I have read quite a few comments from people here about getting frustrated on the course when "things go bad", so I figured this might be a good time to share a few strategies, and maybe help a few people struggling with this.
I haven't been a member of THP long, but in the time I have been here two things really stand out:
1. There's a tremendous passion for golf among THP'ers.
2. Everyone is trying to improve their game.
So now let's fast forward to the course. You hit a bad shot, miss a putt, whatever. If you find yourself getting upset, and that leads to another bad shot, and possible an unenjoyable round overall, maybe there are strategies you can use to avoid this. I personally think it is a mindset, and if you approach the round correctly, you might turn a few bad shots into a productive session, or even a new personal best.
What things can you do? Take a bad shot off the tee into the rough. It is a great chance to work on that shot, and who couldn't use a little more practice there? You aren't going to practice it at the range. For example, I hit my second shot into a dirt field. And then I hit my next shot a little further, but still in the dirt. Instead of getting pissed off, I just tried to focus on sorting out that shot. Maybe breaking some milestone in the future will depend on hitting this. And btw, my second try was amazing, although I ended up in a bunker. And that presented another opportunity to try a shot I don't normally get to try.
So a bad shot here or there is a great chance to try something new, or work on a lie you might not see too often. This does 2 things. It helps you maintain your passion for the game, and you get to work on things that can make you a better golfer.
Let's say it just isn't your day. Every other shot is just not great. You probably won't set a PB on that day, so forget the score, drop an extra ball or two, and make it a really good practice round, You will actually get to work on things you might not attempt if you were in "scoring mode". Ever wonder if you could clear that pond? One way to find out! Maybe laying up gives the best chance for birdie, but you never tried it. Go for it.
My point is this. In our journey to get better we cannot throw away golden opportunities to get better just because this round won't be our best score ever. When we do that, we not only miss opportunities to improve our game. We also reduce our enjoyment of it. And that just doesn't make sense. So next time you are on the course and the wheels come off (for a shot, a hole or the day), give these strategies a shot.
What strategies do you use? How do you keep things positive - and productive, when it just isn't your day?
I haven't been a member of THP long, but in the time I have been here two things really stand out:
1. There's a tremendous passion for golf among THP'ers.
2. Everyone is trying to improve their game.
So now let's fast forward to the course. You hit a bad shot, miss a putt, whatever. If you find yourself getting upset, and that leads to another bad shot, and possible an unenjoyable round overall, maybe there are strategies you can use to avoid this. I personally think it is a mindset, and if you approach the round correctly, you might turn a few bad shots into a productive session, or even a new personal best.
What things can you do? Take a bad shot off the tee into the rough. It is a great chance to work on that shot, and who couldn't use a little more practice there? You aren't going to practice it at the range. For example, I hit my second shot into a dirt field. And then I hit my next shot a little further, but still in the dirt. Instead of getting pissed off, I just tried to focus on sorting out that shot. Maybe breaking some milestone in the future will depend on hitting this. And btw, my second try was amazing, although I ended up in a bunker. And that presented another opportunity to try a shot I don't normally get to try.
So a bad shot here or there is a great chance to try something new, or work on a lie you might not see too often. This does 2 things. It helps you maintain your passion for the game, and you get to work on things that can make you a better golfer.
Let's say it just isn't your day. Every other shot is just not great. You probably won't set a PB on that day, so forget the score, drop an extra ball or two, and make it a really good practice round, You will actually get to work on things you might not attempt if you were in "scoring mode". Ever wonder if you could clear that pond? One way to find out! Maybe laying up gives the best chance for birdie, but you never tried it. Go for it.
My point is this. In our journey to get better we cannot throw away golden opportunities to get better just because this round won't be our best score ever. When we do that, we not only miss opportunities to improve our game. We also reduce our enjoyment of it. And that just doesn't make sense. So next time you are on the course and the wheels come off (for a shot, a hole or the day), give these strategies a shot.
What strategies do you use? How do you keep things positive - and productive, when it just isn't your day?
