Jeez, Just when I thought I was getting somewhere

[HawkeyeMS]

For a long time now I've known that my h'cap is being held back by my fragile mind but just recently, having put myself in position to beat my h'cap several times I thought I was making progress - how wrong could I be?

Monthly s'ford yesterday. I was woken by thunder at about 5:30 to the news of Seve's death. I decided the warm up on the range wasn't a good idea in a thunder storm so I left later than normal and decided to go dressed in black in memory of the great man.

The thunder and rain had cleared by my tee time a after a quick warm up in the nets I found myself feeling rather calm. What followed for 12 holes was quite possibly, no, quite definitely, the most sublime golf I have ever played - period.

Birdies and 1 and 4 and missed birdie chances, good chances as well, on 2,3 and 5 saw me standing on the 6th tee 2 under par. A 5i to 15 ft on the par 3 6th setup another birdie chance but the 1st putt was poor and I 3 stabbed for bogey. Un-deterred I hit the fairway on 7, left my approach just short but chipped close for an easy par. Another missed birdie from 10 ft on 8 was followed by a bogey on 9 for a level par 35 and 23 points, golf has never been so easy.

I ripped my drive down 10 leaving myself 96yds to the pin which I duely dispatch to 10ft but left the birdie putt in the jaws for a tap in par. A poor chip on 11 left me with a 6 footer which I still can't believe didn't drop, horseshoing round the hole and staying on the lip. No bother there, I can live with that, I'm still only 1 over gross and flying. My drive on 12 was too far left and ran through the dogleg into the rough. I was forced to layup to around 100yds and hit great wedge which pitched about 10 ft but span back down the slope stopping about 20ft away. I misread the putt which broke more than I expected, leaving myself a 4 footer for a bogey and then standing over the putt, I seized up. I started thinking about what was possible for the 1st time, about a potential PB and the hole started to look small and for the 1st time in the round I didn't believe I would make it, which I didn't - it was a terrible putt in which I decelerated and left it short and low.

From that point on all I could think about was not fckucking up. I stopped committing to my shots, stopped thinking about the green and more about the trouble. As hard as I tried, I couldn't clear my head. My touch deserted me around the green, I was paralysed my by mind. I ended up limping home with 12pts on the back nine for 35 in total. I had two trebles and a double in the last 5 holes including OBs on 17 & 18.

To say I'm angry with myself is an understatement - I honestly thought I was winning my own little personal battle with my mind but it appears not.

Sorry for the long post, I wasn't going to bore you with it but I had to get it out in the open. I need to learn to stay positive and focus on the good shots. It's so frustrating knowing I have the physical ability but lose it mentally

 

[pokerjoke]

Unlucky,sounds like a protection if you ask me

 

[timgolfy]

The other, more empowering, way of thinking about it is: you had a lucky run of holes before flaws in your technique caught up with you.

The former blames "bad luck", "lack of confidence", "seizing up" which you have little control over, the latter tells you the need to improve, which you have total control over.

 

[Region3]

I wish I knew how to help Hawkeye, but if you don't find a way to 'cure' it, the more times you put yourself in that position the better equipped you'll be to deal with it each subsequent time.

A couple of 'psychology' books I've read suggest focussing your mind on your breathing for relaxing and not getting bogged down with what you might be about to achieve.

 

[Potor_36]

I know the feeling all too well, or at least I did until yesterday. The last 5 holes at my course contain my 3 worst - 14,16 and 17. The par 5 14th shouldn't be too difficult, but I've lost count of the number of times I block myself out when trying to lay up between tree and bunker with my 2nd shot. I guess its not SI 3 without good reason . 16 and 17 are simply very long par 4's (466 and 452 yards respectively) and being a shorter hitter I'm basically looking at either laying up with my 2nd or trying to smash a hybrid or fairway wood to the green. Oh and 17 has a trio of bunkers from 80-120 yards out, exactly the sort of distance I like to leave for my 3rd.

When playing the last of my 3 rounds to get a handicap, I was stood on the 16th tee quite happy with myself at only +9, 6 shots up on the goal I had set myself of averaging bogeys for the round. I remeber thinking 'just play sensibly, bogeys from here would be a fantastic score'. Promptly finished treble, treble, bogey for a round of 88.

Next up was my first ever competition round (monthly medal), this time the 14th was to be my undoing. Finding myself slightly blocked by my least favourite tree, I stupidly decided to play for a draw (despite my standard shot being a fade) to make the green instead of just knocking it up 10-15 yards short and trying to make par, or at worst bogey. To cut a long story short, the shot was dead straight and finished in the back of a bunker. 6 shots later I was walking off the green somewhat angry with myself, what had been looking like a good chance of a cut was now up 0.1.

Then there was the time I was again +9 stood on the 16th tee. Hit a great drive, but ended up finishing quad, double, bogey for another 88.

Yesterday I got to the 16th with a sense of deja vu - I had just made par at 15, was sitting on a belter of a score (+6 gross) and had to wait for the group in front to clear. Whilst stood there I told myself 'you know what, it doesn't matter if you screw it up totally now, you've just played probably the best 15 holes you've ever had'. Made a sandy 5 on 16, hit the 17th green in 2 for the first time ever, made par and despite my best efforts managed to make a bogey at the last for a round of 80. Only a mere 43 points. Lipped out with a 15-footer at the last too for a 79

So I guess what I'm trying to say is if you keep giving youself the chances, sooner or later you will take one of them so don't get too worked up about it. You know what you're capable of given how the rest of the round has gone, so just swing away and hope for the best

 

[HawkeyeMS]

It's another chance I've given myself and another chance to learn, that's all I can take from it, and the fact I was level after 10. I think if I was 3 or 4 over at the turn I would have been fine but being level after 10 I got a bit carried away with myself which is the annoying thing as I'd told myself walking to the tenth tee to just stay in the moment. It's not like I started hitting badly, I just started to try to force chips and putts but never really committed to them, scared I would miss rather than confident I'd hole. The 1st bad full shot I hit all day was the tee shot on 17 which went OB. The tee shot on 18 was pure frustration.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Where was all this last Monday? I heard about your round from Ali today and I was quite surprised as you are normally one of those guys who doesn't get too far ahead of himeself and OB left aat 17 and right at 18 is unlike you too.

Personally I'd take great comfort in the way you started. Birdie at the 1st?????? and not worry about the back nine. Put it down to experience. At least you know the ball striking is still there and the putter is warm. Maybe play the back nine during the week and exorcise any remaining demons and try again in the medal.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

The other, more empowering, way of thinking about it is: you had a lucky run of holes before flaws in your technique caught up with you.

The former blames "bad luck", "lack of confidence", "seizing up" which you have little control over, the latter tells you the need to improve, which you have total control over.

Thanks Tim, sure there are flaws in my technique, that goes without saying but that isn't my problem, it's all in the mind, don't underestimate it.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

yeah sorry about that Homer, not sure what happened last week.

17 was just a bad shot at the wrong time, 18 was pure frustration. I started to feel like I had to make shots rather than I was going to make them and I got tense.

 

[RGDave]

saw me standing on the 6th tee 2 under par.

Spooky. I think I told a story about this on another thread.

http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk//showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/367188/an/0/page/0#367188

Always going to happen with a start like that. (well, almost always)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The other, more empowering, way of thinking about it is: you had a lucky run of holes before flaws in your technique caught up with you.

The former blames "bad luck", "lack of confidence", "seizing up" which you have little control over, the latter tells you the need to improve, which you have total control over.

Thanks Tim, sure there are flaws in my technique, that goes without saying but that isn't my problem, it's all in the mind, don't underestimate it.

• 
  
  I kinda disagree with Timmy on this one, not to be contentious but because I see it from the other side. My take on it is the technique is clearly fine to produce the quality of shots to get into the position to start with. The issue comes with dealing with the inherent issues a good score produces such as trying to protect it, thinking about the win, thinking about a cut. It is the mental issues that trigger the technical side to breakdown. The only way to deal with this is to keep giving yourself the opportunities which goes back to the technique being there to start with. You can't practice tension and the sweaty palm feeling - you have to live it

 

[CrapHacker]

IIRC the run in at your place gets tougher as the round goes on.

So it's bound to happen that you score more poorly towards the last few holes.

It's no big deal. Your best rounds will be when your mind doesn't get in the way, but there will be rounds when it does. Like there will be rounds when you putt well, and rounds when you have no feel round the green.

Work on it, and improve it, but don't worry about it - shh, it happens.

 

[timgolfy]

Thanks Tim, sure there are flaws in my technique, that goes without saying but that isn't my problem, it's all in the mind, don't underestimate it.

Not wanting to be deliberately contentious again (it's a good mood day today), but are you seriously saying that if you could master your nerves you'd be a scratch golfer? After how many years?

Or is it more likely that your swing is not as grooved as it needs to be.

Actually, I think it's an interesting question:
"My technique is perfect - I just can't do it consistently"

Is this, then, good technique?

 

[CrapHacker]

Thanks Tim, sure there are flaws in my technique, that goes without saying but that isn't my problem, it's all in the mind, don't underestimate it.

Not wanting to be deliberately contentious again (it's a good mood day today), but are you seriously saying that if you could master your nerves you'd be a scratch golfer? After how many years?

Or is it more likely that your swing is not as grooved as it needs to be.

Actually, I think it's an interesting question:
"My technique is perfect - I just can't do it consistently"

Is this, then, good technique?

I think it's more likely to be :
" I am working on my technique - at the moment I can poke the damn thing around in about 10 over when there's no pressure on, but as soon as I let my brain in, I can't get around in less than 95."

Very few people realistically expect to get to scratch, but most want to maximise what poor technique their body restricts them to.

Simples.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Thanks Tim, sure there are flaws in my technique, that goes without saying but that isn't my problem, it's all in the mind, don't underestimate it.

Not wanting to be deliberately contentious again (it's a good mood day today), but are you seriously saying that if you could master your nerves you'd be a scratch golfer? After how many years?

Or is it more likely that your swing is not as grooved as it needs to be.

Actually, I think it's an interesting question:
"My technique is perfect - I just can't do it consistently"

Is this, then, good technique?

No Tim that's not what I'm saying, I will never be a scratch golfer but single figures is definately achievable if I can overcome my mental issues. Ask anyone on here about the difference between playing bounce games and playing with a card in your hand. There is a big difference and some of us don't deal with it very well. My technique is pretty sound, you don't go two months playing twice a week only missing the buffer zone once(sorry Homer) and often shooting under you're h'cap without some semblence of good technique.

What I struggle with is executing chips and putts under pressure. I tend to quit on shots which is the last thing you want and I start to doubt I'll make putts, I'm gonna hit crap shots from time to time but dropping 12 shots in 7 holes?

I understand what you are trying to say but with respect, and I hope you don't take this the wrong way, until you've actually got a h'cap and put yourself in a position that I was in on Saturday, you have no idea how you will react.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Thanks Tim, sure there are flaws in my technique, that goes without saying but that isn't my problem, it's all in the mind, don't underestimate it.

Not wanting to be deliberately contentious again (it's a good mood day today), but are you seriously saying that if you could master your nerves you'd be a scratch golfer? After how many years?

Or is it more likely that your swing is not as grooved as it needs to be.

Actually, I think it's an interesting question:
"My technique is perfect - I just can't do it consistently"

Is this, then, good technique?

I think it's more likely to be :
" I am working on my technique - at the moment I can poke the damn thing around in about 10 over when there's no pressure on, but as soon as I let my brain in, I can't get around in less than 95."

Very few people realistically expect to get to scratch, but most want to maximise what poor technique their body restricts them to.

Simples.

Excellently put

 

[jammydodger]

Sorry Hawkeye but once a bottler always a bottler

Seriously though i think its just a case of recognising when you're in this position and learning ways of dealing with it. We've all gone through times when we bottle it and have all sorts of mental demons nagging in our heads. Personally i've mostly come to terms with suppressing them and letting my game out. Its just a case of finding the trigger that shuts the demons up and allows you to play. It's also relative to how much importance you place on that round. What I mean is I couldnt give a stuff about the monthly medal or stableford and consequently dont get uptight about it. However if it was a county event that I want to do well in then i'll maybe start to tighten up with a good round going.

There is a train of thought that says let the demons in because you can deal with them head on rather than have them in the background festering under the surface. "I know i have a tendancy to chunk these little pitches but f**k them they wont get me this time" sort of mentality. A positive response rather than a negative one

 

[Region3]

Along similar lines, it's been suggested in a 'mental' book to allow the thoughts into your head, but you just don't pay any attention to them. Let them pass. Trying to prevent them entering your thoughts just gives them more power grasshopper.

 

[timgolfy]

It's very easy to have a selective memory though.

How many times have you played good shots whilst having negative thoughts?
How many times have you played bad shots whilst having positive thoughts?

We tend to forget about these ones and only remember the ones which have a positive correlation. It's human nature to find patterns in chaos. "I think good thoughts therefore I play well." "I got the jitters and plated badly."

The only constant is the technique grooved (or not) into the brain.

Dr. Golfy

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Sorry Hawkeye but once a bottler always a bottler

Seriously though i think its just a case of recognising when you're in this position and learning ways of dealing with it. We've all gone through times when we bottle it and have all sorts of mental demons nagging in our heads. Personally i've mostly come to terms with suppressing them and letting my game out. Its just a case of finding the trigger that shuts the demons up and allows you to play. It's also relative to how much importance you place on that round. What I mean is I couldnt give a stuff about the monthly medal or stableford and consequently dont get uptight about it. However if it was a county event that I want to do well in then i'll maybe start to tighten up with a good round going.

There is a train of thought that says let the demons in because you can deal with them head on rather than have them in the background festering under the surface. "I know i have a tendancy to chunk these little pitches but f**k them they wont get me this time" sort of mentality. A positive response rather than a negative one

I kind of like that Jammy, I might just be better turning them into a challenge rather than going along with them. I read this post just after you posted it and all of a sudden I felt more positive. Next time I find myself in that situation feeling negative over a putt i'm gonna turn it into a challenge, like I need the putt to go one up against the daemons. It might not work but I need to separate myself from them and make them something that isn't part of me but an opponent.

I'll let you know how it goes...