short break, expectations, self pressure, how to find a happy medium???

[Richie13]

reason i ask is because i took a 2 week break, various reason, i was getting worse, expectations and putting pressure on myself and i always always fell short thus leading to not enjoying it, and felt like hard work

went back for a round last week and played the best i ever have on my new home course, granted it was only 102, previous best was 103, but i felt different i just played didnt think to much,

this where i fore see more problems mainly that i know i can play to mid 90's but the pressure from my self to keep playing there will return, thus leading to why i took a small break in the first place

i know i will never be truly happy with my game and always areas to improve (all areas lol) but how do you go about finding a happy medium ?

hope ive got my queastion across clearly,

appologies if not just ask and i'll try to explain clearer

 

[Whee]

Richie, been in your boat, still am to an extent, but I'm getting close to the shoreline.

You need to allow yourself to play with a free mind. At our level it's all about recovery. Miss a GIR? It's about getting up and down to try and save a bogey, or double at worst. Keep the 8's and 9's off your card and you'll be fine.

Are you managing your course the best you can? Instead of taking a 3 wood and trying to nail it 220 onto a narrow target, take your favourite iron and lay up, use your handicap to your advantage.

You're not a pro, you're gonna make mistakes. The sooner you allow yourself a mistake or two, the more rare the shocking card wreckers become.

 

[elliottlale]

i feel you brother!!!! you take the left oar, il take the right, were in the same boat!!

 

[Richie13]

i do manage the course alot better than i did when i started, its the one area i have seen my self improve in, the 2 week break did me good, free mind enjoyed the round and to my standards played well but i can play better and have done,

its trying to control my expectations and have maintain a bearable self pressure, its this is what i have no idea how to approach

 

[SocketRocket]

Playing well boosts confidence and creates an upward spiral. Playing badly does a similar thing but downwards. The thing is, what can you do to boost confidence.

In my case if I get into a spell where I am not scoring well then I start working hard on my short game. Having a sound short game can make such a difference to your score. I will spend time on a series of putting sessions, then get onto the practice area and work on my sand shots, chipping and pitching. This may take a few weeks but is worth the effort.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've history in having too many expectations and getting too wrapped up in it all especially in comps. Just ask the forum. Its been an issue for years. This year though I've made huge efforts to hit it, find it and hit it again and just enjoy the game. If I get 0.2 back then cest la vie and good golf takes care of the handicap itself. I've lost interest in pursuing 10 or lower and just need to find a short game to make my golf complete again. Even when I'm chopping it round I'm trying to remain positive and find a plus point to take from every game

 

[DaveM]

Just relax and enjoy. Its only a game. The less pressure you put on yourself the better you will play.

 

[benjamin]

I agree with the wise words already posted. I havent been able to play much the last few weeks due to a change of job and played my first comp on saturday expecting to play badly, turned out to be the best golf i have ever played, i have learnt more and more the last few months that pressuring yourself with targets and overthinking leads to crap golf in my case, just try to have a clear mind with no expectations and set out to enjoy a nice day out with a bit of banter and as was said there will always be something positive to take from the day.

Congrats on you PB, im sure you'll be below 100 regularly in no time, just keep enjoying it and it will happen by itself, good luck fella

 

[chris661]

Surely having a PB of 102 but sayin you can play to 90 or whatever is just heaping pressure on yourself. You have that PB because that is your level at the minute, that's not to say that you are incapable of scoring better but why get worked up about it? Without practicing the right things for some time it is unlikely to change.

 

[Richie13]

cheers for the coments guys

Surely having a PB of 102 but sayin you can play to 90 or whatever is just heaping pressure on yourself. You have that PB because that is your level at the minute, that's not to say that you are incapable of scoring better but why get worked up about it? Without practicing the right things for some time it is unlikely to change.

my pb is 95, 102 is the pb for the course i have joined

 

[Hobbit]

Forget big numbers, that's just looking too far ahead. Aim to break 6 per hole. If you break 5, you're allowed a 6 on the next hole. If you break 5 on 2 holes you can post a 7. Now you know you can break 6 on the 4 short holes, and probably 5 on 2 of them... so you're already carrying spare shots for later in the round.

Forget the score after 9 holes. People get hung up on "I posted 46(?) on the front 9 so I need to post..." When you get hung up on the score you don't concentrate on the swing enough. Concentrate on the swing and the score will take care of itself.