golfrewind.com

I've noticed that I play considerably worse during a round in which I'm paired with slow players (I'm a very fast player BTW - I use to not take a single practice swing though I've incorporated one now). For one reason or another, it throws me off. I hurry my shots in order to compensate for the group's slow play and I think more about the pace of play rather than the shots themselves. What's a good way for me keep focus during the round.

Think about your game and what you have to do next, nothing else.

I have a tendancy to do the same thing Noobie. Tomorrow in my casual office league, I am grouped with a guy that is just taking up the game, another who takes triple or quad on every hole, and another guy that is fair, but has one speed, and that is slow.

That is the makings for a slow group. I have played with the last guy before on a weekend, and he gets ticked off when the group behind is hitting into us when we play in 4-30 to 4-45 and the group infront of us finishes two holes ahead of us.

But, for some reason I seem to play a little better when the whole round is slow, due to the course being backed up.

Slow play is just another part of the mental game of golf that you will learn to adjust to over time. Just get to your ball and use your time checking out your shot or practice swinging or whatever; When it's your turn to hit start your routine and go. Just keep the time that you spend in your routine and the things you do in it the same and don't concern yourself with the time in between and you will learn to enjoy your golf with anyone and any pace. I used to love to play fast too but now I don't care how fast other players are because my pre-shot routine never changes. I think a quick, consistant routine is best. Stepping in and out of the routine ( or zone ) is one of the most important things to learn as a golfer reaches his scoreing potential. If you even realize what you thought about or what went on around you when in your routine your not focused enough. When at the practice range don't hit any shot without the routine and it won't be long before you enjoy the time between shots as much as the time hitting the shots. Just remember your mind may not like this approach to practice at first because it is much more demanding mentally and practice will start to feel like work plus you won't be able to hit as many shots in the same time at the range; but, if you keep it up it will pay dividends bigtime in the long run. I love this game! Fore! Mossie