Playing without Fear!

[HomerJSimpson]

Yep. Your handicap has stayed static for the last 4 or 5 years.
In your quest for single figures, I can see how this has helped no end.

Won the last stableford, sixth in the last medal. Third at Hillside, won a society do. Not doing so bad ta for your concern and while the handicap has been static I'm happy with my golf and still think I'll get there.

 

[Smiffy]

Won the last stableford, sixth in the last medal. Third at Hillside, won a society do. Not doing so bad ta for your concern and while the handicap has been static I'm happy with my golf and still think I'll get there.

Good for you Homer.. but if I had spent as long as you on the range and having lessons I'd want a couple of majors to add to that

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Good for you Homer.. but if I had spent as long as you on the range and having lessons I'd want a couple of majors to add to that

Thing is I enjoy the practice anyway. I qualify for the end of season "Masters" (open only to comp winners in the year) and you clearly have different thoughts to what you think I should be achieving but I'm in a good golfing place generally and if I can break the overswing and lift I have had for thirty years for a compact action better placed for the days I'm not on and relying on timing then happy days. If not I'll still enjoy working on my game and seeing where it takes my golf

 

[Smiffy]

You clearly have different thoughts to what you think I should be achieving

I've been on this forum for 5 or 6 years Homer and in all that time you have been chasing a single figure handicap. All I'm saying is that it hasn't happened yet despite your continual lessons, tinkering and belief in new golf thinking, aimpoint, or whatever else you try. Yet your stock answer to anybody looking to improve is either lessons or the power of ngt. It hasn't really helped you has it? And how much longer will it take for you to sort that shonky swing out? Faldo only took two years to change his completely.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've been on this forum for 5 or 6 years Homer and in all that time you have been chasing a single figure handicap. All I'm saying is that it hasn't happened yet despite your continual lessons, tinkering and belief in new golf thinking, aimpoint, or whatever else you try. Yet your stock answer to anybody looking to improve is either lessons or the power of ngt. It hasn't really helped you has it? And how much longer will it take for you to sort that shonky swing out? Faldo only took two years to change his completely.

Not really sure why you and others on here are that bothered to be honest. I've always said I'm happy to do it my way. I haven't had a long swing lesson since the start of the season and have focussed on short game and bunkers, an area that needed work. I happen to think many on here, especially higher handicapper will benefit from a lesson or two. Can't recall ever comparing myself to Faldo. I'm not alone saying Aimpoint has helped and NGT has helped me and if you go by the feedback of those that went to the Grove in GM the majority there have found it working as have others since.

It seems you have underlying issues (you've posted that on FB before and on here) and to be honest it seems you are looking for an argument. I'll carry on my way regardless of what you and any one else thinks and still think I can get to single figures. Either way, I'm enjoying working on my game and seeing what I can and can't achieve

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Back to the thread title

What is there to fear?
You WILL make the odd bad shot
You WILL mostly do OK shots
You WILL do the occasional screamer that will make you think you are Rory or another top golfer of your choosing.

The only thing to fear is fear itself, it screws your mind

Golf is simple, Hit The ball, find it and hit it again,

Find your level, aim to improve, but the sooner you acknowledge that the course will mostly win, the sooner you can relax and enjoy this fantastic game, which NONE can ever master, but gives us mortals a glimpse into what can be.

Its a game, enjoy it and have fun

when it stops being fun, do macrame or dominoes or scrabble or something boring instead

 

[Smiffy]

Can't recall ever comparing myself to Faldo.

I didn't say you had!
I just made comment that in 2 years he managed to change his swing completely, and he went on to become our most successful golfer.
After 6 years of tinkering you still have the same shonky swing despite no end of lessons, yet you advocate lessons to anybody who wants to improve.
They haven't helped you despite a few "reasonable" results in the last few weeks, so why should lessons help them?
It was only a month or so ago that you were stating your golf was in a terrible place and you were going through a slump.
And as for NGT helping you..... weren't you the one still whinging about your game at Blackmoor despite scoring 38 points and qualifying (albeit through the back door) for your Hillside spot?
I hardly call that positive thinking.

 

[chrisd]

Not sure I'd actually call it psychology to be honest. More a simple way of explaining what we already know we should be doing and not doing. Ask some of the others that went to the Grove. Pretty sure they'd say it was definitely not anything in the psychological camp and that we actually need to keep a perspective on what we think and do on the course. Just a different way of presenting it

I didn't get to do The Grove but bought the download version of NGT and if that's NOT a golf psychology book I'm a monkey's uncle, it's certainly not a Mary Berry recipe book! It's a book that has no swing tips and teaches you how to mentally sort your head out in a game of golf when it goes wrong (mainly).

Whenever anyone posts about ills in the mental side of golf you go straight to advising NGT as the best answer ...... I've read it Homer and, whilst it may work for you, it's pretty much the worst psychology book for golf I've read and, as someone who does think an amateur can benefit from this learning, I've read several other books but I found NGT rather infantile and with nothing new to add to what was already out there.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Thing is I enjoy the practice anyway.

Yup same here, I love practising and I even love taking lessons, had lessons this year even though I am not a member of a club, nor do I hold an official handicap!

I just want to be a better golfer.

 

[Thustwest]

My PP used to have the worst anger issues. One bad shot would affect him for the next few holes. He actually quit the game for a while.

He bought NGT and cherry picked the parts that he thought could help him. Hes now a changed man and a pleasure to play with.

Has NGT made him a better golfer? Probably not, but it has helped him enjoy the game more. He can now laugh at himself rather than throwing a tantrum.

What im trying to say is that any useful technique we can find to help us enjoy this bloody game should be exploited.

Can i also say that comparing the desires of a club player to Faldo, a pro with almost unlimited time, money and one of the best coaches ever isnt really relevant. I would also point out that the majority of the top pros use positive psychology to help their game too. Picturing the shot in your mind etc.

Either way the advice of checking out NGT might help the OP in combatting his fear on the tee. Only the OP will know.

 

[Crow]

When I'm facing a tricky shot and fear is starting to get a hold, I stand tall with my club raised above my head and recite out loud the Bene Gesserit litany against fear:

“I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.”






I still mess up the shot but I do it without fear.

 

[chrisd]

Ff

When I'm facing a tricky shot and fear is starting to get a hold, I stand tall with my club raised above my head and recite out loud the Bene Gesserit litany against fear:

“I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.”






I still mess up the shot but I do it without fear.

How much time does that add to a round!!! :lol:

 

[Region3]

I like the principles behind NGT, but the cringeworthy business-speak way it's written meant I was done with it in less time than it takes to drink 2 pints.

Rotella imo says the same things in a much easier way to read.