Trouble putting it all together.....

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finncox

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Ok, here's my rant. I went to a local course yesterday and shot 85. Not disastrous for me, but not good either. What frustrates me is this: I shot 85 with three double bogeys, one triple bogey, and 38 putts.

As far as iron ballstriking goes, I'm doing ok in that department. I'm just losing it off the tee too many times, and my putting has totally left me. Also, I used to be a pretty good sand player, but as I've worked on the "Release" more, and moved back to more of a SD pattern, I'm completely lost in the sand. I either blade everything or chunk it like crazy. It seems like an underplane issue to me, but I'm not having that problem at all with full swings since making the change. Not sure what gives there??

I guess this is just my rant to say that I'm a few miscues away from good golf, and it's starting to get to me. And just FYI, I know I'm capable of playing solid golf. I've shot even par through 9 holes 4-5 times only to get rained out or blow up on the back. Also, I've recovered from rough front nines to shoot even or -1 and save a decent round.

I just can't seem to put it all together.

I know I can't be the only guy in this boat, right??
 
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Kevin Shields

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You're obviously out of your comfort zone when you shoot even on the front. Just the same, when you wet the bed on the front, the good play on the back gets you to your comfort zone. There's alot of layers to the phycology of playing above your current level.
 
JEREMY5577

JEREMY5577

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finncox,
You are not alone I've been working on this since day one of the release thread. I normally shoot low to mid 80's and break 70 a couple times a year. Played 3 1/2 rounds this weekend shot 89,88,88,44. Had a 9 on a par 5, an 8 on a par 4 a few triples and probably 8 doubles. Most of the major problems were because of short game, bladed pitches and chips. I have lost 20 yards or so with my driver, but have been hitting it ok. Because of the distance loss my GIR have gone down. BUT I've come a long way in a month. The first few weeks I was hitting it great on the range, but couldn't take it to the course at all. Now I'm able to figure it out on the course, stop reset take some practice swings feel the pushing away, come in shallow, feel the coupling point along the low point. That is how I (and probably you) were able to come back from those bad holes and still post a score. I know on the range I can find the power, it's just so much different than what I'm used to it's hard to trust on the course. I can see the progress and I know the iron shots I'm hitting are much more pure and straight.
Also the calluses on my right hand have gone away, the tendonitis in my elbows is gone, my lower back feels way better even after long range sessions and my swing looks better on video. And it's only been a month. Have you noticed any improvement in your game?
 
pokerlife

pokerlife

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Kevin Shields said:
You're obviously out of your comfort zone when you shoot even on the front. Just the same, when you wet the bed on the front, the good play on the back gets you to your comfort zone. There's alot of layers to the phycology of playing above your current level.
Click to expand...

100% on the money Kevin! I have been playing pool/9 ball on a pro level for 7 years and i just overcame what Kevin is talking about.
I almost hate to give away the fix but here it is. Self Image is the answer!
Read a book called With Winning In Mind and you will be on your way
 
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Kevin Shields

Super Moderator
Yes, Im not saying finncox in particular but alot of people SAY they think they should be better but deep down dont want the things that come with being really good at something. Its so much easier to stay at a certain level and keep plugging. I hope he gets the answers. Self image is huge.
 
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sharkey35

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Finncox, you are definitely not alone. I would have paid for your 85 last Sunday. Handicapped event and I threw up a smooth 92 against my 10 index. My partner and I finished 2 shots out of the real money for the two day event. I was hammering it on Saturday, so I don't think the "pressure" of our little club event caused Sunday.

Every year I have the same goal - break 80. Low score this year, you got it, 80. I'm so tired of hearing what a good swing I have and how I should be lower. I know the comments are meant well, but the frustration this game can bring is mind boggling. As Parcells said, you are what your record says you are. I'll never give up trying to get better, but man, it can be tough sometimes.

BTW, I've tried to see Brian every time he has been to NY since about 06, been out to see Mike J. a number of times, but job and family prevent any regular visits. Without them, I suspect I would not even be close to where I am now. I kind of wish there was a formula like training for a marathon. Do this and that x amount of times and you will get there. Obviously, that isn't happening. So, my only "plan" right now is to try to get into as many games as I can with players better than me. I lined up a game with a scratch and a 6 for this Sat. Hoping something wears off on me.

Good luck.
 
dschultz6072

dschultz6072

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I think that prologue in 5 Lessons is always good to read. Helps bring me back to earth.

I've got this friend who does tournament bowling, but he's always hard on himself because he can't ever bowl 300. He's had 17 strikes in a row, but never under the right circumstances. Always gets the 299 shaft. I'm sure you've shot par or better on most of the holes, so the ability is there. Be patient and NEVER EXPECT to play well because you've been practicing this or that for x period of time. If this game were that easy there would be a lot more people at scratch.
 
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fronesis

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2 thoughts:

1. A repeat of what Kevin says: golf is always about pushing your comfort zones. You have to learn to BE comfortable shooting lower scores, and part of that is believing that you are going to shoot those scores, that you SHOULD shoot those scores.

2. When you are trying to score, you need to think ONLY about scoring. Lots of decent amateurs who spend time on (great) boards like this, treat every round as a chance to try something new, get a bit better, work on multiple swing thoughts. Do that on the range or in rounds that you think of as practice rounds. If you are really trying to SCORE then you have to let nothing else matter.

I learned a lot about #2 playing as a 13 year-old with persimmon woods, with a mediocre swing that couldn't carry the ball more than about 210. I learned how to score and not worry about anything else.

I play with a lot of folks who go along great as long as they hit it solid, but then they hit a weak slice into the woods and they unthinkingly take out too long of a club and proceed to hack it around. It's like they are hoping for a decent score on the hole, not grinding to make par or bogey (or even double).

I had one of those rounds today; clearly I hit it MUCH worse than you. I hit 3 greens and about 2 fairways and was in the woods all day long. My swing was all out of whack as I made a horrible backswing for the first 12 holes. But I scrambled, I chipped in, I got out of trouble, and then I parred the last 5 holes (with 3 up and downs) to shoot a 79 with 27 putts. Not a great round at all, but at least I was trying to score.
 
mgranato

mgranato

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dschultz6072 said:
I think that prologue in 5 Lessons is always good to read. Helps bring me back to earth.

I've got this friend who does tournament bowling, but he's always hard on himself because he can't ever bowl 300. He's had 17 strikes in a row, but never under the right circumstances. Always gets the 299 shaft. I'm sure you've shot par or better on most of the holes, so the ability is there. Be patient and NEVER EXPECT to play well because you've been practicing this or that for x period of time. If this game were that easy there would be a lot more people at scratch.
Click to expand...

Dude, I think someone hacked into your account and put a picture up of a necked dude as your avatar! Just thought you might like to know what the rest of us are seeing.
 
ZAP

ZAP

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Kevin Shields said:
Yes, Im not saying finncox in particular but alot of people SAY they think they should be better but deep down dont want the things that come with being really good at something. Its so much easier to stay at a certain level and keep plugging. I hope he gets the answers. Self image is huge.
Click to expand...

Could not agree more with this statement. Any insight from you about getting out of your own way?
 
JEREMY5577

JEREMY5577

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mgranato said:
Dude, I think someone hacked into your account and put a picture up of a necked dude as your avatar! Just thought you might like to know what the rest of us are seeing.
Click to expand...

Nice the first thing people see when they log on to the main thread is a naked guy... D what was wrong with Freddie thought you had a mancrush?
 
JEREMY5577

JEREMY5577

New
pokerlife said:
100% on the money Kevin! I have been playing pool/9 ball on a pro level for 7 years and i just overcame what Kevin is talking about.
I almost hate to give away the fix but here it is. Self Image is the answer!
Read a book called With Winning In Mind and you will be on your way
Click to expand...
pokerlife,
I read "With Winning In Mind" on your recomendation. Self Image is the answer. Anyone who wants to get to the next level needs to read this book. I read the whole book in 4 hours. Basicly for golf your preshot routine is a routine to get your mind ready to hit the shot. Once your mind is set correctly it is very hard to mess up. If your conscoius mind is thinking positive it cannot think negatively at the same time. Once you figure this out you can do it over and over pressure doesn't matter. Anyway wanted to say thanks for turning me on to it. After reading the book have felt much better in general.
 
ZAP

ZAP

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Kevin Shields said:
Could you elaborate on "getting out of your own way"? As it pertains to you
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Like I told you during my lesson. I spend a lot of time "playing scared" or trying to hit perfect shots. This is especially true for me when playing in a tournament or playing a new course for the first time. Not nerves necessarily because I cannot tell you that I feel nervous. I really enjoy the fun of competition especially coming down the stretch. Most of my trouble happens early on really. Slow play also just plain kills me for whatever reason. Guys do it on purpose when playing against me because they know I do not like it. Rambling enough?
 
JEREMY5577

JEREMY5577

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Eyeoffish said:
Like I told you during my lesson. I spend a lot of time "playing scared" or trying to hit perfect shots. This is especially true for me when playing in a tournament or playing a new course for the first time. Not nerves necessarily because I cannot tell you that I feel nervous. I really enjoy the fun of competition especially coming down the stretch. Most of my trouble happens early on really. Slow play also just plain kills me for whatever reason. Guys do it on purpose when playing against me because they know I do not like it. Rambling enough?
Click to expand...
Convince yourself how gratifying it will be to beat them knowing they are playing slow. "I don't care how long these guys take screwing around, when it's my turn to hit I'm going to knock it stiff!" "Take all day if you want". Turn slow play into a positive not a negative. There is always something positive that can be found in something negative.
 
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