Why can't I..........

[ademac]

......take my practice "game" out onto the course? I guess I already know the answer, higher pressure situation and all that, but I just wanted to share my frustration I suppose!
After a practice session of chipping and pitching around the green I'm allways feeling really happy and confident with how I've been playing the shots. I get on the course and when faced with the same shots that I've just hit loads of in practice, I seem to bottle it and hit a proper shite shot! It's driving me mental!
As I said, just wanted to share my pain and frustration with my forum buddies!

 

[Smiffy]

A lot of the problems chipping and pitching onto the green come from getting too anxious to see how well you've done and looking up too early. I tend to do it if I am playing particularly well, or am in a tight match.
Obviously, this anxiousness isn't there quite so much when you are practicing.
All you can do whilst you are addressing the ball is just try to talk yourself into staying down on the shot.

 

[HTL]

I feel you brother! Here is the place to vent.

Sounds like you need to go out and have a few fun rounds, leave the card in the bag and just play for some fun.

 

[viscount17]

could it be that the good practice shots come after you've been at it a little while, the first shots being not so memorable?

now you're out on the course you're back at that first shot every time.

mind you, if you develop that theory you should practice to the point where the first practice shot is a good one every time. then you win The Open.

 

[ademac]

could it be that the good practice shots come after you've been at it a little while, the first shots being not so memorable?

now you're out on the course you're back at that first shot every time.

I guess so, it certainly is difficult to feel confident standing over my first chip of the round!

 

[Herbie]

Doesnt work for everyone but try a mental aproach that includes the thought that if you cock it up it could be costly, but if you just hit it with a freedom of spirit you may just have a long putt. If you give a chip too much 9 times out of ten its just at cost of a longer putt than expected, if you dont go for it, or allow nerves to better you, you could have much more to deal with. once you have hit a reasonable but long chip, its easier and more confidence inspiring to do better on other holes, cock one up and its much harder to come back from it when you are next called upon to do so.

 

[ademac]

I feel you brother! Here is the place to vent.

Sounds like you need to go out and have a few fun rounds, leave the card in the bag and just play for some fun.

I've never done that before and maybe its a good idea! My usual playing partner is very competitive and allways wants to know who's winning and so on. Therefore I haven't relly thought about playing without scoring, think I'll give it a go soon.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I guess if you are practicing ok there isn't a technique issue. Its probably simply a case of getting too tense and not allowing yourself to hit through with the same freedom.

It will come in time. You might want to try some visualisation thoughts when you are on the course. Stand over the chip and just picture yourself on the practice ground and see you getting the club under the ball and it rising and stopping nicely. Once you have the picture clear in your mind just go ahead and play the shot.

 

[Macster]

A little story.......

Years ago when I started, I was obcessed with getting my Handicap down, and probably spent 3/4yrs being soooooo frustrated, counting every shot, and generally feeling so wound up because my HC wasnt coming down.
I was locked on 21 I think, and just couldnt shift it, nearly gave up.

Then, one day, I just thought 'to hell with it, I dont care anymore', I'm not gonna let the game get to me.
I stopped carrying a card when just playing socially, sometimes threw 2 balls down, and genuinely started to enjoy the game, the walk, the laugh.

As a result, I came down to I think 18 quickly, 14 fairly quickly, and then 12, where I stayed for years, and some of those years I didnt play much at all.
Some winters, I didnt pick my clubs up between Oct & March, and it rarely did any major damage to my game, apart from a little loss of feel around the greens, which quickly returned usually.

Last year, down to 11, and I plan to assault the single figures this year if I can.

However, that ethos has never left me, I really dont care much if I'm playing socially, rarely swear after a bad one, apart from a soft comment to myself.
I enjoy the walk, the smells, the birds, and the views, and my game is better for it.

Its just a game, lighten up with it, and your game will come.

 

[Macster]

Im not sure how much of that will help, but thought it might .......

 

[Herbie]

A little story.......

Years ago when I started, I was obcessed with getting my Handicap down, and probably spent 3/4yrs being soooooo frustrated, counting every shot, and generally feeling so wound up because my HC wasnt coming down.
I was locked on 21 I think, and just couldnt shift it, nearly gave up.

Then, one day, I just thought 'to hell with it, I dont care anymore', I'm not gonna let the game get to me.
I stopped carrying a card when just playing socially, sometimes threw 2 balls down, and genuinely started to enjoy the game, the walk, the laugh.

As a result, I came down to I think 18 quickly, 14 fairly quickly, and then 12, where I stayed for years, and some of those years I didnt play much at all.
Some winters, I didnt pick my clubs up between Oct & March, and it rarely did any major damage to my game, apart from a little loss of feel around the greens, which quickly returned usually.

Last year, down to 11, and I plan to assault the single figures this year if I can.

However, that ethos has never left me, I really dont care much if I'm playing socially, rarely swear after a bad one, apart from a soft comment to myself.
I enjoy the walk, the smells, the birds, and the views, and my game is better for it.

Its just a game, lighten up with it, and your game will come.

I have a similar history regarding mental attitude and I came to the same decision, now I just play to enjoy everything about the enviroment,course and play and dont really care what happens, and in doing so, rarely does anything bad happen, when it does happen it usually involves very very slow play .

 

[ademac]

It helps a lot Chrismc,
Typically when I have a round of golf I'm very relaxed and just happy to be out playing. Even when I hit a bad one I more often than not laugh it off,as I understand that as a beginner I'm not going to be great just yet. I don't get really angry when I duff chips or shank pitches it's just relly disappointing to know that I've bottled another one!
I'm definitely going to play a few rounds without a score card and see if it relaxes me, then hopefully take that feeling to when it matters!

 

[Canfordhacker]

I know it's been said before, but try also some of the Bob Rotella books. Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect is ideal in helping understand just why the pressure gets to you, and some common sense approaches to the sort of problem you describe. Don't let your partner push you into being competitive - tell him you will add your score up at the end and he should focus on his own game. If he's a mate he'll understand.

 

[User 105]

This may sound counter intuitive but it works for me.

Play your critical shots a bit quicker not slower. Or at worst at your normal pace.

I've just found the more time I spend studying a shot and thinking about it, the more the tension builds, the tighter I get. And then guess what, poor swing, poor contact, poor result.

If I've got a nasty little chip over a bunker to get up and down. I'll just pick my wedge, pick where I'm going to land it, walk up, quick practice swing and then hit the ball.

Might not be for everyone, but it works for me.

 

[jeffc]

I agree totally with all the comments about relaxing and enjoying it but I find that by analysing the mechanics of those practise shots eg how far you need to swing the club for a given distance, this will take your mind off the pressure when playing a shot on the course. I find it helps if I concentrate on these and also really focus on the ball and getting a good contact.

In my experience 90% of duffed chipped shots under pressure are because you take your eye of the ball ending up blading or hitting the fat one that goes about 12 inches .

If you're really getting tense A good relaxation technique is when you are preparing to play a shot mentally say "breath in" and "breath out" as you breath, try to breath gently and relaxed.
under pressure we hold our breath creating more tension.

Also practise alone on the course and when you play a chip shot hit two or three balls this makes the course second nature as opposed to being the dark zone. (as long as you don't hold anybody up there shouldn't be a problem.)

 

[jonesuk]

I'm not the most experienced on here by a long way but agree with everyones comments.

I think every golfer to some extent plays better when practicing or out on their own on the course, and feels the pressure in competitive situations. I'm sure you can (I know I will) take on board some of the comments here and its up to you to find your own way of relaxing when facing a tough shot. This will be different for everyone so good luck finding your 'zone'!

 

[ademac]

Cheers for all the comments and tips guys!
I'm sure it'll all come together one day with a bit more confidence and relaxing on my behalf.
I just wanted to get it out there really and listen to what you guys thoughts were!

"good this forum thingy innit"

 

[SammmeBee]

Practice is practice and a game is a game - when you practice you can mess around with things to see what works and do drills to help your swing...

When you play though, you need to concentrate on getting the ball in the hole - have one swing thought and stick with it throughout the round, don't try to take the range to the course....it just doesn't work...

If you find on the 1st on a particular day you start to hit it with a fade - stick with it and get round the course, don't try and correct it - you can do that when you've finished and get back on the range...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I agree with sammmebee (hold on its the 23rd and we're still agreeing - this looks promising!! ) in that you have to play with what you have on the day. I see lots of guys do the right thing by getting on the practice ground before a medal to hit balls and warm up and hit a couple of duff ones and turn it into a range session and start trying to work on technique. They get on the 1st with loads of different swing thoughts and struggle to play well from the start.