Trouble putting it all together.....

[ZAP]

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.

It does not get to me all the time it is just one of the ways I "get in my own way".

 

[drewyallop]

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.

Yeah, expectations kill you.

 

[JEREMY5577]

Yeah, expectations kill you.

drew, I'm assuming you are being sarcastic here?

 

[johnnymarlboro]

The slow play really does a number on me too. This past weekend I broke 80 for the first time at the course I play most frequently. I didn't really feel like I was hitting it any better then I usually do. I shot 79, on a par 70, and I absolutely left alot of shots out there through mental errors. I recently read a couple books about strategy and the mental game, and I really took some of it to heart. I really focused on trying to make the "smart play." Anyways, I played on sunday during football, and the course was pretty empty. Played by myself in about 2 and half hours. I don't know how I'll be able to maintain that level of concentration with the other people I play with as slow as they are.

 

[JEREMY5577]

The slow play really does a number on me too. This past weekend I broke 80 for the first time at the course I play most frequently. I didn't really feel like I was hitting it any better then I usually do. I shot 79, on a par 70, and I absolutely left alot of shots out there through mental errors. I recently read a couple books about strategy and the mental game, and I really took some of it to heart. I really focused on trying to make the "smart play." Anyways, I played on sunday during football, and the course was pretty empty. Played by myself in about 2 and half hours. I don't know how I'll be able to maintain that level of concentration with the other people I play with as slow as they are.

Ok you just shot your low round in a while it sounds like. Now you are already thinking how tough it's going to be to do it again. You should be thinking about how awesome it will be to do it again, but shooting 79 is out of your comfort zone. I'ts much more like you to shoot 85. So you need change your comfort zone. Which believe it or not is not as hard as you think. Google the book I mentioned on post 16 and read some reviews about it.

 

[johnnymarlboro]

Ok you just shot your low round in a while it sounds like. Now you are already thinking how tough it's going to be to do it again. You should be thinking about how awesome it will be to do it again, but shooting 79 is out of your comfort zone. I'ts much more like you to shoot 85. So you need change your comfort zone. Which believe it or not is not as hard as you think. Google the book I mentioned on post 16 and read some reviews about it.

My low round ever actually. I've been getting progressively lower scores over the last month at the same course. I guess like most mid handicappers I tend to focus on the negative. I do know that since I've broken 80 once, I can do it again. I'm actually looking forward to doing it on a regular basis now that I know I can. I know the things I did right in that last round, and I know exactly what I need to work on to do better. I put that book you recommended in my wishlist on amazon to be purchased later. I'm pretty excited about all this, I just wish it wasn't approaching the end of the season. I guess you've got it worse then I do though.

 

[JEREMY5577]

My low round ever actually. I've been getting progressively lower scores over the last month at the same course. I guess like most mid handicappers I tend to focus on the negative. I do know that since I've broken 80 once, I can do it again. I'm actually looking forward to doing it on a regular basis now that I know I can. I know the things I did right in that last round, and I know exactly what I need to work on to do better. I put that book you recommended in my wishlist on amazon to be purchased later. I'm pretty excited about all this, I just wish it wasn't approaching the end of the season. I guess you've got it worse then I do though.

Wow lowest ever? Thats a pretty cool feeling I shot my first 79 with a double on 18. I basicly tried everything I could to screw it up and thought I did. I actually thought I needed to make bogey for 79. Turns out I added wrong. Had I known that I probably would have made a triple. Well I'm not going to think that anymore. Ahh yes nothing like a good ol fashion MN winter for a golfer.

 

[Kevin Shields]

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?

But it already sounds like you know that you dont have to hit perfect shots to play good golf. So why do it? Conservative strategy, aggressive swings. Make sure you have a consistent miss and the ability to get up and down if it doesnt go right. Cant help with the slow play. Tournaments are always going to be slow. You'll always have an achilles heel if it bothers you. Fotunately it doesnt bother me in the least. I usually have nowhere else to be and I could always be somewhere worse than a golf course....or dead.

 

[ZAP]

But it already sounds like you know that you dont have to hit perfect shots to play good golf. So why do it? Conservative strategy, aggressive swings. Make sure you have a consistent miss and the ability to get up and down if it doesnt go right. Cant help with the slow play. Tournaments are always going to be slow. You'll always have an achilles heel if it bothers you. Fotunately it doesnt bother me in the least. I usually have nowhere else to be and I could always be somewhere worse than a golf course....or dead.

You always make it sound so simple. And I guess on the surface it is really. You have met me a couple of times and you know I tend to be a little on the hyper side and I like to play aggressive. The course management stuff we talked about has helped me a lot. The problem is I know that deep down I do things to sabotage myself when they are not necessary. I have always stated that I would probably play better if someone else told me what shot to play.

 

[Matt Bryda]

Eyeoffish,

maybe...

I spend a lot of time "playing scared" or trying to hit perfect shots.

And being anxious with the pace of play could mean

"I'm not exactly sure what my miss shot is going to be" or "let's get it overwith already"

Playing scared is managing the "buzz you feel during competition".

When you know exactly what the miss shot is the buzz of competition becomes more managable.

Then for certain situations on the course or a time during the round the decision about when to be aggressive or conservative becomes matter of fact.

 

[ZAP]

Eyeoffish,

maybe...



And being anxious with the pace of play could mean

"I'm not exactly sure what my miss shot is going to be" or "let's get it overwith already"

Playing scared is managing the "buzz you feel during competition".

When you know exactly what the miss shot is the buzz of competition becomes more managable.

Then for certain situations on the course or a time during the round the decision about when to be aggressive or conservative becomes matter of fact.

All of that may be true to some extent. Thanks for the input. I would like to hear from a few people what the checklist of things they go through for each shot is. Sometimes I wonder what slower players are even doing or thinking to take all the time they take. Perhaps a more in depth playing lesson is in order for me next spring. Maybe I am missing important details about certain shots? This is part of what makes golf great in my opinion. There are so many layers of understanding. The buzz of competition actually helps me once I get going to think more clearly. (at least I think so) lol

For reference my checklist is
-what is my yardage to the flag
-am I better off missing short or long left or right
-what is the yardage playing to
-what shot shape/trajectory works the best
pull club and hit ball.

off the tee it is even more simple.
-pick a shot shape/trajectory
-decide which side of the fairway is the best.
-hit ball there (or try to)

 

[Kevin Shields]

Maybe the answers to the questiojns are wrong. That list sounds pretty good to me.

 

[Robbohank]

For reference my checklist is
-what is my yardage to the flag
-am I better off missing short or long left or right
-what is the yardage playing to
-what shot shape/trajectory works the best

This is a pretty good list and if Kevin agrees I would think you're on the right track.

I would add that "typically", long and left is never a good miss on any approach shot. Also, when I'm indecisive about an approach shot distance (be it due to wind or pin location) I want to know the yardage to the front and back. That usually lets me get more committed to club selection if I know that I can still get it on the green with a particular club even if I hit it a bit "off" or if I hammer it. Sometimes the pin just has to be totally ignored, as difficult as that can be to do.

Any lack of committment to the shot is a killer.

 

[Tball88]

Great thread, I've made a big breakthrough this year for me, staying consistently at a 5 or lower for a lot of the year. Now trying to get to scratch, which will be a challenge, but I'm excited about pursuing it. Lastly, hit my best scores ever this year, with several 73's and a 72. Here is a list of some items that have really helped me.

1. Learn to play relaxed, quit caring so much and enjoy the ride. I use to put a lot of pressure on myself to perform, which usually resulted in a bad day on the course. I now approach the first tee with absolutely no expectations of score, swing, etc. Just play, enjoy the day and add em up a the end.
2. Bogey is sometimes a great score. Use to try to always save par, if I was 220 out into a howling wind, and needed to hit a high draw, I would try. Now, I've learned to concede that sometimes you need to save par with the putter, if you don't so be it. Take your medicine and move on, don't make it worse.
3. quit focusing on the pin. for instance on a couple of holes at my course, they are protected at the front by a bunker. All I worry about is what I need to hit to carry the bunker, I get yardage to the back lip of the bunker and don't really worry about the pin. Anything on the green should result in par at worse.
4. miss on the correct side, don't go chasing sucker pins, can't tell you how many times I see people chase a back pin, hit the ball right on the yardage and it hops long, now they are short sided and dead.
5. shoot for giving yourself uphill putts, I'd rather have a 15 footer uphill, then a 10 footer downhill.
6. hit the shot you are capable of hitting and nothing else. ie: quit using your 60 degree wedge around the green, when a putter would work

all of this is probably pretty obvious, and has been written about, but hopefully it will be helpful for someone.