Killer Instinct

[Region3]

I'm beginning to think that some people have it, and some people don't.

I also think I'm one of those people who don't have it.

I played a club singles ko match yesterday against a 28hc. We were on the 3rd hole before he hit a ball that went in the air, and I was 3 up after 5 holes.

I never thought I was going to lose the match at any stage during the round, but it was far too close for comfort as I won on the 19th.

I never meant any disrespect for my opponent, and never deliberately messed a shot up, but I just tend to ease up and not fully concentrate sometimes and can't force myself to put the match away quickly.
I think subconsciously I don't want anyone to not enjoy playing with me in their game and must self-destruct to make it close.

Am I alone, and can it be learnt or is it just one of those things you either have or don't?

 

[FairwayDodger]

In a foursomes match recently we were 6 up after 6 holes. I wanted to win 10&8, frankly, and was really annoyed to lose the 7th. I would never have admitted that though.....

 

[swanny32]

Oh good god, not me! I'm so competitive it drives my friends nuts. If I know I can and will win then i'll do it fast and brutally whether I'm playing golf, Xbox or just having a kick about with some mates.....I'll then rub their face in it afterwards although less likely to do that with Golf as I like to adhere to good etiquette....for some reason.

 

[G1BB0]

you didnt do that with RickG though Gary

I have a mate who is a really bad loser, regardless what sport we play I always ease off and let him think he made a game of it. Not sure if I would do it in matchplay although when I went 3 up at woodhall on about the 5th or 6th I was paranoid about my 28 h/c being a bit unfair

 

[louise_a]

Golf is unpredictable not only round to round but also hole to hole, if you are on a roll keeping racking the holes up lest the pendulum swings against you.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Golf is unpredictable not only round to round but also hole to hole, if you are on a roll keeping racking the holes up lest the pendulum swings against you.

Exactly!!

 

[joma1108]

One quick way to keep your head in the game is to try to beat your best score, without being disrespectful to your playing partner, play the course.

or look at each hole as the last and you are one down and need to win to take it up the first extra hole.

I have had both ends of the coin, been 5 up with 5 to play and lost becaus i wasnt concentrating on the game, and been 5 down and was asked by the guy playing me, do you want to call it a day now as we are getting to the clubhouse, i asked why are you conceding the tie? he laughed and said no but its just a matter of when....never felt so sweet ramming that down his neck.
Anyhoo try it that you are one down with one to play, that has been my way of thinking to keep my head going no matter wheter in front or behind.

 

[full_throttle]

I never meant any disrespect for my opponent, and never deliberately messed a shot up, but I just tend to ease up and not fully concentrate sometimes and can't force myself to put the match away quickly.
I think subconsciously I don't want anyone to not enjoy playing with me in their game and must self-destruct to make it close.

now i know why i beat you last year..lol

 

[thecraw]

Sounds more like a concentration and confidence issue to me!

 

[Region3]

you didnt do that with RickG though Gary

No, because I knew that was a tough match and I had to play my best to have a chance.
It's when I think I can't lose I go soft.

Anyhoo try it that you are one down with one to play, that has been my way of thinking to keep my head going no matter wheter in front or behind.

That's a great idea, I'll give it a go, thanks.

 

[Region3]

Sounds more like a concentration and confidence issue to me!

Confidence isn't a problem, but I'm sure concentration is a part of it. It's forcing myself to take every shot as if it were a medal that's the problem.

Like yesterday I was thinking "anywhere near-ish will do" when I was chipping.

I'm going to try joma's suggestion to see if that helps.

 

[RGDave]

I've been there. Not so much on the golf course, but certainly on the green baize. It's tough to keep in the right mental galaxy when someone is off their game and you know it's a stroll for you.
Flat out concentration is tough and if you think you don't need it, it's only natural to step off the gas.

Don't dwell on it; good "fighters" know how to push the right buttons in their head when they need to. When you don't need to, it doesn't make you less ruthless, just messes with your natural instinct.

If he'd been 3 up, you'd still have won, I know that from seeing you focus.

 

[Jaymosafehands]

hey, a wins a win. going down the 19th is always a challenge. The fun next time is to make sure you do it in regulation. Take the positive, you've got the chance to make it better next time out, he hasn't!

I played the first round of the singles tonight at my new club, playing a lad who has won the last medal and came 2nd in the last Stableford, thought I was nailed on for a canning.

Turns out his head goes more often than not when he's on the course, and although I played awful (that's being polite) I came back from 2 down at the turn to win 2&1 - basically from keeping quiet and not reacting to him. After the round he said he didn't know how he lost, he just couldn't shake me - but didn't know how he could win when I didn't blow up on bad shots. I hopefully won't play that badly again for a while, but I'll take the positives and move on!

Good luck in the next round

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm in the same boat. If I get two or three up with a few holes to play I tend to mentally switch off and think its in the bad. Bosh a couple of sloppy holes and one up and a couple left and suddenly its in the balance and all the momentum has gone to the opponent. Funny thing is I play better (Hawkeye might aruge) in pairs games as I don't want to feel as though I'm letting my partner down and so tend to be more focused

 

[daveyc2k2]

Oh good god, not me! I'm so competitive it drives my friends nuts. If I know I can and will win then i'll do it fast and brutally whether I'm playing golf, Xbox or just having a kick about with some mates.....I'll then rub their face in it afterwards although less likely to do that with Golf as I like to adhere to good etiquette....for some reason.

Unless that golf is with me!! I seem to remember you posting all over facebook after my nightmare, and you didn't even play that day!! Haha.

One win and you think your a superstar!! lol

 

[Swinger]

Crush, Kill, Destroy.
I do sometimes feel bad if someone is not playing well but only in the bar after.

 

[USER1999]

I have all the killer instinct of a door mouse.

 

[brendy]

there is a difference between killer instinct and ability though.
You can want to crush your opponent as much as you want but if you cant put the ball where you want...

give me ability over killer instinct any day!