Over thinking - for better or worse

Oddsocks

Oddsocks

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Ok so here’s a question. Since joining this forum and reading loads of technical posts re tipped shafts, low kick & high kick, offset irons, Muscle back, cavity backed & forged. Has this forum got into your head with some of the posts, and has it had a positive or negative effect on your game.

While no doubt learning and educating enables you to progress, I’ve found my self looking at my club specs more, something that I never did before this forum. I’ve also become statistics mad in regards of greens hit, fairways hits, putts and so on. This has helped me highlight problem areas within my game, but I also think it has made bad games stay in my head a lot longer and I now tend to rip the stats and score card down to try and work out every nook and cranny of that round.
 
I don't know how long you've been playing Oddsocks, though I've always found that the longer you're involved in something, and want to know more about it, the less you realise you know. And thus you go looking for more. If that makes sense.

When I started sailing 30 years ago. I was just happy pottering around, and as long as the sails weren't flapping and I was going in roughly the right direction, all was okay.

Then, I wanted to go faster, I wanted to win races. Enter the world of sail trim, right down to 5mm difference over 15 metres. The art of stratergy and tactics. The varibles are alomost infinate. Information was knowledge, and knowledge gave you options.

Having all this knowledge is useful, if you know when to use it and when to ignore it. Thinking about offset whilst addressing the ball is a problem. But thinking about your alignment might be more useful.

But yep. I do sometimes wonder if we go too deep with all this stuff. But that is our way. And I guess to some, it's our way of relaxing.
 
I don't know how long you've been playing Oddsocks, though I've always found that the longer you're involved in something, and want to know more about it, the less you realise you know. And thus you go looking for more. If that makes sense.

When I started sailing 30 years ago. I was just happy pottering around, and as long as the sails weren't flapping and I was going in roughly the right direction, all was okay.

Then, I wanted to go faster, I wanted to win races. Enter the world of sail trim, right down to 5mm difference over 15 metres. The art of stratergy and tactics. The varibles are alomost infinate. Information was knowledge, and knowledge gave you options.

Having all this knowledge is useful, if you know when to use it and when to ignore it. Thinking about offset whilst addressing the ball is a problem. But thinking about your alignment might be more useful.

But yep. I do sometimes wonder if we go too deep with all this stuff. But that is our way. And I guess to some, it's our way of relaxing.
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Agree with a lot of this. Golf is a sport where u constantly want improvment and mainly because of it's competitiveness. Why not analyse things, its a gud way to highlight weakness as u stated.

However if your previous round has a negative impact on your next one then your thinking too much
 
without doubt im behind in in the knowledge is progression but i think you hit the nail on the head with the "knowing when to use it" statement. a prime example is 20 h/c golfers plaing 60* wedge flop shots from 4 ft off the green because they look cool, but it doesnt look cool when he is raking the bushes behind the green because he has thinned the hell out of it.

Golf is definately where if you master a specific shot it can be a huge bonus when used in the right situation, but i do think some of us with me included over specify what it actually required for a normal level of consistent golf.

A prime example is ball choice, i spent all summer with dx3's and loved them, but having little or now knowledge of ball constructions effected by weather in cold conditions 0-4* this ball cost me around 15 yards on each iron. went back to a cheaper spec 2 peice ball and the length was still there, with no worry about having to stop on the greens in the current weather.

I was never someone where balls were an important factor, that was something that come from being a member on here. With so many threads on "what ball" you have to look deeper into it. i gained during the summer by "lack of knowledge" during the winter cost me, maybe i would have been better sticking with the cheaper balls and developing a more accurate short game ;)

and in answer to time playing, from 14-18 i played full time, at 18 i had a few years out back in motocross, at 22 another year back, and then at 28 back in full time. so total playing years is around 8 years on and off. My biggest issues were friends i have dont play golf, so its easy to get dragged from the sport.
 
Yes. It's a nightmare. When I "take" to something, I do so in a big way...HID calls me "obsessive". I have no idea what she's talking about

BUT...It has helped me no end. It has helped me find irons to suit my game, which I couldn't be happier with. It's helped me (start to) sort out my short game as I'm now playing with a ball that isn't carved from Roman remains, and I actually have wedges that do a job.

I'm (hopefully) going to get myself booked in to get my irons fitted properly for lie and length before the season starts proper.

Although alot of info on here is very overwhelming, it's definitely more beneficial than it is a hinderance.
 
Over thinking is definitely for the worse. Having enough knowledge to make decisions and still be able to think clearly is different.
 
Every book or you tube clip ive watched or read about golf,maybe has that little different tip that im missing and will help me.Its the same on the forum,theres a mountain of knowledge.Over thinking does imo have a negative effect,so try and pick one then try it,then pick another and so on.As for the techno stuff leave that to the experts.
 
For me it's a balance between what I can do to improve my chances of lowering my scores compared to being hit by "paralysis by analysis".


I get a bit techy about my equipment, I do some psychology and work on my swing as well as have the odd lesson, but, when I play I try to enjoy it, have lots of good banter and only analise the round the next day in terms of how I played. I will never be a scratch golfer and it still has to remain a fun hobby.


Chris
 
Ok so here’s a question. Since joining this forum and reading loads of technical posts re tipped shafts, low kick & high kick, offset irons, Muscle back, cavity backed & forged. Has this forum got into your head with some of the posts, and has it had a positive or negative effect on your game.

While no doubt learning and educating enables you to progress, I’ve found my self looking at my club specs more, something that I never did before this forum. I’ve also become statistics mad in regards of greens hit, fairways hits, putts and so on. This has helped me highlight problem areas within my game, but I also think it has made bad games stay in my head a lot longer and I now tend to rip the stats and score card down to try and work out every nook and cranny of that round.
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Careful Oddsocks, you might end up in the barmy section of the forum. You really can overdo it in the thinking stakes.
Saying that, as long as your head is clear when actually hitting the ball for a couple of seconds, you'll do grand. The moment you start thinking Meccano during your swing, you're doomed I tells ya, DOOMED.
 
Careful Oddsocks, you might end up in the barmy section of the forum.
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Okay so we have 'Bobs' list and now the barmy section?

Does the barmy section except members from folks who refuse to move with the times and except that modern gear is here to help us. You know the sort of thing. Balls, shoes, clothing, drivers, putters, err hybrids. :eek: :D
 
I think knowledge gained from the forum is a bit like instruction features in mags or books. If you only pick up one or two pointers it can only be a good thing. But it can all get a bit too much - if you let it. I think that's the secret, don't let it become all too encompassing.

As for the 60 degree wedge shot over the bunker, for me, I'm trying, and I emphasise trying, to do just that. Certainly not trying to look good.

Golfmmad.
 
As for the 60 degree wedge shot over the bunker, for me, I'm trying, and I emphasise trying, to do just that. Certainly not trying to look good.

Golfmmad.
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over a bunker its a practical shot, but from just short of the fringe its crazy, and ive seen it attempted. ;)
 
I don't see the point in knowing clubs/shafts/balls/stats/etc if you can't hit the ball properly and consistently. I'd rather research the swing than the equipment.



This is the summary of my 'technical' knowledge...

Ball? Simple, play a ProV. We only talk about which 'other' ball to use in the context of not being able to afford ProV's.

Clubs? Any will do but not blades unless you rate yourself and want to make the game more difficult.

Shafts? Regular will suffice for 90% of golfers. If you murder the ball go stiffer.

Stats? Score/winning are the only two measures.
 
I don't over tinker, I used to but I soon realised that I couldn't buy success and I had to work harder to do better. I got my irons loft and lie altered, made no difference at all, I cut my putters down and lengthened them, again no difference. Now I leave my gear alone and practice more, now that has made a difference. When I make my living golfing which will be never, i'll start tinkering again.
 
I think it depends what you're thinking about. I gave up with recording stats a long time ago because I found that I onstantly wanted more. I didn't just want GIR stats I wanted to know my GIR from certain distances and with which clubs. In short I was an over thinker before I joined the forum.

I find writing stuff and reading other opinions allows me to come to conclusions about what I am thinking rather tham making things overly complicated.

The thing that I have found most useful are the mental side of things. As an example, for the 1st time on Sunday I played an entire round without ever thinking any further ahead than the next shot. Before now I would think 3 holes ahead and set myself targets for those holes.

The forum has had the opposite effect on me, I think less.
 
As for the 60 degree wedge shot over the bunker, for me, I'm trying, and I emphasise trying, to do just that. Certainly not trying to look good.

Golfmmad.
Click to expand...

over a bunker its a practical shot, but from just short of the fringe its crazy, and ive seen it attempted. ;)
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Wasn't having a pop at you Oddsocks :cool:

Golfmmad.
 
I don't see the point in knowing clubs/shafts/balls/stats/etc if you can't hit the ball properly and consistently. I'd rather research the swing than the equipment.



This is the summary of my 'technical' knowledge...

Ball? Simple, play a ProV. We only talk about which 'other' ball to use in the context of not being able to afford ProV's.

Clubs? Any will do but not blades unless you rate yourself and want to make the game more difficult.

Shafts? Regular will suffice for 90% of golfers. If you murder the ball go stiffer.

Stats? Score/winning are the only two measures.
Click to expand...

isnt a bad answer but like hell im i buying pro-v's
 
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