The Mental Game

I always here the pro’s saying they are trying to keep focused on the shot at hand. When they post a good score, it is always “I took one shot at a time”.

I will admit I am not the most patient guy. Does anyone have good insight into something that has helped them remain focused on the job at hand, shot for shot.

I need help, I lose my focus after 10-12 holes, yet when I do shoot those great rounds, I barely remember trying.

Thoughts?

I think what that pro’s mean when they say they “take it one shot at a time” is that they are able to be more consistent when they don’t let the results of previous shots (good or bad) affect the outcome of the shot at hand. It’s not something you normally have to worry about when you are playing well, but can make a world of difference when you are struggling. I guess that is how they hardly ever break par.

As for losing focus, you need a good routine to stick to. Having a comfortable, repetitive sequence of events that proceed each shot can help keep you focused when your mind starts to wander. The key is to keep it simple.

One of the things I’ve found most helpful regarding concentration during a round was taught to me by a great golf pschologist, Chuck Hogan. He talked about how difficult it is to “try” to concentrate on the game during the entire round of golf, which nowadays, sadly, can last 5 hours or more. He recommends, after hitting a shot (and watching it finish, then “letting it go”), to simply become aware of the entire surroundings, the golf course, your partners, etc. and appreciate where you are, the day, etc. In other words, something other than the last shot/result, or the next shot. Then, as you get closer to your ball and the next shot, start to narrow your focus to the shot/conditions/intention, until, by the time you’re ready to hit, you’ve narrowed your focus completely to the ball/target. As Hogan says, “repeat until the ball is in the hole.” I’ve found that when I’ve been able to really get into the rhythm of that way of playing, it’s helped quite a bit.

I do think Mitch has described one of the good ways to relax on the course between shots…look around & enjoy the surroundings and then refocus as you approach the next shot.

I was programmed by my father and his friends to enjoy yourself on the golf course and that the next shot will be the ‘one’ that will be purely struck and remembered whether it is a drive, iron or putt. The next shot is the important one and focusing on that when your turn approaches should help with the whole of the game. Therein lies the challenge.

Pucky if after 10-12 holes you’ve found your concentration wandering remember to take on some fuel…bananas, chocolate, water etc. You’ll have been out on the course for at least 2 1/2 hours.

Cheers, John.

Well, what I can tell you about the mental side of my game are following things: When I analyzed my endurence report I found out that my game is very constantly during the first twelve holes (average stableford points between 1,94 – 2,08 – and 1,96 netto) on hole 13 I start loosing continualy my concentration. average score on 13 (1,91), 15(1,78) 18(1,53). I spoke with my coach about this Problem and he said, that I should work on my concentration and I attand a mental coach. What I do now is I put each stroke into my personal digital caddie and I can keep my brain clear. It realy works. I’m honest! Yes I’m proud to show you my statistic :-) because I made them with my own developed product. watch at http://static.flickr.com/117/315765410_d3c5290a…

One of the key things to remember when reading anything regarding the mental approach to ANYTHING is this: Different strokes for different folks. Yes the things you read give you a starting point but be wary of following anybody’s suggestion to the letter. I’ve read alot about how to get your mind focused for each shot and how not to let that last “shanker” ruin your next shot. The thing is, what works for one person may or may not work for others. I think alot of people pour over numbers and stats because they really want to prove to themselves that they are getting better. Well unless someone on this board plays professionally, I don’t think any of us is going to benefit from stats. The only reason I play golf as much as I do is because I love the game and I like the challenge. When I start to play so much that I find myself getting frustrated because every shot isn’t perfect, I stop and remember my name is not Eldrick. I remember that I don’t get paid to play. I stop and remember that a large percentage of golfers never even break 100. This is when I start to get back into MY game and start enjoying the game all over again. Once again, these are just my thoughts and opinions.

You might be right but isn’t there a motivation to lower your HCP to improve your game? If you don’t have any motivation to put the little white ball with less strokes into the hole why are you playing GOLF? I think that the humans always needs a kind of sense/target to do something. And in the Golfgame the sence/target is to keep the number of strokes down. Why getting peoples angry when they have a bad shot? May be you are one of the human who already chatched all personal targest and you are the lucky winner at the end of the day. I would wish it to you :-)!

Well Simon, if you are NOT referring to me, disregard the rest of this post. If you are, then here’s my other 2 pennies: I do consider myself to be lucky. I think alot of people have a very unrealistic view of golf (and other things). Some people feel that after they have played for 25 years they should be Tiger-good since he’s been playing about that long. Problem is, we are not Tiger. I admit that each time I make a bad shot. Just because Tiger can do something doesn’t mean someone else can do it. For example, I don’t remember which tourney it was in but he hit a shot out of a bunker, all carry, over water, to the green….206 yards away…with a 6-iron. That’s the kind of thing people see and want to do. With good reason but come on…

Improving doesn’t always come in the form of numbers. I went to the range yesterday and realized how much I was improving my ball striking with my irons and just how much my release is finally becoming second-nature with my driver. These are improvements…but no numbers. Sometimes number don’t show what’s really going on. How many people have played what they thought was a great round only to find out there were 3 or 4 shots worse than their best round? Or how many have played what felt like lousy golf only to be 1 off their best round?

The game of golf is a crazy thing. What works for one won’t work for another. If number help you, use them. If not thinking about the game helps you, use that. If using a eraser helps you the most, well….

I learned a great tip from our golf pro. It has worked for me at least.

“You will learn to play better and enjoy the game more when you can ‘accept’ not ‘expect’ that you will hit a bad shot occasionally.”

This way when you do hit a bad shot (and you occasionally will) you move on and just worry about the next shot. Dwelling over a shot that is in the past does nothing but burden your mind.

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