Mental Game

[Alphanumega]

i know there are people that say that the mental game is crap, but i really think that that is whats holding me back, this season i was shooting 3 over for 9 holes (i play at the highschool level) and now i struggle to make a a bogey golf round. any ideas?

[mont86]

Maintain a healthy attitude. The power of positive thinking.

[JEFF4i]

Also something that works for me is get yourself going internally, get excited, and get momentum.

It focuses me, at least.

[Crossfire]

Find something that excites you, for me its hitting a long drive. Even if im playing poorly, a nice long drive could give you the confidence you need to play well. It doesnt have to be a drive, ive gotten focused off of a flop shot i holed, and i ended up shooting lights out for the next 6 holes.

[ironman]

read "Zen Golf" by j. parent
bit new agey yet helpful.

simply, think positively about your next shot, visualize it and shoot. let go of anything else.

[Sandpiper3]

i know there are people that say that the mental game is crap

These are the ppl who suck (to put it lightly). Anyone who says that is full of either sh*t, or themselves.

My tip, whatever happens on your shot, look at it, say wat happend, and take no more then 30 secs. thinkin about it, then focus on the next shot, ALWAYS the NEXT shot, nvr the last one. You may see me, im the one on the course hitting my bag after my shot, but then you'll see me confident again in no more then a minute, looking toward my next shot.

[greggomatic76]

I totally hear you on this one. I shot around 40 consistantly on 9 holes when I was 14. I joined the Jr High golf team and promptly shot a 106 in my first tournament. Competition for me made me lose sight of the fun, RELAXED side of golf and when I wasn't relaxed I didn't play well and if I wasn't having fun than I wasn't relaxed. I just decided that I couldn't shoot worse than 106 and decided to laugh at every bad shot and get psyched over the good ones. After a little mental TLC from a friend I shot 87 at the next tourney in driving rain and took 3rd. If I could say anything, just relax and let your muscles do what they know they can.

[JEFF4i]

Originally Posted by Sandpiper3

These are the ppl who suck (to put it lightly). Anyone who says that is full of either sh*t, or themselves.

After laughing, he does have a great point. Look at Tiger vs. Phil. What one key does Tiger hold that always trumps ol Phil boy? The mental game.

[Sandpiper3]

I had to be blunt....

[Sandpiper3]

After laughing, he does have a great point. Look at Tiger vs. Phil. What one key does Tiger hold that always trumps ol Phil boy? The mental game.

I had to be blunt....

[greggomatic76]

As much as I am a PG (phil guy) as Rick Riley put it Tiger does have the mental aspect of the game down. I guess thats what happens when your whole life has been golf. I am not a fan of involuntary amazing athletes that are only good because their parents started them swingin' in diapers.

[Alphanumega]

thanks, i hope itll help, i love my spot on varsity my sernior year because of a 104 in my first tournament a month ago and now i didnt play enough varsity matches to qualify for my athletic conference championships wedsday even though im still beating the kid who took my spot.

[JEFF4i]

Originally Posted by greggomatic76

. I am not a fan of involuntary amazing athletes that are only good because their parents started them swingin' in diapers.

Are you refering to Tiger?

If so, it did help he started young, but there's only one Tiger Woods and it isn't because he started young.

[Alphanumega]

personally, i wish i could keep a good mental game. just like my man freddy couples, but lately i seem to be slipping. i seem to have lost all confidence, playing less like freddy and more like ian aker finch.

[JEFF4i]

Go play a bit easier course and build yourself back up. Take safe shots for every shot, and take it easy.

Confidence and Aggresiveness or congruent with one another.