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The Mental Game (Part 2)
Think Your Way To Lower Scores
Bob Power
I've had people tell me that when they come to the golf course
they try not to think about anything and others that say that
their head is full of thoughts. The one time that you need
to have a clear mind is when you are standing over the ball
ready to hit. Before and after that you need to control your
thoughts. In fact a clear thought out round can really help
you relax and have a more enjoyable round.
Warming up and stretching can help you get into the golf mind
set. It will also get the blood flowing. Before I tee off
on the first hole I take two clubs and swing them about 20
times in a full easy golf swing. This gets the muscles loose
and the blood flowing.
Before each shot stand behind the ball and think about where
you would like to hit it. Pick a spot in the fairway or on
the green where you will target your shot to. Think about
and even try to envision the shot as you stand behind the
ball. When you set up to hit clear your mind, swing easy and
commit to the shot. If your shot does not work out the way
you wanted spend a very little time in analysing the shot.
If you know what you did wrong then fine, but if you don't
know what happened, forget it. You're not going to figure
it out on the course anyway. Try not to get frustrated it'
only going to spoil your next shot or your entire round.
Don't practice on the golf course. I played with my sister
in law one day and all she did was remind herself of the 25
different things she learned at her golf lesson that week.
She never hit a good shot all day and left the course more
frustrated than when she arrived. Practice at the driving
range.
As you walk to your ball after you have hit it try to take
in the surroundings and enjoy the time you have on the course.
Try to get as much relaxation out of your round as possible.
Enjoy the people you are with or enjoy the personal alone
time you have, it's precious.
As you approach the ball try to decide in your mind where
you are in yardage from the green. There are usually markers
on the fairways or markers with colored stakes on the edge
of the fairways. Knowing how far you are from the green will
help you think about what type of shot and what club you will
use. I always try to think about how I'm going to play each
hole before I tee off.
When I'm waiting to tee off I'll look at the score card and
try to map out my approach to the hole. For example if the
next hole is a long par four I'll stand on the tee and have
a look at the entire hole. I might decide to use a 5 wood,
9 iron, PW, and a one putt for par. Also I have chosen 3 shots
I'm also confident in hitting. Having made up my mind before
hand helps me relax more and concentrate on each shot. I don't
feel anxious or uncertain about a possible upcoming shot.
If one of the shots doesn't work out I'll handle that as it
comes, but planning before hand really helps. A par five might
be a driver, 5 iron and 9 iron with a putt for birdie or at
least two putts for par.
Even a long par three can be a challenge if it has a lot of
bunkers or has a water hazard. If you're anxious about water
or bunkers then decide to lay up. Lets say the hole is 210
yards with bunkers and a water hazard. You could tee off with
a club that will get you out there 150 yards and then you
are left with a 50-yard chip or pitch shot with one putt for
par. That may be better than putting one in the water off
of the tee or in the bunker. Most weekend golfers I know have
a hard time with bunker shots. Avoid them if possible. Even
though I could drive the green myself I might lay up if the
hazards are too difficult.
In conclusion, thinking about your round, or the next shot
can really help you lower your score. A little forethought
will help you be honest with yourself and help you avoid those
shots that you are not capable of. Playing within your strengths
is not coping out, but it is accepting your own capabilities,
and it will actually help you lower your golf scores as we
will see in the next article.
See related articles:
The Mental Game (Part 1) -
Introduction
The Mental Game (Part 3) -
Play to Your Strengths
Bob Power lives in Canada with his wife of 30 years
and is an educator in an institution of higher learning. When
not playing he is researching the basics of golf and how to
teach the simplicity of the game through the "Back To Basics"
approach to the game. To ask Bob any questions or to pass
on any comment please e-mail him at info@howtoandyou.com
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