Mental Help & Techniques

[huggystyle]

Hi

I am playing in my first Leslie Wood match for my club (Essex tournament between clubs in Essex, AM foursomes, PM Singles) I need help with my mental game. I Play off 10 at the mo. Today in the monthly stapleford medal I shot a gross 33 on front (2 under par) 24 points. Then on the back I only managed 15 points. This has been happening a lot lately. I seem to play so well on the front but then I fall flat on the back. Is there any mental tips you can suggest to help me keep playing well the whole 18???????

[ManchesterGolfer]

Try reading 'Golf is a game of confidence' by Robert Rotella. My mates a pro and he swears by it. He gives accounts of different players he's helped with there mental game from pro's to weekend hackers. He gives different ways of how to concentrate whilst on the course.

The one that worked for me is about staying in the moment, forgetting your last shot, good or bad & not letting your score good or bad affect your next shot. Maybe after storming the front 9 when you add your score together your letting your mind wonder thinking about how easy it will be to win from the position you find yourself in and don't give your next shot your full attention. I can't concentrate for 18 holes, so I try to switch my brain on when I put my bag down next to the ball (my key to get in the zone). If i'm not next to play I will keep my bag on my sholders until it's my shot. From putting my bag down to playing my shot I try to keep short so i don't over complecate things. Hope this helps.

[Adam Pettman]

If you cant laugh on your way to the next tee your taking it to seriously.

[huggystyle]

Thanks for the tips ManchesterGolfer. I have ordered the book from Amazon and will read it as soon as it arrives. I have devised a pre shot routine to stick to for every shot that should help in keeping my mind focused.

[Highdraw34]

Are you absolutely positive the problem is mental and not physical. I always played better on the front than the back until I really got in shape. It wasn't mental for me at all. Golf is physically demanding even if you ride. Firing all of those muscles repetitiously over the course of a couple of hours will affect your swing. In fact your swing will be mush by the second 9 if they are fatigued. I'm not saying it isn't mental. I'm just saying think about the physical side as well.

[Matthew_22]

I agree with what everyone has said so far, and especially support developing your own pre-shot routine. This helps to give you the feeling that no shot is all that much different from another, and also helps you focus.

Also, try and figure out only one thing to concentrate on while making your swing. If you ever feel you swing becoming inconsistent later in the game, go back to concentrating on that one thought.

There is no right or wrong way to go about the mental game, and what works for one person doesn't work for another person, so just experiment try to apply the concepts in the book that you have bought.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Highdraw34

Are you absolutely positive the problem is mental and not physical. I always played better on the front than the back until I really got in shape. It wasn't mental for me at all. Golf is physically demanding even if you ride. Firing all of those muscles repetitiously over the course of a couple of hours will affect your swing. In fact your swing will be mush by the second 9 if they are fatigued. I'm not saying it isn't mental. I'm just saying think about the physical side as well.

This was my thought as well. Even if you are mentally fatigued it may still be a matter of lack energy. Take couple power bars or something along if you don't already. If you hit the range prior to the course you may think of limiting the balls to maybe just a few. When I started out I would hit 30 to 40 balls, by switching to just stretches and 9-10 balls or even none, I had a lot less problem on the back nine and staying mentally focused. Drink alot more water or maybe powerade or gatorade to keep your energy up. If you drink alcohol on the course then obviously that can add to it, but for me I would rather be a little fatigued. I usually try to hold off until the back nine though. Even if you start out with Coffee, it may be better to opt for water or electrolytes. Maybe consider breakfeast or lunch prior to the round if you do not already.

Usually any mental fatigue I have on the course is usually a matter of lack of energy. If you already do all this, then sorry, but I thought it was worth further considering.

If it is just mental, if you do not already, consider playing the course in you head the night before if you are familiar with the course. Breakdown the tee shot and the approach. You will go into each hole with a formulated plan, even if you deviate from the plan it takes away much of the thought and gives you a better sense of course management while on the course eliminating much of the stress.

[CybrSlicr]

The best advice is the Rotella books - definitely worth the read. They are:

Golf Is A Game of Confidence
Golf Is Not A Game of Perfect
Putting Out Of Your Mind
The Golf of Your Dreams
The Golfer's Mind: Play to Play Great (this one is a "greatest hits" or "summary" of the first four books)

Another good read is "Every Shot Must have A Purpose" by Pia Nilsson. She has worked with Annika. I am halfway through it now. Another great read with some great suggestions for the mental approach to the game. I like this book because she gives you some great drills you can actually do during a round of golf to help you.

Example: keep a separate score for your round based on the following: 1 pt per fairway in reg, 1 point per green in reg, 1 point for par, 2 points for birdie, 1 point for an up-and-down. The goal here is to make you focus on each shot in itself, as it is now worth something, as opposed to your overall score, which is really out of your control. I plan to try this next time out.

These books will help your mental preparation before the round and during the round.

[Big Brother Dunk]

Rotella is terrific. I've got "Golf is Not a Game of Perfect" and it's great!

Another one that deals with the mental aspect of the game is "The Inner Game of Golf" by Timothy Gallwey. I highly recommend that one as well.