The Mental Game

[golfhurts]

Hi All,

First time poster with a question about the mental side of golf. I've been playing for 7 years and I've got down to 11hc where I've been stagnant for about 2 years. My issue is my mindset is so fragile, I'm prone to overthinking and becoming mentally exhausted/confused during a round. I'll shoot 23 points going out, and then forget how to swing/lose my confidence and scrape 14 points coming back in. I can never stay in that mental groove for 18 holes. Playing with single figure HC's at my club has really highlighted the importance of mindset and the part the brain plays in the game. I've recently read 'Golf is not a game of perfect' which was very insightful.

I've seen a golf brain support supplement ad for vitagolf pop up a few times on socials recently, I'm considering trying it as I'm open to anything at this point. I was just wondering if anyone else had tried this or had any experience with similar products?

 

[Orikoru]

Hi All,

First time poster with a question about the mental side of golf. I've been playing for 7 years and I've got down to 11hc where I've been stagnant for about 2 years. My issue is my mindset is so fragile, I'm prone to overthinking and becoming mentally exhausted/confused during a round. I'll shoot 23 points going out, and then forget how to swing/lose my confidence and scrape 14 points coming back in. I can never stay in that mental groove for 18 holes. Playing with single figure HC's at my club has really highlighted the importance of mindset and the part the brain plays in the game. I've recently read 'Golf is not a game of perfect' which was very insightful.

I've seen a golf brain support supplement ad pop up a few times on socials recently, vitagolf.co.uk. I'm considering trying it as I'm open to anything at this point. I was just wondering if anyone else had tried this or had any experience with similar products?

I was going to recommend that book as it helped me too. Another resource I found helpful though is Golf Sidekick on YouTube. He has a lot of content promoting a 'stress-free' approach to golf and a carefree attitude on the course.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've been using CBD oil which has had a positive effect on my game. Look at my twitter feed as I have done a review on it

 

[Deleted member 29109]

I've been using CBD oil which has had a positive effect on my game. Look at my twitter feed as I have done a review on it

I got some free CBD gummies and tried them on Saturday. I can’t say I noticed any difference whatsoever. My hip and back was still sore, and I still played rubbish.

 

[Crow]

I tried that golf brain support supplement, not only did I shoot my best score ever, I broke the course record!

And there are some positive side effects I've noticed too;

My overall mental capacity has increased massively
I feel physically much stronger
I seem to have become a magnet to the opposite sex
My virility has increased tenfold (no snide comments please)
People wave me through to the front of the queue at the supermarket and petrol station
I got an automatic 50% discount when I renewed my golf subs

It's definitely worth a try.

 

[golfhurts]

I tried that golf brain support supplement, not only did I shoot my best score ever, I broke the course record!

And there are some positive side effects I've noticed too;

My overall mental capacity has increased massively
I feel physically much stronger
I seem to have become a magnet to the opposite sex
My virility has increased tenfold (no snide comments please)
People wave me through to the front of the queue at the supermarket and petrol station
I got an automatic 50% discount when I renewed my golf subs

It's definitely worth a try.

I think the people waving you trough the queue at the petrol station is more than likely due to them realising they can't afford to pay for their fuel, rather than the supplement.

Other than that, it all sounds very positive, I'll give it a try. Can't wait to shoot 50 points in the monthly stableford next week.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I got some free CBD gummies and tried them on Saturday. I can’t say I noticed any difference whatsoever. My hip and back was still sore, and I still played rubbish.

The oil has been very good. I also got some CBD balm to rub into my sore back and that has made a big difference. I did a review using the oil in January and another going cold turkey and not using it in February. Some very distinct differences. I wasn't hugely sold on the gummies although as a stop gap coming to the end of a round they helped. Not sure the gummies or oil would specifically help with the ailments which is why I got the balm

 

[phillarrow]

Hi All,

First time poster with a question about the mental side of golf. I've been playing for 7 years and I've got down to 11hc where I've been stagnant for about 2 years. My issue is my mindset is so fragile, I'm prone to overthinking and becoming mentally exhausted/confused during a round. I'll shoot 23 points going out, and then forget how to swing/lose my confidence and scrape 14 points coming back in. I can never stay in that mental groove for 18 holes. Playing with single figure HC's at my club has really highlighted the importance of mindset and the part the brain plays in the game. I've recently read 'Golf is not a game of perfect' which was very insightful.

I've seen a golf brain support supplement ad pop up a few times on socials recently, vitagolf.co.uk. I'm considering trying it as I'm open to anything at this point. I was just wondering if anyone else had tried this or had any experience with similar products?

Apologies if this is so obvious that it is beneath you, but have you tried breaking it up into 6 x 3-hole matches against yourself? It's really hard not to get carried away with a good score, or disheartened with a poor one, so it might help to simply try to match or beat your own 3-hole score each time. It keeps you a bit more present and a poor run of 3 can be 'positive' in some ways because it makes it more likely you'll beat your score over the next 3.

 

[Foxholer]

I've been using CBD oil which has had a positive effect on my game. Look at my twitter feed as I have done a review on it

Snake Oil is even better!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Snake Oil is even better!

Tried it for golf? Thought not. Back on ignore you irritating troll.

 

[Deleted member 29109]

Hi All,

First time poster with a question about the mental side of golf. I've been playing for 7 years and I've got down to 11hc where I've been stagnant for about 2 years. My issue is my mindset is so fragile, I'm prone to overthinking and becoming mentally exhausted/confused during a round. I'll shoot 23 points going out, and then forget how to swing/lose my confidence and scrape 14 points coming back in. I can never stay in that mental groove for 18 holes. Playing with single figure HC's at my club has really highlighted the importance of mindset and the part the brain plays in the game. I've recently read 'Golf is not a game of perfect' which was very insightful.

I've seen a golf brain support supplement ad pop up a few times on socials recently, I'm considering trying it as I'm open to anything at this point. I was just wondering if anyone else had tried this or had any experience with similar products?

Assuming this is not just a big tin of Spam.

Give DECADE a look. I’ve just started with the foundations course and there are some very interesting concepts to think about.

 

[golfhurts]

Assuming this is not just a big tin of Spam.

Give DECADE a look. I’ve just started with the foundations course and there are some very interesting concepts to think about.

I've ordered the supplement to give it a try. If it does turn out to be a big tin of spam, at least that's my sandwiches sorted for the round .

I'll checkout decade too, as it seems there's some interesting concepts there.

 

[golfhurts]

Apologies if this is so obvious that it is beneath you, but have you tried breaking it up into 6 x 3-hole matches against yourself? It's really hard not to get carried away with a good score, or disheartened with a poor one, so it might help to simply try to match or beat your own 3-hole score each time. It keeps you a bit more present and a poor run of 3 can be 'positive' in some ways because it makes it more likely you'll beat your score over the next 3.

I like this idea, I've tried it before. My problem is I always know where my score is relative to my HC so even though I'm counting 3 hole scores, I'll know if I'm over or below where I should be, without looking at the score card. Also, it's mainly club comps where I let myself down. When the pressure is off in a friendly round, my game is often on point.

 

[Foxholer]

Tried it for golf? Thought not. Back on ignore you irritating troll.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I like this idea, I've tried it before. My problem is I always know where my score is relative to my HC so even though I'm counting 3 hole scores, I'll know if I'm over or below where I should be, without looking at the score card. Also, it's mainly club comps where I let myself down. When the pressure is off in a friendly round, my game is often on point.

Ask yourself why there is any stress/pressure in a club comp...how much money are you going to lose, will you lose your playing rights etc etc - the answer is no!
The worst that can happen is your handicap goes up a bit, and your mates have a laugh at how badly you've played - so what? Join them in having a laugh, and enjoy the extra shots.
It's your hobby, you do it for enjoyment, not stress. Your future doesn't depend on a good round on a Saturday afternoon. But your enjoyment of life may depend on you not getting stressed.
So just go out, chat to your PPs, enjoy the fresh air and don't worry (be happy)

I now play fewer comp's, and play more club matches. The social side of golf is now more important to me, and I'm playing better all the time.

 

[arnieboy]

Enjoying my best golf in a long time. Having retired seven months ago playing three times a week is certainly better than the one I was playing beforehand but the important issue is that my head is empty of work related stuff allowing me to focus on my next shot!

 

[Jason.H]

A guy I golf with gets a bit engrossed with scores even before the 9th. Personally I write down scores on the card and on my Garmin watch so I know how I’m doing. I find talking about things other than golf as we’re going down the fairways totally relaxes me and takes my mind off the scoring side of things. That and a good repeatable pre shot routine works for me.

 

[jim8flog]

When it comes to the mental side one very thing I try not to do it it think about my shots between hitting one and arriving to the point where I am hittting the next other than checking the wind and pin position etc

One comment I saw in an interview was that it is impossible to concentrate solely on golf for 4+ hours.

I always try to socialise with fellow players between shots as it helps to take my mind away from the golf.

Sandy Lyle always said you should only concentrate on your next shot ie. one shot at a time and Ben Hogan said he did not worry about what went on before until he had 2 double bogies in his round.

 

[Voyager EMH]

I'm a very mental player.

 

[tobybarker]

I like this idea, I've tried it before. My problem is I always know where my score is relative to my HC so even though I'm counting 3 hole scores, I'll know if I'm over or below where I should be, without looking at the score card. Also, it's mainly club comps where I let myself down. When the pressure is off in a friendly round, my game is often on point.

I can honestly say my best rounds have all been when I haven't noticed how I'm doing.... Such as in a matchplay, where I'm just focused on the hole I'm playing.... Or when the banter had been so good that I'm not thinking about golf

wish i could achieve that every time, but it does illustrate how the mental game can get in the way... Perhaps the pros are able to do just that most of the time