I just got back from a 6 day golf trip with multiple money games going on and my new manzella swing that was lights out previously, showed up only the last 2 days. I couldn't get my takeaway right, I was fighting all kinds of shots the first 3 days, including a couple shanks. What is the story?
How important is the mental game????
- Thread starter jbrunk
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aaron_lohan
New
Dont think of swing thoughts on the course, especially not in competition- its almost impossible to play well ive found
Jim Kobylinski
Super Moderator
IMO the mental game is huge once you have a comfortable way of swinging the club, even if it's not the most optimal.
I played lights out the day before I left and when I got there, stepped on the first tee, I could already tell my practice swings had a different feel. Don't get me wrong, my overall scoring for the week was improved with my new swing, but I guess I am confused as too what made me freak out for 3 days.
Bill Miracle
New
for me...
When I used to play football, basketball, baseball, etc.....I'd get really excited and jazzed up for a game.
When a money game and / or trip come along, I find that I have to go overboard not to get jazzed. For some reason, that excitement changes the tension in my body.
It's funny because a lot of these days I anticipate and feel like really playing well.
One thing that is been helping lately....at each tee, or if I am waiting for a player to make a shot, I get out of the cart and do some stretching exercises. I just stay loose physically, and do what I can to stay loose mentally.
When I used to play football, basketball, baseball, etc.....I'd get really excited and jazzed up for a game.
When a money game and / or trip come along, I find that I have to go overboard not to get jazzed. For some reason, that excitement changes the tension in my body.
It's funny because a lot of these days I anticipate and feel like really playing well.
One thing that is been helping lately....at each tee, or if I am waiting for a player to make a shot, I get out of the cart and do some stretching exercises. I just stay loose physically, and do what I can to stay loose mentally.
shootin4par
New
i know your problem, you had a six day golf outing but yet you only account for 5 days so a day got lost in there somehow. I would suspect it was the first day that got lost and you spent the next three recovering from it
Mental is huge. I have seen people who have a beautiful swing from a mechanical viewpoint, and others who look horrible, but know how to get the ball in he hole. Personally this year, I'm trying to focus more on mental than physical, preshot routine, and staying in the present are my key issues.
Today was a perfect example, I'm one under on the back nine going into 17. I start thinking about shooting a 35 on the back and promptly double a relatively easy par 3. No excuse, I got ahead of myself instead of focusing on that shot. So, I shot a 77, when a 75 was well within striking range. Also, short game is very underrated. I shot the 77 today with 13 greens in reg... horrible.
Today was a perfect example, I'm one under on the back nine going into 17. I start thinking about shooting a 35 on the back and promptly double a relatively easy par 3. No excuse, I got ahead of myself instead of focusing on that shot. So, I shot a 77, when a 75 was well within striking range. Also, short game is very underrated. I shot the 77 today with 13 greens in reg... horrible.
birdie_man
New
birdie_man
New
That could release some build up stress/tension.....like squeezing a stress ball.
bts
New
Nail it.
"I'm trying to focus more on mental than physical, preshot routine, and staying in the present are my key issues." There you go and can't agree more.
Sure you have the right clubface control? Guess yes.
"I'm trying to focus more on mental than physical, preshot routine, and staying in the present are my key issues." There you go and can't agree more.
bts
New
Didn't the story tell you?
Manage what? Your mind, which takes care the right thing at the right time. Or "think like a golfer, and execute like a robot".
Prior to execution, you do all the observing, comtonplating, analysizing, decision making, rehersing, mechanics maintaining...., laughing, cursing, joking, cheering,....everything and anything. But, when it comes to execution, you switch to a robot mode, which knows, cares and does nothing, except executing the program you send to it. Of course, that takes a lot of practice.
Sound like you are not really playing, but problem solving on mechanics, which is also a management problem in playing.
Manage what? Your mind, which takes care the right thing at the right time. Or "think like a golfer, and execute like a robot".
Prior to execution, you do all the observing, comtonplating, analysizing, decision making, rehersing, mechanics maintaining...., laughing, cursing, joking, cheering,....everything and anything. But, when it comes to execution, you switch to a robot mode, which knows, cares and does nothing, except executing the program you send to it. Of course, that takes a lot of practice.
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