tips you can offer to get me round?

Live in the now man!

What's past is past and what's future is future. You can only focus on what you are doing in the present on the course.

Old cliche but one shot at a time - focus hard on the shot but let your mind wander off to other things as you walk along. You cannot concentrate hard for 3 or 4 hours or you'll be mentally and physically exhausted. Short period of focus over the shots.

 

[KeefG]

Looks a nice track indeed!

 

[Spoff]

i feel your pain mate. . . went out after work yesterday and shot 88. . . that might seem like nothing to alot of people but my last few rounds consisted of 102, 98 , 99 (only been playing properly for 4 months) so was made up. . . didn't do anything that different apart from play with a higher tempo (due to race against the fading light) and didn't ponder over every shot like normal. . . ill probably shoot 110 on saturday but what can you do!!

My usual round is 110-115 ish, todays course I have done in 104

I know practice is essential in this game but not got the time at the minute, I know I can shoot in the 90s if I can keep my head.

Today is the day...

 

[Parmo]

I thought Wike was on its a**s?? Played there, liked the 12 hole 3 par course but found the 18 boring (no offence meant), it just doesn't seem to be maturing one bit after 10 years.

 

[Spoff]

I thought Wike was on its a**s?? Played there, liked the 12 hole 3 par course but found the 18 boring (no offence meant), it just doesn't seem to be maturing one bit after 10 years.

Only played it a few times so not bored of it yet. Bit of money has been put into doing up the driving range recently.

Fairly inexpensive of an evening and that is one of the key factors for me when looking for somewhere to play!!

I understand it is on the market at the minute though. Not sure if anyone will be looking to buy a golf club at the minute.

 

[Parmo]

I think they where after £4m for it. My friend used to be head greenkeeper at Moortown for 20+ years and did some consultation on the land before they built it. I was about to join it tbh, but as I don't drive a taxi from my house to there and back is about £16 return so knocked it on the head. They used to have the auto tee thingys but have they gone now?

 

[Spoff]

They used to have the auto tee thingys but have they gone now?

Yeah, the power tees are now gone for some reason.

A shame because the one size rubber one are too low for my driver and too high for the woods and irons.

 

[heronsghyll]

I'm rubbish, make no bones about it. I know what to do and I have the gear to do it, and can hit the ball as long and straight as anyone I've played with.

But when I hit a poor shot I let it affect me way too much and usually go on to hit another poor shot and then follow that poor hole with a few more and the round is in ruins.

On the occassions I have a few good holes I then get over confident and then that results in the above happening all over again.

This afternoon is the scene of my best score to date; so feeling good at the minute. Any hints and tips you can offer to get me round?

You want a tip/hint?

My response would be remember your handicap is there to allow for bad shots/mistakes. So, I would suggest you look at your handicap as the number of mistakes you are allowed to make in a round, rather than apply them to individual holes.

IE, if your handicap is 18, then you are allowed 18 "mistakes" in a round. So, if you make 20 "mistakes" in an entire round - your are not far off your expected score. If you make 16 "mistakes" you are playing better then your expected score.

I believe a handicap is something you should aspire to play to 5-6 times a year. Any score over 30 points (6 more mistakes than you are expected to make) is an OK round.

So stop beating yourself up, if you make a bad shot it is only 1 "mistake", forget it and get on with your game.

Finally, a bad round on the golf course is better than a good day at work. Also, you naver play golf when you are 6ft under.

If can you learn to a) not set your expectations too high and b) enjoy the game whatever happens - I GUARANTEE YOU - in time you will get better.

Good luck