Mental Approaches

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gazr99

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I struggle massively with consistency, mainly having a lapse in concentration almost every few holes which usually leads to a big score on the hole. I try to have set routine before hitting my shot but will miss one part of it (usually not focusing on the ball or how I am set up)

Does anyone have any good advice on the mental approach to the game which could help?
 
gazr99 said:
I struggle massively with consistency, mainly having a lapse in concentration almost every few holes which usually leads to a big score on the hole. I try to have set routine before hitting my shot but will miss one part of it (usually not focusing on the ball or how I am set up)

Does anyone have any good advice on the mental approach to the game which could help?
Click to expand...

Just step up and hit it - forget about set routines with parts because they IMO will just mess with your head.

The less thinking the better - too much clutter just confuses the matter.

Try it next time - just walk up couple of swishes then hit the ball
 
Why not list the parts here (that you have as your set routine before hitting your ball) and we can give opinions on whether folks think its over complicated or not
 
Concentrating full on for 4hrs-ish is impossible. Create a 'trigger' thought that switches you on immediately before you hit the shot. It may be that you can use part of your current routine as the trigger. Seem to remember Louis Oousterhuizen had something written on the back of his glove as a trigger when he won the Open - if its good enough for an Open champion...
 
The whole point of a routine is that it's a routine, not something you have to think about.

When you practise (if you do), do you follow your routine on every shot, or just hit balls?

Ingraining a routine is the same as ingraining a swing change. You have to practise it so that it becomes automatic.
 
Region3 said:
The whole point of a routine is that it's a routine, not something you have to think about.

When you practise (if you do), do you follow your routine on every shot, or just hit balls?

Ingraining a routine is the same as ingraining a swing change. You have to practise it so that it becomes automatic.
Click to expand...
This combined with Hobbit's post.

Maybe a bit of the ones suggesting that you simplify as well! (So that you can do the above!)
 
Reminded of the anecdote about a golfers routine that included 10 things; no 10 being just have the one thought on each shot!

Also - blaming a poor score on such regular lapses of concentration isn't a great mental approach either!
 
I strongly suggest having a look at New Golf Thinking on Kindle (or paperback via Amazon). Went on a launch day with the author and some other GM Forum members and it has made a difference to my thinking. It's not designed to be used cover to cover but for you to take bits and use them depending on what your need to focus on.
 
I think that some teaching pros can be blamed for these "swing thoughts" One of the ladies at our place who I play with now again comes out with all sorts of rubbish that is supposed to help her swing properly.

Personally I have 2 thoughts when playing a shot, keep your head down and swing through.
 
HomerJSimpson said:
I strongly suggest having a look at New Golf Thinking on Kindle (or paperback via Amazon). Went on a launch day with the author and some other GM Forum members and it has made a difference to my thinking. It's not designed to be used cover to cover but for you to take bits and use them depending on what your need to focus on.
Click to expand...

It doesn't show up on here Martin. Pretty much all of your posts regarding your game are self-deprecating, even if there are positives in there as well.

I know it's probably tongue in cheek, but it can be a self fulfilling prophecy.

Rotella speaks of "self-image" in one of his books that I have. I don't think you are doing yours any favours.
 
Slab said:
Why not list the parts here (that you have as your set routine before hitting your ball) and we can give opinions on whether folks think its over complicated or not
Click to expand...

What I do at the moment which is the same for pretty much every shot.

2 practice swings - go behind the ball to check my line - set up with feet together, then move them to the side and back slightly (sometimes I will check the ball is positioned right in my stance) - try to focus on the top of the ball normally the name is there (this is where I sometimes lose my focus taking my eye off the ball) - I will try to keep an eye on the first few inches of my takeaway (I aim for a straight back takeaway)
 
Region3 said:
It doesn't show up on here Martin. Pretty much all of your posts regarding your game are self-deprecating, even if there are positives in there as well.

I know it's probably tongue in cheek, but it can be a self fulfilling prophecy.

Rotella speaks of "self-image" in one of his books that I have. I don't think you are doing yours any favours.
Click to expand...

Nicely put Gaz.

In Homers world NGT stands for Negative Golf thinking.

Homer I would strongly suggest you stop going to the range,stop NGT stop aimpoint,stop giving
people advice because your so negative and drag everyone down to your level[your words].
 
Never really understood the "I lost concentration" post. You only hit the ball every couple of minutes.

Sometimes I won't care as much as others if my score I'd already in the toilet but pretty much all the time when I am in a comp I am trying my best over a shot. Why wouldn't you????


My tip would be. Get to the ball quickly. Take a few practice swings and see of they feel like they would get your desired result. Then go ahead and repeat the swing at the ball.
 
gazr99 said:
I struggle massively with consistency, mainly having a lapse in concentration almost every few holes which usually leads to a big score on the hole. I try to have set routine before hitting my shot but will miss one part of it (usually not focusing on the ball or how I am set up)

Does anyone have any good advice on the mental approach to the game which could help?
Click to expand...

I was similar to you, and the easiest way to stop lapses in concentration is to realise how it damages your score! If you seriously want to try and improve, then you will concentrate at the time you are going to take a shot. You still may not get the result you want, but at least you are giving the shot the respect it deserves! haha.
 
A solid, simple routine is a simple way to create more consistency and improve.

Something along the lines of:

1. Picture the shot you need at the time and are capable/confident of playing
2. Practice swing or two rehearsing the move
3. Hit ball thinking of the target
4. Move on as soon as it's gone, rinse and repeat

No expectation, no fannying around and except what ever happens. Don't need anything else.
 
I find without a routine I stall over the ball and take forever before I hit it. When I follow my routine I hit the ball much more consistently, and play with more freedom and speed. The routine I use is:

1. Stand behind the ball, pick out a specific target, visualize shot
2. Take a practice swing
3. Buzz GAME Golf
4. Look at Target
5. Look at the ball
6. Hit

The key for me is repeating Bob Rotella's advice in my head. "Look at the target, Look at the ball, Let the club go".
 
Spear-Chucker said:
A solid, simple routine is a simple way to create more consistency and improve.

Something along the lines of:

1. Picture the shot you need at the time and are capable/confident of playing
2. Practice swing or two rehearsing the move
3. Hit ball thinking of the target
4. Move on as soon as it's gone, rinse and repeat

No expectation, no fannying around and except what ever happens. Don't need anything else.
Click to expand...

Spot on

That's pretty much what I do
 
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