Mental questions for Gary Leboff

[Alex_narey]

Hi all,
Anyone having issues on the course with the mental side of their game? If so fire me over a question and I will let Gary know for his col.

Thinking Sergio could do with some help from GM's resident sport psychologist.

 

[3offTheTee]

Hi Alex

I have the problem with the 3 foot putt, or shorter, especially downhill.

I am almost beaten before I take my stance. I play off 12 and just get worried with negative thoughts. I know this is wrong and all other aspects of my game are good, keeping calm at all times.

When I miss I do not show my annoyance and invariably the putt is pulled with me lifting my head.

Many thanks

 

[Basher]

Hi Alex.

My main concern at the moment is the large amount of swing thoughts flying round my head upon addressing the ball on the tee.
How do I clear my head of all these thoughts and input just one or two simple ones as I tee it up?

Many thanks.

 

[SwingSlow]

Problems on first 3 and last 2 holes - getting focused and then staying focused to the end.

Any ideas?

 

[AliB]

Currently struggling with comps - especially when I'm in a team. think I am 'trying too hard.' Any tips on lightening up?

AliB

 

[HomerJSimpson]

How do you keep yourself in the "now". Had a great medal card going and had a double bogey from nowhere and started thinking about what I needed to do on the closing holes to beat my handicap and be in with a shout. Suffice to say I missed the buffer in the end

 

[hopeful]

My biggest 'mental' problem is with concentration. I'm easily distracted; the weather's too hot/windy/wet, someone makes a noise nearby or stands within my vision, I'm still chuckling at a joke, etc. So I often don't 'switch on' at the appropriate point. Often after playing a shot I suddenly realise that I had only partially gone through my pre-shot routine. Also, being an old codger, fatigue creeps up stealthily and plays havoc!

 

[CrapHacker]

2 problems towards the end of a game:

I let myself get talked out of a game.

Even though I know it's gamesmanship, lines like ;

'You do really well to hit the ball so well with all that head movement'

manage to get me every time.

How best to keep on an even keel?

Also those pressure shots where you're putting the pressure on yourself.

EG a short chip over a bunker.

Rather than thinking ' I musn't go in there', I deliberately think something like ' Keep your head down until the ball has gone, and follow through'

Then I'll get so stiff I hit 3" behind the ball and duff it straight into the bunker anyway.