I start the first 4 or 5 holes off real well, usually no more than 2 over. Then, around the 6th hole on the front, I fall apart for some reason. Same thing happens on the back nine.
This happened to me yesterday. I started off even after the first four holes, then fell apart around the 6th hole and ended up with a 44 on the front. Then, on the back, I started off 1 over after 4 holes, then fell apart. I landed on the green on a 170 yard par 3, then proceeded to four putt. After the four putt, it was down hill. I seem to lose my mental edge and my game goes to ****.
This seems to happen to me nearly every round. I shoot in the high 80s quite often, but I know I'm good enough (physically) to shoot mid to low 80s, if I could just keep my head in the game. I generally try to look ahead to the next shot, but after a 4 putt, it's tough.
It's almost like somewhere in the back of my head, I'm afraid to let myself shoot a good round.
How do you guys cope with this insane game and your blatant mental lapses?
Don't keep score--or let somebody else do it, and don't look at it until the round is over. Getting over the numbers game going on in your head is the first step.
Also, make sure that you are drinking water and eating something every few holes.
Don't keep score--or let somebody else do it, and don't look at it until the round is over. Getting over the numbers game going on in your head is the first step.
Also, make sure that you are drinking water and eating something every few holes.
Don't keep score--or let somebody else do it, and don't look at it until the round is over. Getting over the numbers game going on in your head is the first step.
Also, make sure that you are drinking water and eating something every few holes.
Yeah, the numbers game may be a factor. I'm always thinking, "I'm 3 over, if I can par the next 3 holes I'll be in good shape."
As far as drinking water, here in AZ, it's a necessity more than anything.
I think part of it is mental, I know Im the same way.. I think my swing is shorter the first few holes out... I either not completely warmed up or just taking a smooth swing.... THEN my body starts to limber up by holes 5 , 6 and I think I start to over swing and swing harder..which gets me in trouble.. Then I have to remind myseld to take smooth swings.....
Don't underestimate the food requirements. I used to be similar in tournaments and discovered that simply eating a couple crackers every hole or so helps a lot. Usually my mistakes were more of the mental type which food definitely helps.
I have this problem, bigtime. I can be one or two over through 5 or 6 holes, then put up a couple of 7's and maybe a 6, or vice-versa. Lastweek, playing a somewhat difficult course, birdied both par 5's and shot 44. Actually fell apart worse on the back.
I fee I definitely have the skill to consistently shoot low to mid 80's,but I just can't do it due to blow-up holes, every single round. That is the most frustrating thing to me.
For me, I think what happens is when I'm playing good, I am taking a solid swing, swinging hard enough I don't even have to think about having a good finish to my swing. So, after 5 or 6 good holes, I start thinking "don't over-swing, nice and easy etc" and I sh*nk the cr*p out of it. When I swing too easy, it is like I get out of sync, and then, for some reason, I don't follow through.
Not that I've mastered it by any means, but any time I'm really falling apart I have to think, really think about what it was I was doing before the wheels went careening off into the grandstands and took out 8 spectators.
I tend to get in a hurry and be impatient. It's only when I can check my ego, leave the driver in the bag and hit a 5 wood off the tee or have the courage to lay up after a bad drive on a long par four that I can get back into any kind of groove.
Thinking is hard work. That's why I fail to do it so much on the golf course.
Obviously I dont' speak for everyone but this is my approach to a round of golf, I arrive at the club an hour before I tee off and have a light breakfast. I dont' spend too much time at the practice range other than hitting about a dozen balls, I prefer to spend my time hitting a few chip shots and on the putting green. I also prefer not to keep score, I am always ready mentally, swing thoughts are at an absolute minimum. I attempt to play my round one shot at a time applying my best effort on each and every shot whether it be a drive or a short putt. Nibble on something between holes and carry some bottled water, pace yourself, relax and enjoy your surroundings. It works for me.
September 6th, 2005, 11:44 AM
After the four putt, it was down hill. I seem to lose my mental edge and my game goes to ****. 
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