If you golf…it’s happened to you. It’s happened to me…it happens to the best golfers. That really bad round where you seriously start thinking you should give up the game. Now, we’re talking about those rounds that are significantly worse than you usually do.
I have to laugh at myself because, well, frankly, I had to choose to look at it that way if I wanted to overcome it.
In this video and another, I’m going to assist you to eliminating any negative effects from such a round.
Resilience, or, bouncing back…is 50% of mental toughness.
Perceptions…
One great thing about golf is that even when you play horribly, there’s much good that can come of it. Watch and learn. Look for Part 2 after this one.
greens and fairways,
Craig
Transcript
Title: Getting Over A Really Bad Round – part 1
I had one of the worst rounds in years the other day and it inspired me to do this video.
It was so bad it was actually comical. How is it that I can play a dozen rounds in a row where I feel like I can place a drive 260 yards out there on the fairway, at will, and then play this latest round and feel like this same driver is literally broken?
Well, I’m not going to try to explain it, in fact, I think that’s a waste of time. In these videos I’m going to tell you what to do about it when it happens…because guess what…it happens. And it happens to everyone, including the greatest in the world. (show clips – do Youtube search of “bad golf shots by pros” )
Did you hear about Kevin Na scoring a 16, the worst ever on a par 4?
(clip from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWTXoNzuk8c)
For starters, I’m thinking that makes you feel a little bit better like it does for me. That’s step 1, the beginning of the healing right there. Go watch videos of pro golfers screwing up. Type in Youtube: Worst Golf Shots
Going backwards, Here’s what you do when this first happens on the course.
During the round, when you know you’ve lost it. Why not just stop trying, start laughing, and have some fun? That’s what I did about the 8th hole when my scorecard was shot. Try some crazy shots. Go for tight pins. Swing as hard as you can.
I basically threw the scorecard away, hailed the cart girl for a beer, and just had fun! (show me with beer)
Now, here’s the ironic part…you know what I’m going to say don’t you? Yep, right after I did that, I started having some good shots. I loosened WAYYYY up. I didn’t finish strong enough to end up with a good score but I did continue to play with the INTENTION of remembering how to play loose to ingrain in my memory banks this feeling. Playing loose and free!
THAT is what I wanted to remember from this round. That’s my useful takeaway.
Go on to part 2 to find out how to delete the experience from your memory banks and get back to playing the way you know how.
I need consistency with the irons specailly from 5 to Pitching or wedge
Hi Fernando,
Here’s how I get solid contact with irons: http://golfshortcutsecrets.com/solid-contact-on-golf-shots/
Here’s how I hit the ball straight with irons: http://golfshortcutsecrets.com/hit-more-straight-golf-shots/
Really! That’s all I think about with regards to the physical game.
greens and fairways,
Craig
Some days, my iron play is down while my tee shots are good, and other days my driver and other woods fail me but my iron play allows me to score well enough. That can go on for a week or so (playing 4-5 times/wk). On the bad tee ball days, my frustration over wasting a great drive is stronger than when I have good iron days because good iron play means I can scramble for a decent score. So, bad iron days are worse. I’d like to think that when both are grooved I play golf to the best of my ability; however, a real test of one’s ability is to make something out of nothing. When not playing in competition, of any kind, I never keep score – I only think about the shot I have in front of me.
Thanks for comment Painter…you have identified exactly what your problem is here…the difference between how you think about “score” from practice rounds to competition. Sounds like an easy fix. Pre-live doing this in competition as you go to sleep each night and as you wake up in the morning. See what happens.
greens and fairways,
Craig
Hi Craig,
It is true if à prof tourplayer can make a 16 on a par 4 I’m allowed to make 7’s on par 3’s and 9’s on a par 4 😉
Tomorrow playing, will defenatly enjoy my round, whatever happens. I know my swing isn’t gone, it’s just on a brief holiday 😉 and a glass of rosé should do the rest.
Thx for the great tips I’ve read so far.
Hi Pascale,
Exactly! You are allowed and even more, expected to make mistakes. Give yourself that break when it happens…it happens to all of us. Last week I played a round on a very tough, long course and shot a 77 with 7 3-putts. Could have easily parred the course. This week, I shoot an 89 on an easy course. Go figure.
That’s golf! We love it….
greens and fairways,
Craig
Hi Craig,
Golf is the greatest game there is. It is challenging and somethimes so rewarding. Every round, we are open and thinking we will shoot the best score….( or that is what we wish?.. Lol) . What I learned so far is that everyone has it’s own obstacles. We can help them by saying do this or that, by our own experiences that helped for us. It doesn’t mean it will help for everyone. Like the big master says: when the people is ready, the master comes in… I know in my heart I am a great golfer, and for the last month’s I’m playing like crab. Have no idea what is happening. So I guess I am learning to deal with losses. Anyway I keep the faith, and know that everything is part of a learning evolution. Thank u all ready for the great tips I’ve read so far.
You’re welcome Pascale….
I often teach my clients that the only failure in life – is a failure to learn.
Sometimes, we just need to learn acceptance and resilience and poor performances help us do that don’t they?
Craig
The other day I played a round at one of my favourite courses (i.e., a course I feel comfortable on). I went in with the strategy that I would just enjoy the day and enjoy the company with my friends and enjoy the scenery and great views from the golf course. Played terrible. Drives were inconsistent and all over the map, I hit one shank (that I haven’t done in a long time) and simply didn’t play well. I didn’t let it bother me and still enjoyed the day however my score was really bad. I went to the range tonight to practice some more and attempt to get rid of some of my bad shots.
Hi Ken,
There’s a balance we have to find between having fun and focusing on the task at hand. You can go overboard with “not caring” much about the score as you have written. The solution is intense, extreme focus for those moments in the preshot routine leading up the swing and the swing or putting stroke itself….while holding an overall attitude of gratitude about being there. That’s the trick.
Being too relaxed and not focused can be just as bad as being too tense.
Keep at it..you’ll find that middle ground that works for you.
greens and fairways,
Craig
Hi Craig.
THANKS for ALL the Tips. Do you have anything on hitting fairway Woods beter ? The Three Wood was one of my Favorite and Best Hit clubs. NOW I am hitting them fat and high OR worse yet Topping. I am at a Loss any help will be Gretly Appreciated.
Rick
Hi Rick,
I don’t teach the swing…but, if I were a betting man, I would bet that you you are lifting and then lowering your head through the swing. Concentrate on keeping your head level through the swing. Swing a hundred times at home just focusing on that.
Greens and Fairways,
Craig