Lost my mojo

[HomerJSimpson]

This may come as a shock but I've fallen out of love with golf. I'm in a real catch 22. I was hitting it great down the range before the snow came and was ready to take that onto the course. I'd come off a strong winter and the lessons and drills were working. Came back after the thaw and struggled. Was starting to get it back and then did my back in. Hit it well at the range at Easter but continually hacking it whenever I go out to play. I didn't even enter the stableford yesterday as I wasn't up for a game.

The problem is if I practice well and hack it round I get frustrated. If I don't hit it well at the range I get annoyed I can't find the cause or the cure to the problems. I hack it round and get frustrated that I can't get anywhere near my handicap. I don't want to take lessons as it will involve practicing to learn the changes (otherwise money wasted). So the crux is I've stopped practicing and not getting better. I'm not putting any work in and the game stagnates and if I do hit balls invariably I don't see any improvement. I don't really want to stop playing (well I do but if you know what I mean) as the course is coming alive and is good nick and the weather is finally warming up. How do I get the mojo back

 

[Owen_Thomas_14]

Practice, practice and more practice. Just need to tell yourself your game will come back soon and just need to relax really and dont get frustrated. It worked for me at the start of the winter

 

[drawboy]

Have a rest mate, no one say's you have to knock it around every sat and sun come what may. Take a fortnight or longer off don't touch a club or watch a game on TV. See how long it takes to get the old juices flowing again. We all get jaded from time to time.

 

[Smiffy]

Take a break for a couple of weeks. Completely. Don't go down the practice ground, don't even pick up a putter and practice indoors. Do something else.
We all go through it. The other week when I played at East Brighton and played out of my boots I couldn't wait to get out again. Bring on Castle Stewart and I'll take it to pieces. After the front 9 I played yesterday, I would have flogged my 'plane ticket to Inverness to the first bid over £20.00 and quite happily pulled out of the trip. But a birdie at one of the trickiest holes on the course put a spring in my stride again and I'm up for the fight.

 

[Smiffy]

Practice, practice and more practice.

Errrr.........that doesn't work with Homer


Quit the practice and just go out and smack the bloody thing about. It's horrible when it all goes Pete Tong. My game does it all the time. But the one consolation I have at the end of a crap round is to be able to look back on it and think..."thank feck I didn't waste an age down the practice ground for that dribble"

 

[birdieman]

If you need a break take one. There is life beyond golf!

Season 2008 I played last card on August 2nd, just got fed up with golf. Came back in 2009 rejuvenated and improved a little. Enjoyed last season a lot.

I played first comp of 2010 yesterday, first 6 I could barely make contact it was that bad. Just thought what am I doing, I hate this. Things improved quicky and from the 7th I played ok and quite enjoyed it.

In the end its about enjoyment and progression. They go hand in hand for most of us but if you're not getting either then it could be time for another hobby??

 

[pokerjoke]

Definately take a short break you sound like you need it,you will miss it so much you wont be able to contain yourself.Im new to golf so i love it but im sure there comes a time when everybody feels like you do.It just goes to show though Homer it doesnt matter how much you practice,how many lessons you have,how many books we read or videos we watch the negative mind is so difficult to overcome.Im sure you will come back stronger and get your mojo back.

 

[Dodger]

I would just take a total break for at least 2 weeks.

Thing is,what exactly are you practising for?Do you know the goals and what you are doing or is it (as it appears to be from reading on here) a constantly changing picture?

Why don't you just go out and play and resign yourself to the fact you are as good as you are going to get no matter what you do or spend,those golden days of ripping it apart as an assistant have long gone so just go and enjoy your hobby.

 

[Smiffy]

PS. Serious question.





Do you wanna game for a tenner????

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Quit the practice and just go out and smack the bloody thing about.

Tried that. Hit a few balls in the net a couple of putts and off we went. No warm up. Still awful. Cut right back on the practice and not even putting at home. I've a game at Sand Martins on Friday which I'm looking forward to as its a decent track but apart from that I'm not fussed about playing. Even tried just knocking it round with HTL on Saturday without worrying about scores (he was hungover and I'm hitting crap) and still only got a half and that was because he lsot interest after 12. Still hit more crap than good. I think the problem is a lack of consistancy. I'll play one hole well and then make a hash of the next three. I'd rather hit it crap all the way and know thats what going to happen than get lulled into thinking today will be any better than previously

 

[Leftie]

For a while, quit the practice and maybe give the game a miss for a week or two.

Then just go out and enjoy yourself. Don't worry about the score, inconsistancy, playing near handicap - goodness knows I don't worry too much about these things any more.

Be thankful that you are healty enough to be able to stroll around pleasant countryside, in good company (well usually ), doing something you love with like minded people. I feel sorry for those who can't.

I've said it many times before. Read my sig. It's an attitude of mind.

Now, stop trying to cheer us up and just go out and play.

 

[kid2]

Homer Mate,
Your probably trying too hard.Too much work (practice) makes jack a dull boy.
Do what comes naturally to you rather than thinking too much about it.
Go out and play off the shorter tee's for a week or two and give your confidence a boost.....
Amble around call through anybody that is catching up and just enjoy the walk in the fresh air.
And above all dont compete with yourself. When that happens we usually start asking ourselves questions that we can seldom answer leading to more frustration.

 

[Junior]

I'm in the "2 weeks off" camp.

Then , when you do start playing again don't put undue pressure on yourself. Just go have a knock for a couple of quid , make some pars, maybe even a birdie and you will get back into the game pretty quickly.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Martin,

Is your back all better? or are you playing in pain?

or do you find that you are wary of agravating it again
causeing you to tense up and lose rhythm.

trust me I know all about backs.

Dr Fragger suggests a 2 week break from Golf in all forms, spend the time working on building up strength in your core muscles. That support your back

Then you can pick up the sticks and have confidence that it isnt going to hurt.

Besides we need to set up a game at Wexham sometime

Fragger

 

[Fyldewhite]

Difficult one. Agree with some of the comments that you may be putting too much work in and then expecting too much and maybe a break for a couple of weeks is the answer. My usual preparation is a couple of practice swings and away I go so I can't really relate to the sort of regime you seem to have. In an ideal world I'd like to spend more time practicing but just don't have time or inclination beyond a half hour round the putting green once or twice a week (in summer with pint of lager after work

 

[level5s]

I would say it is your mental side you need to address.

What are you trying to achieve and why?

I guess we all want to be better than we are but we are not going to make the pro ranks

 

[CannyFifer]

I'll play one hole well and then make a hash of the next three.

welcome to my world but the 1 hole you hit makes it all worthwhile, dont give up mate, we all get annoyed.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Couple of things

1) The back is definitely 100% and no pain during the swing, after or walking after it.

2) I'm not putting any pressure on myself at all. I've just played a couple of bounce games in the last few weeks with HTL. No card in hand, nothing on the game. Hit it, find it and hit it again.

3) Not going through any pre-shot routine. No practice swings just standing there and bashing it. No pre-match warm up either (apart from playing with TonyN and RGUK and purely so I didn't show myself up too much)

4) Not trying to achieve anything at this stage. Homers Odyssey (or the quest for single figures on a bit of a hiatus at the moment). Not even been working on the short game despite the recent lesson

So the bottom line is I'm playing without pressure. Not taking any technicalities from the practice ground out with me and not got anything riding on the game. Yes I do enjoy the walk but I'm also out there to play a game (however bad). And of course you realise the less I practice and play the more free time I'll have for here so its in your interests to find my mojo

 

[JustOne]

Try stack and tilt.......

 

[PhilTheFragger]

maybe you are just playing too much

For me its a treat to get out

Fragger