At least half of this game.....

[SiberianDVM]

is 90% mental, to paraphrase Yogi.

Yesterday on the front, playing alone, with no one behind me, I shot a 42, with these SRP (+1,+1,+2,0,0,+1,0,+1,0).

On the back, initially being pushed by 2 old codgers in a cart, playing from the golds, letting them play through, then pairing up with another walker, I shot a 49 (+1,+1,+2,+1,+3,+2,+1,+1,+1). There went breaking 90 for the first time.

Obviously, I'm still self-conscious about my playing ability, to the point where I'm losing almost a stroke a hole. When someone's watching, I tighten up and hit a lot of poor shots.

Any advice?

[Silver]

Get used to it and it'll pass. Probably after you actually get those lower numbers a few times.

I have a tendency to play like poo when I play with a couple of my friends, and great with others. But even the couple that I don't play well with, I've started scoring lower around after I started to score lower with the friends that I felt more comfortable with. Odd as it may seem.

Also, it may not necessarily be a factor of having the guys there as much as the unwillingness to allow yourself to score lower than "you are capable of"...it's kind of a thing from Zen Golf...where if you don't go too low, you can't have too hgh of expectations for yourself and thus won't make the game too stressful. I've had a lot of rounds that were scored exactly like yours - 42-49, 41-50, etc. Drives me insane.

[DouginGA]

Like you say doc mostly mental state of mind; especially in regards to "others watching". what you have to remind yourself is: 80% +- of golfers never break 100. You Doc, are playing in the top 20%. So why worry? why be "self-conscious about my playing ability" ? You ARE a good golfer Believe it, its true, and if you do happen to duff one so what? You ARE a good golfer Believe it, its true, You ARE a good golfer Believe it, its true, etc, etc.
Peace
Doug

[SiberianDVM]

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll keep plugging away, but I think it relates to a deep feeling of insecurity. I hate audiences, could never perform on the stage, for instance.

My God, it probably goes back to childhood and not being breastfed! They didn't do that back then!

[wirehair]

Damn Doc, you're getting to be downright competent. Well done. If you can do 9 in 42, you ought to be able to play with almost anyone without feeling self-conscious. Not only that, but scores go up in cold weather.

BTW: Breast feeding is wasted on babies.

[SiberianDVM]

<blush> Thanks for the kind words.

You know, people who have never tried golf (otherwise known as sane people) have no idea how difficult and addicting it is. There are so many different shots to learn, forget, and learn all over again.

It's a neverending challenge.

[DouginGA]

not being breastfed??? LOL
my father and I usually try to add to a list of 10,000 excuses for a bad shot when playing but that one takes the cake!!

[DaveE]

Originally Posted by SiberianDVM

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll keep plugging away, but I think it relates to a deep feeling of insecurity. I hate audiences, could never perform on the stage, for instance.

My God, it probably goes back to childhood and not being breastfed! They didn't do that back then!

Not to take away from your breastfeeding arguement but you might consider this.

Nobody really cares whether you play well or not. I use to worry about crap like this but then it hit me that I never think about how the other guys I'm playing with are doing.

They hit a good shot, I say good shot and move on. They hit a bad shot, I keep my mouth shut and worry about my own next shot.

Once I realized this I was able to concentrate on my own game and forget about who I was playing with or what they might be thinking. Enjoy the game and remember, nobody cares.

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by DaveE

Enjoy the game and remember, nobody cares.

I care.

R35

[DaveE]

Originally Posted by Rockford35

I care.

R35

Way to go, now he'll never get over hitting in front of people.

[SiberianDVM]

Rock cares. <sniff>

By the way, I screwed up this computer yesterday so bad that I haven't been able to post until now. Does anybody care?

[Silver]

^ not me!

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by Silver

^ not me!

LOL x 10.

R35

[mont86]

Hankies for everyone. You guys are making me ill. I hope no one says they need a hug!

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by mont86

I hope no one says they need a hug!

I think you are confusing a Choke hold for a hug.